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Q: Matplotlib has a problem finding a backend after I use pyinstaller I'm trying to make an .exe file from .py and I'm having an issue with matplotlib library. When I run my script in VS Code plt.show() works just fine. But when I use pyinstaller to make an .exe and run the .exe file, it gives me a following warning: "UserWarning: Matplotlib is currently using agg, which is a non-GUI backend, so cannot show the figure." Importing TkAgg directly with "import matplotlib.backends.backend_tkagg" doesn't solve the problem either.
Is it possible to fix that?

A: I ran into the same issue.
I found this article, which may be helpful:
"UserWarning: Matplotlib is currently using agg, which is a non-GUI backend, so cannot show the figure." when plotting figure with pyplot on Pycharm
However, the simple fix in my case was to just explicitly import the backend module(s):
import matplotlib.backends.backend_tkagg
import matplotlib.backends.backend_wxagg

Pyinstaller does some relatively sophisticated analysis and Matplotlib itself has some relatively sophisticated code to be able to use multiple GUI backends. I think the overall problem is that Pyinstaller isn't seeing that any particular backend is actually being used and so doesn't end up bundling any backend module.
Explicitly making the import makes it obvious to Pyinstaller that you want that module (importing it is effectively using it). (Maybe you only need the one for 'tkagg' - I happen to be working with a WX GUI, so I included both imports - it works.)


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Nelly's star falls
Nelly Stharre, the lovable and lovely reggae singer may be alive, may be dead
Reggae singer Nelly Stharre apparently dies in strange circumstances
The agony that the Raffoul family is going through must be beyond anyone's imagination.
"I'm sure you can imagine it yourself," one grief-stricken family member said in declining a request from The Sun for an interview. The pain in his voice was intense, the anguish was evident.
They have been forced to deal with the grim reality of losing a daughter, a sister; to make sense of the circumstances. Yet they must grapple with the uncertainty, while clinging to hope, no matter how remote, that she might still be alive; that by some miraculous feat, the charred human remains discovered by family members in her burnt dwelling are not those of Nelly Stharre.
The story surrounding the gruesome discovery is as depressing as it is sorrowful.
"The brother and sister, after three days they couldn't (reach) her, they went up there and they found the house charred," a close family friend who later visited the scene told The Sun.
She was also due to attend a function to mark the 128th anniversary of the birth of Jamaican national hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey, but failed to show up, added the friend, who spoke to The Sun on condition of anonymity out of respect for the grieving family, his heart clearly heavy.
"Somebody called and asked about it but I didn't [think much about it at the time]."
What happened, when, and why remain unclear as police continue their investigation.
The house where the fallen Stharre lived was located deep in the interior of Mahaut, was isolated and not easy to get to because of the condition of the road leading to it, a friend and fellow Rastafarian told The Sun.
"It's extremely remote. You drive up and the road is very bad and there is just no neighbour."
Like her brother and sister, he had tried to reach Stharre on Friday 14 August without success, but thought it was because she did not have a cell signal, the distraught lawyer told The Sun in a tone a lot more somber than has been normal.
Meanwhile, the family friend who has visited the scene said when he arrived "there was police all over the place, there was a lot of activity." He said the police did not allow him to walk through the "crime scene" but he it was clear there were remains of two humans.
"No bodies, just skeleton. The bodies were charred. They were in different areas of the house and not in the bedroom area. That's all I know. Anything else will be speculation," he stressed.
"The police told us it's a crime scene and they are investigating and it will take them about three days to cover the area.
It's a very sad situation. It's really sad when you have such a loss, especially when it's a close friend," he added. For her friend who "knew her very well", the news has been "devastating".
"It's really stunning on every level. I'm devastated. The Rasta community is devastated," he told The Sun, adding that they were considering "going up there and doing a chant".
"Nelly was all about peace and love. She was hippy. It's just incongruous. It's just incongruous. I don't know why, what," he stressed.
Stharre, whose given name was Nelly Raffoul, "has three children who were with their father for the summer," Shillingford said, speaking in the present tense, as if she were still alive.
The second set of remains are believed to be that of Stharre's partner Trevy Felix, the former lead singer and songwriter for the internationally acclaimed roots reggae band Boom Shaka.
The two formed a relationship after Stharre and her Jamaican husband separated some years ago, according to her friend.
"He was incredible [and] very, very knowledgeable about Africa. Trevy was one of the [most] intelligent reggae musicians I have known," said her friend. "Trevy that is her man. They lived together, they were making music together; they were making this reggae acoustic trial which they were planning to release."
It's music the world will probably not ever get to hear because this Stharre has fallen under circumstances yet unknown. Fans have turned to social media to express their sorry.
I shed so much tears yesterday as my heart and soul was in disbelief of what happened to you ... I went to rest asking the question why? wrote Ashantiwaa Selassie on Stharre's Facebook page.
"Nelly is the most selfless person I knew. Ras Trevy lived 24/7 for music . . . it is so painful that I preferred to process my feelings and express them privately first. What a loss to a worldwide community of progressive artists, feminists, spiritualists," added Ras Mo Moses
And Heston Francis wrote: "You unselfishly shared your home with me, unselfishly broke your bread with me, unselfishly shared your stage with me… One of the purest souls I've ever known!!!"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


. . . a champion studies.
The sun's been out all weekend and it's hard to convince myself to stay inside and study for this exam. 48 hours until I, hopefully, don't have to think about it anymore.
I did a short run this morning but the jury agrees that it was too hot and I should have gone out earlier in order to be productive. It's nice to be back on the ol' stomping (running) grounds though. I'll hopefully be working soon so I can choose a fall marathon, and maybe a summer half marathon, and register for them. I run better with races on my schedule, but that's the way it works sometimes.


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WDJL (1000 AM, "Gospel Explosions") is a daytime-only radio station licensed to Huntsville, Alabama, that serves the Tennessee Valley and surrounding areas. The station is owned by Dorothy Sandifer (doing business as WDJL Gospel Explosions). The station broadcasts a Christian radio format featuring a mix of gospel music, religious programming, and sermons.

Because WDJL shares the same frequency as "clear channel" station WMVP in Chicago, Illinois, this station only broadcasts during the daytime hours.

Programming
Weekday local programming includes a mixed program of Christian music, Gospel jazz, sermons, teaching programs, and other features. Weekend programming is a mix of gospel music, sermons, and other religious programming.

History
From 1968 until 1979, this frequency was operated as 10,000–watt daytime-only Top 40 station WVOV, whose callsign stood for the "Voice of the Valley." In 1979, the station flipped to a country music format before falling temporarily silent.

In May 1981 the station returned as WTAK, branded as "The New WTAK 10 AM", with an AC format and a morning team of Mike Sweeney and Gary Drake. Limited by the daytime-only restrictions, the station went through several formats and owners; the formats included Oldies, Enerjazz, and AOR/CR.

In 1987 the station changed to a fully fledged AOR format which it later shared with then-sister station  WTAK-FM. After a transition period to establish the FM home of the format, and an April 1994 callsign change to WDJL, the AM station was sold off in 1995.

In October 1996, local insurance and real estate broker Keith Sharp acquired the station as part of a land deal. The station flipped to an oldies music format under the moniker "Gold 1000".

The station ran 10,000 watts of power in a directional pattern until 2006.

The station was purchased by Dorothy Sandifer in 2008. The branding of the station was changed to "WDJL, Gospel Explosions, 1000 AM."

References

External links
 WDJL official website

DJL
Gospel radio stations in the United States
Radio stations established in 1968
1968 establishments in Alabama
DJL
DJL

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


I recently joined in with CraftyHelens Pumpkin Patch swap and chose 'Autumn' as my preferred theme. I was lucky enough to be paired with the wonderful Lisa of 'Kandipandi's Pad' and after reading her blog (new to me) and loving what she writes, makes and reads I came up with a bundle that I think stays true to the knitter in me but also allowed me to branch out back to my old sewing days too. It was also the first opportunity I had to use my new labels very exciting!
And what an amazing bundle it was ~ I adore it lots and lots; thank you again ~ you can't tell without feeling it but that scarf is the softest most lovely thing ever! Oh I wish blogs had feel a vision and smell a vision for that soap ~ I don't want to use it, it's far too nice!
Now that is what you call an astonishing and very generous bundle of goodies. Well done Chloe, your swapee will be delighted. I absolutely love the scarf - you should put the pattern on Ravelry - but not for free!(except to me!lol).


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Table 2 Statements specific to outcomes, ORB or publication bias
Organisation/Charity
Statements specific to outcomes, ORB or publication bias
Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Executive Health Department There should be free access to information both on research being conducted and on the findings of the research – positive or negative-once these have been subjected to appropriate scientific review. When established, findings (including negative findings) are published in ways that allow critical review and dissemination to those who could benefit from them.
Department of Health (England) When established, findings (including negative findings) are published in ways that allow critical review and dissemination to those who could benefit from them.
World Health Organisation Procedures for communicating deviation from the original statistical plan (any deviation from the original statistical plan should be described and justified in the protocol and/or in the final report).
The study protocol may include; in the case of a negative outcome, an assurance that the results will be made available, as appropriate, through publication or by reporting to the drug registration authority.
Both authors and publishers have ethical obligations. In publication of the results of research, the investigators are obliged to preserve the accuracy of the results. Negative as well as positive results should be published or otherwise publicly available. Sources of funding, institutional affiliations and any possible conflicts of interest should be declared in the publication. Reports of experimentation not in accordance with the principles laid down in this Declaration should not be accepted for publication.
Medical Research Council (UK) The analysis should follow a carefully written analysis plan. All outcome measures stated in the protocol should be fully analysed.
It is equally unethical not to report results, or to exaggerate the importance of results for medical practice or policy.
Trials should be submitted to a peer reviewed journal irrespective of the results of the trial.
The council's mission to improve quality of life also carries with it the imperative to report results that are directly relevant; there can be no freedom not to do so. This is also required as one of the conditions of gaining ethical approval for studies using human participants. It is increasingly recognised that that many results of clinical studies are not published but are nevertheless significant in building up an overall picture of the efficacy of a particular diagnostic, therapeutic or preventive approach.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia) Procedures for reporting any deviation(s) from the original statistical plan (any deviation(s) from the original statistical plan should be described and justified in the protocol and/or in the final report, as appropriate).
Disseminating and communicating results, whether favourable or unfavourable, in ways that permit scrutiny and contribute to public knowledge and understanding.
The National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (USA) Outcome measures should be prioritized. Generally, there should be just one primary variable, with evidence that it will provide a clinically relevant, valid and reliable measure of the primary objective.
Health and Social Care Research and Development Office (Northern Ireland) When established, findings (including negative findings) are published in ways that allow critical review and dissemination to those who could benefit from them. Other researchers have access to the data on which the findings are based.
Ataxia UK Ataxia UK recognises that journals normally publish only positive findings, and that negative findings may nevertheless be of value. Ataxia UK therefore reserves the right to publish summaries of negative as well as positive findings on its website or elsewhere.
Chronic Granulomatous Disorder Research Trust The Institution will ensure that publication of findings in peer reviewed journals is sought as soon as possible during, and after conclusion, of the Project even where results prove negative.
Cystic Fibrosis Trust Grantholders are expected to seek publication of findings in peer reviewed journals as soon as possible during, and after conclusion, of the project even where results prove negative.
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland The Multiple Sclerosis Society requires its researchers to disseminate the results of the research that it funds in the usual manner, for example by publication in peer reviewed journals and presentation at meetings, as soon as possible during, and after conclusion, of the project even where results prove negative or inconclusive.
Researchers should be honest in respect of their own actions in research and in their responses to the actions of other researchers. This applies to the whole range of research work, including experimental design, generating and analysing data, applying for funding, publishing results, and acknowledging the direct and indirect contribution of colleagues, collaborators and others.
Research into ageing Unless otherwise stated in the Offer Letter, Grantholders are required by the Charity to seek publication of findings in peer reviewed journals (as appropriate) as soon as possible during, and after conclusion, of the Project even where results prove negative.


Rison Design is ready to help you on any floral project: from creating memorable wedding designs to "jazzing" up your office or retail location to adding flare to your restaurant spaces and even your own home. With over 5 years of experience in event floral design, we're ready to work with you to create your ideal environments. We'll incorporate and expound on your preferences and considerations.


Is It Smart for a College Student or New Grad to Buy a Home?
Purchasing a home is a huge investment, and one that takes a lot of funds, patience and responsibility. While it can be tempting to move out of your parent's home to fend for yourself, owning a house has its own list of unique duties that require a certain level of property management skills. The question lies in whether or not a college student or recent graduate should attempt to buy their own house. After all, many might ask themselves; if not now, when? You might be studying to enter a solid, high-paying career or you might have recently graduated and are sure that you'll find a job that pays well, guaranteeing you that owning a home will be a cake walk.
Just because you graduated college or are studying a major that could potentially bring in a six-figure salary does not mean that you'll get what you want. It's not uncommon for college students to graduate and work minimum wage jobs for years before something comes through. You cannot rely on a college degree alone to pay for your home, that's the simple truth. Your college degree means nothing when buying a home if you don't have the job to back it up.
Do You Have Enough Saved Up for a Down Payment?
Home experts agree that a good down payment is 20 percent of the cost of the home. Your $200,000 home will require a down payment of about $40,000 if you want to reduce mortgage costs and eliminate future debt problems. Without a down payment, that 20 percent gets included into your mortgage and can raise the monthly payments substantially. If you haven't already started saving up for a down payment on a home, now is the perfect time to do so. Instead of buying a home straight out of college, spend some years saving money and you'll eventually be glad you did.
Do You Know How to Care for a Home?
Caring for a home is a skill in and of itself. Yes, you can call plumbers, electricians and painters to do all of the work in your new house, but this can become extremely expensive relatively quickly. While you don't have to be a full-on construction worker to successfully own a home, a small amount of foreknowledge on home repair and maintenance is necessary to avoid hefty contractor fees.
Can You Afford Monthly Mortgage Payments?
It's upsetting to realize that an estimated one million people lose their homes to foreclosure every single year. Foreclosure is the leading cause of home loss in America, forcing people to leave their houses and essentially fend for themselves. Foreclosure occurs when you don't make your monthly mortgage payments and the bank takes possession of your home. For college students and recent grads, you need to know that you have it within your budget to pay for a mortgage so that foreclosure doesn't happen to you.
Will You or Do You Have Student Loans?
It's all too easy to get caught up in the excitement that comes with buying a new house. You might have friends or coworkers who are homeowners and it's thrilling to know that could be you, too. However, being a college student nowadays and having insurmountable student loan debt almost go hand-in-hand. If you're drowning in a sea of student loan debt, there is no possible way for you to afford a mortgage on top of your already-impossible financial burden.
So, Should a Student or Grad Buy a Home?
Unfortunately, it is often financially unsafe and irresponsible for students and recent graduates to buy a home. Student loans, an inadequate down payment or an irresponsible attitude towards bills could leave the cheery-eyed youth racing to the bank to beg that their home not go into foreclosure. Home buying works for some young people, but it is often recommended that you stick to a rental or continue living at your parent's until you are absolutely certain that purchasing a home can be done safely and securely.
Court cases or death benefits that involve young people are often ordered by the judge to be accessible only through annuity payments. This method prevents the young person or their parent from spending the money too quickly, further improving the future financial stability of that person. Structured settlement payments are given over the course of time in the form of a monthly check. The young adult, teenager or child will receive these payments for their everyday living costs and expenditures. Experts recommend that the money given by these settlements be put into a fund to grow as opposed to given directly to the, often irresponsible, individual. There are a number of structured settlement annuity and loan companies out there that will be of much help in making this decision.
Unlike an adult coming into a windfall of money from a settlement or death benefit, people under the age of 18 are unable to control any of this money. A judge will court order how the money is dispersed, which is often done advantageously to the child or teenager. Once the young person reaches the age of 18, they can control the payments being received and change how often and how much they get.
Structured settlements go a long way when invested or saved. As long as the minor does not need that money upfront, the cash flow should go into a savings account or investment plan that grows the money over time. Saving and investing should always be done with a knowledgeable adult's guidance. It can be all too easy to lose all of your monetary gain just by making a bad investment decision.
What are the Benefits of Structured Settlements?
Court settlements and death benefits come in two different forms: a lump sum and a structured annuity. The lump sum of money is ideal for those who need to pay off large bills right off the bat, but the amount you pay in tax can be shocking. Federal guidelines will withhold 20 percent of your lump sum, reducing the amount you receive. State tax is also taken out and, while less than federal, can also be substantial. Structured settlements are ideal because they are essentially tax-free. The only time when tax is an issue is if you turn your annuity into a lump sum payment at any point in time.
For young people, the annuity is vested and protected so that the child or his parents do not have access to change it. This prevents anyone from spending the money prematurely and is fully safeguarded until the child turns 18. The payments received as part of the annuity never falter due to variable stock market dips. No bank maintenance fees are required to continue to obtain your monthly payments.
A major downfall to structured settlement agreements is the inability to change anything once it has been locked in. Your child or teen will only be able to do this once they reach adulthood. This could potentially be a problem if large lump sums of money are needed for medical bills or other emergencies. Even when the child turns 18, they can only change the agreement once before getting locked into it again.
Almost all structured settlements are governed by insurance providers and the Federal Treasury. This prevents the annuity from being tampered with by creditors and other judgement. For example, if a young adult experiences a debt collection problem due to unpaid bills, their annuity cannot be touched. This can save lots of headache, heartache and time because you can still receive your much-needed monthly payments without giving it up because you are in collections.
The structured settlement option is ideal for most adults, but it is especially beneficial to younger people who would otherwise be irresponsible with a windfall of cash. Annuities are decided on the specific amount that is due and the term length. Tax is never deducted from this amount, so what you get from a settlement or death benefit is what you're going to receive. Only a judge can initially govern the specific amount that you'll get as form of payment. Once you or your child reaches adulthood, they have all the say in how that money is vested and spent.
Just because you're in college doesn't mean it's too soon to start thinking about your credit score. In fact, the sooner you start building your credit score, the better. A bad credit score or even just a lack of credit history can hurt you in several ways in the future. You may not get that apartment you like if your credit score isn't high enough. Need a new car? Expect to pay considerably more in interest on an auto loan with no credit history to your name.
Building credit as a student isn't difficult. If you approach it the right way, you'll have a dramatically higher credit score by the time you graduate.
If a bill is in your name, then paying it on time is important for your credit history. Set up automatic bill payments if necessary, just make sure that you keep enough money in the account that you use to pay the bill.
Using a credit card is one of the best ways to build your credit score. Look for a card with no annual fee so it doesn't cost you any money. It may be difficult to get a credit card as a college student, so consider asking your parents to co-sign if credit card companies deny your application.
You won't build your credit if you never use your credit card. The important thing is that you don't overspend. Keep your financial habits the same, and only buy what you can afford at that time. Treat your credit card exactly like you would your debit card.
Don't carry around a balance on your credit card. Every month you don't pay it off, the credit card company will add more interest charges onto that balance. Get into the habit of paying that bill down to zero every time so you never pay a cent in interest.
Everyone has three credit reports, one each from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You're able to request one free credit report from each of those credit reporting agencies per year. Do this every year to ensure that the information is accurate and that you haven't been the victim of identity theft.
Errors on your credit report can lower your score. If you spot any, contact both the credit reporting agency and the creditor to dispute the error. Alternatively, you can hire a credit repair company to do this for you.
When you co-sign for someone, you're putting your own credit on the line. Don't risk your credit by co-signing a loan or any sort of application, no matter how much you trust the applicant, as it's not worth jeopardizing your financial future.
When you close a credit card account, this reduces your available credit, which can lower your credit score. It's smarter to only open credit cards that you plan to use. As a student, start with one credit card to avoid running up balances on multiple cards.
A hard inquiry occurs when an individual or business runs a credit check on you. You may have to provide authorization for these if you're applying for a loan (such as a student loan or an auto loan) or a new credit card. Too many hard inquiries can lower your credit score. One way to reduce their impact is to do anything that requires these hard inquiries within a 14-day time period, as all the inquiries within this period of time will only count as one inquiry.
If you do end up with a balance on your credit card, don't let it exceed 30 percent of your available credit. Once it does, it will lower your credit score. As long as you maintain a 30 percent or lower credit utilization, your credit score won't be negatively affected.
On average, students save $20,200 by refinancing their loans with Darien Rowayton Bank. You can refinance up to 100% of private and federal loans. The interest rates on Darien Rowayton Bank's refinanced and consolidated loans are low, ranging from 4.25%-7.20% for fixed rates and 3.64%-6.29% for variable rates. DRB doesn't charge origination fees or prepayment penalties. Parents who took out student loans on behalf of their children are allowed to refinance and consolidate them at this bank as well. If you set up automatic payments on your loan, the bank will decrease the interest rate by 0.25%.
Citizens Bank offers an Education Refinance Loan for refinancing and consolidation on private and federal student loans. They provide loans with interest rates as low as 2.37% APR for variable rates and as low as 4.74% on fixed rates. Customers who take out an Education Refinance Loan at Citizens Bank save $1,644 per year on average. The bank offers two possible interest rate discounts: loyalty and automatic payment. You'll receive a loyalty discount of 0.25% off of your interest rate if you have a qualifying account with Citizens Bank at the time of applying for the loan. An automatic payment discount subtracts 0.25% off of your interest rate if you set up automatic monthly payments on your loan. Citizens Bank doesn't charge origination, disbursement, or application fees.
Student loan refinancing and consolidation at Wells Fargo has a 3.99%-8.99% variable interest rate and 6.24%-10.99% fixed interest rate. Wells Fargo doesn't charge origination or application fees. The bank also doesn't give out prepayment penalties. Similar to Citizens Bank, they will reduce your new loan's interest rate by 0.25% if you enroll in automatic payments or if you have a qualifying Wells Fargo account. Students who have borrowed money for education from Wells Fargo in the past also qualify for a 0.25% interest rate discount.
Another great bank for student loan refinancing and consolidation is Alliant Credit Union. You can consolidate up to $100,000 in student loans at this bank. Variable interest rates run as low as 3.75% and repayment terms are as long as 25 years. Alliant Credit Union doesn't deal out prepayment penalties, allowing you to make early payments when you can. This bank provides consolidation for both private and government loans.
First Republic Bank offers student loan refinancing with interest rates as low as 2.25% APR. They don't charge annual, origination, or prepayment fees. First Republic Bank actually offers an incentive for prepayment. If you pay off the original loan balance within 48 months, you'll receive up to 2% of the interest back. The bank offers both variable and fixed interest rates on refinanced student loans. Customers who open a First Republic ATM Rebate Checking account with automatic loan payments will qualify for lower interest rates.
At iHelp, you can find student loans from community banks. IHelp's student loan consolidation program allows clients who obtained a loan with a cosigner to release their cosigner after 24 months of on-time payments. They also have both variable and fixed interest rates. Student loan consolidation from iHelp ranges from $10,000-$250,000. A fixed 10 year interest rate on an iHelp consolidation loan for student debt is 2.5%-9%.
If you want to receive a student loan refinancing or consolidation from a bank that has fair terms, then the six companies listed above are your best options. As always, take your unique situation into consideration as you choose a bank to obtain a refinancing or consolidation from. One loan may be ideal for another student but not you and vice versa. In general, the six companies listed above are excellent choices in student loan refinancing and consolidation.
Find a mentor – Entering into the real world can be both exciting and intimidating. Finding a good mentor can help mitigate this anxiety. Whether it is shadowing someone in their field or visiting an office to get career advice, having the guidance from a professional can benefit you greatly.
Use the career center – At the beginning of your senior year, it is a great idea to get accostomed to the career center to see all that it has to offer. They can halp you find a mentor, plan to get a job after graduation and assist you with resume preparation.
Plan mock interviews – Some schools have career classes as an elective that can teach you how to effectively enter the professional world. They can teach you how to dress, use appropriate language, perform mock interviews and many other things to help you in your professional life.
Prepare for your finals – Make sure that your last year of school is one without distractions. You are finally at the finish line and all you have to do is cross it. Make a schedule that will deter disruptions from roommates, work and family. This is the time to really buckle down.
Figure out what to do next – Decide whether you are going to go to graduate school or if you will get a job. Most graduate programs require a test such as the GMAT or the GRE. Decide how you are going to prepare for these exams, and get to it.
Try to get references – Inform your favorite professors and administrators that you would like to use them for a reference. You can also use managers from a current job or internship. Some programs require a letter of reference. Let your reference know early that you would like their assistance. They will be obliged to help you.
Decide where you will live after graduation – Find out If you are going to continue living with your friends, move back home with your parents or venture out on your own. Letting your landlords and roommates know your plans can save you a lot of money and stress in the long run. Putting down a deposit on a new place prior to graduation will make your move easier. Then you can focus on getting your diploma and making the necessary plans for the next stage in your life.
Pay off any school fees – Before you graduate, it is important to pay off any fees that you might owe the school. The bursar's and administration offices are great places to check to see if you have any outstanding debts that need to be paid. If they are not paid, the school will not release your diploma or your transcripts.
Attend Job Fairs – Recruiters from major companies attend job fairs to get the best and brightest graduates from each school. After visiting the career center, check their listings for local career fairs. Equipped with your new resume, you can land a good job.
Buy a good suit – Presentation is key when it comes to getting a job. Investing in a good suit will help you look and feel your best while talking to companies. The investment will pay you back many times over.
Review your online presence – There is nothing worse than landing the job that you want and having the risk of losing it because of pictures from your spring break vacation. Scour the web to make sure that your best and brightest accomplishments are highlighted. It might be a good idea to make your accounts private or even delete them.
Find companies in your major – Some majors are simple to accommodate in the professional world. Others may be a little more liberal and require some searching and advice. Getting a career counselor can help with this. They have tools to help you find your strengths, and may even know insiders at certain companies.
Enjoy yourself – In your last semester, it is good to just take it all in. Visit your favorite hang outs, spend time in the neighborhood, buy a cup of coffee for your favorite professor. Enjoy your last days on campus.
When you're drowning in a sea of insuperable debt and don't know how to shake loose, it can be tempting to seek out a professional consolidator or financial expert who can take all of your debt woes away. Unfortunately, hiring such a professional costs money and you may not even get the end result that you are looking to achieve by using their services. Believe it or not, debt consolidation can be done on your own, saving you money, time and hassle. No matter how much debt you have, one or more of these methods are sure to work for you and can be advantageous to saving money you can put into long-term funds or savings accounts.
A debt consolidation loan is specifically used to roll all of your debts into one, making payment more manageable. The loans are offered by major banks or debt consolidation firms. You should be cautious when using debt consolidation companies to take out one of these loans. The loans often include additional fees and higher interest rates, making the loan costly and nearly impossible to pay off in full. It is best to get your loan from a reputable bank as opposed to going straight to a debt consolidation company. With a bank, you can compare rates and choose the option that fits your budget with the security of knowing you're going through a trusted financial institution.
If most of your debt has accumulated on multiple credit cards, you should consider transferring this amount to a card that has a low interest rate. Credit cards are notorious for having high interest rates, sometimes totaling 20 percent or more. If you are able to roll your debts from a high interest card onto a low interest one, you'll be lowering your monthly payments drastically and saving on annoying interest fees.
It is possible to borrow against your home's equity by either taking out a loan or utilizing a home equity line of credit. You can then use this loan to pay off any of your debts, enabling yourself to catch-up financially. The home equity loan is a close-ended fund that you repay over the course of time. The line of credit is more open-ended and similar to taking out a credit card, but the money is being borrowed against your property. The benefit to these credit lines and loans is that they have more affordable interest rates and higher borrowing limits than other loans. The drawback to using this method is that you're securing your debts into the equity of your house.
Unfortunately, there comes a time in some people's lives when it comes down to filing for bankruptcy or borrowing on important plans they've put money into for years. You can borrow your life insurance in the form of a cash value loan. You will not be required to make monthly payments when borrowing life insurance unless the amount you take out is more than what was originally in the policy. If you have a loan that goes unpaid, the amount will be deducted from your death benefit.
The golden years may be decades away and even though it's nice to have a retirement fund to fall back on when you get older, entering into retirement with insurmountable debt can be an enormous burden. Retirement savings accounts and 401K plans can all be borrowed from to pay off credit cards and other debt problems. When taking money out of your 401K, keep in mind that both a federal and state tax are deducted from the amount. This only happens when you pull money out of the plan before you hit retirement age.
Debt affects more than 45 percent of Americans and it's staggering to find out that the average American in debt owes a little over $15,000 in credit cards, student loans or personal loans. While borrowing money and taking out loans isn't always desirable, it is often necessary to dig yourself out of the hole that has been created and start having money to save up for more important things.
Millions of people in the nation are in debt, and the numbers are growing rapidly. The most common causes of overwhelming debt are job loss, disability, divorce, gambling, underemployment and poor money management. Many debtors cling to bankruptcy when they find that they are having debt issues. Bankruptcy should be a last resort, however. Debt consolidation is an option that many consumers overlook. It can provide just the right financial balance for some consumers to get right back on track. The following is some information about debt consolidation.
The term "debt consolidation refers to a process during which a consumer merges all of his or her existing debt into one account. The person can perform that task using a number of strategies.
A debt consolidation has many benefits to it. One of the main benefits is that it organizes debt so that the debtor does not forget to pay what he or she owes. The debtor also can save money if the interest rate on the consolidation is lower than the scattered interest rates on the existing debt.
Anyone can qualify for a debt consolidation. The type of consolidation may vary from person to person. There are generally three ways that one can complete the process of merging debt. Those processes do have requirements. Fortunately, debt consolidation is available in some form to every consumer whether that person has glowing and excellent credit or very bad credit. A financial advisor can help a consumer to decide which process will work best for him or her. Alternatively, the consumer can review the options in this text and then choose the route that seems best in his or her world.
A consumer can try three types of debt consolidation to resolve any issues that may be apparent. The first type of consolidation that the person can try is a consolidation loan. A consolidation loan covers all existing debt, has a low APR and is available to consumers who still have salvageable credit. This type of loan is definitely available to those who have good or excellent credit. Some consumers with fair credit may be eligible to receive assistance, as well. A curious consumer can complete an application and receive an answer.
The second type of consolidation that one can conduct is a high-limit credit card consolidation. The consumer takes all of his existing debt and transfers it to a high-limit credit card using a balance transfer. The person who applies for the high-limit credit card must have good credit. This type of consolidation is the most difficult type to get, but it is also the most beneficial because of the revolving credit. Consumers can transfer their debt during the application process for a high-limit balance transfer card. One amazing benefit that consumers get from using this process is the big savings on the interest rates. A high-limit credit card may have a promotional term where the consumer does not have to pay an APR.
A third way that a consumer can conduct a consolidation is by signing up for a debt management program. A DPM is like a third party arrangement where the counselor negotiates with the creditor to get all his or her debt down and then collects a lump sum from the consumer each month. The counselor then makes sure that all the consumer's debts get paid on a monthly basis. Anyone can sign up for a debt management program because no lending is involved in its processes.
Which Consolidation Do You Need?
Each consumer must decide which debt consolidation option is best in his or her world. People who are in the worst condition would probably be best with a DMP. Consumers who are in good standing should perhaps try the credit card consolidation for all of the benefits it has to offer.
Interested persons can start the process of consolidating debt by contacting the organization that is in charge. The person should have a list of debtors on hand as well as some pay stubs or tax returns to show income.
Student loan scams are rampant. As a result, many students fall for the scams. They are so desperate to get rid of the debt; they fall prey to unscrupulous companies. Words like loan forgiveness and debt consolidation make the offers sound too good to be true. The following list will guide and help you avoid the traps.
Student loan scams are huge money makers. Crooked companies lure unsuspecting students into more debts. They promise students to pardon their loans if they pay an upfront fee. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states no one can guarantee full loan forgiveness. These scammers tell students they will wipe out the student's debts via disputes.
People running student loan scams will encourage students to stop paying their debt. The scammers will even tell students to not speak to their loan officers. They will convince you they will work out a better deal with your lender. If you fall for the lies, you can harm your credit standing. Be careful when searching for loan programs.
Scammers parade Department of Education seals to fool borrowers. Part of the student loan scams is to convince students they will get government aid. The aid is a loan forgiveness program, helping them to wipe out their debt. They will offer you a federal loan consolidation to ease your burden. If the government is not offering the program, the deal is a scam.
Scammers will convince students they are getting a Federal Loan Forgiveness. But, you are getting a loan consolidation. You will pay a high upfront fee and a month-to-month charge. It is better to sign up for a loan consolidation with your lender for free. There is no need for a middleman.
The scammers misrepresent themselves. They make you think they are a part of the federal program. Most of these people are running student loan scams. These companies advertise on social media and send letters to students in the mail. Think Progress states scammers take advantage of the student's lack of knowledge.
When you have federal student loans, you do not have to pay for help. The Dept. of Education will offer aid for free. Paying an upfront fee for loan support means the company is running student loan scams. A 2010 law per the FTC says companies should not charge upfront fees to settle debts. Always speak with your lender to find out the next course of action.
Several companies running student loan scams have ".gov" or ".edu" in their web URLs. The web addresses fool innocent students. These scammers charge you a fee for services you can get from the government for free. Only the government can offer many of the services these companies provide. For example, only the federal government offers loan forgiveness. Private organizations cannot give you such a deal.
The companies misrepresent themselves, making students think they have government affiliations. Always be on the alert when these companies ask for your social security number. Guard the number as much as possible. Scammers prey on students who do not know the facts.
Take heed if a lender tells you she can get you out of default and offer you a small monthly payment. Better yet, the loan officer will settle your debt. It is a trick to lure unsuspecting students desperate to get help. She will tell you the government will pay off your loan and issue a new one.
The new credit will combine all your outstanding balances. Instead, the loan officer will offer you a consolidation loan. That is how most of the student loan scams work. The seller convinces students the government is helping them when that is not the truth. When in doubt, check with your educational institution. They will give you better answers.
If you suspect someone of scamming, you can file a complaint with the FTC. Settle disputes with your loan officer. People will promise to handle disputes on your behalf if you pay them a fee. Stay clear of those people. Scammers are waiting in the wings to prey on innocent students. Refrain from giving out your personal information to unscrupulous organizations.
What's Better for Students? Leasing or Buying Your New Car?
A car is a necessity for many college students. It's not always possible for students to survive in a college town without a car, even if they live on or very close to campus. Public transportation is usually abundant in college towns, but it's not always an option for those who still live at home with their parents or who live and/or work off-campus. It's also questionable for those who already have student loan debt. It's easier to have a car of your own so you can get where you need to go when you need to go, but it's also ideal to have a car without a payment. Making payments on a car while in college only increases your need to work hard and spend less time studying. However, sometimes it's not an option. When you must have a car with a payment, you might find yourself wondering if a leased car is right or if you should finance your car. Here are a few considerations to make.
Don't make any financial decisions without first establishing your budget. What can you afford? This might be the catalyst that helps you find the right solution. Most lease deals require you put down a significant down payment to keep your payment low. Can you afford to make that down payment? While it's advisable you do make a down payment when you buy a car, it's not a requirement. If you don't have that kind of money just lying around, it's probably the best option to just buy.
Do you drive a lot? Do you live 45 miles from campus with your parents and commute? If you put serious miles on your car, leasing is not a great option. There are mileage limits for all leased vehicles. While it's possible to purchase more miles upfront, it's expensive. This makes the car less affordable before you even drive it off the lot, and it's going to mean you pay more at the end of your lease if you go over your mileage. On the flip side, if you live 2 miles from campus, from work, and from everything else you do regularly, you might be able to get away with a car that requires keeping the mileage low.
When creating your budget, this is required. This helps you determine your best options. Lease payments can be very low for specific cars if you're a well-qualified buyer with excellent credit. If you don't have great credit, your payment isn't going to be as low. If you don't have great credit, you might be limited to what you can afford to buy, too. This could mean buying an older car with more miles, and one that's less reliable.
When this is the case, you should do your homework to find out what you qualify for, how much you'll be making in monthly payments, and what type of car you might be able to drive if you lease versus buy. This can help you make a decision regarding the road you take when shopping for a new car.
Leasing means getting a new car. It also means most of your maintenance is taken care of for the life of your lease. Buying means you might need a used car. You're also responsible for most of the repairs and issues you have if the warranties are up. Can you afford this? Sometimes you might take a slightly higher payment to drive a newer car with warranties on things that might go wrong. Know the pros and cons of each, and make your decision based on that information.
The best solution for college students is to do what's right for their own financial situation. There is no right or wrong answer regarding leasing or buying a car. You must keep your own personal finances in mind, but you can make a decision on your own. Leasing is usually considered a less desirable way to buy a car, but it works well for many people across the country. Take into consideration your finances and go from there.
Refinancing or consolidating student loans refers to the process in which old loans are paid off and replaced entirely with a new one. Depending on what you owe and the payment plan you've chosen, the repayment agreement can be extended to lower your monthly payments. Generally speaking, when you have a longer term on your student loans, the interest rate will automatically be higher to supplement the lengthy payment contract. Keep in mind that there is no penalty for paying off the loan earlier than specified or making extra payments along the way.
Refinancing allows you to either lengthen your loan term or lower your interest rate, allowing you to save money over the course of your new agreement.
If you have multiple student loans, refinancing bundles all of them into one convenient and easy-to-manage loan payment. This can simplify your bills to help control debt.
Refinancing student loans lowers those monthly payments, giving you the chance to spend the saved money on other debts like credit cards or delinquent car payments.
If someone co-signed the student loan with you, you may want to refinance to remove them from the contract. Cosigner release is a specific term that often pertains to parents who want to be exempt from past loan agreements with their children.
Student loan lenders vary from one company to another, and if you're not happy with the lender you're currently using, you can refinance to change companies. If you've ever had poor customer service from your lender, this is a sure sign that you need a different company.
Refinancing your federal student loans to a private lender could cause you to see the loss of federally-granted benefits like deferment, loan forgiveness, forbearance and government-paid interest.
Refinancing could potentially cause payments or interest rates to be higher, costing you more money long-term than you would have paid with previous lending.
You could lose your grace period if you refinance before this term has ended, causing you to have to make loan payments right away with the new company.
If you are active duty and consolidate or refinance student loans, you will not qualify for the reduction in interest rates found under the Service Member Civil Relief Act (SCRA) for any loan you took out during your service.
This type of agreement only includes student loans that were received with federal aid. These specific loans include ones obtained through Direct Unsubsidized, PLUS, Perkins and Direct Subsidized. Direct consolidation is provided to you by the federal government and eligibility is solely based on your credit score. With this refinance option, you can be sure that your interest rate will remain the same for the entire length of term.
Private lenders offer loans for both private and federal contracts. Instead of the government being your lender, you will be working directly with the bank or loan company that provides the arrangement. Again, your credit score comes into play when applying for a loan through a private lender and interest rates can go up or down depending on a variety of factors.
Refinancing your student loans can lower payments, provide you with a better rate and offer you a solution for accumulating debt. Over 40 million Americans hold some degree of student loan debt, with many of these individuals graduating already owing a large sum in loan repayment. Many graduates find it difficult to put their degrees to use, making it especially strenuous to pay off those loans. If it's been years since you graduated and you're still dealing with high interest student loan payments, it's time to consider refinancing to lower costs and make life easier on yourself.
Student loan debt is a harsh reality for millions of graduates. The amount of student loan debt graduates leave school with surpasses $30,000 on average, and it's leaving grads in a tough situation. Many post-graduate jobs require students start at the bottom with a modest salary. While this might not sound like a problem for some, the idea of starting life with a modest salary and ample debt is intimidating. College grads are ready to begin their adult life, which often means purchasing a house. Should you buy a home with student loan debt to consider? There is no right or wrong answer, only answers that apply specifically to each graduate.
Federal or private, student loans will bury you in debt if you're not careful with them. There are positives and negatives to both. In general, it's federal loans you should take out if you can. These loans are regulated by the federal government. There are programs available to recent graduates on a tight budget. These repayment plans are available to anyone, and they're income-based in many situations. Some even cap out at a certain point and so many years while you repay as much as you can, which is sometimes listed as $0 for many income-based plans.
Private loans are stricter. Banks want their money repaid, and many don't consider alternatives to student loan repayment. This leaves many borrowers in default, which can end in wage garnishment, lawsuits, and more. In some cases, private student loan lenders write off your debts after so many years, and you'll receive a 1099 in the mail and pay taxes on that as if it was your income. It greatly affects your credit.
If you can apply for grants and/or scholarships when you go to school, it's a far better situation. There is very little you must do but apply for these, and it's a simple task. Once you have this money, you can use it to pay for your tuition, and you never pay it back. You can graduate without going into debt, and you can buy a house with the income you're earning once you get into the workforce with that new diploma.
Grants are available everywhere, and almost anyone can apply for them. Federal, state, and local grants and scholarships are always available to those who want to see their future look brighter. A good rule of thumb is to spend time applying for all grants and scholarships so you can get as much free money as you can for school. The worst you can do is be denied a grant, but it's better than taking out another loan.
Now that it's time to buy a home, you simply consider the factors at hand. You need excellent credit to get the lowest rates, which is what allows to afford more home. You need a low debt-to-income ratio to qualify for a larger mortgage with a lower payment. What you can afford depends on what you can pay for, and your debt is what tells lenders how much you can afford.
If you have significant debt and a lower income, buying a home isn't a wise decision. If you want to make affording a home more affordable, your best option is to pay off as much debt as possible before applying for a mortgage.
Significant debt doesn't allow for a great credit profile, which doesn't allow for low interest rate approval. To ensure you're getting the most for your money, see if you can pay off as much debt as possible if you've already accumulated it. Many consumers spend a year or two living with their parents while they work after graduation so they can use their income to pay down their student loan debts. Once these debts are paid, it's easier to apply for a mortgage with better terms.
Staying out of debt throughout college is better than applying for loans and graduating in debt and unable to care for your future. Don't take out more loans than you need to afford tuition, work for your money, and see about scholarships and grants. Student loans should always be a last resort rather than the first option when it comes to paying for school.


text:
Le Jardin botanique de Tunis () est un jardin botanique situé dans le gouvernorat de Tunis, au nord de la Tunisie, et couvrant une superficie de huit hectares. Il est classé comme une réserve naturelle en 1996.

Géographie
Le jardin botanique se situe dans l'enceinte de deux instituts de recherche ( et ), qui relèvent du ministère de l'Agriculture et des Ressources hydrauliques ; l'accès s'effectue par la rue Hédi-Karray qui longe la ligne 2 du métro léger.

Histoire
Un arboretum est créé à Tunis en 1880 pour étudier l'adaptation des espèces végétales et animales à l'environnement méditerranéen.

Après dix ans de fermeture, il est rouvert le  à l'occasion de la célébration de la Journée mondiale de l'environnement. Une passerelle le relie alors à la Cité des sciences voisine.

Collections
Le jardin est partagé en plusieurs subdivisions dont une palmeraie, une collection horticole, une collection géographique (eucalyptus et casuarina), une collection botanique (acacia et gleditsia) et des placettes expérimentales (arganiers).

Notes et références

Voir aussi
 Réserves naturelles de Tunisie

Parc ou jardin public à Tunis
Tunis
Réserve naturelle en Tunisie
Aire protégée créée en 1996


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Yachting News » Of Interest » Five Guilty in Costa Concordia Trial
Five Guilty in Costa Concordia Trial
Posted: 22nd Jul 2013 | Written By: BBC News
Two officers, the helmsman, the head of cabin service and the head of the crisis team were given up to two years and 10 months in jail for multiple manslaughter, negligence and shipwreck.
They had agreed plea bargains and may avoid custodial sentences.
Capt Francesco Schettino is being tried separately. He is charged with multiple manslaughter for causing the shipwreck and abandoning the vessel with thousands still aboard. His case will resume on 23 September, and his request for a plea bargain has been rejected by the prosecution.
The five defendants were Roberto Ferrarini, director of the Italian cruise company's crisis unit, cabin service director Manrico Giampedroni, first officer Ciro Ambrosio, Indonesian helmsman Jacob Rusli Bin and third officer Silvia Coronica.
They received prison sentences ranging from 18 months to two years and 10 months as the court agreed to plea bargains in order to avoid a lengthy trial.
The heaviest sentence was given to Roberto Ferranini who was ashore as the disaster unfolded and in charge of co-ordinating the cruise ship company's response to the crisis.
None is likely to go to jail as sentences of under two years are suspended in Italy, while longer sentences may be appealed or replaced with community service, Reuters cited judicial sources as saying.
Prosecutor Francesco Verusio told reporters that Capt Schettino's trial was the most important.
"Justice is beginning to be done but there will be real justice in the end, when we can determine with certainty what the responsibilities of the captain are," he said.
But lawyers for the victims reacted with dismay.
"What will the families of the victims think? This is truly disappointing," Daniele Bocciolini told SkyTG24. "Schettino remains the only one on trial, but not the only one at fault, in my opinion."
Massimiliano Gabrielli, lawyer for the group Justice for Concordia, compared the "shameful" length of the sentences to the seven years given to Emilio Fede, who was convicted of procuring prostitutes for former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Capt Schettino's lawyers say he faces a maximum 20 years in jail if found guilty. He denies the charges and says that without his actions many more people would have died.
The trial is taking place in Grosseto, the city nearest the site of the wreck, and much of the case against him has already been disclosed in a report by court-appointed experts.
He has been accused of leaving the luxury liner before all those on board - 4,229 - had been evacuated and steering it too fast and too close to shore during a night-time, sail-past salute to people on the tiny island off Tuscany.
Capt Schettino has already accepted some degree of responsibility, asking for forgiveness in a television interview last year as he talked of those who died.
Capt Schettino's faces 20 years in jail if found guilty
However, Capt Schettino maintains he managed to steer the stricken vessel closer to shore so it did not sink in deep water where hundreds might have drowned.
His lawyers say he is being made a scapegoat for what was simply an accident.
The vessel was holed by rocks just as many passengers were dining on the first night of their cruise. A disorganised evacuation followed as many of those on board panicked when the ship began to tilt to one side.
Costa Crociere, part of the American-based Carnival Corporation, agreed to pay a $1.3m (£860,000) fine in April to settle possible criminal charges.
Most passengers have already accepted compensation of about 11,000 euros ($14,200: £9,400) each, but remaining groups of survivors are holding out for more.
The Costa Concordia still lies partially submerged while salvage crews work to refloat it.
Original Source: Google News: BBC News. View original story here.
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D'Aincourt is producing some of the finest eaux-de-vie in all the land from 110 hectares in the heart of the Cognac region, in Grande Champagne.
Their Master Blender carefully selects and subtly unites their oldest and rarest eaux-de-vie (some of which are over 100 years old!) to reveal an aromatic masterpiece worthy of the crown.
In fact, their forefather was none other than the Marquis de Caulaincourt, "Grand Ecuyer" of Napoleon, French Ambassador to Russia and Major General in the Napoleonic Army.
And in homage to the war epics of these great men of history, the D'AINCOURT badge recalls the Empire insignia worn on their military uniforms. Feeling stately, yet?
There are currently three expressions of the brand — Rare XO, Extra, Premier Cru and all three Cognacs express their character in a unique handcrafted decanter designed by the famous designer Patrick Norguet, who signs an elegant reinterpretation of an original and authentic bottle of Cognac.
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavours that you'll taste in D'Aincourt cognac and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.


The leading and the elegant drama, Kaisi Khushi Laya Chand is now telecast from the tv channel, A-Plus. The drama serial gets the popularity with every new episode, which is telecast at 08:00 pm on the A-Plus tv channel on every Tuesday. The actors and actresses are senior and they have enough experience to work in the drama serials. The timing and repeat timing of the drama serial is given for the viewers and they can check the new episode of drama on scheduled time. The fans check the recent episode of the drama serial and the promo of the drama serial is provided to the viewers to watch and learn about the story of the drama serial.
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Alvin Black III: I'm a Chicago native who has been here most of my life, went away to college 2001-2005, studied fine art and economics. After graduation, I worked as a TA in the art department for a year, and then came back to Chicago. In addition to painting, I also work as a DJ and designer. My first solo show was last summer, ran for three weeks and was a success! I recently got accepted into an artist residency program in April in Thailand, where i will be teaching and creating.
My first memories are of drawing, I've made art all my life- in college my training was as an oil painter. The last few years, I've been working to develop my identity as an artist more strongly over the last 4 years.
So many! I will try to keep it concise: Some historical favorites: Degas ( master of the pastel medium ), Ingres ( uses line brilliantly ), Rembrandt ( the light and shadow in his work ) | Contemporary favorites: Kara Walker, Henry Yan, Casey Klahn, Tim Okamura, Henry Ascencio…alright I'm stopping there.
Lovely works lm a Artist also mostly self taught my name is Jade Yeargin I'm in Charlotte. NC. I would love to showcase your work on my TV show.lf ever in Charlotte look me up.


Recent discoveries of a cultic significance were announced today in a press conference at Hebrew University. Archaeologists Yosef Garfinkel and Saar Ganor believe that they have found religious objects from the time of King David at Khirbet Qeiyafa in the Shephelah of Judah.
The three shrines are part of larger building complexes. In this respect they are different from Canaanite or Philistine cults, which were practiced in temples - separate buildings dedicated only to rituals. The biblical tradition described this phenomenon in the time of King David: "He brought the ark of God from a private house in Kyriat Yearim and put it in Jerusalem in a private house" (2 Samuel 6).
The cult objects include five standing stones (Massebot), two basalt altars, two pottery libation vessels and two portable shrines. No human or animal figurines were found, suggesting the people of Khirbet Qeiyafa observed the biblical ban on graven images.
The two portable shrines are of great interest and may help us to understand some difficult terms in the Hebrew Bible.
Two portable shrines (or "shrine models") were found, one made of pottery (ca. 20 cm high) and the other of stone (35 cm high). These are boxes in the shape of temples, and could be closed by doors.
The clay shrine is decorated with an elaborate façade, including two guardian lions, two pillars, a main door, beams of the roof, folded textile and three birds standing on the roof. Two of these elements are described in Solomon's Temple: the two pillars (Yachin and Boaz) and the textile (Parochet).
The stone shrine is made of soft limestone and painted red. Its façade is decorated by two elements. The first are seven groups of roof-beams, three planks in each. This architectural element, the "triglyph," is known in Greek classical temples, like the Parthenon in Athens. Its appearance at Khirbet Qeiyafa is the earliest known example carved in stone, a landmark in world architecture.
The second decorative element is the recessed door. This type of doors or windows is known in the architecture of temples, palaces and royal graves in the ancient Near East. This was a typical symbol of divinity and royalty at the time.
The press release has more details. The archaeologists believe that the site is Israelite because of the absence of pig bones and graven images.
Do these discoveries undermine the biblical narrative of Israelite monotheism? Such is the insinuation of the archaeologists.
The biblical tradition presents the people of Israel as conducting a cult different from all other nations of the ancient Near East by being monotheistic and an-iconic (banning human or animal figures). However, it is not clear when these practices were formulated, if indeed during the time of the monarchy (10-6th centuries BC), or only later, in the Persian or Hellenistic eras.
Psalm 16:4 (NIV) — The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.
What discoveries like these from Qeiyafa show is not that monotheism evolved only late in Israel's history but that God's covenant people failed to worship in the prescribed way, just as the Bible records.
I think that what you wrote is misleading. A paragraph after the one you cited actually says that the archaeologists believe that the ban on engraving images WAS kept at Khirbet Qeiyafa.
The ban on cult outside Jerusalem is not so relevant since the site may be dated to the times of Saul, before Jerusalem was part of Israel.
Kashmulik - I was taking issue with the point about monotheism not about aniconism.
The ban on cult is relevant since Deuteronomy was written before the time of Saul. Before the temple was established in Jerusalem, cultic practice was restricted outside the temple's predecessor, the tabernacle, located in Saul's day in Nob and later Gibeon.
I also wonder if Qeiyafa really dates to the time of Saul. I suspect that it belongs to the time of David or later.
Thanks for clarifying things up. I didn't really know that the ban was active even before the establishment of the temple.
The ban on images seems to have been interpreted differently in regard to Solomon's Temple than is sometimes assumed. 1 Kings 6 describes the First Temple being adorned with winged cherubim flanking the Ark and engraved figures of flora and cherubim along the inner walls of the sanctuary.
Does this mean that the Temple itself violated the ban, or does it mean the Israelites understood the prohibition differently? (i.e. - No images for God, but some other adornments were okay?) The images on this new clay shrine may be consistent with Israel's understanding of these things in the early First Temple period.
Concerning the Cherubim in the Temple associated with the Ark of the Covenant....Moses received instruction in Exodus 25:17-22 regarding the Mercy Seat....that it was to be made of one solid piece of gold including a Cherub on each end.
I'm always frustrated when I read people asserting that God banned people from making (graven) images of humans or animals. Is there any basis for this other than a shortsighted reading of the commandment not to make images/idols to worship?
I will be interested to see how you respond.
Most scholars agree that Deuteronomy dates to the late Monarchic or early post-exilic period.
Various indicators, including linguistic, support this position. Thus the prohibition of worship centers mentioned in this book is late. Many ascribe this ban to the reforms of king Josiah.
Thanks, Uri. I'm well aware of this view, held by the majority of scholars who deny that God had anything to do with the Bible. I find this view entirely unconvincing. Among other things, it makes Deuteronomy, a work of profound and foundational theology, a fraudulent work by those who intended to deceive. It also makes no sense why they would not have mentioned Jerusalem as the required place of worship. I have a list of about a dozen other reasons why a late date for Deuteronomy is unlikely, but if one precludes divine involvement then a late date becomes almost "necessary."
Todd: I would be interested in your list of "about a dozen other reasons."
Everything in the book fits the perspective of Moses and not a later Israelite author. For example, Israel lives in tents, Canaan is viewed from outside, and Canaanite religion is a future danger.
Todd, I certainly would enjoy receiving that list from you too! Getting only #14 is like trying to eat only one potato chip!
Todd: I found your list to be interesting and helpful. Perhaps a future blog post? Just a thought.


1948 born in Brzeszcze near Oswiecim (Auschwitz) in Poland in a Christian family.
1965 came to know the Lord. The same year started children's ministry in Poland.
Studied and worked in Oswiecim area until 1969.
1969 - 1974 studied theology at Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw, Poland.
1972 married Helena. Two children, Bogdan (born 1975) and Dorota (born 1979). Both are married and together with their spouses (Agnieszka and Konrad) are involved in the CEF ministry.
1975 got his Masters Degree in Theology in Poland.
1976 completed the CEF Leadership Training Institute in Kilchzimmer, Switzerland.
1969 - 1990 organized outreach to children and youth and trained teachers and parents in Poland.
1982 - 1990 founded churches and taught in Bible Schools and Evangelical churches in Poland.
1991 until 2006/2007 together with Helena served as CEF Director for Central and Eastern Europe. In a special way they were concentrating on the CEF ministry in Russia and Central Asia as well as giving direction to national leaders in 30 countries. Were also members of the European Field Council.
2000 - 2006 studied in doctoral program in theology at the Evangelical Theological Faculteit in Heverlee/Leuven in Belgium.
2008 started 'Proclaiming the Word!' that is the CEF International Bible Teaching Ministry.
Dr. Czesław Bassara speaks English, German, Russian, Polish and Esperanto. His Bible teaching ministry has brought him already to more than 60 countries in all continents.
and be glorified, even as among you.


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CRD/TI Armenia's annual Award for "The Outstanding Contribution to the Anti-Corruption Movement in Armenia"
On July 30, 2003 CRD/TI Armenia instituted its annual Award for "The Outstanding Contribution to the Anti-Corruption Movement in Armenia". The Award aims to recognize the representatives of the state institutions, business sector, NGOs, media and international organizations, who have shown genuine commitment, consistency and enthusiasm in the fight against corruption. Through this Award CRD/TI Armenia expresses its high appreciation to the individuals and organizations whose courage,d etermination and dedication can serve as a motivation for others in combating corruption in the country.
2005 Award
CRD/TI Armenia granted its 2005 Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Anti-Corruption Movement in Armenia to Hayk Gevorgyan, Journalist of "Haykakan Zhamanak" newspaper. The ceremony was held at the Golden Tulip Hotel Yerevan during the "Introducing the Polish System of Counteracting Corruption" final meeting on December 12, 2005.
CRD/TI Armenia granted its 2004 Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Anti-Corruption Movement in Armenia to Edik Baghdasaryan, President of "Armenian Association of Investigative Journalists". The awards ceremony was held at the Armenia Marriott Hotel during the Transparency International Europe and Central Asia Meeting "Building Good Governance through Transparency and Participation" on June 18, 2004.
CRD/TI Armenia granted its first, 2003 Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Anti-Corruption Movement in Armenia during opening ceremony of "National Anti-Corruption Resource Center" on July 31, 2003 to Mr. Roy Reeve, OSCE Ambassador in Armenia in 2000-2003. For the last three years, Ambassador Reeve coordinated the donor's activities through the Anti-Corruption Joint Task Force, contributed to the promotion of civil society activities, supported the efforts of the National Anti-Corruption NGO Coalition, and played a key role in the development of the anti-corruption agenda in the country.
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The original Fletcher class destroyer design called for a 2080-ton, 38-knot vessel. The USS Nicholas (DD-449) was the first ship of the class to be commissioned. The sea trials were considered a success despite achieving only 37 knots at a displacement of 2589 tons. She was one knot short of design and 509 tons overweight, due to armament additions.