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Pantera is the Anti-Racist Shop Protecting African Street Vendors in Madrid
Gabriela Mesones Rojo
Photo By: Melanie Guil
African street vendors working in Madrid, Spain have risked their lives through dangerous and often deadly migration routes toward the Mediterranean, fleeing economic crisis, violence, or political persecution.
Next to some of Madrid's most well known Senegalese restaurants stands Pantera, an anti-racist shop supporting African street vendors who face prosecution in the area.
When I first approached Osmane, a Senegalese mantero in Gran Vía, Madrid, he was defensive and avoidant. Systematic persecution keep manteros sharp — handling sales, money and on the lookout for policemen. Osmane is one of the 200 vendors that gather in the streets of Madrid, Spain to offer often counterfeit sunglasses, purses, and clothing. They are commonly known as "manteros" due to their signature practice of spreading their goods over a manta, cloth sheets that can easily be folded into a makeshift bag.
Many undocumented migrants find that getting a regular job without residency papers is nearly impossible in a high-unemployment area like Spain.
Manteros' presence represents a dilemma within politics in Spain: while some believe informal commerce is a grave issue in Madrid and other migrant hotspots like Barcelona, others believe that manteros are the result of failed, ineffective, and racist immigration policies. "No one want's to be a street vendor," says Malick Gueye, one of the founders of the Manteros Union in Madrid, the organization behind Pantera, Madrid's first anti-racist shop managed by the street vendors community. "It's a job that strips us of our dignity and makes us vulnerable to police violence and brutality."
Most manteros are male migrants from Africa. Many of them have risked their lives through dangerous and often deadly migration routes toward the Mediterranean, fleeing economic crisis, violence, or political persecution. Once in Europe, many undocumented migrants find that getting a regular job without residency papers is nearly impossible in a high-unemployment area like Spain. "I dreamt of the European life. I dreamt of being like any other person that works and makes money," says Idrissa Touré, a volunteer at Pantera and member of the Mantero Union. "But after arriving in Spain I quickly realized this was only a dream, not the reality."
Touré migrated from Senegal in 2019, after he graduated as a programmer. His lack of employment perspective in his hometown turned his interests toward Europe. Touré first stopped in Casablanca, Morocco, where he had to work for two weeks before continuing what he describes as a scary, dangerous, and long journey by sea, which ended with his detention in Almería, Spain. After Idrissa was freed, he started looking for a job. "I wanted to work as a programmer. I was good at my work. But my sister, the only person I knew in Spain, told me it would be impossible to find a job without documentation," Idrissa said. "I had already seen other Senegalese migrants working as vendors, so I figured: 'Why not me?'" Idrissa never suffered harassment or police brutality, but he did see many attacks against his colleagues.
"I wanted to work as a programmer. I was good at my work. But my sister, the only person I knew in Spain, told me it would be impossible to find a job without documentation," Idrissa Touré said.
Malick, one of the union's veteran activists, wasn't as lucky. He was born in Senegal and arrived in Madrid 16 years ago. When he first arrived, he noticed he wasn't only exposed to police harassment while working as a mantero: "Police raids were a constant in our lives," Malick said. "Lavapies has always had more police presence than any other neighborhood in the city. Our friends were being detained and imprisoned constantly. Some of us decided it was time to speak up."
Lavapies is Madrid's most diverse neighborhood: people from more than 90 nationalities and five different continents live in this multicultural microcosmos, where dozens of NGOs have set up offices and community centers that protect the migrant population. The neighborhood was built in the middle ages, but since 1492 Lavapiés has had a long history of standing up against violence and government authorities. In the 1970s, many middle-class Spaniards were attracted to cheap rents and, in the 2000s, it became a neighborhood of immigrants with a strong influx of ethnic small businesses and restaurants. But gentrification is now one of the main causes of police harassment and brutality in the neighborhood.
Pantera is Madrid's first anti-racist shop. It's managed by the street vendors community.
Deep inside Lavapies and next to some of Madrid's most well known Senegalese restaurants stands Pantera, a brand and clothing store developed by the Union of Manteros. Their name comes from the Black Panther civil rights movement, and their clothes are made with African textiles and show illustrations made by immigrants living in Spain. The shop workers are volunteers who exchange their work for a contract that could help them speed up their residency papers in Spain and the shop's profit is used to pay for shelters and for the lawyers that process immigrant residencies.
Pantera is a well-deserved accomplishment after a long history of community activism and organization inside the mantero community. Pantera is more than a shop that will allow street vendors an income to achieve their legality in their adoptive country, it's one of the union's most ambitious projects to guarantee independence.
'Surviving isn't a crime"
Babaocar Diouf is a migrant from Senegal. He is currently a seamstress in Madrid.
In 2006, Malick started organizing with others to denounce the racism behind detentions and police raids. A group of immigrants, most of them from Senegal, created the Asociación sin papeles de Madrid, an organization of irregular immigrants thought to canalize denounces and build protection networks. "At first we focused on the criminalization of undocumented migrants. The Spanish immigration law puts barriers to migrants because when you enter the country the law does not allow you to work, study or receive training. The only alternative was street vending, and we were being put in jail because of it," Malick said. "Immigration laws in Spain are discriminatory and they segregate migrants. When you tell someone they don't have a right to work or study, you are excluding them from society."
Diouf is working with textiles bought in Senegal.
In the documentaryThe European Dream— made by Baynana, a media company founded by Syrian refugees — journalist and activist Moha Gerehou explains how deeply problematic immigration laws have become in Spain. "The law is based on exclusion, limiting work possibilities, but also educational growth and social acceptance," Gerehou said. "The most relevant consequence is its catch 22 dynamic: without residency papers, you can't find a job, and a without a job you can't get the approval of your documentation."
Street vendors in Madrid get their goods legally from industrial offices that manufacture imitation products. Manteros resell them with minimum profit. In the Senegalese society, informal commerce and street vending are common. Many unemployed people set up small stands in front of their houses and sell food, clothes, and accessories. In Spain, however, street vendors who operate illegally can face between six months and two years in prison, in addition to fines ranging between 700 and 2,000 euros if caught. "This made little sense, because in Spain theft of an item under 400 euros isn't punishable by jail," Malick said. "But selling a counterfeit product worth 20 euros and acquired legally can land you in jail."
The clothes at Pantera promote anti-racist messages, and the most important slogans of mantero activism.
In 2010, The Asociación sin papeles celebrated its first accomplishment: street vendors would no longer face jail convictions, and would, instead be fined. But, by 2015, the citizen protection laws in Spain changed again, and Malick noticed how the Asociación sin papeles started documenting a significant rise in police violence towards street sellers. "Police became more aggressive than ever. There were more and more manteros denouncing broken arms, broken legs, and more violent persecutions," Malick said. "So we decided to change our strategy, and the Asociación sin papeles became de Manteros Union of Madrid."
The team has been planning Pantera for years. "At first we wanted to open a restaurant. We would offer food from Senegal and other African countries," Malick said. "But after the pandemic, we had to adapt to the new reality and we changed the idea to a clothing store." The clothes promote anti-racist messages, and the most important slogans of mantero activism: "Madrid will be the tomb of racism", "Institucional racism condemns the manta", "Rest in Power Mbaye."
The last slogan references the death of Mame Mbaye, a Senegalese migrant and street vendor that suffered a fatal cardiac arrest in the streets of Lavapies. Police reports narrate that officers found him lying on the ground outside his home and tried to resuscitate him, but various bystanders reportedly claim that officers chased him down from Sol, causing him to suffer a heart attack due to a chronic and undiagnosed condition. This was the version of the events that sparked heavily repressed protests in Lavapies. Mbaye has now become an icon of mantero activism, and a representation of how vulnerable undocumented migrants are: "Mbaye's death changed the reach of mantero activism. More people became aware of the magnitude of the problem" says Abdou Touré, a migrant from Gambia and volunteer at Pantera who fled his country because of political persecution. Mbaye was just 35 years old when his pre-existing heart condition killed him. He had never been diagnosed or treated because he had never visited a doctor in Spain, his irregular status didn't grant him access to public health. Mbaye had been living and working as a mantero in Madrid for 12 years, and he was still undocumented.
Mame Mbaye was a Senegalese migrant and street vendor that suffered a fatal cardiac arrest in the streets of Lavapies in 2018.
Self-managed, community-based spaces like Pantera have become fundamental for the survival of vulnerable migrants. Malick managed to get his residency papers five years ago, but his legal status won't keep him away from activism. "Our survival depends on our strength," Malick said. "And we are only strong when we help each other out. My community means everything to me. I'm only strong, independent, and safe if my community stands strong with me."
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2018 will be our ninth year of holding Holiday at Home at St John's. The Holiday at Home will take place during week: Monday 11th June to Sunday 17th June.
This is an exciting week of events in June where you go back to your own bed each night. It is mainly for retired people but all are welcome if you would like to come. There are usually two separate days of outings by coach and three half days of interesting events with tea held in St John's or the Church Hall.
Holiday at Home is an opportunity to enjoy a low cost holiday where you choose which events and days you would like to attend. We have had trips by boat and train and visited beautiful houses and gardens. In the past we have enjoyed a boat trip and lunch on the Broads, a visit to Anglesey Abbey, trips to Norwich, Ely and St Edmunds Cathedrals and even had seaside trips! The holiday is rounded off with Songs of Praise and a strawberry tea in the church on Sunday afternoon. This is the favourite event of the week!
Every year the itinerary is a surprise. You never know where Holiday at Home will go next!
Here is a taster of this year's holiday at home trip to Anglesey Abbey.


you can obtain from Dave Cooper.
Contact him at dcooper9@twcny.rr. com.
Denny's Restaurant, South Bay Rd. (corner of Lawrence Rd.), N. Syracuse.
Speaker will be Dan Senn of Bug Slayer Pest Control, Auburn, NY.
PLEASE NOTE: Reservations for the meeting are not required; food may be ordered from the restaurant menu. Questions? Call 315-451-1304.
The Central New York Landlords Association welcomes you!
Our organization was founded in 1996 as the Inter-Cities Landlord Association of Syracuse, New York. Our name was changed to "Central New York Landlords Association" in May 2002.
Our Association is strictly not-for-profit and no one receives wages for work in the Association.
government regulations, helpful hints and survival information for landlords.
We generally meet the last Wednesday of each month. Current meeting location is Denny's Restaurant, 201 Lawrence Rd., N. Syracuse (corner of South Bay Road).
Networking and exchange of information among our members provides camaraderie and mutual assistance.
If you own or manage rental property, please join us!!
For more information, please e-mail dmbuller@juno.com, or call 315-451-1304.


This one's for anyone who's ever stared at a text from an angry person.
Drake has managed to control how and where the internet memes him in shrewd and decidedly brilliant ways. But social media has a life of its own, and the image macros aren't stopping any time soon. Case in point: yesterday morning, Twitter user @TheJ_Miles sent a tweet attached to a picture of Drake looking blankly at his phone, imagining that the rapper is receiving a text from a furious spouse.


International questions about wholesale mylar balloons.
Do we ship to destinations outside North America?
Yes we do ship to destinations outside North America, but full shipping charges apply less a 20% shipping discount to all such international shipments. We will attempt to find the lowest and most reliable shipping method or use your choice of shipper. Regardless of the shipping method shipments may take longer than expected to arrive. The buyer is responsible for informing us of any required documentation necessary to clear customs and providing those forms or a link to the access to those forms and an explanation on how to fill out the forms if not self explanatory. Please keep in mind that in most cases because of the low value of your international shipment there is no required paperwork especially if sent through the postal service. The buyer is responsible for all duty and taxes.
There is currently no minimum order, but all shipping costs apply to orders outside North America.
E-mail us for estimates on larger orders.
Please do not hesitate to email us at with all your questions or comments. We will respond to your e-mail within 24 hours.


Wholesale - 7 Chakra Angels w/Wood Bowl (49pcs.) (China) - This Wholesale assortment includes 7 different Chakra Angels that are 1" in size for a total of 49pcs. with a wood bowl. These angels have been hand-cut and polished into a beautiful shape and the wonderful vibration of the crystal make these powerful energy tools. Angels that make great gifts and are wonderful to use in meditation or for your energy work.
Each Angel is designed to work with a different Chakra. Our Angels are made from top quality crystal and are cut and polished in China. They are small and able to fit into your pocket or crystal pouch.


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Search results for "Josh Brolin"
Hollow Man (2000)
Cocky researcher, Sebastian Caine is working on a project to make living creatures invisible and he's so confident he's found the right formula that he tests it on himself and…
Genre: Action, Science Fiction, Thriller
The Dead Girl (2006)
The clues to a young woman's death come together as the lives of seemingly unrelated people begin to intersect.
Into the Blue (2005)
When they take some friends on an extreme sport adventure, the last thing Jared and Sam expect to see below the shark-infested waters is a legendary pirate ship rumored to…
Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Thriller
Planet Terror (2007)
Two doctors find their graveyard shift inundated with townspeople ravaged by sores. Among the wounded is Cherry, a dancer whose leg was ripped from her body. As the invalids quickly…
Country: Mexico, USA
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon dead bodies, $2 million and a hoard of heroin in a Texas desert, but methodical killer Anton Chigurh comes looking for it, with local sheriff Ed…
Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so…
The story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, who became an outspoken agent for change, seeking equal rights and opportunities for all. His great love for the…
Women in Trouble (2009)
A serpentine day in the life of ten seemingly disparate women: a porn star, a flight attendant, a psychiatrist, a masseuse, a bartender, a pair of call girls, etc. All…
Gunslinger Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin) is appointed by President Ulysses Grant to track down terrorist Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich), a former Confederate officer determined on unleashing hell on earth. Jonah…
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Thriller, Western
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gordon Gekko on a two tiered mission:…
True Grit (2010)
Following the murder of her father by hired hand Tom Chaney, 14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross sets out to capture the killer. To aid her, she hires the toughest U.S….
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western
Men in Black 3 (2012)
Agents J and K are back…in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as…
Genre: Action, Comedy, Science Fiction
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014)
Some of Sin City's most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants.
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018)
Agent Matt Graver teams up with operative Alejandro Gillick to prevent Mexican drug cartels from smuggling terrorists across the United States border.
An everyday man has only three and a half days and limited resources to discover why he was imprisoned in a nondescript room for 20 years without any explanation.
Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Labor Day (2013)
Depressed single mom Adele and her son Henry offer a wounded, fearsome man a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his…
Wisecracking mercenary Deadpool battles the evil and powerful Cable and other bad guys to save a boy's life.
The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter (2018)
A star of hunting videos strives to bond with his 12-year-old son on a wilderness trip but learns familial connections can't be forced.
As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic…
Hail, Caesar! (2016)
Tells the comedic tale of Eddie Mannix, a fixer who worked for the Hollywood studios in the 1950s. The story finds him at work when a star mysteriously disappears in…
Country: Japan, UK, USA
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Sicario (2015)
An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
In Los Angeles at the turn of the 1970s, drug-fueled detective Larry "Doc" Sportello investigates the disappearance of an ex-girlfriend.
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance
Only the Brave (2017)
Members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots battle deadly wildfires to save an Arizona town.
Genre: Action, Biography, Drama
Everest (2015)
Inspired by the incredible events surrounding a treacherous attempt to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain, "Everest" documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their…
Country: Iceland, UK, USA

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Essential but Unprotected: App Delivery Drivers in NYC
We care deeply about where our food comes from, scrutinizing how it's grown to who prepares it and the values of the companies along the supply chain. Do we care about the person who takes it the last mile, delivering it to your door? In 2020 delivery workers in NYC...
Delivery Series: The Future
In 2021, a year-and-a-half into the global Covid-19 pandemic, restaurant, food, and grocery delivery has never been more popular, nor more essential to people's daily lives and the survival of the restaurant industry. Third-party delivery apps have dominated the space, dictating policies and payments for both home consumers and restaurants...
Delivery Series: Los Deliveristas Unidos
In 2021, a year and a half into the global Covid-19 pandemic, restaurant, food, and grocery delivery has never been more popular, nor more essential to people's daily lives and the survival of the restaurant industry. Third-party delivery apps have dominated the space, dictating policies and payments for both home...
Delivery Series: How it Works
Why Are Undocumented Workers On Hunger Strike?
Undocumented and formerly incarcerated Americans have been left out of federal pandemic relief payments. New York is home to about half a million undocumented residents, many of whom are essential workers. One year in, they're going on a hunger strike. On Tuesday, March 16th protestors gathered at St. John The...
Why Did Essential Workers Strike at Hunts Point?
Hunts Point is the country's largest wholesale produce market and it's in the South Bronx. Workers there voted to strike on Sunday, January 17th. This past Saturday, after six days on the picket line, they popped champagne to celebrate their agreement with management on a new contract. As they return...
Delivery on Demand: How Convenience Became Necessity
From piping hot pizza to the satisfyingly boxed Chinese food, takeout and delivery have been a part of our lives for over a century. This year, however, delivery went from a convenience to a necessity. Covid-19 forced restaurants and supermarkets to adapt quickly. The country has been faced with the...
Photographer's Eye, and Helping Hand: Melanie Dunea
Photographer-philanthropist Melanie Dunea has produced some of the most iconic images of chefs in America and is always pushing herself into new territory both in images and in work. During the COVID pandemic, she launched Treats Help to bring a moment of joy in the form of sweets to exhausted...
Feeding the Community: How Restaurants are Turning into Emergency Relief Kitchens
In this special COVID-19 episode, audio recordings from some of the hospitality frontline workers that are going to work every day to feed our country. In what feels like a constant flow of insurmountable moments when day to day reveals a new crisis, these kitchens are doing what they do...


Today ends a little mini vacation with my family! We spent a few days down at Hilton Head Island, which everyone enjoyed! Both twins finally learned how to crawl the right way--you know, hands and knees as well as actually moving forward--while we were there! Woohoo! It was perfect weather--pretty and warm without being hot. I got some reading done and some yarn projects that I'll share later. But now it's back to the grind, which includes our produce basket, so I'm planning around that basket, too.
Saturday: A Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday--Picnic Theme--for the Twins!
Sunday: Our Couple's Bible Study (eGroup)--I'll have to look at my schedule to remember what I'm supposed to bring!


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The World Bank In Lebanon
For nearly 18 months now, Lebanon has been assailed by compounded crises—specifically, an economic and financial crisis, followed by COVID-19 and, lastly, the explosion at the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020.
Lebanon Home
For nearly three years, Lebanon has been assailed by the most devastating, multi-pronged crisis in its modern history. The unfolding economic and financial crisis that started in October 2019 has been further exacerbated by the dual economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and the massive Port of Beirut explosion in August 2020.
Of the three crises, the economic crisis has had by far the largest (and most persistent) negative impact. The Spring 2021 Lebanon Economic Monitor found that Lebanon's economic and financial crisis ranks among the worst economic crises globally since the mid-nineteenth century. Nominal GDP plummeted from close to US$52 billion in 2019 to an estimated US$23.1 billion in 2021. The protracted economic contraction has led to a marked decline in disposable income. GDP per capita dropped by 36.5% between 2019 and 2021, and Lebanon was reclassified by the World Bank as a lower-middle income country, down from upper middle-income status in July 2022. Such a brutal contraction is usually associated with conflicts or wars.
The banking sector, which informally adopted strict capital controls, has ceased lending and does not attract deposits. Instead, it endures in a segmented payment system that distinguishes between older (pre‐October 2019) US Dollar deposits and minimum new inflows of "fresh dollars." The former is subject to sharp deleveraging through de facto "lirafication" and "haircuts" (up to 85% on dollar deposits). The burden of the ongoing adjustment and deleveraging is highly regressive, falling hardest on smaller depositors and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The decline in average income coupled with triple-digit inflation and a severe currency depreciation are immensely curtailing purchasing power. Inflationary effects are highly regressive factors, disproportionately affecting the poor and middle class. The social impact, already dire, could become catastrophic; more than half the country's population is likely already below the poverty line. Unemployment increased from 11.4% in 2018-19 to 29.6% in 2022. Lebanon has witnessed a dramatic collapse in basic services, driven by depleting foreign exchange (FX) reserves since the onset of the compounded crisis. Severe shortages of fuel items resulted in the national electric grid experiencing more than eight rolling blackouts as public electricity supply averages one to two hours per day. Fuel shortages have also hindered access to healthcare and clean water, while food supply shops, transport service providers, and telecom network operators face severe disruptions to their supply chains. Lebanon has also had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic through intermittent lockdowns and other measures to mitigate the impact of the virus both on people and on the already weak health system. Vaccination, launched in February 2021 with initial financing from the World Bank, progressed according to the National COVID-19 Deployment and Vaccination Plan, with the aim to vaccinate 70% of the total population, citizens and non-citizens, in a multi-phase rollout by the end of 2022.
Beyond the human tragedy, the impact of the Port of Beirut explosion has had implications at the national level, despite its geographical concentration. These add to Lebanon's long-term structural vulnerabilities, which include low-grade infrastructure—a dysfunctional electricity sector, water supply shortages, and inadequate solid waste and wastewater management—as well as weak public financial management, large macroeconomic imbalances, and deteriorating social indicators.
Immediately after the explosion, the World Bank Group, in cooperation with the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), launched a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) to estimate the impact of the blast on residents, physical assets, infrastructure and service delivery. The RDNA followed a "whole of Lebanon approach," engaging public authorities, institutions, and civil society organizations. The assessment found the value of damage was in the range of US$3.8 to US$4.6 billion, with losses to financial flows of US$2.9 to US$3.5 billion. The impact has been particularly severe in key sectors vital for growth, including finance, housing, tourism, and commerce. Through to the end of 2021, the costs of recovery and reconstruction are expected to total US$1.8 to US$2.2 billion.
Building on the recommendations of the RDNA, in December 2020 the World Bank Group, EU and UN launched the Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) to address Lebanon's immediate- and short-term needs. The 3RF outlines a costed, prioritized framework of actions needed to support recovery and reconstruction in Lebanon. Its aim is to "build back better" by adopting an integrated approach focused on people-centered recovery and preparing the ground for medium-term reconstruction, and on initiating key structural reforms based on the principles of transparency, inclusion, and accountability.
The Lebanon Financing Facility (LFF) was formally established on December 18, 2020 to kickstart the immediate socio-economic recovery of vulnerable populations and businesses affected by the explosion, and to support the Government of Lebanon in catalyzing reforms and preparing for medium-term recovery and reconstruction. The LFF provides an important means to pool grant resources and strengthen the coherence and coordination of financing, in alignment with 3RF priorities. It adopts flexible implementation modalities and strong fiduciary monitoring and oversight.
Building a better Lebanon requires swift and decisive action, particularly on reform. In the immediate term, Lebanon needs to adopt and implement a credible, comprehensive and coordinated macro-financial stability strategy within a medium-term, macro-fiscal framework. This strategy would be based on: (i) a debt restructuring program aimed at achieving debt sustainability over the medium-term; (ii) comprehensive restructuring of the financial sector toward regaining the solvency of the banking sector; (iii) new monetary policy framework aimed at regaining confidence in the exchange rate and its stability; (iv) phased fiscal adjustment aimed at regaining confidence in fiscal policy; (v) growth enhancing reforms; and (vi) enhanced social protection.
Over the medium-term, Lebanon has to prioritize building better institutions, as well as good governance and a better business environment, alongside physical reconstruction. However, given Lebanon's state of insolvency (sovereign, banking system) and its lack of sufficient foreign exchange reserves, international aid and private investment will be essential to its recovery. The extent and speed to which aid and investments are mobilized will depend on whether the authorities and the Lebanese Parliament can act swiftly on the much-needed fiscal, financial, social and governance reforms. Without these, recovery and reconstruction cannot be sustainable, and the social and economic situation will continue to worsen.
The World Bank Group's Country Partnership Framework (CPF) (FY17–FY22) for the Lebanese Republic was launched on July 14, 2016. Informed by a broad range of consultations with members of the government, parliament, private sector, and civil society, the CPF focuses on: (i) scaling up access to and the quality-of-service delivery; and (ii) expanding economic opportunities and increasing human capital. Within these areas, the Bank Group aims to help Lebanon mitigate the economic and social impact of the Syria crisis, safeguard its development gains, and improve its chances of stability and development. Cross-cutting themes of governance and renewing the social contract, were included to help regain the trust of citizens, and improve the quality of public services. The CPF mainstreamed gender, particularly through expanding economic opportunities and increasing human capital.
In May 2022, the World Bank completed a Lebanon Performance and Learning Review (PLR) which summarizes progress under the FY17–FY22 Country Partnership Framework (CPF) and proposes revisions to the CPF and its priority areas to address the impact of the crises on the poor and vulnerable and to steer the country's economy towards recovery. The PLR also introduced women's economic empowerment as a cross-cutting theme to contribute to a more enabling environment for women's economic participation and facilitate women's entrepreneurship. The PLR extended the term of the current CPF by one year and will serve as a bridge to the preparation of Lebanon's next CPF (FY24-FY29).
As of October 2022, the World Bank's total commitment in Lebanon amounts to US$1.5 billion, consisting of 20 active projects (loans and grants) covering a range of sectors, including water, transport, education, health, poverty targeting, social safety nets, food security, environment, and Small and Medium Enterprises. These projects are financed from a variety of sources, including special mechanisms, such as the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF) and the Lebanon Financing Facility (LFF). In 2016, Lebanon also obtained US$100 million in financing from the International Development Association (IDA), whose funding is normally reserved for Low-Income Countries, to support the Reaching all Children in Education (RACE) II Program (US$196 million).
The Lebanon program is complemented by a number of Advisory Services and Analytics that aim to provide important economic and social, evidence-based diagnostics, which serve as data platforms to inform project design and stakeholders.
Full list of World Bank-funded Projects in Lebanon
Response to Lebanon's compounded crises
Over the past years, the World Bank has mobilized efforts and resources to help save lives and livelihoods and address the dire needs of the Lebanese people reeling under the pressure of the multi-faceted crises affecting their country. To that effect, the Bank has approved new projects and redirected financing under the portfolio to address more pressing and urgent needs.
In the health sector, the Lebanon Health Resilience Project (US$120 million) was restructured twice to incorporate a new component to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by assisting in preparedness and response capabilities through the training of health workers and frontline responders, covering the cost of hospital care for COVID-19 patients, and supporting the urgent procurement of goods and equipment to strengthen the capacity of public hospitals, as well as purchasing and deploying COVID-19 vaccines.
The Roads and Employment Project (US$200 million) was restructured with US$10 million reallocated to support small farmers impacted by the crises, with inputs and materials to help them continue with their planting and animal production, and thus support their ability to contribute to food security.
An Emergency Crisis and COVID-19 Response Social Safety Net Project-ESSN (US$250 million) became effective in July 2021 to provide emergency cash transfers and access to social services for extremely poor and vulnerable households, in addition to top-up cash transfer to children between the ages of 13 and 18 years, who may be at risk of dropping out of school. The project AMAN also supports the development of a comprehensive, national social safety net system through DAEM, the social registry developed on the IMPACT platform for citizens to register for social assistance.
In May 2022, the World Bank approved a US$150 million Wheat Supply Emergency Response Project to finance immediate wheat imports to avoid disruption of supply over the short term and help secure affordable bread for poor and vulnerable households. The project, which is supported by concessional financing through the GCFF, aims to help Lebanon face the impact of the war in Ukraine as the country imports nearly 80% of the wheat it consumes. The project will also help strengthen the governance capacity in the wheat sector and help position the sector on a pathway toward recovery and greater resilience.
In support of the Education sector, the World Bank and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) repurposed US$37 million under the Lebanon Syrian Crisis Trust Fund (LSCTF) to provide financial incentives to public school teachers suffering from the severe economic and financial crisis in Lebanon to ensure they can purchase fuel to travel to work during academic year 2021-2022.
One year after the Port of Beirut explosion, the first LFF financed project was approved: The US$25 million Building Beirut Businesses Back Better Fund (B5) aims to support the recovery of targeted MSEs and sustain the operations of eligible Micro-Finance Institutions (MFI)s. Implemented by Kafalat, the B5 Fund provides grants to approximately 4,300 businesses and/or entrepreneurs, of which 30 percent will be Women Owned or Led businesses.
Under the LFF, three other operations were approved in 2022. The Beirut Housing Reconstruction and Cultural and Creative Industries Recovery project (US$12.75 million, implemented by UN-Habitat) will help facilitate the return of socio-economically vulnerable households to neighborhoods damaged by the Port of Beirut explosion through historical housing rehabilitation and will sustain the livelihoods of affected cultural entities and practitioners. The Support for Social Recovery Needs of Vulnerable Groups in Beirut project (US$7.8 million, implemented by the International Rescue Committee) will provide immediate social recovery support to vulnerable groups impacted by the aftermath of the explosion. The Beirut Critical Environment Recovery, Restoration and Waste Management Program (US$10 million, implemented by UNDP) will help Lebanon mitigate the environmental and health impacts of the Port of Beirut explosion on neighboring population and support the development of a strategic plan for greening Beirut's reconstruction.
In the environment sector, the World Bank is also supporting Lebanon in paving the way for Building Back Better and Greener by mainstreaming the Green, Resilient, Inclusive Development (GRID) approach in the recovery plan currently being developed in consultation and coordination with various stakeholders. Efforts also include a number of interventions to address environmental pollution resulting from the discharge of untreated wastewater, mismanagement of municipal solid waste, industrial pollution, water contamination from agro-chemicals, and hap-hazard discharge of hazardous wastes.
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Prior to the current crisis, IFC's investment program in Lebanon included commitments of US$218 million in Long Term Finance (LTF) and US$2 billion in Short Term Finance (STF). As of July 31, 2022, IFC's committed exposure in Lebanon stands at US$250 million, with a net exposure of around US$95.3 million (post-write-off of commercial bank equity investments). The financial crisis led to a significant country risk premium that resulted in a significant drop in exposure, particularly under IFC's Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP). The largest part of IFC's exposure remains in the financial sector representing 96%, followed by the construction and retail sectors representing 4%. The financial crisis and lack of financial sector reforms, including informal capital controls, have led to a rapid devaluation of the local currency against the US$ and the creation of a large informal sector. This has negatively affected the performance of IFC's overall portfolio, with the ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) standing at 98.9% as of July 31, 2022.
Notwithstanding the challenging environment, IFC has been a pioneer DFI in selectively identifying leads to support the Lebanese private sector, which has remained resilient.
Despite high uncertainties, fragility, and multiple crises facing the country, IFC has maintained an opportunistic approach by identifying selective cross-border investment opportunities in the real sector with export potential clients focused on manufacturing, disruptive technologies, and funds from Lebanon. IFC's FY20-FY21 commitments in this space have reached US$30 million, and the upcoming pipeline of activities could reach around US$133 million. In parallel, IFC continues to explore/extend upstream/advisory services interventions in several themes and cross-cutting areas in Lebanon, such as Climate, Corporate Governance, and Gender, as well as client-specific interventions such as MFIs and private equity funds. IFC is also conducting sector-focused studies to assess means to provide support to MSMEs, particularly when it comes to ESG compliance, Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Movable Asset Based Lending (ABL), and Supply Chain Finance (SCF).
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
Until June 30, 2022, MIGA's outstanding exposure in Lebanon stood at US$35 million related to guarantees for an electricity distribution service provider under a PPP contract with the national utility, Electricité du Liban. The project was signed in FY14 and extended for an additional four years in FY18, expiring in FY22. In recent years, many of the political risks that MIGA covers—including sovereign default, currency restrictions and civil disturbances—have been witnessed in Lebanon. At the same time, Lebanon's ongoing crises have adversely affected the operating environment for foreign investors in the country, limiting foreign direct investment and in turn, demand for MIGA's political risk insurance products. The adoption of critical and overdue structural and sectoral reforms, which can develop pathways out of Lebanon's crisis and improve the operating environment, will be important to generate foreign direct investment, thereby enabling a greater role for MIGA to support Lebanon's recovery alongside the World Bank and IFC.
Lebanon's Economic Update — April 2020
Beirut Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) — August 2020
Lebanon - Country partnership framework for FY17-FY22
Lebanon Economic Monitor
VIDEO Apr 05, 2022
Building Beirut Businesses Back and Better - B5 Fund
View All Arrow
Lebanon: Commitments by Fiscal Year (in millions of dollars)*
*Amounts include IBRD and IDA commitments
AROUND THE BANK GROUP
Find out what the Bank Group's branches are doing in Lebanon.
Lebanon Subsidy Reform: Short-term Patch Pending More Comprehensive ...
The World Bank has prepared a Subsidy Reform note that aims to inform the public debate on this important topic and present Lebanese stakeholders with options taking into consideration lessons learned from international ...
Factsheet Apr 19, 2020
National Poverty Targeting Program
Launched in 2011, the Lebanon National Poverty Targeting Program is a social safety net program supporting the poorest and most vulnerable Lebanese families using the proxy means testing targeting methodology.
Lebanon Power Sector Emergency Action Plan
The Lebanon Power Sector Emergency Action Plan presents a way forward to address the long-standing challenges of the sector. It aims to facilitate a public dialogue and inform the Lebanese Government's efforts to embark ...
Report Dec 13, 2021
Schools, Students, and Teachers in Lebanon : Research for Results Program 2021
This report presents the findings from the second phase of the Research for Results (R4R) program. The R4R program is a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), the World Bank, the UK ...
Lebanon Roads and Employment Project
The Lebanon Roads and Employment Project (REP) is a US$200 million project that aims to improve transport connectivity along select paved road sections and create short-term jobs for the Lebanese and Syrians. In response ...
Lebanon Water Supply Augmentation Project (Bisri Dam)
The project's objective is to increase the volume of water available to the Greater Beirut and Mount Lebanon area. The Project is financed by the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and Government of Lebanon.
Lebanon Country Partnership Strategy
World Bank's Response to the Syrian Conflict- September 2016
Impact of the Syrian Crisis
Country Office Contacts
Zeina El Khalil
zelkhalil@worldbank.org


Sometimes when the hoomans are busy doing important things on their fancy phones, you just have to improvise.
Bulldog Walks Up To A Deer 20 Times Her Size, What She Does Next Is Will Leave You Gasping!
I don't know about you, but I've seen my fair shares of dog befriending other animals. Dogs are just so loving and playful that it's not uncommon for us to see that. Even rarer, is seeing a tiny French Bulldog become friends with a wild baby deer. In this clip by the owner we see exactly that! What seems to be, a wild baby deer that walked out of the Canadian forest, playing chase with Ellie-Mae, the French Bulldog.
The little Frenchie seems to be provoking the deer to play with it. Running back and forth across the deer as if saying "Ha-Ha! you can't catch me…even though my legs are 200 times shorter than yours!" This deer seems a bit confused at this barking thing. It's only at the 1:38 mark does it look like it reached the "Ah-Ha!" moment and the fun begins!
As I keep watching this video over and over, I can't help but wonder….you think the deer actually wanted to stomp on the small annoying thing instead?
Owner, Jamie-Rae, has assured viewers that everything was just a coincidence. Ellie-Mae just happened to be outside when this curious young deer came around. She felt that the deer was in no way aggressive or trying to be intimidating.


Why did Jesus talk about sin much less than we do? Is there something we should learn from him?
As you read the Gospels, are you learning from Jesus? To be a disciple is to become like the Master. Watch what he did that's different from what we do. Close the gap where our understanding and practice doesn't match his.
The city of Sodom is an image of sin in the Bible, but not in the way we use the word in English.
In English, the name Sodom is associated with a particular kind of sexual sin. Why are we preoccupied with one aspect of Sodom's sin? That's certainly not what Sodom connotes throughout the rest of the Biblical narrative. Of the 48 references to Sodom, you'd struggle to find a handful that focus on sexual sin.


text:
Healthwatch 16: Those Helped by Cody Barrasse Foundation
Posted 4:33 pm, August 7, 2019, by Julie Sidoni
SCRANTON, Pa. -- The Cody Barrasse Foundation is holding its seventh annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a separate fundraising event this weekend.
The organ donation organization raised $35,000 last year alone.
Basketballers will battle it out this weekend raising money for the Cody Barrasse Foundation.
Cody was just 22 when he was killed in an accident and became an organ donor, helping to save nine other lives.
Organ Donation & The Cody Barrasse Foundation: Healthwatch 16
In the years since his death, his friends and family members have worked to raise money in his memory.
"When I was recently interviewing for job, the first line on the resume is the Cody Barrasse Foundation, and someone asked, 'Why is it first?' To me, it's the most important thing I've ever done in my life, and I'm happy to be part of it," Joseph Barrasse said.
All the money raised stays local.
Kaliyah Lynady can speak to that firsthand. She was chosen to be the first recipient of a scholarship fund at Scranton Prep in Cody's name.
"Without it, I wouldn't have been able to go to Prep, and Prep has given me so much, honestly, so it was a big thing for me," Lynady said.
But that's not the end of her family's story.
Meet Sharon, Kaliyah's grandmother, and Jennifer, Kaliyah's aunt and Sharon's daughter-in-law.
Sharon learned a few years ago that she had a form of kidney disease. Three times she thought she had a donor and each time, those plans fell through.
"I was so positive up until that point, but after that, I started to get down, thinking I'm never going to get a kidney," said Sharon Lynady.
Jennifer, an area native now living near Philadelphia, wasn't initially cleared to be a donor, but she was retested at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and she was a perfect match.
"It is so transformational, not only for the recipient but for the donor. To be able to save a life and to be able to give that gift is amazing," Jennifer Lynady said.
"Her nurses were saying, 'You're giving a kidney to your mother-in-law?'" laughed Sharon.
Jennifer donated a kidney to Sharon this past March. The two of them came out of the procedure asking about each other.
"I said, 'How's Mom?' And they said the kidney's working perfectly, and it was magic," Jennifer said.
Jennifer saw that the Barrasse Foundation included OTAP, the Organ Transplant Assistance Program. She applied for Sharon who became the first recipient of a grant from the foundation, meant to help the family with travel costs and medical expenses.
They now want to spread the word about organ donation.
"If you can, do it. And if you can't, please, please, please make sure you check that box on your driver's license," Jennifer said.
The foundation wants to hear from you if you are on a transplant list or have recently gotten an organ donation. You may be eligible for funds from the Cody Barrasse Foundation.
The seventh annual basketball tournament is scheduled for Saturday, August 10, at 8 a.m. at Scranton Prep's Xavier Center. The Continue Cody's Commitment event is set for that night from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at The Ritz Theatre on Wyoming Avenue in Scranton. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
Filed in: Healthwatch 16
Topics: cody barrasse memorial foundation, healthwatch 16, organ donation
'Moms Demand Action' Holds Vigil for Those Affected by Gun Violence
Talkback 16: New Smoking Age, Ringing in the New Year, and Dogs That Killed a Deer
Scranton Police Search for Alleged Bank Robber
Hundreds Attend Benefit, Show Support for Luzerne County Man Battling Cancer
Community Supports Beloved Teacher and Coach at Benefit
Talkback 16: Giving up on Talkback
Lackawanna County First-Grader Shines on National TV Appearance
Human Skull Found in Woods Identified
Fundraiser in Lackawanna County Held for Multiple Stroke Survivor
Preparing for Winter Market in Scranton
Talkback 16: PennDOT's Plan to Replace Guiderails and Reaction to Charges Against a Former Police Officer
Talkback 16: Royal Reports and More Reaction to a Proposal on a Pennsylvania Dam
Healthwatch 16 Websites Mentioned
Healthwatch 16: World Polio Day


text:
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Photos from the Christening of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor
Buckingham Palace has released two photographs from Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor's christening, which took place at the Private Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Photographer Chris Allerton said: "I am honoured to take the official photographs at the christening of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, and to once again, be part of such a special and joyous occasion for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex."
The celebration is thought to have been attended by fewer than 25 people. The Sunday Times has reported that Charlie van Straubenzee, a close friend of the Duke of Sussex, is one of Archie's godparents.
Seated (left to right): The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Sussex, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, The Duchess of Sussex, The Duchess of Cambridge
Standing (left to right): The Prince of Wales, Ms Doria Ragland, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes, The Duke of Cambridge
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Posted by Seth B. Leonard at 11:25 AM
Would love to know the history or story of the Christening Gown. Nice to see that Princess Diana is present (in Spirit) through her two sisters. Glynis, South Africa.
Seth B. Leonard July 6, 2019 at 2:38 PM
Hi Glynis,
Archie wore a handmade replica of the royal christening robe which was made for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, the Princess Royal (later Empress Friedrich). The robe, which has been worn by royal infants on the occasion of their christening for the last 11 years, was made by Angela Kelly, dressmaker to the Queen.
Beautiful photo of the family.
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Eurohistory presents our first Instagram post. Our latest book: Royal Collections III, The Royal House of Bavaria, Volume I. It was written by Arturo E. Beéche and Coryne Hall with an introduction by Greg King. Order it on Amazon! #eurohistory #eurohistorycom #royalcollections #bavaria #theroyalhouseofbavaria #germany #arturobeeche #corynehall #gregking #royalty #royalbooks #royalbookstore #firstinstagrampost
A post shared by @ eurohistorybooks on Jun 28, 2019 at 8:04pm PDT
Arturo Beéche
Seth B. Leonard
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Royal British Engagement Interviews: A Filmography...
Princess Beatrice of York and Count Edoardo Mapell...
On This Day In History: Michael Fagan Breaks Into ...
Twenty Years of Marriage for Princess Alexia of Gr...
The Silver Wedding Anniversary of Prince Konstanti...
Seventy-Fifth Birthday of Crown Prince Nikola of M...
Photos from the Christening of Archie Mountbatten-...
The British Royal Born on 4 July Whose Godfather W...
Prince Hubertus zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Son of Al...
Princess Marie Louise of Baden - The 50th Birthday...
Diamond Wedding Anniversary for Albert and Paola o...
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Archives : Margareta et Sophie de Roumanie posent le pied pour la première fois dans leur pays -
Meghan – A fresh wind who was going to modernize the monarchy - When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry of Wales got engaged on 27 November 2017 lots of people had high hopes for the couple and wanted her to do well in her ...
Royal Musings
Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoia abolishes Salic Law - Embed from Getty Images This decision was made on December 28, 2019 Vittorio Emanuele's only child, Prince Emanuele Filiberto, is married to the Fren...
Confessions of a Castleholic
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Michael of Greece
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SA +27 (0) 64 621 8498 UK +44 (0) 7919 090853 email: info@bigmack-tsa.com we are using
Golf Tour Operator in Garden Route | Garden Route Golf Tour Operator
Golf Tours in Durban
Golf Packages in Cape Town
BIGMACK South African golf tournament tour
20 nights, 13 rounds of golf
Cape Town Albatross tour South Africa
10 nights, 8 rounds of golf
Garden Route Eagle tour South Africa
South Coast Sunshine Birdie golf tour South Africa
9 nights, 8 rounds of golf
When looking for golf packages in Cape Town, South Africa, Big Mack Tours have the upper hand, this is due to our detailed local knowledge of the area and keen pricing on all golf packages.
Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa, colloquially named as Mother City. The city is known for its harbour, for its natural setting in the Cape Floristic Region, and for landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point. In 2014, Cape Town was named the best place in the world to visit by both The New Your Times and The Daily Telegraph.
Cape Town has a warm Mediterranean climate which is very favourable to the game of golf. Many Cape Town golf courses sit snuggly up against towering stone-exposed mountains, which shelters the layouts especially in the Steenberg and Stellenbosch areas from the prevailing winds. This can lead to unique micro climates and mixed playing conditions highlighted by golf experiences in and amongst vineyards that never disappoint.
Cape Town courses for the golf packages in Cape Town
Below are some details about some courses in the area, we would be pleased to advise you on golf packages in Cape Town as we have many golf courses to choose from.
Royal Cape Golf Course (Par 72) is the oldest golf course in South Africa established in 1885. Set in the backdrop of Table Mountain Range it enjoys tremendous views of Devil's Peak. It has been built on a relatively flat terrain that makes it comfortable to walk and caters for all levels of the game. It offers challenge, charm and tradition of classic layout. The club has played host to numerous amateur and professional championship events.
Milnerton Golf Course (Par 72) is a challenging coastal links experience. The spectacular views of Table Mountain from almost every hole are breath-taking and the sound of the waves breaking on the shore just meters away on almost every hole will remain long after your game is over.
Westlake Golf Course (Par 72) is 18-hole parkland style course which was designed by its own members. It is a very well-maintained golf course and is widely known as the most popular course in The Cape. Its layout is challenging to all golfers, but at the same time it is incredibly playable and easy-to-walk course.
Paarl Boschenmeer Golf Course is Western Cape's first 27-hole golf course which consists of three 9-hole courses – The River Nine (1-9), The Paarl Nine (10-18) and The Boschenmeer Nine (19-27). It is set right in the heat of picturesque Cape Winelands surrounded by Paarl and Franschhoek Mountain Range and the fast-flowing Berg River.
Steenberg Golf Course (Par 72) is one of the most prestigious parkland courses in the country which lies in the verdant Constantia valley in the crook of the Constantiaberg mountains. Five different tees provide a fabulous range of play that caters from junior to championship level and features four distinct environmental areas – Wetlands, Parklands, Fynbos and The Cape Flats.
Arabella Golf Course (Par 72) is 18-hole championship course which has consistently been ranked in the Top 10 courses in South Africa. It overlooks the Kogelberg Nature Reserve with the sweeping grandeur of the mountains and lagoon backdrop. The 8th hole is widely known as one of the most beautiful par fives' in the country.
Erinvale Golf Course (Par 72) is 18-hole parkland championship course designed by Gary Player. It is surrounded by majestic Helderberg and Hottentots Holland mountains with addition of most rewarding and sweeping views over False Bay. The course's front and back nine offer completely different experiences which will challenge any golfer.
Pearl Valley Golf Course (Par 74) is 18-hole parkland championship course designed by Jack Nicklaus and located between the magnificent Simonsberg and Drakenstein Mountain Ranges. Incredibly scenic and challenging water hazards, lush fairways and greens as well as 81 white river and sand bunkers have turned this course into one of the most exciting ever built.
Rondebosch Golf Course (Par 72) is parkland style course offering golfers stunning views of Devil's Peak and Table Mountain. Tall pines, white bunkers and water hazards combined with lush fairways and greens and wildlife provide an excellent golfing experience at the heart of Cape Town. The course has enjoyed over a century of golfing history and has hosted several prestigious local and international tournaments.
We want to share our love for South Africa with our guests. It is our privilege to accommodate your favourite pastimes in one of the world's most spectacular countries. Whether you share Russel's bucket list dream of catching a 1000lb marlin, would like to dive and weave between spectacular coral and mysterious cave systems, or want to play golf on some of the most prestigious, and pristine courses in the world: we have a package for you. Wine tours, wildlife safaris and cultural excursions are also waiting, in a land that you've perhaps dared only dream about. What's more, we're here to help: if your dream getaway doesn't already exist, allow us to imagine it for you from start, to glorious crescendo.
Contact Bigmack Tours
SA +27 (0) 64 621 8498
email: info@bigmack-tsa.com
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text:
from pyalgotrade.bitstamp import barfeed
from pyalgotrade.bitstamp import broker
from pyalgotrade import strategy
from pyalgotrade.technical import ma
from pyalgotrade.technical import cross

class Strategy(strategy.BaseStrategy):
    def __init__(self, feed, brk):
        strategy.BaseStrategy.__init__(self, feed, brk)
        smaPeriod = 20
        self.__instrument = "BTC"
        self.__prices = feed[self.__instrument].getCloseDataSeries()
        self.__sma = ma.SMA(self.__prices, smaPeriod)
        self.__bid = None
        self.__ask = None
        self.__position = None
        self.__posSize = 0.05

        # Subscribe to order book update events to get bid/ask prices to trade.
        feed.getOrderBookUpdateEvent().subscribe(self.__onOrderBookUpdate)

    def __onOrderBookUpdate(self, orderBookUpdate):
        bid = orderBookUpdate.getBidPrices()[0]
        ask = orderBookUpdate.getAskPrices()[0]

        if bid != self.__bid or ask != self.__ask:
            self.__bid = bid
            self.__ask = ask
            self.info("Order book updated. Best bid: %s. Best ask: %s" % (self.__bid, self.__ask))

    def onEnterOk(self, position):
        self.info("Position opened at %s" % (position.getEntryOrder().getExecutionInfo().getPrice()))

    def onEnterCanceled(self, position):
        self.info("Position entry canceled")
        self.__position = None

    def onExitOk(self, position):
        self.__position = None
        self.info("Position closed at %s" % (position.getExitOrder().getExecutionInfo().getPrice()))

    def onExitCanceled(self, position):
        # If the exit was canceled, re-submit it.
        self.__position.exitLimit(self.__bid)

    def onBars(self, bars):
        bar = bars[self.__instrument]
        self.info("Price: %s. Volume: %s." % (bar.getClose(), bar.getVolume()))

        # Wait until we get the current bid/ask prices.
        if self.__ask is None:
            return

        # If a position was not opened, check if we should enter a long position.
        if self.__position is None:
            if cross.cross_above(self.__prices, self.__sma) > 0:
                self.info("Entry signal. Buy at %s" % (self.__ask))
                self.__position = self.enterLongLimit(self.__instrument, self.__ask, self.__posSize, True)
        # Check if we have to close the position.
        elif not self.__position.exitActive() and cross.cross_below(self.__prices, self.__sma) > 0:
            self.info("Exit signal. Sell at %s" % (self.__bid))
            self.__position.exitLimit(self.__bid)

def main():
    barFeed = barfeed.LiveTradeFeed()
    brk = broker.PaperTradingBroker(1000, barFeed)
    strat = Strategy(barFeed, brk)

    strat.run()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The main aim of this project is the development of analytical and numerical tools for the identification of stress fields in the earth's crust. This project will develop alternative theoretical foundations and algorithms to identify tectonic stresses, which involves formulation of mechanically consistent models based on the analysis of observations of stress orientations. Resulting data will contribute to the development of new approaches for the prediction of natural and man-induced hazards such as earthquakes, land slides, and tsunami initiation (including developments of early warning systems).
Preliminary results for the Sumatra region are shown below.


text:
Filed under: books, New Works, Wraeththu — 4 Comments
I finished my new Wraeththu novel, 'Breathe, My Shadow', just in time for its December release. It's fortunate that our printers have such a fast turnaround (one to two days to generate electronic proofs after files are uploaded), because I did cut it really fine. But now it's been uploaded, prepared and approved, and printed copies are on their way to me, so the book will be ready to go on the release date of 12th December, when we'll be holding our annual Immanion Press Yule party. The beautiful cover is by Ruby and features Meladriel, one of the main characters.
This book took me far longer to write than I'd anticipated. Part of this was down to the fact that Danielle Lainton and I have had to take on full responsibility for Megalithica Books, following its manager's departure from Immanion Press early this year. I've had to do a lot more editing, even though Louise Coquio has come onboard as the senior editor for the non-fiction list. Danni and I completely revamped the Immanion Press web site this year, and also my personal web site, which took a lot of work and effort and time. On top of these extra duties, 'Breathe, My Shadow' insisted on complicating itself. Initially, it was to have been an extended version of 'The Emptiness Next Door', the story I wrote for the 'Para Spectral' anthology, but I didn't think I'd extend it that much. I anticipated that it would be at most a longish novella. However, once I started writing, adding a couple of extra characters, the book took the bit between its teeth and galloped off with no intention of listening to my attempts to order it to slow down, or even stop! In theme, it's closest to 'The Moonshawl', in that the characters investigate an historical mystery that manifests through paranormal events. But other than that, it's a very different story. It's set in Ferelithia – and those who are familiar with the Wraeththu Mythos will know that's where Pellaz met Caeru before he was Tigron. To those who are unfamiliar with the lore, it's a Wraeththu party town – rather like Ibiza used to be. But while it's a prosperous, hedonistic place, filled with tourists, few are aware of its dark history. Until the past begins to seep from the soil.
Louise was the main editor for the book, (Wendy Darling did a read through and offered feedback also), and read all the drafts – even a few chapters I'd send her now and again for feedback. Midway through the book she felt something was missing, and it was at her suggestion I added the character Ulien – a young har targeted by a malevolent har, or entity or ghost – whatever he is! I also gave the town itself a viewpoint – just a short page here and there. I didn't intend for the story to stretch as much as it did. Other characters demanded to have more of a role – including Caeru himself (which is, I hope, rather a fan pleaser – Caeru having an adventure of his own rather being merely a supporting character of the Aralis dynasty). November arrived and I felt the book wasn't anywhere near finished. To be honest, I started to panic, calmed only by Lou's assurance all would be well, that the remaining work wasn't as much as it seemed, and I'd have plenty of time to see to it. Then suddenly, it was done, all the dangling ends tied neatly. I was exhausted but happy – and most importantly, pleased with the result. So while 'Breathe, My Shadow' often felt horribly like a vampiric child, sucking all the life juice from me, it clearly thrived on the sustenance!
This book isn't as grim as some of the Wraeththu Mythos I've written over the past couple of years. 'Blood, the Phoenix and a Rose' was gruesome in places and while the endings to the three novellas that comprised it weren't relentlessly downbeat, they weren't exactly cheery either. Similarly, some of the stories I've contributed to for various Mythos anthologies have been somewhat bleak – and wistful in tone. 'Breathe, My Shadow', while including its own grisly moments, has more of an upbeat denouement. I suppose the spirit of Ferelithia refused to be kept down for long. I didn't want to find myself stuck in what seems to be the current trend of fantasy being numbingly miserable and brutal. Inspired by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, who wrote and directed 'The Endless', (now one of my favourite movies), who said in one interview I watched that they prefer happy endings, I decided this book would finish well for every character involved… well, nearly every character. I also took inspiration from Cameron Crowe (fans of his will see why and how if they read this book), and the novelist Diane Setterfield, who always makes sure her readers know how every character ends up – even the future of the cat in 'The Thirteenth Tale'! I really like that approach – it's comfortably satisfying – and I hope other readers feel the same. (Her new novel 'Once Upon a River' is superb, by the way. Recommended.) While I doubt I'll do this for every novel I write, I have for this one!
'Breathe, My Shadow' will be launched at the Yule Party, at The Shrewsbury Arms in Stafford on 12th December. We're also launching two other titles that day. First is another fiction work, a novella by Tanith Lee entitled 'The Heart of the Moon'. This has been published only once before and it's likely not many Tanith fans will have read it. The story is set in an alternate Ancient Greece and concerns a female warrior being sent to the mysterious Isle of the Moon to attend a religious festival. Intriguing and beautifully written – as all Tanith's works are – the book also includes another Classics-inspired short story, 'The Dry Season', set in an alternate ancient Rome. Again, this piece has had low key prior publication – so hopefully the stories in this book will be like new works for many of Tanith's fans. It has a cover and interior illustrations by Danielle Lainton – very sumptuous!
The third book we're launching is a non-fiction title called 'Psychic Protection' by Bill Duvendack. A lot has been written on this subject before, but Bill brings a fresh new take to it. He begins by suggesting that if you think you're under psychic attack, you're probably not, and then explains what natural situations, conditions and illnesses might make you think you need to defend yourself psychically. Once all the obvious explanations are dealt with, he goes on to discuss the phenomenon of vampires in our society – not the blood-sucking kind of myth and fiction but emotional and psychic vampires who can leave people feeling drained, even ill. Bill gives advice on how to boost your defences against such types and to strengthen your inner resources generally. This is very helpful even for those who might be sceptical about the idea of needing psychic defence. Such attacks aren't always the obvious, almost fictional idea, of someone sending out 'evil' thoughts deliberately, or – as in books and movies – causing supernatural events. An interesting read. (Cover by Danielle Lainton.)
As for next year, we have a lot of titles planned, which I'll talk about in more depth after the New Year. I'm editing an anthology of weird landscape stories for NewCon Press, called 'Shadow on the Hillside'. This will be released some time in 2020, and includes stories by such writers as Liz Williams, Freda Warrington, Sarah Singleton, Kari Sperring and Andrew Hook. I'll be working on non-fiction projects for Immanion Press but hope to at least begin a new novel. I still have the next Ysobi story planned, which would take him to solve a mystery in Siberia! I started writing it a couple of years ago, but other projects intervened or took precedence. I just have to follow where my muse wants to go – and she can be capricious.
So that's all for now. I wish you all a wondrous Yuletide and New Year!
Tags: androgyny, Book launch, fantasy, Fiction, magic, new books, News, Non-fiction, novels, Storm Constantine, Wraeththu, writing


text:
MoviePass' Impossibly Great Deal Is Now a Little Less Great
By Amy Pollard
This thing surges now.
Mike Segar/Reuters
Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
MoviePass' whole business model seemed too good to be true: a flat fee for all the movies you want to see each month. As of Thursday, it's drifted a little bit closer to sensible. MoviePass subscribers now have to pay extra to see popular movies at peak showtimes. The surge-pricing program, which rolled out on Thursday, will affect "movies that are high in demand for title, date, or time of day," according to the company's website. The company described the practice as providing "additional flexibility for us and our users around popular movies and times for which there is limited inventory" and said the program might be tweaked depending on how customers receive it.
So what kind of surge prices are we talking about? A screenshot published by TechCrunch shows that a moviegoer might have to pay $3.43 more to see Avengers: Infinity War at 7 p.m. than they would at 2 p.m.
Movies experiencing the surge pricing will have a red lightning icon displayed next to them on MoviePass' app. Movies that are approaching a surge in price will have a gray lightning icon. Subscribers can waive one peak pricing fee per month.
The program will roll out for all members "in the coming weeks," according to the company. It will not affect those in the middle of an annual plan who signed up before peak pricing.
The move comes as MoviePass faces financial troubles. The company's monthly losses soared to $40 million in May, and the company has said it may need more than $1.2 billion in capital to keep pace with the growth of its subscriber base, which it expects to surpass 5 million by 2019. The company must also keep pace with the competition. Last month, AMC announced a competing movie subscription service called AMC Stubs A-List.
Apps Movies
Amy Pollard is a Slate intern.