Smuggling US meat products from Hong Kong to mainland China is still a lucrative business. Julie Noce reports.
Here in a border town in Hong Kong a piece of frozen beef from the U.S. lies on the pavement in the 32 degree heat. Meat smugglers quickly transfer frozen short ribs, roasts and other products into their back packs with the intention of bringing them to the mainland where it's banned. Technically, they haven't done anything wrong yet. The meat was legally imported into Hong Kong. But with strict curbs on U.S. beef in China, reselling the products to the mainland is prohibited. Despite a recent crackdown on smuggled products, the meat continues to show up in supermarkets and processing plants around China. Activists say border officials in China are turning a blind eye. (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) SPOKESPERSON OF NORTH DISTRICT PARALLEL IMPORTS CONCERN GROUP, RONALD LEUNG, SAYING: "I think it's impossible that they (Chinese customs) don't know. When they cross the border, their bags must go through X-rays, and obviously it will show they are carrying, for example, a lobster. It's impossible to bluff through it. So we believe there is a chance the customs, the mainland Chinese customs, are involved." Local media said authorities seized 100,000 tonnes of smuggled frozen meat last month. Some of it, dubbed 'zombie-meat', was up to 40 years old. Representatives from foreign meat distributors said they were unaware of the smuggling rings, or did not respond to request for comments.


ESPN launched The File Blog (subscription only) on Tuesday through their Insider page on ESPN.com. While a lot of us will undoubtedly refuse to admit it, the concept is an intriguing one that is sure to result in some interesting information from the sports world coming into the public eye. The blog, which is run by Shaun Assael, "uses public information requests, court filings, government data, and reader-furnished material to go deeper into the stories that the sports world is talking about," according to their homepage.
The introductory column includes a breakdown of how much it cost the Alabama football team to visit the White House in March, which ended up being a measly $97,327, among other interesting behind-the-scenes information from various college football programs.
The section that I found most mind-boggling was about none other than Tim Tebow. Although Tebow is now at the bottom of the food chain in the NFL, carrying shoulder pads and being given a Friar Tuck haircut, we're reminded that he was once on top. In fact, when he became ill with a flu virus that was spreading throughout the Florida Gators locker room, Florida paid nearly $10,000 to charter him a private flight to Kentucky to play the Wildcats. I realize the precaution was taken to protect the entire team, but it's no coincidence Tebow was the one getting quarantined. That's what I call star treatment.
Bottom line is The File got it right on their first day. You would have to be a fully delusional ESPN-hater to say the concept has no potential. I'm not going to sit here and bash the idea, because I'm sure it will be providing us with some blog-worthy content in the coming days.


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Hat Company Warms Melon and Hearts
Tess Owen, Author|February 17, 2016
Love your Melon is an clothing organization that was started and ran by college students, their mission is to give a hat to every child battling cancer across the United States.
Love Your Melon, a hat company based out of Minnesota, brings a charitable twist to the hat industry: it donates 50 percent of profits to children battling cancer. The organization is rapidly gaining popularity throughout the country and boasts fashionable and American made beanies and caps, as well as mugs and tees. Currently, the products are being sold out online within minutes of being posted, and now the company has taken root at Seattle University.
Cam Peters • the spectator
Love your Melon is a clothing organization that was started and run by college students. Their mission is to give a hat to every child battling cancer across the United States.
Two college students founded the organization four years ago in an entrepreneurship class at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. Zachary Quinn and Brian Keller were sophomores at the time, and began their company with the mission of providing a hat for every child battling cancer in America.
The organization also set up a Campus Crew Program, where college students can help improve the lives of children fighting cancer. Four Seattle U students have embraced the initiative to become Love Your
Melon ambassadors.
Morgan Thomas, Sydney Thomas, Tori Zink and Natalie Lucey discovered Love Your Melon through a Facebook ad, and they decided they wanted to bring the mission of the company to the Seattle U community.
"It felt like SU would be a good community because there are so many people involved with the nursing program and who volunteer at hospitals," said Morgan Thomas, captain of the Love Your Melon Leadership Team at Seattle University. "We're a pretty small campus so we're trying to bring that sense of community to the organization."
Along with having interests in health, the Seattle U community also places a lot of interest in social justice and community service, so donating money to and becoming involved in an important cause is right up the Jesuit alley.
The Seattle U chapter started only three weeks ago, so the Campus Crew Members are still trying to raise awareness of the organization, as well as recruit more students. They currently have twelve members involved or interested, and each campus crew can have up to 20 members.
Although the Seattle U crew is still growing, they have plans for the future.
"We're trying to get involved with Dance Marathon, and then later down the road we're going to try getting involved with Relay for Life," said Tori Zink, co-captain of the leadership team.
Love Your Melon has campus crews at over 575 different educational institutions, who work with the company to raise awareness and bring smiles to the faces of children battling cancer. As the crew sells more hats, they earn points and can begin activities like home visits to the children, as well as limo and helicopter rides with the kids.
The model of the company began as a buy one, give one concept, but the demand for the hats increased so dramatically that this past summer they turned from a non-profit to a for-profit.
Now, when a hat is sold, the organization donates 50 percent of profits to helping with childhood cancer. Of that percentage, 25 percent goes to CureSearch for Children's Cancer, which focuses on cancer research and works to end childhood cancer. The other 25 percent goes toward financially supporting cancer patients and their families with the Pinky Swear Foundation, which focuses on funding quality of life programs. The rest of the profits go back to the company to further the production of the hats.
The children still get beanies, though.
"When we meet 100 hat sales, a child can reach out to [the company] who is battling cancer and we go and dress up like superheroes and give them a hat," said Sydney Thomas, PR manager for the Seattle U crew.
Along with donating profits to children battling cancer, the organization exclusively sells USA-made products. Everything, down to the leather patch, is made in America.
Each new batch of hats and accessories come out on Mondays at 4 p.m. but are usually completely sold out less than ten minutes later. In order to keep up with the high increase in demand, the company began a new pre-order option last Monday, which allows customers to order beanies at any point in the week and receive them when the orders are restocked.
These beanies are growing in popularity and as they do, are raising awareness for childhood cancer.
"If you see people wearing a Love Your Melon beanie, it's not only an attractive apparel item, but it's also recognizing that that person stands for helping kids who need help and who need a smile," said Natalie Lucey, Secretary of the Love Your Melon Leadership Team at Seattle U.
As these hats spread across the country, so does Love Your Melon's mission. Now, with the formation of the Seattle University Campus Crew, the Seattle U community has a chance to get involved, promote the products and make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer—plus an opportunity to rock a cozy beanie.
Editor may be reached at [email protected]
Tess Owen, Author
One Response to "Hat Company Warms Melon and Hearts"
beyondBeanie on March 4th, 2016 4:56 pm
Such a nice cause the ones that these students are supporting. Congrats on that!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Welcome to Malta, the honey-hued and history-steeped island sitting at the crossroads of the Mediterranean! After checking in with Cruise Director Lynne Greig and into the Grand Hotel Excelsior, we scattered to enjoy the amenities of the hotel's coastal location or walked into the walled city of Valletta. Evening found us assembling for a Welcome Reception where we met new friends and old among our fellow travelers; we also met our Expedition Leader, Michael Moore, who introduced our expedition staff. After a wonderful buffet and briefing, most of us had a relatively early night.
The following morning, we entered the recently restored main gate of this UNESCO World Heritage Site on foot. Dividing into smaller groups we set off on visits to the National Museum of Archaeology and the Co-Cathedral of St. John. Making our way back out of the city, we headed into the countryside. Winding our way through a patchwork of small farms separated by dry stone walls, we reached the megalithic site of Ħaġar Qim. This is one of the oldest structures on Malta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the visitor center we enjoyed a 4D multimedia presentation, as well as feeling and smelling the millennia that saw the creation and abandonment of the site. It provided a sound basis to understand and appreciate a site that was 1,000 years old when construction started at Stonehenge.
After a lunch of regional specialties, we had time for a photo stop in the picturesque fishing town of Marsaxlokk. Known for its colorfully painted boats, it was also the site of the Ottoman invasion of 1565. Winding back through the countryside we soon reached the Port of Valletta and embarked the Island Sky, our home for the expedition. After settling in our cabins and the necessary safety drill, we gathered for a more formal introduction to our staff. Michael, soon known to all as MiMo, provided a briefing for our upcoming adventures. Almost everyone was on deck to watch our departure from this fortified rock as the sun did its best to cast a rosy glow on the golden sandstone.
Sicily is known as the Island of the Sun and certainly lived up to its billing—many of us were on deck early to watch the sun bathe the historic and still industrious Port of Empedocle. We departed first for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Temples; something of a misnomer since they are actually perched along a ridge. We started at the top with the classically beautiful Temple of Hera and descended with stops at the Temples of Concord, Hercules, and Olympian Zeus, the largest Doric temple of Greek Antiquity; a veritable archaeological banquet. The temples are largely intact and impressive in size, scale, and number. In addition, we followed the remains of the massive city wall, pocked with rock-cut tombs, which provided vistas of Sicilian landscape to the base of the ridge. This was followed by a visit to the Museum of Santa Nicola which houses many of the pieces from the temples of Agrigento, as well as other important archaeological sites in the region.
En route to Licata, the site of the American landing in Sicily in World War II, we stopped at the beautiful Mandrova Estate for a true Sicilian lunch—Ron gave the cannoli 10/10!—complemented by the award-winning olive oil for which it is known. Afterwards we toured the facility and learned about the processing of their olives as well as of the almonds they also harvest. Most of us couldn't resist at least a small bottle of one of their superior oils.
After a tour of Licata by bus, we boarded our ship to join Captain Henrik Karlsson and his welcome cocktail party and dinner.
We arrived early, enjoying a spectacular sunrise over the city, as we berthed close to Ortygia. We headed straight to the Neapolis Archaeological Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered by Cicero to be the most beautiful city in the ancient world, Syracuse drew the luminaries of its day including Livy, Archimedes, and Plato. We explored both a Greek theater and a Roman amphitheater; the former is huge and still used to stage Greek tragedies in the summer. We spied the column that once supported the ceiling of a massive quarry and entered the remaining portion, the cave-like Ear of Dionysius with its exceptional double echo. From here we visited the Museo Archaeologico Paolo Orsi to wander the many galleries dedicated to archaeology, ancient art, and Greek Theater, as well as an excellent coin and jewelry collection.
After lunch ashore or aboard, we used the Italian siesta period to avoid the heat of the day and hear a presentation by our Maritime Archaeologist, Hector Williams, entitled Goddesses, Whores, Vampires, and Archaeologists. We then joined Ellen McIlvaine over tea to explore future adventures on offer.
In the late afternoon, many of us set off for a walking tour of Ortygia. We visited the ruins of the 6th-century BC Temple of Apollo and strolled through the picturesque lanes. Emerging in the central plaza, the Piazza Del Duomo, we were able to see the cathedral that only thinly disguises the former Temple of Athena which first occupied the site. Many of us wandered this eminently walkable town on our own, and visited the Piazza Archimede. We ended our formal tour at the sacred Fontana Aretusa; this freshwater spring was the ancient city's main source of water and part of the reason the site was settled.
After recap, our scheduled late departure permitted the opportunity to dine in one of the many tempting cafés and restaurants nearby, before we steamed northward to Catania.
Beautiful Catania, facing the Ionian Sea between Messina and Syracuse, was founded in the 8th century BC and is now the second largest city in Sicily. First, we visited its justifiably famous fish market and adjacent fruit, cheese, and vegetable markets, along with the main piazza. At the entrance to the market, the subterranean River Amenanus was evident in a large and generously flowing fountain—and then we had choices to make. Some of us couldn't resist a trip up Mt. Etna, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, active only the previous week. Others chose to see the breathtaking mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, as well as the large archaeological park at Morgantina.
Sicilians consider Etna a "good" volcano, as it generally gives plenty of warning and the eruptions do comparatively little damage. This said, it destroyed Catania in 1169 and did significant damage in 1669. Those heading up Etna returned with tales of riding a cable car to board 4-wheel drive vehicles, and hiking around in winds that required the securing of some of our lighter guests (Beanie!). Upon descent, a traditional Sicilian luncheon was enjoyed near the Crateri Silvestri before a leisurely return to the Island Sky.
For those at the Villa, it was not just the number of mosaics but the extremely high quality and diversity of subject matter that was so remarkable. Virtually every room used mosaics as if they were carpets in stone including decorative borders and fringes. After a lovely lunch in Piazza Amerina, we drove into the agricultural heart of Sicily and walked through the wild flowers of the archaeological park to the theater and one of the central commercial areas before returning to the ship. In the evening there was time to return to Catania for dinner or a little extra exploration before we weighed anchor for Albania.
After a leisurely breakfast, we joined Ron for his presentation, Food Culture of the Mediterranean, followed by Susan Langley's discussion on, Beneath the Wine Dark Sea, Underwater Archaeology in Malta, Sicily, and the Adriatic. Almost everyone lunched on the Lido Deck, taking advantage of the sunny weather before we joined Allan Langdale for his lecture on Basilicas and Baptisteries at Butrint. After a special Farewell to Italy Tea, we joined Pepper Trail for, Vengeful Eagles and Lusty Swans: Birds in Mediterranean Mythology.
On such a day, we just had to do something special and Zegrahm hosted a colorful Adriatic Sunset Cocktail Party on the Observation Deck that made it difficult to dine indoors. Even better news was that the sea conditions were so good, we arrived early in Albania and had the opportunity to walk the seafront in the resort town of Saranda.
This morning we headed straight to the ancient city of Butrint, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. We wound our way through the small Greek theater, past the public baths to the early Christian baptistery with its extensive mosaics, well covered in sand for protection, and to the large basilica where we were able to see a small area of the mosaic floor. Flocks of jays were heard and spotted by some, as well as gray herons and little egrets. The trail climbed gently to the top of the hill, skirting massively built Cyclopean walls with the famous gate surmounted with the relief of a lion killing a bull. Viewpoints allowed us to look over Lake Butrint before we reached the summit and spent time in the museum.
Before returning to the ship, we climbed a winding road above town to enjoy a spectacular view from Lekuresi Castle. The castle was built by Sultan Suleymani in the 15th - 16th centuries as part of his campaign to conquer Corfu, visible across a channel only two miles wide. The stop also provided an opportunity to examine some of the mushroom-shaped concrete bunkers that dot the countryside. Within its walls we were greeted in the courtyard garden by musicians and dancers who encouraged us to join them. Indoors were tables laden with regional snacks and we were treated to traditional music, song, and dance. We weighed anchor for Montenegro, revelling in our morning fun.
In the afternoon, Hector treated us to a presentation, Ali Pasha, The Demon Lion of the Balkans. After tea with Ellen we joined Rich Pagen for his discussion of Dwarf Elephant Herds and Vigilant Migrating Birds, The Land and Sea Realms of the Mediterranean. Mimo encouraged us to be up early for the spectacular entrance to Kotor, before we enjoyed a terrific Filipino Dinner with entertainment by the extremely talented crew.
As we left the narrow opening into the extensive Bay of Kotor, many of us came on deck to view the two tiny islands on which are situated, respectively, the Benedictine Monastery of St. George and Our Lady of the Rock Church. We first enjoyed a morning tour of the walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entering through the Venetian Sea Gate, we wound our way through the labyrinth of narrow streets punctuated by courtyards and squares boasting churches, museums, cafes, and shops. We visited St. Tryphon's Cathedral, a highlight of which is its gilded silver altar screen and architecture, as well as the Maritime Museum, housed in an 18th-century palace that celebrates the town's proud naval heritage. Some of us traveled to the nearby town of Perast to catch a local boat to visit Our Lady of the Rock Church—and we were not disappointed!—then headed to the town museum housed in the former Naval Academy.
Those of us wishing a bird's-eye-view of Kotor ascended the 1,350 steps to the fortifications 3,937 feet above the town on Mount St. Ivan, joined by swirling crag martins and house martins at the top.
Still others boarded buses for a trip across the Lustica Peninsula for wonderful scenery culminating in a visit to the Moric Family Organic Olive Farm for olive oil tasting. Greeted by co-owner Ilija Moric and his friendly little donkey, we were served local pastries with honey and a shot of killer grappa. Proceeding to the small processing building, he explained the strict requirements for organic farming and production, before we explored the family home and fieldstone tasting cellar.
Back aboard, we convened for a fantastic barbecue lunch and soon joined Ron for his entertaining presentation, Village Life in the Balkans, followed by Susan's lecture on Beekeeping in the Adriatic, Past and Present. Our lecture series ended in time for us to be on deck for our approach to Dubrovnik, not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but considered one of the most beautiful walled cities in the world. Mimo set up local transfers into the city after the recap and briefing, and even obtained permission for us to use that most fun of all expedition tools, our Zodiacs, for tomorrow.
This morning we boarded tenders to the walls of Dubrovnik and climbed to the Ploce Gate to take buses to the village of Cavtat. The water was so clear we could see damselfish called chromis feed on plankton in the water column. Those of us not climbing to the hilltop cemetery for the view and a mausoleum, explored small artisan's shops or lolled in seaside cafés enjoying the quiet and onshore breeze. From here we headed into the countryside through a broad fertile valley with small farming communities, and arrived at a restored grist mill where we were greeted with an assortment of local brandies and candied treats. After a demonstration of the mill mechanisms, we followed the Ljuta River upward to see a restored fulling mill in operation, and enjoyed a snack of local bread, cheese, ham and wine. Most of us chose to walk to a nearby restaurant set on outdoor platforms along the river and had a leisurely lunch.
At the iconic circular Onofrio Fountain, we climbed the walls to enjoy stunning seaward vistas, a view over the city, and even glimpses into the yards and lives of its residents. We continued to the maritime museum perched high in the walls between the Old Port and the sea, then descended to visit the 17th-century Cathedral of Assumption of the Virgin, where we viewed the treasury of reliquaries and a noted Titian painting. We finished with a visit to the Dominican Monastery, which still functions despite having only four monks remaining, and viewed its treasure trove of 15th- and 16th-century paintings, icons, and jewelry.
Many of us returned to the ship for recap and briefing, only to head back to Dubrovnik to dinner via Zodiacs. A few birders made it to nearby Lokrum Island, a UNESCO-protected national park, while the ship's hotel staff set up a treat for those remaining on board—petit fours and a local dessert wine, and our pianist performing.
One of the joys of Korçula is that its port can only be accessed by small ships; it is easily walkable and considered one of the most beautiful towns in Dalmatia. Weaving through streets and lanes lined with architectural styles from the 14th and 15th centuries, we were able to view the house where residents believe Marco Polo was born. The City Museum is housed in a 16th-century mansion and houses artifacts reflecting a broad range of the area's history. We ended our walking tour with the Cathedral of St. Mark and the Museum of Icons including gold, silver, and wooden Byzantine icon paintings.
While most of us set off to explore the amazing city of Split, Croatia's second largest city, some of us elected to go first to the nearby Meštrović Gallery and strolled literally blocks along just a portion of the façade of Roman Emperor Diocletian's retirement palace. Reaching one of the entry points, we were able to explore the warren of rooms that comprises the basement level of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fans of Ivan Meštrović started at the gallery that was his summer home from 1931-1939. The peaceful gardens and sun-washed view of the sea made it clear why he had chosen this location, and the sculptures and other examples of his work were beautifully displayed, putting into perspective the sculptures we would see throughout Split, including the iconic Gregory of Nin, whose toe is polished by passersby touching it for luck. Returning to Split we enjoyed a tour of the palace and city, as well as a Klapa performance before dispersing for individual exploration or to find a venue for dinner ashore.
Approaching Sibenik, we were up early to see the Venetian Fortress of St. Nikola at the entrance to the channel but masked, intentionally says Allan, by the island to the south. Refusing to let a drizzly morning dampen our spirits, we walked from the ship into the heart of town through curving streets and open squares dating to the 15th and 16th centuries. At the Cathedral of St. James we admired the exterior architecture, including the frieze of 71 heads that are vivid character studies of ordinary 15th-century citizens, one possibly being the architect himself, George the Dalmatian. The Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered the crowning glory of the Dalmatian coast.
We headed to Krka National Park, named for the river flowing through it over numerous spectacular waterfalls and cascades. Those feeling energetic embarked on small boats that deposited us at the base of the last falls where we hiked to the boardwalks and historic structures at the top. The rest of us rode to the upper level and walked through the park to outlook points including one constructed for the visit of Emperor Franz Leopold, then toured the multi-mill complex, housing reconstructed milling activities, traditional crafts, souvenirs, and an exhibit on the history of hydraulic power plants in the country. The remains of this plant are in the park and several of us decided to climb down to view them. Once we were all assembled at the top we rejoined our buses and returned to the ship for lunch as we made our way toward La Serenissima—Venice.
Pepper offered a fascinating final presentation, Fighting Crime with Feathers: The Casebook of a Forensic Ornithologist, and at tea, Susan and the ship's hotel staff offered An Adriatic Honey Tasting of 10 different honeys she collected along the way during our voyage. Very soon it was time for the captain's farewell cocktails and dinner.
This morning we had to say "Arrivederci" to one another as our paths diverged; many of us headed to the airport, others into Venice, and still others for different points. The ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites behind us (11, if we count Venice) were an intellectual banquet, as were many little jewels less internationally recognized, and the innumerable wonderful meals providing much fodder for thought and pleasure, as we made our respective journeys onward.


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all news, habitat, nongame, wildlife
Updated Maps and GIS Data Enhance the NH Wildlife Action Plan
Sandra Houghton, NH Fish and Game Department: (603) 271-5679
Catherine Callahan, NH Fish and Game Department: (603) 271-3014
Amanda Stone, UNH Cooperative Extension, (603) 862-1067
CONCORD, NH – The NH Wildlife Action Plan's maps were recently updated for a fourth time, further delineating both the location and condition of wildlife habitats present in New Hampshire. The development and distribution of these maps, first released in 2006, is a high priority of the Wildlife Action Plan.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and its partners endeavor to refresh data every five years, and 2020 updates to the Wildlife Action Plan maps incorporate new habitat and biological data. The most significant additions to map data include the use of updated Habitats Land Cover data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) Regional Land Cover Database, updated National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) data, five additional years of rare wildlife data, and the inclusion of the Nature Conservancy's Resilient and Connected Network data.
Granite State communities have been using the Wildlife Action Plan maps in their planning processes, incorporating them into natural resource inventories, conservation plans, and master plans that help to identify and conserve important natural resources including water, soils, and wildlife. Land trusts and nonprofit groups use the Wildlife Action Plan maps as tools to evaluate potential conservation parcels and target key places to protect.
"The new Wildlife Action Plan maps are better than ever with updated and additional data," said Sandra Houghton, a Wildlife Diversity Biologist with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. They are an excellent resource for communities, land trusts, and natural resources professionals to use in their work to conserve wildlife and habitats."
To see the most recent maps that support the NH Wildlife Action Plan, visit: https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/wap-using-maps.html.
The NH Fish and Game Department's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program works to protect over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians as well as thousands of insects and other invertebrates. The program relies in part on private contributions to accomplish its work and to raise matching funds required for state and federal grants. Learn more at www.wildnh.com/nongame.
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It's not just first-time buyers turning to the Bank of Mum & Dad to get on the property ladder.
Second steppers are the latest customers and require on average £25,000 to help fund their next move.
Research by Lloyds Bank found that an increasing number of second steppers have to borrow from family and friends to trade up the property ladder, rising from 27% in 2017 to 33% in this year's poll.
More than half of second steppers (58%) said they wouldn't be able to make their next move without this support.
The analysis found that 62% of second steppers would remortgage to get the extra cash and 39% would use savings.
However, 22% will need help from their parents and 13% would seek financial support from grandparents, while another 6% would look to friends.
This is also having an impact on the Bank of Mum & Dad, with half of parents having to raid their own savings or even downsize in order to release funds.
Second steppers are also making their own sacrifices. Almost three in ten said that they will have fewer children than originally planned due to the challenges they have faced whilst trying to make the next move, up by 16% from last year. More second steppers are also delaying having children due to the difficulties faced.
Andrew Mason, mortgage products director at Lloyds Bank, said: "Support from generous family and friends remains vital in helping second steppers in taking the next step on the property ladder, despite more second steppers now feeling optimistic about the housing market.


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ABSs forge ahead as number of conveyancing firms shrinks
Posted by Neil Rose
Kumar: Profession in good shape
Alternative business structures (ABSs) are significantly more positive about their future than traditional practices, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has found.
It comes as separate research shows the number of conveyancing practices falling to its lowest level yet.
Some 60 of the 212 firms regulated by the CLC are ABSs – and are generally larger businesses. The results of its annual regulatory return showed that ABSs were nearly twice as likely to anticipate growth over the next 12 months – 62%, compared to 33% for non-ABSs.
Some 17% of ABSs thought this would be down to increased access to more of the marketplace, compared to 5% of non-ABSs, and they were also more likely to identify opportunities from greater use of IT (15%; non-ABSs 3%).
In line with this, ABSs were six times more likely to offer clients access to an online portal (29% of them did so, compared to 5% of non-ABSs), and four times more likely to make use of data from online review platforms such as Trustpilot or Feefo (24%).
Non-ABSs, by contrast, were more likely to perceive access to lender panels as a business risk, compared to firms with ABS status (non-ABS: 11%, ABS: 2%).
Other findings included that 41% of all CLC firms expected their volume of work to grow over the next 12 months, compared to 53% in last year's return, with signs of concerns about the impact of Brexit on the property market;
A quarter (26%) said they had felt pressure to reduce the cost of their services during the year – although few did so – while 34% expected their fees to increase over the next 12 months;
CLC chief executive Sheila Kumar said: "At a time when we know firms are growing more concerned about the state of the property market, the results showed a profession in good shape."
Meanwhile, the number of active conveyancing firms has fallen to the lowest figure since HM Land Registry began publishing its data in 2011, according to property data company Search Acumen.
Its quarterly tracker showed "a consolidation of activity at the top of the market as bigger conveyancers take more business at the expense of those at the bottom of the legal property ladder".
The total number of conveyancing firms active in the market dropped 1% over the third quarter of 2018 (4,144 to 4,100) and by 2% year-on-year. Since the same period in 2011, the number of conveyancing firms active in the market has dropped by 15%, with 700 firms disappearing.
The tracker said: "Smaller conveyancers have been the greatest victim of market consolidation as over the last five years alone, the number of firms handling up to 25 transactions a month has fallen by 10% from 3,662 to 3,278.
"At the same time, larger players in the market – those handling more than 50 transactions per month – have increased by 31%, from 268 to 353." The figures also showed the larger firms increasing their market share.
Average monthly work volumes have increased by a fifth (20%) in just five years, growing from 50 transactions on average in Q3 2013, to 60 in Q3 2018.
Search Acumen said economic uncertainty was weakening consumer confidence and seller appetite, leading to a 3% decline in transactions compared to the same period in 2017 – but overall conveyancing activity has grown 14% in five years.
Search Acumen managing director Andrew Lloyd said: "Over much of this decade, we have witnessed a clear consolidation of conveyancing business at the top end of the market.
"Technology has been a big driver in allowing smarter firms to steal a march on their rivals, which in turn means that the smaller, local conveyancers have struggled as market consolidation bites. They have seen their margins squeezed, local business networks shrink and opportunities to find new business diminished.
"In contrast, larger firms have been able to take advantage of market consolidation as more cases come their way. They have geared up their businesses and continued to grow over the last five years even as the market's growth has slowed from the heady days of 2014-2016.
"Others have seized the opportunity to enter the fray for the first time with new propositions or aligned themselves with former rivals through mergers to stem the tide."
Mr Lloyd predicted that consolidation in the market would continue. "The task ahead for the established leaders and aspirational 'challenger' firms is have a clear plan to prosper in the face of a potential weakening market," he added.
"They cannot simply rely on transaction volumes increasing year-on-year, so will have to work smarter and deliver better, faster and more transparent services to give customers an incentive to pick them out of the crowd."
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text:
Academy kicks off Transgender Working Group
In the wake of policy changes this year from the president and Defense Department, the Air Force Academy created a Transgender Working Group to raise awareness and understanding of transgender Airmen, Guardians and cadets at the school. (courtesy graphic)
By Staff Sgt. Seth Stang
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - In the wake of policy changes this year from the president and Defense Department, the Air Force Academy created a Transgender Working Group to raise awareness and understanding of transgender Airmen, Guardians and cadets at the school.
Doctor Joseph Looney, the Academy's chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, said the number of requests from across the base to support the Transgender Working Group has been "overwhelming." Looney holds a doctorate of counseling psychology from Arizona State University
"Along with organizational representation, the team has a cadet representative from the Spectrum club, and the invaluable participation of a transgender Airman," he said. "We're committed to supporting transgender Airmen and cadets."
President Joe Biden signed an executive order in January and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin directed the DOD to ensure all individuals are eligible to serve in their self-identified gender.
According to Biden's order, "All Americans qualified to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States ("Armed Forces") should be able to serve. The All-Volunteer Force thrives when it is composed of diverse Americans who can meet the rigorous standards for military service, and an inclusive military strengthens our national security."
Dominic Angiollo, an attorney at the Academy, said the working group brings a multidisciplinary approach to implementing the policy and includes diverse personnel with professional experience concerning transgender service.
"Our Transgender Working Group hopes to achieve a smooth roll out of the policy, where transgender Airmen and cadets are provided support, treated with dignity and respect, and can fully contribute to enhancing our mission," he said.
Under the new policy, and with the care of a medical provider, Airmen and cadets have an official process to transition their gender while serving if certain requirements are met.
"We need to create inclusive command climates, where all Airmen and Guardians can bring their whole selves to work, feel valued and fully contribute to the mission," Looney said. "Ultimately, I hope the working group provides a smooth policy transition and that we work ourselves out of a job when this policy is simply adapted into our existing  culture of dignity and respect."
The Spectrum Club is a club for LGBTQ cadets at the Academy.
The Transgender Working Group met for the first time April 27.


Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation and its subsidiaries (each, a "Company," and collectively, the "Corporation") desire to be responsible members of the various communities in which they do business and to assure the welfare of those dependent upon the continuation of their good health, namely shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers. It is our policy to comply with all laws and to conduct our business in keeping with the highest moral, legal, ethical and financial reporting standards. These policies apply equally to employees at all levels.
If any member of the Ethics Committee is informed of a possible violation of this Code, an appropriate investigation will be conducted. This investigation will include necessary interviews of employees and non-employees and document review in an attempt to substantiate or dispute any alleged violation. If deemed necessary by the Committee, outside legal or other professionals will be retained. At the end of the investigation, regardless of the result, a written report will be made and put on file in the Corporate Legal Department. If, as a result of the investigation, the Committee concludes that a violation has occurred, discipline will be determined as stated elsewhere in this policy. All officers and managers of each Company are responsible for communicating and implementing these policies within their specific areas of supervisory responsibility.
Of course, no code of conduct can replace the thoughtful behavior of an ethical director, officer or employee, and we rely upon each individual within the organization to act with integrity, to use good judgment and to act appropriately in any given situation. Nevertheless, we believe that this Code can help focus Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation's Board of Directors (the "Board") and management, and the board of directors and management of each subsidiary, on areas of ethical risk, provide guidance to our personnel to help them to recognize and deal with ethical issues and help to foster a culture of honesty and accountability. We encourage each member of the Board and management and each of our other employees to review this Code carefully, ask any questions regarding the policies and procedures embodied in this Code to ensure that you understand each such policy and procedure and the overall intent of the Code, and to make every effort to remain in full compliance with both the letter and spirit of this Code.
Without limiting the generality of the above, the following presents our policy on specific topics concerning business ethics and legal compliance.
Our officers, directors and employees have a duty to be free of conflicting interests that might influence their decisions when representing a Company. Consequently, as a general matter, our directors, officers and employees are not permitted to maintain any conflict of interest with the Corporation, and should make every effort to avoid even the appearance of any such conflict. A "conflict of interest" occurs when an individual's private interest interferes in any way – or even appears to interfere – with the Corporation's interests as a whole. A conflict of interest can arise when a director, officer or employee takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Company work objectively and effectively or when a director, officer or employee or a member of his or her family receives any improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in a Company. Any officer or employee who believes that he or she may have a potential conflict of interest must report his or her concerns to a member of the Ethics Committee immediately. Any individual director who believes that he or she has a potential conflict of interest must immediately report his or her concerns to the Chairman of the Board, who shall consult with the Ethics Committee on such matters. If such conflict of interest involves the Chairman of the Board, the individual director can report their concern to any other executive officer or any Director he or she deems appropriate.
gifts of more than nominal value.
Where such gifts are unavoidable because of local custom, they should be reported to the appropriate Vice President, who may consult with the Ethics Committee on such matter, for a determination whether, or to the extent to which, such gifts may properly be considered the personal property of the recipient.
It is imperative that our directors, officers and employees safeguard confidential information including, but not limited to, information regarding transactions contemplated by the Corporation or any Company and their finances, business, computer files, employees, present and prospective customers and suppliers and shareholders. You must not disclose confidential information except where disclosure is authorized by the Corporate Legal Department or otherwise required by applicable law. Your obligation to preserve confidential information continues even after your employment by the Corporation or any Company ends.
As noted above, no officer, director or employee of the Corporation or any Company may in any manner use his or her position or any information obtained in connection therewith for his or her personal gain. Your obligations in this regard within the context of non-public, or "insider" information regarding the Corporation or any Company compel particular emphasis. Directors, officers and employees must not disclose or use or attempt to use "confidential" or "insider" information to further their own interests or for personal gain, economic or otherwise or for any other reason except the conduct of the Corporation's or any Company's business.
"Insider information" is non-public information that could affect the market price of our stock or influence investment decisions. Our officers, directors and employees are prohibited from disclosing or using non-public information for personal gain, whether through the purchase or sale of our publicly traded securities or otherwise, and are urged to avoid even the appearance of having disclosed or used non-public information in this manner. To use non-public information for personal financial benefit or to "tip" others who might make an investment decision on the basis of this information is not only unethical but also illegal and may result in civil and/or criminal penalties.
All of our directors, officers and employees should endeavor at all times to protect our assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness and waste can have a direct impact on us and our profitability; corporate assets should be used only for legitimate business purposes and in an otherwise responsible and reasonably efficient manner.
Although other sections of this Code specifically address your compliance with applicable laws and regulations and other standards, as a general matter, all of our directors, officers and employees shall endeavor under all circumstances to deal fairly with our customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No director, officer or employee shall take unfair advantage, in the context of his or her position with the Corporation or any Company, of any other person or entity through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material fact or any other unfair-dealing practice.
Securities Law. The Corporation and the directors, officers and employees of each Company must comply with applicable federal and state securities laws, including but not limited to the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and the listed company rules of the New York Stock Exchange.
Antitrust. Many countries where we do business have laws that are designed to protect free and fair competition by regulating competitive conduct. In the United States, these laws are called "antitrust laws," while in other countries, they may be referred to as "trade practices" or "competition laws." The Corporation's employees must obey these laws.
Failure to do so can result in significant fines and penalties. In certain cases, both the individuals involved in illegal conduct and the Corporation itself may be subject to criminal liability. The Corporation and its employees will not engage or attempt to engage in agreements with competitors or suppliers to fix or illegally discriminate in pricing, participate or attempt to participate in any form of bid rigging, allocate geographic areas as "home markets" or boycott another competitor. Any meetings or contacts with competitors must be conducted in accordance with the advice of the Legal Department and the procedures set forth in the Corporation's Global Antitrust and Competition Compliance Policy.
Anti-Bribery and Corruption. Directors, officers and employees are forbidden from giving anything of value to any person to influence or induce an official governmental or commercial action, to induce an unlawful act or to obtain an improper benefit or business advantage. Extortion and kickbacks are also prohibited, as is receiving bribes or kickbacks from others.
Many of the countries in which our operations are conducted have anti-bribery laws prohibiting bribery of public officials and/or persons involved in purely commercial transactions. These laws include the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), the UK Bribery Act and the laws of many other countries implementing the OECD Convention.
Anti-bribery laws apply not just to the actions of the Corporation and its employees, but also actions of third party representatives acting on behalf of the Corporation. Therefore, the Corporation has established detailed policies and procedures to assure that third parties retained on the Corporation's behalf are trustworthy and fully understand the requirements of the law, as well as the Corporation's internal requirements.
Employees involved in business transactions, including retention of third party representatives, must be familiar with and adhere to the provisions of the Corporation's Anti-Corruption Compliance Policy, as well as the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act and other similar legislation.
Many of the countries where we do business have enacted trade regulations and controls. These regulations and controls include severe trade sanctions against various countries, groups, companies and individuals. The Corporation's Export Controls and Sanctions Compliance Policy and the related procedures provide detailed information about sanctions and other trade controls that are currently in place and also give guidance on how to identify the countries, groups, companies and individuals subject to sanctions. It is essential for all of the Corporation's employees who are involved in international business to understand and to comply with the Export Controls and Sanctions Compliance Policy.
If there is any question or uncertainty regarding whether or not conduct is in compliance with these laws or regulations, it is the obligation of the director, officer or employee to seek guidance from the Corporation's Ethics Committee or the Corporation's Legal Department, as appropriate.
With regard to FCPA, the UK Bribery Act and other applicable anti-corruption laws, we prohibit directors, officers, employees and persons or entities acting on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of any subsidiary or affiliated Company, including any joint ventures, from offering, promising, paying or authorizing the payment of, directly or indirectly, any money or anything of value to a foreign government official to influence or induce any act, inaction or decision of such foreign government official, or to secure an improper advantage, with regard to retaining, obtaining or directing business to any person. The mischaracterization or omission of any transaction on the Corporation's or any Company's books or any failure to maintain proper accounting controls that result in a mischaracterization or omission of illegal or unethical payments is also prohibited.
Even if the conduct of an employee or person or entity acting on behalf of the Corporation or any Company is not covered by the FCPA or the Bribery Act, we nevertheless prohibit the making or authorizing of illegal, improper, corrupt or unethical payments for any purpose, by or on behalf of the Corporation or any Company, inside or outside of the U.S., whether in cash, property or services, whether or not constituting a crime under U.S. or foreign laws. In addition, many governments and governmental agencies place specific restrictions on giving business courtesies or other things of value to governmental employees or officials. The Corporation's employees and third-party agents having dealings with foreign governments must understand and comply with such restrictions. Even providing the smallest item or benefit – such as small gifts, entertainment, drinks, meals, etc. – could be illegal. The definition of a "governmental employee or public official" is very broad, and includes employees of governmental agencies, employees of state-owned enterprises, political candidates, etc.
If there is any question or uncertainty regarding whether or not a payment is illegal or unethical, it is the obligation of the employee to seek guidance from the Corporation's Ethics Committee or the Legal Department.
We have implemented and will comply with generally accepted accounting principles for entries on our books and records. Entries should be properly authorized, complete, and accurate and reflect the transactions to which they relate. No false, artificial, misleading or deceptive entries should be made for any reason. No employee of the Corporation or any Company shall provide false information to, or otherwise mislead, our independent or internal auditors.
Bank or other accounts shall be fully accounted for and accurately described in our records. No undisclosed or unrecorded corporate funds shall be established for any purpose, nor may the Corporation's funds be placed in any personal or non-corporate account. Employees responsible for corporate funds and accounts must become familiar with and follow the Corporation's policies and procedures concerning financial matters, including the Corporation's Delegation of Authority Policy, as well as other applicable purchasing and accounting policies.
In addition to this Code, the Corporation has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Executives which supplements this Code and is intended to promote (a) honest and ethical conduct among our senior financial executives, including ethical handling of any apparent conflicts of interest between personal and business relationships; (b) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the Corporation's periodic reports; and (c) compliance by such senior financial executives with all applicable governmental rules and regulations.
steps to ensure the privacy and security of this information and to follow all applicable privacy laws and privacy policies. This includes personal information of employees, customers and suppliers. All employees are expected to ensure compliance with privacy laws and requirements where we do business, as well as with any policies of the Corporation setting forth specific rules for protecting personal information, including the Corporation's General Data Protection Regulation Compliance Policy.
It is important for the employees to protect the Corporation's confidential information and to disclose it only to those who have a legitimate need to know it, after assuring that the other party is legally obligated to protect the confidentiality of the information. Only the Corporation's designated spokespersons should communicate with the media and the investment community about the Corporation's stock and financial results. If employees have any questions about how to handle a request for information or another situation involving the Corporation's information, they should contact the Corporate Legal Department or the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer.
Employees are encouraged to participate in political activities as they see fit, on their own time and at their own expense. We will not compensate or reimburse employees for such activities.
We will not contribute anything of value to political parties, candidates for public office or elected officials, except in jurisdictions where such contributions are legal and approved by Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Furthermore, without such approval, no corporate asset may be used in support of any organization whose political purpose is to influence the outcome of a referendum or other vote of the electorate on public issues.
Any employee who violates or attempts to violate this Code or any other formal policies of the Corporation may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, in management's discretion.
Management reserves the right to amend and revise this Code in its sole discretion. Employees will be apprised promptly of any changes to the policies, procedures and obligations set forth herein.
If any member of the Audit Committee is informed of a possible violation of this Code, an appropriate investigation will be conducted. This investigation will include necessary interviews of employees and non-employees and document review in an attempt to substantiate or dispute any alleged violation. If deemed necessary by the Audit Committee, outside legal or other professionals will be retained. At the end of the investigation, regardless of the result, a written report will be made and put on file in the Corporate Legal Department. If, as a result of the investigation, the Audit Committee concludes that a violation has occurred, the Audit Committee will take such action as it deems appropriate.
If you believe one of our employees is violating this Code of Ethics, you are encouraged to contact any member of the Ethics Committee listed on the first page of this Code. All contacts will be treated confidentially.
This Code is a statement of certain fundamental principles, policies and procedures that govern our directors, officers and employees in the conduct of the Corporation's and each Company's business. It is not intended to and does not create any rights in any employee, customer, client, supplier, competitor, shareholder or any other person or entity.


text:
Waste Management Company Fined After Death of Worker
August 2, 2011 by thomas
A fine of €40,000 has been handed down by Judge Moran in the Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to Mr Binman. The fines were imposed for breaches of health and safety legislation on the 21st March 2008 at Luddenmore, Grange Kilmallock, County Limerick. The case arose as a result of the death of John Wright, an employee of Mr Binman.
On 21st March 2008, at approximately 10.50 am, Mr. Wright, was involved in an accident at a waste management facility in which he was struck with a loading shovel machine. Mr Wright, a bin truck driver, was walking from his truck to the offices/canteen area when the incident occurred. Mr Wright was removed from the scene to the Limerick Regional Hospital where he later died from his injuries. He had worked for Mr Binman for approximately 14 years and was 64 years old.
Speaking after the judgement, Martin O'Halloran chief executive of the Health and Safety Authority said: "This accident was foreseeable and preventable, it is clear in this case that Mr Binman failed in its duties to ensure that mobile machinery and pedestrians could move about the workplace in a safe manner."
Specialist photovoltaic developer Ennoviga Solar has won a £7 million deal with Thames Water to install more than 100 photovoltaic systems at sites across the UK.
Bord Gáis has appointed Dave Kirwan to the position of managing director of Bord Gáis Energy.


Finally, the Xbox One can now integrate Amazon Alexa and Cortana-powered speakers, but which should you buy when it rolls out? Our team of tech experts (and avid gamers) have gone ears-on to test the best of the best, and we're here to help you choose.
Lots of style options, great audio, and brilliant voice recognition.
The second generation Amazon Echo is the best voice-assisted speaker for Xbox One users.
If you want to claw back some of that 2013 Kinect experience, the $100 Amazon Echo is your best bet. It provides excellent sound for music playback while providing truly impressive directional voice recognition for all of your Xbox voice commands.
Is it a good time to buy the Echo?
While the Echo line is probably due for a refresh soon, it's unlikely that Amazon will figure out a way to include any new critical functionality while retaining this sweet price point. I think it's a good time to buy.
Great sound quality for its size and price.
Impressively accurate voice recognition, complete with a directional light indicator.
Sports thousands upon thousands of skills and device integrations beyond Xbox, thoroughly beating Cortana.
If you're not interested in using the speaker audio itself, the Echo Dot is a much cheaper, better option.
If you want better sound quality for music, the pricier Sonos One might be more compelling.
While this functionality is only available to Xbox Insiders right now, the ability to control your Xbox One with voice was one of the console's headline features back in 2013, only for it to get left by the wayside with the death of Microsoft's own Kinect microphone array. Thankfully, voice commands are back on the menu with help from Amazon's Alexa, and while Microsoft's own Cortana can also get the job done, the sheer amount of integrations and additional functionality enjoyed by Alexa makes Cortana simply impossible to recommend.
The Echo is a great all-around option for those getting on the smart home train and the perfect pal for any Xbox gamer.
I have been an Amazon Echo user for some time now. Even without Xbox integration, Alexa has become part of my daily routine. Simple things like "Alexa, what time is it?" while getting ready in the morning are hugely helpful. Setting up reminders, alarms, and asking for the latest weather report is quick and easy with Alexa, thanks to her impeccably accurate microphone array. A soft light ring also points in your direction when she is listening to you.
Alexa is the industry-leader when it comes to connected home devices, with a large range of connected lights, thermostats, and other IoT products deeply integrated into her systems. With Xbox, Alexa can now do even more.
The Amazon Echo will be able to perform tasks not just for your Xbox, but also your TV, thanks to the Xbox One S and X's built-in IR-blaster. You'll be able to turn off your set, crank up the volume, and even browse TV channels using the console's HDMI pass-through. You'll be able to search for Netflix shows, see if friends are online, and boot up games in an instant, even if your console is turned off.
The Echo is great, but it might not be for everyone, particularly those just looking for voice commands. So let's have a look at some of the alternatives.
Cheap and cheerful voice commands.
The latest version is a truly great, tiny speaker, with solid sound, an attractive design and a still great price.
The smaller, cheaper Amazon Echo Dot is a great option for those who are more interested in just using voice commands on their Xbox One. The Echo Dot can still emit some solid sound of its own and retains the voice recognition accuracy of its pricier brethren, but it won't have the richness or audio quality of a more expensive speaker (though the latest update has made big gains here). The Echo Dot is, as its name suggests, remarkably tiny. With three color options, the Echo Dot will disappear into your Xbox gaming center and wait patiently for your commands.
If you want to use Cortana voice commands, there is at least one speaker option.
Cortana has nowhere near as much functionality or integration as Alexa, but if you're a Microsoft diehard, this is your best bet.
Microsoft's neglected Cortana platform soldiers on, with Harman Kardon being the only manufacturer willing to support the assistant with a dedicated speaker. Thankfully, the speaker itself is damn good, providing great sound quality for its price. It also comes in a few color options to better match your Xbox style and a light-up recognition cap on top. Everything Alexa can do for your Xbox, so can Cortana, and some of the big-name players, such as Spotify and most Microsoft services also support "her." While investing in Amazon's Alexa ecosystem is a safer bet, having your Xbox powered by, well, the Cortana is kind of special.
Want uncompromised sound quality? It's time for the Sonos One.
Want a powerful music speaker that can also integrate Alexa and your Xbox One? Look no further.
The Sonos One is widely-regarded as the most powerful Alexa-integrated speaker, with two large audio drivers and Sonos's signature quality. You can also use the Sonos One as a hub to control other connected Sonos speakers, blanketing your home in music and on-demand voice assistance. The Sonos One is the priciest option on this list at $199, but if you want a speaker that can integrate your Xbox and also provide great music, this is your best bet.
While I'd love to live in a world where Cortana was supported in more places, Microsoft may have completely missed the boat. Thankfully, the company is forward-thinking enough to allow Amazon to pick up the slack. For most users, Alexa-powered speakers are by far the best bet.


text:
Q: How to determine if an image contains a specific color using? I need to determine if an image contains a specific color:
r:255
g:0
b:192

I found this, but instead of returning points, I need to return a Boolean value if the image contains the above color.
public static List<Point> FindAllPixelLocations(this Bitmap img, Color color)
        {
            var points = new List<Point>();

            int c = color.ToArgb();

            for (int x = 0; x < img.Width; x++)
            {
                for (int y = 0; y < img.Height; y++)
                {
                    if (c.Equals(img.GetPixel(x, y).ToArgb())) points.Add(new Point(x, y));
                }
            }

            return points;
        }

A: Sounds like you just need to replace
if (c.Equals(img.GetPixel(x, y).ToArgb())) points.Add(new Point(x, y));

by
if (c.Equals(img.GetPixel(x, y).ToArgb())) return true;

A: Something like this:
    public static bool HasColor(this Bitmap img, Color color)
    {
        for (int x = 0; x < img.Width; x++)
        {
            for (int y = 0; y < img.Height; y++)
            {
                if (img.GetPixel(x, y) == color)
                    return true;
            }
        }
        return false;
    }

A: Exactly both answers are true,but you must know that  GetPixel(x, y) and SetPixel(x, y) color are very slow,and for an image with a high resolution is not good.
for this you can use LockBitmap class here:Work with bitmaps faster
this is about 5 time faster.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Today marks the 41st death anniversary of the legendary music composer, Madan Mohan. Lata Mangeshkar, who was the voice behind many of his timeless compositions, took to Twitter to pay her ode to the musician. The celebrated singer even shared one of her special songs with the composer.
Madan Mohan was called the Prince Of Ghazals, as he had composed some of the most memorable ghazals in Bollywood. Talat Mahmood, Mohammad Rafi and Mangeshkar were his favourites and he lost no opportunity to work with them.
Sonu Nigam realised his dream of singing to a Madan Mohan song when he crooned to this Veer-Zaara (2004) number with Mangeshkar. The song featured Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta and was penned by Javed Akhtar.
This song from Hindustan Ki Kasam (1973) featured Priya Rajvansh and was based on the Indo-Pak war of 1971.
Bawarchi (1972) was known for its beautiful story as well as for its wonderful music. Madan Mohan's soulful music added to the beauty of this feel-good film.
This song from Heer Ranjha (1970) featured Priya Rajvansh and Raaj Kumar. It was based on the famous love story of Heer Ranjha.
Madan Mohan and Mangeshkar may have collaborated on many compositions but this remains one of their most memorable songs. This track from Chirag (1969) featured Asha Parekh and Sunil Dutt and is hummed by music lovers even today.


Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they splutter add sliced shallots and curry leaves abd saute this golden brown. Add the cooked vegetables and the roasted powder and mix well. Stir fry for one or two minutes. Serve with rice.
wow..love the flavors,perfect as a side dish for rice dear..will try!
This looks like a delicious side dish.. Very inviting!


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The Sheckler Foundation has proudly named the top four finalists for its "Be the Change" initiative, a web-based program designed to support and give a voice to children, individuals and organizations in need. The top four finalists include: A Walk On Water, Books and Boards East Coast Tour, Fashion Honors Autism and Passport 2 Freedom. The finalist with the most votes by Tuesday, June 27, 2017 will receive support from Ryan Sheckler, the Sheckler Foundation, its SkateBOARD members and a $10,000 financial grant to help make its vision a reality.
Meet the top four finalists and cast your vote here: shecklerfoundation.org/be-the-change.
The Sheckler Foundation presents the top four finalists for its ninth "Be the Change" initiative, designed to help children, organizations and individuals in need. The top four finalists include: Adventure Club, Next Up Foundation, Nick's Picks and Traveling Stories. The finalist with the most votes by tomorrow's deadline – Tuesday, February 7, 2017 will receive support and a $10,000 financial grant from the Sheckler Foundation to help make its vision a reality. Watch the videos and cast your vote!
Ryan Sheckler and the Sheckler Foundation joined Coping Mechanism at Parisite DIY Skatepark to celebrate the expansion of the first public skatepark in New Orleans' history. It has taken Coping Mechanism two years to get Parisite DIY Skatepark legalized, but now it's New Orleans' first public skatepark – designed, built and run by skateboarders. Parisite DIY Skatepark was ready for its next build, but needed help with a crucial part of the skatepark: the coping. As the Sheckler Foundation's 7th "Be the Change" beneficiary, Ryan Sheckler presented Parisite DIY Skatepark with support and a $10,000 financial grant to help implement quality steel coping and other metal work to create a public skatepark in New Orleans that will last decades.


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Józef Haller de Hallenburg (13 de agosto de 1873 — 4 de junho de 1960) foi um general do Exército Azul. Ele combateu durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial.

Vida
Haller nasceu em Jurczyce. Ele estudou na Academia Técnica Militar de Viena e posteriormente (1895–1906) serviu no Exército austríaco, renunciando ao cargo depois de atingir o posto de capitão. Ele apoiou a organização paramilitar pró-independência polonesa Sokół. Em 1916, durante a Primeira Guerra Mundial, tornou-se comandante da Segunda Brigada da Legião Polonesa, em particular das unidades que lutaram contra a Rússia na Frente Oriental.

Em 1918, no rescaldo da "carga de Rarańcza", como comandante do 2º Corpo Auxiliar Polonês com o Exército austríaco, Haller rompeu a linha de frente austro-russa para a Ucrânia, onde uniu suas tropas aos destacamentos poloneses que haviam partido o exército czarista. Ele protestou contra o Tratado de Brest-Litovsk e continuou a lutar contra os russos com sua II Brigada das Legiões Polonesas (mais tarde, a 4ª e a 5ª Divisões de Fuzileiros do II Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais). Sob a pressão dos alemães, que após a Paz de Brest-Litovsk consideraram ilegal a presença de tropas polonesas na Ucrânia, e um feroz batalha entre poloneses e alemães em Kaniów (10 de maio de 1918, 2 500 baixas). Posteriormente, por meio de Murmansk, chegou à França em julho de 1918, onde em nome do Comitê Nacional Polonês criou o que ficou conhecido como Exército Azul (a partir da cor de seus uniformes franceses, também conhecido como Exército de Haller). Nos meses seguintes, seu exército, aliado da Entente, lutaria contra a Alemanha. Em 1919, à frente do novo exército, ele chegou à Polônia e foi despachado para o front ucraniano. Em 1920, Haller apreendeu a Pomerânia e entrou em Danzig (Gdańsk) em nome da Polónia, e durante a Guerra Polaco-Soviética comandou um exército de voluntários. Ele também foi Inspetor Geral do Exército e membro do Conselho de Guerra.

Em 1920-1927, Haller foi deputado do Sejm. Após a eleição de Gabriel Narutowicz como Presidente da República em dezembro de 1922, Haller caiu em desgraça. Após o golpe de maio de 1926, ele foi obrigado a se aposentar. Ele co-organizou um partido de oposição, o "Front Morges". Na época da invasão da Polônia (1939), Haller vivia no exterior. De 1940 a 1943, ele atuou como Ministro da Educação no governo de Władysław Sikorski. Depois de 1945, ele se estabeleceu em Londres como exilado e não participou ativamente de nenhuma atividade política polonesa.

Ver também
 Exército Azul

Bibliografia
 J. Haller, Pamiętniki. Z wyborem dokumentów i zdjęć, Londyn 1964
 H. Przybyłowski,  Chrześcijańska Demokracja i Narodowa Partia Robotnicza w latach 1926-1937, Warszawa 1980
 Paul Valasek, Haller's Polish Army in France, Chicago 2006  English

Ligações externas

 Józef Haller and the Blue Army
 The story of the Haller Army and the volunteers from America
 The "blue" uniform in Canada

Pessoas da Segunda Guerra Mundial (Polônia)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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We are an open and affirming congregation that welcomes and embraces persons of every gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation, age and ability. We invite you to join in the life and ministry of our church.
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We will be blessed by our joint choirs along with our brass quintet at both services. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:10 a.m.
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text:
Bank Loans Bad130k Job Loss*
Says Banks' Bad-Loan Disposal
May Result in 130,000-190,000 Lost Jobs
By AUDREY MCAVOY and HIDENOBU KAGEYAMA
TOKYO -- If Japan completes disposal of banks' existing nonperforming loans within two years, 130,000 to 190,000 people could become unemployed, the Japanese Cabinet Office said in its bad-loan disposal impact report. [need 24 in 4--RSB]
"According to estimates, if existing bad loans at major banks are disposed of within 2 years, 390,000 to 600,000 may be forced to change their jobs and 130,000 to 190,000 people may become unemployed," the Cabinet Office report said.
The report was based on the premise that the nation's largest banks will dispose of 12.7 trillion yen ($101.8 billion) in problem loans within two years, Kiyohiko Nishimura, professor of economics at Tokyo University and the chair of the committed that authored the report, said.
The estimates were based on historical records of how many workers changed jobs or became unemployed when their employers were liquidated or restructured under Japan's rehabilitation law, Nishimura said.
The report also takes into account the impact on workers from a "chain reaction" in bankruptcies that will likely occur as bad loans are disposed of.
Mr. Nishimura said that the estimate for 130,000 to 190,000 redundancies doesn't include people who will leave the job market. Some will leave the job market altogether as they give up looking for work or retire early, or otherwise decide to stop working, he noted.
The committee's estimates for such cases vary according to industry, but a large percentage of workers in the construction, manufacturing and retail industries are expected to fall into this category, the report indicated.
Mr. Nishimura said it will be important to attend to the needs of people who involuntary leave the job market by carrying out reforms to stimulate the labor market as mentioned in the government's blueprint for economic reform.
Write to Audrey McAvoy at audrey.mcavoy@dowjones.com and Hidenobu Kageyama at hidenobu.kageyama@dowjones.com
Created by Eintime:CondenseHtmlFile on 060514 @ 17:23:46 CMD=RAGSALL


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