text:
Plain English / Cases Made Simple
This is our archive of posts in Plain English. You may also be interested in these resources:
Supreme Court Procedure
Biographies of the Justices
The 10th Amendment, anti-commandeering and sports betting: In Plain English
By Amy Howe	on Aug 14, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Most Americans are familiar with some parts of the Bill of Rights, such as the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech and the Second Amendment's protection of the right to bear arms. Other provisions, however, are less well known – for example, the 10th Amendment, which provides that the "powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." But the 10th Amendment is at the heart of an important Supreme Court case this fall, in which New Jersey and a group of horse-owners will argue that a federal law that bars virtually all states from legalizing sports betting violates the Constitution.
The federal law is the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (known as PASPA), which Congress passed in 1992. PASPA makes it illegal for states to "authorize" "a lottery, sweepstakes, or other betting, gambling, or wagering scheme based" "on one or more competitive games in which amateur or professional athletes participate." PASPA grandfathered in four states – Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon – that already had sports gambling, and it also carved out an exception for New Jersey that would have allowed sports betting at the state's casinos, as long as the state set up the scheme within one year after PASPA went into effect.
Posted in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Inc. v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, Plain English / Cases Made Simple, Summer symposium on Christie v. NCAA, Featured, Merits Cases
The justices tackle partisan gerrymandering again: In Plain English (UPDATED)
By Amy Howe	on Aug 7, 2017 at 1:33 pm
(UPDATED 5:45 pm: The post has been updated to include additional discussion about the significance of the justices' decision to block the lower court's order requiring the state to draw new maps by the fall.)
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has suggested that it might be the most important case of the upcoming term. On October 3, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in Gill v. Whitford, a challenge to the redistricting plan passed by Wisconsin's Republican-controlled legislature in 2011. A federal court struck down the plan last year, concluding that it violated the Constitution because it was the product of partisan gerrymandering – that is, the practice of purposely drawing district lines to favor one party and put another at a disadvantage. The challengers argue that the redistricting plan would allow Republicans to cement control of the state's legislature for years to come, even if popular support for the party wanes; the lower court's decision, they contend, merely corrected "a serious democratic malfunction that would otherwise have gone unremedied." By contrast, the state of Wisconsin counters that if the lower court's decision is allowed to stand, it will open the door to "unprecedented intervention in the American political process."
Posted in Gill v. Whitford, Plain English / Cases Made Simple, Summer symposium on Gill v. Whitford, Featured, Merits Cases
The justices return to cellphones and the Fourth Amendment: In Plain English
By Amy Howe	on Jul 31, 2017 at 10:57 am
In 1976, in United States v. Miller, the Supreme Court ruled that the bank records of a man accused of running an illegal whiskey-distilling operation were not obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment, even though law-enforcement officials did not have a warrant, because the bank records contained "only information voluntarily conveyed to the banks and exposed to their employees in the ordinary course of business." Three years later, in Smith v. Maryland, the justices ruled that no Fourth Amendment violation had occurred when, without a warrant and at the request of the police, the phone company installed a device to record all of the phone numbers that a robbery suspect called from his home, leading to his arrest.
These cases are often cited as examples of the "third-party doctrine" – the idea that the Fourth Amendment does not protect records or information that someone voluntarily shares with someone or something else. But does the third-party doctrine apply the same way to cellphones, which only became commercially available a few years after the court's decisions in Miller and Smith? Justice Sonia Sotomayor, at least, has suggested that it should not: In 2012, she argued that the doctrine is "ill suited to the digital age, in which people reveal a great deal of information about themselves to third parties in the course of carrying out mundane tasks." That question is at the heart of Carpenter v. United States, in which the justices will hear oral argument this fall.
Posted in Carpenter v. U.S., Plain English / Cases Made Simple, Summer symposium on Carpenter v. United States, Featured, Merits Cases
An introduction to the Alien Tort Statute and corporate liability: In Plain English
Founded in Jerusalem nearly a century ago, Jordan's Arab Bank now has over 600 branches on five continents. The bank describes itself as "an active and leading partner in the socio-economic development" of the Middle East – a description borne out by its work with the U.S. Agency for International Development, Oxfam, Save the Children and Catholic Relief Services. The Israeli government uses the bank as a conduit to transfer taxes that it collects for the Palestinian Authority, and the United States government has characterized the bank as a "constructive partner" in its efforts to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. But on October 11, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in a case brought by victims of terrorist attacks that occurred between 1995 and 2005 in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. They allege that Arab Bank maintained accounts for known terrorists, accepted donations that it knew would be used to fund terrorism, and distributed millions of dollars to families of suicide bombers – known as "martyrdom" payments. The question before the justices isn't whether the victims' allegations are true, but instead whether the bank can be sued in U.S. courts at all.
The victims have brought their lawsuits in U.S. courts under the Alien Tort Statute, a federal law that gives federal courts jurisdiction over "any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States." Judge Henry Friendly once described the ATS, which was enacted as part of the Judiciary Act of 1789, as a "kind of a legal Lohengrin," after the mythical German knight who arrives in a boat pulled by swans, because "no one seems to know whence it came."
Posted in Jesner v. Arab Bank, PLC, Plain English / Cases Made Simple, Summer symposium on Jesner v. Arab Bank, PLC, Featured, Merits Cases
An introduction to the travel ban: In Plain English
By Amy Howe	on Jul 10, 2017 at 1:19 pm
In December 2015, the presidential campaign of then-candidate Donald Trump issued a statement calling for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what's going on." Trump's statement continued: "Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victim of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life." Fifteen months later, on March 6, 2017, citing national security concerns, President Trump signed an executive order that ordered a freeze on new visas for travelers from six Muslim-majority countries and suspended travel by refugees into the United States. Two federal appeals courts blocked the Trump administration from implementing the ban, but on June 26 the Supreme Court stepped in. The justices not only agreed to review the lower courts' rulings in October, when they return from their summer break, but they also allowed the federal government to put at least part of the ban into effect until they can rule on the federal government's appeals.
Trump's March 6 order was not the administration's first effort to restrict travel to the United States by visitors from predominantly Muslim countries. On January 27, Trump signed an order that barred citizens from seven such countries – Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen – from entering the country and suspended the refugee program. That order led to confusion around the world, with some travelers stranded in airports after they were denied entry to the United States and others prevented from boarding planes overseas. The order also prompted legal challenges, and on February 3 a federal district judge in Seattle temporarily blocked the government from enforcing the order. Six days later, a federal appeals court left that ruling in place.
Posted in Trump v. Int'l Refugee Assistance Project, Trump v. Hawaii, Legal challenges to Trump's entry ban, Plain English / Cases Made Simple, Summer symposium on Trump v. International Refugee Assistance Project and Trump v. Hawaii, Featured, Merits Cases
FAQs: Announcements of orders and opinions (Updated: June 22)
By Amy Howe	on Jun 22, 2016 at 4:32 pm
This post — which is an updated version of posts that we have published in earlier Terms — addresses some of the questions about orders and opinion announcements that we have commonly received during our live blogs. If you have a question that you don't see answered here, please feel free to ask it during tomorrow's live blog.
Question: What do you mean by "orders"?
Answer: When we talk about "orders" or the "order list," we are usually referring to the actions that the Court took at its most recent Conference, which are reflected in a document ("the order list") that the Court releases to the public. The most common orders are those granting or denying review on the merits in a particular case (known as granting or denying "cert.," short for "certiorari"), but the Court may also issue other orders in cases seeking review or in pending cases — for example, an order granting or rejecting a request to participate in an oral argument on the merits. We do not expect orders tomorrow, only opinions.
Posted in Plain English / Cases Made Simple, Featured
And then there were eight: The remaining cases, in Plain English
On Monday morning, the Justices issued five decisions in argued cases. This leaves the Court with eight cases to decide between now and the end of June. The Justices will take the bench tomorrow at ten o'clock to rule on one or more of these eight cases, which are summarized below the jump.
Posted in Plain English / Cases Made Simple, Featured, Merits Cases
The immigration case, made simple
By Lyle Denniston	on Feb 5, 2016 at 12:06 am
Next week, the blog will publish a series of articles — a symposium — on the major immigration case now under review by the Supreme Court: United States v. Texas. The Justices will hold a hearing on the case in late April. This post provides a basic explanation of that case in non-legal terms.
Like every other independent nation, America has the right to decide who comes into the country, to stay or just to visit. But because the borders are not tightly sealed, many foreign nationals enter without official permission and remain. Once here, many of them live in what President Barack Obama has called "a shadow world," constantly in fear of being deported and so unable to live normal lives. There are now more than eleven million of these illegal immigrants.
What to do about them as a matter of national policy is a problem stalled in deep disagreement. The Senate has passed a broad reform bill that the president would have signed, but that measure died in the House of Representatives. Twice — once in June 2012, and again in November 2014 — the president and his aides used what they believe were existing powers of the executive branch to draft programs that would postpone deportation of many of these immigrants, allowing them to remain at least for a few years, to get jobs, and to qualify for some public benefits. Both programs are highly controversial, and the entire issue of immigration control is at the center of this year's presidential election campaign.
The 2012 program has been in operation, and ultimately may clear the way for some 1.2 million younger immigrants to remain. The 2014 program — potentially affecting more than four million immigrants — has never gone into effect, because twenty-six states, led by Texas, sued the federal government in a federal trial court in Brownsville, Texas, and the 2014 program and some changes in the 2012 program have been blocked since last February. That is the case, now usually called United States v. Texas (although twenty-five other states are also involved), that the Supreme Court agreed on January 19 to review.
Posted in U.S. v. Texas, Plain English / Cases Made Simple, Analysis, Featured, Merits Cases, United States v. Texas symposium
Court will review Obama administration's immigration policy: In Plain English
By Amy Howe	on Jan 19, 2016 at 4:39 pm
In the summer of 2014, efforts to pass new laws to overhaul the country's immigration system seemed to be on a slow road to nowhere. In remarks at the White House on June 30 , President Barack Obama announced that then-House Speaker John Boehner had told him that Republicans would "block a vote on immigration reform at least for the remainder of this year." Arguing that "Americans can't wait forever" for Republicans to act on immigration, Obama indicated that he planned to go it alone.
And he did. In November of that year, Obama announced a new policy that would allow undocumented immigrants who can meet two criteria – they have children who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (also known as "Green Card holders") and they have been in the United States at least since January 2010 – to apply for a program that would allow them to stay in the country for three years and work here legally.
Posted in U.S. v. Texas, Plain English / Cases Made Simple, Featured, Merits Cases
Union fees in jeopardy: In Plain English
For nearly forty years, it has been settled that, although public employees who don't join a union cannot be required to pay for the union's political activities, they can be charged an "agency" or "fair share" fee to pay for other costs that the union incurs – for example, for collective bargaining. After over an hour of oral arguments today, public-employee unions are likely very nervous, as the Court's more conservative Justices appeared ready to overrule the Court's 1977 decision in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education and strike down the fees. Let's talk about Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association in Plain English.
Posted in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, Plain English / Cases Made Simple, Featured, Merits Cases
More Posts: More Recent Posts ∞ Older Posts


Locals in the northern province of Ninawa are worried that extremists fleeing conflict in Anbar are going to end up back in Mosul, a traditional base for them. As signs that this may well be happening grow, many are singing the praises of one woman who took up arms against the group.
The story of the 35-year-old woman who dared to confront extremist groups in a village near the troubled city of Mosul has been spreading. About a week ago gunmen disguised in military uniforms entered Fatima al-Shammariya's village in the Rabia district, about 100 kilometres west of Mosul. They were searching for her brother, a soldier who was on leave at home.
In the end, the Sunni Muslim extremists, who are believed to be associated with Al Qaeda, left the village, worried that the whole village would turn on them. They also released her brother and locals say they didn't get a chance to harass any other men in the village either.
Eyewitnesses say al-Shammariya died holding her gun tightly and that it was very hard to remove it from her hands. Since the incident many locals are demanding that the young woman's bravery be recognised – they suggest a street be named after her or a monument built; many poems have already been written about her.
This kind of sentiment is to be expected in Iraq at the moment where levels of violence are rising and ordinary people fear what extremist groups are doing to their country. This is especially true of Mosul, a city that is well known as one of the Sunni Muslim extremist organisation Al Qaeda's bases.
As one Facebook post put it: "When Anbar – or Baghdad or Kirkuk – sneezes, then Mosul catches a cold".
Currently Mosul locals' concern centres on reactions to operations in Anbar province, where the cities of Ramadi and Fallujah have seen members of extremist groups emerge and then disappear.
"If the military hold is tightened in Anbar the members of Al Qaeda will retreat to this province," says Abdul Rahim al-Shammari, a member of the provincial council in Mosul and former head of the security committee there.
The area's geography suggests he is correct. The desert in Anbar, in which extremists hide and set up base camps, stretches all the way to Ninawa province and extremists are known to dominate in southern areas of Ninawa – places like Biaj, Shura, Qayara, Tal Abta and Hadar.
In fact, in many ways the Al Qaeda-affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, has already been making their presence felt in the area. Violence seems to have escalated over the past two weeks and it is becoming commonplace to hear explosions or the sound of gunfire. However it is the situation to Mosul's south, which is open to the desert, that is most worrying.
For almost a year the Iraqi army's control over this area has been diminishing. The number of military checkpoints on the road between Mosul and Baghdad has fallen and those manning the ones left behind have tended to withdraw late at night, retreating back to their headquarters in case they become targets. ISIS has also managed to damage an important bridge in the Qwair area, south east of Mosul. Locals would often use this bridge as an alternative route into the city so they could avoid the dangers of travelling on the main road.
These kinds of problems have seen a revival of the campaign to make the province a semi-autonomous region, independent of Baghdad. Sunni Muslim leaders in the province recently met to support the Sunni Muslim governor, Atheel al-Nujaifi's proposal to submit a request for provincial independence to the Iraqi government in Baghdad.
Whether this goes any further remains to be seen – there are plenty of dissenters to this plan in Ninawa too.
And in another sign of the very real problems that Mosul is facing, local taxi drivers have decided to stop carrying military personnel. They use special code words to describe military passengers and often reject their fares; they only want civilians as passengers now.


text:
Aravive Initiates a Phase 2a Clinical Trial of AVB-500 in Patients with Kidney Fibrosis
HOUSTON, Dec. 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aravive, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARAV), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the company has begun enrolling patients in the Phase 2a clinical trial of AVB-500 in patients with kidney fibrosis, specifically IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) (NCT04042623).
"We are very pleased to initiate this first trial of AVB500 in patients with renal fibrosis," said Gail McIntyre Ph.D., DABT, CSO at Aravive. "GAS6 is more highly expressed in human IgAN tissues than normal kidney tissue, GAS6 levels correlate with severity of the disease and inhibition of the pathway preclinically has demonstrated a positive effect."
This is an open-label Phase 2a clinical study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AVB500 in patients with biopsy-proven IgAN and excreting 1-3 grams of protein daily in their urine. The primary endpoints will be safety of AVB500 in the population and efficacy of AVB500 treatment on decreasing the amount of protein in the urine.
IgAN, also known as Berger's disease, is a kidney disease that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A builds up in the kidneys. This results in local inflammation that, over time, damages the kidneys. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that GAS6 acts as a mitogen, stimulating mesangial cell proliferation through binding to its cell-surface receptor AXL and an AXL decoy protein can inhibit mesangial cell proliferation by interfering with the GAS6/AXL pathway. IgA nephropathy usually progresses slowly over years and patients can develop end-stage kidney failure, requiring dialysis. No cure exists for IgAN, but certain medications can slow its course.
About AVB-500
AVB-500 is a therapeutic recombinant fusion protein that has been shown to neutralize GAS6 activity by binding to GAS6 with very high affinity. In doing so, AVB-500 selectively inhibits the GAS6-AXL signaling pathway. In preclinical studies, GAS6-AXL inhibition has shown anti-tumor activity, both
as a single agent and in combination with a variety of anticancer therapies including radiation therapy, immuno-oncology agents and chemotherapeutic drugs that affect DNA replication and repair. Increased expression of AXL and GAS6 in tumors is correlated to poor prognosis and survival, and has been implicated in therapeutic resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics and targeted therapies.
Aravive reported positive data from the expansion cohort in the Phase 1b portion of a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of AVB-500 in platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. AVB-500 continues to be well tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities. An investigator-sponsored Phase 1 study of AVB-500, in combination with durvalumab in patients with platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, is also ongoing. Based on AVB-500's safety profile and specifically targeted mechanism of action, this drug candidate has the potential to be used both in combination with existing therapies, as well as a maintenance drug. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Fast Track Designation to AVB-500 in platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer.
About Aravive
Aravive, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARAV) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments designed to halt the progression of life-threatening diseases, including cancer and fibrosis. Aravive's lead product candidate, AVB-500, is an ultra-high affinity decoy protein that targets the GAS6-AXL signaling pathway. By capturing serum GAS6, AVB-500 starves the AXL pathway of its signal, potentially halting the biological programming that promotes disease progression. AXL receptor signaling plays an important role in multiple types of malignancies by promoting metastasis, cancer cell survival, resistance to treatments, and immune suppression. The GAS6-AXL signaling pathway also plays a significant role in fibrogenesis. Aravive is evaluating AVB-500 in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and kidney fibrosis and intends to expand development into additional oncology and fibrotic indications. Aravive is based in Houston, Texas and received a Product Development Award from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) in 2016. For more information, please visit www.aravive.com.
This communication contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended), express or implied, concerning the potential of AVB-500 to be used both in combination with existing therapies, as well as a maintenance drug, the potential of AVB-500 to halt the biological programming that promotes disease progression and the expansion of the development of AVB-500 into additional oncology and fibrotic indications. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: the Company's ability to expand development in 2019 into additional oncology and fibrotic indications, the Company's dependence upon AVB-500, AVB-500's ability to have favorable results in clinical trials or receive regulatory approval, potential delays in the Company's clinical trials due to regulatory requirements or difficulty identifying qualified investigators or enrolling patients; the risk that AVB-500 may cause serious side effects or have properties that delay or prevent regulatory approval or limit its commercial potential; the risk that the Company may encounter difficulties in manufacturing AVB-500; if AVB-500 is approved, risks associated with its market acceptance, including pricing and reimbursement; potential difficulties enforcing the Company's intellectual property rights; the Company's reliance on its licensor of intellectual property and financing needs. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K and subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts for Aravive:
Christina Tartaglia
Stern Investor Relations
christina@sternir.com
Heidi Chokeir
Canale Communications
heidi@canalecomm.com
Source: Aravive,
Source: Aravive, Inc.
© 2019 Aravive Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
> This Week's Issue
> Features Sneak Peek: August 7, 2021 issue
Features Sneak Peek: August 7, 2021 issue
By Lisa Crow - August 3, 2021
SYSTEM ©
Illustration by DC Thomson Ltd.
Simon Whaley explores the hidden gem of Newtown in our August 7, 2021 issue.
Nestling in the Severn Valley, about eight miles from the English border, Newtown has many surprises up its sleeve.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, huge mills were built, powered by the rushing waters of the River Severn. At one point, Newtown's woollen mills were the most productive in the country. Now, the Royal Welsh Warehouse dominates the town.
Another place we'll see on our visit is the local branch of WHSmith, which is a time warp. Inside, books and magazines are displayed face upwards on dark, traditional oak shelves under 1930s light fittings.
In the 1970s, when WHSmith modernised its shops, it decided one should be conserved and restored to how the stores looked in the early 20th century. A small museum is housed upstairs, tracing the firm's history.
We will also visit a museum devoted to Robert Owen. The famous Newtown son managed and owned mills in Manchester and Scotland. He is now known as the father of the Co-operative movement.
Audio-visual Translator
Photograph courtesy of David Buchanan.
With foreign series such as "The Bridge" and "Wallander" having caught the public's imagination, someone needs to provide the subtitles for the shows. Enter David Buchanan, an audio-visual translator.
Features Ed Alex chats to David about his work. It isn't straightforward. French people, for example, speak more quickly and it takes them more words to say the same thing. Of course, this is problematic for David, who has rules on how many translated words to put on screen at once.
Wildlife Gardeners Of Haggerston
Photograph courtesy of Wildlife Gardeners of Haggerston.
Regent's Canal, in London, had fallen into disuse and decay. Even with a clean-up, one major thing was missing – nature.
Some local enthusiasts have changed all of that. Gideon Corby and his partner Esther Adelman spent years trying to do their own bit until some funding came their way.
They set up the Wildlife Gardeners of Haggerston and decided the best way of bringing nature back was floating islands. The planted these with all kinds of vegetation to go directly into the water. They clean the water, provide a habitat and provide a food source. Bill Gibb finds out more.
A Bear Called Paddington
Photograph courtesy of the British Library.
In 1956, author Michael Bond saw a teddy bear sitting by himself on a shelf in Selfridge's department store. Ten days later, Michael had written a story about him.
Over the years, Paddington books have proved popular and have been translated in 30 languages across 70 titles. The bear has, of course, also made it to the silver screen.
An exhibition at the British Library, called "Paddington: The Story Of A Bear", runs until October 31. Gilly Pickup finds out more.
Elsewhere we have some recipes for super salads and a knitting pattern to make a vintage-style lace top.
We hope this features sneak peek has whetted your appetite! Be sure to let us know what you think.
Has this sneak peek at our August 7, 2021 issue encouraged you to subscribe to the "Friend"? Click here. If you do, your "Friend" will come straight to your doorstep!
You can also take out a digital subscription, meaning your issue will come straight to your computer, tablet or phone! And it's great value for money. Click here for a sneak peek at that!
Lisa Crow
This Week's Issue	January 18, 2022
Features Sneak Peek: January 22, 2022 Issue
Neil McAllister enjoys the historic charm of the attractive town of Stamford, in the January 22, 2022 issue of "The People's Friend". Join Neil as he strolls the streets of […]
Fiction Sneak Peek: January 22, 2022 Issue
Fiction Ed Lucy delves into the pages of the January 22, 2022 issue of "The People's Friend", for a closer look at some fabulous fiction.
Craft Preview: January 22, 2022 Issue
Find the instructions for making this embroidered cushion in the January 22, 2022 issue of "The People's Friend".


Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife and mom. Karen grew up in the small town of Orange, Connecticut and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Finance. She also attended the University of Richmond, where she studied law and business, receiving both a JD and an MBA. Karen has spent the last several years working as a tax accountant, writing in numbers. She recently discovered a passion for writing with words. She is the 2011 honoree and spokesperson for the Eastern Pennsylvania Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell 5K Run. Karen enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her husband and three children.
Not all is lost however. Give Nathan a sketchpad and a pencil and watch as his drawings transform his otherwise hopeless life into heroic adventures as Nate Rocks. Time and again, Nate saves the day – winning The World Series, fighting evil forces to keep the world from darkness and even saving Christmas. When his sister nearly drowns while swimming in the ocean, Nate Rocks the World one more time, proving that even a ten year old can accomplish great things.


DP3 Restructuring Announcement: Please click here for further details.
From very shallow to deepwater environments, Sea Trucks' modern and flexible DP3 fleet offers clients a wide range of solutions for pipeline installation projects, which can all be executed by a single vessel. This includes Engineering, Procurement, Installation, and Commissioning (EPIC) of rigid and flexible pipelines and subsea infrastructure.
SEA TRUCKS GROUP 2015. All rights reserved.


text:
class SubscriptionController < ApplicationController

	skip_before_filter :verify_authenticity_token

  def create

  	config = JSON.parse(params[:config])
    subscription_id = params[:subscription_id]
    endpoint = params[:endpoint]

    response = {}
	response[:errors] = []
	response[:valid] = true

	if params[:config].nil?
    	return 400, "You did not post any config to validate"
	end

	if config['email'].nil? or config['email'].empty?

    	response[:valid] = false
		response[:errors].push('Please supply your email address to get started.')

	else

		email = EmailVeracity::Address.new(config['email'])

		unless email.valid?
			response[:valid] = false
			response[:errors].push('Please supply a valid email address.')
		end

	end

	if response[:valid] == true

		subscription = Subscription.find_or_initialize_by(:email => config['email'])
		subscription.bergcloud_subscription_id = subscription_id
		subscription.bergcloud_endpoint = endpoint

		unless subscription.save
			response[:valid] = false
			response[:errors].push('There was a problem creating your subscription.')
		end

	end

	render :json => response.to_json

  end

end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Blu-ray News – Mad Max Anthology, Masterworks of Avant-Garde Film, Empire 35th & The Bits at Comic-Con!
May 22, 2015 - 4:07 pm | by Bill Hunt
[Editor's Note: Be sure to like TheDigitalBits.com page on Facebook for breaking news, site updates on the go, discussion with our staff and other readers, giveaways and more!]
We've got a couple things for you today to close out the week. First though, I wanted to direct you all to our own Michael Coate's latest History, Legacy & Showmanship column, which we posted yesterday, which features a great look back at The Empire Strikes Back in celebration of the film's 35th anniversary (which was yesterday). Michael offers lots of extensively-researched details about the film's initial theatrical release, as well as production trivia, a summary of critic reviews, and even a great new roundtable interview with cinema historians about the film. Do give it a look – I think you'll really enjoy it. [Read on here…]
By the way, Michael will return with another new column on Sunday, so be sure to check back for that.
In announcement news today, Warner Home Video has just set a Mad Max: Anthology 4-film collection for Blu-ray release on 9/1 (SRP $89.98). Which essentially means that you can almost guarantee the Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD release of Mad Max: Fury Road will happen on that day (or very close to it) as well. You can see the temp art below.
Also, here's something cool: Flicker Alley is releasing a title called Masterworks of American Avant-garde Experimental Film 1920-1970 on Blu-ray and DVD on 7/28 (SRP $59.95 for the Blu-ray). The set will include a "premiere collection of 30 films are the most acclaimed names of American avant-garde experimental filmmaking, including Charles Sheeler, Paul Strand, Fernand Léger, Dudley Murphy, Rrose Sélavy (Marcel Duchamp), Robert Florey, Slavko Vorkapich, Ralph Steiner, Jay Leyda, James Sibley Watson, Jr., Melville Webber, Emlen Etting, Joseph Cornell, Mary Ellen Bute, Ted Nemeth, Rudy Burckhardt, Francis Lee, Maya Deren, Alexander Hackenschmied, Oskar Fischinger, Helen Levitt, Janice Loeb, James Agee, Marie Menken, Francis Thompson, Bruce Conner, Jordan Belson, Bruce Baillie, Lawrence Jordan, Jonas Mekas, Tom Palazzolo, Lawrence Janiak, Amy Greenfield, Phil Solomon, and Stan Brakhage." Sounds amazing.
Finally today, I wanted to let all of you know that The Digital Bits is indeed returning to Comic-Con in San Diego this July with our ever-popular Blu-ray discussion panel! The exact date, time and room location are still TBA, but I can confirm that I'll be moderating an hour-long panel entitled The Digital Bits Blu-ray Sneak Peak: Star Trek: Axanar. Our guests will include a trio of veteran Blu-ray/DVD producers who've long been fixtures on our panel, including Charles de Lauzirika (Twin Peaks, The Martian), Cliff Stephenson (Hannibal, The Hunger Games), and Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise, Star Trek: The Next Generation Blu-rays). We'll talk about major upcoming Blu-ray titles, the latest developments with 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and more. But we're also going to be joined by our friend and Star Trek: Axanar executive producer Alec Peters for a great behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the studio-quality Blu-ray special edition release of Prelude to Axanar, which is coming soon. With the major studios pulling back from their own Blu-ray special edition work, there are lots of opportunities for independent producers to step in to create great discs. So we'll take a good look at what's involved to do that. We'll also have audience Q&A and we'll give away some cool stuff too. If you're headed down to Comic-Con, you're not going to want to miss it. We'll have more details as we get closer to the Con, but we hope to see you there!
Okay, last note for today: I've gotten a bunch of e-mails over the past week or two from readers, but I've been so busy that I haven't had the chance to respond to them all yet. Rest assured that I will as soon as I can.
Here's a look at the cover art for the Blu-ray titles mentioned above (temp art in the case of the Mad Max titles)…
With that… have a great Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
- Bill Hunt
The Mad Max Anthology
The Empire Strikes Back 35th Anniversary
The Bits at ComicCon
Star Trek: Axanar
Prelude to Axanar
Masterworks of American Avantgarde Experimental Film 19201970


text:
Choose Type Size :
Call Today 800-719-7129; 716-372-2106
1225 W State Street, Olean, NY
Noreen Martin
Sister Regina Aman
Hospice Care first came into Noreen Martin's life in 1975, the year she first joined the US Navy. She was 20 years old and serving in Hawaii.
"One of my assignments was with the Chaplains to escort them to the hospital and basically do what we call Hospice," Noreen explained. "At that time, it was to comfort the family and the afflicted. Out of that was born an almost 30 year interest in what later became Hospice."
Between 1980 and 1985, while stationed in Washington DC, Noreen accompanied medical personnel and military personnel to various military hospitals to render comfort to AIDs patients.
"At that time, there were a lot of mixed reactions to AIDs, but as a volunteer, we were just there to comfort," Noreen said. "It was very controversial for someone serving in the military. But for me, it just inspired me. So when I had the chance to go work for Hospice, I was deeply inspired by my military experience to become a volunteer."
When Noreen retired from the Navy in April of 1995, she began working at the Salamanca Nursing Home, where she stayed for a year before becoming a corrections officer in 1996. After that, she moved on to the Little Valley Department of the Aging. Despite being a certified nurse's aide, she felt she would better serve as a volunteer when she joined HomeCare & Hospice.
Her first patient was a female veteran of the US Airforce that had served as a medic from 1961 until 1964. Noreen said due to their shared military background, the patient was very open with her about her experiences.
"We talked about the Bay of Pigs," Noreen said. "She talked about preparing with her unit in the Airforce who were on alert. For me to deal with another female who was actually prepared to go into combat was very interesting."
Due to her past military experience, Noreen has served as a volunteer for many patients with a military background. She explained that while some vets are reluctant to talk about their experience, others found it easier to open up to her.
"Knowing that I'm a veteran, that I was in for 20 years, it opened up a porthole that instilled trust and joined experiences," Noreen explained. "They felt free to talk to me." Noreen believes that the ability to listen is the most important part of being a volunteer for HomeCare & Hospice, especially when it comes to veterans.
"Listening skills are very much a part of being a volunteer," Noreen said. "It's about knowing when to talk and when not to talk."
Besides being there for the patient, Noreen said one of the most rewarding parts of volunteering is offering respite to the caregivers. Noreen recently took a year off to be a caregiver to her sister, who received Hospice care for three weeks at the end of her battle.
"To me, the reward is addressing the needs of the caregivers," Noreen explained. "I've been on both sides, as a family member taking care of someone as well as a volunteer. I appreciated the role of Hospice and what they did for us. It just motivates me further to stay with the agency."
After the process of Hospice is finished, Noreen said that volunteers often "leave our doors open" to grieve with the families if they want someone to talk to or someone to listen.
Besides volunteering to sit with patients, Noreen also volunteers for HomeCare & Hospice's various fundraisers, like the Spring Bouquet Sale.
"I enjoy the volunteering events for fundraising. They're always looking for volunteers to help," Noreen said.
During her time volunteering with HomeCare & Hospice, Noreen said she has found similarities between her work here and within the military.
"Hospice is comparable to the military service in that it is a reflection of human dignity and core values," Noreen said.
Noreen said she would encourage others to volunteer at HomeCare & Hospice and that she has enjoyed her work with the agency.
"My experience has been very positive," she began. "Volunteers are so important to the role that Hospice plays in the community. It's a special role for people. Peggy Gillespie (Volunteer Coordinator in Olean) is very easy to contact."
Noreen said it best when she explained what her job is as a Hospice Volunteer. "My role is to be a trusted friend," Noreen explained simply. "Before I leave each patient, I always tell them 'You are not alone.'"
If you would like more information on volunteering for HomeCare & Hospice, please call 1-800-719-7129.
Last Updated - Jul 7, 2017 @ 2:54 am
©2017 Community Care of Western New York. All Rights Reserved. HomeCare & Hospice is the only 501(c)(3) Medicare-certified hospice program serving Cattaraugus, Allegany, Genesee and Wyoming Counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider, and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).


text:
GAMES / Bury Me My Love/ Accessibility Report
Bury Me My Love Accessibility Report
We've documented 29 accessibility features for Bury Me My Love in the Getting Started, Reading, Navigation, Controls, Visual and Audio areas to aid enjoyment of the game for different players. This report is created with input from accessibility experts and the player community to help people find games that have the accessibility features they require. Once you have found potential games on the database, there are excellent specialist accessibility sites that offer in-depth reviews to guide your purchasing decisions.
Don't be put off by the name and theme of this intriguing game, an adventure played by choosing responses in what looks like a messaging app. You take the role of the husband of a Syrian migrant travelling to Europe. As the game unfolds in real time, her messages pop up on your phone throughout the day. Choosing the different answers to her questions influences the decisions she makes and the path of her journey. Each play-through results in a different journey and one of 20 different endings.
You can play the game in real time, so you have to wait for the game. Or speed things up so there is no waiting.
Bury Me My Love
Platforms: Android, Mac, PC, Switch and iOS
Genres: Adventure, Narrative and Turn-Based
Developer: The Pixel Hunt (@ThePixelHunt)
We haven't documented any accessibility features for Difficulty in Bury Me My Love which deal with how you can adjust the challenge of play, and assistance the game offers when you fail or get stuck. The following games are similar to Bury Me My Love, and offer accessibility features for Difficulty:
My Child Lebensborn
We've documented 5 accessibility features for Getting Started in Bury Me My Love which deal with what support is offered to get started with the game. This includes customising the experience when you first open the game via any onboarding processes it provides as well as tutorials and other assistance when you first start playing.
Tutorials: There are helpful tutorials and instructions on how to play. Information is provided in a timely manner, with appropriate level of detail.
Adjust Speed: Adjust the overall speed of the game, or rewind play for a second attempt, to ease reaction times. By slowing the game, you have more time to interpret what is happening and then execute your actions. It also reduces the pressure on getting things right quickly or the first time you attempt them.
If you want to play Bury Me My Love, but it doesn't offer the Getting Started accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Getting Started accessibility:
Frog's Princess
Adventures With Anxiety
The Kingdom of Istyald
We've documented 6 accessibility features for Reading in Bury Me My Love which deal with how much reading or listening comprehension is required, how well the game provides visual and audible access to the text and whether subtitles and captions are a good fit for purpose.
Extensive Complex Reading: Extensive reading required. The quantity and complexity of reading is suitable for someone who loves long books and enjoys extended dialogue or narrative descriptions.
Large Clear Text: Text is large and clear or can be adjusted to be. The general text used throughout the game in menus, instructions and other information (excluding subtitles that are assessed separately) is at least 1/20 (46 pixels on 1080 screen) the height of the screen.
Large Clear Subtitles: Subtitles are large and clear, at least 1/20 (46 pixels on 1080 screen) the height of the screen, or can be adjusted to be. Considered separately from the general text of the game, the subtitles are large, clear and of good contrast.
All Speech Subtitled (Or No Speech In Game): All spoken content has subtitles, or there is no speech in the game. This means there is no requirement to hear spoken dialogue or narrative to play the game.
Speaker Indicator and their Tone: Textual captions indicate who is speaking and their tone. This can also be indicated visually in the game with character icons or character expressions with text in speech bubbles next to the person speaking.
If you want to play Bury Me My Love, but it doesn't offer the Reading accessibility features you require, this similar game extends the Reading accessibility:
Heaven's Vault
We've documented 1 accessibility feature for Navigation in Bury Me My Love which deals with how the game provides guidance and assistance to navigate its worlds. These are only for games that have traversal and exploration in 2D and 3D spaces.
Large Clear Navigation: The in-game navigation and maps are clear to read. They offer large text and offer markers that are large and of high contrast. Where text or information is small, there are settings to zoom-in and increase visibility.
If you want to play Bury Me My Love, but it doesn't offer the Navigation accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Navigation accessibility:
Closed Hands
We've documented 6 accessibility features for Controls in Bury Me My Love which deal with how you control the game, different options for alternative inputs and whether you can remap these settings to suit your needs.
1 Button & Single Stick: Can play with button and stick.
Mouse Alone: Can play with just the mouse/mouse-button/mouse wheel.
One Tap Targeted: Can play with touchscreen, tap in specific locations.
Controller Vibration
Vibration Optional: Controller vibration not used in the game or you can disable it.
If you want to play Bury Me My Love, but it doesn't offer the Controls accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Controls accessibility:
Reigns
We've documented 8 accessibility features for Visual in Bury Me My Love which deal with how you can adjust the visuals to suit your needs, and offer additional information if you can't hear the game.
Medium Contrast: Game uses generally well contrasting and bright visuals, or has a slider to make this the case.
No Flashes: No flashing strobe effects or you can disable them. This includes the absence of flashing from dramatic visual effects, explosions or weather effects like lightning.
Audio Cues for Visual Events
Audio Cues for Visual Events: Audio is provided to indicate visual events. Game events or progress highlighted by visual icons, effects or animations are also accompanied by audio to signify that progress. This is useful for blind players.
Colour blind friendly: Game doesn't rely on colour or can switch to colour blind friendly mode with double coding or similar way to avoid colour dependance.
If you want to play Bury Me My Love, but it doesn't offer the Visual accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Visual accessibility:
We've documented 3 accessibility features for Audio in Bury Me My Love which deal with how you can adjust the audio of the game and whether audio cues compensate for aspects of the game that are hard to see.
Adjustable Audio
Balance Audio Levels: Set music and game sound effects separately. This enables you to select your preference as well as ensure critical game sounds aren't obscured by other audio.
Audio Events
Visual Cues for Audio Events: Text or other visual indicators of audio events. This mirrors audio indicators of progress in the game with a corresponding visual indication.
Android has accessibility settings including ways to navigate and interact, although not all games support this.
Nintendo Switch has some built-in features, including a lockable zoom, that can be used on all games.
Accessibility Report supported by VSC Rating Board, PlayabilityInitiative and accessibility contributors @GeekDadGamer


text:
require 'spec_helper.rb'

describe 'stash' do
describe 'stash::service' do
  context 'supported operating systems' do
    on_supported_os.each do |os, facts|
      context "on #{os} #{facts}" do
        let(:facts) do
          facts
        end

        context 'default params' do
          it { should contain_service('stash')}
        end

        context 'overwriting service_manage param' do
          let(:params) {{
            :service_manage => false,
          }}
          it { should_not contain_service('stash')}
        end

        context 'overwriting service params' do
          let(:params) {{
            :service_ensure => 'stopped',
            :service_enable => false,
          }}
          it do
	    should contain_service('stash').with({
              'ensure' => 'stopped',
              'enable' => 'false',
            })
          end
        end
      end
    end
  end
end
end


Teach your little one letter sounds and blends with this short video!
Fun sound blending game to try at home. Blend sounds with Obb and Bob.
Another fun game for reading practice at home. Read the word and match to the correct picture.
Here is a sheet for you to print out and practice at home.
Capital Letters to practice at home.


text:
The Yellow School Bus and Safety
04/01/2012 | Derek Graham
The Big Yellow School Bus
The Big Yellow School Bus — it's an icon of our country's education system. But did you ever wonder why? Among the reading and writing, the math and the tests, the teachers and pencils and whiteboards — when people want to depict our public schools, why do they so often turn to the yellow school bus to represent the entire system? It may be as simple as the visual — the large yellow mass with flashing lights. But behind that, a lot more contributes to that iconic value.
One of the keys to a successful free public education system is ensuring that students can access that system. And once we assume the responsibility for that access, we have an obligation to keep those children safe. And if that safe means of access saves fuel and energy, then all the better! But as long as one child could be endangered in this system of transport, then we all have a job to do — and it requires continued vigilance.
School districts across the country are working to improve student outcomes in the classroom through a variety of program refinements and modifications, but one thing remains true. Students must be PRESENT for results to be seen. Virtual schools and online learning notwithstanding, most students must be in a classroom to achieve the educational goals that have been established for them. Many parents have work schedules or other circumstances that make it impossible for them to get their children back and forth to school without assistance. Older students, if left to their own devices, may opt not to attend school if their transportation options are too complicated or limited in some way. Enter the yellow bus. Nationally over 50 percent of students are transported to or from school by school bus. Reason number one that the school bus is an educational icon: it allows students to access our system of public education.
The Safest Way to Get to School
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that students are about 50 times more likely to arrive at school alive if they take the bus than if they drive themselves or ride with friends. NHTSA tracks safety in all modes of transportation and, for years, has recognized school bus transportation as the safest way for students to get to and from school.
The sheer mass and color of the school bus — that contribute the instant recognition of this unique vehicle — are there for one reason: to protect student passengers. There are federal crash standards — in addition to the stop sign, lighting and mirror requirements — that are required of school buses and no other vehicle. Very simply, the cargo is more valuable that any other. Reason number two that the school bus is an educational icon: for decades it has offered protection for its student passengers and has a safety record second to none. It has achieved reason number one — access to education — without compromising the safety of children!
Helps the Environment
Did you ever stop to realize that the school bus helps reduce emissions and oil consumption in the community? Interestingly enough, one image of the school bus that some people have is the black smoke puffing from the tailpipe. Part of that visual is simply a symptom of the diesel engine. But did you know that diesel engine standards in effect beginning in 2010 have decreased pollutants by over 98 percent? And it may come as no surprise that school buses (which are primarily diesel-powered) do not report a stellar MPG when compared to passenger cars. But if you compare the amount of diesel fuel expended to transport students on school buses compared with the comparable amount of (primarily) gasoline that would be needed to transport those same students in their parents' vehicles, the results are amazing.
In North Carolina, for example, the savings amounts to 67 million gallons of fuel per year — $245 million at February 2012 price levels. Nationally, that translates to over 2.3 billion gallons and over $8 billion!! So, while people may not realize that this savings and convenience is a reason that the yellow school bus is an icon of the educational system, it is a very real benefit.
Reason number three is that school bus transportation is good for the environment and a tremendous benefit to families.
Doing Our Part
Every motorist must be aware of children and school buses each and every day. Even though the transport of students to and from school by school bus offers them the highest level of highway safety possible and we understand that the school bus is an integral part of our country's educational system, we have to look objectively at anything that can compromise that system. The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation (NASDPTS) believes that the biggest threat to student safety happens not ON the bus, but OUTSIDE the school bus. And the biggest threat OUTSIDE the bus is that of motorists passing stopped school buses.
Stop for a Stopped School Bus
While the laws vary from state to state, one thing is constant — motorists must exercise caution when school buses are loading and unloading children. On most roads in most states cars must stop in both directions when a school bus is stopped with lights flashing and stop sign extended.
In the November 2010 NASDPTS passed a resolution encouraging states to participate in the first annual NATIONAL STOP ARM VIOLATION SURVEY. During the spring of 2011, 28 states participated in this survey and the results were staggering. Almost 112,000 bus drivers reported 37,756 total stop arm passing incidents, often involving several cars in each incident. And that's just in a single day!
In North Carolina violations have been counted each year since 1998 with multiple initiatives along the way to improve student safety. State law was changed in 2009 to specifically allow video evidence to be used in the prosecution of stop arm violations. This was one of a series of law changes in the past decade aimed at protecting children from motorists who pay no attention to a stopped school bus.
A sequence of still photos taken from a video in Wake County that resulted in
a driver being charged and convicted of passing a stopped school bus.
Stop Arm Cameras in North Carolina
In response to the new video evidence law, the Department of Public Instruction partnered with the NC Governor's Highway Safety Program to purchase seven high-resolution camera systems to put on the outside of school buses in various regions of the state. Each camera system captures the view looking forward, looking backward and looking directly into the car of the motorist passing a stopped school bus. School districts in Rowan, Iredell, Wake, Carteret and Stokes counties now have a school bus or two equipped with this new technology.
According to Judy Burris, Transportation Director for Rowan-Salisbury Schools, the interface indicates when the lights come on, when the stop sign is activated, the speed of the bus and even the GPS location of the bus. In the photo labeled "Figure 1," she explains the impact: "The driver nearest the stop sign was charged with passing a stopped school bus. In addition, the two drivers behind that front car were also charged by law enforcement, based on this video evidence." On a recent day in court, Ms. Burris witnessed two guilty pleas once the defense attorneys saw the video of the offense with their own eyes!
Our goal with this demonstration project is not just to increase convictions, but to increase public awareness. Each time a motorist passes a school bus while it is stopped to load or unload students — that's a situation that puts a child in danger. When we see a school bus — particularly with lights flashing — let's develop that reflex that causes us, as motorists, to exercise extreme caution and STOP for the school bus.
Only then can the big yellow bus do what it's intended to do — provide safe, environmentally friendly access to education for our nation's children
(For additional information on the stop arm camera project and a timeline of legislation, see www.ncbussafety.org/StopArm )
Derek Graham is the section chief for transportation services with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction – a position he has held since 1995. Graham is a past president of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) and a founding member of the American School Bus Council.
Great article technology is great here especailly when it comes to protecting our children!
Cynthia Phillips
Routing and Scheduling Coordinator
This is a wonderful article. I enjoyed the statement about the school bus being the icon for education. You are correct. It is that way everywhere. Nice Work! Made me feel proud to work for school transportation!


When I addressed the Chamber in November, on the leadership and performance of policing, I set out my intention to reflect on the operation of police complaints and conduct with key partners. As I said then, I am open to considering whether there is scope for further improvement.
It is of the utmost importance to me and the public that parliamentary confidence in the police is high – and independently justifiably so – but equally that our systems provide suitable protection for the vast majority of police officers and staff who work hard to keep us safe.
Over recent months, I have listened to a range of different perspectives from those directly involved. It is clear to me that complex issues have emerged in relation to the existing framework, operational responsibilities and procedures that need to be looked at afresh.
Five years on from the creation of Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, the time is right to look at how the structures and processes are working.
To do that effectively will require an independent and authoritative assessment and that is why I, together with the Lord Advocate, have commissioned Dame Elish Angiolini QC to take this work forward.
I am delighted that Dame Elish has agreed to lead that Review. As members will be aware, she is exceptionally well qualified to scrutinise these issues, as a former Procurator Fiscal, Solicitor General and Lord Advocate.
Her outstanding record of public service in Scotland is well known, having chaired the Commission on Women Offenders, as well as the Mortonhall Crematorium Investigation for the City of Edinburgh Council and National Cremations Investigation for the Scottish Government.
More recently, she led the independent Review into Serious Incidents and Deaths in Police Custody in England and Wales for the UK Government.
Under Dame Elish's leadership, the Review of Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues in Relation to Policing will bring independent scrutiny to the framework and processes for handling complaints against the police and investigating serious incidents and alleged misconduct.
As well as assessing the current framework, the Review will report on the effectiveness of structures, operational responsibilities and processes. It will also make recommendations for improvements to ensure the system is fair, transparent, accountable and proportionate, in order to strengthen public confidence in policing in Scotland.
The second phase will include a wider assessment of the frameworks and practice in relation to complaints handling, investigations and misconduct issues. It will cover the work of the Police and Investigations Review Commissioner, the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland.
The Review will take evidence from a broad range of stakeholders, including the Scottish Police Federation, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, the Scottish Chief Police Officers Staff Association, Unison, Unite, as well as the PIRC, SPA, Police Scotland and the Crown Office. Dame Elish may also wish to speak with those who have had experience of the current system to hear their views and understand where further improvement could be made.
Recommendations in the final report should take into account human rights considerations, as well as seeking to identify longer term improvements.
Presiding Officer, I am aware that the Justice Committee has invited evidence as part of its post-legislative scrutiny of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. I welcome this scrutiny of the landmark legislation that enabled the creation of single police and fire services.
I am also aware that evidence has been submitted on the provisions within the Act that underpin our current system of police conduct, complaints and investigations. Those provisions were intended to strengthen the governance, accountability and scrutiny arrangements for policing and created a clear statutory framework for independent review and investigation.
It is only right that the Committee considers this evidence as part of its broader scrutiny of the Act and I look forward to seeing the outcomes of that process.
However, as the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for the overall framework for dealing with police complaints and conduct issues in Scotland, which includes other primary and secondary legislation, I have a duty to ensure that the whole system is working well. And the Lord Advocate has an independent interest, as head of the system for the investigation and prosecution of crime in Scotland.
The arrangements for complaints handling, investigations and misconduct issues in relation to policing, have seen a period of intense parliamentary, media and public scrutiny.
It is a framework that must ultimately build public confidence in policing and the events of recent months have raised questions about the way the system works and whether it could be improved.
It is only right that I listen to those questions and act decisively to address them, which is why the Lord Advocate and I have commissioned this Review.
the framework and processes are fair, transparent, accountable and proportionate, upholding fundamental human rights.
Fairness. Transparency. Accountability. Proportionality. These are the guiding principles of the Review and go to the very heart of what any system, which holds public services to account, should deliver.
The commitment to upholding fundamental human rights is embedded in police training, in the oath taken by officers and is central to Police Scotland's Professional Ethics and Values. This is to ensure that policing operations respect the human rights of all people and officers, who in turn should have their rights respected. This must also be central to the process for handling police complaints, conduct issues and investigations.
It is vital that the police are held to account when things go wrong. Policing by consent depends upon that accountability. And it is essential that lessons are learned and improvements made to prevent mistakes, bad practice - and criminality - recurring in the future.
In order to do that effectively, our systems must treat all parties fairly and justly if they are to earn the trust and respect of those involved and of the wider public.
Let me also be clear about what the Review will not do. It will not consider the role of the Lord Advocate in investigating criminal complaints against the police. Nor will it look at the role of HMICS in scrutinising the state, effectiveness and efficiency of Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.
It is also important to emphasise that the Review will not re-examine specific cases or review specific decisions, although they may provide evidence for an overall assessment of the efficacy of current systems and processes.
There are a number of high profile criminal investigations relating to serious incidents involving the police, currently underway. Those investigations are a matter for the Lord Advocate and it would be wrong to suggest that this Review should examine those cases – or pre-empt the investigation process.
Presiding Officer, I am confident that this Review, under the authoritative leadership of Dame Elish Angiolini will bring fresh scrutiny to the framework and structures we established 5 years ago, to ensure they are robust and true to the principles that I have outlined.
It is essential that our systems for complaints handling, investigations and misconduct issues in relation to policing are fair, transparent, and accountable, respecting the rights of all those involved. Systems that police officers, staff and the public can have confidence in.
Let me finish, by putting on record my thanks and appreciation for the work of Police Scotland, the SPA, the PIRC, HMICS and the Crown Office, commending all those who work to keep our communities safe.


The lender says it has reduced rates by up to 0.35 per cent on selected deals, and has enhanced its two-year fixed rate range.
Among the new deals available is a two-year fix at 1.64 per cent, available to both purchase and remortgage customers with a 40 per cent deposit.
However, while it has introduced new 60 per cent LTV deals, it has also withdrawn a number of mortgages at 65 per cent LTV. This includes a couple of two-year fixes at 1.89 per cent (available for both purchase and remortgage).
The intermediary-only lender says these had been superseded by newer products, including a two-year fix at 1.88 per cent – available up to 75 per cent LTV.
Accord has also cut upfront fees on selected mortgage deals. On some options the product fee has been cut from £1,995 to £1,495, while mortgages which previously had a £450 fee will now be fee free.


text:
Vladyslav September 22, 2016
The only use of nuclear weapons for the warfare in history was during the bombing of two Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The significance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki lies in the fact that these Japanese cities became an area of testing for the new weapons of mass destruction. The bombing had both an immediate effect, two big cities were destroyed and Japan under the impression of its destructive power surrendered in the World War II, and a long-lasting effect – there were many victims to radiation and, thus, people learnt a lot about radiation and its harmful influence upon living beings. The effect of the bombing was unprecedented. The world shuddered from the power of nuclear weapons.
To accelerate the end of the World War II and to lessen the amount of losses that the countries might have had if the war had continued, the allies of the United States, United Kingdom and China called for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese armed forces in the Potsdam Declaration on July 26, 1945. After Japan had ignored the declaration, the US government decided to take decisive steps. Big Japanese cities, which had some military significance in terms of the arms production and storage, were to be bombed from the air. There were several variants as to the choice of the cities to bomb. In case of Japanese further denial of the surrender, a massive bombing attack to the mainland had been also planned. The choice had fallen to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The cities were a good target, because they were large in size industrial centers and the blast of the bomb would create there an effective damage.
The meaning of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Hiroshima and Nagasaki are ancient cities. They were founded centuries before the World War II. The names of the cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki have a descriptive meaning and reflect the peculiarities of the local landscape. It's quite a common method for the formation of the place names, regarding also the fact that the Japanese are by nature quite observing and meditative people.
Hiroshima (Hirosima-shi) – is a city in the western part of Honshu, the largest island in Japan. It is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region. The word "Hiroshima" means in Japanese "a broad island", so the name of the place reflects its geographical location. Hiroshima of the wartime was mostly lying on six islands formed by seven estuarial rivers of the large Ota River. It was like a fan when looked at from the height of the bird's flight. To the south there was an access to the Inland Sea and a rim of mountains was on three other sides of the delta. The topology of the place was taken into account when Americans considered the target of their bombing. The bowl that the hills and the harbor created would facilitate a maximum destruction.
Nagasaki is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture. The word "Nagasaki" has the meaning "a long cape". The city lies on a long bay that forms one of the best harbors in the region. The city has always been a key port, many ships from all over the world have come to this safe harbor. Nagasaki is located on two valleys that are divided by a mountain spur. Due to its uneven terrain, the destruction of the city was not total during the atomic bombing.
Apocalyptic reality
The Hiroshima and Nagasaki incidents happened on August 6, 1945 and August 9, 1945 respectively. The history hadn't seen such a tremendous destruction before. Japan suffered great losses on the days of explosion of the two death-bearing bombs. The victims were mostly civilians who worked at the plant, were at the hospital, at school, at their offices, at home or were just walking in the street. Nobody could predict such events and the speed with which everything was destroyed. In a fraction of second thousands were killed. Thousands were injured by the fire, blast wave or wrecks of the buildings.
The reality of Hiroshima day and the aftermath is well depicted in the book of John Hersey "Hiroshima". The American reporter interviewed six survivors of the bombing. The survivors narrate about their experience immediately after the bombing and the months afterwards. The Hiroshima book relates stories of those, who had survived the disaster. Those people, who managed to struggle up from under the ruins after the explosion, helped others, who had been buried under the wrecks and were unable to move. The fire from the explosion spread all over the area of Hiroshima and people had to run away quickly under the shower of cinders over the streets cluttered by the fallen houses and fallen telephone poles and wires. They were trying to find a refuge. Some found it in a safer place, some found it in the river, waiting for the fire to subside, and some were burnt alive. So people were not able to free all of the survivors from under the ruins, they couldn't also take their possessions with them, as they had very little time for the escape from a dangerous zone.
People with bad burns, wounds and fractures walked over the debris in search of the first medical aid. They couldn't be aided on the spot, because they were left for their own sake. The people still struggled for their life. People used sheets like bandages and helped those who were unable to move ahead. In Hiroshima they made their way to the Red Cross Hospital, where some of them received some treatment. But the treatment was insufficient, because most of the medical staff died and the medical supplies were limited. People were isolated in the city of dusk, where the dust rose from the ground and hid the sun.
Some time passed before they got a proper medical treatment, but many were not alive by that time. They died of wounds that were incompatible with life. Even people with no wounds died, because they were subject to radiation. They were irradiated and they drank the water from the rivers with radiation contaminants. People were bewildered by the feeling of weakness and many of them suffered from nausea. Bleeding, loss of hair, blindness and malignant tumors were some of the other effects. The total number of victims in 1945 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki amounted to about 200,000 people. The same amount died in the following years from the diseases connected to radiation. Among the most widespread illnesses were cancer and mental retardation among children.
The cultural headstone for the dead
The Hiroshima and Nagasaki destruction had left its impact on the social and cultural life of the town. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is dedicated to the fact that Hiroshima was the first city in the world to suffer from a nuclear attack. It memorializes direct and indirect victims of the disaster.
One of the monuments in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is the Genbaku ("A-Bomb") Dome. It was the only building which remained undestroyed within 200 m of the bomb explosion. Primarily it was Hiroshima Prefectural Products Exhibition Hall. The hall was constructed by the Czech architect Jan Letzel. The building was well constructed to withstand earthquakes which are common in Japan. The vertical reinforced concrete piles of the building withstood the powerful explosion. Some side walls remained intact. A distinctive metal dome had given the name for the today's building, which serves as a monument and a cultural heritage of the city.
Hiroshima's culture is seen today mainly through the prism of nuclear disaster. The Peace Memorial Park is located on the field which was formed by the bomb explosion. The Park covers the ground which was once completely devastated and covered with the ashes of the victims to the explosion. That's why the awe inspiring spirit is in the air. It is the place where people begin to understand what horrors the use of nuclear weapons brings. The place also advocated peace, which is indispensible part of the human life.
The lesson for humanity
So what is "Hiroshima and Nagasaki"? "Hiroshima and Nagasaki" definition as one concept describes the devastation which the nuclear weapons can bring. The devastation is of a mass and total character, sparing no lives. Using nuclear weapons is a dangerous means of leading any war.
The information about Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the true influence of radiation had been censored in America for a long time. Americans hated the Japanese because they were their enemies in the war. The only photo which was shown to the public and which documented the atomic bombing was the photo of the mushroom cloud. Common Americans greeted it, because they were happy that the new weapons terminated the loathed war. At the same time it was said nothing in mass media on the nature of the bombing. American cameramen made several attempts to shot the place of the disaster, but the film was later confiscated by the US government and kept in secrecy. Scientific research on the effect of radiation was also in secret. Only after the San Francisco Peace Treaty, 1951, when the Japanese restored power over their country, the information on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was made public.
What was "Hiroshima and Nagasaki" made a lesson for the human history. The whole world has admitted today that the atomic weapons are not to be used on any condition, because of their mass and long-lasting effect which can be reflected in generations. The nuclear weapons are considered to be a threat for the whole humanity and the life in general. The use of the nuclear weapons in the Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki shows the effect created by the invention of the human mind.
It touches the question of the peace in the whole world. A small amount of nuclear particles can turn many square miles into ashes. The lesson of the nuclear attack also doubts the concepts of war and arms race. It's not safe to develop the weapons aimed at the destruction, especially mass destruction, because they can be turned against us ourselves with every inhabitant on the planet being a potential victim to the nuclear weapons.
Previous ArticleWhat is Gamma Radiation
Next ArticleNuclear Attack on Japan in 1945
Anastasija Dadiverina October 5, 2016
Sep 22, 2016 11:48 Vladyslav


text:
What is the Institute?
The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Institute is a key part of TCG's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Initiative to transform the national theatre field into a more equitable, inclusive and diverse community. The EDI Institute is supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. and The Hearst Foundations.
The Institute was created to advance change at the personal, organizational, and fieldwide levels. TCG, in partnership with Carmen Morgan, director of artEquity, launched three national cohorts of TCG Member Theatres. The fourth cohort was launched in June 2019, and was the first cohort entirely comprised of BIPOC and representatives from the national Networks of Color.
During their time with the Institute, participating theatres convene twice, in-person at TCG's National Conference in June and at another time of their choosing. The Institute also provides skills-building webinars, regional organizing, and one-on-one consultations to participants.
TCG Goes Dark
EDI Institute
LLCVP
Tisa Chang
Frank Chin
Miriam Colón
Woodie King, Jr
Muriel Miguel
Jackie Taylor
Douglas Turner Ward


Everyone has the right to quality health services. It is our mission to protect this right for those who are unable to look after themselves due to developmental disabilities. We are proud to provide services for the developmentally disabled.
Covenant Home Health Care Agency LLC offers guidance and help to families who must negotiate the complicated bureaucracy that provide programs and support to the developmentally disabled. Our staff will work to see that our clients and their families have an enhanced quality of life.
Respite care of homemaker/personal care services are available to help families stay together at home. Covenant Home Health Agency LLC strives to meet the needs of our clients based on their developmental and /or cognitive abilities.
Call us for an evaluation of your circumstances and a plan for care. We can be reached at 614-522-0521.


If you wish to buy Krystal 2-Point Chair Swing and Space-Saving Hanging Cotton Chair Hammock By Freeport Park , try to find top quality timber joinery. In case a part is fixed collectively or maybe nails and anchoring screws are employed to keep the furniture jointly, it does not last long. It is best to spend more money to obtain a Krystal 2-Point Chair Swing and Space-Saving Hanging Cotton Chair Hammock By Freeport Park with many outstanding hardwood joinery work with it. Actually look at the thighs and legs associated with a Krystal 2-Point Chair Swing and Space-Saving Hanging Cotton Chair Hammock By Freeport Park you are interested in acquiring. Individuals thighs require to not only assist body weight, they'll be also in contact with your flooring surfaces. If they appear to be they'll do damage to your ground because of the supplies utilized (like aluminum), then you might like to decide on a different style. When purchasing Krystal 2-Point Chair Swing and Space-Saving Hanging Cotton Chair Hammock By Freeport Park for your living room, pick fairly neutral colours. You are able to affect the shades and also other decor in the room by changing accents, paint and other stuff. For that reason, you can actually transform up the look of your living area without having to spend a lot of money.
A stylish and stylish dining room table can get the most out of any dinner you enjoy with friends or family. Within the particular the event of buddies, they will most likely judge you because when and also classy your dining room- dining room table- looks. Are you contemplating purchasing new furnishings for your kitchen or dining room? This short article will help you sample the very best ten best contemporary platforms in 2018 reviews. A few of the elements that determined the rankings for these products consist of, but not restricted to, flexibility, design, comfort, dimension, materials used, and whether or not the table comes with chairs. The materials mostly considered are metal and wood as the size is a measure of methods lots of people a particular desk can hold comfortably.
This fits you if you just need a beautiful trainer. It is designed with a flared frame and cushion leading amrests inside a awesome cobblestone grey. Now, it's resilient froth cushions which are wrapped up in inside a rayon upholstery to create the desired comfort and ease. It has a sturdy part blocked frame that adds to the sturdiness. Also, the feet have been in a faux wooden complete. We have an impressive gray colour that matches with any decoration. Its dimensions are 89 T x 39 Deb x 40 They would thus big enough to support you along with your loved onesOrbuddies. More importantly, it occurs fully assembled. This saves the pain of having to assemble the set.
Does your room show room needs? Are you currently inclined to throw a sleep celebration in the light of the lack of room to rest? This DHP Futon could be ideal for you in cases like this. This Futon couch by DHP incorporates the functionality of a sofa mattress with a modern and elegant appearance. Place it inside your living room to attain an extra tired bed at night. A micro-fiber floor that became popular in the centre will be a ideal combination. This unique couch accompanies a tapestry with shiny stainless locks and legs. Consolidating these outcomes together inside a comfy popular style sofa. You can choose to have it in Fake Leather, Velvet or Linen. A component that is worth indicating is its back design. Considering the different seats, DHP encourages the progres of the couch to your comfort and ease levels. You can gain levels for an animated babble, or quiet moving image evening.
Just like its namesake, the camelback sofa has a hump or maybe two that highlights the main silhouette of the sofa design. This is a traditional style that was prominent in the 1700s by Chippendale and families who wanted aristocratic, formal furniture frequently chosen this style. Today, this couch style gives a far more official atmosphere to any room, particularly when padded inside a formal material. A far more casual fabric choice will make it appropriate for a family room that does not need a great deal of formality. Either way, the camelback couch has some factors that characterize the style. The legs are typically uncovered, the couch doesn't have back again soft cushions and it usually has square or rolled arms.
If youre searching for some serious relaxation, this loveseats solid cushion back again and rolled hands will deliverbut at a higher cost. Every chair cushion contains 30 individual pocketed circles for springtime and support, and strength seat froth for an extra layer of plushness and durability. In addition, the froth cushions are capped with extremely soft, combined down down. For the extra comfort, there are three standard positions: seated, a slight recline by having an elevated foot rest, and a complete recline with an elevated foot rest. It does not hurt that this lying loveseat looks lux, possibly. Its all-leather-based furniture and decorative toe nail mind cut give it a vintage appear that may function with a lot of home dcor designs, from conventional to nation to arts and crafts. In addition, leather stands up nicely towards daily use, children and dog hair and nails. Just be sure you situation the leather-based each and every 6 to 12 months.
Puffy, overstuffed loveseat cushions are not your lifestyle? This reclining loveseat from GDF has sharper, cleaner outlines than your traditional reclining loveseat, which makes it a stylish accessory for a mid-hundred years modern, contemporary, modern or modern type of house. And, at only 46.46 in . in width, its easy to squeeze into a smaller space, like flats, dens or office spaces. Available in several color and material choices, including grilling with charcoal fabric, navy material and slate micro-fiber, its simple to find the right match for your house decorations, and also the durability your loved ones requirements for daily use. The days are gone of excellent-searching, but unpleasant LaGuardia Sunbrella Hammock you will no longer need to give up comfort and ease for style. This lying loveseat functions an oversized, soft, luxurious-stuffed seat cushioning with enough room for two or enough room for you to disseminate and unwind.
This is definitely the most adorable and cleverly created loveseat. Depending in the shade, it gives a disturbing look for your workplace or rooms. The couch unimaginably imperceptible for a early morning java or an computer animated journal studying very carefully. It is obtainable in leather and in consistency depending on what you assistance a brilliant look, or perhaps a beautiful, beautiful look at. The good thing, it is very reasonable! The super stylish tufting is shaped precious stone, which holds an ideal Chesterfield style. The most lovable point about this couch is its form. Combined with the appeal, the rear style provides your back understanding of rest. It is cleverly designed to ensure that smaller sized areas combine luxury in a smaller sized space. It is a smart choice for the kids space, because it provides several fairly sweet shades. They would love to hit them with the story or for a fantastic desire. No trouble for grown ups as well for any comfortable evening with Manga or Marvels.
This set is upholstered in a push and comfortable distinctive cushioned velvet. This provides it the amazing comfort and ease that its loved for. Once again it supports chaise style seating for adequate comfort and ease. Furthermore, the sinus springtime base adds to the durability and comfort. Furthermore, the couch has hardwood structures that add to its toughness and durability. The sofa has cushions on the chair and the back again. Yet still, the sofa can move from a seated placement to some reclined position effortlessly. That said, simply to repeat, the sofa is extremely soft and provides exceptional comfort.
If youre searching for some serious relaxation, this loveseats strong pillow back and folded arms will deliverbut at a higher cost. Every seat cushioning consists of 30 individual pocketed coils for springtime and support, and high strength seat foam for an extra coating of plushness and sturdiness. In addition, the foam soft cushions are topped with super gentle, combined lower down. For your extra comfort and ease, you will find three regular jobs: sitting, a small recline with an elevated foot rest, and a complete recline with an elevated foot rest. It does not harm that this reclining loveseat looks lux, possibly. Its all-leather upholstery and ornamental toe nail head trim give it a vintage look that can function with lots of home decorations designs, from traditional to nation to crafts and arts. Plus, leather stands up well against everyday use, children and dog hair and fingernails. Just be sure you situation the leather every six to 12 months.
Serta RTA Copenhagen Collection 61 Loveseat in Marzipan was created especially for small areas. Nonetheless, you can use it in almost any room: apartment, dorm and so on. This set will give you ample assistance. It boasts of high grade material, higher denseness foam pocketed coils, leading-collection rayon dietary fiber, and powerful hard wood body. This adds to the comfort and ease, sturdiness, and toughness of this established. The set includes an ultra wide back straps. The set includes additional comfortable pillows all which makes it much more comfortable. Notably, it has gently rounded hands and plush fabric to give it the exceptional appear that suits with any design. The established checklist small, therefore it's very easy to move. It features a minor smell that fades with time. More to the point, the sofa is extremely easy to put together. It offers the assembling tools and instructions. You easily invest your penny hear. It acts the reason.
This fits you if all you need is an attractive trainer. It is made with a flared frame and pillow top amrests in a cool cobblestone grey. Now, it's resilient foam soft cushions that are obsessed with in a rayon furniture to bring about the specified comfort and ease. It has a sturdy part obstructed frame that adds to the sturdiness. Also, the feet have been in a fake wood finish. It has an impressive grey color that matches with any decoration. It measures 89 T by 39 D x 40 They would thus large enough to accommodate you together with your family/friends. More to the point, it arrives completely assembled. This protects the agony of getting to assemble the established.