text:
Audiobooks > Fantasy > Contemporary > Vampires of Manhattan: The New Blue Bloods Coven
Download Vampires of Manhattan: The New Blue Bloods Coven Audiobook
Author: Melissa de la Cruz Narrator: MacLeod Andrews Publisher: Hachette Book Group Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: 8.25 hours Release Date: September 2014 ISBN: 9781478955696
0.00 (0 ratings) (rate this audio book)
From the bestselling author of Blue Bloods and Witches of East End comes Vampires of Manhattan: The New Blue Bloods Coven, a new novel that explores the battle between good and evil in the city that never sleeps.
You'll devour Melissa de la Cruz's hot new adult novel, in which her Blue Bloods immortals have matured and are now exposed to new challenges, new loves, new threats, and a haute, hot hipster lifestyle.
It is ten years after the great war with Lucifer, and the Coven has rebuilt. As leader of the Fallen, Oliver Hazard-Perry plans to celebrate this prosperity by throwing a four-hundred-year ball—and all of Blue Blood society will be there.
And then, all hell breaks loose.
Download and start listening now!
Quotes & Awards
"A tantalizing glimpse into old characters living a new life. It's a bit darker, more mysterious, and much hotter—a perfect way to continue the Blue Blood world."
RT Book Reviews (4 stars)
"Kicking off her new adult series, the author brings back the cast, now older, from her Blue Bloods series about rich teen vampires…Fans of the original series will be happy to read about the Blue Bloods again."
Be the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens, including the Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, and the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series. Her Blue Bloods series has sold over three million copies, and the Witches of East End series became an hour-long television drama on the Lifetime network. A former fashion and beauty editor, she has written for publications such as the New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Seventeen.
MacLeod Andrews is an actor, voice actor, and Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator who earned the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2018. He has starred in a number of independent short and feature films and is a member of the Rising Phoenix Repertory Company in New York City.


(Newswire.net-- November 9, 2018) -- A man from Netherlands began a court battle because he wants to change his age to go to work and achieve better success with women at Tinder, a popular online dating site.
"With this free[dom] of choice, choice of name, freeness of gender, I want to have my own age. I want to control myself," says Self-styled Dutch positivity guru Emile Ratelband.
According to Marjolein van den Brink, who specializes in human rights and gender issues at Utrecht University's law school, age discrimination is a fact but it is an entirely different issue to gender discrimination.
"With 69 I'm restricted, with 45 I can buy a house, drive a different car, I can work." When I say that I am 69 years old at Tinder, women stop responding to me," Ratelbeld told the Telegraph arguing that with 49 he would have more success.
Ratelband denies that the age request is a publicity stunt. "Now I'm an old man. I have to save my money to give to my kids so that they can live," said Ratelband, a father of seven. "But If I have that age again, I have hope again. I'm new again. The whole future is there for me again."


text:
Home > JOURNAL > Vol. 33 (2018) > Iss. 2
Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)
Regional Difference in Soil Pollution and Strategy of Soil Zonal Governance and Remediation in China
LUO Yongming, Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
TENG Ying, Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
soil pollution; regional difference; regional soil environment; zonal soil governance and remediation strategy; China
Classification and gradation have been put into practice in soil environmental monitoring and management in China, but not yet integrated soil zonal governance and remediation strategy. Natural geochemical anomaly or spatially different man-made pollutant discharge enables the regional characteristics of the soil environmental pollution. Implementation of zonal governance and remediation of regional soil pollution are accord with the natural and/or man-made causes of soil pollution. Based on the analysis of soil pollution sources and causes, this study puts forward the zoning governance and remediation strategy based on regional differences in soil pollution in China. The following suggestions are proposed:to actively promote the formulation of local soil pollution prevention law, to allow the establishment of local soil environmental quality standard system, and to strengthen scientific and technological innovation for supporting partition monitoring and remediation and safe use of polluted soil, including an increasing input for basic research and technology development, applied technology demonstration area construction, technology innovation ability construction, and the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in regional soil pollution control and remediation. It is also suggested to establish a national-wide comprehensive and sound system for regional soil environment quality management and remediation technology, build up a zonal soil pollution prevention and control system, support regional soil environmental governance, and ensure a safe, sustainable, and healthy development in regional soil environment in China.
Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences
赵其国, 骆永明.论我国土壤保护宏观战略.中国科学院院刊, 2015, 30(Z1):21-27.
骆永明, 滕应.我国土壤污染退化状况及防治对策.土壤, 2006, 38(5):505-508.
中国科学院.东南沿海发达地区环境质量演变与可持续发展.北京:科学出版社, 2014.
庄国泰.我国土壤污染现状及防控策略.中国科学院院刊, 2015, 30(Z1):46-52.
郭书海, 吴波, 李宝林, 等.中国土壤环境质量区划方案.环境科学学报, 2017, 37(8):3127-3138.
Weng N Y, Wang W X. Variations of trace metals in two estuarine environments with contrasting pollution histories. Science of the Total Environment, 2014, 485-486:604-614.
Tan Q G, Wang Y, Wang W X. Speciation of Cu and Zn in two colored oyster species determined by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Environmental Science & Technology, 2015, 49(11):6919-6925.
骆永明.土壤环境与生态安全.北京:科学出版社, 2009.
林忠辉, 陈同斌.磷肥杂质对土壤生态环境的影响.生态农业研究, 2000, 8(2):47-50.
刘润堂, 许建中.我国污水灌溉现状、问题及其对策.中国水利, 2002, (10):123-125.
李干杰.推进土壤污染防治立法奠定生态环境安全基石.中国科学院院刊, 2015, 30(Z1):14-20.
骆永明, 夏家淇, 章海波, 等.中国土壤环境质量基准与标准制定的理论和方法.北京:科学出版社, 2015.
王国庆, 林玉锁.土壤环境标准值及制订研究:服务于管理需求的土壤环境标准值框架体系.生态与农村环境学报, 2014, 30(5):552-562.
骆永明, 章海波, 涂晨, 等.中国土壤环境与污染修复发展现状与展望.中国科学院院刊, 2015, 30(Z1):115-124.
周桔, 周建军.关于建设土壤重金属污染综合治理示范区的思考.中国科学院院刊, 2015, 30(Z1):61-66.
Yongming, LUO and Ying, TENG (2018) "Regional Difference in Soil Pollution and Strategy of Soil Zonal Governance and Remediation in China," Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version): Vol. 33 : Iss. 2 , Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.16418/j.issn.1000-3045.2018.02.003
Available at: https://bulletinofcas.researchcommons.org/journal/vol33/iss2/4
BCAS Chinese Website
BCAS English Articles
All Issues Vol. 36, Iss. 12 Vol. 36, Iss. 11 Vol. 36, Iss. 10 Vol. 36, Iss. 9 Vol. 36, Iss. 8 Vol. 36, Iss. 7 Vol. 36, Iss. 6 Vol. 36, Iss. 5 Vol. 36, Iss. 4 Vol. 36, Iss. 3 Vol. 36, Iss. 2 Vol. 36, Iss. 1 Vol. 35, Iss. 12 Vol. 35, Iss. 11 Vol. 35, Iss. 10 Vol. 35, Iss. 9 Vol. 35, Iss. 8 Vol. 35, Iss. 7 Vol. 35, Iss. 6 Vol. 35, Iss. 5 Vol. 35, Iss. 4 Vol. 35, Iss. 3 Vol. 35, Iss. 2 Vol. 35, Iss. 1 Vol. 34, Iss. 12 Vol. 34, Iss. 11 Vol. 34, Iss. 10 Vol. 34, Iss. 9 Vol. 34, Iss. 8 Vol. 34, Iss. 7 Vol. 34, Iss. 6 Vol. 34, Iss. 5 Vol. 34, Iss. 4 Vol. 34, Iss. 3 Vol. 34, Iss. 2 Vol. 34, Iss. 1 Vol. 33, Iss. 12 Vol. 33, Iss. 11 Vol. 33, Iss. 10 Vol. 33, Iss. 9 Vol. 33, Iss. 8 Vol. 33, Iss. 7 Vol. 33, Iss. 6 Vol. 33, Iss. 5 Vol. 33, Iss. 4 Vol. 33, Iss. 3 Vol. 33, Iss. 2 Vol. 33, Iss. 1 Vol. 32, Iss. 12 Vol. 32, Iss. 11 Vol. 32, Iss. 10 Vol. 32, Iss. 9 Vol. 32, Iss. 8 Vol. 32, Iss. 7 Vol. 32, Iss. 6 Vol. 32, Iss. 5 Vol. 32, Iss. 4 Vol. 32, Iss. 3 Vol. 32, Iss. 2 Vol. 32, Iss. 1
in this journal in this site across all sites

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


If the State believes that you are engaging in a course of conduct that caused substantial emotional distress to your accuser either in person or electronically without making any threats, you can be charged with Stalking or Cyber-Stalking under Florida Statute 784.048, based only on the word of an accuser. Both versions of the statute are first degree misdemeanors punishable by a year in the county jail, and a fine of up to $1,000. Even the simple act of repeatedly texting "I love you," to your former partner can be charged with cyber-stalking, if someone thinks it caused them emotional distress. Anytime a person is charged with a computer related offense – whether it involves a desktop computer or a cell phone, they need an attorney seasoned enough to ask the right questions of the investigators of your case. That seasoned attorney is Jack Kaleita!
If the accuser says that you made a credible threat to them, you can be charged with a third degree felony of Aggravated Stalking under Florida Statute 784.048(3). A third degree felony carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison! You need an stalking defense attorney that has the experience to challenge the sufficiency of the evidence against you. Mr. Kaleita's experience of over 28 years in the courtroom can defend you against these allegations. He can help you understand the intricacies of the law and develop a plan to resolve your case in the best way possible for you.
If you have an Injunction for Protection against domestic violence prohibiting you from contacting your partner and you are then accused of knowingly, willfully, maliciously and repeatedly following or harassing that person, you can face a charge of Aggravated Stalking under Florida Statute 748.048. In Florida, this crime is also a third degree felony and punishable by up to 5 years in prison. If you have an injunction against you, and you are accused of simply repeatedly texting that person, you could end up charged with this crime.
Stalking charges carry with them serious consequences. If you have been charged with stalking, aggravated stalking or cyber-stalking let the experience of criminal defense attorney Jack Kaleita be to your benefit. Don't wait or hide your head in the sand, hoping that the charges just go away. How do you really expect a one-sided decision to go? Get someone with the experience necessary to balance the scales on your side. Call Jack Kaleita today! We are available at (407) 831-7800 or Toll Free at (866) 422-7934. You may also fill out our online form located at the top of this page or send us and e-mail at jack@jackklaw.com. We value your privacy and will keep any information strictly confidential.


text:
Quảng Trị Combat Base (also known as Ái Tử Combat Base or simply Quảng Trị) is a former United States Marine Corps, United States Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base northwest of Quảng Trị in central Vietnam.

History

1967
The base was located on Highway 1 approximately 8 km northwest of Quảng Trị and 8 km southeast of Đông Hà beside the Thạch Hãn River.

Following a series of artillery and rocket attacks on Đông Hà Combat Base, the Marines' major logistics and aviation support base in northern Quảng Trị Province, throughout the year, the Marines decided that Đông Hà was too vulnerable to PAVN artillery and rockets located north of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and decided to establish a new logistics base out of range closer to Quảng Trị City. In September 1967 the Seabees began construction of an airfield and new base area and the first aircraft landed at the airfield on 23 October.

In October the 1st Marines was moved from Danang to Quảng Trị. The Marines then launched Operation Osceola to provide security around the Quảng Trị base, the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines and 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines supporting by artillery from the 1st Battalion, 11th Marines conducted a pacification and anti-mining campaign around the base.

In December Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36) forward was established at Quảng Trị, comprising:
HMM-163
VMO-6

1968

Operation Osceola ended on 20 January, total casualties were 17 Marines and 76 PAVN killed. Also on 20 January the 3rd Marines replaced the 1st Marines at Quảng Trị. Operation Osceola II commenced on 20 January with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines responsible for protecting the base supported by artillery from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. On 24 and 31 January the base was hit by 122 mm rockets and mortar fire causing minimal damage.

On 31 January at the opening of the Tet Offensive the PAVN and Vietcong launched attacks on U.S. forces around Quảng Trị City and the PAVN 812th Regiment launched an attack on the city itself. As the Marines had only one battalion at the base they remained to defend the base while the recently arrived 1st Cavalry Division south of the city was sent to reinforce the ARVN 1st Regiment 1st Division defending the city. By 1 February the PAVN/Vietcong were in retreat having lost over 900 killed.

On 16 February, the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division assumed responsibility for the Operation Osceola II area and operational control of 1/3 Marines, with the Marines only responsible for point defense of the base. On 18 April following the completion of Operation Pegasus the 26th Marines moved from Khe Sanh Combat Base to Quảng Trị.

On 27 October, Marine Air Support Squadron 2 (MASS-2) established an Air Support Radar Team (ASRT) at QuangTri.  This detachment utilized the AN/TPQ-10 Course Directing Radar Central to provide aerial delivered fires in all weather conditions both day and night.  On 3 November responsibility for ASRT operations was transferred to Marine Air Support Squadron 3 (MASS-3) as MASS-2 prepared to leave Vietnam.  In 1969 the Quang Tri ASRT was operational for 1,526 hours controlling 717 sorties of aircraft and responsible for the employment of 1,754.449 short tons of ordnance.

On 1 November, the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division assumed responsibility for security in northern Quảng Trị Province.

MAG-36 units stationed at Quảng Trị during this period included:
HMM-163
HMM-262
VMO-6

In April 1968 Provisional Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) was formed at Quảng Trị, units assigned included:
HMM-161 (from May 1968)
HMM-163 (until end of April 1968)
HMM-262
VMO-6
MATCU-66 (15 Apr-10 Oct 1968)
MAG-36 remained at Quảng Trị until September 1969.

1969
On 23 April 1969, the base was the scene of one of the first reported Fragging incidents of the war when 1LT Robert T. Rohweller of the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines was killed by a grenade thrown into his hut.

The base was used as a staging area as the Marines withdrew from I Corps in June–September 1969. On 23 September MAG-39 began moving to Phu Bai Combat Base, completing the move by 15 October. On 22 October the Marines handed over control of their tactical area of operations (including the base) to the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division and the ARVN 1st Division.

1970–1971
On 30 January 1971 the U.S. XXIV Corps forward headquarters was established at the base to support Operation Dewey Canyon II.

On 8 May 1971 the MASS-3 Air Support Radar Team equipped with the AN-TPQ-10 radar system ceased operations at Quang Tri.  During its approximately 20 months at Quang Tri the ASRT was operational for 12,032 hours, controlling 3,411 sorties against 2,942 targets and responsible for the employment of approximately 8,957 short tons of ordnance (17.9 million lbs of ordnance).

1972
By January 1972 the ARVN 3rd Division was responsible for the base, now called Ái Tử Combat Base and had its headquarters there, MACV Advisory Team 155 was also based at Ái Tử.

On 30 March 1972 the PAVN launched the Easter Offensive and at midday artillery fire began to hit the base. On the evening of 1 April, the 3rd Division headquarters was moved to a new position inside Quảng Trị City while the remaining U.S. advisers stayed at Ái Tử to coordinate artillery, naval and air support.

On the early morning of 9 April Ái Tử was hit by PAVN 130mm artillery fire and at dawn the PAVN launched an attack, led by tanks against Firebase Pedro on Route 557 to the west of Ái Tử which was defended by the Vietnamese Marine Corps (VNMC) 6th Marine Battalion. The PAVN tanks had outrun their infantry support and 9 tanks were lost in a minefield around Pedro. An armored task force of 8 M48s and 12 M113s from the ARVN 20th Tank Battalion were despatched from Ái Tử to support the Marines at Pedro. At the same time a flight of Vietnamese Air Force A-1 Skyraiders arrived overhead and destroyed 5 tanks. When the ARVN armor arrived they destroyed 5 54s for no losses and drove 1 captured T-54 back to Ái Tử. On 10 and 11 April further PAVN attacks on Pedro were repulsed at a cost of over 200 PAVN killed.

By late April the direction of the PAVN assault in Quảng Trị Province had moved from Đông Hà in the north to Ái Tử and Quảng Trị city in the west. On 23 April the VNMC Brigade 147 relieved Brigade 258 at Ái Tử. At 06:30 on 27 April the PAVN 304th Division attacked Ái Tử from the southwest, 2 attacks were repulsed but the base's ammunition dump was destroyed by artillery fire. On 28 April the ARVN 20th Tank Battalion was withdrawn from Đông Hà to support the base at Ái Tử, the ARVN 57th Regiment, fearing they were being abandoned, panicked and deserted their positions, leading to the collapse of the ARVN defensive line on the Cua Viet River. The VNMC 7th Battalion was sent to Ái Tử to help defend the base. At 02:00 on 29 April the PAVN attacked the ARVN positions north and south of the base and the ARVN defenses began to crumble, by midday on 30 April, the 3rd Division commander ordered a withdrawal from Ái Tử to a defensive line along the south of the Thạch Hãn River and the withdrawal was completed late that day.

By August 1972 the area around the base was home to numerous PAVN artillery units which were used to bombard the ARVN defenders in Quảng Trị city.In late October the ARVN began attacks north of Quảng Trị to try to regain positions along the south bank of the Cua Viet River. The attacks were met with a stiff PAVN response and were stopped at the Thạch Hãn River. On 27 January in accordance with the provisions of the Paris Peace Accords a ceasefire in place took effect across South Vietnam and the Thạch Hãn River would become part of the de facto border for the next 2 years,

Current use
The base has been turned over to housing and farmland, however the airfield is still clearly visible on satellite images.

References

Military installations of the United States Marine Corps in South Vietnam
Military installations closed in the 1970s
Buildings and structures in Quảng Trị province

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
David A. Kessler
(Redirected from David Kessler)
This article is part of the Tobacco portal on Sourcewatch funded from 2006 - 2009 by the American Legacy Foundation.
David A. Kessler, M.D., J.D. is a former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He was appointed FDA Commissioner by the first President George Bush in December 1990 and served until 1997. Kessler asserted in 1994 that cigarettes should be regulated by the FDA and that nicotine should be considered a drug under the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. This assertion led to the promulgation of rules narrowly tailored to protect youth from nicotine addiction, like the use of "tombstone" advertising (black and white text only), and restrictions on point of sale advertising. FDA's jurisdiction over nicotine was challenged in court and ultimately the Supreme Court ruled on a split decision (5 to 4) that only Congress has the ability to direct FDA to regulate cigarettes.
Chair, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation [1]
David Kessler was born in 1951 in New York. He completed his law degree in 1977 at the University of Chicago, and obtained his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1979. [2]
David Kessler was a Pediatrician and was appointed FDA Commissioner by President George Herbert Walker Bush in December 1990. He obtained medical and law degrees and worked for Senator Orrin Hatch while completing his pediatrics residency.(AP 3/27/94) He wrote a letter in February 1994 to the Coalition on Smoking OR Health which said, in part, "It is our understanding that manufacturers commonly add nicotine to cigarettes to deliver specific amounts of nicotine."(U.S. News 4/18/94)
Kessler testified in 1994 that new FDA tests show that the proportion of nicotine in some brands actually goes up as the level of tar goes down, contrary to industry claims that tar and nicotine levels fall in tandem.(U.S. News 4/18/94)[1]
Dr. Kessler became Dean of Yale University School of Medicine in July, 1997 and served in that post until June of 2003, when he assumed the position of Dean of the University of California San Francisco Medical School. He was fired from that post in December 2007 by Chancellor Dr. J. Michael Bishop, the same person who sought him out and hired him in the position. The circumstances surrounding his firing were unclear. Dr. Kessler asserted that there were financial irregularities in UCSF Medical School's budget. He stated that the budget figures presented to him during his hiring process were substantially different than budget figured he received after he was hired. The irregularities caused him to become concerned about the school's solvency. In June 2007 he was asked to resign his position and keep his concerns about the budget quiet. Dr. Kessler refused to resign and was subsequently fired.[3][4]
A Question of Intent: A Great American Battle with a Deadly Industry. Kessler, David A. Public Affairs; 1st edition. January 9, 2001. 400 pages. ISBN 978-1891620805.
↑ Directors, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, accessed August 6, 2009.
↑ Bio: "FDA Commissioner David A. Kessler, M.D.," U.S. Food and Drug Administration, accessed January 2008.
↑ UCSF dean is fired, cites whistle-blowing, Ornstein C. Los Angeles Times; California local news, December 15, 2007
↑ Firing of UCSF dean a climax to years of disputes over finances, Ornstein C. Los Angeles Times; California local news; December 16, 2007
<tdo>resource_id=4479 resource_code=kessler_david search_term=David A. Kessler</tdo>
Retrieved from "https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=David_A._Kessler&oldid=775518"
Tobaccowiki
Tobacco documents biographies


text:
Many US churches canceling in-person Christmas services
by: David Crary, The Associated Press
FILE – The Washington National Cathedral is seen at dawn in Washington on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. Amid the surge of coronavirus cases across the U.S., this and many other churches have cancelled in-person Christmas services, disappointing pastors and churchgoers who consider them an annual highlight. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
NEW YORK (AP) — Amid the surge of coronavirus cases across the U.S., numerous churches have canceled in-person Christmas services, disappointing pastors and churchgoers who consider them an annual highlight. Other churches planned outdoor services or proposed a hybrid of online and in-person worship, often imposing tight restrictions for those in attendance. These included requirements to wear masks and show proof of COVID vaccinations.
Schroon Lake church holds 1st Christmas since devastating fire
Among the prominent churches canceling some or all of their in-person Christmas services were Washington National Cathedral in the nation's capital; St. John the Divine, the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of New York; and the historic Old South Church in Boston.
The Rev. Nancy Taylor, senior minister of Old South, said the church— affiliated with the United Church of Christ—still hoped to hold in-person Christmas Day services on Saturday, but was shifting its popular Christmas Eve service to online-only. "The Christmas Eve congregation tends to be larger with a lot of visitors, some of whom have come from parties, and many of whom are not used to Boston's mask mandate," she explained in her announcement.
Plane crashes on roof of California house while homeowners are inside
"While we cherish these guests under normal circumstances, these are not normal circumstances. We are prioritizing the health and safety of our volunteers and staff," she said. "We know how disappointing this is."
In New York City, which is experiencing record numbers of positive tests for COVID-19, leaders at St. John Divine said they were shifting all Christmas services to online-only, using its Facebook page and YouTube channel. "The time has come once again to put the needs and concerns of our wider community first," the cathedral said on its website.
VIDEO: Semis colliding, bursting into flames
Another historic New York City church—Middle Collegiate—was gutted by a fire in December 2020. After overseeing painstaking rebuilding efforts, the Rev. Jacqui Lewis—the senior minister—was eagerly anticipating an in-person Christmas Eve service, but it has now been canceled.
The decision "is one of the hardest choices I've had to make as a pastor," Lewis told the Associated Press via email. "This was going to be the magnificent Christmas worship we'd longed for. But I love my people too much to risk their lives."
United, Delta cancel dozens of Christmas Eve flights due to omicron spike
"My fabulous team pivoted on a dime, and we'll be hosting a gorgeous online celebration," she added. "We'll have stunning music and fiery preaching. But most importantly, we'll be safe. And we'll be together."
Just north of New York City, Westchester County's Bedford Presbyterian Church was among many churches nationwide planning to proceed with in-person Christmas services despite the spread of the omicron variant. The Rev. Carol Howard Merritt—the senior pastor—said the decision was made by a group that included parents, a school administrator, and a physician.
New Year's Eve in Times Square scaled back amid COVID spike
"It became clear that though the variant is highly contagious, the infections seem to result in milder cases, especially for those who are vaccinated and boosted," Merritt said via email. "In response, we decided to hold in-person services while making sure that we require masks, stagger seating, limit attendance, and shorten services."
At All Saints' Episcopal Church in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, the Rev. Steven Paulikas made a similar decision—going ahead with in-person services while requiring masks for all those who attend. The Christmas Eve service was featuring music by the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, led by a congregation member, Arturo O'Farrill.
NYC paying $100 to those who get COVID booster at city-run sites
"Arturo and I decided this week to go ahead with having the orchestra, who are all vaccinated and tested regularly," Paulikas said. "As Arturo put it, we need to do what the congregation needs most—and what we need most right now is some beauty and hope."
Leaders of Washington National Cathedral, which traditionally welcomes more than 15,000 people to its Christmas services, announced that all its services until January 9 would be offered only remotely, with no worshippers or visitors allowed in the cathedral. "Unfortunately, as the omicron variant takes hold across the world, our city seems to be leading the nation in infections," said the cathedral's dean, the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith. "Given the spike in infections, I simply cannot justify gathering massive crowds as the public health situation worsens around us."
New Year's Eve events in the Capital Region
Another major Washington church—National City Christian Church—also canceled its Christmas Eve service and will shift exclusively to online worship at least through January 16. Leaders of National City—the national church of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)—described their decision as one "we desperately did not want to make but feel we must." They noted that Washington's mayor, Murial Bowser, had declared a state of emergency in the District of Columbia.
Among other churches canceling in-person Christmas services were the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Springfield, Illinois, and the First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, home to a large, predominantly African American congregation. Bishop Timothy Clarke, First Church of God's senior pastor, announced his decision live on the church's website Thursday evening. "Blame me," he told congregation members who might be disappointed. "I am the one who will stand before God and give an account."
Pause on federal student loan payments extended through May 1
Carthage man arrested on numerous child sex abuse charges
COVID-19 / 1 hour ago


text:
enquiries@leobs.co.uk
Your year-end accounts
Making Tax Digital for Business – how it will affect you
Posted on 8th September 2020 at 17:12
HMRC plans to introduce Making Tax Digital for Business (MTDfB) to small companies from 2022. We don't have all the details yet, but here are some important things you should know.
MTD arrangements that are already in place
HMRC introduced the personal tax account in 2015. This is an online tax account where you can manage your tax affairs.
The first phase of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT was launched in 2019, which involved keeping digital records and using compliant accounting software to complete your VAT returns. This included a requirement to replace any manual links between digital records with digital links.
Originally, most businesses had until April this year to have the digital links between records in place, although for some businesses the date was 1 October 2020. Because of the pressures the coronavirus outbreak placed on businesses, the deadline has now been extended to your first VAT return period on or after 1 April 2021.
What is MTDfB?
HMRC wants almost all unincorporated businesses and self-employed private landlords to keep digital records. If your business is in these categories, MTDfB will mean you must file regular updates, at least quarterly, for your income and expenditure using compliant software.
When will MTDfB be introduced?
The government wants to continue with MTD as soon as possible and is currently planning to start the next phase for businesses in April 2022. However, to be ready to meet the new requirements, you will need to start your preparations in the next 18 months. At the moment the plans look like this:
Autumn 2020 - the government says it will consult on the details of extending MTD to incorporated businesses with corporate tax obligations.
From April 2021 - HMRC says it will give self-employed people time to plan and to allow software providers an opportunity to introduce new products.
VAT-registered businesses must have digital links between their records to meet the MTD for VAT requirements.
The existing pilot MTD for income tax service will be expanded so that you can test the whole process.
From April 2022 - businesses with VAT-able turnover below £85,000 that have voluntarily registered for VAT will also have to keep digital records. Their VAT returns will have to be submitted using MTD-compliant software.
From April 2023 - from the first day of your annual accounting period for the 2023/24 tax year MTD for income tax will be a requirement. If you have an annual turnover above £10,000 from self-employment or property this will apply to you. It will also apply to partnerships and trusts.
Why introduce MTDfB so soon?
The government struggled to provide fast and fair support for small businesses and self-employed people during the coronavirus outbreak. It says that this has highlighted the importance of near-real-time data and a more up-to-date overview of taxpayers' financial positions.
If MTDfB had been in place, the government says it would have had a more accurate picture of trading and profit levels and could have targeted support more effectively.
The government also says that earlier registration and information would have helped to support those who had recently set up in business, with less risk of fraud.
If you would like to start preparing for MTDfB, we'll be happy to help. Just get in touch.
Tagged as: Making Tax Digital, MTDfB, Xero
MTDfB
National Insurance Contributions
pension contributions
Get Accountancy and Bookkeeping information straight to your inbox.
First Name, Sign up here:
Last Name, Sign up here:
Email Address, Sign up here:
Year-end Accounts
01234 247507 enquiries@leobs.co.uk
We hold Professional Indemnity insurance with Aviva, Pitheavlis, Perth PH2 0NH
LEO Bookkeeping Services is the trading name of LEO Bookeeping Services Ltd. Company Number 11789027 Registered Address: Basement Office, Dagnall House, Stanley Court, Olney, MK465NH. Registered in England and Wales.
Website design Northampton — by it'seeze