text:
Lane, Douglas counties enter 'Phase Two'
By: Damien Sherwood - Updated: 7 months ago
On June 5, Lane County entered Phase 2 of the state's three-phase reopening strategy after months of combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of 36 Oregon counties, 29 have so far been approved for Phase 2 reopening.
Phase 2 has eased restrictions to allow for larger gatherings, extended hours for bars and restaurants, reopening theaters and pools, and increased travel throughout the state. Countywide changes include:
• Gathering limits raised to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
• Indoor and outdoor venues, including theaters and churches, with six feet of physical distancing and other measures in place can reach a occupancy limit of up to 250.
• Offices can begin reopening and employees can return to workplaces with physical distancing and other measures in place, though remote work is still strongly recommended whenever possible.
• Increased travel will be allowed throughout Oregon, though staying local is still recommended to prevent overloading county health systems.
• Restaurants and bars curfews have extended to midnight.
• Pools and sports courts will be allowed to reopen under new guidance.
• Indoor and outdoor activities such as bowling, batting cages, and mini golf, are allowed to
• Indoor and outdoor activities such as bowling, batting cages, and mini golf, are allowed to reopen under new guidance.
• Recreational sports can resume in a limited form, under strict physical distancing guidance.
Phase 2 is expected to last longer than Phase 1 as Oregon health officials have said that counties may not see Phase 3 until at least September.
Lane County has not seen a significant spike in COVID-19 cases since Phase One reopening was approved on May 15.
As of June 10, the county has reported 81 total cases, three deaths, four currently active (resting at home) and 74 recovered cases.
Meanwhile, the City of Cottage Grove has updated some of its practices and announced the continuation of others to match Phase 2 standards:
• City Hall will remain open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
• The municipal court is operating at City Hall in a remote and in-person process and it is recommended that the public contact the court clerk for specific information about attending court.
• Official city meetings are continuing to be conducted virtually with limited seating in the council chambers to meet distancing requirements.
• City parks remain open. Though restrooms in the parks are open, they will not be cleaned after every use.
• Visitors to parks are encouraged to bring their own drinking water and hand sanitizer, follow physical distancing requirements and consider using face masks or coverings.
• Tennis and pickleball courts, the skate park and the disc golf course are all open as long as physical distancing can be maintained.
• Picnic tables and covered areas are available but are not cleaned between each use. Park users wishing to use picnic tables should clean the surfaces of the tables before use.
• Park drinking fountains, playground equipment and basketball courts will remain closed.
• The city is not taking reservations for use of city meeting space or parks. No meetings other than official city meetings are being held within City Hall or the Community Center.
Park space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and physical distancing and gathering-size restrictions must be met.
• The Cottage Grove Armory remains closed to all use.
While the Cottage Grove Community Center and library remain closed, the interior spaces in the Community Center are undergoing remodeling and painting and the library is being modified for reopening.
"We're working on plans to open the library hopefully in the next couple of weeks," said City Manager Richard Meyers on Tuesday, but "it will not be the library as we've known it."
Current plans are to initially open the library for computer use in the morning, letting five people in every hour on the hour.
After about half an hour of computer use, people will be asked to leave as staff sanitize the area for the next group.
In later weeks, books may be available for online order and physical check-out through the library's side door.
More information about Oregon reopening strategy can be found at govstatus.egov.com/reopening-oregon.
Phase 2 of the state's reopening strategy relaxes more restrictions.


text:
ECO Sutton
What Is Eco Sutton
ECO Sutton » Air Pollution
- Select - Trees Other Topics Recycling Transport Hydro Electricity Insulation Gardening Energy Conservation Community Planning Climate Change Air Pollution
Hydro Electricity
Category Archives: Air Pollution
Air Quality Monitoring – we get moving
June 15th, 2017 Published by: John Heywood
On the suggestion of our M P Andrew Mitchell, Eco Sutton applied for lottery and Town Council funding for equipment to measure the air quality in the town. This is because we share the national concern about the effect of traffic fumes on people, especially children. This leads to premature deaths by the hundreds.
And we don't know clearly what the air quality in Sutton is like, Eco Sutton searched for monitoring equipment; and is working with Friends of the Earth on a first tranche of data-collection in July.
We aim to concentrate on busy roads and those near schools.
Did you read the SC Observer
December 15th, 2016 Published by: John Heywood
Our meeting with Andrew Mitchell MP was reported in the paper last Friday, thus building our campaign to improve the air quality in Sutton Coldfield ; and draw attention to what we are doing to each other when we drive so much.
We met Andrew Mitchell MP on 18.11.16
November 22nd, 2016 Published by: John Heywood
EcoSutton meeting with Andrew Mitchell, Friday 18 November 2016.
Towards a cleaner, greener Royal Town
On Friday, 18 November, 3 representatives from EcoSutton, John Heywood, Sue Fenoughty and Kath Taylor, met with Andrew Mitchell, MP, to discuss the follow up of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change which was signed by foreign minister, Boris Johnson, on behalf of the UK, only the day before, on the 17th November. The UK has become the 111th country to ratify the Paris climate agreement, which aims to avoid the most devastating effects of climate change by cutting carbon emissions.
It was agreed that cutting carbon emissions in our Royal town poses a particularly big challenge due to the high number of car owners: there are more cars per head of the population of Sutton Coldfield than anywhere else in the country. The suppression by some car manufacturers of the particularly harmful effect of nitrous dioxide emissions from their diesel engines, triggered EcoSutton to investigate air quality in Sutton Coldfield. Mr. Mitchell agreed that traffic outside his office in the High Street is heavy throughout the day, and to prove his point, he took the EcoSutton reps. outside and photographed the passing vehicles. EcoSutton are following this up by purchasing portable air monitoring devices to use outside schools, etc. during rush hours periods. Mr. Mitchell also agreed that car manufacturers should be encouraged to make electric cars which would cut down on harmful carbon emissions, and better access to charging points was discussed. EcoSutton are also pursuing cleaner, safer routes for cyclists in and around the town.
Other ways of reducing our carbon footprint were put forward by EcoSutton which had been proposed at a public meeting at St. Peter's church hall, Maney in October, attended by people from a variety of local Churches , Mosques and community groups. Ideas included energy conservation, such as insulating our homes, schools, offices, shops, etc. It was also suggested that all new buildings with south facing roofs should install solar panels thus cutting down of our reliance on energy produced by carbon producing fossil fuels. There are various schools in Sutton currently extending their premises, and Mr. Mitchcll agreed that the reducing cost of solar panels should encourage builders and developers to install these.
EcoSutton wishes to thank Mr Mitchell for his time and attention to our recommendations and will await his full response.
Air quality from the High Court to Sutton High Street
November 9th, 2016 Published by: John Heywood
Air quality is in the news. The government has once again been ordered in a court case to do better.
Birmingham City Council points out that 900 deaths per year have cause partly attributable to air pollution.
But Eco Sutton is taking action. We have bought a Clean Space Tag which will enable us to take readings of air quality, around the town at places we reckon will give high readings.
This information will be contributed to the city's working party. The city council is working on the creation of a clean air zone; and in general in improving air quality by pushing the use of cleaner vehicles.
Air Pollution Climate Change Transport
October 17th, 2016 Published by: Steve Lyne
The new Nissan Leaf due out in the spring will have a range of over 300 miles per charge.
To find out more visit: Nissan Leaf
Air Pollution – the city council replies
In May we finally received a reply to our petition.
Our paraphrase is that the city has only one officer who works on air pollution. There are much more polluted places than Sutto, so little will be done for us. Unless that is, the Sutton public joins in our campaign.
We will amke decisions on the way forward at our meeting on June 20th.
John Heywood.
Air Quality Petition
April 5th, 2016 Published by: ecosadmin
We have sent to Birmingham councillors a petition with 190 names, requesting the monitoring of air quality on certain main roads, particularly near schools, and to let us know the results. We have also asked what plans the Council has to reduce harmful vehicle emissions of NO2 and tiny particles, all of which penetrate our lungs and shorten our lives.
So far we have established that Big Birmingham Bikes have ongoing plans to establish more safe cycling and walking routes – some of them in Sutton and Erdington – to encourage healthier lifestyles for those journeying to work, school, shops, etc.
We wish to encourage people to choose electric or hybrid cars. Two members of our group run an electric car leased for £160 per month.
Air Quality Petition Sent To Council
November 2nd, 2015 Published by: John Heywood
Our Air Quality Petition is being sent to the city council this week.
The Eco Sutton petition has 190 signatures, which we collected on our visit to new Hall Mill in July and at our stall at the EXPO in The Parade at the end of September.
We are asking the city council to tell us what the air quality is like in Sutton, how often they measure it, where and when. And most importantly what is the city's plan to meet the EU standards on Air Quality.
We will let you know what answers we get.
July 1st, 2015 Published by: ecosadmin
Risks To Health
Few people, we believe, recognise the risks from poor air quality because those risks are unseen and not immediately experienced. We have sought to identify these risks below.
The number of deaths attributed to long term exposure to air pollutants in the UK in 2012 was 28,969. The figure for Birmingham was 520. (Public Health, England 2014)
The air pollutants are largely invisible and odourless. They comprise the toxic gas nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and the tiny particulates labelled PM 2.5s, which penetrate our lungs.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer stated in 2013 that PM 2,5s were a cause of lung cancer.
Both NO2 and PM 2.5s are emitted by diesel engines. Sales of cars with diesel engines have increased from 10% in 1995 to over 50% of all car sales in 2014. In contrast, cars with petrol engines emit very much lower amounts of both of these pollutants.
The Supreme Court (presumably stimulated by concerned groups of citizens) has instructed the Government to draw up a new air quality plan by the end of the year.
Armed with the information above, EcoSutton wants to stimulate discussion. Our ideas, which are far from complete, are:
encourage people to buy cars with petrol, hybrid or electric engines;
request the creation of more walking and cycling routes away from main roads;
encourage a greater use of public transport with hybrid or electric buses.
Why not check out your own personal green credentials using this carbon footprint calculator

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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44 by 61 in. 111.8 by 154.9 cm.
Visually arresting and commanding in scale, Robert Motherwell's In Plato's Cave No. 7 from 1973 captures the painterly vigor and cerebral brilliance of one of the Twentieth Century's most celebrated and intellectual artistic minds. Renowned for his extensive formal education and academic approach to painting, Motherwell derived the title of the present work from Greek philosopher Plato's Allegory of the Cave, which recounts a group of prisoners who, having spent their entire lives chained facing the wall of a cave and only ever able to see shadows projected onto the cave wall, have never experienced real life and thus believe these shadows to be reality. Resolutely reconciling the gap between philosophy and painting, Motherwell's In Plato's Cave No. 7 is an aesthetically arresting visual counterpart to Plato's allegoric tale, challenging the viewer to question perceived reality and the limitations of their purview and to consider the capacity of painted canvas to enlighten and reveal that which is perhaps not apparent or accessible in the natural world. Integrating the languages of Minimalism and Abstract Expressionism with traces of Surrealist automatism, In Plato's Cave No. 7 teases the boundaries between reality and perception, ultimately denying logic and realism in favor of a more immediate and direct means of communication through painterly abstraction.
A testament to the philosophical and theoretical undercurrents which inspired Motherwell's masterful oeuvre, the present work emerges from a limited series of black and white paintings titled In Plato's Cave inaugurated in 1972, numerous of which reside in the permanent collections of esteemed museums such as the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Seattle Art Museum, the Worcester Art Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This series experiments with variations on Motherwell's earlier Open series of paintings, incorporating gestural strokes that evoke his highly acclaimed Elegies of the Spanish Republic. As with his seminal Open paintings, the works of the In Plato's Cave series feature a plane of color intersected by three hard-edged lines which, without specifying or enclosing a shape, activate the composition and challenge the two-dimensionality of the canvas. The impetus for the inverted "U" motif featured in the present work arose by happenstance in 1967 when Motherwell, intrigued by the shape that a smaller canvas formed lying up against a larger and captivated by the relationship established here between shape and line, traced three simple lines onto the larger canvas and thus inaugurated his Open series.
In In Plato's Cave No. 7, expressive brushstrokes illuminate and enliven an abstract landscape otherwise enveloped in piercing darkness with smoky grays and ashen, ghostly whites. Exploring the expressive faculties of his Minimalist abstract iconography, Motherwell paints in urgent strokes which in some places culminate in impenetrable passages of densely layered paint while in others achieve an almost ethereal translucence. The composition centers around the architectural framework of the inverted "U", which delineates the mouth of a cave otherwise obscured by a velvety darkness. A burnished glow of light emanates from within this cavernous space, endowing this hollowed cavity with an enigmatic luminescence that divulges unfathomable depths whilst simultaneously acknowledging the flatness of the canvas itself. Exceptional for its rich tonality of color and thoughtful exploration of gesture and line, In Plato's Cave No. 7 explores the very nature of abstraction and representation itself; here, Motherwell creates an enigmatic abstract landscape that, while resolutely foregoing an illusionistic representation of the natural world, draws the viewer into its captivating painterly realm, an alternate reality that reverberates within the confines of the canvas.
Photograph of Robert Motherwell painting in his studio, April 1964.


Cancer can be exponentially easier to treat or cure when it's caught early.
A new study found that fewer than 2 percent of heavy smokers in the U.S. get recommended lung cancer screenings, an imaging test that can catch tumors when they are small and potentially curable. The numbers fall far short of screening for other types of cancer, including mammograms and colonoscopies—both procedures that are much more uncomfortable than the CT scan used to detect tiny tumors in the lungs.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., killing an estimated 150,000 Americans each year. For the past five years, such groups as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Society of Clinical Oncology have urged people aged 55 or older who have smoked a pack a day (or the equivalent) for three decades or more to get checked for early stage disease. Medicare, the U.S. government's insurance program for the elderly, pays for the procedure. None of it has made an impact.
It took a while for public health officials to start recommending routine lung cancer screening, because of questions about its accuracy and its ability to make a difference once the disease was detected. Subsequent studies confirmed the benefits for the heaviest smokers, with the use of screening intended for those most vulnerable to tumors.
The researchers analyzed registry data for everyone who underwent lung cancer screening in 2016 and found that 141,260 of the 7.6 million people eligible, or 1.9 percent, received it. By comparison, from 60 percent to 80 percent of eligible people get screening for breast, cervical and colon cancer, said Bruce Johnson, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and chief clinical research officer at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
The testing shortfall could stem from primary care doctors' failure to refer high-risk patients to one of 1,800 approved centers nationwide which provide the service. Psychological issues could also play a role, including fear of being diagnosed with a disease that smokers are constantly reminded of, Pham said.
Lung cancer deaths exceed those from breast, colon, pancreas and prostate cancer combined. There are very compelling reasons to get screened, said Johnson.
"If you screened the entire population of the U.S. who fit the criteria for having smoked enough and being the appropriate age, which is about 8 million people, you could save about 12,000 lives a year," he said. "The majority of lung cancers picked up are early stage," and finding them before the malignant cells spread reduces the risk of dying by about 20 percent, he said.
Alcohol use disorders — defined by the authors as disorders involving hospitalization — must have a neurodegenerative effect at causing dementia.
"As a geriatric psychiatrist, I frequently see the effects of alcohol use disorder on dementia, when unfortunately alcohol treatment interventions may be too late to improve cognition," says CAMH Vice-President of Research Dr. Bruce Pollock. "Screening for and reduction of problem drinking, and treatment for alcohol use disorders need to start much earlier in primary care." The authors also noted that only the most severe cases of alcohol use disorder — ones involving hospitalization — were included in the study. This could mean that, because of ongoing stigma regarding the reporting of alcohol-use disorders, the association between chronic heavy drinking and dementia may be even stronger.
Quite concerning, and all the more reason that the NSA and GCHQ should primarily be focused on defending the population instead of engaging in harmful mass surveillance.
US, British and other nuclear weapons systems are increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks, according to a new study by the international relations thinktank Chatham House.
The threat has received scant attention so far from those involved in nuclear military planning and the procurement of weapons, the report said.
It blames this partly on failure to keep up with fast-moving advances, lack of skilled staff and the slowness of institutional change.
"Nuclear weapons systems were developed before the advancement of computer technology and little consideration was given to potential cyber vulnerabilities. As a result, current nuclear strategy often overlooks the widespread use of digital technology in nuclear systems," the authors of the study said.
Nuclear weapons systems are at threat from hostile states, criminal groups and terrorist organisations exploiting cyber vulnerabities.
"The likelihood of attempted cyber-attacks on nuclear weapons systems is relatively high and increasing from advanced persistent threats from states and non-state groups," the report said.
It cited examples such as a report the US could have infiltrated the supply chain of North Korea's missile system that contributed to a test failure in April last year. The silos of US nuclear-tipped Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles "are believed to be particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks".
The study also recorded illicit trafficking in Moldova and Georgia of radioactive and nuclear materials; a group in Belgium affiliated to Islamic State monitoring the movements of a nuclear scientist; and German-owned Patriot missiles reported to have been hacked in 2015.
The report, Cybersecurity of Nuclear Weapons Systems: Threats, Vulnerabilities and Consequences, was written by Beyza Unal, a research fellow at London-based Chatham House who previously worked on strategic analysis at Nato, and Patricia Lewis, research director of the international security department at Chatham House.
Potential artificial intelligence (AI) applications, while creating new opportunities for cybersecurity, add another layer of complexity for nuclear weapons that could be exploited.
Another dangerous risk of the continued usage of fossil fuels.
Over the last two weeks, the maritime world has watched with horror as a tragedy has unfolded in the East China Sea. A massive Iranian tanker, the Sanchi, collided with a Chinese freighter carrying grain. Damaged and adrift, the tanker caught on fire, burned for more than a week, and sank. All 32 crew members are presumed dead.
Meanwhile, Chinese authorities and environmental groups have been trying to understand the environmental threat posed by the million barrels of hydrocarbons that the tanker was carrying. Because the Sanchi was not carrying crude oil, but rather condensate, a liquid by-product of natural gas and some kinds of oil production. According to Alex Hunt, a technical manager at the London-based International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation, which assists with oil spills across the world, there has never been a condensate spill like this.
While studies of condensate's environmental effects are limited, one lab study found that its toxicity to corals, for example, was greater than expected based on its molecular components.


BREAKING NEWS: Megachurch pastor Joel Osteen went on Fox & Friends this morning and made a sad announcement. Osteen revealed that he and his family have been attacked viciously and unfairly from those on the left.
Osteen was being attacked for not opening up his church, Lakewood, to flood victims. But he claims that the building was flooded, which is why he did not immediately open the doors.
As of last night, he opened Lakewood's doors to Houstonians in need who sought shelter from the hurricane.


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text:
Q: Python 2.7 exiting from main and return exit status, what am I doing wrong? Its an infinite loop problem, fellow in the comments set me straight, feel free to take this down if you wish.
I have read some other questions and answers here and tried implementing the suggestions, but to no avail. Because I am not writing proprietary code it is ok for me to post this in its entirety, it not that long, but I hope stack exchange doesn't mind... Also, feel free to use and or modify as you wish.
    #!/usr/bin/env python2.7

    import sys, random, subprocess, signal

    def main(argv=None):
        if argv is None:
            argv = sys.argv
        def signal_handler(signal, frame):
            fdHT.close()
            fdWL.close()
            print '\n'
            return 1

        signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, signal_handler)

        pathToWL = str(sys.argv[1])
        pathForHT = str(sys.argv[2])
        mId = str(sys.argv[3])

        SaltCharSet = str("a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9")
        SaltCharSet = SaltCharSet.split(" ")

        try:
            fdWL = open(pathToWL, 'r')
        except:
            print "Could not open wordlist file."
            return 2

        try:
            fdHT = open(pathForHT, 'a')
        except:
            print "Could not open file for hash table"
            fdWL.close()
            return 3

        #We have our wordlist now step through the thing and start generating hashes.

        toStop = False
        #cursor = 0 #Use the cursor later once this program evolves

        #print 'Entering while 1'
        while(toStop == False):
            try:
                ln = str(fdWL.readline())
            except:
                fdHT.close()
                fdWL.close()
                return 4
            if ln == '':
                toStop = True #This should have been an ASSIGNMENT not a test, was ==
            ln = ln.strip("\n")
            ln = ln.strip("\r")
            if len(ln) < 6:
                continue
            # create random salts
            # send ln, id, and salts to hashpipe
            salt = []
            lenOfSalt = random.randint(6,16)
            #print 'Entering while 2'
            while(len(salt) < lenOfSalt + 1):
                aORn = random.randint(0,1)
                if aORn == 0:# Its a letter
                    uORl = random.randint(0,1)
                    if uORl == 0:
                        salt.append(SaltCharSet[(random.randint(0,25))].upper())
                    elif uORl == 1:
                        salt.append(SaltCharSet[(random.randint(0,25))].lower())
                    else:
                        print "Random Int 'uORl' out of bounds"
                        fdHT.close()
                        fdWL.close()
                        toStop = True
                        return 5 # I don't know what happened
                elif aORn == 1:# Its a number
                    salt.append(SaltCharSet[(random.randint(26, 35))])
                else:
                    print "Random Int 'aORn' out of bounds"
                    fdHT.close()
                    fdWL.close()
                    toStop = True
                    return 6 # I don't know what happened
            #Generated Salt
            salt = "".join(salt)
            wholeArg2 = str("$"+mId+"$"+salt)
            try:
                mHash = str(subprocess.check_output([r"hashpipe", ln, wholeArg2]))
            except:
                print " error getting hash"
                #Clean-up
                fdHT.close()
                fdWL.close()
                toStop = True
                return 7
            #Generated hash, now write it to the fdHT file
            print str(ln+"\t"+mHash)
            fdHT.write(str(ln+"\t"+mHash))
            #cursor = fdWL.tell()

        print 'done with whiles'
        fdHT.close()
        fdWL.close()

        return 0

    if __name__ == "__main__":
        sys.exit(main())

This script is calls a little C program I wrote to hash a string using GNUs crypt_r() function... It hangs at the end and I have to use ctrl-c to bail... here is some sample output...
    zurumba`tico    $6$96u6sUy05rM69$1NLxLYXS9tAf05szgV0/GH6pvykOPsuEIlGxOkDOMNEixGiN8oeTG.xxIq/D19YpArMWtD1xJMG9sKWgA9xzK/

    zurupeto    $6$O2510Y900o02008$BO2OadT8Bvje78C2JhuZ6r/.iJHz.s9UfET8MU93iGy57bbe/qh9/Uj4jSkVSCyknegnkAB2JF7vRgWohkGVI0

    zutana  $6$Ur2i9m95$E2WqrEnld4aPa1bYAlCNnMEE0nmwxNlfB9ozVc3I6NCKXHqnSyspZrqIq2usqNf2JwlVF1myhqIn26a71Dm510

    zutano  $6$8x482Lar4qj$LupCZ9t2ImG.nRVH9xHPsyyx9emiImNTRaErxNrtsGyWjeO3XZLzj.F1D3eQOsiurQeQMWeQ3lF5ef.o3iesg.

    zuzo`n  $6$G9JP2GE$FAoZGGQNNycPfGCHq/Ra4MSQNknATMgHLzk8N9FHDefbZm/Hcx6JdV/sZdbkFHVVkoRjTnoUP9mw6CkE/.4fI.

    ^C

Where have I gone wrong?

A: I think there are two changes you can make that will improve your chances of writing code that works correctly.
First, use with statements to handle opening and closing your files. Using with open("filename") as file_obj will automatically close the file if an exception or return statement happens later on in the code.
Second, use a for loop to read the lines of the file, rather than calling readline on each cycle of a while loop. The for loop will run until the end of the file is found, and then stop. If you need to react differently to the file ending than to some other termination conditions, you can use break for the special termination cases and put an else clause on the loop (which will only run if the for loop complets without breaking).

A: There may be a better answer, and I more than likely am not very "pythonic", I am not one to say, but this fixed the issue, but also probably will raise another, I am forseeing an empty line containing nothing but "\r\n" or "\n\r".
Update: I moved the if statement back before the strips and it still worked on this file, but may not work generally. Time will tell, I just need this to work though, and it does.
Original
    if ln == '':
            toStop == True #This should have been an ASSIGNMENT not a test, was ==
        ln = ln.strip("\n")
        ln = ln.strip("\r")

Working
            if ln == '':
                print 'at EOF'
                toStop = True
            ln = ln.strip("\n")
            ln = ln.strip("\r")
The output
    Entering while 2
    zurupeto    $6$w2206117WV1E1$JHkrmXu/RZirctvucEUT8eCNLOTpivn4LwoNRtmq6OfocHhf54bkoggjxVN/35k3j9WgJ5NaXWZY0nDML4qUf1

    Entering while 2
    zutana  $6$wfIF8ry4934271Si$4U8oiMp9/RA1glWf8aVV/uWqMyYybR1VbpR4qbcgNyv3YCERkdzaSpcJMLXtD9uT9Wt0nb4D5oqiJjfMM.8w01

    Entering while 2
    zutano  $6$3gi4C0V2hD49dSOU$y09sCx5aUnheWGKA0HnnRBnINojfZY6WY.CaKeMAej9Y9KdXfBE/aQVqcxxvFbBRuL.Q5Tzr2d1V9oznZPaFs/

    Entering while 2
    zuzo`n  $6$mkZ810VB4Qft90ap$PbtYHX9e5PvnlzgtgODOYb/U3EmgA1AsCrf7tLRnE/DQ8hQ1Ltx3yuul5HEz9JAXnMzflcoN6Vwdfl38oIIOS0

    at EOF
    done with whiles

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This course provides students with a detailed hands-on experience of the Service features and components of Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Attendees of this course will gain an in-depth understanding of the Service Case Management Process in Dynamics 365, including learning how to track and resolve customer requests with Case records, collaborate on issues using Queues, use Service Level Agreements (SLA) to manage service entitlements and utilize the Knowledge Base to resolve customer issues faster. The Interactive Service Hub and Service Analysis features such as the Service Reports, Service Goal Management, Service Charts and Dashboards are also presented in this course.
Understand the Customer Service process in regards to the Dynamics 365 Service App.
Be familiar with the Service features of the Dynamics 365 App.
Understand the impact of Security configuration on the Dynamics 365 Service App.
Know where to get help when navigating and using the Dynamics 365 Service App.
Be familiar with the further reading and resources available to users.
Understand the Case Resolution Process in regards to the Dynamics 365 Service App.
Know how to create, assign, manage and resolve Case Records.
Understand the significance of related Case Activity Records.
Work with Service Level Agreements and customer Entitlements.
Understand the benefits of Queues and how they are used within the Case Resolution Process.
Add records to Queues and manage Queue Items.
Implement Case Routing Rules to automate Case assignment.
Automate Queue Item management using Processes.
Work with the Knowledge Base in Dynamics 365.
Create and manage Knowledge Base Articles and Article Templates.
Be familiar with the Article Approval Process.
Search the Knowledge Base to resolve a Case Record.
Email an Article to a Customer to resolve a Case Record.
Interact with the Interactive Service Hub Dashboards, Streams, Indicators and Filters.
Manage Case Records through the Interactive Service Hub.
Work with Knowledge Base Articles through the Interactive Service Hub.
Understand the different ways to analyze Service data in Dynamics 365.
Work with the 'out of the box' Service Reports in Dynamics 365.
Create a custom Service report using the Reporting Wizard.
Work with the Service Charts and Dashboards.
Create Service Goals and KPI Visualizations in Dynamics 365.


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Capturing water from melting snow in the Andes is key to battling drought
Northern Chile targets water conservation to beat drought
Steven Maxwell
Avocado trees in Coquimbo have been cut right back; still alive they use minimal water
The ongoing impact of a seven-year-long drought has prompted growers in northern Chile to examine new ways of retaining and conserving water. Produce Business UK investigates
For the director of Fedefruta (the Chilean Fruit Producers Federation), María Inés Figari, the onset of the drought that has affected so much of northern and central Chile over the past seven years has also coincided with her own involvement in the organisation. Fedefruta's first female director in its 30 years of history, Figari was prompted to take a more active role in the association by the need to obtain greater support from Chile's government for drought-hit growers.
"As a consequence of the drought, we have come together in Fedefruta to be able to have representation in Santiago and communicate to the government the agricultural situation in Region IV," she says. "For this reason, I entered the board of directors of Fedefruta to be able to deliver this message to Santiago of what this means to all of us in this region as fruit exporters."
A table grape and citrus grower herself in the province of Coquimbo, Figari is also the director of Chile's National Society of Agriculture and president of the Northern Agricultural Society, where she is the first to hold the position in the group's more than 100 years of existence.
The impact on fruit
Speaking about the last 12 months, Figari says the situation has been far from easy for growers in northern Chile. Producers have, she explains, had to battle with extreme drought followed by very intense rainfall, which has caused loss of land, crops and human life; in the latter case, largely as a result of the onset of the El Niño phenomenon.
Although Figari says growers have been able to gather together sufficient water to be to continue cultivating crops, she says the drought led to a considerable drop in production, principally due to the effect on sizing, with much of the fruit failing to reach the sizes required for exportation.
Considerable crop losses were also recorded in cultivated land across northern Chile. "Here, in Region IV, we normally cultivate 120,000 hectares – we finished only cultivating 53,000 hectares, so the losses have been significant," she says.
Although avocados were initially the most affected product, Figari says in the end the drought was so extreme that everything was affected, not any product more than another. "With avocados, we ended up practically having to cut down the trees, but table grapes and clementines and other products also suffered damage," she recalls.
"At the end of the day, water is the biggest component of fruit and logically not having that element meant that we did not achieve a good result.
"Fruit comprises 90% water and having water is essential to be able to cultivate it."
However, Figari believes there is light at the end of the tunnel. To date, she claims the region has not suffered any further weather events that could lead to crop losses, meaning that for the time being the 2015/16 production season looks likely to be a positive one.
Climate change is now a reality
Of course, exports inevitably fell as a result of the drought and Figari says Fedefruta is currently evaluating the losses that growers in the region suffered, including as a result of the severe rainfall produced by El Niño in August.
"In general, across Chile – from the north to the south and the whole length of the country – we have suffered an extreme drought," she says. "In the south, where there are animals, it also produced an extremely serious problem – the animals did not have enough to eat.
"Today, we can rest easy and be thankful that we have water. But it has left us with the knowledge that we need to be much more careful with water.
"From now going forward, we are going to always be far more attentive because this is a situation of climate change."
Figari says Fedefruta has carried out analyses and studies to see how growers in northern Chile can save water, including planning – together with the Chilean government – the construction of a new dam, with a high capacity for storing snows that arrive from the Andean Cordillera, as well as heavy rainfall.
In common with Fedefruta, Lina Arrieta, president of northern Chilean growers' association Apeco, says working to conserve water is of ever more importance to producers in the region.
The drought in the north of the country, Arrieta says, has been related to the terrain in northern Chile where growers are attempting to produce crops in a near-desert climate where it rains very little.
"Especially in our region of Atacama, we have fought against the desert, trying to cultivate crops in two marvellous valleys – Huasco y Copiacó," she explains. Comprising 32 companies – the majority of whom are producers of table grapes – Apeco largely draws its membership from the Copiacó Valley where 8,000ha of table grapes are cultivated, some 50% of which comes under the umbrella of the association.
As a result of the drought, Arrieta says all of these hectares are at risk of degeneration.
To alleviate the situation, she says Apeco – together with the University of Chile – has been carrying out investigations into how to become more efficient in its water usage.
As well as looking at the use of subterranean water, Apeco is also examining how to improve the usage of surface water by becoming more efficient in water collection.
Suppliers will remain attentive to the UK
Although Figari at Fedefruta says the climate remains Chilean growers' principal challenge, she emphasises that the country's fresh produce sector also needs to compete with strong competition from mining.
Despite the fact that Chile's mining industry is also not having the best of times – largely as a result of the low price of copper – Figari says it still poses a significant challenge to the fresh produce sector's ability to attract sufficient manpower, given that it typically pays higher wages than growers. Another major concern is having access to sufficiently well-qualified employees, as Figari explains that having qualified people is increasingly important to the sector.
Complying with export guidelines has been crucial to Chile's success in overseas markets and Figari says assistance from UK grocery retailers has been a major factor in achieving this result.
"The UK is a very important market for us because the UK was the one that provided us with the guidelines as to how to work together to become good growers," she explains. "The UK showed us which path we needed to take and how to keep moving forward to meet environmental and social requirements."
However, Figari admits that a great deal of the volume produced in northern Chile over the last 12 months have been shipped to North America rather than the UK, largely as a consequence of the drought.
"When the fruit receives less water, you need to find the shortest possible route to market and the North American market is half the distance of the route to Europe," she says.
Despite this, Figari is keen to emphasise that the UK market remains very attractive for Chilean exporters. "The UK has been a very important benchmark for the Chilean fresh fruit sector and we always have the possibility to being able to talk with the UK supermarkets, who have provided an incomparable level of security in terms of orders and prices for Chile," she concludes.
Read the other articles in PBUK's Sourcing Spotlight on Chile:
Chile is not about to forget importance of UK fruit buyers
The UK remains an important market for Chilean fruit
Blueberries from Chile looks for convenient boost in UK
Chilean kiwifruit breeding programme looks to supplement Hayward strength
Chilean vegetable association seeks long-term UK trade deals
Chilean walnuts and prunes have UK niches in sight
Gesex to offer varietal and quality improvements for UK buyers
Chile's grape sector looks to expanded UK future with fresh varieties
PrevPreviousWalnuts and prunes from Chile have UK niches in sight
NextStePac acquisition aims to Xtend the boundaries of MAPNext


Last night I came home "a bit" frustrated from consecutive tough days at work. If you follow Erin's series on graduate students around the sewing community you are probably familiar with the fact graduate students are frustrated A LOT. I guess if you're human, and have a day job, you may also experience this frustration from time to time. Despite how much I love my job and how important I think it is, I can't avoid frustration when things just don't work.
Anyway, I came home and wasn't feeling like doing anything fun (or anything at all). I had about an hour before bed time and I felt like I didn't have the mental energy to start with the pants I've already cut, or cut another project. Looking around me my eyes fell on a scrap of knit fabric, left over from a long sleeve t-shirt I made over the weekend. Instead of shoving it into the (overflowing) scrap drawer I took out my undies pattern and made myself new undies from the scrap.
It took about an hour, during which I could clearly think about anything and everything. My first thought was it felt like I was sewing chocolate. You know, when in doubt - eat chocolate? So I did something else that made me feel better, took longer to complete than what it takes to eat some chocolate, and at the end I have a new pair of undies!
Then I thought that if I can just make myself a new pair of undies in under one hour, I must have super powers. It was not the first pair I made (though I changed a few things, detailed below), and I should make some more as my wardrobe still hasn't recovered from the lost luggage in Sicily a few months back. Yet the idea I can use some scraps and elastic and make myself a new pair of undies is not trivial. The fact we can sew our own clothes isn't trivial. It takes dedication and perseverance, and the strength to deal with frustration when things don't work. Just like in real like, only on a smaller scale.
Specifically, undies are important to me as I'm very particular about what I like to wear. I feel liberated that I can make it myself and I'm no longer depended on retailers, trends, and whatnot.
As for the actual sewing: Up until last night I always used fold-over elastic. I wanted to try something else, as the fold-over feels a bit to thick and stiff. This time I used decorative elastic for the waist and self fabric for the leg bands. The pattern is something I drafted from a favorite pair a while back. I used the overlocker for the 3(!) seams, and regular zigzag stitching to attach the elastic with a stretch needle. I prefer the result over the fold-over with 3-step zigzag.
Today is a new day, and I hope it'll be less frustrating. At least I now have new underwear to help me conquer the day!


We are in February already, where did January go? I wonder how many readers managed to keep to their New Year Resolutions? The goals I set for myself were twofold; complete Dry January (no alcohol) and lose a stone in weight. Thankfully I succeeded in both, the latter much to do with the former I would have thought! So no pint of beer for me during the interval when I went to watch The Forge Singers performing a really splendid adaption of The Wizard of Oz at the WI Hall. Congratulations to all involved.
Rather than concentrate on my usual areas of divorce and matrimonial finance and contact and residence of children, I thought I would focus this edition on motoring offences, which is one of those subjects that affects many drivers but isn't spoken about much. If, like me, you've been caught out by speed cameras for exceeding the limit by just a small amount, whilst we want to kick ourselves for our mistake, the punishment is fairly moderate.
However, for some motoring offences the punishment can be severe, which is why getting expert legal advice and representation at an early stage is crucial. This is where I can help. For the benefit of readers not familiar with my column, I am not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice. I am a freelance Barristers' Clerk and facilitator bringing down the cost of legal advice and representation by cutting solicitors out of the supply chain and arranging for people to go direct to the highly expert and cost-effective services of Barristers.
Whether you have been charged with an alcohol related offence, failure to provide a specimen, speeding, careless or dangerous driving, or any other motoring offence, I can arrange for you to be advised and/or represented in court by a Barrister. Specialist legal advice and skilled representation could mean the difference between losing or keeping your license or significantly reducing the period of disqualification itself. If the charge is really serious, you could end up in prison. Give yourself the best chance – get advice from a Barrister… contact me.
Barristers are specialist legal advisers and court room advocates. They are self-employed independent lawyers, trained to advise clients' on the strengths and weaknesses of their case. You may not think you have a defence but consideration of all the facts by a Barrister who specialises in this area of law may lead him to the conclusion that you have a genuine defence. A well-argued case and good cross-examination can make a huge difference to the final outcome. Surprising as it may sound, Barristers cost less overall than solicitors. You are paying for the Barrister's time and expertise not the cost of running a solicitor's office.
Let's face it, if you were in court accused of an offence and your livelihood was at stake, who would you rather have in your corner, a solicitor, or a Barrister skilled in the art of advocacy and making persuasive legal arguments?
Many solicitors charge by the hour which can soon add up. I work only with senior Barristers and the motoring work is charged entirely on a "fixed fee" basis. So whether you require advice on the merits of your defence or representation in court, you will know in advance what the fee will be.
Contact me in confidence on 01732 866 562.


Fashion Maven... Mommy: Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale - MY PICKS!
Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale - MY PICKS!
Yay Nordstrom sale! I honestly get so excited for these because Nordstrom is the store i shop most frequently so naturally when there's a sale, i'm so there! As i browsed the Half Yearly Sale, i noticed a few items on my wish list were finally marked down (happy dance!). So here are some tips for shopping the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale!
First, make a list of items you need. For instance, are you in the market for a new work tote? Or perhaps you really want a great pair of neutral wedges? Jotting down a few ideas of what you need makes it easier to narrow down the search options (believe me, it can get quite overwhelming!). While a list makes it easier to stay focused, it's OK to steer a bit too. I mean if you're searching for a great bag like this one and you come across a great pair of earrings that you know you'd wear everyday and are marked down significantly... girl you get those earrings! Truth be told, the best deals go fast so you certainly don't want to feel as though you missed out! Besides, Nordstrom has amazing customer service and if you're not 100% happy with your purchase, they can easily accommodate your exchange or return. Oh and shipping is always free which is another reason i shop Nordstrom online quite often!
I put together a few items i loved and thought you might too! In fact, i already own the pretty cold shoulder ruffle sweater in black (purchased it full price... blah blah), but now that it's marked down, I'm picking it up in the light pink or maybe even gray! I also own these earrings and am currently wearing them because they're extremely light, super comfortable and always look amazing so i needed to share that they're ON SALE!
I also love the pom pom slides... seriously, I'm not sure that i can resist these! I can see myself rocking these all summer long! I'm in love with this sweet coral dress... so perfect for sunset cocktails down the shore (HEY! A girl can dream)! Picked out a beautiful wedge, gorgeous pink wallet and I'm loving this ultra feminine white top. It's so perfect for my upcoming vacation to Aruba! Eeek!


Cheltenham Ladies player Laura Hale will celebrate her testimonial this weekend with a top of the table clash with Thurrock Ladies.
The 31-year-old scrum-half has been with the club since the age of 14 and has played senior rugby for the last 15 years.
Cheltenham have started the Women's Championship South season strongly with three wins and will host the only other unbeaten team in the league this weekend.
Hale said: "I am really excited for the testimonial on the weekend.
"I have been honoured to be able to play the game that I loved for such a long time.
"It is certainly going to be a tough game on the weekend and part of me would prefer it to be an easier game than one of our hardest tests of the year.
There is expected to be a second testimonial game in the New Year and all money raised will MND Association in support of former Cheltenham outside-half, Mike Crisp, who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
Crisp will also have an invitational veterans in action on the day with the senior men's team at home to Midsomer Norton.
Hale added: "The team have made a really strong start to the season and our new coaches have transformed the team.
"They have made some changes to our shape and the way that we play.
Hale is the longest serving member of the team and has been receiving specialist scrum-half training from England Under-20 international Harry Randall.
She said: "There has been a massive growth in women's rugby while I have been playing the game.
"When I first started playing at Cheltenham, there was no girls' rugby, only senior women.
"I had to train with the seniors for two years from the age of 14 before I was allowed to play for the team competitively.
Fellow Cheltenham player Lauren Williams had her say as her teammate approaches the milestone.
Williams said: "Laura is a fantastic player and a truly valued member of the team on and off the pitch.
"Her passion for rugby is obvious in the way that she plays, she is dedication to the club and has formed life long friendships during her time as a Tiger, let's see what excitement the 2017-2018 season brings for our tenacious scrum half."


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World of Food
History destinations
Romantic travel
Winter destinations
The Most Popular Sights in Europe
Sporades – Picturesque Islands
Bodrum – Paradise On Earth
The Oldest Monuments That Decorate Our Planet
Mysterious And Undiscovered Greek Islands
1. Palau - Info Card
2. Palau | Introduction
3. Things To Know Before Traveling To Palau
4. How To Travel To Palau
5. How To Travel Around Palau
6. Destinations in Palau
7. Accommodation & Hotels in Palau
8. Things To See in Palau
9. Things To Do in Palau
10. Food & Drinks in Palau
11. Money & Shopping in Palau
12. Stay Safe & Healthy in Palau
Palau (historically Belau or Pelew), officially the Republic of Palau, is an island nation in the western Pacific Ocean with a population of 17,948 people spread over 465 square kilometers. It is made up of about 250 islands that make up the western chain of the Caroline Islands in Micronesia. Koror is the most populated of them. Ngerulmud, the capital of Melekeok State, is situated on the neighboring island of Babeldaob. Palau is bordered by Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Federated States of Micronesia on the sea.
The nation was first inhabited about 3,000 years ago by migrants from the Philippines, and it was home to a Negrito people until around 900 years ago. Europeans initially discovered the islands in the 16th century, and they were included into the Spanish East Indies in 1574. Following Spain's loss in the Spanish–American War in 1898, the islands were ceded to Imperial Germany in 1899 as part of the German–Spanish Treaty and governed as part of German New Guinea. During World War I, the Imperial Japanese Navy captured Palau, and the islands were subsequently included into the Japanese-ruled South Pacific Mandate by the League of Nations. During World War II, as part of the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, American and Japanese soldiers fought skirmishes, including the main Battle of Peleliu. In 1947, Palau, along with the other Pacific Islands, became a member of the United States-governed Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. After voting against joining the Federated States of Micronesia in 1979, the islands achieved complete sovereignty in 1994 through a Free Association Compact with the United States.
Palau is a presidential republic in free association with the US, which provides military, money, and access to social services. The bicameral Palau National Congress has legislative authority. Palau's economy is mostly dependent on tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing, with foreign assistance accounting for a substantial part of the country's gross national product (GNP). The United States dollar is the country's currency. The culture of the islands combines Japanese, Micronesian, and Melanesian influences. The bulk of the population is of mixed Micronesian, Melanesian, and Austronesian ancestry, with substantial populations derived from Japanese and Filipino immigrants. Palauan (a member of the Sunda–Sulawesi language group) and English are the country's two official languages, with Japanese, Sonsorolese, and Tobian recognized as regional languages.
We compare room prices from 120 different hotel booking services (including Booking.com, Agoda, Hotel.com and others), enabling you to pick the most affordable offers that are not even listed on each service separately.
100% Best Price
The price for one and the same room can differ depending on the website you are using. Price comparison enables finding the best offer. Also, sometimes the same room can have a different availability status in another system.
No charge & No Fees
We don't charge any commissions or extra fees from our customers and we cooperate only with proven and reliable companies.
We use TrustYou™, the smart semantic analysis system, to gather reviews from many booking services (including Booking.com, Agoda, Hotel.com and others), and calculate ratings based on all the reviews available online.
We search for destinations through a large booking services database. This way we find the best discounts and offer them to you.
Palau - Info Card
UTC+9 (PWT)
Palauan - English
Palau | Introduction
Geography Of Palau
The territory of Palau is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. Angaur, Babeldaob, Koror, and Peleliu are the most populated islands. The latter three are connected by a barrier reef, whereas Angaur is an oceanic island located several miles to the south. Koror is home to about two-thirds of the population.
The uninhabited Rock Islands (approximately 200) lie west of the main island group, while the coral atoll of Kayangel is north of these islands. The states of Hatohobei and Sonsorol are made up of a distant collection of six islands known as the Southwest Islands, located some 375 miles (604 km) from the main islands.
Climate In Palau
Palau has a tropical climate with an annual mean temperature of 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit). Throughout the year, there is a lot of rain, with an average of 3,800 mm (150 in). The average humidity is 82%, and despite the fact that rain falls more often between July and October, there is still plenty of sunlight.
Typhoons are uncommon in Palau since it is located outside of the major typhoon zone. Storm Haiyan in 2013 was the most powerful typhoon to hit Palau since reliable records began. Kayangel was ordered to evacuate in an emergency. Several homes were damaged by a storm surge. Despite homeowners' reluctance to leave properly, there were no deaths or serious injuries recorded.
Demographics Of Palau
Palau has a population of around 21,000 people, 70 percent of whom are native Palauans of mixed Melanesian and Austronesian ancestry. Palau is home to a large number of Asian populations. Filipinos are the country's biggest Asian population and second largest ethnic group. There are a lot of Chinese and Koreans here. There are also a tiny number of Palauans of Japanese heritage. There are also a small number of Bangladeshi and Nepalese migrant laborers and their descendants who arrived on the islands in the late 1900s. The majority of Palauans of Asian ancestry arrived in the late 1900s, with numerous Filipinos, Chinese, Bangladeshis, and Nepalese arriving as unskilled laborers and professionals. There are also a few Europeans and Americans.
Religion In Palau
Both the German and Japanese occupations of Palau supported missionaries who followed the Spanish. Three-quarters of the population is Christian (mostly Roman Catholics and Protestants), with Modekngei (a mix of Christianity, traditional Palauan religion, and fortune telling) and the ancient Palauan religion being practiced. Under Japanese control, the predominant faiths among Japanese immigrants were Mahayana Buddhism and Shinto. However, after Japan's defeat in World War II, the surviving Japanese mainly converted to Christianity, while the rest practiced Buddhism but no longer practiced Shinto rituals. There are also around 400 Bengali Muslims in Palau, and a few Uyghurs imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay were recently permitted to live there.
According to the 2005 census, 49.4% of the population is Roman Catholic, 21.3 % Protestant, 8.7 % Modekngei, and 5.3 % Seventh-day Adventist. In 2010, just 1% of the population was believed to be Buddhist, with the Chinese community also following Chinese folk religion. The tiny Jewish community sent two cyclists to the 18th Maccabiah Games in 2009.
Economy Of Palau
The economy of Palau is mainly based on tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular tourist activities in the islands' rich marine environment, which includes the walls of barrier reefs and World War II wrecks. The government is the biggest employer, and it is largely reliant on financial support from the United States. In the fiscal year 2000/2001, there were about 50,000 business and tourist arrivals.
The population has double the per capita income of Micronesia as a whole. Long-term prospects for the main tourism industry have been significantly enhanced by the growth of Pacific air travel, the increasing wealth of leading East Asian nations, and foreigners' readiness to fund infrastructure development.
Air service has been patchy at times. During the 2000s, Palau Micronesia Air, Asian Spirit, and Pacific Flier all flew to the Philippines and other locations, but all ceased operations. United Airlines currently offers daily service to and from Guam, as well as once-weekly service to Yap. Delta Air Lines also flies to Tokyo three times each week.
Palau Saving Bank declared bankruptcy in November 2006. The Palau Horizon reported 641 impacted depositors on December 13, the same year. 398 of them had less than $5,000 USD, with the rest having between $5,000 and $2 million USD. On December 12, 79 individuals who had been impacted got compensation. "The money for the payment came from the remainder of the Palau government's loan from Taiwan," Mr. Toribiong said. At the time of bankruptcy, $955,000 USD remained from a total of $1 million USD initially intended for supporting Palau's growth. Toribiong asked that the Taiwanese government utilize the remaining funds to settle its debts. Taiwan granted the request. Those who have less than $4,000 USD in their accounts would be eligible for reimbursement.
The income tax is divided into three categories with progressive rates of 9.3 percent, 15%, and 19.6 percent, respectively. The corporate tax rate is 4%, while the general sales tax rate is 0%. There are no real estate taxes.
Things To Know Before Traveling To Palau
Visa & Passport
Citizens of any Schengen nation (90 days), the United States (a year), Israel (90 days), the Marshall Islands (a year), and the Federated States of Micronesia do not need a visa (a year). Except for residents of Bangladesh and Myanmar, who must acquire a visa in advance, almost all other tourists may receive a 30-day visa on arrival.
Although English and Palauan are the official languages, several islands also recognize their own languages as official.
Palauan society is based on a strong matrilineal structure. Matrilineal rituals may be seen in almost every element of Palauan culture, particularly in funerals, marriage, inheritance, and the transfer of traditional titles.
Cassava, taro, yam, potato, salmon, and pig are among the native foods. Young Palauans like Western food, and international visitors join the natives. The remainder of Micronesia is similar, with much less tourists, resulting in fewer eateries. On such islands, tourists dine mostly at their hotels. Some traditional meals include an alcoholic drink produced from coconuts on the tree, a drink prepared from kava roots, and the chewing of betel nuts.
The traditional government system continues to have an impact on national issues, prompting the federal government to constantly try to restrict its authority. Many of these efforts took the form of constitutional changes backed by the business sector in order to preserve what they saw as free economic zones. In early 2010, the Idid clan, the governing clan of the Southern Federation, led by Bilung, the queen of the Southern Federation, filed a civil action against the Koror State Public Lands Authority (KSPLA). Using papers from the German era, the Idid clan claimed ownership of Malakal Island, a significant commercial zone and Palau's most important port. The judgment determined that the KSPLA owned the island.
Palau has its unique cuisine, such as the tama dessert. Local foods in Palauan cuisine include cassava, taro, yam, potato, fish, and pig. Among young Palauans, Western food is popular.
Throughout history, Palauans have been renowned for their hospitality. Many Palauans are sensitive to cultural differences and readily show respect to foreign guests. However, remember to always respect the local culture. Rude comments or any kind of discrimination towards the local culture, like with any other ethnic group, is not tolerated. Palauans are as capable of being furious and nasty as they are of being nice. You will find the local environment to be extremely laid back and easy going as long as you do not insult the culture, damage historic sites, pollute, or harm the ocean in any way.
It should be noted that Palau is a matrilineal culture with extremely rigid gender norms. Western concepts such as feminism are not common among the Palauans, and any overzealous effort to teach such beliefs is seen as irritating, stupid, and arrogant. Most Palauans, on the other hand, willingly participate in such discussions and find intellectual talks fascinating. Keep in mind that locals do not expect outsiders to grasp their national identity or culture, so a simple apologies for any transgression will enough to quell any tension.
How To Travel To Palau
Get In - By plane
The only viable option is to fly. On Babeldaob, there is just one airport, Airai (ROR).
Visitors may fly to Guam on United Airlines' daily flights ($600), which link to Japan and the United States, as well as straight to Manila, Philippines.
Delta Air Lines began daily service to (ROR) from Tokyo-Narita (NRT) in December 2010, with links to numerous Asian destinations as well as its US hub cities (including Hawaii).
Asiana Airlines presently offers regularly scheduled flights from Incheon International Airport in Seoul.
Charter flights are also available from Taipei, South Korea, and Japan on a number of carriers.
How To Travel Around Palau
A taxi and a leased vehicle were used. There are many local taxis. If you hire a vehicle, plan on driving carefully on some rough roads. Palau has both left and right hand drive vehicles, which may create some difficulty. Please keep in mind that the facility beyond Ice Box Park is a sewage treatment plant if you travel south to it. Any other diving will be done from a boat after an hour or more of travel time and will cost approximately US$150 for a two tank dive. The major island, Koror, has no diving sites or beaches. The road north has just been resurfaced and is really beautiful… after you've passed the airport.
Destinations in Palau
Regions in Palau
Babeldaob(Melekeok)
the biggest island, with a population of about 6,000 people, as well as Babelthuap, Babelthwap, Babeldoub, Babeldaub, and others
Koror
the location of the biggest city of the same name
Rock Islands
Jellyfish Lake, a lake containing millions of jellyfish with relatively mild stingers where snorkelers may safely swim, is made up of almost 300 mainly deserted islets.
Peleliu
There are about 700 people living here, the majority of them reside in the hamlet of Kloulklubed.
Angaur
A isolated southern outpost with approximately 200 residents, the location of a significant WWII naval action, and a reputed modern-day surfing destination.
Sonsorol Islands
Consisting of the states of Sonsorol and Hatohobei, these islands are home to approximately 100 people and are located far to the southwest of the rest of Palau.
Cities in Palau
Melekeok is the new capital (pop. 381) This is located on the island of Babeldaob and is a nice trip from Koror along the new Daewoo road. After crossing the bridge, the route to Melekeok is plainly marked.
Koror is the biggest city and previous capital of Koror. Koror is the only true concentration of stores, restaurants, and hotels in Palau. Many of the biggest diving operators have their headquarters here as well.
Other destinations in Palau
If you have your own maritime conveyance, such as an ocean-going boat, the South West islands of Palau are worth a visit. Sonsorol, Fana, Meriil, Hatohobei, and Helen Reef are all protected areas. If you visit Meriil, be sure to bring mosquito repellant since its native moniker is dancing island. You'll find out why if you get there! If you want to visit any of these islands, it is a good idea to see the governors in their offices in Koror. If you're fortunate, you may be able to take a journey on the Atoll Way, an island supply vessel. Sleeping on a rough wooden platform with other souls who are either returning to their home islands or the doctor from Peleliu island hospital who is making a regular visit to check on the islanders' health.
Accommodation & Hotels in Palau
Palau has a variety of guest house-style boutique lodging options. Some are near or inside Koror, while others are not. These may be booked internationally via diving shops that provide vacation packages (such as Sam's Tours). Prices start at $50 per night and go higher from there.
Guest Lodge Motel (Free airport transport. ), (680) 488-6320/21/22, fax: (680) 488-5616, e-mail: [email protected] If you simply need a place to sleep and unwind between days of outdoor activities, the Guest Lodge Motel is a pleasant and clean location to stay. Because the top level is unfinished, the building seems shabby from the outside. AC, refrigerator, Cable TV, 130 V and 230 V power outlets, shower/bath, towels, and other amenities are provided in the rooms.
In Palau, there are also a lot of excellent basic hotels.
Airai Water Paradise Hotel & Spa, +680-587-3530. The hotel has three of Palau's biggest features: the largest storyboard depicting Palau's history, the largest water park with two water slides, and the largest olympic-sized swimming pool. There are standard accommodations, honeymoon suites, and freshly refurbished ocean view suites.
West Plaza by the Sea, +680-488-2133. There are 36 accommodations with views of the ocean lagoon and surrounding islands. The rooms vary from basic class to deluxe suites with kitchenettes, as well as a penthouse suite on the roof deck with a big private veranda, whirpool bath, kitchenette, and lots of living space. The Red Rooster Cafe is also located in West Plaza By the Sea. The café serves a broad variety of Japanese cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch, and supper. Red Rooster Draft, Palau's sole locally produced beer, is available on tap during the evening happy hour.
West Plaza Desekel, +680-488-2133. It's close to museums, restaurants, and banking. The West Plaza Desekel has 30 rooms ranging from premium to basic. The Deskel Market, located on the ground level of the hotel, is a full-service grocery shop with ice cold drinks, fresh local and international vegetables, and a wide selection of Western and Asian cuisine.
The Caroline's Resort, +680-488-3754. This lovely alternative, located a few minutes outside of downtown Koror, provides lodging in various bungalows hidden in the hills amid the forest. The bungalows are well-equipped, with air conditioning, satellite TV, connected bathrooms, and bar fridges. Each unit also includes an outside terrace with views of the beach. Breakfast may be provided on your terrace, and guests have access to the Palau Pacific Resort's facilities throughout the day, so you can enjoy the beach and pool.
On Palau, there are many moderately priced resorts, the majority of which cater to scuba divers.
Palau Pacific Resort. Is a world-class resort in Koror's outskirts. PPR, as it is known locally, is extremely lovely (great beach, fantastic restaurant, vaulted ceilings), however it is also very far from Koror (10-15 minute drive). Most nights, they operate an hourly shuttle into Koror, or you can take a taxi for approximately $5 each way.
Palau Royal Resort. One of Palau's newest hotels, catered mostly to Japanese visitors. Conveniently situated in Malakal, just a few minutes' walk from Sam's Dive Shop and Neco Marine.
Things To See in Palau
Palau has all you might want in a South Pacific island state: beautiful tropical serenity. The majority of the tourist attractions are located on or around The Rock Islands or Chelbachebover. These 250 rock islands, many of which are small and deserted, provide some breathtaking vistas and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. They're a quiet invitation to unwind and enjoy a taste of heaven. Drink a drink at one of the country's pristine white sand beaches, kayak through the lovely uninhabited bays and lagoons, or do what most tourists do: dive under the surface to view the magnificent and unspoiled aquatic life. Blue Corner, Blue Hole, and the German Channel are all popular dives.
Head to Jellyfish Lake for an unforgettable snorkeling experience among the numerous and unusual stingless jellyfish. The jellyfish developed this distinct distinction from others in the adjacent lagoon due to their secluded position and lack of predators. Take a guided walk through ancient stone monoliths and terraces while your guide tells you about the stories that surround them. Even the capital, with a population of just over 21.000 people, may seem like a hamlet, yet there are a few fascinating sites and museums exhibiting traditional Palau culture and the country's tumultuous wartime past. However, it is the sheer beauty of this tiny island country – both above and below water – that has tourists raving.
Things To Do in Palau
Palau is well known for its scuba diving. Blue Corner, one of the most renowned diving locations with continuous sharks and a strong current, is less than an hour's boat trip from most resorts. Many live aboards, such as Ocean Hunter, operate from Palau. Tours of WWII battlegrounds are also available in Palau.
The diving locations of Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong Channel, and Blue Holes are all spectacular. You may dive the same place many times and have very different experiences each time.
Palau is also well-known for its jellyfish lagoons. In the absence of predators, these lakes are home to jellyfish that have evolved to lose their stingers. There are many excursions that will take you to the jellyfish lake to snorkel. SCUBA diving is not allowed nor required in the jellyfish lake. Palau Jellyfish Lake is classified as a natural phenomenon and scientific mystery.
Expedition Fleet is the Philippines' biggest privately owned live-aboard fleet. Their ships travel across the Philippines and Palau. Expedition Fleet is renowned for its skilled and competent Dive Masters, as well as its outstanding on-board service.
Splash, the diving shop connected to the Palau Pacific Resort, comes highly recommended. The rental equipment is of excellent quality and is either new or well maintained. The dive masters are also highly competent, responsible, and well-versed in the dive locations. Angelo at Splash comes highly recommended as a dive master, particularly if you haven't dived in strong currents before. It should be mentioned that Splash operates a fairly big, broad diveboat with a capacity of 20+ divers.
Fish 'n Fins is Palau's first diving shop. From their headquarters in Koror, they now operate two live-aboard vessels as well as seven smaller (and quicker!) diving boats. The guides are well trained professionals who are eager to impart their vast knowledge of the ocean and its inhabitants. Nitrox EAN 32 is the same price as air for divers. Technical divers may also use gas mixes.
Sam's Tours is another another dive company in Palau, providing diving, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, and land tours. They offer several excellent guides that give educational and environmental information.
Food & Drinks in Palau
Food in Palau
Almost everything. Palau has a significant community of people from Taiwan, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, and the United States, and local businesses have developed to meet their requirements. So Koror provides an incredible variety of goods in its shops, although at a cost. Bentolunch boxes with a Japanese theme are extremely popular.
The Rock Island Cafe in Koror is a wonderful location to get some fast American fare. It's on Koror Island, a bit west of the Court House.
Kramer's – on the Malakal wharf It's a little difficult to locate the first time, but the cuisine is excellent and the nightlife is usually fascinating.
Bem Ermii serves delicious burgers and milkshakes from a tiny trailer near the courthouse in downtown Koror.
Carp is an excellent medium-priced choice with large servings and well-prepared Japanese and local delicacies, such as coconut crab. It's close to the pier that takes you to the Carp Island resort, next to the Palau Royal hotel.
Other notable Koror restaurants include the Taj, an outstanding Indian restaurant, Fuji, a moderately priced pseudo-Japanese restaurant, and Dragon Tai on the road into Koror.
Drinks in Palau
The beer is called Red Rooster. Despite its tiny size, Palau boasts a small brewery adjacent to the West Plaza by the Sea hotel. It serves Amber, Stout, and three other beers. Abai Icein Koror is a tiny hut that serves fresh fruit smoothies, which are highly recommended.
There are many licensed businesses in Palau, ranging from quiet small pubs to "Japanese"-style karaoke clubs with bar ladies. Try Sam's Diving Shop or High Tide (behind Neco dive shop) for a good cheap drink. The majority of shops sell alcohol. Public drinking is prohibited, and the local police will gladly bother you if you are found.
Money & Shopping in Palau
Prices are relatively expensive, as one would anticipate on an isolated island where tourism is the primary business, and even a low-end daily budget would be about US$100/day.
Traditional wood carvings portraying Palauan tales and legends are known as Palauan storyboards.
Stay Safe & Healthy in Palau
Stay Safe in Palau
Palau is a relatively safe place to visit. Even after midnight, it is safe to walk about downtown Koror. But, like in every other part of the globe today, common sense wins. Pedestrians should exercise caution since sidewalks are few even in downtown Koror.
Stay Healthy in Palau
Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) may still be found in Palau's mangroves and on the picturesque Rock Islands, although they might be found everywhere on the island. Despite their frightening and, in some cases, well-deserved reputation, they seldom reach to the enormous proportions seen in Australia and New Guinea. There has only been one deadly crocodile attack in Palau's documented history, and it happened in 1965. The largest crocodile in Palau's history was 15 feet long—large, but typical for saltwater crocodiles in most other nations. The fact that there are only around 150 adults on the island undoubtedly contributes to the rarity of assaults. Snorkeling and scuba diving are extremely popular in Palau, yet there has never been a case of a visitor being attacked in recent history. According to a recent study, crocodiles are unfairly reviled by the locals, in stark contrast to the reverence shown to them by the indigenous peoples of Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. The causes behind this remain unknown.
Bull sharks are abundant in coastal areas and estuaries, therefore use extreme care while scuba diving or snorkeling.
Koror is the state that contains the Republic of Palau's primary commercial center. It is made up of numerous islands, the most notable of...
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The sheer scale of the American Civil War makes it often impossible to comprehend. The great armies, grand charges and huge casualty figures that typify the conflict make it difficult for us to bridge the gap of time and experience that separates us from those who were there in the 1860s. Narrowing our view to look at the stories of individuals and small groups is one way of getting us closer to understanding the reality of war. It is much easier for us to grasp the impact of momentous events on a single person or family, as it allows us to relate directly to human experience.
I am fascinated by the individual story. They are at once emotive and powerful, and can serve to illustrate wider truths regarding the impact of conflict. They also demonstrate that the American Civil War continued to affect people well beyond 1865. We often forget that the stories of those who survived the conflagration did not end at Appomattox or Bennett Place. We would like to think that the people who had endured four years of war had experienced the worst that life had to throw at them. The reality for some was that the decades after 1865 did not bring the reward and respite they may have deserved. Such was certainly the experience for Bernard Quinn.
Old Ragman Was Drowned When About to Receive It.
New Bedford, Mass., November 5. – One the eve of receiving a fortune that would make him independent for the remainder of his life, Bernard Quinn, 71 years old, was drowned in the Acushnet River. His body was found floating near a wharf by fishermen.
For 15 years the man had been a familiar sight about the streets, and his only visible wealth was two ragbags which were generally filled with assorted rags. The man was to come into possession of a back pension estimated to be at least $5,000 within a few days.
Quinn, who was known in this city as "Old Barney," was born in Ireland, and enlisted in the Army after coming to this country. He served in Company H, Fourth Infantry, and also in Company K, Thirteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
After the Civil War he served a third enlistment in the regular Army, holding the rank of corporal and sergeant. While in this city the old man made his headquarters at the City Mission, and was always in destitute circumstances.
So ended the sad story of Bernard Quinn. His life was far more than simply a record of service between 1861 and 1865, though it seems his years in the military may well have been among his happiest. The image of a young, heroic member of Sykes Regulars at Gaines' Mill in 1862 contrasts sharply with the destitute ragman floating in the Acushnet River four decades later. But this was the same man, the emigrant baker turned soldier, who ended his days as a ragman. When we look at those who lived through the Civil War we should try to examine their entire life experiences, not just the heady days of their youth on the battlefield. Such poignant stories make it all the more tragic that Ireland does not today do more to remember those born on this island who experienced the American Civil War. The story of Bernard Quinn from Co. Monaghan is just one of hundreds of thousands written by Irish emigrants in the United States. The creation of the Irish diaspora and Irish emigration is a major part of Ireland's history. We should spend more time exploring them, discussing them, learning from them and remembering them.
Well said, as always, Damian. Sometimes, when I read your blog, the title of a book called "Speaker for the Dead" springs to mind. Few will pick up that mantle, but it's valuable and necessary, if often thankless.
Many thanks for the comment- it certainly does feel that way sometimes- it is hard not to be deeply affected their stories the more you research them.


Matt McDonald, an agent with Chattanooga's Real Estate Brokers, grew up totally immersed in Chattanooga development, subdivision creation and land deals. A third generation in real estate sales and development, McDonald had a front row seat in the ups and downs of growth and has a unique perspective on the continued growth of the city.
"Matt just grew up in the business, and we have all kinds of resources that sometimes even the city or county doesn't have," his father, John McDonald, says. "For example, we got a call last week from the Environmental Protection Agency, doing a major study in Alton Park. They've got a list of the factories and what they made, but they don't have any idea of where they were.
McDonald took some time to share with us a bit about his family's history in the area, what developments have surprised him in recent years and what to expect for the market in 2019.
Tell us your family's history in Chattanooga real estate.
"I started off at the top. My grandfather (Joe McDonald) was likely the most prolific developer in the history of Hamilton County. He did 92 subdivisions in his career. He built out a lot of Hixson. I would say probably a third of what you see in Hixon is stuff that he's done. He was right at that time when Chattanooga was experiencing a lot of growth after World War II. This was basically from the late 1940s to the 70s.
So you guys collectively have seen quite a bit of change in the area.
"Absolutely. And some of it's just unbelievable, and some of it's predictable. For instance, nobody saw the south side coming, downtown. I grew up downtown, so I have a real unique paradigm. When I was in a little boy, you could walk down Market Street at 5:30 on a weekday, and there'd be a dadgum tumbleweed roll through. I mean, everybody left.
In terms of where people want to live right now in Chattanooga, is downtown one of those spots?
"Absolutely. Downtown's got a huge draw to it. There's some intangibles that come, and everybody says "location, location, location,'' but, there you could walk to restaurants, and walk to bars and walk to shops. All this stuff where you really feel connected. They have these parades and neighborhood events. You feel like that's your home team.
"The people that are in the south side they're fiercely loyal to the south side. Same with St. Elmo, they're fiercely loyal to St. Elmo. And North Chattanooga too, you know, everybody kind of banters about it, which is better than the other. Kind of like the Yankees versus the Red Sox. But they're all professional teams and they've all got great talent.
How much do your clients depend on you to find those properties for them in this market?
"My clients look to me to put deals together that don't – aren't – readily apparent. I do a lot of off-market deals. Of course, I work with a lot of builders and developers, and some of them are exclusive land deals. I contact people and make offers to them and put deals together.
You recently graduated from the Greater Chattanooga Realtors' 2018 Leadership Academy.
"That was a wonderful program, and I really learned a lot and I look forward to using that knowledge and help be a leader and influencer in this community. I really got to communicate and network with some really talented people.
"I was also recently appointed by the mayor to the Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission. We have four historic neighborhoods that are designated as historic, and that's St. Elmo - that's where 90 percent of the stuff comes from for the cases that we see. St. Elmo, Ferger Place, Battery Place, and Fort Wood by UTC.
Do a lot of people want to live in those areas, and what about commercial?
"Oh, yeah. There's a tremendous draw to this historic development. Not every city is lucky enough to have a real historic element to it, and Chattanooga is just flush with history. We've got the Civil War, or you go back before that, we've got Native American history that's tremendous. Our post-Civil War era, we had a tremendous surge in developments. Really talented people that came through from the 1870s to the 1920s, and they built.
What can people expect in Chattanooga real estate in 2019?
"You've got to temper everything with the rates ticking up a little bit. But that's a national thing. Everybody, every community in this country, is going to experience that. What Chattanooga has that is unique, is we have a community, a place that other people would like to go to. As simple as that sounds, that's probably as well put as I can make it.
"The bottom line is we're getting a ton of people from out of town that are coming for the Ironman and all these softball tournaments. They're spending the weekend in Chattanooga and they're coming back and they're saying, "Well, maybe we should move here when we retire".
"We won that competition with Outdoor magazine about Best Town. And we have so much to offer and we take it for granted, but we've got the rivers and the mountains, and we've got all this history. And we've got close proximity to major cities like Atlanta and Nashville. We're not too far from the beach.
"We're well positioned to grow. I do believe that our growth cycle is going to continue pretty well indefinitely. We've started the machine now, and people see it, and they want to be a part of it.
"People coming here are coming by their own choice. They want to be here. And if you really think about what that means, they are great additions to our community. These aren't people that are here by and large because they have too, they want, they sought this place out.


Yesterday I took out our stallion Arfur frá Eikarbrekku to the so called photohill to take some photos in the beautiful sunlight. He is my new favorit horse model since he has so amazing main and good looking neck. He is a son of Aron from Strandarhöfði and the 1 prize mare Festing frá Kirkjubæ and as you can see on the photos he is quite a handsome fellow.


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By now I'm sure most of you have heard of the amazing benefits that can be obtained through the daily practice of meditation, these benefits can include: reduced stress, mental clarity, insight, increased sense of intuition, reduced anxiety levels, calmness, peace and so on. In fact many of the top CEO's incorporate meditation into their daily routine and many believe that it has directly contributed to their success.
In other words, those who are the most busy and stressed in their daily lives, have the most to gain through meditation. In all seriousness, you don't need an hour; you can achieve some amazing results from devoting just 15 minutes a day to this mindful practice.
If you're at all like me you have struggled with meditation in the past or continue struggling with it today. Meditation can seem like a very daunting task, especially when you hear about all of the amazing things that other people have obtained. People claim to have had huge epiphanies about their lives, vibrating pineal glands, astral trips through space – you name it – someone has experienced it. This can be very intimidating to someone who is just starting out.
There are many common misconceptions about meditation. One of them is that you need to eliminate all thoughts from your head, and if a thought does come up, you are doing it incorrectly. This can lead to a very stressful practice –trust me. In a recently released eBook entitled: "How To Meditate In 30 Minutes: A Clear Guide For A Clear Mind" written by a friend of mine, Ilan Bendelman, he goes into this notion a lot deeper and actually dispels this myth, along with some other assumptions many people have.
This eBook is a short and sweet 10 pages, and is sure to assist anyone who has been having trouble meditating, or has been looking to get started. It can even be a great refresher for those who already partake in this wonderful practice. This is an extremely simple, straightforward guide to meditation. The best part about this is that it's currently available for only $2.99 on amazon! It was actually the number one downloaded free eBook on amazon a few weeks ago when it was released for free for a limited time only. How amazing is that? That sure says something about the human race, and our increased desire to find peace and happiness in our daily lives.
For International downloads click here, for Canadian downloads click here for your own copy of "How To Meditate In 30 Minutes: A Clear Guide For A Clear Mind" and get started on your path to peace today!


The Aedes Network Campus Berlin, ANCB, is a unique "Metropolitan Laboratory" focusing on the future of our cities. After three decades of exhibiting, publishing and convening some of the world's most internationally acclaimed and pioneering architects, Aedes have opened their doors to researchers and students from all around the world.
The École Spéciale d'Architecture has also been participating at the ANCB where Bernd and Karsten were leading the workshop units.
17 – 20 September 2009: BERLIN WALLS Students had to address the theme of Berlin's urban borders, developing proposals to overcome and, where appropriate, reinforce these border conditions.
The task is to develop a Centre for Humanitarian Affairs, located on a site directly to the north of Berlin's Hauptbahnhof train station where a 40-hectare development area known as the Europacity Quarter is currently under development.
The goal of the CHA is to create a hub for humanitarian affairs where different NGO'S have representatives under one roof and develop a holistic approach to the increasing natural disasters all over the world.
Currently there is no one in charge of solving natural disasters in a coordinated way, countless NGO's, institutes and agencies are working for themselves.
The CHA should act as a hub and test field for the different measures such as food supply, equipment and in particular the development of shelter. Apart from accommodation, offices and auditoriums construction test fields and workshops will be in the heart of the complex where the different methods of building quick, robust and according to the conditions of each location can be developed.