text:
It may be one of the biggest political corruption investigations in Texas since the early 1970s, when the Sharpstown stock fraud scandal led to a major housecleaning of the state's then-Democratic power structure.
Austin District Attorney's Probe Into DeLay's Texas PAC Intensifies Amid Charges of Partisanship
By Gebe Martinez, Congressional Quarterly
Yet Republicans in Congress say few among them are talking about it, even though the alleged wrongdoing centers on one of the most powerful GOP figures in both Washington and Texas: House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
"I haven't heard it discussed at all," said House Appropriations Chairman C.W. Bill Young of Florida. "Not a word," offered another senior House Republican.
For the past year, the county district attorney in Austin, Ronnie Earle, has been looking into the alleged use of corporate contributions in state legislative campaigns, which is against state law, in 2002 by the Texas Association of Business and Texans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee (TRMPAC), a campaign organization created by DeLay.
The Republican silence on the subject on Capitol Hill may be partly out of election-year sensitivity, because DeLay is once again being counted on by his colleagues to raise enormous amounts of campaign cash from corporate America. But some Republicans also maintain that the probe is not yet being taken seriously in Washington because, in their view, it is being conducted by an overtly partisan Democratic prosecutor.
"Most people believe that DeLay is deliberately targeted for a lot of the same reasons that Gingrich was deliberately targeted," said Rep. William M. "Mac" Thornberry, R-Texas, referring to former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia (1977-99). "If you take out someone you see as central to the party operations, you strike a major political victory."
But the investigation is serious, Earle told reporters March 12, as he made public hundreds of pages of records sought by the Texas Republican Party, which has accused the prosecutor of leaking information about the case to the media. "This investigation is not about Democrats and Republicans. It's about cops and robbers," he said. "This is an investigation of a crime."
The inquiry centers on efforts by DeLay, the Texas business group and state House Speaker Tom Craddick to gain Republican control of the state House in the 2002 elections. Their success led to the redrawing of the state's congressional map last year in hopes of gaining seven new seats for the GOP this November. (CQ Weekly, p. 94)
DeLay's PAC raised almost $1.5 million in 2002 - about $600,000 from corporations, mostly through their Washington lobbyists. The PAC contributed to 21 state legislative candidates. State law prohibits the spending of corporate or union money directly on campaigns, although a political committee may use such money to cover administrative costs. DeLay's fundraising director, Jim Ellis, and TRMPAC lawyer Terry Scarborough say none of the PAC's corporate contributions were spent illegally.
One matter under investigation is whether the PAC, in effect, illegally laundered its contributions through the Republican National Committee (RNC) last fall. The PAC donated $190,000 to an arm of the RNC that helps state legislative candidates, and soon thereafter that RNC committee wrote checks totaling $190,000 to seven candidates for the Texas Legislature.
No indictments have been returned, although the case will be turned over to a new Travis County grand jury in Austin in April when the current panel's term ends. Neither DeLay nor his records have been subpoenaed, but subpoenas have been issued to DeLay's daughter, Danielle Ferro, and to other close associates of DeLay who helped operate TRMPAC and the House leader's federal campaign committee, Americans for a Republican Majority.
As the probe has picked up speed - coupled with a civil lawsuit by four Democratic state House candidates who lost in 2002 - the inner workings of DeLay's fundraising network, and his personal involvement, are being scrutinized perhaps as never before.
"DeLay was clearly in some, if not all, of the decision-making" by TRMPAC, said Craig McDonald, director of Texans for Public Justice, a public-interest group that has pushed Earle's investigation. Scarborough says DeLay's "involvement was minimal to non-existent with the day-to-day running of TRMPAC."
DeLay's only public comment about the inquiry came in February, when he called Earle "vindictive and partisan" - citing his unsuccessful prosecution 11 years ago of Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. (1993 Almanac, p. 69) House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., echoed DeLay when asked about the probe March 16. Noting the Hutchison case, Hastert concluded, "This is a partisan situation."
One GOP strategist who was involved in Hutchison's defense case maintained that Earle's successes in political corruption cases early in his career were against "underfunded opponents." But this operative, who asked not to be named, noted that "DeLay is not underfinanced."
Labels: News Clips


text:
Breaking News English Lesson: Ageing Process
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Scientists say they can reverse ageing process (25th November, 2020)
Ageing Process - Level 1
3-speed reading
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Text jumble 1
Sentence match
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Initals only
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The Reading / Listening - Ageing Process - Level 1
Scientists from Israeli universities did tests to try to stop and reverse ageing. The researchers said the tests were simple - they used oxygen to slow down what happens to cells as they age. The scientists said two processes related to ageing and illnesses slowed down. The scientists did tests on 35 adults over the age of 64 five times a week for three months. The study is published in a magazine called "Ageing".
A professor explained how important the research is. He says the ageing process can be reversed. He says we may be able to stop cells from shortening and that if we can do this, the cells will not age. Researchers are trying to develop drugs to make cells longer so cells do not age. The professor added: "The study gives hope, and opens the door for a lot of young scientists to target ageing as a reversible disease."
Try the same news story at these levels:
Ageing Process - Level 0, Ageing Process - Level 2 or Ageing Process - Level 3
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/22/israeli-scientists-claim-new-study-reverses-ageing-process
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-scientists-claim-to-reverse-ageing-in-blood-cells-with-pressure-chamber/
https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/21/scientists-reverse-effects-of-ageing-with-groundbreaking-treatment-13631999/
Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)
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Phrase Matching
try to stop and
researchers said the tests were
they used oxygen to
what happens to cells
processes related
scientists did tests
five times a week for
The study is published
as they age
in a magazine
to ageing
reverse ageing
on 35 adults
the ageing process can
we may be able
if we can do this, the cells
Researchers are trying
so cells do not
The study gives hope, and
young scientists to
a reversible
to develop drugs
to stop cells
target ageing
be reversed
will not age
opens the door
Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps
Scientists from Israeli universities (1) ___________________ try to stop (2) ___________________. The researchers said the tests were simple - they used (3) ___________________ down what happens to (4) ___________________ age. The scientists said two processes (5) ___________________ and illnesses slowed down. The scientists did tests on 35 adults over the age of 64 five times a week for three months. The study (6) ___________________ a magazine called "Ageing".
A professor (7) ___________________ the research is. He says the ageing process (8) ___________________. He says we may be able to stop (9) ___________________ and that if we can do this, the cells will not age. Researchers (10) ___________________ develop drugs to (11) ___________________ so cells do not age. The professor added: "The study gives hope, and opens the door for (12) ___________________ young scientists to target ageing as a reversible disease."
Put a slash (/) where the spaces are
ScientistsfromIsraeliuniversitiesdidteststotrytostopandreverseagei
ng.Theresearcherssaidthetestsweresimple-theyusedoxygentoslo
wdownwhathappenstocellsastheyage.Thescientistssaidtwoprocess
esrelatedtoageingandillnessessloweddown.Thescientistsdidtestson
35adultsovertheageof64fivetimesaweekforthreemonths.Thestudyi
spublishedinamagazinecalled"Ageing".Aprofessorexplainedhowimp
ortanttheresearchis.Hesaystheageingprocesscanbereversed.Hesay
swemaybeabletostopcellsfromshorteningandthatifwecandothis,the
cellswillnotage.Researchersaretryingtodevelopdrugstomakecellslo
ngersocellsdonotage.Theprofessoradded:"Thestudygiveshope,and
opensthedoorforalotofyoungscientiststotargetageingasareversible
disease."
Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.
(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)
Discussion — Write your own questions
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
(a) ________________
(b) ________________
(c) ________________
(d) ________________
(e) ________________
(f) ________________
(g) ________________
(h) ________________
STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
(i) ________________
(j) ________________
(k) ________________
(l) ________________
(m) ________________
(n) ________________
(o) ________________
(p) ________________
Free writing
Write about this topic for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Set atop this hillside community, this is the grand getaway you've been looking for. Sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Barbara's charming coastline are what make Upper Park a special place. Find all the comfort of home in a paired home or end-unit townhome with satisfying indoor and outdoor living spaces.
"Imagine waking to the whisper of seacoast breezes."


text:
1936 Judith 2022
Judith A. Sasnowski
Judith A. Sasnowski, aged 86, met with Jesus peacefully surrounded by her family on December 22, 2022, at St. Paul Elder Services. Judy was born on October 6, 1936, to the late Joseph and Germaine Alberts in Oconto. She married the love of her life, Ed Sasnowski, on September 5, 1974. He preceded her in death on December 18, 2019.
Judy is survived by her five children: Dave (Karen Coffey) Schoen, Lee Ann (Bob) Jackels, Evelyn Morser, Roy Schoen, and Brenda (Bill) Vande Wettering. There are her twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She is further survived by John (Pat Wiktorek) Alberts, Gerrie (Ken) Tenor, Janet (Larry) Balza, and Jane (Denny) Tenor. She is further survived by her sister-in-law, Bonita Alberts, and sister-in-law Marlene Gensler. She is also survived by her dearest and closest friend, Donna Hoffman.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Eddy Sasnowski, her parents: Joseph and Germaine Alberts, her in-laws: Edward E. Sasnowski and Beatrice Sasnowski, her siblings: Norbert Alberts, Mary (Dick) Lemmen, Joan (Bill) Frankow, Vonnie (Carl) Mande, her nephew: Shaun Frankow, and her niece: Victoria Alberts. Her sister-in-law: Dolores (George) Stoop, a brother-in-law: Raymond Gensler.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to St. Paul Elder Services – Rehabilitation Therapy Services for their kindness and care. Judy would like to give the staff at St. Paul Elder Services one final "Amen!" for a job well done!
There will be a private memorial service held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Paul Elder Services.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Judith A. Sasnowski, please visit our flower store.


text:
Roger Malone
Men won't be behaving badly for much longer - thankfully
Roger Malone won't be mourning the death of male misbehaviour
Men behaving badly. It was ever thus. From wild stag nights to toffs' exclusive party pranks – male misbehaviour is nothing new.
There is an almost kindergarten mentality that believes naive naughtiness, first committed in infant innocence, is somehow still acceptable having evolved into its uglier, adult guise.
There was a time such digressions, while not openly condoned, were conscientiously ignored. Those in the know turned a blind eye. After all, a bit of laddish fun never hurt anyone, did it?
And, if a few females are offended, intimidated even, well, c'mon, it's only a bit of over zealous horse play. Perhaps those at the receiving end were too sensitive and over reacted, anyway. After all, as the excuse goes, boys will be boys – whatever their age.
Now recent events have thrust such tribal, shameful male shenanigans from the shadows straight into the spotlight.
Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein (Image: John Stillwell/PA Wire)
How Plymouth women helped win the vote 100 years ago
They have become the stuff of headlines and postprandial fodder of the chattering classes.
These days the media is awash with stories of inappropriate behaviour from individuals spanning all walks of life.
From Hollywood casting couches and political corridors of power to captains of industry we read of men using their privileged positions to manipulate and coerce women.
Some females may gamble that acquiescing could be their best chance for advancement in a male dominated career.
Most, young and unsuspecting, will feel humiliated.
Sadly they are all victims of a sexual hierarchy that makes it easy for men to engineer situations for their own gratification.
And, should a victim threaten to be a whistle blower over such behaviour they are gently reminded that no one would believe their word when pitted against the pious denial of the perpetrator.
Rough sleeping in Plymouth has tripled since 2010, according to latest figures
A torrent of accusations by women sick of the status quo are turning the tables.
The latest shocker is the scandal-hit Presidents Club gala event held in The Dorchester.
Here, a number of business fat cats with questionable judgement are reported to have spent an evening indulging in groping and lewd comments.
This was apparently OK behaviour because the good and the great were ensconced in this soiree for the self-congratulatory purpose of raising money for charity.
The ensuing fallout, triggered by an undercover report by the Financial Times, has embarrassed many and caused several career crashes for others.
Prime Minister Theresa May was "appalled" by the reports. "What worries me is it's not just about that event," she said. "It's about what it says about this wider issue in society about attitudes to women."
There seems to be, among some males, a belief that wealth and power makes them irresistible to the opposite sex or, at least, gifts them privileged rights to pat and patronise a woman.
Waitrose to ban under 16s from buying energy drinks
Add to that the pack mentality of all-male events fuelled by boozy camaraderie, and any inhibitions are loosened like belts after a full meal.
From big wigs to backstreet bar boyos inappropriate behaviour is still alive and offensive. Women are subjected to sexist conduct from a wolf whistle upwards.
Ask what they think about such pseudo-complimentary attention and they will tell you straight – it's offensive.
With so many women finding their collective voice globally and speaking out, the tide is turning.
Judging from the latest revelations of men behaving badly, it can't happen soon enough.


text:
DRS Services
How can we create cities able to adapt to urbanisation, climate change and disruptive technologies, while driving economic, environmental and social value?
News & opinion Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Protecting intelligent cities from cyber attacks
With property and infrastructure increasingly connected through technologies such as the Internet of Things, we need to protect against digital attacks.
A century ago it was the new means of mass production that fashioned mass society in its image. Today, surveillance capitalism offers a new template for our future: the machine hive in which our freedom is forfeit to perfect knowledge administered for others' profit.
Shoshana Zuboff
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
What we can learn from Singapore's water management?
The city state has become one of the world's most adept at squeezing every last drop out of its most precious commodity.
Childcare solutions for the workplace
Are offices and coworking spaces with on-site nurseries a logical conflation of workplace and childcare, or too much play and not enough work?
News & opinion Friday, April 5, 2019
UK stamp duty: should it be abolished?
Four years after the last round of unpopular reforms, it's time this tax was stamped out, argues Colliers International's Ashley Osborne.
News & opinion Monday, February 25, 2019
Privately owned public space: does it matter who owns it?
Many of our public spaces are now privately owned – and their numbers are rising. But are the suspicion and hostility they're often met with justified?
Is free public transport a good idea?
Should public transport be free for everyone? Transport expert and former London mayoral candidate Christian Wolmar explores the arguments.
Bridging the infrastructure funding gap
The regions with the greatest infrastructure investment needs are Asia and the Americas. Sakshi Sharma explores a world of surveying opportunities.
News & opinion Friday, October 19, 2018
Fitter cities
With health and well-being increasingly important considerations in towns and cities, Yvonne Rydin and Helen Pineo discuss how surveyors can contribute to healthier lives.
A lack of accommodation for older people is set to be the next great housing crisis
New for old
A global shortage of later-life housing is looming on the horizon. How can we build a sufficient supply of new housing for the retired?
The number of people aged over 60 is expected to more than triple by 2100, rising from 962 million in 2017 to 3.1 billion in 2100.
UN World Population Prospects
News & opinion Friday, November 2, 2018
The rise and fall and rise(?) of the post-industrial city
The shrinking city has become a regular feature of the post-industrial age. But what can be done to turn around the failing metropolis, asks Lawrie Holmes?
News & opinion Tuesday, November 6, 2018
What we can learn from giving way to cyclists
The UK should look to the Netherlands if it wants to get cycle-friendly infrastructure right, argues Carlton Reid, editor-at-large of BikeBiz.
Walk this way: the path to cleaner, healthier cities
Walking makes people fitter, cities cleaner and businesses stronger – yet we're walking less. Planners and developers can play a big part in designing healthier streets.
News & opinion Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Creating cities where citizens can thrive
Will Haynes of Sustrans on how to retrofit our cities streets to enable faster, cheaper, more reliable urban journeys that can improve health.
News & opinion Thursday, October 11, 2018
How can we ensure that Asia's rapidly developing cities evolve to suit the needs of future generations?
How will cities be changed by the arrival of cars that never need to be parked, driven or even owned?
Size won't matter
KT Ravindran of Amity University imagines a future of highly specialised cities connected by new, high-speed links.
Africa: continent of opportunity
Africa's population is predicted to double by 2050, putting pressure on its already bustling cities. One answer is to build new smart cities from scratch.
News & opinion Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Rethinking homelessness
Tackling the root cause of homelessness begins with building more affordable housing, argues Nicholas Pleace of the University of York.
News & opinion Friday, June 1, 2018
The Dutch way with water
After centuries building dykes, the Dutch adopted a pragmatic approach to rising water levels: living in harmony with water rather than trying to control it.
News & opinion Saturday, April 30, 2016
Cities getting water right
San Francisco, Singapore and Philadelphia are among the cities pioneering sustainable urban water projects.
Infographics: on Twitter, you told us...
Smart thinking: how cities are getting better connected
Street smarts
As technologies converge with urban planning, a revolution of automated, ownerless transport beckons. But is the intelligent city network sci-fi or a deliverable reality?
News & opinion Saturday, March 31, 2018
Sensored content
Discover four smart city innovations already at work in cities across the world, from London to Barcelona and Singapore.
Net results
Superfast internet has put a fire under the economy of the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Could it do the same for others?
The world's urban population is set to rise to 6.3 billion by 2050, according to the UN
There are projected to be 200 billion smart devices connected to the Internet of Things by 2020, up from two billion in 2006.
IDC, Intel, United Nations
Property cycles
Record numbers of us now commute by bike. How is this trend starting to influence cities and the built environment?
Urbanisation is placing increasing demands on our most precious commodity: water. What can we do to staunch the flow before it runs out?
Two degrees
If global temperatures increase beyond 2ºC by 2100, sea levels could rise by two metres. What would that mean for cities like Lagos, Tokyo, Dhaka and Miami?
News & opinion Monday, August 20, 2018
Big city, big data
Trailblazer trials, real-life applications and the internet of things are showing how big data and predictive analytics will underpin the smart cities of the future.
Space craft
Designing good public realms that respond to the people who use them is no walk in the park. Who are the developers and planners rising to such a challenge?
Choking point
Jonn Elledge discusses whether national and city governments are really doing enough to combat air pollution.
Self-help for cities
Rigid public organisations and outdated financial structures are holding back the development of modern cities; but Scandinavia is pioneering a new way forward.
Creating flexible commercial space in Hong Kong
Developers are combining data and creativity in order to ensure they are able to meet changing demand in Hong Kong. Chris Brooke explains how his firm worked with a developer on a project comprising retail, dining and entertainment spaces.


text:
/*jshint unused: vars */
define(['angular', 'angular-mocks', 'app'], function(angular, mocks, app) {
  'use strict';

  describe('Controller: DagangCtrl', function () {

    // load the controller's module
    beforeEach(module('xinyangApp.controllers.DagangCtrl'));

    var DagangCtrl,
      scope;

    // Initialize the controller and a mock scope
    beforeEach(inject(function ($controller, $rootScope) {
      scope = $rootScope.$new();
      DagangCtrl = $controller('DagangCtrl', {
        $scope: scope
      });
    }));

    it('should attach a list of awesomeThings to the scope', function () {
      expect(scope.awesomeThings.length).toBe(3);
    });
  });
});

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Division for National Minorities-National Communities, Translation and Interpretation Services
The scope of work of the Division for National Minorities-National Communities, Translation and Interpretation Services includes matters in the field of exercising the rights of national minorities –national communities in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, as well as translation and interpretation services provided to provincial authorities.
This Division is in charge of tasks pertaining to the exercise, protection and improvement of human and minority rights in the province, preparation and implementation of projects in the field of culture, education, information, official use of languages and scripts, maintaining international relations, protection and fostering of interethnic tolerance and other fields important for the exercise of national minority rights. The Division cooperates and assists citizens associations of members of minority national communities and other citizens associations whose projects are focused on the exercise of national minority rights and protection and fostering of interethnic tolerance. It monitors the work and cooperates with national councils of national communities, scientific and other institutions dealing with studying and monitoring of the exercise of human and minority rights. It also cooperates with bodies responsible for the field of human and minority rights, provincial administration authorities and bodies of local self-government units in carrying out the tasks within the scope of work of this Division.
The Division or National Minorities-National Communities, Translation and Interpretation Services, shall comprise, two departments as its internal units, i.e. Department for the Exercise of Rights of National Minorities-National Communities and Department for Translation and Interpretation Services.
More information on the tasks:
Co-financing of ethnic communities
Financial support for national councils
Addresses of national councils of national minorities based in the territory of AP Vojvodina
For any information regarding the monitoring of enforcement of laws and other regulations regulating the official use of languages and scripts of national minorities – national communities, please contact Adrian Borka– Independent Expert Associate for Inspection of the Official Use of Languages and Scripts (office I/65, telephone: 021/487-4608).
Department for Translation and Interpretation Services
Translators/interpreters at the Department for Translation and Interpretation Services provide services of written translation and interpretation as required by provincial authorities, from the Serbian into languanges of national minorities–national communities which are in the official use in the work of AP Vojvodina authorities, i.e. Hungarian, Slovak, Romanian, Ruthenian and Croatian language, along with translation from these languages into Serbian. Additionally, written translation and interpretation is provided from the Serbian into the English language and vice versa, as well as proofreading of materials in the Serbian language.
The material that is translated includes regulations and other documents, as well as the acts published in the "Official Journal of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina", publications for the Provincial Government, AP Vojvodina Assembly and provincial authorities, along with other materials.
Simultaneous interpretation is provided at sessions of the AP Vojvodina Assembly, conferences and events involving participants from abroad; consecutive interpretation is provided at interregional meetings.
The Department for Translation and Interpretation Services comprises smaller organisational units – the Foreign Languages Section, Unit for Hungarian Language, Unit for Ruthenian Language, Unit for Slovak Language, Unit for Romanian Language and Unit for Croatian Language and Proof-Reading.
For information about translation and interpretation services into Hungarian, Slovak, Romanian and Ruthenian languages, please contact Macko Zsuzsanna, Head of Department for the Exercise of Rights of National Minorities – National Communities and Translation and Interpretation Services (Office No. 67/I, tel: 487 44 39).
For information about proofreading of materials in Serbian language, as well as translation and interpretation services into Croatian and English languages, please contact Miloš Zubac, Head of Department for Proofreading, Translation and Interpretation Services (Office No. 26/II, tel: 487 47 46).
Instruction on the Method of Work at the Department for Translation and Interpretation Services


text:
Can biodiversity persist in the face of climate change?
Studies of likely survival rates of alpine plants have highlighted the difficulty of predicting the fate of biodiversity.
(PhysOrg.com) -- Predictions made over the last decade about the impacts of climate change on biodiversity may be exaggerated, according to a paper published in the journal Science.
Oxford University researchers, Professor Kathy Willis and Dr Shonil Bhagwat, argue that predicting the fate of biodiversity in the face of climate change is 'fraught with caveats and complexities'.
They say that several larger-scale models are failing to take into account local, more detailed variations and that models often underestimate the full capacity of plants and animals to adapt to a changing climate.
The researchers' view is that these factors 'seriously alter the model predictions'. They suggest that 'we should expect to see species turnover, migrations, and novel communities, but not necessarily the levels of extinction previously predicted'.
Their synthesis of research highlights the contradictions in previous studies about the likely survival rates of alpine plants in the Swiss Alps, European butterfly populations and the South American tropical rainforests.
'These studies highlight the level of complexity that we are faced with in trying to model and predict the possible consequences of future climate change on biodiversity,' the paper says. The researchers say the mixed picture that is emerging from previous studies also emphasises a high level of persistence in many communities.
Although over three quarters of the earth's deserts, grasslands, forests and tundra have changed because of human activity, the researchers say that even in this fragmented landscape species are surviving better than was previously predicted. The paper cites more recent studies and concludes that even in altered landscapes 'all is not lost for biodiversity'.
The researchers point to a study into 785 animal species across six continents, which suggests the most important factor for occupancy is the quality of the animals' immediate environment rather than whether their habitat is shrinking. Their paper also highlights a study of forest butterflies in West Africa, which found that despite an 87 per cent reduction in forest cover, 97 per cent of species are still present.
Professor Kathy Willis, from the School for Geography and the Environment, expresses some caution about the apparent ability of species to survive in a more fragmented habitat. She said: 'Presence or absence does not take into account lag effects of declining populations. Therefore, a more worrying interpretation is that the full effects of fragmentation will only be seen in future years.'
The paper also highlights a serious issue for future conservationists, arguing that the definition of 'natural' is changing fast.
Dr Shonil Bhagwat, from the School of Geography and the Environment, said: 'Although every measure should be put in place to reduce the further fragmentation of reserves, we cannot turn back the clock. We need to determine what represents a "good" intervention to preserve animal habitats in the countryside and in towns and cities. Furthermore, we will increasingly see new ecosystems emerging as a result of climate changes and so what is "natural" is going to require a whole new definition.'
Provided by Oxford University (news : web)
British butterfly reveals role of habitat for species responding to climate change
Citation: Can biodiversity persist in the face of climate change? (2009, November 6) retrieved 19 January 2021 from https://phys.org/news/2009-11-biodiversity-persist-climate.html
Scientist highlights urgent need for new computer models to address climate change
Nature parks can save species as climate changes
Isolated forest patches lose species, diversity
Land conversion and climate threaten land birds
Warming world holds new threats for Aussie wildlife


Even on Easter you can still find me wearing all black. I spent my Easter weekend at the wonderful San Juan Capistrano, visiting the breathtaking church. Outside was beautiful, Spring weather; not too hot not too cold with a chill breeze.
In this outfit, I am wearing my DIY fringe kimono. I love kimonos because they complement and top off any outfit well, and they are very lightweight. I wore a snakeskin halter top from PacSun, along with some Forever 21 patterned high waist jogger-like pants. They are loose, free, and comfortable enough to walk around with, just like some regular pajama pants. My shoes are just some regular black Doc Martens, and these are literally my go-to shoe for every outfit. For accessories, I used a small black gold chain shoulder bag with faux fur on the flap, a pair of gold stud earrings, and of course, my circle sunnies that I wear with almost every outfit. Lastly, I adore my hair! Three corn rows on the side of my head into a ponytail is now one of my favorite hair styles, and it's just so me.