text:
Shawn Rhoden charged with rape!
Thread: Shawn Rhoden charged with rape!
MuscleMecca Crew
I just read this! I can't believe it!
2:08 PM PT -- TMZ Sports has obtained official docs from the case ... which shows bail has already been set for $750,000.
There's also more information about the allegations ...
The woman -- who is married -- claims she went straight to police after the alleged assault and underwent a sexual assault examination.
The nurse who conducted the exam said the accuser had a laceration on her vagina, something prosecutors in sexual assault cases usually look for to support a rape claim.
Bodybuilding superstar Shawn Rhoden -- the 2018 Mr. Olympia winner -- has been charged with 1st degree rape in Utah after allegedly sexually assaulting a female bodybuilder in 2018.
Cops in Salt Lake City tell TMZ Sports ... 44-year-old Rhoden -- who goes by Flexatron -- has not been arrested, but a warrant has been issued.
According to court docs, first obtained by KSL.com, Rhoden's accuser claims she visited Rhoden in his hotel room in Oct. 2018. The unidentified woman told cops she viewed Rhoden as a mentor.
But, during the visit, the woman claims Rhoden forced himself on her -- and despite repeated pleas to stop, he refused. She claims he eventually stopped and let her leave the room.
Officials say the woman went to police and they collected evidence from her body that tested positive for Rhoden's DNA.
Rhoden has been hit with multiple criminal charges including felony rape, object rape and forcible sexual assault.
Rhoden is a huge star in the bodybuilding world -- he has 1.6 million followers on IG and is the reigning Mr. Olympia ... the most prestigious title in the sport. He famously dethroned Phil Heath, the legend who had won the Mr. Olympia competition 7 years in a row.
Story developing ...
Source: https://www.tmz.com/2019/07/12/mr-ol...ged-with-rape/
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KaiGold
MuscleMecca God
Re: Shawn Rhoden charged with rape!
What?!!! Omg! I think he's guilty too! I always thought he was a really good guy. This is shocking!
The musclemecca bodybuilding news guy
BigHulk
This from 2018
TalkAdmin
TalkAdmin/MuscleMecca
The Olympia is going to be messed up this year.
Let's not be up quick to judge Flexatron. Who knows? He could be totally innocent.
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Why did they ban him from the Olympia and all future Olympias before they even know if he's guilty?
Why did it take so long to charge him for a crime he is accused of doing in October of 2018?
This is from eob:
BREAKING NEWS: Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden charged with rape.
UPDATED 13 July, 2019 – According to TMZ.com a bail has been set at $750,000.
The woman — who is married — claims she went straight to police after the alleged assault and underwent a sexual assault examination. The nurse who conducted the exam said the accuser had a laceration on her vagina, something prosecutors in sexual assault cases usually look for to support a rape claim.
Shocking news in the bodybuilding industry as 2018 Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden has reportedly been charged with rape.
According to several news sources, Shawn Rhoden, 44, was charged Thursday with rape and object rape, both first degree felonies, and forcible sexual abuse, a second degree felony.
The woman, a female competitive bodybuilder who described Rhoden as a mentor, went to visit Rhoden at his hotel on Oct. 12, 2018, while he was visiting Utah from California, according to the charging documents.
The woman told police that Rhoden forced himself on her and sexually assaulted her, despite her trying to push him away and telling him repeatedly to stop, the charges state.
She said Rhoden stopped and let her leave when she told him she needed to go downstairs or else an acquaintance waiting in the lobby would know "something (was) up," according to the charges.
A DNA sample found on the woman's body was matched to Rhoden, police said.
A warrant for his arrest was issued Thursday.
Rumors regarding this story have been circulating for a few months but no concrete facts have been released.
These events will surely put a black cloud over the 2019 Olympia Weekend that is to take place in less than 10-weeks.
Contrary to what the American press is reporting, the Olympia Weekend is not organized by the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) but it is organized by AMI (American Media Incorporated) and by the NPC/Pro League headed by Jim Manion.
Source is https://www.evolutionofbodybuilding....hoden-charged/
RoidVisor.com
Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden Charged with Felony Rape
Admin approved
News by Christopher J. Pitre
The world's top bodybuilder will not have a chance to defend his bodybuilding title at the prestigious Mr. Olympia contest in Las Vegas.
Shawn "Flexatron" Rhoden, a professional bodybuilder and 2018 Mr. Olympia champion, has been charged with one count of felony rape, one count of felony object rape, and forcible sexual assault. The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office issued a $750,000 arrest warrant for Rhoden on July 11, 2019.
The charges arise from an incident that occurred last year according to Lieutenant Dean Carriger with the Sandy City Police Department (SCPD). A 44-year old female bodybuilder reported that Rhoden sexually assaulted her in his hotel room at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Sandy City, Utah on October 12, 2018.
"Following an extensive investigation, Sandy Police detectives submitted the case to the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office on one allegation of rape against Shawn Rhoden," Carriger said. "The DA's office filed formal charges… and a warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest."
Rhoden was a bodybuilding mentor and colleague of the alleged victim.
The alleged victim was a competitive bodybuilder who described Rhoden as her "body-building mentor and colleague". She visited Rhoden's hotel room following a photo shoot. The woman was accompanied by the photographer who remained in the hotel lobby while she visited Rhoden.
The woman alleged that Rhoden started kissing her and pressing his body against her body without her consent. She repeatedly asked him to stop and told him that she was not interested in his sexual advances. She told police that she feared Rhoden due to his overwhelming size and strength.
After she left Rhoden hotel room, she immediately told the photographer and called her husband. She contacted the police and was examined by a trained sexual assault nurse investigator.
The sexual assault nurse examiner observed a laceration on the victim's genitals and collected DNA evidence that matched Rhoden's.
David Pecker, the American Media LLC Chairman and owner of the Joe Weider Mr. Olympia, revoked Rhoden's eligibility to compete in the 2019 and future Mr. Olympia competitions after prosecutors announced the criminal charges. The Mr. Olympia contest is the most prestigious professional bodybuilding title in the IFBB Pro League.
American Media also suspended all coverage and promotion of Rhoden in its bodybuilding magazines, Muscle & Fitness and FLEX Magazine.
It is not known if Rhoden is currently in custody.
Shawn Rhoden plead not guilty and supposedly passed 2 lie detector tests.
From the official website of the law firm collins, gann, mccloskey and barry:
Mr. Olympia shawn rhoden entered a not guilty plea
"shawn rhoden had an initial appearance today in salt lake city, utah, where he appeared voluntarily with counsel. Prior to his appearance in court, negotiations occurred between his defense team and prosecutors in which the prosecutor's bail request was reduced from $750k to $250k. The arrest warrant was vacated. Shawn entered a plea of not guilty. He is represented by rick collins, esq., of new york and l. Monte sleight, esq., of salt lake city. Shawn deeply appreciates his many fans and supporters, especially those who are standing by him during this difficult time. He vigorously denies the charges. He has no statement for the media at this time. He looks forward to being cleared of these false accusations in court."
Shawn could be going to prison for a long time if he doesn't beat the charges.
Shawn Rhoden just released a statement in his rape charges.
A post shared by on Jan 01, 2017 at 12:00pm PDT
I think he is innocent.
Here are more legal details related to Shawn Rhoden's rape case:
Here is more information and details on Shawn Rhoden's case.
The State of Utah vs. Shawn Rhoden, DOB 04-02-1975,
4463 Nueces Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
In the third district court, West Jordan Department
Screened by T. Langdon Fisher
Assigned to: Brian J. Williams
DAO# 19011929
Bail: $750,000.00
The undersigned Melissa Crandell, Sandy City Police department, Agenecy Case # SY18-47816, upon a written declaration states on information and belief that the defendant, Shawn Rhoden, committed the crimes of:
Count 1 - Rape, 76-5-402 UCA, First Degree Felony, as follows: that on or about October 12, 2019, in Salt Lake City, State of Utah, the defendant did have sexual intercourse with another person without the victim's consent.
Count 2 - Object Rape, 796-5-402.2 UCA, First Degree Felony, as follows: That on or about October 12, 2018, in Salt Lake County, State of Utah, the defendant did, without the victim's consent, cause the penetration, however slight, of the genital or anal opening of another person who was 14 years of age or older, by any foreign object, substance, instrument, or device, including a part of the human body other than the mouth or genitals, with intent to cause substantial emotional or bodily pain to the victim or with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
Count 3 - Forcible Sexual Abuse, 766-5-404 UCAm Secibd Degree Felony, as follows: That on or about October 12, 2018, in Salt Lake County, State of Utah, the defendant did, where the victim was 14 years of age or older, touch the anus, buttocks, pubic area, or any part of the genetials of another, or touch the breasts of a female, or otherwise took indecent liberties with another, with intent to cause substantial emotional or bodily pain to any person or with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, without the consent of the other, regardless of the sex or any participant.
This information is based on evidence obtained from the following witnesses. Melissa Crandell, Trey Brimhall, L.K.H., L. Janssens and S. Madsen. Declaration of Probable Cause - Your declarant bases this information upon the following:
The statement of competitive female bodybuilder, L.K.H., that on or about October 12, 2018, she, along with a photographer with whom she had just completed a photo session, went to visit her bodybuilding mentor and colleague, Shawn Rhoden, in room 249 of the Marriott Courtyard Hotel located at 10701 South Holiday Park Driver, Salt Lake County. Rhoden was visiting Utah from California. The photographer stayed in the lobby while L.K.H. went to the room. After L.K.H. went into the room, Rhoden started kissing her. He pushed his groin against L.K.H. and she could feel that his penis was erect.
She asked him to stop repeatedly and tried to push him away. The kissing progressed to Rhoden lifting L.K.H.'s shirt, exposing her breasts. Rhoden began sucking on L.K.H's breasts and nipples; she tried to pull her shirt down and continued telling him to stop.
Rhoden bent L.K.H. over the bed, face down and pulled her pants down. L.K.H. continued yelling Rhoden to stop and said she didn't want to do "this". Rhoden flipped L.K.H. over on her back and pulled his penis out of his pants. L.K.H. was scared because Rhoden is much bigger and stronger than she is and he was easily overpowering her. Rhoden placed the tip of his penis in L.K.H.'s vagina and put his fingers in her vagina. L.K.H. told Rhoden that she needed to go downstairs or else her photographer would know "something was up". Rhoden let her leave and L.K.H. contacted her husband and the police.
The statement of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Susan Madsen, that she conducted a sexual assault examination on L.K.H. and observed a laceration on L.K.H.'s genitals that was tender and stinging.
The statement of L. Janssens from the Utah State Crime Lab that a DNA sample obtained from L.K.H.'s breast was a match to a known DNA sample belonging to Rhoden.
Request for Issuance of a Warrant
The State hereby requests that the Court issue a Warrant of Arrest in this matter for the following reasons(s): due to the nature of the offense and because the defendant resides in California, a warrant is necessary to protect the victim, the community and to ensure the defendant's appearance in court.
Executed on 07-10-19 by Melissa Crandell, Declarant
Authorized for presentment and filing, Sim Gill, District Attorney
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text:
Paracapperia is a genus of moths in the family Pterophoridae.

Species
Paracapperia anatolicus (Caradja, 1920)
Paracapperia esuriens (Meyrick, 1932)

Oxyptilini
Moth genera

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


T-Shirt Holiday Special! "DM, What Is Best in Life?" | Limited Time Offer!
Following the success of the Coffee Mug of Rejuvenation, I thought I'd also kick up a little holiday t-shirt, too, for that Dungeon Master you love (or hate). Behold: Here's what the shirt says: "DM, what is best in life? To crush the characters. See them fail their death saves. And to hear the lamentations … Continue reading T-Shirt Holiday Special! "DM, What Is Best in Life?" | Limited Time Offer!


text:
The Game Awards Are Tonight: Special Guests Teased in Preview
By Simone de RochefortDecember 3, 2015December 18th, 2015No Comments
The guest list for tonight's Game Awards is pretty massive, with big names from Troy Baker to Mark Hamill.
Oh, and Shaq. We'll also see news about upcoming games like Far Cry Primal, Quantum Break, Mortal Kombat, and The Walking Dead Michonne. There will also be announcements about Rocket League and Horizon Zero Dawn.
The Game Awards have been the subject of controversy this year when their judging panel was revealed with only one woman participant.
The games up for Game of the Year include Bloodborne, Fallout 4, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Super Mario Maker, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
The FMV game Her Story, which is one of our favorites, it up for Best Independent Game. Its writer, Sam Barlow, is also nominated.
In the Best Family Game category, we see Disney Infinity 3.0, LEGO Dimensions, and Skylanders SuperChargers nominated, as well as Splatoon and Super Mario Maker. We've reviewed all these games this year, and it looks like it's going to be a hard category to vote on. Though we'd probably pick Splatoon, even if its local multiplayer isn't our favorite.
Tune into The Game Awards tonight on Twitch and YouTube at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST.
Far Cry PrimalHorizon Zero DawnMortal KombatQuantum BreakThe Game AwardsThe Walking Dead Michonne
This article was written by Simone de Rochefort
Simone de Rochefort is a game journalist, writer, podcast host, and video producer who does a prolific amount of Stuff. You can find her on Twitter @doomquasar, and hear her weekly on tech podcast Rocket, as well as Pixelkin's Gaming With the Moms podcast. With Pixelkin she produces video content and devotes herself to Skylanders with terrifying abandon.
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Robert A. Nelson is writing as Korda RaMayne. One of the most complete books ever written on the art of crystal gazing (scrying). Learn how to develop this wonderful ability in your home.
Lesson 1: History of Crystal Gazing.
Lesson 2: Power of Concentration.
Lesson 4: How to Crystal Gaze.
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Bonus Lesson: The complete Hindu method to make a person at a distance think of you and to cause them to fall in love with you.
The ebook has been completely reset in new type, with new illustrations, biography, bibliography, and some minor editing performed to give Nelson's work the treatment it deserves. Priced right, too!
1st edition 1928, 1st digital edition 2015, 44 pages.


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No guarantee insurers will invest £25bn in new infrastructure
By Joey Gardiner2013-12-04T16:54:00+00:00
Pledge by insurers to invest over the next five years is not binding and does not guarantee investment in new-build infrastructure
A pledge by six insurers to invest £25bn in the built environment over the next five years is not binding and does not guarantee investment in new-build infrastructure, it has emerged.
The move was announced by Treasury secretary Danny Alexander at the launch of the update to the National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) today, which included details of a £375bn pipeline of public and private infrastructure projects.
Alexander hailed the development as "a massive vote of confidence in the UK economy".
However, while insurers said they would consider investing in energy and other infrastructure projects, sources in the sector insisted their focus would be in areas not included in the NIP, such as housing, hospitals and schools.
Speaking at the launch Nigel Wilson, chief executive at one of the six insurers, Legal and General, said his firm would start investing the money "from next year onwards" but that it would not be bound by projects identified in the NIP.
He said: "We'll look at the housing sector, energy, hospitals and transport. We've got our own plans."
The agreement, described by the government as an "aim", does not contractually commit the insurers – which also include Prudential, Aviva, Standard Life, Friends Life, and Scottish Widows – to invest in projects and it does not state how much of the investment will go into new-build infrastructure as opposed to existing assets.
However, an insurance industry source said: "This agreement implies doubling the investment we already have in infrastructure. I think we can do more than that."
The move follows a relaxation of regulations under the EU's Solvency II Directive, which sets the framework for how insurers can invest their money.
The changes, confirmed in November, reduced regulations around investing money into property and infrastructure.
Richard Threlfall, head of construction at KPMG, said: "The bigger story here is not this £25bn alone but the wider impact this relaxation on Solvency II could potentially have on investment".
The government said £115bn of the £375bn infrastructure pipeline would be delivered in this parliament, with a further £150bn delivered in the second half of the decade, and the rest after 2020.
Infrastructure: UK rail
Challenging efficiency targets are driving radical changes in the way that rail assets are managed. EC Harris report on Network Rail's expenditure plans for the next five years
HS2 faces crunch ruling on Old Oak Common start date
Railway will hear in September whether challenge by Bechtel will stop it awarding job to Balfour Beatty team
Khan's Tulip veto backed by heritage groups
Mayor's design advisers said Fosters' proposals failed the 'world class architecture' test


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CMV in the eye...or other infectin?
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text:
Wandering Husbands è un film muto del 1924 diretto da William Beaudine.

Trama
L'interesse di George Moreland nei riguardi della bella Marilyn Foster non sfugge alla moglie di Geroge, Diana che, un giorno, sorprende i due da soli, impegnati in un dolce colloquio. La signora Moreland, allora, fingendo indifferenza, coglie l'occasione per invitare la rivale come ospite a casa loro. Durante una gita, Diana decide di far affondare la barca su cui si trovano. Il pericolo che stanno correndo riporta alla luce i sentimenti di George per la moglie: mentre nuota insieme a lei verso la riva, si rende conto di esserne ancora innamorato. Marilyn, intanto, che è stata salvata da un'altra imbarcazione, prende atto della nuova situazione che si è andata a creare e si ritira sconfitta.

Produzione
Il film fu prodotto dalla Regal Pictures (come Regal Pictures Inc.)

Distribuzione
Il copyright del film, richiesto dalla Regal Pictures, fu registrato il 1º aprile 1924 con il numero LP20132.
Distribuito dalla W.W. Hodkinson, il film uscì nelle sale cinematografiche degli Stati Uniti il 20 aprile 1924.

Copie della pellicola sono conservate negli archivi della Library of Congress e in quelli dell'UCLA.

Note

Voci correlate
Filmografia di Thomas H. Ince

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

  Library of Congress

Film drammatici


text:
MAX Inactivation in Small Cell Lung Cancer Disrupts MYC–SWI/SNF Programs and Is Synthetic Lethal with BRG1
Octavio A. Romero, Manuel Torres-Diz, Eva Pros, Suvi Savola, Antonio Gomez, Sebastian Moran, Carmen Saez, Reika Iwakawa, Alberto Villanueva, Luis M. Montuenga, Takashi Kohno, Jun Yokota and Montse Sanchez-Cespedes
Octavio A. Romero
Authors' Affiliations:Genes and Cancer Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC); Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Seville; Division of Oncology, Centro para la Investigación Medica Aplicada (CIMA), University of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain; MRC-Holland, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
Manuel Torres-Diz
Eva Pros
Suvi Savola
Antonio Gomez
Carmen Saez
Authors' Affiliations:Genes and Cancer Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC); Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Seville; Division of Oncology, Centro para la Investigación Medica Aplicada (CIMA), University of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain; MRC-Holland, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, JapanAuthors' Affiliations:Genes and Cancer Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC); Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona; Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Seville; Division of Oncology, Centro para la Investigación Medica Aplicada (CIMA), University of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain; MRC-Holland, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
Reika Iwakawa
Luis M. Montuenga
Takashi Kohno
Jun Yokota
Montse Sanchez-Cespedes
DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-13-0799
Our knowledge of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) genetics is still very limited, amplification of L-MYC, N-MYC, and C-MYC being some of the well-established gene alterations. Here, we report our discovery of tumor-specific inactivation of the MYC-associated factor X gene, MAX, in SCLC. MAX inactivation is mutually exclusive with alterations of MYC and BRG1, the latter coding for an ATPase of the switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complex. We demonstrate that BRG1 regulates the expression of MAX through direct recruitment to the MAX promoter, and that depletion of BRG1 strongly hinders cell growth, specifically in MAX-deficient cells, heralding a synthetic lethal interaction. Furthermore, MAX requires BRG1 to activate neuroendocrine transcriptional programs and to upregulate MYC targets, such as glycolysis-related genes. Finally, inactivation of the MAX dimerization protein, MGA, was also observed in both non–small cell lung cancer and SCLC. Our results provide evidence that an aberrant SWI/SNF–MYC network is essential for lung cancer development.
SIGNIFICANCE: We discovered that the MYC-associated factor X gene, MAX, is inactivated in SCLCs. Furthermore, we revealed a preferential toxicity of the inactivation of the chromatin remodeler BRG1 in MAX-deficient lung cancer cells, which opens novel therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of patients with SCLC with MAX-deficient tumors. Cancer Discov; 4(3); 1–12. ©2013 AACR.
See related commentary by Rudin and Poirier, p. 273.
Note: Supplementary data for this article are available at Cancer Discovery Online (http://cancerdiscovery.aacrjournals.org/).
Received October 28, 2013.
Revision received December 13, 2013.
Accepted December 16, 2013.
©2013 American Association for Cancer Research.
Published OnlineFirst February 13, 2014
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Cancer Discov February 13 2014 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-13-0799
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Dam Aliens
Julia Whitty
Bio | Follow
Freshwater ecosystems are losing even more species than
terrestrial or marine environments. Why? Because of dams. More than 80,000 major dams and 2.5 million smaller
reservoirs have altered natural hydrology across the U.S. The result: nearly 1,000 introduced species disrupting native aquatic systems.
The study published in the September Frontiers in Ecology
and the Environment concludes that dam construction and biological invasions are closely linked, reports Environmental Science & Technology.
A University of Colorado Boulder team analyzed conditions in 4200 natural lakes and 1081 impoundments in Wisconsin and Michigan. They looked at five widespread nuisance species: Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), spiny water flea (Bythotrephes longimanus), rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), and rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus).
Species were 2.4 to 7.8 times more likely to occur in dammed water bodies than in natural lakes. Reservoirs were significantly more prone to hosting multiple non-natives. Boaters and fishers are the unwitting coyotes smuggling in the aliens. Zebra mussels attach to boat bottoms. Milfoil plants clings to boat trailers. Smelt and crayfish used to be used as bait, though that's now illegal.
Of course the troubles with dams don't end there. Some large dammed areas become major greenhouse gas emitters (though in all fairness hydroelectric plants are way cleaner than coal). Many dams disrupt fish breeding cycles. Many large dams submerge unique ecosystems and/or human cultures and artifacts. Some superlarge dams and their lakes may stress load earthquake faults.
Just to make things even weirder, there are now plans to log a Ghanaian forest submerged by the Akosombo Dam that created Lake Volta nearly 50 years ago. Old-growth, rot-resistant hardwood trees like ebony, wawa, and odum are still in excellent shape underwater, reports ENN. The project is led by a privately owned Canadian company, CSR Developments. They aim to harvest 1500 million cubic feet of timber worth about $4 billion. They estimated there are 12 million acres of salvageable submerged tropical timber in hydroelectric reservoirs.
Ideally the underwater harvet would help slow deforestation on land and curb emissions of greenhouse gases linked to burning of forests.
Julia Whitty is Mother Jones' environmental correspondent, lecturer, and 2008 winner of the Kiriyama Prize and the John Burroughs Medal Award.
The Netherlands Is Sinking and Here's Why
Molly Quell
How a Reporter Discovered the Doctored Photo From the 2017 Women's March
Edwin Rios
Trump Shares New Details of Soleimani's Killing With GOP Donors at Mar-a-Lago Fundraiser


text:
Adenia macrophylla är en passionsblomsväxtart som först beskrevs av Carl Ludwig von Blume, och fick sitt nu gällande namn av Sijfert Hendrik Koorders. Adenia macrophylla ingår i släktet Adenia och familjen passionsblomsväxter.

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Arten delas in i följande underarter:

 A. m. singaporeana
 A. m. smilacina

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macrophylla


It's clearer than ever that finances have played, and still play, one of the most important roles in the evolution of society and individual behaviour. Nevertheless, when it comes to actually managing finances, each and every one of us has his/her own individual approach. Therefore, is some are savers, other are spenders, and others are somewhere in between. This continuum can be perceived as a paradigm that is used to frame differences in the way people approach money. However, as different as money is perceived by every person, there comes a time when money accomplishes the same function: tax. Of course, this short yet torturing word hasn't come alone in our lives but accompanied by many friends: income taxes, property taxes, business taxes, tax returns, capital gains taxes, sales taxes, and the list may go on indefinitely. The bad news is that everyone is subject to taxation, be it an organization or company or an individual.
What does subject to income tax exactly mean? It only means that people and companies must report their income and calculate their tax on a regular basis. Certainly some non-profit organizations can be exempted from tax. In this case, they have to file a return; if they fail to meet certain criteria, their tax-exempt status could be revoked. Moreover, a general definition would state that tax returns are required for self-employment including business partnerships, controlling company director, ministers of any religion, persons who possess significant incomes from untaxed savings and investments or from big properties and so on. As expected the amount of taxes you owe is directly connected to your income which means that people who earn more income have higher taxes than those who earn less. Tax rates must be paid throughout the year or to be more specific, on a pay-as-you-go system. Nevertheless, the tax system doesn't hosts only negative aspects, it also offers benefits and facilities as well. Thus, to turn this situation in your favour, it is essential to take control of your tax situation. Needless to say, calculating your tax return isn't as easy as it may seem on a first contact, particularly if you already have an overwhelming schedule on your hands. Thus, the best allay you can have in this situation is a specialized financing company and implicitly, an experienced Steuerberater.
The services of this type of companies can be customised to meet your particular case and ultimately, to accomplish your requirements and needs seamlessly. Moreover, these experts can also represent you before Tax Authorities during assessment procedures. To complete this image, most of these companies have extended their expertise area to other major financial fields such as insurances. Thus, in order to support their customers and their future financial situation, these companies offer direct access to a proficient versicherungsmakler who uses free-of-charge analysis and independent insurance comparison tables to indicate ideal insurance offers. The best part is that technology hasn't limited its intervention only at financial software and techniques but it has continued its series of advancements by offering full access to information, online financial services and sources.
For more resources about Steuerberater or about versicherungsmakler, please review this link http://a-o-consulting.com/.


text:
January Renewals See Hardest Property Catastrophe Reinsurance Rates in Generation
January 17, 2023 by L.S. Howard
A convergence of global events has led to the hardest property-catastrophe reinsurance market in a generation and a "complex," "grueling" and "late" January renewal season, which went down to the wire, according to reports issued by brokers Gallagher and Howden Re.
The geopolitical and macroeconomic shocks that occurred during 2022 included the war in Ukraine, fractured energy markets, 40-year high inflation, interest rate hikes, depleted capital and Hurricane Ian, the second most expensive natural disaster. The result, said re/insurance broker Howden, was the introduction of "significant volatility into the market" as well as massive reinsurance rate increases at the Jan. 1, 2023 renewals, which it described In a press release as the "hardest property-catastrophe reinsurance market in a generation." (Approximately 50-55% of catastrophe reinsurance is renewed in January each year).
Howden said average global rate increases recorded at the renewals were 37%-plus for global property catastrophe (the biggest year-on-year increase at 1/1 since 1992); 45%-plus for direct and facultative business (a cumulative increase of 160% since 2017); 50%-plus for retrocessional cover (a cumulative increase of 165% since 2017) and 5%-plus for London market casualty reinsurance excess-of-loss rates (which reinsurers blamed on rising inflation and the prospect of higher claims severity).
Gallagher Re described the reinsurance renewal season process as tense, late, complex and, in many cases, frustrating. The good news, however, is that the renewals were "largely completed," the broker affirmed.
"The two areas that saw the most capacity constraints were peak-zone U.S. property catastrophe capacity and coverage for strikes, riots & civil commotion and war," according to Gallagher Re in its report titled "1st View: Market Turns – January 2023."
"In most other lines and regions, buyers have largely been able to source capacity, albeit at a higher cost and in many cases changed structures with an increase in attachment points and the raising of the 'floor' on minimum rates-on-line, a key focus for many reinsurers," the report said.
In Howden's report titled "The Great Realignment," the broker highlighted the fact that dedicated reinsurance capital has eroded by 15.7% to $355 billion at year end 2022, which was the biggest reinsurance capital squeeze since 2008.
Howden noted that capital inflows in the months after Hurricane Ian were "negligible" compared to the amounts raised in the final months of 2001 and 2005 after Sept. 11 and Hurricane Katrina, respectively.
Howden explained that capital raises from incumbent carriers in 2022 were restricted as a result of heightened market uncertainty and higher financing costs. "Nor was there any meaningful reload from third-party capital investors, who were inclined to assess [Jan. 1] renewal outcomes before weighing potential deployment opportunities in 2023."
Reinsurance buyers sought to secure additional top-end cover in response to rising insured values and more premium entering the market, but these demand-side pressures coincided with a severe capacity crunch, said Howden, explaining that capital – from both rated carriers and insurance linked securities (ILS) providers – either pulled back or only maintained allocations. "The mismatch between supply and demand was already estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars when Hurricane Ian hit Florida as a category 4 storm to reinforce one of the hardest reinsurance markets in living memory."
"The reinsurance sector has reached concurrent secular and cyclical tipping points," said David Flandro, head of Analytics, Howden, in comments accompanying the report. "It is experiencing sustained, heightened loss activity and war risk just as the global economy exits the 'great moderation' of interest rates and asset price volatility. Pursuant increases in carrier costs of capital are underpinning higher rates-on-line, lower capacity levels, and straitened terms and conditions."
"The last time we saw this level of capital dislocation was during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. At the same time, the sector is experiencing its most acute, cyclical price increases since the 2001-2006 period if not before."
Reinsurance Buyer Complaints
Gallagher Re noted that several buyers complained that their efforts to approach markets early with more detailed renewal presentations to address reinsurers' concerns over inflation and coverage were not recognized. "Only a limited number of reinsurers were prepared to offer quotes in a timely fashion, leading to difficulties for clients and their brokers to find market clearing prices, terms, and conditions."
"The renewal process has been grueling for participants, many of whom have not faced such a rapid change in market conditions across a single renewal season," said James Kent, global CEO, Gallagher Re, who was quoted in a press release accompanying the report.
"Times of significant market change are always challenging to navigate but we have seen a significant difference in the ways that individual reinsurers have reacted despite a widespread stated ambition to grow premium volumes in what is being viewed as the best treaty underwriting terms and conditions for a generation," Kent added.
"Some have reached the end of the renewal season with reputations enhanced, exercising a firm, fair, transparent approach based on a commitment to their own view of pricing adequacy. Others who have acted less deftly may find sustaining long-term client relationships more challenging, especially once capital and competition rebuild in the global reinsurance market," he said.
Lumber Insurance
Lumber Insurance Agents & Brokers Sawmill Woodyard & Sawmill Wood Products Manufacturing + 2 more
Rocklake Insurance Group, Inc.
Trucking Cargo Liability Cargo/Inland Marine Cargo Insurance Cargo MTC


As a landscape photographer I try to portray what I see in a natural and realistic manner. As a rule, I don't care much for distortion or excessive manipulation of images. This technique of using the Polar Coordinates filter in Photoshop, however, can sometimes provide an unusual twist. I learned this technique from a tutorial by Rick Sammon, a well-known photographer and Photoshop instructor. You can learn more about Rick at his website here.
click OK. Second, go to the menu bar and choose Image>Rotate Canvas>Flip Vertically. The final step is to return to the menu bar and choose Filter>Distort>Polar Coordinates. This time, choose the top button "Rectangular to Polar" and click OK. Done.
The image used is of a Pale Tiger Swallowtail taken in Kings Canyon National Park in 2005. Scroll down to see the original image.


text:
Open-rank Faculty Positions in Synthetic Chemistry and Biochemistry
Salary ranges are commensurate with rank.
Biochemical, Catalysts, Energy, Environmental, Green Chemistry, Inorganic, Materials, Medicinal / Clinical, Nanotechnology, Organic, Organometallic, Polymers
Work Function
Research-Applied, Research-Basic, Teaching-Graduate, Teaching-Undergraduate
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma (OU) is seeking applications from candidates for three open-rank (tenure-track/tenured) faculty positions starting August 2023. Applicants who can establish, or have established, a strong research and instructional program in any area of synthetic chemistry are encouraged to apply. Research areas include (but are not restricted to) synthetic inorganic, organic, and biochemistry and bio-, inorganic, organic, and nano- materials synthesis. Applicants at disciplinary interfaces with energy, catalysis, environmental, or medicinal research in alignment with OU's strategic research plan (www.ou.edu/research-norman) are particularly encouraged. Instructional contributions are one course per semester at the graduate or undergraduate level in an appropriate subject area. Candidates must have a PhD (or equivalent) degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science or other appropriate field, and preferably postdoctoral research experience for Assistant Professor applicants.
Applications consisting of a cover letter, a research plan (max 5 pages), a current curriculum vitae that includes a list of publications, a statement of teaching experience and plans (max 1 page), and three letters of recommendation must be submitted through Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/116142.
Qualified senior candidates must provide a cover letter, a summary of research accomplishments, a current curriculum vitae, and a synopsis of teaching experience at the above Interfolio site. The names and contact information for three references may be requested for senior candidates after review.
Review of applications will start by December 9, 2022 and will continue until the positions are filled. There will be a preliminary remote screening process to ascertain candidates for further interviews. Questions may be addressed to the search committee chair Dr. Daniel Glatzhofer (dtglatzhofer@ou.edu).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to: admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides.
Diversity Statement: The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable and inclusive university community by recognizing each person's unique contributions, background, and perspectives. The University of Oklahoma strives to cultivate a sense of belonging and emotional support for all, recognizing that fostering an inclusive environment for all is vital in the pursuit of academic and inclusive excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission.
Mission of the University of Oklahoma: The Mission of the University of Oklahoma is to provide the best possible educational experience for our students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and service to the state and society.
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text:
(function () {
	'use strict';
	var config = require('./scripts/config/resultDisplay.json');

	angular.module('gitHookApp')
		.controller('ResultDisplayCtrl', ['$scope', '$location', 'testResultObj',
		function ($scope, $location, testResultObj) {

				/* Node Webkit window size */
				var window = require('nw.gui').Window.get();
				window.x -= config.window.x;
				window.y -= config.window.y;
				window.width = config.window.width;
				window.height = config.window.height;
				var testResult = testResultObj.getInstance();
				$scope.results = testResult.results;
				$scope.button_1 = config.pageConfig.button1Text;
				$scope.button_2 = config.pageConfig.button2Text;

				$scope.proceedTesting = function () {
					process.exit(0);
				}
				$scope.exitWithError = function () {
					process.exit(1);
				}
		}
	]);
})();

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: Rails 3 — Omniauth routing error, works on local but not on my server I'm trying to use Omniauth to allow users to login to my Rails app using Facebook. Locally, omniauth automatically redirects the browser to Facebook for authentication using the following link:
<%= link_to "Sign in with Facebook", "/auth/facebook" %>
It redirects back as is expected (no callback error) and I am then able to log out.
The issue occurs when I try to upload my application to my server. For some reason Omniauth isn't kicking in and it doesn't do the redirect. Instead it just points the browser to a non-existant directory in my app (http://sharedchecklist.com/auth/facebook) and spits out this error:
Routing Error
No route matches "/auth/facebook"
I've done a lot of searching over the past few hours to try and figure out what the issue could be. I've made sure to changee the the site and canvas URLs to my app's address. It isn't an issue with callback.
It's almost like omniauth isn't there…
Has anyone encountered this issue before? I'm fairly new to rails but I've been able to figure through any issues before which makes this one all the most frustrating.
If the url would help, here it is: http://sharedchecklist.com/
Thanks for any assistance you can offer.

A: You need to tell Facebook where to redirect to. If it works in development you probably have your site url set to "http://localhost:3000". Change it to "http://sharedchecklist.com" and it will work. Of course it then will break in development. Therefore I created a new "Test" Facebook application just for my testing which always redirects to localhost.

A: This seems to happen if config/initializers/omniauth.rb is missing.
I have that file on the ignore list and a sample file as omniauth.rb.sample. I forgot to create the omniauth.rb file and I was getting the same error.

A: If you want to test on local host and keep your production environment working:
1- Create a new Facebook app only for development purposes
2- Set the Site URL field to: http://localhost:3000/
3- Then edit your /config/initializers/omniauth.rb file to match the following:
OmniAuth.config.logger = Rails.logger

Rails.application.config.middleware.use OmniAuth::Builder do
  if Rails.env.development?
    OpenSSL::SSL::VERIFY_PEER = OpenSSL::SSL::VERIFY_NONE
    provider :facebook, 'DEV_APP_ID', 'DEV_APP_SEVRET'
  else
    provider :facebook, 'DEPLOY_APP_ID', 'DEPLOY_APP_SECRET'
  end
end

Finally relaunch rails server and you should be able to login through your new app.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: can't read path variable in firestore rules I have some rules like:
    rules_version = '2';
service cloud.firestore {

  match /databases/{database}/documents {

    match /teams/{teamId} {
        allow read, write, delete, list:
      if debug(teamId) in debug(request.auth.token.teams)

      allow create:
      if true;

    }

  }
}

I am using claims to control access.  Each user has an array of teams in their token.  That part is working fine.
Basically, teamId (coming from the path) doesn't exist.  Nothing is printed in the log for this variable.  I can't figure out whats going on.  Is there some different way to access that teamId variable?

by doing some logs, it seems that for accessing /teams/teamXXXX I'm getting multiple rule hits. First on /database/default/documents/teams and then again on /database/default/documents/teams/teamXXX The first rule pass is failing because {teamId} is not defined on that path. I need to somehow allow access to the collection while limiting access to the child documents

It looks like the way I'm accessing teams may be causing a problem.  I'm getting teams by doing a query like:
instance.collection("teams").where('owners',
            arrayContains: FirebaseAuth.instance.currentUser!.uid);

This must be triggering the rule check where no {teamId} in the path.  I thought about wrapping my match statement like:
match /teams/{document=**}
  allow read:
  if (request.auth.uid != "")

  match /teams/{teamId} {
        allow read, write, delete, list:
      if debug(teamId) in debug(request.auth.token.teams)

      allow create:
      if true;

    }
}

I'm worried that this will just allow all documents.  I'm stuck.

A: answering my own question.
When doing a search / list on a collection, it still matches the rule of /teams/{teamId} even though you are not specifically querying by teamId.
Meaning a search like instance.collections("teams").where(...) will still match /teams/{teamId}
In the match, {teamId} will be blank.  Instead, you must look at the input paramters coming in via the "resource" variable.  The items you have in the "where" clauses will appear in the resource variable.  You must use the resource data to resolve your rules.
So I had to separate the "list" rule form the rest of the rules.


"The workshop participants agree that the union government must be a union of the African people and not merely a union of states and governments. It must furthermore be based on shared values drawn from both African culture and African societies, and from articulated commitments of African countries to meet the challenge of coping with historical legacies and current realities. Finally, it is important that African countries be guided by adherence to the rule of law, popular participation in governance, respect for human rights, and fundamental freedoms and transparency in public policy-making. The workshop provided a platform for strategies for the implementation of a union government in Africa and proposed the steps and key recommendations outlined."


text:
TNT Post UK expected to trial delivery service in London
Feb 23, 2012 | News | 0
Private sector postmen wearing orange could be taking to the streets of London from April, as one of Royal Mail's biggest postal rivals launches a new trial delivery service. TNT Post UK, part of the Dutch postal company PostNL, is itching to break Royal Mail's near-monopoly of the end-to-end delivery market.
It is now expected to follow up a 2009 trial in Liverpool with a new trial in the British capital from the week of April 16.
Although the UK's postal market opened up to competition at the start of 2006, virtually all private sector entrants still use Royal Mail for the final mile of delivery. For mail collected and delivered by the same company, Royal Mail holds more than 99% of the market share.
The major barrier to companies challenging Royal Mail's stranglehold on the end-to-end market has been that as the universal service provider, its services have been exempt from value-added tax, while others have to levy the 20% sales tax on customers.
TNT Post UK, which describes itself as the second biggest UK postal company, has been lobbying hard against Royal Mail's VAT advantages, and some of those exemptions for business services are ending from April.
"Exploring trials"
Sources close to the company have told Post&Parcel that they are now moving ahead with plans for a trial to be run in London from April.
Officially a company press spokesperson could not confirm or deny the London project was going ahead, but stressed that UK VAT rules still need to be changed if TNT Post UK is to run "comprehensive" end-to-end services. Such a move would also require sign-off by regulator Ofcom.
Regarding the London trial, spokesperson Eimear Galvin would only say: "TNT Post has a clear intention to launch an end-to-end delivery service and we would like to do this as soon as possible. We are currently reviewing plans on how we can further trial the service following the conclusion of a successful small-scale trial in Liverpool."
The spokesperson would not reveal further details about the trial, but confirmed that as with the Liverpool trial, delivery people would be put out on the streets in the orange TNT Post branding.
The London location would suggest TNT Post is looking into services in mainly urban areas where profitability would be highest, but asked whether its trials might involve rural areas as well, Galvin said: "We are exploring the possibility of trials in various types of location."
Similarly, asked on what grounds a TNT Post end-to-end service might compete with Royal Mail, for example on price grounds, delivery speed or reliability, the TNT Post spokesperson said various models for trialling end-to-end services were currently being considered.
TNT Post UK currently handles more than 200m items a month, on behalf of businesses including telecoms giant BT and energy utility Centrica, and has been delivering mail since 2004.
It currently claims a market share in the addressed mail segment of around 17%, which it has built up with a regional approach to its network, which comprises offices and depots in Scotland, the North of England, the Midlands, London and the South East and the South West, along with Northern Ireland.
Royal Mail is currently in the process of re-launching its bulk mail services as it seeks to shore up market share while raising prices to cover its universal service and need to modernise. It is launching a new simplified service portfolio in April.
Separately, the UK postal industry regulator Ofcom issued a formal direction today extending Royal Mail's get-out clause for difficult addresses in relation to its universal service obligation to deliver to every address in the UK.
The exceptions mean that if it is not possible for Royal Mail to deliver mail to the door or collect mail from a certain post box, for example for health and safety reasons, it can refuse.
The new direction essentially changed little other than the details in the document related to Ofcom taking over regulatory responsibility for the market in October 2011 in place of Postcomm.
But, it extends the exceptions through to 31 December 2013.
PreviousUSPS informs staff after decision on 223 mail plant closures
NextSwiss Post International invests in dual-view x-ray technology
Royal Mail's new superhub will process 600,000 parcels per day
Royal Mail teams up with China Post for new trackable service
Royal Mail completes sale of two plots on Nine Elms Park site for £101 million


text:
Photo Companion to the Bible
Pictorial Library of Bible Lands
Historic Views of the Holy Land
BiblePlaces Newsletter
Fonts – Greek
Fonts – Paleo-Hebrew
Life in the Holy Land
Regnal Chronology
Satellite Bible Atlas
Pictorial Library
Galilee and the North
Samaria and the Center
Judah and the Dead Sea
Negev and the Wilderness
Eastern and Central Turkey
Western Turkey
Cyprus and Crete
Italy and Malta
Trees, Plants, Flowers of the Holy Land
Cultural Images of the Holy Land
Signs of the Holy Land
Pictorial Library Galilee and the North Samaria and the Center Jerusalem Judah and the Dead Sea Negev and the Wilderness Jordan Egypt Lebanon Eastern and Central Turkey Western Turkey Greece Greek Islands Cyprus and Crete Italy and Malta Rome Trees, Plants, Flowers of the Holy Land Cultural Images of the Holy Land Signs of the Holy Land Persia Complete Collection
The Pictorial Library of Bible Lands
The Pictorial Library of Bible Lands is a 19-volume collection of high-resolution photographs of important biblical and historical sites in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, and other countries. The collection includes more than 19,000 high-resolution photographs, all carefully identified and prepared for easy use.
All images are included in jpg format at a minimum resolution of 1600×1200 pixels. The pictures can be easily edited or printed in a graphics program, inserted into a PowerPoint slide show, used as desktop wallpaper, or included in class notes. In addition, all of the photos are included in pre-made PowerPoint presentations for each region, site, or subject in a logical "tour" order.
The Pictorial Library of Bible Lands includes extensive descriptive explanations. The annotations are the result of many years of research and writing by a professor of biblical geography and archaeology living in Israel.
Pictorial Library of Bible Lands – individual volumes
List Price: $29.99 to $49.99
Price: $24-$39 Free shipping on all US orders
Pictorial Library of Bible Lands: Complete Collection (19 volumes)
List Price: $649
Price: $389 Free shipping on all US orders
For teaching purposes it has been a fabulous investment.
"Just wanted to thank you for the photo library. I've used it in preparing studies and I'm delighted with it. The product vastly exceeds my expectations. Especially useful are the study notes. Thank you for your commitment to a quality product. For teaching purposes it has been a fabulous investment—and you can quote me on that any time."
-David Reid, pastor in Spain
Nothing can touch this in terms of quality and price.
"We want to add our voice to the chorus of rave reviews for this outstanding collection. Nothing can touch this in terms of quality and price. Our scholar team will be making wide use of these images for years to come in our presentations."
-Hugh Ross, Fuz Rana, Kenneth Samples, and Krista Bontrager, Staff scholars, Reasons To Believe
Read more on the Reviews Page
Take a tour below of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands and see why this photo collection is so unique, so valuable, and so useful. Or view a summary of the contents, see what others say, and download some free images.
18 Volumes
The Greek Islands
Trees, Plants, and Flowers
The Pictorial Library of Bible Lands comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you're not entirely happy with it, we'll refund all of your money, including shipping.
Dr. Todd Bolen is Professor of Biblical Studies at The Master's University. He lived and taught at the university's Israel campus (IBEX) near Jerusalem for more than a decade.
Todd has produced several editions of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands since the year 2000 and the current edition features images from more than 40 photographers. Read More.
How to Cite this Site
LugaresBiblicos.com
BibleLieux.com
The pictures on this website are copyrighted and may be used only with permission. Students may use the material on this site for school projects without permission. Purchasers of the Photo Companion to the Bible and the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands are granted liberal usage rights for the images for personal and educational purposes. For more details, see copyright information.


text:
Man Falls Through Ceiling, Jumps Out Window To Escape Police
Filed Under:115th Street, Chicago Police, FBI, Sangamon Street, Wanted Man
(CBS)
CHICAGO (CBS) — A man trying to flee Chicago Police officers ended up falling through the ceiling in a Morgan Park neighborhood house Friday morning, then jumping out a window to escape.
The 27-year-old man, whom police have not named, was wanted by Chicago Police officers and FBI agents. Around 6:45 a.m. Friday, they came to a home in the 1000 block of West 115th Street searching for the suspect, who was believed to be there with relatives, police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli said.
The man was being sought for an August 2011 warrant for possession of marijuana and crack cocaine, Mirabelli said. He was also wanted for attempting to run over officers with a vehicle when they tried to stop him on Dec. 1, 2011.
He also had prior convictions.
When officers were invited into the home, they noticed a chair underneath a ceiling door to an attic, Mirabelli said. They then heard running along the rafters of the attic.
The suspect then crashed through the ceiling into the living room, Mirabelli said. When officers attempted to arrest him, he punched two FBI agents and scuffled with police officers.
He then broke through a window and ran three blocks before he was apprehended in the 11500 block of South Sangamon Street, Mirabelli said.
One FBI agent sustained a laceration to the face and a second suffered a laceration to the wrist while attempting to place him in custody at the home, Mirabelli said. Police officers also suffered minor cuts and bruises, but none of the officers or agents were hospitalized.
The suspect was hospitalized for a medical evaluation and treatment of minor injuries.
Charges of aggravated battery to a police officer and resisting arrest are pending, Mirabelli said. The warrant also charged aggravated battery to a police officer and possession of a controlled substance.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)


text:
Maisie Williams opened up about THAT big opening scene in the "Game of Thrones" Season 7 premiere
Karen Belz
If you haven't caught up, beware — you'll definitely be spoiled. The seventh season of Game of Thrones had an opener that was a little bloodier than we expected. And, of course, it focused on Arya Stark.
The premiere opener took place at House Frey, and required a bit of face-swapping. Arya, brilliantly played by actress Maisie Williams, managed to poison powerful Frey family members and friends while in disguise as Walder Frey. Some initially thought it was a flashback scene, but the perpetrator was quickly revealed to be present-day Arya seeking revenge regarding the Red Wedding massacre that took the life of her mother and brother.
According to Williams, it was an intense scene to play for her character.
"It's so f—ed up!" Williams told Entertainment Weekly. "Even Arya is surprised she has so much power. In that last moment she's staring out at all those men dying, she's turned into a bit more of a monster than she's ever realized. I don't think she's sad about that but she's got it on her mind."
Williams hoped that viewers didn't guess right away that Arya had face-swapped. And since the scene appeared to be immediately after that infamous third season episode, there's a good chance many were surprised.
"When I heard first heard about the Faceless Men, I always thought it would be really cool if she switched faces with a leading character rather than an unknown person's face," Williams continued. "I really hope [viewers] don't guess it's her straight away."
This is only the very first scene of the season, so we predict that there'll be many more powerful Arya moments during coming episodes of Game of Thrones. And we can't wait.
By Karen Belz
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All Topics in winter is coming


text:
Community Members Invited to Learn More about Proposed Updates to the Watershed Ordinance
by Press Release | Apr 23, 2018
The meeting will be held at Davidson Town Hall Monday, April 30, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
DAVIDSON, N.C – Community members are invited to meet with the Planning Board Ordinance Committee (PBOC) to ask questions about the proposed changes to the watershed ordinance. The PBOC drop-in session will be held on Monday, April 30 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Davidson Town Hall board room. All are invited to attend.
Staff have been working with planning board members, citizens, and the board of commissioners to draft text revisions to Section 17 of the Davidson Planning Ordinance (DPO), whose regulations govern parcels within town near Lake Norman. The standards apply to properties within 0.5 mi. of the lake (i.e. the "critical area"), which is generally everything west of Main Street because topographically, water flows in that direction. The standards, in place since 1993, maintain clean water in Lake Norman by requiring vegetative buffers and limiting the amount of "built-upon-area" (BUA) placed on a lot, residential or non-residential. The fewer buffers and more BUA a lot contains, then the more runoff containing dirt, fertilizer, chemicals from cars, etc. washes off onto our streets and gets into the lake. BUA is hardscape surfaces like a driveway or building footprint; it is not things like fences or decks that have grass underneath.
In March 2017, Mecklenburg County, our partner in administering the ordinance (with oversight from the NC Department of Environmental Quality, "NCDEQ"), requested that Davidson:
Update/clarify standards,
Address persistent issues and inconsistencies and,
Remove inapplicable sections.
To help address these requests, the citizen-led planning board formed an ordinance committee (a.k.a. the PBOC) in January 2018 to work closely with staff and citizens to review the watershed ordinance and proposed changes, and to suggest/draft edits. Over the past several months these volunteers have worked to further tailor the watershed standards to fit Davidson's unique circumstances while doing our part to safeguard the town's drinking water supply. Highlights include:
Alignment with state law (required by NCDEQ),
Consistent treatment of similar lot types,
Support of adopted plans and policies and,
Reinforcing the character of existing streets and buildings.
Some specific amendments that pertain directly to Davidson are:
For expansions to existing structures in the critical area of the watershed, we'd like to require enhancements to encourage rain water management on-site such as rain gardens and French drains.
Remove exemptions for lots of record; we had hoped to allow long-standing owners prior to 1993 to be exempt from built-upon area limits, but we cannot make ordinances based on tenure.
Since our downtown is in the critical area of the watershed, we'd like to make an amendment that allows for flexibility in meeting watershed requirements on the block bounded by Main/Depot/Jackson Streets.
Increase the authority of our board of adjustment when they are approached with built-upon area averaging cases.
Citizen feedback received by the PBOC the past several months has been instrumental in improving the proposed amendments. In fact, most revisions over this period have come directly from citizen input. For more information about the proposed text amendments, please see the town's text amendment webpage (http://www.townofdavidson.org/textamendments ). Additionally, citizens are invited to contact Planning Technician Lindsay Laird in the planning department at [email protected] with specific questions. A public hearing is scheduled for the board of commissioners regular meeting on May 8. The Davidson Board of Commissioners could consider a vote at a future meeting.
Want to know if your property is in the watershed? See Mecklenburg County's Polaris 3G website (http://polaris3g.mecklenburgcountync.gov/), type an address into the search bar, and scroll down the left side of the page to "Environmental Information" – if the field next to the row saying "Regulated Drinking Watershed Class" says "CA" then that means the property is located within the critical area of the watershed and subject to the ordinance. Note: Not all of the ordinance's rules affect every property – there are many unique circumstances! Please see attachments.
Want more information on what's going on in Davidson? Be sure to visit our website often, follow us on Facebook and on Twitter and sign up for our eCrier email distribution list.


Paper Forms or Digital Forms: Which Are Better for Construction?
Construction supervisors are under tremendous pressure at work. Management and clients are pushing to meet deadlines. Employees need guidance, reminders to use their safety equipment, and training. But that's not all. You probably also need to pitch in from time to time when somebody calls in sick.
With all these daily pressures, it's easy to fall for the lie of just working more hours every day to get through everything on your list.
That's not the only way to succeed in construction. To get ahead without burning yourself out, you need to think about systems. That includes looking for ways to gain productivity and quality without personally inspecting each nail and wall. When you use forms the right way, your construction supervision workload will become lighter, and you'll hit more deadlines.
You probably didn't roll out of bed this morning thinking about ways to improve your forms, but think about how many forms you've filled out at work in the past year. Depending on the size of your company, it could be in the thousands.
The forms you use to run a construction business are critical to keeping projects running smoothly. You have forms to record and report safety inspections. There are forms to gather data on subcontractor performance. You might even use forms to gather data on staff performance.
By using a form instead of scattered notes, management has an organized database to reference in making decisions.
What happens when forms are disorganized, incomplete, or full of errors? It's like driving a cement truck with your eyes closed. You don't have accurate information to make decisions. That means more rework, more complaints from clients, and a higher chance of onsite injuries. Now, what are your options to supervise better with forms?
Paper forms are the traditional way to gather information in the construction industry. You walk into the office, grab a few copies of your standard forms, and head off to the construction site.
Paper forms do have some advantages. For one, they're familiar. You can write fast and add notes in the margins. Unlike with electronics, you don't have to worry about paper forms losing power.
However, when you look closely, there are significant disadvantages to paper forms for construction supervisors. Think back to the last job site you visited. Was there mud? Was there dirt? Construction is a messy business! That means you're likely to soil the forms, which makes them hard to read (or you have to waste time rewriting a smudged form when you get back to the office). Furthermore, there's no easy way to attach supplemental information to a paper form, such as photos.
What happens when the head office receives a paper form from a construction supervisor? The first concern is making sure the piece of paper arrives at the office on time and in readable condition. That's a tough challenge if you're working far from your head office.
The second problem is that some poor administrative assistant is probably going to have to retype everything on the form onto a computer. It's not a very productive way to run an organization.
Suppose your construction company begins to use digital forms instead of paper forms.
The benefits of digital forms are substantial. Using digital forms make your daily work as a construction supervisor much easier to manage. Instead of struggling to describe a problem at the job site, you can enter a few details on a digital form and include a few pictures.
After you send the form to the head office, they'll be able to review the form quickly and make decisions. That means you can get overtime, new materials, and other changes approved faster.
Finally, you no longer have to worry about information being lost due to smudges, or having to drop off a paper form at the end of a day.
According to consulting firm McKinsey, construction is one of the least digitized industries. If you make the move to digitize your forms, you'll quickly become an industry leader.
When it comes to administration, you have two choices for forms. You can choose to stay in the past with paper forms and all the delays and rework they bring. Or, you can move ahead with digital forms. Choose the right solution for your construction company that will make moving to mobile easy and increase productivity in the head office and in the field.
You've got better things to do than paperwork. See what mobile forms can do for you.


text:
namespace Tetris
{
    public class LineTetrisGame : TetrisGame
    {
        public LineTetrisGame(int tetrisRows, int tetrisColumns) :
            base(tetrisRows, tetrisColumns)
        {
        }

        public override void NewRandomFigure()
        {
            this.CurrentFigure = TetrisFigures[0].GetRotate();
            this.CurrentFigureRow = 0;
            this.CurrentFigureCol = this.TetrisColumns / 2 - this.CurrentFigure.Width / 2;
        }
    }
}


text:
Mark Philip Bradley
Bernadotte E. Schmitt Distinguished Service Professor of International History and the College
Mark Philip Bradley is an international historian of empire and the postcolonial in Asia and the United States. His current research explores the intellectual and cultural history of the global South and its central presence in the making of our times. Bradley is the author of The World Reimagined: Americans and Human Rights in the Twentieth Century (2016), Vietnam at War (2009) and Imagining Vietnam and America: The Making of Postcolonial Vietnam (2000), which won the Harry J. Benda Prize from the Association for Asian Studies; the general editor of the four volume Cambridge History of America and the World (2021); and the coeditor of Making Forever War (2021) Familiar Made Strange (2015), Making Sense of the Vietnam Wars (2008), and Truth Claims (2001). His work has been support by fellowships from the the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Fulbright-Hays. Beginning in August 2021, he will serve as the editor of the American Historical Review.
← Michele Friedner Nisha Kommattam →


Robots, Uber and other new forms of work organisation – threat or opportunity?
This is the fourth (and final) blog of a series based on a speech to a conference sponsored by the Child Poverty Action Group looking at work and welfare in the 21st century. (Part 1; Part 2; Part 3). It has been reprinted from The Daily Blog.
Last week I discussed how the casualisation of work was fundamentally a product of the weakening of working class organisation (and struggle) over recent decades rather than being the inevitable result of new technology.
However, we need to have a strategy for dealing with technological change so that it is not used to further reduce the rights of working people.
Simply opposing technological change doesn't work, as "the Luddites" discovered 200 years ago - although the truth of their struggle may not have been as anti-technology as it is popularly remembered.
Will robots take over all jobs?
There is a real debate over the possibility that robots will take all our jobs. That may be the case in some future society, but I have doubts that this is remotely possible under capitalism.
Capitalism is a system of production for sale at a profit. Because that is the case, there is an intense competition between capitalists for market share. Only the fit survive. Costs get cut, including labour costs. The essence of a productivity rise over time is the replacement of labour by machines.
Over time, that leads to technological change and rising productivity of labour. The most efficient and successful capitalists drive out or take over the competition and the more productive capitalist sets the new standard.
That is also why there is an inevitable process of the concentration and centralisation of capital into ever greater monopolistic groups over time. Monopolies, however, often seek to suppress new technologies that could "disrupt" the value of their investments. Monopolies ultimately are a drag on capitalist growth and innovation.
I do not believe that rising productivity (which is what robotics essentially is) necessarily leads to unemployment.
Germany's greater use of robotics in manufacturing has meant it has pushed out its US and other rivals in many markets and, therefore, maintained employment in the manufacturing sector more than the US did.
Until now new types of work also seem to inevitably develop – often in the form of new "needs" (real or manipulated) not thought of before. Capital constantly seeks to commodify all aspects of life to create products for sale at a profit.
As a system capitalism is a perpetual growth machine. It cannot exist without growing. Regular periods of crisis only temporarily interrupt it. Ultimately, that is why it is such a threat to the planet and all species, ourselves included, who live on it.
Capital is thereby committed to a compounding rate of growth. The quantity of global goods and services traded through the market (which now stands at around $55 trillion) has grown at an average rate of around 2.25 per cent since 1750 or so. (3) In some places and times, it has been much higher and elsewhere much lower. In some places and times, it has been much higher and elsewhere much lower. This fits with the conventional wisdom that a growth rate of three percent is the minimum acceptable level at which a "healthy" capitalism can operate. The average global growth rate from 2000 to 2008 was exactly three percent (with plenty of local variation). Anything less that three percent is problematic, while zero or negative growth defines a crisis which, if prolonged, as in the 1930s, defines a depression. So the problem for capital is to find a path to a minimum compound three percent growth forever.There are abundant signs, however, that capital accumulation is at an historical inflexion point where sustaining a compound rate of growth is becoming increasingly problematic. In 1970, this meant finding new profitable global investment opportunities for $0.4 trillion. Resumption of three percent growth right now would mean finding profitable investment opportunities for $1.5 trillion. If that rate of growth were to be sustained by 2030 or so we would be looking at $3 trillion. Put in physical terms, when capitalism in 1750 was about everything going on around Manchester and Birmingham and a few other hot spots in the global economy then three percent compound growth posed no problem. But we are now looking at compounding growth on everything going on in North America, Europe, much of East Asia, Latin America and increasingly South Asia, the Middle East and Africa….The implications socially, politically and environmentally are nothing short of gargantuan.
China has doubled its production every decade for the last three decades by capturing a greater and greater share of the world market. The laws of mathematics preclude that being repeated forever. China's share of world manufacturing output has gone from 3% to 25% in 30 years. It cannot, and will not, be able to double that again over the next ten years without collapsing the global economy it relies on for markets.
Similarly, smartphone production seems to have now reached its peak and become a mature market which can only be divided and redivided between the big competitors. Apple may well await the fate of General Motors which went from the world's number one car manufacturer to bankruptcy in 2009. It has since been revived in a new form following nationalisation by the US government.
What General Motors discovered was that despite its size it ceased to be able to produce cars at a quality and type able to be sold at a price that gave them at least the average rate of profit.
Unless there are purchasers of products at prices that realise at least an average rate of profit from the surplus value embodies in them they will not be produced – by robots or humans.
If goods may be produced but they are not sold a crisis follows. People lose their jobs and factories, warehouses and shops close down. The crises feed on itself for some time.
Eventually, the crisis passes but not until a portion of accumulated goods and means of producing them are written off and production can resume on a more profitable basis with the elimination of the weakest players.
By then the pressure of unemployment will have reduced the value of labour power to the point where it becomes more competitive against new machines and is re-engaged as the market recovers.
It is this repeated clash between the growth in production and the less rapid growth in the market that has produced the periodic crises of overproduction every 7-10 years that have plagued capitalism for the last 200 years.
We have seen that the ever-increasing perfectibility of modern machinery is, by the anarchy of social production, turned into a compulsory law that forces the individual industrial capitalist always to improve his machinery, always to increase its productive force.The bare possibility of extending the field of production is transformed for him into a similarly compulsory law.The enormous expansive force of modern industry, compared with which that of gases is mere child's play, appears to us now as a necessity for expansion, both qualitative and quantitative, that laughs at all resistance.Such resistance is offered by consumption, by sales, by the markets for the products of modern industry.But the capacity for extension, extensive and intensive, of the markets, is primarily governed by quite different laws that work much less energetically.The extension of the markets cannot keep pace with the extension of production.The collision becomes inevitable, and as this cannot produce any real solution so long as it does not break in pieces the capitalist mode of production, the collisions become periodic.Capitalist production has begotten another "vicious circle".
Without these periodic crises, the demand for labour power would continue to the point that full employment would be the norm and workers bargaining power would be enhanced. The rate of profit would decline as competition favoured the sellers over the buyers of labour power. Capitalists would be driven to replace living labour with dead labour at an even faster rate. Ultimately, this too would lead to an undermining of capitalist profitability.
But a crisis interrupts this process and restores capitalist stability until a new crisis breaks out.
But there is an immediate danger with some of the new technologies like Uber and Task Rabbit that are becoming available that if the control and benefits are left solely in the hands of the bosses it will lead to greater control over workers lives and increased exploitation as a consequence.
They say about 3-4 million are employed in the US by these app-based companies and this is expected to double in five years.
These apps are allowing labour to be connected directly to a customer in a bidding process that incentivises the lowest cost providers.At the moment, many of these workers are being classified as self-employed and they often have no protections.
What I also know is that if we could make sure the benefits of robotics and automation are shared in society then we should welcome their arrival.
But that is the problem. That is not what has been occurring.
I don't believe unions can stop the technology. We need to figure out ways to use it.
Where there are unfair advantages because one group is following the law and the other is not then that needs addressing. Uber, for example, should be obliged to have necessary insurance, to do checks on the drivers, and so on.
But if it is an artificial barrier designed to protect the existing taxi company monopoly then that doesn't need to be supported.
The technology can be modified to protect workers as well. One of these apps in the US has adopted an algorithm that allocates work based on earning at least $15 an hour. Another one which arranges someone to do your shopping has shifted from a self-employed model to a waged model.
Californian courts have ruled that Uber drivers are employees not self-employed. The Seattle City Council is considering a law to allow Uber drivers collective bargaining rights.
We can also write the law to make that happen here as well.
That means they would have to be paid at least the minimum wage. It means the contract would stipulate the app must include an algorithm that ensures that is the case.
These apps also open up the possibility of cooperative labour being promoted. Why can't a local government help drivers establish their own cooperative using the same technology?
All of those possibilities need looking at.
It is probable in the near future that a driverless car and a phone app combo will eliminate taxi drivers for good. That is progress in my view. That is not labour that is particularly rewarding. But the overall productivity gain and share of the profits, needs to be captured by society not only by Google or whoever invents it.
The jobs lost in one sector need to be replaced and that is a social obligation. If the jobs can't be replaced then the work can be shared and the free time devoted to leisure, education and crafts art and all manner or creative pursuits.
Governments need to intervene to ensure that happens. At the moment the bigger and wealthier you are as a capitalist the less you seem to pay in tax or contribute in any other way usefully to society.
That is why legislative measures remain vital to restoring security and dignity for workers. Having a National Government doesn't make that task impossible.
We have pushed the minimum wage back up to 50% of the average wage and this government has not felt able to reduce its real value. That is a victory.
However, the government's promise to eliminate zero-hour contracts has proved to be a lie. The draft law actually makes the legal situation worse.
Telling a young, unemployed, unskilled worker that they can make a choice to "prefer flexibility" when accepting a job with a fast food giant is a lie and Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse knows it.
But the fight is not over on this issue. I think the government is vulnerable. They were hurt by appearing to pander to their mates over weakening health and safety law changes. Unite and other unions will be campaigning to force the government to meet its promise to actually end zero-hour contracts. We will need your support.
We need laws that will allow a radical expansion of union coverage. Most workers like unions. Given a genuinely free choice, most would join.
How hard is it to design laws that give that choice? We need real access rights. We need a real choice for workers when they start work, including meeting the union for that sector.
Unite Union has 7000 members but only 20% density. With 60 or 80% density, we would be able to bargain much more effectively with the bosses in our sectors.
We need a minimum wage that equals two-thirds of the average wage.
We also need laws on breaks, scheduling, and overtime.
We need additional sick leave and annual leave to spread the benefits of the productivity rises we have already achieved.
We need to radically reduce the use of self-employment and subcontracting unless it is a genuinely equal contract like happens for some specialised and very skilled workers.
We must make the big companies employ directly unless they have a good reason not to. We could also make the lead contractor liable for unpaid wages or failed health and safety compliance committed by the subcontractor.
And we need a welfare system based on universal entitlements not begging for crumbs.
There should be universal access to publicly provided housing. The most deserving should be assisted first but our goal should be to progressively make public housing a right for whoever wants one.
Health care and education must remain universal entitlements and made really free.
There should be a generous universal family benefit for all children.
There should be a universal citizens income for all when you leave school.
We could end Working for Families and nearly all benefits currently being paid by WINZ.
I was sceptical for many years on a universal income. It has been promoted by some who see it as a support mechanism to avoid challenging casualisation, low wages and job insecurity because we supposedly can't stop it. I would dispute that.
A citizens income shouldn't be done to avoid taking action to turn back the clock on casualisation and job insecurity. We need better laws and stronger unions for that to happen.
But I think a citizens income will empower workers to join unions. It will enable workers being abused to give the boss the one finger salute and be safe while finding other work.
And the "cost" is not much more than the current tax and benefits regime. In fact, the elimination of the punitive multi-billion dollar bureaucracy known as WINZ would be a wonderful sight. And it will give many WINZ staff the chance to find a worthwhile job to regain their self-respect.
The future of work and welfare is another one where there will be a social struggle between the interests of the majority and those of a small minority.
Let us step up with radical but practical ideas for the challenges that lay before us.
Let us propose humane solutions. Let us be reasonable. But let us also be insistent that change must come.
And if the system can't accommodate these sane practical solutions then we need to change they system so that it serves the majority not a small group of super rich "haters and wreckers".
I see no reason why the majority of humanity would surrender their lives to some form of a super wealthy elite with a tiny minority of winners and a vast number of losers.
A social struggle will determine that outcome.


text:
23 April 1918, As Seen Through the Eyes of Captain Alfred Carpenter, VC
Carl Decaluwé, Tomas Termote
Dimensions : 10 X 9.5 inches
This book is the fruit of the chance discovery of a series of photographic plates belonging to Alfred Carpenter, who commanded the lead ship, HMS Vindictive, during the raid. These pictures provide us with a unique insight into this daring naval operation, which was to result in the most Victoria crosses ever being awarded for a single action. The plates were used by Captain Carpenter to illustrate a lecture tour of the United States and Canada after the war.
Winston Churchill called the raid on Zeebrugge 'the finest feat of arms of the Great War'. This brief, but bloody, action resulted in the highest number of Victoria Crosses ever awarded for a single action. Approximately one thousand officers and men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines stormed the most heavily defended U-Boat base in Occupied Europe. German submarines based in Zeebrugge were responsible for a third of all allied shipping losses during the First World War.
During the Passchendaele offensive of 1917, the Allies attempted to capture these U-boat bases by means of a land-based attack. The failure of the Battle of Passchendaele made it clear that a naval assault was the only solution. As a result, on 23 April 1918, a small force of fighting vessels, towing three blockships, set out across the North Sea...
The Raid on Zeebrugge Reviews
Victoria Crosses on the Western Front – Third Ypres 1917
Paul Oldfield
Allenby's Gunners
Alan H Smith
A Gunner's War
Ian Ronayne
The German Army at Cambrai
Jack Sheldon
Sunderland over Far-Eastern Seas
Derek K. Empson
St. Julian
Graham Keech
The Devil's Doctors
Mark Felton
Battle for the Baltic Islands 1917
Gary Staff