It's one thing to dutifully block out 8-9 solid hours of downtime every night. If you make it a priority, it's usually possible to clear that time from your schedule and find a dark room to lie down in. But whether you actually sleep or not isn't always a matter of conscious control: sometimes you just can't seem to drop off, no matter how much you know you need the shut-eye.
While it's easy to conclude that if you're tired but can't sleep, you must be the crazy one, difficulty getting to sleep or staying to sleep is actually not an uncommon problem, affecting around 15% of the population. Insomnia is clinically divided into two categories: secondary insomnia (which is caused by some other disease or condition) and primary insomnia (which isn't). While there isn't any safe and effective medication for either form of insomnia in the long term, eating a healthy diet is one step in the right direction, and several natural remedies are available and effective.
To understand how insomnia works, it's very helpful to first have a basic knowledge of how the body regulates sleeping and waking – since we obviously didn't have alarm clocks for most of human existence, the body must have some kind of natural system for controlling when we fall asleep and how long we stay that way.
A natural hormonal cycle keeps healthy people awake and alert during the day, and sleepy at night. Cortisol, the "stress hormone" peaks in the morning to wake you up, while melatonin peaks in the evening to calm you down.
This balance of hormones is regulated by two types of neurotransmitters (chemicals that communicate with your brain), inhibitory and excitatory. The main inhibitory neurotransmitters are serotonin and GABA: these are the chemicals that signal you to be calm, relax, and go to sleep. They inhibit cortisol production and raise melatonin levels. On the other hand, excitatory neurotransmitters (such as dopamine or glutamate) signal you to wake up and be energetic. These hormones raise cortisol and lower melatonin.
As long as this system is working, you'll feel awake in the morning and sleepy in the evening, and stay asleep through the night without any problems. However, many people's circadian rhythms and sleeping patterns are thrown off for a variety of reasons – this is how insomnia starts.
Secondary insomnia is insomnia caused by something else – lying awake at night is just a symptom of a deeper problem, and the solution is to treat that problem, rather than focusing on the insomnia itself.
Psychological and mental disorders are very commonly associated with insomnia. Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders are very often accompanied by sleep disturbance, which probably has something to do with the same imbalance of neurotransmitters that causes the depression. Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's can also result in poor sleep quality.
Restless leg syndrome is one rare but extremely disruptive disorder that can cause secondary insomnia. People who suffer from restless leg syndrome are constantly disturbed by the need to move their legs and an itchy, uncomfortable feeling in the legs.
In general, insomnia is also associated with a wide variety of chronic diseases, either directly or indirectly. Heart problems are strongly associated with insomnia, especially chronic heart failure. Any condition that causes chronic pain (such as arthritis) can easily keep you up at night. GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) falls into this category, but interestingly, even if you don't notice symptoms of reflux, treatment for abnormal stomach acid levels can help treat disrupted sleeping patterns.
Renal disorders, especially kidney failure often result in sleepless nights – and not just out of worry over the hospital bills. Kidney failure, especially in hemodialysis patients, is strongly linked to developing Restless Legs Syndrome. Sleep disorders are also a commonly reported symptom of diabetes, but this may be because diabetes is so often associated with obesity, which is a well-known factor in many sleeping problems. Since insulin sensitivity is related to normal cortisol levels, though, it's likely that the insulin regulation problems associated with diabetes do have something to do with the sleep issues.
A problem with the thyroid gland, another important part of the endocrine system, can also underlie chronic insomnia. For one thing, thyroid dysfunction may contribute to Restless Legs Syndrome. Even without the restless legs, insomnia is a known symptom of hyperthyroidism, an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid that also causes a variety of general symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, and weakness.
Some medications can also disrupt the body's normal circadian rhythms and provoke insomnia. Medicines that affect the brain are the most obvious culprits, but thyroid medication, antibiotics, and oral contraceptives can also sometimes be to blame.
Secondary insomnia accounts for many people's inability to get a good night of sleep, but it doesn't cover every case: it's perfectly possible to have none of the problems above but still be unable to get to sleep. This is called primary insomnia. Frequently, people with primary insomnia can pinpoint exactly what's bothering them: one particularly stressful event or situation in their lives like the death of a loved one, stress over unemployment, or another specific reason that's "keeping them up at night." Sometimes, this worry can become a self-perpetuating cycle when worrying over your insomnia prevents you from falling asleep. Anyone can fall prey to this, of course, but an overview of available studies suggests that insomnia is generally associated with older age, female gender, and a personal history of mental and psychiatric disorders (such as depression).
Primary insomnia caused by situational stress or anxiety can often lead to hormonal changes that prevent you from sleeping properly in the long term. Chronic stress triggers the adrenal glands to constantly produce high levels of cortisol (remember that cortisol is a major stimulant), so if you're constantly stressed, you're very likely to have problems falling asleep.
In extreme cases, chronic stress can lead to an even worse problem called adrenal fatigue. The adrenal glands are the part of your endocrine system responsible for regulating cortisol: if they're overworked for too long, they can stop functioning normally, causing you to suffer from too little cortisol (constant fatigue and an inability to wake up).
As well as problems that react on the hormones directly, some people also have trouble getting to sleep because of issues with their neurotransmitters (the amino acids that regulate the production of cortisol and melatonin). A deficiency of either serotonin or GABA can cause abnormal cortisol levels. Serotonin is converted to melatonin, so if you aren't producing enough serotonin, you'll stay constantly on high alert. GABA doesn't produce any relaxation hormones, but it does inhibit stress hormones, so a GABA deficiency can also throw off the cortisol/melatonin balance.
Thus, even if you don't have any other disease causing insomnia, stressful life events or circumstances can kick off a chain of reactions that deregulate the hormonal cycle governing wakefulness and sleepiness. Unfortunately, many of these reactions form a positive feedback loop, so stress can build on itself and cause serious hormonal problems further down the line.
As with every other health problem in the modern world, a variety of commercial medications exist to treat insomnia. These range from over-the-counter sleep aids like Benadryl and Unisom to prescription medicines, especially a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are hypnotic drugs – they work by increasing GABA activity, thus lowering cortisol levels.
Benzodiazepines, however, are not ideal for long-term use. Patients often develop a tolerance to these drugs, requiring more and more of them for the drug to keep working. Chronic use of hypnotic drugs can also cause unpleasant side effects like daytime sleepiness, or unusual sleep behaviors (sleepwalking, sleep eating, or doing other things in your sleep). The withdrawal effects can be very unpleasant and even dangerous, and the drugs have the potential to cause rebound insomnia, a condition where your sleep actually gets worse after taking sleeping pills, because your body is now dependent on them.
Some doctors and researchers are instead turning to non-benzodiazepine drugs in an attempt to avoid these side effects, but even non-benzodiazepines aren't safe or advisable for long-term use, especially in vulnerable populations like children or the elderly. Some antidepressants, antihistamines, and other kinds of drugs are also occasionally prescribed for insomniacs, but all of these drugs also come with their own set of adverse side effects.
It's not an answer anyone wants to hear, but the truth is that there really is no safe and effective long-term pharmacological therapy for insomnia. This doesn't mean that there's nothing you can do – on the contrary, the next section details several non-medicinal techniques that are a much better bet than chronic prescription pills.
Diet isn't as obviously connected to insomnia as it is to other problems like IBS or diabetes, but as long as your body is involved, your dietary habits will have at least some effect. On a macronutrient level, a very low carb diet is often associated with poor sleep, and adding in a moderate amount of safe starches, especially in the evening, can help normalize your sleeping patterns. Carbohydrates have been shown to shorten sleep onset by increasing the levels of serotonin and tryptophan in the brain. It's not necessary to add a lot of carbohydrates – the diet can still be low-carb overall, with a small amount of starch in the evening a few days a week. In fact, it's not even beneficial to eat more carbohydrates, since neurotransmitters are similar to insulin in that they can provoke a kind of resistance. If your body is used to serotonin spikes, you'll start needing more and more serotonin just to feel sleepy; it's best to keep a moderate level all the time, avoiding extremes and the need for a bigger and bigger dose.
Certain micronutrients are also important for getting quality sleep. Magnesium is probably the best known – many people find that taking supplemental magnesium or eating food rich in magnesium (like nuts) just before bed helps them settle down and get to sleep more quickly. Zinc may also show some benefits.
Vitamin D can also be wonderful for helping restore a natural circadian rhythm: since our bodies mainly absorb Vitamin D through the sun, taking it in supplemental form provides some of the benefits of a dose of sunlight. Sunlight is one of the main signals your body uses to regulate your circadian cycle, so in the winter months or if you can't get up with the sun, try a dose of Vitamin D to naturally signal your body that it's time to wake up.
A Paleo diet also has an effect on the chronic diseases associated with secondary insomnia. Diabetes, for example, is often associated with sleep disturbances, and a Paleo diet low in processed starches and sugars is one of the most effective ways to manage diabetes. Thyroid problems also respond well to Paleo, as do chronic infections in general, especially autoimmune problems.
Restless Legs Syndrome is associated with iron deficiency (making Paleo a great option for sufferers, since it's so high in red meat), but supplementing iron can be dangerous, so make sure you get a blood test to see whether or not you actually are iron deficient. It's also strongly connected to Celiac Disease, so a Paleo diet that excludes gluten might be one way to help manage it.
Thus, a solid Paleo diet can not only help to manage the symptoms of primary insomnia, but also help prevent or treat the conditions associated with causing secondary insomnia. Diet alone might not be enough to give you complete relief, but it's a solid first step and a great foundation to build on as you look at other treatments.
As well as eating a healthy diet high in micronutrients and low in food toxins, some people find that certain supplements can be very helpful for getting a good night of rest. For example, supplemental melatonin or GABA can be helpful. It's best to be very careful with these supplements, though, since taking too much can cause daytime drowsiness, a constant feeling of fatigue, and the need to sleep far more than normal.
As well as what you eat, your lifestyle can also have a huge effect on the quality of your sleep. Getting into a bedtime routine can help train your body's hormonal rhythms to expect sleep at the same time every day, so you'll start settling down more easily. It's also important to practice good sleep hygiene: make sure you're sleeping in a dark room at a comfortable temperature, and try to avoid any kind of screens (computer, smartphone, or TV) for at least an hour before you hit the sack. The blue light emitted by these electronic devices is a strong stimulant, because it's similar to the light the sun gives off during the day; the warmer light from lamps and lightbulbs is much better for relaxing in the evening.
Since stress is such a major factor in primary insomnia, stress management can have a huge effect on the quality of your sleep. This is much easier said than done, of course, especially in the modern world. But even something as simple as 10 minutes of meditation before bed can deliver noticeable results – and it's much more pleasant to spend 10 minutes meditating than to spend 2 hours lying awake.
In terms of professional help, cognitive behavioral therapy is considered the safest and most effective long-term treatment for primary insomnia. In this kind of treatment, a psychologist helps you re-adjust your attitudes and behaviors surrounding sleep, and manage any stressors that might prevent you from getting quality rest. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is safe for anyone to try, and unlike medications, carries no risks of side effects or withdrawal.
Insomnia is a tricky problem to tackle because it's largely regulated by neurological mechanisms that researchers don't fully understand, and it can be caused by such a wide variety of primary and secondary conditions. Since it helps you keep your blood sugar even, reduce physiological stress, and manage chronic diseases, a Paleo diet is one great tool for managing primary or secondary insomnia. If a dietary approach alone isn't enough, the first step is to understand why you can't sleep; after that, taking the appropriate measures to treat the root cause or restore your normal hormonal balance can bring much more effective long-term relief than popping sleeping pills night after night.


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Tuesday 05 Nov 2019 @ 09:10
Support for disabled candidates seeking elected office
Disabled people are likely to face greater costs when seeking elected office due to their disability. Government provides support to help them to compete on a level playing field with all other candidates.
The EnAble Fund for Elected Office helps cover disability-related expenses in elections for example, British Sign Language Interpreters, Assistive Technology, or taxi fares where other modes of transport are not appropriate.
The interim fund is available until 2020 and has already supported candidates in this year's local elections. It will also support candidates in next year's Police and Crime Commissioner elections and retrospective support is available for candidates who stood in the European Parliamentary Elections in May this year.
For more information please contact Disability Rights UK, who are administering the scheme:
Website: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/enablefund
Telephone: 0330 995 0400 and select Option1
E-mail: enablefund@disabilityrightsuk.org
Channel website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-equalities-office
Original article link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/support-for-disabled-candidates-seeking-elected-office
Sexual harassment victims to "have their say" on laws designed to protect them
The Government Equalities Office is calling for sexual harassment victims to share their stories, in one of the largest surveys of its kind ever to be carried out.
Leeds GP Practice receives Gold Award in trailblazing programme for LGBT+ patients
Today, Armley Medical Practice became the latest GP to be awarded with the Pride in Practice Award (PiP).
Marriage and civil partnership in England and Wales
Table setting out the similarities and differences between civil partnership and marriage as it applies to same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss speaking at the FT's Women at the Top event
The minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss recently (17 October 2019) spoke at the FT's Women at the Top event.
Minister for Equalities awards Lewisham GP Practice for trailblazing programme for LGBT patients
Minister for Equalities, Baroness Williams, recently congratulated Woolstone Medical Centre, based in Lewisham, for spearheading a new programme which trains GPs and staff in primary care organisations to fully support LGBT patients.
Women pick jobs closer to family over bigger salary - as government promises to help them reach their financial potential
Women are more likely to leave a job because of a longer commute, but a man is more content to travel longer for higher pay - inflaming the gender pay gap.
New Women's Business Council to drive progress on closing the gender pay gap
MORE will be done to celebrate the work being done by employers to close their gender pay gap, Minister for Women Victoria Atkins told the first meeting of the new Women's Business Council.
Bloggers collaborate with government to challenge negative body image
Prominent social media influencers such as Harnaam Kaur, Ashley James and Stevie Grice-Hart will today (24 July) attend an event hosted by the Government Equalities Office (GEO) to discuss tackling negative body image.
Period Poverty Taskforce meets for the first time
The newly formed Period Poverty Taskforce met yesterday (23rd July) for the first time. Announced earlier this year, the taskforce will focus its efforts on tackling the issue of period poverty and wider stigma around menstruation in the UK.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Over the last three decades, author, journalist, and public speaker Robert Bryce has published more than 1,000 articles and five books. His byline has appeared in dozens of publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal and National Review to the Sydney Morning Herald and New York Times. In 2010, he published Power Hungry: The Myths of Green Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future. His most recent book, Smaller Faster Lighter Denser Cheaper: How Innovation Keeps Proving the Catastrophists Wrong, was published in 2014 by his longtime publisher, PublicAffairs, and is now available in paperback. Bryce is also the producer of the forthcoming documentary: Juice: How Electricity Explains the World, which will premiere in 2019. A senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, he lives in Austin.
Robert and Austin-based director Tyson Culver discuss their upcoming feature-length documentary, Juice: How Electricity Explains the World.
Hearing regarding energy innovation and other potential solutions to help address global climate change.


London, UK: A Program entitled 'The Golden Thread – 50 years of Avyakt (Subtle) Sustenance' was organized at the Brahma Kumaris Global Co-operation House in London on the occasion of the 50th Remembrance Day of Brahma Baba, The Founder of the Brahma Kumaris.
Yoga started at 3 am in the Meditation room which transformed into the light of the subtle regions, and then 4 am Amrit Vela (Hour of Nectar) meditation was conducted in the Auditorium, by BK Balwant, BK Jayanti and BK Maureen.
Dadi Janki's video message followed and she shared her enthusiasm and thanks for 50 years of avyakt sustenance. We are being moved forward with the attainments from the Father. We have received such a wonderful study and there is so much benefit through this and the sustenance of sweet Baba. The vibrations are making everyone move ahead. When the heart is honest, the Lord is pleased and we are happy and prosper. Nothing is remembered, not even yesterday, just what we need to do right now. Keep emerging the power that comes from silence, as power that inspires is born through silence. Baba made me belong to Him. Baba has inspired me to be free from unnecessary things. Baba's words are wonderful and the heart is the box to keep these words safe. The comforter of Hearts is in our Heart….
Then a photographic tour of the four pilgrimage places in Madhuban (Pandav Bhawan) was shared – showing the beautiful adornments of flowers, and the huge gathering at the Tower of Peace in Mount Abu. BK Jayanti, BK Jaymini and BK Charu all shared their thoughts for the day.
BK Jayanti invited everyone gathered to take a few minutes to reflect and note in the heart and with the pen what promise each would like to make. She reminded everyone that if we are passionate about transformation, then we will make it happen in some way or another. We are close and, hopefully, today gives the inspiration for us to do what we need to do.
Thanks was expressed to all those who helped make the day so special and BK Jayanti acknowledged the many days of preparation, silence and power that had been building at Global Co-operation House since January began. Evening meditation in the 'pilgrimage places' completed a day of deep wonder and silent happiness for which over 550 were present.
Makati, Phillipines: BK Rajni, National Co-ordinator of the Brahma Kumaris in Japan and the Phillipines, shared her views in a Motivational Programme "Step into your power" organized to celebrate the life of Brahma Baba, Founder of the Brahma Kumaris.
She was asked first about the experience of meditation. Her reply was that first learn how to meditate, then she gave her views on the topic "Step into your power" by stating that we have 8 main powers. First we need to understand the way to attain this power. The powers we have are: the power to cooperate, the power of transformation, internal spirituality, good atmosphere and many more. Her emphasis was on remembering one's innate qualities. To step into your inner power, check and change the qualities of thoughts into positive. She confidently said that God is very powerful as He has all the information, all the knowledge. He has the power of Love as well as spiritual power.
Before understanding Meditation, one should remain in self respect and recognize the beauty within the soul. The founder of the Brahma Kumaris, called Brahma Baba, was connected with God, the Supreme Soul. Brahma Baba saw that power in Dadi Janki, the Chief of the Brahma Kumaris, who is now 103 years old. She was taught by Brahma Baba to develop her intellect and use her brain attentively.
BK Rajni asked every meditation seeker to first write down all the potential qualities and do that with firmness. Firmness is 'Now means Now'. 'Now is the time to uplift the consciousness', she thus motivated all by saying that whatever you are doing, continue to do, while just maintaining connection with God. The program ended with sharing of sweets and blessings.
Quezon City, Phillipines: As life continues to move on, there is no wasted time in our life process – every single moment is purposeful, although it may not feel like it at the time for everyone involved in the situation. As the familiar adage says, there is no such thing as coincidence. It's when we look back, and recall the experience, that we often understand the purpose or see the path more clearly.
The Brahma Kumaris Quezon City center received a Request to conduct "Peace of Mind" at BSA Twin Towers, Ortigas, for the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) accountants from the different regions of the country plus some from the Local Government Academy (DILG training arm). The whole Local Government Academy (LGA) attended a retreat in small groups at the Brahma Kumaris retreat center in Tagaytay.
The Brahma Kumaris Quezon City center also received a request from St. Mary's College to conduct "Calm the Mind" with a meditation session for its college students. The request was aligned with the Mental Health Awareness Month.
BK Tims represented the Brahma Kumaris in responding to these two requests made to BK Rose, the center coordinator of Brahma Kumaris Quezon City.
Naples, Florida, USA: The Brahma Kumaris in Florida organized the annual BK Florida Family Retreat in Naples where BK Gayatri Naraine, Representative of the Brahma Kumaris at the United Nations, and BK Waddy, Area Co-ordinator of the Brahma Kumaris in Florida, very lovingly took all on an inner-reflective journey of Clearing the Hearts.
The retreat was a beautiful journey where the subtle connection between the heart and the mind was explored and how we create thought patterns or belief systems especially when the heart registers a strong feeling and then the Mind is at work drawing a conclusion about what went wrong. The reflective sessions provided a powerful atmosphere to look at these thought forms, see them, listen to them, let them speak, let them be heard. And then in loving remembrance of God, heal them to return back to the feeling of being whole again.
In addition to participation of Brahma Kumaris from Miami, Tampa, Naples, Delray, Hollywood, Orlando, and Ocala, there were international attendees from Mexico and from Costa Rica who enriched the gathering with their participation.


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THIS TIME THE BEST TEAM ACTUALLY WON
by Mitch Albom | Feb 25, 2009 | Detroit Free Press | 0 comments
This is why basketball isn't hockey. Because the No. 1 seed really is better than the No. 8 seed. Because while major upsets are possible, they are not expected. Because the game doesn't hinge on one suddenly hot goalie, but on a team that puts it together as a team – and puts the lesser team away.
The Early Bird catches some zzz's. Thanks to Wednesday's weird 6 p.m. start time, the Pistons not only wrapped up their first-round playoff series against Milwaukee, they could watch it in bed on the 11 o'clock news. Never mind that network TV doesn't consider the best team in basketball worthy of prime time. This is about resting, not ratings.
The Pistons did exactly what they needed to do. Using one game more than the minimum, they disposed of the Bucks, blew them out, and now get some time off. Resting is as essential as filling your tank before a desert drive, or guzzling water before a marathon.
Win five. Take five.
"We wanted to take care of business at home," said Rip Hamilton, who set a personal playoff best with 40 points in just over three quarters of play in the 122-93 victory. "It doesn't really matter who we play next. We just want to sit back and watch them beat each other up."
Those amazing moments
Here is how you bulldoze a team. First half: Hamilton took the opening tip pass and laid the ball in. Then he hit a jumper. Then he hit another. He had 10 points in the first seven minutes, 15 points in the first nine and 24 by halftime.
The Pistons had one foot on Milwaukee's neck.
Second half: Rasheed Wallace hit three three-pointers in about a minute and a half, each one seemingly longer than the next. The crowd exploded. Detroit's lead went to 30.
The other foot goes on the neck.
It's all over but the garbage time.
That fast. That efficient. Even Tayshaun Prince's hitting a halfcourt heave was taken in stride. Prince just turned to the crowd, shrugged and let the folks congratulate him.
"You practice that shot?" I asked him.
"Oh, yeah." he grinned. "All the time."
You want to know how focused the Pistons and their fans are on the prize? At the start of the fourth quarter, with Detroit up 31, Hamilton was still in the game.
And a fan screamed to coach Flip Saunders: "SIT HIM DOWN, FLIP!"
Primed for the playoffs
Now, a word here about Saunders. For his first eight seasons in Minnesota, the Timberwolves never got past the first round. Inevitably, people questioned his coaching. Well, obviously, Flip isn't a hex.
"When we came in, I said to Joe (Dumars), 'Thanks, it took me nine years to get past the first round in Minnesota,' " Saunders said. "It was a lot quicker this time." His team now has won 68 times this season and lost just 19. It must be nice to be the first coach in your conference to be through to the next level, instead of the first to go home.
"When I came here people asked me, 'You got beat in the playoffs, why?' " Saunders said. "It's because the other team was better than us. In these playoff series, usually the best team wins
"Our team is built for playoffs … the character, the leadership … the ability to have different people that can carry us different parts of the game."
And the ability to stay on task, to not let a Game 3 loss be anything more than that, to not let a lower seed start acting like a top seed.
This is what No. 1 versus No. 8 should be. This is how the world makes sense. Hockey can brag about its wonderful egalitarianism, every team virtually the same, but that doesn't make for dynasties and it doesn't make for marquee teams and it certainly doesn't make it easy on fans with big expectations.
The Pistons just made it easy. They won and got to bed early. And you know what they say about early to bed …
Early to rise.
Let's see how high they can go.
Contact MITCH ALBOM at 313-223-4581 or malbom@freepress.com. Catch "The Mitch Albom Show" 5-7 p.m. weekdays and "Monday Sports Albom" 7-8 p.m. Mondays on WJR-AM (760).


Afar, I see a presence, a visage!
Is this hope, or an elusive mirage?
And surviving it is no small win.
I will hold my breath and behold!
I tried your converter today. Seems very good.
can convert to another language It may require tweaking but better than entering while text.
I am 68 years old and hence can only suggest to youngsters to use it.


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Grants and Finance Specialist ll, FFWO
Finance, Budget and AccountingTreasury and Investment
H Hardship Low
This position can be based in our WRI Mexico, WRI London, or the United States office with remote-eligible where WRI is state registered or in the WRI Mexico office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.
About the Program:
The Global Restoration Initiative (GRI) works with governments and international partners to inspire, enable and implement restoration on degraded landscapes, returning them to economic and environmental productivity. Alongside IUCN and other partners, WRI has identified more than two billion hectares of cleared and degraded forest and agricultural lands suitable for restoration – an area roughly twice the size of China. Using this data as a foundation, we work to promote the restoration of degraded lands back into natural forests, agroforestry systems, or productive agriculture. Embracing forest and landscape restoration will allow for a world in which the amount of forest cover grows while the productivity of existing agricultural land increases.
Job Highlight:
As a member of the GRI Operations Team, you will provide administrative oversight and support program operations for a varied portfolio of projects funded by multiple donors, including foreign governments and foundations. You will ensure accurate grants and contracts management, offer financial oversight, foster partner collaboration, and contribute to event coordination. As a Grants & Finance Specialist, you will have the opportunity to advance your career in non-profit operations and financial management.
You will be supported by the GRI's Operations and Management team, along with WRI's Accounting, Grants, and Contracts teams, and project managers within the Forest Program.
You will report to the GRI's Operations Manager.
Grant Financial Management (45%)
Coordinate with and advise project leads on budget management, including use of budgeting software, monthly financial tracking, and supporting project managers in expense forecasting and revenue analysis
Regularly review, update, and monitor all transactions, invoices, commitments, and revenue prospects
Follows WRI's internal processes and deadlines related to funding, including quarterly reviews, financial reporting, monthly & annual closeouts, and future fiscal year annual budget submission
Grant and Sub agreement Management (50%)
Work directly with funders to request and submit Prime award amendments, payment request, and other funder related needs
Process and execute new subgrants, contracts, and amendments as needed
Process invoices and payments for projects in compliance with WRI's policies
Monitor partners to ensure the timely and accurate submission of progress and financial reports.
Program Administration and Operations (5%)
Monitor compliance with and advise teams on institutional policies, such as WRI's travel and expense policy
Support miscellaneous project operations needs, including personnel processes, labor forecasting and guidance processes, and IT
Advise team on budget management and address any financial issues in coordination with the Operations Manager
Track program funding opportunities and record information in online tracking systems
Education: You have a completed Bachelor's degree in finance, business or public administration, non-profit management, or similar
Experience: You have a minimum of 3+ years of full-time relevant work experience in operations, grant administration, budgeting, or financial management.
You have experience in a previous role that required detail orientation and working with deadlines, particularly with expense forecasting, grant compliance, and monitoring subgrants and contract
You have also worked in a role with minimal supervision and have experience with interacting with multiple stakeholders and cross-collaboration with teams.
Experience with financial software such as TM1 and Cognos and CRM software such as Salesforce considered a plus
Languages: You have verbal and written proficiency in English. Knowledge of Spanish is a plus
Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.
Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive remuneration and benefits package.
Please submit a resume with a cover letter by January 31, 2023. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
A competitive salary
Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US.
The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organisation with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work.
The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI.
Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours.
Generous leave days that increase with tenure.
About Us: Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organisation that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.
The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world's greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people's lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.
Our mission and values:
WRI's mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.
Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.
Our culture: WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.
Grants and Finance Associate, WRI Mexico Liaison, FFWO
Finance and Grants Officer
United Nations Office for Project Services
Posted 6 hours ago Close on 20 Feb 2023
Finance Manager, P-4, Grants Management, DFAM Brussels, Belgium #15481
Grants & Finance Officer
Posted 2 months ago Close on 28 Feb 2023
Program Development and Grants Specialist
Danish Refugee Council
Posted Yesterday Close on 13 Feb 2023
Grants Specialist
Posted 1 month ago Close on 28 Feb 2023
Grants & Contracts Specialist
Compliance & Grants Specialist
Posted 2 months ago Closing soon: 6 Feb 2023


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Eskom: No loadshedding tomorrow, the possibility still remains
in Economy, Featured
Eskom has released a statement explaining that there will be no loadshedding scheduled for tomorrow however there is a possibility that there can be.
The company has explained that they are currently using emergency generation during peak hours and that the system remains constrained and vulnerable.
As of 16:10 this afternoon there were 11,1182MW outages for unplanned breakdowns and 4,774MW for planned maintenance.
Full Statement:
WATCH: Victim is dragged and taken hostage by criminals
Coronavirus: "It could start rising in greater numbers," said Pres Ramaphosa
Coronavirus: "It could start rising in greater numbers," said Pres Ramaphosa


text:
Technologybgp_emedia2020-05-25T12:23:11+02:00
Enerthing's high performance light harvesting film
Artificial light in factories, offices and public buildings is an excellent source of energy to power new generations of IoT devices. The main challenge is to convert this light energy to electricity in a highly efficient way.
Our revolutionary technology
Enerthing has solved the problem of tapping into this abundant source of light energy by developing a photovoltaic technology which is
Highly efficient at indoor illumination conditions
Mechanically flexible and robust to withstand impacts during daily operation
produced efficiently by roll-to-roll coating
Manufacturing in Germany
The highly efficient photovoltaic film is our key to a new generation of high performance and maintenance-free IoT devices. Enerthing team has more than 40 years of expertise in developing and up-scaling of photovoltaic technology. In order to keep the full control of our photovoltaic technology we have set up the volume production at our site in Leverkusen. This capability not only allows us to develop and produce customized photovoltaic modules to our customer needs, it also allows us to develop the next generation photovoltaic film with increased efficiency.
Limitations of battery powered IoT
Power constraint is a dominant design criterium of battery powered IoT devices. It is always a compromise between performance features, like types of sensors, frequency of connectivity, quality of the signal and battery size and cost. Today's battery powered devices like sensors, Blue-tooth beacons and displays reflect the limitation in performance by service lifetimes of a few years and limitation in transmission rates.
The larger the IoT device deployment is and the wider the spread of devices, the more pressing the questions becomes: "What is the service life of the device and what are the associated costs ? "
52.000 tons of device batteries were sold only in Germany in 2018. This corresponds to 1.5 Bn batteries in small devices. The fast rise in numbers of IoT applications will lead to an increasing number of battery powered IoT devices, if no alternatives become available. Primary batteries are known for their bad CO2 footprint (up to 1.35kg CO2/AA battery). With Enerthing's light harvesting technology even under indoor light conditions the use of primary batteries and as a result the emission of CO2 gases can be reduced. With 10.000 m2 of Enerthing's Photovoltaic film powering IoT devices, 1M AA batteries can be replaced every year resulting in a CO2 saving of 200 tons per year. Enerthing has developed a key technology for a sustainable introduction of new IoT solutions.


A&W Sparkling Vanilla Cream Soda CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP AND/OR SUGAR, CARAMEL COLOR, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE), NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLVAORS, CARAMEL COLOR, CITRIC ACID, FLAVORED WITH VANILLA EXTRACT, CAFFEINE. Good stuff but it could be better. It lacks a little kick in the vanilla department. Other than that, you could chug a six pack and make youself blissfully ill. A rather average vanilla cream flavor. Nothing jumped out at me to make me want more nor did anything really turn me off.
A.J. Stephans Pure Vanilla Creme Soda PURE CARBONATED WATER, CANE SUGAR, FLAVOR, COLORING, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE) This is by far the BEST smelling soda I have had in a mug under my nose. Vanilla cotton-candy sums it up well. Except for that typical A.J. after taste, this is a good drink. I liked it and I think you will too. At least use it for potpourri if nothing else.
I took the first drink and lit up a big ol flavored smile. Then the real taste kicked in and smacked that smile right off my face. In defense of AJ , I think they forgot to put the word "Diet" on this diet flavored drink.
Why is Jeff frowning? I'm gonna go brush my teeth now.
Dad's Classic Cream Soda CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP AND/OR SUGAR,CITRIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE),CARAMEL COLOR, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS. Light soda, probably sums it up. The flavor is not bad and it does not have a nasty aftertase. What it does not have is a heavy cream soda flavor. I guess you could classify this as 'refreshing", maybe? I will have to test it out on a 110 degree day and let you know. A little yeller. I had another word but I forgot what it was. oh yeah…noickyaftertaste.
Hansen's Signature All Natural Vanilla Creme Soda TRIPLE FILTERED CARBONATED WATER, CANE SUGAR, CITRIC ACID, BLEND OF MADAGASCAN, INDONESIAN AND TAHITIAN VANILLA EXTRACTS, HONEY, NATURAL FLAVORS Very good flavor, insta-belch with the carbonation. I think the carbonation ads to the 'soda water' after taste. Other than that, it is a very good drink. Initial flavor is satisfactory, as with many cream sodas we are left with icky mouth. Hansens is no exception. Don't drink too many.
Henry Weinhard's Vanilla Cream Premium Draught Style Soda CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, PURE VANILLA BEAN EXTRACT,CITRIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVES FRESHNESS), BOTANICAL EXTRACTS, CARAMEL COLOR,HONEY, NATURAL FLAVORS. I like vanilla and honey, so I really like this drink. Henry really hit the mark again with this cream soda. Oh MAMA!! I love the fact that I can drink a good tasting Cream Soda and not have that icky pasty aftermath. Henry makes it possible for people like me to be able to drink a whole bottle of this.
CARBONATED NON CHLORINATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SWEETENER, BROWN SUGAR, CARAMEL COLORING, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORING, CITRIC ACID, POTASSIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE), NO ARTIFICIAL COLORS OR CAFFEINE It is a dark colored cream soda, packed with frosty mug goodness. There is nothing wrong with this brew. I would like to have the flavor punched up a notch! Belch-O-rama! Oh yes…this is like candy. the color is most satisfying and then the taste just adds to the fun. I chose to sip it so it would last longer. Loren poured it so I think he gave hiself more.


Give a different color to your hall ideas, try Pantone colors of the year! Here we bring a special selection of some incredible hall design where you can get inspiration. With a special color, the Pantone colors of the year: rose quartz and blue serenity. Choose the perfect style for you. Take a look!
Find more inspiring halls in Pantone colors of the year in the rest of this gallery.


Baig, A., 2012. Genome sequence of the hyperinvasive Campylobacter jejuni strains. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.
Campylobacter jejuni is the world's major cause of gastroenteritis in humans. Although motility, toxin production, adhesion and invasion are some of the key factors associated with C. jejuni pathogenesis, their mechanism in the disease process remains unclear. The key aim of this project is to study the genetic basis of hyperinvasiveness in a group of six C. jejuni strains which have been reported as hyperinvasive into human intestinal cell lines. Here, genomotyping of the hyperinvasive C. jejuni was performed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) against four low invasive C. jejuni strains. A group of 67 genes were identified as being present or highly divergent/absent in the hyperinvasive versus low invasive C. jejuni strains. Of these, nine genes were present and six genes were highly divergent/absent in all hyperinvasive C. jejuni. The PCR screening of these 15 genes in nine additional low invasive C. jejuni strains showed a significant association with the hyperinvasive phenotype. The majority of identified genes encoded proteins with essential cellular and metabolic functions along with some genes with known virulence related roles. Thus, the hyperinvasive phenotype is characterised by different functional networks rather than a single gene or gene cluster. All strains showed an overall genetic variability and the capsule, lipooligosaccharide, flagellar biosynthesis and restriction modification regions were the most diverse. The hierarchical clustering based on comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) did not group together the hyperinvasive C. jejuni as a single group and these strains possessed different MLST profiles.


text:
Rumor has it Samsung will unveil an 8k TV at CES that has no perimeter frame or bezel. The interior design possibilities are endless!
Continue reading "Frameless 8k TVs are Coming"
Legoland Goes Upside Down
Okay, we really did think this one was a joke. If it had been April 1 it probably wouldn't have merited investigation. Alas, it's true– Lego has released a play set based on Stranger Things.
Continue reading "Legoland Goes Upside Down"
Latest Xgimi Projector
Clever, portable and not bad to look at. The Xgimi CC Aurora will retail for around $600.
Continue reading "Latest Xgimi Projector"
A $20 Security Cam
When the Nest Cam — or the Dropcam, as it was known back then — was first introduced, it was something of a game changer. A security camera that just… worked. Plug it in, get it on WiFi, and you're set. Nowadays, the Nest Cam stands in a more crowded arena. Logitech, Netgear, Samsung, and…
via This $20 security camera is aiming for the Nest Cam's throne — TechCrunch
Hulu Live
Following up on the latest cordcutting rage— here's a look at Hulu's latest offering.
Hulu officially announced the launch of its live TV streaming service this morning at its Upfront presentation in New York. The service has a robust channel lineup, cloud DVR and combines Hulu's existing on-demand library, including its Originals, with streaming TV and on-demand content from its broadcast partners. However, a key part is the revamped,…
via Hands-on with Hulu's new Live TV service — TechCrunch


text:
You are here:Students
AJ Student Prize 2018: Kingston School of Art
The two students selected for the AJ Student Prize by Kingston University London
About the Kingston School of Art
Courses BA (Hons) Architecture, MArch
Head of School Mary Vaughan Johnson
Full-time tutors 5
Part-time tutors 55
Number of students 450
Staff to student ratio 1:8
Fees £9,250
Yousuf Khalil, BA (Hons) Architecture
Exterior perpsective view
Project title A Factory for Making Art
Project description The project was set on the site of the abandoned Fore River Ironworks in Quincy, Massachusetts, the birthplace of artist Carl Andre. At its peak, the factory employed more than 32,000 men and women but by the time of its closure in 1986 the number had dwindled to 5,000. I took the minimalist art of Andre, LeWitt, Judd, Richard Serra and others as a starting point for the development of an art-led regeneration of the vacant shipyard. My proposal for a factory for the production of large-scale artworks utilises the latent skills of the shipbuilding industry to reinvigorate a struggling community. The development of the brief illustrates an understanding of the social implications of the proposal allied to a belief that architecture can respond to, and be a part of, an ongoing community. The factory consists of a repeated bay structure more than 200m in length and 60m in width with a vast, clear-span concrete portal frame assembly hall.
Fragment section of factory
Rigas Potiropoulos, MArch
8 the civic rotunda
Project title Necropolis of Life
Project description The project is a masterplan for a new storage and civic space on a site on the periphery of Kingston. The design exploits the ambiguity of functional necessity to conflate ossuary, self-storage facilities and accommodation, to compose an archive that displays a record of the impact of economic crisis and the hardships of life in any form of loss: death, loss of possessions or dwelling. To respond to the fragmented nature of the site, the project appears as a prototypical settlement in its forest-like setting, based on and extending Surbiton Cemetery's existing grid. There are four architectural typologies that form the polis, conceived by historical studies of structures and spatial characteristics of the past: depth; monumentality; primitive power; and symmetry. The melancholic atmosphere of the site set by the ruins of the abandoned sewage treatment facility in juxtaposition to the 'silence' of the cemetery influenced the design to appear monolithic and brut.
9 the silence of the cemetery
Tutor citation 'Rigas situated his "necropolis of life" – a curious and remarkable settlement of archives, ossuary and student housing – amid the discordant municipal repositories – recycling, water treatment, allotments and cemeteries – of Surbiton. Rigas' sketches are revealing, his curiosity for, and "use" of, history and typology is exceptional. The strength of the scheme is clear in the figure of the site plan. His scroll is alive with lived human experience. The proposition is a mature piece of work, addressing both the room and city.' Simon Henley
Student subscription offer
Did you know students get 30% off AJ subscriptions? Find out more!
AJ Student Prize 2019 – final extra week
UK architecture schools have until Friday 21 June to nominate students for the AJ Student Prize
Sadie Morgan honoured with AJ100 Contribution to the Profession award
19 June 2019Pamela Buxton
The co-founder of Stirling Prize-winning practice dRMM has taken on a broader role, ensuring that design is valued on major public projects, writes Pamela Buxton
AJ Retrofit Awards 2019 finalists revealed: Education, leisure and international
The AJ can reveal the fifth and final set of projects vying for this year's AJ Retrofit Awards 2019. Today: Higher and Further Education; Hotel, Retail and Leisure; and International categories
Manser Medal 'house of the year' award returns to AJ
16 May 2019Richard Waite
We are delighted to announce that the Manser Medal will now be a part of the AJ programme of awards
Strategic role - Director of Arts and Cultural for Stirling Prize shortlisted Studio
£90,000 - £110,000 p.a.
Exceptional Model Maker for Stirling Prize shortlisted studio
Strategic Appointment - Technical Designer/Lead for Stirling Prize Shortlisted Design Studio, London
Associate Designer for Stirling Prize winning team, Clerkenwell
Project Manager for World Class, Stirling Prize Shortlisted Design Studio, London
£55,000 - £65,000 p.a. + Bens.
Flawless Architectural Model Maker for Stirling Prize shortlisted studio
In Students


text:
Q: why App crashes getting data from Dictionary? I am working on an app and i have to save some data in the dictionary and then i have to load that data and showing to user whatever the options user saved.
 when i get data from dictionary it crashes on second time not on first time and gives different crash log every time.
like
-[UIDeviceRGBColor objectAtIndex:]: unrecognized selector sent to instance 0x68c22d0

or
[UIControlTargetAction count]: unrecognized selector sent to instance 0x68683d0

or
   0 : <CFString 0x687cb30 [0x124eb38]>{contents = "dish1"} = UIDeviceWhiteColorSpace 0 0.5

my code is this
- (void)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView didSelectRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath
{
    if (tableView == menuTableView) {

        [optionsView addSubview:topScrollView];
        optionFlag=NO;
        [self optionScreenMethod:indexPath.row];
        NSString *dishSelect=[NSString stringWithFormat:@"dish%d",indexPath.row];
        NSMutableArray *dishesArray=[[NSMutableArray alloc]init];
        NSMutableArray *dishDicArray=[[NSMutableArray alloc]init];
        dishesArray=[dishDictionary objectForKey:dishSelect];
        NSLog(@"%d",[dishesArray count]);
        if ([dishesArray count]>0) {
            optionFlag=YES;
        }else{
            for (int i=0; i<[tempStr intValue]; i++) {
                DishData *dishData=[[DishData alloc]init];
                dishData.dishTitle=(NSMutableString*)[[tableMenuArray objectAtIndex:indexPath.row] itemName];
                dishData.accompArrayIndex=nil;
                dishData.cookArrayIndex=nil;
                dishData.dishComent=nil;
                dishData.nonMandArray=nil;
                [dishDicArray addObject:dishData];
            }
            [dishDictionary setObject:dishDicArray forKey:dishSelect];
        }
        //[dishesArray release];
        //[dishDicArray release];
        dishSelectRow=indexPath.row;
      //  NSString *dishSelect=[NSString stringWithFormat:@"dish%d",indexPath.row];

        [isSelected removeAllObjects];
        [isSelectedAccompArray removeAllObjects];
        [isSelectedCookArray removeAllObjects];
        [self defaultDataArray];
        [accompmentTblView reloadData];
        [cookingTblView reloadData];
        [nonMandTblView reloadData];
        [nonMandtSelectOptionArray removeAllObjects];

        optionsView.hidden=NO;

    }

A: - (void)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView didSelectRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath
{

       //If possible make a singleton instance here of "dishDictionary" may solve your issue of crashing (Rather diclare it at the class level)
      //if(!dishDictionary)
          dishDictionary=[[NSMutableDictionary alloc]init];

      ..........

      //Replace this line :
      NSMutableArray *dishDicArray=[[NSMutableArray alloc]init];

      to

      NSMutableArray *dishesArray=[[NSMutableArray alloc]initWithArray:[dishDictionary objectForKey:dishSelect]];

      and remove
      dishesArray=[dishDictionary objectForKey:dishSelect];

      ..........
      //may will not crash than try this
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text: Q: What does it mean when variables in in (probability) weighted regression are significant but variables in an unweighted regression are not? I'm running to regressions. One with probability weights inputted and another one without. When running them, my results indicate that some unadjusted variables are insignificant, but those same variables are significant when weights are inputted. How do I interpret this?


text:
/* Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
 * You may obtain a copy of the License at
 *
 *      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
 *
 * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
 * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
 * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 * limitations under the License.
 */
package org.camunda.bpm.engine.impl.jobexecutor;

import org.camunda.bpm.engine.impl.cmd.AbstractSetJobDefinitionStateCmd;
import org.camunda.bpm.engine.impl.interceptor.CommandContext;
import org.camunda.bpm.engine.impl.persistence.entity.ExecutionEntity;
import org.camunda.bpm.engine.impl.util.json.JSONObject;

/**
 * @author roman.smirnov
 */
public abstract class TimerChangeJobDefinitionSuspensionStateJobHandler implements JobHandler {

  protected static final String JOB_HANDLER_CFG_BY = "by";
  protected static final String JOB_HANDLER_CFG_JOB_DEFINITION_ID = "jobDefinitionId";
  protected static final String JOB_HANDLER_CFG_PROCESS_DEFINITION_ID = "processDefinitionId";
  protected static final String JOB_HANDLER_CFG_PROCESS_DEFINITION_KEY = "processDefinitionKey";

  protected static final String JOB_HANDLER_CFG_INCLUDE_JOBS = "includeJobs";

  public static String createJobHandlerConfigurationByJobDefinitionId(String jobDefinitionId, boolean includeJobs) {
    JSONObject json = new JSONObject();

    json.put(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_BY, JOB_HANDLER_CFG_JOB_DEFINITION_ID);
    json.put(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_JOB_DEFINITION_ID, jobDefinitionId);
    json.put(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_INCLUDE_JOBS, includeJobs);

    return json.toString();
  }

  public static String createJobHandlerConfigurationByProcessDefinitionId(String processDefinitionId, boolean includeJobs) {
    JSONObject json = new JSONObject();

    json.put(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_BY, JOB_HANDLER_CFG_PROCESS_DEFINITION_ID);
    json.put(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_PROCESS_DEFINITION_ID, processDefinitionId);
    json.put(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_INCLUDE_JOBS, includeJobs);

    return json.toString();
  }

  public static String createJobHandlerConfigurationByProcessDefinitionKey(String processDefinitionKey, boolean includeJobs) {
    JSONObject json = new JSONObject();

    json.put(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_BY, JOB_HANDLER_CFG_PROCESS_DEFINITION_KEY);
    json.put(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_PROCESS_DEFINITION_KEY, processDefinitionKey);
    json.put(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_INCLUDE_JOBS, includeJobs);

    return json.toString();
  }

  public void execute(String configuration, ExecutionEntity execution, CommandContext commandContext, String tenantId) {
    AbstractSetJobDefinitionStateCmd cmd = getCommand(configuration);
    cmd.disableLogUserOperation();
    cmd.execute(commandContext);
  }

  protected String getJobDefinitionId(JSONObject configuration) {
    return configuration.getString(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_JOB_DEFINITION_ID);
  }

  protected String getProcessDefinitionId(JSONObject configuration) {
    return configuration.getString(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_PROCESS_DEFINITION_ID);
  }

  protected String getProcessDefinitionKey(JSONObject configuration) {
    return configuration.getString(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_PROCESS_DEFINITION_KEY);
  }

  protected boolean getIncludeJobs(JSONObject configuration) {
    return configuration.getBoolean(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_INCLUDE_JOBS);
  }

  protected String getBy(JSONObject configuration) {
    return configuration.getString(JOB_HANDLER_CFG_BY);
  }

  protected abstract AbstractSetJobDefinitionStateCmd getCommand(String configuration);

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
BASEBALL: If Unit sticks around, M's will be in a title race
Chuck Stark — Feb 4th, 1998
By Chuck Stark
SEATTLE -- When it comes to dealing with the ace of their staff, Seattle general manager Woody Woodward said the Mariners aren't bluffing about their intentions.
Seattle hasn't waivered from its original "game plan," since announcing Nov. 12 they wouldn't offer Johnson, eligible for free agency at the end of the 1998 season, a contract extension.
The 34-year-old left-hander, who will earn $6 million in the last year of his contract, asked to be traded.
Woodward discovered there's not much of a market. Only six clubs have approached the M's.
The Dodgers recent offer of pitcher Ismael Valdez and two minor leaguers might have happened, said Woodward, but Los Angeles backed out.
"I really thought there would be more clubs calling," said Woodward. "I didn't think there would be so many clubs hesitating because of dollars and that's what I've seen over the last couple of months."
Seattle manager Lou Piniella, for one, is glad Johnson's still a Mariner. In Piniella's five years in Seattle, Johnson's 75-20, won the Cy Young (1995) and become a 20-game winner (1997).
The first workout for Mariners pitchers and catchers is Feb. 15 in Peoria, Ariz.
The M's aren't sure if Johnson will be a happy camper, but they don't expect any problems.
"Would you like everybody to be happy and want to be there? Yes," Woodward said. "Is it absolutely necessary. No.?"
Piniella said Johnson's contract situation isn't unique to baseball.
"It happened to the Marlins all winter," he said. "I don't think we'll have -- I won't say any problems -- but I don't think we'll have many problems."
Seattle's strategy remains the same.
"If we get the right deal, and we can win this year, we'll make the trade," said Woodward. "If not, then we're going to stay with the best pitcher in the game and try to win with him."
If Johnson is a Mariner when the season opens and the M's live up to expectations by challenging for another AL West pennant, then Seattle management is prepared to lose him to free agency at the end of the year and get nothing in return.
If Johnson's part of the team and the M's aren't in the pennant chase after the July 31 trading deadline, Woodward said the team would attempt to trade Johnson for young prospects.
n NOTES
Bob Wells agreed Tuesday to a $450,000, one-year contract. Wells, 31, was 2-0 with a 5.75 ERA in 46 games, including one start. He had two saves in 67 1-3 innings. Wells had asked for $600,000 in arbitration and was offered $380,000. Seattle pitchers Bobby Ayala and Felipe Lira still are in arbitration. ... Piniella likes the addition of switch-hitting first baseman David Segui, who can also play the outfield if needed. "We've got more bench strength, speed and versatility," he said. Outfielder Glenallen Hill has the inside track on starting in leftfield and Piniella said he likes the M's bullpen, even though "other people don't look at it as strong as I do." ... Piniella's going to give Paul Spoljaric or Felipe Lira a chance to win the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation. ... Former third base coach John McLaren is now Piniella's bench coach, replacing Lee Elia, who retired. Steve Smith will coach third base. ... Jesse Barfield, 38, is the M's new hitting instructor. ... Piniella doesn't expect Ken Griffey Jr. to improve on his MVP season that included 56 home runs. "I don't know how you can get much better. You maintain," he said. "It used to take me five years to hit 56 home runs."
SPRING TRAINING: Ayala still in with M's - for now
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Bobby Ayala didn't expect to be back in spring training with the Seattle Mariners this season. Not after posting a 1-10 record with a 7.29 ERA in the Mariners' bullpen last year. "I thought I would be the first guy ... [Read More...]
Piniella upbeat about M's
Seattle launches new year tonight against the Blue Jays The Associated Press and The Sun Staff SEATTLE -- Lou Piniella had a twinkle in his eye and kept bouncing rom one foot to the other. he little boy in him was showing. He ... [Read More...]
Recipe for success leaves bad taste in Piniella's mouth
PHOENIX - After arriving home from another loss recently, Mariners manager Lou Piniella couldn't sleep, so he started flipping channels on the late-night dial. He stopped for a moment to listen to an interview with NHL hockey coach Scotty Bowman, the man who ... [Read More...]
Mariners: Randy's right
on time Seattle pitcher Randy Johnson ends offseason speculation on whether he'd show up for Spring Training -- on time or at all -- when he appears at the Mariners complex with a couple of his agents. By Gordon Wittenmyer For The Sun ... [Read More...]
New slant for Mariners — a routinely hopeful outlook By Terry Mosher
Sun Staff SEATTLE — Spring always brings hope. The grass is maybe a little greener, buds on flowers and trees start to appear and baseball teams are in their optimistic mode; everybody is dead even and it's a whole new ballgame. Seattle lived on ... [Read More...]


text:
S is for Scientists: A Discovery Alphabet
What could two greased bowls fitted together possibly demonstrate? What lost city was found in the jungle of Peru? Which Nobel Prize-winning couple called their crystals "magical blue glow-worms"? Young readers can find the answers to these questions and much more in S is for Scientists: A Discovery Alphabet.
WINNER, McNally Robinson Book of the Year for Young People, 2012
Selected, 2011 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, NSTA & Children's Book Council
Selected, 2013-2014 Macy's Multicultural Collection of Children's Literature
"S is for Scientists" is a wonderfully descriptive alphabet story book for children. It gives the reader a taste of the variety of problems, discoveries, and wonders that scientists have been studying and continue to ponder. It is also a beautiful way to encourage children to begin to question the world."
Canadian Materials, Volume XVII Number 35
"S is for Scientists" will lead a child on an unforgettable enriching voyage of discovery."
Children's Bookwatch, December 2010
"...the perfect book for curious minds...It would be a great addition to any child's curriculum. I liked it and recommend it to anyone with an insatiable thirst for scientific knowledge."
This Old Schoolhouse Magazine, November 2010
"S is for Scientists" celebrates the incredible history of scientific thought. From Machu Picchu to the jungles of Tanzania, from microwaves to the concept of zero, "S is for Scientists" will lead a child on an unforgettable, enriching voyage of discovery."
Midwest Book Reviews
"The book's emphasis on methods - like demonstrating, observing, and yielding (to the moment!) - is commendable. The science is eclectic as well: it ranges grom Pavlov's behavioural psychology to Bingham's archeological discoveries in Machu Pichu. Middle and secondary readers will appreciate its descriptions of scientific processes from molecular structures to nuclear science."
NSTA Recommends, NSTA website
"I strongly recommend this children's science book for kids because of the catchy poetry and informative fact-based paragraphs authored by Larry Verstraete....The illustrations by David Geister are well-done and colorful, and assist in making scientific-related breakthrough history come alive..."
Roy A. Barnes, Sept. 6, 2010, Lifestyle: Associated Content
R IS FOR RECORD
Standing by the elephant enclosure.
Katy Payne felt a stir.
Were the beasts sending secret messages?
Her recordings showed for sure.
In 1984 zoologist Katy Payne noticed something odd while observing three Asian elephants and their calves at the Washington Park Zoo in Portland, Oregon. The air around the elephant enclosure seemed to throb, and a quiver ran through Payne's body. The strange sensation reminded her of a childhood experience when, standing close to a pipe organ at church, she had felt a similar throbbing when the lowest notes on the organ were played. Were the elephants making sounds too low in frequency for humans to detect? she wondered.
Curious about the phenomenon, Payne used electronic instruments to record the elephants. By analyzing the printouts, she was able to confirm her suspicions. Elephants, she learned, communicate using hundreds of different calls, many of them at frequencies well below the range of human hearing. Because the calls can reverberate over great distances, elephants can keep in contact with one another even when separated by miles.
Text © 2010 Larry Verstraete
Illustrations © David Geister
Published by Sleeping Bear Press,
Chapters-Indigo
McNally Robinson Booksellers


text:
Yuri Buzzi (born 26 September 1978) is an Italian actor and writer.

Born in Vigevano, he debuted, in the 2005 in the Tv series Il giudice Mastrangelo.  Six years later, he decided against accepting an opportunity to work in theatre, choosing instead to study at The Actors Studio.

He subsequently worked with numerous directors such as Paul Feig in the movie Spy (2015 film) produced by 20th Century Fox; Jordan Scott, Peter Thwaites worldwide campaign for Martini & Rossi produced by Gorgeous (film), Angelo Longoni in the movie Tiberio Mitri - il campione e la miss, Luca Lucini (Oggi sposi), Alessandro D'Alatri advertising campaign for Telecom Italia.

In the 2011 he replaced George Clooney as a Worldwide Martini Ambassador for Martini & Rossi. As a model he had the opportunity to work with the International model David Gandy and the designer Christian Louboutin during the launch of the Martini & Rossi Worldwide campaign at the Design Museum in London.  In 2013, he won Best Actor at the Dino De Laurentiis Film Festival for is performance in the movie Bibliothèque

His first book "My life on a cactus" a collection of 32 poems and a monologue for theatre, was published in (2008) by Casa editrice Giuseppe Laterza & figli

Filmography
Il giudice Mastrangelo (2005)
Gio (film)|Gio (2008)]
Oggi sposi (2009)
Il campione e la miss (2011)
Bibliothèque (2013)
Spy (2014)

References

External links
IMDb https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2642694/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Official website www.yuribuzzi.com

Corriere della Sera http://milano.corriere.it/milano/notizie/cronaca/11_ottobre_29/nuovo-clooney-yuri-buzzi-vigevano-1901988033546.shtml

GQ https://web.archive.org/web/20140509044724/http://www.gqitalia.it/show/lifestyle/2011/11/ecco-il-fortunato-vincitore-del-kisser-casting-martini

Glam UK http://uk.glam.com/gandy-helps-launch-next-supermodel/

Awards and recognitions
Best actor
Dino De Laurentiis Film Festival

1978 births
Living people
Italian male film actors
Italian male television actors
Male actors from London

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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HomeChicago Dyke March Article Cost Me My Job, Reporter Says
Chicago Dyke March Article Cost Me My Job, Reporter Says
Ben SalesJuly 17, 2017Image by Twitter
Image by Twitter
NEW YORK (JTA) — The journalist who first reported the ejection of three Jewish women from Chicago's Dyke March tweeted that she was removed from her reporting job because of that article.
In a tweet Monday, Gretchen Rachel Hammond wrote to Dyke March's Twitter account that "You attacked, humiliated and robbed me of a job." Hammond confirmed to JTA on the same day that she wrote the tweet.
Hammond said she could not elaborate on her tweet, citing an agreement with her employer, the Windy City Times.
You attacked, humiliated and robbed me of a job. No tears. I forgive you. Just hope you learn how destructive and pointless hatred is.— Gretchen R. Hammond (@GretchRHammond) July 17, 2017
Hammond, formerly an award-winning reporter for the Chicago LGBT newspaper, was transferred to its sales department after being the first to report that three Jewish women carrying rainbow flags emblazoned with Jewish stars were kicked out of the June 24 march. The women, as well as Jewish organizations, have accused the Dyke March of anti-Semitism.
March organizers said the women were ejected because they were carrying flags reminiscent of the Israeli flag at an anti-Zionist event and had "repeatedly expressed support for Zionism during conversations" with other marchers.
Was The Chicago Dyke March Controversy A Misunderstanding, Or Something Worse?
Aimee LevittJune 29, 2017
On June 28, an organizer of the march told Hammond in an interview that she and the newspaper had "failed in its journalistic mission."
The Dyke March was founded over 20 years ago as a left-wing, women-centered alternative to Chicago's annual Pride Parade, which the Dyke March's website calls "corporate, white male dominated." The march bills itself as anti-racist, anti-violent and anti-Zionist. This year's march drew some 1,500 people.
Hammond, who is Jewish, told JTA that in the wake of her article, she received dozens of threatening anonymous phone calls. She said one caller called her a "kike," while others told her she should lose her job or said she "betrayed" the LGBT community.
"One of them said, 'I'm going to get your bitch ass fired,'" Hammond told JTA of calls and text messages she received. "It was vicious. It wasn't even a request for dialogue. It was, 'You f***** with us. We're going to f*** with you.' They pretty much blamed me for the whole thing blowing up at them."
The Dyke March itself has fielded criticism for using an anti-Semitic slur, tweeting on July 13 that "Zio tears replenish my electrolytes." White supremacists, including former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, have used the term "Zio," derived from Zionist, as a slur for Jews.
Chicago Dyke March Tweets 'Zio Tears' — An Anti-Semitic Dog Whistle
Ari FeldmanJuly 14, 2017
On July 14, the Dyke March deleted the tweet and apologized, saying it "didn't know the violent history of the term."
Sorry y'all! Definitely didn't know the violent history of the term. We meant Zionist/white tears replenish our electrolytes ?— Chicago Dyke March (@DykeMarchChi) July 14, 2017
Hammond was transferred to the sales department on July 10, and told JTA that she was looking for a reporting position elsewhere.
Windy City Times Publisher Tracy Baim confirmed last week that Hammond had been moved, but would not elaborate. Regarding the newspaper's coverage of the Dyke March, Baim said the editors "stand by our reporting by Gretchen and our other reporters on that story."
Laurel Grauer, one of the women ejected from the march, works for A Wider Bridge, a pro-Israel LGBT organization. She said she has brought the flag to the march for years in order to celebrate her LGBT Jewish identity.
But in a June 27 statement, march organizers said the women were ejected "for expressing Zionist views that go directly against the march's anti-racist core values." The statement claimed that the women were "disrupting chants," which Grauer denies. It called Zionism "an inherently white-supremacist ideology."
Both Grauer and Hammond told JTA that they have attended the march in past years without incident. Hammond said this year's march felt more vitriolic.
"There was something different this year, for this to happen, for the kind of hatred and bile that's coming out of them," Hammond said. "They have chosen to exercise their anger against Israel, but do it in an anti-Semitic way."
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Reporter: Chicago Dyke March Article Cost Me My Job
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Making Out in Indonesian Phrasebook & Dictionary is a fun and accessible guide to Indonesian as it's spoken in real life.
Freshly written by Tim Hannigan--whose features and travel articles appear regularly in newspapers and magazines in Indonesia and beyond--this is your guide to modern spoken Indonesian. Experience the language as it is used in everyday interactions today, including many colorful, catchy expressions, Jakarta slang, and informal phrases not found in traditional Indonesian language materials.
Whether you're planning to study abroad in Indonesia, or are just looking for an authentic travel experience, this fun resource will turn you into a local in no time.
Tim Hannigan is the editor of A Brief History of Bali and author of A Brief History of Indonesia, Murder in the Hindu Kush, and Raffles and the British Invasion of Java, winner of the 2013 John Brooks Award. His features and travel articles appear regularly in newspapers and magazines in Indonesia and beyond.


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module MrWizard
  class Base
    class_inheritable_accessor :steps, :url, :done_url
    attr_reader :step, :controller, :params
    delegate :title, :show, :to => :step

    self.steps = Array.new

    def initialize(step_name, controller)
      @controller = controller

      begin
        @step = create_step(step_name)
      rescue ArgumentError
        @step = create_step(self.class.steps.first || :done)
      end
    end

    class << self
      def find_step(name)
        index = step_index(name)
        self.steps[index] if index
      end

      def step_index(step)
        self.steps.index(step.to_sym) if step
      end
    end

    def show(params)
      @params = params
      @step.show
    end

    def update(params)
      @params = params
      @step.update
    end

    def done?
      @step.kind_of? MrWizard::DoneStep
    end

    def last_step?
      next_step == :done
    end

    def url(params = Hash.new)
      if (params[:step] == :done || (params[:step] == nil && done?)) &&
          self.class.done_url
        controller.send(self.class.done_url)
      else
        controller.send(self.class.url, { :step => @step.name }.merge(params))
      end
    end

    def next_step(step = @step)
      return :done if step.name == :done

      i = self.class.step_index(step.name)
      raise RuntimeError.new("Unknown step: #{step.name}") unless i
      return :done if (i + 1) >= self.class.steps.length

      step_inst = create_step(self.class.steps[i + 1])
      return step_inst.name if step_inst.needed?

      next_step(step_inst)
    end

    private

    def step_name(name)
      "#{controller.class.name.gsub(/Controller$/, '')}::#{name.to_s.camelize}Step"
    end

    def create_step(name)
      if name && name.to_sym == :done
        MrWizard::DoneStep.new(self)
      elsif self.class.find_step(name)
        step_name(name).constantize.new(self)
      else
        raise ArgumentError.new("Unknown step: #{name}")
      end
    end
  end
end


The 2016 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships and World Age Group Competitions (WAGC) took place in Putian (CHN).
Great Britain's mixed pair Isabella Montagna and Lewis Walker took World Championships bronze scoring 27.740 and our men's group - Lewis Watts, Conor Sawenko, Charlie Tate, Adam Upcott followed suit scoring 28.685 to also claim the bronze medal.
Our women's group Jennifer Bailey, Roxanna Parker and Katie Fearon also competed in the final scoring 27.070 for 5th place.


text:
Oceanco's  Infinity was delivered in 2022 as a replacement for its previous yacht, now named Cloud 9. Her exterior design is the work of Espen Øino and her interior is by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design and David Kleinberg Design Associates. She is capable of reaching speeds up to .

Specifications

 Length Overall:
 Beam Overall:
 Delivered: 2022
 Classification: Lloyd's Register
 Maximum speed:
 Material: Steel hull & Aluminium superstructure
 Naval architect: Lateral Naval Architects
 Exterior designer: Espen Øino
 Interior designer: Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design and David Kleinberg Design Associates

See also
 Motor yacht
 List of motor yachts by length
 List of yachts built by Oceanco
 Oceanco

References

2022 ships
Motor yachts
Ships built in the Netherlands


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The Rubens at the Palace
The 5 AA Star-awarded Rubens is so close to Buckingham Palace you might just hear a corgi barking during a stay here! Or at least spot a member of royalty heading out on an official engagement as they leave through The Royal Mews (the palace's stables/carriage house/garage). The Rubens at the Palace is located directly opposite this most regal of depots. And there's no absence of royal treatment or opulence inside its lavish walls.
Since opening as a luxury hotel in 1912 The Rubens has hosted debutantes, guests of royal functions, presidents and prime ministers. Many of the rooms, suites and apartments overlook the comings and goings of The Royal Mews, and a selection of London's theatres are on the doorstep. Tickets to the hottest shows and attractions in town can be purchased by The Rubens' concierge team. Plus, the Director of Fun, John, has an endless number of entertaining ideas to keep the entire family happy.
As a matter of fact, The Rubens at the Palace is a very family-friendly establishment offering family rooms and suites with thoughtful touches aimed at the little ones – under 12s stay for free – and there's plenty going on at The Rubens to keep everyone occupied on-site. These include The English Grill, The New York Bar's live music nights, afternoon tea in The Palace Lounge facing The Royal Mews and sushi accompanied by live jazz in the Leopard Bar. Cocktails and bites are also available at the South African-themed bbar & restaurant with outdoor terrace.
Don't miss: the authentic flavours in the Indian and African-inspired Curry Room restaurant.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
This re-invented, reconstructed 18th-century Filipino settlement is building firm owner and art collector José "Gerry" Acuzar's passion project. An open-air museum, heritage park, convention centre, beach resort and events venue, it's most importantly an exhibition of the Philippines' cultural heritage.
A work-in-progress, each of these 18th-century Spanish-Filipino colonial buildings is a restored piece of history. All were saved from inevitable neglect and transported brick for brick to this prime beach-front location in the Bataan region.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar sprawls across almost 1,000 acres consisting of 216 guest rooms ranging from the Deluxe to Executive Suites and 60 Private Casas (great for families and groups up to 16). Plus, four dining areas and a bar, three private pools, a batis-inspired swimming pool (cleverly designed to resemble a small river), private beach, entertainment area, spa, shops, church and the stunning Hotel de Oriente.
Inside the 19th-century replica of Binondo's Hotel de Oriente, José's illustrious artworks have the perfect backdrop of sweeping staircases, ornate balustrades and delicately decorated panelling. Here, two function rooms have the capability to host from 10 to 1,500 guests. Weddings in the church, followed by a reception in the hotel are nothing short of spectacular.
Unmissable excursions: heritage tours of the Casas, traditional dress photo shoots, water sports, cycling trips and island hopping.
Tewkesbury Park
Tewkesbury Park's recent transformation under new family management has resulted in an up-and-coming golf and leisure destination. But while the scenic 18-hole, par 72 Deerpark golf course attracts enthusiasts from all over, others succumb to the Natural Spa Factory's pamper packages and the utterly romantic setting.
It's wonderfully secluded and peacefully rural here. The 18th-century manor house and adjoining wing are perched atop a hill overlooking the town of Tewkesbury so benefit from views that stretch across to the Severn Valley, Wye Valley, Black Mountains, the Cotswolds and Malverns. However, London is just a two-hour drive away.
Inside the main manor house are nine large suites and 84 additional guest rooms are located in the attached wing. Each one is essentially classic by design but a clever retro-chic style lends an on-trend vibe. All of these rooms can be exclusively hired for guests attending a special event such as a wedding or corporate incentive.
There are nine adaptable function rooms in total to suit various occasions. These include the architecturally-stunning, glass-fronted Cotswolds Suite, which can accommodate up to 300 guests and the adjoining Berkeley Bar and terrace with its infra-red patio heaters, outdoor speaker system, oil drum barbecues and wood-fired pizza oven.
Exec Chef Anuj Thakur is the mastermind behind the seasonal menus with an emphasis on home-cooked, locally sourced meals. And the revamped cocktail bar and lounge provides a relaxed spot for a tipple or two if the Village Espresso coffee doesn't quite hit the spot.
AR Diamante Spa Hotel & Convention Centre
The Brits and Germans have been having a love affair with the Costa Blanca since the 1960s. Drawn to its sun, sea and honey-coloured sand, the appeal of this pulsing patch of Alicante coastline continues to rage on. One of its most popular sandy stretches, Levante Beach, is where you'll find the four-star AR Diamante Spa Hotel & Convention Centre in Calpe, just 100 metres from the coast's salty waters.
Perfectly positioned, the hotel is within easy reach of the town's many attractions. These include Las Salinas salt flats, where you'll find flamingos at certain times of the year, and Penyal Ifach Natural Park, which is an ideal spot for a morning or evening hike. Plus, Baños de la Reina (the Queen's Baths), once a Roman fish farm, and the calcareous Rock of Ifach.
While hikers, cyclists, climbers and scuba divers explore the rugged geology and depths of the waters, AR Diamante Spa Hotel attracts climbers of the corporate ladder kind. This is because AR Diamante has a superb conference centre with huge, open space. Ambitious events are no trouble. Off-the-scale weddings are a breeze. Sensitive meetings are utterly private. Team-building exercises are outstanding (thank you beach-side location). Entertainment is readily available too.
As a family-friendly hotel, poolside shows may feature clowns and magic, and in the summer Rocky Club keeps the kiddies occupied. Mealtime options include a classic Mediterranean buffet and the Michelin Starred Audrey's restaurant offering tasting menus with cava and wine pairings, while the Piano Bar provides thirst quenching sanctuary. Luxury spa bliss calls from Diamond Oasis of Wellness whose hot candle wax oil massage and chocolate bodywrap are oooo-out-loud-good.
Brunelleschi Hotel
*Brunelleschi Hotel's biggest attraction is its unbeatable location. A stone's throw from Florence's spectacular cathedral, its terracotta-toned dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi is so close, you'll think you can touch it.
Many of the rooms and suites afford bedside views of the Duomo; one has a rooftop terrace with Jacuzzi and skyline panorama. But all give you a heart-stirring glimpse of the historic city's buzzing life and breathtaking architecture. Poised in a peaceful piazza moments from the Uffizi Gallery, Piazza della Signoria and many other of Florence's Renaissance glories – not to mention the shopping stradas – Brunelleschi Hotel is secluded yet wonderfully central.
This is a hotel of congruous contradictions. Housed within a 6th-century circular Byzantine tower and a medieval church (the hotel has a private museum that includes a Roman caldarium), the interior is a juxtaposition of contemporary design. Modern furnishings grace parquet flooring and marble bathrooms adjoin discreetly decadent boudoirs. The silver basins and sleek four-poster beds are particularly fine.
Every audio-visual amenity is available, free high-speed WiFi is accessible in the guest rooms and common areas, and speedy service is dispensed 24/7. Then there's the 2 Michelin Starred Restaurant Santa Elisabetta and the Osteria della Pagliazza serving up Italian food with soul that's so good it's a sin to miss.
*Brunelleschi Hotel is among the first hotels in the world to become Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED® with Forbes Travel Guide awarded for compliance with expert-validated best practices to minimise the risk and impact of COVID-19.
Borgo Scopeto Relais
"Majestic" best describes the 500-year-old Borgo Scopeto Relais, the former Tuscan hillside home of the noble Sozzini family. "Inspiring" summarises the respectful restoration that's brought the estate back to its heyday glory: the ancient stone walls and cypress-lined avenues appear just as they did all those centuries ago.
This living, breathing time capsule is now an exclusive hotel, restaurant, wellness centre, events venue and adventure playground (biking, tennis, Nordic walking, vintage car driving). It's also conveniently located a short drive from Siena, in-demand for its ability to host incredibly impressive meetings, product launches, parties, incentive away-days and weddings.
The outdoor spaces (those views!) and large rooms are easily adapted to suit any occasion – even a film set (rom-com fans will recognise Borgo Scopeto Relais from Letters to Juliet starring Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave). Then there's La Tinaia restaurant, set within the old cellars, singing with local Tuscan flavours enhanced by extra virgin olive oil produced from the estate's 5,000 olive trees and Chianti Classicos from the Borgo's very own vineyard. These grapes also feature in the wellness centre's restorative vinotherapy treatments.
The Mandolay Hotel
The handsome Mandolay Hotel regally resides at the top of Guildford's pretty high street (great shopping!). It's also just a short drive from the breathtaking Surrey Hills and only 35 minutes from London Waterloo Station. Relaxed, inviting and managed with personal care, it's always buzzing with discerning diners and business types meeting.
Everything has been carefully thought out from the on-trend interior design with a traditional sensibility to the wholesome, locally sourced (and 2 AA Rosette-awarded) British cuisine in the restaurant. Leisurely getaways here revolve around days filled with shopping, visits to the nearby countryside, country estates and gardens with cushiony comfort waiting your return in guest rooms that guarantee deep sleeps and a chance to recharge.
Located in the main hotel or private coach house, each one is decorated in bold wallpapers alongside classic, top quality fabrics. The Mandolay is also home to a conference centre comprising eight purpose-built conference and meeting spaces; exclusive use of the entire hotel can be arranged.
Don't miss: afternoon tea on the restaurant's heated outdoor terrace and a concert, dance show or comedy act at the nearby G Live entertainment, conference and hospitality venue, a mere 140 metres from the hotel.
The Park Circular Walk
Box Hill Circular
Berkeley Suites
High class and high-end, Berkeley Suites occupies an 18th-century house on the highly desirable Berkeley Crescent. Just off Berkeley Square within the Clifton conservation area, there are five luxury suites behind these
High class and high-end, Berkeley Suites occupies an 18th-century house on the highly desirable Berkeley Crescent. Just off Berkeley Square within the Clifton conservation area, there are five luxury suites behind these Grade II* listed Georgian walls offering privacy with the benefits of luxury hotel services.
Berkeley Suites is the sister property to The Berkeley Square Hotel, which means you're entitled to enjoy all the hotel's facilities (The Square Kitchen restaurant and The Square Club's cocktail bar, members' lounge and heated terrace). Each skilfully designed suite takes up an entire floor. Interiors are fresh, airy, relaxed and contemporary with original artwork and techie gizmos such as video paintings that double as cinema projectors with freeview TV.
A superbly appointed kitchen (disguised behind dresser-like doors) has every gadget required to whip up a light meal or breakfast but the neighbouring Square Kitchen's mouth-watering food prepared from local, seasonal and organic produce is always tempting. You can order meals from here for delivery to your suite.
A stay at Berkeley Suites is wonderfully indulgent; it's somewhere to unwind and enjoy homely comfort for an extended period of time for business or pleasure. And if you feel like a member of an exclusive club it's because you are: The Square Club hosts exclusive events you may attend and complimentary membership passes to the nearby Nuffield Health, Fitness & Wellbeing Centre are presented to you on arrival.
Coworth Park, just outside Ascot, is redefining the country house hotel for the 21st century. While upholding all that's great about the English countryside, Coworth Park's estate (The Mansion House, Stables, Cottages, The Dower House, Polo Centre) is a fresh take on the luxury country house hotel where nothing is formulaic.
Peppered with surprises – such as the three-bedroom cottage with private garden known as North Lodge – this is a country retreat for the discerning hankering for something out of the ordinary. On the borders of Windsor Great Park, Coworth Park is idyllically set within far-reaching, photo-pretty parkland (visit during the summer to see the beautiful wildflower meadow in bloom) including two polo fields. It's also home to a luxury spa and three restaurants featuring expert pastry chefs who create sweet treats of the heavenly variety alongside culinary creations from one of the UK's most talented chefs, Adam Smith.
Adam oversees the modern interpretation of classic British dishes in Michelin Starred Restaurant Coworth Park. Plus, the traditional afternoon teas taken in the Drawing Room and the welly-boot glamour and relaxed rustic dining in The Barn. Meanwhile, The Spatisserie in the award-winning Spa welcomes pampered guests to rejuvenate with a healthy light snack.
Noteworthy credential: Coworth Park is a member of Dorchester Collection.
Henley via Stonor Circular
Palácio Estoril Hotel Golf & Wellness
Behind the grand white façade of this fabulous 1930s' palace are romantic stories of royalty in exile, espionage and none other than James Bond himself. During World War II, European heads of state flocked to neutral Portugal and the elegant Palácio Estoril was their HQ. Just 20 minutes from Lisbon, these days Palácio Estoril Hotel Golf & Wellness combines its old-world charm with 21st-century touches including a Banyan Tree spa.
Rooms and suites are classically styled, supremely comfortable and many have views of the stunning Estoril coast located a minute away. Golfers love it here too. Spoiled for choice, the internationally renowned Estoril Golf, one of the oldest and smartest in Portugal, is right on the doorstep and there are six more within putting distance.
But if you simply wish to relax and soak up the sun, head to Palácio Estoril's alluring pool next to the Bougainvillea Terrace restaurant, which also overlooks the verdant garden. The Four Seasons Grill gives a sophisticated, modern take on traditional Portuguese and international cuisines, and should you feel like exploring the local scene it's lined with top quality bars and cafés representing every corner of the globe. It's easy to see why Estoril is known as the Coast of Kings.
Worth noting: this is a fantastic, impressive choice for weddings and functions.
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