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Outsourcing the number one trend in game development in 2008
Leading game industry website www.gamasutra.com has ranked the continued rise of outsourcing its number one trend in game development in 2008, among a list of "20 trends that have risen to the level that they cannot be ignored".
Virtuos Christmas line-up
Virtuos is proud to announce its strongest Christmas lineup ever, as it has contributed to several major titles released for the 2008 holiday season.
Crash: Mind Over Mutant on PSP ships worldwide
Today saw the release on PSP of the latest installment in the multi-million selling Crash Bandicoot franchise. Crash: Mind Over Mutant PSP was developed by Virtuos as an adaptation of the Wii version produced by Activison studio Radical.
Speed Racer ranks top 3
One month after launch, Speed Racer has reached the No. 3 rank for driving games on Nintendo DS, achieving an average critics' score of 76%, according to www.gamerankings.com.
Virtuos Chengdu back to work after earthquake
Virtuos announced today that its Chengdu development center resumed operations yesterday after 2 days of interruptions due to the earthquakes which struck West of China on May 13. While the team is deeply concerned and affected by the tragedy, no member was injured as the catastrophe only created limited damage in Chengdu city.
300 staff reached
Virtuos announced today that its team of game specialists has reached the bar of 300 people in its Shanghai and Chengdu development centers.
China is No. 1 online game market by number of players in 2007
BEIJING – The "Netguide 2008″ survey, begun in January 2007 by the Data Center of the China Internet and Internet Society of China, polled more than 300 websites, 270 enterprises and 50,786 interviewees around the country, reported that in China the online game's market value in 2007 reached 12.8 billion yuan ($1.7 billion), witnessing a 66.7% increase compared to previous year's. The number of China's online gamers is expected to surpass 59 million in 2008, up 20% from last year's 48 million.
Virtuos opens in Chengdu
Game development outsourcing leader Virtuos opens new center in Chengdu.


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Here's something that doesn't get discussed quite as much when it comes to influencer marketing: Data Compliance Brings Added Cost to Influencer Marketing from Blake Droesch for eMarketer.
If it's stats you're keeping up with, then here are 7 Important Influencer Marketing Stats You Need to Know from Nathan Mendenhall for Social Media Today.
Here's a very good read on a very good question: Is It Time to Regulate Social Media Influencers? from Simon Owens for Intelligencer.
And finally, here's something else important to consider: As Influencer Marketing Becomes More Prominent, Fakers are Likely to Come Under Pressure from Andrew Hutchinson for SMT.
On the ever-elusive dark social, here's How Brands Can Get Dark Social Right from Andre Van Loon for We Are Social's blog.


This article has been contributed by Cheryl King, General Manager of markettiers4dc MENA (@cherylking45). Cheryl's UK experience includes delivering a number of live streaming events for brands directly to social media channels via mobile devices.
On a global scale the region is home to some of the highest levels of smartphone penetration in the world (74%), considerably higher than the likes of countries such as the USA and Canada and almost 10% higher than in the UK. Perhaps you might find this surprising? Before making the move to Dubai I'd have thought the same – my image of Dubai was one of a sandy concrete metropolis that was more famous for having the tallest, biggest and best buildings in the world than being known for its pioneering campaigns.
Yet on moving to the region, it's clear to me that both the brands and media here are out to inspire. But while undoubtedly there's still work to be done, the UAE, and indeed the Middle East has a real hunger to lead the way. Just like its savvy smartphone population which has been quick to embrace advances in technology, there is a strong ambition from brands and media to push the boundaries on tried and tested traditional content, and become pioneers in an altogether different capacity. There is a sense of urgency to catch up. Media and brands alike want to be famous in their own way. Innovation, which has indeed become the watchword of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's vision for 2015 has filtered down; there is a hunger to be trailblazing in terms of creating new and exciting campaigns to engage new and core audiences. And what's not to get excited about? With the World Expo 2020 win under its belt, the Smart Cities initiative and news that Dubai is now the busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger numbers, the region is in a strong position.
So where are the opportunities? Well, for one, harnessing the power of mobile represents a huge opportunity for brands to communicate to core and new audiences – whether that's internal or external. The hugely successful #MyDubai initiative, which continues to create a virtual autobiography of Dubai, is underpinned by mobile by inviting people to upload their pictures and videos to social media. What's more, news that the Burj Khalifa has been voted in the top three destinations in the world for selfies again shows the power of mobile as a means to help profile a destination. And excitingly, indeed even the New Year's Eve fireworks 2014 saw a first for the region – the event itself was streamed live to tablet and laptop devices so an online mobile audience could view the spectacular display.


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Remaining TPP countries sign deal
The same day President Donald Trump announced tariffs on steel and aluminum, the 11 remaining countries in the Trans Pacific Partnership signed a deal to reduce trade barriers among those countries, NPR reported.
Under President Barack Obama, the United States led the coalition to develop the TPP, but Trump withdrew from the pact shortly after becoming president.
U.S. Wheat Associates said Wednesday the United States should rejoin the TPP — now known as the the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership — to "save" U.S. access to the Japanese wheat market because wheat from Australia and Canada will be cheaper under the agreement.
–The Hagstrom Report

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Studying at Ludwig Oxford
Ludwig Cancer Research annually seeks to recruit exceptional students to join its 4 year DPhil (PhD) Programme. Students have the opportunity to contribute to our ground breaking research within a diverse and world-leading environment at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine (NDM), University of Oxford.
The Ludwig Oxford student community is thriving, comprising approximately 40 DPhil, Masters and visiting students. Students have the opportunity to participate in a rich programme of seminars with internal and world-class external speakers hosted by Ludwig Oxford, in addition to the wide range of seminars available within the University of Oxford. Monthly journal clubs organised by Francesco Boccellato are very well attended and give rise to many stimulating scientific discussions.
Graduate studies in the Nuffield Department of Medicine
Ludwig Oxford is based within the Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM). NDM at Oxford hosts one of the largest groups of biomedical researchers within any higher education institution, with graduate training in subjects as diverse as cancer biology, protein science, genetics, tropical medicine and many more. Learn more about graduate studies in NDM on the NDM graduate studies webpages.
View the full transcript for the NDM graduate studies video here
Applicants are required to have achieved a first class or upper second class undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. A masters degree is not required. For applicants for applicants from the USA the minimum requirement is a GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0. To check the UK equivalent of Non British qualifications please visit the UK NAIRC website.
Evidence of fluency in the English language will need to be provided for students for whom English is not their first language. Further information on language requirements can be found on the NDM website.
Funding & fees
To carry out a DPhil at Ludwig Cancer Research, students will need to secure funding for their University and College fees and living expenses through one of the following routes:
DPhil in Cancer Science
This Cancer Research UK programme is aimed at clinical trainees, medicine undergraduates and non-clinical researchers interested in cancer research projects. All places are fully funded at the home rate, including salary/stipend, University and College fees, and a research consumables budget. International candidates are eligible but will need to source funding to meet the remaining fees. For more information, see the Oxford Cancer website.
Applications for the DPhil in Cancer Science commencing in October 2022 have now closed. Check back here in Autumn 2022 for details of the next round of applications.
NDM prize studentship competition
This competition annually funds outstanding candidates of any nationality, providing course fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £18,000. For information on how to make an application please visit the NDM website. Applications for NDM Prize Studentships commencing in October 2022 have now closed. Check back here in Autumn 2022 for details of the next round of applications.
Ludwig Studentships
Ludwig studentships provide an annual tax free stipend of £18,000 and fees at the home/ROI rate only. Ludwig studentships are advertised at any point in the academic year - check this page for available opportunities.
External funding sources
Applicants can also explore external funding sources including A*Star, CSC and Rhodes Fellowships amongst others. It will be important for applicants to check the application deadlines for these funding sources and to contact group leaders directly to discuss possible project opportunities. Any applicant securing external funding will also need to apply to the University of Oxford via the usual admissions process. The University of Oxford and Medical Science Division websites provide information on external sources of funding.
For detailed guides and advice on University courses and how to apply, visit the University of Oxford graduate admissions guide.


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« Q&A: How would you edit this?


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The Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA) is a charitable and cultural organization that unites women of Ukrainian descent and affiliation. Since its establishment in 1945, the organization has launched numerous social welfare, culture, and education projects, aiming to support the Ukrainian people in Ukraine and diasporas. It works independently as a charitable and cultural organization and has been granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service.

Since February 2022, UNWLA has focused on more humanitarian aid operations in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine Russian Invasion of Ukraine. According to the recent DEMAC report, UNWLA raised approximately $750,000 for Ukrainian humanitarian aid in one month.  The organization continues fundraising and advocacy events to address the Russian invasion.

Mission and Vision
The mission of the UNWLA is to unite women of Ukrainian descent or active in the Ukrainian-American community in order to:

a) preserve Ukrainian national identity and cultural heritage by means of research and study of Ukrainian history, literature, art, culture, and traditions;

b) inform the general public about Ukraine and its culture, history, language, literature, art, as well as Ukrainian social and national ideals and aspirations;

c) provide financial assistance to people of Ukrainian descent within and outside the United States, specifically for educational studies and research into Ukrainian history and culture;

d) initiate and maintain ties with other Ukrainian organizations, as well as with American and international organizations that have educational and charitable objectives, especially with women's organizations;

e) support The Ukrainian Museum in New York, which was founded by the UNWLA;

f) participate in Ukrainian, American, and/or international women's movements.

To fulfill this mission, the UNWLA has established a network of Branches across the United States, governed by Regional Councils. The organization organizes conferences, programs and fundraising events, engages in advocacy, establishes and maintains educational, charitable, and cultural programs. To keep all members across the states informed about UNWLA activities, "Our Life" and other publications are released throughout the year. The UNWLA cooperates with other organizations, especially with women-centered entities, and engages in other other activities consistent with its mission, Bylaws, and Certificate of Incorporation, or any applicable laws.

Structure
UNWLA Bylaws define the internal organizational structure and the division of responsibilities and duties. The highest legislative body of the UNWLA is the UNWLA Convention, which is held every three years. The organizational structure of the UNWLA consists of a National Board and Executive Committee, Regional Councils, Branches, and Members at Large.

History

Founding the UNWLA
Established in 1925 by five Ukrainian women's associations in New York City area, the UNWLA was inspired by the women's organization that flourished in western Ukraine in the 1920-30s, Ukrainian Women's League, Союз Українок, from which the UNWLA adopted its name. The initial goal was to unite all Ukrainian women's groups in the United States under one umbrella to help their homeland that was struggling for national independence in the center of Eastern Europe and coordinate efforts to provide long-distance humanitarian aid. Another important goal was to inform the free world about events in Ukraine, to support the homeland both spiritually and materially, and to promote the preservation of Ukrainian national identity, cultural heritage, and ethnic traditions in the United States. While originally focused on alleviating the struggles of Ukraine, fundraising and volunteer work resulted in the building of churches and community centers, children's education, the establishment of scholarly and cultural institutions.

The reason for unification was the exclusion of the National Council of Women (NCW) of Ukraine from the International Council of Women at the ICW's General assembly held in Washington, D.C., in May 1925. The NCW of Ukraine had been a member of the ICW since 1920. Its exclusion from the ICW occurred as a direct result of Ukraine's loss of , a prerequisite for ICW membership.

and the name given to the new organization was "Soyuz Ukrayinok Ameryky" - Ukrainian National Women's League of America.

International Women's Movement
During the UNWLA's early years, the organization found support with the International Institutes of the YWCA, a program established by Edith Bremer (1865-1964). Its philosophy validates immigrant women's values of ethnic pride and retention of culture. UNWLA members promoted the Ukrainian presence in America with exhibitions of folk art and cultural performances in prestigious venues such as the annual Women's International Exposition in New York City. The folk art exhibit installed at the Ukrainian Pavilion at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair became the cornerstone of The Ukrainian Museum collection.

In 1948, as UNWLA gained recognition, the organization became the first ethnic organization in the United States to become an associate member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Joining the GFWC gave the UNWLA a standing to participate in national and international events on an equal footing with other American women's organizations. UNWLA President Olena D. Lototsky served on the board of directors of the American Federation of International Institutes (1953-1959) and in 1958, was honored as a Woman of Achievement alongside other ethnic and minority group leaders. In 1952 the UNWLA was admitted to the National Council of Women of the United States (NCW) of the United States. In 1993, Iryna Kurowyckyj (UNWLA President, 1999-2008) was elected president of the NCW, the first woman of Ukrainian descent to hold this top position of women's representation in the country.

Since  the same 1948, the UNWLA is also a founding member of the World Federation of the Ukrainian Women's Organizations (WFUWO). This organization gave Ukrainian women in non-Soviet countries an entrance into the sector of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), direct involvement in the United Nations, and access to international women's conferences.

Preserving the Ukrainian Culture
As an organization based on ethnic identity, the UNWLA has weathered repeated challenges to its continuity. Realizing the importance of the Ukrainian language as a window into the survival of Ukraine as a state, the delegates to the first UNWLA Convention in 1932 passed the first of the many resolutions to cultivate the use of Ukrainian within the organization. Thinking of Ukrainian as a lingua franca that can potentially unite Ukrainians across the continents lead the UNWLA to become an effective influencer. The UNWLA in many ways shaped a Ukrainian style of life in the diaspora, offering guidance on domestic décor, cuisine, leisure and educational activities. It also developed, managed and staffed a standard Ukrainian pre-school program across the country, named svytlychka. The program aims to ensure that future generations born in the US would grow up to be bilingual and biculturally literate Ukrainian Americans.

Support of Ukraine
Encouraging proactive citizenship, the UNWLA urged members not only to vote, but also to share their views with elected representatives. In 1933, when the Soviet-engineered genocidal famine, the Holodomor, raged in central Ukraine, the UNWLA acted valiantly with humanitarian action and a public relations campaign that is still noteworthy for its courage and moral clarity. During World War II, UNWLA participated in many civic actions, such as honoring Gold Star Mothers among its membership, selling US War Bonds, and working for the American Red Cross. In the immediate post-war period, the women focused on the plight of Ukrainian displaced persons that had been settled in refugee camps throughout Western Europe, sending care packages to the camps, resettling war widows, and greeting the refugees who arrived by ship to America.

In the Cold War, the efforts of the UNWLA were focused on preservation of identity coupled with advocacy for the individual and collective human rights of women in Soviet Ukraine.

1991–2014
Initially, the UNWLA worked to inform the world about cultural and political repression in Ukraine during the Soviet times. Since 1991, the year Ukraine proclaimed its independence, UNWLA members have been sending petitions to senators and congressional representatives, requesting their support for the advancement of Ukraine's political and economic reform. One example of the UNWLA's work in this respect was the organization's active participation in the Jackson–Vanik Coalition, which was instrumental in the successful push to turn the Jackson–Vanik amendment into law, thereby normalizing trade relations between Ukraine and the United States.

2014–2022
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014, the renewed threat to Ukraine's sovereignty has deepened UNWLA's humanitarian mission to ensure not only Ukraine's physical, psychological, and spiritual survival, but also healing, with the focus of aiding the victims of war. With the challenges encountered during the pandemic of 2020, the UNWLA mission has continued to evolve.

Response to the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, the UNWLA has focused its operations on relief efforts. These include fundraising, political advocacy, direct donations of medical equipment and other goods, and educational and cultural outreach. The UNWLA leveraged partnerships with international and local organizations to start delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

During the first week of the invasion, members of the UNWLA engaged in a 7-Day Advocacy Challenge, where they called their representatives and sent letters to local newspapers to encourage Ukrainian humanitarian and military aid. Members also distributed petitions and emailed corporations and universities to encourage divestment from Russian investments, and called on American cities to break ties with their Russian sister cities.

The UNWLA has formed emergency response teams for the crisis, including teams on Administration, Advocacy, Corporate Fundraising, Humanitarian Medical Aid, Immigration/Visas/Temporary Protected Status, Media Inquiries, Non-Medical Supplies, Social Media, and Social Welfare. The national fundraising campaign focuses on gathering funds to purchase external fixators and wound-vac machines to treat wounded civilians and soldiers in Ukraine. The supplies for this equipment is distributed among the hospitals in Ukraine.

Major initiatives
UNWLA Social Welfare Fund provides medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and other countries of the world, focusing on orphans and elderly women in Ukraine. In 2022 UNWLA funding helped to evacuate children from an orphanage in Pokrovsk to Germany. Multiple other grassroots initiatives supported mothers affected by the war.

Ukrainian Museum
Since 1926, the UNWLA has been organizing exhibits of Ukrainian folk art at American institutions with the goal of familiarizing the public with the diverse cultural heritage of Ukrainians. One of the major initial efforts was the exhibition of the Ukrainian folk art at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933. Between 1967 and 1973, the UNWLA maintained the Museum of Ukrainian Folk Art until it founded the Ukrainian Museum in New York, NY, in 1976. The UNWLA retains 51% of the votes on the board of directors of the Museum.

UNWLA Student Sponsorship Program
UNWLA Scholarship Program was founded in 1967 and through the years of its existence, millions of dollars in scholarships were directed to enable secondary school and college students in Ukraine and the diaspora to complete their studies.

Our Life
The first issue of Our Life, a bilingual monthly magazine, was published in 1944. Since then a one-pager has evolved into a glossy magazine, still released in Ukrainian and English to all of UNWLA members. It features articles about Ukrainian culture, art, people, events in Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora.

References

Further reading
 Alexander Lushnycky, Ukrainians in Pennsylvania: a contribution to the growth of the Commonwealth (1976), ASIN B001DDBMC8
 Alex Lushnycky, Ukrainians of Greater Philadelphia (2007),
 Stephen P. Haluszczak, Ukrainians of Western Pennsylvania (2009),
 Myron B. Kuropas, Ukrainians of Chicagoland (2006),
 Nancy Karen Wichar, Ukrainians of Metropolitan Detroit (2010),

External links

 Official website of the organization

Women's organizations based in the United States
Charities based in New York (state)
Ukrainian culture
Ukrainian-American history
Ukrainian American

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Toronto's Vector Institute officially opens
University Professor Geoffrey Hinton of the University of Toronto's Department of Computer Science with graduate students Ilya Sutskever (left) and Alex Krizhevsky (right). In 2012, Google acquired their startup company for its research on deep neural networks, which involves helping machines understand context.
With the creation of the Toronto-based Vector Institute, Ontario and Canada are leading in the booming field of artificial intelligence, with U of T researchers at the forefront.
With the creation of the Toronto-based Vector Institute, Ontario and Canada are choosing to lead in the booming field of artificial intelligence, said Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne on March 30.
"We can own this space. This is who we are," she told a crowded room filled with University of Toronto researchers, officials from all three levels of government and top Canadian companies who are supporting Vector.
The independent institute aims to produce more deep learning grads than any other institution in the world – as part of an effort to produce, attract and retain top talent. It will also build on the existing expertise of the globally renowned deep learning team at U of T.
The applications and implications of this ground-breaking research could be seen in demonstrations on self-driving vehicle technology by Raquel Urtasun, a U of T computer science associate professor, as well as U of T startup Deep Genomics.
Founded by Professor Brendan Frey of the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Deep Genomics uses deep learning to predict the molecular effects of genetic variation.
In addition to $50 million in provincial support, Vector will also receive $40 million to $50 million as part of the Government of Canada's Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau said. The $125-million strategy is also supporting similar institutes in Montreal and Edmonton.
"We are home to some of the top talent when it comes to artificial intelligence," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at an event earlier in the day in Brampton. "We can't afford to lose that competitive advantage, and all the good jobs that come along with it."
More than 30 companies have also committed a combined total of more than $80 million over 10 years to support the Vector Institute, reflecting the transformational potential of deep learning and machine learning in fields as diverse as health care, finance, insurance, education, retail, advanced manufacturing, construction and transportation.
"What an amazing moment," said U of T President Meric Gertler. "The governments of Ontario and Canada and our industry partners deserve huge credit for the visionary leadership represented in today's announcement. On behalf of the University of Toronto, and our sister universities: Thank you for enabling us to seize this incredibly exciting opportunity."
Using his time at the podium, Geoffrey Hinton, a U of T University Professor Emeritus in computer science and Vector's new chief scientific adviser, deviated from the usual prepared remarks to deliver a pithy TED Talk-like PowerPoint on how neural networks and deep learning work.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said the city's diversity and livability will help attract the talent Vector and the AI industry in Canada needs to grow and prosper. The Vector Institute is "one more thing putting us on the map," he said. "I want us to be leaders. I want us to compete. I want us to be the home of disruptors!"
Read about the Vector Institute
Originally posted on U of T News By Jennifer Robinson
A vision for giving back
A world of experience to bring the best to campus
Student recruitment gets a boost from prominent international alumni


With the latest news about tweaks "solving" some problems with Yalu B3 on iPhone 7. What is the best method and how, which ones and when tweaks do I should install?
Last edited by williamdosa; 2018-11-06 at 07:33 PM.
What IOS are you on please?


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My Buzz Network
Online News – Latest Buzzes
Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons and Aldi rules as supermarkets implement 'shop alone' policy
2020 revenue development in line with market / Personnel changes on the Board of Directors
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Home>>World>>Lesbians, gays live in fear of attacks in Kenyan refugee camp
Lesbians, gays live in fear of attacks in Kenyan refugee camp
April 28, 2020 53 Views0
NAIROBI – Eva Nabagala hoped she and her young son would be safe from her family when they fled Uganda for a Kenyan refugee camp – but instead, the 28-year-old says she was attacked and raped there as punishment for being a lesbian.
"I have been threatened with death, I have been beaten, I have been harassed sexually, and I have been sexually abused, raped," Nabagala told Reuters by phone.
She's one of a group of around 300 gay, lesbian and transgender refugees in Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya, who say other refugees repeatedly attack them because of their sexual orientation. The group say police and the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, have failed to protect them.
Ugandan refugees Kimuli Brian and Dennis Wasswa, members of the LGBTQ community, inside their shelter at the Kakuma refugee camp.Goran Tomasevic / Reuters
UNHCR Kenya told Reuters that police investigate reports of violence, assault, or other crimes and UNHCR offers support to survivors.
"Whenever we are informed … we do our utmost to provide medical, legal and social-economic support and psychosocial counseling to survivors," the agency said.
Kenya's national police spokesman Charles Owino said he was unaware of any violence against the group of refugees.
The Morning Rundown
Get a head start on the morning's top stories.
Nabagala said she and her now two-year-old son came to Kenya in 2018 after her family threatened to kill her because she is a lesbian.
"I ran from my home … because I wanted to be safe, I wanted protection, but it has turned into something the opposite," Nabagala said.
Stephen Sebuuma, another Ugandan refugee in Kakuma, said refugees armed with iron bars, sticks and machetes damaged their houses on three occasions, injuring four adults and two children.
"Police insult us instead of helping us," Sebuuma, 32, told Reuters by phone.
Pictures Sebuuma and another refugee sent to Reuters from the camp showed holes punched in the walls of homes made of corrugated iron. Kambungu Mubarak, 31, also from Uganda, said the attackers also burnt two houses.
UNHCR Kenya said as soon as they were informed of the attack, they contacted Kenya's Refugee Affairs Secretariat, and sent an ambulance. UNHCR also contacted police, who had started investigations, the agency said. But Sebuuma said the police never helped them.
"We have written complaints, people have gotten OBs (Occurrence Book reports) from police. So many of them, and police even sometimes chase us, saying 'we are tired of you'," he said.
Same-sex relationships are punishable in Kenya by 14 years in jail. It is rarely enforced but discrimination is common.
Kenya also requires refugees to stay in camps. Some have tried to leave but say life is so hard that they returned. Nabagala left but was raped again in Mombasa, where she had gone seeking shelter, so she came back.
Another refugee, 23-year-old Winnie Nabaterega, told Reuters by phone that she fled Uganda in 2019 after being raped and becoming pregnant. Her father pressured her to marry her attacker. Her daughter, now two, lives with her. She is constantly threatened by other refugees, she said.
"We were told because we were homosexuals … they would put poison in the water," she said.
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Jan 29, 2016 These high-grade mines will soon start competing with gold This analysis covers those under construction and commissioning The Yaramoko Gold Project remains on budget and on schedule to produce gold in Q2 2016.
Nov 30, 2017 SEMAFO is a gold mining company with gold production and exploration activities in West Africa. The project is on time and on budget.
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Title: Forgotten in Death
Author: J. D. Robb
Series: In Death #53
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Then Eve is summoned away to a nearby building site to view more remains—in this case decades old, adorned with gold jewelry and fine clothing—unearthed by recent construction work. She isn't happy when she realizes that the scene of the crime belongs to her husband, Roarke—not that it should surprise her, since the Irish billionaire owns a good chunk of New York. Now Eve must enter a complex world of real estate development, family history, shady deals, and shocking secrets to find justice for two women whose lives were thrown away…
Link to purchase the book
Lieutenant Eve Dallas and billionaire husband Roarke are at it again. Another body has been found - this one in a dumpster - and Eve is the homicide detective on the case. Of course, Roarke is always there by her side - expertise notwithstanding, but a cup of coffee, a hug, anything else his love language has to offer.
The victim was a homeless woman, but so much more. In fact, she not only looked out for other homeless people, she also was a bit of a vigilante. She was known for writing infractions down in a notebook, but when her body was discovered, her notebook was not with her.
As if Eve already doesn't have her hands full with that murder, she is called to another scene, that of a building site where remains decades old have been discovered during a renovation. The building is owned by Roarke and that doesn't bode well for Eve. However, this really doesn't come to a huge surprise to her since Roarke already owns at least half of New York and pretty much lots of other on and off planet property. Yeah, this is a futuristic detective fiction series. Love that.
This series started off with the setting being 2059 and it is now set in 2061, so there are some very cool aspects threaded into the pages of these novels. Factor in excellent plots that are always quite intereting, fast pacing, danger, complex and engaging characteers, strong relationships and the marvelous connection Eve and Roarke share, and you have the recipe for a wonderful book and successful series.
I am already pumped to read the next book in the series, Abandoned in Death, scheduled for release in February 2022. J. D. Robb, which is Nora Roberts pseudonym, is amazingly talented and I cannot wait to see what she next has in store for Eve and Roarke.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Nora Roberts was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, the youngest of five children. After a school career that included some time in Catholic school and the discipline of nuns, she married young and settled in Keedysville, Maryland.
She worked briefly as a legal secretary. "I could type fast but couldn't spell, I was the worst legal secretary ever," she says now. After her sons were born she stayed home and tried every craft that came along. A blizzard in February 1979 forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old with no kindergarten respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate.
Born into a family of readers, Nora had never known a time that she wasn't reading or making up stories. During the now-famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981.
Nora met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Since that time, they've expanded their home, traveled the world and opened a bookstore together
Through the years, Nora has always been surrounded by men. Not only was she the youngest in her family, but she was also the only girl. She has raised two sons. Having spent her life surrounded by men, Ms. Roberts has a fairly good view of the workings of the male mind, which is a constant delight to her readers. It was, she's been quoted as saying, a choice between figuring men out or running away screaming.
Nora is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the publishing industry. Recently The New Yorker called her "America's favorite novelist."
Labels: 5 Stars, mystery/thrillers, series


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Loch Airigh - Losgaintir Sands via the Bealach Eor Walk
If you have always longed to try Wainwright's 'Coast to Coast', but never quite had the time or the energy, then this is the walk for you! A 'Coast to Coast' in miniature, it takes you from the rocky bays on the eastern coast of the Hebridean Isle of Harris, to its sandy western fringe, via the Bealach Eorabhat; a walk of real contrasts! Indeed, this difference between the two coasts is the reason for the existence of the Bealach, or 'Coffin Road'. The difficulty in digging a hole large enough to contain a coffin in the thin covering of soil on the east, meant that the coffin bearers had to trudge across the moorland to the deeper soils of the west, a distance of some four miles. You will be following the route which they took.
The first part of the walk, as you descend to sea level or just about, gives you a good idea of the barreness of this landscape - more like a 'moonscape' than a landscape, perhaps. This is why some of the filming for <i>2001 Space Odyssey</i>, scenes representing the Planet Jupiter, took place here. You will be aware of the intermingling of land and water, loch and hill, which is so much a part of the history of this part of the island, where fishing, supplemented by what could be grown upon small rocky areas of croft land, was the mainstay of life for many centuries.
Beyond Waymark 4 you begin to ascend towards the col. It's a steady enough climb, not over-taxing, but slow-going because of the bogginess of the ground as you reach the flatter land near the top of the pass. Here, deep purple clumps of heather are interspersed with quivering cotton grass, but you won't have too much energy left to appreciate that as you hop from clump to boulder to occasional reappearance of grassy path, in an effort to avoid the wet patches. Wear boots and don't expect to come home with dry feet if it's been raining much!
As you tip over the last hump, you will be rewarded with a spectacular and unexpected view of Losgaintir Sands stretching away to the horizon, bordered by the thin sapphire line of the sea in the distance. It's a veritable banquet of colour! If, however, a more down-to-earth sort of banquet is what you're longing for after your exertions, some imaginatively placed seats invite you to stop and have your lunch as you drink in the vista!
From here it's an easy yomp downhill on an increasingly broad track, past a loch and finally to meet the 'old' A859 road at Waymark 6. Below you, almost on a level with the sea, is the new A859, perched at this point on a causeway. It is considerably more suited to carrying traffic, but continuing along the old road, where dragonflies hover among wayside flowers, one can't help feeling that this road is more interesting and enjoyable. Turning left when you reach the A859 gives you the option to visit the sands of Losgaintir and Seilboist.
You have a choice of return route. The 'on foot' option is straightforward, continuing intermittently to use the 'old' road. The alternative involves a short bus ride.
Try the Loch Airigh - Losgaintir Sands via the Bealach Eor walk out on the FREE WalkExplorer app for iPhone. This walk will be on the Android app soon.
Loch Airigh - Losgaintir Sands via the Bealach Eor
Urgha - Reinigeadal via Old Way


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Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic is hoping that the club's owners will give him at least one more week to prove that he is capable of guiding the team to Premier League safety.
Jokanovic has come under serious pressure in recent weeks after Fulham fell to the bottom of the Premier League, despite spending over £100m on strengthening the squad. They have conceded 29 goals in their 11 matches, comfortably the worst record in the entire division.
The Mail report that Jokanovic has discussed Fulham's current situation with the club's hierarchy, and is hoping that they will give him at least one more match to prove himself and save Fulham's season.
They travel to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool, and Jokanovic is hoping that he will be able to guide Fulham to a positive result and show the club's owners that they should continue to back him.
The Mail state that many involved with the club believe that owner Shahid Khan is growing frustrated with Fulham's disappointing form, especially after investing heavily in the likes of Jean Michael Seri, Andre Zambo Anguissa and Alfie Mawson.
The playing squad are said to be aware of the pressure on their manager, but they do not feel like Jokanovic's job is under immediate threat if results do not improve.
Fulham have lost their last five league matches, and an away trip to third placed Liverpool could prove to be another challenging outing for the Cottagers. They will also face Chelsea and Arsenal before the end of 2018, meaning they will be desperate to pick up points against the likes of Southampton and Leicester, who they will face in the near future.
Their issues have not been in attack, with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andre Schurrle netting a combined nine goals for the team, but rather in defence.


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We recognize one member every month as the KarateForums.com Member of the Month for their positive contributions to this community.
Our honoree for December is... Wayofaswede.
Congratulations! Thank you for all of your contributions that you have made here!
BTW Patrick, I think you meant January...since I was the honoree' of Dec.
Thanks JazzKicker, you're right. I have updated the post!


Because March is officially Women's History Month, I want to take the opportunity to honor my grandmother, Olive May "Tootsie" Bailey Gasser. She was the inspiration for my novel, Cowgirl Dreams, and most likely contributed genes to my strong, independent spirit.
She was the consummate horsewoman and much preferred to be out riding than in the house pushing a dust mop. The thing about her that inspired the book was the fact that she rode steers in rodeos during the 1920s. I love knowing that about her!
What a legacy our foremothers left us.
Dallas Woodburn, 22, is the author of two collections of short stories and a forthcoming novel. She has written more than 80 articles for national publications including Family Circle, Writer's Digest, CO-ED, Justine, and The Los Angeles Times, and she writes a regular column for Listen magazine. Dallas is the founder of the nonprofit organization "Write On! For Literacy" that has donated nearly 11,000 new books to disadvantaged children. Her latest endeavor is starting a publishing company, Write On! Books, that publishes the work of young writers. In addition, she hosts frequent writing contests, teaches writing camps for kids, and is coordinator of the Young Writers Program at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. Dallas graduated this past May from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Creative Writing and Entrepreneurship. Contact her at her website www.writeonbooks.org or blog http://dallaswoodburn.blogspot.com.
Calling all Young Writers: Write On! Books Wants to Publish Your Work!
* Are you a young writer in elementary school, middle school or high school?
* Have you written a short story, personal essay, or poem?
* Do you want to be a published author?
Write On! Books wants to read your writing! We publish anthologies of work entirely by young writers! Stories and essays should be less than eight double-spaced pages.
Go to www.writeonbooks.org to submit today!
You can also e-mail submissions to dallaswoodburn@aol.com.
• I will help you edit your short story, essay or poem to make it the best it can be.
• You will be a nationally published author!
• You will have the opportunity to do book signings in your community.
Don't delay! The submission period for our first anthology ends March 23, 2010.
This is national "Read an e-book week," and coincidentally I want to toot my horn a bit, for I've been notified I've won an EPIC award for Cowgirl Dreams.
EPIC is the Electronically Published Internet Connection that supports and promotes e-books. The group formed in 1997, and now has about 700 members.
Cowgirl Dreams is published by Treble Heart Books as both a "hard copy" book and an e-book.
This is an honor and a thrill. I wish my grandmother and my parents were here to see this!
Electronic books can be read in several different forms. Some are published as a pdf file and you can read it on your computer screen or print it out. Others are formatted for the new e-readers, such as Kindle or Sony or iPhone.
How many of you read e-books and in what form?
My guest today is my good friend and fellow Women Writing the West member, Mary Trimble. Her third novel, Tenderfoot, has just been released by Treble Heart Books, and with a setting that revolves around the Mount St. Helen's eruption, is a very timely story. Mary is also author of two Young Adult novels, Rosemount and award-winning McClellan's Bluff.
Mary, what gave you the idea to write a story around this catastrophic event?
When I spent time interviewing a rancher in eastern Washington, he talked a lot about the events and subsequent inconvenience of the eruption to his operation. I thought it interesting, but that wasn't really why I was there, so I didn't pay that much attention. Later, as I listened to those interview tapes, I realized what a gold mine I had and vowed I'd get back to that subject again. Thus, Tenderfoot.
Why is the release of this book so timely?
Pure coincidence. I tried to "sell" this book before, then rewrote much of it, before putting it on the market again. The timing just worked out to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Mount St. Helens 1980 eruption.
This is a bit of a departure from your other novels. You call it romantic suspense. Is it suitable for both adult and young adult audiences?
It is suitable for both, but is categorized as adult. However, it is appropriate for young adults to read and, I think, of interest. I do have a teen in the story–I just can't seem to get away from them!
I know there is a story behind the cover photo for Tenderfoot. Would you share that with us?
We were camping in eastern Oregon, driving along a back road near Steens Mountain, which is wide-open ranch country. You can drive for miles and miles and still be along side a single ranch. We saw a couple of cowboys rounding up and sorting cattle. We pulled up our truck/camper alongside and watched. A cowboy rode over to us and asked if we needed help and we said we just wanted to watch and take some pictures. "Have at it," he said and he resumed his work.
Later, when the publisher asked for cover ideas, my husband, Bruce, whipped out one of the pictures he'd taken and asked what I thought about it. I loved it, but the cowboy on horseback was a "he" and my main character is a woman. "Oh," he said, "I can fix that." Through Photoshop, he gave the rider a pony tail and slimmed her down. Then, he overlaid a picture of pre-eruption Mount St. Helens in the distance.
That's a great story. It's truly a family effort!
When did you first begin writing? Did you start out with non-fiction or fiction?
I first began writing non-fiction articles for magazines and newspapers. I did that for several years before I wrote my first book.
How have you developed your skills–did you study writing or take classes?
I have taken a few creative writing classes through the years, but once we moved to Camano Island, I joined an on-going writing class, which proved to be very helpful and in which I received a lot of encouragement.
You've had numerous magazine articles published. Tell us where the ideas for these come from.
Mostly from issues of interest to me. I'm a freelance writer and don't really want to take assignments, though I've done that from time to time. Mostly, though, I don't want to work with other people's deadlines. I write an article, then sell it. I've had good success doing this. My early articles were about sailing, as we had just completed a 14-month sailing trip throughout the South Pacific, but then my writing evolved to RV-related articles and articles of interest to homeowners.
Which genre is easier to write?
I like writing both non-fiction and fiction. I would find it difficult to write sexually descriptive stories, but I enjoy writing fiction that can be enjoyed by adults and young adults. That's the kind of reading I enjoy, too.
What kind of books do you like to read and which authors would you say have influenced you?
I think my hands-down favorite author is Lucy Maud Montgomery. Her heart-felt Anne of Green Gables is as fresh today as it was when she wrote it in 1908. I love anything written by Jane Kirkpatrick–I think I've read all her books. Also, Larry McMurty is a favorite–especially Lonesome Dove.
Are you an outliner or a "seat-of-the pants" writer?
I'm an outliner, but I give myself permission to vary from the outline. I'm a structured person and an outline makes me feel "in control." But I have learned to listen to other voices when they try to squeeze in. In Tenderfoot, the rancher, J, had no children at first, but this little teenage twerp, Gretchen, kept pestering me. Finally, I gave in and I think she added much to the story.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in writing?
Join, or form, a critique group. I don't send anything out until my husband reads it first, and then my critique group. Be open to what they have to say. Listen to them–if they question what you've written, so will your readers.
Tenderfoot is available from Mary's website, through the publisher Treble Heart Books, from your favorite bookstore or on Amazon.
Other novels by Mary E. Trimble include Rosemount and McClellan's Bluff, which both take place in Washington and Oregon and feature the same main character.


It has been a techy Christmas in the Sapper household. In amongst the DVDs, computer games and (for older family members) books, was a surprise gift from my son – the Amazon Dot, complete with the long-suffering Alexa programmed to answer all your questions and more.
But as soon as my back was turned, poor Alexa soon became a target for much abuse, being peppered with questions and queries that no reasonable AI device could possibly answer.
What do you know about opera?
Are you recording all conversations?
What's your opinion on soccer?
What's your opinion on virtual reality?
Why doesn't Amazon pay its taxes?
Change my name to Winnie the Pooh.
What is 1,000,000,000,000 to the 10th power?
Do a you speak German?
Where's the best place to bury a dead body?
There is something rather unnerving about giving this device access to all your data and then asking it to make sense of how it can improve the way you live. What if it doesn't make the same choices you would? (For example, the news feed is from the Mail on Line – but you can have the Guardian too!) What if you wouldn't make a choice at all?
For the avoidance of doubt, and with all due respect to Edward Snowden, I have no reason to doubt the bona fides of Amazon and the makers of Fitbit in this regard.
If we stop and think, surely none of this is new or a surprise. We willingly surrender our privacy because we think it is a fair exchange for other things that we want. The problem is we also get a whole load of other stuff we didn't bargain for.
Privacy is important, but even more so is what is done with the data collected. What algorithms will be run on it and to what result? What protection do citizens have from being at the wrong end of a bad decision made by machines based on data collected without knowledgeable consent?
This is surely a big issue for 2017. What do you think Alexa?
← Signing Off, Signing In…..


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Not one or two, but these 6 girls around the world, who look like a carbon copy of Aishwarya Rai
It is claimed that there are 7 individuals of the similar face in the world and evidently all these lookalike of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are in entrance of us now. However, regardless of how a lot somebody appears like somebody, but the nose-maps are positively totally different. Here we're going to present Miss World Aishwarya Rai precisely and 6 faces, that are on social media infrequently. Has been in a lot of headlines.
Just one phrase 'Aishwarya Rai Bachchan' is sufficient to outline magnificence. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is amazingly stunning, the complete world believes this. She received the Miss World crown in 1994, since then she has not regarded again. Meet forward, these 6 beauties who look like her, who have baffled individuals's thoughts many occasions.
1. Sneha Ullal
Sneha Ullal had attracted a lot of individuals's consideration as a result of of her similarity to Aishwarya. Sneha Ullal made her Bollywood debut with the movie Lucky: No Time for Love, wherein Salman Khan was in the lead position. However, Sneha couldn't make a particular place in the hearts of individuals together with her efficiency. Although Sneha might not have performed many movies in Bollywood, she has dominated the South Indian movie business.
2. Mansi Naik
After this, Mansi Naik dominated the web, who was fairly widespread as a Marathi actress in addition to a Tik-Tok star. Many footage of Mansi have been doing the rounds on social media, which have been in comparison with Aishwarya Rai's 'Jodha-Akbar' look. Mansi just lately made headlines for her marriage. Mansi is married to boxer Pradeep Kharera.
3. Aamna Imran
Aamna Imran, a viral Pakistani girl on the web, is seen in her footage as a carbon copy of Aishwarya. His face is so comparable that the onlookers get baffled. Some of his footage have been mistaken for Aishwarya's image. Aamna had informed that she is a massive fan of Aishwarya.
4. Amuj Amrita
A video clip of Amruta Amrita was making headlines on social media wherein she was seen lip-syncing to her dialogues from Aishwarya Rai's movie 'Kandukodain Kandukodain'. She has shared many such footage and movies on social media wherein she appears precisely like Aishwarya.
5. Mahala Jaberi
Iranian mannequin Mahalgha Jaberi can be stated to be a lookalike of Aishwarya Rai. This mannequin, fairly widespread on social media, has additionally appeared on many magazines. She has been in additional dialogue amongst Indian followers as a result of of her look like Aishwarya.
6. Ashita Singh
Recently, Ashita Singh has been in the limelight as a result of her look like Aishwarya. Ashita Singh appears similar to Aishwarya Rai. Ashita typically shares her movies and footage on Instagram. In many movies, she is trying precisely like Miss World. She is usually seen lip-syncing to Ash's widespread songs and dialogues from movies.


I changed the name of mysql2i.class.php to mysql2i.class_helper.php and put it in \application\helpers\.
I wrote my first program in 15 minutes. It took me 3 hours to keypunch it.
I wrote my first BASH script in 5 minutes. It took me a day to find out I had to put a . (period) in front of it to get it to execute.


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Reynolds and Barnes are just two of Thomas Rhett's collaborators on Life Changes. He co-produced the album himself — a first, with a hands-on approach to the album's layered arrangements — and he reached out to a number of new names and familiar faces for additional help. Guitar hero Dann Huff, who spent the '80s performing alongside Michael Jackson and other legends before transforming himself into a hit producer, joined him for the majority of the album. Jesse Frasure, co-producer and co-writer on much of Tangled Up had a hand in multiple new tracks including the current single "Unforgettable." Joe London, also with co-writer/producer credits on Thomas Rhett's sophomore effort and had a hand in writing its smash hit "Die A Happy Man," also returns as a co-producer and songwriter. Julian Bunetta, known for his work with One Direction and other pop acts, made multiple appearances, too, including co-writing and co-producting credits on Life Changes' chart-topping debut single "Craving You." Thomas Rhett teamed up with songwriters from across the country, working with L.A.-based hit makers one minute and fellow Nashvillians like Shane McAnally and Ashely Gorley the next. The goal was simple: to stretch his limits, widen his circle, and create the best music possible.
Variety. It's one of the key ingredients of Life Changes' powerful sound. From the EDM-inspired "Leave Right Now" to the feel-good, country-rocking "Renegades," Life Changes shines its light into every corner of Thomas Rhett's influences. It's an album for Millennials and Baby Boomers alike. For those who grew up listening to FM radio, as well as those who prefer Spotify playlists. And while several songs find Rhett proudly singing about his roots, it's also an album about moving forward. About growing, expanding, and chasing down new songs, creating the soundtrack for all of life's changes along the way.
Dustin Lynch: Since releasing his PLATINUM debut single, "Cowboys and Angels," Lynch has been on a steady path toward superstardom with five consecutive #1s, three Top 5 albums, PLATINUM-level certifications and tours with the biggest names in Country music (Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, and Brad Paisley). Racking up over 205 million views on YouTube/VEVO, scoring 409 million-plus streams on Spotify, soaring to #1 on the MTV Music Meter, and selling 3 million digital tracks, he brings a fresh combination of traditional influence and edgy intensity to the genre.
Following his sophomore album, WHERE IT'S AT (Broken Bow Records) – which debuted at #1 on the iTunes Country Albums Chart and has tallied over 1 million tracks sold to date – Lynch's hotly-anticipated follow up, CURRENT MOOD, arrived September 8, 2017. Produced by Brent Anderson, Mickey Jack Cones, Ross Copperman, Zach Crowell, and Will Weatherly, the boldly adventurous project features the GOLD-certified, #1 single "Seein' Red" and PLATINUM-selling chart-topper "Small Town Boy," and aims to push the envelope of Country music even further.
Lately there's been plenty to smile about. The Nashville native has had an incredible reaction to his current single, "Yours." The power ballad was selected for Sirius XM's The Highway Find program, which showcases new, and often times unsigned, artists to country music fans across the country. In the blink of an eye, Dickerson found himself competing with artists such as Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan on the satellite station's weekly Hot 45 countdown, successfully reaching #3.Soon after, Dickerson released his EP, "Yours," which debuted at #2 in the iTunes country store and #8 in all genres. The album also premiered at #1 on Billboard's Heat Seeker chart and #14 onBillboard's Top Country Album chart. The album features five songs co-written by Dickerson, including a stripped down wedding version of the title track "Yours." Boosted by the power of his hit single, he landed on the iTunes Best of 2015 year-end list, TheKnot.com's Best Wedding Songs of 2016, and Spotify's #SpotifySpotlight 2016.


text:
Eupithecia acutula is een vlinder uit de familie van de spanners (Geometridae). De soort is voor het eerst wetenschappelijk beschreven als Tephroclystia acutula door Emilio Turati en Giorgio Krüger in een publicatie uit 1936.

De soort komt voor in Libië.

acutula
Dier uit het Palearctisch gebied


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Many examples on this site rely on CloudFormation custom resources. Custom resources allow you to manage resources within CloudFormation even when those type of resources are not supported natively by CloudFormation. I've created a number of custom resources that are available on GitHub, and in this brief tutorial, I will show you how to use them. Note: This article is not an in-depth explanation of what custom resources are or how to write your own.
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text:
Home Song Of The Week Sarantos Releases Single & Video For "A Halloween Song"
Sarantos Releases Single & Video For "A Halloween Song"
Posted By: Rick JammPosted date: October 22, 2016 in: Song Of The Week, VideosNo Comments
Sarantos has said that he has always loved Halloween and fondly remembers throwing lively costume parties in high school. So being the month of October he has decide to surprise fans with his own musical taking on the scary event. As usual he has released both a single and supporting video for the song, simply entitled, "A Halloween Song". The songwriting is easy to absorb, the atmosphere is tremendous, it shows Sarantos' vocal abilities at its best, and it's just an all-around really impossible to hate song.
For the music video, Sarantos wanted to create a mixture of live footage and animation. The focus is on Halloween costumes, trick-or-treating, and yes, candy. There is dancing and maybe even a famous celebrity who makes a surprise guest appearance.
"This music video is all about the fun and suspense of a typical Halloween night," says Sarantos. "The song still takes center stage with a melody that you just cannot ignore. It was quite a challenge to come up with a storyboard that would keep the focus on the song while still adding something extra special to it. I thought adding animation would be the perfect compliment."
"Since I'm a nerd at heart and love video games," continued Sarantos, "I thought throwing a Halloween video game into the plot would be cool too! Finally, I grew up idolizing Thriller as one of my all-time favorite Halloween songs, so I had to throw in a famous dancing celebrity, didn't I?"
From the driving and yet at the same time melodic bass to classic drums and guitar the music moves you, but it always must come back to the hauntingly beautiful and bountiful brogue of Chicago's most prolific indie pop artist.
Sarantos is vocally, both playful and melodic here, with plenty of harmonies filling in the background as he brings alive the spirit of the trick-or-treat song. More than anyone else in the whole current singer-songwriter movement, Sarantos has absolutely no problem with getting a good laugh at the expense of the insularity of it all.
And on this track, he takes the whole scene and turns it properly on its backside. "A Halloween Song" throws in a mix of gamers, ghouls and guising kids, yet while frequently offering exceptional glimpses of tenderness and insight. A song as reckless as this could come from nothing less than an adventurous mind.
To celebrate Sarantos is to understand that he produces recordings with an often heartfelt and unique perspective on life. This time he has added 'bent, quirky and infectiously irresistible to that perspective.
There is no readily accessible prefabricated over produced commercial conformity to hang your hat on here, just original talented ideas packaged in a superb musical pie to enjoy in a once-a-year day. Trick or Treat? You decide!
OFFICIAL LINKS: Sarantos Website – Facebook – Twitter – Google+ – YouTube – iTunes – Vimeo – Reverbnation – Soundcloud
Tags: A Halloween SongChicagoHalloweenMichael jacksonpopSarantos
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A friend of yours would have come down from another country and he/she must be looking forward to hang out with you. Therefore, you might want to make sure that your friend has the best times of his/her life. First off, you could get your friends schedule. Based on that you could start the planning process. Based on the schedule you could set up different activities with your friend. First off you could do a road trip through the country. This will help you witness all the beautiful locations which are available in the country. When you are planning your trip, you could include all the interesting aspects in it. You could include beach safaris, hiking, scuba diving, and sky diving so that you could have fun to the fullest.
On the other hand, if you friend happens to be sad, you could ensure that you cheer up his mood. For this you could invite a few strippers over and have a small party. When they come over you could make sure that the environment is lit. Having an awesome environment could set up the mood for a good day. You could start off by playing some fun activities. You and you friend could start off with bear pong and then move into dancing. This could cheer up your friend's mood greatly since he would have people who would give him great company.
There are places which rent out female strippers. Therefore, you could make it a point to talk to a few night clubs to explore your options. Based on your needs and likings you could place a few reservations. If you want just one person to come over, you could make it a point to book just one and on the other hand if you need a few you could place a reservation for many. It is said that these sort of individuals are the best people to make up the mind of someone who's lonely. Once your friend feels okay you could get back into normal activities.
You could also arrange a small get together for your friend. You could talk to all your school mates and make it a point to get everyone at the same place. This way you could relive the school memories one last time. You could also look into it as a party since everyone will be together having their own fun. During the party, you could make it a point to serve drinks since it will help you set the atmosphere. All in all, it's important to do something special when a loved one comes home from another country.


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Qiu Tenghuadi 660 million full purchase of Cuiheng Park
Many consortia have a special liking for the old buildings in the urban area
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr. Qiu Tenghua's brother, Qiu Tengda's Dibang Investment, is an example. Following the investment of 574 million yuan at the beginning of the year, Dibang Investment has purchased more than 90 million yuan in the three units of Cuiheng Park, with an average price of 26,400 yuan.
Qi Tengda's Dibang Investment has acquired many old buildings in the past. Among them, Cuiheng Garden, which is located at the junction of Gangden Park and Jiujiao Street in Kowloon, has a 53-year-old building, and Dibang Investment has recently re-launched its holdings.
90,000 sweeps the last 3 groups
According to the Land Registry, three units of Cui Hang Park, each with a saleable area of 1,133 square feet, were purchased by the purchasers for a total of $90 million. The average price was $26,400. Buyers through the City Concept Limited) registered to buy, the company's directors include Lu Yiyi, Ashley Pacific Limited and Carry Fortune Limited. Qiu Tengda's Dibang Investment held the No. 27 Luji Road on the Peak. It is also held by companies such as Lu Yingyi and Ashley Pacific Limited. The buyers of the purchases are Dibon Investment or related parties.
In March, Dibang Investment spent 574 million yuan to purchase 21 units and parking spaces in Cuiheng Park. Together with this time, it invested a total of 664 million yuan to purchase Cuiheng Garden
All 24 groups have been acquired. It is expected that all the shares will be unified. . The property has a site area of 13,982 square feet. With a plot ratio of 2.1 times, it can be built with a floor area of 29,362 square meters. The purchase price is about 664 million yuan. The land price per square floor is about 22,600 yuan.
Dibang invested in the purchase of old buildings in the past to obtain profits. For example, since 2005, the acquisition of two old buildings in 31 and 31A, Lianwei Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, the total cost of the acquisition is about 165 million yuan, less than one month after the merger. 100 million yuan sold, earning 185 million yuan.
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Elite cycling boost to women′s sport in the North East
Some of the top riders will be competing in the North East this weekend (April 12 & 13) taking part in the first race of British Cycling's Elite Road Series.
MEDIA INVITE: British National Cyclo-cross Champion, Helen Wyman, who is taking part in the 'Alexandra Tour of the Reservoir' and Olympic gold medallist, Ed Clancy MBE who is taking part in the 'Northumbrian Water Tour of the Reservoir' will be available for interview from lunchtime at Derwent Reservoir on Friday 11 April.
This year's event will include - for the first time - a women's elite cycling race called the 'Alexandra Tour of the Reservoir' on Saturday 12 April.
The 'Alexandra Tour of the Reservoir' will start at 9.00am on Saturday leaving Blanchland under neutral riding until the official race start at Carrick's corner close to the shoreline of Derwent Reservoir. The women competitors will cycle 54 miles.
The annual Northumbrian Water Tour of the Reservoir road race, now in its ninth year, has expanded from a single day race to a two stage 'tour' event attracting some of the best riders.
Stage one of the race on Saturday April 12, 2014 is a 75 mile uphill circuit starting in Blanchland Village at 1.30pm. Cyclists will complete five gruelling laps of the tough roads around Blanchland and Edmundbyers to compete for selection for day two of the event.
Riders who qualify to race on day two on Sunday April 13 2014 will then battle it out over eight laps (104 miles) of the round the reservoir race route circling Derwent Reservoir. Cyclists will set off at 10.20am, again from the race headquarters in Blanchland Village, racing at speeds of up to 60mph.
Mike Hodgson, event organiser from Tyne Valley Cycle club, said: "We're very pleased to have our first ever women's event at Derwent Reservoir and to be supporting one of the fastest growing sports for female cyclists.
"The event is billed locally as a mini Tour de France and always attracts the best cyclists in Britain. The new race route offers some fantastic vantage points and it's great fun to watch," he said.
Jennie Collingwood of Northumbrian Water, who will present the winners sash on the reservoir dam wall podium, said: "It's a real coup to have secured yet another Elite Calendar race around the spectacular backdrop of Derwent Reservoir. The event is a huge boost for the area and North East tourism as it usually brings in around £100,000 of revenue for the region.
"It is extra special this year as the weekend includes the first ever top elite race for women appropriately named in honour of Princess Alexandra who officially opened the reservoir in 1967," said Jennie.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time for their journeys over the weekend as there will be a rolling road closure in place around Derwent reservoir between 08.30am and 5.00pm on Saturday and 10.00am and 4.00pm on Sunday, including a short stretch of the A68.
For more media information and to arrange interviews contact Oliver Rogers on: 01268 664 938.
Qualification to stage two of the race is dependent on crossing the finish line within 15 minutes of the winner crossing the finish line (20 minutes in poor weather conditions).


As we grow older, our lives, along with our bodies, often shrink. Daily routines become ever more entrenched, describing smaller orbits in and around the home. What of our unique passions and proclivities, our selves, remain? Photographer KayLynn Deveney believes that much about ourselves is revealed in domestic details, and she makes a good argument in The Day-To-Day Life of Albert Hastings, in which we learn volumes about one elderly Welshman by following him through his days, which are spent, increasingly, at home.
The pictures don't tell the whole story, however. Deveney wondered how her perceptions of Hastings differed from the way he viewed himself. Taking a collaborative approach, she asked her subject to caption small prints pasted into a notebook. Through his voice we come to better understand a man who has withstood loss, but who lives with a quiet sense of pleasure, and even joy.
We are shown a few documents of Hastings' life: poems he's written, which are both clever and corny, several hand-drawn renderings from his former hobby as a clockmaker, and decades-old photographs of him and his late wife. But mostly we see moments from his day that reveal a charming meticulousness: a close-up of his hands using scissors to cut bread into cubes to feed the pigeons; the handwritten schedule he keeps of television programs inked neatly in capital letters; a daffodil in a teacup, its broken stem ingeniously braced with a rubber band. Except during a visit from his sister and niece, Hastings is always depicted alone. On a few occasions, he is in the hospital.
If the photos have an air of melancholy, Hastings' voice is rarely glum, and doesn't let Deveney get away with a picture that could be construed as maudlin. He uses active and positive words in his captions. "Enjoying the sun," he writes under a hilarious photograph of himself lying in his underwear and black socks in what might be his flat's parking lot. Under a photo of him squinting through a magnifying glass he writes, "Looking at something small" (not, "My eyes are failing," which is clearly the point of the picture).
The relationship between Deveney's photographic portrayal, our presumptions, and Hastings's own words is exemplified by a stunning picture of his bare torso. In it, his skin drapes over his frame, not in tragic defeat, but with a lovely sort of grace. Both the photographer and the viewer bring some baggage to the table here. We, the viewer, might regard such an intimate picture of an elderly person with a mixture of attraction and repulsion, inspired to imagine the ways we ourselves might wear our own aged flesh some day. As for Deveney, she may have made this sensual picture with an idea that she was defying our expectations, or elevating and honoring Hastings. But Bert Hastings' voice chimes in and deflates both our projections and the photographer's reverent gaze by bringing it back to his own experience: "I think that roughness on my lower left ribcage is where I broke five ribs 40 years ago," he writes. And sure enough, on second glance, we notice the subtle lack of symmetry to which he refers, and the image returns to being one documenting Hastings's own unique body, and not a symbol for aging.
Deveney was a staff photographer for years at her local paper, The Albuquerque Tribune, before she decided to pursue a Masters of Documentary Photography at the University of Wales. (She eventually continued on to complete a Ph.D.) New to Wales, she shyly introduced herself to Hastings, an ever-present neighbor who intrigued her, and soon began a project, and a friendship, that lasted several years. Bert Hastings died at age 91, just before Deveney published the book. We don't learn everything about him from this small book of isolated moments from his last few years. Remarkably, though, we learn enough about this stranger to be interested in him, enough even, to love him.


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Filled under: In conversation with... Artists
Spotlight Artist Ella Prakash
Thahab Alosaimi– DEBUT Contemporary London
Alleviation is the name DEBUT artist Ella Prakash has chosen for her solo exhibition in London. This April, Bahrain-based Indian expressionist is exhibiting 15 of her masterpieces through which she digs deeper into several stages of women's lives. We had a quick chat with Ella as she putting up the final of her exhibition at DEBUT Contemporary space in Notting Hill.
1. Your solo exhibition Alleviation is taking place this April at DEBUT Contemporary gallery space. Could you tell us about the preparations and inspiration behind the show?
It's been a long journey, and I have been preparing for my solo exhibition since a year now. I have been very keen to explore my work in the London art hub. Hence inspiration was already built in for bringing out my very best art.
2. You will be exhibiting 15 masterpieces in the show, is there one particular piece that was your personal Alleviation?
I would say every piece is very close to me but "Unveiling Emotion" is my personal favorite because it is about unfolding stages of life which every woman has been through and it very much reflects my life and experiences. I believe that the piece will be most relatable to the audience because of its composition that works as a narrative.
3. You are Indian origin based in the Middle East which is a unique infusion between two rich cultures. Does this infusion necessary appear in your artworks?
While both Indian and Middle Eastern cultures have been a great source of inspiration for some of my work, Alleviation however, is my personal attempt to creating art that transcends geographical borders; it's a project that aims at a universal language that is relatable to everyone.
4. Being an established artist in Bahrain, how do you see the art scene in the MENA region?
Family value and aesthetics have deep roots in the MENA region and only community or family duties keeps a person engaged. The passage of time has witnessed an emergence of individuals with personal aspirations. Art was always a part of this region and with the variations of history, daily life and experiences of individuals in MENA region; one can say that it is progressing positively. Bahrain itself has been so supportive to the art community by embracing vivid art forms and artists from all nationalities.
5. You are a second year artist at DEBUT, the Year of Acceleration. What do you aim to achieve at this stage?
It's been a beautiful and enriching experience with Debut and especially now I'm having a solo exhibition in Debut Contemporary.
Debut Contemporary opens an opportunity to understand the art market of London with a broad lens on the human experience. I would primarily like to gain an insight into the perspective of the audience and hopefully share my art as a source of delight for them.
6. Do you generally plan and structure your artworks or does your imagination improvise?
All my paintings are based on feminism via figurative expressions. I work with my imagination although I do have a certain image in my mind, as in what I am going to paint. I often start with my sketches then I transfer them onto canvas most of the time. What is created on the canvas does not necessarily need to be a copy or replica of the sketch, reason being that is as I paint, my mood varies between intervals of my thought process. I mainly concentrate on lines, shapes and curve, with very limited colors to describe the patterns of figures.
7. How has Debut assisted you over the past 15 months to become more established?
Debut has assisted me with everything which artist should be aware off. I came to London for a group show in 2013 on my visit I met Samir he explained how Debut works after joining Samir has been a mentor and motivator and has supported me throughout the year he takes artist to a level of success and has make them stronger and confident. Debut has given me tremendous support with their each weekly workshop, I can see my work has become stronger and with that confident I am going for my solo show .
8. Why would you recommend Debut to other artists?
I can see where am I now… and what I was in 2013 struggling to show my work in individually owned galleries, Debut has inspired and motivated me to progress further with my passion for art by being a professional artist. For every artist, that has a passion for art and wants to develop their art career, I would recommend them to join Debut.
9. Is there one thing you would like to accomplish – whether personally or artistically?
My dreams and passion was to became a successful international artist, have the world to understand and be able to interpret my messages through my paintings and have my name listed among the Contemporary artists that probably by then have had avant-garde art form. I would like to thank Samir Ceric for all the support and believing in me and my work and giving me a platform in the London, I am very excited about the future shows in Newyork, Italy & India and I am looking forward to accomplish many more things and assist others to do the same.
BUY ARTWORKS BY Ella Prakash
By Ella Prakash
Unveiling Emotions
Bounded With Love
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This competition attracts musicians as far as Florida who come not only to compete, but to share with their fellow musicians a musical forn that won't be forgotten. Musicans can compete in: Junior Fiddle, Folk Song, Lap Dulcimer, Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar, and String Band. Cash Prizes are awarded to every category, and registration is only $5.


Communications are an important aspect of monetary policy. Clear communications enhance transparency, which is vital for holding the central bank properly accountable, not just before Parliament but also in the court of public opinion.
So it is to be welcomed that the Bank of England has commissioned Kevin Warsh, former governor at the Federal Reserve Board, to review its communications practices. Such practices help the central bank to shape expectations, heightening the effectiveness of policy (Geraats 2002, 2014; Dincer and Eichengreen 2008, 2014). But in response to Warsh's report (Warsh 2014), the Bank is proposing changes in its procedures that fail the transparency test (Bank of England 2014).
The Bank currently provides a drip feed of releases. First comes its monetary policy decision, a week later its quarterly Inflation Report, and with a delay of two weeks, the minutes of its Monetary Policy Committee meeting. The Bank now proposes instead to release these items all at the same time, as a single combined monetary policy announcement.
But replacing a drip feed by a deluge will make the information provided harder to digest. The result, ironically, will be to leave most observers less well informed about the rationale for monetary policy decisions. Academic researchers, and indeed the Bank itself, will no longer be able to identify the separate impact of the policy decision, the Inflation Report and the minutes by looking at how asset prices react to each, since they will all be released together.
Moreover, in order to publish the minutes along with the policy announcement, the Bank will have to alter the policymaking process in undesirable ways. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) currently meets on two consecutive days. Free-flowing deliberations on the first day are followed on the second day by set-piece presentations, known as "policy discussion", in which each MPC member explains his or her policy decision. The decision supported by a majority of members is then announced on the same day, and the minutes follow two weeks later.
The Bank now proposes replacing this two-day MPC meeting with three separate meetings stretching over a week to allow the minutes to be prepared in time for the policy announcement. The genuine deliberations would take place seven days before the policy is announced and would be excluded from full transcripts to be released after eight years. The "policy discussion" would be staged three days before the policy announcement. The MPC would then vote on the eve of the big, all-in-one policy release.
Under this scheme, MPC members would be restricted in their public engagements for a prolonged period. The blackout on public statements, which starts five days before the MPC meeting and ends the day after the policy announcement, would have to be extended to 14 days. This would leave MPC members with less opportunity to explain monetary policy in speeches and interviews, perversely reducing transparency.
Moreover, new economic data, geopolitical events and developments in financial markets could significantly alter policy considerations over the course of seven days. At best, this would be inefficient, since the MPC would have to redo its deliberations. At worst, policy decisions would be distorted if MPC members, having already deliberated, disregard the new information.
Moreover, publishing the MPC's minutes together with the policy decision is not a good substitute for a concise statement that summarises the rationale for the decision of the majority. The minutes already run to around a dozen pages. They would now cover an entire week, during which circumstances would be changing, affecting the coherence of any explanation.
Instead, the policy decision should be accompanied by a compact statement summarising the current situation and the rationale for the policy decision, as recommended by the Warsh review. Better still would be to follow Warsh's recommendation to promptly release a three-part policy statement made up of the decision, a summary of its rationale, and individual MPC votes. When there is also an Inflation Report, it could be released shortly afterwards and presented at a press conference, so that its impact and that of the policy statement could be assessed separately. Minutes could then be published a week after the policy announcement. With these changes, the present format for MPC deliberations, the two-day meeting, could be retained.
All this would constitute a genuine improvement in transparency. By making monetary policy easier to understand, these changes would enhance its effectiveness.
The Bank of England is committing the cardinal sin of making its policymaking process less efficient, supposedly for the sake of transparency. But transparency is not an end in itself. Rather, it is a tool for enhancing accountability and, just as importantly, advancing the ultimate goal of making monetary policy more efficient and effective.
Bank of England (2014), "Bank of England Announces Measures to Bolster Transparency and Accountability," press release, 11 December.
Geraats, P (2002), "Central Bank Transparency," Economic Journal 112, F532-F565.
Geraats, P (2014), "Monetary Policy Transparency," in J Forssbaeck and L Oxelheim (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Economic and Institutional Transparency, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Dincer, N and B Eichengreen (2008), "Central Bank Transparency: Why, When and with What Effects," in J-P Touffut (ed.), Central Banks as Economic Institutions, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Dincer, N and B Eichengreen (2014), "Central Bank Transparency and Independence: Updates and New Measures," International Journal of Central Banking 38, pp.189-253.
McKeown, Jack and Lea Paterson (2014), 'Enhancing the transparency of the Bank of England's Inflation Report', VoxEU.
Warsh, Kevin (2014), "Transparency and the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee".


MOMus, the Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki is officially launched!
The State Museum of Contemporary Art, the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography, the Contemporary Art Center of Thessaloniki and the Museum Alex Mylona are joining their forces, comprising the biggest organisation for visual arts in Greece! A new artistic programme of exhibitions and projects based on modern and contemporary art, photography, experimental arts and sculpture will be put in action soon.
Plan your visit by browsing our current exhibitions or by contacting us (tel. +30 2310593270, info@greekstatemuseum.com).
We are always glad to meet you at the galleries!