text:
Politics live updates: Garland aims to 'turn down the volume' at Justice Department
William Cummings Matthew Brown Bart Jansen Kevin Johnson
Merrick Garland wrapped up questions at his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing to become attorney general with bipartisan support on the panel and a commitment to "turn down the volume" on policy fights at the Justice Department.
Garland, a 24-year federal judge and former Justice prosecutor, acknowledged divisive times after the riot Jan. 6 at the Capitol over election results, the videos of deaths last year of Black Americans and disputes over which cases the department should pursue.
"It's not just that the department has to do justice, but it has to appear to do justice, and the people of the United States have to believe that justice is being done," Garland said. "Otherwise, people lose faith in the rule of law."
Garland added that he wasn't naïve, but that he hoped to return the Justice Department to pursuing law enforcement and policies with bipartisanship.
"I would like during my time in the Justice Department to turn down the volume," Garland said.
Confirmation hearing:Merrick Garland calls Capitol riot probe 'first priority'; promises no political interference
His top priorities include fighting domestic terrorism such as the Capitol riot and preventing foreign terrorism, such as a potential attack in the anniversary of the hijackings Sept. 11, 2001.
During the hearing, Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas each voiced support for Garlandt.
Grassley, who refused to hold a hearing in 2016 for Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court, called him "a good pick for this job" and said, "No one doubts that Judge Garland is qualified."
The chairman, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said the panel would vote March 1 on his nomination and the full Senate is expected to vote next week.
— Bart Jansen
Senate vote on Garland expected next week
Sen. Dick Durbin, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said Monday that he expected the panel to vote on Merrick Garland's nomination to become attorney general on March 1 with a full Senate vote the same week after hearings Monday and Tuesday.
"Fingers crossed, everything goes smoothly," Durbin said.
Garland says deaths of Black Americans could spur investigations of police
Merrick Garland, the nominee to become attorney general, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he was shocked to see videos of Black Americans last summer being killed, but that the revelations and protests created a moment to find remedies.
"I was shocked by what I saw," Garland said. "It did bring everything to the fore."
Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., noted that Tuesday is the one-year anniversary of Ahmaud Arbery being shot to death after being pursued by three white men while jogging in Glynn County, Georgia. Ossoff said without pressure from the NAACP, charges wouldn't have been filed in the case.
Ossoff asked whether Garland would launch more investigations of local police departments. The Trump administration opened one "pattern and practice" investigation during four years, after the Obama administration launched 25 investigations during eight years.
Garland said the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division could investigate police, with remedies including consent decrees, criminal prosecution of abusive officers and funding for police departments to reform themselves. He argued that good police officers would welcome reforms to weed out the bad.
"Officers who follow the law and constitution want that accountability," Garland said. "Whether we need additional tools, I don't know."
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., asked later who would decide who has implicit bias.
"Somebody's got to make that subjective judgment," Kennedy said. "How do you know who wins?"
Garland said everyone has biases and stereotypes. The department would investigate when an institution has a pattern of biased behavior that could be identified and remedied.
"You shouldn't take it as pejorative," Garland said. "It's an element of the human condition."
Garland says he hasn't considered thorny gender equity issue
Navigating fairness in sports competition for gender equity is a difficult question that Merrick Garland, the nominee to become attorney general, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he hasn't considered fully.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., asked whether "biological males" competing in an all-female sports would deprive women of the opportunity to compete in sports.
"This is a very difficult societal question that you're asking here," Garland said.
Kennedy said he could become attorney general, but Garland said he might not be the one to make such policy decisions.
"Every human being should be treated with dignity and respect," Garland said. "I agree that this is a difficult question."
Garland gripped by emotion discussing family, passion for job
Merrick Garland was briefly gripped with emotion Monday when he recounted his Jewish family's flight from persecution, drawing on that experience as a call to public service.
"I feel an obligation to pay back to the country that took us in," Garland said, his voice cracking while responding to Sen. Corey Booker, D-N.J.
The sentiment expressed by the nominee caused the hearing room to fall silent, as senators, aides and reporters directed their attention to Garland's chair.
— Kevin Johnson and Christal Hayes
Garland agrees justice system has 'implicit bias'
Merrick Garland, the nominee to become attorney general, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday that the justice system doesn't treat defendants equally because of implicit bias in how charges are pursued.
"Sadly, it is plain to me that it does not," Garland said. "There is no question that there is disparate treatment in our justice system."
Garland said one example is mass incarceration, with the U.S. holding 25% of the world's jailed population despite having only 5% of the world's population.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said there were more arrests for marijuana possession in 2019 than for all violent crime combined. Black Americans were three to four times more likely than whites to be charged, he said.
"It is shocking," Booker said.
Garland said the figures were "definitely evidence of disparate treatment in the system," whether conscious or unconscious of the officials pressing charges.
Garland on difference between Portland protests, Capitol riot
Republican senators asked Merrick Garland, the attorney general nominee, whether racial justice protests, as those happened at the federal courthouse in Portland, constituted "violent extremism," which is how he described the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.
Garland said he would have to look at specific incidents to determine charges. But he said he drew the line for "domestic extremism" or "terrorism" at preventing federal judges from doing their jobs during the day. Attacking a courthouse property at night would be "a serious crime," but a different one, he said.
"That's where I draw the line. Both are criminal," Garland said. "But one is a core attack on our democratic institutions."
Garland says he and Biden oppose 'defunding the police'
Attorney general nominee Merrick Garland stated that both he and President Joe Biden do not support the movement of defunding the police.
He said funding and resources should be used "in alternative ways" to better address those who are "mentally ill and those who are suicidal so that police officers don't have to do a job they are not trained for" and rather, mental health professionals can step in during those situations.
"President Biden believes in giving the resources to police departments to help them reform and gain the trust of their communities," Garland said.
— Savannah Behrmann
More:Sen. Ted Cruz questions AG nominee Merrick Garland. After Mexico trip, should he quarantine?
Garland: Handling of Epstein case 'horrendous'
Merrick Garland, the nominee to become the country's law enforcement officer as attorney general, called the treatment of sex-trafficking suspect Jeffrey Epstein "horrendous," but said he couldn't comment on why the Justice Department acted the way it did.
Epstein, who died by suicide in jail, was indicted in 2019 on suspicion of sexually exploiting and abusing dozens of minor girls at his homes in New York and Florida. Federal prosecutors in New York alleged that for years, Epstein paid some of his victims to recruit more underage girls.
But the charges came years after former U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta resolved a sex-crimes case through a non-prosecution deal without notifying his alleged victims. A Justice Department investigation found Acosta showed "poor judgment," but Acosta said the review debunked allegations he cut a "sweetheart deal."
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said Epstein evaded charges for years and then "infuriatingly" was allowed to die by suicide in federal detention despite officials knowing he was at risk. He asked Garland where the department went wrong.
"This is horrendous," Garland said. "He obviously should have been vigorously prosecuted earlier. I don't know why" he wasn't.
Garland expects return to death penalty moratorium
Merrick Garland told a Senate committee weighing his confirmation as attorney general that he expected that a new moratorium would be declared on federal executions.
Garland said he harbored "great" concern about the application of the death penalty by the federal government, which dramatically resumed executions during the Trump administration.
Thirteen federal inmates were executed during the last months of Trump's administration.
Garland said continuing exonerations of the wrongly convicted have given him "pause," and he cited President Joe Biden's strong opposition to capital punishment.
"A most terrible thing happens when someone is executed for a crime that they did not commit," Garland said.
Before executions were resumed by the Trump administrations, the federal government had paused capital punishment for 17 years.
— Kevin Johnson
Garland: 'I am not the president's lawyer'
Merrick Garland asserted Monday that he would rebuff any attempt by the White House to politicize the Justice Department, declaring: "I am not the president's lawyer; I am the United States' lawyer."
President Joe Biden's nominee for attorney general, responding to questions posed by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said he would "fend off" any attempt at political interference.
"My job is protect the Department of Justice," Garland said.
More:Investigators signal some Capitol riot suspects could be charged with conspiring to overthrow U.S. government
Garland supports 'any legislation' to boost voting
Merrick Garland told senators Monday at his confirmation hearing to become attorney general that he would support any legislation that encourages more voters to cast ballots in elections.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., asked about approving a new Voting Rights Act to prevent a growing scourge of voter suppression. Garland said he was unfamiliar with the specifics of proposed legislation, but that one-third of eligible voters hadn't turned out in 2020 despite a huge increase in voting last year.
"Any legislation that will encourage more voting, I strongly support," Garland said.
He said a portion of election law prevents interference with voting practices and procedures. He said the department has other tools to protect the right to vote.
Law enforcement officials to testify Tuesday before Senate panel
Top Capitol law enforcement officials were set to testify Tuesday before key Senate panels after being invited to testify, a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee aide not authorized to speak on the record said.
Tuesday's hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Senate Rules and Administration Committee would be some of the first public testimony from top Capitol law enforcement officials as lawmakers probed the buildup to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol and the subsequent response.
The four officials are:
Acting Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee
Former U.S. Capitol Police chief Steven Sund
Former Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger
Former House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving.
Sund, Stenger, and Irving all resigned in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack.
Lawmakers are set to ask questions about failures in preparation by law enforcement. Officers were overwhelmed by rioters on Jan. 6 despite intelligence suggesting protests could turn violent, and the Capitol Police Union has faulted their leadership for insufficient preparation and equipment for officers.
— Nicholas Wu
Garland supports top-level approval of subpoenas for journalists
Merrick Garland told the Senate Judiciary Committee at his confirmation hearing to become attorney general that he would uphold a policy to personally approve any subpoenas issued to reporters.
Garland said he worked on the policy in the aftermath of the Watergate investigation nearly 50 years ago.
"This is something I'm deeply committed to," Garland told Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., whose father was a journalist. "I would expect to reup those guidelines."
Senate Republicans express support for Garland
Key Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee signaled their early support Monday for attorney general nominee Merrick Garland, describing him as "a good pick" for the job.
Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, the ranking Republican; South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, the committee's former chairman, and Texas Sen. John Cornyn appeared to favor the nominee.
Cornyn said his consideration of Garland's nomination rested on a promise that the judge would not tolerate political interference.
"I would not have taken this job if politics had any influence over prosecutions," Garland said, adding that he would "resign" if he was pressured to do otherwise.
Garland: Foreign terror 'top of mind'
Attorney General nominee Merrick Garland said Monday the prospect for foreign terrorist attack remains a top priority, particularly on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Garland told Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., he didn't know whether Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State would attempt an attack. But Garland said that he was arriving at his office when the first plane hit the World Trade Center and could see from his office the smoke rising at the Pentagon.
"Of all the other things that the Justice Department has to do, it must always keep its eye on the ball with respect to foreign terrorist attack," Garland said. "I can assure you this is top of mind for me."
Garland: Biden has pledged no DOJ interference
Attorney general nominee Merrick Garland said that President Joe Biden has pledged that he would not intervene in Justice Department investigations, indicating that he expected the department would remain free from partisan political interference.
Garland pledged that Justice investigation would proceed "without regard for partisanship" or the political influence of subjects of those investigations.
"I am a strong believer in following the processes of the department," Garland said, adding that he "respected" the authority of the department's inspector general to investigate possible misconduct.
Garland calls Capitol attack 'most heinous' assault on democracy
Attorney General nominee Merrick Garland Monday called the Capitol attack the "most heinous" assault on American democracy.
As one of his first acts, if confirmed, Garland said he would meet with prosecutors and pledge to provide all the resources necessary to push the inquiry forward.
"This was the most heinous attack on democratic processes I've ever seen," Garland told the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Garland said he would urge investigators to examine "more broadly" the origins of the attack and determine the risk of future assaults.
Garland: No talk with Biden about son's investigation
Merrick Garland, President Joe Biden's nominee to become attorney general, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday that he hasn't discussed a pending federal investigation into the president's son, Hunter Biden.
"I have not," Garland said. "The president made abundantly clear in every public statement before and after my nomination that decisions about investigations and prosecutions will be left to the Justice Department."
Hunter Biden announced in December that the U.S. attorney in Delaware was investigating his taxes. Republicans have questioned his business dealings in Ukraine and China, but the president has stood behind his son.
Garland: 'No reason' to question status of Russia counsel Durham
Attorney general nominee Merrick Garland told lawmakers that he had "no reason" to question the status of the special prosecutor leading a continuing investigation into the origins of the Russia investigation.
If confirmed, Garland said he intended to meet with prosecutor John Durham, who was appointed by former Attorney General William Barr.
The Biden administration has pledged to allow Durham to complete the investigation.
'More dangerous' time than Oklahoma City, Garland says
Attorney general nominee Merrick Garland said the country faces a "more dangerous period" than the forces that sparked the Oklahoma City bombing, which still stands as the most deadly domestic terror attack in U.S. history.
Garland, who oversaw the prosecution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh and co-conspirator Terry Nichols, vowed to lead the now far-reaching investigation into the deadly Capitol attack, which left five dead.
Padilla to ask Garland about voting rights
Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla, a former attorney general of California, told reporters Monday that Merrick Garland brings "impressive credentials" to become attorney general, but that he wanted to ask about protecting civil rights and voting rights.
"I am proud of the work that was done in California to build a very inclusive democracy and accessible democracy," Padilla said. "I'm also reminded that, look, the voter suppression is rooted in white supremacy."
Garland: Role of AG is to 'serve the rule of law and ensure equal justice'
Attorney general nominee Merrick Garland on Monday called for a restoration of Justice Department "norms" as guardrails against the influence of partisan politics that have threatened the agency's independence from the White House.
Garland, testifying at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, also vowed to pursue equal justice for marginalized communities of color while leading a battle against extremism that broke into the open during last month's deadly Capitol attack.
"The president nominates the attorney general to be the lawyer – not for any individual, but for the people of the United States," Garland told the panel. "It is a fitting time to reaffirm that the role of the attorney general is to serve the rule of law and to ensure equal justice under the law."
Garland, a former top Justice official who last served in that department during the Clinton administration, said he would reaffirm a host of standards including those that "strictly regulate communications with the White House."
President Joe Biden has described his selection of Garland, now a federal appeals court judge, as an attempt to turn the page at a department roiled by politics and efforts by former President Donald Trump to use the institution to advance his political interests.
Grassley unapologetic about blocking Garland from Supreme Court
The top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley, said Monday at Merrick Garland's confirmation hearing to become attorney general that he was unapologetic about refusing to hold a hearing on Garland's 2016 nomination to join the Supreme Court.
Former President Barack Obama nominated Garland after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February 2016. But Republicans who controlled the Senate refused to consider the nomination during an election year.
"As you'll recall, it was an election year with a divided Congress," said Grassley, who said the decision was consistent with Democratic statements.
Democrats, including President Joe Biden, railed against the stonewall. But the vacancy was eventually filled by former President Donald Trump with Justice Neil Gorsuch.
Grassley said he admired Garland's public service, as a longtime prosecutor and federal appeals court judge. But Grassley alluded to the contentious confirmation hearing for Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
"Yes, it's true I didn't give Judge Garland a hearing," Grassley said. "I also didn't mischaracterize his record. I didn't attack his character. I didn't go through his high school yearbook. I didn't make his wife leave the hearing in tears. I took a position and stuck to it. That's it."
Grassley: Garland 'a good pick for this job'
Signaling that attorney general nominee Merrick Garland is likely to win bipartisan support, Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Judiciary Committee's ranking Republican, called the federal appeals court judge "a good pick for this job."
"No one doubts that Judge Garland is qualified" to lead the Justice Department, Grassley said.
Garland to have 'solemn responsibility' to lead Capitol inquiry
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Durbin said attorney general nominee Merrick Garland, if confirmed, faces a "solemn responsibility" to lead a now far-reaching investigation of the deadly Capitol attack.
"You know what it's like to confront the specter of domestic terrorism," Durbin said, recalling Garland's past oversight of domestic terror investigations. "You led the investigation and prosecution of the Oklahoma City bombing and, in doing so, helped make this nation safer and bring some measure of peace and healing to the victims and their families.
"I am confident, given this prior experience, that you are up to the task that the Department now faces in the wake of January 6th. In fact, I can think of no one better suited. I look forward to the hearing," he said.
Durbin: Nation looks to Garland to restore Justice Department's independence
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Durbin on Monday cast attorney general nominee Merrick Garland as the person to "meet the moment" to lead a Justice Department ruled by "brute political forces" of the Trump administration.
In a stark opening statement at Garland's confirmation hearing, Durbin, the Illinois Democrat, said the nation "looks to you" to restore department independence.
"Judge Garland, should you be confirmed — and I have every confidence that you will be — you will oversee a Justice Department in an existential moment," Durbin said. "After four tumultuous years of intrigue, controversy, and brute political forces, the future course of the Department is clearly in transition.
"Under Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his successor, Bill Barr, the Justice Department became an arm of the White House, committed to advancing the interests of President Trump, his family, and his political allies," he said.
Blumenthal seeks crackdown on violent extremism
Sen. Richard Blumenthal told reporters before Merrick Garland's confirmation hearing that he expected the appeals-court judge to restore integrity at the Justice Department, if confirmed as attorney general.
"Merrick Garland will bring a luster of integrity and common sense to the Department of Justice, which has been lacking for the past four years," said Blumenthal, D-Conn. "I'm hoping what we'll see is a commitment to crack down on violent extremism and on racial injustice."
Durbin expects Garland confirmation
Sen. Dick Durbin, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said Monday he expected Merrick Garland to be confirmed as the next attorney general, but first the panel scheduled a two-day hearing on his nomination.
"He has a big job to do," Durbin, D-Ill., told reporters before the hearing. "First, he must restore the morale and the integrity of the Department of Justice. He is the man for the job."
When asked about how Garland would handle lingering investigations from the Trump administration, Durbin said he trusted the judgment of the federal appeals judge.
"There are many people who want him to engage in a political agenda I think that will not be his priority," Durbin said. "His priority is first the investigation on the January 6 mob invasion of this Capitol. And secondly, really moving us forward as a nation to restore the values the department of Justice always stood for."
Attorney general nominee Merrick Garland Senate confirmation hearing opens
President Joe Biden's nominee to head the Justice Department, U.S. Circuit Court Judge Merrick Garland, began his confirmation hearings Monday before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
In his prepared opening statement, Garland vows to "protect the independence of the department from partisan influence" after four years in which critics assailed President Donald Trump for regularly venting his opinions on ongoing investigations, particularly ones involving himself and his allies.
Garland also pledges to prosecute the "white supremacists and others" who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 in what he calls "a heinous attack that sought to disrupt a cornerstone of our democracy." And, arguing "we do not yet have equal justice," Garland promises in his statement to continue the Civil Rights Division's mission to protect the rights of the "most vulnerable members of our society."
Though his eventual confirmation is expected, Biden's nominee will likely face questions about how he would maintain the DOJ's independence amid lingering questions over Trump's alleged role in inciting the Jan. 6 riot, an ongoing federal tax investigation involving the president's son Hunter Biden and the pending inquiry into the origins of the Russian investigation led by Connecticut federal prosecutor John Durham.
– William Cummings and Kevin Johnson
Dominion Voting to sue MyPillow Inc. CEO Mike Lindell
Dominion Voting Systems has sued MyPillow Inc. CEO Mike Lindell, alleging $1.2 billion in damages to its brand for defamatory comments Lindell repeatedly made about the firm.
The complaint accuses Lindell of perpetuating a "Big Lie" about Dominion's role in the 2020 presidential election, including that he knowingly spread false information about how Dominion's voting machines conduct audits, investments from foreign countries and its presence in U.S. voting systems.
Lindell "knowingly lied about Dominion to sell more pillows to people who continued tuning in to hear what they wanted to hear about the election," the complaint alleges.
More:MyPillow Twitter account permanently suspended following Trump ally CEO Mike Lindell's ban from platform
After Dominion first indicated it might sue him, Lindell amplified his allegations against the company in a documentary he published about the company, amplifying multiple pieces of misinformation.
"Instead of retracting his lies, Lindell — a multimillionaire with a nearly unlimited ability to broadcast his preferred messages on conservative media — whined that he was being 'censored' and 'attacked' and produced a 'docu-movie' featuring shady characters and fake documents sourced from dark corners of the internet," the complaint reads.
Conspiracy theories about Dominion and other election security firms circulated widely in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Dominion joins voting systems firm Smartmatic, which recently filed a $2.7 billion lawsuit against Fox News, in taking legal action against major right-wing media personalities for spreading misinformation about the 2020 election.
— Matthew Brown
Sen. Susan Collins declares her opposition to OMB nominee Neera Tanden
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced Monday morning that she will not vote to confirm President Joe Biden's nominee to run the Office of Management and Budget, Neera Tanden.
"Neera Tanden has neither the experience nor the temperament to lead this critical agency. Her past actions have demonstrated exactly the kind of animosity that President Biden has pledged to transcend," Collins said in a statement.
Tanden, a veteran of Democratic politics who most recently served as the president of the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, has come under fire in the confirmation process for her past tweets criticizing Republicans and some progressive Democrats.
More:Why Biden is standing firm on budget pick Neera Tanden despite pushback from left and right
For instance, Tanden has called Collins "the worst," "a fake defender of Roe v. Wade" and accused her of "flat out deception" for her vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
"I did not know her – much about her – but I've heard that she's a very prolific user of Twitter," Collins told reporters in November.
Biden needs at least one Republican to vote in Tanden's favor for his nominee to be confirmed after Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced last week that he would be voting against her.


text:
TechnologyOne (ASX:TNE) share price pops after first international acquisition
Home » ASX Growth Shares » TechnologyOne (ASX:TNE) share price pops after first international acquisition
The TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) share price has popped 3.36% this morning to $10.47 after the company announced the acquisition of UK-based Scientia.
Who is Scientia?
Scientia Resource Management Limited is a higher education provider of timetabling and resource management solutions.
The company has developed a cloud platform called Syllabus Plus Anywhere, which allows institutions to manage thousands of students and staff from a central site.
The platform also offers exam scheduling, room booking and reporting resources as part of its suite of solutions.
150 universities across the United Kingdom and Australia utilise the software, including the University of Exeter and Monash University.
Source: Scientia Home Page.
What were the terms of the deal?
TechnologyOne will pay approximately GB£12 million (AUD$22.4 million) to purchase Scientia. This includes a GB£6 million (AUD$11.2 million) upfront payment and then a residual amount subject to achieving targets up to FY23.
The deal will be funded from TechnologyOne's cash reserves and will be earnings neutral once integrated into the business's financials.
Why did TechnologyOne acquire Scientia?
TechnologyOne is currently undertaking an expansion into the United Kingdom after largely conquering the Australian government, council and university enterprise market.
While only a small acquisition, the business will be able to bolt on the timetabling platform to its existing student management, HR, payroll, asset management and finance solutions.
Furthermore, it provides TechnologyOne with a relatively low-cost entry into 150 institutions to cross-sell its product range and become more deeply embedded.
What did management have to say?
Founder and Chairman Adrian Di Marco was upbeat about the acquisition, saying:
"This is our first international acquisition and demonstrates our deep commitment to both Higher Education and the UK market. The unique IP and marketleading functionality of Syllabus Plus supports our vision of delivering enterprise software that is incredibly easy to use and that substantially enhances our customers' experience in the Higher Education sector. We are excited about the opportunities this will bring to both our UK and Australian customers in the coming years."
This looks to be a savvy acquisition by TechnologyOne for what is a pretty modest sum. The cloud platform is great and the access to 150 new customers is the cherry on top.
The only marginal concern is that the terms of the deal did not contain any share-based remuneration.
Preferably it's good to see sellers receiving some shares to ensure they remain aligned with shareholders post-sale.
Nevertheless, Scientia is still subject to earn-out payments equal to half of the proposed acquisition amount.
Acquisitions seem to be the flavour of the month currently, with Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR) and Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN) also completing recent bolt-on purchases.
To keep up to date with all the latest news regarding acquisitions and the ASX, be sure to bookmark the Rask Media home page.
PrevPreviousDown 35% in 6 months, is the Zip (ASX:Z1P) share price now a buy?
Next5 expert tricks to dig into the ANZ Banking Group (ASX:ANZ) share priceNext

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Mackenzie Harvey has looked good at the top of the order for the Renegades.
Mackenzie Harvey is unlike other batsmen.
"I don't have the proper technique that coaches give out," the 18-year-old Melbourne Renegades opener said.
"My way of batting is to just try and get off strike any way possible, and if there's a bad ball try and hit it.
"In my eyes it's not all about looking pretty. It's more just trying to get runs."
Scoring runs is something the left-hander does for fun.
The youngest player in the Big Bash League smashed 136 (130) playing for Australia's under-19 side against Pakistan's under-19s and that knock stands the tallest from 15 tons.
Mackenzie Harvey is also unlike other fielders.
"I do a little bit more fielding (training) than batting," Harvey said.
"So I try and get the majority of my fielding done before I do my major skill.
"If I can take 50-odd catches before I bat and then go and bat and then afterwards have a bit of a throw.
"I pride myself on my fielding so I make sure I get my workloads in and try to help the bowlers a bit."
Renegades bowlers should be queuing up to shout Harvey beers because his run-saving lunges have helped keep their figures tidy this season.
Mackenzie Harvey (centre) as an 11-year-old fan with Brad Hogg at the BBL.
Here is a tip for Big Bash batsmen - when you hit it to Harvey, don't take him on.
James Pattinson learned that the hard way on Thursday, when Harvey's rocket throw meant keeper Sam Harper barely had to move a muscle to complete a textbook run-out.
"That was probably the best throw I've ever done," Harvey said.
"Once it came out of my hand I knew it would've been close to the stumps. Sometimes you feel the ball come out of your hand and think, 'That's going to be pretty close to a run out'."
A few months ago and the Gades attack would've been shouting Harvey soft drinks. The 2018 schoolboy only turned 18 in September in a time where Cricket Australia is searching for young talent.
Will Pucovski has been included in the Test squad at just 20. Does that allow Harvey's mind to wander?
"It's very exciting for Will - I'm absolutely rapt for him," Harvey said.
"It's really exciting to see the opportunities that are given to young guys like Will and myself.
"But I'm just trying to get through Big Bash and club cricket first."
Mackenzie Harvey has made a habit of getting his runs quickly.
Harvey has predominantly played one-dayers and T20s and the England ODI attack already knows him.
In a warm-up match last summer, Harvey the 17-year-old smashed a 39-ball half-century on his way to 59 (48).
Harvey hit his fourth ball over the rope. It was the first of three sixes against Test bowler Mark Wood.
"It's really hard to explain how I was feeling before the game, but once I got out there it felt really strange looking at a bowler that you've seen on TV," Harvey said.
"Most of the time when I go out to bat I'm not really focusing on who's in the field. But when you see guys like (captain) Eoin Morgan and Mark Wood hanging around you take a bit more notice.
"Once I got in I just realised that we're all playing the same game of cricket and we're all on the same field.
"It took me back to a club game in my mind and thinking he's just another bowler I have to face and make runs against."
Fancy that, a schoolboy tonking the Poms.
Will Pucovski has been named in Australia's Test team against Sri Lanka.
Harvey credited Elsternwick coach Cam Christiansen with his fielding standards and he feels at home at point or on the boundary.
"You can be a batsman or you can be a bowler, but the majority of time you're going to be a fielder," Harvey said.
As package, he has a ton of talent - and it runs in the family.
Harvey is the nephew of former Aussie all-rounder Ian Harvey, although he has had limited involvement in the batting prodigy's development.
"He's a good ball striker," Gades coach Andrew McDonald said.
"He hits the ball into different areas and possess power to clear the ropes."
Harvey is prolific off the back foot and it is the cut shot rival BBL captains have been keen to defend.
"That seems to be where they put all the fielders for me, so it could be a bit of a strength," Harvey said.
Mackenzie Harvey impressed against the touring Poms earlier this year.
But he can score all around the wicket.
Harvey whizzed to 21 against the Stars in the New Year's Day derby and it took a sprinting catch from Glenn Maxwell to remove him.
Against the Heat, Harvey smashed a six off Brendan Doggett and again fell victim to a sharp catch the next ball as Pattinson held on to his attempted scoop.
A CricViz analysis backed up Harvey's mantra that he looks to score off every ball. In the powerplay Harvey plays an attacking shot 62 per cent of the time - ranked No.3 in the BBL.
Harvey is just behind Max Bryant (69.6 per cent) and Jake Weatherald (62.1) and in front of D'Arcy Short (61.8) and Jos Buttler (61).
Harvey is also a rusted-on Renegades fan, choosing the red team in BBL01 when he was just 11 years old.
"Everyone around me was going for Stars so I thought why not have a bit of competition and go for Renegades," Harvey said.
"To be finally signed by the Renegades was something really enjoyable."
Perth Scorcher Brad Hogg posed for a photo with a young Harvey at Marvel Stadium and the pair laughed at the image as Renegades teammates last summer.
Now it is Harvey in the camera frames.


We have had a number of special assemblies this week. On Monday, Class 3 performed a recitation of "Ye spotted snakes" from A Midsummer Night's Dream and our Year 8 students with their Art Teacher Mrs Joass, presented four beautiful portraits of the saints that denote each of the Houses at Ficino School. These have been placed in the foyer of the school and were drawn and painted by our Year 8 students. They have been working hard behind he scenes for over two terms to bring this project to fruition. All the portraits have been worked on by all the students and they will be a splendid legacy for them to leave behind when they depart at the end of this year.
On Thursday and Friday, we heard from eight more of our Year 7 and 8 students about the great wonders of the world that they visited on their recent Renaissance Trip – Hadrian's Villa, the Pantheon and the Colloseum in Rome, and Stonehenge and the Tower of London in England. They were all well-researched, informative and entertaining talks. There are four presentations to come, next week and the week after.
This is our final School Tour for the year. If you know of anyone who would be interested in coming to look at the school, please ask them to phone or email the office to book a place. Thank you.
Thank you for distributing the Preschool Open morning advertising cards to letter boxes for us. If you have friends or family interested, please pass on the details or ask them to phone the school office for further information. Thank you.
The City Mission Christmas Foodbank Week is next week. Special Christmas non-perishable food would be very welcome as well as unwrapped Christmas gifts for children. These items can be delivered to classrooms from Monday. Thank you for your support.
The students in Years 7 & 8 will present projects based on their experiences during the trip at the school assemblies on Thursday 24th November and Friday 2nd December. These are very inspiring presentations for both children and adults.
If you are collecting your child at dismissal time and have walked into the school, please use the new footpath leading to the Preschool to exit the property through the Preschool gate, instead of walking along the driveway with the cars. This should provide more safety for you and your children.


Check out our productivity-related EANPC videos on YouTube, click here.
EANPC Brochure "A holistic concept of productivity"
Articles written by Tony Hubert (former EANPC Secretary General) for a special feature, called p-Watch, of APO News - the news bulletin of the Asian Productivity Organisation. p-Watch looks at trends in the productivity movement from the perspective of an expert or practitioner.
Boulat, Régis 2007: The I.L.O. contributions in the field of productivity after the Second World War. Paper presented to EBHA [European Business History Association] 11th Annual Conference, held at the University of Geneva, 13-15 September, 14 pp.
Practical Methods of Increasing Productivity in Manufacturing Industries. International Labour Review, vol. LXVII, no. 4.
Measuring Productivity. Measurement of Aggregate and Industry-Level Productivity Growth. OECD Manual. Paris: OECD.
Boel, Bent 2003: The European Productivity Agency and Transatlantic Relations, 1953-1961. Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanum Press.
Resource and Output Trends in the United States since 1870. Cambridge, MA: National Bureau for Economic Research. (Occasional Paper 52).
Reprinted from the American Economic Review, Vol. 46, May, pp. 5-23.
The Search for the Sources of Growth: Areas of Ignorance, Old and New. The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 53, Issue 2, pp. 217-243.


The success we have with our current full grain leather products inspires us to create more. Whenever we make something new to add to our collection, you'll find it in our New Arrivals section, as well as in the product section where it specifically belongs. Our passion for creating the highest quality fine leather goods is boundless, so more are always on the way.
We've made a name for ourselves by creating some of the best leather fashion accessories available, but our evolving product line features more than our famous wallets, belts, and bracelets. In addition to these accessories, you'll find full grain leather products in our new inventory that are designed for home living, handheld tools, and even walking your dog.
Items in our New Arrivals section may be new, but they have something in common with our other fine leather goods: the same great craftsmanship. As always, expect to find products that are made from a single piece of full grain, vegetable tanned leather that is constructed with durable metal rivets. Experience the uncompromising quality of our newest arrivals today!


If you are like me, you hate conference calls, it's usually one or two people talking, or droning on and on, but if you can't meet someone it's almost the next best thing. WebWorker Daily has put together 27 tips for all of you conference callers out there and here is the first one.
Whether you call them conference calls or telecons or excruciatingly dull time-wasters, multi-participant phone conversations are as important to most web workers as email. If you can?t meet face to face or arrange video conferencing, the conference call is the next best thing. But just as with email and instant messaging, people don?t always agree on how to use them as effectively as possible as a tool for collaboration.
Try these tips for your next telecon whether you?re the leader of the call or just a participant. And share your own ideas for making conference calls worthwhile and productive in the comments.
1. Get the dial in. If you?re leading the call, it?s your job to make it easy on the people calling in by setting up a dial-in or otherwise getting everyone together on the phone. If you?re an employee, your company may have already chosen a conference calling service for you to use. Otherwise, you can use a variety of online services including foonz, FreeConference.com, and LiveOffice.
Looks like Cisco networks is jumping into the Video Conferencing arena, today they launched Cisco TelePresence, their high end attempt at real time video conferencing using high-definition monitors, highly sensitive audio equipment and integrated networking gear. They aim to make it so real that you will think the person on the monitor is in the same room.
One of Cisco's newest products is a high-end room that can accommodate up to 12 people around the virtual table and comes with three 65-inch plasma displays, three high-definition cameras, and the table and lighting. Price: $299,000.
I guess they are targeting Fortune 500 companies, and large organizations who can afford such an investment, but I don't know too many of those myself. They say a robust network is needed, the high end room will use 10 megabits of bandwidth per second! Wow! A Gartner analyst said it was an amazing illusion, but the steep price makes it irrelevant for most businesses.
Need a cheaper solution? Try the Free Trial from GotoMeeting, no longer do you need special equipment, special meeting rooms or advance notice to get things going, this is secure, interactive and just needs you to get it started.
1) Hold as many online meetings and web conferences as you want and for as long as you want ? all for one very low rate, 1 video conterence or 100,000, it doesn't matter one bit. Never see another overage charge or "extra fee" again, it will be the same price no matter how much or how little you use it.
2) Dramatically reduce your companies travel costs, save time and increase productivity because there's no need to go anywhere, you save on travel and you are home more, because you can even do it from home to.
3) Take advantage of the easiest-to-use and most affordable Web conferencing video solution on the market, go ahead and check out the other solutions, but you should try this Free Trial first, you won't need to see anymore . I've never seen a web conferencing solution that is so easy to use and cost effective and you won't either!
No longer do you need special equipment, special meeting rooms or advance notice to get things going, this is secure, interactive and just needs you to get it started.
Just use the GoToMeeting icon in your system tray, an email or an instant message. There are no complicated logins or setups. It takes just 2 minutes to set up and a few seconds to start a meeting. That's it!
Few things are as simple as GoToMeeting. With just a few clicks, you can easily organize on-the-fly or scheduled meetings, perform live demonstrations and collaborate on documents in real time. It's like you're in the office with your clients and colleagues. Find out for yourself how GoToMeeting can change the way you do business. But don't just take my word for it, try it for free right now!
Need multiple organizer accounts and additional management features? Then you should Try GoToMeeting Corporate.
Now you can get a Free Trial + $10 Off when you order!
Here are the latest news articles on video conferencing, web conferencing and online meetings.
Are you looking into Video over IP and finding the expense just too large and the setup too complicated, even for your router guys? Then, Sign up for a FREE TRIAL of GoToMeeting and discover how you can hold as many online meetings and web conferences as you want and for as long as you want. Click here for a Free Trial and Save $10 if you buy!


Liam Dann presents Economy Hub where he discusses petrol prices.
The odds on cheaper petrol prices for the Christmas holidays just got better as OPEC talks in Vienna ended without a deal on oil production cuts.
Crude oil prices slumped as much as five per cent in initial trading this morning.
The crude oil price surged so much this year it sparked fears about petrol heading towards $3 a litre. Then it crashed so hard we are now more likely to see it below $2 a litre by Christmas.
Oil prices peaked in early October, which coincided with a fall in the kiwi dollar and new fuel taxes to hit drivers in the pocket.
But in a dramatic market shift - which caught many traders off guard - oil prices have slumped in the past two months.
They have fallen as much as one third since a peak on October 3.
The kiwi dollar has also bounced back - up about 7 per cent since the start of October.
Drivers have already enjoyed 12 petrol price cuts since a peak in October, but there were more to come, says market analyst David Lewis of Milford Asset management.
"Part of the reason that the price got so high was concerns about sanctions on Iran and a reduction of supply out of Iran," he said. "Then more recently we've seen Trump encouraging Saudi Arabia to continue producing at a higher level to try and keep that oil price down."
Trump wants a lower price to support the US economy and had quite a bit of leverage right now in the wake of the revelations about Saudi involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Lewis said.
But a 30-40 per cent swing in the oil price as we'd seen in the past few months was unusual, he said.
After the OPEC meeting Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said he wasn't confident of an agreement after discussions of a 1 million million-barrel-a-day output reduction concluded without an agreement.
That left the oil market dangling in uncertainty although non-OPEC allies join the group for a second day of talks tonight.
Earlier on Thursday, ministers were discussing a proposal to curb their oil output by about 1 million barrels a day, which would go a little further than Saudi Arabia's preference for a moderate reduction that wouldn't shock the market. Delegates said details of how to share that out and the extent of the contribution from non-OPEC allies remained unresolved.
The group is under pressure after a collapse in oil prices last month. Saudi Arabia, the largest producer in the cartel, is seeking to walk a fine line between preventing a surplus and appeasing President Donald Trump.
Achieving that balance was proving elusive, with one delegate predicting that the size of output cuts would remain unresolved until Friday, when allies including Russia join the talks.
Oil in London (Brent Crude) tumbled as much as 5.2 per cent to $58.36 a barrel, before paring losses to $59.34 .
Saudi Arabia, OPEC's de facto leader, has made clear that it won't shoulder the burden of trimming production alone.
Its cooperation with Russia shows how much OPEC has changed since 2016 when the two countries ended their historic animosity and started to manage the market together.
But OPEC is also contending with vociferous opposition from the US president, who's taken to using his Twitter account to berate the group's policies and sees low oil prices as key to sustaining America's economic growth.
While ministers met in OPEC's Vienna headquarters on Wednesday, Trump tweeted that the "world does not want to see, or need, higher oil prices!"
Iran is currently subject to U.S. sanctions and as such won't participate in any curbs, the country's Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said. Whether to exempt Iran from making any cuts was one sticking point in the meeting, said a delegate. OPEC ministers are also discussing whether to exempt Libya and Venezuela from making production cuts, another delegate said.
The last time the OPEC+ group agreed to curtail output, in late 2016, it settled on a combined 1.8 million-barrel-a-day reduction. In preparatory meetings ahead of this week's summit, delegates had said a cut of as much as 1.3 million barrels a day next year is needed as demand growth slows and U.S. shale production surges.


Akyra is the structured and protective, mountain running boot suitable for endurance routes such as Ultra Trails and Ultra Marathons. Particularly snug fitting, comfortable and protective, it is a trail running shoe designed for extended use on off-road terrain. It uses a tight fitting upper, structured in 3 layers that provides, from the inside out: comfort, thanks to the seamless construction; flexibility and structure thanks to the innovative MicroLite Skeleton™ application that follows the movement of the foot in a dynamic way while running; protection thanks to the Flex-Guard™ structural applications in microfibre that guarantee a lightweight boot but at the same time provide protection against possible abrasions running between rocks and roots. The exceptional stability is provided by the TrailCage System™ technology that is placed between the two layers of the uppers and provides structure and a snug fit integrating with the lacing system. The outsole developed by the La Sportiva R & D department uses the FriXion XT tread with Impact Brake System and the exclusive design with Trail Rocker technology that promotes natural 'outer heel, inner toe' support of the foot when running. Shock absorption, protection and comfort, 3 sides of a perfect geometry: the origami, which inspired the overall shoe design. With Akyra racing is an art.
- Sole with exclusive Trail Rocker™ system: promotes natural "outer heel-inner toe" support of the foot while running.
- The general structure of the shoe is designed to guarantee snug fit of the foot and provide structure and protection at the same time.
Do you want to know which other related outdoor products La sportiva has? At trekkinn, you can buy all the necessary Shoes items so that you can benefit from your activities without complications. La sportiva Akyra is at best price and in stock! Make us of our secure online payment system and benefit from our high qualified salesteam.
Sneakers top, very cushion and support, very comfortable and excellent for heavy athletes.
Sapatilhas topo, muito amortecimento e suporte, muito confortáveis e excelentes para atletas pesados.
top sneakers with plenty of cushioning and support, great for great distances and for heavy athletes.
sapatilhas topo, com bastante amortecimento e suporte, excelentes para grandes distâncias e para atletas pesados.
VERY COMFORTABLE SNEAKERS, SOMETHING WIDES FOR MY FOOT, EXTRAORDINARY GRIP, HAD SOMETHING OF FEAR BECAUSE MY WEIGHT IS IN 75 KG., WAS BETWEEN THESE AND THE BUSHIDO (BY CUSTODY), WITHOUT PROBLEM. I RECOMMEND THEM.
ZAPATILLAS MUY CÓMODAS, ALGO ANCHAS PARA MI PIE, AGARRE EXTRAORDINARIO, TENIA ALGO DE MIEDO PORQUE MI PESO ESTA EN 75 KG., ESTABA ENTRE ESTAS Y LAS BUSHIDO (POR AMORTIGUACIÓN), SIN PROBLEMA. LAS RECOMIENDO.
Great product, and very satisfied with my tennis, very fast shipping, 10 days to Mexico, the store I recommend 100%, original product and great quality.


text:
The SOUL POSSESSED pre-release blog tour!
One of the best things about being in this whole writing biz is getting to meet awesome people. And Katlyn Duncan is one of them! I remember when she sold her first book, Soul Taken, and I got really overly excited and probably creeped her out. But hey, I like it when good things happen to good people. Anyway, when she asked if I could take part in her Soul Possessed blog tour, I was all HECK TO THE YEAH. So without further ado, here's Katlyn!
PS - Her cover is gorgeouser than gorgeous. That is too a word.
I am so excited to be kicking off my Soul Possessed Pre-release Blog Tour with Carrie Harris! Keeping with the zombie theme of the first book in her series, Bad Taste in Boys, Carrie came up with a great post question.
What four YA characters would you like to hang out with during a zombie apocalypse?
I'm a big Walking Dead fan (and of zombies in general) so I pretty much think about this situation at least once a day. Well, with real people at least. But the YA character theme is very fun!
First off, I would want someone with brains. Hermoine Granger (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling) hands down. She is extremely intelligent and carries a tiny bag with endless supplies, perfect for keeping anything we find in a safe place. Also her having a bit of defensive magic always helps.
Next, I need a guy with brute strength. You know, just in case we are scavenging for food in a house and Hermione is on a bathroom break. So I picked Jacob Black (Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer). As much as I think Taylor Lautner is adorable, I am talking book Jacob. Six feet seven inches of muscle with the ability to turn into a bloodthirsty creature at a moments notice? Heck yes! And with his abnormally high body heat, I know my toes and fingers won't fall off if we encounter cold weather.
For strategizing and a great fighter, I chose Prince Ash (The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa). He is smart and calculating, making him the leader of our little group. If he can successfully navigate the Nevernever, I am convinced he can handle a zombie apocalypse. And he's not hard to look at either. *swoons*
And even though my group is already pretty amazing I thought I'd add a necromancer into the mix. Chloe Saunders (Darkest Powers trilogy by Kelley Armstrong) may be a doe-eyed petite girl but when it comes to things that are dead, having her to control them if needed would be a key to our survival.
So there you have it! The five of us would have many adventures trying to find food, shelter, and possibly a way out of one scary situation. That could be a book in itself! Thanks for having me Carrie!
I am hosting two giveaways below. The international giveaway is for a $25 Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk gift card. All you have to do is pre-order Soul Possessed and email me your pre-order confirmation at duncankatlyn@gmail.com and you are automatically entered! The second giveaway is for U.S. only and it is an eBook of Soul Possessed from Amazon.com. Good luck!
Publisher: Carina UK
Series: Book 2, The Life After Trilogy
Genre: YA Paranormal
Pre-Order Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
iTunes US | iTunes UK
Add on Goodreads
Life after Life
Now Maggie has been given the chance of her after-life to become a Guard, nothing will stand in her way. Not even the undeniable attraction she feels for her trainer and past love—Jackson. But when the battle between Shadowed and Guard begins again which side will she choose?
When her boss, Felix, partners Jackson and Maggie up with Ally and Cooper to investigate terrifying Shadowed activity, she doesn't think it could get any worse. Jackson and Cooper barely tolerate each other and this time, Maggie isn't just proving her loyalty to the Guard during one mission...she has a side mission too. One so secret and so dangerous she can't tell a soul...
"Margaret!" Gemma shouted with glee. "Come out of there, I know you are trying to scare me!"
I watched the young red-haired girl put her hands on her hips, trying to be brave. She scanned their father's study, narrowing her eyes. The fire roaring in the hearth was the only source of light in the room, casting dark shadows across the furniture.
Maggie hid behind her father's chair, in silent wait for her prey.
"I'm going to tell Mother!"
Maggie's little hands tightened on the chair but she didn't make a sound. I walked over to her, watching her mouth twist up into a sly grin. She was the older of the girls, but she protected her sister fiercely, proclaiming she was the only one who could tease her. Gemma hated when Maggie played games, but it thrilled Maggie no end and I could feel excited anticipation roll off her in waves.
Gemma's bravery faltered as she stepped forward toward the overstuffed armchair, expecting her sister to jump out at her at any moment.
But Maggie waited. She had incredible patience, but I sensed that part of it was stubbornness and a desire to test boundaries. Her head poked out from behind the chair just as Gemma turned toward the love seat. I watched as Maggie slowly came out of her hiding spot and charged at her sister.
Gemma let out a scream but Maggie covered her sister's mouth with her hand.
Both girls collapsed on the floor, Gemma's muffled squeals threatening to break through Maggie's tiny fingers.
"Shh," Maggie cooed.
Gemma managed to wrestle her mouth away from Maggie's hand. "I hate you!" Her indignation faltered into a fit of giggles and Maggie quickly joined her.
As she helped her sister up from the floor Maggie said, "Gemma. You need to always expect the unexpected. You can't go through life being scared all the time." Even though Maggie was a mere nine years old, she spoke as if she'd lived lifetimes before. It was one of the things that drew me to her more than any other Prognatum I'd watched.
Maggie took a handkerchief and wiped her sister's cheeks.
"A lady wouldn't do that to her sister," Gemma said, finally relaxing.
"I don't want to be a lady," Maggie stated firmly. "I want to see the world and not just make babies for the rest of my life."
Gemma shook her head. "That's what we are supposed to do. That's what Mother does."
Maggie's indignation flowed through her and into me. I knew Maggie was born to follow through with her Prognatum duties, she just didn't know it yet. It was rare for a Prognatum to want the Guard position but Maggie would be thrilled when her father revealed it to her at seventeen.
As Maggie reached down to help Gemma up from the floor she whispered, "It's not for me."
Gemma wrapped her sister in a tight hug. "I will love you either way, dear sister."
Maggie rested her head against Gemma's shoulder. "I love you too."
Release date: June 4, 2013, Carina UK
Series: Book 1 in The Life After Trilogy
After-life just got a lot more complicated
Maggie is a Soul Collector. It's her job to transport souls from the Living Realm to the After – but during a mission to find a stolen soul, she ends up stuck in a teen mean girl's body. Trapped, Maggie's soul is catapulted into Ally's life – and the human world she hasn't experienced for one hundred years. But, as a descendant of the most powerful beings in the After, Maggie must rescue Ally before the girl's soul dies…
To survive, Maggie must uncover devastating secrets – because with one soul taken by a terrifying enemy, Maggie's could be next!
Excerpt: I knelt down again next to Ally and reached out to touch her skin. Even though the sensation was unpleasant, I could feel her pulse as it rapidly declined.
"No," I moaned.
I looked up again to see if any of the Guard could help, but no one was around.
I looked back down at Ally. Her face was paling by the second. My soul started to tingle. I leaned closer to her body, reaching my hand out to touch her face again, when her arm moved toward mine.
I jumped back.
Heather pushed through the crowd. "Did she just move? Did I see her move?" Streaks of black mascara ran down her cheeks.
A ringing sensation tickled my ear and I tuned in to the True Soul's presence. I looked at each human. The True Soul was close, but who had it? They all seemed equally shocked at the tragedy.
An uncomfortable pressure in my chest drew me closer to her body.
My soul slanted toward hers until I was practically on top of her. I helplessly watched my hand morph and stretch toward her body. "What the—?" I tried to pull back but the strength of whatever was happening had other ideas. My hand disappeared first, then my arm, then my torso.
But before I could call for help, my world went dark.
To Purchase: Mills&Boon | Kindle (US) | iBooks (US) | Kobo | Google Play | Sony Store | Kindle (UK) | Nook (UK) | iBooks (UK)
I knelt down again next to Ally and reached out to touch her skin. Even though the sensation was unpleasant, I could feel her pulse as it rapidly declined.
"No," I moaned. I looked up again to see if any of the Guard could help, but no one was around.
An uncomfortable pressure in my chest drew me closer to her body. My soul slanted toward hers until I was practically on top of her. I helplessly watched my hand morph and stretch toward her body.
"What the—?" I tried to pull back but the strength of whatever was happening had other ideas. My hand disappeared first, then my arm, then my torso.
About the Author: Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them.
Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Goodreads | Carina UK
US Only Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway International Pre-Order Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway
Posted by Carrie Harris at 4:16 PM
Katlyn Duncan said...
Thanks for having me Carrie!
Divya said...
Use LinkedIn as a job.The Q&A section is a great area to show off your knowledge.satta king You can also ask questions yourself to find out about other users.Play Bazar


Only yarns, roving, batts, fleece and pre-felt are sold; no finished products, that's up to you dear maker.
If you are a maker, we encourage you to join us for a coffee and bring your spinning wheel, knitting needles or other fibre tools of choice for a gathering of kindred spirits.
Brendan and Tara will be vending. See you there!


text:
Q: Validar tipo de dato con dataannotations y Jquey validate Actualmente trabajo con un proyecto de NetCore y estoy comenzando a hacer las validaciones con jquery validate unobtrusive sucede que  las validaciones funcionan de manera correcta pero tengo un problema con los campos numéricos ya que les he aplicado una mascara de forma que en mi formulario el valor de campo se muestra de la siguiente forma:
Valor:  $1,000,000.00
La validación dice que el campo valor debe ser un número, mi conclusión es que al ser "valor" un campo de tipo decimal no puede parsear  el valor con la mascara debido al signo de pesos y las comas, el problema es que logro hacer que el controller reconozca el formato o quitarle el formato antes de que se envíe.
Este es mi código

<input asp-for="Value" type="text" id="numValue" class="form-control input-numeric" data-allowzero="none" disabled="disabled" data-thousands="," data-decimal="." data-precision="2" data-prefix="$" />

public class Transaction
{
    [Display(Name ="Monto")]
    [DisplayFormat(DataFormatString="{0:C}")]
    [Required(ErrorMessage = "Ingrese un monto.")]
    public decimal Value { get; set; }
}

Intente  hacerlo con JS, antes de enviar el formulario quitarle  el formato pero no funciona por alguna razón unobtrusive se envia antes de que le de click al boton de submit
$("#frmAddTransaction").submit(function(event){
   event.preventDefault();
   $("#frmAddTransaction").validate({
       submitHandler: function(form) {
       $("#numValue").val($("#numValue").val().replace("$","").split(',').join(""));
       $(form).submit();
    }
    });
)}

De antemano muchas  gracias por sus comentarios, este es el plugin con el que coloca la mascara https://plentz.github.io/jquery-maskmoney/

A: Esto ya se ha comentado antes mira el problema es Jquery o javascript que no soportan el formato europeo yo lo solucione haciendo que los campos de mis modelos fueran string y luego en el mapper los convierto a decimal.
Es mas trabajo porque debes de hacer las validaciones manuales.
En mi entidad por ejemplos tienes
public decimal monto {get; set;}
bueno en el modelo
public string monto {get; set;}
ya sea en jquery debes de hacer las validaciones para evitar te manden texto o caracteres raros.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Paratapes undulatus is an important commercial shellfish in the coastal areas of Fujian Province.However,the reduction of natural resources has become a bottleneck restricting the development of the aquaculture industry. In order to guide the artificial breeding of this species,in this study,gonad annual development was determined by microsection observation and artificial spawning breeding experiments were also performed. Microsection observations indicated that the gonad development of P. undulatus could be divided into five periods,e. g.,resting stage( I),proliferative stage( II),growing stage( III),mature stage( IV)and emission stage( V). The maturation rate( R) of gonad reached its peak in July( R = 0. 93). Between April and November,we conducted one or two artificial spawning tests every month,and the data showed that the spawning effects in June and July were the best,followed by September and October. Combining gonad annual development changes,artificial spawning situations and sea water temperature,this study obtained important basic data that would benefit local artificial breeding and natural resource protection for P. undulatus.


text:
USJ's Rolison will play in Japan
Rolison made another cut and will represent USA Baseball in Japan
USJ's Rolison will play in Japan Rolison made another cut and will represent USA Baseball in Japan Check out this story on jacksonsun.com: http://www.jacksonsun.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2015/08/22/usjs-ryan-rolison-will-play-japan/32212749/
Craig Thomas, cthomas2@jacksonsun.com Published 6:50 p.m. CT Aug. 22, 2015
Ryan Rolison(Photo: Jackson Sun file photo)Buy Photo
He worked for his opportunity, knowing everyone else did too. Now he just needed to hear his name announced.
It wasn't the MLB Draft, but a baseball dream awaited University School of Jackson senior Ryan Rolison if he heard it called.
After a summer of training and competition, from North Carolina to California, with the 18-and-under USA Baseball team, the left-handed pitcher hoped he would be one of 20 players chosen to represent his country in a prestigious tournament in Japan.
A coach gathered all 28 candidates, each a survivor of previous cuts, and said he'd like to take all of them but could take only 20.
Ryan Rolison is one of them.
"I was just in complete awe to be honest with you," Rolison said Friday by phone. "I don't think it's really set in that I'm about to represent the United States overseas."
The group left California on Saturday night for Taiwan, where they'll play three exhibitions before competing against teams from other countries at the WBSC World Cup in Osaka, Japan from Aug. 27 to Sept. 6.
Their first five tournament opponents in Japan are the Czech Republic, Japan, Mexico, Australia and Brazil, and Rolison said the coaches have told them the crowds could be between 25,000 and 40,000 — about what you might see at a major league game.
"I don't really know what to think. I've never really thrown in front of a big crowd like that," Rolison said.
Among those fans will be Rolison's parents, Gary and Carol Ann, who Ryan said were "very proud of me."
Rolison admitted it was sad seeing eight former teammates not make the cut, but he's happy catcher and fellow Ole Miss commit Cooper Johnson of Los Angeles was one of the 20 chosen.
"He really knows the game and knows my strengths and weaknesses behind the plate," Rolison said.
Every member of the 20-man team has committed to a Division I school, many of them also with great baseball histories like Stanford, Southern California, Miami, Arizona State, Florida State, UCLA and Vanderbilt.
Rolison has one more chance to help the Bruins win another state title next spring, and then he'll go to Ole Miss. He expects playing in this event will help prepare him for college baseball, and he said he's improved his fastball command and developed his changeup this summer.
Though he's never been to Japan, Rolison said he understood there won't be much opportunity for sightseeing. He'll fly back Sept. 8, and then it'll be time for a late start to his fall semester. (There will be some catching up to do academically, but Rolison said his USJ teachers have been supportive.)
Overseas trips, international competition and five-figure crowds don't happen for many teenagers.
"I'm just going to obviously try and enjoy the event as much as I can," he said.
To track the progress of Rolison and his teammates, visit USABaseball.com and click on the "18U National Team" link.
Craig Thomas, 425-9634
Gibson County up to No. 4 in girls basketball rankings
Jackson area high school basketball top performers from Week 8
West Carroll transitioning from post play to more guard play
Who was the high school boys athlete of the week for Week 21?
Who was the high school girls athlete of the week for Week 21?
High school basketball Week 8 scoreboard


text:
Middle East weighs costs versus benefits of social media influencers
Middle East weighs costs versus benefits of social media influencers /node/1594241/media
Jumana Khamis
The social media influencers phenomenon is reshaping the global marketing industry
Compulsive viewing of social media updates has been linked to depression in some cases
DUBAI: In the course of the last decade, social media platforms have evolved from being communication networks into an integral part of nearly every aspect of daily life.
Online platforms have generated an influencer marketing industry that is currently worth an estimated $8 billion globally.
The practice of using influencers to promote a product or service on social media has come to dominate the marketing industry, creating a ripple effect on consumer choices.
Celebrities, artists, experts and aspiring influencers can be found in fields ranging from food and travel to fashion and beauty, leveraging the power of "likes" and a massive following to promote products in return for fees.
All this raises questions with potentially profound implications for society: Is social media influencing more than just purchasing decisions? More worryingly, has it become a contributing factor in the rise in mental health cases around the world?
Important light has been shed on the subject by the findings of the fourth edition of the "Social Media Influencers' Survey," and a panel discussion held during the release of the report recently in Dubai.
Brands are projected to spend up to $15 billion on influencer marketing by 2022, with one in three people in the world already known to be using social media.
Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and Twitter have been ranked as some of the most popular forms of social media.
These trends are no different when it comes to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
About 85 percent of millennials in Saudi Arabia and the UAE follow at least one social media influencer, and "entertainment" is ranked as the most followed category (94 percent) on these platforms, according to the survey, which was conducted jointly by the BPG Group and YouGov.
The poll questioned 1,000 Emirati and Saudi residents, aged 18 to 35, to highlight consumer views on social media influencers.
The results showed that 59 percent of users were less likely to trust an influencer's review if they had been paid to advertise it and 73 percent could tell if the content was paid for.
Discussing the findings of the survey, Taghreed Oraibi, a BPG Group business director, said social media consumption trends were similar in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The survey found that 73 percent of respondents had purchased from a brand or tried a service mentioned by an influencer.
About 79 percent of respondents in the two GCC countries said they had unfollowed several social media influencers due to their increased promotional content and disagreement with their values and ethics.
However, Oraibi confirmed that influencers who deal in relevant content continue to have a strong following, retaining customer trust and impacting purchasing decisions.
"Brands and agencies alike are following international and local regulations and guidelines in a step to support authorities regulate influencer marketing and increase content transparency to protect consumers," she said.
Summing up the survey's findings, Arif Ladhabhoy, a BPG Group business director, said it "confirms that content is the key factor driving consumers to follow influencers. Brands and influencers have to invest in developing content that resonates and connects with consumers."
That being said, sponsored content and posts are not the only way social media platforms are influencing consumers.
Numerous studies have shown that excessive time spent surfing social media channels can have a negative impact on self-esteem, attention span, human connection, memory, sleep and overall mental health.
Dr. Saliha Afridi, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia in Dubai, says the increasing number of people immersing themselves in the world of social media is "more dangerous than a regular addiction."
She believes the world is living in an "attention economy" — one where technology experts are treating human attention as a scarce commodity and therefore altering their approach to information management.
"Social media platforms are based on different algorithms made by coders in Silicon Valley who are using them to get more people addicted to these apps," said Afridi.
Websites known as "dopamine labs" use technology to predict patterns of human behavior. Based on the results, smartphone apps are altered through sophisticated algorithms that increase potential user engagement and deliver addictive power.
"Many people ask how social media apps play into addiction," Afridi said, adding "they don't — they are the addiction."
The trend of social media influencers is only adding to the problem, according to her.
Users are following more profiles and increasingly interacting with live videos, comments and shares, ultimately spending hours on end staring at a screen.
Afridi believes social media apps are "conditioning people" through recommended posts.
"When it comes to children, the consequences are even worse. Frequent exposure to social media can hinder a child's inclination to explore different parts of their personality," she said.
"This results in an identity crisis that appears way before their adolescent years, which are intended for identity formation."
Many young consumers of social media are also likely to lose out on the natural process of identity-building through socializing with people in the communities around them.
Social media platforms that reflect stereotypical ideas around self-image, fame and happiness can also promote a distorted notion of life for children at a vulnerable age. Even worse, the harsh reality of online communication can severely damage a young person's self-esteem, Afridi said.
"When asked what do you want to be when you grow up, many children today will reply 'rich, famous and thin,'" said Afridi, who calls social media "one big crazy experiment."
Many consumers have fallen into the trap of accessing different aspects of their lives through feedback in the form of "likes, comments and posts," she said.
The BPG Group-YouGov survey confirms that social media influencers are increasingly shaping the daily decisions of many consumers.
In Saudi Arabia and the UAE, 78 percent of users said they followed a brand on social media after seeing it in an influencer's post.
Another 71 percent said they dined at a restaurant mentioned by an influencer, and 54 percent said they travelled to a destination based on an influencer's recommendations.
The power that influencers have over their consumers plays on the basic human instinct that pushes people to listen to those they admire, said Afridi, adding that "the more relatable and authentic a person is, the more influence they will have over you."
Many people will also listen to individuals who appear as experts in a specific field and who "hold a sense of authority," she said. This can include anyone from a well-known chef, a model or a health care promoter, to a micro-influencer and even a trending teenage personality."
The social purpose theory, which states that "if more people like something, then you're more likely to like it too," can also explain the influence of social media.
Afridi sounded a strong warning about the introduction of artificial intelligence and the virtual world into our daily lives.
"This takes the problem to another level," she said, adding that many people were already losing their ability to communicate and relate to the "real world."
In a virtual world, an individual's mindset may change as it begins to believe that virtual beings do not having feelings or feel pain, and anything can be said to them. Such behavior can translate into the real world, "desensitizing" people to events happening around them.
"Today we see a rise in narcissistic traits and autistic traits, where more people are not able to converse with humans or maintain relationships with each other," said Afridi, referring to afflictions like Snapchat dysmorphia, Facebook depression and Techno burnout.
"This is going to be a serious issue for this generation and future generations. The worrying thing is that no one is really conscious of it."
Topics: Editor's Choice Social Media Influencers
Following 'electronic social media intelligently is essential'
OIC counter-extremist center reaches 54m people on social media
Google CEO calls for regulation of artificial intelligence /node/1615661/media
Sundar Pichai's comments come as lawmakers and governments seriously consider putting limits on how artificial intelligence is used
Pichai's comments suggest the company may be hoping to head off a broad-based crackdown by the EU on the technology
LONDON: Google's chief executive called Monday for a balanced approach to regulating artificial intelligence, telling a European audience that the technology brings benefits but also "negative consequences."
Sundar Pichai's comments come as lawmakers and governments seriously consider putting limits on how artificial intelligence is used.
"There is no question in my mind that artificial intelligence needs to be regulated. The question is how best to approach this," Pichai said, according to a transcript of his speech at a Brussel-based think tank.
He noted that there's an important role for governments to play and that as the European Union and the US start drawing up their own approaches to regulation, "international alignment" of any eventual rules will be critical. He did not provide specific proposals.
Pichai spoke on the same day he was scheduled to meet the EU's powerful competition regulator, Margrethe Vestager.
Vestager has in previous years hit the Silicon Valley giant with multibillion-dollar fines for allegedly abusing its market dominance to choke off competition. After being reappointed for a second term last autumn with expanded powers over digital technology policies, Vestager has now set her sights on artificial intelligence, and is drawing up rules on its ethical use.
Pichai's comments suggest the company may be hoping to head off a broad-based crackdown by the EU on the technology. Vestager and the EU have been the among the more aggressive regulators of big tech firms, an approach US authorities have picked up with investigations into the dominance of companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon.
"Sensible regulation must also take a proportionate approach, balancing potential harms with social opportunities," he said, adding that it could incorporate existing standards like Europe's tough General Data Protection Regulation rather than starting from scratch.
While it promises big benefits, he raised concerns about potential downsides of artificial intelligence, citing as one example its role in facial recognition technology, which can be used to find missing people but also for "nefarious reasons" which he didn't specify.
In 2018, Google pledged not to use AI in applications related to weapons, surveillance that violates international norms, or that works in ways that go against human rights.
Topics: Google
Google honors female Egyptian lawyer Mufidah Abdul-Rahman


Pilesgrove Township is a residential and farming community in the north-central part of Salem County, New Jersey. Bordered by Alloway and Carneys Point, Pilesgrove completely surrounds the borough of Woodstown, which serves as the commercial core of the Pilesgrove – Woodstown doughnut towns. It may be oddly shaped, but it is a charming community.
Pilesgrove shares a common early history with the rest of the region. The area was first inhabited by the Lenni Lenape tribe who lived along the Delaware River valley. After the settlers moved into the region, land sales were negotiated, and communities formed. There is some confusion over one of the earliest deeds, one listing notes Thomas Pile, sometimes spelled Pyle, and the other shows the name as James Pile. No matter the first name, the town earned its moniker from Pile when he purchased ten thousand acres in 1682.
To protect their local farmers from nuisance lawsuits, in 1979, Pilesgrove was the first in the state of New Jersey to enforce the right-to-farm law. Under it, farms have a "natural right" to exist within the township as long as city ordinances are being obeyed. This law protects farmers who use standard farming practices from lawsuits that include noise, odors, visual clutter, and much more. All fifty states have also incorporated some version of these laws.
Pilesgrove is also home to two New Jersey wineries, Auburn Road Vineyards, and Chestnut Run Farm. Auburn Road was first planted in 2004 and opened to the public in 2007. They are an advocate of directly shipping wine from the vineyard to the customers and offer a bistro that sells cheese, soups, and bread. Chestnut Run Farm is known for their Fuji apple and Asian pear wines. Sales began in 2007 and a tasting room opened in 2012. Like Auburn Road, Chestnut Run also advocates direct shipping to customers.
Hutchinson's Plumbing and HVAC also goes directly to its local customers in Pilesgrove.
Our expertly better services can help your wallet with improved heating and air conditioning efficiency. You can save a lot of energy and also five percent of your energy bill right away. That's can happen when one of our local HVAC experts gets your seals and insulation set properly, but we also offer a special service, an Audit.
An Energy Star Audit from one of our expertly better heating and air conditioning contractors can earn you state rebates can be up to 2,000 to 4,000 dollars, just for making your home more efficient! Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program (HPwES) projects will also qualify your home for zero percent financing up to seven years to pay with no interest!
Hutch started with HpwES in the beginning and has since been rated in the top three companies in the entire country for completed Energy Star Projects. Our expertly better contractors are very proud that our services have helped residents to save over three million dollars in energy costs. Have your heating and air conditioning checked out right away, with proper maintenance you can see a difference.
Our local plumbing services are also the best around. We are available for emergencies 24/7 or appointments at your convenience. Call Hutch today!


text:
export default {
  fetchInterval: 1000 * 60, // One minute
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Start Your Manual Handling Training Now!
With 20 years experience delivering quality RTO transport and warehouse training, our manual handling courses are designed for in-depth knowledge and understanding and for the most part are delivered online. We customise this face-to-face training course according to your manual handling requirements.
We provide this as one of its WHS / OHS site courses and provide a Certificate of Completion indicating what the participants completed. The course runs for approximately 2-3 hours face-to-face depending on the amount of participants and if we are required to conduct actual Manual Handling Risk Assessments. Online the course runs for 45 minutes.
Do your Manual Handling training online.
Reduce workplace incidents by understanding all Manual Handling hazards.
Print out your Manual Handling training Certificate once competent.
This acts as evidence that satisfies all State OHS Act/Regulation duty of care requirements and State Workcover Authority Audits.
More information on Manual Handling risks can be found at Safework Australia.
More good information on Manual Handling Risks can be found here.
What is poor manual handling practice?
Strategically designed to provide in-depth knowledge of manual handling techniques, our courses equip you with knowledge as well as management and compliance requirements under the new WHS regulations (OHS regulations in Western Australia and Victoria).
We assist participants meet their course obligations, making it easier for businesses to comply with your work duty of care requirements. No matter what your current role or circumstances are, AlertForce is here to assist you undertake the course without disruption to your schedule or routine. Since 2008, the AlertForce name has been renown for delivering the highest quality competency based training across broad industries, including the asbestos removal field. With no reason to wait, our Manual Training Courses can be taken online or in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth and we are ready to train today.
where Manual Handling Training are required. The workplace need for safe and good handling techniques never goes away.
We've trained thousands of workers around the country in safe manual handling techniques. AlertForce are deliver all courses required for State Government licensing & materials are aligned to Federal or State best practice.


text:
Observer Food Monthly Awards 2017
2017's best place to drink in the UK – the Crown, Hastings
With customers arriving for brunch and leaving at last orders, plus haircuts in the snug and Monopoly at the bar, this pub has been voted by OFM readers as the perfect local's local
Stuart Husband
Sun 15 Oct 2017 06.00 EDT Last modified on Wed 29 Aug 2018 05.40 EDT
Andrew Swan and Tess Eaton with their team at The Crown, Hastings. Photograph: Alex Lake/The Observer
It's a quiet Tuesday lunchtime at The Crown in Hastings, and the atmosphere – fairly typical, as it turns out – is mellow and bucolic. Sunlight is slanting in through the windows, highlighting the dark walls and floorboards of the U-shaped interior; a local sits at one end of the bar, nursing a pint and reading a paper; a party of trippers make appreciative noises over their recently arrived ham, egg and chips; and landlady Tess Eaton is supervising a shipment of organic vegetables from nearby Fairlight Hall. "I just had a lady say that this was the best pub she'd ever been to," she grins, as the courgettes are ushered back to the kitchen. "Completely unsolicited, too."
Actually, The Crown gets that a lot; the winner of OFM's Best Place to Drink award is the Platonic ideal of the welcoming local. It sits at the end of the much-photographed All Saints' Street, between the picturesque jumble of Hastings Old Town and the beachfront, and attracts a winningly diverse crowd, from dyed-in-the-wool locals – fishermen, foragers – to the more recent arrivistes deemed "DFLs" (Down From London) to curious gourmets and casual drinkers. They all sense that Eaton and her partner Andrew Swan have gone the extra mile in everything from their handmade tables (courtesy of Hastings & Bexhill Wood Recycling) to their painstakingly seasonal menu (duo of mackerel or tempura courgette flowers, rather than cod and chips or vegetable lasagne) and local-pump selection of ales and ciders (from the likes of the Romney Marsh Brewery and Kentish Pip Cider). The art on the walls is covetable stuff by local artists; fresh-cut flowers, from Eaton's mother's garden, decorate the tables. Even the soap in the toilets is scrupulously sourced, from the Hastings Soap Co.
OFM Awards 2017: Best Place to Drink – the runners-up
"It wasn't like we had an overarching vision for the place," says Swan, who oversees the kitchen. "But Hastings is a creative town and, being independent, we could act as a showcase for all these local producers."
"And we're a real all-day operation," says Eaton. "We open at 11am, so we're a coffee shop in the morning, a cafe in the daytime …"
"… And we serve food eight and a half hours a day," continues Swan. "So we're a pub in the afternoon, a restaurant in the evening, a bar as it gets later …"
"We also do haircutting in the snug, 20 quid for a cut and a pint," says Eaton. "We had a gardening club, we've had wreath-making, craft workshops, cider festivals …"
"We never wanted to limit ourselves," says Swan. "And we wanted everyone to come through the door. It's a public house, after all."
There's been a pub on the site since 1758, but The Crown had been boarded up for two years when Eaton and Swan, refugees from marketing and structural engineering respectively, stumbled across it while touring the UK in their camper van. Their enthusiasm for hospitality had been fired up by a stint at The Reliance, the dining room/pub in Leeds: "The feel, the spread of customers, the fact they sold whatever they wanted," says Eaton. "It was their life, and that really inspired us."
"We felt we could replicate that in Hastings," says Swan. "We were really excited by the fishing fleet here, and that we'd be able to base our menu around that. We quickly realised there's a lot of people power and social networks we could tap into."
From their "secret" opening in July 2014, which attracted 200 people, a mariachi band and the obligatory contingent of piratically costumed locals, Eaton and Swan have assiduously created their own local hub. At a time when pubs in the UK are shuttering at a rate of around 25 a week, their attention to detail and infectious enthusiasm has helped them buck the trend.
"It's about creating a whole vibe," says Eaton, "from having local hazelnuts in the bakewell tart to the front-of-house staff knowing what a lot of regulars drink before they walk through the door. We want people to treat this place like their living room. We had one couple who came for brunch at 11am, and stayed till 11pm; they took all their meals at different tables, they had a nap in the snug, they read the papers, they played Monopoly …"
"And then they missed their train home and had to find a B&B," says Swan. "They got a couple of bottles of beer as a prize for being our most dedicated customers."
With The Crown in the ascendant, their title could soon be in jeopardy. thecrownhastings.co.uk
2017's best restaurant – Pidgin, east London
Their menu changes weekly and no dish is repeated – our winner is Pidgin, a small east London restaurant that's big on creativity
OFM Awards 2017: Best Cheap Eats – Yard Sale Pizza
Macaulay Culkin's band played at the launch – and this pizza place more than lives up to the hype
OFM Awards 2017: Editor's Award – AA Gill
In recognition of a unique writing talent, OFM honours the late restaurant reviewer with this special award
OFM Awards 2017: Best Food Personality – Rick Stein
After decades of books, restaurants and TV, Rick Stein isn't slowing down. Next up for for the man voted Best Food Personality by OFM readers: a road trip to Mexico
2017's best UK Sunday lunch – A Rule of Tum's Bookshop, Hereford
OFM Awards 2017: Local Food Hero – The Pop Up Soup Kitchen
OFM Awards 2017: Best Newcomer – Temper, Soho


🐬Enjoy coastal living from this charming and updated home located in a family friendly neighborhood in the Village of North Palm Beach!
Posted in North Palm Beach, North Palm Beach homes, North Palm Beach homes for sale, North Palm Beach real estate on March 25, 2019 at 7:07 am.
ARE YOU READY FOR MARCH MADNESS!