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October 25, 2019 | Daily Monitoring Report
AMISOM Daily Monitoring Report
October 25, 2019 | Daily Monitoring Report.
View it on the web
Female SNA And AMISOM Soldiers In Joint Awareness Training On Women's Participation On Peace And Security
25 October – Source: AMISOM – 372 Words
The African Union in Somalia (AMISOM) on Thursday, conducted training for female personnel in the Somali National Army (SNA) and AMISOM, to raise awareness of women's participation in peace and security. The AMISOM Human Rights, Protection, and Gender (HRPG) unit organised the one-day training to sensitise female troops on the importance of gender mainstreaming in peace support operations. During the training, participants reflected on the challenges, successes and shared their experience. They also made recommendations to promote gender mainstreaming in SNA and AMISOM. UN Security Council Resolution 2472 (2019) mandates AMISOM to increase the number of female personnel, ensure women's participation and mainstream gender in the mission's programmes and activities.
As such, AMISOM continues to make progress in implementing international and African-led frameworks to promote gender equality and empower women. Speaking at the training, the Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, highlighted women's participation in peacekeeping as a prerequisite to peace and security. "If we empower and deploy more female peacekeepers, it will have a multiplier effect on AMISOM operations in Somalia," noted Ambassador Madeira. Farhiya Mumin, a Member of Parliament, stressed the importance of education and knowledge to implement gender mainstreaming within the Somali security forces. She noted that female soldiers become role models to the people they protect, especially women and children. "The training is an opportunity to exchange views and share experiences," Farhiya told the participants.
The AMISOM Police gender coordinator, Stella Sedame, observed that women are critical to the success of AMISOM. "Our Somali counterparts need our support, and in the future, they will be able to assist others," Superintendent of Police Sedame noted. Lt. Aisha Musa Abdulle, a veteran Somali National Army officer, noted that women play critical roles that can ensure the success of peace support operations. Ms. Mané Ahmed, AMISOM Gender Officer, added that the communication dimension of the workshop was considered as such programme is showcasing their sacrifices to help bring peace and stability in Somalia. It will be broadcasted in the local language nationwide and abroad by SNTV and disseminate positive messaging on the important role of women in uniform. She concluded the training by encouraging the participants to continue breaking through gender barriers and inspire the next generation of women peacekeepers.
Key Headlines
Female SNA And AMISOM Soldiers In Joint Awareness Training On Women's Participation On Peace And Security (AMISOM)
President Farmajo's Speech At The Africa-Russia Summit In Sochi (Villa Somalia)
Japan Promises Stronger Ties With Somalia (Radio Dalsan)
Over 20000 Soccer Fans Sent Out Of Eng. Yarisow Stadium As Saboteurs Disconnect Power In The Night (Radio Dalsan)
Somalia Authorities Hand Over Two Al-Shabaab Suspects To Kenyan Police (Standard Media)
Tens Of Thousands OF Flood-hit Families In Hiraan Urgently Need Humanitarian Aid (Save the Children Somalia)
Somalia Restores Monuments Wrecked During Civil War (VOA)
Mandera Driver Saves Passengers From Suspected Al-Shabaab (Daily Nation)
Overcoming Tensions Between Communities And The Police In Somalia (Safer World)
President Farmajo's Speech At The Africa-Russia Summit In Sochi
24 October – Source: Villa Somalia – 536 Words
Your Excellency Vladamir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, Your Excellency Abdelfatah Al Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Chairperson of the African Union Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Governments, It is a great honour and privilege to be addressing you all at this historic first gathering of African-Russian dialogue and cooperation in this beautiful city of Sochi. Before I proceed, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Russian government and people for the warm welcome and hospitality my delegation and I have received. I also congratulate the Russian government and the African Union for organising this Summit successfully under the leadership of their Excellences President Vladimir Putin and President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.
EXCELLENCIES, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN,
Indeed, this Summit is a real opportunity to re-evaluate and build on Africa's historic relations with Russia through enhanced cooperation and partnership for common progress and prosperity. In this interconnected world, despite having been in two different continents with often vast contrasts, our futures have been more intertwined. Therefore, I am hopeful that this Summit will pave the way for new and strengthened mechanisms of beneficial cooperation and collaboration which will create the conditions for advancing our common agenda for prosperity.
Russia is a historical partner of Africa. This Summit, therefore, reminds us of the importance of reviving this historical relationship between our two sides. Indeed, we must redouble our efforts and engagements to ensure that our two side's new relations translate into opportunities for our countries and people. Furthermore, we must strengthen our two sides cultural cooperation and exchanges to provide opportunities for our governments, institutions and citizens to build on their bonds of friendship with meaningful partnerships to foster entrepreneurship and creativity that will benefit us for generations to come.
EXCELLENCES, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN,
Somalia and Russia enjoy historical ties in which we have benefited socially, educationally, economically and militarily from Russian's support in the past. We need to revive our bilateral relations in fighting and confronting international terrorism, economics and trade, cultural exchange and knowledge transfer through institutional partnership. Somalia stands ready to work with Russian, our African brothers and all other major partners to deliver common progress and prosperity for our people.
EXCELLENCES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
Somalia is on the path to stability and economic recovery. We have abundant natural and human resources, vast arable land for agriculture, the longest coast in continental Africa, a youthful dynamic population seeking opportunities and a government that is determined to transform the nation through good leadership firmly anchored on the principles of good governance. Therefore, I invite all investors, Russian and African to come and explore the many great opportunities in Somalia for a sustainably profitable future.
I would like to conclude by thanking and congratulating the Government of Russia and the African Union for organizing this successful with remarkable success. Somalia looks forward to forging ahead with all stakeholders at this table in moving Africa-Russian partnership forward for common progress and prosperity. Accordingly, the Somali Federal Government welcomes the Declaration of this Summit and sees it as an important guiding document for what Africa and Russia seek to achieve together going forward. I thank you all.
Japan Promises Stronger Ties With Somalia
24 October – Source: Radio Dalsan – 206 Words
Japan has promised to strengthen ties with Somalia and join in the push for the debt relief campaign. Suzuki Keisuke, State Minister for Foreign Affairs made the remarks when he hosted Mr Abdulkadir Ahmed Kheyr Abdi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia on the occasion of his visit to Japan. State Minister Suzuki welcomed State Minister Abdulkadir's visit to Japan following his previous visit to attend the TICAD Ministerial meeting in October last year and stated, "Together with Your Excellency, I hope to strengthen the friendly relationship between Japan and Somalia." Minister Suzuki stated, "It was a great honour that President Farmaajo participated in TICAD7. Japan will continue its support in the way that would contribute to peace and stability in Somalia." He also welcomed Somalia's efforts to improve their debt situation. State Minister Abdulkadir expressed his gratitude for Japan's continued assistance to the Horn of Africa including Somalia and expressed his hope that "Japan would continue its support for Somalia in areas such as education." Both State Ministers also exchanged their views on the situation in Somalia and the neighboring region. They shared the view to cooperate for the promotion of African-led peace and stability in the region.
Over 20,000 Soccer Fans Sent Out Of Eng. Yarisow Stadium As Saboteurs Disconnect Power In The Night
24 October – Source: Radio Dalsan – 88 Words
Over 20,000 soccer fans who had converged at the Eng. Yarisow Stadium to watch the finals of the Mogadishu Districts Tournament were sent home premature and the match called off after power went off for unknown reasons. Organizers had to hurriedly get out the players and fans out of the sports facility, amid fears that the terror group Al-Shabaab was behind the power outage. Insiders also said the act could have been a sabotage by rogue elements who wanted to portray the sporting activity as a failure.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Tens Of Thousands OF Flood-hit Families In Hiraan Urgently Need Humanitarian Aid
24 October – Source: Save the Children – Somalia – 422 Words
An estimated 140,000 people – including some 70,000 children – in the Hiraan region of Somalia who have been forced to flee rising flood waters to higher grounds are in desperate need of clean water, food, temporary latrines and shelter, Save the Children is warning. A further 300,000 people – including approximately 150,000 children – in Beledweyne town and the surrounding areas of the Hiraan region of Somalia could be forced to relocate over the coming days if, as predicted by the Somalia Water and Land Information agency, the Shebelle River reaches the flooding threshold.
Save the Children is working with the Somalian government to support affected communities and is urging the international community to release resources to support displaced children and families. Mobile clinics are urgently needed to manage the anticipated disease outbreaks as a result of flooding. Mohamud Mohamed Hassan, Save the Children Somalia Country Director said: "If the banks of the Shebelle River overflow, it will devastate children and their families who are already struggling with major food insecurity. Thousands of vulnerable people living along the riverbank have already fled and we are extremely concerned about the welfare of tens of thousands more who are yet to evacuate. "We know flooding is imminent and yet we do not see immediate plans and resources being released by the international community to support the affected populations. This is very concerning. The people of Hiraan need support now before it's too late."
Communities living along the Shebelle river are mainly reliant on crop and livestock production to survive. Repeated successive droughts in the region has led to soil depletion, with flooding likely to cause further topsoil erosion and further damage the fertility of the land. Floods have already disrupted services by limiting people's movements, destroying local markets, education and health facilities…….
Somalia Restores Monuments Wrecked During Civil War
24 October – Source: VOA – 342 Words
Somalia's historic monuments that were damaged and destroyed during the years of civil war have been restored as part of efforts to revive the country's cultural heritage. A ceremony to unveil restored statues was held October 18. Abdulkadir Hussein Mah has long campaigned for the restoration of Somalia's cultural heritage damaged by decades of civil war and extremism. Mah has been collecting pieces since civil war broke out in 1991. But the independence monuments have been damaged from fighting dating back to the 1980s. Mah is now the chairman of Somali Academy of Sciences and Arts. He said he has sought the help of anyone who has knowledge of the country's heritage. "The long civil war has really destroyed all kinds of cultural heritage," Mah said. The Somali government last week unveiled the restored statues of independence fighters in Mogadishu as part of its plan to revive the country's rich history. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo said his government is the first to complete the restoration of the country's historical monuments. He said, "We are delighted to be part of the revival of the country's historic monuments, they are symbolic and have so much meaning for the country." The restored monuments include the Dhagaxtuur monument, which honours stone-throwing Somalis killed in the struggle for independence against British forces……..
Mandera Driver Saves Passengers From Suspected Al-Shabaab
24 October – Source: Daily Nation – 183 Words
A matatu driver in Mandera South has become the talk of the town after he saved the lives of eight people from an attempted terror attack. The driver, not named for security reasons, sped off after about 10 suspicious people waved him to stop on Wednesday evening on the Elwak-Borehole 11 road. When he did not stop, the suspected Al-Shabaab militants sprayed bullets on the matatu deflating a tyre. No one was injured during the incident, Mandera County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha said. "A vehicle ferrying construction workers from Borehole 11 was last evening targeted by suspected Al-Shabaab militants but their driver saved them," said Mr Kyatha. The official termed the driver's action as 'brave'. Mr Kyatha said the vehicle had been hired by a construction firm putting up a health centre in Borehole 11 township to ferry the workers to their residence in Elwak town. "The driver is a local but most of the passengers were non-locals whom we believe were the target. The attackers shot at the vehicle but no one was injured," he said. Mr Kyatha said police are investigating the incident.
Somalia Authorities Hand Over Two Al-Shabaab Suspects To Kenyan Police
24 October – Source: Standard Media – 575 Words
Kenya police are holding two men believed to be members of the Al-Shabaab terror group after they were handed over by Somalia police. According to the officers, suspects are believed to have fled to Somalia after committing a crime in the region and near Liboi border. They have been linked to the deadly October 12, 2019, attack in Liboi where 11 General Service Unit personnel were killed. When they were handed over to Kenya on Wednesday, one of them had an AK47 rifle belonging to Kenya police; an indication it was one of the guns stolen from the slain officers. North Eastern Police Commander Mr Paul Soi said the suspects are under interrogation before further action is taken on them. Those handed over were identified as Farah Ahmed Sanbul alias Faragon and Mihat Daar Khalif and they had an AK47 rifle belonging to Kenya Police which had 30 bullets, another AK47 rifle belonging to Somalia with five magazines and 117 bullets, another AK47 rifle with four bullets and a pistol which had five magazines with 40 bullets. This comes days after police identified Abdullahi Banati, as the man who led the team that planted the Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) leading to the death of the officers stationed at the Harhar GSU camp on October 12, 2019.
Police say Banati planned the attack alongside Al-Shabaab operatives based in the Dadaab refugee camp, which has been associated with several other terrorist attacks. According to police, Banati and his team operate along the Kenya-Somali border and have been executing attacks on security agencies. "Police have traced the activities of Banati and his team of militants to the border and it is suspected that he escaped to Somalia with the rest of the operatives," said police in a statement. Banati is reported to have joined the militant group in 2012 and took part in the attack on the Baure Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) camp in 2015 where 11 of his colleagues were killed. He is reported to have been injured but went into hiding only to resurface in 2018 when he took part in several attacks along the Somalia border. Police have now appealed to members of the public with any information on the suspect to report it to them immediately. The officers from the Harhar GSU camp died at Degow, on the road between Liboi and Damajale close to the Kenya-Somalia border as they were conducting a routine security patrol at around 4 pm……
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
"Anyone is allowed to join the committee, providing they are dedicated to helping their community. The groups include women, former police officers, youth and elders. "The formation process was led by Somali civil society with the close coordination of relevant police administrations," said Siciid, a member of a Mogadishu PAC. In August 2018, Saferworld trained these groups on relevant laws and standards including human rights, police operating procedures, norms around the use of force by police and detention practices."
Overcoming Tensions Between Communities And The Police In Somalia
24 October – Source: Safer World – 1050 Words
Despite significant progress on improving policing and governance in Somalia in recent years, there are still tensions between the police and the people they are meant to serve. Hamse Haibe looks at how Saferworld and partners have been tackling this issue head-on by supporting communities in Mogadishu, Kismayo and Baidoa to address their safety needs through police advisory committees led by the people. When I recently went to visit a community in Kismayo, I heard from residents about how they felt uncomfortable speaking to the police. This mistrust of authorities is a symptom of Somalia's long-running conflict since the collapse of the central government in 1991 and the resulting decades of instability. Somalis quickly learnt to deal with their issues outside of formal structures, and to this day they are reluctant to trust or involve the security forces – including the police.
But as Somalis work to build better lives for themselves and their communities, engagement with the police will be essential for long-term change. In 2019 Saferworld began the third year of a project that supports people-led action to address community safety and security needs and influence national change. Following the formation of community action forums in the first two years – groups made up of people that advocate for improved community safety and security – our focus has shifted to rebuilding trust between communities and the police, legitimising the work of the action forums and training police officers to better meet the needs of their communities. Working with civil society, we established three police advisory committees (PACs), each made up of 12 voluntary members, to serve two main functions – the first is to monitor police conduct at the stations to ensure humane conditions for detainees; and the second is to build a bridge between communities and the police.
The unique thing about these groups is how they are formed. Anyone is allowed to join the committee, providing they are dedicated to helping their community. The groups include women, former police officers, youth and elders. "The formation process was led by Somali civil society with the close coordination of relevant police administrations," said Siciid, a member of a Mogadishu PAC. In August 2018, Saferworld trained these groups on relevant laws and standards including human rights, police operating procedures, norms around the use of force by police and detention practices. The trainings also covered how to create action plans for addressing identified issues and documenting activities, and explored advocacy and communications methods. These methods helped committee members more effectively push out their initiatives on addressing security concerns raised during police visits and advocate for higher-level change (as well as advocating for decision-makers to respond to the immediate security needs of their communities).
The concept of advisory committees is not new to Somalia. In 2007, the Transitional Federal Government set up police advisory committees to monitor conditions for detainees, with a focus on maintaining their rights and access to basic needs. Despite disbanding several years later, the committees gained widespread support, with many applauding their impact on policing. We sought to replicate this model as a way of putting more power into the hands of communities. So far, the committees have made over 300 visits to police stations in Mogadishu, Kismayo and Baidoa to monitor prisoner conditions, police conduct and standards. Three committee members must go on each visit, including at least one woman. They do this while continuing to coordinate with the community action forums to discuss issues raised by the community, such as the lack of female officers at police stations……..
@AmbGamal: Had the pleasure of giving the opening remarks at the EU External Investment Plan- an Outreach Event & a first for Somalia since EIP started in 2017. I welcome the DFIs entry & facilitatative efforts in investment climate w/access to financing, guarantees &technical assistance
@UNSomalia: This week on #TubtaNabadda: Adam Abdelmoula, @UN Resident Coordinator for #Somalia, and Abdullahi Sheikh Qalocow, federal Deputy Minister of Finance, talk about world body's work for country's peace and development. #UNDay http://bit.ly/2JlrVYW
@IGADPeace: Happening today at 3pm at @UN HQ – Security Council meeting on the situation in #Somalia. Read about the last meeting on Resolution 2472 (2019) that was adopted by the Security Council at its 8537th meeting on 31 May 2019. https://undocs.org/S/RES/2472(2019)
@stability_fund: Tune in to #Qaranshow today aired by our partner @SMDCMedia where expert panelist will discuss the effect of corruption in the Somalia economy and on the nation's security. Tune in and be part of the conversation. #Somalia #peacebuilding
@SC_Somalia: One of the new #IDP Sites for people evacuated from Beledwyne Town due to #flooding of River Shabelle which reached its limits of 8.30M due to heavy rains. Clean water, toilets and food support is urgently needed.
@JMwanjisi: Thanks to the flexibility of @UKinSomalia, @SC_Somalia has been among the first responders to support the people of #Hiraan affected by #flooding proving clean water. @NGOConsortium @ESASavechildren @laura_jepson @ahmedvision1
@UNODC_MCP: As part of continuous support to #Mogadishu #MPU & #Bossaso Port & Maritime Police, @UNODC_MCP has conducted a full week of pre-deployment #VBSS training for 21 trainees to participate in the Cutlass Express #Somalia #Maritimesecurity
@HarunMaruf: An estimated 20,000 soccer fans have been sent home tonight from Engineer Yarisow Stadium as the final match of Mogadishu districts tournament was abandoned after the stadium had power cut off. Insiders are not ruling out "sabotage" either from Al-Shabaab or some rogue elements.
Follow the conversation →
AU Special Envoy on Women Peace & Security, Bineta Diop, meet with Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission (SRCC) for Somalia & Head of AMISOM, Amb. Francisco Madeira, during her visit to Somalia
PHOTO: AMISOM
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Lawyers for Liberty
Defending Human Rights & its Defenders
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
Lawyers for Liberty is a human rights lawyers organisation that seeks to protect and promote human rights and civil liberties for all including those most at risk – human rights defenders, students, grassroots activists, opposition politicians and members of Parliament, and ordinary Malaysians who have asserted and demanded their rights.
We are a collective of lawyers and activists who believe in the universality of human rights, the value of individual human dignity, and equal treatment and fairness as the foundation of a democratic and just society.
LFL fully established since 2011 has been at the frontline of human rights activism. It has handled or supported numerous high profile and important cases including on death in police custody, inquest on death of persons in custody, fatal police shooting, torture, unlawful arrest and detention, denial of access to lawyers while under arrest, detention without trial, civil liberties involving the Sedition Act and Peaceful Assembly Act and statelessness.
Among those whom we have represented include opposition leaders, members of Parliament and State Assemblymen, student leaders, NGO, political and community activists, lawyers, a political cartoonist, bloggers, journalists, whistleblowers, families and victims of serious human rights violations and stateless persons.
LFL is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation. We employ staff and work with the support and dedication of our committed legal volunteers. LFL is governed by Advisers who are responsible for the strategic direction, financial and other governance of the organisation. We are entirely independent and are funded by a combination of grants and donations from the public.
Melissa Sasidaran is the Director of Lawyers for Liberty. She has been actively involved in numerous public interest and human rights cases and initiatives since her call to the Malaysian Bar in 2010. She manages the organisation's strategic litigation for both civil and criminal matters; provides legal advice, support and representation in cases of urgent arrest, investigation and remand, and oversees its campaign and coalition work.
She has represented numerous civil society activists and the then opposition politicians for offences under the Sedition Act 1948, Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, Penal Code, Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012. She has also represented families in civil suits and inquest proceedings in cases of custodial deaths and fatal police shootings.
Twitter : @melissa_ms E-mail : [email protected]
LFL: Disclosure of the brutal & unlawful hanging methods in Changi prison – brutal kicks inflicted to snap prisoners' necks
LFL: Criminal punishment for skipping Friday prayers is not proportionate
LFL: IPCMC is crucial and the time for reform is now
1MDB is all the reason you need to vote out Najib and BN
Stealing GE14
A boatful of hope for Rohingya refugees in Malaysia
Memorandum on the Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill 2009
5 Faces: A Story of Police Custodial Deaths in Malaysia
Recommendations to the Committee for Institutional Reform
Copyrights (C) 2015-2019 Lawyers for Liberty. All Rights Reserved.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Gum bleeding as a symptom of periodontitis is a bacterial inflammation in the gingival pockets. And that endangers the hold of the teeth in the jawbone. This No. 1 widespread disease has more teeth to answer for than caries and accidents together. Current research efforts prove that this local inflammation can even spread via the circulation in the entire body.
The consequence: increased risk of heart attack and stroke, the danger of underweight premature births among pregnant women and serious risks for diabetics.
Insufficient oral hygiene, very specific aggressive bacteria, smoking, stress, adverse nutrition and heredity are a good breeding ground for periodontitis. We can do something against all factors, except for genetic predisposition. Yet much has also happened here.
Thanks to the decoding of the human genome, with a mucosal smear we can determine whether there is a risk of hereditary periodontitis. If so, we must do a bit more on a preventive basis. Particularly aggressive germs can be diagnosed by means of a smear from the gingival pocket.
Over 90% of periodontitis cases can be treated today without surgical interventions. All gingival pockets are cleansed under local anaesthesia with gentle instruments and the most modern ultrasonic technology. In the process, even hard deposits on the dental roots (tartar) are removed, and the bacteria are killed off and flushed out. Aggressive bacteria in adjacent tissue must be additionally combatted by means of antibiotics if necessary.
Science has also made great progress in terms of bone regeneration, i.e. the restoration of lost bony substance.
Permanent, supportive periodontitis therapy through our dental hygienists is indispensable for prevention of recurrences.
Tooth loss is simply not fate.


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CSF Teams up with Richard Childress in Support of Sportsmen's Issues
October 17, 2013 (Washington, DC) – Among the great views of Childress Vineyards, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), along with NASCAR legend and CSF Board of Directors member Richard Childress, hosted the 9th annual "Wine, Wheels & Wildlife" reception and dinner in Lexington, North Carolina yesterday. The event served as an opportunity to bring the NASCAR and hunting and fishing communities together to underscore the importance for sportsmen and women to have a voice in the halls of government and for attendees to enjoy the beautiful landscape and wine of Childress Vineyards.
Over 300 hunting and fishing enthusiasts, NASCAR representatives, sports legends, state legislators, and outdoor industry organizations and agencies from across the country gathered for "Wine, Wheels & Wildlife." The event gave supporters of CSF the chance to enjoy outdoor activities, a raffle, and a live auction.
CSF President, Jeff Crane opened the event and gave a special thank you to host Richard Childress and recognized Childress' support as a member of CSF's Board of Directors. "When we started this event nine years ago, we wanted to focus on three of Richard Childress' great passions: racing, wonderful Childress wines, and his commitment and dedication to hunting and fishing. The latter is where CSF comes into play as the only sportsmen's organization located on Capitol Hill that works on federal and state policy issues."
The evening also provided the opportunity to welcome Governor Pat McCrory of North Carolina as the newest member of the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (GSC). Governor McCrory's membership in the GSC is particularly special as he becomes the 25th member of the GSC.
Governor McCrory addressed the crowd and talked about the positive impact sportsmen and women have in North Carolina. "I have a great deal of respect for this organization and what you are doing for the state of North Carolina and our nation. Sportsmen and women add to the local and national economy, at a time when the economy needs as much help as possible," McCrory stated.
Childress, who has hosted "Wine, Wheels & Wildlife" with CSF since its inauguration in 2004, talked about the success the event has seen over the last nine years. "The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation is one of the greatest groups I've ever been a part of. It is because of the work they do that we are able to enjoy the sportsmen's traditions and protect them for future generations. 'Wine, Wheels & Wildlife' is a great night for conservation and I am proud to have been able to host it at Childress Vineyards for the past nine years."
"Wine, Wheels & Wildlife," with the support of Childress Racing, has become a signature event among the sportsmen's community, bringing sportsmen and women together annually to celebrate our sportsmen's heritage.
CSF is fortunate to have broad support from our industry leaders. The 9th annual "Wine, Wheels & Wildlife" title sponsors included: Caterpillar, Childress Vineyards, Daimler, Jimmy John's, Richard Childress Racing, and Smith & Wesson. Hosts included: ATK, Bass Pro Shops, The Buck Bomb, Cabela's Outdoor Fund, Dallas Safari Club, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Remington Arms Company, LLC, Safari Club International, Shimano American Corporation, and Sports South, LLC.
Since 1989 CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted sportsmen's organization in the political arena. CSF's mission is to work with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, recreational fishing and shooting and trapping. The unique and collective force of the CSC, the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (GSC) and the NASC, working closely with CSF, and with the support of major hunting, recreational fishing and shooting, and trapping organizations, serves as an unprecedented network of pro-sportsmen elected officials that advance the agenda of America's hunters and anglers.


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NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) is Ireland's official standards body.
We operate under the National Standards Authority of Ireland Act (1996) and we are accountable to the Minister for Business, Employment and Retail at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. As Ireland's Official standards body, NSAI aims to inspire consumer confidence and create the infrastructure for products and services to be recognized and relied on, all over the world.
Where a standard already exists, NSAI works with businesses to help them apply it. Where a standard may be needed, NSAI will work with relevant parties at national or international level to create and develop the appropriate standard. NSAI improves the performance of Irish business and protects consumers through the setting of standards and issuing of certification in the quality and safety of goods and services.
NSAI Standards is responsible for the development of Irish Standards, representing Irish interests in the work of the European and International standards bodies CEN/CENELEC and ISO/IEC, and for the publication and sale of Irish Standards.
We set agreed minimum Irish standards for goods and services, benchmarked against international best practice to ensure fair trade nationally and globally.
In addition to our domestic responsibilities, NSAI represents Ireland in European and international standards and measurement bodies. The purpose of this international activity is to work with others to develop consistent international written standards and measurements, which in turn can help ensure fair trade.
Learn more about standards
NSAI Certification creates, maintains and promotes accredited certification of products, services and organisations for compliance with recognised standards, from business management systems to product approvals. It issues certification confirming the quality and safety of goods and services produced and traded in Ireland
NSAI Agrement issues technical certification for new and innovative products and processes, in building and materials technology. It also assess and approves new materials and processes for Ireland's construction industry.
NSAI Inc a wholly owned subsidary of NSAI Ireland and offers certification expertise to US and global clients, with particular focus on the medical devices industry.
Learn more about our Certification Services.
Legal Metrology uphold and enforce accuracy and transparency in trade measures by certifying and inspecting measuring instruments used by traders and by inspecting pre-packaged goods to ensure correct quantity. NSAI Legal Metrology also operates a calibration service for weights and volume measures.
Learn more about Legal Metrology.
NML maintain national reference standards for a range of measurement units, and ensure NSAI standards are traceable and acceptable for international use. NML offer a range of calibration services including, acoustics, electricity, force, humidity, length, mass, pressure, temperature, time and frequency, and torque.
Learn more about our the National Metrology Laboratory.


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Q: Rendering CSS file from String variable. Is it possible to render a css file from a string data that i found from my controller class?
I have a jsp page, and the page will try to get a css varilable like this:
 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/Style/css=${css}" />

Style is the method on the controller class that returns css string variable. Simply the Style method returns a string. I have it on jsp. But i couldn't render it as a css file, it just returns it on the page. Is there any way to render that string as a css file.

A: Nope, you can't do that. Easiet solution:
<style type="text/css"> ${css} </style>

Otherwise you have to create new file with contents of ${css} variable and than include it in html with <link> tag.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Joan has hit out at the responses to the baby box from Scottish Labour while their English counterparts praised the idea.
It was a great start to 2017 seeing Labour politicians praise the SNP's baby box scheme.
Councillor Rachael O'Byrne from Liverpool said she hoped it would be in her party's next manifesto.
Unfortunately their Scottish Labour colleagues felt unable to give the baby box the same unequivocal welcome.
The baby boxes response offers a clue as to why things are so bad in Scotland for Labour, who now muster less than 15 per cent support in the polls.
The baby box idea was born in Finland in the 30s. At first, they were given to needy families only. But to tackle inequality, they gave them to all mothers and now have 95 per cent take-up.
This is important. The NHS treats everyone the same. This means there is no stigma and equality is the guiding principle. The same universal principal applies to things like the basic old age pension, personal care for the elderly and education in Scotland.
These universal policies are a mark of a civilised society and wealthier people pay for them through higher taxes.
Baby boxes reflect similar values. They are a modest investment – £6million compared with the £200billion the UK plans to spend replacing Trident so it can pretend to still be a world power.
Nicola Sturgeon's plan to introduce the boxes here has been widely praised. They offer a sturdy starter pack with everything from baby grows to blankets.
There is a baby thermometer and instructions on how to use it. Baby's temperature is an indication of illness and that over-heating can be a factor in cot death, so these items are especially welcome.
Labour churlishly claimed the baby box didn't support breastfeeding. In fact, it contains nursing pads and directs mums towards breastfeeding advice.
Online "cyber-unionists", including those who align themselves to Labour, are doing the party more damage with twisted attacks on the popular baby box idea.
They don't just think anything SNP is bad – they seem to believe anything reflective of Scottish culture is bad.
For example, they take issue with the poem Welcome Wee One, by Scotland's national poet Jackie Kay. It comes with every Baby Box.
Their main objection appears to be that it is written in Scots by a "woman from Bishopbriggs". One former Labour candidate dismissed it as "doggerel". But Kay is one of the foremost poets in the UK.
She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a Professor of Creative Writing at Newcastle University. Jackie is of Scottish and West African heritage, writes in both English and Scots, and has received countless prizes for her work.
Most Scots speak Scots – even if they call it Glaswegian or some other local dialect.
Lots of kids' rhymes and songs – Ally Bally, Wee Willie Winkie – are Scots. To have your baby welcomed into the world with a lovely poem by an acclaimed writer in a language spoken at home is a great thing.
It is a vote of confidence in who we are and what we want for the next generation. Giving babies the best start in life unites the vast majority of Scots, no matter how they vote.
Those who attack baby boxes because they oppose the SNP are indulging in political tantrums. They will only do themselves damage.
It's a pity those scratch mitts in the box don't come in larger sizes.


All fixtures and fittings, including the linoleum and the curtains are original – even the water softener and old tins of jam!
Judging by the number of motorhomes packed into the campsites at the 2016 Goodwood Revival, it's clearly an event that's popular with motorcaravanners. But you could perhaps be forgiven for missing one very special 'van that went under the hammer at the Revival's Bonhams auction.
The eye-catching lot 158 certainly drew the crowds – it was a motorhome based on a 4.0-litre 1936 Pontiac Six. Not something you see every day!
It was ordered in 1935 from the USA by Kent-based Captain Dunn through local coachbuilder Russell's of Bexhill. When it arrived on these shores it was merely a driveable chassis with front wings, a bonnet and a scuttle, which was then painstakingly and, seemingly, expertly transformed by Russell's into the marvellous and charming 'van you see today.
Captain Dunn took delivery of his Pontiac motorhome early in 1936 then embarked on a tour of the south of England. And the winning bidder can look back at these and many more Dunn family holiday memories, as four large photo albums were included in the sale.
Its khaki paintwork was in anticipation of it serving as an ambulance in World War Two, but this never happened, which must contribute to its good condition – it even has its original exhaust.
The woodwork has recently been revarnished, but all fixtures and fittings, including the linoleum and the curtains are original – even the water softener and old tins of jam! You'll also see a wheelchair, because Captain Dunn fell ill with polio on his honeymoon which left him paralysed.
The motorhome was put into storage in 1940, raised on blocks, spark plugs removed, oil tipped into the cylinder bores, and Mrs Dunn turned the engine over every few months. Captain Dunn died in 1946 and his widow, now the owner, continued regularly turning the engine over on the starting handle until she passed away in 1991.
Between 1992 and 2015, it was displayed in a purpose-built showroom, and has covered only 9308 miles from new.
This stunning, timewarp classic motorhome sold for £34,500 at Bonhams' Goodwood Revival 2016 sale. Buying a motorhome at auction can sometimes feel like an adventure, but this 'van's lucky new owner has struck gold!


Hello there, and how are you today?
I stamped the dragon from Magical Dragons by Birdie Brown with Hybrid Cement Grey ink on to Copic suitable card. Initially I was just going to use Copics but I then added a smidge of pencil too.
Once the dragon was coloured, I opted to create my own background by dry embossing a small Stitched Mini Scallop Square on to a piece of Bristol Paper. I then cut a piece of masking film with the same die and adhered it to the embossed area. At this point I inked the card with a combination of Tumbled Glass and Milled Lavender Distress ink. This was then spritzed with water. To add a little more dimension I watered down some Picket Fence Distress Paint and used a Distress Splatter Brush to flick paint across the inked card, oh and myself! Once dry, I removed the masking film and inked clouds into the centre piece with the Mini Cloud Edges Stencil and Tumbled Glass ink.
The sentiment, again from the Magical Dragons stamp set was stamped with Versamark ink and heat embossed with White Embossing Powder.
The background was mounted on to a top folding A2 card base with the Dragon attached with foam squares to add a little dimension to an otherwise very simplistic card.
A few drops of Nuvo White Blizzard were added for a bit of sparkle and there we have it, my interpretation of this weeks sketch.
For your chance to win a $50 MFT Store voucher please join in with us on the Challenge Blog.
For this card, I used my Copics on Neenah (80lb) and then added extra detail with coloured pencils.
To give the appearance of age to the card, I inked the edge of the die cut image panel with a combination of Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap Distress ink. I also inked the edge of the Gumdrop Green border.
Don't forget to leave a comment on the MFT Blog for your chance to win a $75 store voucher.


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The third wave is not here yet but the numbers are telling us that it could be sooner rather than later. While the health sector rushes to roll out vaccinations and ensure that hospitals are ready, business is preparing as well.
Economic growth will remain a pipedream if SA continues to be an unequal society, which it will unless effective interventions are implemented, says Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso in a Free Market Foundation discussion.
Mavuso says: "We are clear from the business perspective that as a country we have learnt important lessons from the past two waves and now have better clarity on the appropriate interventions to protect lives and livelihoods.
"I don't think South Africa can afford to make some of the mistakes that it did before where it elevated the health crisis above the economic crisis. We have seen what that has done to the economy. We are sitting in an environment where our economy has contracted by 7% last year, so we cannot have a repeat of that.
"We now have clarity on safe operating procedures that were implemented by business in the first two waves.
"We are cautioning, especially to the government, that the restrictions to be implemented now cannot be ones that further disadvantage the economy, lead to more job losses and put businesses in further jeopardy," says Mavuso.
Click below for the full interview
Categories: News, On Air May 20, 2021
PreviousPrevious post:State must be open about restrictions as third wave loomsNextNext post:Effective interventions crucial for economic growth


Joel and I have been to Swan Valley numerous times before (mainly for food and wine) but we never thought to explore Whiteman Park! While doing our itinerary planning, I wasn't sure how I was going to fit all the activities available there in one visit. In the end, I had to choose just the Swan Valley Caversham Wildlife Park and forgo the rest. For info, Whiteman Park also has a Transport Revolution Museum, a Motor Museum, a Tractor Museum as well as train (Steam/ diesel) and tram (vintage electric) rides to bring you to different parts of Whiteman Park.
We started our day bright and early at the Caversham Wildlife Park and the kids were really excited for their first official attraction stop of the holiday. The wildlife park is divided into sections with different types of animals/ birds from different 'regions'. The park was airy and had wide pathways to accommodate families with strollers, though sometimes you may have to go alittle off the beaten track (onto the grass patch/ on wooden chips/ soil/ hay) to take a closer look at the animals.
One of the smaller kangaroos..
Jah happily feeding his 'friends'..I was petrified!
After our close encounter with the kangaroos, we were just in time for the Wombat and Friends Show. A more controlled environment for the kids to meet some animals so right up my alley! We watched a short performance of tricks by the animals and took some photos with the snake and the big fat wombat! Yes he was probably bigger than Jah and Bella put together!
Next up, we walked into a farmhouse with sheeps, goats, pigs and turkeys just lying around or walking about. My heart was pounding really fast and it didn't help that Jah wanted me to accompany him to see them upclose! I mean they look really upclose from where I am, we don't need to go right up to their noses Jah!
Thankfully I (we) made it out of there alive and so now we needed to reward mummy for being so brave. A vineyard lunch and some chocolates, thank you very much. We headed over to Sandalford Wines for some wine tasting, in fact the wine we tasted that day was so good that we purchased most of our trip's stash from there. Totally in love with the Sweet Red and the Malbec we bought that day, we even came back for more, a few days later. JahBella enjoyed their first vineyard lunch; the weather was perfect and the food was absolutely yummy. They even had a kids menu which is always something we appreciate.
Running off his sugar high!
We only got Jah to his bed for a nap at 4pm and even then he was ok with it.
Next Up in the Perth series – The Maze….
Hi there, i am currently planning a family trip to perth. I wish to rent a car and drive around perth ourselves as we have 3 children age 8, 5, and 2 yrs old. I was wondering did you rent a baby car seat or boaster chair while you doing your self drive in perth? if yes, please provide me the company you used to rent the car, baby carseat/ boaster and how much it roughly cost. thanks very much.
Hi Donny, we rented a car seat directly from the Car rental company when our kids were 10 months and 2.5 years old as the bigger car seats were too heavy for us to lug to Perth. That being said, please bring wipes and such to wipe down the seats as they may not exactly be the cleanest items. The companies charge a per day rate and it would be best to check directly with them.
For our recent trip with kids being 3 and 5 now, we brought our own booster seats because they were lighter and easier for us to handle.
Hello, may I ask if the vineyard lunch was at the same winery – Sandalford Wines? Thanks!
Thanks so much! Your posts are very helpful !
can anyone tell me how long is the drive from swan valley to Caversham Wildlife park ? 30mins?


Located in the North East Corner of the map, players will find the Wetlands, a small swamp surrounded area.
From experience, the Wetlands is our least recommended drop location in Kings Canyon due to the significant lack of loot in the area. With mostly low to sometimes medium tier items to be found, you will likely struggle to supply your entire team with decent loot.
Given the zones vast empty surroundings, the Wetlands also makes you a prime target for incoming teams trying to avoid the circle -- especially those with long-range weapons as the area lacks suitable cover.
In most cases, we rarely encountered other teams landing in this area. If you have had a different experience, please share it in the comments below.


HELPIKEYS is a membrane keypad, programmable in A3 format designed to facilitate access to the computer. Is particularly used for educational activities and rehabilitation, and his versatility is able to respond to a lot of difficulties. HELPIKEYS can be used for motor, cognitive, visual and social and relationship problems.


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Q: 502 Proxy error in Orders page Magento 2.0.10 I recently upgraded from 2.0.6 to 2.0.10 and thought everything went alright, but since then, admin users experience a 502 proxy error when trying to access the orders page.

I'm not able to reproduce the problem myself, each time it seems related to a specific account. If I log in, go to the orders page and user the same filter, it'll work.
The only workaround I found until now is to log with the problematic user, inspect the code of the page, delete the loading overlay and clear the filters.
Any idea?


Quilted art to snuggle, collect and love.
Snuggle up by the fire on a cold winter's evening in our locally made quillows. We have handmade tote bags to carry your favorite books. You'll also find a wide selection of quilt related merchandise. Have the urge to quilt? We offer quilting hoops and quilting kits. Check out a few of the items shown below - you'll get the idea.


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Tommy Paul wins all-American quarter, faces Novak Djokovic next
Tommy Paul received a lot less attention than his younger, less-experienced opponent, Ben Shelton, heading into their all-American quarterfinal at the Australian Open.
Perhaps that was a product of the fascination with the out-of-nowhere Shelton: Just 20 and less than a year after winning an NCAA title at Florida, he was traveling outside the United States for the first time and participating in his second Grand Slam tournament.
So the loud shouts heard most often emanating from the Rod Laver Arena stands Wednesday, under the sun that carried the temperature to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, were for one of the pair: "Let's go, Benny! Let's go!" or "Benny, Benny, Benny! Oi, Oi, Oi!" or "Go, Gators!"
"He had a pretty good trip," Paul noted.
Paul's story is a pretty good one too, and it is the one that will keep going at Melbourne Park. The 25-year-old was a star in the juniors and now is making good on that promise in the pros, using a 7-6 (6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Shelton to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal in his 14th appearance at a major.
"Every junior to pro has a different path. … Mine has been, like, the slowest," the 35th-ranked Paul said, mentioning a group of Americans he grew up with: Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Reilly Opelka. "I like to think the last four years of my career has just been like steady steps moving up. I mean, that's what it's felt like. I feel like hopefully 2023 is the year where I really make a big jump."
As a bonus, Paul's mother was in the crowd for the biggest victory of his career. Paul said Mom booked a flight after he won his fourth-round match then went straight from work to the airport to make the long journey from the U.S.
"She's done a lot for me, from when I was really young until now. She's sacrificed a ton to get me here," Paul said. "She deserves to be here and deserves to see me win big matches."
Paul's next opponent will be 21-time Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic, who overwhelmed No. 5 seed Andrey Rublev 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. After dealing with a worrisome left hamstring in his first two matches, Djokovic has been on quite a roll: He has won his past 11 sets and dropped a total of 27 games in that span as he chases a 10th championship in Melbourne.
Rublev dropped to 0-7 in major quarterfinals.
The other men's semifinal Friday is Stefanos Tsitsipas against Karen Khachanov. The women's semifinals Thursday (3:30 a.m. ET) will be Victoria Azarenka vs. Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka vs. Magda Linette.
Tommy Paul became the first American man to make it to the semifinals of the Australian Open since Andy Roddick in 2009. Dita Alangkara/AP
Paul initially broke through as a teenager, taking the 2015 junior title at the French Open (beating Fritz) and getting to the final at Flushing Meadows that year too (losing to Fritz). Since turning professional, he has claimed one tour-level trophy, at Stockholm in 2021, and, until this week, had made it as far as the fourth round at just one Grand Slam tournament — at Wimbledon a year ago.
Now Paul is the first man from his country to make it to the final four at Melbourne Park since Andy Roddick in 2009. Roddick was also the last man from the U.S. to win a Grand Slam singles championship, at the US Open 20 years ago.
While Shelton was sort of adopted by the locals — "The crowds have been pretty unbelievable. … They kind of treated me like one of their own," he observed — Paul was not drawing the same amount adoration.
"I've been on the outside courts, grinding, until the round of 16," Paul said. "I've been flying under the radar a little bit."
No longer.
Based purely on ranking, Paul offered a much sterner test than anyone Shelton had faced in Australia: His prior opponents were ranked 67th, 96th, 113th and 154th.
Paul, meanwhile, took out two seeds: No. 24 Roberto Bautista Agut and No. 30 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
In the first Grand Slam quarterfinal between two American men since 2007, when Roddick beat Mardy Fish in Melbourne, Paul generally was content to block back the big lefty serves that kept coming from Shelton then do what he could to get the better of back-and-forths.
Paul was more steady than spectacular, limiting his miscues with compact swings off both wings.
"Extremely solid from the baseline," Shelton said. "He did a great job moving me around the court, keeping me off balance."
They shared a light moment when Paul's coach, Brad Stine, told him to look for a serve down the "T" on the Ad side of the court. Shelton noticed the exchange and kicked his serve wide, leaving Paul out of position and with no chance at reaching the ace. Both players smiled.
Shelton broke twice late in the third to steal that set and yelled, "Yeah!" as he raised his left fist then pointed to his ear with his right index finger, as if telling the crowd, "Let me hear you!"
Maybe Shelton relaxed a bit there, because he started the next set poorly, double-faulting twice in a row and then missing a backhand to gift-wrap a break for Paul.
Soon enough, it was Paul letting out a scream of delight — "Let's go!" — after the last point then meeting Shelton at the net for a warm hug.
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Horse racing in Hong Kong is enormously popular for local and overseas punters, thanks largely to its image as a squeaky-clean and transparent racing jurisdiction.
HK has the highest racing turnover in the world and its season prizemoney is near $HK1 billion ($US129 million).
The sport is policed by the powerful Hong Kong Jockey Club, which has a government-backed monopoly on wagering on racing, sport and lotteries.
The racing in Hong Kong is split between the spectacular and unique Happy Valley course, set amid skyscrapers and mountains, and the imposing Sha Tin in the New Territories where the horse population is housed and trained.
Most Wednesday nights the action is at the city course for Happy Wednesday, a non-stop party where you don't need an interest in horses to have a good time, while on Sundays (and some Saturdays) the focus is on Sha Tin, home to all the group 1 racing in Hong Kong.
In a typical season more than 2 million fans will flock to watch the races, more than 24,000 per meeting.
Many of the best trainers and jockeys in the world flock to Hong Kong to live the racing dream and, more pertinently, make their fortune in a low-tax environment (a flat 16 per cent).
And the attention of the racing world turns to Sha Tin for International Day each December, a day featuring enormous prizemoney and four group 1 races.
Racing enthusiasts the world over gravitate to Hong Kong racing because of its almost unrivalled integrity.
The racing and horse population in this autonomous territory of China is under intense scrutiny at all times.
For example, all veterinary treatments of horses are on the public record and all trackwork and trials are filmed and made available on the HKJC's website.
And all participants are employees of the club.
There is seemingly no end to the amount of information available about the limited horse population, so serious form students will fancy their chances of turning a profit.
Computer teams have come and gone from Hong Kong, with some making their fortune and others leaving broke.
The betting in Hong Kong is exclusively into the HKJC tote pool, which in 2014-15 attracted turnover of $HK107.9 billion ($US13.8 billion). That's roughly $HK136m ($US17.4m) per race!
Of course, totes from other jurisdictions including Australia, Singapore, the United States, Macau and New Zealand commingle with the HK pool to make the turnover figures even more astronomical.
Any betting pool with that sort of liquidity attracts the serious punter, and market moves (particularly in the minutes leading up to a race) can be followed with confidence.
The British, its former rulers, brought the sport of kings to Hong Kong, and the local population embraced it with a passion.
Happy Valley was built in 1845 on a former swamp, with the first meeting held there on December 17, 1846, and the HK Derby first run in 1873.
Racing has been held at the track almost non-stop since.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club was started in 1884 to run racing, though it was not until 1926 that Chinese citizens could become members.
To cope with demand and a soaring population, Sha Tin was built in 1978.
Under the auspices of the HKJC, racing flourished, and in the 1980s and 1990s telephone betting began and betting shops were opened around the city.
The season runs from September to July, with 88 meetings, not a coincidental number considering the significance placed on the number eight in the Chinese culture.
Eight has a similar pronunciation to the words for "wealth" and "fortune", and the horse carrying the No.8 saddlecloth will often be under the odds.
The pinnacle of HK racing is at group 1 level, with other feature races rated at group 2 and 3.
Lesser races in HK are broken down to Class 1 to Class 5, with Class 1 being the highest … the horses slot into these classes depending on their individual rating. Griffin races are held for unrated horses, which are usually unraced imports.
Barrier draws are done randomly via computer (saddlecloth number has no correlation to barrier number).
There are 24 trainers employed by the club who have a maximum of 60 horses, and only elite trainers from around the world are invited to ply their trade in HK.
Jockeys are likewise carefully screened and then invited to apply for a licence to ride.
With no breeding industry based in land-poor Hong Kong, all horses (and there are roughly 1200 in training at any one time) are imported. Almost all are raced as geldings and few mares race in HK.
There are two horse racing venues in Hong Kong, and racing is conducted in a clockwise direction at both.
The magnificent Sha Tin course in the New Territories is a fair haul out of downtown HK and can accommodate 80,000 fans, and the horse population is trained there.
It was built in 1978 and Sha Tin has turf and all-weather tracks and the meetings are usually conducted on Sundays, with a maximum of 14 runners in any race.
Also housed at the track is a state-of-the-art racing laboratory.
Built in 1846 and rebuilt in 1995, Happy Valley has a capacity of 55,000 and boasts a unique eight-level grandstand.
It is built in the heart of HK surrounded by towers and mountains, on the site of an old swamp.
It is the party track with meetings mainly on Wednesday nights – Happy Wednesday – and the beer garden there can be a sight to behold.
Happy Valley has a turf track, with a maximum of 12 runners in any race. It is a tight-turning track and inside barriers can be a distinct advantage.
The race day at Sha Tin in mid-December is unquestionably the highlight of the racing year.
It features four group 1 races – the Hong Kong Cup, Hong Kong Mile, Hong Kong Sprint and Hong Kong Vase – and total prizemoney somewhere north of $HK80 million.
Tens of thousands of punters will be on hand and, given the presence of many world-class international horses, trainers and jockeys to take on the locals, it attracts enormous attention around the globe.
The HK Derby was first run in 1873 and is now held over 2000 metres (10 furlongs) at Sha Tin.
It is restricted to four-year-olds and has a prizemoney pool of $HK18 million. It is the final leg of the Classic series for four-year-olds.
The Asian Pattern Committee continually reviews races each season to elevate (or drop) races based on the quality of the race participants.
* First Leg of the Triple Crown; ** Second Leg of the Triple Crown; *** Final Leg of the Triple Crown; # Second Leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series; ##4th Leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, Final Leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series.
The top few jockeys tend to dominate in terms of strike rates, so they can be followed with confidence. They are generally riding for the most successful trainers, too. In recent years, Brazilian "Magic Man" Joao Moreira and Australian Zac Purton are the go-to riders.
Happy Valley is a tight track with a short straight, so a good barrier is imperative. Unless of course you know a particular horse has the pace to cut across to the fence quickly from a wide draw. Runners fan wide around the turn so backmarkers can cut up along the inside if the pace has been on.
Visit the HKJC website and watch the last-minute fluctuations. You may be able to spot a late firmer and take advantage of fixed-price odds with a bookie in your jurisdiction.
If you can sign up with the club and bet in large amounts, rebates on losing bets up to 10 per cent are available. A warning, though: to open an account with the HKJC requires a bank account to be opened in Hong Kong at HSBC, Hang Seng Bank or Bank of China. A must for professional punters.


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News » News Stories
His Kingdom for a Mini Horse: The equine quest of Sir Kwain of Webster Groves
Jennifer Silverberg Sir Kwain, also known as Karl Kindt, hopes to adopt a miniature horse to accompany him on adventures.
Thirteen years ago a knight-errant decided to ride out from Webster Groves in search of adventure.
He knew all the old stories of King Arthur and the Round Table, but he wasn't quite sure what sort of adventures knights had in the very late twentieth century.
So he placed an ad in the Webster-Kirkwood Times. It read, "You need a knight!"
The first call came from an older woman who needed a knight to fix her plumbing. Our knight, Sir Kwain (also known as Karl Kindt), knew how to fence and ride and, from his day job as a litigation support technologist at a law firm, how to do research. He did not, however, know much about plumbing. So he referred the woman to a friend who was a plumber.
"It seemed like the chivalrous thing to do," he says now.
Sir Kwain is nothing if not chivalrous. This distinguishes him from most other knights in history. "They were bullies," he says. "They wanted to force other people to believe the way they believed. I believe faith is a matter of the heart, not a sword or gun." He does keep a couple of swords, along with a lance and a dagger, in the back of his black Volvo station wagon, but he only uses them to slice watermelon.
Do not mistake Sir Kwain's gentleness for cowardice. He once captured a shoplifter in a convenience store and thwarted a band of drunken teenage party crashers. At age 63 he runs and lifts weights every day, not only because he considers physical fitness a necessity of knighthood, but also because his suit of armor, custom-wrought of steel by an armorer in Idaho, weighs 82 pounds.
During his career as a knight-errant, Sir Kwain has had many adventures. He has walked brides down the aisle, stood guard outside the Bevo Mill and prevented the city's most wealthy and powerful from tumbling down the ice-covered steps of the Saint Louis Art Museum. He once led the Veiled Prophet Parade. (That also qualified as an ordeal; his armor isn't ventilated.) Seven mayors have dubbed him a knight.
But Sir Kwain's greatest quest has taken place at the many schools and birthday parties he has visited over the years. He has assembled a large repertoire of stories about other knights, like Sir Watermelon and Sir Little, in order to teach children the value of chivalry.
"The tongue is more dangerous than the sword," Sir Kwain likes to tell his audiences. "Your words can go through my armor and hurt me." He instructs the children to stick out their tongues at the mirror every morning and say, "Tongue, don't hurt anyone today, or I will bite you."
The name Sir Kwain is an acronym for "Knight Without An Interesting Name." In one story, Sir Kwain goes on a quest to find a better name, but instead learns that his name is interesting because it is his.
Names are a matter of great importance to Karl Kindt. His father, also named Karl Kindt, was killed in World War II, three months before the younger Kindt was born. He left behind a Bible, a wedding ring, a photo and a letter to his unborn child that explained that, if he did not come home, it was because he had given his life so "the most sweetest, most beautiful woman in existence" could live in peace.
Kindt only knew his father through the letter. "It was a tender spot with my mother," he says. "She would cry as soon as I started to ask questions."
Sir Kwain sprang into existence in 1995, after Kindt traveled to Germany and France to see where his father had fought and was buried. Kindt had grown up hearing stories about King Arthur and his knights from his stepfather, his "Dad Prescott." As he placed flowers on his father's grave, Kindt realized his father had been a modern-day knight who had died in the service of God and country, and vowed to carry on his legacy.
"The idea of actually having armor made for myself for this purpose also came to me," Kindt writes on his website, www.knightforhire.com. "The armor has proved to be expensive but useful in drawing attention to the need in our society for men who are dedicated to the cause of truth, justice, to their wives and to the King of all Kings who loves us all."
For years Sir Kwain roamed St. Louis with Freckles, the only horse he had ever met who wasn't spooked by his armor. After Freckles died last year, Kindt began to consider whether his next steed might be a miniature horse, a creature small enough to accompany him on school and hospital visits.
"Miniature horses are therapy horses," Kindt explains. "They're also used as guide horses for the blind." Most are about the size of a large dog.
As it happens, Goose Creek Farms in St. Louis breeds miniature horses — including one named Thumbelina, who, at a height of seventeen inches from hoof to withers, is the smallest horse in the world.
Perhaps rashly, Kindt promised his three granddaughters that his mini horse would live in the back yard of the house he shares with Margie, his wife of 42 years.
Webster Groves is already home to chickens and potbellied pigs, but members of the town's Health & Environmental Services Advisory Board last week expressed concern about whether Kindt's half-acre lot would be large enough for the miniature horse to exercise and whether it would get lonely without other horses nearby.
"They asked if I would take it for walks," Kindt says. "I said no, it wouldn't be fair to the horse. Dogs would bark at it and make it nervous. Also, I don't feel like picking up horse manure." But Kindt's dog, a Maltese, would keep the horse company, he assured the board, and he'd bring it back to the farm occasionally for social visits.
The board didn't have a quorum at its meeting last week, so members tabled discussion until next month. In the meantime, Kindt volunteered to research how many square yards a miniature horse needs.
He has also ruled out adopting the horse he'd originally settled on. "Sandman is going to be 30 inches [tall]," he says. "That's almost pony-size. I'm looking at smaller horses now."
Kindt regrets not bringing his youngest granddaughter, five-year-old Ella, when he spoke to the advisory board. "If Ella were here," he says in retrospect, "she would have some arguments."
She would also have had the sympathy of at least one board member, Dennis Wells, Webster's director of public works. Wells, too, had been promised a horse as a child, but his parents had never delivered.
Leaving the meeting, Kindt sounds disappointed. "I was looking forward to telling the story of Sir Little with a real horse," he says. But he has not forgotten Sir Kwain's mission. Outside the conference room, the young daughter of one of the board members sits with a book in front of her, looking bored out of her mind.
Kindt hands her one of the DVDs he brought with him to the meeting. "Here," he says chivalrously. "Here are some knight stories. You'll like them!"
News Stories News Karl Kindt Webster Groves Dennis Wells St. Louis
N. Gore and W. Lockwood avenues (Webster Groves)


Diabetes is affecting the lives of millions across the United States and our area is no exception.
The debilitating disease is costing health care an estimated $174 billion dollars a year and it's becoming an epidemic right here in Texoma. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death and it's climbing. "Especially people in this area maybe 10 to 15 % of patients either have an abnormality that will lead to diabetes or have diabetes," says Dr. Ryan Kahl, a local endocrinologist.
As the numbers increase, Texoma Medical Center is stepping up and giving residents incentives to get their glucose levels checked by providing a free diabetes screening. The process is quick and easy. It only takes a prick of your finger and sixty seconds you have your results.
After the screening, Dr. Kahl held a seminar to inform those living with high blood sugar and diabetes how to manage their disease day to day. Getting informed can make all the difference. "High blood sugar doesn't cause any symptoms, usually finding it early by screening makes a huge difference," says Kahl.
The screening made a huge difference for one man living in Texoma. "I ate before and that made it a little higher than it should have been, but they were a little concerned," says Al Giles a local resident who tested his glucose levels.
Doctors say, you should get your glucose levels checked once a year.


To find out more information about Enloe Chiropractic Life Center, please review the contact information below in order speak with Enloe Chiropractic Life Center.
Enloe Chiropractic Life Center is a chiropractic practice that delivers chiropractic services to patients in Longs, SC.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub