Now technology may be able to succeed where hard-working volunteers have failed in the past. Researchers at the A*STAR Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) are using nanoscience to turn an oil spill into a floating mass of brown jelly that can be scooped up before it can make its way into the food chain.
"Nanoscience makes it possible to tailor the essential structures of materials at the nanometer scale to achieve specific properties," says chemist Yugen Zhang at IBN, who is developing some of the technologies. "Structures and materials in the nanometer size range often take on distinctive properties that are not seen in other size ranges," adds Huaqiang Zeng, another chemist at IBN.
To create his 'supergelators', Zeng designed the molecules to associate with each other without forming physical bonds. When sprayed on contaminated seawater, the molecules immediately bundle into long fibers between 40 and 800 nanometers wide. These threads create a web that traps the interspersed oil in a giant blob that floats on the water's surface. The gunk can then be swiftly sieved out of the ocean. Valuable crude oil can later be reclaimed using a common technique employed by petroleum refineries called fractional distillation.
Zeng tested the supergelators on four types of crude oil with different densities, viscosities and sulfur levels in a small round dish. The results were impressive. "The supergelators solidified both freshly spilled crude oil and highly weathered crude oil 37 to 60 times their own weight," says Zeng. The materials used to produce these organic molecules are cheap and non toxic, which make them a commercially viable solution for managing accidents out at sea. Zeng hopes to work with industrial partners to test the nanomolecules on a much larger scale.
With dwindling global fresh and ground water reserves, many countries are looking to desalination as a viable source of drinking water. Desalination is expected to meet 30 per cent of the water demand of Singapore by 2060, which will mean tripling the country's current desalination capacity. But desalination demands huge energy consumption and reverse osmosis, the mainstream technology it depends on, has a relatively high cost. Reverse osmosis works by using extreme pressures to squeeze water molecules through tightly knit membranes.
His building blocks consist of helical noodles with sticky ends that connect to form long spirals. Water molecules can flow through the 0.3 nanometer openings at the center of the spirals, but all the other positively and negatively charged ions that make up saltwater are too bulky to pass. These include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine and sulfur oxide. "In water, all of these ions are highly hydrated, attached to lots of water molecules, which makes them too large to go through the channels," says Zeng.
The technology could lead to global savings of up to US$5 billion a year, says Zeng, but only after several more years of testing and tweaking the lipid membrane's compatibility and stability with the nanospirals. "This is a major focus in my group right now," he says. "We want to get this done, so that we can reduce the cost of water desalination to an acceptable level."
The secret behind the success of Zhang's polymers is the large surface area covered by the pores, which translates into more opportunities to interact with and trap the metals. "Other materials have a surface area of about 100 square meters per gram, but ours is 1,000 square meters per gram," says Zhang. "It is 10 times higher."
With many companies keen to scale these technologies for real-world applications, it won't be long before nanoscience treats the Earth for its many maladies.
I don't mean to be cynical but my gut says we need to get off of oil instead of learn out to clean up the spills, right?


What is the difference between High Ratio Mortgage Insurance and Mortgage Life Insurance?
High Ratio Mortgage Insurance protects the lender against payment default by the home buyer. It is required by most lenders if the home buyer has less than 20% downpayment. An insurance premium will apply. Mortgage Life Insurance protects your dependents and loved ones in the event of your death.
When the mortgage lender pays the Property Taxes, how are payments calculated?


WASHINGTON, DC - Washington Capitals fans have been waiting two decades to see their team return to the Eastern Conference Final. But a certain fan, one of the team's most famous, has been waiting her entire life.
Six-year old Keelan Moxley, who gained fame from a viral moment during round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, says her life can't get much better. She's currently vacationing with her family in South Carolina as her favorite team prepares to play the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final.
"Ever since I got the puck, they just kept winning and winning and winning," Moxley said with a smile during a FaceTime interview with News 3 Wednesday. "I'm hanging out with my family now, and I'm just like 'This is the best time of my life!"
Keelan became a viral sensation April 15th when she beamed with joy after Washington forward Brett Connolly, after several attempts, passed her a puck over the glass.
The Capitals lost that game to fall behind two-games-to-nothing in the best of seven series. However, after the video began to pick up steam - the team has won eight of its 10 games, clinching two postseason series and a spot in the East Final vs. Tampa Bay.
Part of that win streak? Game five of the team's first round series vs. Columbus at Capital One Arena - the team's first home game since Keelan and Connolly's moment.
Not only was Keelan in attendance at game five, she would make Elsa from Frozen jealous with the way she was treated like an ice queen.
She spent time with Leonsis in his suite, was featured on the jumbotron inside the arena and was able to meet Connolly after the game. During the visit, Brett presented Keelan with a signed stick and an ice skate autographed by multiple Capitals players - a prize she says she's keeping on a shelf in her playroom. But, that's not the only "trophy" on display in that spot. Keelan, a hockey player herself, has a real trophy from her own on-ice heroics.
So now that the NHL's Washington Capitals appear to have found a good luck charm during a run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they certainly aren't going to put that relationship on ice.
"Ted Leonsis told us: as as long as the Capitals are playing, we will be going to the games," Lauren Moxley, Keelan's mother, explained. Ted Leonsis is the owner of the Capitals.
So how does all this attention make Keelan feel?
"I feel a lot different than I did before I was famous," Moxley explained during a previous FaceTime interview.
How many times has she watched the viral video of her reaction to not receiving, then ultimately landing a puck from Connolly?
"Probably a thousand times," Keelan admitted. "My mind is saying 'I can't believe I'm famous."
"It's been overwhelming," Lauren admitted about the reception from the team and the ensuing flood of media requests. "We're not used to this stuff, but she's been having a lot of fun with it - so we're trying to make it as fun as we can for her."
The Capitals open their best of seven Eastern Conference Final series Friday at Tampa Bay. Puck drops at 8:00 p.m. Washington's next home game is Tuesday the 15th - and yes, Keelan and her family will be back in the D.C. area by then. After all, she's waited her entire life to see her favorite team play a home game in the Eastern Conference Final.


Swansea City chasing deal to sign Premier League striker, boss confirms | The Transfer Tavern | Where football transfer rumours fly or die!
Swansea City face an uphill task to stay in the Premier League following last night's 4-2 defeat at home to their relegation rivals Sunderland.
Some of the Swans' contingent were looking particularly glum last night here in the Transfer Tavern, particularly with their team's inability to keep hold of a lead.
One Swansea fan is flicking through one of the regional newspapers and spots a transfer rumour that could offer the Swans a glimmer of hope however, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that Everton forward Steven Naismith is at the top of boss Alan Curtis' shopping list.
Naismith has found himself down the pecking order with the Toffees and is keen to leave in an attempt to play more frequent first-team football.
One Swans supporter is puffing away on a cigarette in the smoking area of the Tavern, and thinks a striker is exactly what the club needs if they are to stay in the top flight for next season!
Meanwhile, a handful of Everton punters here in the Tavern admit they would miss the Scottish forward, as he has always given 100% for the team!
Swansea fans… Do you want the club to press ahead with a move for Naismith? Let us know below!


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THE #1 BEST BUY IN THE COUNTRY: ACROBAT PINOT GRIS
How often has an Oregon wine landed in the #1 spot on the Top 100 Best Buy list published by one of the country's top wine magazines?
The answer was "never," until now.
Wine Enthusiast issued its Top 100 Best Buy list in October 2016 with Acrobat Pinot Gris coming in at #1. That's a first for Oregon and a first for King Estate Winery, which produces Acrobat.
The Top 100 list was designed to answer the age-old question, "What the heck do I drink on a Tuesday night?" Acrobat Pinot Gris, with its layers of citrus and tropical fruit flavors and pleasant but racy acid balance in the mid-palate, is an inspired choice.
"When we created Acrobat, we set out to make a wine for the savvy, everyday wine consumer – a wine that is accessible, dependable and one they can have confidence in," says King Estate Winery CEO and Co-Founder Ed King. "I could not be more proud that 2015 Acrobat Pinot Gris has been named the #1 Best Buy on Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 list for 2016. This award resonates with everything we sought for Acrobat, and we are humbled to be able to share it with you."
To qualify for Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Best Buy list, a wine must be priced at $15 or less and meet a certain quality-to-price ratio. Likes its namesake, Acrobat deftly and gracefully traveled a long road to land the #1 spot. Of more than 21,000 wines reviewed this past year – from 17 countries and more than 30 grape varieties – fewer than 1,400 were awarded the Best Buy designation. The top 100 list was chosen from that list of 1,400. (For the mathematicians among you, that's the top .005%.) This elite list features the most enticing, buzzworthy, obtainable and affordable wines available today, according to the magazine.
See the full list here. As Wine Enthusiast says, "For wine lovers who refuse to compromise on quality, no matter the occasion, this list is for you."
WHAT IS WOT?
From planting a vine to bottling the wine, everyone involved in producing Acrobat wines knows that sustainability is a driving principle that guides us each step of the way. It…
CHARDONNAY THE OREGON WAY
What happens when you blend one of the country's fastest-growing brands (hint: Acrobat) with the most popular white wine in America (hint: Chardonnay)? You guessed it! Acrobat Chardonnay. Produced by…
SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW ROSÉ?
Summer is the season of rosé – and we're not just talking the sweet fruity concoction that is a cousin to the infamous wine cooler. Led by premium brands, rosé…

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Category: Happenings
Air Force, Army put on high alert, Troop buildup triggers panic among Kashmiri's
Govt has put IAF and Army on high alert in Kashmir Centre has also rushed 28,000 troops to the Kashmir valley Omar Abdullah has said this sounds alarming Day after the Centre decided to send an additional 28,000 troop to...
Hoisting tricolor in all panchayats on Independence Day reason behind troop surge in Kashmir
The Centre is "infusing" troops in Jammu and Kashmir to provide security cover for a move to hoist the Tricolour in every panchayat in the state this Independence Day, government sources said. "The government is infusing troops as many panchayat...
The governor Adminstration has ordered a major reshuffle in civil Adminstration. According to the decission, 1. Ms. Sushma Chauhan, IAS(JK:2009), Deputy Commissioner, Samba, is transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Jammu. 2. Mr. Ramesh Kumar, IAS(JK:2...
Railway Protection Force asks staff to prepare for impending unrest in Kashmir
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) held a security meeting in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Saturday after the security agencies sent an input regarding the prediction of deteriorating situation in the Kashmir Valley. After the meeting, the...
Traders, civil society members and fruit growers on Friday held a protest at Sopore fruit mandi to demand revocation of order restricting the movement of vehicles on Jammu-Srinagar national highway. The protesters were holding placards and banners carrying mes...
Eleven persons died in a major road accident in Peer Ki Gali area on the historic Mughal road
Eleven persons, including nine girls, died in a major road accident in Peer Ki Gali area on the historic Mughal road in south Kashmir's Shopian district on Thursday. A police official said a tempo traveller on way to Shopian from...
June 8, 2019 No Responses
Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday appointed RK Chhibber as the interim chairman and the Director on the Board of Directors of the J&K Bank. Chhibber will replace Pervez Ahmad, who was appointed in 2016 as the chairman of the...
'Stone pelters in Kashmir Pack your Bag': As Amit Shah gets Home Ministry warnings started emerging
BJP leader Tajinder Singh Pal Bagga compared Amit Shah to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and issued a warning to Kashmiri stone pelters. On a day when the charge for Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) was given to Amit Shah, who is...
Pellet terror returns to hunt Kashmir, scores injured in Shopian, Kulgam
At least ninety persons sustained fire arm injuries, sixty of them from pellets, after they clashed with the government forces in South Kashmir's Kulgam and Shopian districts One of the injured includes, Yawar Ahmad, who received bullet in his abdomen...
Restrictions imposed in parts of Srinagar to prevent protests post Musa's killing, Mobile internet service suspended across Kashmir
Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in parts of Srinagar, summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday to prevent protests against the killing of militant commander Zakir Musa late last night. Reports and witnesses said that the police and paramilitary for...
Govt has put IAF and Army on high alert in Kashmir Centre has also rushed 28,000 troops to the Kashmir valley Omar Abdullah...
The Centre is "infusing" troops in Jammu and Kashmir to provide security cover for a move to hoist the Tricolour in every panchayat...
The governor Adminstration has ordered a major reshuffle in civil Adminstration. According to the decission, 1. Ms. Sushma Chauhan, IAS(JK:2009), Deputy Commissioner, Samba,...
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) held a security meeting in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Saturday after the security agencies...
Traders, civil society members and fruit growers on Friday held a protest at Sopore fruit mandi to demand revocation of order restricting the...
Eleven persons, including nine girls, died in a major road accident in Peer Ki Gali area on the historic Mughal road in south...
Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday appointed RK Chhibber as the interim chairman and the Director on the Board of Directors of the...
BJP leader Tajinder Singh Pal Bagga compared Amit Shah to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and issued a warning to Kashmiri stone pelters. On a...
Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik has attacked Kashmiri political leaders, saying they had lost the faith of their own people, citing the low voting percentage in their constituencies in the recent Lok Sabha ele...
Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi of the J&K High Court is credited with dethroning the queen of Kashmir politics, Mehbooba Mufti, from south Kashmir by winning the Anantnag seat. While talking, Masoodi said as long as ...
Besides taking forward the development tasks, the party's priority would be to abrogate Article 35A as was included in the 'Sankalp Patr'. After getting second term to represent J&K in the Lok Sabha, what are y...
Panic has gripped Jammu and Kashmir amid rumours of imminent abrogation of Article 35A of the Constitution and after the deployment of thousands of extra troops to the Valley. Officials said that security has been withdr...
Rumours are afloat that the Modi-led government is set to scrap Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution, which prevents anyone who is not a state subject of Jammu & Kashmir from purchasing...
India is pitching a Hindu pilgrimage to a snowy cave shrine in disputed, Muslim-majority Kashmir as evidence of peace in a state marred by decades of armed conflict amid popular resistance to Indian rule. The annual yatr...
The three-member mediation panel looking into the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute has been unable to get the various parties involved in it to come to an agreement, one of the persons aware of the development said o...
India's foreign minister issued a strenuous denial to an infuriated opposition in parliament on Tuesday, after US President Donald Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited him to mediate in the bloody co...
US President Donald Trump on Monday offered to help resolve the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan in initial remarks with visiting Prime Minister Imran Khan. Trump said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a...


Johnson's arrest brings the total to eight people arrested in the shooting. Pass Police Chief Tim Hendricks said seven were arrested Saturday, but they have not yet been identified.
Johnson is being held in the Harrison County jail in lieu of $20,000 bond set by Justice Court Judge Brandon Ladner.


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Back to Nations
Qatar is an oil-rich nation occupying a small peninsula in the Persian Gulf and boasts the highest per capita income of any country in the Middle East. Once a protectorate of Great Britain, Qatar's first ruler was Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, who laid the groundwork for his powerful family to rule for decades following World War I. The Qatar Petroleum Company was given a 75-year oil concession in 1935, however, World War II delayed the exploitation of this resource until 1949. Qatar's economy thrived during the 1950s and 1960s, and this led to increased immigration and social progress. When Britain ended its treaty relationships with the gulf sheikdoms, they tried but ultimately failed to form a union of Arab emirates. Instead, Qatar declared its independence in 1972. Since then, Qatar has been ruled by a series of Amirs, most recently Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, who has announced his intention to move his nation toward democracy. This has occurred in small steps thus far, with the Qataris approving a new constitution that went into effect in June 2005.
Qatar has also been involved in several controversies involving the US. One of them included the Qatar-funded Al-Jazeera that came under fire for broadcasting images of captured and killed US soldiers in Iraq. Another included Rudolph Giuliani being forced to resign from his consulting company over accusations that the company provided the Qatar government with security advice to a large natural-gas processing facility. Additionally, there was the possibility of a Middle Eastern arms race, in light of a July 2007 arms deal worth $20 billion to US allies in the Persian Gulf. Finally, the Qatari currency, long pegged to the US dollar, has undergone some instability since February 2008, when the Federal Reserve cut interest rates twice in eight days. This has caused Qatar's already high inflation to rise even higher, and the country to consider linking its currency to a "basket" of other currencies, as Saudi Arabia has recently done.
Lay of the Land: In southwest Asia, Qatar is a small peninsula (100 miles long and 35-50 miles wide), which juts northward into the Persian Gulf from the Saudi coast west of Abu Dhabi.
Religions: Muslim (both Sunni and Shi'a), 83.2%, Christian (Catholic, Eastern and Greek Orthodox, Anglican, Coptic) 9.9%, Hindu 2.5%, Buddhist 1.9%, Baha'i 0.2%, non-religious 2.3%.
Ethnic Groups: Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%.
Languages: Arabic (official), Gulf Arabic 12.3%, Western Farsi 8.7%.
Humans have inhabited the Qatar Peninsula for 50,000 years, dating back to the Stone Age. Nomadic tribes wandered the peninsula for millennia, from Najd and Al Hasa regions in Saudi Arabia, with seasonal encampments around sources of water. Some were fishermen, or traded in precious pearls. Over time, they added to the population by importing slaves from East Africa.
During the Abbasid Era, from 750-1258, Murwab and other settlements became prominent. From 1517-1538, the Portuguese ruled Qatar, until they lost the territory in disputes with the Ottomans. In 1732, the Bani Utbah tribe migrated from Kuwait to Qatar's northwest coast and founded Zubarah.
Zubarah became one of Qatar's thriving centers of trade, which brought it to the attention of the Persians and the Omanis. At this time the city's major source of wealth was the extensive number of oysters and pearls found in its waters. In 1782, war broke out between the Zubara-based Al Bin Ali trading clan of the Bani Utbah tribe and the Madhkurs. The Bani Utabah helped to liberate Qatar in 1783, and become a self-governed tribe.
Fourteen years later, the Al Khalifa migrated to the more desirable location of Bahrain in 1797. There, they established a sheikdom that has survived to this day. During the remainder of the 18th century and into the 19th century, Qatar was involved in numerous bloody conflicts with neighboring states, including the Omanis, Iranians and Ottomans.
At the same time, British power was increasing in the Persian Gulf, as the British sought a secure path for their ships in and out of India. The General Treaty of Peace of 1820 between the East India Company and the sheikhs of the coastal area—which became known as the Trucial Coast because of the series of treaties between the sheikhs and the British—was a way of ensuring safe passage. This measure was supposed to end piracy and the kidnapping of slaves, but the practice continued, and an East India Company ship destroyed the town of Doha, Qatar's capital city, in 1821 as punishment.
In 1867, forces from Bahrain attacked Doha and other cities, leading to British colonial agent Colonel Lewis Pelly to impose a settlement in 1868. The resulting treaty was unique in that it recognized Bahrain as separate from Qatar. However, this did not stop the Ottomans, who were expanding their empire at the time. In 1871, the Ottomans took over Qatar, and the sheikhs recognized its sovereignty in 1872. Ottoman rule ended at the turn of the century when the resurgent Wahhabis, under Abd al Aziz ibn Saud, took the country back.
Skirmishes between the Ottomans and the Qataris continued until World War I, when the British recognized Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani as ruler of Qatar. A treaty signed during that time gave Qatar the right to dispose of any territory, but only to the British. Also, Qatar could not enter into any relationships with any other foreign governments without British consent. In return, Britain protected Qatar from any and all aggression by sea. Another treaty in 1934 bolstered this security alliance.
In 1935, a 75-year oil concession was granted to the Qatar Petroleum Company, a subsidiary of the Iraq Petroleum Company, which in turn was owned by Anglo-Dutch, French and US interests. Oil was officially discovered in 1940 at Dukhan, on the western side of the Qatari Peninsula. But World War II delayed any major exploitation of these oil resources until 1949.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Qatar's economy thrived, and the country saw increased immigration and substantial social progress. When Britain announced a policy in 1968 (reaffirmed in March 1971) ending the treaty relationships with the Gulf sheikdoms, Qatar joined the other eight states then under British protection, including Bahrain, in a plan to form a union of Arab emirates.
But by mid-1971, when the termination date was approaching, the nine states could not agree on the terms of their union. Qatar then declared independence on September 3, 1971. In February 1972, the heir apparent, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad, deposed his cousin, Amir Ahmad, and assumed power.
On June 27, 1995, the Deputy Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, deposed his father, Amir Khalifa, in a bloodless coup. An unsuccessful counter-coup was staged in 1996. The Amir and his father later reconciled, though some supporters of the counter-coup remain in prison.
Recently, the Amir has announced his intention for Qatar to move toward democracy. Small changes have occurred, such as a freer press and allowance of municipal elections, which are expected to be the precursors of parliamentary elections. Al-Jazeera, the Arab world's first all-news Network, was started by the Qatari monarchy. Female suffrage was enacted through a referendum to voters in 2003. In April 2003, Qatari citizens approved a new constitution, which came into force in June 2005.
History of Qatar
Qatar History (Qatar News Agency)
History of Qatar (Wikipedia)
History of Qatar (Amiri Diwan)
Qatar's Newspapers
Qatar's Newspapers
Al Arab (Doha)
Al-Jazeera [In English]
Al-Rayah
Al-Sharq
Al Watan (Doha)
Gulf Times [In English]
Qatar Tribune [In English]
History of U.S. Relations with Qatar
Diplomatic relations between Qatar and the United States began in 1971, and the US embassy opened in March 1973. The first ambassador arrived in July 1974, and since that time, the two nations have enjoyed warm bilateral relations and cooperation on a number of trading and other measures.
In 1992, Qatar and the United States concluded a Defense Cooperation Agreement that has been progressively expanded. In April 2003 U.S. Combat Air Operations Center for the Middle East was moved from Saudi Arabia to Qatar to assist American military operations for the Iraq war. The base now serves as a hub for U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. In 2008, approximately 5,000-6,500 American military personnel and civilian contractors were stationed at the Qatar airbase.
Qatar now hosts the forward headquarters of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), a theater-level Unified Combatant Command unit of the US armed forces, at Camp As Sayliyah. CENTCOM oversees all American military operations in the Middle East. Camp As Sayliyah is the largest pre-positioning facility of US equipment in the world, and it served as the forward command center for CENTCOM personnel during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
There have been questions regarding Qatari support for Al-Qaeda and according to the 9/11 Commission Report, Qatar's current Interior Minister provided safe haven for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed during the mid-1990s. Additionally, press reports note that other terrorists may have received financial support or safe haven from Qatar since September 11, 2001.
Qatar: Background and U.S. Relations (by Jeremy Sharp, Congressional Research Service, 2008)
Foreign Relations of Qatar (Wikipedia)
Current U.S. Relations with Qatar
In April 2003, the Bush Administration announced that the US Combat Air Operations Center for the Middle East would be moved from Prince Sultan Airbase in Saudi Arabia to Qatar's
Al-Udeid airbase, which served as a logistics hub for US operations in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as a key center for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Qatar also has assisted the United States in the war on terrorism by stepping up its efforts to prevent Al Qaeda from engaging in money laundering.
President Bush visited Qatar in 2003, and Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani last visited Washington in 2004.
Hundreds of Qataris study in the United States. Qatar has supported the expansion of American universities in its "Education City," including Virginia Commonwealth University School of Arts in Qatar, Weill Cornell Medical college in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, and Northwestern University.
In the 2000 US census, 1,189,731 people identified themselves as being of Arab ancestry (there is no category for Qatari), though scholars estimate there may be over 3 million ethnic Arabs in America. Traditional fear of governmental abuse of personal information has led many Arabs to conceal their ethnicity. Over a third of the Arab population in America lives in New York, Detroit, and Los Angeles.
In 2006, 5,650 Qataris visited the US. There has been significant growth in Qatari tourism to the US, with overall number of tourists up from 2,842 in 2002.
Qatar–United States Relations (Wikipedia)
Where Does the Money Flow
Trade between the United States and Qatar is quite lopsided. The US exported $2.7 billion in 2008 to Qatar, while importing only $484 million.
Top US exports to Qatar from 2004-2008 included civilian aircraft, increasing from $38.6 million to $668.4 million; passenger cars, rising from $62.6 million to $288.8 million; industrial engines, increasing from $37.7 million to $255.6 million; industrial machines, up from $20.9 million to $220.6 million; and drilling and oilfield equipment rising from $68.5 million to 135.2 million.
American imports from Qatar from 2004 to 2008 included fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides, increasing from $92.1 million to $259.6 million; and industrial organic chemicals, moving up from $5.8 million to $20.8 million;.
US imports on the decline included natural gas, which decreased from $72.1 million to $35.9; liquified petroleum gas, moving down from $17.6 million to $7,000; apparel and household goods (cotton), falling from $62.6 million to $1,000; and apparel and household goods (textiles), decreasing from $1.7 million to $3,000.
With the third largest proven gas reserves in the world, US companies, such as ExxonMobil, have worked to increase trade and economic ties with Qatar.
The US sold $143 million in defense articles and services to Qatar in 2007. That same year, the US gave $1.1 million in aid to Qatar, which was wholly dedicated to Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining, and Related Programs.
The 2008 budget decreased aid to $282,000, divided between Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining, and Related Programs ($268,000), and International Military Education and Training ($14,000).
The 2009 budget decreased aid even further, to $15,000, which will fund International Military Education and Training. Although military relations between the US and Qatar are extremely close, competing regional concerns have forced budgetary reductions.
Imports from Qatar
Exports to Qatar
Qatar: Security Assistance
Congressional Budget for Foreign Operations (page 452) (PDF)
Trade in Goods (Imports, Exports and Trade Balance) with Qatar (US Census Bureau)
Qatar (BUYUSA.gov)
Qatar freezes free trade talks with US: report (Reuters)
Qatar Currency Issue Raises Questions, Inflation
In February 2008, CNN reported that inflation in Qatar, combined with the pegging of the Qatari currency (the riyal) with the US dollar, had Qatari officials worried. Though Qatar's economy grew 17.8% in 2007, it has also had high levels of government spending, and a growing demand for housing, which was also pushing prices higher. When the US Federal Reserve slashed interest rates twice in the latter half of January 2008, Gulf States with currencies tied to the US dollar were under pressure to follow suit. This meant that Qatar faced a serious problem when it came to further inflation. Kuwait recently changed its mind, ditching the dollar-peg for a combination of additional currencies. Many analysts speculated that other Gulf States would do the same. Saudi Arabia said that it would not change from the dollar peg, and Qatar said that it would not make any moves without the consensus of other Gulf States.
Qatar's inflation headache (Hilary Whiteman, CNN)
Face Time with Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani (CNN)
Giuliani Forced to Resign Over Qatar Deal
In December 2007, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani stepped down as chairman of his consulting firm, Giuliani Partners, after accusations of conflicts of interest arose as he ran his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. The Wall Street Journal reported that a subsidiary of the firm called Giuliani Safety and Security recently provided the Qatar government with security advice to a large natural-gas processing facility in the Persian Gulf country. Giuliani has said that his doings with the company were legal and above-board, but critics have said that his campaign needed to be more transparent overall. At the time the news broke, he was in third place among GOP contenders, trailing Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney.
Giuliani Resigns As Chairman Of Firm Amid Controversy (Kris Alingod, All Headline News)
Middle East Arms Deal Raises Controversy
In July 2007, the conflict between the US and Iran was intensified when the Bush Administration announced a controversial $20 billion arms sale over the next five years to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. This is seen as a move to counter threats from Iran. Critics have said that the move is likely to spark an arms race in the region.
Possible Saudi Arms Sale Stirs Controversy (John Hendren, ABC News)
Qatari Al-Jazeera Under Fire for Images of US Soldiers
In March 2003, shortly after the US-led invasion of Iraq, Qatar-based news outlet Al-Jazeera came under fire for broadcasting images of captured and killed US soldiers. This was in violation of the Geneva Conventions that barred efforts to humiliate captured troops. Al-Jazeera is a joint venture between Qatar and the BBC. It has approximately 140,000 satellite subscribers in the US. Some critics have accused the news network of becoming a mouthpiece for Osama bin Laden and other radical Muslim leaders.
Video has Channel Back in Spotlight (Rob Hiaasen, Orlando Sentinel)
The State Department reports that while there were allegations of police abuse against incarcerated suspects during interrogations to elicit confessions, no cases were investigated during 2007. Documentation of abuses was very limited, due partly to hesitancy by alleged victims to make public claims of torture or abuse.
According to the State Department, "journalists and publishers continued to self-censor due to political and economic pressures when reporting on government policies, material deemed hostile to Islam, the ruling family, and relations with neighboring states." In addition, "there were reports that security authorities threatened both individuals and organizations against publishing certain articles. While the seven daily newspapers are not state-owned, owners are members of the ruling family or have close ties to government officials. Foreign newspapers and magazines were reviewed and censored for objectionable sexual, religious, and political content."
In 2007, several Qatari writers whose work appeared in regional and international media outside of Qatar reported that their work was deliberately banned from appearing in the local press. Although authorities apparently lifted these bans during the year. according to the State Department "the censorship office in the Qatar Radio and Television Corporation and customs officials censored material. There were no specific reports of political censorship of foreign broadcast news media or foreign programs, although foreign movies were censored. State-owned television and radio reflected government views."
The State Department also noted that in 2008, "the government restricted the peaceful expression of views via the Internet and censored the Internet for political, religious, and pornographic content through a proxy server, which monitored and blocked Web sites, e-mail, and chat rooms through the state-owned Internet service provider (ISP)."
The law provides for, but regulates, freedom of assembly by requiring a permit for public gatherings. A number of restrictions and conditions must be met in order to acquire a permit, for example, the permission of the director general of public security, whose decision is not subject to appeal. In practice the government generally does not allow political demonstrations.
The government continued to prohibit proselytizing of Muslims by non-Muslims and placed some restrictions on public worship.
Under a 2003 law for Protection of State Security, the government prevented some citizens from foreign travel. Men may prevent adult female family members from leaving the country via court order, but no cases of women over the age of 18 being prevented from traveling abroad was reported. Citizen employment sponsors frequently confiscated the passports of their expatriate workers. In addition, expatriate workers could not travel outside of the country without their sponsor's permission and an exit visa.
According to the State Department, "Qatar is not a party to the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 protocol, and the government has not established a system for providing protection or status to refugees. There were no reports that the government closed its borders to asylum seekers. Individuals who were able to obtain local sponsorship or employment were allowed to enter and could remain as long as they were sponsored."
The constitution does not provide citizens the right to change their government peacefully. However, votes by the Advisory Council may significantly influence the ministries by the cast of votes of no confidence. The constitution provides for hereditary rule by the emir's branch of the Al-Thani family. The constitutional provision for legislative authority vested in an advisory council with 30 elected members and 15 members appointed by the emir has not yet been implemented. The influence of Bedouin tribal traditions was still strong, and the government did not permit political parties or opposition groups to organize.
Many foreign domestic servants were sexually harassed and mistreated. Most domestic servants did not press charges for fear of losing their jobs.
Domestic violence against women was a problem. The law criminalizes domestic violence and rape, however it does not address spousal rape. The legal system allows leniency for a man found guilty of committing a "crime of honor," or a violent assault against a woman for perceived immodesty or deviant behavior.
The State Department reported in 2008, "traditions and the interpretation of Shari'a restricted activities of women. The government adhered to an interpretation of Shari'a that recognizes that Muslims have the automatic right to inherit from their Muslim spouses. Non-Muslim spouses (invariably wives, since Muslim women cannot legally marry non-Muslims) do not inherit unless their spouse formally wills them a portion (up to one-third of the total) of their estates. Similarly a Muslim husband does not automatically inherit the property of a non-Muslim wife. Muslim wives have the right to inherit from their husbands. The proportion that women inherit depends upon their relationship to the deceased; however, in the cases of siblings, sisters inherit only one-half as much as their brothers."
The State Department recorded that "there was no social pattern for child labor or abuse. There were also some cases of children who had suffered from various forms of family violence and physical and sexual abuse."
The State Department also noted in 2008 "there is no specific antitrafficking law. In addition, provisions of the Sponsorship Law create conditions that could lead to forced labor activities and slave-like conditions. Although the law criminalizes slavery, forced labor, and forced prostitution, prosecutions have not occurred."
The government discriminated based on nationality in the areas of employment, education, housing, and health services. Noncitizens did not receive the same benefits as citizens. They were required to pay for residence permits, health care, electricity, water, and education (services that were provided without charge to citizens). Noncitizens generally could not own property; however, the law provided for property ownership in three designated areas. The largest noncitizen groups were Indian, Nepalese, Sri Lankan, expatriate Arabs, Filipino, Bangladeshi, Iranian, Pakistani, and Indonesian.
Although born, raised and schooled in the country, noncitizen residents and Bidoons are afforded no more rights under the law than temporary migrant laborers. They were discriminated against in medical care, education, employment, and mobility.
According to the State Department, "although the labor law provides the emir with authority to set a minimum wage, he did not do so. The average wage of noncitizen workers did not provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family."
The rights of foreign workers continued to be severely restricted. Some employers mistreated foreign domestic servants, predominantly those from South Asia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Such mistreatment generally involved the nonpayment or late payment of wages and in some cases involved rape and physical abuse.
During the year the embassies of India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka received a combined total of more than 15,000 complaints from male and female workers alleging mistreatment by their employers. Complaints included sexual harassment, delayed and nonpayment of salaries, forced labor, contract switching, holding of passports, poor accommodation, non-repatriation, physical torture or torment, overwork, imprisonment, and maltreatment.
Past Ambassadors
Note: During Stoltzfus' tenure as non-resident Ambassador, the Embassy in Doha was established on Feb 24, 1973, with John T. Wheelock as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim.
William A. Stoltzfus, Jr.
Appointment: Dec 9, 1971
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 19, 1972
Termination of Mission: Appointment terminated, Aug 21, 1974
Note: Also accredited to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates; resident at Kuwait.
Robert P. Paganelli
Appointment: Jun 20, 1974
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 22, 1974
Termination of Mission: Left post Jul 13, 1977
Andrew Ivy Killgore
Appointment: Aug 3, 1977
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 29, 1977
Termination of Mission: Left post Jun 29, 1980
Charles E. Marthinsen
Appointment: May 23, 1980
Presentation of Credentials: Jul 30, 1980
Termination of Mission: Left post Aug 1, 1983
Charles Franklin Dunbar
Appointment: Oct 7, 1983
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 30, 1983
Termination of Mission: Left post Mar 23, 1985
Joseph Ghougassian
Presentation of Credentials: Dec 29, 1985
Mark Gregory Hambley
Appointment: Oct 10, 1989
Termination of Mission: Left post Aug 15, 1992
Kenton Wesley Keith
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 2, 1992
Patrick N. Theros
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 12, 1995
Termination of Mission: Left post Nov 23, 1998
Elizabeth Davenport McKune
Presentation of Credentials: Dec 6, 1998
Maureen Quinn
Charles Graves Untermeyer
Termination of Mission: Left post, Aug 19, 2007
Joseph Evan LeBaron
Appointment: July 18, 2008
Presentation of Credentials:
Termination of Mission:
Qatar's Ambassador to the U.S.
Al Kuwari, Mohammed Jaham Abdulaziz
Mohammed Jaham Abdulaziz Al Kuwari was appointed as Qatar's ambassador to the United States in December, 2013. It's the second ambassadorial posting for Al Kuwari.
Al Kuwari was born May 20, 1958, one of 13 children of parents who could not read or write. Gaining a scholarship, he attended college in the United States, at the University of Portland in Oregon, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1980. He joined Qatar's foreign service the following year, with his first posting coming in Washington, D.C.
Al Kuwari remained in Washington until 1986, when he was sent to Qatar's mission to Spain. During his time there, he earned a master's degree in international relations from the University of Madrid in 1990.
He was brought home that year to be chief of the Information Department of the Cooperation Council to Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1991, Al Kuwari was posted to the Qatari embassy in Tehran, Iran, where he remained until 1992.
Al Kuwari began a long stint home in 1993, first as deputy head of cabinet, then in 1995 as director of European and American Affairs. Beginning in 1997, he worked in Diplomatic Consular Services. Al Kuwari returned as director of European and American Affairs in 2001 and simultaneously was head of a Qatari delegation engaged in political and strategic dialogue with France.
He was posted to Paris as Qatar's ambassador to France in 2003 and was also accredited to Switzerland and the Holy See (Vatican City). He served in that post for 10 years, and in 2007 added the posts of non-resident envoy to Portugal and Monaco to his portfolio.
Since his return to Washington, Al Kuwari has seen Qatar complete a deal to buy a Patriot missile defense system, 24 Apache helicopters and 500 Javelin anti-tank missiles from the United States for $11 billion. In addition, he has said he is hoping to complete contracts with American companies to work on some of Qatar's many infrastructure projects to be built in the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Al Kuwari is married and has five children; four girls and one boy. He speaks English, Spanish, French and Arabic.
Qatar's Embassy Web Site in the U.S.
Qatar's Embassy in the US
Ambassador to the U.S.
Embassy Web Site in the U.S.
U.S. Embassy web site
U.S. Ambassador to Qatar
Shell Smith, Dana
On May 1, 2014, President Barack Obama nominated Dana Shell Smith to be the U.S. Ambassador to Qatar. If confirmed, it will be the first ambassadorial posting for the career Foreign Service officer.
Shell Smith joined the State Department at age 21, right after graduating from University of California San Diego with a degree in political science and Middle East studies in 1992. She was first assigned to the United States Information Agency (now the Bureau of International Information Programs). In 1993, Shell Smith went to Cairo to study Arabic at the American University there. She remained in Egypt, serving as the cultural affairs officer in the embassy there until 1996.
That year, Shell Smith was reassigned to the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv. While in there, she met the man who would become her husband, Diplomatic Security Service officer Ray Smith. In 1999, Shell Smith was moved to Jordan, where she was the spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Amman.
In 2003, Shell Smith had her first posting outside the Middle East when she was assigned to be public affairs officer at the American Institute in Taiwan. The Institute serves as a de facto embassy in the nation with which the United States does not have formal diplomatic relations.
Shell Smith returned to Washington in 2006 to serve as the senior advisor to the director general of the Foreign Service. In 2009, she returned to the Middle East to work at the State Department media liaison office in Dubai. She was the designated representative to appear on Arab news programs to explain the U.S. position on various issues.
The year 2010 brought a return to Washington, first as deputy assistant secretary for Public Affairs, establishing an office of international social media engagement, pioneering the State Department's use of Twitter in Arabic, then in May 2011 as principal deputy assistant secretary for Public Affairs.
Shell Smith raised some eyebrows outside the diplomatic world in 2012 when she wrote an article in The Atlantic that was a response to an earlier piece about life in government service entitled "Why Women Still Can't Have It All." In Shell Smith's response, "How to Have an Insanely Demanding Job and 2 Happy Children," she wrote that while she did make some sacrifices, she was in general able to balance a career with progressively more responsibility with raising her two sons. Predictably, Shell Smith drew a mixed response from the article, both from inside the Foreign Service and among the general public.
Shell Smith stirred more controversy with a response to another article written by colleagues. In 2013, Susan Johnson, president of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post decrying what she and her two co-authors perceived as a breakdown in the Foreign Service system in favor of political appointees and regular civil service employees. Shell Smith and another Foreign Service officer circulated a letter expressing disagreement with the op-ed. In response, 11 former AFSA presidents asked the Senate Foreign Relations Committee not to approve Shell Smith's nomination. However, the committee approved her appointment and sent it to the full Senate for consideration on June 24.
In addition to Arabic, Shell Smith speaks Spanish, Hebrew and Chinese. Her husband, Ray Smith, is an agent with the Diplomatic Security Service.
Why is the State Department Tweeting in Arabic? A Conversation with Dana Shell Smith (by Jillian C. York)
Testimony Before Senate Foreign Relations Committee (pdf)
Previous U.S. Ambassador to Qatar
Ziadeh, Susan
Susan L. Ziadeh was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Qatar on September 12, 2011, for what is her eighth tour of duty in the Middle East.
The daughter of noted Palestinian-American scholar Farhat Ziadeh, Susan Ziadeh was born circa 1954 and grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, and Seattle, Washington. She earned a B.A. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Washington, an M.A. from the American University in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1978, and a PhD in Middle Eastern History from the University of Michigan in 1991. She also holds an M.S. in National Security Studies, which she obtained in 2004 from the National War College, National Defense University.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ziadeh's early postings included stints at the embassies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Kuwait City, Kuwait; and Amman, Jordan; and service as cultural officer and then vice-consul at the consulate in Jerusalem, Israel, in the mid-1990s. In Washington from 2001 to 2003, Ziadeh was responsible for the Jordan desk, and was acting Deputy Director of the Office for Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. From 2004 to 2007 she served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain. From 2007 to 2009, she was the public affairs counselor and then Official Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. Ziadeh returned to Riyadh as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy from September 2009 to May 2011.
Outside of government, Ziadeh has served as national director of the Association of Arab-American University Graduates (AAUG).
Statement before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (pdf)
Trump Bans Use of Arabic Numerals
Trump's Obsession with Venezuela and Iran in One Chart
Presidents Testifying—America's Downward Spiral from Clinton to Bush to Trump
Blueprint for Impeachment—The Mueller Report
Omar al-Bashir, World's Worst Dictator, Overthrown at Last


Eu nu o recomand, are cateva sfaturi bune dar si multe aberatii in ea.
Cat de greu e sa economisesti bani cand stai in chirie,platesti chiria lunar,platesti utilitatiile,mai ai si 2 copii unu adolescent si un bebe,nu mai bunem la socoteala si mancarea,hainele etc ect.
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USL=PDL=UDMR=FSN=TOVARASI SI TOVARASE=POLITICIENI MASONI=COPUPTI=CRIMINALI=GENOCID=SUBMINAREA ECONOMIEI NATIONALE. DECI? CE MAI ASTEPTATI? VRETI NOI SCUMPIRI PE CARE LE-AU ANUNTAT IN FIECARE AN, VRETI COPII VOSTRI SA SE SINUCIDA DE DORUL VOSTRU DUPA CE VETI PLECA DINCOLO ?
VRETI SA NU MAI PRIMITI SALARII SI PENSII, SAU POATE VRETI SA CASTIGATI 100 EURO LA NIVELUL ANILOR 90 ???
VRETI CODEX ALIMENTARIUS INITIUM CARE INSEAMNA CANCER ?
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ORICUM O DAI ROMANIA ESTE ULTIMA TARA DIN EUROPA, ASA CA TRAG UN SEMNAL DE ALARMA IDIOTILOR CARE CRED CA SUNT BURICUL PAMANTULUI, SA NU FACA PROSTIA SA-I MAI VOTEZE PE USL=PDL=ACELASI GENOCID SOCIAL SI ECONOMIC DIN 1989 PANA AZI. SI SPER CA NU VRETI SA MURITI DE CANCER LA O VARSTA FRAGEDA. TREZITI-VA COPII, PARINTI SI FRATI SI RUDE. STRAMOSII NOSTRII AU MURIT PT CA NOUA SDA NE FIE MAI BINE NU PT O GASCA DE PARTIDE MASONICE CARE URMARESC SA SLUJEASCA INTERESELOR ALOTOR TARI FASCISTE SAU GUVERNULUI MONDIAL CARE VREA SA MICSAOREZE NR POPULATIEI GLOBULUI. DATI UN VOT DREPT IN BOT CIOCOILOR , NUMAI ASA V-OM SCAPA TARA DE HOTII DE MILIARDE, NE-AU FURAT DESTUL VIITORUL NOSTRU SI AL COPIILOR NOSTRII, NU-I MAI LASATI SA NE SPELE CREIERELE SI SA NE INDOBITOCEASCA. USL-PDL-UDMR-PC=SPUNETI UN NU CATEGORIC. LASATI POPORUL SA FACA ADEVARATA ISTORIE DE CARE AVEM NEVOIE, ADEVARATA CURATENIE SOCIALA SI ECONOMICA.
BINE AR FI SA NU-I MAI VOTEZI PE CRIMINALII CARE NE SPUN DE 23 ANI CA E CRIZA. EI AU BATUT PALMA CU CEI DIN GUVERNUL MONDIAL SI FMI ,SA EXTERMINE 20 MILIOANE DE ROMANI DIN 22, CARE TRAIESC CU CAPUL IN NORI. DAIA SE TOT SCUMPESC TOATE SI NU NUMAI CA SE SCUMPESC, DAR NICI NU SUNT SANATOASE ACESTE ALIMENTE SI MEDICAMENTE PE CARE LE INGURGITAM.
INTREBATI-VA DE CE TARI CA POLONIA AU REUSIT SA AJUNGA LA 100 ron SALARIU MINIM PE ECONOMIE.LA NOI TIPII CARE RAGAIE MICI SI BERE ISI SPARG CAPETELE PE STADIOANE CATE 50 MILIOANE DE SPECTATORI, IAR LA UNIVERSITATE NU VEZI UNU SA MANIFESTE SI SA-SI CEARA DREPTURILE SAU LA PARLAMENT. ROMANII UITA REPEDE SAU LE SPALA CREIERELE GLUTAMATUL MONOSODIC DIN ALIMENTE, PRAFUL DE GANDACI PISATI (CARMIN)SI PARTIDELE DE 23 ANI CARE NE CALCA CU GHEATA JANDARMULUI PE CAP, PT CA NOI SA NU NE PUTEM CERE DREPTURILE. MAI VRETI SA VOTATI ACEEASI MIZERIE DE USL-PDL=FSN ??? DACA VRETI SA MURITI CU ORICE PRET , CONTINUATI CU ASTIA !!! CU EI VETI AVEA VIITORUL ASIGURAT IN IAD !!!


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FM PREMIERE: ISAAC SNOW's WHY
18th September 2020 No Comments
Isaac Snow calls for an end to xenophobia and racism in the UK with brooding new folk-pop release 'Why'
By Frank Bell
Isaac Snow · Why
Isaac Snow has always used music as a way to reflect and process. He first picked up a guitar at the age of 15, and soon began to explore the darker side of the electronic pop soundscape. Drawing his influence from the likes of Bon Iver, Antony and the Johnsons and Frank Ocean, the London-based songwriter has worked with his producer Ali Bla Bla since 2017, developing a Future Folk sound which brings intrigue to his raw acoustic songwriting.
Having lived and worked with migrant populations, his poignant new release 'Why' confronts the growing xenophobia and racism in British society, especially the hostility towards migrants and those seeking asylum. Initially written as an acoustic song, he worked with Ai Bla Bla to create something more aggressive and confrontational…
"I was inspired to write the song after Nigel Farage's horrific UKIP anti-migrant billboard campaign was released across the UK in 2016: the campaign depicted people seeking asylum in the UK with a strapline of 'Breaking Point'. The effects of that campaign have never really gone away."
Reflective of the current climate, both in the UK and abroad, Why boldly challenges the political rhetoric surrounding migrants and the negative implications that often follow. Presented through layered vocals, percussion and gentle synth sounds, it is a cutting new release with a message that can't be ignored. Why is out on Friday from all digital stores.
©FM
FM RECOMMENDSFM PRESENTS


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The Sugarland Run Valley Stream Trail is part of the Fairfax County, Virginia countywide trail system. The main portion of the asphalt trail runs approximately 3 miles, although a newer section of trail, which connects to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, extends the length of the main trail to approximately 4 miles. There are also many tributaries of this trail, several of which terminate in neighborhoods in the Town of Herndon, VA.

The trail passes by several basketball courts, and is a very popular trail for jogging and dog-walking. During very rainy periods, many (if not all) of the "fair weather crossings" may become impassible. These crossings mostly consist of flat, cylindrical concrete columns forming a step-way across the stream. During less rainy periods, stream crossings tend to not be very deep, and most dogs can usually traverse the crossing without completely submerging.

The first section of the trail, from Sugarland Road to Runnymeade Park, was constructed prior to 1997. In 1998, with funding from a settlement with Colonial Pipeline Company for an oil spill and federal TEA-21 and CMAQ funding, design work began on a 1 mile extension to connect the trail to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. Construction on the extension began in 2004 and completed in October 2005. It included almost 6,000 linear feet of paved trail, eight bridges for stream crossings and a boardwalk through a wetland area. In 2019 nearly 12,000 liner feet of the trail were repaired.

References

Geography of Fairfax County, Virginia
Protected areas of Fairfax County, Virginia
Herndon, Virginia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Lyrics Guidelines
Lyrics enrich the user experience, allowing a listener to follow along to the words of a song during playback. To provide the best experience for customers, lyrics in English must match the audio verbatim and follow the guidelines below for consistency.
See the below guidelines to make sure that your lyrics are compliant:
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Lines within a single verse or chorus must be single-spaced.
Section or stanza breaks must be indicated with a single space.
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- For example: don't include section headers such as Intro, Verse, Chorus, Hook, or Outro.
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- For example: "Summer of '69", and "007"
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- For example: "1979"
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Spoken words, such as recorded dialog from a documentary, must be transcribed.
Sampled content must be transcribed, including non-word vocals, if they add to the content of the song.
Don't include descriptions or names of screaming or sound effects.
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Note that you can sync your lyrics to the song by adding time-stamps before each sentence, using the following format: [00:00.000] [Minutes:Seconds.Milliseconds]
Do not add any line breaks between the verses.
Manual adding time-sync lyrics in iTunes is determined by Business and Editorial priorities and sometimes can't be applied but the Support Team can try to send a request.
In this case, please send the synchronized lyrics in the form of a .ttml-file to the Support Team. Apple provides more information on this in the iTunes Video and Audio Asset Guide.
If the request is lined up with iTunes' internal priorities, time-sync lyrics will be applied.
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Provide tracks' lyrics to the Stores
Add, Edit and Sync lyrics on Instagram Stories
Formatting a request to the Support
Select the right contact for your request
Promotion section in Backstage


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Dr Ben Mullings 0
Green Light for Mental Health
In a statement this morning, the Chair of Australia's Mental Health Commission Professor, Alan Fels, has criticised both major parties for failing to represent the interests of Australians for better mental health care. He said, "On behalf of the more than 3 million Australians who will experience a mental health difficulty this year, and their families and support people, I feel compelled to speak out…This deafening silence on mental health cannot be justified."
Shortly thereafter he was joined by Chair of the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA), Frank Quinlan, who highlighted the fact that both major parties have so far failed to come forward with any significant mental health policies in the lead-up to the election. The MHCA has demanded a ten year action plan to reform our mental health system.
These powerful statements reflect the experience we have had in trying to find out where each of the major parties stand on mental health care. Federal Labor has stonewalled us for 2 years on questions about whether they intend to restore the Better Access to Mental Health Care program or if they intend to cut it back even further. Although the Coalition have been somewhat more open to discussion, they have so far offered us no reaassurances about whether Medicare access to psychological care will be improved until there is a major review of the system. The reality is we can't afford to just sit in silence. Australian voters deserve to know ahead of the election what each major party intends to do. We are stuck at the traffic lights and waiting.
The outspoken comments from Fels and Quinlan follow the Greens release of a mental health policy statement. The Greens are the first political party to have made a specific policy statement about Better Access to Mental Health Care. Our hope is that they have paved the way for other political parties to now come forward. The good news is that the Greens have recognised the importance of Medicare support for access to psychological care.
The bad news is that they are not recommending that the program be fully restored. When the scheme was launched in 2006 the Better Access program allowed a person diagnosed with a mental health condition to receive up to 18 sessions of therapy if needed. This approaches the minimum standards set by research which recommend that we allow access to between 15 and 20 sessions. Some of you will recall that when the cuts to Better Access were first announced by Labor the Greens responded by proposing a disallowance motion to overturn the decision. A few months later they said "time is ticking" for the Government to address the lack of access to psychological care, compromising on access to 16 sessions rather than 18 until other services meet the need. At the start of this year time ran out and access was restricted to 10 appointments with alternative treatment programs failing to keep up with demands. Offering a mere 16 sessions was meant to be an interim measure to help us get by when the reality is that most people need more time to recover.
The other difficulty with the Greens policy is the terminology around people having to demonstrate "exceptional circumstances" when more than 10 appointments are needed. To avoid stigmatising those who seek help for mental health conditions we need to take care with the language we use. Given that the research shows that the majority of people have not recovered after 10 appointments, is it fair to say that those who need more than 10 sessions are an exceptional case?
Setting those challenges aside, we are relieved that finally a political party has put something on the table. We know that this issue matters to Australian voters simply by the statistics. The figures are repeated each year ad nauseum reminding everyone that vast numbers of people live with common mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety. We know that most people don't look for help even when they do need it. Most Australians are genuinely concerned but so few will speak out and our politicians now take that for granted. It isn't that voters don't care, but rather, that our political representatives have so far dodged taking any real action to address the problem.
Let's hear from all political parties about what they will do to restore Better Access to Mental Health Care. Minor parties can't do this alone, so we need to hear from every side of politics, big and small. The Greens have started the conversation, now lets keep it going with some genuine heartfelt dialogue and constructive ideas about what to do next.
We agree with Professor Alan Fels: "Our political leaders talk about building "a stronger Australia", about "a new way" forward. Well, there is no better place to start than our mental health and wellbeing," We also agree with the Australian Psychological Society who say that we need to put mental health on the election agenda. Politicians, it is now up to you.
Please start by signing our petition at Change.org and if you can spare a few minutes, write to the Prime Minister and the Federal Minister for Mental Health, Jacinta Collins. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter to connect with others who care about this issue.
One more try...For over a decade now I have tried to convince [...]
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What does the "shake up" mean for mental health care?This week the Australian Minister for Health announced a "shake [...]
Mental health reforms neglect psychological care[MEDIA RELEASE: Alliance for Better Access] Patients have expressed concern [...]
A tier-ful state of affairsNext week the Australian Psychological Society (APS) will release a [...]
What does 'suitably qualified practitioner' mean?If you're reading this then you have probably found my [...]
Better Access


The fence at Washington Square Park: a sign of latent demand for bike-share?
grads are gearing up for a bike-share program in the fall.
living, known as the "eco-Broome."
a two-year-old program run by NYU's sustainability task force.
campus. The fix-up effort will be coordinated in tandem with a bike maintenance program started last year by NYU student Emily Allen.
Seegmiller, an environmental studies major working on the project.
community service requirement, so we hope they'll volunteer,"
a bike and it's a community-building experience."
because, "A lot of it, I think, will be friends riding together."
personal responsibility for wearing them.
students sign a waiver and swipe a card — "kind of like a library card"
If this worthy project succeeds and grows, perhaps it could provoke a reappraisal of NYU's free but private bus service that contributes to traffic congestion and stress downtown. A helpful start would be a cost-benefit analysis of scrapping the service and funneling the money into financial support for monthly Metrocard passes for NYU students and personnel.
Why can't a Metrocard just be rolled into the $40,000 per year it costs to go to NYU? Who would notice? How many applications would they lose if the cost was say $41,000 and included a free unlimited Metrocard?
The NYU bus network should be dramatically reduced in the coming years as the university gives up its dorms in the Financial District – the huge 200 Water St and the nearby Cliff St dorm. Although NYU will probably continue to run buses between Washington Square and the Medical Center (1st Ave in the 30s), the buses will no longer run to the Financial District.
Should start putting car-free zones around this city's universities, Columbia, CUNY, etc.
Since Columbia's Earth Institute keeps crowing about the IPCC Nobel Prize for many of its researchers, Wally Broecker's new book Fixing Climate, expansion and projected green building in West Harlem, etc.
CUNY with its University Transportation Resource Centers.
Well actually, the NYU buses will not be any less present in the upcoming years. NYU has a contract with the transportation company that will not change for a few years and are unable to change anything until then. The only thing that they are able to change are the types of buses they purchase, including cleaner running ones. Hopefully, by then, the bikeshare will be so prominent that it can be a large change.
I also support the suggestion about the metrocard, mta has been unwilling to give any kind of discount for students, so why would NYU go through that effort when the kids can just do it themselves if they live that far away?


You're driving and all of a sudden you think you smell exhaust fumes coming from your vehicle, what should you do? Exhaust fumes in the cabin of a vehicle should be inspected and repaired immediately. At the very first sign that your exhaust starts leaking, bring your vehicle in for inspection to Jefferson Auto Repair in West Orange, NJ.
The exhaust system of your vehicle's engine is located under the rear of the car. The muffler helps reduce the amount of noise produced by your engine. It also controls the back-pressure of the engine, which improves the endurance and performance. The exhaust system is an important part in getting better fuel economy throughout the life of the vehicle. It is used to remove the burned air-fuel mixture from the vehicle by reducing the impact of the toxic gasses.
If the exhaust smell is inside the vehicle cabin, a leak in the exhaust system is almost always the cause. A leak can develop anywhere in the exhaust system and this can result in a heavy exhaust smell in the vehicle. The leak can develop in the muffler, exhaust pipe or even the manifold.
Exhaust and emission components in your vehicle can fail for many reasons. This can be due to rust, corrosion, and overall wear and tear on the vehicle. It can result in engine damage, poor fuel economy, poor performance, heightened emission levels and other problems. Jefferson Auto Repair in West Orange, NJ will inspect your vehicle to repair the exhaust system and take the necessary steps to fix the issue.
• Muffler: The muffler reduces the noise that is created by the various explosions happening in the engine.
• Tailpipe: The tailpipe is the exhaust pipe located at the rear of a motor vehicle powered by an internal-combustion engine.
• Catalytic Converter: The catalytic converter changes carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into water and carbon dioxide; Catalytic converters are required by almost all states.
• Air Pump: Oxygen sensors measure the ratio of oxygen to exhaust and transmit this information to the vehicle computer so it can adjust the amount of fuel being added to the air going into the engine.
• PCV Valve: Positive crankcase ventilation involves recycling gases through a valve (called, appropriately, the PCV valve) to the intake manifold.
• Charcoal Canister: Consists of a small canister full of charcoal, valves, hoses, vents in the fuel lines and a sealed fuel tank cap. When fuel evaporates inside the gas tank, the excess vapors are transferred to the charcoal canister.
Preventing carbon monoxide fumes from building up in the cabin and reducing pollution emissions will ensure the vehicle runs at peak efficiency. Jefferson Auto Repair will check the vehicle exhaust system is up to date. To ensure your engine is running smoothly and without fail, the auto repair mechanics at Jefferson Auto Repair will diagnose the problem if needed and repair the exhaust systems. So, come by Jefferson Auto Repair in West Orange, NJ for an exhaust inspection.
Don't forget, Jefferson Auto Repair in West Orange, NJ has reliable towing services and roadside assistance for our most valued clients.


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Pink Line Stops Hammersmith City London Map
Pink Line Stops
Cheryl Wynn January 13, 2021 Map
Geographic maps are abstract representations of the world. It is, of course, this abstraction that makes them useful. Lewis Carroll made this point humorously in Sylvie and Bruno with his mention of a fictional map that had "the scale of a mile to the mile". A character notes some practical difficulties with this map and states that "we now use the country itself, as its own map, and I assure you it does nearly as well". This concept is elaborated in a one-paragraph story by Jorge Luis Borges, generally known in English as "On Exactitude in Science". Road maps are perhaps the most widely used maps today, and form a subset of navigational maps, which also include aeronautical and nautical charts, railroad network maps, and hiking and bicycling maps. In terms of quantity, the largest number of drawn map sheets is probably made up by local surveys, carried out by municipalities, utilities, tax assessors, emergency services providers, and other local agencies. Many national surveying projects have been carried out by the military, such as the British Ordnance Survey (now a civilian government agency internationally renowned for its comprehensively detailed work).
Maps need to be kept in pristine condition so they will last for many years, and also improves the shading and contrast of a map. To add to this, a laminated map is very much needed if it will be in contact by many people, such as offices, especially delivery services where maps are vital for day-to-day business. Pin-pointing routes and notes are important especially for traveling to many locations around the country. If you are using a map specifically for navigation purposes rather than for decor, a laminated map will allow you to chart you route with a non-permanent pen, and you can simply wipe the map clean afterwards. There is no doubt that by laminating a map you ensure the survival of the map, and keep it looking brand new and importantly clean. Nobody likes the hassle of replacing a map whenever it gets torn or looks old, therefore the best and more cost efficient way of strengthening a map and keep it long lasting is by lamination.
Maps of places give details as to the geographic location, physical characteristics, climate profile, vegetative structure, flora and fauna, soil structure, latitude and longitude, etc. Over the years, these maps were used in schools and colleges, offices and in houses for the purpose of education and/or reference. These maps used to be in paper-printed two-dimensional formats. Now three-dimensional, interactive or dynamic maps represent more accurate and up-to-date information. The art and science of map-making is called cartography. Maps are created representing political, geographical and other particular aspects. Most of the maps are drawn on a scale, say 1: 10,000, meaning that one unit of measurement on the map represents 10,000 units on the land. Maps depicting land areas are called political maps or physical maps. Political maps show land boundaries or territorial boarders between states and provinces, say those between India and China or Maharashtra and Gujarat. Physical maps depict geographical features such as terrain structure, mountains, deserts, plateaus, rivers, land under use, etc.
MapSignal Network mapping or Internet mapping is the study of the physical connectivity of the Internet users trough the map. Network mapping determines the servers and the operating systems run on them of internet-connected networks. It is not to be confused with the remote discovery of which characteristics a computer may possess (operating system, open ports, listening network services, etc), an activity which is called Map Messaging. Map Messaging may be done in a Friend-to-friend network, in which each node connects to the friends on the friends list. This allows for communication with friends of friends and for the building of chatrooms on particular location on map for instant messages with all friends on that network as private or by Gender (SingleG), Personal community (MilkyMate) or international Community (MilkyMap).
For the cities themselves you can just rely on the maps mentioned before, but when it comes go move from one to the other, its a good idea to get small but detailed maps where you can find your route. Of course, if you travel by train, an inter-rail map would be the best. If you go by road, a good idea is to avoid buying any maps and use the Google Earths function that allows you to write two cities and the program finds with detail the best route possible. Print out the screen and the indications or copy it in a paper and theyll be great value. Finally, if you are going on a trip that includes many countries, you can find the best travel maps by using the system mentioned above for road travel. Instead, for rail travel I would encourage you to get one single map for every country as maps for a whole continent will be far less the detail grade you expect them to be. If you are going to Europe, a good idea is to get also the timetables for all European departures getting the Eurail timetable that gets published every year. In any case, when you are looking to select one map or another, the best deal will always be the most simple one. A map loaded with data and details of everything is confusing and will get you tired. When looking for the best travel maps you need to find in the map only what is interesting you and nothing else.
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With the prevalence of Startup Weekends, it's awesome to see the model being refined and taking on niche foci. One of those is the Tech4Change Portland Startup Weekend that's being hosted by Mercy Corps. But another awesome one just crossed my desk: Oregon State Startup Weekend. It's focus? Student athletes.
Oregon State Athletics is taking a new approach to student-athlete development by hosting its first Startup Weekend, an entrepreneurship event in which participants will collaborate to build potential business ventures.
For more information or to register to attend, visit Oregon State Startup Weekend or follow @StartupBeavers on Twitter.


The draws of the second round of the U*BET FA Trophy will be held on Thursday during the programme MFA Live on TVM, starting at 17:25.
Eight teams will be taking part in the draw after emerging as winners in the first round. The teams are Floriana, Marsaxlokk, Hamrun Spartans, Hibernians, Tarxien Rainbows, Vittoriosa Stars and First Division sides Mosta and St. Andrews.
Second round matches will be played on Wednesday 8th December – two matches at the National Stadium and another two at the Hibernians Stadium.


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Haulchin este o comună în departamentul Nord, Franța. În 2009 avea o populație de 2,356 de locuitori.

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Born in Whitehaven Cumbria. Went to secondary school in Sunderland Tyne&Wear. Attended Kingston University (studied Applied Physics). Worked for EDS in UK. Transitioned to EDS (Dallas) in 1994. Moved to Boston Massachusetts in 1999.
Studied at University of Stirling worked for LINPAC now work for Belgian company travelling around the world.


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HCL Infosystems bags "Corporate – Best Government to Citizens (G2C) Initiative of the Year" award
Award presented at the e-Maharashtra Summit 2013
HCLI rewarded for its IT solutions deployed for "Maharashtra Border Check Post" project
The project involves modernization of 22 border check posts in Maharashtra
HCL Infosystems, India's premier ICT Systems Integration, Services, Hardware and Distribution Company bagged the prestigious award for Best Government to Citizens (G2C) Initiative of the Year at the e-Maharashtra Summit 2013. HCL Infosystems was awarded the honour for implementing turnkey ICT solutions in design, supply, installation, automation, integration, and subsequent maintenance of India's first state-of-the-art Border Check Post (BCP) project undertaken by the Maharashtra Government.
The first of its kind project has enabled the government of Maharashtra to modernize and expand its 22 BCPs with latest technology and brings three State Government bodies together – the Department of Transport, Department of Sales Tax and the Department of Excise. All three departments share a common ICT solution and use a single application simultaneously for their respective functional benefits. As a part of modernization, all BCPs are connected to each other and equipped with weigh bridges, electronic payment and accounting, video cameras and radio frequency identification devices. The receipts for collecting taxes are being generated within minutes, facilitating smooth passage, monitoring and navigating visitors smoothly and efficiently, reducing processing time for commercial vehicles, and assisting the sales tax and excise department in collecting revenue at BCPs.
The e-Maharashtra awards are dedicated to most innovative initiatives in the domain of ICTs and have been acknowledging regional initiatives in the use of ICT in government and education. The awards are open for all national and international organisations, civil society organisations, bi-lateral, multi-lateral developmental organisations and enterprises working in Maharashtra who have transformed social development opportunities into a sustainable social enterprise through innovative use of ICTs.
Speaking on the occasion, Neeraj Jaitley, President – Enterprise Solutions, HCL Infosystems Ltd. said, "We are honoured to receive this recognition. We wish to thank the Government of Maharashtra and Sadbhav Infrastructure Project Ltd. for providing us an opportunity to implement and deliver value to this first of its kind project through proficiency and expertise. It has always been HCL Infosystems' endeavour to bring value to customers by providing them world class services and fulfilling their requirements."
Also speaking on the award, Mr. Nitin Patel, Executive Director – Sadbhav Infrastructure Project Limited said, "I am very pleased to learn that HCL Infosystems has been awarded the Best Government to Citizens Initiative of the year 2013 by e-Governance Maharashtra for their contribution for the Maharashtra Border Check Post Project. This award brings honour and a sense of satisfaction not only to HCL Infosystems but to all the stakeholders that are a part of this project – Transport Department, State Excise, Sales Tax Department, PwC and SIPL. Please accept my warmest congratulations, and those of everyone here at Sadbhav Infrastructure Project Limited."
HCL Infosystems Ltd. with revenue (LTM) of US$ 1.8 billion (Rs. 9,882 crores) is India's Premier Technology Company and offers a wide spectrum of IT Services and Products ranging from Cloud to Learning Solutions. As a complete IT solutions provider the company offers comprehensive offerings in Enterprise Application Services, IT Infrastructure Managed Services, System Integration, Office Automation Products and Services, Distribution and Support Services. The company operates in both the Consumer and the Enterprise space – offering the latest mobility products and operating in verticals like BFSI, Telecom, and Healthcare respectively.
HCL Care, the support and service division of the company has one of the largest and most extensive service networks across the country and provides end to end support services for various IT, Telecom and Consumer Electronics products.HCL Infosystems has one of the largest distribution network of digital lifestyle global brands and an unparalleled robust service network in the country including Tier 2 and 3 cities. Digilife Distribution and Marketing Services (DDMS), a 100% subsidiary of HCL Infosystems focuses on multi brand distribution and offers value added distribution for its partners including strategic consulting services, last mile connect and support in marketing and promotions. HCL Learning a division of the company covers the entire spectrum of education and training requirements across schools, colleges, individuals and enterprises and offers rich learning solutions across these segments. HCL Infosystems MEA (Middle East and Africa), a fully owned subsidiary of HCL Infosystems is part of the emerging markets outreach of the company and focuses on expanding the business in the Middle East and African geographies and provides comprehensive IT solutions to customers across verticals in the region. The company also has robust operations in Singapore with its subsidiary HCL Insys Pte. Ltd. gaining traction in the region with its Enterprise solutions including a strong offering in Infrastructure Managed Services.
For more information please visit us at www.hclinfosystems.in
HCL is a $6.3 billion leading global technology and IT enterprise comprising two companies listed in India – HCL Technologies and HCL Infosystems. Founded in 1976, HCL is one of India's original IT garage start-ups. A pioneer of modern computing, HCL is a global transformational enterprise today. Its range of offerings includes product engineering, custom & package applications, BPO, IT infrastructure services, IT hardware, systems integration, and distribution of information and communications technology (ICT) products across a wide range of focused industry verticals. The HCL team consists of over 90,000 professionals of diverse nationalities, who operate from 31 countries including over 720 points of presence in India. HCL has partnerships with several leading global 1000 firms, including leading IT and technology firms.
For more information, please visit www.hcl.com


I've been in contemplation mode these last few days, and the word that has come up twice for me when trying to put my thoughts into action-oriented words is RENEWAL.
Merriam Webster Dictionary defines Renewal as: the state of being made new, fresh, or strong again.
So, I choose to step forward into 2017 with the action of Renewal.
As I consider more fully what Renewal means to me, I also think about the concept of Samskara, living our same patterns in a subconscious way –physical, psychoemotional and spiritual. Samskara, an ancient Hindu term and concept often defined as individual impressions, ideas or actions – all taken together make up our conditioning. Repeating Samskaras reinforces them, creating a groove that is difficult to resist – whether positive or negative in their actions. It is our Samskaras that hold us back from our true essential nature, that hinder our positive evolution.
With this in mind, I am contemplating my own Renewal, and with it the release of my held negative Samskaras. I once again go back to what the ancient yogi's had to say about changing unhealthy patterns. Patanjali, credited with writing the yoga sutras at least 2,500 years ago, and for which we have many translations, discusses way to explore more deeply why we choose certain actions. As well, the Yoga Sutras give us tools to clear these patterns, replacing them with consciously created bhavana or visualized goals. Yoga Sutra (II.16) states, "Heyam duhkham anagatam," or "Future suffering is to be avoided." Awareness is key, as well as striving towards conscious action.
With these ancient guidelines and other tools I've gleaned over the years I share with you a set of steps to consider in moving forward with such important Renewal.
Revelation – Is our beginning point. Revelation is a term that tells me I can dig a little deeper, go to my core, reveal more fully and seek to understand the reasons I react and act in certain ways. This awareness creates greater choice. Some tools I might use here are: slowing down in both mind and body in order to more fully become my own Observer; daily body scan to note the areas inside of me asking for greater attention; greater focus on my exhales – the place where magical awareness can occur; inner focus and meditation, taking walks in naturewith a friend, journaling, counseling with a trusted professional.
Refresh and Rejuvenate – These terms encompass the concept of using skillful tools as a means to begin the shift. My "go-to" tools here include: increasing my daily practice of meditation, affirmation, Yoga Nidra; as well as massage bodywork, conscious movement, and a simple diet.
Most important, true refreshment blooms with loving kindness to myself and to others.
Release – Is an integral step in creating the spaciousness needed to consciously re-direct our precious lives. As I approach my true nature more fully, aspects of core negative beliefs will crop up, and my goal is to find clear ways to let them go. Along the way, I plan to express my gratitude to these shadows of my life; because I know that at some point, those behaviors may have had real worth in my life.
Reclaim and Reunite – are actions that bring to mind strength, courage, fortitude, vigor and determination; all needed in the steps of moving forward. As I reunite my actions with my true nature, I feel more alive, more ready to step forward, and certainly a greater edge of Renewal. For me, touching base with old acquaintances, seeking to understand other's points of view, finding the commonality that exists between all of us. Finding my own voice, my true voice of self-expression and from here shining my light.
Re-create and Re-affirm – Go hand in hand with Reclaim and Reunite, in that we have to stay focused, full of intention and create tapas (the heat of desire) to move towards a true new beginning. Sankalpa is the practice of affirming intentions (feeling your affirmation and visualizing it). I like to create a positive statement of what I'm seeking to create in myself. I write it in the present tense, and not only state it daily, but also put it on sticky notes around my house (refrigerator, bathroom mirror) and share it with those close to me – and I tend to stick with the same sankalpa for greater than a month – to help pave the new pathways of my shift.
Rejoice – Along the way, and as we begin to see the new light of positive change, it's always important to take time for gratitude. Miracles occur every day; and we often fail to notice them. Rejoice brings with it a way to look at life in a more effervescent way. Keep a miracle journal, as a good friend of mine recommends. Before the end of each day, write down some miracles you witnessed occurring that day. Let yourself experience the wonder and pleasure of this act of Rejoicing.
Relish – Such a juicy term, and so important to remember. Why are we doing this – seeking Renewal? Nothing short of healthy mind, body and soul is the goal. Living on this planet with greater awareness and positive intention is certainly very juicy and to be relished. Pat yourself on the back, enjoy a self-hug, love yourself fully you're on the path, to your true and unlimited nature.
Every year presents a new set of opportunities. These little windows of potential can become grand openings in making our lives and the lives of others better. Take this New Year and look through eyes of Renewal. Find positive ways to shift yourself personally, to serve others, and to create global renewal.