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Syria Situation Report March 22 - April 19, 2021
By Eva Kahan and Jonathan Tishman
Key Takeaway: ISIS faces pressure along multiple fronts as it begins its annual Ramadan surge of attacks in Syria. Al-Qaeda affiliate Hay'at Tahrir al Sham (HTS) mounted counter-ISIS operations targeting leadership cells in Idlib, likely in order to both depress ISIS's attack capability and performatively distance HTS from other "hardline" Salafi-jihadi organizations. The British Royal Air Force and the Russian military similarly conducted precision operations, possibly intended to target high-value ISIS leadership, in eastern Syria. The US-partnered Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), meanwhile, secured camps and detention centers housing former ISIS affiliates in order to prevent ISIS from staging a prison break during the coming month. ISIS's Ramadan campaign will likely continue to feature large-scale but disparate attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Central Syrian Desert and attacks targeting civil society leaders, exploiting existing Arab-Kurdish divisions, in SDF-held northeast Syria.
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Posted by Institute for the Study of War at 9:55 AM
Labels: Syria
Russia in Review: Russia Opens Permanent Training Center in Belarus and Sets Conditions for Permanent Military Basing
By George Barros
Key Takeaway: Joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises in March 2021 demonstrated several new Russian capabilities that could support a permanent Russian force presence in Belarus. Russia's efforts to cement control of Belarusian forces and permanently deploy forces to Belarus increase Russia's capacity to threaten NATO's eastern flank. Russia and Belarus announced plans to open three permanent combined combat training centers in Russia and Belarus. The Kremlin is likely increasing Belarus' military readiness and integration with Russian forces, augmenting the Kremlin's capability to mobilize more units for longer durations and increasing Russia's total force projection capability against NATO. Russian military pilots may begin operating out of Belarusian airbases in 2021. The Kremlin additionally used March 2021 exercises to prepare for Russia's upcoming annual capstone strategic readiness exercise, Zapad 2021, in September, during which Russian units will likely deploy to Belarus on a significantly larger scale than ever before.
Russian combined military exercises with Belarus in March 2021 established new capabilities to support a permanent Russian military presence in Belarus. Russia and Belarus have held monthly combined military exercises since September 2020.[1] The March 2021 iteration of these exercises demonstrated several new Russian capabilities that advance the Kremlin's campaign to create a permanent force presence in Belarus to threaten NATO's eastern flank.
Russia and Belarus announced plans on March 5 to open three permanent combined combat training centers in Russia and Belarus at an unspecified future date. Russia and Belarus will open a ground forces training center in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, a naval center in Kaliningrad, Russia, and an air force and air defense center in Grodno, Belarus.[2] Belarus, it should be noted, is landlocked and has no navy. These centers will likely support the Kremlin's campaign to integrate the Belarusian military into Kremlin-controlled command structures and doctrine. The establishment of a permanent Russian training center in Belarus—which will likely contain a small permanent force as well as regularly rotating combat units from Russia—will enable a near-permanent Russian deployment in Belarus.
Russian military pilots may begin operating out of Belarusian airbases in 2021. Belarusian and Russian Air Force officials conducted a combined training on March 18 to, in part, plan relocating Russian Air Force assets to Belarusian airfields.[3] Self-declared Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko previously proposed hosting Russian military aircraft in Belarusian airbases for joint use by Russian and Belarusian airmen—as opposed to opening a new Russian airbase in Belarus, which Lukashenko has previously rejected—on March 2.[4] Russian pilots' access to Belarusian airfields, if achieved, would enhance Russian force projection capabilities against NATO's eastern flank and constitute a significant threat to the West.
Russian forces conducted expanded Russian-Belarusian battalion-level unit exercises, advancing the Kremlin's efforts to integrate Belarusian combat units into Russian command structures. The Kremlin continued efforts to integrate Russian and Belarusian units down to the battalion level during their March 2021 military exercises.[5] Russian and Belarusian forces conducted exercises as a single combined combat battalion for the first time in September 2020.[6] Russian and Belarusian forces formed three combined battalions in March 2021. The Kremlin's increasing capability to create integrated units with Belarus is likely intended to support a permanent Russian presence in Belarus and will allow the Kremlin to better employ Belarusian forces outside of Belarus in future operations. The Kremlin may also be preparing Russian forces to subsume elements of Belarusian combat units in the event of a Russian intervention against the will of the Belarusian government—an unlikely but dangerous course of action ISW has previously warned of.[7]
The Kremlin is likely prioritizing increasing interoperability between Russian airborne forces—Russia's main rapid reaction force—and partner forces in Belarus and the rest of the former Soviet Union (FSU). Two of the three combined combat battalions Russia and Belarus formed in March 2021 involved airborne units. These battalions marked a significant advance in the Kremlin's effort to develop airborne cooperation with Belarus. Airborne units are Russia's principal rapid reaction force and would likely be among the first units used in the event of a sustained Russian deployment to Belarus or a hybrid operation against NATO's eastern flank.[8] Moscow's development of airborne forces in Belarus could support other assessed Kremlin efforts to project Russian military force in the FSU, including Belarus.[9] The Kremlin likely seeks to tie a multinational Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) force to its own command structures to use these forces for its own campaigns.[10] The Kremlin may deploy a Kremlin-controlled multinational CSTO force to Belarus to obfuscate Russian efforts to undermine Belarusian sovereignty, for example.[11]
The Kremlin is likely increasing Belarus' military capability to mobilize more units for longer durations. Belarusian units exercised more intensively and for longer durations in March 2021 than they did in similar monthly exercises in fall 2020.[12] Five of Belarus' six principal maneuver units exercised simultaneously in Russia and Belarus in March 2021; Belarus has not previously exercised elements of that many brigades in both Russia and Belarus simultaneously.[13] Belarusian logistical tasks' complexity increased in March 2021 to support longer exercise deployments.[14] The Kremlin likely seeks to leverage an enhanced Belarusian capability to simultaneously mobilize multiple brigades—and multiple elements of the same brigade—for longer periods of time to augment the Kremlin's total force projection capability against NATO's eastern flank.
The Kremlin used units based far from Belarus' borders in exercises for the first time, indicating a likely priority to distribute interoperability experience throughout the Russian military. Belarusian forces conducted combined training with Central Military District and Southern Military District elements for the first time since ISW began closely watching the Belarus crisis as it began in August 2020.[15] Russian units outside the Western Military District (WMD) have not participated in previous combined Russian-Belarusian exercises in this period.[16]
The Kremlin publicly leveraged military learning from Nagorno Karabakh for the first time. The Belarusian Ministry of Defense stated that combined air-defense training in March 2021 leveraged military learning from the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.[17] The Kremlin will likely increasingly prioritize electronic warfare, air defense, and UAV/counter-UAV operations from lessons learned in Nagorno Karabakh.
The Kremlin additionally used the March 2021 exercises to prepare for Russia's upcoming annual capstone strategic readiness exercise, Zapad 2021. Belarusian forces conducted intensified joint communications and air defense exercises with the expressed goal of increasing Russian-Belarusian interoperability to prepare for Zapad 2021. Conventional Russian forces will likely deploy to Belarus in September 2021 for Zapad 2021 on a significantly larger scale than they did for the last annual Russian strategic readiness exercise in Belarus, Zapad 2017.[18] The Kremlin may not return Russian units to Russia after Zapad 2021 officially ends, opting instead to keep them in Belarus and postured against NATO.[19]
The following is a list of exercises and joint activities that Russian and Belarusian forces conducted in March 2021. This list includes nominally independent Belarusian activity that likely advanced Russian objectives given their consistency with previously observed patterns of joint Russian-Belarusian activity. Exercises are grouped by type, day, and location, as applicable.
Russian-Belarusian airborne (VDV) exercises at the Polivno Training Ground in Ulyanovsk, Russia (March 9-20)
A battalion-sized element of the Russian 31st Airborne Brigade based in Ulyanovsk and an unspecified company of the Belarusian 38th Airborne Brigade formed a combined Russian-Belarusian reinforced airborne battalion and began exercises emphasizing airborne and peacekeeping operations.[20]
An airborne infantry element of the Belarusian 38th Airborne Brigade conducted small arms live-fire exercises.[21]
Russian and Belarusian airborne elements conducted exercises and deployed a mobile reserve with army aviation helicopters.[22]
A Russian-Belarusian "consolidated peacekeeping unit" of the combined reinforced battalion conducted peacekeeping exercises to practice managing observation posts and checkpoints, escorting humanitarian convoys, patrolling designated areas with ground and air vehicles, facility protection, demining, defense operations, and maintaining peace between two warring parties.[23] This exercise could support a potential Belarusian deployment to Syria or Ukraine.[24]
The company of the Belarusian 38th Airborne Brigade returned to Belarus.[25]
Russian-Belarusian airborne exercises at the Osipovichsky training Ground in Mogilev, Belarus (March 15-27)
A reinforced company of the Russian 234th Airborne Regiment of the Guards 76th Airborne Division based in Pskov and the Belarusian 357th Battalion of the 103rd Airborne Brigade formed a combined Russian-Belarusian reinforced airborne battalion at the Osipovichsky training ground in Mogilev, Belarus.[26]
March 15 – 27
The combined Russian-Belarusian reinforced battalion conducted parachute exercises, maneuvers, and ambush tactics to relieve an encircled friendly force.[27]
The combined Russian-Belarusian reinforced battalion conducted force protection exercises emphasizing convoy escorts and anti-ambush actions.[28]
Belarusian engineers deployed a bridge to cross a water obstacle.[29]
A combined Belarusian-Russian company-sized element of the combined reinforced battalion performed a parachute exercise; the company departed from the Machulishchi airfield and parachuted into the Osipovichsky Training Ground[30]
The combined Russian-Belarusian reinforced battalion conducted combat exercises emphasizing holding a line, routing an enemy force into a prepared ambush, and destroying an enemy force with an airborne vertical envelopment.[31]
The reinforced company of the Russian 234th airborne regiment returned to Russia.[32]
Russian-Belarusian mechanized battalion exercises at the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia (March 10-April 2)
A company-sized element drawn from the Belarusian 6th, 19th, and 120th mechanized brigades and a company-sized element of the Russian 1st Tank Army based near Moscow formed a combined reinforced mechanized battalion at the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.[33]
The combined Russian-Belarusian reinforced mechanized battalion conducted exercises using drones to identify and destroy enemy firing positions with indirect fire.[34]
The combined Russian-Belarusian reinforced mechanized battalion used drones to identify and destroy enemy firing positions with indirect fire and conducted an armored counterattack.[35]
Likely Russian electronic weapons specialists of the 1st Tank Army interfered with a simulated enemy force's communications, and tank elements of the combined Russian-Belarusian reinforced mechanized battalion conducted live-fire exercises.[36]
Russian and Belarusian motorized rifle and tank elements of the combined Russian-Belarusian reinforced mechanized battalion conducted exercises to practice an armored offensive under simulated enemy electronic weapons suppression and to practice countering an enemy air attack and enemy combat UAVs.[37]
Belarus rotated its forces at the Mulino Training Ground, roughly doubling Russian and Belarusian participation in the exercise.[38]
Scouts of the Russian 1st Tank Army conducted exercises on psychological operations aimed to demoralize an enemy force and convince them to surrender with targeted text messages and propaganda leaflets.[39]
A reinforced battalion-sized force with artillery, scouts, and signals elements of the Russian 1st Tank Army practiced destroying ground targets with 120mm and rocket artillery using UAV reconnaissance.[40]
The WMD transferred 20 Russian armored vehicles to Belarusian forces for combined battalion exercises.[41]
March 29 – April 2
The combined Russian-Belarusian reinforced mechanized battalion conducted armor exercises emphasizing cordoning a settlement and urban combat tactics.[42]
A Russian chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense (CBRN) element, likely of the WMD, conducted exercises to protect Russian and Belarusian armored vehicles.[43]
Tank and motorized rifle elements of the combined Russian-Belarusian reinforced battalion conducted exercises using drones to identify and destroy enemy firing positions with tank fire.[44]
Belarusian airborne exercises at the Brestsky Training Ground in Brest, Belarus
An element of the Belarusian 38th Airborne Brigade conducted parachute exercises.[45]
A reinforced company of the Belarusian 38th Airborne Brigade conducted live-fire exercises to neutralize an enemy force planning to conduct raids on critical infrastructure to destabilize Brest.[46]
Elements, likely of the Belarusian 38th Airborne Brigade, conducted live-fire exercises with 120mm artillery.[47]
Elements of the Belarusian 38th Airborne Brigade conducted exercises emphasizing maneuvers, overcoming a water obstacle, and airborne parachute drops in multiple training grounds in Brest.[48]
Belarusian Signals Activity
Elements of the Belarusian 85th Communications Brigade deployed to unspecified areas in Belarus to perform coordinated signals exercises, likely in coordination with other Belarusian signals units.[49]
Elements of the Belarusian 127th Communications Brigade conducted signals training at the Obuz-Lesnovsky and Domanovo Training Grounds in Brest, Belarus. [50] This exercise's stated objective is to test Belarusian military communications readiness to support the Russian-Belarusian Regional Grouping of Forces (RGV)—a strategic formation of Russian and Belarusian units tasked with defending the Union State—and check the technical feasibility of transmitting communications from Belarus to Russia in preparation for Zapad 2021.[51]
Elements of the Belarusian 83rd Radiocommunications Center conducted exercises emphasizing deploying and camouflaging mobile communications equipment at the Obuz-Lesnovsky Training Ground in Brest, Belarus.[52]
Elements of the Belarusian 742nd Field Communications Center conducted exercises emphasizing deploying and camouflaging communications equipment to support the Belarusian 38th Airborne Brigade and prepare for Zapad 2021.[53]
Unspecified Russian signals "representatives" visited Belarus on March 16-18 to discuss coordinating field communication between Russian and Belarusian units, prepare for Zapad 2021, and attend the ongoing Belarusian signals exercises at the Obuz-Lesnovsky Training Ground.[54]
Communications elements of the Belarusian 85th Communications Brigade completed training exercises in unspecified training grounds near Brest, Minsk, and Grodno on March 19. The stated objective of these exercises is to test a communication system similar to the one that will be deployed during Zapad 2021.[55]
Communications elements of the Belarusian 86th Communications Brigade deployed to unspecified areas in Belarus to conduct exercises with the stated objective to prepare for Zapad 2021 on March 19.[56]
A Belarusian military communications delegation met with their Russian counterparts in an unspecified location in Russia to discuss developing field communications systems between Russian and Belarusian forces and improving the RGV's integrated communication system.[57]
Belarusian Air Defense Activity
Elements of the Belarusian 377th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment conducted exercises to practice deploying the unit to a new position and increasing unit cohesion in simulated combat conditions.[58]
Unspecified Russian officials—likely senior officers—from Russia's 6th, 4th, and 14th Air Force and Air Defense (VVS-PVO) Armies completed a joint staff headquarters training with Belarusian air-defense forces that emphasized planning operations with the RGV, planning deployments of Russian Air Force assets to Belarusian airfields, and controlling subordinate units of Russia and Belarus' unified regional air defense system.[59] The Belarusian Ministry of Defense stated that combat in Nagorno Karabakh and Syria informed this training. Belarus has troops in neither Syria nor Nagorno Karabakh.
A Belarusian anti-aircraft missile battalion of the Minsk-based 15th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade conducted exercises emphasizing mobilizing and deploying equipment from stored positions.[60]
An element, likely a battalion, of the Belarusian 115th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade completed air-defense exercises at the Brestsky Training Ground to prepare for Zapad 2021.[61]
A Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) delegation visited Belarus on March 29-April 2 to examine the Belarusian territories where Zapad 2021 will occur and discuss the formation of the joint Russian-Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces training center in Grodno.[62]
Belarusian Logistics Exercises
A brigade-sized Belarusian element conducted readiness exercises emphasizing mobilizing equipment from storage bases in unspecified locations in Belarus.[63]
Elements of the Belarusian 36th Road and Bridge Brigade conducted exercises emphasizing countering enemy sabotage and reconnaissance and practiced deploying a field camp.[64]
A battalion-sized Belarusian mechanized element practiced transferring ammunition and equipment from rear storage bases in an unspecified location in Belarus.[65]
Elements of the Belarusian Vitebsk-based 19th and Slonim-based 11th Mechanized Brigades conducted combat readiness exercises to practice resupplying Belarusian units that conducted live fires in unspecified locations in Belarus.[66]
Miscellaneous Belarusian Exercises and Activity that Support Russian Lines of Effort
A company of the Belarusian 103rd Airborne Brigade held an exercise with Belarusian border guards at the Belarusian-Latvian border in Polotsk, Belarus.[67] This exercise's stated objective is to foster interoperability between Belarusian airborne and border guard forces "in the event of the need to perform special operation forces tasks in border areas."[68]
The Belarusian Army activated approximately 1,000 reservists across Belarus and conducted mechanized brigade reserve officer training in Pechi, Minsk Oblast, Belarus, and likely other locations in Belarus.[69]
Tank and artillery elements, likely of the Belarusian 6th Mechanized Brigade, conducted live-fire exercises at the Gozhsky Training Ground in Grodno, Belarus.[70] The Belarusian 6th Mechanized Brigade continued exercising in Grodno until at least March 31.[71]
Reserve officers of the Belarusian 19th Mechanized Brigade received "special ideological, fire, and tactical" training.[72]
The Belarusian North Western Operational Command (a Belarusian command structure roughly equivalent to a Russian military district) conducted operational planning staff training emphasizing the use of forces based on "an analysis of the results of modern wars and conflicts."[73] This training's stated goal is to prepare Belarusian forces for Zapad 2021.
A reinforced battalion of the Belarusian 120th Mechanized Brigade conducted live-fire and maneuver exercises at the 227th combined arms training ground in Borisov, Belarus.[74]
Elements of the Belarusian 51st Artillery Brigade conducted artillery live-fire exercises at the Osipovichi Training Ground in Mogilev, Belarus.[75]
A reinforced battalion of the Belarusian 6th Mechanized Brigade and elements of the Belarusian 557th Engineering Brigade conducted mechanized combat exercises to practice defensive operations, launching counterattacks, repelling air attacks, and overcoming water obstacles at the Gozhsky Training Ground in Grodno, Belarus on March 30.[76]
Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov and Chief of the Belarusian General Staff Major General Viktor Gulevich discussed military cooperation on the RGV, Zapad 2021, CSTO, and the terms of the three new combined combat training centers in Moscow, Russia on March 30-31.[77]
A battalion-sized reservist element of the Belarusian 19th Mechanized Brigade conducted basic combat training exercises in Zaslonovo, Belarus, on March 31.[78]
A reinforced battalion of the Belarusian 120th Mechanized Brigade began battalion tactical exercises at the 227th Combined Arms Training Ground in Borisov, Belarus on March 31.[79]
[1] Mason Clark, "Belarus Warming Update: Lukashenko Softens His Opposition to Protests, Seeking Leverage Against Increased Russian Pressure," Institute for the Study of War, September 14, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-lukashenko-softens-his-opposition-protests-seeking-leverage.
[2] ["Results of Talks Between the Ministers of Defense of Belarus and Russia,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 16, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111189/; ["Talks Between the Heads of the Defense Ministries of Belarus and Russia,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 5, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/110984/; "Defence Ministers of Russia and Belarus Discussed Joint Activities for 2021," Russian Ministry of Defense, March 5, 2021, https://eng.mil dot ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12347433@egNews; Belarusian Ministry of Defense, Telegram, March 16, 2021, https://t dot me/modmilby/3992.
[3] ["Joint Headquarters Training Completed in the Air Force and Air Defense Forces,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 18, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111272/.
[4] ["Lukashenko Spoke About the Details of Negotiations with Putin and Reacted to Speculation,"] Belta, March 2, 2021, https://www.belta dot by/president/view/lukashenko-rasskazal-o-podrobnostjah-peregovorov-s-putinym-i-otreagiroval-na-domysly-430898-2021/; Maria Leyva, ["Lukashenko Refused to Create a Russian Military Base in Belarus,"] RBK, October 6, 2015, https://www.rbc dot ru/politics/06/10/2015/5613ebe59a794769839c9e3f.
[5] Elements of the Russian 234th airborne regiment formed a brigade-sized unified combat formation with Belarusian forces in March 2021 similarly to how a 234th Brigade Tactical Group (BTG) did with Belarusian airborne units in September 2020. George Barros, "Belarus Warning Update: NEXTA Actively Encourages Belarusian Security Service Defections," Institute for the Study of War, September 20, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-nexta-actively-encourages-belarusian-security-service-defections.
[6] George Barros, "Belarus Warning Update: NEXTA Actively Encourages Belarusian Security Service Defections," Institute for the Study of War, September 20, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-nexta-actively-encourages-belarusian-security-service-defections.
[8] The majority of Russian units that have deployed to Belarus since the crisis began have overwhelmingly been airborne units. George Barros, "Belarus Warning Update: Upcoming CSTO Exercise Could Support Russian Military Deployment to Belarus," Institute for the Study of War, November 6, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-upcoming-csto-exercise-could-support-russian-military-deployment.
[9] The Kremlin likely seeks to leverage Russian airborne units to create a new capability to rapidly deploy Russian-controlled Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) forces in the FSU. Russian and Belarusian forces conducted joint exercises in November 2020 testing the use of a Russian airborne command post as the command and control basis of the CSTO's Rapid Reaction Force – a strategic force of approximately 18,000 personnel designed to rapidly respond to military crises in the FSU. Joint Russian-Belarusian airborne capabilities development could support this effort. George Barros, "Belarus Warning Update: Upcoming CSTO Exercise Could Support Russian Military Deployment to Belarus," Institute for the Study of War, November 6, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-upcoming-csto-exercise-could-support-russian-military-deployment.
[10] George Barros, "Belarus Warning Update: Upcoming CSTO Exercise Could Support Russian Military Deployment to Belarus," Institute for the Study of War, November 6, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-upcoming-csto-exercise-could-support-russian-military-deployment.
[11] George Barros, "Russia in Review: Putin's 'Peacekeepers' Will Support Russian Wars," Institute for the Study of War, November 16, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia-review-putins-%E2%80%9Cpeacekeepers%E2%80%9D-will-support-russian-wars; George Barros and Mason Clark, "Belarus Warning Update," Institute for the Study of War, October 8, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-kremlin-will-likely-use-october-military-exercises-advance-its.
[12] George Barros, "Belarus Warning Update: Russia Deploys a Third Battalion Tactical Group to Belarus," Institute for the Study of War, September 22, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-russia-deploys-third-battalion-tactical-group-belarus; George Barros, "Warning: The Kremlin Deploys a Brigade-Sized Force to Belarus Near Polish Border," Institute for the Study of War, September 21, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/warning-kremlin-deploys-brigade-sized-force-belarus-near-polish-border; George Barros, "Belarus Warning Update: Multiple Russian Military Exercises Occurring in the Western Military District, Belarus, and Moldova," Institute for the Study of War, September 19, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-multiple-russian-military-exercises-occurring-western-military; George Barros, "Belarus Warning Update: Upcoming CSTO Exercise Could Support Russian Military Deployment to Belarus," Institute for the Study of War, November 6, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-upcoming-csto-exercise-could-support-russian-military-deployment; George Barros and Mason Clark, "Belarus Warning Update: The Kremlin Will Likely Use October Military Exercises to Advance its Hybrid War in Belarus," Institute for the Study of War, October 8, 2020, http://www.iswresearch.org/2020/10/belarus-warning-update-kremlin-will.html.
[13] Elements of the Belarusian 6th, 19th, and 120th, mechanized brigades and the 38th and 103rd VDV brigades, exercised in both Russia and Belarus in March 2021.
[14] Belarus rotated forces for a month-long exercise – a logistical task more sophisticated that what Belarusian forces have done before in monthly exercises – for the first time since the crisis in Belarus began in August 2020. ["Goodbye, Mulino!"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 22, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111361/; ["Servicemen of the Republic of Belarus Arrived in the Nizhny Novgorod Region to Participate in a Joint Exercise with Servicemen of the Western Military District,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 23, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12350389@egNews; ["Joint Battalion Tactical Exercises with Units of the Ground Forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 23, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111420/.
[15] The 31st airborne brigade and 14th Air Force and Air Defense (VVS-PVO) Army are subordinate to the Central Military District. The 4th VVS-PVO Army is subordinate to the Southern Military District. George Barros, "Belarus Warning Update: The Kremlin May Have Used Kavkaz 2020 Exercises in Part to Prepare for a Conventional Russian Military Deployment to Belarus," Institute for the Study of War, September 26, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-kremlin-may-have-used-kavkaz-2020-exercises-part-prepare; Mason Clark and George Barros, "Russia's Unprecedentedly Expansive Military Exercises in Fall 2020 Seek to Recreate Soviet-Style Multinational Army," Institute for the Study of War, October 20, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-unprecedentedly-expansive-military-exercises-fall-2020-seek-recreate-soviet.
[16] Russian Southern Military District and Belarusian units exercised together in the Kavkaz 2020 exercises in September 2020. However, Kavkaz 2020 – Russia's annual strategic readiness capstone exercise for 2020 – included many international partners and was not part of the new monthly Russian-Belarusian exercises that began in Fall 2020. Mason Clark and George Barros, "Russia's Unprecedentedly Expansive Military Exercises in Fall 2020 Seek to Recreate Soviet-Style Multinational Army," Institute for the Study of War, October 20, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-unprecedentedly-expansive-military-exercises-fall-2020-seek-recreate-soviet.
[17] ["Joint Headquarters Training Completed in the Air Force and Air Defense Forces,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 18, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111272/; Belarusian Ministry of Defense, Telegram, March 18, 2021, https://t dot me/modmilby/4023; ["From March 16 to 18, the Air Force and Air Defense Forces Will Host a Joint Staff Training,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 15, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111153/.
[18] George Barros, "Belarus Warning Update: Putin Intensifies Russian-Belarusian Military Integration," Institute for the Study of War, October 27, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-putin-intensifies-russian-belarusian-military-integration.
[19] George Barros, "Belarus Warning Update: Putin Will Increase Pressure on Lukashenko to Integrate Belarus in 2021," Institute for the Study of War, December 18, 2020, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-putin-will-increase-pressure-lukashenko-integrate-belarus-2021.
[20] ["Two Joint Russian-Belarusian Tactical Exercises of the Airborne Forces of Russia and the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus Will Be Held in March This Year,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 7, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12347675@egNews; ["On Holding a Joint Battalion Tactical Exercise,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 9, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111022/; ["The Exercise is Completed,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 19, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111331/; ["Skillfully! Well-Coordinated! Together!"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 18, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111296/; ["A Combined Peacekeeping Unit Repelled an Attack on the Observation Post of the Peacekeeping Forces of a Conditional Illegal Armed Group at the Stage of Live Firing as Part of the Russian-Belarusian Tactical Exercises,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 18, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12349542@egNews; ["Paratroopers of the Russian Federation and Belarus Worked Out Actions at a Conditional Checkpoint Near Ulyanovsk,"] TASS, March 18, 2021, https://tass dot ru/armiya-i-opk/10938849; ["A Belarusian-Russian Group Conducted A Peacekeeping Mission – Video,"] Sputnik, March 19, 2021, https://sputnik dot by/video/20210319/1047177205/Belorussko-rossiyskaya-gruppirovka-otrabotala-mirotvorcheskuyu-missiyu--video.html; ["A Unit of a Separate Airborne Assault Unit of the Special Operations Forces of Belarus Arrived in Ulyanovsk to Participate in a Joint Russian-Belarusian Exercise,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 9, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12348049@egNews.
[21] ["Peacekeepers Are Being Trained for a Joint Russian-Belarusian Tactical Exercise in Ulyanovsk,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 11, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111103/.
[22] ["In One language,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 15, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111166/.
[23] ["A Combined Peacekeeping Unit Repelled an Attack on the Observation Post of the Peacekeeping Forces of a Conditional Illegal Armed Group at the Stage of Live Firing as Part of the Russian-Belarusian Tactical Exercises,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 18, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12349542@egNews; ["Skillfully! Well-Coordinated! Together!"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 18, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111296/; ["Paratroopers of the Russian Federation and Belarus Worked Out Actions at a Conditional Checkpoint Near Ulyanovsk,"] TASS, March 18, 2021, https://tass dot ru/armiya-i-opk/10938849; ["A Belarusian-Russian Group Conducted A Peacekeeping Mission – Video,"] Sputnik, March 19, 2021, https://sputnik dot by/video/20210319/1047177205/Belorussko-rossiyskaya-gruppirovka-otrabotala-mirotvorcheskuyu-missiyu--video.html.
[24] George Barros with Jennifer Carafella, "Belarus Warning Update: Belarusian Forces may Deploy to Syria in Late 2021," Institute for the Study of War, February 4, 2021, http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/belarus-warning-update-belarusian-forces-may-deploy-syria-late-2021.
[25] ["To Home - With Peacekeeping Experience,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 21, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111341/.
[26] https://t dot me/modmilby/3970; ["We are glad to welcome you on Belarusian soil (video)"] https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111141/; ["On Conducting a Battalion Tactical Exercise with Personnel of 103rd Airborne Brigade,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 12, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111130/.
[27] ["The Active Phase of the Joint Exercise of the Special Operations Forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Airborne Forces of Russia Opened at the Training Ground Near Mogilev,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 22, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12350330@egNews; Viktoria Ivashechkina, ["Airborne Forces and Special Forces: The Active Phase of the Exercises of Russia and Belarus Started Near Mogilev,"] Tv Zvezda, Mach 23, 2021, https://tvzvezda dot ru/news/2021323120-USc1f.html; "Belarusian, Russian Paratroopers in Joint Army Exercise," Belta, March 22, 2021, https://eng.belta dot by/society/view/belarusian-russian-paratroopers-in-joint-army-exercise-138398-2021/; ["Joint Airborne Double Strike,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 24, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111451/.
[28] Russian Ministry of Defense, Facebook, March 24, 2021, https://www.facebook.com/1492252324350852/posts/2908892426020161/.
[29] ["Establishing a Bridge: Russian-Belarusian paratroopers led a convoy through a water barrier near Mogilev"] TV Zvezda, March 25, 2021, https://tvzvezda dot ru/news/20213251124-hEfhn.html.
[30] "Belarusian, Russian Paratroopers in Joint Army Exercise," Belta, March 22, 2021, https://eng.belta dot by/society/view/belarusian-russian-paratroopers-in-joint-army-exercise-138398-2021/.
[31] ["Russian Paratroopers and Servicemen of the Special Forces of Belarus Blocked and Destroyed a Mock Enemy at a Joint Exercise Near Mogilev,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 26, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12351015@egNews; ["Not Instead, But Together,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 26, 2021 https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111543/.
[32] ["Personnel of the Reinforced Paratrooper Company of the Pskov-Guards Airborne Assault Force of the Airborne Forces Arrived From the Republic of Belarus to their Point of Permanent Deployment,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 28, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12351297@egNews.
[33] ["Preparation for the Exercise are in Full Swing,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 11, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111102/; ["Shoulder to Shoulder,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 15, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111155/; ["Servicemen of the Republic of Belarus Arrived in the Nizhny Novgorod Region to Participate in Joint Exercises with Servicemen of the Western Military District,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 10, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12348115@egNews; ["Servicemen of the Republic of Belarus Arrived in the Nizhny Novgorod Region to Participate in a Joint Exercise with Servicemen of the Western Military District"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 23, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12350389@egNews/; ["Shoulder to Shoulder,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 17, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111245/.
[34] ["Russian and Belarusian Servicemen have Practiced the Use of Drones During an Exercise in the Nizhny Novgorod Region,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 17, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12349331@egNews.
[35] ["In the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the Military Personnel of the Western Military District and the Republic of Belarus Jointly Stopped the Offensive of the Mock Enemy,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 19, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12349683@egNews.
[36] ["Officers of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus Gained Unique Experience in Managing Disparate Units During a Bilateral Exercise Near Nizhny Novgorod,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 19, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12349631@egNews.
[37] ["Allies Win,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 19, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111329/; ["Russian-Belarusian military exercises began in the Nizhny Novgorod region,"] Regnum, March 15, 2021, https://regnum dot ru/news/polit/3215627.html
[38] The rotation brought participation in the exercise from approximately 80 Belarusian personnel and 200 Russian personnel to 150 Belarusian personnel and 350 Russian personnel. ["Joint Battalion Tactical Exercises with Units of the Ground Forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 23, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111420/; ["Goodbye, Mulino!"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 22, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111361/; ["Servicemen of the Republic of Belarus Arrived in the Nizhny Novgorod Region to Participate in a Joint Exercise with Servicemen of the Western Military District,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 23, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12350389@egNews; ["A Company Tactical Exercise of Military Personnel of the Western Military District and the Republic of Belarus Started in the Nizhny Novgorod Region,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 15, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12349007@egNews; ["Shoulder to Shoulder,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 15, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111155/; ["Shoulder to Shoulder,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 17, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111245/; ["Allies Win,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 19, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111329/.
[39] Anton Valagin, ["The Military Captured the City by SMS,"] Rossiyskaya Gazeta, March 22, 2021, https://rg dot ru/2021/03/22/reg-pfo/voennye-zahvatili-gorod-po-sms.html; Anastasia Eremina, ["Nizhny Novgorod Servicemen Worked Out the Capture of a City Using SMS-Messages,"] Kommersant, March 22, 2021, https://www.kommersant dot ru/doc/4740895.
[40] ["Artillerymen of the Western Military District, as Part of an Exercise Near Nizhny Novgorod, Destroyed More Than 50 Targets of a Simulated Enemy,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 25, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12350804@egNews.
[41] ["Servicemen of the Republic of Belarus Received Military Equipment to Participate in Joint Tactical Exercises,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 26, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12350999@egNews.
[42] ["Russian-Belarusian Battalion Tactical Exercise Started in the Nizhny Novgorod Region,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 29, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12351408@egNews.
[43] ["In the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the Military Personnel of the Western Military District Carried Out a Special Treatment of Armored Vehicles Involved in a Joint Russian-Belarusian Exercise,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 29, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12351399@egNews
[44] ["In the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Units of the Western Military District and the Republic of Belarus Held Joint Exercises,"] Russian Ministry of Defense, April 1, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12352044@egNews.
[45] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 3, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/110881/.
[46] ["The Landing Force Storms the Skies,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 3, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111051/.
[47] ["With a Female Name 'NONA,'"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 18, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111284/.
[48] ["Tactical Exercise With the 38th Brest Separate Guards Airborne Assault Brigade,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 27, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111569/; ["Barriers Do Not Exist for Special Forces,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 31, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111665/; ["Barriers Do Not Exist for Special Forces,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, April 5, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111790/.
[49] ["Exam for Signalmen,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 11, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111099/.
[50] ["Readiness to Complete Tasks,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 16, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111188/; https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111254/; ["127th Guards Communications Brigade Participates in Control Exercises on Tactical and Special Training,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 19, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111316/; ["They Are Always Connected,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 23, 2021 https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111414/.
[51] ["Readiness to Complete Tasks,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 16, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111188/; ["127th Guards Communications Brigade Participates in Control Exercises on Tactical and Special Training,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 19, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111316/.
[52] ["Signalmen Hhave a Crunch Time,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 17, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111261/.
[53] ["To Keep the Connection Reliable,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 17, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111260/.
[54] ["Visit of the Russian Delegation of Signalmen to the Republic of Belarus,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 17, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111254/.
[55] ["They Are Always Connected,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 23, 2021 https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111414/.
[56] ["Preparation for the Main Exam of the Year,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 19, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111317/.
[57] ["Visit of the Belarusian Delegation of Signalmen to the Russian Federation,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 24, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111459/.
[58] ["Strength Test,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 10, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111066/.
[60] ["They Checked Combat Readiness,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 18, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111297/; ["Military Unit 30151,"] Fanipol Online, Accessed, April 5, 2021, http://fanipol dot net/business/business.php?id=30; ["Young Servicemen of Military Unit 30151 Swore Allegiance to the Motherland,"] DZR, June 16, 2020, https://dzr dot by/novobranczy-v-ch-30151-prisyagnuli-na-vernost-rodine/.
[61] ["Combat Readiness is the Priority,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 29, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111609/.
[62] ["Visit of the Delegation of the Aerospace Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 29, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111602/; ["Delegation of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Armed Forces Visits Belarus,] Belta, March 29, 2021, https://www.belta dot by/society/view/delegatsija-vozdushno-kosmicheskih-sil-vs-rossii-poseschaet-belarus-434813-2021/; ["A Delegation of the Russian Aerospace Forces Has Arrived in Belarus to Prepare the Zapad-2021 Exercises,"] TASS, March 29, 2021, https://tass dot ru/armiya-i-opk/11019551.
[63] ["The Armed Forces Began the Second Stage of a Comprehensive Check of Troops,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 9, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111021/.
[64] ["Special Tactical Exercise,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 15, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111164/.
[65] ["A Complex Check Continues,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 16, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111190/.
[66] ["A Comprehensive Check Continues in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 19, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111323/.
[67] ["Airborne Shield at the Borders of the Fatherland,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 16, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111219/.
[70] ["The Power of the 'Staff,'"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 17, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111262/.
[71] ["Exercise Is the Best School and Baptism by Fire,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 31, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111666/.
[72] ["The Mood is a Fighting One,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 23, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111432/.
[73] ["Joint staff training is being held at the North Western Operational Command,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 22, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111388/.
[74] ["Battalion Tactical Exercise of the 120th Separate Guards Mechanized Brigade,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 22, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111390/.
[75] ["Everyone Knows Their Maneuver,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 29, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111591/.
[76] ["A Large-Scale Exercise at the Gozhsky Training Ground,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 30, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111642/.
[77] ["Within the Framework of Bilateral Military Cooperation"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 30, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111635/; ["Issues of Military Cooperation Between Belarus and Russia Discussed in Moscow,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 31, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111674/; ["Chiefs of General Staffs of Russia and Belarus Discussed Issues of Joint Defense Policy in Moscow"] Russian Ministry of Defense, March 31, 2021, https://function.mil dot ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12351838@egNews.
[78] ["Margin of Safety,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 31, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111667/.
[79] ["Our Armor is Strong and Our Tanks Are Fast,"] Belarusian Ministry of Defense, March 31, 2021, https://www.mil dot by/ru/news/111683/.
Posted by Institute for the Study of War at 10:09 AM
Labels: Ukraine
Russia in Review: Russia Opens Permanent Training ...
Russia in Review: Russian Deployments Near Ukraine...


Provides nutrition services, including home-delivered meals or group meals served at Senior Centers and Nutrition Sites.
Area residents 60 years of age or older.
Persons 60 years and older; the spouse of an elderly participant, regardless of age. A disabled resident of a housing facility where congregate meals are provided; Disabled and lives with the person participating in the meals program; a volunteer at the nutrition site in accordance with OAA standards.
Contact any local Senior Service Center in Jim Wells, Brooks and San Patricio Counties or the Director of Senior Service at 361-664-0145 ext. 226 in Alice, Texas. Documentation required: Identification.
SENIOR CENTERS – Encourage a sense of community among older citizens.
NUTRITION – Nourishing meals, served at nutrition sites or delivered to the home bound elderly.
HEALTH SCREENING – Physical monitoring services such as blood pressure and diabetes checkups.
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL – Assistance in obtaining information about state or local services.
RECREATION – Activities such as dancing, parties, computer games, card games.
PHYSICAL FITNESS – Daily exercise activities.
Activities center on the health and well being of seniors at the Senior Service Centers. Social activities vary from center to center.
Voluntary contributions are encouraged to defray costs and expand services. Suggested amount is $1.00.
700 Cook St , Odem, Texas 78370 .
Hours vary at the local senior centers. Most centers are open only 5 hours daily, Monday thru Friday.


Business One is an affordable, easy-to-use business management solution designed specifically for growing small to midsized businesses and subsidiaries.
Trusted around the world, SAP Business One is a scalable, proven solution available on-premise and in the cloud through Amazon Web Services (AWS). SAP Business One has the functionality to help you transform your business by leveraging information to maximize efficiency, reach new customers and drive profitable growth.
Collaborative Technology Services is all about innovation. Ever since it was founded in 1989, the company focused on the improving the field of enterprise solutions. We specialized in designing and implementing dynamic business models that have benefited hundreds of clients.
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text:
Kathy Shaidle 1964 – 2021
January 9, 2021 By Kathy Shaidle
Following a tedious rendezvous with ovarian cancer, Kathy Shaidle has died, wishing she'd spent more time at the office.
Her tombstone reads: GET OFF MY LAWN!
She is relieved she won't have to update her LinkedIn profile, shave her legs, or hear "Creep" by Radiohead ever again. Some may even be jealous that she's getting out of enduring a Biden presidency.
Kathy was a writer, author, columnist and blogging pioneer, as proud of her first book's Governor General's Award nomination as of her stint as "Ed Anger" for the Weekly World News. A target for "cancel" culture before the term was coined, she was denounced by all the best people, sometimes for contradictory reasons.
Kathy did not lead a particularly "full life," her existence having been comprised mostly of a series of unpleasant surprises. Her favourite corporeal pleasure was saying, "I told you so," which she was able to utter with justification multiple times a day. A bookish movie-buff and agoraphobic homebody, as a child Kathy (as per the Roz Chast cartoon) "always preferred the little couch ride on the merry-go-round." Yet Kathy managed to acquire a reputation for mouthiness, a side effect of her bullshit allergy.
Contrary to cliche, Kathy did not conduct herself with particular "grace," "dignity" or "courage" in her final months. She didn't "bravely fight on" after her cancer was pronounced terminal. All she did was (barely) cope, and then only with assistance from her generous employer, and some energetic and selfless friends whom she'd somehow managed to acquire over the years, much to her astonishment. Of course, the greatest of these was her stalwart beloved of over 20 years, Arnie, with whom she is now in the ultimate long distance relationship. They can all finally catch up on their sleep.
Donations can be made to the Dorothy Ley Hospice, Toronto.
'The following is a story I've never told in 33 years'
I can't think of anything to say about this except that liberals are so damn stupid, it's frightening…
"SpongeBob Squarepants Explains the Nuclear Family of the New Millennium"
"Richard Falk: Professor of Paranoia" (my latest in FrontPage Magazine)
Filed Under: Kathy Shaidle
« So I finally get my hair to look the way I want…

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Palstar DL2.5HP was born out of the need for a dummy load that allows for more time to tune your amp at high power. Most dummy loads don't have the real world power load capability needed by Ham operators who run high-power amplifiers.
The Next-Generation Palstar DL2.5HP Dummy Load for amateur radio rated at 1 to 60 MHz can handle up to 2500 watts for up to 1 minute, and up to 600 watts for 100% duty cycle. The DL2.5HP has thermostatically-controlled dual fan cooling, so the fans only run when needed.


text:
Brixton Metals Announces Closing of Second Tranche of Private Placement
December 21, 2020 – Brixton Metals Corporation (the "Company") (TSXV: BBB) (OTCQB: BBBXF) is pleased to announce that it has closed a second tranche of a non-brokered private placement of flow-through common shares of the Company for gross proceeds of C$504,000 (the "Private Placement"). Each flow-through share (a "FT Share") was issued at a price of C$0.36 and is comprised of one common flow-through share of the Company. The Company issued a total of 1,400,000 FT Shares pursuant to the Private Placement.
Chairman and CEO of Brixton Metals, Gary R. Thompson stated, "Brixton is pleased to see the continued support of the company, and it is encouraging to end 2020 with a healthy budget for 2021. With Brixton's near-term catalysts aligning with a positive outlook for the metals market, we are excited to advance our high-impact Cu-Au-Ag projects towards resource definition."
The gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used for "Canadian exploration expenses" (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) (the "Qualifying Expenditures"), which will be renounced to the subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2020 to the initial purchasers of the FT Shares in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the FT Shares, as applicable, and, if the Qualifying Expenditures are reduced by the Canada Revenue Agency, the Company will indemnify each FT Shares subscriber for any additional taxes payable by such subscriber as a result of the Company's failure to renounce the Qualifying Expenditures as agreed.
Finders acting in connection with the closing of this Private Placement received finder's fees in the aggregate total amount of $30,240 and were issued an aggregate of 84,000 finder's warrants. Each finder's warrant is exercisable for one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.36 for a period of 24 months from the date of closing of the Private Placement.
The FT Shares and any finders warrants, including all underlying securities thereof, issued with respect to the Private Placement, will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V").
In addition to the flow-through financing, a total of 5,486,983 warrants have be exerscised for an aggregate of $1,372,222 this year to the Company.
This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.
Brixton is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on the advancement of its gold and silver projects toward feasibility. Brixton wholly owns four exploration projects: the Thorn copper-gold-silver and the Atlin Goldfields projects located in NWBC, the Langis-HudBay silver-cobalt project in Ontario and the Hog Heaven silver-gold-copper project in NW Montana, USA. Brixton Metals Corporation shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker symbol BBB. For more information about Brixton please visit our website at www.brixtonmetals.com.
For Investor Relations, please contact:
Mitchell Smith, VP Investor Relations
Tel: 604-630-9707 or email: mitchell.smith@brixtonmetals.com
Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, including statements that address potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, potential size and expansion of a mineralized zone, proposed timing of exploration and development plans, or other similar expressions. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to the Private Placement and the use of proceeds therefrom. The forward-looking statements and information are based on key expectations and assumption made by the Company, including expectations and assumption concerining the use of net proceeds of the Private Placement. All statements including statements in respect of regulatory approval, other than statements of historical fact included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in the annual information form of the Company or other reports and filings with the TSX-V and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.
Brixton Metals Significantly Increases the Number of Cu-Au Targets at its Thorn Project: 81 rock samples return over 1 g/t Au and 68 rock samples return over 1% Cu
Brixton Metals Drills 4m of 370 g/t Ag including 1m of 1080 g/t Ag (34 opt Ag) at its Langis Project, Ontario Canada


text:
SUADE'S ANNUAL REGTECH FORUM SUCCESSFULLY BRINGS FIRMS AND REGULATORS TOGETHER AGAIN
Vinh Tạ — 23-12-2022, 00:10 —  Suggestion Box
LONDON, Dec. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Suade, the award-winning RegTech firm, which specialises in bridging the regulatory gap through modern technology, hosted its annual RegTech Forum on 29th November 2022, in collaboration with the City of London. The event, organised at the iconic Guildhall, provided a platform for over 150 leaders from across the industry to discuss the challenges in addressing the ever-changing regulatory landscape. All views were welcomed and valued across panel discussions, which included representation from Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs), smaller foreign banks and building societies, to international regulators, trade associations, and professional services firms. The core themes of the day were disruptive approaches to regulation, the impact of RegTech on the industry, and the reliability and integrity of regulatory reporting.
Sir William Russell and Sir Peter Estlin, Aldermen at the City of London, emphasised that the UK's FinTech sector is at the forefront of innovation, competitiveness, and growth. Sir William highlighted Suade as a "Global RegTech Powerhouse" and that the event was a testament to its thought leadership. Suade's CEO, Diana Paredes, set out the catalysts that could unlock and accelerate the development of innovation in the RegTech sector: agile regulation and clarity on regulatory requirements for data harmonisation. Another insightful panel highlighted that the UK's regulatory compliance landscape has been subject to additional pressures following recent political developments, economic downturn, and Brexit. Also, proportionality was discussed during a roundtable with pioneering building societies and smaller foreign banks. Interpreting regulations can be difficult for smaller institutions with limited resources and was highlighted in the Prudential Regulation Authority's Strong and Simple Framework in April 2022.
On the disruptive transformation panel, participants discussed that AI, ML and the cloud are key contributors to streamlining reporting processes, if used properly. The panel of industry leaders across Europe concluded that regulation should not only be a constraint, but it must also create value. This view was sustained throughout the day, with the panel on data harmonisation exploring the benefits of standardising regulatory data for strategic decision-making beyond just regulatory reporting.
The final panel focused on staying compliant in an ever-changing regulatory environment. Under section 166 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has the power to obtain a view from a third party about aspects of a regulated firm's activities. The panel highlighted that no firm is perfect in its governance, and it is difficult to document everything; however, section 166 must be seen as an opportunity for the company to improve its control frameworks and the skills of its employees. The FCA concluded that the ultimate purpose of data collection and analysis is to make better decisions that support regulatory objectives and create the right outcomes for consumers and markets.
The event brought the RegTech community together and emphasised the importance of in-person collaboration to facilitate a step change in regulatory reporting. We look forward to the 2023 RegTech Forum. Find out more about the annual event and Suade's groundbreaking work in regulatory transformation here.
Source: Suade
Tags : SUADE, S ANNUAL REGTECH FORUM SUCCESSFULLY BRINGS FIRMS AND REGULATORS TOGETHER AGAIN
Vinh Tạ
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New research by Acuiti and Eventus reveals increase in regulatory requirements, trading environment complexities drives investment in trade surveillance
Language AI Company Fano Labs raises funding from AEF Greater Bay Area Fund to accelerate growth in RegTech and WealthTech
Scott Leader named Managing Director, APAC for Eventus


text:
2023 stocks: Top dividend picks from Bay Street money managers
With more volatility to come, the new year may be the time to add dividend stocks to your portfolio
Jeff Lagerquist
With more volatility on tap for 2023, next year may be the time to add dividend stocks to your portfolio. REUTERS/Chris Helgren
From war raging in Ukraine, to central banks launching salvos of rate hikes against inflation, 2022 was a battlefield for investors where certainty was in short supply.
With growing consensus on some manner of recession, simmering geopolitical tensions, and COVID-19 risk set to push into another year, 2023 may be the time to add dividend stocks to your portfolio. But with so much potential chaos on the table, which companies are best positioned to offer a steady stream of income, or even grow their payouts?
Yahoo Finance Canada reached out to four Bay Street money managers to find out where they would invest to deliver market-beating returns this year.
Bank of Montreal (BMO.TO)(BMO)
Toronto, Canada - May 06, 2019: BMO (Bank of Montreal) main branch in Toronto, Canada. The Bank of Montreal is a Canadian multinational investment bank and financial services company.
Canadian banks are a go-to for dividend-focused investors who find the stability and scale of a Schedule 1 financial institution help them sleep at night.
Tim Johal, vice-president and portfolio manager of Mackenzie Investments' Canadian Dividend Fund, sees the Bank of Montreal (BMO) outperforming its peer group of big banks this year.
He points to strong profits from BMO's U.S. banking segment, where the bank intends to expand its footprint through a US$16.3 billion deal to buy Bank of the West. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023.
At the same time, Johal says investors have been "too pessimistic" in assessing BMO's ability to weather a Canadian real estate correction.
"While investors have concerns about a downturn in the Canadian housing market and potential losses in the bank's residential mortgage portfolio, we believe these risks remain manageable due to continued low unemployment, high levels of home equity, even with the recent retreat in home prices, and BMO's history of strong risk management," he said.
Annual dividend yield: 4.63%
Fund holding: Yes
Personal holding: No
Calian Group (CGY.TO)
Calian Group's clients include NATO and the Canadian Department of National Defence. (GETTY STOCK PHOTO)
Ottawa-based Calian Group may not be a household name, but the IT solutions and training company is a stock to watch, according to Michael Simpson, portfolio manager at NCM Investments.
Calian's obscurity may be due to the complex task of explaining the company's work across a vast array of industries, from defence, to health and education.
In its latest quarter, Calian says it booked record revenue, moving the company closer to its goal of becoming a billion-dollar revenue generator. Also key for investors is the fact that the stock was largely spared from the tech sector carnage that saw shares of companies like Canadian e-commerce giant Shopify (SHOP.TO)(SHOP) plunge last year and remain under pressure.
"We anticipate further dividend increases. Calian has a strong, robust backlog. They're shifting to more capital-light businesses. So that should lower capital expenditure requirements," Simpson said. "Lastly, Calian has a strong and experienced management team."
Open Text (OTEX.TO)(OTEX)
August 15, 2019 San Mateo / CA / USA - Opentext headquarters in Silicon Valley; OpenText Corporation is a Canadian company that develops and sells enterprise information management (EIM) software
Sticking with the technology sector, shares of Waterloo-based Open Text have not held up nearly as well as Calian's stock in 2022. Robert Spafford, vice-president and portfolio manager at Cidel Asset Management, says the recent drop presents a "wonderful opportunity" to own the software provider.
In its latest quarter, Open Text says it achieved record revenue, while booking a significant one-time loss related to its planned acquisition of British software and technology company Micro Focus.
Spafford sees the deal adding roughly 60 per cent to the company's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023. He feels investors shouldn't bristle at the debt Open Text will be adding to its balance sheet to fund the acquisition.
"The combined entity will generate significant free cash flow that will be used to rapidly reduce the debt," Spafford said. "We do not think that the acquisition will preclude Open Text from continuing to raise the dividend. As tangible proof of its high free cash flow margin and acquisition-driven business model, Open Text has grown its dividend on average 15 per cent annually over the past decade."
Spafford also notes "significant" insider buying since the company announced the Micro Focus deal.
Personal holding: Yes
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP.TO)(CP)
A Canadian Pacific Railway (CP Rail) locomotive backs into position at the company's Toronto Yard in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada March 20, 2022. REUTERS/Chris Helgren
Like the big banks, Canada's railways are a classic choice for dividend-hungry investors. For Irene Fernando, vice-president and senior portfolio manager of North American equities at RBC Global Asset Management, CP Rail is the one to go with.
She says strong operations and M&A upside make Calgary-based CP the most interesting story in North America's rail industry. The company is awaiting approval to acquire Kansas City Southern in a deal that would expand its network into all three North American countries.
Fernando says she's confident in management's ability to integrate the railways, and navigate challenges if an economic slowdown weighs on shipping demand.
Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist.
Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
The last-minute half-term holidays you thought had sold out
Of all the half terms, February surely offers the most interesting variety of family holidays. Sure, the British weather is not at its best. But it's the peak month for skiing, the Canary islands are warming up, as is the Middle East and the Red Sea coast, and the first signs of spring in the Med make this a great time for outdoor activities. It's also off-peak in Europe's great cultural destinations, so an excellent time to squeeze in a family city break.
Japanese knotweed is terrible for your home, but it sure is delicious
It's green, it spreads fast and it is not something any homeowner wants to discover they have. Japanese knotweed pushed its way back into the news this week after a clump of the plant growing in a west London garden led to a house buyer taking his seller to court for not being open about the property's sitting tenant. But when I heard about it, I confess that my first reaction was lucky him!
Ruby Stokes on Lockwood & Co's Lucy Carlyle and leaving Bridgerton behind
Ruby Stokes from Netflix's Lockwood & Co opens up about everything from playing Lucy Carlyle and her time at the Brit School, to leaving Bridgerton behind.
Princess Eugenie announces her second pregnancy
Princess Eugenie has confirmed she's pregnant with her second child with husband Jack Brooksbank
Emma Roberts shocked to be casted for Madame Web
Emma Roberts admits that she was surprised to be offered the chance to star in the Spider-Man spin-off movie 'Madame Web'.
Sasha Obama may have grown up in the White House but she's far from Washington DC now. The 21-year-old has taken her studies from Michigan to Los Angeles where she is settling in perfectly - with the help of someone special. Despite moving to a new state, Sasha appears to be more than happy with her new living arrangement which is made easier due to the fact her roommate is her sister, Malia. WATCH: Sasha Obama's appearance is completely unexpected in video you need to see The young women both r
Elvis returns to cinemas after being nominated for eight Oscars
Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' is returning to select cinemas, after the movie received eight Oscar nominations.
'I was beyond lonely – I rode the bus just so I could chat to somebody'
Maria Jones had just finished teaching a yoga class when she happened to notice an elderly man walking around by himself in the city centre of Aberdeen. "It was a freezing winter's afternoon," she says, "and he looked very cold." So Maria asked him if he would like to warm up in a cafe.
Paris Hilton welcomes first child
Paris Hilton and her husband Carter Reum have welcomed their first child together. On Tuesday, the 41-year-old heiress shocked her fans by announcing the arrival of her and Carter's baby boy via surrogacy. The socialite shared the news on Instagram, posting a close-up photo of herself holding the newborn's hand. She captioned the photo, "You are already loved beyond words," followed by a blue heart emoji. Paris also confirmed she was now a mum to People, saying, "It's always been my dream to be
Robin Roberts supports co-star Michael Strahan as he receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame: 'We are so proud'
Michael Strahan received the honor of a lifetime in Los Angeles on 23 January when his history-making star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was revealed, and he had quite the support group by his side. The Good Morning America host had next to him not only his mother, Louise, and his three daughters, Tanita, Isabella, and Sophia, as well as his longtime business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini, but also his very own GMA co-star, Robin Roberts. Following the ceremony, both Michael and Robin jetted
A Top Coach Reveals His Method for Falling Asleep 'in 60 Seconds or Less'
Strength coach Jeff Cavaliere shares two techniques that help him fall asleep – fast
Stevie Nicks announces 2023 Tour
'Pitchfork' reports that Nicks has added solo North American tour dates in between her co-headlining shows with Billy Joel this year. All together, she will be performing 23 shows. Nicks will start in California in March and wrap in Minneapolis in November. The shows will mark Nicks' first performances since the death of her Fleetwood Mac bandmate, Christine McVie. McVie died at the age of 79 after a short battle with an illness in November. Nicks later took to social media to pay tribute to her dear friend.


"WELCOME" to USD385 Andover High School!
Please click on the registration link below. It will take you to the New Student Enrollment.
Note: If you are currently a student at AMS or AHS you do NOT need to do this.
All new students to the district/AHS will need to meet with their Counselor to complete their registration. This will be in August during New Student Enrollment. Please contact AHS Registrar, Shelli, 316-218-4600 ext. 31121 betweens the hours of 7:30 am to 3:30pm to schedule an appointment.
Enrollment is an important part of the high school experience. It involves knowing what is required to meet your needs and then selecting the right classes. Whether you are just wanting to meet graduation requirements, or you need to meet qualified admissions into a Kansas Regents College, want to meet the Kansas Scholars curriculum, the NCAA/NAIA guidelines, or are looking at meeting the guidelines for a college outside of Kansas, you need to know what classes to take. Below are links to various enrollment resources to give you information on enrolling your student. For more information, contact your high school counselor.


text:
North Carolina's LGBT law may have impact on women, minorities – Miami Herald
Posted by | Apr 1, 2016 | POLITICS AND OPINION | 0 |
The law that made North Carolina the recent talk of the nation about bathroom rules for transgender people also could disproportionately affect women, the black community and Latinos.
"I absolutely believe that the LGBT issue was a shiny object to be dangled in front of people to distract them from a broader discriminatory bill," said Barrett Brown, president of the NAACP chapter in Alamance County.
North Carolina's NAACP opposes HB2, and the group's president says the legislation has racism "lurking" underneath the most-well known sections of the law addressing transgender people. Specifically, many opposed to HB2 or House Bill 2 have raised concerns about parts of the law not exclusively related to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.
HB2 is widely recognized as a response to the city of Charlotte adopting its own non-discrimination ordinance, which spurred controversy and outrage from some conservative state lawmakers – largely around the topic of public bathrooms. However, the new law also introduces restrictions on the minimum wage in North Carolina and legal actions available to people who believe they've been discriminated at work.
For the past 30 years, a North Carolina law has allowed workers to sue their employers over "wrongful discharge in violation of public policy." It appears HB2 eliminates that.
The News & Observer interviewed five House Democrats this week about HB2, including three who voted in support of the law and two who were against. All Republicans present for the vote supported HB2. Six of the 11 Democrats who supported HB2 are African American.
One black lawmaker said he didn't know about HB2's broader implications beyond bathrooms until after the vote. Two other representatives who voted for the bill – one white, one black – now say they wish minimum wage and workplace discrimination issues had not been added to the bathroom debate.
Nationally, women, black people and other racial minorities disproportionately hold minimum-wage jobs, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and studies by groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union. North Carolina's HB2 restricts elected city and county councils and boards from increasing local minimum wages any higher than the state's minimum wage, now at $7.25 an hour.
North Carolina is one of at least 19 states that reserve the authority to determine minimum wage. While white workers make up the majority of minimum wage earners in the U.S., women, blacks, Asians and Hispanics are overrepresented in the group, federal data show.
One black lawmaker said he didn't know about HB2's broader implications beyond bathrooms until after the vote.
Supporters of HB2 have argued North Carolina has never given cities more authority than the state on anti-discrimination policies and the minimum wage.
They also contend any changes to how workplace discrimination claims are litigated does not strip any protected class of rights. Bias claims, they argue, can still be filed under federal law.
HB2 limits the rights of North Carolinians to file workplace discrimination complaints under state law. For the past 30 years, a North Carolina law has allowed workers to sue their employers over "wrongful discharge in violation of public policy." It appears HB2 eliminates that.
The rights of workers are still protected under federal law. But critics say the federal process takes longer and is more expensive and more restrictive on damages an employee may recover. The federal law also has a shorter filing window.
EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE
Black lawmaker tried to scale back HB2
Rep. George Graham of Lenoir County, a black Democrat who voted for HB2, said he didn't know until after Republican Gov. Pat McCrory signed the five-page bill into law that it dealt with any other issue besides transgender people using bathrooms.
Asked about the bill's impact on minimum wage and the state's Equal Employment Protection Act, Graham said he's now studying the issue.
"I'm getting around to getting that information now," he said. "I don't know a lot about it."
Graham added: "I would never, ever do anything that would ever short-change or deny the black community (or other people)."
28,100+ number of federal discrimination charges from N.C. workers over 5-year period
One African-American House member who also supports the HB2's bathroom provisions tried to convince the General Assembly to remove the parts unrelated to LGBT rights.
Rep. Elmer Floyd, a Cumberland County Democrat, said he had concerns about HB2's inclusion of minimum wage restrictions and workplace discrimination claim processes. His proposal to remove those sections failed. He voted for the bill anyway, because the bathroom issue was an important safety and privacy priority, he said.
Floyd and other Democrats interviewed last week say they don't know who wrote or advocated for sections unrelated to transgender bathroom use. Graham says those sections were a "surprise."
Still, Graham said he hasn't changed his mind about HB2.
"I walked away from it feeling like we had done the right thing," he said, mentioning that most of his constituents in rural House District 12 agree with the limits on bathrooms.
Some activists feel Republican leaders focused intensely on the transgender bathroom issue so they could sway some votes from lawmakers who typically would not support wage or discrimination limits.
"For the black community, the only thing they know is (the bathroom debate)," said Rev. Earl Johnson, an outspoken civil rights and LGBT advocate in Raleigh. "They don't know the other half – they don't know how they've been disenfranchised (by HB2)."
It's not getting enough attention …. And it's exactly why I voted no twice on the bill. I don't think people understood the impact of what they were doing.
N.C. Rep. Ed Hanes, Democrat
Another House Democrat who voted for HB2 says the broader implications of the bill on women, racial minorities and people with disabilities wasn't clear during last week's special legislative session.
Rep. Ken Goodman, a white legislator from Rockingham, said his "yes" vote on HB2 wasn't intended to support changing the way workplace discrimination claims are filed in North Carolina.
"I think (lawmakers) should take another look," Goodman said. He wants North Carolina to find some middle ground on the bathroom debate, maybe by surveying how other states handle it.
"I don't think North Carolina really wants to be a pariah," Goodman said.
Activists: HB2 affects all N.C. workers
More than 28,100 federal "charges" of workplace discrimination have come from North Carolina over the past five years, according to EEOC data. Most of those charges were race and gender complaints. Other common issues are related to disabilities, age discrimination and workplace retaliation.
The News & Observer contacted three state agencies this week asking for similar data about discrimination claims filed in state courts under North Carolina's Equal Employment Practices Act – the state law mentioned in HB2.
The agencies said data for such claims isn't available, so it's unclear how widely this legal avenue is used – yet it's the one critics of HB2 say is now more limited for all workers.
"It's not getting enough attention …. And it's exactly why I voted no twice on the bill," said Rep. Ed Hanes, a Democrat from Winston-Salem. "I don't think people understood the impact of what they were doing."
For the black community, the only thing they know is (the bathroom debate). They don't know the other half – they don't know how they've been disenfranchised (by HB2). Rev. Earl Johnson, a civil rights and LGBT advocate in Raleigh
The minimum wage and discrimination issues weren't significantly debated in the legislature, said another House Democrat, Rep. Robert Reives from Sanford, who opposed HB2. "… People are well aware what it does to the LGBT community, but people have no idea what it does to employment," he said.
He said he hopes gay and transgender people, the black community and other minorities will soon unite in their political causes.
"The fervor and the anger and the energy that has been put into opposing this legislation – and the fact that this legislation affects every minority – we might want to start understanding we've got common interest," Reives said.
Johnson says he's talked to many people in the black community who have no problem with the law.
Historically, for many black people, Johnson said, "gay" or "transgender" has been like "a dirty word." In the black church and in families, generally, "it's one of those hush-hush things."
Hanes, too, said LGBT equality "is a deep-seeded issue within our community – within Southern culture in particular and within black culture – no question about it."
Much of the black community in North Carolina is conservative on social issues, Floyd said. In his House District 43, 31 of 33 precincts in 2012 overwhelming rejected state recognition of same-sex marriages. However, he said he would consider repealing parts of HB2 unrelated to transgender bathroom use.
Floyd explained his vote for HB2 this way: "Three things you do in politics: You look at constituents, your conscience and, then, your caucus."
Michael Gordon of the Charlotte Observer contributed to this story.
PreviousCan Clinton Reconstruct Trump Supporters' Hope? – The Atlantic
NextMiffed Maine governor refuses to swear in new senator – Fox News
Vote Now: Who Won the Third Democratic Presidential Debate? – TIME
Los Angeles police shoot and kill suspected vandal, 26, during hospital scuffle – New York Daily News
New Mexico gov apologizes for boisterous party at hotel – Fox News
Trump brands Hillary Clinton a 'liar' over ISIS recruitment video claim – Fox News


Economic and Social Re-launch of Northwest Provinces (ECOSORN).
ECOSORN is an integrated rural development programme, with the main objective to reduce poverty and enhance the incomes of target rural communities within three Provinces in the northwest of Cambodia. A team of six long-term international and 45 national experts are currently funded under the TA contract to support the Cambodian Programme Management Authority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MAFF) to coordinate the management of the ECOSORN programme, which includes a grant fund of € 20 million, provided by the EU. In addition, a total of 880 short term expertise days are envisaged for the provision of specific expertise support.
The overall objective is to assist the government's efforts to reduce poverty by establishing physical transport and social infrastructure. The project has three components: (i) rural infrastructure development - to extend the rural network and to establish social infrastructure in the districts such roads, social amenities, irrigation systems and water supply; (ii) enhancement of the capacity of the public and private sector; and (iii) enhancement of the rural sector. The development of the rural infrastructure is a prerequisite for the proposed sustainable development activities of ECOSORN and has been taken into consideration in order to generate synergies.
Within the anticipated results, the following are included:(1) Agricultural, livestock and fisheries production intensified, diversified and increased; (2) Economic and employment opportunities developed; (3) Empowerment of local communities; (4) Improved physical access to available social amenities and markets, greater access to potable water supplies; (5) Safer and permanent access to arable land and social infrastructure ; (6) In order to allow systematic monitoring and reporting against a set of indicators a specific objective / Result C6 "ECOSORN Project efficiently and effectively managed" has been included in in the revised LFM. This result also included the M+E activities of the project as well as the "Visibility Programme".


Diagonal Mar is a 942,000 square foot, trophy urban shopping center in Barcelona, Spain. The property was originally developed by Hines in 2001 in partnership with European shopping center expert Jean-Louis Solal and architect Robert A.M. Stern. The property is the second-largest shopping center in Barcelona and is situated on a prime freehold site located 3 miles north-east of Barcelona's city center. The center overlooks the Mediterranean and includes a 54,000 square foot elevated terrace with views of the sea. It is part of the greater Diagonal Mar development which is located in the 22@ district in Barcelona, a former industrial area that was regenerated in 2000 and currently totals 3.7 million square feet comprising five residential towers, three office buildings, three hotels, a convention center and the public Diagonal Mar park (the third-largest park in Barcelona made up of 41 acres). The shopping center consists of 190 retail units over three floors. The first floor offers a mixture of fashion, children's fashion, sportswear and household and electronic goods, the second floor is devoted to fashion and accessories, and the third floor offers various food, services and entertainment outlets, including an 18 screen cinema. The property is currently 98% leased and anchored by Media Markt (consumer electronics), Fnac (cultural and electronic products), Primark (clothing), Zara (clothing), H&M (clothing) and Cinesa (Spanish cinema chain). Footfall at the center in 2013 was approximately 16 million.


PRO TIP: Synchronize your sunrise and sunset schedules in one easy step.
Open the Avi-on app, then turn a the device that is not working correctly ON/OFF. The app will automatically update the clocks on all of your devices.
The Sunrise/Sunset feature takes the specific location of the devices based on your phone, and creates a year long schedule based on the sunrise and sunset that will automatically change the on/off times throughout the year.
Before you start programming, here is some information about how sunrise/sunset works.
"Location Settings" ON in Phone/Tablet. Sunrise/sunset is programmed based on the location settings on the phone or tablet that you are using for programming.
Make sure that you have locations settings ON in your phone when you are programming a schedule. If it is OFF, then sunrise/sunset will not work.
On the schedule screen, choose the sunrise or sunset buttons to select the turn on time.
Enable the days of the week to apply Sunrise/Sunset scheduling.
Save and name your schedule.
The scheduled on/off times will update one time per month.


text:
<?php

namespace Mage\Review\Test\TestStep;

use Mage\Catalog\Test\Page\Product\CatalogProductView;
use Mage\Review\Test\Constraint\AssertProductReviewIsAbsentOnProductPage;
use Mage\Review\Test\Fixture\Review;
use Magento\Mtf\Client\BrowserInterface;
use Magento\Mtf\TestStep\TestStepInterface;
use Mage\Review\Test\Page\Product\ReviewProductList;

/**
 * Add frontend review.
 */
class AddFrontendReviewStep implements TestStepInterface
{
    /**
     * Frontend product view page.
     *
     * @var CatalogProductView
     */
    protected $catalogProductView;

    /**
     * Review product list page.
     *
     * @var ReviewProductList
     */
    protected $reviewProductList;

    /**
     * Fixture review.
     *
     * @var Review
     */
    protected $review;

    /**
     * Browser interface.
     *
     * @var BrowserInterface
     */
    protected $browser;

    /**
     * Check first review.
     *
     * @var bool
     */
    protected $isFirstReview;

    /**
     * Assert product review is absent on product page.
     *
     * @var AssertProductReviewIsAbsentOnProductPage
     */
    protected $assertProductReviewIsAbsentOnProductPage;

    /**
     * @constructor
     * @param CatalogProductView $catalogProductView
     * @param ReviewProductList $reviewProductList
     * @param Review $review
     * @param BrowserInterface $browser
     * @param AssertProductReviewIsAbsentOnProductPage $assertProductReviewIsAbsentOnProductPage
     * @param bool $isFirstReview
     */
    public function __construct(
        CatalogProductView $catalogProductView,
        ReviewProductList $reviewProductList,
        Review $review,
        BrowserInterface $browser,
        AssertProductReviewIsAbsentOnProductPage $assertProductReviewIsAbsentOnProductPage,
        $isFirstReview = false
    ) {
        $this->catalogProductView = $catalogProductView;
        $this->reviewProductList = $reviewProductList;
        $this->review = $review;
        $this->browser = $browser;
        $this->assertProductReviewIsAbsentOnProductPage = $assertProductReviewIsAbsentOnProductPage;
        $this->isFirstReview = $isFirstReview;
    }

    /**
     * Add review to product via frontend.
     *
     * @return array
     */
    public function run()
    {
        $product = $this->review->getDataFieldConfig('entity_id')['source']->getEntity();
        $this->browser->open($_ENV['app_frontend_url'] . $product->getUrlKey() . '.html');
        if ($this->isFirstReview) {
            $this->assertProductReviewIsAbsentOnProductPage->processAssert();
        }
        $this->catalogProductView->getViewBlock()->openCustomInformationTab('Reviews');
        $this->catalogProductView->getReviewsBlock()->clickAddReviewLink();
        $reviewForm = $this->reviewProductList->getReviewFormBlock();
        $reviewForm->fill($this->review);
        $reviewForm->submit();

        return ['product' => $product, 'review' => $this->review];
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub