text:
Q: Spark SQL joining multiple tables design I am developing a Spark SQL analytics solutions using set of tables. Suppose there are 5 tables which i need to building my solution and finally i am creating one output table.
Here is my flow
dataframe1 = table1 join table2
dataframe2 = dataframe1 join table3
dataframe3 = datamframe2 + filter + agg
dataframe4 = dataframe3 join table4 join table 5
// finally
dataframe4.saveAsTable

When I save final dataframe that's when all the above dataframe is evaluated.
Is my approach is good? or
Do i need to cache/persist intermediate dataframes?

A: This is a very generic question and it is hard to provide a definitive answer.
Depending on the size of tables you would want to do broadcast hint for any of tables that are relatively small.
You can do this via
table_i.join(broadcast(table_j), ....)

This behaviour depends on the value in:
Now broadcast hint will be honoured only if Spark is able to evaluate the value of the table so you might need to cache().
Another option is via Spark checkpoints that can help to truncate local plan for optimisation (also this allows you to resume jobs from checkpoint location, it is similar to writing to HDFS but with some overhead).
In case of broadcasting few houndres of Mb tables, you might need to increase your kryo buffer:
    --conf spark.kryoserializer.buffer.max=1g

It also depends which join types you will use.
You would probably want to do filter and aggregagtion as early as possible since it will reduce the join surface.
There are many other considerations to be consider in order to properly optimise this. In case of power law distribution of join keys in any of the joins you would need to do salting and explode smaller table.

A: *

*In your case, in principle, there is not really a cache or persist required Why?

*

*As there are no reuse paths evident (for other Actions or other Transformations within the same Action), it is all sequential.

*Also, lazy evaluation and Catalyst.

*Try the .explain and see how Spark will process.

*However, due to memory eviction possibilities on the Cluster, there may be the need to re-compute on a Worker. There are various settings that you could apply via .cache and .persist, but Spark handles memory and disk spills without explicit .cache or .persist. See https://sparkbyexamples.com/spark/spark-difference-between-cache-and-persist/

*Also, using .cache can affect performance. So use .explain. See here an excellent posting: Spark: Explicit caching can interfere with Catalyst optimizer's ability to optimize some queries?
So, each case is different but yours seems Ok to answer as I have. In summary: An RDD or DF that is not cached, nor check-pointed, is re-evaluated again each time an Action is invoked on that RDD or DF or if re-accessed within the current Action and no skipped stage situation applies. In your case no issue. Doing otherwise would slow your App down in fact.


text:
Q: Are the 3 pointed lines in the source code redundant? The following program detects an image on the basis of histogram and mode calculation.
SECTION .data
histogram_buffer: times 1024 db 0 ; 256 * 4
SECTION .text
global food

food:
    push ebp
    mov ebp,esp
    push esi
    push ecx
    push edx
    push ebx
    push edi
    mov esi,[ebp+8]; 1st function parameter. save address of input_bitmap in esi
    mov eax,[esi+18]; collect the width of the image
    cmp eax,200 ; test if the width is 200
    jne food_error_width ; check for correct width
    mov eax,[esi+22]; obtain the height
    cmp eax,200 ; test if the height is 200
    jg food_error_height ; check for correct height
    mov ax,word [esi+28]; obtain bit-depth of the image
    cmp ax,24 ; check it the image is 24-bit
    jne food_error_24_bit_RGB ; check for if 24 bit RGB
    mov eax,[esi+30] ; obtain compression type
    cmp eax,0 ; is the image compressed? 0 = not compressed
    jne food_error_commression ; check if no commression

    ; calculate histogram of image. 30 - 44 initialize value that we need for filling histogram loop
    ; 30-37 calculate number of pixels
    mov ecx,[esi+34] ; obtain image size
    mov eax,0xffff; emptying the left half of ECX
    and eax,ecx ; obtain 1st 2 bytes only of image size coz, 200x200=40000 occupies only 2 bytes
    mov edx,0xffff0000
    and edx,ecx ;zeroing right half
    shr edx,16 ; shifting left half to right.
    mov ecx,3  ;ax = (size / 3) = number of pixel
    div ecx ; EAX is divided by ECX. EDX stores the remainder and EAX stores the quotient.

    ; 39-43 for get address of first green component
    mov cx,ax ; we use ecx as counter by initializing # of pixels
    mov eax,[esi+10] ; obtain offset of the first pixel.
    inc eax ; go to green component of the 1st pixel
    add esi,eax  ; obtain address of first green component pixel
    mov edi,histogram_buffer ; obtain address of histogram buffer

food_histogram_loop:
    mov al,[esi] ; <<---------------------------------------------
    movzx eax,al ; <<---------------------------------------------
    shl eax,2 ; <<---------------------------------------------
    add eax,edi ; obtain address of element histogram[i]
    mov ebx,[eax] ; obtain value of element histogram[i]
    inc ebx ; ebx = ebx + 1 ; increment histogram element histogram[i]
    mov [eax],ebx ; save histogram[i] to memory
    add esi,3 ; update esi to go to next pixel
    dec ecx ; derement ecx to go to previous index of histogram
    cmp ecx,0 ; test if the loop ended
    jne food_histogram_loop

    ; calculate mode
    mov eax,255
    shl eax,2 ; eax = eax * 4
    mov esi,eax
    add esi,edi ; obtain address of element histogram[i]
    mov edx,[esi] ; obtain value of element histogram[i]
    mov ecx,255 ; initialze ecx we use it as counter
    mov ebx,255 ; initialze ebx
    jmp food_mode_loop_check

food_mode_loop:
    add esi,-4
    mov eax,[esi]
    cmp eax,edx
    jle food_mode_loop_check  ; jmup if eax <= max
    ; if eax > max  max = eax ; ebx = i
    mov edx,eax
    mov ebx,ecx
food_mode_loop_check:; test end of loop
    dec ecx ; decrement the index of histogram[i]
    cmp ecx,0 ; compare ecx with zero and set the flag so that JGE can use it
    jge food_mode_loop ; jump if greater or equal to zero

    ; ebx = mode
    cmp ebx,0x20
    jle food_cur
    cmp ebx,0x39
    jle food_acb
    mov eax,3 ; adz
    jmp food_done

food_cur:
    mov eax,1 ; cur
    jmp food_done

food_acb:
    mov eax,2 ; acb
    jmp food_done

food_error_width:
    mov eax,-1
    jmp food_done

food_error_height:
    mov eax,-2
    jmp food_done

food_error_24_bit_RGB:
    mov eax,-3
    jmp food_done

food_error_commression:
    mov eax,-4

food_done:
    pop edi
    pop ebx
    pop edx
    pop ecx
    pop esi

    leave
    ret

What are the arrow pointed lines doing here?
Are they redundant?

A: The three instructions, when taken together, have the effect of storing four times the byte value pointed to by esi into eax.
mov al,[esi] loads the byte into al.
movzx eax,al will zero extend this byte to the full eax register.
shl eax,2 will shift this 32 bit value left two bits, essentially multiplying the value by 4.
This could be combined with the next line and condensed to two instructions:
movzx eax,byte ptr [esi]
lea eax,[edi+4*eax]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


This 20mm Spacer Ring - M48 Threads by High Point Scientific is designed with versatility in mind. The spacer ring delivers 20mm of additional length to your imaging train. This Spacer Ring by High Point Scientific can also be stacked with similar (m48) rings to achieve your necessary back focus.


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The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to spend most of this week demanding documents and questioning the department, which is investigating ties between President Donald Trump's Republican campaign and Russia. The Republicans have heavily criticized officials for clearing Democrat Hillary Clinton of criminal wrongdoing in 2016 and suggested there was a concerted effort to keep Trump from the White House.
The barrage of GOP criticism against the Justice Department comes ahead of the midterm election and amid sparring between the parties over the Russia investigation.


Confidential UN planning papers paint a grim picture of the effects of an attack against Iraq: they predict that production of oil will cease, the port of Umm Qasr on the Gulf would be shut down, and the bombing of bridges would cripple the railway network and make road travel difficult between the east and west of the country.
But he ordered staff to begin contingency planning last month after the Security Council set tough terms for resumed inspections in Iraq. His Canadian deputy, Louise Fréchette, is chairing regular meetings of officials to prepare for a possible humanitarian crisis.
The electricity grid would be seriously disrupted, with collateral damage to water and sewage systems. Government stocks of commodities such as grain would also be hit.
Of the 900,000 predicted refugees, the UN estimates that about 100,000 would need immediate help.
At an unpublicised meeting in Geneva on December 13, the UN appealed to more than ten donor nations, including Britain, to provide $37 million (£23 million) to fund preparations for a crisis.
The Rome-based World Food Programme said that it had started to put in place sufficient food for 900,000 people for a month. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has a stockpile of supplies for 250,000 people ready to move at 72 hours' notice, but has only enough tents and blankets for 100,000 people. It could take 12 weeks and $60 million to deliver enough supplies.
The UN Children's Fund, which has a warehouse in Denmark, has started moving supplies to Iraq and four neighbouring countries for 550,000 people inside Iraq and another 160,000 expected to spill into neighbouring states.
A major source of tension in the planning is the relationship between the emergency operation and the large UN "oil-for-food" programme that has been overseeing relief supplies inside Iraq for the past seven years.
The UN estimates that 16 million Iraqis, or 60 per cent of the population, are highly dependent on the monthly food basket provided under the programme.
§Stop the Lunatic in the Mirror!
Only God can intervene to stop the US Imperialists ...they dont respect me! So help us God...please for the sake of the millions whose lives are ruined by an malthusian economics system backed by the New World Orderers gunboat diplomacy in order to loot the resources of the peoples of the earth I pray that the wheelsreally fall off the wall st bankers and their flunkies the bush admin. And especially help us expose the complicity of those neo-liberals in Ottawa who are competing for the honou? of Uncle Sam`s chief bootlicker with Neo-liberal Labour of Britain. Rather please let the American people arise and take back their fine nation from the devourers.
I found this article interesting, but let's get real. This is exactly what happened in the Gulf War (Desert Storm).
An excellent book on the devastation caused by this war, and the ongoing embargoes, is "The Fire This Time", by former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark. Electricity, sewage disposal, water purification, hospitals, schools, mosques, roads, bridges, etc, and of course people, were totally devasted in that war - which was not a war, as wars create casualties on both sides, but rather a "turkey shoot" as some US pilots called it. So can't we just be honest and say this will be a repeat, except that it might not be so easy this time, and could well turn into WWIII.
Thanks for your excellent work. I am just rather emotionally involved with what has been done to the Iraqi people.
ww3, exactly what sequence of events will start a world war?
Please elaborate on your dire predictions..


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4.Increasing extraction time of oil materials to reduce the rate of residual oil.
5.Increasing loading coefficient to enlarge production.
corn germ is same with other oil seeds, the first process is screening or winnowing to ensure that the material purity.
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Using the flaking mill to make the oil seeds into flake,increasing the surface area of exit oil.The thickness should be 0.3-0.35mm, it maybe broken easily if it is too thin.
Evaporating the water, To control the moisture at 6%-8% or 3%-5%.
Through the pressing machine make the oil easily come from the cake.
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text:
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namespace DoS\CernelBundle;

class ToroKernel extends Cernel
{
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Ribes burejense är en ripsväxtart som beskrevs av Friedrich Schmidt. Ribes burejense ingår i släktet ripsar, och familjen ripsväxter. Utöver nominatformen finns också underarten R. b. villosum.

Källor

Externa länkar

Ripsar
burejense

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
GSCM
Global Sustainable Capital Management (UK) Limited
71-75 Shelton Street, London
WC2H 9JQ, United Kingdom
info@gscmuk.com
ABOUT GSCM
© 2015 Global Sustainable Capital Management (UK) Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT SCORE
GSCM established our Sustainability Impact Score "(SIS"), describing the range of goals to be addressed through investments ranging from stakeholder engagement to fair and safe working conditions to the goal of protecting and enhancing biodiversity. Importantly, the SIS has been refined to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and provides a mechanism for quantification and tracking within what has become a more general but globally recognized reporting framework.
GSCM's sustainability framework involves four key stages the Goals and Targets product includes the third and fourth stage:
The Initial Impact review can provide a basis for a plan to improve sustainability performance.
The second stage consists of a detailed questionnaire that is completed by the project investee management team covering all aspects of their operations. Including an in depth discussion with the project and the GSCM team.
The third stage involves goal-setting with the management team looking at a 3 to 5-year period. Goal setting is designed to create environmental and social benefits and to manage supply chain risks. At this stage alignment with and contribution towards the SDGs is assessed. Goals can be set that capture contribution to the SDGs.
The final stage establishes a quantitative SIS Model score and creates a tracking framework across a period of 10 years or more.
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Number of Sites
What is the name and location of your business?
Please enter your website address
The SIS allows for the transparent measurement of impact in a way that is consistent over time and investments. It provides a measure of performance for investee firms and investors, and facilitates monitoring and reporting. SIS also allows for reporting under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's).
SIS White Paper
Click here to view GSCM's SIS report.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Home > Country > Scotty McCreery
Click to view all 358 reviews ★★★★☆
After winning Season Ten of American Idol in 2011, Scotty McCreery made history when he became the youngest male artist of any genre, and the first country music artist ever, to have his debut album enter at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. With his deep, strong, country voice, this ACM, CMT, and ACA award winner has ridden the charts with hits like "I Love You This Big," "The Trouble with Girls," "See You Tonight," and "Feelin' It."
Opening for Scotty McCreery will be Canadian country singer, Tenille Arts. Tenille has performed on the hit TV show The Bachelor twice – first singing her original song "Moment of Weakness," followed by "I Hate This," a song that hit #1 on both the U.S. and Canadian iTunes Country Charts following the episode.
American Music Theatre is proud to welcome all types of shows and concerts to our stage. Sometimes during the course of a performance, audience members will show their enthusiasm by standing and dancing, or may approach the stage, especially when encouraged by the performers to do so. Please know that AMT will make every effort to insure the safety of all guests, while presenting an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Upcoming Country Shows
John Denver Musical Tribute Starring Ted Vigil
Fire on the Mountain Tour
Trace Adkins: The Way I Wanna Go Tour 2021
Click here for more shows in Country...


text:
December's New Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books Just Might Help You End 2020 on a Good Note
Filed to:authors
black canarybooksbookshelf injectioncommercedc entertainmentfantasyhorrorio9rebecca roanhorsetochi onyebuchive schwab
Image: Razorbill
December is usually a pretty light month for new book releases, and while 2020 has been anything but traditional, that's still the case here. However, you'll find there are plenty of enticing new volumes heading to shelves, including an entire book of stories written during lockdown. Stay home, stay safe, stay reading!
The Blade Between by Sam J. Miller
The Nebula winner's latest is about a photographer who reluctantly returns to his upstate New York hometown, where he reconnects with old friends, gets involved in local politics, and accidentally finds himself in the middle of a ghostly uprising. (December 1)
Bone Chase by Weston Ochse
A maths teacher and his ex-girlfriend are drawn into a global conspiracy when they receive a mysterious box filled with clues to an ancient mystery — a mystery that certain shadowy factions do not want them to solve. (December 1)
Jolene by Mercedes Lackey
The Elemental Masters series continues with this Tennessee-set tale of a coal miner's daughter who develops her nascent magical talents with her aunt's help — powers she'll need to draw upon when an unwanted suitor comes calling. (December 1)
A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir
The author's An Ember in the Ashes series comes to a close with this entry. With an all-out attack on humanity by the Nightbringer and his jinn army underway, Laia of Serra must figure out how to intervene before the world is completely destroyed. Meanwhile, the Soul Catcher plots his own path to protect humankind from supernatural ruin. (December 1)
The Tales of Catt and Fisher edited by Justina Robson
New stories by Adrian Tchaikovsky and other contributors help expand the worlds of the relic-hunter characters from Robson's After the War series novels, Redemption's Blade and Salvation's Fire. (December 1)
Trader's Leap by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
The latest in the long-running Liaden Universe series sees the exiled clan Korval trying to settle in on a new planet, but a lack of funds and limited alliances are making things difficult. One trader must make a risky decision that will either save his people or spell their doom. (December 1)
Fleet Elements by Walter Jon Williams
The author returns to the Praxis empire, setting for his The Accidental War, for more space opera meets military sci-fi adventures. There's a civil war raging between humans and aliens — a situation complicated by the fact that the different factions on the human side are also battling each other, even with their entire existence at stake. (December 8)
Red Hands by Christopher Golden
If you have "Red Hands," everyone you touch dies almost instantly. Called in to investigate, an expert in "weird science" must track down a woman who's living in isolation — horrified by her terrible new power that she's finding harder and harder to resist. (December 8)
Retrograde: The Darkness by Alicia Godmasch
In this sci-fi debut, a president's daughter defies her family's wishes and joins the army when her planet comes under attack. In the military, she becomes part of a trio that feels strangely connected by a mysterious force. Will it be enough to keep them alive and save their home? (December 8)
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology edited by Dhonielle Clayton
This collection gathers 15 fantasy stories that share empowering, uplifting themes. Contributing authors include Tochi Onyebuchi, Rebecca Roanhorse, and V. E. Schwab. (December 8)
When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo
This novella is a standalone sequel to The Empress of Salt and Fortune, and continues the adventures of the tiger-battling cleric Chih and their companions. (December 8)
The Year's Best Science Fiction & Fantasy: 2020 Edition edited by Rich Horton
This collection gathers 30 sci-fi and fantasy stories published this year in Asimov's, Clarksworld, Lightspeed, and other outlets, from acclaimed authors including Marie Brennan, Theodora Goss, Laurie Penny, Fran Wilde, and others. (December 8)
Some people got really into baking during lockdown; author Asher decided to dig into his Polity universe and write the five novellas and novelettes contained in this collection, which also features an additional novella expanded from a 2019 work. (December 15)
This Is How We Fly by Anna Meriano
In her last summer at home before heading off to college, a young woman joins a competitive Quidditch team in this YA tale inspired by both Cinderella and (obviously) Harry Potter. (December 15)
Warmaidens by Kelly Coon
The sequel to Gravemaidens finds Kammani and the other maidens building new lives after escaping the tomb where they were imprisoned. But peace proves short-lived when Kammani's nearly attacked by an assassin, and war with an old enemy feels all but inevitable. (December 15)
Black Canary: Breaking Silence by Alexandra Monir
This near-future tale explores the teen years of Dinah Lance, also known as DC's powerfully voiced Black Canary. (December 29)
Colonyside by Michael Mammay
The story of Planetside and Spaceside continues as Carl Butler, disgraced military hero, is drawn out of self-imposed exile on a backwater planet to help track down a rich man's missing daughter. It should be an easy enough case, but there are sinister forces both political and corporate at work behind the scenes. (December 29)
The Dark Archive by Genevieve Cogman
In this new entry in the Invisible Library series — about a library of fiction drawn from different realities — librarian spy Irene is targeted by killers while she's training her new assistant. She'll have to use her research skills to dig into her own life if she hopes to defeat her mysterious new enemy. (December 29)
The Best of Michael Marshall Smith by Michael Marshall Smith
The British Fantasy Award-winning writer marks the first 30 years of his career by curating 30 of his short works, with new story notes by the author and illustrations by artist Les Edwards. (December 31)
In The Midnight Sky's First Trailer, the End of All Things Is Beautiful
Unsolved Mysteries' Co-Creator on True Crime, Ghosts, and Netflix Success
The Latest His Dark Materials Season 2 Trailer Slices Into Whole New Worlds
12 Of The Weirdest Cases On Unsolved Mysteries


text:
Farewell to Classic Blue, Pantone's Color of the Year 2020
By Kate Nishimura
Kate Nishimura
More Stories by Kate
Port of Long Beach on Track to Achieve Zero-Emission 'Moonshot'
New Master's Program Targets Women in Bangladesh Garment Sector
Pakistan's Nishat Mills to Acquire Denmark Protective Fabric Maker
December 9, 2020 10:02am
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Mara Lafontan arriving at Victoria Tomas Spring Summer 2021 show in Paris. Marie-Paola Bertrand-Hillion/Abaca/Sipa USA via AP Images
As Pantone gears up to announce its Color of the Year for 2021, the fashion industry is likely crossing its collective fingers for a selection that will pull consumers out of a deep funk.
While most can't wait to kiss the Year of Covid goodbye, Pantone's 2020 color pick deserves a second look as its moment in the spotlight is set to expire. There have been plenty of distressing distractions throughout these prolonged and painful months, and it's worth noting that Classic Blue—a hue originally chosen for its comforting simplicity, reminiscent of a sky at dusk—may have been just the tone we needed to carry us through troubling times.
Indeed, Pantone's late-2019 rationalization for its choice seems prophetic in hindsight.
"Instilling calm, confidence and connection," Laurie Pressman, vice president the of Pantone Color Institute wrote, "this enduring blue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era."
No one could have predicted how destabilizing this new phase of 21st-century life would be. A global pandemic surfaced in late winter, giving way way to heightened social tensions during the summer months. Heated nationwide protests of police brutality and racism rose up across the country, with a fervor reminiscent of the Civil Rights movement.
A contentious political landscape saw the continued lobbing of divisive rhetoric, while the country yearned for a philosophical balm to heal and inspire. Blood boiled redder across the country with every passing day in quarantine. But as consumers began to bandage their emotional wounds, true blue appears to have won out—and not just in the presidential election.
Wholesale Delays Cost Levi's Nearly $45 Million
Report: The Resale Boom Hasn't Slowed Fast Fashion's Roll
"The Pantone Color of the Year we select is the color we feel best reflects what people are looking for—what they feel they need that color can hope to answer," Pressman told Sourcing Journal this week. "With that in mind, we do feel that Pantone Classic Blue was absolutely a fitting choice for the year we have had."
Pantone's global team of color experts "combs the world looking for new color influences," she said. They tap into the entertainment industry as well as the worlds of fashion, art and design to unearth inspiration. They also consider socio-economic conditions, new technologies and materials on the market, aspirational travel destinations, trending social media platforms and even upcoming sporting events that stand to capture worldwide attention.
"With our selection for Pantone Color of the Year 2020, we found ourselves on the precipice of a new era," Pressman said. "It was critical that the color we selected could accurately capture the zeitgeist of what people were feeling." Classic Blue highlights the public's desire for a stable foundation, "something which we are craving during this uncertain time."
"Pantone chose the color at the end of 2019 for its restful, reassuring and dependable nature," says Edited analyst Venetia Fryzer, adding that Classic Blue has indeed resonated with consumers of all ages, "especially with the challenges faced worldwide in 2020."
According to Fryzer, retailers employed promotions to tap into "the hue's deeper calming and relaxing psychological qualities" this spring, as the pandemic began to take hold. "Classic Blue is a staple shade, and its qualities appeal to many different demographics" across ages, genders and races, she noted.
In analyzing a cross-section of U.S. mass-market retailers, the color made up an even larger proportion of the color mix of nearly all apparel categories this fall. Bottoms featured it most prominently, with 11 percent of pant arrivals showing up in some form of blue.
This should come as no surprise given the continued popularity of denim, Fryzer said, and all-American blue jeans in particular. This year, 32 percent of denim arrivals were blue, up from 27 percent in 2019. "Consumers are clearly favoring classic denim washes, with this hue accounting for nearly a quarter of jeans that arrived and sold out this season," she added.
Analysts at Trendalytics underscored Classic Blue's popularity in the denim sector. Of the top 10 lifestyle categories to embrace blue this year, denim was the undisputed No. 1, with nearly three-fifths of the blue products attributed to jeans and denim jackets. Athletic apparel came in at a distant No. 2 for apparel, with about 9 percent of activewear appearing on shelves in blue hues.
Analysts characterized the color as a "top market mover," with 21 percent of new Classic Blue SKUs currently out of stock, and blue products on the market growing by 3 percent over the past 30 days alone. The tone also generated almost 70 percent more social buzz than it did in 2019, with denim brands like Gloria Vanderbilt, Levi's, Madewell, NYDJ, and Agolde driving a portion of that engagement.
While Trendalytics described blue color ways' search volume as both high and stable, the firm says with 70 percent confidence that blue shades would begin to decline in popularity over the next three months—perhaps as the world makes way for a brand-new Color of the Year.
Unlike 2019's Living Coral or 2018's Ultra Violet, though, Classic Blue is an unshakeable constant in the fashion lexicon. In the form of denim jeans, the color acts almost as a neutral—an amenable partner to whatever wild or subdued complement a wearer might choose. "This universal favorite is comfortably embraced," Pantone color scientists wrote of Classic Blue when it debuted as their pick a year ago.
As the world readies itself for the end of this color chapter, the bracing, reflective tone may be just the one consumers cling to at the close of a chaotic year. In the waning days of 2020, shoppers will likely continue to gravitate to Classic Blue—a hue that "fosters resilience," Pantone said, signaling "the return of another day."
Influencers Were Really Good at Pushing These Products Last Year
The RealReal's New Data Suggests a Big Trend Might Be on the Way Out
Romance Was in the Air at Première Vision NYC
Nordstrom Names 2022's Top Trends


The Orbán Foundation is a regional organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for children with multiple disabilities in need or abandoned by their parents.
XXIInd Children's Theatre Festival: Let's Play Together!
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text:
using System.Collections.Generic;

namespace Nuve.DataStore
{
    /// <summary>
    /// DataStore metodlarını profile etmek için kullanılır.
    /// </summary>
    public interface IDataStoreProfiler
    {
        /// <summary>
        /// Profile başlangıcında bu metod çağrılır. Çıktı olarak verilen obje <see cref="Finish"/> metodunda parametre olarak dönecektir.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="method">Çalıştırılan metodun sınıf ismi ile beraber uzun ismi</param>
        /// <param name="key">Metoda yollanan key</param>
        /// <returns>Çıkış olarak verilen objeye göre profile bilgileri gruplanır. <see cref="Finish"/> metodunda bu obje parametre olarak gelir.</returns>
        object Begin(string method, string key);

        /// <summary>
        /// Profile bitişinde bu metod çağrılır.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="context"><see cref="Begin"/> metodunda çıktı olarak verilen obje</param>
        /// <param name="results">Profile sonucu</param>
        /// <returns></returns>
        void Finish(object context, params DataStoreProfileResult[] results);

        object GetContext();
    }
}


text:
Horticulture Newsletter 2016, No. 23
Video of the Week:
Controlling Bagworms
Brown Rot of Stone Fruits
The wet weather we have seen in some areas has caused perfect conditions for the formation of brown rot on stone fruits such as peaches and plums. Affected fruit develop a gray to brown, fuzzy growth on the fruit, itself, which may rot in as little as a day or two. It is best to start treating fruit about a month before harvest but spraying is still helpful even if we are within that one month period. Fruit that shows symptoms cannot be saved but should be destroyed to prevent further spread.
Use Captan or myclobutanil (Immunox) for control. Many fruit tree sprays contain Captan but check the label to be certain. Apply Captan or Immunox every 7 to 14 days. Both products can be applied up to the day of harvest. Note that though Immunox is labeled for fruit but Immunox Plus is not. (Ward Upham)
Sidedressing Annual Flowers
Modern annual flowers have been bred to flower early and over a long period of time. They are not as easily thrown off flowering by high nitrogen levels as vegetables are. As a matter of fact, providing nitrogen through the growing season (sidedressing) can help maintain an effective flower display for warm-season flowers.
Apply a high nitrogen sidedressing four to six weeks after flowers have been set out. Additional fertilizations every three to four weeks can be helpful during a rainy summer, or if flower beds are irrigated. Common sources of nitrogen-only fertilizers include nitrate of soda, urea, and ammonium sulfate. Blood meal is an organic fertilizer that contains primarily, but not exclusively, nitrogen. Use only one of the listed fertilizers and apply at the rate given below.
Nitrate of soda (16-0-0): Apply 1/3 pound (.75 cup) fertilizer per 100 square feet.
Blood Meal (12-1.5-.6): Apply 7 ounces (7/8 cup) fertilizer per 100 square feet.
Urea (46-0-0): Apply 2 ounces (1/4 cup) fertilizer per 100 square feet.
Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0): Apply 4 ounces (½ cup) fertilizer per 100 square feet.
If you cannot find the above materials, you can use a lawn fertilizer that is about 30 percent nitrogen (nitrogen is the first number in the set of three) and apply it at the rate of 3 ounces (3/8 cup) per 100 square feet. Do not use a fertilizer that contains a weed killer or weed preventer. (Ward Upham)
Spring-Flowering Bulb Foliage Can Be Removed
It is important to leave spring-flowering bulb foliage in place until it "ripens" or becomes brown. The energy produced by the leaves after flowering is transferred to the bulb so that it can flower the following year.
The ripening process should be near completion about now for tulips, daffodils and various other spring- flowering bulbs. Use clippers, scissors or even a mower to remove dead foliage. Also, try to map out where the bulbs are planted as there will be no foliage to make the location next fall when it is time to fertilize. (Ward Upham)
Rose rosette is a serious problem in Kansas on wild roses (Rosa multiflora) in pastures and hedges. It is also found in domestic rose plantings.
Infection is thought to start with rapid elongation of a new shoot. The rapid shoot growth may continue for several weeks to a length of two to three feet. Following shoot elongation, a witches' broom or clustering of small branches occurs. The stems develop excessive thorniness and produce small, deformed leaves with a reddish-purple pigmentation. Stems and petioles of Rosa multiflora plants may have reddish blotches or streaks.
Rose plants infected with the rose rosette virus die rapidly, usually within one to two years. Rose rosette is caused by a Emaravirus species. Transmission of the disease has been shown experimentally through grafting and is also thought to be spread by mites. Though KnockOut roses are resistant to many diseases, they are susceptible to this one.
There is no effective control measure for infected plants. In garden settings, infected plants should be removed and destroyed, including roots. Any roots that remain after plant removal may produce infected shoots which can harbor the disease. If possible, eliminate all multiflora rose plants from the vicinity as they are extremely susceptible and will act as a carrier. Multiflora rose is the wild rose often seen growing in ditches and pastures.
Since the disease can be transmitted by pruning shears, disinfect the shears when moving from one plant to another by using rubbing alcohol or a disinfectant such as Lysol. (Ward Upham)
Ornamentals:
European Fruit Lecanium Scale: Adding a "Decorative Touch" to Bald Cypress
The European fruit lecanium scale (Parthenolecanium cornii) is quite noticeable on bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) twigs and branches. The damage associated with this scale, which depends on the extensiveness of the infestation, includes plant stunting and wilting. The European fruit lecanium scale is a soft scale, so honeydew (a sticky, clear liquid) will be produced during feeding. The honeydew serves as a substrate for black sooty mold and attracts ants. In addition, honeydew can drip onto vehicles parked underneath infested trees leaving unsightly residue.
The scales are dark brown, 1/8 to 1/4 inches in diamete. Some scales may have white markings on the body. European fruit lecanium scale overwinters as an immature on twigs and branches with maturing occurring in spring. In May and June, females lay many eggs underneath their bodies. In June eggs hatch into small tan-colored crawlers. The duration of an egg hatch can last several days depending on the temperature. Crawlers migrate to leaf undersides and subsequently feed on plant fluids until late summer. At that point, the crawlers migrate back onto twigs and branches to complete their development the following spring. There is one generation per year in Kansas.
Management of European fruit lecanium scale primarily involves timely applications of insecticides. Applications should be made when crawlers are present because the crawlers are most vulnerable life stage to insecticide sprays. Mature scales possess a shell-like covering that protects them from exposure to insecticides. Repeat applications will be required as the eggs do not all hatch simultaneously but may hatch over a three to four-week period. The most appropriate time to apply insecticides is in late June to early July when the crawlers are feeding on leaves; thus enhancing their exposure to any spray residues. There are a number of insecticides, with contact activity that are effective in suppressing populations of the European fruit lecanium scale. However, many have broad-spectrum activity and will kill many natural enemies including: parasitoids and predators. In fact, most outbreaks of scale insects are caused by the indiscriminate use of pesticides (insecticides and miticides). Therefore, always read the label and exercise caution when applying any pesticide. In the winter, dormant oils can be applied to kill overwintering scales by means of suffocation.
I need to acknowledge Jeff Otto of Wichita, KS for bringing to my attention that European fruit lecanium scale was active. I have also observed infestations in Manhattan, KS. (Raymond Cloyd)
Oak Vein Pocket Gall Info Available
As with many areas in Kansas, Sedgwick County has seen a high level of oak vein pocket gall this year. Matthew McKernan, our Sedgwick County Horticulture Agent and Dr. Raymond Cloyd, our Horticulture Extension Entomologist, have put together a two page fact sheet discussing the problem. Excellent photos and informative text make this a timely and valuable resource for those who need more information on this subject. You can find the publication at: http://www.hfrr.k-state.edu/doc/hort-tips/Oak-Vein-Pocket-Gall.pdf
(Ward Upham)
Pests:
Ticks are very active throughout the state, and have been for the past month. The most commonly reported
species has been the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis.
The cool, humid weather over the past month has provided great conditions for tick development. These annoying, and potentially dangerous parasites have even been encountered in corn fields, which is unusual as they typically develop in more undisturbed areas of grasses, weeds, and other overgrown vegetation. But, they are very good at finding hosts and getting the blood meal they require for development and reproduction. For more information on ticks in Kansas, please visit: https://www.vet.k-state.edu/vhc/docs/ticks-in-kansas.pdf. (Jeff Whitworth and Holly Schwarting)
Still Early to Treat Bagworms
Many bagworms have hatched and have come out of the mother's bag but we are still a bit early to treat as we may miss those that are late to emerge. The latter half of June is a good target to treat for these insects. However, make sure you have living bagworms as sometimes natural predators and parasites provide good levels of control. Look for a miniature version of the mature bagworm. They are still tiny and are about the size of the lead point on a pencil.
Insecticides commonly used for controlling bagworms include spinosad (Conserve; Fertilome Borer, Bagworm, Leafminer & Tent Caterpillar Spray; Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew, Bonide Caterpillar Killer), Bacillus thuringiensis (Dipel, Thuricide), acephate (Acephate, Orthene, Bonide Systemic Insect Control), cyfluthrin (Tempo, Bayer Vegetable & Garden Insect Spray) and permethrin (numerous trade names). Products containing Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) are only effective when used against bagworm larvae while they are still small. Note that spinosad and BT are both organic but spinosad is a more effective product, especially on larger larvae.
Thorough coverage is vital for good control. Most failures are due to the spray not penetrating deep enough in the tree rather than the insecticide not working. (Ward Upham)
After-Effects of Too Much Rain
Some areas of Kansas have had saturated or near-saturated soils for several weeks now. Gardeners are likely to assume that watering won't be needed for quite some time now as soil moisture levels are very high. Actually, watering may be needed much sooner than you expect. Excessive rain can drive oxygen out of the soil and literally drown roots.
Therefore, as we enter hotter, drier weather, the plants with damaged root systems may be very susceptible to a lack of water. Don't forget to check your plants for signs of wilting or leaf scorching and water as needed.
If irrigation is called for, water deeply and infrequently. Usually once per week is sufficient depending on the weather. Soil should be moist but not waterlogged. (Ward Upham)
Contributors: Raymond Cloyd, Extension Entomologist; Holly Schwarting, Entomology; Ward Upham, Extension Associate; Jeff Whitworth, Entomology


text:
Q: How do I hide a specific volume from the desktop, but keep all others? I find the icons that show up when I plug a flash drive useful, as much as SD cards and devices. However, the icon to my Windows partition is useless. How can I hide it?

A: To hide a partition, mount the partitions in your '/mnt' folder.  I use the fstab file to accomplish this automatically on boot up.

A: Eject or unmount those which are not in use. This way, the icon will disappear from the desktop but will yet be listed in the file browser folder tree (in the sidebar) and in the devices listed. And will be available to gain access to the data contained in the device just with a clic.
This screenshot is having the SD memory connected and mounted, both the icon and the folder tree showing the device.

This screenshot is having the SD memory connected and NOT mounted, the device is shown in the folder tree but not in the desktop.


DOVER, DEL. -- With 53 laps to go yesterday in NASCAR's Neighborhood Excellence 400, Matt Kenseth's crew chief, Robbie Reiser , told his driver it was time to make a pit stop. You need fresh tires, Reiser said over the radio as the yellow caution flag went up. Get in here. Now.
Kenseth, who was running fifth at the time, took a look at the four drivers front of him: Jamie McMurray, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Jeff Burton . None of them was going in for tires. Kenseth did some quick calculations in his head. If he pitted, he could probably make up some ground, but not all of it. At best, he'd end up second or third.
But if he stayed on the track, remained calm, trusted his race car and his instincts, he thought he could win. It wasn't a tough call, in Kenseth's opinion. He didn't say anything, didn't try to argue with his crew chief or plead his case. He just put his foot on the gas and kept on racing.
"When I looked over at [Reiser] on the front stretch and saw the look on his face, I knew I'd better finish pretty good or it was going to be a long couple months." Kenseth said.
With methodic precision, Kenseth reeled in the lead drivers one by one down the stretch - passing McMurray, his Roush Racing teammate , with three laps to go - and won his second Nextel Cup race of the year, the 12th win of his career . McMurray finished second, Harvick third .
"It was the kind of race that you dream about the finish." Kenseth said. "Anytime you win at this level, it's a great feeling, but when you battle down to the last lap, it's great. Everything kind of went right for us, even when a couple things went wrong."
As for Reiser, who has been Kenseth's crew chief and good friend since 1999, he said he was OK, in the end, with being over ruled.
"Thank God he won the race, though, or we'd probably be in the trailer fighting right now." Reiser said jokingly.
The victory, which was the first time in seven races at Dover that a driver won after starting outside the top 10 (19th), also helped Kenseth cut Jimmie Johnson's overall Nextel Cup points lead to 74 . It wasn't a bad day for Johnson, however. He finished an impressive and unlikely sixth , despite battling his way through traffic all day and narrowly avoiding a crash early in the race after starting 42nd .
"It was a lot of hard work and a lot of frustration." said Johnson, who finished in the top 10 for the 10th time in 13 races . "We didn't have the speed at the beginning of the race, and we had to adjust. But once we got the car a little more stable and underneath me, I could race. I wish it was a 500-mile race because it may have been a victory."
The day was both disappointing and encouraging for McMurray, who led for 95 laps and looked as if he might hang on for his first win since 2002 .
"You're very disappointed, especially to come that close." said McMurray, who finished in the top 10 for the second straight week . "Three or four laps from the end and when Matt passed me, I lost all my momentum. But we've come a long ways already in the last 15 races. For our race team, we were trying to take a 25th-place car at the beginning of the year and just try to get it in the top 10. When you're able to compete for a win, that's a big deal for us right now."
Kenseth, however, will head to next week's race at Pocono Raceway with the biggest confidence boost. A year ago, after 13 races, he was outside the top 20 in points. This year, he's second . And though Kenseth has always ranked Dover as one of his favorite tracks, finishing in the top 10 here seven times in 14 races coming in, he wanted to try a little reverse psychology this year to see if it might help him get a win. He previous best finish was second in 2000.
"Every year, when we get here, me and [my wife] Katie drive the rental car over the track and I look at the bank and I always tell her how cool it is." Kenseth said. ""Isn't this awesome? I love coming here, it's so great." We drove in this time and I said, "Man I hate this place. I can't wait to get out of here." I was joking of course, but that's really what the difference was."
Note Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller spent the day hanging out in Johnson's pit. Boller, who met Johnson through friends in California, said he's becoming a NASCAR fan. "Jimmie is a great guy." Boller said. "It's just an awesome sport. I try to catch it every time it's close to Baltimore."


This is a classic self-framed tin sign from the Grape Nuts cereal brand, featuring a young girl and her Saint Bernard dog holding her school bag in its mouth. The slogan says "To School Well Fed on Grape Nuts, There's a Reason". This particular sign is commonly seen in many early 1900's General Store photographs. Apparently the sign was distributed widely as you can find them fairly easily even today.


We express you profound gratitude for the trust to our enterprise and turned out products.
The management of the enterprise informs you that January, 2016, we carried out board machine modernization. A new pressure head box with hydraulic system of short circulation, washing weight sorting knot, automated quality management system were installed as a result of it.
In this regard, our enterprise worked out the normative document " Kraft-cellulose cardboard for flat layers of corrugated cardboard. Specifications" 5441-027-00279611-2016. Starting from April 01, 2016 the finished goods will be manufactured according to the document mentioned above. This document replaces " Universal cardboard. Specifications" 5441-089-00271196-2013 and "Cardboard for flat layers of corrugated fibreboard. Specifications" GOST P 53207-2008.
Dear partners, we work for you. We strive to satisfy your expectations and correspond raising requirements to products quality.
Our dear clients and partners!
We are glad that we are still connected by strong partnership. We bring to your attention a detailed information: shipment ways, production delivery standard contract, the list of terms in Russian and English and FEFCO code production catalog.
Please contact our sales department for additional information: 8 (30138) 73-4-40, 73-0-13.


3 months ago by monochromic.
-used it once for a pardyyyy & never wore it again -free mailing included!! -vvv cute, can b worn as a tube piece also if you tuck the straps in -bought at $39 from Editor's Market!
worn once or twice a little defect on the inside of one side of the leg (was already there when i bought it) but cant be seen when worn!
Rebecca Taylor does fantastic jumpsuits and this is no exception. Very chic in a winter-floral with a one-shouldered design, it can worn in colder climates too. Original price was USD 297.00.


This is where we will share our favorite beauty secrets and health tips. Not that we are obsessed about either but hey we all want to look amazing! There is no incentive in promoting these products. We just want to share our favs!!!
We talked about a couple of things the last time we met. Here are the links to find out more.
We add this to our coffee each morning! Collagen peptides and bone broth are fantastic for bodies young and old. They have anti-aging effects, enhance beautiful skin and hair, can help bolster your immune system and promote healthy digestion. They're vital to bone, muscle, tendon and ligament health too. At Warrior Strong Wellness we believe in giving our customer's a potent formula made in the USA from premium grass-fed beef sources.
As a FabFitFun Member, you'll get a box of fabulous finds in beauty, wellness, fashion, and fitness, hand-picked by the FabFitFun team, delivered once per season. Four times a year, you will be sent a seasonal box! Each box is a limited edition and contains $200+ in retail value. Boxes are shipped in March, June, September, and December. Use the link above for a discount on the first box.


text:
post-title Hunter Biden has agreed to pay child support to the Arkansas woman he fathered a child with while he was also dating his brother's widow
Hunter Biden has agreed to pay child support to the Arkansas woman he fathered a child with while he was also dating his brother's widow
You are here: Home » Hunter Biden has agreed to pay child support to the Arkansas woman he fathered a child with while he was also dating his brother's widow
Juan Rodulfo Business Management Articles Business Management, Leadership Trending Tips
Hunter Biden on Monday agreed to pay child support to the mother of his lovechild in Arkansas.
Lunden Alexis Roberts gave birth to Biden's child in August 2018, but took legal action in May 2019 after Biden stopped paying child support.
A DNA test in November 2019 identified Biden as the father. Biden had denied being the father in initial court filings.
Biden agreed to backpay child support to November 2018. The amount is not know, and was redacted in the court order on Monday.
Hunter Biden has agreed to pay child support to the mother of his child in Arkansas, and backpay 13 months of missed installments.
An agreed order from Independence County Circuit Court released on Monday said Biden had agreed to a deal with Lunden Alexis Roberts, who mothered Biden's child in August 2018.
Judge Holly Meyer, however, noted that she couldn't narrow down what was appropriate for Biden to pay in child support "based off the defendant's income" because she "lacks sufficient information."
Biden will backpay child support to November 2018 and pay Roberts' legal fees, according to the order. He will pay child support from February 1, 2020, and on the first of every month.
Roberts first filed a petition for paternity and child support in May 2019, and requested that Biden pay healthcare for the child.
Legal council for Roberts said that she only filed because of Biden's "refusal to continue to support his child."
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She asked for $11,058 in fees, and filed a petition for paternity and child support, court filings show.
Foto: Joe Biden, centre, his son Hunter Biden, left, and his sister Valerie Biden Owens.sourceAP
In November 2019, a DNA test confirmed "with scientific certainty" that Biden was the father.
Biden had previously denied being the father in an August 2019 court filing. He is yet to comment publicly.
"He's doing the right thing by finally stepping up and paying what he should've been paying," Roberts' attorney, Clinton Lancaster told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
"He's going to begin paying monthly child support. He's going to pay retroactive child support back to November of 2018. And he's going to pay attorney's fees and costs."
Roberts met Biden while studying at George Washington University, her lawyers said.
After Roberts appealed to the court, Biden is to face contempt proceedings after he failed to give the courts relevant financial documents.
His case will be heard on March 1, unless he provides the information, according to the court order.
Biden's relationship history is complicated. In 2017, he finalized his divorce from Kathleen Biden, his wife of more than 20 years, after she accused him of spending money on drugs and strip clubs.
That year, he started dating Hallie Biden, his brother Beau's widow and the mother of his niece and nephew.
A Ukraine gas company tied to Joe Biden's son is at the center of the Trump-whistleblower scandal
Aides reportedly anticipated fallout from Biden's son's work in Ukraine back in 2014 but were shut down because Biden was consumed by grief
Donald Trump Jr., executive vice president of the Trump Organization, said he wished he were Hunter Biden so he could get rich off his dad
Hunter Biden is stepping down from the board of a Chinese private equity firm as Trump alleges corruption
BEKIJK OOK: Hoe Grammy-winnaar Billie Eilish ASMR gebruikt in haar muziek


text:
Brand Move Roundup – June 17, 2020
by Christina | Jun 17, 2020 | Communications & Messaging | 0 comments
The Brand Move Roundup – June 17, 2020
We're tracking the notable brand moves & highlighting the companies who are tackling this challenge successfully.
Sixteen weeks ago, when the gravity of the situation became clear, we started daily reporting on how brands were dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. What's now becoming clear is that the current climate is one of near-perpetual disruption. So we made the decision to keep on telling the stories of inspiring brand leadership and strategy amid the latest crises in an anxious world. Our goal remains the same: to provide an up-to-the-minute source of information, inspiration and insight on brand moves as they happen.
PepsiCo has said it will drop the image of Aunt Jemima and rebrand the line of pancake mix and syrup that has borne the name since 1889. The parent of Quaker Oats Company, which has owned the brand since 1926, did not specify what the new name will be or what the updated packaging will look like. "We are starting by removing the image and changing the name," said Kristin Kroepfl, vice president and chief marketing officer of Quaker Foods North America. "We will continue the conversation by gathering diverse perspectives from both our organization and the Black community to further evolve the brand and make it one everyone can be proud to have in their pantry." PepsiCo said consumers will start to see the packaging changes without the Aunt Jemima image in the fourth quarter this year and that the name change will be announced at a later date. The decision comes at a time of reckoning for many brands in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25 and the ensuing protests against police brutality and racial injustice. "We recognize Aunt Jemima's origins are based on a racial stereotype," Kroepfl added. "While work has been done over the years to update the brand in a manner intended to be appropriate and respectful, we realize those changes are not enough." The news follows PepsiCo CEO and chairman Ramon Laguarta's announcement that the CPG giant is pledging $400 million for initiatives on racial justice and equality. It also follows dairy brand Land O'Lakes' decision to eliminate another longtime mascot based on a racial stereotype earlier this year. Laguarta announced on Twitter that the CPG conglomerate would be committing $400 million to fund several initiatives centered around racial justice and equality. The $400 million will be spent over the next five years as part of an effort to "to lift up Black communities and increase Black representation at PepsiCo," he said. In recent weeks, Laguarta said that he and the company's senior leadership team had met with Black community leaders and members of Mosaic, PepsiCo's African American employee resource group, to discuss what sort of action the company could take to improve not only within its own walls but also externally.
Harvard University President Lawrence S. Bacow has announced that the university will close to observe Juneteenth. All faculty and staff will receive a full day of paid time off.
Juneteenth – celebrated annually on June 19 – commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in the Confederacy. Though the proclamation was issued on Jan. 1, 1863, it took until June 19, 1865 for the news to reach Texas. Bacow wrote in an email to faculty and staff that the holiday offers a "moment to acknowledge and celebrate the promise of a new beginning… I cannot imagine a better year for Harvard to begin recognizing its significance." This Friday will mark the 155th Juneteenth celebration in the United States. The announcement comes after weeks of protests over anti-Black racism after the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Tony McDade by police.
The pandemic is heralding a "permanent" shift in consumer spending, with increases in debit card and domestic transactions here to stay, according to Visa's European chief executive. Charlotte Hogg, who has led the payments group's European arm since 2017, said that lockdowns around the world had caused a boom in online shopping and precipitous declines in cash usage: "Behaviours have fundamentally changed." Speaking as global economies begin to emerge from these lockdowns, she added: "It's hard to say exactly what the [economic recovery] is going to look like, but we think it's going to be digital, domestic spending is going to be important, and debit cards [rather than credit] are going to be important." A report by Accenture published on Wednesday predicted that cash usage would fall by an average of 30 per cent across Europe this year. Campaigners have raised concerns that rapid changes in cash usage risk excluding older and more vulnerable customers. However, Ms Hogg argued that digital payments could help vulnerable customers who need to continue shielding themselves from the virus for an extended period. She also noted that small businesses in particular would need to do more to plan for the new normal. She said Visa was working with banks and other partners to help SMEs adjust. "Many of their business models aren't geared for a digital world — that's not what they've had to do in the past, but now consumers are really calling for that."
Chinese tech company Tencent is building Net City, a car-free neighborhood in Shenzhen, that is around the size of Midtown Manhattan. The plans for the two-million-square-meter neighborhood include parks, homes, entertainment venues and offices but zero roads for cars; instead, pedestrians must travel by foot, bicycle, or ferry. Net City is intended to have a "human-focused" design, as more space will be available for activities and amenities (rather than cars), and will rely on solar panels for energy. The parent company behind WeChat plans to complete Net City over the next seven years. Google and Facebook have been using land they own for affordable housing projects, while Amazon built a homeless shelter. But Tencent is one-upping them all by trying their hand at urban planning. Net City taps into a rising consumer expectation: that progressive brands step up and become agents of local transformation – particularly in areas governments are trying (and perhaps struggling) to address. In Shenzhen, the future home of Net City, local authorities have worked to rid the city of pollution. Tencent's initiative demonstrates a long-term commitment towards this mission, as it makes its neighborhood car-free and prioritizes residents' wellbeing needs. Thanks to the pandemic, 90% of consumers hope to see brands partner with governments, while 86% want companies to act as a safety net to fill in gaps in governments' responses to the virus – and this consumer outlook is likely to extend far beyond COVID-19.
Emma Watson, the actor and activist who made her name as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, has joined the board of the French fashion giant Kering, in a major coup for the world's second-biggest luxury group. The British star, who was born in Paris, is the face of the Good On You app, which rates fashion brands on their ethical and sustainability credentials. Watson is also known for her work with Eco Age's Green Carpet Challenge. She wears sustainable red carpet looks, frequently custom-made by top-tier designers, for most public appearances. Although Kering is seen to have the environmental edge on its rival LVMH, its top labels Gucci, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga are only rated "Not good enough" or "It's a start" by Good On You. She was nominated on to the board by shareholders at Kering's AGM alongside the Ivory Coast-born former CEO of Credit Suisse Group Tidjane Thiam, as well as Jean Liu, the president of "the Chinese Uber" Didi Chuxing.
"Like many in the sector, our business has been impacted by the challenges of Covid-19," says Claire Clough, UK managing director of food-to-go chain Pret a Manger. "Given that most people have been staying at home during lockdown, and our shops were temporarily closed, Covid has had a severe impact on sales in line with declining footfall." The chain has appointed retail property consultants to renegotiate its rents, as it struggles to right itself after the pandemic. "We anticipate it will be a long time before consumer demand returns to pre-Covid levels," Clough concedes. Pret stores began reopening in mid-May, although footfall remains low, at a fifth of pre-pandemic levels. The lunch giant is pivoting to delivery to address this shortfall: the company's successful Veggie Pret spinoff is now available for the first time exclusively on Deliveroo, and sales via Pret's delivery platform partnerships are up 15 per cent over the last two months. Clough sounds a cautiously optimistic note. "While sales overall have been slow in some of our shops," she says, "we know our customers have certainly missed our Chicken Ceasar and Tuna and Cucumber baguettes, which has been great to see." People who decide to flock back to buy up sandwiches will have less choice than before: streamlining Pret's in-store offering to facilitate social distancing in their on-site kitchens has meant that not all Pret classics have made the cut. Stalwarts such as the cheese and bacon croissant and egg and bacon breakfast baguette have been brought back, as has long-time favorite the Swedish meatball wrap. However less well-selling items such as the recently-introduced avocado toast and Asian-style veggie box are no more.
A new digital "health passport" created by the company behind the UK soccer Premier League's Covid-19 testing could open a pathway for supporters to return to stadiums.
Top flight football is resuming for the first time in two-and-a-half months after it was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. Players and staff at Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Sheffield United will use the system, which creates a unique code on a player's smartphone linked to test results which is scanned on entry, to enter stadiums when they play on Wednesday evening and it will be used throughout the next six weeks while the 2019-20 season is concluded. Hong Kong-based biotechnology company, Prenetics, who agreed a £4million deal with the Premier League to provide their testing system, has spent months developing the health passport for use across sport and other industries. Prenetics' chief executive Avi Lasarow has said that it could also be linked to government testing and antibody data so that fans could have their own individual health passport to ensure they were not carrying the virus and could therefore potentially attend games. "This is the first time it's being used in sports," Lasarow said. "It has the possibilities for scaling it up in a sport context to stadiums and fans in a much bigger capacity. I think that's where the future is in terms of Covid-19. Today it's being used for access control, it can link to accreditation and biometrics. Ultimately the capability is there for us to facilitate the safe return of fans to stadiums."
Airlines including Easyjet and KLM in Europe, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines in the United States, and Asia's Virgin Australia are suspending all or part of their alcoholic drinks service in response to Covid-19. It's part of a widespread revision of the industry's food and drink service to minimize interaction between crew and passengers and to ensure a safer journey for all. With face masks already mandatory on pretty much all flights around the world, and new legislation introduced in January 2020 to curb anti-social behavior on flights, it's another in a line of barriers – literal and legal – to getting high in the sky. Many airlines are limiting drink options to water only. As face masks must be kept on other than when passengers are eating and drinking, it's a way of ensuring passengers are lingering over their refreshments for no longer than necessary.
The lockdown has spurred many to seek out new hobbies in recent weeks, and sales for UK-based lifestyle and motoring manuals publisher Haynes have soared as DIYers and hobbyists look to learn new skills or complete essential repairs on cars and motorcycles while garages have been closed. But it's information on chicken keeping that has proved most popular at Haynes, with sales of its Chicken Manual up by 1,600%. It is currently the company's best-seller on haynes.com, ahead of car and motorcycle workshop manuals. Second to chickens in the lockdown chart is Haynes' Bike Book cycling manual, whose sales have been boosted since the Government's announcement that cycling and cycle repairs are to be encouraged. Also riding high was the Haynes Bike Repair Guide app, which hit the #1 spot in the App Store's Sports category.
Brand Move Roundup – June 9, 2020
Brand Move Roundup – May 29, 2020
Brand Move Roundup – May 7, 2020
Brand Move Roundup – April 30, 2020
Brand Move Roundup – April 9, 2020
Brand Move Roundup – March 31, 2020


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accordeon music
Morfe
Jazz piece
Taran trio
Some words about me
Summary biography
Anatoly Taran, Belarusian accordion player, was born in 1986 in Slutsk (Belarus).
He received a classical music education at the Belarusian Academy of Music.
He studied at the musician and composer Alexander Shuvalov, who greatly influenced the choice of musical style of the artist. The main musical direction, which plays Anatoly is pop-jazz in the original copyright arrangements with elements of improvisation.
Anatoly Taran is three times winner of the Grand Prize President of republic of Belarus, winner of special Presidential Fund for the Support of Talented Youth, winner of the international competitions:
2008 Kiev "accoholiday" (Ukraine) - 1 Award
2008 Przemysl (Poland) - 3 Award
2011 Klingenthal (Germany) - 2 Award
2015 Mons (Belgium) - 1 Award
2015 Castelfidardo (Italy) - 1 Award
2015 Moscow (Russia) - 1 Award
2016 Trophee Mondial (Portugal) - 1 Award
2017 Vilnius (Lithuania) - 1 Award
2017 Mons (Belgium) - 2 Award / Taran trio
2017 Accorde Opale (France) - the Grand prix
2017 Castelfidardo (Italy) - 2 Award / Taran trio
2017 Trophee Mondial (France) - 1 Award / Taran trio
He is also winner of music festivals in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, Latvia,Lithuania, China, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Turkey, Armenia, France, Belarus, Tajikistan, Belgium, Switzerland, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Germany.
In 2013 he recorded his first solo album "Jazz Piece".
In 2015, Anatoly won the competition of the Ministry of Culture of Poland "Gaude Polonia" and won a scholarship to study at the jazz-trained faculty of the Academy of Music in Gdansk, Professor Cezary Pacioreka.
Since 2016 Anatoly Taran is an artist Viktoria Accordions.
Since 2017 Anatoly Taran is graduate student of the Royal Academy of Music in Belgium (Mons)
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Accordeon Music Single © 2015 • Create by Header


Four weeks ago we enjoyed the 2016 Silverstone Classic and once again, there were in the order of 1000 race cars competing across a wide spectrum of classes and eras. We have attempted to select just ten racers from amongst this awesome field, and called them the 'VMP Top 10 racers.' These were selected for reasons that they reminded us of a golden era of motorsport, or for some other personal reason. Everybody will have their own ten favourites, and we would like you to let us know what those are. To be honest, it was that difficult that we could have made it our favourite 30 or 50 cars, but here are our Top 10 racers, in no particular order.
The Porsche 910 is probably responsible for my enduring interest in Porsche cars and endurance racing. As a very young boy, in the black and white 1960s, I received a Corgi model Porsche 910 as a Christmas present. I was captivated by the detail, the glass dome windscreen and all the mechanicals visible under the raised bonnet. A far cry from the matchbox post office vans and the like that were in my collection. In those days of public interest broadcasting, the start of the Le Mans 24-Hour race was broadcast live on the BBC, in black and white…and there was 'my' Porsche 910 on the TV.
The JPS Lotus F1 cars were the stand out F1 cars of their era. Probably the first time I became aware of the power of marketing and advertising, not that it encouraged me to smoke. But the F1 cars and all of the merchandising and advertising certainly opened up a wide world of previously unseen vistas and glamour, together with the genius and endeavour of Colin Chapman.
What can you say about the McLaren M8F, 8.1-litres of thunder and oblivion, a car that looks like it was carved from a house brick, built in a shed but is probably one of the most elegant when at full tilt thundering down the back straight. This picture demonstrates the poise of the car as the front splitter skims the track.
1990 BMW M3 (E30) – this car epitomises for me the Touring Car challenges of the late '80s and early '90s. Building on the popularity of the 3-Series, BMW Motorsport GmbH produced this racing version with an enlarged 2.5-litre engine, developing 330bhp from its 4-cylinder, in-line engine. This model was hugely successful in the Group A DTM, European, British, Italian and Australian Touring Car Championships. Even standing still, your eyes are drawn to it, and a smile breaks out…you can't help it.
This 1987 model Porsche 962 C (chassis 962-118) was powered by a race version of Porsche's 3-litre flat-six production engine. This car, prepared in period by the Cologne-based Kremer Racing team, was sponsored by Leyton House, a Japanese real estate company. It has always amazed me how Porsche managed to achieve such an incredible tally of victories with its 956 and 962 models (232 major international victories between 1982-1994), powered by essentially race versions of their production engine. The Porsche 956/962 is widely regarded as the most successful single model of sports racer ever to turn a wheel.
The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, is regarded as the last of Ferrari's real hairy-chested front-engined V12 sports cars. Powered by a 4.4-litre engine developing some 350bhp, the Daytona was good for 170mph in road trim, a true supercar in its day. A full competition version of the Daytona was only produced late in 1970, crediting its maker with a 5th overall place finish at Le Mans in 1971. The following year the Daytona called the GT class its own at Le Mans, taking the first five places. This was followed by GT class wins in the French race in both 1973 and 1974. Was it successful? I think so!
In 1973 the Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 was launched as a roadgoing sports car that doubled as a very successful racer, while its bigger brother, the RSR 2.8 was a pure racer. The following year the RS 3.0 broke cover which offered the privateer racer a car that could hold its own against anything the rest of the field had to give. These three models formed the foundation of Porsche's onslaught in the field of sports car racing, and it was on this that the all-conquering 934 and 935 racers were based. Showcased here is the RS 3.0, a formidable contender through the mid-60s.
The Ford Mustang stunned the world when it was introduced in 1964, the first of the pony car phenomenon. The Mustang would shape American culture for years to come, and it stands to this day as the fastest selling automobile, reaching 1.0-million units sold in 18 months. It wasn't long before Carroll Shelby got his hands on one and the 4700cc Mustang GT350 seen here, was the result. This car holds a special place in the minds of many motorsport enthusiast and is a deserved member of our Top 10 racers.
Another Ford, the GT40, took the racing world by storm when it debuted in 1964. Henry Ford's idea was to beat Ferrari at Le Mans, and beat him they did, winning the French 24-Hour race for four years on the trot, from 1966-1969. This record of results did not come cheaply, but Ford left no stone unturned in their pursuit of glory. It is a good thing that he went to such lengths, because the racing world is that much the richer for having the glorious GT40s that grace our tracks today.
Although the Lola T70 had all the potential to win, it was slightly outdated by the time the Mk3B was introduced in 1969. Based on the Can-Am racer, the later Lola entered service at the same time as the Porsche 917 (1969) and the Ferrari 512 S (1970), against which it stood little chance. Despite this situation, the Lola T70 is popular with many race goers because it represents an era that was full of power, speed…and a lot of noise. Comprising a British chassis and design, and powered by an American Chevy V8 engine, made this evergreen racer a favourite on both sides of the Atlantic.


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Transgender woman cannot make bank transactions because she 'sounds like a man'
James HockadayThursday 1 Aug 2019 11:10 pm
A transgender woman cannot make phone transactions with her bank because they said she 'sounds like a man'.
Ellen Westerleigh, 22, was also sent a new bank card with 'Mr', instead of 'Miss', despite telling HSBC she now identifies as a woman.
She was unable to withdraw money from her account because the operator thought she was a different person, despite passing security questions beforehand.
Miss Westerleigh has been told she will have to travel to her nearest branch, in central Nottingham, to make transactions.
She told the Nottingham Post: 'Every time I ring up to speak about my account they say I "don't sound like a woman." I have to prove who I am and I shouldn't be having to do that.
HSBC say they've recently carried out training to support transgender customers (Picture: REX)
'I know I sound like a man but that is not the point. I do feel uncomfortable ringing up my bank. It has happened three or four times and it is ridiculous.'
She now has to bring her ID to the central Nottingham branch, which is about six miles from her home in the village of Strelley.
Miss Westerleigh added: 'It gets to the point where I have told them several times 'I am transgender. It is in my file. I should not have to keep saying it.'
She accused the bank of 'not taking the trans community seriously'.
Miss Westerleigh has accused HSBC of 'not taking the trans community seriously' (Picture: BPM Media)
Formerly known as Kurtis, Miss Westerleigh, says she felt uncomfortable living as a man for some time and her friends and family have been supportive of her transition.
Miss Westerleigh, whose name was inspired by American TV host Ellen Degeneres, is currently awaiting hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery.
HSBC says it is reviewing Miss Westerleigh's complaint and have introduced recent changes to their system and training to support transgender customers.
A spokesman for the bank said: 'We are very sorry for the disappointing level of service experienced by Miss Westerleigh, and are committed to learning from this to help ensure it doesn't happen again.
'We are a proud and active supporter of customers and colleagues across the broad spectrum of diversity of sexuality and gender identity.'
More: LGBT
Janelle Monae reminds us that non-binary does not equal white
Lesbian woman badly injured after homophobic attack by complete strangers
Just like YouTube's NikkieTutorials, I was outed as transgender before I was ready
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page.
HSBCLGBTLGBTQNottinghamTransgender
I was kicked out of the RAF for being gay


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Native American Stories and Songs
Oyate Photo Gallery
Other Hour Long Documentaries by Milt and Jamie Lee
Stephan Small Salmon / Flathead from Ronan, Montana
Stephan Small Salmon looks like an Indian—or what you would imagine an Indian to look like. He has long braids that droop over his shoulders, a finely chiseled face, and a somewhat ruthless grin. In fact, he is a fullblood Flathead Native who lives on the Flathead Reservation, in the Mission Valley just outside of Ronan, Montana. His house sits in a valley at the foot of the Mission Mountain Range.
When we met he and his wife, Juanita, they were staying temporarily in his mother's old house while their house, just up the road, was being refurbished. The view of the mountains from both places is breathtaking. Stephan is a pow wow man. He sings and dances competitively along the pow wow trail during the summer months, often walking away with the big prize money. During the winter he cuts wood.
Stephan was born in 1939 and has no children. Although he had no formal education beyond high school, he has spent a good deal of his life learning the traditional cultural teachings and spiritual ways of the Flathead people. He has traveled quite a bit, spent time in Denver, Seattle and Chicago, but he always returns home again.
The inland Salish people, the Flatheads, developed a plains type of culture, hunting the buffalo and fishing the rivers. They lived in longhouse structures of log that were buried partially into the ground or banked along the edges.
The Flathead people consider themselves descended from "Coyote," the one responsible for the creation of human beings. The Flathead and Kootenai tribes once roamed over a huge area that went as far north as British Columbia and almost to the sea on the west.
In 1855, the Treaty of Hell's Gate took most of these lands away from the people. In 1904, the government passed the Allotment Act and gave each tribal member 80 acres. Unclaimed lands were then opened for homesteading or sale. The Indians could not yet even vote.
Listen to a sample of the show here.
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Stephan in his traditional dance regalia.
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The first Gion Matsuri takes place since the Onin War.
Hisanobu Hatakayama defeats Motoari Hosakawa at Kishiwada.
Emperor Go-Kashiwabara succeeds as Emperor of Japan.
Motonari Mouri's brother Okimoto takes over the Mouri clan. Motonari and his father transfer to Tahiji-Sarukake castle.
Forces of the Kingdom of Ryukyu suppress the rebellion of Akahachi Oyake in Yaeyama Islands.
The Kingdom of Ryukyu begins sending representatives to directly oversee administration in some outlying islands.
Taneomaru Shibukawa is appointed Kyushu Tandai.
Yoshimune Jinbo becomes head of the Jinbo clan.
Construction is completed on Tawara castle.
War breaks out between the Ouchi and Otomo clans.
The Benten-do at Shuri Castle is completed, and is dedicated with a number of Buddhist sutras.
Motokatsu Matsuda launches a series of attacks on Urakami clan territory.
Tea master Joo Takanois born.
Suan Hojo sent an army to support Ogigayatsu-Uesugi Tomoyoshi against the Yamanouchi at Tachikawa in Musashi Province.
Norikage Asakura and the Ikkô-Ikki of Kaga province clash at Kuzuryugawa.
Nobutora Takeda becomes the head of the Takeda clan.
Masamoto Hosakawa is assassinated by his adopted son Sumiyuki.
Nobutsuna Takeda, head of the Takeda clan of Kai, dies.
Kanesugu Chosokabe is defeated by the Motoyama clan.
Yoshioki Ouchi on Kyoto and makes Yoshitane Ashikaga as shogun, forcing the resignation of Yoshizumi Ashikaga.
Battle of Ichiburi between Tamekage Nagao and Sadanori Uesugi.
The Oyamada clan is defeated by Nobutora Takeda, becoming his retainers.
Akisada Uesugi is defeated and killed by Tamekage Nagao.
Yoshikiyo Murakami of Shinano is born.
Yukinaga Miyoshi seizes Kyoto for a short time.
Battle of Funaokayama between Yoshioki Ouchi and Sumimoto Hosakawa.
Soun Hojo attacks Yoshiura Miura at Okazaki castle of Sagami.
Siege of Arai ends; Arai castle falls. Miura clan falls to the Hojo.
Hisayuki Amako marries a daughter of Motoshige Takeda.
Azai clan rises up against its lords, the Kyogoku clan.
Motonari Mouri becomes guardian for Komatsumaru Mouri, who succeeds his father as lord of the Mouri clan.
Battle of Arita-Nakaide: Motonari Mouri is victorious over Motoshige Takeda.
Norikage Asakura commands an expedition into Tango province.
Morikiyo Ashina becomes head of the Ashina clan.
Ujichika Imagawa withdraws troops from Kai province.


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PW Mission Matters
Presbyterian Women (PCUSA), Inc.
Main | Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord »
Waiting to return to South Sudan*
It has been a long time since I last communicated. So much has happened since October, but I just could not write about it. The happenings were so confusing, so painful and so difficult to express in words. Even now, after being in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, since December 21, 2013, I cry easily whenever I think of or hear news from South Sudan.
PC(USA) mission coworker Leisa Wagstaff at an assembly of Good Shepherd students, Malakal, South Sudan, in November, before the fresh conflict that killed tens of thousands of South Sudanese people
and displaced hundreds of thousands more.
As I am sure all of you are aware, war broke out in South Sudan in mid-December, first in Juba, the capital city. Upon hearing about it from afar (in Malakal, the place where I serve), it seemed impossible that the fight for rule among the political powers-that-be could ever reach our quiet town. I thought that those who were fighting would come to their senses and some compromise would be reached. My colleagues, friends and neighbors, on the other hand, were holding their breath, remembering what had happened in the past and the decades of ethnic conflict and the fight for independence from the powerful northern country of Sudan. We were in prayer constantly that the nonsense would stop. I think that it really dawned on me that things might get worse before they got better when the moderator of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS), our partner church, informed a sister-friend and me with tears in his eyes and a voice that would break at any minute that one of our pastors and some evangelists had been killed in a church compound in Juba. They were killed because they belonged to the wrong ethnic group and had ventured out to protect their church community.
Mission personnel evacuated
As the violence spread to other areas of the country, I still hoped and prayed that it would not reach Malakal. The PC(USA) began to work frantically to get all of its mission personnel out. They were not only concerned for our safety but they did not want the church partners to have the added responsibility of taking care of us in a time of warfare. My two PC(USA) colleagues and I, on the other hand, wanted to stay, to remain with the people alongside whom we had been called to serve.
Since mid-December, however, hundreds of thousands of innocent people have been killed or displaced, as well as traumatized throughout the country. To this date, hundreds of thousands of people are still encamped in UNMISS compounds, hiding in the bush, or trekking weeks and weeks to neighboring countries. And, the dying continues.
PCOSS, however, has stood firm in its stance against the war and its leaders have stood by people who could not flee the madness or chose to shelter in place, regardless of ethnic origin, location or faith persuasion. The current moderator stood at the gate of one of the church's compounds in his clerical attire and pleaded again and again with the soldiers who wanted to enter to slaughter particular ethnic groups, telling them that there were no enemies inside—as 2,000 of God's people within prayed. No one within the compound was killed despite the prolonged and intense fighting in the area. This is a strong testimony to the rest of the country that God cares about God's people, we are indeed our brothers' and sisters' keepers; all are welcome into the fellowship of Christ, and there is hope for the future.
"This place has become home"
South Sudan may seem to you just a place on the other side of the world where only bad things happen, but as one of my colleagues has shared, "This place on the map has become home, and the bad things are happening to people we know and care about—our neighbors, friends and church family. So, these days of waiting, yearning for the next bit of information, hoping for good news, desiring peace, wondering when it will be possible to return home to South Sudan, and what is it that we will find when we do return, make for long, difficult days."
Recently a peace agreement was reached, but it is not being fully adhered to by the warring groups. Those with guns continue to drag people out of their homes and kill them simply because they are suspected of supporting the opposing group or because they refuse to bear arms. It is and will continue to be a slow process with more suffering every day and stories of unbelievable atrocities against the innocent.
Called to serve
I have been called by God to serve in South Sudan, and I know that when I return things will be different. Most of the familiar landscape and infrastructure will be changed or nonexistent. Many of the people that I have come to love, appreciate and depend upon will not be there, either because they were killed, or their homes and livelihoods have been destroyed, or they just cannot return to the place of bad memories. Nonetheless, I must go—but I must have your prayers and support. We, together, must continue to be with these people as they pick up and start again.
Sharon Curry, a former mission worker in South Sudan, has helped me to see that like the birth story in Matthew and the Exodus story, a great leader and savior will rise from the ashes of the massacres of the innocents. Just as God raised up Moses and Jesus to be the saviors of his people, "God is now preparing someone to come forward with peace on his/her heart to raise up the people of South Sudan so they may also lead abundant lives."
Thank you again and again for sharing in this journey with the South Sudanese.
In Ministry Together,
Leisa Wagstaff
PC(USA) Mission Coworker (South Sudan)
*Editor's Note: Leisa Wagstaff has since returned to South Sudan. At the time of this post, she was in Juba waiting for the time that it is safe to return to Malakal where she has been assigned. Read more about Leisa Wagstaff's ministry on the PC(USA) website and on page 129 of the 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study. Write to her and give online (ECO E200501) to support her work.
Additional Note: Presbyterian Women in the PC(USA) has lifted up South Sudan as an area of mission focus during the last two triennia. Presbyterian Women supports mission partners in South Sudan through grants from the Birthday and Thank Offerings. PW visited these mission partners in 2011 and 2013. For more on Presbyterian Women's work in South Sudan, see the March/April 2014 issue of Horizons magazine, the July/August 2012 issue of Horizons and the PW mission web pages.


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Limits on Law Enforcement Use of Tasers, Stun Guns?
By Christopher Coble, Esq. on December 26, 2017 12:15 PM
A Reuters investigation into Taser use in just one Ohio jail turned up more than a dozen stun-gun videos that have families of the victims, state legislators, and even United Nations torture experts calling for criminal inquiries into the incidents. Officers at the Franklin County Jail were found to have used Tasers on 80 inmates over the course of two years, 60 percent of whom were classified by the jail as intoxicated or mentally ill.
The revelations have many questioning the limits of Taser and stun-gun use for law enforcement personnel, and whether officers accused of exceeding those limits face any punishment whatsoever.
Stunning Conduct
The data from the Reuters report is damning. Two officers, in particular, used stun-guns far more than any others. Sergeant Mychal Turner, who delivered total of 28 shocks that lasted 126 seconds in just 12 incidents, once stunned a mentally ill inmate multiple times after the inmate defied an order to stand in his cell, and also fired a Taser five times on a handcuffed inmate who wouldn't sit on a bench. Sergeant Andrew Eing also allegedly used his Taser 26 times for a total of 114 seconds, once shocking a mentally ill inmate 14 times for 64 seconds while he lay bleeding on the floor amongst 10 other officers. (No other officer deployed their Taser more than a dozen times, according to Reuters.)
Neither Turner nor Eing were ever sanctioned for their stun-gun use; in fact, both were promoted. Turner was promoted to major and is now commander of Franklin County Corrections Center II (the larger of the jail's two main facilities) and Eing was promoted to lieutenant in the department's Internal Affairs Bureau, which is responsible for investigating officer misconduct.
Shocking Policy
Franklin County Jail's Taser policy at the time limited their use to "self-defense, protection of another inmate or staff, disarming an inmate, preventing self-harm to an inmate, or controlling a combative inmate." Stun guns could not be used on inmates restrained in handcuffs, leg irons or a chair, or on pregnant women.
Turner admitted to stunning one inmate to "make sure that he doesn't become uncooperative" and because he failed "to follow directions," and shocked another who was in leg irons. One of the videos showed a pregnant woman, who later miscarried, being shocked. All were part of a civil rights lawsuit against the jail, leading to a $102,250 settlement along an updated Taser policy and strengthened training.
While Tasers were once thought of as an effective, non-lethal option for law enforcement, studies show they caused 490 deaths between 1990 and 2012, and the U.S. Department of Justice warned back in 2011 "their ease of use and popularity among officers raise the specter of overuse."
Find Civil Rights Lawyers Near You (FindLaw's Lawyer Directory)
Man Dies From Cops' Taser at Universal Studios (FindLaw Blotter)
Debate Continues over Taser Use on Children (FindLaw Blotter)
When Are Police Allowed to Use Tasers? (FindLaw Blotter)


eBay has so many copies of TS2 for Xbox...it's how I got mine, but for the PS2.
lol. your post is gone!
Have you played the first Timesplitters? Is it worth getting?
Both TS2 and TSFP have great SP campaigns. Siberia (Dam) in TS2 is probably my favourite level of the whole series (great music), but I just felt TSFP flowed better, and had a better story. Both addictive games though.
Lonelyyyy, I'm Mr.lonely, I have nobodyyyy for my owwwwwn.
Games, babes, and hanging out.