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Malaysia's former finance minister Lim Guan Eng pleads not guilty to bribe charge
Malaysia's former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court on Aug 7, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Lim Huey Teng)
By Vincent Tan
07 Aug 2020 10:23AM (Updated: 07 Aug 2020 05:33PM )
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's former minister for finance Lim Guan Eng has pleaded not guilty to a corruption charge over the RM6.3 billion (US$1.5 billion) Penang undersea tunnel project on Friday (Aug 7).
Lim was accused of asking for a 10 per cent cut from the profits of the project when he was Penang chief minister.
He allegedly solicited the bribe from Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, whose company was appointed by the state government to implement the roads and tunnel project. He was accused of committing the offence near a hotel in Kuala Lumpur in March 2011.
Lim, 59, was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a fine up to five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, and a jail term of up to 20 years.
Malaysia's former finance minister Lim Guan Eng is escorted by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers to Duta Court complex in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 7, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan)
He was brought to the Special Corruption Court on Friday morning amid intense media presence.
His arrest on Thursday night came after a months-long investigation into graft allegations over the undersea tunnel project, part of the Penang Transport Master Plan.
The 7.2km undersea tunnel was planned to connect Penang's state capital George Town to mainland Butterworth.
Lim, who is the secretary-general of Democratic Action Party, was Penang chief minister from 2008 until his appointment as the finance minister in 2018.
Malaysia's former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court, Aug 7, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Lim Huey Teng)
Previously, he had been charged with two counts of abuse of power for approving a land deal and the purchase of a bungalow below market price.
The charges were dismissed after Barisan Nasional (BN) led by then-prime minister Najib Razak was defeated by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition in the 2018 elections.
Najib has since been sentenced to 12 years' jail and fined approximately US$50 million on Jul 28, after being found guilty in his first 1MDB-related trial.
The PH coalition led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad had earlier collapsed in February and replaced by Perikatan Nasional, which is made up of BN component parties and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
LIM MAINTAINS HIS INNOCENCE
Speaking to reporters after posting bail, Lim described the charge as a "baseless allegation" and "politically motivated" to tarnish his reputation.
"I want to stress that I never received any gratification, and I've said this to MACC. And they never asked me to show proof of whether I got millions or billions of ringgit in my bank account, or whether I had millions of ringgit in cash in my possession," he said.
Malaysia's former finance minister Lim Guan Eng speaks to members of the media after posting bail outside the Duta Court complex in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 7, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan)
The politician added that the undersea tunnel project was awarded on an open tender basis, and to date, "not a single cent" has been paid for the tunnel project.
"I will fight to prove my innocence in court, and I believe that truth will show that I have not received any gratification and there is no corruption," he said.
According to a Thursday statement from the MACC, Lim will face two other charges in Penang next week.
Separately, his wife and sister have been called in by the Penang MACC, local media reported.
Source: CNA/tx/zl


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The WSW Trek 25: #20-17
Previously: #25-21
This list took months to prepare, and to be honest, I'm still not completely certain about its order, but there comes a time when you have to dance with the girl ya brung. I'm sure this list will change in ten years (with or without the addition of any Discovery episodes), but this will do for now.
#20. "Space Seed" (TOS). I will concede Into Darkness this: the Khan/Spock battle was more in line with how I would expect a genetically enhanced human to fight. When Khan fights Kirk in this ep, he brags, "I have five times your strength," yet Kirk still beats him unconscious with a thingamajig he pulls from the wall. I think Khan took a dive is what I'm saying. But combat skill (or lack thereof) is not why I like original Khan; it's his charisma, his great intelligence, his Machiavellian methods to coerce and seduce and charm. Needless to say, Ricardo Montalban was entirely convincing, like a jungle cat on the prowl. The other guy simply did not have it. So yay for an ep that gave us one of the best villains in television history, but points off for having him job to an ordinary human with a... what was that thing Kirk beat him with, anyway?
#19. "The Measure of a Man" (TNG). Lightning struck twice with the introduction of Data. He appealed to viewers for many of the same reasons - outsider status, emotionless, objective observer of human foibles, unique way of thinking and acting - that made Spock a fan favorite. This ep justified Data. As artificial intelligence becomes a bigger thing in real life, to the point where people are already beginning to think of them as equivalent to lower life forms, we're gonna need to ask ourselves the same questions asked here: are AIs autonomous individuals, or are they property? Data, of course, was not truly emotionless, and neither was Spock. That's why we felt for him like any other character. Brent Spiner was able to walk the fine line between acting like the Lost in Space robot and an actual human. Couldn't have been easy, but he was successful.
#18. "All Good Things..." (TNG). The best "final episode" of the Trek series to date. Its mind-bending concept (anti-time? Is she the sister of Father Time?) was a great excuse to bring back TNG alumni Denise Crosby and Colm Meaney for another go-round, to put the regular cast in old-age makeup, and to let Q be Q once more. My only complaint: I would have liked some resolution to the Worf/Deanna ship. They didn't provide any in Generations or DS9. Fortunately, the novels did.
#17. "Far Beyond the Stars" (DS9). For all Bryan Fuller's talk of how diverse the new series, Discovery, will be, I find myself wondering: will any people of color write for the show? In a year in which POCs cleaned up big time at the Hugo Awards, there's no longer any trace of doubt that the talent is out there. Gene Roddenberry courted sci-fi writers for TOS. Methinks now might be a good time to revive that practice. It's worth thinking about as you watch this utterly brilliant ep, in which Sisko lives the life of a black 1950s sci-fi writer,
with all the institutional and societal prejudice that comes with it. Avery Brooks works both sides of the camera, directing himself in a borderline over-the-top yet inspired performance. The cast appearing sans alien makeup was a delightful chance to see them as they really are in a story that matters.
Labels: lists and compilations, television
Caftan Woman September 30, 2016 at 9:14 AM
Far Beyond the Stars. Oh, I want to hug you.
I like a lot of what Benedict Cumberbatch has done, but his Khan definitely didn't do it for me. I hadn't read anything about the movie going in and when I realized who he was I sunk into my seat in despair.
Rich September 30, 2016 at 2:48 PM
This list would be incomplete without it, no doubt. How Brooks gave a performance like that while directing the episode as well, I'll never know.
Gene Roddenberry
The WSW Trek 25: #1
The WSW Trek 25: #4-2
The WSW Trek 25: #12-9
A word about the animated Star Trek
Alexander Courage
William Ware Theiss
Matt Jefferies
Gene Coon
D. C. Fontana
For the Love of Spock
Enterprise NCC-1701
Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Enterprise NX-01
Alternate Enterprise NCC-1701
Star Trek at the Intrepid
William Shatner's Kirk
Jean-Luc Picard
Kathryn Janeway
Jonathan Archer
Chris Pine's Kirk
Return to Tomorrow: Star Trek at 50

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Simon Cowell's tribute single to Grenfell Tower victims reaches top spot
Photographer Khadija Saye Dies in London Grenfell Tower Fire - petapixel.com
Listeners are left in tears after hearing Cowell's #ArtistsforGrenfell single.
by Glyn Bawden (article) and Parasshuram Shalgar (video)
22 June 2017 at 18:18 Updated on 13 July 2017 at 16:47
In a manner that began so many years ago with Bob Geldof and Midge Ure's Band Aid concerts and singles, Simon Cowell has drawn together over 50 performers to produce a truly heartwarming rendition of the Simon and Garfunkel classic " Bridge over Troubled Water".
As scenes emerged in the early hours of the morning on TV only last week it became clear that the fire at Grenfell Tower in the affluent Kensington and Chelsea part of London was not a simple blaze. The fire struck with astonishing speed and consumed the entire Tower block in a matter of hours from the fourth floor up.
So fierce was the blaze that it was still burning into the next day over 24 hours after starting.
At that point, Londoners did what Londoners do best, and disregarding the politicians, the councils and all others wanting to score political points and point fingers of blame, they drew together. Floods of donations of food, clothing, volunteers came forward to help the distressed survivors. It may well be weeks before we can know what the true cost of the fire is in terms of human life. Firefighters put themselves on the line time and time again to extinguish the blaze and rescue anyone lucky enough to survive the smoke flames.
Simon Cowell's single
He is perhaps best known as the straight-talking music mogul who can cut reduce performers to tears with his opinions but on this occasion, Cowell decided that he needed to do something special.
Uniting artists as from all sections of the music world from Rita Ora to Robbie Williams and Liam Payne to Roger Daltry and Emeli Sande. There was also an appearance for newly crowned BGT winner Tokyo Myers. In a moving tribute, Gareth Malone conducts a choir of locals who join in with the chorus.
The single looks set to go straight to number one in the charts and after it was first heard on the radio on Wednesday listeners have flooded social media with praise for the effort stating that it is " a beautiful rendition" and that it "left me in floods of tears".
It has become the fastest selling single of the decade.
The single was recorded over a three-day period at the Sarn Studios which is only half a mile from Grenfell Tower.
All proceeds from the sales of the single will go straight to the fundraising page 'aristsforgrenfell.com' also started by Cowell. People can also make contributions directly to the fund at the page.
The fund received a huge kickstart from Simon Cowell of £100,000.
Glyn Bawden
Freelance writer. Blogger on travel, food and other stuff at www.travelfoodandotherstuff.com Love to travel, post pics on Instagram at https://www.instagram.
Follow glyn on Facebook Follow glyn on Twitter Follow glyn on Linkedin
Read more on the same topic from Glyn Bawden:
Uncertainty around the future of British Tv duo And and Dec The Salisbury poisonings. Jeremy Corbyn stands alone. England manager Gareth Southgate had pledged to choose players in form
Edward Arnott
Blasting News recommends 'Downton Abbey - The Movie' looks like a reality Han Solo: Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller leave mid-production Star Sports live cricket streaming India vs NZ 1st T20 at Hotstar.com Video


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C57BL/6N Mice Are More Resistant to Ehrlich Ascites Tumors Than C57BL/6J Mice: The Role of Macrophage Nitric Oxide
Sergey Kalish, Svetlana Lyamina, Svetlana Chausova, Lada Kochetova, Yuri Malyshev, Eugenia Manukhina, Igor Malyshev
(Department of Pathophysiology, Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Moscow, Russian Federation)
Med Sci Monit Basic Res 2015; 21:235-240
BACKGROUND: Effectiveness of the immune defense formed by the genotype often determines the predisposition to cancer. Nitric oxide (NO) produced by macrophages is an important element in this defense.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: We hypothesized that genetic characteristics of NO generation systems can predetermine the vulnerability to tumor development. The study was conducted on mice of 2 genetic substrains – C57BL/6J and C57BL/6N – with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). NO production in the tumor was changed using ITU, an iNOS inhibitor; c-PTIO, a NO scavenger; and SNP, a NO donor. Macrophage NO production was estimated by nitrite concentration in the culture medium. iNOS content was measured by Western blot analysis. Macrophage phenotype was determined by changes in NO production, iNOS level, and CD markers of the phenotype.
RESULTS: The lifespan of C57BL/6N mice (n=10) with EAC was 25% longer (p<0.01) than in C57BL/6J mice (n=10). Decreased NO production 23% reduced the survival duration of C57BL/6N mice (p<0.05), which were more resistant to tumors. Elevated NO production 26% increased the survival duration of C57BL/6J mice (p<0.05), which were more susceptible to EAC. Both the NO production and the iNOS level were 1.5 times higher in C57BL/6N than in C57BL/6J mice (p<0.01). CD markers confirmed that C57BL/6N macrophages had the M1 and C57BL/6J macrophages had the M2 phenotype.
CONCLUSIONS: The vulnerability to the tumor development can be predetermined by genetic characteristics of the NO generation system in macrophages. The important role of NO in anti-EAC immunity should be taken into account in elaboration of new antitumor therapies.


A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, on Wednesday, urged the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, not to approach the Election Petition Tribunal over his loss of the February 23 presidential elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday morning declared President Muhammadu Buhari the winner of the election.
Buhari polled 15,191,847 votes to defeat Abubakar who scored 11,262,978 votes.
Shortly after the announcement, Abubakar rejected the result of the poll as declared by INEC saying it was unacceptable to him. He said he would challenge it in court.
However, in a statement sent to newsmen, Agbakoba advised the former vice president to avoid going to court. He said Abubakar is in a strong position to take up the mantle of a statesman in the country by avoiding litigation over the election.
He urged the defeated candidate not to lose sight of the legacy and greatness that lies in front of him despite the outcome of the result.
"I understand the PDP is aggrieved about the outcome of the election and alleged massive irregularities but I urge former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, not to approach the Election Petition Tribunal," Agbakoba said.
He also advised Abubakar to take up the opportunity and build a third force in the polity, as a counterpoise to the APC and PDP which have won all general elections in Nigeria since 1999.
"He might have moved backwards by his loss but he should not lose sight of the legacy and greatness that lies in front of him. He can build a new Nigeria movement from the motley of small parties, third force actors, change actors and millions who are desperate for a strong, united Nigeria," the senior lawyer and activist said.
"There is also a lot of work to be done in both political and electoral reforms. I request former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, to step into the shoes. he added.
"The voting pattern for the 2019 Presidential Election shows ethnicity played a significant role in the Election. President Muhammadu Buhari kept his base in the North while former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, largely held his base in the South.


06:28 Flight EZY8963 is ready to depart EGKK with a final destination of LFRS.
07:55 Landed at -314fpm. With 2714kgs of fuel onboard and a pitch angle of 5deg.
08:00 Arrived safely at LFRS. We hope you enjoyed your flight!


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The CAHFS Serology/Immunology service offers a variety of test methods to evaluate antibody responses to infectious agents or vaccination. Tests are available to determine exposure to diseases, monitor herd or flock health or meet requirements for sales, show, interstate movement and export.
Visit the Lab Tests & Fees page to search for specific serology tests, turnaround times and locations where services are performed.
Samples required: Most serologic tests require sterile, non-hemolyzed serum. Please collect blood aseptically in red top tubes and protect from extreme temperatures. Store refrigerated (no more than 2-3 days) until transporting to CAHFS. If longer storage is required, the serum can be removed from the clot and frozen.
Visit the Shipping/Submission page for submission forms, packaging and shipping instructions.


Rain didn't keep people away from Arctic Valley on August 23, 2018, and many showed up with buckets for picking berries from the flanks of Rendezvous Peak, Mount Gordon Lyon and other Chugach mountains.
Two sixth-grade classes from Aquarian Charter showed up in the morning to begin a hike to the saddle that overlooks Eagle River's South Fork Valley. It was a first-week-of-school activity designed help the kids bond, said teacher Kacey Magestro. She said she kept the kids moving so they didn't get cold in the rain, but otherwise the weather didn't dampen spirits.
"They're Alaskan kids, so it's not a big deal," she said.
Sisters Willa and Rachel Irrigoo found berries on the face of the ski hill. Willa said she likes to use some in akutaq, a dessert sometimes called Eskimo ice cream. Some were not quite ripe yet, Rachel said, so she expected to come back again in a few days.


There is a common perception that the rich keep getting richer, and poor keep getting poorer. The second half of this sentiment may not always be true, but the first half certainly is. According to a recent report released by the Boston Consulting Group, the wealthy percentage of the world's population is richer than ever before.
The report stated that personal wealth globally adding up to a staggering $201.9 trillion rose by a full 12% since 2016. This means that wealth under the control of individuals, not corporations or businesses, is the highest it's ever been. In other words, the rich really have become a great deal richer.
But this statistic may not be exactly what it seems on the surface.
The statistics say that about 50% of all personal wealth in the world is held by a relatively small margin of individuals, namely those who can already call themselves millionaires and billionaires. The rest of us who have yet to reach millionaire status need to keep on entering the lottery or playing Blackjack online in the hope of netting a win that would put us into this category!
Of the total of $201 trillion personal wealth, about $86 trillion belongs to those who reside in the United States. Of the $85 trillion in the United States, 42 per cent is held by those who have over $5 million in assets.
But the biggest personal wealth climb in recent years has not been in the United States or Europe as many might have expected. Instead, it is the Asian region that has seen the biggest personal wealth climb, specifically in China. China climbed dramatically; overtaking Japan and rocketing up to second place globally, now sitting just behind the United States. $36.5 trillion of total global personal wealth now resides in China, well ahead of previous second place holders, Japan.
Anna Zakrzewski, the author of the report from Boston Consulting Group, stated that the incredible growth of personal wealth in China is not about to slow down either. By her reckoning, China will see equal growth in the following five years, with about four times the number of millionaires created as is expected in the United States. In other words; it likely won't be long before China holds the number one spot.
In terms of personal wealth concentration, Eastern Europe and Hong Kong have more billionaires than anywhere else in the world. Eastern European billionaires control roughly a full quarter of all investible wealth in that region. There are a total of 28 Eastern European billionaires in the official top 500 billionaires of the world list, controlling around $294 million between them.
In Hong Kong those who have $20 million or more in assets, a percentage that has rapidly climbed over the past five years, control almost half of all investible wealth in the region. This percentage will likely grow even higher in the coming five years.
As already said; the perception that if the rich are getting richer, it ultimately means that the poor must be getting poorer, is not true. Zakrzewski cleared this up by saying that, against expectations; everyone is really getting richer, overall. The trick is that rich are simply getting richer faster than those in lower income brackets, swelling the amount controlled by millionaires.
Likewise, Zakrzewski pointed out that personal wealth gain outside the United States had an enormous boost, given the fact that the dollar is weakening, thereby granting extra value to other currencies. This does not mean that China's wealth gain was artificial, but simply that as long as the dollar is losing value, currencies beyond the dollar will always be gaining value.


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TURKEY: Thousands of Afghans swept up in ruthless deportation drive
24 Apr 2018, 03:55pm
At least 2,000 Afghans who fled to Turkey to escape conflict and the worst excesses of the Taliban are in detention and at imminent risk of being forced back to danger, Amnesty International said today. The Turkish authorities appear to be ramping up a deportation spree that has seen 7,100 Afghans rounded up and returned to Afghanistan since early April.
The Turkish authorities told Amnesty that all these returns are voluntary, and that the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR has periodic access to places of detention. However, in telephone interviews with detainees in the Düziçi container camp in southern Turkey, where at least 2,000 Afghans are believed to be held, Amnesty heard how detainees have been pressured to sign documents written in Turkish, which they are unable to understand.
These could be "voluntary repatriation forms," which the Turkish authorities have previously used in coercive circumstances with Syrian and other refugees. While some families have reportedly been allowed to seek asylum and then released, potentially thousands of people – mainly men – are at imminent risk of being forced back to Afghanistan. Amnesty also interviewed a man in Kabul who was forcibly deported with his wife and five children, even though they wanted to claim asylum.
Amnesty's Researcher on Refugee and Migrants Rights, Anna Shea, said:
"The scale of this crackdown is extraordinary. In recent weeks the Turkish authorities have escalated a ruthless deportation drive which has seen thousands of Afghans rounded up, packed onto planes and returned to a warzone. Thousands more are in detention, being treated more like criminals than people fleeing conflict and persecution.
"Afghans in Turkey have made hazardous journeys to escape even greater dangers at home, and forcing them back is both unconscionable and unlawful. Indiscriminate violence routinely claims scores of lives in Afghanistan and no part of the country is safe. There is no doubt that Turkey is under pressure – it has accepted huge numbers of refugees, mostly financed from its own budget – but these deportations will put lives at risk."
For each of the past four years, more than 10,000 civilians have been killed or injured in Afghanistan, many in indiscriminate attacks by armed groups.
Turkey has one of the largest refugee populations of any country, including around 145,000 Afghans. In 2018, increasing numbers of Afghans have entered Turkey through the country's eastern border with Iran, with Turkey's Ministry of the Interior citing a figure of 27,000 arrivals this year. Turkey has followed the lead of many EU countries by seeking to seal its borders to people seeking asylum, and is currently constructing a 144 km-long wall along the Iranian border, expected to be finished within a year. In the meantime, Turkish authorities have responded to the arrival of increasing numbers of Afghans by detaining them ready for deportation.
On 17 April, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency reported that 6,846 Afghans had been deported in recent weeks, basing the figure on a written statement from the Interior Ministry's General Directorate of Migration Management. Today the Minister of the Interior reported that the number had risen to 7,100. Although Amnesty has not been able to independently verify this number, it is clear that deportations of Afghans are taking place on a vast scale. The Minister of the Interior told media on 23 April that they were aiming to reach 10,000 deportations by the end of the week.
This increase in deportations could be linked to a migration agreement signed between Turkey and Afghanistan on 9 April, in which the two governments agreed a deal to facilitate the deportation of Afghan nationals from Turkey.
At present, at least 2,000 Afghans appear to be detained in Turkey and are at risk of deportation. Amnesty has received credible information that about 2,000 Afghans are being held in a container camp in Düziçi in Osmaniye province, with potentially hundreds of others at a detention centre in Erzurum province. The legal basis for these detentions is unclear. Given the fact that thousands of people appear to have been apprehended and detained in a short amount of time, there is a high risk that the detention of these Afghans is arbitrary and unlawful.
Amnesty spoke to two men and one woman detained in the Düziçi camp. "Farhad" (name changed), a 23-year-old lawyer from Baghlan province, said he travelled to Turkey by foot after fleeing forcible recruitment by the Taliban. He was apprehended at the border and had spent around 24 days in detention.
"They don't say to us that we will be deported – they say nothing – they invite people to their offices and they take their fingerprints. The paper is only written in Turkish – we can't read it. I will never sign that paper, even if they kill me."
Amnesty also spoke by telephone to a father of five, deported to Kabul from Turkey's western Izmir province in mid-April. "Ghodrat" (name changed), a 42-year old man from Kandahar province, said that he and his family refused to sign a paper which they didn't understand, but were nonetheless forced back to Afghanistan. He said that they were not provided with any financial or logistical assistance upon return.
Ghodrat said:
"The police gave us a sheet to sign, and I refused to sign it. I cried – I was so devastated. We left Afghanistan in the hope of meeting UN people – we thought they would help us. Kandahar is not safe, especially for young children. I thought if I sell everything I had, which isn't much, I could go to Turkey and register with the UN."
Under the international legal principle of non-refoulement, Turkey cannot transfer anyone to a place where they are at real risk of serious human rights violations – such as persecution, or torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. At present, given the grave security and human rights situation across the country, all forced returns to Afghanistan constitute refoulement, unlawful under international law.
Amnesty is calling on the Turkish authorities to immediately release all Afghans who are being arbitrarily detained; ensure Afghans have access to national asylum procedures; and halt all returns to Afghanistan, until they can take place in safety and dignity.


Over the summer, I worked at a small marina, out on the wondrous wilds of jagged Georgian Bay. Contrary to popular belief, life working at a marina isn't all about leisurely days gassing up boats, helping people carry luggage, and valeting boats. You see, there exists something in this peculiar world that torments dock-boys and dock-girls alike: the perils of pump-outs. This is how it may go on a (possibly not-so-regular) day. A family/couple/individual with a swanky yacht saunters into the bay, and pulls up to our docks (taking an undue amount of space, in my professional opinion). They climb out of their pilothouse, squinting from the light refracting off of the once-beautiful, now-polluted waters. Then they announce, with all of their might "I WOULD LIKE A PUMP-OUT". Now, as an employed individual, you have one of two critical decisions to make in a split second: run away in the opposite direction, grabbing your last paycheque as you go, or, put on a brave face, and prepare to get dirty (and potentially infected).
Now, for those of you who are fortunate enough not to know what a pump-out is, I will tell you. It is nasty, gritty, smelly, unappealing, and just downright awful. It is pumping the unfiltered boat waste (colloquially know as crap) out of boats. Now, when I say "waste," I mean human waste. As in human refuse. Of the human digestive system. It is a delightful cocktail, as you can imagine. Now, for the pump-out itself. You start the pump-out machine vacuum tank, and wait for proper suction. Then, you haul a seven-pound, foot-long valve with nozzle, which is attached to a long green line. For utmost effect, it is recommended that you hold the valve at the waist, and proclaim "DON'T CROSS THE LINES!" as you do so. Just picture Bill Murray sucking up ghosts, and you'll see what it's like. You then proceed to attach the nozzle to the waste hole on the side of said swanky yacht. Then, slowly, ever so, ever so, ever so slowly, open the one-way valve.


Deus has a wide range of automatic ticketing machines for issuing and validating tickets, that can meet your every need. These machines are easily adaptable to any automatic payment system.
• Both Paper tickets and Contactless cards.
• Issuing tickets within the bus by accepting coins.
• Ticketing by the driver.
• Issuing tickets at stations, stops and docks, by accepting coins, bank notes, smart and contactless cards, credit cards, giving back change, all connected with a centralized remote management system.
Deus passenger information (display) system (PIS) is an electronic information system which provides real-time passenger information. It may include both predictions about arrival and departure times, as well as information about the nature and causes of disruptions. It may be used both physically within a transportation hub or a transportation mean and remotely using a web browser or a smartphone.
Deus has a complete and innovative range of LED displays and screens for passenger information at stations, stops, transit zones. The highly effective LED message labels with optimal readability are suitable for all carriers of public transport.
Deus, having more than 20 years experience in manufacturing variable data plates, uses the most sophisticated components, tailored to the operational needs and design of its products. Stability, ease of maintenance, leakproofness, ventilation are solid indications of the perfect construction of our displays.
The convenient of the information given is highly accepted and appreciated by the commuters.
• Which service is operated by the next vehicle to arrive, including its route and destination.
• How closely it is running to timetable.
• Similar information for the following few services.
• General advice on current travel disruptions that may be useful to the passenger in understanding the implications for their travel plans.
• The next station or stop.
• When it will arrive.
• Advice on connecting services.
Personalised channels (web, mobile device, or kiosk) will normally be set up to mimic the view from a station or stop but may in addition be linked to journey planners. Using such systems a passenger may (re)plan their journey to take into account current circumstances (such as cancelled services or excessive delays).
Deus e-ticket is an online application designed to expand the ticketing network and enable the passenger to get his ticket directly using his mobile phone without having to go to ticket issuing points.
The passenger can buy at any time the ticket within the application, for either immediate or future use, and it is up to him to decide when the ticket will be validated. On boarding, the passenger will have to scan and validate the issued ticket. With Deus e-ticket, the passenger can buy a one-way ticket as well as an unlimited route card. He can complete his purchase via a credit card, while he can save the data of the credit card he has already used or even add new cards. Upon completion of the purchase, he can cancel his ticket at any time he wishes. For limited time tickets, validity starts from the time of their validation at a scaner machine until their expiration.
Deus e-ticket has multiple benefits for both the company that sells its products through it and the consumer.
Complete control over sales volume and revenue through this channel using back office.


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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The landmark U.S. law to fight water pollution will now apply only to bodies of water large enough for boats to use, and their adjacent wetlands, and will not automatically protect streams, the U.S. government said on Tuesday.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers wrote the new guidelines after the Supreme Court split a year ago in a case about which waters fall under the Clean Water Act.
Because of the split decision, lower courts must decide on a case-by-case basis if the law applies to smaller water areas.
Four justices said the law was restricted to protecting navigable waters such as lakes and rivers, and bodies connected to them, while four argued the law had a broader reach.
The new guidelines were intended to help workers in the field determine if a waterway fell under the act, using the argument of Justice Anthony Kennedy, who did not join either side in the decision.
Benjamin Grumbles, EPA's assistant administrator for water, told reporters during a conference the new guidelines would provide greater consistency and predictability for the public.
Now his agency will regulate waters large enough to be used by boats that transport commerce, along with wetlands adjacent to them. It will decide on a case-by-case basis to regulate other tributaries that may affect main waterways.
"In effect, the EPA and the Corps are taking their field staff and the public out to the woods, blindfolding them, spinning them in circles, telling them to 'go west,' and calling that guidance," complained Jon Devine, a senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The EPA's new policy does not offer clear instructions to scientists in the field on how to protect surface waters, Devine said, and would eliminate protections for many streams. He also said the case-by-case decisions would inspire an onslaught of lawsuits and public confusion.
John Woodley, Assistant Secretary of the Army, said there would be no way to measure changes from the guidance.
But, he said, the waterways in the Supreme Court case would have been considered wetlands according to EPA's new guidance.
Angered by the Supreme Court's split, Democratic lawmakers last month introduced the "Clean Water Restoration Act" that would drop the word "navigable" from the original law.
Rep. James Oberstar, a Minnesota Democrat sponsoring the legislation, said the single edit would make clear that the EPA must also protect watersheds, which are often creeks or estuaries where water has collected.


While visiting the Disney Animation Studio to learn more about Wreck-It Ralph, I had to opportunity to get crafty in honor of the world of Sugar Rush featured in the film. Crafts with candy are always fun to make (and eat) so creating a Sugar Rush inspired race car was a blast! It's a great way to bring the film home with your kids!
Sugar Rush is the fictional racing game that Ralph visits during the movie. It's inspired by all things sweet! The cars and race tracks are made of candy and other sweet treats! If you've ever played a racing video game and enjoyed it, then Sugar Rush is the game for you! While I was in Los Angeles, I was challenged to create my own Sugar Rush inspired candy car using actual food!
The key to successful candy race cars is providing a variety of candy. At the Disney Animation Studio we had everything from peppermints and mallowcreme pumpkins to Sour Patch kids and gumdrops. The variety of was amazing and allowed everyone to be as creative as they wanted to be. We also had a variety of cookies and frosting to help everything stick!
While candy car design is a very personal activity, I quickly discovered that certain supplies were very helpful when it came to building a solid structure for my car. Many of us used graham crackers as a base. Then it started to go in entirely different directions. I decided to use marshmallows for a type of wheel axle.
Providing candy and cookies of different shapes and sizes is key to success with this project. We had a great variety so the options allowed everyone to really get thinking. After considering Life Savers and Oreos, I settled on peppermint patties for my wheels. I may have snacked on one while designing as well.
Every great designer needs inspiration… and a snack, right?
I used some cake frosting to attach my wheels to the base of my car. I was on the right track and then it was time to build up the body of my car. I had to be careful because wheels made with peppermint patties actually try to roll. Don't say I didn't warn you!
Building the body and plotting a great design was the most challenging part. There were so many goodies on the table to choose from that I had some trouble. I cannot imagine what the art directors go through when trying to narrow down the design options for a world like Sugar Rush. There is just so much inspiration out there!
Once I got started, the ideas just started rolling! From headlights to hubcaps, I was having a great time. It definitely brought out the kid in me. We all need that from time to time. I think that's what I love about Wreck-It Ralph! It really brings out the kid in everyone. The film offers a little something for every member family!
As you can see, everyone might have had the same supplies to work with but the possibilities were endless! There were some amazing cars on the table when all was said and done. I'm pretty sure everyone had a blast making them too! It's a great idea for a birthday party or a rainy day!
It could also be a great way to have some affordable family fun! You could hit up a Wreck It-Ralph matinee and then go home to make your own Sugar Rush carts! Make it more affordable by stocking up on candy when it's on sale!
Just make sure you get the entire family (or all of the friends) to help clean up when it's all said and done! It is on the messy side but that is part of the fun!
Wreck-It Ralph is Coming Soon!
Wreck-It Ralph opens in theaters on November 2nd! Get ready to wreck it and connect with Wreck-It Ralph on Facebook and on Twitter @WreckItRalph! You can also enter the Play & Win Sweepstakes for the chance to win a hero's journey from Adventures by Disney!
What candy would you use to design your own Wreck-It Ralph Sugar Rush Car?
Formula Mom Disclosure: Disney provided me with a trip to Los Angeles in return for my honest review on the movies and events mentioned above. Most of my expenses were paid by Disney and no other compensation was given. All experiences and opinions are 100% my own.
I think I'm in love with your car… but that might be the PMS talking! Love the idea and cannot wait to duplicate it with my kids.
I'm going to let Jas make a Sugar Rush car very soon. It's going to be fun.
I am going to give my kids that and let them go play at your house til the sugar rush wears off 🙂 They would SOOOO love that craft!
That is awesome! My kids would love to make race cars like that. Definitely a fun activity. This could even be a great activity for a birthday party too!
We are doing this as a birthday party craft this weekend! The kids are so excited!
I'm going to do this craft at a birthday party. Thanks for the great idea! About how long did it take your kid to build one of these? I'm not sure how much time to plan for this activity.
I would set aside at least 30-45 minutes although it can easily go longer!
I was recently thinking about the next birthday being wreck it ralph because my boys loved the movie, this would be a great activity to do on his birthday!
I'm going to do a Sugar Rush party for my daughter next weekend and love the idea of having the kids make their own candy race cars! Did the regular frosting hold everything on well enough, or would you recommend royal icing? Thanks!
It did work well. If the kids are going to be trying to take them home with them then royal icing would probably be even better!
The car is Awesome! What a wonderful way to get the kids involved and enjoy it while the end result is something so cool – you want to take a picture of it.
What a fun party! Those cars turned out looking great! My grandsons would love to make one of those!


Although thick walled cylinders subjected to both pressure difference and internal heat flow can be found in many engineering applications, optimizing for maximum material utilization is still needed. Hence, the present work presents a close insight into stress analysis and optimization of both thick walled impermeable and permeable cylinders under the combined effect of temperature and pressure gradients.
Naga SR. Optimum Working Conditions in Thick Walled Cylinders. ASME. J. Eng. Mater. Technol. 1986;108(4):374-376. doi:10.1115/1.3225897.


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Selfie Storm: These Places Banned Selfies Due to Shocking Tourist Behaviour
These places have witnessed unfortunate incidents due to the selfie craze, Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Home > Explore > Story > Selfie Storm: These Places Banned Selfies Due to Shocking Tourist Behaviour
These places in the world have banned selfies as a response to various incidents highlighting absurd behaviour by the tourists
Sahana Iyer
How far would you go for a picture-perfect shot? Would you scale a building, pester an animal or even risk your life? Well in such a case, you wouldn't be the first one to do so. Selfies have become an increasingly fatal nuisance in the past few years. In an attempt to capture the ideal frame, people have pulled hilarious, irrational or even life-threatening gimmicks. This trend has led many governments to enforce no-selfie zones at popular tourist attractions.
The most talked-about example of the same is Hanoi Train street in Vietnam. The slim lane through which the train slithered, was lined with cafes and houses perched almost upon the track itself. With a negligible distance of only a few inches, the track posed a threat to the tourists on the sidelines. As a crowd-puller, the street also witnessed its fair share of photo-crazy tourists. An incident last year involving an emergency stop due to tourist crowds on the track led the government to shut down the lane.
This may seem dramatic on first look, however it is not the only place forced to take action against perilous tourist behaviour. A study of news reports conducted in 2018 revealed that India was the number one country in selfie-related deaths. A disturbing incident occurred in 2015, when a Japanese tourist passed away while taking a selfie at the Taj Mahal. The visitor fell down the stairs of the Royal Gate and suffered multiple head injuries. Another case was of a 20-year-old who fell to his death from the top of raesi fort in Jammu and Kashmir while attempting to capture a selfie.
As a result of incidents as such, 16 major tourist attractions in Mumbai were turned into no-selfie zones. This included major tourist attractions such as Girgaum Chowpatty, Bandra bandstand and even the city-famous Marine Drive promenade. Deaths have been recorded at these areas, one being a teenager's death by drowning in the sea while trying to capture a photo.
Following this, party capital Goa announced a ban on selfies on its beaches due to multiple fatalities. Many deaths were discovered to be caused by attempts near the water or even on slippery rocks. An astonishing number of people were known to be swept away in the currents. Soon enough, the country appointed all states and union territories to identify and create no-selfie zones across all selfie-prone tourist destinations in the country.
The famous Kumbh Mela is also on the list due to risk of stampede in the incredibly crowded area.
Apart from India, many countries have labelled certain destinations to be free of selfies due to inappropriate behaviour by tourists. One such country is Spain, particularly the Pamplona region. This region hosts the dangerous bull race that many Indians may recognise from the popular movie Zindagi na Milegi Dobaara. The rather shocking obsession of people led many to be severely injured when they tried to click a snap amidst the run. Regarding this as a problem, the government has labelled this area selfie-free, in order to avoid any further mishaps.
'The happiest place on earth' may need to be just a memory unless you tag along with a buddy. Disney Parks have banned selfie sticks in their premises, deeming them to be a nuisance and even dangerous. Another famous landmark to come to the same conclusion is the Colosseum in Rome.
Another unfortunate result of the selfie craze is the suffering of innocent creatures in the process. In an enraging act, tourists at the ocean of San Bernado in Argentina pulled out a baby dolphin out of the waters simply to take selfies with it. The dolphin lost its life in this endeavour. In a more foolish attempt, a couple on their honeymoon decided to click a selfie with a shark right before they fell victim to it.
To battle these audacious efforts with unfortunate consequences, Lake Tahoe in the United States of America has also banned selfies. Cute, cuddly-looking bears roam around the area, however, they are ferocious and will maul you when they think they sense threat. Foolhardy actions by many have led them to be victim to these attacks. Johannesburg Lion Park in South Africa follows the same principle to avoid any trouble with the lions.
On a less serious note, the Garoupe beach in South France has enforced a ban to stop the media crazy visitors from bragging about their visit to the beach and instead just enjoy their experience. They call it the 'no braggie zone'. Bans are also enforced in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and the Church of Bones in the Czech Republic, and Auschwitz in Poland due to inappropriate behaviour, considering the historical and religious significance of these locations.
Who knew a simple selfie could land you in so much trouble?
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Auschwitz concentration camp
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Home page > 3. Debate > Building new parties of the left > The debate on broad parties
IC 2013 discussion
The debate on broad parties
Monday 10 June 2013, by Jeff Mackler
Draft counter-report to the FI Bureau text "To continue the debate on broad parties" presented to the March 2013 meeting of the International Committee of the Fourth International, approved by the National Committee, Socialist Action (U.S.) January 23, 2013.
The worst way to debate an important and disputed issue in our movement is to caricature your opponent's position and then ridicule caricature. Unfortunately, this is the method chosen by the Bureau in the opening paragraphs of its text entitled "To Continue the Debate on Broad Parties."
Their text reads: "The first debate is clearly identified with the Irish comrades and those of SA, who systematically reject any policy of building broad parties, thinking that we should just stay on the line of building organizations on the programme of the Fourth International."
Comrades familiar with the debate know that there is no substance to this assertion. Neither SA nor the Irish comrades, in any text or statement, at any time, have counterposed building organizations or sections of the FI based on the FI's program to building broad parties or broad anti-capitalist parties — or for that matter, any form of working-class party aimed at fighting for the interests of the working class.
What we have repeatedly asserted is that the construction of mass revolutionary socialist parties in every country of the world based on the program of the FI is the indispensable and prime reason for the existence of the FI itself – to advance the cause of world socialist revolution. Mass Leninist parties are the prerequisite instruments for the conquest of power, the abolition of capitalism and the establishment of workers and farmers governments to establish the future socialist order. This is a foundational principle of revolutionary socialist politics. Today it appears to be in serious dispute in our world movement.
The issue of whether revolutionaries should enter or construct broad anti-capitalist parties, labor parties based on the trade unions, or any other political formation based on the working class is a tactical question to be decided based on the situation in every country. In different circumstances, these working-class formations can be either an asset or an obstacle to the education and mobilization of the working class. The major criterion determining whether revolutionary socialists should participate in, build or construct such parties is whether or not it advances the construction of the mass revolutionary socialist party of the Leninist type.
A distinction without a difference
The new Bureau text today seeks to distinguish between two kinds of parties, one overtly reformist, the other vaguely defined as broad anti-capitalist — a party that, according to the Bureau, "places itself from the outset in the perspective of the overthrow of the capitalist system, with an acknowledged revolutionary horizon, even if they do not develop a completed revolutionary strategy and if within them they could bring together political currents of different history and traditions…"
With this distinction the Bureau reminds us that "Everyone understands that there is no impermeable boundary between the two projects." Indeed the FI's history over the past decades, as well as the decisions of the past several World Congresses, promotes participation in and building of "the two," kinds of parties. Today, the Bureau's focus is on just one.
Socialist Action has never indicated any opposition to FI sections participating in or building either of "the two" – qualified only by us with a clear answer to the question, "Does our participation serve to advance or retard the cause of building the revolutionary socialist party of the FI?"
It should be noted that the Bureau's "revolutionary horizon" party has too often become the overtly reformist party. Thus, Communist Refoundation, initiated by a "left" split from the Italian CP, became part of a coalition capitalist government; the Brazilian PT came to power in an electoral alliance with a Catholic party of capitalist reaction. Our FI comrades originally and for years described the PT and RC as "their" parties" and were emphatic in their theory and practice that the building of FI parties was subordinate to the building of these now discredited reformist or dissolved parties.
What is at stake in this debate is not whether our sections are encouraged to enter and build this or that party, anti-capitalist (however defined) or reformist (however defined). What is under discussion is whether these new formations are a substitute for the revolutionary party — whether something new in the world has appeared following "the fall of the Berlin Wall," as the text states, which today fundamentally changes our historic perspective of building what we have fought for and advocated for three-quarters of a century—"the world party of socialist revolution."
The report at the last World Congress, Role and Tasks of the FI, centered on the proposition that the task of the FI was to build a new International based on parties of the French NPA type. We are and remain in staunch opposition to this perspective. If it becomes the norm for all or most FI sections we are heading toward the demise of the FI.
When this clearly stated orientation was challenged by a significant number of sections during the World Congress debate, the reporter for the Bureau, in his summary remarks, felt compelled to modify this categorical assertion by stating that the NPA was for the French, and other sections could do as they pleased based on the conditions in their own countries. This summary marked an important, but still inadequate retreat that has since proved to be ephemeral.
But the proverbial cat was out of the bag, and especially so when the French LCR dissolved itself — effectively liquidating our strongest party. Today, we are proceeding to evaluate the wisdom of this dissolution.
If the question were to be stated more clearly, we must ask, why did the comrades believe that the formation of the NPA made necessary the complete liquidation of the LCR, along with its publications and party institutions? It's clear that what was involved was not a tactical decision but rather a strategic decision that was based on the fundamentally flawed proposition that world politics had been fundamentally transformed with the demise of the USSR and the other Stalinist states, along with the "social liberal" transformation of the social democracy. From this, it has been all but concluded that the need for the FI and its Leninist sections was now in question. An FI consisting of NPAs was to be the new project — an orientation whose negative consequences are now rapidly unfolding across the board.
Most egregious was the fact that the FI's objective in these new parties was not to advance the "programme of the FI" and win supporters to it. Had this been the case, our comrades would have organized serious formations — whether they had been called currents, tendencies, platforms, or whatever — for that purpose. But in general, this was not done, much less seen as a priority. In France there is no FI section and no FI current inside the NPA. What remains of the NPA appears to be an ever-growing number of "platforms," each putting forward its own and counterposed perspective and most each led by FI comrades.
The Bureau is on unstable grounds to speak of a perspective of a "revolutionary break from capitalism" when the very parties it characterized as being of that nature have embraced capitalist austerity bailouts (as in Portugal) or coalition capitalist budgets (as with the Danish Red Green Alliance). (See IV, SAP national conference statement, "Budget 2013: A major mistake by the Red-Green Alliance.")
Today the Bureau seems to be proposing yet another shift. "Taking stock of the Brazilian and Italian experiences" the Bureau repeats, we now have something else in mind — not broad parties, but broad anti-capitalist parties, "seeking to consolidate all currents rejecting the logic of management of the capitalist system and acting explicitly for a socialist break, a revolutionary rupture based on the activity of social movements."
Here we note that the "language" of revolution has been added to the mix of what these new anti-capitalist parities are to be, if they come into existence, that is, explicitly "socialist" and for a "revolutionary rupture" with the capitalist state. Our estimation is that given the class-collaborationist politics of past and present "anti-capitalist" parties, the Bureau feels the need to take some distance from the parties that it previously praised.
Let us assume that such "currents" could come together to form what the Bureau calls "useful parties," parties that can "organize the class struggle" instead of what the Bureau describes as "small propaganda groups," namely the sections of the FI. Were this the case we would certainly be the first to participate, wholeheartedly, BUT NEVER as a substitute for building and transforming the small, largely propaganda groups that FI sections are today into mass revolutionary socialist parties capable organizing the revolutionary transformation of society. Vaguely defined anti-capitalism and socialism, including a vague reference to a future break with the state power, are no substitute for disciplined revolutionary socialist parties armed with a program for socialist revolution.
FI sections are not small propaganda groups by choice. History has dealt us a hand that we cannot reverse by magical formulas as the Bureau proposes. Our admitted difficulties stem not from inherent programmatic deficiencies and Leninist democratic centralist norms but from the long, perhaps longest period of relative capitalist stability ever. As with Lenin's party, in periods of such stability and/or working-class defeats and retreat, prospects for transforming "small propaganda parties" into mass revolutionary parties are difficult, if not impossible. This is qualitatively different for reformist parties that have a stake in the capitalist system and which are often called on to help "manage" it.
No serious revolutionary party enjoys being compelled by circumstances beyond its control to be relegated to a small propaganda group lacking broad influence in the working class and oppressed. But every revolutionary has faced this unavoidable dilemma, from Marx and Engels to Lenin and Trotsky, and all others, everywhere. How to continue to exist, to fight, to grow, to gain significant influence, to prepare for the future when the mass forces for change in the broad working class remain relatively passive, is the question of questions.
But we are not without instruction. The method of the united front has proven invaluable for major sections of the Fourth International in uniting major currents of the left, and often in the broader workers movement, in common struggle. It is an essential tactic in the transformative process of advancing the class struggle and winning at first small numbers of dedicated cadre and then broad forces to the revolutionary party — and it is properly stressed as such in the Bureau text.
In its essence the tactic of the united front is aimed at achieving two objectives — (1) the mobilization of our class to fight in its own interests, thereby increasing its confidence, power and capacity to win, and (2) distinguishing ourselves in the process from those currents who stand aside from such struggles for sectarian or reformist reasons. Of course, to the extent that other currents in the socialist left join with us in common action and democratic planning, important differences are less magnified, while trust and confidence is advanced that can lay the basis for future collaboration and eventually principled fusions.
We must stress that the central purpose of the united front tactic is to build the revolutionary socialist party. History has tragically and repeatedly demonstrated that the absence of such a party and the leadership it has forged in struggle, guarantees defeats of major proportions. We need not review its consequences in the Arab Spring, in Syria, Libya, Egypt and, indeed, throughout the modern era. The united front tactic, as with all others, is not without its limitations. It is not a magic formula, especially today when the world capitalist system is in a crisis of historic proportions and the important but still limited struggles have yet to score, with few exceptions, significant victories. Such victories, that we are confident will emerge from the present crisis and the fight against it, will lay the basis for deeper and united front mobilizations that open the door wider to the revolutionary transformation of the state. Need we repeat these are highly improbably without a deeply rooted mass revolutionary party with that single-minded objective?
Having recognized the "problematic" of so-called anti-capitalist parties too often subordinating united front mobilizations to electoral politics, the Bureau is compelled to remind us that the direct engagement of the masses in action in the streets remains essential. Nevertheless, immediately following this section, the Bureau reaffirms its major "strategic" objective: "At the same time, the experiences of the last ten years make it necessary to maintain the problematic of the last Congress of building broad anti-capitalist parties." These "useful" parties have more often than not been more electoral/parliamentary in nature than parties aimed at mass mobilizations to exercise working class power in the streets, hence the Bureau's need to essentially caution comrades against electoralism.
In recent years the FI majority leadership has rushed headlong toward the subordination, if not substitution, of building Leninist parties to vaguely defined parties with electoralist illusions — including some that violate our principles of class independence. If this project is carried much further, it will necessarily mean the abandonment of our historic program. Tragically, if we were to draw a balance sheet of our experiences with such formations, not only in the past "ten years" as the Bureau states, but for decades before, we would be compelled to come to largely negative conclusions. Many of these groupings have already faced dissolution or are in rapid decline.
Were we discussing a mere tactic regarding a combination of electoral and united front mobilizations to advance the class struggle, a tactic centered on building disciplined FI sections based on our historic program and that maintained an organizational expression inside and outside any formation that we chose to build and/or enter, we would be on solid ground. The test of time and the measure of the lack of success of these projects, however, warns us that the above is not the case.
Debate section
Duterte is reactionary, counter-revolutionary (to the "EDSA revolution"), but not fascist – On Walden Bello's definition of a "fascist leader"
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Is a Wildly Popular Fascist – Now what?
Marxism, the Arab Spring, and Islamic fundamentalism
Fascism and the far right; twenty years on
Is Donald Trump a Fascist?
A contribution to the broad parties debate
"Anti-austerity governments" are not a solution: For a militant and revolutionary International
Building a revolutionary party today
To continue the debate on broad parties
New broad parties: the French experience
Jeff Mackler
Jeff Mackler is a staffwriter for Socialist Action. He can be reached at jmackler@lmi.net or socialistaction.org


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You are here: Home » Blog » Knitting » How Knitting Got Me Through My Divorce
How Knitting Got Me Through My Divorce
15 Aug 2013 / 0 Comments	/ in Knitting/by Chic-a
When Rin Simpson learned to knit in junior high school, she never dreamed that it would one day help her get through one of the hardest times of her life.
"Knitting was something old ladies did," she says. "I wouldn't have dreamed of admitting that I knew what to do with a pair of size 5s and a 50g ball of extra chunky."
As it turns out, though, Rin would eventually get extremely familiar with all aspects of knitting.
Married right out of college to her best friend, whom she was passionate about, made plans with, and loved very much. In the beginning, things were smooth. They had their bad moments just like any other couple, but for the most part, their marriage was good.
However, an unfortunate change began to overtake Rin and her husband's lives. Their fights grew worse. Silences got longer. They grew more distant. When he took a job 100 miles away from their home, Rin found herself inside an empty house nearly every day.
After trying to adapt by keeping herself busy with chores, friends, movies, and projects, Rin began to find herself focusing on negative things: why her husband hadn't called, why they had to fight constantly, how lonely she was. The hours of silence started to weigh down on her.
Then one night, she decided she'd start to knit.
"Something strange happened," Rin says. "As I cast on and began the…repetitive process of layering up row upon row of stitches, I began to relax."
She discovered that she could spend hours working on knitting without worrying about her husband or her loneliness. It began with a scarf, and began turning into more and more.
"The feeling of control over even this small thing, the satisfaction of creating something, was captivating," Rin says. "It became so much more than a hobby to me. It became a kind of therapy."
However, as her knitting passion grew, her marriage shrank. Two months later, her husband left. "Though there was relief that such an unhappy situation was at an end, there was also sadness like I had never known before," Rin says. "The life we'd built, the future we had dreamed of, the many happy moments we had shared were all gone."
Through the first weeks apart from her husband, Rin found solace in friends and family, learning how to live alone and be an adult. She had support from loved ones, yet those long, lonely evenings still followed her, and so she kept picking up the knitting needles. She completed more and more pieces, from scarves and hats to baby jumpers and a cardigan for herself.
"With my hands busy, my mind was free to wander. In this safe, relaxed way, I began to process…to work through some of the hurt and the heartbreak," Rin says.
It's now been years since Rin's marriage ended. "I don't dread the odd evening when I'm not seeing friends or doing chores," she says. "In fact, I can't wait for those times when I can snuggle up on my sofa and get a few more rows of my latest project done."
She also began a job as a crafts teacher in a local prison. "I'm hoping to find a way to bring knitting into my lessons before long," she says. "After all, I know first hand how therapeutic it can be."
Story via DailyMail.co.uk
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Sound for Image
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We offer foley which complement or replace sound recorded on set with new sound elements recorded in a more controlled environment.
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With over ten years of film scoring experience, we deliver quality music scores for all forms of media throughout Greece as well as internationally in a variety of formats including documentaries, short films, feature films and commercials.
We offer ADR services, the process by which dialogue recorded on-set is replaced after the event in more controlled studio conditions.
Studio Address: N. Zervou 41, Kallithea, Athens, Greece | T. (+30) 211 4082344 | info@sampimedia.com | Google Maps Directions
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Dutch arrest two men after flight from U.S.
[Updated at 9:10 p.m.] Luggage with suspicious items that led to the arrests of two passengers of a Chicago-to-Amsterdam flight Monday was checked onto a different flight - one that went from Chicago to Washington's Dulles Airport and was scheduled to go on to Dubai, a law enforcement official confirms.
[Updated at 7:49 p.m.] The two men - passengers on United Flight 908 from Chicago O'Hare to Amsterdam on Sunday night - were arrested Monday at Amsterdam's Schiphol International Airport after "suspicious items" were found in checked baggage, U.S. and Dutch authorities said.
Suspicious items found in luggage associated with the pair "were not deemed to be dangerous in and of themselves, and as we share information with our international partners, Dutch authorities were notified of the suspicious items," the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said. "This matter continues to be under investigation."
One of the men had travelled to Chicago from Birmingham, Alabama, and the other had flown to Chicago from Memphis, Tennessee, a law enforcement official told CNN.
An X-Ray of the checked luggage of the man who had flown from Birmingham showed several cell phones strapped to bottles of medicinal liquid, a law enforcement official said.
The men did not have prohibited items on themselves or in carry-on luggage, a law-enforcement official said. Federal air marshals were on the Chicago-to-Amsterdam flight, that official said.
[Original post] Two men were arrested Monday at Amsterdam's Schiphol International Airport after a flight from the United States, a spokesman for the Dutch Justice Ministry said.
The men were being held at the airport after arriving in the Dutch capital from Chicago, Illinois, Justice Ministry spokesman Martiun Boalhouwer told CNN. Boalhouwer would release no further details of the arrests, saying an investigation was under way.
ABC News, citing U.S. law enforcement officials, reported that the men have been charged in the Netherlands with "preparation of a terrorist attack," and that they had just flown from Chicago, Illinois, to Amsterdam on a United Airlines flight.
The two appeared to have been traveling with "mock bombs" in their luggage, U.S. officials said, according to ABC News.
One of the men who had suspicious items in his luggage flew from Birmingham, Alabama, to Chicago's O'Hare airport, ABC News reported, citing unnamed officials. At some point, the luggage was checked onto a flight going from Chicago to Washington's Dulles Airport and then to Dubai, but rather than flying to Washington with that luggage, he boarded the Chicago-Amsterdam flight with the second man, ABC News reported, citing unnamed officials.
Screeners determined before the Birmingham-Chicago flight that the luggage didn't have explosives, officials said, according to ABC News. The luggage was removed from the Washington-Dubai flight when officials learned the man wasn't on that plane, and more screening again found no explosives, ABC News reported.
The men were taken into custody in Amsterdam after a request from the Netherlands' National Detective Department, airport press officer Robert Kapel said.
- CNN's Jeanne Meserve and Mike Ahlers contributed to this report.
Filed under: Air travel • Illinois • The Netherlands
LifeisFun
Hmm... I think the TSA Agents were muslims !!!
August 30, 2010 at 7:03 pm | Report abuse |
We got the point you,re are trying to make, now can you please tone it down so I don't have to scroll down forever to read others opinions. Pretty please.
All Muslims-RTerrorists
Only because you asked nicely.
Let em build the mosque...I think if the mosque gets built, someone out there will make sure it doesn't stay built...probably someone mentally disturbed
Lynn brown
Does anyone on here actually have a job?
KnewIt
So you must be like the rest of us... WITHOUT A JOB!
mike achille
If they didn't have oil it could b like who cares what happens in your insane middle east muslum islam idiot land kill each otheR we don't care but keep ur insane islam over there oh hell with them send a few nukes to them and I'm a liberal democrat but I know who the enemy is. Its isLam. Religion sux
Yep it's the Swedes and Amish and French and Americans and Brits and Canadians and Poles causing all these problems not one Muslim. They are not even in the area when a bomb goes off or lopping off hands and stoning women. Makes me want to convert! Think I'll make a ham sandwich. Oops no can do it's against Islam law and I may be stoned to death.
hudson hawke
Dry run to see how the system reacts (poorly if they got to fly at all).
lets just face it this world is not safe at all. the more year s go by the more hate is getting stronger. i will not ever get on a plane
They're going to hit us again!
If I see muslims around I never talk to them I won't have anything to do a muslim islam peRson. I don't need that but if they atack me I'll defend myself and take them out I don't think a jury of my peers would mind hahaha islam sux
one of these days ,they will succeed and not fail and get caught....sadly we just are waiting for the bomb to drop...and it will i'm sure...they hate us and we have an open door policy,come on in, we will feed you, educate you and get you healthy so you can chit on us... we're so stupid!...[.politically correct my A–] then when something does happen, we will all be shocked once again....amazing huh??
Edward Reilly
For Knewit...No "Nothingness" is NOT a word, which is reason I enclosed in quotes, indicating same! From a Journ Major, you must have been an English Major, prior to dropping out?
For ProgressivFail...my point was SIMPLY that after checking other news sources, this is at best a "back page" story, i.e. not a "Terrorist Threat" at all! (My "World View" was not so transcendental as you depicted!!!)
For a Journalism Major, maybe you should learn how to spell EMBARASSMENT. Also there were commas in places where they did not belong. Maybe SOMEONE needs to go back to basic English skills class. Journalism Major= EPIC FAIL for you bud. Hopefully you know basic Math skills to know what that means.
All those voices of reason saying, "Let's not rush to judgment about them being Muslim" sure got quiet all of a sudden.
stix213
$100 says these two men fit the typical young male muslim profile that we are all told not to discriminate against
Those turbans look stupid I finally saw the cartoon image of Mahamed with a bomb on his head that was so funny but accurate. If u look miDdle eastern stay away from me don't do that muslim islam. Crap
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Doctrine is renewed with roots firmly planted in magisterium, pope says
Vatican City — January 30, 2020
Christian doctrine is not modified to keep up with passing times nor is it rigidly closed in on itself, Pope Francis told members and advisers of the doctrinal congregation.
"It is a dynamic reality that, staying faithful to its foundation, is renewed from generation to generation and is summed up in one face, one body and one name — the risen Jesus Christ," he said.
"Christian doctrine is not a system that is rigid and closed in on itself, but neither is it an ideology that transforms with the changing of seasons," he said Jan. 30, during an audience with cardinals, bishops, priests and laypeople who were taking part in the plenary assembly of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The pope told them that is was thanks to the Risen Christ that the Christian faith throws its doors wide open to every person and his or her needs.
That is why handing on the faith "demands taking into account the person receiving it," and that this person be known and loved, he said.
In fact, the congregation was using its plenary to discuss a document on the care of people experiencing the critical stages of a terminal illness.
The aim of the document, said Cardinal Luis Ladaria, congregation prefect, is to reiterate "the fundamentals" of church teaching and offer "precise and concrete pastoral guidelines" regarding the care and assistance of those at a very "delicate and crucial" stage in life.
Francis said their reflections were essential, particularly at a time when the modern era "is progressively eroding the understanding of what makes human life precious" by judging the value or worthiness of life according to how useful or efficient that person may be.
The story of the good Samaritan teaches that what is needed is conversion to compassion, he said.
"Because many times people who look don't see. Why? Because they lack compassion," he said, noting how often the Bible repeatedly describes Jesus' heart "being moved" with pity or compassion for those he encounters.
"Without compassion, people who see do not get involved with what they observe, and they keep going. Instead, people who have a compassionate heart are touched and engaged, they stop and take care" of the other, he said.
The pope praised the work done by hospices and asked them to continue to be places where professionals practice a "therapy of dignity" with commitment, love and respect for life.
He also underlined how important human relationships and interactions are in caring for the terminally ill, and how that approach must operate from a duty "to never abandon anyone facing an incurable disease."
The pope also thanked the congregation for its work studying the revision of norms concerning "delicta graviora," that is, "more grave crimes" against church law, which include the abuse of minors.
The congregation's work, he said, is part of an effort "in the right direction" of updating norms so that procedures can be more effective in responding to "new situations and issues."
He encouraged them to continue "with firmness" and proceed with "rigor and transparency" in safeguarding the sanctity of the sacraments and those whose human dignity has been violated.
In his opening remarks, Ladaria told the pope that the congregation has examined "a project of a revision" of St. John Paul II's motu proprio, "Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela," which gave the doctrinal congregation responsibility to deal with and judge allegations of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy and other serious crimes in the realm of canon law.
The cardinal said they also discussed during the plenary the work carried out by the disciplinary section, which handles abuse cases and has seen a noticeable increase of cases in the past year.
Msgr. John Kennedy, head of the section, told the Associated Press Dec. 20 that the office registered a record 1,000 reported cases for 2019.
The huge number of cases has "overwhelmed" the personnel, he said.
Telling the pope about some of the documents the congregation has published the past two years, Ladaria also said it had issued a "private," that is, unpublished, clarification on "some canonical questions regarding transsexuality."


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In 1920 at the age of 27 a young immigrant from Italy named Umberto Angelozzi came to the United States. Umberto's trade was troweling floors, so in 1928 at the age of 35 he followed his dream and started his own company. The company was called "Marine Deck & Floor Co. Inc." which was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Umberto's work consisted of a mineral composition flooring for ship decks and terrazzo flooring for commercial jobs.
In 1958 Umberto's son Rocco P. Angelozzi Sr took over his fathers business. In 1960 Marine Deck & Floor Co. became the first flooring company to install a two component epoxy troweled flooring system and also the first to install thin set epoxy terrazzo and acrylic terrazzo. Rocco P. Angelozzi, Sr turned Marine Deck & Floor Co. into one of the largest flooring contractors in the area.
Born 1992 will be 4th generation in the terrazzo business and already knows the ropes.


Everyone wants a job. Most of all, everyone wants a job with fantastic benefits, good pay and an enjoyable daily schedule. Unfortunately, not everyone achieves this goal and gets to land the perfect job. Worst even is that idea that sometimes someone might have a perfect job but experience an injury while on the job.
Workers compensation is something most people have heard about but haven't had to deal with firsthand. The world of workers compensation is something that might be overwhelming or intimidating especially the first time it occurs. Many employees are unaware of workers compensation benefits or how the entire situation works.
After all, most people don't anticipate that they will get injured while on the job. For anyone who has been injured while at work, even if they have experienced an injury that was not directly related to their daily duties, contacting workers compensation lawyer is a must. A compensation lawyer will be able to offer advice, insight and input on how to best handle the workers compensation situation. For example, a lawyer will go over the situation in its entirety, find out what happened and advise the injured party on possible outcomes of a lawsuit.
If someone is not sure if they are entitled to compensation, it is even more important to talk to a professional workers compensation lawyer.


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Baba Ramdev Likely to Head First Vedic Education Board After Govt Panel Chooses Patanjali Yogpeeth's Bid
The governing council of the MSRVP will consider the five-member panel's recommendation this week.
Updated: February 25, 2019 10:55 AM IST
Baba Ramdev - File Photo
New Delhi: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev is all set to head the country's first government-recognised board for Vedic education, after his Trust's bid to establish the proposed Bharatiya Shiksha Board (BSB) was adjudged the best by a selection committee on Saturday, The Indian Express reported.
The governing council of the Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Vedavidya Pratishthan (MSRVP), headed by HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, will consider the five-member panel's recommendation this week, the report added.
The MSRVP, a fully-funded autonomous working on promotion of "Ved vidya" under the HRD Ministry, has been entrusted with the responsibility of appointing a private sponsoring body for putting the BSB in place.
Ramdev's Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust was one of the three private players which had responded to the 'Expression of Interest' (EOI) released by the MSRVP inviting applications for establishment of the Board.
The three applicants, which included Ritnand Balved Education Foundation, which runs the Amity group of institutions, and Pune-based Maharashtra Institute of Technology, made a presentation to the five-member selection committee.
During the presentation, Patanjali Yogpeeth is believed to have informed the panel that the company is willing to invest Rs 21 crore for the development of the Board and has the necessary infrastructure ready for setting up its headquarters.
The report cited sources saying that Patanjali's promise of Rs 21 crore fund, for which it has already given a bank guarantee, worked in favour of the company.
"We are very serious about it (setting up a Vedic education board). Education is not about learning the alphabet. A student should also learn our Indian morals, culture and values. We are already running Acharyakulam on this model," Acharya Balkrishna was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.
The BSB has been proposed to ensure standardisation of "Indian traditional knowledge", such as Vedic education, Sanskrit education, Shastras and Darsanas, etc. It will draft syllabus, conduct exams, issue certificates and recognise Gurukulas, pathshalas and schools that offer a blend of Vedic and modern education. The Board, like CBSE, will charge an affiliation fee and examination fee from schools.
Published Date: February 25, 2019 10:45 AM IST
Updated Date: February 25, 2019 10:55 AM IST
The BSB has been proposed to ensure standardisation of "Indian traditional knowledge".
Patanjali Yogpeeth informed the panel that the company is willing to invest Rs 21 crore for the development of the Board.
Baba Ramdevpatanjali yogpeethVedic education