text:
Watch out! Haryana Day Ahead!
This year Haryana Day is tug of war between Ruling party (Congress) and the INLD
All pictures can be mouse clicked to enlarge. Pictures & Videos: Amar Singh Jyani, Amit Soni, GS Mann
Special from Sirsa News
Haryana day celebrations that used to be state celebration in the past, has taken a political color this time. In the past The Government of Haryana along with the politicians of ruling party used to celebrate it in a officious ambience. But this time when Haryana's sports persons brought accolades to the nations by winning several medals at CWG, it became a game of who owns the players between the Ruling party and the INLD, both making claims and refuting the claims of each other. INLD went a step forward and instead of celebrating the birth anniversary of Ch Devi Lal on 25th September (The biological birthday of Chaudhari Devi Lal) decided to postpone it to November 1st and declared that this year Ch Devilal's Birthday shall be celebrated on 1st November concurrent with Haryana day, The INLD has christened this day as Haryana Samman Diwas. Congress has planned a big rally on the same day at Sonepat. While the INLD whose rallies are always a runaway success has chosen Gurgaon as the venue. Both the parties are putting up weight behind their workers and leaders to make their respective rallies a show one up on the other.
In this turn of events Haryana day and the honoring of the sportsperson seems to be loser, as these two have became mere game of the two organizers.
When these rallies were announced little did both the parties realize that harvesting is in full swing at this time and farmers have little time to spare for the rallies. Even the INLD which has larger rural base was caught unaware on this, the INLD and Congress leaders making rounds of the villages are getting only lukewarm response. The old timers in the INLD do not seem to like the idea of shifting of the birthday of Ch Devilal to Nov 1st. However the better organizational strength and greater dedication of INLD workers shall sail the party's rally even against these odds. The Congress shall bank on its ruling party status to gather large crowds. This time INLD seems to be a bit less confident on this feat and has already started damage control exercise by issuing statements like that the Govt. is sabotaging the INLD rally. This seems to unlikely that INLD rally ever goes unattended but the leaders of the rank of Dr. Ajay Singh Chauatla and Abhay Singh Chautala have toured extensively to garnish support for the rally, and only after that they have issued defensive statements just in case things don't go as planned. Apart from INLD Chief and former Chief Minister of Haryana, Ch. Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister Punjab S. Prakash Singh Badal, Former UP CM Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, Former Andhra Pradesh CM Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu, S. Tarlochan Singh Former Chairman National Commission for Minorities and many other senior leaders will address the Rally. Mr Ashok INLD Party president informed the media through his press release via e-mail form Chandigarh.
Pictorial News updates
All pictures can be mouse clicked to enlarge. Pictures & Videos: Amar Singh Jyani, Amit Soni, GS Mann, Singla Rania
CDLU-Say No To Crackers Campaign By Department of JMC and Department of Energy and Environment (Above)
DC Sirsa, CG Rajinikaanthan trying to resolve the Row Between Commission Agents and Truck Union at Rania (Above and Below-Pictures Singla Rania)
Wining team of Table Tennis being honored at The Sirsa School (Above)
Sh Vikram Chanana of Sirsa who has been recently installed as BJP Youth State President (Above)
Miss Navneet and Mr Bharat at fresehers party of JCDV flanked by Principal JVCD Mr. Raj Devider Brar and another senior faculty member. (Above)
The Winning team at the concluding day of Electricity Games being held at JCDV Campus since 21st October with JCDV Sr Staff and management. (Above)
Dr. Shamim Sharma appointed as Executive Director JCDV Sirsa recently. (Above)
CDLU-Say No To Crackers Campaign By Deaprtment of JMC and Department of Energy and Environment (Above)
ASTROLOGER DOCTOR AWARDED ONE YEAR RIGOROUS IMPRISONMENT
An astrologer cum doctor who claims to cure every ill of the people was sentenced to one year's Rigorous imprisonment for committing fraud etc. by a court of law today. According to prosecution the convict Shashi Kant alias Shashi Dev Shabana a resident of Sirsa purchased one Marla (about 15x12 sq yards) land from one Raghubir Singh a resident of village Farwain (Sirsa) on 22.6.93. He then fraudulently got the mutation of 7 marlas of land entered in his name (additional 6 marlas of Raghbir Singh's adjacent lands) on 15.697.In the meantime Raghubir Singh died and on 28.2.2003 on the basis of a complaint filed by Raghubir's widow Ughu Devi, the Sirsa police registered a criminal case against the convict, Madan Lal Patwari, Kailash Chander Kanungo and Rajiv Sharma Tehsildar vide FIR no.74 under sections 193,218,419,420,506,406,468,471 and 120B of the IPC. The court today convicted Shashi Kant and acquitted all others for want of cogent proof.
UNIDENTIFIED HEAD RECOVERED FROM WATER TANK.
AN unidentified head in a decomposed condition was today found by Sirsa police from one of Water tanks of the Water works situated in Patti Chatargarh of the town. The Sirsa police took the head in its possession and have sent it to the Sirsa civil Hospital for autopsy. Moji Ram SHO city police said that few days back the headless body of a woman was also found near village Jhompda about 5 kms away from Sirsa. He said the specimens of both the body and head would be sent for DNA test to ensure whether it was the head of the same woman.
Both Reports: Dr. OP Bansal
Erring Public Health Engineering Officials suspended and other NEWS
Erring Public Health Engineering Officials suspended.
Coffee n You Opens in SIRSA
City Diagnostic Center Raided
DSS Volunteers Clean up the Ever Stinky CIVIL Hospital
Haryana to Start Mobile Blood Bank in District Sirsa
Chief Minister Haryana, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda today placed under suspension two XENs and two Sub Divisional Engineers of Public Health Engineering Department for dereliction of duty.
The Chief Minister suspended Bikram Singh, XEN posted at Public Health Engineering Division No.2, Sirsa and ordered that he be charge sheeted along with dealing officials under Rule-7. The two SDEs who have been placed under suspension are R.P. Makkar and Tarun Garg.
The dealing officials responsible for omissions have also been placed under suspension. It was found that they, instead of getting the work done as per prescribed norms, divided the work in Sirsa town in 71 parts. Also, they were careless in inviting tenders and violated the prescribed norms.
The Chief Minister has issued stern instructions to all senior functionaries to follow prescribed norms while inviting tenders for various works. Mr. Hooda made it clear that those found dereliction from their duties would invite stern action against themselves.
Coffee n You Opens and outlet in SIRSA
Visit: http://valiantautomations.com/coffeenu.htm to know about this Coffee Shop
Mr Manjit Singh of Coffee and You with local franchisee Ravi Jain above.
Health authorities on Saturday raided a diagnostic centre on Dabwali road here after receiving information that the banned pre-natal sex determination test was being performed at the centre. A team led by City Magistrate H.C. Bhatia reached the spot and checked all records of the centre.
According to information, a woman was admitted to a local private hospital after having got her child aborted. The woman, identified as Krishna from Sanjay Colony, was bleeding profusely when she was admitted and revealed that she had undergone a sex determination at City Diagnostic Centre.
Upon finding out that she was bearing a female foetus, she got it aborted from a midwife, Prem Kumari of Railway colony.
The hospital in-charge told the chief medical officer, who then sent a raiding team to City Diagnostic Centre. In the meanwhile, Krishna fled from the hospital fearing action.
The raiding team, however, did find the woman's name in the records of the diagnostic centre. A spokesperson told media persons that preliminary investigations have revealed that the victim had got an ultrasound test done on October 8 at the centre.
It may be recalled that the same diagnostic has been in the news for similar reasons in 2009, when its owner was found violating the law against foeticide.
The mid-wife who allegedly assisted in the abortion, Prem Kumari, has been booked, though formal action against City Diagnostic Centre has not been initiated yet.
Volunteers of Dera Sacha Sauda worked for several hours at Local Civil Hospital Sirsa to clean up its premises of the long accumulating dirt and grime and garbage. Dr Pawan Insan guided the workers to rid the Govt Hospital partially of its filth.
Haryana to Start Mobile Blood Bank in District Sirsa with Shiv Shakti Blood Bank
Haryana Government decided to start a mobile blood bank for blood donation in district Sirsa under Backward Area Grant Fund Scheme.
Information to this effect was shared by an official spokesman that a fully air-conditioned mobile van equipped with all kinds of medical equipments had been purchased at a cost of Rs38 lakh, which have the facility of four beds, for blood donation. The van had also the facility of mini laboratory for testing blood samples, besides having all kinds of facilities to check the health of blood donor.
The van would be made functional with the cooperation of civil hospital, Shiv Shakti Blood Bank and Red Cross Society of Sirsa. On prior information, the van with a team of doctors would be taken to the places, wherever blood donation camp are organized.
Some of the NEWS appear by the Courtesy of Haryana News Live, The Hindustan Times, Mr. Sat Singh etc.
Lions Club Sirsa Active Accupressure Camp at Durga Mandir in Pictures
Lions Club Sirsa Active Accupressure Camp-
Pardeep Sachdeva Presides over at Concluding day
Pardeep Sachdeva President Punajbi Satkar Sabha in his address at the concluding day at a several day Camp organized by Lions Club at Durga Mandir B Block said that the need for alternative medicine is growing as the mainstream treatment alone is not able to rid people of their ailments. "The attempt by Lions Club is commendable", he added.
The Original Press release in Hindi Apears below:
लायंस क्लब सिरसा एक्टिव द्वारा स्थानीय बे ब्लाक में लगया गया एक्युप्रशेर कैंप आज समारोह पूर्वक समाप्त हो गया जिसमे पंजाबी सत्कार सभा के प्रधान प्रदीप सचदेवा ने बतोर मुख्य अतिथि शिरकत की. अपने संबोधन में मुख्य अतिथि प्रदीप सचदेवा ने कहा वर्तमान युग में जिस प्रकार बिमारियों ने प्रत्येक व्यक्ति को घेर रखा है और हर कोई दवाइयों के पीछे दौड़ता हुआ प्रतीत हो रहा है ऐसे में हमारे देश में पुरातन काल से प्रचलित पद्दतियां प्रभावशाली विकल्प साबित हो रही हैं,उन्होंने लायंस क्लब सिरसा एक्टिव द्वारा लगये गये इस कैंप को इसी कड़ी में लगाया गया शिविर बताया और कहा कि क्लब के इस प्रयास को वे भारतीय चिकित्सा विधि के प्रति चेतना फ़ैलाने वाला महत्वपूर्ण काम मानते हैं. उन्होंनेइस अवसर पर क्लब के प्रधान लक्की कटारिया ने बताया कि एक सप्ताह चले इस कैंप में सैंकडों लोगो ने लाभ उठाया है और बिना दवा के स्वस्थ रहने के प्राकृतिक तरीको को सीखा है. उन्होंने कहा कि इस कैंप में महिलाओं कि संख्या अधिक रही है और क्लब सदस्यों के सहयोग से नगर के लोगों को स्वास्थ्य लाभ प्रदान कर वे बेहद सकून क अनुभव कर रहे हैं. उन्होंने हनुमानगढ़ से पधारे एक्युप्रशेर विशेषज्ञ डाक्टरों के प्रति विशेष तौर पर आभार प्रकट करते हुए कहा कि उनके बिना इस कैंप के आयोजन की वे कल्पना भी नहीं कर सकते थे.उन्होंने क्लब सदस्यों क उनके सहयोग के लिए भी आभार प्रकट किया. इस अवसर पर उपस्तिथ पूनम चुघ,राज रानी,शांति देवी,सूरज बहन,उषा रानी,शीतल वर्मा,इन्द्रा अरोरा और हरभगवान ने बताया के उन्होंने पिछले सात दिनों तक इस कैंप में से अपना उपचार करवाया है और उन्हें इसका काफी लाभ हुआ है.समापन समारोह के अंत में मुख्यतिथि प्रदीप सचदेवा ने चिकित्सको और सदस्यों को स्मृति चिन्ह प्रदान किये.इस अवसर पर क्लब सचिव एम् प़ी अग्रवाल,कोषाध्यक्ष विजय मेहता,चरित्र नारंग,सुरिंदर गाबा,मुकेश टुटेजा ,पंकज गुप्ता,राजेश नरूला सहित अनेक गण्यमान्य व्यक्ति उपस्तिथ थे.
Auto Market, VITA Milk Plant Vehicles
Auto Market and VITA Milk Plant Vehicles
21-23 October, 2010
SIRSA AUTO-MARKET HANGING FIRE FOR LONG ON WAY TO COMPLETION.
THE AUTO –Market in Sirsa that had been hanging fire for the last 27 years is on the way to completion, thanks to the efforts of Gopal Kanda the local MLA and State Minister Home. While addressing a large gathering Kanda declared that within one year the market would be completed with all the modern civic amenities like water, sewer lines, roads and electricity etc. He said the market sprawling in 52 acres would be one of the Asia's biggest Auto-Markets which would provide employment to at least 7 thousand persons and would also give Sirsa new look after all the auto shops are shifted there. He disclosed that already 1255 plots for shops have already been allotted and 1210 more would soon be allotted to needy persons.
Report: Dr. OP Bansal
VITA MILK PLANT MISUSING "HARYANA SARKAR' ON ITS VEHICLES WITH IMPUNITY.
The Sirsa based Vita Milk Plant has been misusing "Haryana Sarkar' and Govt. of Haryana on its vehicles with impunity only to dodge the police and the traffic department. The fact came to light when Vita Milk Plant's CEO S.S. Kohli asserted that this Milk plant is a Cooperative of Milk producers and it is neither owned nor funded by the Haryana Govt. He stated this while denying any information under RTI Act as the Milk Plant according to him does not fall under the purview of Right To Information Act, when one Rajesh a resident of village Kharia of the district demanded some information under the RTI. Act. When this correspondent confronted him that when according to his own assertion the Milk Plant is not at all having any connection with the Govt. then why he has got the words 'Haryana Sarkar' or the Govt of Haryana on all the vehicles owned or hired by the Milk Plant, he said these words were used on the vehicles to have a safe passage. When contacted the SDM Sirsa Satish Kumar Jain said that he would order a probe into the case and punish if any one found guilty.
Riyaz Group Performs at LHP Law College SIRSA
The New Sessions of Lal Hans Raj Phutela and DM College of Education were initiated in a novel way. Instead of the usual fresher parties, pranks and ragging, these two colleges organized a musical concert by Riyaz Musical Group. Mr. Ayushmaan, a student RJ of CRS CDLU anchored the stage beautifully.Watch Riyaz Grp Perform at Law College SIRSA Part 1:
For Full Screen of this and other Videos Visit: http://www.youtube.com/sirsanews
Watch Riyaz Grp Perform at Law College SIRSA Part 2
The director of Riyaz Group is Tulsi Anupam, who is an accomplished musician of Sirsa, now a regular with the legendry Punjabi Singers Gurdas Mann and Jitender Datt of USA. Mr Tulsi started his career in music in mid seventies with Amateur Golden Orchestra conducted by Mr. Murai Verma. Now Tulsi Anupam organizes music concerts with Mr. Raj Verma a music in-charge of GRG School and other local artists when ever he is in SIRSA.
The chief guests at the Concert were Mr. HC Bhatia City Magistrate Sirsa, and Mr. Phutela a local philanthropist. Mr, Parveen Bagla, Mr. Satish Gupta, Mr Uttam Singh Grover, Dr RS Sangwan, Dr Munjal, Dr Karan Singh, Mr Kasmere Lal Narula, Mr Singla, Mr Vikram Sr Librarian, Mr. Gopal Kaushik and several others from the management of Sirsa Education Society and faculty members were present on the occasion, besides large number of students of both the colleges and their faculty.
Dr. Anoop Singh Principal LHP College of Law and Dr. Shakuntla Gupta welcomed the guests. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Harish Bhatia said that Students of Law and B.Ed College have greater responsibility that any other stream of studies, it is expected from them that they utilize this time in fruitful way while they are at their respective colleges. Mr. Bhatia praised the Sirsa Education Society for providing such a good environment for education.
Dr Sunil of Abohar posted at Civil Hospital Sirsa, dies in a road accident in Ludhiana
Dr Sunil of Abohar posted at Civil Hospital Sirsa, dies in a road accident in Ludhiana.
A young doctor aged about 25 years, who was posted at Civil Hospital Sirsa, died in a tragic road accident in Ludhiana on 11th October. The doctor originally belonged to Abohar and had gone to see his fiancée in Ludhiana when he met with this fatal accident. The doctor was soon to get married. His warm nature made him popular at his work place- Civil Hospital Sirsa, the hospital staff went into a pall of gloom on hearing the news.
IAF 78th Raising Day Sirsa
IAF 78th Raising Day Sirsa- Nagrik Parishad confers Nagrik Sammaan to Gp Capr. Anil Sabharwal.
With these New NEWS posts (now from India) www. SirsaNews.com is resuming activity as before 10th August. www.SirsaNews.com was in low key mode since 11th August as the editor was on vacation in CANADA for more than 5 weeks, some of the posts were posted from CANADA itself to maintain continuity and reader interest. The editor here by takes this opportunity to thank all its contributors while abroad. Over the coming period www.SirsaNews.com shall also post the experiences abroad and stint with journalists and journalism in CANADA.
Nagarik Parishad Sirsa, gave Nagrik Sammaan to Station Commander IAF Sirsa Gp Captain Mr. Anil Sabharwal and his wing commanders at Sirsa Club.
Videos below:
Watch IAF 78th Raising Day Anniversary Nagrik Sammaan
by Nagrik Parishad Sirsa:
For Full Screen of this and other Videos Visit:
Click Here to Listen to 90.4FM Radio Talk of Gp Capt. Mr. Anil Sabhrwal with Mr. VS Chauhan Station Commander Air Force Station Sirsa
The SKAT Show in 2009 at IAF Sirsa
The Above 6 minutes Video was recorded earlier by Sirsa News in 2009
Text soon.
Also Visit earlier multimedia report of Surya Kiran (SKAT) show held in 2009 at IAF Sirsa on link below: Click here
Yoga Gold Medalists Honored
World Professional and Amateur Yoga C'ship
Sirsa girls who won 9 medals recently, were honored on behalf of district administration, by DC CG Rajinikaanthan and felicitated by a large number of media persons.
Three girl yoga players of the Shah Satnamji Educational Institutions managed by the Dera Sacha Sauda recently returned from Argentina after winning nine medals, including four gold medals.
The girls - Neelam, Karamdeep and Simarjit - members of the national team that participated in the World Professional and Amateur Yoga Championship-2010 played in Rosario City, Province of Santa Fe, Argentina, on September 25 and 26.
Spokesperson for the Dera Dr. Pawan Insaan said the nine-member Indian contingent that went to Argentina with coach Ashok Agarwal brought home eight gold, seven silver and 13 bronze medals. He added that in all, 15 countries participated in the championship.
SardulGarh –Sirsa-Ellenabad-Tibbi Road to become No1 soon
Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has approved an estimate of Rs 35.10 crore for the special repair of state highways and major district roads during the year 2010-11.
The public works (building and roads) minister Randeep Singh Surjewala said Rs 4.25 crore have been sanctioned for the special repair of 68.48 kilometre Sardulgarh-Sirsa-Ellenabad-Hanumangarh-Tibbi road upto Rajasthan border in Sirsa district. This road connects Sirsa city with Punjab and Rajasthan. Haryana has also sanctioned Rs 60 lakh for the about 7.7 KM of stretch (Harayana Part) of this road from Ellenabad to Rajasthan border from 70.76 kms to 77.06 kilometers. As of today the road is in very Bad Shape specifically the part from Sirsa To Ellenabad. May be the new project shall end the nightmare of road-users along this span.
CDLU Announces Distance Learning Courses
University Centre for Distance Learning of Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa has invited applications for admission to various courses through distance education for the session 2010-11.
Giving details here today, a spokesman of the university said that the courses included three years Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA), B.A (Mass Communication), B.A and B.Com, two years Master of Arts (MA) in English, MA (Education) and MA (Mass Communication), Master of Science (M.Sc) in Computer Science, MBA(semester system), three years MCA and one year Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication, Computer Application and Business Management and one year diploma in Computer Science and Technology.
He said that hand book of information or prospectus containing relevant information could be obtained from the office of the Director, University Centre for Distance Learning, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa on cash payment of Rs 200 (Rs 50 for Scheduled Castes or Backward Classes of Haryana) at counter and by post by sending demand draft of Rs 250 (Rs 100 for Scheduled Castes or Backward Classes of Haryana) in favour of Registrar, Ch. Devi Lal University, Sirsa payable at Sirsa. He said that the application forms can also be downloaded from the University Website www.cdlu.edu.in and sent to the Director, University Centre for Distance Learning alongwith application fee of Rs.200 (Rs 50 for Scheduled Castes or Backward Classes of Haryana).
He said that last date for submission of admission cum examination forms for MA Education is October 31 and with late fee of Rs 500 is November 15, 2010.Last date for other courses is November 30 and with late fee of Rs 500 is December 31, 2010 and for MBA and Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management courses is November 15 and with late fee of Rs 500 is December 15, 2010, he added. News Courtesy: http://www.indianews.org.in
FOUR OF A FAMILY FOUND DEAD IN VILLAGE PIPLI
FOUR OF A FAMILY FOUND DEAD IN VILLAGE PIPLI, Near Kalanwali in Distt SIRSA
FOUR OF A FAMILY FOUND DEAD IN VILLAGE PIPLI (SIRSA)
THE bodies of 3 young brothers Hardeep @ Nikka (20), Darshan Singh (22) and Yashpal (25) and their mother Hardev kaur wife of Saudagar Singh residents of village Pipli (Sirsa) were recovered by the police today morning from their house .The bodies have been brought to Sirsa civil Hospital for autopsy. The police are investigating whether it is a case of suicide or homicide as no external signs of any injury were found on the bodies. Dy.SP Debwali Baboo Lal who inspected the spot told that further action would be taken after receiving the autopsy report. Eye witness Ravinder Sarpanch said that this was a well to do family and god only knows what happened.
ASTROLOGER DOCTOR AWARDED ONE YEAR RIGOROUS IMPRIS...
Erring Public Health Engineering Officials suspend...
Lions Club Sirsa Active Accupressure Camp at Durg...
Dr Sunil of Abohar posted at Civil Hospital Sirsa,...
SardulGarh –Sirsa-Ellenabad-Tibbi Road to become N...


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Quality Analysis of some First-line Antiretroviral Drugs Dispensed in Lusaka District Health Facilities of Zambia
Derick Munkombwe The University of Zambia
In the last few years, governments around the world have pledged to massively scale up the delivery of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to achieve universal access for all. However, recent reports of generic medicine including ARVs that they contain little or no active pharmaceutical ingredients are disturbing. In Zambia anecdotal data show that there is an increase in morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV/AIDS. For instance, a physician at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) reported that his eight patients did not respond to any combination after developing resistance to first-line ARVs. Currently, in Zambia, there is insufficient publicly available data describing the ARV drug quality in terms of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), and labelling standards according to official monographs. The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of some first-line ARVs dispensed in health facilities of Lusaka. A Cross-sectional survey was conducted in nine health facilities of Lusaka District, using a convenience sampling technique. Eleven sample units containing twenty active ingredients were analyzed. Each sample unit was sealed in a tin of either 30 or 60 tablets. A protocol of the Ministry of Health adapted from German Pharm Health Fund (GPHF-minilab) that employs Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) techniques were used. It was found that over 94% of the first-line ARV medicines sampled contained the active pharmaceutical ingredients in the right amounts as per label claim on the packages and that on average over 90% of these drugs were correctly labelled. It can therefore be concluded that first-line ARVs dispensed in Lusaka District of Zambia are of good quality and meet the requirements as stipulated in the official monographs.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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WFTU in solidarity with the workers and the people of Egypt
Mar 28, 2021 World Federation of Trade Unions
World Federation of Trade Unions
The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing 105 million workers in 132 countries around the globe, conveys its solidarity to the workers and the people of Egypt, after the collision of two trains in Sohag province on Friday, where more than 20 people were killed and several others got injured. Also, at least 18 people were killed and 24 injured when a ten-store apartment building collapsed in Cairo on Saturday. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wish a quick recovery to the injured persons. We call upon the workers in Egypt to strengthen their struggle for safe transportation and housing for them and their families and for the improvement of their working and living conditions. We demand compensation and support of the families of the victims and safe housing for the people of the building that collapsed. The Secretariat
Read full article on World Federation of Trade Unions:
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text:
/**
 * REST end point: _nodes/{nodeId}?human=true
 * @see cluster nodes
 */

var NodeInfo = Backbone.Model.extend({

    url: function() {
        return '/_nodes/' + this.get("nodeId") + '?human=true';
    },

    validate: function(attrs) {
        if (!attrs.nodeId) {
//            return "nodeId must be set"; // not working correctly, see fetch()
        }
    },

    parse: function(data) {
        var nodeId = this.get("nodeId");
        if (data.nodes && data.nodes[nodeId]) {
            var _data = data.nodes[nodeId];
            _data.id = nodeId;
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            return _data;
        }
    },

    fetch: function(options){
        if (options.nodeId) {
            this.set({nodeId: options.nodeId});
        } else {
            // this should be handled in initialize() but that breaks URI, not sure why...???
            throw "nodeId must be set";
        }
        return Backbone.Model.prototype.fetch.call(this, options);
    }

});

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


More and more travellers are heading for Vietnam each year and there are some formalities to complete in order to do so. The Vietnam visa on arrival is certainly the most popular way to comply with the country's immigration regulations. There are changes in those regulations from time to time, with some of them in need of extension at the end of a fixed term. Travellers who make use of online services can be certain that they are complying with the current requirements by using an experienced company whose job it is to know everything about getting a cheap Vietnam visa.
Travellers who want to get a Vietnam visa online simply need to complete and application form and make the required payment to start the process. A good visa service like the one provided by an associate company of Vivu Travel, a very reputable Vietnam travel agent based in Hanoi, has established a good relationship with the Vietnam Immigration Department that will process the application leading to a visa to Vietnam. In a maximum of three working days, the Department approves and distributes the Vietnam Approval Letter to the applicant. In each case, if an airport is nominated as a traveller's city of entry, the Immigration section will receive a copy of the approval of an application for a Vietnam visa which replicates that which is sent to the applicant.
The visa is stamped into the traveller's passport on presentation. There are three international airports where this procedure is in operation even though there are others that have international flights. Those three airports are Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. When the 10 millionth visitor to Vietnam last year arrived in the country, it was at Phu Quoc, an island offshore from Cambodia that has international flights. That airport may be included in the Vietnam visa on arrival procedure in the future. However, it illustrates why the best way to be certain to comply with current regulations is to use a visa providing service.
The Vietnam visa on arrival procedure makes entry into the country fairly straightforward. If there is any urgency in the application, then it is the ideal way to get the necessary approval for visiting Vietnam, whether on business or for a holiday. Most tourists know well in advance when they are travelling and obtaining the necessary paperwork to get into Vietnam is also by using this procedure.
While the requirements of a visa to Vietnam differ from nationality to nationality, the procedure for obtaining one is the same for everyone who arrives by air. It is not a procedure that can be used if the itinerary involves a border crossing from neighbouring countries. Typical travel packages from the good Vietnam travel agents like Vivu Travel are designed so that the initial entry into Vietnam is by air to an approved airport with any subsequent entry available by the issuing of a multiple entry Vietnam visa.
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Thomas J Price
Explore now 12 Feb – 16 Apr 2022 St. Moritz
Download press release in German
Thomas J Price's multidisciplinary practice confronts preconceived public attitudes towards representation and identity. For his first solo exhibition in Switzerland, titled 'The Space Between', Price presents a selection of small and large-scale sculpture spanning two decades, alongside two of his film works that show another dimension of his practice. The exhibition is an exploration into the artist's long-established preoccupation with ancient traditions of monumental sculpture, alongside an intrinsic understanding of the symbolic power and hierarchy held in materials. Price's sculptures depict imagined subjects through the artist's hybrid approach of traditional sculpting and intuitive digital technology. 'My work references art history as a means to reveal our learnt understandings and attitudes towards representation within the traditional canon and the systemic marginalisation within it' states Price. The exhibition coincides with 'Witness' at Marcus Garvey Park with the Studio Museum Harlem, NY, until October 2022, as well as the installation of the sculpture 'Reaching Out' at Chillida Leku, San Sebastian on view until June 2022.
Price refers to his fictional subjects as psychological portraits of the viewer: 'The viewer brings themselves to the works, they bring their understandings, their schemas, their set of values which they use to navigate the world around them'. His figures and heads are amalgamations of various sources, from observed individuals and stereotypes represented in the media, to references to ancient, classical, and neoclassical sculptures. Materials and methods used in Greek and Roman statuary are combined with 3D scanning and modelling to generate transhistorical forms. In 'Numen (Shifting Votive 1, 2, 3)' (2016) Price combines the traditional process of lost-wax casting with aluminium, a material more commonly associated with modern engineering, to present a series of emblematic heads raised to eye-level on marble columns.
Similarly, 'Icon Series' (2017) adopts gilding, a technique which dates to Ancient Egypt and amplifies a sense of luxury and splendour, alongside 3D printing to create the casting molds. Placed on quartzite plinths, the sculptures exude a powerful cultural resonance, challenging our awareness of current iconography and the unmediated immortalisation of triumphant figures. Price's Icons gaze beyond the viewer and are consumed in their own thoughts and emotional worlds, reframing the image and associations of Black men in contemporary society today. These contemplative works embody objects of worship for the modern age, whilst uncovering the haptic depths of Price's expanding range of mediums.
This theme is extended in new modes of display within both 'Power Object (Section 1, No.1)' (2018) and 'Sonic Work (Collective Palette #01)' (2020/21). The two distinctly abstract bronze works share an aesthetic of 20th century modern masters, critiquing an art historical canon that has contributed to the misinterpretation of Black male identity. At first appearing as an abstract monument on a Carrara marble plinth, 'Power Object (Section 1, No.1)' depicts the cross section of a groin of a male figure in jogging bottoms. Price considers whether this object is projecting power, or rather subjected to power. The title itself reveals the racial disparity of Britain's stop and search policy, 'Section 1, No.1'.
Whilst the majority of Price's oeuvre relates more closely to the male figure, 'Lay It Down (On The Edge of Beauty)' (2018), as well as his most recent work in the exhibition, 'Reaching Out' (2021), mark a poignant shift towards female identity and a shared Black experience. 'Lay It Down (On The Edge of Beauty)' extends Price's line of enquiry into deities, illuminating universal threads within popular culture, media, and fashion that relate to signifiers of Black womanhood. Price intends to spotlight the stigma associated with hairstyles and formal conventions of beauty, as well as the lack of acknowledgment when they are reappropriated outside of their true origin.
Harnessing the narrative power of performance, film and animation have been a consistent element throughout the artist's career to date. 'Man 10' (2012), a stop-motion animation, demonstrates an early desire to respond to the history of racialisation and magnifies the complexities of deep social tensions. Drawing upon his own lived experience and commonplace observations, Price elevates our awareness of unconscious forms of communication through subtle shifts in facial expressions and movements. Also on view in the exhibition is Price's later film 'From the Ground Up' (2016), a two-channel work which presents the artist lacing and cleaning different pairs of shoes from a fixed bird's-eye view perspective. Slowly working his way through an array of footwear, from white trainers to black leather shoes, Price explores themes of material culture and the value we place on objects, as well as the social cues they instigate.
Numen (Shifting Votive One)
Thomas J Price works across disciplines, predominantly in sculpture, but also in film and photography. Conceptually focused, Price engages with issues of power, representation, interpretation and perception both in society and in art. Price's large-scale sculptures depict imagined subjects, whose features are…
27 Oct – 25 Feb 2023
Mike Kelley Subharmonic Tangerine Abyss
Widely considered one of the most ambitious and influential artists of our time, Mike Kelley often drew from...
3 Nov – 4 Feb 2023
Lucio Fontana Sculpture
New York, 69th Street
Beginning 3 November, Hauser & Wirth will present the second in a trilogy of exhibitions dedicated to the...
9 Dec – 9 Sep 2023
Roth Bar
Hauser & Wirth St. Moritz will present a fully-functional, specially-crafted bar designed by Björn, Oddur and Einar Roth,...
9 Dec – 6 Apr 2023
David Smith Four Sculptures
One of the foremost artists of the 20th Century and the sculptor most closely associated with the abstract...
9 Dec – 4 Feb 2023
Isa Genzken Inside and Out
On view at Hauser & Wirth St. Moritz this winter is a curated presentation of works by the...
17 Dec – 5 Feb 2023
William Kentridge Singer Solo
Tarmak22, Gstaad and Gstaad Palace
This winter season, Hauser & Wirth brings the work of internationally renowned Johannesburg-based artist William Kentridge to Gstaad...
Amy Sherald The World We Make
Traveling from the artist's major solo exhibition at Hauser & Wirth in London, her first solo show in...
26 Jan – 13 May 2023
Berlinde De Bruyckere A simple prophecy
Zurich, Limmatstrasse
Presenting a powerful meditation upon the fundamental human search for transformation, transcendence and reconciliation in the light of...
26 Jan – 1 Apr 2023
Charles Gaines Southern Trees
New York, 22nd Street
Hauser & Wirth presents 'Southern Trees,' the gallery's first New York exhibition with distinguished American artist Charles Gaines...
Roberto Cuoghi PEPSIS
'Even in a closed circuit you always have a bit of perspective in front of you.' For his...
Selected images - 1 of 7
Aluminium, marble
187 x 57 x 63 cm / 73 5/8 x 22 1/2 x 24 3/4 in
Mental Structure #19 (Just Beyond This)
Acrylic composite, perspex, automotive spray paint
22.5 x 11 x 11 cm / 9 7/8 x 4 3/8 x 4 3/8 in
© Thomas J Price
Photo: Ken Adlard
Road, Figure 1
60 x 19 x 16 cm / 23 5/8 x 7 1/2 x 6 1/4 in
Power Object (Section 1, No.1)
Aluminium bronze, marble base
Aluminium Bronze Composite: 62 x 44 x 32 cm
Marble Base: 5 x 40 x 40 cm
Untitled (Icon 3)
24 ct gold leafed aluminium composite, Italian slate base on quartzite plinth
144.5 x 23 x 23 cm / 56 7/8 x 9 x 9 in
Bronze (Gold patina)
Photo: Alex Delfanne
Sonic Work (Collective Palette #01)
Ed. 1/5 + 2AP
34 x 39 x 31 cm / 13 3/8 x 15 3/8 x 12 1/4 in


Karim, Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet, Marjan Kamali, and Anita Amirrezvani. | Persis Karim, Ph.D.Persis Karim, Ph.D.
Karim, Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet, Marjan Kamali, and Anita Amirrezvani.
With Iranian-American writers (l to r) at the Kelly Writers House at the University of Pennsylvania, March 2014: Porochista Khakpour, Persis Karim, Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet, Marjan Kamali, and Anita Amirrezvani.
Published January 4, 2015 at 800 × 451 in Photo Gallery.


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SOVRN Co.
Web & Mobile
Less show
More go
We are less fancy car* and salespeople – more pickup truck and trusted advisor. We say what we mean and do what we say. We are all in.
* They're nice and all, but they don't haul motorbikes, big game, rafts, or near enough friends to the Idaho and Montana back-country on weekends...
The SOVRN
Unpretentious in demeanor — grounded in authenticity, warmth and what matters. SOVRN is a multi-disciplined creative agency that delivers practical strategies and meaningful branding. Our wisdom was built on seasoned insight, focused expertise and a broad perspective which helps us see the big picture and amplify the potential in any circumstance. The creative and strategic direction we deliver helps define, energize and propel brands to success in any phase of their lifecycle. Our philosophy is rooted in integrity, transparency and a reassuring candor that creates the solid foundation for deliberate processes, remarkable outcomes and valuable lasting relationships.
We are not the same.
We provoke potential.
We are focused, energetic & bold.
Road Tested
We're proud to have worked with reputable clients and killer brands for the last 2 decades, and we bring that experience to the table for you.
Brian Cottier Creative Director — Designer — Partner
Affectionately known as "The Little General," Brian keeps our creative razor sharp through keen attention to detail throughout our client relationships. His career of creative leadership is matched only by his thorough approach to client opportunities through stellar design and witty conversation. He keeps projects, teams, timelines and clients on track when issues arise, which in turn keeps everyone in a great mood.
Brian was born in Kellogg, Idaho and grew up in Boise playing baseball, fishing and listening to heavy metal, in no particular order. While not at the office Brian stays busy with his wife and two daughters, grilling meat, playing yard games or camping with a fly rod in hand.
Philip McLain Brand Director — Designer — Partner
Philip is the brand director at SOVRN. He helps our clients identify opportunities and execute them tactically. His expertise leads clients through large-scale productions with confidence and ease. Philip has a deep background in user experience for web and mobile, as well as a proven ability to design across any medium, ensuring that our clients receive the most effective approach, regardless of marketing platform.
Philip grew up on a small farm in Middleton so the outdoors is in his blood and rolling up his sleeves comes naturally. He spends his free time in the mountains, camping, backpacking, fishing, and riding anything with two wheels. He also enjoys backyard BBQs and watching his two kids compete in way too much soccer.
Joe Rice Executive Director — Partner
As Executive Director, Joe maintains the ship that is SOVRN, whether it's providing direction on a user experience issue or guiding a client through a rocky patch. His experience with technology, storytelling and user behavior impact nearly every client on our roster. Plus, his (normally) calm demeanor and problem-solving skills ensure that SOVRN and her clients don't often lose sight of the things that matter.
Joe was born and raised on an alfalfa farm in Hill City, Idaho, and remains involved in his family's farm. As a result, he's usually found puttering about building this or fixing that. His laid-back personality means he's down for whatever someone may suggest, whether it's installing a floor, grabbing a beer, golfing, fishing or spending time outdoors. He's been happily married for over 20 years and has two kids.
Also, Dogs > People.
Brian Elliott Client Relationship Manager
Brian is leading our expansion into Montana as our Client Relations Manager. Born and raised in Helena, MT, he chased his dreams of moto and surf down to southern California where he spent a few years making friends with everyone but the sharks. He moved to Boise in 2006 where he worked in the action sports industry managing athletes, marketing products and making connections.
Cross-trained as a fun facilitator and relationship builder, Brian will spearhead our client engagements. When he's not doing that you'll likely find him on two wheels, at a lake with his wife and two kids, or acting out an 80s action movie. Or all three.
Tom Jensen Technical Director — Web & Mobile Development
Tom's passion for building elegant technical systems began when he was eight years old. His knowledge encompasses a wide range of different platforms, systems, techniques and languages, which allows him to work within nearly any modern (or not) environment and help our clients accomplish achieve the best experience for their customers.
Tom's love for travel and culture often finds him on a cruise to a new part of the world with his wife, and sometimes his kids. He also plays stand-up bass to keep his fingers nimble.
Chris Phillips Video Producer — Motion Graphics — Storytelling
Chris hails from the UK, where his desire for film and video developed into a career full of music videos, reality television and independent films. He takes complex narratives and weaves them artfully into simple and memorable stories. He provides a social and technological framework to our clients making pretty work smarter.
When the kids go to sleep, he and the missus are probably making props for their next sci-fi short. Travel, technology, short films and coffee and among his favorite activities–unless there's a comic-con or cosplay event within a few hundred miles.
Erick Gutierrez Project Manager
Erick has long been passionate about leading teams, going back to his childhood when he was captain of his baseball team, captain of his soccer team, captain of his basketball team, president of his class, serving as student body secretary, president of the art and design club, and president of the AMA club. His meticulous nature and systematic approach to getting stuff done combined with a knack for being able to simplify complex challenges make him a perfect fit to lead SOVRN's project management efforts. His upbringing on a ranch outside of Glenns Ferry, Idaho earned him a tenacious work ethic as well as the beginnings of an ever-growing ability to break down large challenges into manageable deliverables.
When it comes to life outside of the office, you'll likely find Erick, well, outside. He stays busy with sports, whether it's soccer, softball, snowboarding, mountain biking or the occasional Spartan Race. He also spends time with a pair of cats (don't hold it against him) and his girlfriend tackling various household projects.
And eating. There's a lot of eating in Erick's life.
Noah Kupcho Designer - Animator - Photographer
Simply put, ambition and productivity are just what Noah does best. Having grown up in the biting winds of North Dakota, Noah honed his creative skills with a degree in art and design. Since then, he's tried his hand in various endeavors across the world of design, from web design to motion design to the production of his very own magazine, Wolftree. Prior to joining SOVRN he was the lead creative at Tellwell, a digital marketing agency out of Fargo.
He has a legitimate passion for design and animation and finds great satisfaction in the art of sharing stories visually—whether it's a professional piece for an organization, or a documentation of his own personal adventures.
Gabe Sweeney Cinematographer - Editor - Producer
Gabe Sweeney is a filmmaker and audio engineer with a deep love for cinematography and the art of film. After earning his degree in Physics at the University of Montana, Gabe followed his love for film and music to Los Angeles, where he worked in various roles across the film industry.
Since returning to Montana in 2014, he's put together an impressive resume—directing and scoring films for Robert De Niro's Tribeca Film Institute, producing content for commercial clients such as Patagonia, PBS, Stio, and Clif Bar, and taking on a variety of other industry roles. He's even managed bioacoustics for ornithologists (ask him—he can probably explain what that means).
When the headphones come off, you can catch him fly fishing, mixing music, or getting all but lost in the Montana backcountry with his fiancé Lauren and his dog Slug.
Mike Rooney Project Manager
North of Philadelphia, born and raised, Mike found himself moving west until finally discovering Helena and its almost endless trails. During this, Mike screened films for Nat Geo, raised money to conserve African wildlife, protected public lands in Montana, and ran a successful downtown organization in Helena. Throughout all of this, Mike sought out opportunities to lead, manage, and organize, especially since he's more Type A than he cares to admit. Which works well for a Project Manager.
Mike spends a good portion of his time outside, whether it's running the trails down the street from his house, hitting up the numerous local ski hills in Montana, or finding another grueling backpacking trip to tackle. All of this is done with his awesome wife and somewhat neurotic German shorthaired pointer.
Whether you are looking for long-term position or a one-off collaboration, we are always on the lookout for the best and brightest. Check out current Openings and submit a resume.
1101 W Grove St #201
(Corner of 11th & Grove)
36 W. 6th Avenue
(Between Park & Fuller)
Signup & Keep Up
©2023 SOVRN®. SOVRN is a registered trademark of SOVRN Creative Inc.


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Open Letter To Mr. President On The Urgent Need To Restructure The Nigerian Insurance Industry For Optimal Contribution To The Economic Growth And Development
A brief illustration of the profile of the financial service sector as at December 2018 will show the danger being posed by the Nigerian insurance industry of today under the leadership of the current Commissioner of Insurance, Mr. Mohammed Kari.
by Concerned Insurance Stakeholders Jun 22, 2019
We congratulate Mr. President for winning the recently concluded Nigerian general elections and the inauguration for the second four year term. This victory is an indication of the confidence reposed on the leadership of Mr. President in changing the political, social and economic landscape of Nigeria towards greatness and freedom from the bondage of corruption and bad governance. The working class and the common man in Nigerian history have suffered tremendous pain without any form of resilience and motivation until the coming of this government. The simple most basic reason why there is hope for Nigeria to rise to greatness and liberty is the undisputed track record of Mr. President in favoring right over wrong doing without fear or favor and regardless of race or religion.
In the course of your sojourn to turn around Nigeria, you inherited a battered economy and further sunk into recession. What Nigeria requires now is economic resilience and infrastructural expansion. However, economic resilience is only achieved when there are adequate measures for risk mitigation and management. No economy can function and survive without a stable insurance sector. Every sector of the financial service and economic activities are dependent upon prudent insurance service. Today, the Nigerian insurance sector is drifting far away to oblivion due to poor regulation and supervision characterized by the insurance regulator's lack of focus, policy inconsistencies, abuse of discretion, and non-commitment to ideals of the government, coupled with lack of trust of the regulator by the stakeholders and low awareness from the insuring public.
The number one victim of this worrisome condition is the Nigerian economy which in turn relegates any concerted effort of the present administration towards the achievement of the well intentioned objectives and sacrifices to revert Nigeria to its glorious pristine state. It is worthwhile to mention that there is a strong positive correlation between economic growth and insurance growth for any country, the former does not thrive without the latter. This is strongly needed for the creation of the enabling environment for infrastructure development, agriculture and the extractive industries initiatives which is an integral part of the objectives of your government. A brief illustration of the profile of the financial service sector as at December 2018 will show the danger being posed by the Nigerian insurance industry of today under the leadership of the current Commissioner of Insurance, Mr. Mohammed Kari.
As at the December 2018, the total assets of the Nigerian financial sector, consisting of banking, pensions and insurance, stood at USD 110 billion, the share for insurance sector in this figure is contemptibly less than 3%. Similarly, the insurance contribution to the national GDP is less than 1% and insurance penetration is 0.30%, when compared with other jurisdictions like South Africa with insurance penetration rate of 16.99% which was the highest rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia 6.69%, Zimbabwe 4.28%, Togo 1.98%, and Ghana 1.10% as a percentage of GDP (PwC Market Research Centre Analysis based on Axco, 2017).
With these worrisome indices showing the precarious state of the Nigerian insurance industry, the average foreign investor regards Nigeria as a high risk business clime. This poses a great concern for the world renowned development partners like the World Bank, UK Department for International Development (DFID), German Development Corporation (GIZ), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), African Development Bank (AfDB) et al. due to the fact that insurance business is a business of risk transfer to mitigate future occurrence of loss of the insured. Foreign investors will continue to be skeptical to invest where the insurance support is not effectively and efficiently regulated and supervised as it is presently in Nigeria. Changing this disturbing scenario should begin with the restructuring and strengthening the leadership of insurance regulator.
Unfortunately, the present Commissioner of Insurance Mr. Kari lacks the competency, commitment and sincerity to move the insurance industry forward. Mr. Kari was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan government as Deputy Commissioner (Technical) of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and barely a year after his appointment the tenure of the then Commissioner of Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, expired on 31st July, 2018.
Presumably, Mr. President's desire to maintain continuity led to the appointment of Mr. Kari as the Commissioner of Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of NAICOM. One may assume that Mr. Kari, even though not punished for his role in bringing down the Nigeria Airways, might have repented but a check at the NAICOM disclosed more disturbing scenario. Mr. Kari has succeeded in destroying the working culture of that organization and also decimated the Nigerian insurance industry. Notably:
1. NAICOM is currently the only regulator in the financial sector that is not automated, which is deliberate, as the automation of its system and process will curb arbitrariness, abuse of office, loss of revenue, and corruption. A Portal was developed and ready to go-live just before his appointment but he frustrated its go-live. Presently, the Commission does not have a database of the Insurance Industry for proper regulation and supervision which is the core Mandate as a Regulator. Rather than ownership of the database, NAICOM management gave support to Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA) to own and authenticate insurance policies rather than the Commission which may lead to identity fraud and related crimes if the data is exposed.It is during his tenure that NAICOM stayed for over a year without a functional website and also experienced a total collapse of its IT infrastructures.
2. His disposition for arbitrariness and corrupt exploration has led to various suits against the Commission by insurance stakeholders. A quick check into the Commission will reveal that there are various suit instituted against the Commission by some insurance companies, insurance brokers, insurance shareholders and insurance policyholders. All these suits were instituted as a result of abuse of office perpetrated by Mr. Kari. This is not only limited to external stakeholders but also Mr. Kari instituted a suit against the entire middle management staff of the Commission. The relationship with staff, industry, peer regulators, supervising ministry and other stakeholders is very poor under his leadership
3. The contributions of insurance to GDP has gone down due to his refusal to pursue the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative, which the first phase had reached advanced stage before his appointment.A study shows that the performance of the insurance sector started to nose dive further from the ending of year 2015 till date (under his leadership). According to the 4th Africa Insurance Barometer, which is a research commissioned by the African Insurance Organisation (AIO) on African insurance industry which was launched at its 46thConference & General Assembly held in June 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa; African countries were able to generate $67.7 billion insurance premium in 2017 as against $59.4 billion in 2016. The report, however, shows that in Africa's largest insurance markets, total real premium growth was positive in Egypt (+9.8 per cent), Namibia (+7.8 per cent) and Morocco (+3.0 per cent), stagnant in South Africa (+0.1 per cent) and negative in Nigeria (-10.5 per cent).
4. The Commissioner has failed in his duty to enforce the compulsory insurances, Motor Third Party Insurance, Group Life Insurance, Building under construction, Insurance of Public Building, Health Care professional Indemnity as specified by various laws guiding Insurance. This has contributed to the reasons why the Insurance sector is a dead wood in contributing meaningfully to GDP of the Country. He has also failed to authorize the conduct of routine inspection of all Insurance Institutions in Nigeria once every 2 years as required by the NAICOM Act 1997 Section 31 (1a) which is meant to check the operation and confirm the compliance level of the regulated entities as observed in the report of the 8thHouse of Representative Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Services.
5. His lack of understanding of the regulatory function led to the release of many guidelines and circulars which were not thought through and which have negative consequences on the Nigerian insurance sector. Some of such guidelines were reversed after various litigation which apart from cost, has created an uncertainty in regulation which tends to drive away investors. Notably are the Tier Base Minimum Solvency Policy Circular which tends to see insurance business like money deposit agencies such as banks, and the State Insurance Producers Guidelines which was intended to incapacitate targeted insurance Brokers were reversed. While the insurance companies are presently underutilizing their capital he is bent on requiring more capital with sole personal objective of killing some companies rather than solving the problem. It is worthy of note that this recapitalization policy was not supported by the management team of the Commission.
6. His pursuit and actions are substantially anti-government. This has been noted by his actions or inactions which led the former past minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun to write to Mr. President recommending for his removal for embarrassing Nigerian government for causing the grounding of Arik Air in 2016 due to his refusal to approve its insurance until after the direct intervention of the then Honorable Minister of Finance.
7. In the history of NAICOM there was never a staff strike until his tenure and the commission was shutdown 4 times with consequential credibility erosion as a result of his obnoxious anti-workers policies and disregard of government policies, circulars and other extant rules.
8. In his tenure as the Commissioner of Insurance, budget implementation, with exception of personnel cost has never exceeded 5% and this has tremendously affected the working of NAICOM resulting to low productivity due to absence of working tools.
9. His fondness for travel is harmfully affecting the delivery of the mandate of the commission. Often the travels are made against the extant rules as they are in most cases embarked on without necessary prior approvals from approving authorities.
10. No clear project that is supportive of the present administration. Fss2020 and the GIZ report described the Commission as the weakest link in the financial sector.
Mr. President, the attitude of Mr. Kari may not be surprising because:
i. He played a role in the collapsed of the Nigeria Airways. The issue of his appointment became subject of public discuss when the then Honorable Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, proudly announced that 'Over 2000 former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways have received payment alert of the 50 percent of their pension'. This is indeed a giant stride by the Federal Government which deserved a big applause. This achievement might have contributed in prompting the machinery of investigative journalism of the Premium Times which led to its special report titled 'The Men who Embezzled Nigeria Airways to death'. The publication called for the punishing of the perpetrators of the heinous crime. One of the key figures that was involved in the embezzlement is Mr. Kari who was then the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NICON Insurance. The Hon. Justice Obiora Nwozota led Judicial Panel of Inquiry indicted Mr. Kari and found him to have colluded in diverting the sum of $13,935,966.20 to a phony company Alexander Services Limited in the Channel Island, an offshore tax haven and recommended that Mr. Kari should refund the $13,935,966.20 and also be banned from holding government appointment.
ii.He focuses on personal vendetta to deal with perceived enemies who he believed had offended him when he was an industry player. This led to evolving policies by the Commission which are specifically targeted to particular insurance operators. The policies, because of the ill motives, are often not well thought and most cases violate the existing laws of the land.
iii. He is currently being investigated by the Code of Conduct Bureau for non-declaration of asset as required by law.
Mr. Presidentas your government has creditably started paying pension liabilities of the former employees; those indicted like him should not be holding office under government having zero tolerance for corruption. As his tenure comes to an end on the 31st July, 2019, we, therefore, call for the appointment of a competent and season professional to replace Mohammed Kari as the Commissioner of Insurance and Chief Executive of NAICOM to save the image of the Government and protect NAICOM and the Insurance Industry.
Concerned Insurance Stakeholders
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Reasonably foreseeable misuse
December 16, 2012 at 8:35 PM by Dr. Drang
Whenever a mass shooting occurs, I wonder how gun manufacturers and importers have managed stay clear of our civil court system. And whether they'll continue to do so.
Now, I realize that gun manufacturers do get sued when their products are suspected of failing—when a gun misfires or its barrel explodes, for example. But those are situations where the gun doesn't behave the way it's supposed to. Tragically, in mass shootings the guns tend to behave exactly as they're supposed to.
You might think that's the reason gun manufacturers don't get sued, that since the gun is simply doing the job it's designed for, there's no basis for suing its maker. That reasoning, however, doesn't always apply to other products. It's not uncommon, for example, for users to get their hands caught and mangled in industrial machinery, and for the manufacturer of that machinery to then be sued for making and selling a defective product. The machines in these cases aren't malfunctioning—their function simply isn't compatible with hands being put in the wrong place.
The standard of care expected of manufacturers is that their products are to remain safe not only when used properly, but also when subjected to "reasonably foreseeable misuse," a term of art in the world of torts and product liability law. The term "reasonably foreseeable" is, of course, subject to interpretation, and that interpretation changes with time. When my grandfather worked in a machine shop, belts and gearing ran unguarded—it was "reasonable" to expect workers to keep their hands away from those areas. I remember, though, that when Grandpa was retired and his former coworkers came around to visit, most of them were missing a finger or two. Nowadays there's general agreement that pinch points and other hazards should be covered with some sort of guard, and the arguments over reasonable foreseeability have moved to a new level. Is it reasonably foreseeable that a guard will be removed? If so, what is the responsibility of the manufacturer to either prevent removal or to ensure that the machine cannot be operated without the guard in place? These questions, which would never have been considered in my grandfather's time, are debated every day in our courts and in the committees and bureaus that establish safety standards.
This evolution in our standards for safety and responsibility isn't confined to machinery. Up until the 90s, tobacco companies were generally successful in defending themselves against lawsuits filed by smokers, but that turned around quickly. There's a concern today that college football is at risk from future lawsuits over concussions.
The same thing could happen with guns. There's no question that mass shootings are a misuse of the product, but after so many, how can anyone argue that they aren't reasonably foreseeable?


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Home>The New York Times: Rats Are Taking Over New York City
The New York Times: Rats Are Taking Over New York City
New York has always been forced to coexist with the four-legged vermin, but the infestation has expanded exponentially in recent years, spreading to just about every corner of the city.
Rat sightings reported to the city's 311 hotline have soared nearly 38 percent, to 17,353 last year from 12,617 in 2014, according to an analysis of city data by OpenTheBooks.com, a nonprofit watchdog group, and The New York Times. In the same period, the number of times that city health inspections found active signs of rats nearly doubled.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, like mayors before him, has declared war on rats, but so far the city is still losing…
But after dropping last year, rat sightings are again on the upswing. The top spot for rat sighting complaints has been the Upper West Side, where residents are known for speaking up, followed by four Brooklyn neighborhoods: Prospect Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick and Ocean Hill. (Find your neighborhood on an interactive map here.)


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Today's careers? More like rollercoasters… Maybe scary, but fun!
PWI – How is the current labour market evolving?
Mr. Claasen – According to recent career change statistics (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) the average person will be making a career change approximately 5-7 times during their working life. For example, Americans average 3-5 career/employer changes by the age of 38. For the youngster, the forecast is to change employer even 10 times, meaning approximately every 3 years!
Career change might be a voluntary decision, but in these past few years we have witnessed in the market a number of companies opting for collective dismissals; as a result of which, we need to seriously consider the trend that outplacement will become part of a career.
When I joined DBM around ten years ago, most people interpreted the word "outplacement" as a sort of outsourcing. Now if you ask people, at least 8 out 10 of them confirm they have heard of it and some have already gone through an outplacement experience.
PWI – Wim, could you provide a definition of outplacement and highlight the difference from coaching?
Mr. Claasen – Coaching is more about providing people with the tools and the means to find answers themselves to the problems they face - it is about facilitating and making sure they find their own answers. Of course, there is an element of coaching in outplacement, but the latter is more directive. In other words, in an outplacement situation you give direction, you help people by telling them what to do in their situation.
Let me take as an example my personal experience when I lost my job ten years ago: it was the first time in my twentyyear career that I had to look for a job, I really did not know what to do. I had not written a CV for myself for years.
PWI – Based on your seasoned experience, what are the key suggestions you would give to people who have lost their job?
Mr. Claasen – There is not a unique recipe, but for sure my three strong recommendations are: be positive, stay focused and be visible.
PWI – Can you confirm that – if well managed – being fired can turn into a golden opportunity? How?
Mr. Claasen – At the beginning of the outplacement program, most people think they would search for the same type of job, which is not always based on the fact that they enjoyed it. In this case – if affordable financially and psychologically - it is important to step back, to take some distance and understand which direction they really want to take, to assess how they have changed along the career path. It is the opportunity to invest in themselves and look for the job they really want.
PWI – In the ten years you have been doing consultations for people on outplacement programs, have you noticed any significant differences in behavior between women and men? How do they react to the shock of having been made redundant?
Mr. Claasen – Generally speaking women cope better with job redundancy than men, they switch more quickly and move on even if they still have to prove more, to perform more than men in the market.
Men's egos are extremely hurt and they tend to blame everybody else, they feel they have been pushed off the pedestal.
PWI – Coming back to the evolution of the labour market, let's assume that the forecast for changing career/employer every 3 to 5 years turns out to be correct. Don't you think, Wim, that people, after a couple of changes/dismissals, will know perfectly well what to do and will not need guidance?
Mr. Claasen – You are right, but don't forget that, when they are in a job, a lot of people neglect these kind of activities such as nurturing their network, updating their CV, looking at job advertisements; they get confronted with it only afterwards, when they are losing or have lost their job.
Therefore the real value of outplacement in the current climate – and more in the coming years – will be to help employees, who have lost their job, to find their way in the labour market, which has become a sort of "jungle". Outplacement will probably consist of responding to the following needs: how can I contact companies, how can I get in, how can I evolve my network around those types of companies?
PWI – I guess that gaining knowledge of the different labour markets will be even more critical particularly for expatriates.
Mr. Claasen – Exactly, you are an expatriate, you work from seven in the morning to eight in the evening, how do you build your network, what do you know about all those different companies in a foreign market, you simply don't.
Honestly, Alessandra, what is the labour market nowadays? In the past, the market for somebody living in Brussels was Brussels, then the market became Belgium and then Benelux and then Europe! And what is the labour market today? China, Brazil, all kind of places… Imagine you are interested in India, how do you enter that market?
PWI – Do you mean that the core value of outplacement companies lies with their international network and database? According to you, which are the main competencies of a valuable outplacement consultant?
Mr. Claasen – – My personal opinion is that there are a number of outplacement consultants, who are possibly less involved in the actual market, but they are extremely good for instance in the assessment part, in writing CVs. However how do you get into action mode, in other words into the search, where do you get info, contacts?
Here is how the outplacement program should bring value, providing information and personalised contacts which people normally cannot find, even in LinkedIn.
There are other outplacement consultants that come from a business background, that know the market and have the contacts.
Ideally, outplacement companies need all these mentioned capabilities, a solid international/national network and to stay abreast of the latest developments in the market. Global outplacement companies are able to provide support in international career transitions because they have experts in various countries.
PWI – What are the main triggers of outplacement, the evolution or the practice?
Mr. Claasen – If loyalty to firms is diminishing (according to statistics) and if companies have to fire people, but are willing to assist them through outplacement to find another opportunity, hopefully these employees will still talk positively about their former employer and the image of the company will remain positive. As you know a company's image is very important in attracting and retaining talent.
The outplacement sector is growing and will probably end up being composed of a number of big players with very professional people on board and an extended international network. There will also be local players, who are professionals in their local domain.
Mr. Wim CLAASEN is a Senior Consultant at DBM Brussels Office. Wim is a certified coach in I-LeadTM ( ), which allows him to carry out coaching assignments for Executives and Managers. In parallel he is a visiting lecturer in a business school in Belgium.
Wim has 19 years of experience in various Sales & Marketing functions within Philip Morris International, covering Management positions across various countries in Europe and North Africa.
Wim was born in the Netherlands and has being living in Belgium since 1991.
Disclaimer - Any views and opinions presented in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of DBM, nor do they constitute a legally binding agreement.


Virat Kohli has been rested from the ongoing Asia cup after a long and physically exhausting England tour, Understandably to manage his workload. Few fans might be worried that India will miss the services of their batting spearhead but, for these players, it's a golden opportunity as they try to cement their place in the Indian squad ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
Talented, naturally gifted, player for the future are the phrases attached to Rahul from the day he made his debut way back in 2014. But, one should wonder how long it will take for him to become a permanent member in the team, except in T20s he is yet to cement his place in the other two formats of the game.
One might argue that he hardly got good run of games in ODIs but such is the competition in the current Indian team that one should make the most of the limited chances they get. Rahul will cherish the fact that he will be India's No.3 throughout the Asia cup and probably this is his last chance to cement his place.
Rayudu's career is a roller coaster ride. He was part of the ICL and then came back to competitive cricket through IPL, thanks to his consistent performances for Mumbai Indians he was selected for Indian team and to be honest, he made the most of it.
He scored more than 1000 runs at a stunning average of 50.24 but still, he found himself out of the team due to injuries and a small dip in form. When everything looked over for him he again bounced back with his performances for CSK and looked all set to take the middle order position for India.
Unfortunately, he missed the flight to England after failing the much debated YO-YO test. He has cleared it now, can he raid higher at least this time or fall forever?
Not so attractive to watch but effective. He is not a crowd's favourite but always useful contributor with both bat and ball. One must say Kedar entered the international arena at the right time, when your fifth bowler is Hardik Pandya who doesn't give you 10 overs in most days and almost no top order batsmen can roll their arm over for few overs, Kedar gets into this team straightaway because of his street-smart techniques with the ball.
But he himself knows that if he wants to stay in the team he has to perform with the bat. And most likely this is his last chance to prove his worth as in form players like Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik are waiting.


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Top 10 specialty Web browsers you may have missed
Browser wars redux: The top 5 contenders duke it out
Smackdown: Office 365 vs. G Suite productivity
What's in the latest Chrome update? A baked-in hacked-password alarm
6 lesser-known browsers: Free, lightweight and low-maintenance
Are Edge, Firefox or Chrome slowing your machine -- or are they simply more than you need? We look at some alternatives.
By Ryan Francis and Himanshu Arora
Contributor, Computerworld |
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Developer: KDE
Reviewed version: 4.10.5
OS support *Nix systems, Windows, Mac
Konqueror is a versatile application that can function as a Web browser, a file manager and a universal file viewer. It was first released in 1996; since 2000, it has come bundled as a core component of the KDE software package.
It allows you to browse both local and networked files/folders (it supports protocols like FTP/SFTP, HTTP and IMAP) and lets you view files such as PDFs and spreadsheets.
Konqueror has a number of useful features, including a large display area and the ability to show split windows.
The latest version 4.10.5 contains fixes for a font rendering issue in sites that use Web fonts and a browser auto-save issue that spins up the hard disk even when idle. No new features have been added in this release.
One thing that impressed me right away was the large display area for Web pages. Konqueror displays a tab bar only when there is more than one active tab, so that you have the maximum viewing area while browsing a single website. The browser opens a new tab when you double-click on the tab bar -- a feature that I missed in most of the other browsers reviewed here. Also, tabs have flexible widths that adjust automatically to the title of the page.
The welcome screen contains links that let you go to your home folder, trash, network folders or bookmarks. Two or more files can be easily compared by splitting windows either horizontally or vertically.
Konqueror also provides useful features like an ad-block filter, plug-in/extension support and VNC viewer support. It can also be used as a text/PDF/spreadsheet viewer.
One of the highlights of Konqueror is that it is also a fully-fledged file manager. It supports all the standard file management operations like cut, copy, rename, open-with, etc. and also provides some interesting features such as hierarchical display of files and folders, keyboard shortcuts to open a terminal or execute a command, and a horizontal/vertical split window.
It doesn't have everything one could wish -- for example, I missed having compress, share and send-to options in the right-click menu.
There isn't any Internet search bar in the browser window, a major inconvenience. Also, you can't type a search query in the location bar, which most major browsers now support. I was really surprised when Konqueror crashed for the very first website -- YouTube -- that I tried to open. (It only crashed there once, but others have encountered similar problems.)
However, that wasn't the only problem -- it turned out that there were many more surprises to come.
For example, Gmail refused to show up in its usual feature-rich display. It popped up a notification bar that reported that some important features may not work with Konqueror and so I was redirected to a more basic HTML interface.
The chat window within my Facebook account was always disconnected in Konqueror, while it worked fine in other browsers like Firefox and Midori.
I couldn't open Google Drive at all -- I just kept getting a "File does not exist" error. A closer look at the URL -- https://drive.google.com/DocAction?action=unsupported browser# -- clearly indicated that Google Drive does not support Konqueror.
Apart from these, there were other small issues that I noticed. For example, its use of keyboard commands is inconsistent. Ctrl+T opens a new tab, but Shift+Ctrl+T, instead of reopening the last closed tab as one might expect, opens the current tab again in horizontal split window mode. It's Ctrl+Z that reopens the last closed tab. Also, there isn't any private browsing mode.
Konqueror is also a fully-fledged file manager that supports all the standard file management operations such as cut, copy, rename, etc. Apart from these standard features, Konqueror also provides some interesting features, such as hierarchical display of files and folders, keyboard short-cuts to execute a command and split windows.
However, Konquerer doesn't include the ability to compress, share or send-to using the right-click menu. I use compress and send-to options a lot and just cannot imagine file management without these options.
Konquerer is an adequate, if limited, file manager, but I was definitely not much impressed with its Web browsing capabilities. It has stability problems, and many of the websites that I use on daily basis had compatibility issues with Konqueror.