Talent can never go un-noticed and Art has no boundaries of any kind. I strongly believe in that and now I proved myself right. How in the world could I imagine to notice something very random on my Facebook newsfeed, instantly loving it and following it up, only to end up writing about this talented young lady, living across the oceans and who I never met or have known earlier!!! Thats the magic of ART!
Nourane is such a nice name. What does that mean?
Nourane is an Arabic name and it means light or the beacon of light that guides lost ships in the sea.
Can you tell me about your childhood? What was your childhood dream?
I had a very normal childhood, I was a lonely child until I was nine years old then my baby sister joined the family. I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. I Spent all my childhood and many teenage years in a french school called "Sacré-Cœur", then went to college and studied Computer Science. My childhood dream was to become a cartoon character. I had a wild imagination (still do) where the grown-ups' world didn't make any sense to me. Why would I become anything but a cartoon character? They can do anything; fly, eat all the candy and have fun all the time. Then it hit me by the age of eleven that it's never gonna happen so I settled with becoming a software engineer (sad, I know). Somehow now, I ended up being a Marketeer who sketches a lot, so you never know what's gonna happen next!
So, how and when did you decide to move from being a software engineer to Marketeer?
I loved studying Computer Science, it's a field I am always interested in. I enjoy coding, developing and problem solving and I'm always curious about what's new in the field of technology and the digital industry. However, after my graduation in 2012, the first job I got was in Marketing, then I had an opportunity to become a Marketing Intern at Microsoft for a few months. When I became a full-time Technical Support Engineer at Microsoft later on, I was still relatively fresh and my experience was not that long, so it made more sense to me to pursue a career related to my bachelor degree. 3 years later, I knew for sure that this was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and decided to go back on the Marketing track that I started right after my graduation.
It's been going amazingly well. Switching from a purely technical background to Marketing was one of the best decisions I made for myself, I always knew this is what I wanted to do. The work field is extremely interesting and is going through its golden age, especially within the digital industry and social media peaking. You get to learn a lot and work with different teams and leaders from around the region and the world. What I love the most about my job is my team, I have been so lucky to be able to work with such a unique team at Google, they are my colleagues, my mentors and an inspiration to me. Such a positive influence. As long as I wake up every morning wanting to get out of bed and join my team to work on our next project, then I know things are alright.
How is it working in Dubai?
I moved to Dubai in March last year, and I currently work at Google. I travelled many times before but never actually lived anywhere outside of Cairo, so this is the first time for me to move. It was overwhelming to say "GoodBye" to my family and friends even though Dubai is only a 3 hours flight from Cairo. But thank God for existing technology that allows you to have video calls with everyone like you never left the room!
Dubai is a very busy city, I start my day on a Sunday morning and in a blink of an eye it's Thursday evening. Time here flies because you have a lot to do and so little time, and it's very different from Cairo; less random and more advanced. What I love about Dubai, is that it's full of expats; you get to meet so many people from different backgrounds and cultures and it expands your mind. What I really, really, reaaaaaallllly dislike is the weather: you only get a few good months from December to March, and then spend the rest of the year in extreme heat and humidity. That explains the gigantic indoor malls everywhere. Did you know that people actually jog in malls because it's too hot to jog outside in the summer, and they go to the beach in winter? Yes, it's THAT hot!
Are you from a family of artists? How and when did you start sketching? What inspires you to sketch/doodle?
I have been told that painting and calligraphy run in both sides of my family. For example my grandfather was an art teacher. I guess art runs in my blood one way or another. I've always loved to draw and color since I was a little girl. I didn't get the chance to study art because I chose a different academic path, yet after I graduated in 2012, I started this series of sketches of the little girl "Nou", who you could say, is some kind of a diary that represents me. Everything I sketch is inspired from a life event or something I bought, or a place I visited.
I see lot of cats and owls in your sketches ☺ Anything to do with your likes or thoughts?
I love all sorts of animals, I have a dog and had a cat "who unfortunately passed away last week :(". I would say I'm more of a cat person and my cat was my best friend, that's why he is with Nou in many sketches, because he was around a lot in my life through the past couple of years.
The simpler the better.I enjoy the simple cartoonish doodling with my pencils and PITT pens, I love turning my pencil sketches into digital illustrations and I use Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop for that. Recently, I started using watercolor in my sketches, which is a new challenge for me. I am always fascinated by watercolor paintings and how delicate brush movements can turn a white canvas into a masterpiece.I am also a stationery addict, I waste all my money on school supplies and accessories for my desk and noone was able to stop me! My favorite stores are Paperchase, Muji, Typo & Kinokuniya. I can spend hours there wandering the halls and shelves full of notebooks, sketchbooks, all types of colors and supplies and never get bored.
Since when have you been doing freelance work in sketching? I know you are also making T-shirts now. How is it going?
I just love the way you click pictures to post of social media. Great composition of pictures, I must say. Are you into photography too?
I love photography and beautiful photos that take you away from the ugliness of our world. I am not a professional photographer but only an amateur who studied the basics of how to run a camera. I love still life photography and landscape photography. If I ever become a professional photographer those would be my interests.
Tell me about your thought blog. Are your sketches inspiration for your blogs?
They were not earlier, since the blog was there 2 years before I started sketching, but now they are. Isn't it just great to be able to write or draw your thoughts to the world in a blog post? Blogs are amazing; you discover so many people through them and it gives you the ability to express and release positive energy.
When you wanted to switch professions from engineering to Marketing, did you also think of being full time artist?
I sometimes think of becoming a full-time illustrator, things are not clear at this point, so I'm settling for freelancing and NouSketching for now 😉 The more my family, friends and loyal followers support me, the more I'm encouraged and dedicated to my illustrations.
Ok! The main question, how do you balance your time with your work at Google and your blog?
I have to be honest, I don't. It's very difficult for me to manage it, when you have a 9 to 5 job, and you're in an important meeting and suddenly you have an idea that you want to sketch right now but can't because it would look awkward, and by the time you go home, the moment is gone and you're too exhausted to hold a pencil or press a button. That's what happens most of the time. So for now I simply try to take advantage of the weekends and holidays. The less I plan for it the more it works itself out. I don't know if it makes any sense, but somehow it's working.
Lastly, tell me something interesting and something you like to share about Cairo, the place you grew up in!
Cairo is a big city with so many places to explore. What I love about it is that -despite the unbearable traffic- I never get bored there. You can go to a fancy modern restaurant in a 5 stars hotel with a panoramic view of the whole city, or have a sandwich with less than a $1 in a historic alley in downtown and enjoy the old streets of this ancient city with a good company. Very contradictive, very random, very beautiful. Thats' my hometown.
To give a thumbs up or request freelance work or even buy her stuff, do visit her Facebook page or website. Never miss a chance to appreciate Talent!!!
Great interview! Isn't amazing how social media can connect us with people we probably otherwise wouldn't have ever met?


Agreed. Richardson doesn't need to raise his scoring level with the offense added last week. His offensive game is just fine, he can add defense or ball handling now. Guys like Harrington and Monta already secure the point totals.
The Warriors have so many offensive weapons, it doesn't seem like we need Richardson at the moment.
But don't forget; this guy's not just another weapon, he's our BIGGEST gun. I wouldn't doubt a 20+ PPG average when Richardson returns (obviously, not over the season, due to his rough beginning of the year, but from that point on).
In Nelson's system Richardson should thrive. Think of Johnson, Moncrief, Pressey, Pierce, Richmond, Finley; they were all athletic 6'5 - 6'7 guys who excelled playing for Nelson. Richmond will come back strong. I am less concerned about his hand than his knee. With the hand injury, it may only have helped with the knee rehab, whick is good!
Agreed. I'm just terrified of seeing the knee injury again... because if the knee's STILL not healed (after all this time), I doubt he'll ever be the same again.
Lets hope it holds up. I'd love to never hear anything about his knee again.
#32 wrote: Lets hope it holds up. I'd love to never hear anything about his knee again.
That's impossible. Every time JR misses a shot or commits a turnover, it will be blamed on his knee. Bob and Jim were and will be again, relentless on making excuses for the knee. I swear to God, if JR misses a free throw and they say it's because his knee is still not 100% I am going to scream.
The hand is out of cast and Jason should be practicing out with that hand soon. How much his shot will be affected, I don't know. But I can promise you that he should be back to the old Jason in terms of scoring. Maybe dunking, but I'd think he'd want to take it easy on the posterizing.
j-rich will be fine, remember amare? his knee was all fuc*** up and now he's back to normal, but he basically missed a season. hopefully that wont be the case for JR, but we should expect normalcy for next season. any way he can contribute this year, good shi*. we do need him by the way. not his scoring, but we need his heart and leadership. people tend to forget that.
Dude. His knee was fucked up. He couldn't jump, couldn't run. I didn't hear them use it as an excuse for his FT's but the jumper definitely suffered from the injury. Not only because of the missing elevation but because his triple-threat wasn't nearly as effective without a proper threat of taking it to the rack.
DON'T DOUBT JASON RICHARDSON (and I'm not saying anyone is)!!!
When he's 100%, he will play 100%! We all have to give him time to get his flow back. A player just can't come back from injury and be his old self again right away. All players need time to get their game back. If J-Rich starts off slow, DON'T WORRY. He hasn't played that much basketball this year, so it's a given he is going to be a little rusty. Plus he's got a new team that he hasn't played with yet, so it will take some time for reajusting. DON'T WORRY! We all have to give him time once he steps back on the floor. No one (and I'm not saying anyone is) should jump on his back and say that he's done with the Warriors.
DON'T WORRY & DON'T WRITE HIM OFF (and I'm not saying anyone is)!!!
Whats Richardsons role when he comes back? Well all I know is he better be playing defense. I dont think Nelson will have a problem benching him if he doesnt play D, just like he did DUng and Murph. Now JRich has 10X the amount of heart as those combined, so i dont think it will be a problem.
I see JRich starting and playing 30+ minutes. But if his D isnt up to par I can easily see SJax and Pietrus taking some minutes.
Its gonna be interesting to see who gets benched between SJax and Pietrus.
tradedunleavy wrote: Whats Richardsons role when he comes back? Well all I know is he better be playing defense. I dont think Nelson will have a problem benching him if he doesnt play D, just like he did DUng and Murph. Now JRich has 10X the amount of heart as those combined, so i dont think it will be a problem.
Pietrus. He is just too out of control and makes silly fouls. He is great running the floor and attacking the rim but SJax is so much more polished. The Warriors need to stay in a flow when they play and ive often thought that Pietrus just screws it up sometimes. I would love to Richardson getting most of his minutes at the 3 spot next to Monta and BD. He will play much better as a 3 without as much ballhandling responsibilities or having to guard quick 2's. He will also be around the rim alot more so I expect to see many of his famous dunk follows on missed shots.
All I've heard from Nellie is that he can't wait to have him back on the court with Monta and Baron... I doubt he misses time to anyone. If anything, Barnes, Sambucca and Pietrus may lose some minutes.
when Jason was along side Jim and chuckles in the Bobcats game he said he is in great shape, all the time off he has been working hard to get into good shape, and he should be good to run and gun, I friggin cant wait. anybody know when he is due back?


Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers many English-taught courses in a variety of subjects, ranging from arts & culture and social sciences, neurosciences and computer science, to economics and business administration.
The International Office is responsible for course approval and course registration for exchange students. For details about course registration, requirements, credits, semesters and so on, please visit the exchange programmes webpages.


Mother Nature gave us a few weeks to do some fall pruning.
After the rough start, it seems as if Mother Nature has decided to give us a few weeks of mild fall weather, which is perfect for getting some pruning done on your landscape. Fall is a great time for shaping and cleaning up most of your trees and shrubs. Here are a few helpful hints on what to prune this time of year and how to accomplish it.
Early blooming plants such as lilacs, forsythia, and serviceberry set their flower buds in early fall for the next season so you do not want to prune them this time of year as you would be cutting the flower buds off and not have a bloom in the spring. All other plants are fine to prune this time of year. They are going dormant right now and therefor are not stunted by pruning.
Now that we know what to prune, how much can I take off so as not to harm the plants that I have? A general rule of thumb is about a third of the existing plant or canopy. Smaller plants such as Spirea can be cut back to a height of about 10 to 12 inches while larger shrubs like Dogwood can be pruned to around two or three feet. When pruning trees, follow the 1/3 rule and start by taking the bottom branches off to get the canopy to the desired height you want. One thing to remember is that trees grow from the top out, the lower limbs on a small tree will always be at that height. So enjoy that last few days of fall and get out and get some of that fall pruning finished up.


Break Ministry – "Bringing the Sacred Love of Jesus to the secular world."
Did you know that 80% of people who leave the Catholic Church leave before the age of 29?
We can make a change. Come and join the Break Movement!
Click HERE if you would like to join in on this movement!
On Good Friday we commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Join us today as we perform a Living Stations of the Cross at Saint Cecelia's in Iselin, NJ at 7pm. For those unable to come, join us on our Facebook for a livestream!
Today we celebrate Holy Thursday marks when Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples. . . . Check out your local parish to see if they're holding a Mass of the Lord's Supper!
Save the date! Join us on Friday, April 19 (Good Friday) for our Living Stations of the Cross at 7pm at Saint Cecelia's Roman Catholic Church in Iselin, NJ.
Throwback to one week ago to the successful Young Adult Night worship! Thanks to Net team 10 for for letting us pray with you all and for the wonderful fellowship. . . It was an honor worshiping with you and may God bless you and all the wonderful work you do!! Stay safe out there, our wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ. . . . . For those of you who may not know, @netministries is a traveling missionary ministry. If you feel called to missionary work, Net might be the way for you! Check out their website and their gram. Let God lead you wherever He calls you.
With only 1 week til Lent, you may still be wondering how you should prepare. To many, preparing for Lent means figuring out what to fast. We urge you to leave whatever may be burdening you on the cross through the sacrament of Confession so that you may begin this season of Lent with purposeful penance. You may also want to consider picking up a Lent prayer book or guide that are often cheap to buy and plenty to choose from online. Pray on, brothers and sisters! And may this Lenten season bring you a resurrection of your faith.
What is Lent? Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (March 6) and concludes come Easter (April 20). It lasts 40 days such as Jesus' 40 days in the desert before starting his public ministry. Lent is a time to reflect and repent for one's sins, in preparation for the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Many people choose to fast from things that may be hindering them a more prayerful life. Lent is an important time to allow oneself to refocus in on the Salvation Christ purchased for us on the cross- and we do so in the company of our many repentant brothers and sisters.
Today's the day folks!!! . . See Through His Eyes at 8pm in TCNJ's Spiritual Center! . . . . Come worship with us!
Wherever you are, whether at a Worship concert, at work, at school, in the car or at home, never stop Worshipping the Lord. The praises never stop.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Father Thomas of St. Cecelia's! Father Thomas has been one of Break Ministry's biggest supporters. He has served as a spiritual father to us, and we couldn't be more grateful for everything he's done.
We want to wish our very own, @ha_mikehai a safe trip and we pray that God will continue to guide him and watch over him as he partakes in this new journey in Tennessee! Your faith and wisdom will be missed greatly but we know God has so much more in store for you! Thank you for all you've done here in Jersey and we look forward to a brighter future. This isn't the end, this is only the beginning!
Break Merch is finally here and ready to be distributed! We are very sorry for the delay! If you placed a pre-order, you will receive your ordered merchandise from a Break member closest to you! If you didn't get to pre-order don't sweat it, contact us to purchase your merch today!
Break Ministry Advent Reflection Video 12/24/17 ••• Our final Advent video reflection given by Mike Haines (@ha_mikehai) Click link in bio for the full video on our Facebook page!
Break Ministry Advent Reflection Video 12/23/17 ••• Our twentyfirst Advent video reflection given by Janina Talamayan (@ninabee143) Click link in bio for the full video on our Facebook page!
Break Ministry Advent Reflection Video 12/22/17 ••• Our twentieth Advent video reflection given by Ramil Caragay (@ramilcaragay) Click link in bio for the full video on our Facebook page!
Break Ministry Advent Reflection Video 12/21/17 ••• Our nineteenth Advent video reflection given by Mike Haines (@ha_mikehai) Click link in bio for the full video on our Facebook page!


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Q: Custom font in iOS7 UIDatePicker According to previously asked questions (this one for example), there is no way of adjusting the font attributes of a UIDatePicker. Has anyone discovered in iOS7 any new ways to do this?
I would otherwise recreate the UIDatePicker with a UIPickerView.
Thanks!

A: According to Apple's UIKit User Interface Catalog, we are not allowed to customize date pickers.
But all is not lost, I've seen other StackOverflow answers for similar questions that suggest making a fake UIDatePicker using UIPickerView and customizing that.

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Anatoly Levin-Utkin
Beats Covered:
Local or Foreign:
Freelance:
Sentence:
Reported Health Problems:
Type of Death:
Suspected Source of Fire:
Impunity:
Taken Captive:
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Levin-Utkin, deputy editor of the weekly newspaper Yuridichesky Peterburg Segodnya, was beaten unconscious on August 21 in the doorway of his apartment and robbed of his briefcase, which contained information for the next installment in an investigative series on rivalries between local financial and political figures. Cash and personal valuables were also taken.
The journalist suffered severe brain trauma and died on August 24 without ever having regained consciousness. The newspaper's editor said in an August 25 news conference that he believed the murder was connected to the series of investigative stories on the customs and secret services published in the first two issues of the 3-week-old newspaper, for which Levin-Utkin had done research and reporting. The editor said he had received phone calls demanding the names of those who worked on the series but had refused to divulge the information. Levin-Utkin had just finished collecting documents and photos for the third installment of the series on the day he was attacked. In a letter to President Boris Yeltsin, CPJ condemned the fatal beating and decried the intimidation of journalists and the climate of fear in Russia that stifles media freedom.
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Journalists Missing
Impunity Index
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Contact Group on Piracy
The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia was created on January 14, 2009 pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1851.
Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia: Quarterly Update
BUREAU OF POLITICAL-MILITARY AFFAIRS
The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia was created on January 14, 2009 pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1851. This voluntary ad hoc international forum brings together over 80 countries, organizations, and industry groups with a shared interest in combating piracy. Chaired in 2013 by the United States, the Contact Group coordinates political, military, and non-governmental efforts to tackle piracy off the coast of Somalia, ensure that pirates are brought to justice, and support regional states to develop sustainable maritime security capabilities. The European Union will assume the chairmanship in 2014.
Through its five thematic working groups, the Contact Group draws on a wide range of international expertise and adopts a problem-solving approach to piracy, working closely with Somali officials from the central government and regional administrations and officials in Indian Ocean States. Working Group 1, chaired by the United Kingdom, focuses on operational naval coordination, information sharing, and capacity building; Working Group 2, chaired by Denmark, addresses legal and judicial issues; Working Group 3, chaired by the Republic of Korea, works closely with the shipping industry to enhance awareness and build capabilities among seafarers transiting the region; Working Group 4, chaired by Egypt, aims at raising public awareness of the dangers of piracy; and Working Group 5, chaired by Italy, focuses on disrupting the pirate criminal enterprise ashore, including the illicit financial flows associated with maritime piracy.
This unique international partnership is contributing to a significant decline in piracy off the Horn of Africa. Thanks in part to the Contact Group's concerted efforts, there has not been a successful pirate attack on a commercial vessel off the Horn of Africa in more than a year and a half, and pirates no longer control a single hijacked vessel.
• On November 18, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2125, renewing the call for international action to fight piracy off the Coast of Somalia.
• The Contact Group convened November 10-15 for Counter Piracy Week in Djibouti. This first ever extended duration gathering of the CGPCS included meetings of all five working groups, a number of stand-alone thematic discussions, and the 15th Plenary. In all, the event drew 55 delegations totaling approximately 220 participants. Notably, the first ever plenary session in the Horn of Africa included active participation by the Federal Government of Somalia and a number of regional partners in the fight against piracy. Participants agreed that, while significant progress has been made in the last two years, the underlying conditions that allowed piracy to flourish remain. Somalia will continue require significant capacity building assistance to ensure pirate gangs cannot return to peak. The 15th Plenary also marked the handover of the Contact Group chairmanship from the United States to the European Union, which will chair during 2014.
• On October 11, India detained the Sierra Leone-flagged S/V SEAMAN GUARD OHIO and later charged 33 men aboard for failing to produce papers authorizing the carriage of weapons in Indian waters. A U.S. maritime company, Advanfort, operates the ship with a crew that includes British, Estonian, Indian and Ukrainian nationals.
• On November 13, Japan's parliament enacted a bill to allow security guards to carry rifles aboard Japanese-registered vessels to counter piracy in waters off Somalia and elsewhere. The new law allows armed guards employed by foreign security contractors to fire warning shots at approaching pirates.
• On December 3, France announced it would change its laws to allow private armed guards to protect its shipping fleet against pirates. News reports indicated that although tougher ship security and Western naval patrols have reduced attacks from Somali pirates, French ships are increasingly being targeted in the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa, where France has trade ties with former colonies.
Apprehensions at Sea
• On October 18, the Combined Task Force (CTF)-151 reported the capture of nine suspected pirates believed responsible for two attacks in the Indian Ocean. The RFA FORT VICTORIA, HMAS MELBOURNE and ROKS WANG GEON from CTF-151 were involved, as well as the European Union flagship HMLMS JOHAN DE WITT and a Seychelles based maritime patrol aircraft. Pirates exchanged gunfire with security personnel aboard a super tanker on October 11 before attacking a Spanish fishing vessel three days later. CTF-151 apprehended the suspects and destroyed two skiffs and associated pirate equipment.
• On November 10, the Danish warship HDMS ESBERN SNARE, part of NATO's OPERATION OCEAN SHIELD, arrested nine suspected pirates in the Indian Ocean. The warship tracked down a pirate skiff and mother ship (a whaler) overnight after the suspects attacked the MV TORM Kansas, a Danish flagged oil tanker on November 9. A skiff of five armed pirates had approached the tanker, exchanging fire with private security guards on board before breaking off. On November 30, Seychelles agreed to try the suspects, which were then handed over.
Piracy Trials and Prosecution Support
• On November 26, seven Somalis convicted of piracy in Kenya were repatriated to Somalia by the UNODC upon the completion of their sentence. They were flown to Galkayo.
• Also in Kenya, judgment in the piracy case concerning an attack on the vessel ARIA has been delayed until 23 December 2013.
• Forty Somalis held in Maldives have been repatriated to Somalia by UNODC. They were detained on suspicion of engaging in piracy, but were not charged as Maldives has no legislation on the subject. They were held as prohibited immigrants prior to their return to Somalia. UNODC is engaging with Maldives to develop its piracy legislation.
• On November 14, a U.S. District Court Judge passed life sentences on the last two Somali pirates convicted of killing four Americans on a yacht off the Horn of Africa in 2011. The third convicted pirate was sentenced on November 12. All three were given 21 life sentences. Eleven others previously pled guilty and are serving life sentences.
• On November 5, there was a procedural delay in the Mauritius trial of nine suspected Somali pirates. One of the accused demanded the presence of the French officer who arrested him. The court advised the defendant to enter a motion to that effect.
• On October 30, a court in Madrid convicted six Somalis for piracy and sentenced them to between eight and 12 and a half years in jail for attacking a Spanish warship in 2012 off the coast of Somalia. The six were caught following a firefight when they tried to board the SPS PATINO, a Spanish navy supply ship supporting the European Union's OPERATION ATALANTA.
• On October 23, four Somali pirates were sentenced to seven years each in prison on by a Kenyan court that found them guilty of hijacking a fishing dhow in the Indian Ocean in 2010. The men were arrested by Spanish naval forces and handed over to Kenyan authorities.
• On October 18, a French court sentenced three Somali pirates to nine years in prison each for the 2009 hijacking off the Somali coast of a French yacht that led to the death of its skipper. The three pirates had asked for leniency, saying they were forced into piracy by lives of abject poverty. French troops stormed a sailboat in April 2009 and captured the trio during a bid to free the captain, his wife, their three-year-old son and two crew members.
• On November 26, a federal jury in the U.S. State of Virginia acquitted Ali Mohammed Ali of piracy charges in connection with the takeover of a Danish merchant ship, the CEC FUTURE, in the Gulf of Aden in 2008. Ali worked as a translator for both ship owners and pirates as they negotiated terms for release of the ship and crew. The jury deadlocked on two hostage-taking charges against Ali. U.S prosecutors said that they will retry Ali on those two allegations.
• On November 29 in Seychelles, the conviction for piracy of a Somali man was overturned on appeal. The man, who was originally sentenced in December 2010, claimed to be 16 years old at the time of the offences. He is being held in custody due to his immigration status and will be repatriated to Somalia by UNODC at the earliest opportunity.
• On October 15-16, the United Nations' Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute hosted the second of a series of workshops for legal experts in Rome on to draft a code of conduct on Rules for the Use of Force by Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel on board merchant ships.
• On November 8 and 9, UNODC conducted a tour for CGPCS Trust Fund donors in Puntland and Somaliland. Representatives from Denmark, DPA, the EU, Germany, UNODC HQ, Norway, the UK and the US were able to visit the projects in Garowe, Berbera and Hargeisa that they have supported through the Trust Fund.
Significant Developments
• On the night of 8 November 2013, Al-Shabaab fighters launched a deadly attack on Bosasso Prison in Puntland, which was substantially rebuilt in previous years by UNODC using money from the CGPCS Trust Fund. The Deputy Commander of the prison and one guard were killed. Prison defense forces fought off the attack and no prisoners escaped.
• The UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs told Counter-Piracy Week in Djibouti participants that the Trust Fund to Support Initiatives of States Countering Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (Trust Fund) will fund the Hostage Support Programme, administered by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for an additional 18 months.
• The Trust Fund Board of Directors also approved a project submitted by INTERPOL and the International Maritime Bureau which will support debriefing of former hostages held by Somali pirates in support of law enforcement investigations.
• RAPPICC, the Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecutions Intelligence Coordination Centre, changed its name to REFLECS3, the Regional Fusion Law Enforcement Centre for Safety and Security at Sea, to better describe its new three-part mission – combating transnational organized crime; improving maritime shipping information sharing; and coordinating local and regional capacity building programs. Additionally, the Seychelles government agreed to enact legislation to incorporate the Centre as a legal entity. The Steering Group also decided to invite countries from the East African and South Asian regions to join as new members.
• On November 22, the EU/UNODC launched its Programme to Support Maritime Security, known as MASE. The 5 million Euro (approx. 6.8 million USD) MASE programme will address maritime crime in the Indian Ocean including piracy, drugs and arms smuggling, human trafficking, illegal fishing and maritime pollution.
Hostages in Custody
• At least 49 seafarers remain in pirate custody, including:
— 27 (Taiwanese, Chinese, Cambodian, Filipino, Vietnamese and Indonesian) from the F/V NAHAM 3, Omani-flagged, hijacked March 26, 2012, now aground in Somalia;
— 11 (7 Bangladeshi, 2 Sri Lankan, 1 Indian, 1 Iranian) from the M/V ALBEDO, Malaysian-flagged, hijacked November 26, 2010, which sank at anchor on July 8, 2013, with a further 4 (Sri Lankans) missing;
— 4 (Thais) from the M/V PRANTALAY 12, Thailand-flagged, held since April 18, 2010; which was grounded after the anchor chain broke July, 20, 2011; and
— 7 (Indians) held since September 29, 2010 from M/V ASHPALT VENTURE, Panama-flagged; the ship and other crew were released April 15, 2011.
For further information, please visit www.thecgpcs.org or contact the specific offices below.
2013 Chair: Ms. Donna Hopkins HopkinsDL@state.gov
Working Group 1: Ms. Sonia Farrey Sonia.Farrey@fco.gov.uk
Working Group 2: Mr. Jonas Bering Liisberg jobeli@um.dk
Working Group 3: Ambassador Huh Chul chuh81@mofa.go.kr
Working Group 4: Ambassador Hussein Mubarak h9mubarak@yahoo.com
Working Group 5: Mr. Giuseppe Maresca Giuseppe.maresca@tesoro.it
UNODC: Mr. Alan Cole alan.cole@unodc.org
REFLECS3: Mr. Garry Crone Garry.Crone@rappicc.sc
Oceans Beyond Piracy: Mr. Jon Huggins, jhuggins@oneearthfuture.org
Source: www.state.gov
Tags: CGPCSGulf of AdenHostageIMBIMOIndian OceanMaritime SecurityPiracyPiratePirate attacksPiratesSomaliaanti piracy maritime securitycontact group on piracy off the coast of Somaliahijackhostagesmaritime newsmaritime piracypirate attackransomsomali piracysomali pirate attackssomali pirates
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What demanding situations are encountered while employing agile techniques to giant, multi-team software program initiatives and what practices were built to relieve those demanding situations?
How does the context of huge, complicated businesses impact the variation and adoption of agile techniques and vice versa?
An illuminating research of this rising box, Agile techniques on huge initiatives in huge Organizations opens the door to additional research at the destiny position of undertaking managers, using scaling frameworks on the software and portfolio degrees, and the consequences of DevOps, one of many fresh developments in agile software program development.
In construction Sustainable aggressive virtue Dhirendra Kumar indicates how the company Excellence (EE) philosophy is a holistic method for top an company to overall excellence. It does this by means of focussing on attaining sustainable major progress in profit and profitability, decreasing the enterprise cycle time, strategically coping with the firm hazard and concentrating on the desires of the buyer.
Glossy administration concept has been confirmed at the ashes of Taylorism, emphasizing regulate over responsibility, conformity over strong point, and constraint over freedom. management and administration theories and the sensible techniques of this age of society may be understood as an ongoing fight to beat the bounds of one of these thought of companies and society.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Join Poppy and
help make places safer.
Poppy was founded in 2019 with a simple mission: to empower the world to stay healthy together by revealing the pathogens in our spaces, so we all can live safer lives.
Designed and developed by a team of award-winning entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers, and an advisory board representing the leading scientific minds in the fields of infectious disease, bioaerosol science, metagenomics, the microbiome of built environments, and emergency medicine. Privately held, with offices in San Francisco and Toronto, Poppy is hiring for remote and hybrid roles to support our growing customer base.
Poppy is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive environment for all employees and contractors.
Field Specialist - United States | Contract, Part Time
About the Role We are looking for motivated medically or pharmacologically trained people, or those with undergraduate, MSc, PhD, or PostDoc microbiology backgrounds (students welcome) located across the United States with a desire to get deeply involved with working hard to help with managing COVID-19.
About You You are an excellent communicator with experience in customer service and a knack for paying attention to detail, who's looking for hands-on, contract-based experience at the earliest stage of a tech/biotech startup. You are ready to try your hand at a variety of tasks and projects in support of the founding team. You deliver high-quality work when you say you will, and are eager to learn what it takes to get a new product & company off the ground.
Travel to customer sites to conduct bioaerosol assessment projects
Connect with customers to help design and execute air assessment projects
Visit customer sites regularly to collect samples and data
Follow protocols closely to ensure high-quality collections
Interact with customers and act as a liaison to the rest of the team
Collaborate in a team environment to provide the best Poppy experience
Meet regularly with the team to discuss operational tasks
Academic and/or professional background in pharmacology, microbiology, immunology, or life sciences
Excellent time management skills
Exceptional verbal communication skills and attention to detail
Know the importance of following protocols and making logical scientific judgments
Experience in connecting with customers
Willingness to adapt and improvise if necessary
Not afraid to share novel ideas and insights
Valid drivers license & car (not required if Uber/Lyft is available in your area)
Bonus Points For
Laboratory experience and in-depth knowledge in biosafety
Previous experience in customer service
Job Type: Part-time, Contract, Temporary
Salary: $20.00-$27.00 USD per hour
COVID-19 considerations: We're on a quest to help people feel safe when working together. We provide full PPE and training, and expect this role to be able to explain the basics of COVID and infectious disease transmissions.
Interested in the role? Click "Apply" below to submit a cover letter and resume. Cover letters should include an overview of your experience and why you're interested in joining the Poppy team.
Field Specialist - London, England | Contract, Part Time
We are looking for motivated medically or pharmacologically trained people, or those with undergraduate, MSc, PhD, or PostDoc microbiology backgrounds (students welcome) located in London, England with a desire to get deeply involved with working hard to help with managing COVID-19.
You are an excellent communicator with experience in customer service and a knack for paying attention to detail, who's looking for hands-on, contract-based experience at the earliest stage of a tech/biotech startup. You are ready to try your hand at a variety of tasks and projects in support of the founding team. You deliver high-quality work when you say you will, and are eager to learn what it takes to get a new product & company off the ground.
Follow protocols closely to ensure high-quality collections Interact with customers and act as a liaison to the rest of the team
Participate in remote meetings with the team to discuss operational tasks
Job Types: Part-time, Contract, Temporary
Salary: £15-£20 / hour
COVID-19 considerations: We're on a quest to help people feel safe when working together. We provide full PPE and training and expect this role to be able to explain the basics of COVID and infectious disease transmissions.
start@poppy.com
I'd like to receive updates and offers from Poppy.
Copyright © 2022 Poppy. All Rights Reserved
Dr. Joshua Santarpia
Poppy Scientific Advisor
Dr. Joshua L. Santarpia is the Research Director for Chem/Bio programs at the National Strategic Research Institute. He is also associate professor of microbiology & pathology and program director for the biodefense and health security graduate programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Dr. Santarpia's work is aimed at understanding and countering threats from biological organisms, especially those that pose a threat when dispersed in aerosols. He's worked extensively on biological sensors for both the Department of Defense & Department of Homeland Security. Much of Dr. Santarpia's current work involves understanding the factors related to aerosol/airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Dr. Santarpia has held past positions at Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. He was most recently a distinguished staff member at Sandia National Laboratories.
Dr. Santarpia is trained in aerosol physics and microbiology. His peer reviewed research focuses largely on the detection of biological aerosols in the environment.
Dr. Charles Chiu
Dr. Charles Chiu, M.D./Ph.D. is a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Dept. of Medicine, Infectious Diseases at University of California, San Francisco, Director of the UCSF-Abbott Viral Diagnostics and Discovery Center (VDDC), Associate Director of the UCSF Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, and an advisor to Poppy. He heads a translational research lab engaged in next-generation sequencing assay development for diagnosis of infectious diseases, pathogen discovery, bioinformatics software development, nanopore sequencing, and characterization of emerging infections. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and holds over 15 patents.
Dr. Michael Christian
Poppy Medical Advisor
Dr. Michael Christian, M.D. MSc Public Health, FRCPC is a veteran healthcare leader with 30 years experience in critical care, infectious diseases, military, aviation and pre-hospital medicine. Dr. Christian has been Chief Safety Officer for a large multi-site hospital system, Medical Director for Critical Care Response Teams, and Director for Health Agencies. Dr. Christian completed his MSc in Public Health the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is a retired member of the Royal Canadian Air Force having served tours in Haiti and Afghanistan and continues to serve as a reserve specialist medical officer/flight surgeon. Dr. Christian has responded to many disasters including SARS, the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the London Bridge attack. He was also honored as one of the top 3 authors in the field of Disaster Medicine research between 2008 and 2017.
Dr. Christopher E. Mason
Poppy Advisor
Christopher is Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine. His lab develops and deploys new biochemical and computational methods in functional genomics, and metagenomics. Dr. Mason has won awards from the NIH, the CDC and the WorldQuant Foundation. He was named as one of the "Brilliant Ten" Scientists by Popular Science, and featured as a TEDMED speaker. His work represents 150+ peer-reviewed articles and has been featured on the covers of Nature, Science or Nature Biotechnology. Dr. Mason completed his dual post-doctoral training at Yale Medical School in genetics and a fellowship at Yale Law School. He obtained his Ph.D. in Genetics from Yale University.
Elizabeth (EC) Caley
Co-Chief Executive Officer
An entrepreneur and experienced operator, Elizabeth Caley (EC) is co-CEO and co-founder of Poppy. Prior to co-founding Poppy, EC was an executive at Chan Zuckerberg and COO of Meta. Over the last 20 years, she's held executive roles at global technology companies such as Microsoft, Hummingbird, and Firmex. Honored as one of the most inspiring women in STEM, EC is an active contributor to the Bay Area, Oxford, & Toronto technology communities as a mentor, advisor, and speaker. EC holds MBAs from the University of Toronto & University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, with multiple awards for leadership and academic achievement.
Sam Molyneux
An entrepreneur and innovative scientist, Sam Molyneux is co-CEO and co-founder of Poppy. Prior to co-founding Poppy, Sam was an executive at Chan Zuckerberg, and CEO and co-founder of Meta. Sam is an experienced entrepreneur and scientist specializing in bringing mission-driven, science-forward ventures to market. Recently he's been recognized as Canada's Top 40 Under 40, and one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business. Sam's research has been published in Nature Genetics, Science Translational Medicine, Cancer Cell and other leading journals, and he is a frequent speaker on the future of innovation, and science-based technology for good.
Daniela Bezdan
Head of Innovation
A scientist and innovator, Daniela Bezdan is Head of Innovation (former Chief Scientific Officer) and co-founder of Poppy. As one of the world's foremost authorities on metagenomics, next generation sequencing and environmental microbiomes, Dani has established best-in-class protocols and led global projects understanding indoor spaces, from subways to the International Space Station. Dani's research is published in leading journals, and she's a member of Germany's COVID-19 Task Force, co-chair of NASA GeneLab's Microbiome group, and the former Executive Director of MetaSub. Daniela is frequently consulted by industry-leading science technology companies for her expertise.
Get started with Poppy


Bon Azur Suites are on the red-hot location of the Mauritius; they're situated along the coastline of Trou Aux Biches; they feature an outdoor pool, with wooden deck and sun loungers, that provides a stunning view of the Indian Ocean. These elegant suites are fully furnished with state-of-the-art furniture and high-end facilities. From their bedrooms to living rooms, everything speaks the language of lavishness and makes people feel like VIPs. If you're planning to spend your holiday in Mauritius, while experience the indoor elegance and outdoor stunning views, Bon Azur Elegant Suites would be the best for you. We promise!
Each room of the Bon Azur is thoughtfully designed by the professionals. It's like they've created the presidential suites for guests, and made them functional with all the facilities. In fact, if I say, the Bon Azur Elegant Suites can have more facilities than your own residence, it would be utterly correct. All suites are available in 2-5 bedrooms, and each bedroom is rather roomy and has a shower cubicle, freestanding bath, separate toilet, LCD TV, air conditioning, ceiling fan, king/queen size bed, designer wardrobe, and digital safe for securing your personal possessions. Impressed? Don't be, as it's just the one side of the coin. For overpowering the contest, the management of this villa has a lot more for you.
For instance, there is an availability of free Wi-Fi internet; you'd be connected with your loved ones all the time. Next, there is an iPod/iPhone music system too. Want to dance on some tune with your spouse, or with a group of friends while having a BBQ party? Well, play the tracks, and dance on the thrilling beats while feeling the captivating winds of the ocean.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit "Bon Azur Elegant Suites" right now.
Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower cubicle, free-standing bath and separate toilet. King-size bed, LCD TV , air-conditioning, ceiling fan and digital safe.
Twin beds, en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet, LCD TV, air-conditioning and ceiling fan.
Queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet, LCD TV, air-conditioning and ceiling fan.
Twin beds, en-suite bathroom with shower & toilet. LCD TV, air-conditioning & ceiling fan.
• Large sliding door offers magnificent view of the Indian Ocean and generous sunlight and breeze.
• Approximately 1hr drive to the airport, however, this depends on traffic and peak-hour. It is wise to leave at least 4 hours before departure time of flight.
• 20-Minute drive to the capital city, Port Louis.


Today's homeowners may call the garage door repair in Cincinnati for access to their residences from their garages for a variety of factors, such as letting children make use of keyless access to enter your home after institution. Sadly, lots of residence robberies take place either in the garage or your home thanks to gain access to through the door. Here are a couple of pointers as well as functions you can include in assist keep your residence safe and secure.
If you are running duties, working in the garage, or letting your children play outside, you may return inside your home without thinking about the garage. Now, envision that it is late during the night and also you can not keep in mind if you shut it. The good news is, you can buy an in-house monitor that can inform you when your garage door has actually been left open.
On the various other hands, you always intend to have the ability to open your door in case of an emergency situation. If the power goes out, you need to not have to fret about not having the ability to use your digital opener. Today's newer garage opener models run on much less power, which allows them to have a standby function.
This, with a battery backup system, will certainly assist make certain that your door can be opened up and closed numerous times during a power failure. If you have an interest in mounting a new os, speak to a specialist garage door fixing expert for advice and also help.
Older garage door openers and also their single-code push-button controls were more vulnerable to burglars that discovered ways to take the code as well as access. Today, nevertheless, operating systems supply a moving code system that keeps outsiders from hacking into the system. Additionally, keypads can be set up outside the and provide keyless entrance with easily changeable codes. More advanced designs need fingerprints, ensuring that your code won't be shared. You can input the fingerprints of all customers right into the system, add temporary access for a neighbor or in-law, or produce a code for short-term usage just. This removes the need to make and also conceal extra tricks around your front porch or mailbox.
Also if your door remains in good condition, a person may still search for a way to enter into space. Guarantee that any type of backdoors or garage home windows are secured properly and also kept secured. If your garage has an interior door introducing your house, be sure to lock it in the evening and while you get on the getaway. Additionally, make sure the indoor door is consisted of on any kind of house alarm system. If you are taking a trip and also a way for more than a number of days, hire a respectable house-sitter to keep an eye on points.
An affordable, weak-looking or busted door might draw in unwanted visitors. Prevent prospective burglaries by not waiting to make garage door opener repair work. Do upkeep and also maintenance checks, and think about including added security attributes to assist maintain your home safe.


text:
Volkswagen Middle East presents Golf GTI Clubsport concept car at Dubai International Motor Show 2015
Volkswagen presents a diverse model line up at this year's Dubai International Motor Show, including the Golf GTI Clubsport concept car – marking the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI, taking place early next year – the fun iconic Beetle Cabriolet and the family-friendly newly designed 2016 Passat.
Thomas Milz, Managing Director, Volkswagen Middle East said, "At this year's show, we present a car for everyone. The progressive anniversary edition of the GTI – the Golf GTI Clubsport – will arrive in the Middle East next year, marking the 40th anniversary of the sporty hot hatch. The GTI Clubsport is the most powerful production GTI ever, and features a more powerful engine, with an extensive exterior and interior redesign."
"The Passat is one of our best-selling models in the region, and the latest version of the family-friendly sedan features a winning combination of design, innovation, technology and improved safety features. Finally, we debuted the Beetle Cabriolet – a car combining fun, comfort and a dynamic drive while retaining the classic shape and personality of the iconic Beetle."
At the beginning of next year, the icon of the sporty compact class – the Golf GTI – is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The anniversary edition of the Golf GTI, the Golf GTI Clubsport will have more power, as well as revisions to the design, equipment and aerodynamic fine-tuning – featuring a high power output and significantly improved down force. Stylistically based on the original GTI, the anniversary model has relocated the classic black stripe, usually situated between the front and rear wheel arches, to the side of the model, and has accentuated "Clubsport" in the latest version, among other design elements to pay tribute to GTI history.
The 2016 Passat, exhibits an edgier design, technologically advanced zoom-friendly touchscreen and amplified sensors, and improved safety features. The new model features more aggressive styling than its predecessor, with a new hood, front fenders, grille, front and rear bumpers, trunk lid and available LED headlights and taillights.
On the exterior, slimmer headlights, a more substantial four-bar grille, and the muscular, domed hood all work together to give the Passat a wider, more planted stance in the front. The inside, on the other hand, showcases an extensively upgraded, sophisticated look and feel including a new steering wheel and column stalk design, two-tone décor panels, and refined chrome and piano black trim. The latest model will be available in four stylish configurations – S, SE, SEL and Sport.
A Volkswagen Cabriolet made its show debut ahead of its arrival in the region this December. The Beetle Cabriolet exhibits an elongated take on the classic Beetle shape with an automated soft-top hood, which can be closed in just 9.5 seconds, with minimal noise and while the vehicle is moving up to 50 km/h.
The new Beetle Cabriolet boasts a classic Fender sound system – with 400 watts of pure power, a digital 10-channel amplifier, nine speakers and a subwoofer to produce the exclusive Fender sound – and ample space, with the four-seater model offering a boot capacity of an impressive 225 liters. The Beetle Cabriolet will be available in three trim levels – SE, SEL and Exclusive, across Volkswagen dealerships in the Middle East from December 2015.
'World Premiere' Launch of Nissan Patrol Desert Edition at Dubai International Motor Show
Audi Q7 40 TFSI launched at Rs 67.76 lakh
Royal Enfield adds twin-fun to mid-size motorcycling segment with the all new Interceptor INT 650 an...
Kia Motors India labels its first mid-SUV as Seltos
Dubai International Motor ShowVolkswagen at DIMSVolkswagen Beetle CabrioletVolkswagen Golf GTIVolkswagen Middle EastVolkswagen Passat
Jaguar Land Rover Shows Off British Innovation at the Dubai International Motor Show 2015
New Porsche 911 Carrera unveiled at Dubai Motor Show


There is also a general rule about water damage that the sooner sanitation work begins the more damage and following costs can be minimized!
Sucking off contaminated water from the building, disposing of deposits and mud (especially after floods).
Appropriate using of dehumidifying devices in construction areas of buildings to reduce humidity.
Humidity causes mainly corrosion and mould infestation which can be prevented by appropriate usage of chemicals.
Sanitation of damaged furniture and other equipment on affected area.


text:
POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY
between the ideas of sight and touch, between the visible and tangible eye; for certainly on the tangible eye nothing either is or seems to be painted. Again, the visible eye, as well as all other visible objects, hath been shown to exist only in the mind; which, perceiving its own ideas, and comparing them together, does call some pictures in respect to others. What hath been said, being rightly comprehended and laid together, does, I think, afford a full and genuine explanation of the erect appearance of objects—which phenomenon, I must confess, I do not see how it can be explained by any theories of vision hitherto made public. In treating of these things, the use of language is apt to occasion some obscurity and confusion, and create in us wrong ideas. For, language, being accommodated to the common notions and prejudices of men, it is scarce possible to deliver the naked and precise truth, without great circumlocution, impropriety, and (to an unwary reader) seeming contradictions.[1]
That is to say, Berkeley insists upon the necessity for another and more concrete analysis than that afforded by the resources of descriptive language.
Later, in "The Principles of Human Knowledge," Part I., he seems to indicate that this profounder analysis must take a physiological direction:
The philosophic consideration of motion doth not imply the being of an absolute Space, distinct from that which is perceived by sense, and related to bodies.... When I excite a motion in some part of my body, if it be free or without resistance, I say there is Space. But if I find a resistance, then I say there is Body: and in proportion as the resistance to motion is lesser or greater, I say the space is more or less pure.... When, therefore, supposing all the world to be annihilated besides my own body, I say there still remains pure Space; thereby nothing else is meant but only that I conceive it possible for the limbs of my body to be moved on all sides without the least resistance: but if that too were annihilated then there could be no motion, and consequently no Space.[2]
Knowing little of physiology, Berkeley leaves the problem, stated so far, indeed, but only stated. It is this: How can we derive space, a general condition of external objects, from states of the body which, in their very nature, differ utterly from this, their product? Twenty-two years later, he returns to the question, and appears to raise it in fresh form. In the Fourth Dialogue of "Alciphron, the Minute Philosopher," he says:
(Euphranor speaks:) "We perceive distance, not immediately, but by mediation of a sign, which hath no likeness to it, or necessary connection with it, but only suggests it from repeated experience, as words do things." (Alciphron replies:) "Hold, Euphranor: now I think of it, the writers in optics tell us of an angle made by the two optic axes, where they meet in the visible point or object; which angle, the obtuser it is the nearer it shows the object to be, and by how much the acuter, by so much the farther off; and this from a necessary demonstrable connection."[3]
It is needless to add that Berkeley, although he makes physiological reference and research inevitable, lived long before such a study of "local signs" as that undertaken by Lotze was practicable.
↑ Sects. 119-20.
↑ Sect. 116.
↑ Sect. 8.


text:
Europe has yet another moment on the Muslim issue
In Austria, chancellor Sebastian Kurz will push a law this month to criminalise a mindset he has denounced as "political Islam". In France, president Emmanuel Macron will, on December 9, give his cabinet the chance to review a draft law against what he has called "Islamist separatism."
Mr Kurz's move potentially goes further than that of Mr Macron even as both men stress that their target is not the Muslim community as a whole. Incidentally, France has some five million Muslims. According to the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the number of Muslims in the country of nine million has doubled to 700,000 since 2001 and only a tiny minority are linked to foreign Islamist groups.
Mr Kurz hasn't defined "political Islam", preferring to restrict himself to a description of what his legislative efforts are not: "This is not a fight between Christians and Muslims, or Austrians and migrants, but a fight between civilization and barbarity".
As for Mr Macron, he insists that he is taking aim at "Islamist separatism, never Islam". He also says he isn't "stigmatizing French Muslims."
Whatever the leaders' real intentions, their parallel initiatives throw up more questions than answers.
First, is tough talk the right response to isolated terrorist attacks? It is understandable that such rhetoric is aimed at voters and domestic political opinion, but short-termism is hindering efforts to bind Europe's citizens together.
Second, shouldn't European leaders have learnt by now that it's self-defeating to aggrandize isolated, lone-wolf incidents? They are tragic and disturbing, of course, but it's inaccurate (and unwise) to portray them as attacks on Europe's values and democracy.
Jorgen Nielsen, emeritus professor of contemporary European Islam at Birmingham University and former chair of the Centre for European Islamic Thought at Copenhagen University, recently said European leaders shouldn't give terrorist attackers more credit than they deserve. Most importantly, he said, Europe's leaders must find a way to link arms with Muslim constituents.
"In one way or another, show solidarity in their (the leaders') statements, in their actions," Professor Nielsen said. "Show that they realize, that they recognize that the vast majority of their own Muslim community is as horrified, in some ways more horrified" by the attacks.
That sounds about right. It's not clear, however, if that's where we're headed.
Consider this. In 2015, Mr Kurz was instrumental (as Austria's foreign minister) in overseeing changes to the 1912 Islamgesetz. That Habsburg-era legislation regulated the relationship between the state and its Muslim citizens and was originally meant to guarantee the rights and freedoms of Muslims in the Habsburg empire.
Originally published at https://www.rashmee.com on December 6, 2020.
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PLEASANTON — Responding to an outcry from parents, the Pleasanton school board decided Tuesday to rescind plans to start the school year in early August.
The 5-0 vote canceled an earlier decision to move up the start of the next school year from Aug. 25 to Aug. 11 this year, and to Aug. 9 in 2016. To offset the earlier start, the school year would have ended earlier, and kids would have had a new weeklong vacation in October.
Parents packed Tuesday night's board meeting, and 30 people spoke, most of them urging the board to dump the plan. They complained the change would ruin their children's plans for summer camps, team sports, summer jobs and family reunions.
"These are our kids and our lives that were being affected, but we were the last to be considered," said Patti Coonce, a parent.
Zoe Whelan, a seventh-grader, said the early school start would not allow her to attend a summer Shakespeare camp or take part in a family reunion in Southern California. "This change is preventing some educational things from happening, instead of encouraging them," Whelan said.
Several parents also complained that the plan to add a week of vacation Oct. 10-14 in 2016 would saddle parents with new headaches in finding child care.
School officials said the idea to start in early August was a means to ending the first school semester at Christmas break. With finals out of the way in December, students wouldn't be stressed out about coming back to take exams and face college application deadlines, they argued.
As part of its vote, the board agreed to take a new look at ways to change the calender and involve the public more in the process. It's uncertain how long that will take.
School Trustee Chris Grant said he still wants the district to find a way to end the semester at winter break.
"This calender has always been about how we do create a schedule that creates the best learning environment and reduces stress for kids," Grant said.
In June, the board voted 4-1 to revamp the calender with what is called a modified light schedule. In September, the board voted 3-2 to uphold the change.
In November, however, Pleasanton voters elected new board member Mark Miller, a vehement critic of the change — tipping the balance against the plan. "It was a mandate we revisit this," Miller said.
Beth Louderback, a Pleasanton teacher, said she initially supported the calender change but later decided it should be rescinded to ease community discontent with the district.
The current school year is from Aug. 25 to June 12. Under the rescinded plan, the school year would have lasted from Aug. 11, 2015, to May 27, 2016. The subsequent calender would have run from Aug. 9, 2016, to June 2, 2017 — with a fall break from Oct. 10 to 14.


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Skeptophilia
Skeptophilia (skep-to-fil-i-a) (n.) - the love of logical thought, skepticism, and thinking critically. Being an exploration of the applications of skeptical thinking to the world at large, with periodic excursions into linguistics, music, politics, cryptozoology, and why people keep seeing the face of Jesus on grilled cheese sandwiches.
The Guardians, the fourth dimension, and a lawsuit from Saturn
Given how surreal this year has been, I was thinking a few days ago that it was a little surprising that we haven't had any completely batshit insane stories lately. But far be it from 2020 not to rise to such a challenge and say, "y'all hold my beer and watch this." Just yesterday, two different loyal readers of Skeptophilia sent me unrelated links (at least I think they're unrelated, although as you'll see, it's a little hard to tell) that wind up the year with style.
If by "style" you mean "wearing an enormous tinfoil hat."
In the first, we have a guy named Mark Russell Bell over at Metaphysical Articles commenting on the Trump administration's decision that the "U.S. Space Force" sounded way too much like something that would be led by President Skroob and Dark Helmet, and decided to find something with fewer comical associations...
...so they settled on "The Guardians."
A lot of us thought this was pretty amusing, but Mark Russell Bell loves it. The reason why he loves it has to do with some weird combination of the following:
"deep trance mediumship"
the "Higher Self" and "Christ Consciousness"
a rejection of "pseudo-scientific flubdub"
"the incursion of the aeroform space people"
a "fourth-dimensional" explanation of flying saucers
light, heat, color, sound, and motion all being attributable to the flow of electrons
something about vaporizing and recondensing a brick
frequency being dependent on the inverse square root of the mass-density of the ether
Along the way you get the impression that (1) Mark Russell Bell is extremely serious, and (2) that he loathes people like me who are orthodox science types and require evidence before they'll believe in something. My sense is he'd be entirely in favor of coming after people like me with a machete. So if Mark Russell Bell ever reads this, allow me to mention that my wife and I recently moved to a small uncharted island off the coast of Mozambique.
In the second story, we meet someone with an even poorer grip on reality, one Rickia Collings of Allen, Texas. Collings, who prefers to go by "Capricornus God of Sun Rickia," has filed suit with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, claiming that his civil rights had been violated by the federal government...
... given that he actually comes from Saturn.
[Image is in the Public Domain courtesy of NASA/JPL and the Hubble Space Telescope]
"Capricornus" also includes as defendants in the lawsuit the United Kingdom and the United Nations, and states that the alleged civil rights violations began on July 4, 1776, which is a little odd in the case of the United Nations because it wasn't founded until 1945. As far as how this could all work, "Capricornus" claims he's way older than he looks and has been living on the Earth since before the American Revolution.
The lawsuit itself, which you can read at the link provided, is highly entertaining. Some highlights include his national origin, in which he says he is from "Saturn and Capricorn," his mother is "w/ Picies [sic, I'm assuming he means Pisces] from Neptune and Jupiter" and his father is "w/ Aquarius from Uranus W.O.G. III." In the section where he's asked to describe how the defendant(s) discriminated against the plaintiff, he says, and I quote:
Moon KAF = the Messiah. DA6T = the Messiah, which from of make a person or an animal lame. A small enclosure in which a sheep or other domestic animals are kept put or keep in a pen, confine someone to a restricted place. A rare astrological aspect involving any celestial body 3 plants, points, planets are sextile to each other& both are then quincunx to a 3rd. Beginning history and reconstruction -- the first morning tet. book = kreate [sic] a fighter. Hand, mouth, connected to speech, drum beats. That which from of mitzvah of Torah child of commandment, law, ordinance, statute, contained in Torah, for that reason to be observed by all practicing Jews. A mixture of natural & manmade landmarks. To see and rejoice in the goodness and greatness of God.
See affidavit.
Well, from that stinging indictment, I think we can all agree that the United States, United Kingdom, and United Nations will have no choice but to make significant reparations.
If the above didn't meet your desired quota of weirdness, the affidavit "Capricornus" refers to is seven pages long, and having waded all the way through it, I can say that it makes precisely the same amount of sense as the bit I quoted above. It does bear mention, however, that a central point he makes has to do with the fact that "Si" (the chemical symbol for the element silicon) can also stand for "systematic internaliser," "standing instruction," and the sacroiliac joint.
How this has anything to do with violating his civil rights, I have no idea.
If you look at the lawsuit paperwork, you'll see that it's all been officially stamped by the District Court, so apparently they're required to take it seriously. I wonder on what basis they'll throw it out? Perhaps because Saturn isn't technically in east Texas? Will "Capricornus" get his day in court even so? Will his father and mother show up from Uranus and Neptune and/or Jupiter in support of their son's cause?
These questions and more will be answered on next week's episode of Wingnuts on Parade!
So anyway, as you can see, although 2020 may be in its last week, we're not done with complete lunacy yet. I keep on making the mistake of saying "Well, what more can happen?", and somehow, "more" always seems to "happen." I'm rather looking forward to Friday and New Year's Day, although as a friend pointed out, 2021 is just 2020 reaching legal drinking age, so maybe my expectation that next year will be marginally saner is doomed to disappointment.
That's what seems likely from my knowledge of "pseudo-scientific flubdub," anyhow.
This week's Skeptophilia book recommendation is apt given our recent focus on all things astronomical: Edward Brooke-Hitching's amazing The Sky Atlas.
This lovely book describes our history of trying to map out the heavens, from the earliest Chinese, Babylonian, and Native American drawings of planetary positions, constellations, and eclipses, to the modern mapping techniques that pinpoint the location of stars far too faint to see with the naked eye -- and objects that can't be seen directly at all, such as intergalactic dust clouds and black holes. I've always loved maps, and this book combines that with my passion for astronomy into one brilliant volume.
It's also full of gorgeous illustrations showing not only the maps themselves but the astronomers who made them. If you love looking up at the sky, or love maps, or both -- this one should be on your list for sure.
[Note: if you purchase this book using the image/link below, part of the proceeds goes to support Skeptophilia!]
Posted by Gordon Bonnet at 3:29 AM
Labels: Capricornus, Guardians, lawsuits, Mark Russell Bell, Rickia Collings, Space Force, Texas, Trump administration
Skepticism and sarcasm. Six days a week.
Follow me on Twitter: @TalesOfWhoa!
Also, check out my website: http://www.gordonbonnet.com. And while you're at it, head on over to Language Arts to see the amazing art work of my wife, Carol Bloomgarden.
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A catastrophe... and mythology come to life.
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Tales of whoa!
A skeptical wildlife biologist, his ex-hippie girlfriend, and... Slender Man.
Take a wild ride through time...
Sometimes, they really ARE out to get you.
The oppression of the majority
I wonder what it is about the mere existence of atheists that is so terrifying to some Christians. Now, right up front, I want to emphasiz...
Gays, god, and forest fires
Many of you have undoubtedly been following the news of the horrific wildfires, last week in Colorado and this week in Arizona . Thus far...
The Cosmic Glass Pyramids of Doom
In yet another example of a fact-free, zero-evidence claim spinning its way around the internet, we now have a story about giant glass pyram...
Go away, atheists. We're tired of you.
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An open letter to religious Americans
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Smiting San Francisco
I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but if you're a reader in the San Francisco area, you're doomed. Today, in fact. I know,...
Sawney Bean and the veracity of folklore
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The flora of prehistory
Guest post: Smaller than a dust mote
Purging memory
Genetic walkabouts
Signal out of noise
Flat space, Hawking radiation, and warm spots
Hurricanes on Neptune
A signal from our neighborhood
Frozen lightning
Racing with death
The Wall Street Journal strikes back
Imaging behavior
Midnight, the Proud Boys, and the lure of the mob
The modern glass ceiling
Get thee behind me, Rover
Patterns and meaning
The mad clockwork
Sheeple update
The galactic shredder
The signature of the creator
When the volcano blows
Requiem for an old friend
Music, math, and the mind
Sanitizing history
Gordon Bonnet
I'm a fiction author and blogger who lives in the frozen wilds of Upstate New York. I am also an online writing coach/consultant -- ask if you want more details!
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Interview: Indie Pop Band Young Thieves Live at Webster Hall
August 09, 2017 / Erica D'Aurora
New York City's famed venue Webster Hall has hosted a slew of cultural events and legendary music artists over the course of its 100-year + existence, including Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and U2. First opening in 1886, the 40,000 square-foot venue boasts three performance venues and quickly became an NYC staple, leading to its reputation as the biggest nightclub in the city.
This month, the historical landmark is preparing to shut its doors for a year of renovations and ownership changes, and Musical Notes Global was there on its last Saturday night before closing.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Dmitry Libman, Alexandra Amor, Andrew Lynch, Johnny Coryn
PHOTO CREDIT: Musical Notes Global
Up-and-coming indie pop band Young Thieves served as the opening act for the night's sold-out show "The Show Less Traveled" at The Studio at Webster Hall, which brought together rock bands Just Surrender, Rare Futures, and Late Waves.
Making their stellar formal debut in front of a live audience, soulful lead vocalist Alexandra Amor, guitarist Andrew Lynch, guitarist/keyboardist Dmitry Libman, and drummer Johnny Coryn performed never-before-heard songs from their developing repertoire, including the uptempo "Skinny Dipping," which is sure to be hit if they choose to release it as a single in the future.
Musical Notes Global had the opportunity to talk to Young Thieves after the show. Watch the full interview below!
For all of Young Thieves' latest news and updates, follow them on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/weareyoungthieves
Instagram: @weareyoungthieves
Twitter: @YoungThievesX
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August 09, 2017 / Erica D'Aurora/ Comment
U-S-A-, Interview, Young Thieves, Webster Hall, NYC, featured, Indie
Erica D'Aurora
Founder, writer Musical Notes Global
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The American College of Bankruptcy would like to acknowledge and thank the following firms for their commitment of $2500 for 2020:
Cecily A. Dumas
Elizabeth A. Green
https://www.bakerlaw.com/
Recognized as one of the top firms for client service, BakerHostetler is a leading national law firm that helps clients around the world to address their most complex and critical business and regulatory issues. The firm has more than 960 lawyers located in 14 offices coast to coast and is widely regarded as having one of the country's top 10 tax practices, a nationally recognized litigation practice, an award-winning data privacy practice and an industry-leading business practice which includes our highly-praised bankruptcy, restructuring and creditors rights team. The firm is also recognized internationally for its groundbreaking work recovering more than $11 billion in the Madoff Recovery Initiative, representing the SIPA Trustee for the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC.
Thomas E. Biron
Regina Stango Kelbon
Michael B. Schaedle
Raymond L. Shapiro
www.blankrome.com.
Blank Rome LLP is an Am Law 100 firm with more than 600 attorneys and 13 offices in the United States and in China. Secured and unsecured creditors, trustees, financial institutions, private equity and hedge funds, and officers, directors, managers and strategic investors look to us for insightful and forward-looking advice on funding and purchasing assets and businesses in distress as well as structuring, proposing and implementing plans under insolvency laws. Our attorneys aim to maximize successful outcomes for clients by taking a pragmatic approach in an efficient manner, combining experience and creative strategies that address the nuances of each situation, as well as providing risk assessment and counsel on alternatives to and structure of transactions, litigation and dispute resolution. Learn more about our firm's exceptional skill in helping clients navigate complex business and financial challenges at blankrome.com.
Jay Bender
Robert B. Glenn
William L. Norton III
Laurence M. Frazen
Brian C. Walsh
www.bclplaw.com
The attorneys in Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner's Restructuring and Insolvency practice group are located and practice in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East, and provide a range of business-advisory and crisis-management skills, including insightful and practical guidance to parties in situations where companies face the risks and implications of insolvency. Our team regularly advises on a wide range of financial, corporate, and real estate restructuring and insolvency matters, and with a particular focus on multi-jurisdictional, highly complex, and challenging cases.
Members of our restructuring practice have long been known for their creative problem-solving abilities, responsiveness, and networks with financial institutions, restructuring advisors, and other attorneys. The combination of these resources allows us to develop the most appropriate business solutions based upon our clients' needs and goals. We have the ability and experience to resolve, promptly and cost-effectively, novel and difficult legal issues in restructurings, out-of-court loan workouts, Chapter 11 reorganizations, distressed sales, litigation matters, and other insolvency proceedings.
Michael Leo Hall
Derek F. Meek
Jeffrey W. Warren
Michael St. Patrick Baxter
In an increasingly regulated world, Covington has an exceptional ability to help clients navigate their most complex business problems, deals, and disputes. Our distinctively collaborative culture allows us to be truly one team globally, drawing on the diverse experience of lawyers and advisors across the firm by seamlessly sharing insight and expertise. What sets the firm apart is our ability to combine the tremendous strength in our litigation, investigations, and corporate practices with deep knowledge of policy and policymakers, and one of the world's leading regulatory practices. This enables us to create novel solutions to our clients' toughest problems, successfully try their toughest cases, and deliver commercially practical advice of the highest quality. The firm has more than 1,000 lawyers in offices in Beijing, Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, and Washington.Learn more at www.cov.com.
Mark E. Andrews
Deborah D. Williamson
Brad Eric Scheler
www.friedfrank.com
Robert D. Albergotti
Charles A. Beckham, Jr.
Patrick L. Hughes
Kenric D. Kattner
Stephen M. Pezanosky
Haynes and Boone, LLP is a full service law firm with a national presence and an international reach. With more than 575 lawyers located in Texas, New York, California, Chicago, Denver, Washington, DC, London, Shanghai and Mexico City, we are trusted advisors, zealous advocates and creative strategists. We have a client-first philosophy, defining our success as providing exceptional value and practical business-minded solutions to our clients and innovative contributions to their businesses. The Restructuring Practice Group at Haynes and Boone has long been recognized as one of just a handful of teams in the nation fully equipped to handle the largest and most complex out-of-court financial restructurings and Chapter 11 reorganization cases. Clients, whether debtors, creditors, lenders, equity security holders or agent banks, benefit from a team with significant experience, diverse skills and deep bench.
Mona Lyman Burton
Ronald M. Martin
Larry E. Prince
Jack L. Smith
Risa Lynn Wolf-Smith
Tyler P. Brown
Robin Russell
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is an international law firm with 1,000 lawyers in 14 offices across the United States, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. We serve clients across a broad range of complex transactional, litigation and regulatory matters and believe in delivering exceptional client service; it's one of our core values, and it's the way we've done business for over 100 years. Our Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors' Rights practice regularly represents clients in federal and state courts across the United States, including the traditional bankruptcy forums of the Southern District of New York and the District of Delaware, and more than 35 other jurisdictions nationwide. Our attorneys have extensive experience representing debtors, lenders and creditors across a full spectrum of industries including energy, retail, financial services, hospitality and healthcare and we have been involved with several of the most high-profile, notable bankruptcy/restructurings of the past few years.
Elizabeth J. Futrell
Kristina Michelle Johnson
R. Patrick Vance
Jones Walker LLP (www.joneswalker.com) is among the largest 120 law firms in the United States. With offices in Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, and Texas, we serve local, regional, national, and international business interests. The firm provides legal services to major multinational, public, and private companies and individuals doing business in the United States and abroad.
Peter J. Benvenutti
Tobias S. Keller
Lee R. Bogdanoff
Daniel J. Bussel
Kenneth N. Klee
Thomas E. Patterson
David M. Stern
Michael L. Tuchin
Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern is a national, boutique law firm that specializes in business reorganizations, corporate insolvency, commercial litigation, bankruptcy related asset acquisitions, bankruptcy litigation and appellate advocacy, expert witness services in the bankruptcy field and corporate transactions. KTB&S represents debtors, creditors, equity holders, committees, trustees, landlords, potential acquirers of assets, and other parties with interests in financially distressed businesses. The members of KTB&S have decades of experience practicing in the bankruptcy field, and are actively involved in teaching and writing. KTB&S' lawyers are headquartered in Los Angeles, California, but regularly handle matters and appear in bankruptcy proceedings throughout the United States. KTB&S is widely recognized as a national leader in its field.
Kenneth H. Eckstein
Thomas Moers Mayer
James A. Bartholomew
Lighthouse Management Group is a Twin Cities-based corporate renewal advisor, helping clients and their stakeholders navigate and resolve difficult business issues, where an objective viewpoint and expertise can create a positive outcome. From turnaround, crisis and interim management to debt restructuring and asset disposition consulting, Lighthouse works directly with businesses and their investors, creditors, legal counsel and other key stakeholders.
Melissa S. Kibler
http://www.mackinacpartners.com/
Mackinac Partners is a nationally recognized turnaround, restructuring and financial advisory firm serving companies and their stakeholders across a wide spectrum of industries and sizes. Mackinac Partners provides clients with C-level and seasoned professionals who have deep expertise in overcoming liquidity and operational challenges, creating value, improving company performance, driving new growth and reducing risks. We have offices in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit and Los Angeles, and our core services include CRO and restructuring advisory, turnaround and interim management, M&A advisory and integration, brand performance improvement, investigations and forensics, corporate security, litigation support and dispute advisory services. We have a twenty-year history of working with clients and firmly believe in developing long-lasting relationships by delivering strong results.
Jeffrey M. Reisner
Seth Goldman
Thomas B. Walper
https://www.mto.com/
Marc A. Levinson
www.orrick.com
Paul Basta
Kelley A. Cornish
Alan W. Kornberg
Stephen J. Shimshak
The Paul, Weiss Bankruptcy & Corporate Reorganization Department serves as a critical advisor in almost every major, complex restructuring matter, helping companies, creditors and investors facing rapid market transformation respond to business challenges with comprehensive and innovative strategies. Diversity of matters and clients, senior-level attention and seamless delivery of multidisciplinary services distinguish the practice. For more information, please visit www.paulweiss.com.
Michael E. Jacoby
http://www.phoenixmanagement.com/
Kurt F. Gwynne
Eric A. Schaffer
Paul M. Singer
Claudia Z. Springer
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 27 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are an entity as diverse as the continents across which we practice and the clients that we serve. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises.
Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences & health, energy & natural resources, entertainment & media, and shipping. Our lawyers provide litigation and other dispute-resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and high-stakes matters, deliver regulatory counsel, and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions.
www.reedsmith.com
Natalie D. Ramsey
H. Bruce Bernstein
Jennifer C. Hagle
Richard W. Havel (Retired)
Richard T. Peters
Sidley's Global Restructuring Group consists of over 55 full-time restructuring lawyers, located principally in our Chicago, Dallas, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Munich and New York offices. Our role is typically one of the primary roles in a restructuring, ranging from lead debtor's counsel, committee counsel or lead counsel to the senior debt syndicate, and our matters generally involve the restructuring of large and mid-size companies throughout North America, Europe and Asia. We have extensive experience in navigating our clients through some of the largest and most challenging restructurings and Chapter 11 bankruptcies in the U.S. and globally. Our capabilities extend to virtually every aspect of the reorganization practice, but we have practical experience in guiding our clients through comprehensive consensual restructurings and recapitalizations, both in and out of court.
J. Scott Victor
www.ssg-advisors.com
Ezra H. Cohen
Jeffrey W. Kelley
Harris B. Winsberg
Harry A. Perrin
William Louis Wallander
https://www.velaw.com/