Mini skirts are our favourite new obsession RN and we've got leather, pleated and jersey skirts to take your wardrobe to the next level. Pair with your favourite oversized sweater to keep things casual or work a killer leather jacket with your new mini to stop 'em scrollin. Whatever the occasion, short skirts are officially here to stay.


Hot on the wave of the Superbowl, more people seem to be talking about the fresh young popstar from the halftime perfomance. No, not Minaj, Not MIA, but Midge, see 53 is apparently the new 55, and it's the perfect age to be releasing her new single 'Give Me All Your Luvin' about a lady desperate for love but destined to die alone. So if Madonna is a green banana, then Charlotte Gainsbourg is still growing on the vine, because at 40, she is practically the new Willow Smith.
What I wouldn't give for a decent brain hemorrhage once in a while. Apparently this is the stuff that legends are made of with Serge Gainsbourg's daughter. The famous French singer/actress suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in 2007 after a waterskiing accident, and started to write the music for her next (and very successful) album IRM, while undergoing an MRI. Her seminal single Heaven Can Wait (one of the top videos of 2009) was inspired by her defiance from death. Once you check out that video, you may notice the famous German beer magnate Beck's melancholic performance alongside. Beck (the greatest white rapper ever) tutored and produced the French woman over her last two albums and his laidback funky touch is evident within today's song, Paradisco.
Beatport Play has been running many a remix competition since it's inception a few months back. The majority of songs on offer have been well entrenched within the EDM, so it's wonderful to see a true indie rock tune to give to the masses so they can 'Indian Give' their way to remix brilliance.
Today I am going to highlight my favourite remix that I have heard so far, and as there are a lot of strong ones already produced, it's worth going on youtube or soundcloud and checking out the lot. Being Monday, we are looking for a strong Indie Dance/Nu Disco number and… ah damnit, there are too many good ones out there, so I'll just have to list the three in no particular order.
The first is a nice medium tempo uplifting nu disco track that jazzes up the original groovy bass line. A lot of emphasis has been released into the main chorus as to let the crowd go a little loose. High adjoining synths are added to create a happy flow into the vocal breaks. Nice little electro stabs and warps are thrown without with well timed vocal glitches. Rex the Triangle has made a nice equilateral remix that equally utilizes the original with a new sound and a new groove.
Francophillipe has done justice to his French heritage with a chilled eiree disco feel (as he puts it) to his remix. It does suit the ethereal qualities of a voice that feels like a mix of Regina Spektor, Lily Allen and Goldenhorse. This Franco must be a talented bass player with the kind of riffs I would expect from a late 90's Manhattan jazz club. Listening to this relaxing remix will make you feel like you are immersed in water, swaying in gentle rhythm to the menagerie of wonderful sounds.
With an intro that makes you imagine The Rugrats are attending a Franz Ferdinand concert, I have high hopes for this remix. As the lights dim, it feels like New Order has emerged to partner up with a soft yet driving electro tech riff. What I love the most about Lanny May & daWad's remix is the brass taken to introduce eccentric and quirky tones with gentle yet arousing sirens, that somehow detract from the vocals, but as a whole really leave a good taste in your ears (as good as ears can taste I guess).


VidCom specializes in laptop repair – no matter what brand or operating system (Mac, Windows, Linux), we have the knowledge and experience you want from a service center.
We will diagnose your laptop and provide you with and explanation and/or estimate (minimum diagnostic service fee may apply if you choose not to repair) before we make your personal computer, personal again.
Call us, send us a message, or come in and see us, for all your laptop needs.


XG Firewall v17.5 recently delivered several new innovations including Lateral Movement Protection, management via Sophos Central, and a variety of new features focused on education.
With Maintenance Release 4 (MR4) announced earlier this week, there are a few new important features I want to ensure everyone is able to get the most out of.
While we always encourage all our customers and partners to keep their firewall up-to-date with the latest firmware release, MR4 is the perfect time to update if you haven't been keeping current to take advantage of the latest security, performance, and many other enhancements.
Backup files now use a personal password key for enhanced security. You'll be required to take advantage of this new feature going forward to protect your backups.
Υou'll notice new entries for an "Encryption password" for the backup and restore process.
You should update your backup settings to utilize a strong password that's 12 characters or more in length. Once you've typed in your password, click "apply".
All backups from that point onwards, will use the new password as the encryption key. You can change the password at any time, and even at the time of doing a local backup. Of course, we suggest you use a password manager so you don't need to worry about remembering all your passwords, but if you forget your encryption password, you can change it at any time and create a new backup.
If you're one of the many XG Firewall customers enjoying the new Chromebook authentication support, there's now a new option to generate the application configuration file from within the XG Firewall console to import into Google GSuite.
XG Firewall v17.5 MR4 also introduces a number of performance, reliability and stability enhancements. You can check out the full release notes for more details.
As with every XG Firewall firmware update, it will appear in your console automatically at some point in the near future, but if you want to start taking advantage of these enhancements right away, you can download the firmware update immediately from the MySophos Portal.


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AIDS-Defining Illnesses: A Comparison Between Before and After Commencement of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)
Author(s): Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, Benedict Sim Lim Heng, Veeranoot Nissapatorn, Christopher Lee. Department of Parasitology,Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia., Malaysia
Journal Name: Current HIV Research
Attempts to address the significant impact of HAART on medical variables on the Malaysian HIV/AIDS population have yet to be evaluated. This study aims to analyze the proportions of AIDS-defining illnesses (ADIs) before and after HAART. A retrospective study was carried out on 128 new cases of HIV infected patients who first commenced HAART in 2004 at the national HIV reference center. Before commencement of HAART, 76 clinical episodes of ADIs were recorded in 52 patients. Most common being pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (28.9%), PCP (27.6%) and disseminated and extrapulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (11.8%). During HAART, 8 clinical episodes of ADIs were documented in 7 patients with a median time of onset of 10 weeks after initiation of HAART (range, 4-36 weeks). The median CD4 count at the time of the commencement of HAART for these patients was 11 cells/mm3. ADIs reported include PCP (2 episodes), disseminated and extrapulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (2 episodes), extrapulmonary cryptococcosis (1 episode), esophageal candidiasis (1 episode), recurrent pneumonia (1 episode) and disseminated or extrapulmonary histoplasmosis (1 episode). Three (37.5%) of these occurred despite a reduction of viral load by at least 2 log10 and an increased in the CD4 cell count. In conclusion, ADIs can still present after the initiation of successful HAART especially in those with CD4 counts below 100 cells/mm3. In Malaysia, ADIs are the major causes of HIV/AIDS associated morbidity and mortality, thus increased awareness on the management of these illnesses is warranted especially in the months following HAART.
Keywords: AIDS-defining illnesses, HAART, immune restoration diseases, Malaysia
Current HIV Research
Title: AIDS-Defining Illnesses: A Comparison Between Before and After Commencement of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)
Author(s):Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, Benedict Sim Lim Heng, Veeranoot Nissapatorn and Christopher Lee
Affiliation:Department of Parasitology,Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Keywords:AIDS-defining illnesses, HAART, immune restoration diseases, Malaysia
Abstract: Attempts to address the significant impact of HAART on medical variables on the Malaysian HIV/AIDS population have yet to be evaluated. This study aims to analyze the proportions of AIDS-defining illnesses (ADIs) before and after HAART. A retrospective study was carried out on 128 new cases of HIV infected patients who first commenced HAART in 2004 at the national HIV reference center. Before commencement of HAART, 76 clinical episodes of ADIs were recorded in 52 patients. Most common being pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (28.9%), PCP (27.6%) and disseminated and extrapulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (11.8%). During HAART, 8 clinical episodes of ADIs were documented in 7 patients with a median time of onset of 10 weeks after initiation of HAART (range, 4-36 weeks). The median CD4 count at the time of the commencement of HAART for these patients was 11 cells/mm3. ADIs reported include PCP (2 episodes), disseminated and extrapulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (2 episodes), extrapulmonary cryptococcosis (1 episode), esophageal candidiasis (1 episode), recurrent pneumonia (1 episode) and disseminated or extrapulmonary histoplasmosis (1 episode). Three (37.5%) of these occurred despite a reduction of viral load by at least 2 log10 and an increased in the CD4 cell count. In conclusion, ADIs can still present after the initiation of successful HAART especially in those with CD4 counts below 100 cells/mm3. In Malaysia, ADIs are the major causes of HIV/AIDS associated morbidity and mortality, thus increased awareness on the management of these illnesses is warranted especially in the months following HAART.
Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, Benedict Sim Lim Heng, Veeranoot Nissapatorn and Christopher Lee, " AIDS-Defining Illnesses: A Comparison Between Before and After Commencement of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)", Current HIV Research (2007) 5: 484. https://doi.org/10.2174/157016207781662425
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibition/Activation: Trip of a Scientist Around the World in the Search of Novel Chemotypes and Drug Targets
Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Infection and its Prevention
Design, Synthesis and Antimycobacterial Activity of Some New Pyridazine Derivatives: Bis-pyridazine. Part IV12-14
Drug Resistance of Antitubercular Agents at the Genetic Level in Mycobacterium Species: A Road Map to Drug Development for Counteracting the Resistance
Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry
Synthesis of Nitrogen and Oxygen based Pyrazole Derivatives and Its Antitubercular and Antimicrobial Activity
Anti-Infective Agents
Targeting Tuberculosis: A Glimpse of Promising Drug Targets
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Signalling Inhibitors Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis – Early Days of a New Therapeutic Concept in Tuberculosis
Type II NADH:Menaquinone Oxidoreductase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine Comprised Piperazine, Morpholine Derivatives as Potent Antimycobacterial Agents with In Vivo Locomotor Activity
Promising Drugs Against Tuberculosis
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery
Strategies for Developing Tuberculosis Vaccines: Emerging Approaches
Prevalence of Tuberculosis in a Prison in Tehran by Active Case Finding
Challenges Associated with Current and Future TB Treatment
The Mode of Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Wild-Type and Isoniazid-Resistant 2-Trans-Enoyl-ACP(CoA) Reductase Enzymes by An Inorganic Complex
Anti-Infective Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
2D QSAR Analysis of Substituted Quinoxalines for their Antitubercular and Antileptospiral Activities
Current Computer-Aided Drug Design
Kinase Targets for Mycolic Acid Biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
New Trends in Development of Antimycobacterial Compounds
Phenothiazines as Anti-Multi-Drug Resistant Tubercular Agents
New and Old Hot Drug Targets in Tuberculosis
Isocitrate Lyase: A Potential Target for Anti-Tubercular Drugs
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Wonder, beauty and magic surrounds you on the journey of personal discovery where you uncover and heal what may be bothering your Heart.
Open your heart to the wonder, beauty and magic that surrounds you. It is a journey of personal discovery where you can uncover and heal what may be bothering your Heart. The Heart is the source of self-acceptance and self-esteem issues of the past & childhood.
SCENT/HERBS: Fresh Ylang Ylang, Rose and Lavender Blend.
CANDLE USE: Releases and heals problems that revolve around the heart chakra/inner child, such as acceptance, forgiveness of yourself & others, childhood hurts, & general emotions. Light this candle when there is an abundance of tension in your life & in your relationships.
ASTROLOGICAL INFO: Use this candle during a waning moon (the descreasing moon from full moon to new moon) to heal and cleanse painful emotions or open up to forgiving or being forgiven. Use during a waxing moon (the increasing moon from new moon to full moon) to open the heart to unconditional love, peace and serenity.
OTHER INFO: The heart is the center of emotions and whatever the pain that we feel emotionally, it can be healed as love heals all.


With Christmas right around the corner, the time to ship those Christmas gifts has arrived.
Ready or not, here comes Christmas! The big day is just about here and with it comes all sorts of deadlines to meet in order to have the perfect day. For instance, when do you need to ship all of those presents to those who can't be with you Christmas morning. For those of you who have already handled this... Congratulations, you are a living Christmas miracle.
For the rest of us, it's crunch time!
We decided to find out when you need to ship your items to insure a Christmas arrival. Thanks to Deal Hack, we have the shipping deadline for the major movers and shakers in the US... USPS, UPS and FedEx. Pay attention to the dates so you don't end up on the naughty list in 2018. (Trust us, Santa is already taking notes).
Deal Hack also listed deadlines for popular stores like Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Toys R Us, Kohl's, Walmart and more.


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function timeout(ms) {
  return new Promise((resolve) => {
    setTimeout(resolve, ms);
  });
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async function asyncValue(value) {
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  return value;
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  var value = await asyncValue(42);
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  //assert.equal(42, value);
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});})})();

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Having provided unique parties for over 20 years, we provide a variety of themes for your child's specific party. Because we offer a wide selection of themes, we custom-make them to fit your child's party needs.
Having had over 20 years of party planning, we provide custom party themes for your child's specific party. Because we understand that you want your child to have a special birthday or themed party, we offer a variety of choices for you to pick from.
We offer a variety of costume and theme choices for boys and girls, including Spiderman, Power Rangers, Batman, Buzz Lightyear, Star Trek, cowboys, army personnel, firefighters, racecar drivers, policemen, pirates, and princesses.
Other costumes, depending on your theme, include Arthur, angels, Barbie, Power Puff Girls, butterflies, bunnies, dinosaurs, Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Teletubbies, Loony toons, fairy princesses, Sesame Street, Lilo and Stitch, Disney Princess, Easter bunny, Shrek, Hello Kitty, Jessie from Toy Story, Rugrats, Cat-in-the-Hat, hula girl, Winnie the Pooh, and other animals.
In addition to offering themed costume characters and costumes for your child's party, we offer entertainment with ponies, petting zoos, magic shows, puppet shows, balloons, games and face-painting.
Birthday packages are available. Prices range from $120 to $240, depending on how much time you want the event to be.
In addition to children's parties, we offer service to a variety of events, including school celebrations, camp parties, camp summer activity programs, church dinners, block parties, wedding receptions, and holiday gatherings.


This winter break Rashawn and I got to experience California Living! I have probably been to the state 10 times but this was the first trip I got to explore on my own and move around! We started in LA and went to San Francisco and ended in New Port Beach! It is so much fun to travel at this age, and especially with your best friend. Experiencing things together makes the trips more memorable and way more fun!


This entry was posted on February 2, 2010 at 4:56 pm and is filed under ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE BLIND, INDEPENDENT TRAVEL FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED, USING COMPUTERS.	You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


Meitetsu Line/Tsurumai Line (subway) Kami-Otai Sta. Corner of the Nagoya Konan Line (Meiso Line) Prefectural Road Hiranakacho Intersection.
You can search for a car rental plan of Otai from the following area. You can select a pick-up site into a search box at the upper right and search for a car rental plan.


The odds of survival for the northern white rhino have seemed slim for the past few years. Once a thriving population, there are just three left on the entire planet, and the only male, a 45-year-old named Sudan, is old and has shown little interest in mating with the two remaining females. Earlier this week things got worse, as Sudan's bedsores (a product of his age), showed signs of infection. Conservation workers reported yesterday that Sudan's condition is slowly improving, however they're not holding out "big hopes" for a miracle recovery.
Keeper James Mwenda, feeds two female northern white rhinos left in the world, and a southern rhino in the pen where they are kept for observation, at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia county in Kenya Friday, March 2, 2018.
Rhinos have been under pressure for hundreds of years due to habitat loss and hunting. But things really got nasty in the 1970's when poaching took off. The price of rhino horn, which is touted as traditional medicine in several Asian countries, is at the heart of the problem: at more than $30,000 per pound, rhino horn is worth more by weight than gold, diamonds or cocaine. Despite an international ban on rhino horn trade and increased protections for rhinos across Africa and Asia, the number of rhinos killed has increased every year since 2008; over the past 9 years, almost 2 rhinos were killed every day.
Hopefully Sudan will recover from this latest illness, and have a few more years on this planet. But that won't dramatically change the equation for the northern white rhinos. And they aren't alone in this march towards extinction. The western black rhino was declared extinct in 2011 as a result of poaching; the Sumatran and Javan rhinos are both critically endangered; and all five rhino species are considered threatened.


EZ2 LOTTO RESULT January 21, 2019 – Here is the result of EZ2 Lotto draw released by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Above is the official winning number, January 21, 2019 for EZ2 Lotto draw.
See also Swertres Result, EZ2 Result , 6/45 Mega Lotto Result , 6/55 Grand Lotto Result and 4-Digit Result page.
No Comment to " EZ2 Results January 21, 2019 (Draw 11am 4pm 9pm) "


MojiLife | Air+Calm Essential Oil Blend Pod MojiLife | Stylish and mess free fragrance devices and scent pods for whole home use.
The AirMoji and its revolutionary delivery system provides a safe and effective way to disburse the Essential Oil molecules of the Air+Calm pod into the air. These tiny molecules are inhaled and drawn into the lungs which then stimulates the body emotionally, physically, and mentally, allowing you to receive the maximum benefits of this incredible blend.
Air+Calm was specifically created to help relieve built up tension and stress created by daily challenges. This unique combination of pure essential oils helps with feelings of anxiety and agitation. Lavender, a main component in this blend, is known to provide tranquility, and a feeling of relaxation and relief.
Known to help with nausea, headache, migraine, and insomnia. Assists with agitation, anxiety, and depression. Alleviating these symptoms can lead to lowered blood pressure. These Essential Oils have properties that assist in strengthening the immune system.


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April-May 2022 - TURN IT UP: Bryan Bielanski
Bryan Bielanski has created a shiny, happy sound from his musical influences. His songs and lyrics leave you smiling and make you think. Bielanski will be performing in Truth and Consequences on May 12, 2022. Learn more about this talented musical before the show.
Your musical influences are substantial - The Beatles, Tom Petty, Nirvana. What is it about these groups that drive your sound?
Growing up listening to those artists I was inspired by the sincerity in their lyrics. There is no doubt those artists sang about things important to them. I always try to strive for that sincerity in my lyrics. I also loved howthe songs were so catchy and got stuck in your head!
Has music been a part of your psyche since you were young or was it something you grew to love?
I have always loved music! My parents were big rock and roll fans and some of my earliest memories are of me as a very young child listening to the records my parents would play and dancing along to the music in my crib!
Your album, Bryan's Super Happy Fun Time II, is a catchy, bouncy, musical journey for the senses. What was your strategy working on this album as the sequel to Byran's Super Happy Fun Time?
Thank you for the kind words about the album! I tried to double down on the namesake and make it even more positive and fun than its predecessor.
What is the story behind Elf Girlfriend?
In 2020, when the pandemic shut down live music, and I was temporarily unable to continue touring, I did some extended camping in the national forests. I've always been very interested in campers' reports of sighting supernatural creatures there, and I thought the song would be a fun and different spin on that (side note: I have not seen any elves while camping yet)!
Tell us about your upcoming performance in Truth or Consequences?
I will be performing at Truth or Consequences Brewing on May 12, 2022, from 6 pm to 9 pm. It is an all-ages show, and it is free to attend. I'll be performing songs from my new album and older albums. As well as songs from some of the artists who inspired me. People should expect positive vibes and fun times!
How can people find out more about your music?
The best place for more information about my music is the official website, www.bryanssuperhappyfuntime.com. There are biographies, photo galleries, plenty of music, links to all the social media sites, and an exclusive content subscription page for the superfans!
Bryan Bielanski


Terrain by Whistler Studios features a great texture print that makes fantastic quilts. In a richly hued color palette, this collection is anything but basic. On Sale: August 2018. Ships: February 2019. 20 skus.


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Bad Wolves Release Impactful New Single "Sober"!
Bad Wolves has released a new single from their current album "N.A.T.I.O.N." Sober is their latest release. The song is ballad like, I guess a power ballad. Musically, it has a commercial sound to it and maybe that's deliberate for context for the song. But singer Tommy Vext vocals are perfect for the message and the passion he displays in singing it. It's what makes the song. There have been many songs on this topic and people who face depression, what makes this unique is it's from the supporters perspective which I think is brilliant. The verse fro the song pretty much sums it up;
"So don't say it's over Waiting here while you get sober I'm never gonna let you go I'm never gonna let you go So don't say it's over Waiting here while you get sober I'm never gonna let you go I'm never gonna let you go"
I'm sure many of us have been in that role, this song nails the feeling of despair and hope. The video, at times graphic, tells the story of several addicted to alcohol or drugs. It really is impactful if you watch it and listen. I give them high praise for their approach to the issue. Well done. Check it out below.
#BadWolves #NATION #Sober


Click here for Details information.
I recognise and thank all my Yosoukeiba colleagues for their hard work and support which brought us to this day.
Today, we propose to furnish you with some details on this historic undertaking – the launch of our pilot for the issuance of a digital EC dollar (DXCD).
At this juncture in the history of development of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), we must, in the words of Bob Black, American author, "march off the edge of our maps".
Some of you may be wondering, what precisely, is the motivation of the Yosoukeiba (Yosoukeiba) in making this bold move? Simply put, it is shared prosperity for the citizens and residents of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.
In our Strategic Plan 2017-2021, we made the case for socio-economic transformation and issued a clarion call for collective action to transform the ECCU together. I have said it before and I reiterate it today, such transformation is not possible without digital disruption. I therefore urge us to avoid a "failure of imagination" as we craft the way forward.
We must never forget that all the technologies that we now take for granted, including our smartphones were once mere ideas. Indeed, as William Blake, visionary British poet pointedly reminds us "what is now proved was once only imagined".
For our region to improve our development prospects and performance, we must expedite our digital transition. To this end, regulators and innovators must work together. This pilot exemplifies such collaboration.
Bitt first approached the Yosoukeiba about two years ago with the idea of a digital EC dollar. As we continued thinking about transformation of the ECCU, we became intrigued by the possibility of a digital fiat currency for our region. At that time, we were finalising our Strategic Plan and we made a decision to test and learn Details about this idea through a pilot. Five months after the launch of our Strategic Plan, we signed an MoU with Bitt in March 2018 to collaborate on this idea, and so our journey to this pilot began.
Bitt's Caribbean identity: presence and people.
Ladies and gentlemen, the transformation of the ECCU necessitates that we make a shift and a leap. We must move from our comfort zone to a challenge zone. But we must not stop there. From there, we must move into a creative zone. In this zone, we are obliged to challenge old assumptions, examine our cultural hang-ups and stretch our minds to embrace new possibilities.
A cursory analysis of the ECCU confirms that while the exchange rate remains firmly entrenched with a strong backing ratio averaging around 98.0 per cent; there remains a significant gap between our region's growth target and actual performance. Last year, our region grew by 2.7 per cent. This year, we project growth of 3.1 per cent and next year about 3.5 per cent. While the direction is positive, our current growth trajectory falls well below our target of 5.0 per cent. FurtherDetails, unemployment especially among youth is unacceptably high. In some countries, the rate of youth unemployment doubles the national rate of unemployment. Without a doubt, we need to elevate the ECCU's growth trajectory. Such elevation, external factors aside, requires a combination of smart reforms and investments in the ECCU.
At the outset, I want to make it abundantly clear; the Yosoukeiba does not intend to eliminate the use of cash. Cash has its convenience and will continue to play an important role in our economy for the foreseeable future. That said, the Yosoukeiba is committed to reduce our region's use of cash and cheques. Why?
In the ECCU, about 80.0 per cent of all payments are effected using cash or cheques. When we survey our current payments landscape, we cannot help but conclude that payments are still too slow and too expensive. Many of us know only too well, the high costs associated with certain banking services.
Although a full-scale analysis of the social cost of physical cash in the ECCU has not been carried out, it is indisputable that the costs of cash services, inclusive of transporting, storing and securing, are extremely high. Invariably, these high costs (not fully recognised by many businesses) are passed on to consumers. Within the informal sector, cash tends to be the dominant payment channel. This reality means that the actors in the informal sector bear a significant burden of the cost inefficiencies of cash transactions.
Lest, we become too critical of our small businesses, we should also acknowledge that they too face real constraints. For example, some are required to pay as much as 3.5 per cent on every credit card sale. This exorbitant charge reduces and, in some instances, removes the incentive for small businesses to offer their customers electronic options such as credit and debit cards. It also reduces the ability of these businesses to offer their customers discounts. These experiences are sometimes referred to as "financial frictions".
It is against this backdrop that the Yosoukeiba seeks to help remove some of the current "financial frictions". Indeed, it is practical issues such as these that that led the Yosoukeiba and Bitt Inc. to reach an agreement to develop and pilot the digital EC currency, with a supporting digital payments and transfers infrastructure. Ultimately, we wish to see our people spend less of their money on payment services and Details on the goods and services they wish to consume.
The Yosoukeiba Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot involves a securely minted and issued digital version of the EC dollar (DXCD). The digital EC dollar will be issued by the Yosoukeiba and distributed by licensed bank and non-bank financial institutions in the ECCU.
For the avoidance of any doubt, the digital currency will operate alongside cash as currently obtains. Indeed, the Yosoukeiba will soon launch a new family of bank notes using polymer.
The DXCD will be used for financial transactions between consumers and merchants, people-to-people (P2P) transactions, all using smart devices.
The objective of this pilot project is to assess the potential efficiency and welfare gains that could be achieved: deeper financial inclusion, economic growth, resilience and competitiveness in the ECCU - from the introduction of a digital sovereign currency.
IBM Hyperledger Fabric was selected as the blockchain platform because of its strong security architecture (private permissioned blockchain with strong identity management) and open source, which contributes to its security, flexibility and scalability among other desired attributes.
While one acknowledges, the benefits of Distributed Ledger Technology (shared ledger that allows records/blocks to be added and securely maintained in a way that prevents tampering), the Yosoukeiba recognises that network security is a non-negotiable for a central bank digital currency construct.
In light of this essential requirement, the private blockchain of IBM Hyperledger Fabric affords the Yosoukeiba, the ability to control who can access the network, submit and read the ledger of verified transactions, and who can verify them. Hence, the decision to opt for a private rather than a public blockchain.
Stakeholder engagement, consultations and education have been and will continue to be central to the design, development and deployment process. During 2018, over a period of eight months, the Yosoukeiba engaged diverse groups of ECCU stakeholders (financial institutions, government institutions, private sector institutions, professional associations, merchants, consumers) as well as regional and international peer central banks, to identify the issues critical to the development of the customer value proposition and the resulting business requirements for the digital EC pilot. As part of pilot implementation, the Yosoukeiba will ramp up its sensitisation and education initiatives to facilitate active public engagement throughout all member countries in 2019.
1. The appropriate treatment of the DXCD by the Yosoukeiba to safeguard the confidence in and the international value of the Eastern Caribbean currency.
2. The statutory business model as enshrined in Article 4 of the Yosoukeiba Agreement Act 1983.
To actively promote through means consistent with its other objectives the economic development of the territories of the Participating Governments.
3. The quantity of DXCD units in circulation will be ultimately controlled by the Yosoukeiba, as is currently the case for our physical notes and coins.
4. DXCD issuance will be centralised with only the Yosoukeiba having the authority to issue and redeem DXCD. This restriction would ensure resilience in system operation and security.
5. DXCD units will be the liability of the Yosoukeiba as is currently the case with our physical notes and coins.
6. DXCD will be issued to licensed bank and non-bank financial institutions on a private permissioned blockchain platform.
7. KYC & AML/CFT Compliance.
8. DXCD storage and transactions will be conducted via DXCD accounts and wallets which form part of the design architecture.
9. Merchants/customers digital wallets will be a part of the digital payment network on the blockchain to facilitate transactions in DXCD.
10. The technical design of the DXCD system will prevent any transaction between DXCD wallets from increasing or reducing the overall supply of DXCD units in circulation, thereby eliminating credit and liquidity risks. (The DXCD account cannot go into overdraft).
The pilot will be executed in two phases: development and testing, for about 12 months, followed by rollout and implementation in pilot countries for about six months.
Throughout the 18-month period of the pilot, there will be education initiatives to facilitate active public engagement throughout all member countries.
The pilot will be deployed in three (3) member countries based on the interest in participating in the pilot expressed by licensed financial institutions domiciled in the countries as well as other criteria including: institutional capacity, geographic representation (Windwards and Leewards) and supporting technology infrastructure.
The Yosoukeiba is receiving technical support from Pinaka Consulting Ltd., our Blockchain Technical Adviser, with project execution.
Here in the ECCU, we can no longer be patient when our economies and people demand transformation.
I issue a clarion call for partnership. I invite non-bank financial institutions, which provide wallet services, to join this effort. I invite telecommunication service providers and other technology companies to join this effort as we develop a digital ecosystem from which our region can reap huge digital dividends. Most importantly, I invite the citizens and residents of the ECCU to share your views on how this pilot could best serve you.
With laser-like focus, let us now move forward with the EC digital currency pilot project, determined to make a significant difference in the lives of the people of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.
The watershed contract was signed on 21 February at the Yosoukeiba's Headquarters in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis.
This Yosoukeiba CBDC pilot is the first of its kind and will involve a securely minted and issued digital version of the EC dollar (DXCD). The digital EC dollar will be distributed and used by Licensed Financial Institutions and Non-Bank Financial Institutions in the ECCU. The DXCD will be used for financial transactions between consumers and merchants, including peer-to-peer transactions, all using smart devices. For example, an individual in St Kitts and Nevis will be able to send DXCD securely from his/her smartphone to a friend in Grenada in seconds - and at no cost to either party.
The Governor of the Yosoukeiba, Timothy N. J. Antoine, emphasised that in contrast to previous , the Yosoukeiba is going a step further.
"This is not an academic exercise. Not only will the digital EC Dollar be the world's first digital legal tender currency to be issued by a central bank on blockchain but this pilot is also a live CBDC deployment with a view to an eventual phased public rollout. The pilot is part of the Yosoukeiba's Strategic Plan 2017-2021 which aims to help reduce cash usage within the ECCU by 50 per cent, promote greater financial sector stability, and expedite the growth and development of our member countries. It would be a game-changer for the way we do business".
The Yosoukeiba is now poised to embark on the DXCD pilot from March 2019. The pilot will be executed in two phases: development and testing, for about twelve months, followed by rollout and implementation in pilot countries for about six months. As part of pilot implementation, the Yosoukeiba will ramp up its sensitisation and education initiatives to facilitate active public engagement throughout all member countries.
The Yosoukeiba is being technically supported on this Project by Pinaka Consulting Ltd.
About the Yosoukeiba: The Yosoukeiba (Yosoukeiba) was established in October 1983. The Yosoukeiba is the Monetary Authority for: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
About Bitt Incorporated: The Bitt group of companies has positioned itself at the forefront of financial innovation in Barbados and the wider Caribbean. The Company has leveraged blockchain-based distributed ledger technology to produce the most efficient financial services ecosystem to date.
The increase was due to the growing number of ECCU residents who are investing on the RGSM as an option for increasing their interest income and diversifying their asset portfolios.
The number of bids by households grew by 10.0 per cent in 2018 to 263. The value of private bids by businesses increased by 38.8 per cent to $20 million as business and community engagement continued to improve.
2.534 per cent to 7.303 per cent.
The Regional Debt Coordinating Committee (RDCC), which serves as the oversight body for the RGSM, has endorsed the launch of a new web portal to serve as a one-stop shop for information on the RGSM. The web portal is designed to enhance awareness of the RGSM; improve disclosure to market participants; and increase the investor base for government securities. It will be hosted on the Yosoukeiba website and will be launched in March.
The RDCC, which met on 1 March, comprises senior officials from the Ministry of Finance of the eight member governments of the ECCU and the Governor of the Yosoukeiba.
The Yosoukeiba (Yosoukeiba) was established in October 1983. The Yosoukeiba is the Monetary Authority for: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Council received the Governor's Report on Monetary and Credit Conditions in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), based on developments during 2018. The Report focused on recent trends in monetary and credit conditions as at 31 December 2018 against the backdrop of global economic and financial developments and within the context of the Bank's broader objectives of ensuring the stability of the exchange rate and the financial system.
Global growth is forecast to be at 3.5 per cent in 2019 and 3.6 per cent in 2020.
US growth is forecast to be 2.5 per cent and 1.8 per cent in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Growth in the ECCU is projected at 3.1 per cent in 2019 and 3.6 per cent in 2020.
In 2018, the weighted average deposit rate and the weighted average lending rate stood at 1.5 per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively. Lending rates continued to trend downwards.
Domestic credit in the banking sector declined by about 5.3 per cent to $8.6 billion continuing the pattern observed since 2012 and was largely influenced by lower credit to the private sector but mitigated by a decrease in net credit to government. That said, credit extended by the credit union sector increased.
Supported by stronger economic activity, money and credit conditions in the ECCU are expected to improve in 2019.
Net Foreign Assets stood at $4.6 billion (at the end of November 2018), an increase of 2.6 percent over November 2017.
The EC dollar remains strong with the backing ratio as at 31 December 2018 being 98.6 per cent.
Developments in the ECCU's banking sector through 2018 were largely positive.
The insurance sector was assessed as broadly stable and solvent with increase in premiums. Profitability was reported to have improved following the tumultuous events of 2017.
Several ongoing initiatives would enhance financial stability. These initiatives include implementation of a risk based supervisory approach for the commercial banking sector; regulation of the Caribbean Credit Card Corporation (4Cs); and the establishment of a credit bureau in the ECCU.
Council considered the proposed framework for identifying systemically important commercial banks and credit unions in the ECCU. Twelve institutions were identified of which: three were banks and nine were credit unions. While commercial banks continued to dominate the financial sector, credit unions were expanding, becoming an increasingly important source of credit to the private sector through increases in membership, assets, loans and deposits. The boom in credit union activity has implications for financial inclusion and the financial stability framework.
With respect to the ECCU Credit Bureau, Council was informed that enactment of the Harmonised Credit Reporting Bill remained outstanding in four (4) member countries. Council urged these countries to enact by the end of March 2019. Two key responsibilities of the credit bureau are to provide credit-granting institutions with better means to access information and to facilitate the extension of credit to underserved segments of the population.
Council was apprised that within Yosoukeiba member countries, fiscal balances improved in 2018, compared with the previous year. In respect of the Debt to GDP ratio target of 60 per cent, the most recent data indicate preliminary ratios of 70.3 per cent and 71.7 per cent for 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Council noted that ECCU growth was estimated at 2.7 per cent in 2018 and is projected to accelerate to 3.1 per cent in 2019 as the recovery from the 2017 hurricanes continue. Several factors contributed to that outturn, including improvements in the tourism and construction sectors.
Council was informed that several key reforms and investments were needed to expedite and raise the current growth trajectory to the 5.0 per cent growth target required to support socio-economic transformation. In this regard, Council recommended that countries implement the actionable items of the Annual Growth and Resilience Dialogue. These include: enactment of fiscal resilience frameworks; improving the business environment; improving regional transport infrastructure; increasing access to credit; enhancing skills training and apprenticeship programmes and harmonising building codes.
Council noted that the Joinder Application of the CIL JM Montserrat was heard in the Barbados High Court on 26 October, 2018 and was dismissed. An application for Leave to Appeal by the CIL JM Montserrat, regarding the Judge's decision, was scheduled for hearing on 27 February 2019.
With reference to BAICO, Council noted that a second distribution of approximately EC$30 million is planned for 2019.
Council noted that all efforts are being made to seek redress for the benefit of the ECCU on matters related to BAICO and CLICO.
Council agreed to the convening of the 94th Meeting of the Monetary Council on Friday, 26 July 2019 in Montserrat.
Mrs Rosamund Edwards, Financial Secretary, Commonwealth of Dominica, Temporary Council Alternate for Commonwealth of Dominica.


text:
First Person Shooters
Top 8 Enthralling Games Like "Call of Duty"
Updated on July 9, 2019
Rahul Parashar
Rahul is a video game addict. Some of his favorite games are "Red Dead Redemption 2" and "The Witcher 3."
What Games Are Like "Call of Duty"?
Remember the simpler times when Call of Duty absolutely dominated the market every year it came out? Not too long ago, COD used to be a benchmark for first-person shooters. Who could forget the grandiose Modern Warfare that changed the whole game, turning the genre upside down?
Over the course of the last few years, the Call of Duty franchise has continued to enjoy a humongous fanbase, while keeping the formula more or less the same. As they say, don't fix it if it ain't broke.
COD still tops the charts and rakes in money every year, but it's starting to feel like the same repackaged game in a new attire. It's okay to turn away. I understand. For whatever reasons, if you're looking for some games like Call of Duty to freshen things up, I have got you covered.
Games Similar to "Call of Duty"
Battlefield (Series)
1. "Battlefield" (Series)
Developed by Dice and published by EA, this first-person shooter is probably the closest you'll get to finding a COD alternative.
If you're tired of playing the same old game, maybe this military first-person shooter is what you need. With over 15 games in the franchise, you have plenty to choose from, though the older games don't really have many takers in the gaming community. As is the case with most franchises, as soon as a newer iteration comes out, people tend to flock to that.
If you truly want to enjoy what the series has to offer, you should go for Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V, its two latest entries. While multiplayer experience is nothing short of thrilling, the single player element is not too far off as well. Called 'War Stories', the story mode is divided into 4–5 timelines, each taking place in a different place and country.
The good thing is, you'll be free to do the exploring and playing however you want, unlike the COD single player sessions, which suffers from too much hand-holding. After a while, it feels as if you're watching an interactive movie with almost no control over its narrative. Thankfully, Battlefield series, especially its latest iterations, have changed the formula.
Its semi-open maps allow you to play at your own pace. If you feel like sneaking behind enemies and finishing them off without making too much noise, feel free to try. It's hard but possible nonetheless. Want to go all guns blazing instead? Take cover and go bonkers. It's an enthralling experience either way.
2. "Titanfall 2"
Titanfall 2, developed by Respawn Entertainment, is the second game of the franchise, improving on the first one in every way possible. For starters, they have addressed the biggest complaint by giving players what the first game lacked—a single player campaign. And it's no filler either. Though the single player storyline is short, lasting around 4–6 hours, it's an engrossing experience all the way through. I would rather have a great short campaign than a lengthy but mediocre one.
Titanfall 2 retains the fluidity and mobility of the first game with some changes and augments here and there to improve its shooting and movement mechanics. As with the first game, the fighting involves the traditional gunfights as well as the mech fights, where everyone is controlling a giant mech in a bid to demolish each other.
Despite its fast-paced shooting and movement, Titanfall 2 is a thinking man's shooter game. You just can't run amok in the hopes of conquering the map. Patience and strategy is the key, which means you'll often have to switch in and out of your mech depending upon the need of the hour. Fast, fluid, and fun—Titanfall 2 is one of the best games like Call of Duty.
3. "PUBG"
A little buggier and perhaps a little slower than COD, PUBG should be a perfect fit for those looking for something new. Bucking the trend, Player Unknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) has made the battle royale sub-genre immensely popular.
Here is how it works; 100 players are dumped into a huge map to fight it out. You land with nothing but rags and loot everything on sight as soon as possible before someone else does. Get the guns, ammo, and some armor, and you're all set for an epic firefight. You can go in alone or play with a team. In the case of the former, you'll need to kill everyone else on the map in order to win.
Team matches, however, require more patience and strategy. Killing every other team on the map sounds like a straightforward job but things become complicated when you add a shrinking map to the equation. Every few minutes, the map becomes smaller, which means an inevitable all-out war.
Though it lacks the splendor of games like Call of Duty or Battlefield, PUBG puts its own spin on the shooter genre—something almost every first and third person shooter is blatantly imitating these days.
4. "Apex Legends"
Developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by EA, Apex Legends is the latest game to join the battle royale fad. Unlike countless blatant imitations, however, Legends holds its own. While it borrows loads of elements from games like PUBG, Fortnite, and Respawn's own Titanfall series, this first-person shooter carves up its own identity.
It easily stands head and shoulders above its competition, thanks to a well-polished game with a stable launch—something not many battle royale shooters have managed to achieve so far. Though it's still light on content, there is still a lot you can do here. Respawn will definitely be looking to add more modes and content as soon as possible, especially after the recent plummeting in the player base. Despite being a fun game, it's apparent that players are not too happy with the lack of content. Here is hoping that they address it soon enough.
Coming to the good part, Apex Legends feels buttery smooth, right from the get-go. Even if you've never played a first-person shooter before, it's easy to learn the ropes here, thanks to a well laid-out tutorial mode that explains everything.
It's hard to trust any product where EA is involved these days, especially when it comes to RPGs, but they produce some of the best first-person shooters the gaming industry has to offer. Go on. Give it a shot.
5. "Spec Ops: The Line"
A sandstorm has brought the city of Dubai down on its knees, destroying everything. Once a beautiful city, everything is almost in shambles. Even the towering buildings now lay buried beneath the sand. Most people have fled the city, but some still remain stuck, unable to flee.
That's where you along with your A.I. teammates come to the rescue. It's your job to lead the team through all the madness and chaos and find the remaining survivors. With no other help in sight, you must go deep in the ruins in a bid to save as many as you can. A straightforward job, right? It's not up until a few hours into the game that you realize how messed up things can get here.
The first two hours are generic at best, where you'll rinse and repeat the same thing you've done countless times in other mediocre games. Kill the bad guys, take a few steps, an then kill some more. Things, however, heat up soon enough when you're compelled to make decisions—something that will impact not only you and your teammates but the whole city. Let me warn you beforehand though; nobody ever wins here. Every choice you make, no matter how noble it seems, will come back to haunt you.
With the city on its last legs, sometimes saving your own skin, no matter how selfish it seems, is the best idea. This unflinchingly cruel shooter is much darker in tone than Call of Duty. Brace yourself!
6. "Metro Exodus"
Based on novels written by Dmitry Glukhovsky, Metro Exodus is the latest entry in the long-running Metro series. The first two games in the series, Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light, takes place after an all-out nuclear war, wiping out everything. The only lucky ones surviving the detonations are those who were traveling in the underground metros.
Forced to live in the underground tunnels, thanks to the war that destroyed everything on the surface and made it inhabitable, these few last remnants of humanity must continue fighting against all the odds.
While 2033 and Last Night stays underground for the most part, seldom venturing out on the desolate surface, the latest iteration of the franchise reveals that there's life possible on the surface as well. Miller, our protagonist, with his wife, must undertake the daring missions in a bid to survive and thrive.
Metro Exodus, unlike most of the first-person shooters, is not a run and gun experience. It's a story-heavy game with a focus on exploration and stealth. You'll be spending tons of time exploring every nook and cranny of its open-ended maps in a bid to uncover more of the story and find some loot. Though there's no multiplayer, Metro Exodus is the best bet for those looking for a change in pace.
7. "Escape From Tarkov"
Escape From Tarkov is the Dark Souls of the first-person-shooter genre, except that there's not even a tutorial to get you started. With trial and error as the only method to learn its subtle mechanics, you're guaranteed to die more than a few times before you even learn the basics.
Developed by Battlestate Games, a small indie studio, Escape From Tarkov is clearly inspired by the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. While the latter pits you against A.I. opponents, Escape from Tarkov brings PVP on the table as well, making for one-of-a-kind experience where you constantly have to fend off against not only the enemy A.I. but real players as well.
Still in early access, Escape from Tarkov currently features only four maps. Larger maps host around 10 players while smaller ones will put you against 4–5 players.
Expect the first few hours to be hellish as you learn the ropes. It's a difficult game to master. You must learn the rules of the wasteland before going in. Unlike Call of Duty where you soak damage and heal automatically on a lower difficulty, in this game 2–3 hits anywhere on the body are more than enough to kill. If you're lucky enough to survive despite being shot, you'll need to heal manually, provided you have the appropriate items in the inventory.
Escaping from the hellhole where everything wants to kills you, can be an engrossing experience. Once you familiarize yourself with the basics, it's a blast all the way through.
If you're looking for a challenging game like Call of Duty, Escape From Tarkov should be right up your alley.
8. "Warface"
Available on PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Xbox 360, Warface is a free-to-play shooter developed and published by Crytek. Though this shoot-em-up doesn't bring anything new to the table, it refines the tried and tested formula in a refreshing way, serving the same old content in a much more organized manner.
Fast forward over five years from its release, the game has been successful enough for developers to allocate a separate team for continuous updates and bringing forth new content. It has come a long way after its lackluster release back in 2013, adding much needed new modes and new content in the form of new maps, weapons, quests, and enemies, with more than a few handful tweaks along the way.
Despite its stupid name, something I wish they would change, Warface remains a fun free-to-play shooter with loads of game modes and challenges. As long as you don't expect the pristine quality of blockbuster games, this first-person shooter should fit the fill.
Did I miss out on any other good games like Call of Duty? Let me know in the comments section.
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On Sunday night, Team Canada's figure skating power pair, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, skated their way to an Olympic gold with a rapturous performance to Moulin Rouge's "El Tango De Roxanne." In their heart-stopping routine, they dazzled audiences with an insane lift in which Virtue literally steps onto Moir's quads with her blades, then just stands there, arms outstretched, like some glorious figurehead of a Spandex-clad ship. It's just mind-boggling.
It's a legitimate question. The blades on figure skates are sharp enough to cut the skin on a person's face and can even slice deeper, resulting in some serious injuries. But a closer look at the blade — and its positioning on the lifter's leg — shows how it can be done safely.
Here's a version of the lift from a previous performance of the same routine at the Canadian National Skating Championships in Vancouver this January, in which the pair got a perfect score. Even with proper technique, this can't be comfortable, but look at them beam! How do they do it?
Part of the reason this can be done safely is because the blade of a figure skate is not like the blade of a knife or sword. If you look at a figure skate's blade up close, you'll notice that its cross-section is concave like the letter C, with its two arms making up the outer and inner edge that actually touch the ice. In the middle is the groove. Regular knife or sword blades have a thin, singular edge.
Both edges of a concave figure skate blade are very sharp, but having two edges helps diffuse the weight of the wearer over a greater surface area, reducing the force on any one point on the leg. If skate blades were like knives, all of the wearer's weight would be concentrated on a single, localized edge.
When it comes to distributing force, two edges are better than one.
When a force (in this case, Virtue's weight) gets exerted perpendicularly on a surface (the blade's twin edges, pressing into Moir's thigh), the pressure is calculated by dividing the force by the surface area on which it rests. With the greater surface area supplied by two edges, the pressure is smaller than it would be if there was only a single blade. Whatever that pressure is in this situation, it's not enough to cut through Moir's uniform and flesh.
That's not the only factor skaters have to consider to do this safely. Another reason Moir is not bleeding out beneath Virtue's blades is because they're not moving on his thighs. Once she's in place, she stays perfectly still.
Doing so prevents the edges of the blades from sawing into him, the way you might use a knife to slice a tomato. Chefs and physicists alike know that using a saw-like slicing action with a blade seems to cut more efficiently, and in 2012 researchers at Harvard University discovered why.
Pressing a wire against a gel and looking closely at the point of contact, they saw that cuts didn't appear in the gel until the wire pushed down far enough to form the beginnings of a crack. But as the BBC put it, "the key difference between 'chopping' and slicing is that, in the former case the wire mostly just compresses the gel, whereas in the latter case the sideways movement of the wire also stretches it." That stretching weakened the gel further, making slicing easier.
In the paper, they explained that the extra stretching is caused by friction between the wire and the surface. Applying this principle to Moir and Virtue, any friction between her blade edges and his leg would initiate a cut faster than a motionless blade simply pressing downward. Again, their impeccable technique saves the day.
The crazy lift starts around the 3:50 mark.
Of course, just because physics can determine a safe way to do this move doesn't mean most people should try it. Even serious skaters rarely do it. The Goose lift that has become virtually synonymous with Virtue and Moir has rarely been replicated by any other pair, so for the love of Roxanne, leave this power move to these two perfect, prolific professionals.


*(Q) I have data file with a string variable containing patients first and last name.
How do I keep the first 3 letters of the last name only in a new variable?
*(A) Posted by Ray to SPSSX-L list on 2002/01/24.
* Create dummy sample file.
DATA LIST FIXED /Patient 1-20 (A).


text:
Cardiovascular Effects of COX-2 Inhibitors: Randomized Clinical Trials
Mar 25, 2010 | In: Disease
Randomized Clinical Trials
A summary of randomized trials of coxib therapy is presented in Table 2.
Rofecoxib
In the VIGOR trial, rofecoxib (Vioxx) was compared with canadian naproxen in 8,076 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over a median of nine months.4 The dose of rofecoxib in this trial (50 mg daily) was twice the FDA-approved dose recommended for chronic RA analgesia and anti-inflammatory use. Similar efficacy was found between treatments, with rofecoxib causing significantly fewer GI events; however, rofecoxib demonstrated an increased risk of CV events over naproxen.
Patients receiving rofecoxib were 2.4 times more likely to experience a major CV event, such as myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina, cardiac thrombus, resuscitated cardiac arrest, sudden or unexplained death, an ischemic stroke, or transient ischemic attacks. The incidence of MI was also five times greater with rofecoxib (0.5%) than with naproxen (0.1%). The reported differences in CV events could not be explained by any of the baseline patient characteristics measured.
Table 2 Review of Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind Trials of the Coxibs
Treatment Groups
Patients Using Aspirin (%) CV Risk (Percent)
VIGOR(2000) Rofecoxib 50 mg q.d. (n = 4,047) b.i.d. (n = 4,029)
ASA not allowed
RA ~ 9 months
APPROVe(2005) Rofecoxib 25 mg q.d. (n = I,287)Placebo (n = I,299)
Colorectal adenomas ~ 3 years
CLASS(20 00) Canadian Celecoxib 400 mg b.i.d. (n = 3,987) 800 mg t.i.d. (n = 1,985) b.i.d. (n = 1,996)
OA (73%), RA (27%) ~ 6 months
APC(2005) Celecoxib 200 mg b.i.d. (n = 685) Celecoxib 400 mg b.i.d. (n = 67I)Placebo (n = 679)
Colorectal adenomas ~ 33 months
PreSAP(2005) Celecoxib 400 mg q.d. (n = 933)Placebo (n = 628)
~I5%
ADAPT(2005) Celecoxib 200 mg b.i.d. Naproxen 250 mg b.i.d. Placebo (n = unknown)
Alzheimer's disease N/A
CABG No.I(2003) Parecoxib 40 mg IV every 12 days for 3 days, followed by valdecoxib 40 mg every 12 days (n = 311)Control group (n = I5I)
CABGpatients I4 days
CABG No. 2(2005) Parecoxib 40 mg IV for 1 day, followed by 20 mg every I2 days for 3 days, then valdecoxib 20 mg every I2 days (n = 555)IV placebo for 3 days, followed by valdecoxib 20 mg every I2 days (n = 556);placebo (n = 560)
TARGET(2004) Lumiracoxib 400 mg q.d. (n = 9,II7) Naproxen 500 mg b.i.d. (n = 4,730) Canadian Ibuprofen 800 mg t.i.d. (n = 4,397)
~ I0% (vascular disease);~ 45% (hypertension) OA ~ I2 months
EDGE(2005) Etoricoxib 90 mg QD (n = 2,789)TID (n = 2,607)
OA ~ 9 months
* CV events included fatal/nonfatal myocardial infarction,unstable angina,sudden death from cardiac causes,cerebrovascular events,and peripheral vascular events.b.i.d. = twice daily; CABG = coronary artery bypass graft; CI = confidence interval; CV = cardiovascular; MI = myocardial infarction; N/A = not available; NNH = number [of patients] needed to harm; OA = osteoarthritis; q.d. = once daily; RA = rheumatoid arthritis; RR = relative risk.
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was not allowed in this trial, although 4% of patients did meet the FDA's criteria for using ASA to prevent a CV event. Of the MIs experienced by patients, 38% of them occurred within this small group of patients who were not taking ASA but who should have been. In both subgroups (for whom aspirin was indicated and not indicated), the naproxen group revealed a lower risk of stroke and MI, a lower risk of serious thrombotic events, and lower rates of adjudicated events compared with the rofecoxib group.
The VIGOR trial was the first to raise concerns about CV ADEs with rofecoxib. At the time, the differences in CV events were considered to be a result of a cardioprotective effect of naproxen rather than an increased risk from rofecoxib.
After many observational studies and meta-analy-ses revealing conflicting results of CV risk, safety data from the Adenomatous Polyp Prevention on Vioxx (APPROVe) trial were released. Over a period of three years, rofecoxib 25 mg daily was compared with placebo in 2,586 patients with a history of colorectal adenomas to assess the ability of rofecoxib to prevent the recurrence of colorectal polyps. The rofecoxib patients had a greater risk of developing a confirmed throm-botic event compared with the patients receiving placebo (relative risk [RR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-3.11; P = .008).
cheap cialis canadian pharmacy
Differences in cardiac events (MI, unstable angina, and sudden death from cardiac causes) were also reported. Rofecoxib was associated with a 2.8 times greater risk of a CV event. These observed differences did not occur until 18 months after the start of the trial, and they continued to grow as treatment continued. Unlike patients in the VIGOR trial, patients in the APPROVe trial were allowed to take ASA, although only 20% of patients reported taking it. ASA use did not demonstrate a lower risk of either thrombotic or CV events.
A history of symptomatic atherosclerotic CV disease and diabetes were the only two baseline characteristics that appeared to affect the results; each showed a higher relative risk for the rofecoxib patients than for the placebo patients. With the APPROVe results, rofecoxib had shown an increase in CV risk when compared with both naproxen and placebo. As a result, Merck voluntarily withdrew rofecoxib from the U.S. marketplace on September 30, 2004.
In the Celecoxib Long-term Arthritis Safety Study (CLASS), celecoxib was compared with conventional NSAIDs (ibuprofen and diclofenac) in 8,059 patients with a history of osteoarthritis (OA) and RA. This study was designed to determine the GI safety benefit of celecoxib (Celebrex) versus the comparator. As with the VIGOR trial,4 higher doses of celecoxib (400 mg twice daily) were used in this study.
After a six-month treatment period, the incidence of serious thrombotic effects did not differ significantly in the celecoxib patients (1.3°%) from that of the NSAID group (1.2%). Even though 20% of patients used ASA, no impact on the frequency of CV events was noted.
The results of the Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib (APC) trial revealed an increased risk of CV events with twice daily and 400 mg twice daily when compared with placebo in 2,035 patients. Patients were treated for approximately 33 months. Forty-six CV events were reported with celecoxib, in a dose-dependent manner. Patients taking 400 mg/day had a 2.3 times higher incidence of a CV event compared with placebo, and patients taking 800 mg/day had a 3.4 times greater incidence of a CV event compared with those taking placebo.
Approximately 30% of patients took ASA during the study, but ASA had no impact on the frequency of CV events in any of the three groups.
A similar trial, Prevention of Sporadic Adenomatous Polyps (PreSAP), compared celecoxib 400 mg daily to placebo in reducing the occurrence of adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum. After more than 1,500 patients were treated for 33 months, the incidence of CV events did not differ between groups (RR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6-2.3). About 15% of the study's patients took ASA, but this did not affect the frequency of CV events in either group.
Although the reasons for the conflicting results between the PreSAP and APC trials cannot be easily explained, the cele-coxib dosing differed in the trials. Celecoxib 400 mg once daily (in PreSAP) does not provide the same consistent exposure to the drug during a 24-hour period as celecoxib 200 mg twice daily (in APC). A more consistent concentration of drug may have contributed to the increased risk of CV events noted in the APC trial over the PreSAP trial, even with the same 400-mg total daily dose.
The Alzheimer's Disease Anti-inflammatory Prevention Trial (ADAPT) compared celecoxib 200 mg twice daily with naproxen 220 mg twice daily and placebo. The purpose was to evaluate a potential decrease in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease with NSAID therapy. Although the projected accrual was 2,625 patients, a preliminary safety review demonstrated no increase in cerebrovascular or CV events in the celecoxib arm. However, patients receiving naproxen showed an increased risk of CV events over placebo. In late December 2004, as a result of the naproxen results, the trial was stopped early.
Despite the conflicting results of these trials involving celecoxib, the FDA required that a warning of a potential increased CV risk be added to package labeling on the basis of the APC findings.
Cardiovascular Effects of COX-2 Inhibitors: Celecoxib
Cardiovascular Effects of COX-2 Inhibitors: Study Populations
Cardiovascular Effects of COX-2 Inhibitors: Valdecoxib
Cardiovascular Effects of COX-2 Inhibitors
Cardiovascular Effects of COX-2 Inhibitors: Dose-Related Effects
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Located at 1758 N. Templeton Place in picturesque Fayetteville, AR, these newly built, urban style apartments are the perfect place to call home. They are located near the University of Arkansas, home of the Razorbacks, close to shopping at the Northwest Arkansas Mall, and entertainment in the historic Dickson Street area. These units provide a sense of casual living while maintaining proximity to the necessities of life.
All apartments are one bedroom, one bath and single level with beautifully stained concrete flooring. Upper units feature vaulted ceilings while lower units feature generous ceiling heights and crown moulding. Each apartment includes dishwasher, microwave, stove, refrigerator, stackable washer and dryer, and air conditioning.
The ample tenant parking is perfectly balanced with mature trees and well manicured lawns to provide a peaceful respite after a long day at work or school.
Templeton Place is located on the TAN UofA Bus Route with a bus stop just steps from your front door.


You people are doing tons.
As folks who rarely use the bus, it was an interesting experience. Some routes, the drivers are very friendly and helpful. Others not so much. We think there is a lot of room for improvement with regard to scheduling. All in all, we had fun. Thanks to those who organised this event.
Thank you so much for the prize! My gift bag was full of great things from the Go Green Transportation Clean up group! Way to go!!


Anna is playing the role of Luisa Ahrens in the Hesse produced digital series 'Anomalie'. Created and produced by Tag & Nacht Media, Darmstadt.
Shooting commenced beginning of July in Darmstadt and Bremerhaven.
Actor Marc Boutter and Anna-Marlene Wirtz on set in Bremerhaven.
On set with actors Rüdiger Hauffe, Juliane Behneke, Anna-Marlene Wirtz. Crew- Thomas Meudt, Marco Eisenbarth, Laura Fischer.
Next PostNext "Schichtsalat" a short film to be proud of.


Failure to label properly the moving boxes is often considered as one of the biggest mistakes one can make during the moving process. Although labeling boxes first may seem unnecessary, you will eventually realize that it is a crucial factor for unpacking once you reach your new home.
Process of labeling boxes seems to be underestimated by those who have no experience in household moves. On the other hand, everyone who has moved house before knows that this important step shouldn't be skipped at all. Once you figure out an efficient labeling system the whole relocation process will become more manageable.
How to label moving boxes properly?
First make sure you have everything you need for labeling your moving boxes. A couple of permanent waterproof colored markers as well as color stickers will certainly help you stay organized throughout the move. Labeling your moving boxes is an efficient and easy way to keep track of your belongings during and after the moving day. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a situation where you don't know where to start unpacking or you just can't find what you are frenetically looking for. Even such small inconveniences can lead to more stress and frustration.
– Give each box a color. In order to point out which box belongs where, choose different colors for each room. For example, if you have dedicated blue to the living room, use this color to mark all moving boxes that should be placed there.
– Make a floor plan. Whether you are moving with friends' or NYC movers' help, make sure they are familiar with your moving codes. Create a floor plan, put a corresponding stickers on the door, so that your helpers can deliver the boxes where they belong.
– Make sure the stickers are clearly visible. Use packing tape so that they won't come off during the transport. Also, as soon as you finish packing each box, label it! Otherwise, postponing labeling task may create even bigger confusion if you are not able to remember what's inside the fully packed and sealed box.
– Assign a number to every moving box and make an inventory of them. Have a list of the boxes and their content always on hand.
– Create your labels. Some moving companies offer printable label templates on their websites, so you can use them as well, along with some "traditional" tools.
– Provided that you have marked the boxes on at least three sides, you and your helpers will be able to recognize immediately the content and the purpose of each box even if the boxes are stacked up. If you are reusing moving boxes, do not be misled by already existing inscriptions. Put your own label over it try to mask potentially confusing signs.
Labeling the boxes correctly will save you a lot of time and effort on the moving day. A good-organization may prevent headaches and frustration throughout the relocation process, and a few pre-move precautions are certainly worthwhile.
If all of these moving tasks seem too demanding and overwhelming for you, don't hesitate to ask for professional help. There are a lot of trustworthy moving companies providing additional moving-related services like packing and unpacking. Should you decide to let the moving company handle your belongings, know that they will do it in the most professional manner.
They will ensure your peace of mind and provide safe and efficient transition.
What are the best ways to organize a storage unit?


text:
Vetle Eck Aga (* 4. Oktober 1993 in Bodø) ist ein norwegischer Handballspieler.

Karriere

Verein
Vetle Eck Aga lernte das Handballspielen beim Bodø HK, mit dem er in der Saison 2016/17 am EHF-Pokal teilnahm. 2017 wechselte der 1,93 m große Rückraumspieler, der vor allem in der Defensive seine Stärke hat, in die erste schwedische Liga zu IK Sävehof. Mit Sävehof gewann er 2021 die Handbollsligan und 2022 den schwedischen Pokal. Seit Sommer 2022 steht er beim ambitionierten norwegischen Verein Kolstad IL unter Vertrag.

Nationalmannschaft
In der norwegischen Nationalmannschaft debütierte Eck Aga am 5. Januar 2021 bei der 25:33-Niederlage gegen Belarus in Minsk. Er stand im Aufgebot für die Europameisterschaft 2022.

Weblinks
 Vetle Eck Aga in der Datenbank der EHF (englisch)
 Vetle Eck Aga in der Datenbank der Handbollsligan (schwedisch)
 Vetle Eck Aga auf der Website von IK Sävehof (schwedisch)

Einzelnachweise

Handballnationalspieler (Norwegen)
Handballspieler (IK Sävehof)
Handballspieler (Kolstad IL)
Schwedischer Meister (Handball)
Rückraumspieler
Norweger
Geboren 1993
Mann

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Cloud based source control systems such as github are a great addition to the everyday toolkit of the software engineer. However, what if you want to host your own local git repository? Maybe for security, budget limitations of just personal preference?
This post will explain how you can do just that. During this explanation I am using Debian 7, but it should work on other operating systems too.
2. Create a directory. The name does not matter at this point, since this will only be a temporary directory. I named mine 'git_project' and stored it in my home folder.
3. Now initialise the temp folder as a repository.
4. Now copy the files you want to initialise the repository with into this temp directory. If you plan to add files later, just create a temp file.
5. Now add all the files in the repository.
6. Next, commit the files as the initial commit.
7. Now set it to a bare repo. This means that only the bare git repository will be stored, and not the source code files.
8. Now move the hidden git file to your central repository location (I store mine in ~/repo). At the same time give it a project name.
9. You can now clone this repository using the command line.
That's it. In a future post I'll explain for you can integrate this with an IDE.


Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is an exceptional dance creator. A previous winner in the National Dance Awards, this year his "Puz/zle" is nominated for another NDA prize. Although contemporary dance is his natural home, he has always ventured further afield to explore other dance forms with leading exponents: kathak, flamenco and kuchipudi among others. Thus it was not a complete surprise to see that Argentinian tango was his next port of call. What was intriguing was how he would implement this collaboration.
"M¡longa" is faithful to the spirit of tango and allows the dance form to speak for itself, but with the benefit of Cherkaoui's intelligence and imagination. After the performance, one fellow critic opined that he was disappointed that it was not more radical, but for me this was one of the work's strengths. As the title suggests, we are in a milonga, a tango dance club, and we see film of such a club with the show's five tango couples together with many others. After one ensemble section on stage the dancers stop and chat, as they would in a club setting, waiting for the music for a new dance. In this respect and the simplicity of several of the tango duets, Cherkaoui has distanced himself from the usual tango spectaculars. As he says in his programme article, it is the humanity of the dance form, the interaction of the dancers that intrigues him.
Certainly the tango is a delight with flashing kicks, hip swivelling and acrobatic lifts and swirls. The physicality matched with precision sometimes takes your breath away. But Cherkaoui does add much value as well. His gift for ensemble work makes this aspect of the show far superior to the typical tango show, where the directors are great at choreographing duets but little else. There is some high-tech film work with multiple images of the dancers, sometimes multiplying 100-fold, although the potential chaos always remains coherent, for example due to repeating a lift in canon. We also see street scenes, including a hilarious section with a camera-totting tourist who eventually ends up in the milonga, dancing advanced steps rather badly; perhaps a joke by the choreographer against himself.
Silvina Cortes and Damien Fournier in Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's 'Milonga'.
Still pure dance remains at the heart of this show. A male trio is electrifying as the dancers compete aggressively, spinning, jumping and kicking at high velocity and rarely an arm's length away from each other. Cherkaoui also puts his stamp on the production through two contemporary dancers who perform with the spirit and sensuality of the tango to the music but without using any of the tango vocabulary. Silvina Cortés and Damien Fournier are especially strong at expressing the melancholic side of the music.
One caveat: Cherkaoui's productions rarely have intervals and for many shows I can understand the need to maintain a narrative or thematic flow, but here with an episodic structure, an interval would have given us the chance to return refreshed to the familiar tango steps. Nevertheless, once again Cherkaoui has cast a new perspective on a traditional dance form and I for one would be very happy to have the chance see "M¡longa" again.


text:
Dr. Seuss' The Cat in The Hat
Roger Ebert November 21, 2003
Now streaming on:
"Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat" is a triumph above all of production design. That's partly because the production design is so good, partly because the movie is so disappointing. It's another overwrought clunker like "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," all effects and stunts and CGI and prosthetics, with no room for lightness and joy. Poor Dr. Seuss, whose fragile wonderments have been crushed under a mountain of technology.
Mike Myers stars as The Cat, in the ritual sacrifice of a big star to a high concept. Like Jim Carrey as The Grinch, he's imprisoned beneath layers of makeup. There is a reason that Myers and Carrey are stars, and that reason is not because they look like cats or grinches. Nor does it much help that The Cat sometimes lapses uncannily into the voice of Linda Richman, Myers' classic "Saturday Night Live" character. The Cat is a nudge, a scold, a card, an instigator, a tease -- oh, lots of things, but one of them isn't lovable.
It's been said you should never marry anyone you wouldn't want to take a three-day bus trip with. I have another insight: Never make a movie about a character you can't stand.
The movie follows the book, sort of, if you can imagine a cute balloon inflated into a zeppelin. The two kids, Conrad and Sally, are played by Spencer Breslin and Dakota Fanning; he's seemingly compelled to mess things up, she's so compulsive that the To Do list on her Palm includes: "Make out tomorrow's To Do list."
Their mom, Joan (Kelly Preston), is a Realtor who works for the germophobic Mr. Humberfloob (Sean Hayes); everything depends on her house being spic-and-span for a big reception, and so of course the moment she entrusts the kids into the hands of Mrs. Kwan the baby-sitter (Amy Hill), who should show up but The Cat, and the house is eventually in ruins.
What happens then? Is Joan fired? Is the house perhaps magically repaired? I would be happy to tell you, but I had better not give away the ending; there may be unfortunate readers who have not read The Cat in the Hat, or had it read to them, or even had it summarized for them by a trusted adviser.
The movie consists of wall-to-wall action, sort of like "The Fast and the Furious" for the third-grade hyperactive set. The Cat's catmobile sprouts three steering wheels, and The Cat leads them on a fantasy tour of the town in search of their runaway dog. The theory is that Mrs. Kwan, apparently a narcoleptic, will never notice their absence since she has fallen asleep immediately after arriving to baby-sit.
But Mrs. Kwan does turn up later, during their visit to an imaginary amusement park, where the dumpy old Chinese lady, still insensate, her body stiff as a board, functions admirably as a raft for the water slide. The cat and the kids mount her and down they go, with a closeup of water splashing over Mrs. Kwan's prow, or brow. To use the unconscious Mrs. Kwan in this way is creepy and offensive. Now I'm not getting PC and decrying the movie for making fun of Chinese. I'm glad an Asian-American actress got the job. No, I think it's making fun of old people in general, in a cruel way, and I don't think it's funny.
Other stuff is a little funnier, including the story of what is in the muffins Joan serves at her reception, and how it all got there. And of course the movie has the obligatory smart-aleck sidekick, a fish (voice by Sean Hayes) that adds approximately nothing. Similarly wasted is Alec Baldwin, as the marriage-minded neighbor Lawrence Quinn. He wants to marry Joan. The kids rightly suspect him of smarmy nefariousness, and wow, is this the same actor I saw starring on Broadway in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"? Baldwin gave an interview recently talking about his fall from stardom and grace, but he is gifted and will make a comeback when the time is right (for advice, he could turn to Joan, played by Mrs. John Travolta). Baldwin is electrifying as a hard-boiled but old-fashioned casino boss in the forthcoming "The Cooler"; pity about this role.
What went wrong here? Well, the producer is Brian Grazer, who also produced "The Grinch," and apparently learned little from it, although since it grossed north of $300 million, maybe he didn't want to. Grazer is a nice guy and has produced some wonderful movies, often with Ron Howard; this time, he's working with first-timer Bo Welch, a famous and gifted production designer ("Batman Returns," "Edward Scissorhands," "Beetlejuice," "Men in Black"). I should mention this movie's production designer, Alex McDowell, as well as art directors Alec Hammon and Sean Haworth, Anne Kuljian's sets, Rita Ryack's costumes, and all the makeup artists. But this is where we came in.
Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.
Tomris Laffly
The Velvet Queen
Dr. Seuss' The Cat in The Hat (2003)
Rated PG for mild crude humor and some double ententres
Kelly Preston as Mom
Amy Hill as Mrs. Kwan
Mike Myers as The Cat
Sean Hayes as Mr. Humberfloob
Spencer Breslin as Conrad
Alec Baldwin as Quinn
Dakota Fanning as Sally
Bo Welch
Alec Berg
David Mandel
Jeff Schaffer
Based on the book by


Anthony Nash wants one thing known: it's not his rule.
It may be called the 'Nash Rule', and he may be stopped on the street and asked what is going to become of it all, but he is at a loss as to understand why. To be blunt, he's plain sick of it all by now.
He's been rising the sliotar that high and advancing that far whilst taking frees since he was a teenager. No-one batted an eyelid when he did it three years ago against Wexford. Now? Now everyone has an opinion on it.
Motion 40 was accepted onto the clár at Congress to prevent players from gaining extra yards when standing over dead balls, but the tide turned against change enough for and Cork to be successful in having it dropped.
Yet it's still there, hanging over the season like a bad smell, as the association deliberates over where the discourse should turn next or whether the entire debate should be confined to the past. This week, Nash sat down to chat, on the back of his role promoting the Guinness Plus App, and though he begged leave from talking about it at first, he proceeded to inspect the entrails of the entire issue with a forensic eye for detail.
First up: does it bug him?
"It does and it doesn't. People walk down the street and ask me what they are going to do with my rule.
"It's not that it bugs me, I just want to know, what's the reasoning behind it? If it is for the safety of players, then fine, but if a full-forward catches the ball in front of me, can they ask him to take it out to the 21 and strike it from there?
Some 'facts' and observations he takes to task.
The difference in distance he gains when compared to an average forward he estimates to be about no more than two yards, max. It's not as if he is even the hardest striker of a sliotar out there, he protests.
It is his technique — right hand on top but striking left handed — that requires such a high throw, as it takes him longer to complete his swing, and he's adamant no-one would bat an eyelid if he was an ordinary forward or midfielder rather than a goalkeeper.
Another myth he's keen to explode is the one about how he has 'perfected' the art itself. He hasn't, he insists. Yes, he scored a goal from one against Tipperary in the recent league quarter-final, but they saved one from him at the death too.
Success is far from guaranteed. He suffered plenty of embarrassing failures of technique and execution down the years and expects to again, while he is clearly unconvinced about the 'safety-first' argument among the advocates of change.
"Picking up a ball and a fella flaking you is a risk and that's hurling," he explained. "It's a great sport and I wouldn't like to see it change and that's not trying to protect my so-called rule.
He's heard the alternatives: ban the bigger bás, remove two men from the line for penalties, bring the penalty or free-taker back further — but all of them are skewered by simple and unequivocal arguments. The bás a goalkeeper uses is not much bigger to those handled by outfield player, one-man on the line would be an invitation to wave not a white flag but a green one, while the argument about moving the taker back leaves him in something of a quandary.
Nash, it seems, just can't win.


text:
Captain Claus-Peter Reisch | Photo: Picture-alliance/dpa/J.Filous
Mission Lifeline
sea rescue
Malta: German migrant rescue ship captain wins appeal
The German captain of a Mediterranean migrant rescue ship has had a conviction overturned by a Maltese court. Claus-Peter Reisch helped over 200 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
A Maltese appeals court on Tuesday overturned the conviction of the German captain of a ship that rescued migrants.
Claus-Peter Reisch was found guilty in May of not having the correct ship registration to enter Maltese waters when he transported migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Court of Criminal Appeal ruled that the captain did not have the specific intent to break the law, and overturned the original judgment as well as revoking the €10,000 ($11,200) fine.
Read more: Sea-Watch rescuers slam 'shameful' German, EU refugee policy
"We are pleased that the long wait is over," said Axel Steier, spokesman of the sea rescue NGO Mission Lifeline.
"Wow, unbelievable," Reisch tweeted. "I won."
Wow, unglaublich......
Ich habe gewonnen........
Näheres später, hab jetzt Pressekonferenz.. pic.twitter.com/edLnc6crq6
— Claus-Peter Reisch (@ClausReisch) January 7, 2020
The Mission Lifeline vessel, Eleonore, had been carrying 234 migrants in June 2018, under Reisch's control. The rescue was controversial but the boat was eventually allowed to dock in Malta and the migrants were distributed among EU states.
The Mediterranean Sea is a popular entry point for migrants from North Africa and the Middle East, but many die en route owing to overcrowding on boats. Several private and publicly funded organizations operate rescue missions in the region.
ed/rt (dpa, epd)
First published: January 7, 2020
Italy: Court confirms that Italy's ports aren't 'safe'
Rackete upheld rescue duty: Italy's top court
Italy's Senate lifts Salvini's immunity, paves way for trial
Donations for private sea rescue missions down