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Author Interview with Vineetha Mokkil
On July 24, 2020 July 24, 2020 By fcmalbyIn Author Interview, Authors, Bath Flash Fiction, Best Small Fictions, Books, Harper Collins, Literary Journal, Litro, Short story, writer, WritingLeave a comment
Who or what inspired you to write short stories and when did you begin writing?
All the writers I read and digested inspired me to write. I was a voracious reader as a child. I started writing when I was in middle school. Some of those stories were written for competitions held at school and some stayed on the pages of my notebooks. I've loved books ever since I can remember. Reading stories was such a pleasure and a fascinating voyage of discovery—of other lives and worlds—and I couldn't resist the temptation of trying my hand at writing them. I was enthralled as a reader and I wanted to see if I could write stories to recreate that immersive and magical experience for my readers.
How has living in various places – New York, Delhi and Taos affected your writing? Do you think travel helps to inspire your work?
Every place I've lived in or visited shapes my writing in particular ways. The energy of a place—inspiring, soothing, manic or comatose—rubs off on me. The essence of a place stays in my heart long after I say goodbye. The people I meet and the stories they tell, the sights, sounds, skies, and hidden histories of a place all spark my fiction. Travel is inextricably linked to my process. New places jumpstart my imagination. The memories they gift me are fertile ground for stories to germinate.
Do you create a structure for your stories before you begin or are they more fluid?
I tend to write short stories and flash fiction in a fluid way. I have a basic idea of the flow of the story, but it's not strictly structured before I begin. Whereas with my novel, which I'm currently working on, I found that I had to create a solid structure before I started.
What advice would you give to writers wanting to submit work to literary journals?
Get your story into the best shape possible. Rewrite, refine, edit and polish vigorously before you submit. Keep at it inspite of rejections. Appreciate the feedback editors give you and incorporate it into your work. Acceptances will eventually come your way.
How has winning writing competitions affected your journey as an author?
Writing competitions come with strict deadlines and they force me to sit down at my desk and finish a story on time. Competitions make me a more disciplined writer in this sense. Winning a competition makes me feel my hard work is being appreciated. That's a wonderful boost for a writer. It gives you reason to believe in yourself and your art and to carry on writing in a world which is largely indifferent to creative endeavours.
Can you tell us about your collection, A Happy Place, and your route to publication with Harper Collins?
I didn't start out with a collection in mind. The stories were written one at a time. The title story was published in the Santa Fe Writers' Project Journal. My eternal gratitude to the editors for that acceptance! Then, a few more of my stories got published in literary journals and magazines, and that gave me the confidence to consider putting together a collection. Once I had enough stories, the hunt for an agent started. It was not easy. Some agents loved my writing, but they were running scared of taking on short stories. It took a lot of effort and patience to find an agent who believed in the collection's possibilities. She sent it out to several publishers and I was thrilled when HarperCollins said yes to it.
Who are your favourite short story authors?
It's a long list. To name a few: Chekhov, O. Henry, TC Boyle, Anita Desai, Lucia Berlin, Anne Enright, EL Doctorow, Akil Kumarasamy, Chimamanda Adichie, KJ Orr, Deborah Eisenberg.
What do you think is the essence of a good piece of short fiction?
Telling detail, tension, humour, nuance, startling imagery, and the ability to make a word resonate in different registers at the same time.
What are you currently reading and which book would you take to a desert island, and why?
I am currently devoting all my time to working on my novel, though it's a tough challenge to resist the call of my very attractive to-read pile. The last book I read and was bowled over by was The Friend by Sigrid Nunez, an incredibly perceptive and well-written novel about friendship, loyalty, loss, and grief. My desert island pick would be Michael Ondaatje's The English Patient. The copy I own is falling apart because I've re-read it so many times. This novel surprises me every time I read it. It is so lyrical, insightful, wise, and immense in scope—I'd be delighted to be marooned on an island with it.
Vineetha Mokkil is the author of the short story collection, A Happy Place and other stories (HarperCollins), which was listed as one of the Ten Best Works of Fiction by The Telegraph. She was shortlisted for the Bath Flash Award June 2018, shortlisted for the Desi Writers Lounge Short Story Contest 2018, and is the winner of the New Asian Writing Short Story Competition 2018. She was a nominee for Best Small Fictions 2019. Her fiction has appeared in Barren, Cosmonauts Avenue, Fictive Dream, The Best Asian Short Stories 2018 (Kitaab, Singapore), Gravel, Jellyfish Review, Quarterly Literary Review Singapore and chosen for the Longform fiction pick-of-the-week.
You can find Vineetha on Twitter @VineethaMokkil and her books on her Amazon author page
Author Interview with SJ Watson
On July 13, 2020 July 13, 2020 By fcmalbyIn Author Interview, book release, Book to Film, Crime Fiction, Psychological thriller, WritingLeave a comment
You previously worked for the NHS, what did it take for you to move into the arena of writing, and can you tell us about your journey?
It was a long-ish process of realising that I would never be truly fulfilled while my writing was taking second place to my NHS career. As I got more senior in my post in a children's hearing service in South East London, I found I had less time at the end of the working day, and more importantly, less energy for my writing. It was making me miserable, as I'd always wanted to write and publish novels and that dream was slipping further away. So I decided to go part time in a more junior job and use the rest of the time to write. I told myself I'd give it a couple of years of really throwing my energy into writing and then assess how it was going. Not long after that, I enrolled on a creative writing course at the Faber Academy, and started work on the book that would become Before I Go to Sleep.
Your debut novel, Before I Go to Sleep, was turned into a film staring Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth, how closely did it remain to the storyline of the novel, and how much input did you have in the script?
I had no input, directly, but I had a good working relationship with Rowan Joffe who wrote and directed it, and also Liza Marshall who was the producer. So they ran ideas past me and checked I was happy with what they were doing, which was great, and in almost all cases I was. It was like having the best of both worlds – creative input without responsibility! But for the main part I let them get on with realising their vision – I see the movie as being like a cover version of a song. It's a different piece of work, Rowan's job was to take something that worked as a 350 page book and make it work as a 90 minute film. So, while it doesn't incorporate every element of the book, and some things have been changed to make it more filmic, it's very much true to the story.
Do you have a writing routine and what is your workspace like?
I try to do my creative work in the mornings, with afternoons left for admin and 'life maintenance' tasks, though if my writing is going well I'll find it bleeds into the afternoon. I don't work well with rigid boundaries, I prefer having a vague plan for the day. It depends on what I'm working on, too, and what stage I'm in. When I'm drafting I aim to write at least 1000 words, at least five days a week. Sometimes it's much more, when it's going well, but when it's not I've learned not to force it. It's important to trust what the work is telling you. When I'm editing I can get through a lot more in a day, though much of that is cutting and rewriting. I'll often do that in the evenings, when I seem to have more of a critical head on.
My workspace is messy. There are books, notebooks, post-its, pens, ink, receipts, bills, plus of course my laptop and keyboard and so on. I'd like to be someone who keeps it tidy, or who refreshes it at the end of the day, but I'm… not. And I've accepted that, now.
Do you plan the structure of a novel, and do you begin with the plot or the characters?
I'm getting to be more of a planner with each novel. Before I Go to Sleep was very much 'dive in and see where I end up', whereas Final Cut, my new book, was planned fairly meticulously. I like to leave some room for the book's own alchemy to take hold though, space for the unforeseen bit of magic. I usually begin with an idea, an area I want to work in or explore, and from there I think, 'what could happen?' and also, 'what kind of person would that thing happen to?' So, I suppose I'm thinking of the two things in parallel. A book can't really happen for me until the characters are up and walking and talking, though, so that becomes the main thing.
What can you tell us about your forthcoming third novel, Final Cut, and the inspiration behind the story?
Final Cut I was inspired by several different things. I'd been thinking about voyeurism and filmmaking, and I started to become fascinated by documentaries, particularly those dealing with 'ordinary life', and reality TV. I was thinking about the everyday moments, dramatic and otherwise, which make up a life. Alongside that, I've long been interested in the modern-day urge to document, to record and share everything, almost as if otherwise it doesn't seem real. When I was growing up I took 24 or 36 photos a year, on my annual holiday, now some people get through that many a day. These ideas coalesced into a narrative about an ordinary town in which dark secrets were hiding under the surface, which would be brought to light as a documentary filmmaker examined the village.
So this was the surface, but underneath my subconscious was also working away, and when I came to write the book I realised that my main character, Alex, was someone who once again only had a partial understanding of who she was. So, like Before I Go to Sleep, I was once again looking at the realm of memory and identity, albeit through a different lens and in a very different story.
Can you share something about the book, or about you, that readers won't know?
I scrapped an entire book before writing Final Cut. I liked it, and loved the characters, but in the end decided it just wasn't good enough.
Which book has had the greatest impact on your life, and why?
That's sort of easy, and sort of impossible. Before I Go to Sleep changed my life completely, in almost every imaginable way. But I suspect you mean a book written by someone else! It's so hard to choose one, but I'd probably say either The Lord of the Rings, which I read as a child and which first made me want to write, or The Handmaid's Tale. The latter isn't even my favourite Atwood novel, but it's the book that, when I read it about fifteen years ago, made me realise I needed to revisit that childhood ambition and take it seriously.
What advice would you give to writers wanting to get a book published, and what do you enjoy most about the publication process?
I'd say, concentrate on writing the best book you can. When I speak to groups of aspiring writers I always ask why they think most books aren't published. Too often they say it's because the writer hasn't got a big enough social media profile, or they're not famous in a different field, or whatever. The truth is, the books that most people write aren't good enough. So an aspiring writer needs to concentrate less of their energy on 'getting published' and more on being the best writer they can be. Once their book is unassailably good, then is the time to start to think about getting it into the hands of readers, or agents, or whatever. That bit is relatively easy, believe it or not. Agents are looking for books to represent just as much as writers are looking for agents. The tricky thing is that the books have to be amazing.
There are lots of really special moments along the way in the publishing process – seeing the book typeset for the first time, seeing the jacket the designer has come up with, when it first appears on your doormat in physical form. But I think I love meeting readers the most. It's always lovely to hear how people have connected with the work. It's going to be very different this time round, with most festivals having to be online. I shall miss it.
With photography as an interest outside writing, and an Instagram page of creative photography, does this link with or inspire your writing?
Very much so. When I've been writing intensively I'll go out and take some street photographs, and when I've done that for a few hours I return to my desk energised. Each seems to feed the other. One is physical, one sedentary, and both require intense observation, but also I think it's because they're almost exact opposites. In writing fiction I'm trying to take a narrative and from it create images in someone's head, whereas in photography I'm trying to weave a story out of a still picture. So each compliments the other – they're ultimately both narrative arts. Or maybe I just love both because I'm incredibly nosy.
S J WATSON's first novel, Before I Go To Sleep, became a phenomenal international success and has now sold over 6,000,000 copies worldwide. It won the Crime Writers' Association Award for Best Debut Novel and the Galaxy National Book Award for Crime Thriller of the Year and has been translated into more than 40 languages. The film of the book, starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong, and directed by Rowan Joffe, was released in September 2014. S J Watson's second novel, Second Life, a psychological thriller, was published to acclaim in 2015, and his forthcoming novel, Final Cut, will be published in August 2020.
You can find SJ Watson on Twitter @SJ_Watson or on the website sjwatson-books.com
Author Interview with Debut Crime Writer, Sarah Hilary
On February 25, 2014 By fcmalbyIn Author Interview, Crime Fiction2 Comments
I'd like to welcome Sarah Hilary to the blog today. Her debut novel, Someone Else's Skin, will be published on Thursday by Headline. It has already received some great reviews and has been heralded as "one of the debut novels of next year, if not THE debut novel." I wanted to find out more about Sarah, her path to publication, and the inspiration behind her work. Thank you, Sarah, for today's interview. We wish you all the best for the imminent release of your book!
What drew you to crime fiction and how have you been influenced by other authors or film and television?
SH: I always loved Sherlock Holmes, and I adore TV crime. Key influences would be Silence of the Lambs (film and book), Fred Vargas, Patricia Highsmith, TV shows like The Bridge, The Mentalist, Peaky Blinders… All these things keep me on my toes and inspire me to keep exploring the different angles of crime.
How does your work as a copywriter and editor work alongside fiction writing? Does it help or hinder your creative process?
SH: It helps, I think. I have to produce some pretty taut prose at work, which is never a bad thing in a fiction writer. And it's good to have time away from stories, to stay in touch with the real world.
What do you think helps to make characters likeable or believable to the reader, and how important is it?
SH: It's all about empathy. I don't believe a character needs to be likeable so much as recognisable; he or she needs to touch a nerve in the reader. One reader said that she found Marnie Rome irritating, and that this was a compliment, because it meant that Marnie was 'real'. I get bored reading about heroes and villains. I'm fascinated by the human qualities between these two extremes. That's where the interest lies for me.
Where do you write and why?
SH:In cafes, when I can. I like the white noise, and the sense of being in the world and outside it, at the same time.
What is your process and how do you plan?
SH: I keep notebooks and mark down the twists, for the story and for the characters. Other than that, I don't do much planning. I used to try, but it ended up killing my interest in the story. So now I take a deep breath and dive in…
Your debut novel, Someone Else's Skin will be released in just a few days. Can you tell us about your journey to publication?
SH: Long and rocky. I was lucky enough to get noticed and encouraged by the agent I'd set my heart on (Jane Gregory) who gave me so much encouragement each time she rejected my early manuscripts. I knew that if I could write a book she loved then I'd make it. Stamina was a very big part of it but, boy, did it pay off.
Thank you, Sarah. Finally, a lighter question for you! What do you do with your time when you are not writing?
SH: Watch TV with my daughter. Read. Count my blessings.
Sarah Hilary has worked as a bookseller, and with the Royal Navy. Her debut novel, Someone Else's Skin, will be published in 2014 by Headline in the UK, Penguin in the US, and in six other countries worldwide. A second book in the series will be published a year later. Set in London, both books feature DI Marnie Rome, a woman with a tragic past and a unique insight into domestic violence. www.sarah-crawl-space.blogspot.co.uk/
An Interview With Author Emylia Hall
On November 6, 2013 By fcmalbyIn Author Interview, settingLeave a comment
What gave you the courage to leave an advertising job in London and launch into writing?
After five years in London straight after university, I'd reached the point where I felt as though I really needed to make a change. I was caught up in a very busy day job, one that didn't leave a lot of headspace for much else.
For quite some time I'd felt that I wanted to do something more creatively fulfilling, something that was more for myself, but it was a matter of choosing the right point at which to make the change, as there were things I really liked about my job, and London life. My husband and I have always loved snowboarding, and we'd talked idly about doing a ski season many times. Going to live in the French Alps, and working as chalet staff, was a great way to break from our old routine, and explore new horizons – literally and figuratively. That was when, and where, I began writing. I think when you make a decision that's from the heart, but you've also really thought it through, it doesn't feel like courage comes into it all that much.
What have you learned about the process of writing and the publishing industry since you first put your ideas down?
While I was writing my first novel, The Book of Summers, my biggest concern was that it would get lost in the slush pile among all the other hopeful manuscripts, never finding its way into the right pair of hands. As soon as I had an agent on my side, the brilliant Rowan Lawton, I felt much more confident – I still knew that publication wasn't guaranteed, but I felt like I was on the right path. When I got 'the call' with the news that Headline wanted my book, I was floored. The thing I'd been working towards for some years, and had wanted almost more than anything else, had actually happened. It felt like a dream. That was July 2011, and sometimes I have to remind myself of how incredibly lucky I am, and what a privilege it is to write full-time. It's easy for it to feel normal, and I don't want that to happen. It's not normal – it's wonderful – an extraordinary way to spend your days. But for all the joy, there are aspects that make writing a job like any other, days when putting pen to paper feels like a chore, and my daily word-count target like an insurmountable mountain. That's when a well-timed and self-administered kick up the backside is just the thing. Be rigorous, be tough, and make yourself work even when you don't feel like it. That's what I've learnt. It might be my dream job, but it's also very real work.
You have talked previously about poetry being an inspiration for your work. Do you have particular favourites or other key inspirations?
I wrote a piece for Book Slam recently on this very subject, which you can read here.
My favourite poem is probably Fern Hill by Dylan Thomas – I love the evocation of a rural childhood, and the melancholy of the poet's ability to recollect, but never be fully able to return. A desire for some kind of time-travel, driven by nostalgia and longing, lies at the heart of much of my writing. I almost always start a story with 'place', and those places are often landscapes that belong to my past, or hold a particular kind of allure for me, mostly of the unreachable, or faintly exotic, kind. I live in Bristol, and I love it here, but I have no particular interest in setting a story in the city. That said, if I moved away I'm almost certain that I'd think 'ah…. Bristol' and want to do something with that feeling.
The Book of Summers, your debut novel, has been translated into eight languages and was a Richard and Judy Summer Book Club pick in 2012. How did it affect your profile as a writer?
I think Richard and Judy probably made a huge difference, and certainly introduced many more readers to my work – for that, I'm hugely grateful. Having their seal of approval also gave me a wonderful confidence boost, it's something to hold on to. I've always had great respect for their book club choices, and have found some of my favourite contemporary novels thanks to them. The translations of The Book of Summers are really exciting to me, it's a real thrill to hold a foreign edition of your work in your hand, especially for a travel-junkie like myself. I've been to Hungary and Spain for promotional visits and literary festivals. One of Budapest's biggest bookstores devoted an entire window display to The Book of Summers, which was a real thrill to see, and my Spanish publisher ran an amazing publicity campaign that included radio ads and an aeroplane trailing a banner in the skies above Malaga…. Surreal, and brilliant.
Your next book, A Heart Bent Out of Shape, was published last month in the UK (and will be released as The Swiss Affair in the US in 2014). How did the books differ in the length of time that it took you to complete them and are there any similar threads running through both?
I wrote The Book of Summers over the course of about four years, in quite a meandering fashion, most of the time writing alongside a day job. I did however take a clear six months off to give it 'the final push', and then another six months working part-time in a bookshop while finishing it. I burnt through my savings, but never regretted giving myself this kind of focused time on the book. It really worked for me. A Heart Bent Out of Shape was written under quite different conditions. It was the second book in a two-book deal, and I quit my part-time job in a Bristol marketing agency in order to write it to deadline. It took about a year and a half, from start to finish. During the process I sometimes wondered if I was trying to move too quickly, but then it all came together, and the last six months of work, with the wisdom of my agent and editors filling my sails, turned out to be the most pleasurable.
I share your love of the slopes but am happier on skis than a snowboard. How important do you think it is for writers to have passions that take them out of the writing process and away from their book?
I love what snowboarding gives me; it's exhilarating in every way. I love the speed, the way sometimes you can scare yourself a little, but ultimately always feel in control. And the setting… I love the mountains, and the beauty of a blue sky and powder day is, in my mind, unsurpassable. I also have a big crush on alpine style; the architecture, the food, the rugged exteriors and the cosy interiors… it all comes together to be, for me, the perfect pastime. We spent two winters living in Morzine in the French Alps, and I had a year in Lausanne as a student, so the mountains never feel far away; there are seven snowboards in our house, and I'm a sucker for vintage ski art and old resort postcards. As to writers and their passions, I think the great outdoors is the best tonic for us solitary, desk-bound folk. A beautiful view can't help but give perspective, and it's good to feel your heart pumping and your muscles straining, giving your mind and body something else to think about. My third novel has a bit of a surf element to it, and I'm keen to take some lessons down in Cornwall.
Your books are set in Hungary and Switzerland. Is travel important to you and how do you create a sense of place in your work?
Travel is really important to my work. I love books that transport the reader, emotionally and physically, and give a real sense of place. They're my favourite books to read, and therefore my favourite to write. So far I've chosen places as settings that I love and feel a real connection with, so conjuring the detail of them, trying to capture their essence, is a really enjoyable process and feels quite natural. Desk-bound travelling! The book I'm working on at the moment is set in Cornwall's Far West, and the wildness of that landscape really appeals to me. I grew up in Devon, and so it doesn't feel like a world away, but retains enough of an exotic edge to make me interested in writing about it. I think a lot of my obsession with writing about place comes from my rural childhood. I lived in the same cottage in a tiny village until I went away to university and moved to London, and as a child I always had a great curiosity about other places, and other people's lives. We travelled quite a lot as a family, always driving across Europe each summer, and those trips have really stayed with me. I grew up holding onto the memory of one trip, and looking forward to the next, always savouring the details of our travels, and loving sharing them as a family. When I went to university I made sure that a year abroad was part of that experience, and I chose Lausanne, in Switzerland, which became the setting for A Heart Bent Out of Shape. I guess I have the kind of mind that holds on to the details of a place, and the kind of imagination that wants to do something with them.
Are there any books that have taken your breath away or left a lingering sense of another world?
Many, but to name just a few… The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. The White Woman On The Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey. The Silver Dark Sea by Susan Fletcher. Each conjures place so vividly, be it Congo, Trinidad, or a remote Scottish island, and I was utterly lost in their worlds. I really admire the writing of Daphne du Maurier, and love how central Cornwall was to her work, inspiring her life on the page, and beyond it. And Ernest Hemingway's epilogue to Death In The Afternoon is, to my mind, a truly perfect piece of writing about place… the opening line 'If I could have made this enough of a book it would have had everything in it,' exactly sums up how I felt when writing A Heart Bent Out of Shape. My greatest desire was to do justice to my memory of Lausanne, to capture its beauty and convey that very particular feeling of being young, and abroad, and everything seeming full of promise. I wanted to write the whole city into that novel, every view, every scent, every sight, but in the end you have to step back, write what's right, and keep the rest for yourself.
After studying at York University and in Lausanne, Switzerland, Emylia spent five years working in a London ad agency, before moving to the French Alps where she began to write. The daughter of an English artist and a Hungarian quilt-maker, Emylia enjoys travel and snowboarding. She now lives in Bristol with her husband, also an author. Her first novel, THE BOOK OF SUMMERS, was a Richard and Judy Summer Book Club pick in 2012. It's published by Headline in the UK, MIRA in the US & Canada. Her second novel, A HEART BENT OUT OF SHAPE (or THE SWISS AFFAIR, in the US) was published in September 2013 (Feb 2014 in the US). Emylia's writing and short fiction has appeared in a variety of publications, including ELLE magazine, the Book Slam anthology, Too Much Too Young, and broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music. She is currently at work on her third novel.
You can find Emylia on twitter and her website and blog.
Author Interview with Matt Haig
On July 1, 2013 October 1, 2018 By fcmalbyIn Author Interview2 Comments
From your experience of journalism, as well as novel writing, has one fed in to the other in any way?
Journalism teaches you to be economical with words. It tells you not to be too self-indulgent.
What do you most like to read and are there any books you have read recently that have stood out or changed you?
I read all kinds of stuff. I have been re-reading Graham Greene recently. I studied him at university. Did a whole module on him. I think, from the outside, my books are nothing like his, but I consider him my greatest influence.
What have been the most difficult things to write about and why?
There is some mathematics in my new novel, and I had to look like I knew what I was talking about, so I researched, and I quickly saw how so many mathematicians go crazy.
You have said that The Humans, your new book, is the one work you would most like to be remembered for. Although you have written several other books, what has given you confidence in this project in particular?
Because I totally cut loose. A part of me used to play the game. You know, I used to be trying to be highbrow, or taken seriously, and that somehow got in the way. With this, I knew it was probably going to be published whatever (as my last book did quite well) so I just went for it. Comedy, science-fiction, sentimentality – all those illegal things.
What advice would you give to new writers on their path to publication?
Be brutal with your writing. Don't let yourself have it easy. And then be persistent, and thick-skinned, for everything that follows.
What do you enjoy doing outside writing and reading?
Being with my kids, toast and peanut butter, running, holidays. I am not into fancy things, but I am into fancy holidays.
If you could meet any well-known figure, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Emily Dickinson, without a doubt. Amazing mind, intriguing person. She'd be too shy to open her front door though, so that'd be a problem.
Matt has written novels, screenplays, children's novels and worked as a journalist, collaborating with The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Independent. He has won a range of awards, including the Yorkshire Young Achievers 'Achievement in the Arts' Award in 2009, and his novels have been translated into 29 languages. The film rights for his first novel, The Last Family in England (2004), have been sold to Brad Pitt's production company. His previous novel, The Radleys, won an ALA Alex Award in America, has been shortlisted for the Portico prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. It won the TV Book Club Summer Read. He was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire in 1975. Since then he has lived in Nottinghamshire, Ibiza and London. He studied English and History at Hull University and then did an MA at Leeds, and now lives in York with author Andrea Semple and their two children.
www.matthaig.com
© 2020 FC Malby
© FC Malby 2020


FilmRise And Global Citizen Partner To Drive Action To End Extreme Poverty On Families And The Bringing Of The Global Community Closer Together With Nationwide Theatrical On Demand Release Of The Award-Winning Film "SPRINTER"
BROOKLYN, N.Y., April 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- FilmRise and Global Citizen have partnered together to support bringing the global community and families closer together with the nationwide Theatrical On Demand release of SPRINTER, executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, and Richard Jefferson. International advocacy organization Global Citizen will be offering a VIP ticket package in its Rewards program, for a winner to attend the FilmRise exclusive premiere screening, presented by Citi, in Los Angeles.
"SPRINTER is an authentic look at a teenage sprinter struggling to find his way, fulfill his true potential, and reunite with his family, which has been broken apart by extreme poverty in Jamaica. Global poverty is having a calamitous effect on families and we are extremely delighted to be partnering with two great organizations that strive to make our world a better place. Their help and support of bringing attention to this film is tremendous," stated Sal Scamardo, Vice-President, Distribution Strategies, FilmRise.
Since 2012, Global Citizen has grown into one of the largest, most visible platforms for young people around the world calling on world leaders to honour their responsibilities in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Madge Thomas, Senior Director of Global Policy and Government Affairs at Global Citizen comments, "We are thrilled to be a part of this film and its campaign to help bring families together, create opportunities and education for all and to help encourage more people to take action in support of a worldwide movement to end extreme poverty."
SPRINTER will be available Theatrical-On-Demand nationwide on April 24th on the Gathr® Films platform.
FilmRise is a film and TV distribution company and streaming network founded by veteran producer/financiers Danny Fisher, Jack Fisher and Alan Klingenstein. With over 15,000 titles in a wide range of genres, the company's releases include HBO's multiple Emmy®-winning "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief"; "Janis: Little Girl Blue," produced by Oscar®-winner Alex Gibney; two-time Academy Award®-nominee Julie Delpy's "Lolo; and the Sundance hit "White Girl". Television titles include such classics as "Roseanne" and "3rd Rock from the Sun", as well as the iconic Robert Stack hosted series "Unsolved Mysteries" and Gordon Ramsay's "Hell's Kitchen" and "Kitchen Nightmares."
FilmRise's recent releases include "Manifesto" starring two-time Oscar®-winner Cate Blanchett; sci-fi drama "Marjorie Prime" starring Jon Hamm and Lois Smith; the box-office hit "My Friend Dahmer" starring Ross Lynch and Anne Heche; and "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" starring Chloë Grace Moretz.


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IMNU are champions of Parakram 2023
Ahmedabad Mirror
Host Institute of Management, Nirma University, emerged as champions of the inter-college sporting event Parakram '23 with a win of six gold medals and one silver medal across cricket, football, men's basketball, men's volleyball, lawn tennis and more. While Shanti Business School won a silver in cricket and tug of war (women's), International Institute of Sports Management won gold in football, MICA won gold in basketball (women's), volleyball (women's) and table tennis (gold and silver).
Bhatia may not get extension; will it be Karwal or Sahay next?
Two state cops get Prez's Police Medal
AMTS to relaunch Ladies-Only bus
How Bhuj transformed after quake
Bomb threat has police on alert
You can buy a sedan for price of this number!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Set on the 67th floor, this project represented the last available of the 6 raw floor plate spaces originally designed into the Four Seasons Tower, and the highest unbuilt residential space south of New York City.
Designed for a South American buyer and his extended family, the design brief called only for 5 bedroom spaces in the almost 11,000 square feet of raw space, and for it to be "…visually exciting; something that is different from your other works, but yet instantly recognizable as an ODP residence because of the level of detail which will surprise us every time we visit." To this end, the design team created the only unit in the building that has an elevator lobby with a visual connection to both the northern and southern views immediately upon arrival at the elevator landing.
The plan is organized around central gallery space, dominated by the 4000 bottle sculptural wine room set in the middle. Two American walnut walls frame the space, with a circular form carved out of the eastern wall to frame the view through the dining room and onto Key Biscayne beyond. Visually, the project reinterprets the age old idea of the modern design of all white walls and furniture by introducing cooler tones throughout complimented by sophisticated use of color and texture. This project is also the culmination of ODP's 8 years of interior works at the Four Seasons tower, with ODP interiors having designed 3 of the 4 penthouse floors.


Live oak trees can be planting in most types of soil, but care needs to be taken when choosing a location. The live oak tree's roots grow close to the top of the ground and will lift cement pads and sidewalks, and can make mowing troublesome. Choose a spot where there is room to build a round garden under the oak tree with a radius of at least 4 feet. The garden area can contain mulch or vines that are not hampered by the roots of the oak tree.
Dig a planting hole twice the size of the rootball and as deep as the rootball. If the tree is balled and burlaped and the burlap is organic, leave the burlap on the root ball, but remove any staples or ties holding the burlap on the tree. Organic burlap will decompose and provide additional nutrients for the live oak tree. If the tree is bare root, soak the roots for at least eight hours prior to planting, to ensure proper hydration.
Center the live oak tree in the planting hole. If the tree is bare root, spread the roots out at the bottom of the planting hole. Backfill with soil, gently tamping it down as you backfill.
Provide at least 1 inch of water. Watering deeply encourages deep root growth and a healthier tree. Shallow watering encourages shallow root growth and a less healthy tree. Unhealthy trees are prone to viruses, fungi and pests.
Mulch with at least 3 inches of compost or pulverized bark. If you are creating a garden under the oak tree, plant the rest of the landscaping plants, then mulch accordingly--except close to the oak tree.
Water the live oak tree and the additional plants with at least 1 inch of water a week until the tree is established. After the first growing season, watering the garden underneath the live oak tree will provide enough water for the tree. If you do not have a garden under the live oak tree, water with at least 1 inch of water every other week.


Mel Brooks is a popular Actor. Latest movies in which Mel Brooks has acted are The Guardian Brothers, Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation and Blazing Samurai. Mel Brooks was born on June 28, 1926.
Showing photos of "Mel Brooks"


text:
Featured / News / R&B News
Jamie Foxx Wants to Please Women on 'Man's Intuition'
by Singersroom October 4, 2007 January 1, 2016
R&B singer – actor Jamie Foxx's third studio album will reveal his struggle to please women. He says new disc 'Man's Intuition' was inspired by his frustration about understanding what the opposite sex really want. Foxx told Britain's The Independent newspaper: "On my radio show I have this panel of beautiful women and they were talking about how men with a lot of money aren't all that. But if a guy has no money, that's no good either. So I was thinking, 'What does a woman want?' "We go from there and build the story and the songs." Foxx plans to release the first single from 'Man's Intuition' next summer, with the album itself hitting shelves in December 2008. Despite his difficulty understanding women, Foxx was romantically linked to stunning model Carmen Electra last year following her split from rock guitarist husband Dave Navarro. Meanwhile, Foxx reveals a former girlfriend set him on the road to stardom in the 80s. He recalls: "I was at an open mic comedy gig and my girlfriend at the time persuaded me to get up and give it a go. It went really well and I started getting up on stage whenever I could. My career started from there." Foxx has a 12-year-old daughter, Corinne, from a previous relationship.
TaggedJamie Foxxman's intition
Update: Chaka Khan Makes Her Mark on the Billboard Charts
Heineken Red Star Soul Concert
Justin Timberlake, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis 'Dominate' Grammy R&B and Rap Winners
Mary J. Blige's Charity Accused of Alleged Financial Misuse
Ray J Denies Dissing Kim Kardashian: 'It's Just A Record Yo'
Beyonce Performs 'Daddy Lessons' With The Dixie Chicks at CMAs, Faces Backlash From Country Music Fans
Patti Labelle and Queen Latifah to Receive Black Girls Rock! Honors
Jaheim Appreciates A Little Struggle When It Comes To Love On New Single


text:
Omsk refinery begins production of diesel Euro 5
The new diesel hydrotreating plant was put into operation at the Omsk refinery on October 24.
Setting the capacity of 3 million tons per year intended for the production of diesel fuel grade 5 provided the technical regulations of the Russian Federation and comply with the European standard Euro 5. In particular, the sulfur content of diesel fuel of this class is 35 times lower than the analogous Euro 3.
A new manufacturing facility is part of the hydroforming of motor fuels, the launch of the first phase of which — hydrotreating catalytic cracking gasoline — in May 2012. A full-scale commissioning of the complex will Omsk refinery from 2013 to switch completely to the production of motor gasoline 4th and 5th grades, and diesel fuel grade 5. Total investment in the construction of the two plants totaled 15.9 billion rubles.
Creating complex hydroforming fuels at the Omsk refinery — the final stage of the program of the plant to improve the quality of products sold in the strategy of refining "Gazprom oil" until 2020. The next step will be the implementation of modernization projects aimed at increasing the depth of oil refining.
Leonid Kartseva 90 years
Here is a very non-standard people more precarious fate. Under his direction, our tank
Mexico has acquired from Russia multipurpose helicopters
Mexico purchased from Russia three multi-purpose military transport helicopter Mi-17V-5, told RIA Novosti on
Star Group completed construction of the largest in Ukraine SES
Slovak Star Group completed the construction of the first phase of the largest solar
Oklahoma, USA: Thousands of dead fish in the river Red River
Fishermen in a small community in southern Oklahoma at a loss after the discovery
The hunters Chukchi updated equipment
Chukchi sea mammal hunters received new boats, fuel, safety equipment and satellite tracking devices
Secrets of History 0
The ancient Romans and Greeks treated eyes zinc
Medical drugs found on a shipwreck that occurred two thousand years ago, suggests that


A Reusable bag made out of recycled water bottles. When it's life span is done, it can be recycled again! Tuck a couple in your market basket when you go out. Bag features the JB logo, and words of "inspiration" are hidden in the grass ("inspire, invent, plant a seed . . .").
Measures 16" x 6.75" x 14.5".


text:
Svjetsko vaterpolsko prvenstvo 2007. održalo se u Melbourneu u Australiji, od 17. ožujka do 1. travnja, na bazenskom kompleksu "Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre".

Sudionici

Države sudionice su Italija, Njemačka, Srbija,
Hrvatska, Australija, JAR, SAD, Rusija, Španjolska, Grčka, Japan, Mađarska, Rumunjska, Novi Zeland, Kina, Kanada

Prosudbište za ulazak europskih predstavnika je bio plasman na europskom prvenstvu.
Oceanija daje dvoje predstavnika.
Azija i Amerika daju po dva predstavnika.
Afrika daje jednog predstavnika.

Ždrijeb

Ždrijeb za skupine je obavljen 12. listopada 2006.

Skupine su bile:

Skupina A: Italija, Njemačka, Srbija, drugoplasirani iz azijskih izlučnih natjecanja

Skupina B: Hrvatska, Australija, JAR, pobjednik američkih izlučnih natjecanja

Skupina C: Rusija, Španjolska, Grčka, pobjednik azijskih izlučnih natjecanja

Skupina D: Mađarska, Rumunjska, Novi Zeland, drugoplasirani iz američkih izlučnih natjecanja

Mjesta održavanja

Natjecateljski sustav

Pobjednici skupina izravno sudjeluje u poluzavršnici.
Drugi i treći u skupini odlaze u četvrtzavršnicu; križaju se s drugim i trećim iz neke druge skupine. Pobjednici tih susreta odlaze u poluzavršnicu.

osmina završnice
26. ožujka
2."A" - 3."B" (1)
3."A" - 2."B" (2)
2."C" - 3."D" (3)
3."C" - 2."D" (4)

četvrtzavršnica
28. ožujka
1."A" - pobjednik 3 (I)
1."B" - pobjednik 4 (II)
1."C" - pobjednik 1 (III)
1."D" - pobjednik 2 (IV)

poluzavršnica
30. ožujka
pobjednik I - pobjednik II
pobjednik III - pobjednik IV

1. travnja se igraju utakmica za 3. mjesto i završnica.

za 5. – 8. mjesto
30. ožujka
poraženi I - poraženi II
poraženi III - poraženi IV
Pobjednici igraju 1. travnja za 5. mjesto, a poraženi iz gornjih dvaju parova za 7. mjesto

za plasman od 9. – 12. mjesta
28. ožujka
poraženi 1 - poraženi 3
poraženi 2 - poraženi 4
Poraženi iz gornjih susreta 30. ožujka igraju za 11., a pobjednici za 9. mjesto.

za plasman od 13. – 16. mjesta
26. ožujka
4."A" - 4."B" (5)
4."C" - 4."D" (6)
28. ožujka
za 15. mjesto: poraženi 5 - poraženi 6
za 13. mjesto: pobjednik 5 - pobjednik 6

1. krug - natjecanje po skupinama

Skupina "A"

Vodi Srbija s 4 boda, Italija i Njemačka po 2 boda, Japan bez bodova. Srbija je osigurala nastup u četvrtzavršnici, Italija i Njemačka su osigurale nastup u osmini završnice.

Konačna ljestvica:

 Mj.  Momčad Ut Pb N Pz Ps:Pr Bod
 1.   Srbija 3 3 0 0 35:13 6 u četvrtzavršnici
 2.   Italija 3 2 1 0 31:15 4 u osmini završnice
 3.   Njemačka 3 1 0 2 27:26 2 u osmini završnice
 4.   Japan 3 0 0 3 15:55 0

Skupina "B"

Hrvatska i SAD imaju po 4 boda, Australija i JAR bez bodova. Hrvatska i SAD su osigurale sudjelovanje u osmini završnice.
Za treće mjesto u skupini, koje također daje sudionika u osmini završnice, izravno odlučuju u međusobnom susretu Australija i JAR. U slučaju neriješenog ishoda, zbog bolje razlike pogodaka, dalje ide Australija.
Za izravno osiguravanje sudjelovanja u četvrtzavršnici, u međusobnom susretu odlučuju Hrvatska i SAD. Neriješeni susret odgovara SAD-u, zbog bolje razlike pogodaka.

24. ožujka
 Hrvatska -  SAD 10:8 (3:1,3:2;2:2;2:3)
 Australija -  JAR 12:6 (2:1,3:2,4:0,3:3)

Konačna ljestvica:

 Mj.  Momčad Ut Pb N Pz Ps:Pr Bod
 1.   Hrvatska 3 3 0 0 33:22 6 u četvrtzavršnici
 2.   SAD 3 2 1 0 31:17 4 u osmini završnice
 3.   Australija 3 1 0 2 24:25 2 u osmini završnice
 4.   JAR 3 0 0 3 15:39 0

Skupina "C"

Vode Španjolska i Grčka s po 4 boda, Rusija i Kina bez bodova.
Španjolska i Grčka su osigurale sudjelovanje u osmini završnice. Za izravno osiguravanje sudjelovanja u četvrtzavršnici, odlučiva međusobni susret, u kojem Španjolskoj odgovara i neriješen ishod, zbog bolje razlike pogodaka.
Za treće mjesto, koje donosi sudjelovanje u osmini završnice, u izravnom susretu odlučuju Rusija i Kina, pri čemu Rusiji odgovara i neriješen ishod, zbog bolje razlike pogodaka.

Skupina "C"

Konačna ljestvica:

 Mj.  Momčad Ut Pb N Pz Ps:Pr Bod
 1.   Španjolska 3 3 0 0 35:19 6 u četvrtzavršnici
 2.   Grčka 3 2 1 0 28:20 4 u osmini završnice
 3.   Rusija 3 1 0 2 26:28 2 u osmini završnice
 4.   Kina 3 0 0 3 15:37 0

Skupina "D"

Povijesni uspjeh kanadskog vaterpola i prvo iznenađenje na ovom SP-u, uzevši u obzir da u svjetskim mjerilima je Kanada, sve do pred ovo SP, predstavljala vaterpolski beznačajnu državu, dok se je Rumunjska proteklih godina pokazala rastućom silom u europskom i svjetskom vaterpolu, koja je u istom razdoblju uspjela nekoliko puta iznenaditi pojedine vaterpolske velesile.

Vodi Mađarska s 4 boda, slijede Rumunjska i Kanada s po 2 boda, Novi Zeland bez bodova.
Mađarska je osigurala sudjelovanje u osmini završnice, kao i Rumunjska.
Za osigurati sudjelovanje u četvrtzavršnici, Mađarska mora pobijediti ili odigrati neriješeno s Rumunjskom. U slučaju rumunjske pobjede, Rumunji idu u četvrtzavršnicu, zbog pobjede u međusobnim susretima.
Za treće mjesto, koje vodi u osminu završnice, u međusobnom susretu odlučuju Kanada i Novi Zeland. U slučaju kanadske pobjede, dalje ide Kanada, neglede ishoda susreta Mađarske i Rumunjske. Kanadi odgovara i neriješen ishod.
U slučaju pobjede Rumunjske i pobjede Kanade, situacija postaje složenija, jer u tom slučaju tri vrste imaju isti ukupni broj bodova te pobjede u međusobnim susretima, pa tada odlučiva razlika pogodaka.
U slučaju neriješene utakmice Mađarska-Rumunjska, i kanadske pobjede, Rumunjska je treća; odigra li Kanada neriješeno u ovom slučaju, dalje ide Kanada, zbog pobjede nad Rumunjskom.
Postoji i mogućnost, koja se stvara u slučaju mađarske pobjede i pobjede Novog Zelanda. Tada se stvara krug od triju momčadi s istim brojem bodova i jednom međusobnom pobjedom, Rumunjske, Kanade i Novog Zelanda. Onda bi odlučila razlika pogodaka.

Konačna ljestvica:

 Mj.  Momčad Ut Pb N Pz Ps:Pr Bod
 1.   Mađarska 3 3 0 0 51:17 6 u četvrtzavršnici
 2.   Kanada 3 2 1 0 24:35 4 u osmini završnice
 3.   Rumunjska 3 1 0 2 35:24 2 u osmini završnice
 4.   Novi Zeland 3 0 0 3 17:51 0

2. krug - natjecanja za plasman

Za plasman od 13. – 16. mjesta

U susretu najboljih momčadi Kine i JAR-a, pri izvođenju peteraca, u seriji do 5 se došlo do 4:4. Potom se ušlo u "tko prvi promaši" u seriji po jedan, pri čemu je Kina bila bolja.

Za plasman od 9. – 12. mjesta

Igraju međusobno poraženi u osmini završnice.

Za plasman od 5. – 8. mjesta

2. krug - natjecanja za odličja

Osmina završnice

Australija je na pola 4. četvrtine imala prednost od 8:5. U drugom produžetku, u iščekivanju izvođenja peteraca, Felugo postiže pogodak sa 17 metara (!) 1,7 sekunda prije kraja.

Četvrtzavršnica
Srbija ide na pobjednika susreta Grčka - Rumunjska, Hrvatska na pobjednika susreta Rusija - Kanada,
Španjolska na pobjednika susreta Italija - Australija, a Mađarska na pobjednika susreta Njemačka - SAD.

Poluzavršnica
Satnice su po istočnoaustralskom vremenu.

30.ožujka

Melbourne, 17:20. Sudci: Erhan Tolga (Turska) i Gaetan Turcotte (Kanada)

 Hrvatska -  Srbija 10:7 (3:1,3:1,2:1,2:4)

Hrvatska: Vićan, Burić 1, Bušlje 1, Vrdoljak, Kunac, Joković 1, Smodlaka 1, Đogaš 2, Marković, Barać 1, Hinić, Bošković 3
Izbornik: Ratko Rudić

Srbija: Šefik, Prlainović, Gocić, Udovičić 2, Savić, Ikodinović, Nikić 1, Filipović, Ćirić, Šapić 1, Vujasinović 3, Korolija, Soro
Izbornik: Dejan Udovičić

Igrač više: Hrvatska 4/13, Srbija 3/14
Peterci: Hrvatska 0/0, Srbija 0/1

Melbourne, 21:00. Sudci: Massimiliano Caputi (Italija) i Nikolaos Stavropoulos (Grčka).

 Mađarska -  Španjolska 12:11 (3:2,2:4,4:1,1:3,2:1,0:0)

Mađarska: Szecsi, Da.Varga, Madaras 3, De.Varga, Kasas, Szivos 1, Kiss 2, Benedek, Fodor, Biros 3, Kis 1, Molnar 2, Nagy
Izbornik:Denes Kemeny

Španjolska: Aguilar, M.Garcia, Martin 1, R. Perrone 1, Molina 4, Minguell 1, Gallego, Piralkov, Valles, Fe.Perrone, Perez 1, X.Garcia 3, Andreo
Izbornik: Rafael Aguilar

Igrač više:
Peterci:

Za brončano odličje

30.ožujka
Melbourne, 15:00. Sudci: Gaetan Turcotte (Kanada) i Sergej Naumov (Rusija)

 Španjolska -  Srbija 18:17 (1:2,1:1,2:3,2:4,0:1,1:0), peterci: 3:3 u seriji po 5, u seriji po 1 4:3

Srbija: Šefik, Prlainović 2, Gocić, Udovičić 4, Savić, Ikodinović 2, Nikić 1, Filipović 3, Ćirić 1, Šapić, Vujasinović 4, Korolija, Šoro
Izbornik: Dejan Udovičić

Španjolska: Aguilar, M.Garcia 2, Martin, R.Perrone 4, Molina 5, Minguell, Gallego, Piralkov 2, Valles, F.Perrone, Perez 1, X.Garcia 4, Andreo
Izbornik: Rafael Aguilar

Igrač više:
Peterci:

Završnica

30.ožujka
Melbourne, 16:30. Sudci: Sergio Borrell (Španjolska) i Massimiliano Caputi (Italija)

 Hrvatska -  Mađarska 9:8 (1:2,3:1,1:3,2:1,1:1,1:0)

Hrvatska: Vićan, Burić, Bušlje, Vrdoljak 1, Kunac, Joković 1, Smodlaka 1, Đogaš 1, Marković 2, Barać 2, Hinić, Bošković 1, Pavić
Izbornik: Ratko Rudić

Mađarska: Szecsi, Varga 2, Madaras 1, Kasas 1, Kiss 3, Szivos 1, Benedek, Fodor, Biros, Kis, Molnar, Nagy
Izbornik: Denes Kemeny

Igrač više: Hrvatska 5/10, Mađarska 4/11
Peterci: Hrvatska 1/1, Mađarska 1/1

Prikaz u stablu
Satnice su po istočnoaustralskom vremenu.

Najbolji strijelci

Idealna momčad

Najkorisniji igrač:  Guillermo Molina (obrana; njegovo 4. SP)
Najbolji vratar:  Alexander Tchigir
Najbolji strijelac:  Tony Azevedo, 19 pogodaka

Sastav:
 Alexander Tchigir (vratar)
 Guillermo Molina
 Tony Azevedo
 Giorgios Afroudakis
 Daniel Varga
 Maurizio Felugo
 Miho Bošković

Konačni poredak

Vanjske poveznice

http://www.fina.org/water_polo/index.php  FINA-ine službene stranice
http://www.melbourne2007.com.au/ Službene stranice SP-a

Svjetska prvenstva u vaterpolu
Vaterpolo u Australiji
Međunarodna športska natjecanja u Australiji

it:Pallanuoto ai Campionati mondiali di nuoto 2007 - Torneo maschile

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Emile jumped up from his seat.
"I have… some powers," said Marie.
"I'm sorry, Emile…" said Marie, her eyes watering a little.
"Arreter!" yelled Marie and Emile froze.
She wiped the tears from her cheeks then pointed a shaking finger at her friend.
Emile was mute and frozen.
Emile unfroze with a gasp. He looked wildly around the room.
"Mon Dieu!" he said and ran out of the church.
Marie sat down at the table and put her head in her hands. Sir John went over and hesitantly put an arm around her.
Sabine leaned over and petted Marie on the back.
"I wish I could have done that," she said before turning to Miss Henderson.
"I believe we should go out to find some food for everyone, perhaps with Miss Morag," said Sabine to the maid.
"I… yes… perhaps… but…" said Miss Henderson.
"Aye, that's a good idea," said Morag.
"And Mr Bosch, perhaps you and Osvold could study the map to make a list of places we might investigate. Over there," said Sabine pointing to the vampires' room.
"But there's plenty of space here?" said Phlebotomous looking confused. Osvold tugged at his shoulder, though and Phlebotomous followed the smaller vampire to their lair.
"A bientôt," said Sabine cheerily, practically dragging Miss Henderson and Morag out of the church.
As the church emptied Marie's sobs grew louder.
"I imagine that will be soon," said Sir John trying to be reassuring.
Marie lifted her head up.
"I agree Marie, but how?" said Sir John.
Sir John started to speak then looked into his wife's eyes.
"I'll get our things," he said.


In the final quarter of last year, Central America and Caribbean region's economy decelerated over the previous quarter's increase and expanded at the slowest rate in nearly four years. According to a more complete set of data, GDP expanded 2.8% on an annual basis (Q3: +3.3% year-on-year). Looking at the countries individually, in Q4, Panama's economy slowed mainly on the back of a weak service sector. Decelerations were also recorded in Costa Rica and in the Dominican Republic, even though growth in the latter remains at relatively-high levels. For the full year 2015, the region grew 3.2%, thus matching the expansion tallied in 2014.
Panama's service sector and lax tax exchange information system have been thrust into the spotlight following the unprecedented leak of millions of documents from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca. Although the leak is not expected to have an impact on Panama's economy in the short-term, it will likely lead to a push for more regulatory scrutiny. Elsewhere in the region, against the backdrop of a deteriorating debt crisis, last month, Puerto Rico's Parliament passed a bill that allows the government to halt debt payments to its creditors. The bill, which permits Governor Garcia Padilla to declare a moratorium on any debt payment that he deems necessary, might jeopardize the ongoing restructuring plans between Puerto Rico and the bondholders.
In April, the economic outlook for the Central America and Caribbean region was left unchanged again after last month's projection. In 2016, the region will likely grow faster than Latin America and will continue to benefit from the recovery in the U.S. as well as from low oil prices. The analysts we polled this month see the region's GDP increasing 3.1% in 2016. Analysts kept their forecasts unchanged for 5 of the 12 economies surveyed, including Costa Rica and Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Conversely, analysts cut the GDP forecasts for five other countries including Nicaragua, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago. The Dominican Republic and Guatemala were the only countries for which the 2016 growth outlook was upgraded this month. In 2017, the Central American and the Caribbean region is expected to grow 3.3%.
Panama will be the country with the fastest growth rate in 2016 and the Dominican Republic will likely be the second-fastest economy with projected expansions of 6.0% and 5.3%, respectively. At the other end of the spectrum, Puerto Rico will likely be the worst performer as its economy is expected to contract by 0.8%.
According to the revised methodological framework adopted by Costa Rica's Central Bank, GDP grew 3.8% in Q4 and expanded 3.7% in the full year 2015. Q4 growth marked a deceleration from the 4.2% increase registered in Q3 reflecting a deterioration in the external sector's contribution to growth. Despite the lower cost of imported fuel, the total value of imports increased, thereby detracting from economic growth in Q4. Overall, economic activity in Q4 was still robust and the monthly IMAE economic activity indicator has picked up speed in 2016. However, the country still faces a burdensome fiscal imbalance. Low tax revenues and weak growth pushed the fiscal deficit to a record 5.9% of GDP in 2015, sparking concerns from the IMF and the OECD over the country's fiscal stability.
The fiscal hemorrhaging that has tarnished Costa Rica's outlook is unlikely to abate this year. Luis Guillermo Solis' administration has proposed a series of bills that are designed to improve tax collection, however, it is doubtful if the fragmented Congress will pass said bills. Analysts see the economy expanding 3.7% in 2016, which is unchanged from last month's projection. The panel foresees GDP also growing 3.7% in 2017.
The economy, supported by solid macroeconomic fundamentals, continues to perform well, although the latest GDP data point to a slight moderation in the growth rate. The economy decelerated to 6.1% growth in Q4 and expanded 7.0% in the full year 2015, which was marginally down from 2014's growth. The slowdown in Q4 was mainly due to a contraction in mining activity. The mild loss of momentum carried into 2016, as evidenced by the latest monthly indicator for economic activity, which showed a slight decline in February. In the political arena, presidential elections are scheduled for 15 May. The latest polls show incumbent President Danilo Medina, from the Dominican Liberation Party, widening his lead over his main opponent, opposition leader Luis Abinader from the Modern Revolutionary Party.
The economy is set to continue expanding in 2016, albeit at a slower pace than in 2015. Moderate growth prospects for the global economy in 2016 will weigh somewhat on the Dominican economy. However, macroeconomic fundamentals—strong investment, stable consumption and sustainable public finances—will continue to support growth. Analysts expect the economy to grow 5.3% in 2016, which is up 0.1 percentage points from last month's projection. For 2017, the panel projects GDP to increase 4.4%.
Guatemala's economy moderated last year, although performance was still robust considering that the slowdown was driven by a decrease in government spending, while consumer-driven demand, which is the main driver of growth, soared to record-breaking highs. Remittances growth, which contributes to consumer demand, surged in the first quarter of 2016, marking the strongest gains in nearly eight years. Like other Central American economies, Guatemala's outlook is closely linked to that of the U.S., which is by far Guatemala's largest trading partner and source of remittances. On 12 April, Parliament approved an act that regulates microfinance institutions. Guatemala currently has USD 334.7 million of loans in the fast-growing microfinance sector and the new law should pave the way for further sustainable growth in the industry.
A steadily expanding U.S. economy and solid growth in financial services, including microfinance services, will help to maintain Guatemala's economic momentum. However, political turbulence, crime and corruption pose risks to growth. FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists forecast that the economy will rise 3.5% this year, which is up 0.1 percentage points from last month's projection. Next year, the panel sees GDP inching up to 3.6%.
The Panamanian economy remains resilient despite facing a challenging external environment.Following a sluggish December reading, economic activity picked up slightly in January. Moreover, the planned opening of the Panama Canal expansion on 26 June, along with a toll hike, promises to boost the economy. On the downside, the recent leak of more than 11 million documents from a Panamanian law firm have put Panama's service sector and lax tax exchange information system in the spotlight. Although the leak is not expected to have a short-term impact on the economy, the fallout could deter foreign investment and weaken the country's financial sector in the long term.
Ongoing strength in Panama's diverse service-oriented sectors and substantial public investment will continue to foster growth going forward. Analysts expect the economy to expand 6.0% in 2016, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month's projection. For 2017, the panel forecasts growth of 6.1%.
According to a more complete set of data, inflation in the Central America and Caribbean region accelerated slightly in February, advancing from 3.1% in January to 3.2%. The figure marked the highest reading in over a year. A preliminary estimate for March elaborated by FocusEconomics shows that inflation eased slightly to 3.0%. Inflationary pressures will likely remain stable for the rest of this year. Forecasters polled by FocusEconomics in April downgraded their inflation forecast for 2016 from the previous month's 2.8% to 2.7%. The forecast was reduced for 7 of the 12 economies surveyed, including Costa Rica, Panama and Puerto Rico. Conversely, panelists upgraded their inflation estimates for four other countries including Guatemala, Nicaragua and Trinidad and Tobago. The forecast for El Salvador was the only one that was left unchanged. Panelists expect regional inflation to accelerate and end 2017 at 3.2%.


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India in South Africa 2021-'22
Johannesburg Test: Unbeaten at Wanderers, Virat Kohli's travelling stars seek to create history
Kohli has every reason to be confident his team can seal an historic Test series win in South Africa when they face the hosts who are evidently in transition.
Jan 03, 2022 · 08:15 am Updated Jan 03, 2022 · 12:53 pm
Virat Kohli and Dean Elgar | AFP
In many ways, it all began at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg for this Indian Test team under Virat Kohli. After a combative press conference in Centurion and a series defeat that evidently stung him in 2018, Kohli was fired up more than usual in the third Test.
There were no World Test Championship points at stake, it was a dead rubber on paper, but you'd have not guessed that watching Kohli and Co go about their business in that match on a pitch that was deemed dangerous by many, including the current South Africa captain Dean Elgar. The Indians simply wanted to win at all costs, even if the series was over. Because, as we know now all too well, backs to the wall is when they produce their most compelling cricket.
Fast forward four years, the tables have turned. The setting is Wanderers again... this time, Kohli and Co enter the match as firm favourites. From a venue in Centurion where they had never won a Test match before until finishing 2021 by breaching another fortress, they move to a venue where they have never lost a Test. Yes, believe it or not there exists a venue in one of the prime Test-playing nations where India have not lost across three decades.
Match date
draw - lost 2nd Johannesburg 26 Nov 1992
draw - won 1st Johannesburg 16 Jan 1997
won 123 runs won 1st Johannesburg 15 Dec 2006
draw - won 1st Johannesburg 18 Dec 2013
won 63 runs won 1st Johannesburg 24 Jan 2018
via ESPNCricinfo
And Kohli has every reason to be confident his team can seal an historic Test series win in South Africa when they face the hosts who are evidently in transition and weakened further by the absence of Quinton de Kock.
At one of South Africa's premier cricket stadiums, India have a record of two wins and three draws since their first tour of South Africa in 1992/93.
Virat Kohli has been phenomenal as a leader, feel a big run of scores coming up for him: Coach Rahul Dravid
"It's a ground we all loving playing on and we are looking forward to it," said Kohli after India won the first Test at Centurion by 113 runs on Thursday. And on Sunday, coach Rahul Dravid hoped the run continues as well while saying he can't quite put a finger on why India's record at the venue is good. The pace is quick but the bounce maybe not as much usually, he postured, but last time the pitch was as treacherous as it could get for batting.
Despite the Wanderers being renowned as a ground favouring fast bowlers -– which should have put India at a disadvantage on some of their earlier tours, before the emergence of their potent current pace bowling attack –- India have performed consistently well in Johannesburg.
The ground holds particularly happy memories for some of the Indian touring party.
In fact, Dravid made his first Test century in a drawn match in 1996/97 and ten years later captained India to their first Test win in South Africa. Kohli gave a batting masterclass when he made 119 and 96 in a high-scoring draw in 2013/14 to enable India to set the hosts a seemingly impossible target of 458 runs to win. In that match, though, South Africa came close to beating India for the only time in Johannesburg, making 450 for eight in a dramatic draw.
Kohli then led India to victory on a sub-standard pitch four seasons ago, a win he has highlighted as a "milestone" which gave the side the belief to follow up with a series win in Australia last January.
They also lead England 2-1 with the final Test – called off last year due to covid in the Indian camp – to be played later in 2022.
Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane all made crucial runs on a pitch which was halted at one stage because conditions were regarded as dangerous, while Mohammed Shami, one of the heroes of the win in Centurion, took five for 28 in the second innings.
'Several headaches'
A series win in South Africa remains a final frontier for India, who now have the opportunity to wrap up an historic triumph with a match to spare.
India were superior in all departments at Centurion, although South Africa's fast bowlers came back strongly after a poor first day.
The home side's batting was inadequate against a well-disciplined Indian bowling attack.
The middle order is vulnerable in the absence of the now-retired de Kock (he was missing rest of the Test series anyway), while the opening batsmen, captain Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, have failed to stay together beyond the second over of an innings in South Africa's last three Tests.
The scale of the defeat in the first Test has presented the home camp with several headaches.
Elgar hinted at a change in the batting order and there are several permutations which are likely to be discussed.
Kyle Verreynne is expected to be de Kock's successor as a wicketkeeper-batsman but South Africa will debate whether to add another specialist batsman in place of all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.
As is often the case at the Wanderers, South Africa could consider picking an all-pace attack, with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj having only played in two of a possible six Tests at the ground, in one of which – against Sri Lanka last season -– he was not called on to bowl.
Duanne Olivier was recovering from Covid-19 and had suffered a mild hamstring strain according to South African selection convener Victor Mpitsang explaining why he was omitted for the first Test against India at SuperSport Park.
The 29-year-old's non-selection was one of the big talking points of the first day when India piled up 272 for three, with KL Rahul scoring 122 not out.
Olivier was the form bowler of the South African domestic season leading up to the Test series, with 28 wickets at an average of 11.10 in four first-class matches.
With his ability to intimidate batsmen with fast, short-pitched deliveries, Olivier (if deemed fit) could slot into the XI. But with Elgar strongly hinting that Maharaj will retain his place in the XI, it remains to be seen if or how that change happens.
Indian batting concerns
India, meanwhile, have the luxury of considering whether to tamper with a winning team. The bowling attack looked threatening all through the match and unless there are niggles or injuries, will remain the same. The batting unit, however, is still under pressure as the experienced trio of Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara once again struggled to convert starts into substantial scores.
"It could be a variety of factors," Dravid said. "There are phases in your career where probably you feel you're batting well, but the big scores don't necessarily come. It happens to everyone, Just so happens it is happening for 2-3 at the same time... but I think the heartening point, the good point is really that they seem to be batting well. So it's just a matter of time."
And Dravid even stuck his neck out to say he strongly feels a big run of scores is around the corner for Kohli, who has now gone two full years in international cricket without a century across formats. Will 2022 start off with the wait for his 71st ton coming to an end? Unsure. But one can be sure that he would not care one bit if the result goes in India's favour and this team creates another slice of modern cricket history.
Likely teams
South Africa (from): Dean Elgar (capt), Aiden Markram, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi, Glenton Stuurman.
India: Virat Kohli (capt), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wkt), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Umpires: Marais Erasmus, Allahuddien Paleker (both RSA).
TV umpire: Adrian Holdstock (RSA).
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).
Match starts at 1.30 pm IST and will be live on the Star Sports network in India.
With AFP inputs
India tour of South Africa
SA vs Ind, 2nd ODI: They batted better than us in middle overs, says Rishabh Pant


This past weekend may have been enough to finally kill off the beauty pageant. You know about the Steve Harvey fiasco, but a day earlier this happened.
Miss New Zealand, Deborah Lambie, participated in the Miss World Pageant in China on Saturday, and decided that the Haka Dance would be her performance for the talent portion of the show. She was so proud of it that she posted it on Facebook, and that's when things got heated. Well, let's take a look.
Lambie got roasted on Facebook for the dance, which was called "embarrassing", "Incredibly uncomfortable" and "not taught properly."
I'm no expert, but I'm not sure I've ever seen this dace done solo.
And indeed, according to many Facebook commenters, the Haka is traditionally meant to be performed only by men. Women have specific roles, such as singers in the background. Women also have their own versions of the Haka, but this isn't it.


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NA leader lauds model port operator on 30th anniversary
By vietnamnews 4 months ago Business
HCM CITY National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân lauded efforts and achievements by the Sai Gon Newport Corporation (SNP) over the past three decades when attending its 30th traditional day yesterday.
A defence-security enterprise of the Vietnam People's Navy, the corporation contributed to implementing the Vietnam Maritime Strategy, fulfilled its role of serving as a logistics base and military port, and built military facilities in border and island areas. Notably, in March 2018, it put into operation the Cam Ranh International Port – the largest logistics and technical services supply centre for aircraft carriers and military ships in Southeast Asia, Ngân noted.
She said that the corporation was a model State enterprise in terms of international integration and effective business, forming a network of 28 ports and warehouses in major economic zones, and providing jobs for nearly 20,000 people with relatively high incomes.
The top legislator affirmed that the SNP had become a bright spot in the combination of economic development with defence security.
In the context of complicated regional and world developments, she requested the Defence Ministry and the Vietnam People's Navy to direct the corporation to continue abiding by the Party's policies and the State's laws, and exert efforts to fulfill all assigned tasks, thus helping create a motivation for Viet Nam's maritime economic development and increase the country's brand in the fields of maritime economy and logistics services.
She also asked ministries, sectors, HCM City and other localities to create favourable conditions for the corporation to expand operation and implement its military, production and business missions.
On behalf of the Party and State leaders, Ngân presented the Labour Order, first class, to the Sai Gon Newport Corporation.
According to SNP General Director Colonel Ngô Minh Thuận, since its establishment on March 15, 1989, the SNP served over 76,000 ships, with a total container goods volume of nearly 900 million tonnes.
It has become the biggest container terminal operator and logistics services supplier in Viet Nam, which accounts for 91 per cent of the import-export container market shares of the city, and 50 per cent nationwide.
The SNP launched a fundraising campaign among its staff, collecting VND4.2 billion (US$181,000) in support of the poor people. VNS
vietnamnews-business


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https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Visions-for-Grove-Park-finalized-by-city-committee-13741016.php
Visions for Grove Park finalized by city committee
Ashley SchaferAshley.Schafer@hearstnp.com
Updated 1:26 pm EDT, Monday, September 16, 2019
A conceptual drawing from PM Blough, Inc. shows the master plan for Grove Park in Midland. (Photo provided)
Grove Park, a 5.2-acre space located in Midland's Midtown, could use a number of improvements and with a master plan in place, it might just get there someday.
The park, which is located in the center of Grove, Rodd, West Ashman and Hines streets, consists of an open field for playing, a gazebo and picnic tables, a basketball court, a small soccer field and play equipment.
The Midland Parks and Recreation Department has been working with PM Blough Inc., a landscaping and design architectural firm, to design a master plan for the park that would act as a guideline for the future. The plan shows an organic layout that consists of added walkways, a new play area, a new basketball court, added trees and greenery and a new 60-space parking lot.
In January, about 43 people attended an input session for the master plan, which was then drafted in February.
It was first brought to the Midland Parks and Recreation Commission in March. On Tuesday night, the commission approved the final plans, which consist of $1.2 million in improvements and renovations.
Public Services Director Karen Murphy presented the plan to the commission.
Moolenaar, Kildee welcome President Biden
"At this point, in the master plan process, we would ask the parks commission to consider accepting the master plan, keeping in mind a master plan is always a work in progress," Murphy said at the meeting. "This master plan is something that we anticipate taking years to build out, as the funding becomes available."
Murphy said the city does not currently have the money to fund the entire park plan, however the Midland Noon Rotary Club and Midtown neighborhood development have expressed interest in helping to improve the park.
"With the size and the key location of Grove Park, with it connecting Midtown and the downtown area, we really felt at the staff level that we needed a plan before accepting any donations or improvements at the park," Murphy said.
Cost estimates for the improvements to Grove Park, which will serve as reference points for donors, were broken down by amenity -- such as play area, an art installation, pavilions, the basketball court, the parking lot and signage -- and were laid out in a chart presented to the commission.
The costliest parts of the plan include a main pavilion and plaza, a parking lot and a restroom.
Murphy said the city will likely tackle the proposed play area, which could reduce the $105,000 cost by doing it "in house."
"I think the play area would be a nice spot to kickoff the renovation too, and show that the city has some buy-in on the project," she said.
However, Murphy noted that some features of the plan may "never come to be" unless funding becomes available.
The next step of the process will take place when and if interest in the project comes from donors, and Murphy said staff will be reaching out to people who might be interested.
"This is a great plan -- the thing that is always sort of a bummer is, now you wait for the funding," she said. "So, it's super exciting and you want to see it happen tomorrow, but that's not how a master plan works."


The Milkscanner is a tool that allows the scanning of objects and creates a Displacement map for use with Moviesandbox or any other 3D App that would allow for displacement mapping.
Check out a life-size version of the milkscanner using Ink on vimeo!
You fix the webcam above the bowl (you don't necessarily have to use LEGO, but it is a fast way to build and adjust...) and put the object to be scanned in it. Note that the Scanner can only scan half an object at a time.You then cover it half in milk. The milk basically "slices" through the object.
You can subtract the white part form the picture the webcam takes and the rest serves as your "slice". You then add some more milk and make another picture. That way you slice through the whole object, three spoons of milk at a time.
After creating a Displacement-map from your scanning, you can use it with the Trace-Tool and bring it into Moviesandbox, as shown in the youtube-video.
You can also import it as a displacement Map in Blender or Maya or any other Application that uses Displacement Maps. But remember - the displacement map only covers half the object!
The problem with lasers is that it would narrow down the types of objects you could scan. For example, you couldn't scan a ring anymore, or anything that has holes in it. A fluid can do that because you can pour it in. Also, one other thing to remember when going for precision is that the milk level rises depending on the size of the object in the pool (unless you use the infinity pool idea) when you lower the object.
You can't scan a lot of objects with this setup anyway - for instance, how would you scan something like a yo-yo where the camera cannot see the milk because at whatever angle, some part which is narrower is obscured by some part which is wider.
This is a great idea, and probably needed a good imagination to think up! For problems of not being able to see everything, can't you just use more than one camera? They could be at angles, although, the may totally screw up the thing from the perspective.
I think it would be a better idea not to rise the object being scanned, but push another object (a cube or cylinder) in the milk. 1, This would reduce the speed of milk level to half. 2, The rising speed of milk level would change less.
I don't see the advantage of having the camera move. Having the camera and the milk level fixed seems ideal. Any distortion will be simple fisheye distortion in a plane, and constant. (So it'd be easy to correct for.) Unless you correct for fisheye, it'd be better to have a long lens (or a zoom zoomed in) and put the camera as far away as practicable. With a decent-res still camera with time lapse, you could get some pretty precise images.
Even if you use a screw mechanism to lower the object into the milk, the object will displace some milk and raise the level as well, changing the uniform increments of screw distance to a less uniform step. Though the smaller the object displacement is relative to the area of the milk surface, the smaller this effect will be.
Good point. I suppose that if you raise/lower the object, you could set up a couple of tubes to maintai the milk at the right level. One would be almost flush with the surface, but a little below it, coming down from a milk reservoir. (Like a water cooler or one of those dog bowls with the jug that refills the bowl). The other would also be flush with the surface, but a little above it, coming up from a milk drain. If the level in the scanner container dropped below the first one, it would dispense more milk. If it went above the second one, it would drain excess milk. That should keep the milk level within about a millimeter of what it's supposed to be, with no intervention.
Wait a second... if you're just lowering the object into the milk, you only need the overflow tube, not the dispenser tube. As long as you never raise the object during a scan, you shouldn't have to add more milk to restore the level. Doh. Cool. Doh.
nonononono! Raising and lowering the object would distort the map, because as you raise or lower it it's going to get bigger as it approaches the camera and vice versa. Why not, raise the level of the milk using a pump (you can get small submersible pumps for fishponds fountains ).
You could hook up the camera to the screw drive as well, which would lower the camera as it lowers the object.
dang, you're right. Raising the level of the milk is actually going to give you perspective distortion, so you do need to have some sort of mechanism for raising or lowering the object, without changing the level of the milk.


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Lifestyle Toiletries & Cosmetics
Halal Beauty – the next big thing!
The halal pharmaceuticals and cosmetics sectors continue to expand!
The quest to find the best beauty products seem like an arduous journey to many, and is further compounded by manufacturers who offer products infused with ingredients such as traditional herbs, plant-based stem cells, and ancient exotic remedies such as bee venom, snail slime and placenta.
Another feature that has been catching on in the beauty industry across the globe in recent years is the halal factor.
According to the Future of World Religions: Populations Growth Projections 2010-2050, the global Muslim population is expected to increase by 80 per cent in 2050, from 1.5 billion in 2010, indicating an increased demand for halal products across the globe.
The State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2018/19 says that "the halal pharmaceuticals and cosmetics sectors continue to expand as more products are produced and ingredients are increasingly halal-certified." It states that Muslims' spending on cosmetics was estimated at US$61 billion (RM255 billion) in 2017, which will increase to US$90 billion by 2023.
Realising the growing trend and its promising market, small and independent players as well as powerhouse brands from both the east and west are pushing the barrier to cater to these needs.
Amara Halal Cosmetics (USA), Inika Organics (UK), Talent Cosmetics (South Korea), Tuesday In Love (Canada), Momohime Skincare (Japan) and Wardah Cosmetics (Indonesia) are among the brands which are forging paths in halal beauty.
Several global industry players have upped their game to cater to Muslims and the growing market by setting up their own halal hub. South Korean beauty and cosmetics conglomerate Amorepacific, for instance, is establishing a hub in Johor for research and development on halal cosmetics, especially for consumers in the Asia.
Right Track
In line with Malaysia's Third Industrial Master Plan 2006-2020, the halal industry is set to become the country's key economic driver and a catalyst for local players to tap the global halal market and turn them into viable ventures that cater to both Muslims and non-Muslims.
Malaysia seems to be on the right track with regards to halal pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries, with the country listed as among the top 10 producers in the world.
Elhajj Halal Skincare – catered for Muslims performing Hajj and Umrah
According to the Halal Directory by Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), to date, 26 companies are listed under the cosmetics business category, 124 under the beauty category and three under the skincare category. Among the top homegrown brands in halal cosmetics and skincare are SimplySiti, Pretty Suci, So.Lek, Nurraysa, dUCk Cosmetics and Elhajj Halal Skincare.
According to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), halal is an Arabic word which means allowed or permissible. When a product is described as halal, it means that it uses ingredients and storing, manufacturing, packaging and distribution processes that are in accordance with Shariah law and fatwa.
Halal skincare or cosmetic products mean they are free from animal-derived ingredients (e.g animal fats, placenta, etc) as well as contents which are harmful to health and have not been processed using instruments contaminated with impurities such as blood, urine and faeces.
With such elements in place, some halal-certified beauty products also carry vegan, organic, cruelty-free or ethical tags and certifications, according to industry standards.
Reneuf by La Estephe, a range of sheet face masks manufactured and retailed by Jacques Cosmetics Malaysia, is among the recent beauty products which have been certified halal by Jakim.
Launched at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) in Kuala Lumpur in early April, the masks are made for beauty enthusiasts who want quality products that are free from harmful ingredients.
"We focus our efforts to provide products that are clean, safe, cruelty-free and which do not contain ingredients derived from animal by-products. We realise the strong growth potential of the halal market and we're excited to contribute to the growth as we believe that our business ethics are in accordance with the halal requirements," says its Marketing Director, Chik Mun Leong.
"Reneuf is our first halal venture and it was certified by Jakim in August 2018."
Chik says the Swiss-formulated face masks which are made with squalene, colloidal gold and yam bean as its main ingredients, are non-sticky and water-permeable, making them wudhu'-friendly.
"Some consumers, especially non-Muslims, are sceptical when it comes to halal labelling, believing that it is meant only for Muslims. To educate sceptics, we highlight our product's efficacy and the benefits which result from strict adherence to the halal-compliant procedures from sourcing the ingredients to manufacturing, packaging and storing. The compliance assures consumers that the product is safe, clean and ethical and can be used without any doubt," he says.
"For me, halal certificate shouldn't only be about religion. It's an industry standard which I think is relevant to all consumers, regardless of religion. It is a plus point that gives an extra edge to local manufacturers and retailers to tap the global markets for halal products," says Chik, adding that company is gearing up efforts to export Reneuf to neighbouring Muslim markets such as Indonesia.
Source: nst
TagsFeatured • Halal cosmetics • Halal Indonesia • Halal Industry • Halal Industry Development Corporation • Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) • Halal Malaysia • Halal Skincare • Malaysia
1 comment on "Halal Beauty – the next big thing!"
Mohammed Javed
Hello, We at Noor and Zafir maintain a industry standard on Halal products.
For a wide range of Halal Skincare products, click on the link: https://www.noorandzafir.com/products/search/keyword-halal%2520skincare


text:
America's Staunchest Ally Likes Uncle Sam, Dislikes Donald Trump
Most Australians see China as an economic blessing, despite concerns about spying
A survey found unease over U.S. President Donald Trump's 'America First' approach to be widespread in Australia. Here, Mr. Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Photo: jonathan ernst/Reuters
@WSJRobTaylor
rob.taylor@wsj.com
CANBERRA, Australia—Most Australians harbor a broad dislike for U.S. President Donald Trump and see their country's relationship with China as an economic plus rather than a threat, according to a survey, despite concerns about espionage and political meddling by Beijing.
The national study by influential foreign-policy think tank the Lowy Institute comes after a rocky few months in which Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Mr. Trump clashed in a phone call over an Obama-era refugee deal. It found that some of the international unease over Mr. Trump's "America First" approach was widespread in one of Washington's closest allies.
Though only 29% of respondents thought Australia should distance itself from the U.S. under the new administration, the survey found that Mr. Trump was deeply unpopular in the Pacific nation. Around 60% of respondents said he prompted an unfavorable opinion of the U.S., which has major economic and alliance ties with Australia.
The U.S. is a major investor in the country, and Australia has fought alongside American forces in every major conflict involving the U.S. since World War I. Australia is also supporting the U.S.-led coalition carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State said Wednesday that it would resume bombing in Syria after suspending operations on Tuesday amid tensions between Russia and the U.S.
Since Mr. Trump's election last year, trust in Washington has declined sharply. Some 61% of Australians say they trust the U.S. to "act responsibly in the world." That is 22 points below the record achieved in 2011, the year the Obama administration announced America's "pivot" to the Asia-Pacific region and Barack Obama addressed Australia's Parliament.


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The Academic Resource Center works very closely with other departments within Health Sciences. Please see below for links to their sites.
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Distinctly contemporary style in purple and orange tones of Art Glass award with diamond accents and a black cast stone base.
Award Figure holding hand faceted crystal mounted on ebony stonecast base.
When you need the exceptional - A graceful arc of hand carved optical crystal features embedment of sapphire and lavender cut through the side. The glass rests on a Stonecast round base with aluminum holder. This gallery quality sculpture is an amazing artistic achievement.
14" x 6" Imprint: 6" x 1 1/2"
A graceful arc of star fire and cobalt glass rests on a Stonecast round base with aluminum holder. This gallery quality sculpture is an amazing artistic achievement.
16" x 9" Imprint: 7" x 2"


Asian stock markets are mostly lower on Wednesday following the lackluster cues overnight from Wall Street amid worries about U.S.-China trade talks, after a report by Bloomberg said U.S. negotiators are concerned that China is pushing back against American demands. Investors are also cautious as they look ahead to the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision due later in the day.
The Australian market is modestly lower. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index is declining 6.60 points or 0.11 percent to 6,178.20, after touching a low of 6,160.30 earlier. The broader All Ordinaries Index is down 9.30 points or 0.15 percent to 6,267.30. Australian markets fluctuated before finishing marginally lower on Tuesday.
The major miners are weak after the price of iron ore dipped overnight. Fortescue Metals is falling more than 4 percent, Rio Tinto is losing almost 2 percent and BHP Group is declining 0.6 percent.
Gold miners are mixed despite a modest increase in gold prices. Newcrest Mining is down 0.6 percent, while Evolution Mining is adding 0.3 percent.
Among oil stocks, Woodside Petroleum is edging up 0.1 percent, Oil Search is rising 0.4 percent and Santos is higher by 0.6 percent after crude oil prices edged lower overnight.
The big four banks are mixed. ANZ Banking is up 0.2 percent and National Australia Bank is adding 0.5 percent, while Commonwealth Bank is down 0.1 percent and Westpac is lower by 0.3 percent.
Executive director Marcus Blackmore will become acting CEO of Blackmores, the company founded by his father, while the supplement maker searches for a new chief executive. The company's shares are advancing 1 percent.
Healthscope is adding 0.2 percent after the private hospital operator said its shareholders will vote in May or June whether to accept a takeover offer from Canadian investment firm Brookfield.
On the economic front, Australia will see February data for the Westpac leading economic index and for skilled vacancies today.
In the currency market, the Australian dollar is lower against the U.S dollar on Wednesday. The local currency was quoted at $0.7087, down from $0.7103 on Tuesday.
The Japanese market is declining. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index is down 49.77 points or 0.23 percent to 21,517.08, after touching a low of 21,513.88 earlier. Japanese shares edged lower on Tuesday.
The major exporters are mostly lower despite a weaker yen. Sony is losing more than 3 percent, Panasonic is declining almost 1 percent and Canon is edging down 0.1 percent, while Mitsubishi Electric is adding 0.3 percent.
In the tech sector, Tokyo Electron is adding 0.4 percent and Advantest is rising 0.3 percent. Among the major automakers, Honda is adding 0.6 percent and Toyota is up 0.7 percent.
In the banking space, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial is edging up 0.1 percent, while Mitsubishi UFJ Financial is lower by 0.2 percent. In the oil sector, Inpex is down 0.2 percent, while Japan Petroleum is higher by 0.2 percent.
Among the other major gainers, Mitsui Mining & Smelting is rising 4 percent, while Unitika and Denka Co. are advancing almost 2 percent each. On the flip side, Chiyoda Corp. is losing 4 percent.
On the economic front, members of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Board said that the country's economy continues to expand at a moderate pace, minutes from its January 23 monetary policy meeting has revealed. Annual inflation is expected to continue to increase gradually towards 2 percent, the bank said - and the BoJ is likely to keep interest rates low for an extended period of time to help facilitate that.
Japan also will see February figures for machine tool orders and convenience store sales today.
In the currency market, the U.S. dollar is trading in the upper 111 yen-range on Wednesday.
Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia and Hong Kong are also lower, while Shanghai, Taiwan and Indonesia are modestly higher.
On Wall Street, stocks closed mixed on Tuesday after seeing early strength, partly reflecting continued optimism about U.S.-China trade talks, which has contributed to a recent upward trend on Wall Street. However, the positive sentiment was partly offset after a report from Bloomberg said U.S. negotiators are concerned that China is pushing back against American demands. Traders also looked ahead to the announcement of the Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy decision on Wednesday.
While the Nasdaq inched up 9.47 points or 0.1 percent to 7,723.95, the Dow slipped 26.72 points or 0.1 percent to 25,887.38 and the S&P 500 edged down 0.37 point or less than a tenth of a percent to 2,832.57.
The major European markets moved to the upside on Tuesday. While the German DAX Index jumped by 1.1 percent, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index and the French CAC 40 Index rose by 0.3 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.
Despite posting their highest level for the year, crude oil futures settled marginally lower on Tuesday. WTI crude for April ended down $0.06 or 0.1 percent at $59.03 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.