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Cirl Bunting added to Will Walmsley's Western Palearctic life list (IOC). 358 species
BirdLife Community
A great source of the latest news items related to birds, biodiversity and conservation around the world is the BirdLife Community. In the last few days they have announced a major initiative to determine conservation priorities across vast mountainous regions of eastern Africa as well as both positive and negative news regarding single species: whilst the satellite tracking of the globally endangered Sociable Lapwing received a boost with signals from a bird in southern Uzbekistan, it is saddening to read of yet more illegal shooting in Malta, this time of a juvenile Osprey just hatched this June.
The BirdLife Community also maintains a list of extinct species which was depressingly updated earlier this year with the addition of the Madagascan Alaotra Grebe. This is one list we do not intend to introduce to BUBO Listing...
If you find yourself overloaded trying to keep up with the latest in bird news and conservation, then at least check out the important stuff at the BirdLife Community!
BUBO, eBird, BirdTrack and WorldBirds
We've had a few enquiries about how BUBO Listing differs from other online bird recording systems, notably BirdTrack (in Britain and Ireland) and eBird (predominantly in the US). We're fans of all these systems, so thought it worth highlighting a bit about each.
WorldBirds
WorldBirds is a global BirdLife International initiative that networks different online bird recording systems worldwide. The idea is that each country has its own recording system, but all are brought under a WorldBirds "umbrella", from the WorldBirds portal at www.worldbirds.org. By entering your bird observations into a specific country system your data can be directly contributing to conservation efforts, locally, nationally and internationally. Wherever you are birding in the world, you can check the WorldBirds site to see if there is a system for that country. Many countries use a similar system, developed by BirdLife, RSPB and Audubon, although some have their own systems to meet differing local requirements.
BirdTrack
BirdTrack is the Britain and Ireland member of the Worldbirds family, run by a partnership between BTO, RSPB, Birdwatch Ireland and Scottish Ornithologists' Club. It tracks migration movements and distribution patterns of birds throughout Britain and Ireland, as well as providing facilities for observers to store and manage their own personal records. BirdTrack data directly supports species conservation through initiatives such as Bird Atlas.
eBird is a member of the WorldBirds family, originally launched by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, and primarily recording data for bird observations in North America. It recently expanded to support data entry worldwide, using the Clements checklist. With a vast amount of data submitted it allows any user to analyse this through a variety of graphs, maps and tables. eBird supplied data is provided to other organisations and systems including the western hemisphere Avian Knowledge Network (AKN) and the international Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
BUBO Listing
The above systems primarily rely on users entering all their sightings whenever they are out birding. This data is generally held publicly, and is directly used in various conservation initiatives. With the backing of major conservation organisations we would encourage BUBO Listers to contribute where they can.
Understandably many birders do not have the time to enter all their sightings all their time, but may only want to record noteworthy sightings and keep track of their main lists. At the outset BUBO Listing was designed to appeal to all users no matter how deep their interest and involvement, and to be complementary to these systems. As such it has a few key objectives:
data entry should be as simple, user-friendly and fast as possible – few people will continue to use a system that takes a considerable amount of their time to use
users should only need to enter as much data as they are interested in – if a user is only interested in their World life list then they only have to enter new world ticks and are not forced to enter precise location information for them all; if they are interested in their local patch year list then they will enter more sightings. Effectively it is up to the user how much data to enter, and therefore how much time to spend
related to both of the above, users shouldn't need to enter similar data in two different places: many of our users do use eBird or BirdTrack as well, but it takes less effort for them to enter information into BUBO Listing
BUBO Listing concentrates on providing features that birders want personally, whereas the WorldBirds systems tend to concentrate on getting the data that they need to meet other requirements
lists should be appropriate for the location in question – throughout the world there are established authorities maintaining checklists for their locations. It therefore makes sense for sightings from a particular location to be based on that authority's checklist, and, where possible, according to taxonomy and names of the best field guides to the location. For example, it makes little sense for me to enter a list for India using a Clements world checklist that includes species never before recorded in the country and, even for those species that do occur, uses different names from any of the field guides, or from those that birders I may meet would understand! We believe this is the key point that makes BUBO Listing the system of choice for bird listers anywhere in the world
In general we consider BUBO Listing more to represent the "fun" side of bird listing (click on the "Bubolisting" image for an illustration of this!) whereas the WorldBirds systems represent the "serious" side. Nothing wrong with being fun and serious at the same time, so we hope you will use and enjoy both!
Zino's Petrel Emergency
You may have heard about the devastating forest fire on the island of Madeira which has almost completely destroyed one of the few existing breeding colonies of the endangered Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira. As reported on the BirdLife website, 65% of this years chicks have been killed, and BirdLife have started an appeal to attract funds for emergency conservation work.
To donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/zinos-petrel-disaster.
Collins Bird Guide!
The excellent Collins Bird Guide has finally released its second edition. This book, subtitled "The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe" and authored by Lars Svensson with illustrations by Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterstrom, is widely regarded as the best European field guide ever published. No self-respecting birder can afford to be without it; whether Europe-based or not everyone with an interest in birds will benefit from it. In fact, if any BUBO Lister does not already own it they should be embarrassed! And anyone who does have it should immediately buy this update, with additional text and illustrations!
You can also help support BUBO Listing by buying it through the BUBO Store.
Stop Press: now published by Princeton University Press and available from Amazon USA
and Amazon Canada
Rare Birds Where and When
Rare Birds, Where and When: An analysis of status and distribution in Britain and Ireland. Volume 1: sandgrouse to New World orioles, by Russell Slack with historical perspectives by Ian Wallace, is due for publication in mid June 2009. This book will surely be the definitive reference work for anyone interested in rare birds in Britain and Ireland. Russ has provided BUBO Listing with the following background and information about the book...
Continue reading about Rare Birds Where and When
Pittas of the World
Bird Atlas 2007-11
Best Bird Book of the Year 2006


Welcome to Orpic, Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company.
Created from the integration of three companies - Oman Refineries and Petrochemicals Company LLC (ORPC), Aromatics Oman LLC (AOL) and Oman Polypropylene (OPP. Orpic is one of Oman`s largest companies and is one of the rapidly growing businesses in the Middle East`s oil industry.
Our refineries at Suhar and Muscat, as well as our aromatics and polypropylene production plants in the Suhar complex, provide fuels, chemicals and feedstock to Oman and to the world.
Our team of more than 2,600 employees - the majority Omanis - work across these four plants with the common goal of building an integrated Omani refining and petrochemicals business of which the nation is proud of.
Operates safely and reliably, while paying due care to the environment.
Delivers fuel to our nation and export products to our global customers.
Delivers a financial return to our shareholders.
Provides challenging and rewarding careers for our people.
Continues to expand, with new investment and new operations adding to our strength.
Orpicis owned by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and by Oman Oil Company SAOC, the commercial company wholly owned by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman created to pursue investment opportunities in the energy sector both inside and outside Oman.
Strong business ethics, excellence in business, productive work environment, continuous improvements through innovations and dynamic employee engagement have been at the helm of the Company. The main success factor for the Company's growth, are our employees and talent selected for this exciting journey. Orpic considers its employees among its most important stakeholders in taking it to new pinnacles of growth, quality and excellence.
Orpic provides a multicultural environment that offers excellent opportunities for technical and professional development. We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining the industry's top talent and are focused on becoming an Employer of Choice.
Owned by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and Oman Oil Company SAOC, Orpic's impressive integration of Refinery and Plant operations coupled with its ambitious growth plans, has cemented its position as one of the industry's most forward-thinking companies. Orpic is one of Oman's largest and most rapidly growing businesses in the Middle East oil industry, thereby providing opportunities to each member to grow at the same pace as the Company.
With a transparent and productive work environment, Orpic is committed to becoming a great place to work. We strive to ensure high motivation levels through stimulating work environment, growth-oriented job profiles and outstanding development opportunities.
We are looking for people with leadership qualities, analytical ability, teamwork orientation, work ethic, drive for personal success and ambition. We believe that this combination of knowledge, skills and abilities will allow us to build a diverse team of talented and dedicated people.


Companies post jobs on Monster, CareerBuilder, and various niche boards, and many post jobs on their own sites in a career section. Social media has tackled the job seeker market in the last couple years, with new applications such as BranchOut and TopProspect, just to mention a couple. Does this mean the job of a recruiter is finished?
No way, I say! While there are hires happening via these methods, working with a recruiter is quite a different method for a finding a new career opportunity.
First of all, many executives and high level managers are not actively seeking a job, but are interested in specific types of new opportunities. A resume may be updated on a job board, but surfing it to apply for jobs is not on the priority list of the passive candidate. And employers don't typically have the time to search job boards. Perhaps an admin in H.R. may jump on one at the outset of a search, but they are likely focused on the flood of resumes they get and other tasks involved in administering their H.R. functions.
Top notch talent may also wish to keep informed as to new opportunities but in the strictest confidentiality. Working with a recruiter, especially developing a relationship with him or her, allows talented managers to keep abreast of any exceptional employment opportunities. This allows them to privately consider new challenges without a public plan to change companies.
Recruiters are often an access point to the really hidden job market. We are amongst the first to know about new positions, before they are posted, before the req has been approved, and sometimes before the rest of the department is even aware that headcount could change. Working intimately with hiring managers, recruiters know how to spot the best talent and cultural fit. This relationship and knowledge can also lead to matching up candidates with a company that has no new req at all but who recognizes the opportunity of creating a position for the right person that the recruiter has brought to their attention.
Job boards do work, obviously. But job boards only provide a two-dimensional snapshot of a person. Recruiters delve into the skills and experience typed up on the resume to get a measure of a person's depth of experience and ability. The recruiter will speak with potential candidates to understand their goals and motivations, and get an appreciation of their personality and how they would fit within a company's culture. Recruiters inform candidates as to the work environment, company opportunities, and personnel make up. Your recruiter can help prepare and coach you to position yourself in the best light, and facilitate a negotiation leading to a successful hire.
Let's recap. Recruiters network to access and assess the right talent whether they are on a board or not, and they reach out to the right people regardless of whether they are actively looking or not. Recruiters often know about positions early or before they are even approved, and can instigate the creation of a new position by putting together an unbeatable talent-company match.
So will job boards replace recruiters? Again, no way! Whether you are actively looking for a job, or simply want to be in the running if your dream opportunity comes up, take advantage of all the career tools out there. Post your resume, use LinkedIn, try the new job related social media tools that speak to you. And make sure you stay in touch and send us your updated resume! We'll see what we can do.
Joanna Bradley leads the Technology Sales & Marketing team at Redfish Technology. Her passion for high tech and fast-paced demanding sales & marketing roles drives her find the brightest stars in the sector. She is motivated and perseverant and highly regarded by her peers and clients.


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Academic/Scientific Writing Tips – Series 1
The most important thing in academic and scientific writing is the clarity in the content. It is surely advisable to keep the language simple and not decorative in academic writing. The stress should be more on making sure that the concept and idea is clear. This can be done by keeping the sentences short and simple. In addition to that, when complicated sentences are there then greater chances of makings make mistakes. If you decide to depend upon the online translation software, there are good chances that there may be grammatical errors.
If you look at the content from the perspective of the editor and reviewers, you would know that they always prefer short and clear sentences, in contrast to the lengthy and complicated ones. But the important thing to keep in mind here is that academic writing is all about formal writing. Even though the preferred choice of sentences is short, they need to in a formal tone, necessarily. The more academic literature that you read, better will be your style of writing, for sure.
Correct usage of words is also very important when one talks of formal writing as it enriches and polishes the style of writing and the sentence structure to a great extent. Often, writers are unaware of the minute difference in the meaning of the words and their correct application. Some of the words with subtle differences are discussed here, for you to understand the usage of words better for more effective Academic/Scientific writing.
Distinction in the use of About and Approximately: We usually use the term "About" when we are not sure about the exact figure. The terms approximate is closer to accuracy, in comparison. Though a lot of writers use these two terms interchangeably, they cannot be used like that. There is a small and precise difference in their use and that is how it is to be understood. Usually with numbers that has not been rounded off to the closest ten is the one that is nearer to being accurate. Keeping that in mind, it is important to ensure that when quoting figures, the term about be used when the rounding off has been done and the given number is not very near to accuracy. However, when the estimated figure is precise and almost near to accuracy, it is always advised to use approximately.
Distinction in the use of About and Around: Here the difference is comparatively more clear as compared to the previous one. Again a lot of academic writers use these two terms as synonyms. This won't be literally wrong to do so. It is acceptable to use them interchangeably. But the very clear difference between both is the preference of the reader. For the British reader, About is a better term and for the American reader, Around is more suitable and acceptable.
A lot of students are lured into a Ph.D. programme, and most of them have some common reasons to do so. They all believe that the field is very lucrative, and it offers a whole lot of opportunities, both within as well as outside of the academia. Students keen on becoming research scholars, see a lot of placed people getting a six figure salary after completing their doctoral degree. That definitely becomes very tempting.
But there is more to the story that is not on the surface, and goes unnoticed by the aspiring scholars. It takes about four to six years to get a Ph.D. degree. It really isn't necessary that the employment scenario and opportunities would remain the same as now, after a span of five years. Like how every product and service has a definite life cycle, so would the demand for academic doctors. You may be entering a saturated market after a span of five years, and may find a lot of difficulty getting the right kind of job that made you choose the journey in the first place.
Sometimes those scholars who drop out of a Ph.D. programme half way through, get wonderful job opportunities, and get more time to earn money, and go on an upscale journey of success. The bottom line to understand here is that one should not decide to get into the course looking at the present scenario. It may be, rather would be a changed scenario in five years' time.
If you have so decided to get into a Ph.D. never do it for a wrong reason. If one of these are your reasons, you must rethink if you want to do your Ph.D. or no:
To impress you folks: If you feel that by earning a Ph.D. degree you would be able to impress your folks. Yes, you would be, but it would not be worth the kind of effort it requires. It is a lot of hard work, time spent, and money used that this wouldn't be a lasting enough motivation to keep your driving force going on for five years.
To earn a lot of money: If you already are established in the industry or are a consultant, getting a Ph.D. would add figures to your pay package. It is tedious, time consuming, and at the same time very demanding without actually ensuring any monetary benefit.
So, what is your calling?
It will be a dream come true for any researcher to see his guide engrossed by his thesis. What if the rationale of your thesis is so convincing that the reader understands, and agree with your view point? This would be amazing for any researcher, certainly!
How do you do that?First of all, you need to be able to write persuasively, it is an art because to be able to create a win-win situation involves the application of logic and reasoning. You can write in a more swaying manner by having a critical perspective towards what you write and why you write.
The reader can be attracted towards any write-up, by working on three aspects. These have been understood and absorbed by scholars since times immemorial.
Rationale: The logic put across in the writing should appeal and be justified to the reader.
Sentiment: The write up should stir up an emotion within the reader so that he is driven towards content more intellectually
Trust: The content should be aligned with the beliefs, and values of the reader so that he develops trust in the writer
As a scholar, when you write, you attempt to create an influential content, there are certain points that need to be followed necessarily:
Clear all doubts: The thesis should be written with an intention to clear all doubts, instead of creating any. For every statement that can stir up doubt, there should be a corresponding evidence by the author. Readers would agree to logics, and rationale, and comply with requests when they are given reasons and their doubts are all clarified
Stay focused: When writing, one should be totally clear about the points related to the topic. From the beginning of the content, till the end, there should be emphasis only on topic, and nothing else
Bring up all perspectives: An argument would have many perspectives. One must not let the contrasting viewpoint rest upon the reader's imagination. All relevant aspects should be included and covered within the content to create a convincing thesis.
Forecast with conviction: The most effective way to earn the faith of the reader is to give the reader some sight into the future, and do that with the support of proof and assertions mined from the subject matter.
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The Army Combat and Training School (ACTS), as part of it courses to train Officers and Men for combat have conducted a five-day exercise code named "Ex-Final Drive", for course 1-2019 from Sunday, 24 March 2019 to Friday, 29 March 2019 at Kpompko-Dorfor in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region.
The Chief Coordinator for ACTS, Col MO Mantey in the course of the training paid a visit to the students to encourage and congratulate them for their unwavering efforts. According to him, the visit was an opportunity for him to update and revise some of the basic infantry tactics he had learnt years ago.
In a debrief section, Col Mantey said the essence of the exercise was to prepare students for any eventuality that may come up. He advised students to take all lessons very serious and also make use of opportunities that may come their way to learn and acquire more knowledge for the benefit of themselves and the country as a whole. He lauded the instructors and students for a successful exercise.
In an interview with the course Brigade Commander, Acting Lt Col Tettey Benedict, he stated that Ex-Final Drive was an annual exercise conducted for students who read Combat Team Commanders (CTC), Advance Non-Commission Tactical Course (ANTC), Advance Mortar Course (AMC), Advance Medium Machine Gun Course (AMMGC) and Advance Infantry Platoon Weapon Course (AIPWC).
He added that the exercise was aimed at assessing the physical fitness and endurance of students, assess Commanders at various levels in practical leadership, practice administration of troops in the field, gain knowledge in the planning and issue of orders and the employment as well as deployment of supporting weapons in all phases of war.
According to him, the FTX weapon was designed to test students in the tactical handling of any Infantry Company and its Sub-units operating within a Combat Team (CT) framework in a conventional war setting.


Only beneficial and necessary tree trimming, root cutting, fertilization, or other maintenance practices will be done and done correctly to roadside trees.
Tree hazards are documented and corrective action, including removal and replacement, is done in a timely and safe manner by MD Licensed Tree Experts or a public agencies' Roadside Tree Care Experts.
The right tree (correct species) is planted in the right location, thereby avoiding future problems and conflicts with sidewalks, overhead and underground utilities, and sight distances.
A permit may not be required if a tree or its branches are an immediate danger to person or property such as if uprooted or if its branches are broken and contact a power line.
A permit is required by local governments, utility companies as well as individual homeowners to trim, remove or plant a tree within the road right-of-way. To clarify, a roadside tree is defined as any tree that grows all or in part within a public road right-of-way. This tree may also be called a street tree. Any work (including the removal of a tree having a permit) performed on a roadside tree must be done by a MD Licensed Tree Care Expert or a MD Roadside Tree Care Expert, an employee of a public agency.


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Home People A heart for healing
A heart for healing
by ANA GOOD
Photo courtesy of Laney Smith.
MBHS graduate Laney Smith, far right, traveled to the Dominican Republic for the first time as part of a mission trip with Medical Ministry International the summer before her senior year.
Some high school graduates hit the beach after graduation, but not Mountain Brook High School's Laney Smith.
She's headed to the heart of the Dominican Republic, where she will be embedded among the people of Sabana Grande de Boyá. It's part of a mission trip with Medical Ministry International where she will help deliver both life-saving and routine medical care.
Medical Ministry International helps deliver medical aid to more than half a million people each year through the organization's health centers, project teams and residency training programs, according to its website.
For two weeks, Smith will do her part to help deliver that aid, taking vitals from villagers, assisting in basic medical care and creating relationships.
Smith's grandfather, Dr. James "Jimbo" Smith, a retired surgeon, also will be part of the trip, helping deliver surgical aid in and around Sabana Grande. Dr. Smith travels to the Dominican Republic four times a year, according to Smith's mother, Ashley.
This will be Smith's second trip to the Dominican Republic, where she said she hopes to only expand on her previous experience. Her first trip was with a mission trip the summer before her senior year. Smith said she first learned about the opportunity to participate in the mission trip after her older brother, George, went on the trip years ago. Because of her interest in both the medical field and in learning Spanish, Smith said the opportunity was too good to pass up.
"It was definitely incredible," Smith said of her first experience. "It was like nothing I had ever experienced before."
She only knew her grandfather during that first trip, but Smith said the people she met influenced the rest of her life.
"The people I met made the experience so great," she said. "It was inspiring to see them caring so much about what they were doing. They were out there every single day helping people in ways no one else can. It was truly eye-opening."
Along with her grandfather, the team Smith traveled with included doctors, dentists, nurses, medical students and other volunteers.
Each day, Smith would accompany the team to a different village in the Sabana Grande de Boyá area where they would create a makeshift clinic in a school or church building. The team would treat patients for diabetes, the mosquito-borne Chikungunya viral disease and other ailments. A traveling pharmacy was crucial to the work performed, Smith said.
"In some of the areas we visited, it's not as easy as going to the CVS … to get the headache or long-term medicine they need," she said. "The pharmacy was able to deliver medicine the people needed but had no access to."
The dentists on the team performed a large number of tooth extractions, Smith said. They also gave demonstrations and lectures on proper oral hygiene.
Smith said she helped with duties such as taking vitals, giving talks on topics such as how to brush your teeth and how to remove parasites from water, along with other vital, daily tasks that would help ensure better overall health. Smith also worked to play with the patients' children while parents received medical care, or so they could pay attention to health lessons.
While Smith traveled with the team of doctors and dentists, Dr. Smith stayed behind at the local hospital, where he would perform surgeries including hernia, keloid scar, benign tumor and gallbladder removals. An OB-GYN on staff also performed a hysterectomy, Smith said. Dr. Smith and the other surgeons operated on patients who had been either referred to the clinic by the team or had heard about MMI's work in the area and made their way there on their own.
"They did some pretty incredible things," Smith said.
When she travels back this summer, Smith said she'd like to spend more time working in the hospital. Though she loved working in the villages where she got to see all types of patients, Smith said she'd like to learn from her grandfather as he works in the field she hopes to soon pursue.
"I'm definitely very interested in becoming a surgeon," she said.
Smith, who has always been more of a numbers-and-science person in school, said the experience cemented her resolve to study medicine and become a surgeon so she can continue to deliver the type of medical aid she's witnessed her grandfather and the team of doctors and dentists deliver.
Along with returning to the Dominican Republic, Smith said she'd like to also travel to countries in South America where she can capitalize on her other passion: Spanish.
Learning Spanish has always been an interest, but Smith said her determination to master the language strengthened over her past summer abroad, where she used it every day to communicate.
"I love Spanish, [I] have a passion for it. But it was this past summer when I really began to realize how crucial knowing Spanish can be in the medical field," Smith said. "When I went to the Dominican Republic, I was able to see the point of learning it. It's incredible to learn a different language and be able to communicate with people about something as important as their health."
If all goes to plan, Smith, who took AP Spanish in her last year at MBHS, will be fluent in the next few years.
"I'd like to study abroad in South America when I'm in college," she said. "I'm interested in going to Argentina, going to explore and to help assist."
Eventually, Smith said she'd like to become involved with Doctors Without Borders.
"Instead of being a bystander, I could use skills I learned in medical school to help people," she said.
Her journey to medical school will begin in August, when she will travel to Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. There, she hopes to double major in Spanish and neuroscience. Smith said she will also be part of the women's soccer team — a sport she has been playing for as long as she can remember. On National Signing Day, Feb. 3, Smith signed her college commitment letter to play for Washington and Lee.
"We're really proud of her development," said Birmingham United Soccer Association coach Andrew Brower. "I couldn't be happier for her for just doing a great job and continuing to get better."
MMI was founded in 1968 and works in more than 23 countries. In 2014, the organization provided health care services worth more than $170 million to 668,475 people throughout the world who typically would have had limited or no access to medical services, the organization's website said.
For more information, visit medicalministrytrips.org.
Medical Ministry International Mountain Brook High School mission trip


In November last year, the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, and the actor, Ralf Little, had a heated debate on Twitter about the state of mental health provision in the UK.
The Twitter argument attracted a lot of attention, and was picked up widely in the media. During the exchange, both sides invited factcheckers to assess their claims.
We weren't interested in who won the argument, or who got the most retweets, but we did want to make sure that you have access to the facts behind these.
So we did what we do best, and we factchecked.
In December we published a series of articles that looked at the individual claims being made by both sides. So who was right? Well, you can read and decide for yourself.
What we can say for sure is that we found examples in the debate where we couldn't find the source of the figures being used. The people responsible for these missing sources couldn't tell us where to find the information.
We don't think that's good enough.
Last year the Chief Executive of the NHS, Simon Stevens, told a committee of MPs that overall spending on mental health had gone up. Mr Hunt and the Prime Minister have since repeated this. But neither NHS England nor the Department of Health were able to provide us with the source of those figures. So we've written to the Chair of the committee, Dr Sarah Wollaston, to ask for her help in getting NHS England to make the source publicly available.
On Twitter, Mr Hunt made comments about the roll-out of crisis care in Accident and Emergency Departments, known as liaison services. When we looked into the figures, we discovered that they hadn't been published – this is against the principle of equal access set out in The Code of Practice for Official Statistics. We've written to the Office for Statistics Regulation and asked them to help us to secure the publication of these statistics.
The Health Secretary made a claim on Twitter about the increase in the number of staff working in mental health trusts. We found that although the figures quoted are accurate, the way that the numbers were selected and presented was confusing and misleading. We've written to the UK Statistics Authority to ask what responsibility Ministers have when selecting from the range of figures available and whether it's appropriate for the Health Secretary to continue to cite these figures like this.
We'll let you know what they say, and in the meantime we'll keep pushing for facts to be used accurately and transparently in public debate.
Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you get updates on this story.


With the Six Nations championship set to get under way on Saturday, Kieran Beckles looks ahead at what promises to be a great few weeks of rugby.
Defending champions Wales will start as favourites to retain their title. The pressure is on the Welsh team. Warren Gatland has taken over as head coach, and the signs have been positive after promising performances in the Autumn internationals.
Ending their Twickenham hoodoo, they also ran South Africa and New Zealand agonisingly close and secured a famous victory over Australia. For many rugby experts they are now seen as the premier side in the Northern hemisphere.
Should Wales successfully defend their title, they will have made history. The motivation is there for them to retain it and so is the quality. They will have the difficult game against France at the Stade de France to contend with, but despite this disadvantage, they remain the bookies favourites to be crowned champions on March 21st.
Ireland have many reasons to be optimistic going into the tournament. With the quality of Munster and Leinster players in the side, their experience is vast. Munster are reigning European champions and embody the Irish 'never say die' spirit.
After their poor showing at the World Cup in France last year they will be eager to redeem themselves. With the departure of Eddie O'Sullivan, there is renewed optimism in the Irish camp. The appointment of successful Munster coach, Declan Kidney, as Irish head coach could provide the springboard for success.
If Kidney can instill the same fighting spirit is Munster side were famous for then Ireland stand a real chance. Kidney's me enjoy the luxury of France and England having to make the journey to the vocal Croke Park. The start their campaign against France, and should they win, it may inspire them to greatness.
France are the last side being realistically tipped by experts to have a chance of snatching back the trophy from the Welsh Valleys and bringing it back to Paris. They have an unpredictable coach who likes to play unpredictable rugby.
Marc Lievremont, has experimented with players and tactics and it remains to be seen has he settled on what is his best team. He has stated publicly that he is a building a team capable of winning the World Cup in 2011. Does this mean he is uninterested in the Six Nations?
Probably not. In the Autumn Internationals he seemed to abandon his loose tactics, and suggests that this time around the French mean business. With difficult trips away to Ireland and England their consistency will be crucial. However they do have the added bonus of facing the reigning champions, Wales on home soil.
England have been discounted as major contenders for the tournament. Despite Brian Ashton leading England to second place last year, it proved unacceptable and he was sacked. Martin Johnson has been brought in as a technical coach and the figure head for English rugby.
England has seen a massive reversal in its fortunes. The last time they claimed the Six Nations title was during the glory years under Clive Woodward in 2003. They have been hapless ever since. Largely disappointing in the autumn internationals, England fans could be forgiven for being pessimistic about England's chances.
Johnson faces the massive task of getting the best out of the player he has. Do England have a chance of winning? Realistically, no. This campaign may be more about rebuilding and Johnson coming into his own as England coach.
After a stubborn performance in the World Cup against Argentina in the quarter finals, Frank Hadden still finds himself as coach of the Scottish squad. After a period of 'over-achieving', in the previous two Six Nations tournaments, they have managed a solitary win.
Mike Blair is Scotland's fulcrum. Everything revolves around him and as their best player rightly so. His passing and timing are exceptional. With the limited resources that Hadden has to work with, Blair provides a glimmer of hopes for Scottish fans.
They will hope to improve on their solitary wins in previous campaigns. With the visit of Italy, they seemed assured at least one victory. They also have the capabilties to run Wales close at Murrayfield and earn a hard fought victory against England at Twickenham.
It seems unlikely that Italy will provide a stern test for any of the other Six Nations sides. This is despite the claims from their highly respected coach, Nick Mallet, that the Italians can win it in the future. However, they could prove difficult to beat in Rome.
Their coach, Mallet is vastly experienced and with him calling the shots, Italy may show glimpses of magic. The frequency of these moments of brilliance could be the difference between a slaughtering and a hard fought narrow loss or possibly even victory.
Mallet will certainly look at their ties at Murrayfield and Twickenham and think that the Azzuri have a chance. It seems likely that they will provide at least one upset during the tournament. Ultimately though they seemed destined to finish last.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Ninth Circuit Rejects One-Eyed Drivers' Bias Claims Against UPS
California's law banning job discrimination against the disabled does not require the hiring of otherwise-qualified commercial drivers who are vision-impaired in one eye and lacking in peripheral vision, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday.
In an opinion by Judge Susan P. Graber, the panel said United Parcel Service's "Vision Protocol," which requires drivers to have some central vision and some peripheral vision in each eye, falls within the Fair Employment and Housing Act's public safety exception.
UPS adopted the protocol in 1995 to accommodate job applicants who were unable to meet Department of Transportation vision standards but who could, in the company's view, drive panel trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or less. The smaller trucks make up about eight percent of the company's fleet, and their drivers are not subject to DOT standards.
Before introducing the protocol, UPS required that all of its drivers meet the federal standards, which require at least 20-40 vision in both eyes. The protocol requires that drivers have at least 20/40 vision in one eye, 20/200 in the other, peripheral vision of 70 degrees in each eye or a combined horizontal visual field of 140 degrees, and peripheral acuity of at least 20/200 in each eye.
EEOC Sues
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued UPS in 1997, alleging that the protocol, as applied to drivers who could not meet the peripheral vision standards, violated the Americans With Disabilities Act. Several individual applicants intervened in order to present claims under both the ADA and the FEHA.
The case went to trial in 2000 before U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who found that the protocol violated the ADA to the extent it prohibited drivers with acceptable central vision and some peripheral vision from being hired.
"A substantial number of monocular applicants could be just as safe as the run of binocular drivers regularly hired by UPS," the judge said. He said the evidence showed that many people with little or no sight in one eye learn to compensate, turning their heads frequently to make up for lost peripheral vision and noting that most states, including California, allowed them to receive regular driver's license.
Alsup ordered UPS to admit one of the intervenors, Shawn Hogya of Santa Rosa, into its regular driver training program for evaluation. Hogya testified that he was legally blind in one eye because of a baseball injury at 14 but retained some peripheral vision in the eye.
He said he was hired by UPS in 1990, applied for a driver's job in 1994, passed the company's written exam and road test but was disqualified after telling a doctor about his eyesight..
While the company's appeal was pending, six plaintiffs sued in actions that were later consolidated, alleging that the protocol violated their rights under FEHA only.
First Ruling
In 2002, while that suit was still pending, the Ninth Circuit ruled on the UPS appeal in the first case, holding that the district judge had applied the wrong standard in determining the issue of disability.
On remand, Alsup ruled that none of the employees was disabled under the ADA, which the Ninth Circuit said requires that the disability affect daily life and not merely employment. With respect to the intervenors, the judge ruled that all were barred from relief, either because they were not disabled, even under FEHA's more liberal standard, or as unqualified.
In the alternative, he ruled that UPS had established, as an affirmative defense under FEHA, that the hiring of one-eyed drivers lacking in peripheral vision would "endanger the health or safety of others to a greater extent that if an individual without a disability performed the job."
He cited expert opinion that "generally supports the proposition that monocular drivers as a whole are involved in more accidents than others as a whole," although "not dramatically more;" that peripheral vision plays an important role in avoiding accidents and that "the monocular driver has less opportunity to see a child or any other pedestrian or cyclist or car darting from the impaired side."
As to the plaintiffs in the second suit, Alsup ruled that they met the FEHA definition of disability and certified the case for interlocutory appeal.
In yesterday's ruling, the Ninth Circuit, which consolidated the appeals, agreed that all of the applicants were disabled within the meaning of FEHA, but upheld Alsup's ruling with regard to the safety defense.
Graber explained:
"We do not suggest that any vision protocol would pass muster. But because the UPS Vision Protocol rests on objective and statistical evidence that monocular drivers are involved in somewhat more accidents than binocular drivers, because the risk of harm to others is high, because the UPS standard does not categorically exclude monocular individuals from working as full-time package car drivers, and because the application of the Protocol is individualized to each employee or applicant, we are persuaded that UPS must prevail on its safety-of-others defense."
The ruling, which was joined by Judges Andrew J Kleinfeld and Michael Daly Hawkins, keeps the second lawsuit alive, since the safety defense was never ruled on in that case.
The case is Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. United Parcel Service, Inc., 03-16855.


text:
Great Lakes water levels are surging and records for some of the lakes are predicted
Lake Michigan will rise significantly but is not expected to reach a record high.
Great Lakes water levels are surging and records for some of the lakes are predicted Lake Michigan will rise significantly but is not expected to reach a record high. Check out this story on jsonline.com: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2019/05/06/great-lakes-water-levels-surging-toward-record-highs/1122052001/
Associated Press Published 4:37 p.m. CT May 6, 2019 | Updated 4:51 p.m. CT May 6, 2019
Cana Island off the shore of Door County. The Army Corps of Engineers is predicting higher water levels over the next six months. (Photo: Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Federal officials predict water levels will surge to record highs in some areas of the Great Lakes over the next six months, although Lake Michigan is not expected to reach an all-time high.
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report released Monday says the lakes have been rising steadily for several years and are getting an extra boost as winter's melting snow mingles with recent heavy rainfall.
The corps' Detroit district office says levels on Lake Superior and Lake Erie are expected to break records set decades ago.
RELATED: Lake Michigan levels stage big comeback from 2013 lows
Records are not predicted for Lakes Michigan, Huron and Ontario, but they're still expected to rise significantly.
Corps hydrologist Keith Kompoltowicz says coastal flooding and shoreline erosion will pose threats, especially during heavy storms.
It's a remarkable turnaround from early this decade, when lake levels were slumping and some hit record lows.
Journal Sentinel reporter Lee Bergquist contributed to this report.
Read or Share this story: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2019/05/06/great-lakes-water-levels-surging-toward-record-highs/1122052001/
State board bounces two Milwaukee County executive candidates from ballot
'Meet the Press' talks with local voters
Car stolen from church parking lot during service
Milwaukee Police investigating 3 shootings, two of them fatal
Fire and Police Commission chief calls aldermen 'misogynistic'
Two lanes of I-43 to close overnight for emergency repairs, DOT says


text:
Divorce And Dissolution
Mediation And Early Neutral Evaluations
Deceased rapper's sister files child custody petition
On behalf of O'Keefe Family Law LLC | May 21, 2019 | Child Custody
Rap music fans in Ohio and beyond were shocked by the sudden death of Nipsey Hussle in March of this year. The rap artist also owned a clothing store on the West Coast and was gunned down in front of it. He was the father of a 2-year-old child from one woman but also had a 10-year-old child with another. A child custody case regarding the older child has been filed in court by the child's aunt.
Hussle's sister has told the court that she believes she should be granted legal guardianship of her niece. She has accused the biological mother of her niece of being unfit to parent. When a person makes such a claim, it must be backed up with compelling evidence.
It is common for a judge overseeing such a case to order an investigation. If indeed the court winds up deeming a parent unfit, an order will be issued as to legal and physical custody of the child. In this case, Hussle's sister referred to her 10-year-old niece in a tribute she posted to her deceased brother on a social media site, saying that the child would be in her care.
Ohio child custody attorneys often handle this type of case. Things can get messy in court when extended family members are fighting for legal guardianship of a minor. Relying on experienced legal representation is often the best means to avoid contention between relatives in court and to seek a final result that is truly in the best interests of the child.
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PORTLAND, Ore. – After trading up to the No. 2 pick in the selection order, the Portland Timbers today selected midfielder Steve Zakuani in Stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Process.
Portland announced a trade with Chivas USA earlier in the day, acquiring the No. 2 slot in Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Process and midfielder/defender Jorge Villafaña in exchange for the No. 17 selection in Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Process and defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste.
Zakuani, 25, is a veteran of five MLS seasons, playing for Seattle Sounders FC from 2009-13. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, Zakuani appeared in 80 regular-season matches, recording 17 goals and 14 assists during his time in Seattle. A finalist for 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year, Zakuani had a breakout season the following year in 2010, compiling career highs with 10 goals and six assists in 29 regular-season appearances and finishing as the club's co-leader in goals. He overcame a broken leg early in the 2011 MLS season and returned to the field after 14 months, playing in eight league games for Sounders FC in 2012. He has four game-winning goals and five game-winning assists in his MLS career.
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zakuani appeared in 101 matches across all competitions for Seattle, playing a role in the club's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships in 2009 and 2010, and its CONCACAF Champions League runs in 2010 and 2012.
Zakuani played two standout collegiate seasons at the University of Akron, where he led the nation in scoring as a sophomore with 20 goals and 47 points in 23 games during the 2008 campaign. Among numerous collegiate accolades, he was the runner-up for the Hermann Trophy and an NSCAA All-American following his final season at Akron in 2008. He signed with MLS as a member of Generation adidas after his sophomore season and was the first overall pick in the 2009 SuperDraft.
As a youth, Zakuani, who moved to London at the age of four, played in the academy of English Premier League side Arsenal FC for six years (1997-2002), starting at the age of nine.


As much as I love the ballet, never have I ever shed a tear for the heros and heroines, until I saw Aurelie Dupont dancing the choreographie of John Neumeier in La Dame Aux Camelias = the Lady With the Camillas, at the Paris Garnier opera house. I know the novel by Alexandre Dumas fils very well, and did certainly shed many a tear for the Marguerite Gautier on paper, one of the most delicate and heart-wrenching characters to come out of 19th century literature. But I had no idea what I was in for at the Palais Garnier.
The lead role was shared by five different star dancers over the course of this run of the ballet which is part of the Parisian company's repertoire. Aurelie Dupont was dancing on the 21st of February when I attended, perched on a balcony seat just over stage right.
The funny thing is, almost two years ago, I was at the same theater watching the same ballet, but couldn't stand to stay after the first act, let alone the following two (it's a 3 hour show with 2 entractes). My excuse? I was recovering from heavy wisdom-tooth surgery and felt like I had a brass ball attached to my face, and was completely unable to enjoy the beauty of the spectacle for all the painkillers they had me stuffed with. So I was more than thrilled to return this winter for a second chance.
The story is about love, devotion, loss, solitude and human emotion. Neumeier's carefully crafted choreography seizes all of the desire and pain that pours out of the heroine's heart like so many tears that smeared my mascara as the end drew near. Chopin's notes give the ballet wings, and lifts it beyond the ordinary; the costumes by Jürgen Rose wisk you away from contemporary Paris and into another time, a time of elegance and grace that seems only a fantasy to us now; and the whole accented with lighting by Rolf Warter… the effect was enthralling.
I forgot to scrutinize and critique the dancers' feet, I omitted to count pirouettes, I hardly remembered to notice the patterns in the choreography… I was so engaged within the story and the characters. In front of a full house, Aurelie Dupont was not only stunningly beautiful, and she did more than give us great technique, perfect steps, timing and stage presence, she gave everything. She put every ounce of herself into Marguerite Gautier and she took my breath away.
← Alice à tout prix! = There's something about Alice!


louisgray.com: TweetDeck iPhone Update Fail Makes the Day "Manic".
TweetDeck iPhone Update Fail Makes the Day "Manic".
Earlier this morning, Iain Dodsworth, creator of TweetDeck, posted that the day could potentially be "manic". While he cautioned the day's updates would not be list-related, as many updates from his competitors have been over the last week, it was hinted it would not be desktop related either. That left the iPhone, as TweetDeck doesn't yet have a Web option. But the iPhone release was found buggy, was later pulled, and now the service, and its devoted followers, are once again in a holding pattern with Apple - which makes them the undesired middleman. And yes, that means the day is officially "manic".
While I doubt few would want Apple's role as moderator to completely disappear, there should be some way to quickly post point releases or bug fixes for products that have previously been approved.
And After Resubmission, All Wait for Apple.
For whatever reason, TweetDeck's quality assurance process did not catch that the new version of the application would crash as frequently as was reported, but once it was in the wild, it proved too much to accept. The next step was to pull the update from the store, resulting in false positives from would-be downloaders, myself included, who were told it was available, but that the item had been removed.
Now, after the team thinks they scrambled the troops and got a working version ready and submitted a few hours later, they have to wait for Cupertino to agree. The new version reportedly added Facebook support, which had previously been limited to the desktop application, as well as video uploading, integrated with 12seconds.tv, a new Landscape compose mode, trending topics support, a "Nearby" option that showed when Twitter friends were close, thanks to the iPhone's built-in GPS, and the option to open new links in Safari.
But we'll still have to wait, at least until Apple agrees their bug-free version is good enough. Until then, all we have is a video of the promised new updates (See below).
So what's the solution? Is this Apple's fault for forcing a wait, or TweetDeck's for bad code?