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fe328269d0deccead26357be9a41c551
MidEast Giuliani
ONLY ON AP Trump's lawyer Giuliani on North Korea and Mueller Russia probe
Robert Mueller , Hillary Clinton , Kim Jong-un , Donald Trump , John Bolton , Rudolph Giuliani , Michael Pence , James Comey
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Wednesday boasted that US President Donald Trump's tough line had forced the North Korean leader to beg to re-schedule a high-profile summit after the president abruptly called off the meeting.
After the cancellation, "Kim Jong Un got back on his hands and knees and begged for it, which is exactly the position you want to put him in," Giuliani told a business conference in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.
In an interview later with The Associated Press, Giuliani rejected suggestions that such comments might sour the atmosphere ahead of next week's summit in Singapore, saying that the North Korean leader must understand that the United States is in a position of strength.
"It is pointing out that the president is the stronger figure," Giuliani told the AP. "And you're not going to have useful negotiations unless he accepts that."
Giuliani said Trump had no choice but to call off the meeting after the North Koreans insulted Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Adviser John Bolton and threatened "nuclear annihilation" of the U.S.
"President Trump didn't take that. What he did was he called off the summit," he said.
Giuliani said Kim quickly changed his position, expressed willingness to discuss denuclearization and asked to have the meeting again.
"That's what I mean by begging for it," Giuliani said.
The summit is back on in Singapore next Tuesday.
Giuliani, Trump's lawyer in the Russian investigation, noted that he was sharing a personal opinion and was not part of the U.S. foreign policy team.
The former New York mayor is in Israel for a number of appearances, including a speech to a Tel Aviv business conference earlier in the day and an address late on Wednesday to OneFamily, a group that supports Israeli families whose loved ones have been wounded or killed in Palestinian attacks.
Giuliani is leading the defence of Trump in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether Trump associates coordinated with Russia during the 2016 presidential election, and whether Trump took steps to shut down that investigation through actions, including the firing of FBI Director James Comey.
Trump's team and allies have waged a public relations campaign against Mueller and the Justice Department to discredit the investigation and soften the impact of the special counsel's potential findings. In the latest salvo, Giuliani accused Mueller of trying to "frame" the president.
Giuliani claimed that Mueller has produced no evidence of wrongdoing by the president, and has stacked his team with partisan Democrats, including supporters of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
Though Trump insists he did nothing wrong, the statements from him and his lawyers have made clear that much of their defence revolves around establishing that he was constitutionally empowered to take the actions he took.
Giuliani rejected criticism that the defence team is attacking the justice system or public institutions.
"We're trying to purify institutions," he added, accusing the media of trying to convict Trump and saying the prosecutors are "not saints" immune from attack.
Nonetheless, Giuliani said he remains in touch with Mueller, and that there have been discussions about allowing investigators to question the president. But he said his client needs assurances he won't be railroaded.
He said so far, Mueller has not produced evidence indicating wrongdoing by the president
Jerusalem - 6 June 2018
1. Set-up shot of US President Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, US President Donald Trump's lawyer:
"What I'm saying is that (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un had someone say terrible things about (US) Vice President (Mike) Pence. Terrible things about (National Security Advisor) John Bolton. And then had someone threaten nuclear annihilation of the United States. (US) President (Donald) Trump didn't take that. What he did was he called off the summit and he was widely criticised for it. And Kim Jong Un changed his position. He said he was going to do denuclearisation. Again, we don't have the conditions yet but at least that's a big shift and asked to have the meeting again. And that's what I mean by 'begging for it'."
3. Close of Giuliani
"It is pointing out that the president is the stronger figure and you're not going to have useful negotiations unless he accepts that. And my words don't matter - I'm not involved in the negotiations. But my comments as a citizen are very important."
5. Cutaway of Giuliani with associates
"In order to try to develop evidence against him, they have brought a number of very questionable cases. The prosecution of Mr. (Paul) Manafort for things in 2005 that had nothing to do with President Trump. I can't imagine why...whether Mr. Manafort did something wrong or not - I cant judge. But I can say it has nothing to do with President Trump. And then these Russians that were indicted, who are never going to come to the United States, who play dirty tricks like dressing up as clowns. If that is Russian collusion, I don't know maybe it is. But, the real question is there's not a single link to anybody in America. So what's that about if it isn't trying to formulate a case on the president when there is no evidence for it. A judge recently said that this investigation is more like investigating a man than a crime. Because, they don't have a crime. And that's why I say 'they're trying to frame him.' Because, if they had any sense they would realise they're trying to put together a case on an innocent man and that's what we call in America 'framing somebody'."
7. Cutaway of Giuliani taking photos with associates
"We're trying to purify institutions. You're just part of that whole...media that wants to turn around and convict President Trump when he's done nothing wrong. And nobody wants to recognise that that's what these people are engaged in. Well it's my job to defend a client and if I have to take on an Attorney General or an independent council, by God, I'll take them on. I'm not the first lawyer to do that. When someone is unfairly prosecuting you, you have got to point that out loudly and clearly - this is an unfair investigation. It has no basis in fact. President Trump did not talk to, meet with, or have anything to do with Russians at any time during the 2016 election. That is a totally phoney charge. And over a year-and-a-half and 20 million dollars later they don't have a single piece of proof that he did. Now, if you aren't framing him, then stop the investigation, put out your report and let the chips fall where they may."
9 . Cutaway of Giuliani taking photos with associates
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Giuliani, US President Donald Trump's lawyer:
"If they can show us some hard incriminating facts from that evidence, then we would consider advising our client to be interviewed. But, if we don't see it, then we have to conclude that we're not dealing with a fair-minded group of people."
11. Giuliani with associates
"Not only did (Robert) Mueller bring in heavy Democratic partisans to conduct the investigation of a Republican, he's also using the FBI agents who conducted the totally unfair, totally biased, in the other direction, investigation of Hillary Clinton. They should have used new agents, not agents that have conducted probably one of the most flawed investigations in American history."
13. Giuliani getting on a bus
Summits , International relations , Government and politics , Summits , General news , 2016 United States presidential election , United States presidential election , Presidential elections , National elections , Elections , Criminal investigations , Crime , Criminal investigations , Law and order , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections
North Korea government
West Jerusalem , Jerusalem , Israel
2323e8a369c1f5223be23638a74d2ffa
US Trump Russia Probe (CR)
Trump gives written responses to Mueller questions
Hillary Clinton , Donald Trump , Donald Trump, Jr. , Robert Mueller
President Donald Trump has provided the special counsel's office with written answers to questions about his knowledge of Russian interference in the 2016 election, his lawyers said Tuesday, marking the first time Trump has directly cooperated with the investigation.
The step is a milestone in a months-long negotiation between Trump's attorneys and special counsel Robert Mueller's team over whether and when the president would sit for an interview, representing the first time the president is known to have described to investigators his knowledge of key moments under scrutiny by prosecutors.
If Mueller finds the answers satisfactory, the responses may also help stave off a potential subpoena fight over Trump's testimony.
The compromise outcome, nearly a year in the making, offers some benefit to both sides. Trump avoids, at least for now, a potentially risky and unpredictable sit-down with prosecutors, while Mueller secures a set of on-the-record statements whose accuracy the president and his lawyers will be expected to stand by for the duration of the investigation.
Associated Press writer Eric Tucker says someone very close to the president could become ensnared in Mueller's probe.
"We expect that there are going to be more indictments," Tucker said. "There's a lot of speculation and buzz in Washington as to who might be next up. We know that there's concern within the White House about President Trump's oldest son, Donald Trump Jr."
Washington - 20 November 2018
1. President Donald Trump greets White House visitors
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Eric Tucker, Associated Press Writer:
++partially covered with b-roll++
"Today, we have learned that President Donald Trump and his lawyers have turned over to special counsel Robert Mueller written answers to questions about Russian election interference and questions that are related to the topic of whether the campaign colluded with the Kremlin to sway the 2016 U.S. presidential election."
Washington - 21 August 2013
3. STILL of Robert Mueller speaking during an interview at FBI headquarters
"And so, we can imagine and infer that Mueller wants to understand to what extent did Trump know about the Russian hacking of Democratic emails, to what extent did Trump have any knowledge that his son was going to be attending a meeting at Trump Tower with a Kremlin-connected lawyer. Those are all questions that cut to the heart of the collusion question that Mueller is trying to answer."
5. Trump and his family walk outside at the White House
"We expect that there are going to be more indictments. There's a lot of speculation and buzz in Washington as to who might be next up. We know that there's concern within the White House about President Trump's oldest son, Donald Trump Jr. He, of course, attended and helped organize the Trump Tower meeting, which is very significant, because he took that meeting with the expectation of receiving dirt on Hillary Clinton, his father's opponent. We have no indication that he's in legal jeopardy, but we do know that the White House is concerned about that."
Sun City, Arizona - 1 November 2018
7. STILL of Donald Trump Jr. speaking at a campaign rally for a U.S. Senate candidate
++fully covered with b-roll++
"The main question that now arises is whether special counsel Mueller would seek a subpoena of President Trump for his testimony in a criminal investigation ... and it is possible that Mueller will receive these answers from Trump and want additional information on the collusion question specifically and say he's not satisfied. If that were to happen, it is possible that he might seek a subpoena and try to get Justice Department approval for that."
9. Trump walks toward and boards the Marine One helicopter
Presidential elections , National elections , Elections , Government and politics , Criminal investigations , Crime , General news , Criminal investigations , Law and order , United States presidential election , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , 2016 United States presidential election
Seattle , Washington , United States
925c91ed88c3085f4cedda5351e47d95
AP debrief as Trump gives written responses to Mueller questions
Donald Trump , Robert Mueller , Donald Trump, Jr. , Hillary Clinton
President Donald Trump has provided the special counsel with written answers to questions about his knowledge of Russian interference in the 2016 election, his lawyers said on Tuesday.
The move avoids at least for now a potentially risky sit-down with prosecutors and is the first time the president has directly cooperated with the long investigation.
The step is a milestone in a months-long negotiation between his attorneys and special counsel Robert Mueller's team over whether and when the president would sit for an interview, representing the first time the president is known to have described to investigators his knowledge of key moments under scrutiny by prosecutors.
The compromise outcome, nearly a year in the making, offers some benefit to both sides.
Trump avoids, at least for now, a potentially risky and unpredictable sit-down with prosecutors, while Mueller secures a set of on-the-record statements whose accuracy the president and his lawyers will be expected to stand by for the duration of the investigation.
Washington DC - 20 November 2018
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Eric Tucker, Associated Press Writer:
"Today, we have learned that President Donald Trump and his lawyers have turned over to special counsel Robert Mueller written answers to questions about Russian election interference and questions that are related to the topic of whether the campaign colluded with the Kremlin to sway the 2016 US presidential election."
ARCHIVE - Washington DC - 21 August 2013
3. STILL Robert Mueller speaking during an interview at FBI headquarters
"These are questions that relate to the time period before President Trump took office. And that's really important. They relate to the central question of collusion. And so, we can imagine and infer that Mueller wants to understand to what extent did Trump know about the Russian hacking of Democratic emails, to what extent did Trump have any knowledge that his son was going to be attending a meeting at Trump Tower with a Kremlin-connected lawyer. Those are all questions that cut to the heart of the collusion question that Mueller is trying to answer."
"We expect that there are going to be more indictments. There's a lot of speculation and buzz in Washington as to who might be next up. We know that there's concern within the White House about President Trump's oldest son, Donald Trump Jr.. He, of course, attended and helped organize the Trump Tower meeting, which is very significant, because he took that meeting with the expectation of receiving dirt on Hillary Clinton, his father's opponent. We have no indication that he's in legal jeopardy, but we do know that the White House is concerned about that."
ARCHIVE - Sun City, Arizona - 1 November 2018
7. STILL Donald Trump Jr. speaking at a campaign rally for US senate candidate
"The main question that now arises is whether special counsel Mueller would seek a subpoena of President Trump for his testimony in a criminal investigation. The Supreme Court has never weighed in on that specific question, and it is possible that Mueller will receive these answers from Trump and want additional information on the collusion question specifically and say he's not satisfied. If that were to happen, it is possible that he might seek a subpoena and try to get Justice Department approval for that."
9. Trump walks toward the Marine One helicopter
United States presidential election , 2016 United States presidential election , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , Criminal investigations , Crime , General news , Criminal investigations , Law and order , Presidential elections , National elections , Elections , Government and politics
c3dfcf14e40f8b8bd69b466b64897ef0
Presidential elections , National elections , Elections , Government and politics , United States presidential election , 2016 United States presidential election , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , Criminal investigations , Crime , General news , Criminal investigations , Law and order
db18783b2ae15c0c6d05b51d1e50db75
US Russia Probe Debrief (CR)
Analysis: Mueller Continues to Prosecute Lying
Paul Manafort , Rick Gates , Hillary Clinton , Robert Mueller , Donald Trump
An attorney linked to a former Trump campaign official admitted Tuesday he lied to federal investigators working for special counsel Robert Mueller.
Alex van der Zwaan, who worked at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom until he was fired last year, appeared at the federal courthouse in Washington where he formally pleaded guilty to a single charge of making false statements about his interactions with former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates.
Associated Press reporter Eric Tucker says Mueller is sending a clear message that he won't tolerate lying. This is the 4th person to be prosecuted for lying to investigators.
Van der Zwaan's plea comes on the heels of an extraordinary indictment from Mueller last week that charged 13 Russian individuals and three Russian companies in a hidden social media effort to meddle in the 2016 U.S. presidential election by denigrating Democrat Hillary Clinton and boosting the chances of Trump.
But the charge against the attorney, who is also the son-in-law of a Russian billionaire, does not involve election meddling or relate to the Trump campaign's operations. Instead, it stems from the special counsel's investigation into Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chair, and Gates, who is a longtime business associate of Manafort.
Gates and Manafort were indicted last year and accused of conspiring to launder millions of dollars they earned from political consulting work in Ukraine. As part of that indictment, Manafort and Gates are accused of directing a covert Washington lobbying campaign on behalf of pro-Russian Ukrainian interests before they joined the Trump campaign. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Van der Zwaan, 33, of London admitted to lying to federal authorities while they questioned him about the production of a report that Manafort and Gates are accused of secretly funding by funneling money through an offshore account.
1. Mid, van der Zwaan exiting the courthouse and getting into a car
"Today we had another guilty plea in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. This is a lawyer. His name is Alex van der Zwaan. He admitted to lying to federal investigators during an interview in November 2017. This is the 19th person that we've seen charged so far in Mueller's investigation. This is a person who lied to the FBI about his interactions with Rick Gates, who is a codefendant of Paul Manafort, who is the former campaign chairman of President Donald Trump."
3. Mid, car driving away
"He went into the special counsel's office back in November 2017 to be interviewed about his interactions with Rick Gates in connection with the production of a report that related to foreign lobbying work, Ukrainian lobbying work, that Rick Gates and Paul Manafort were doing. And during the course of that conversation he was asked about the last interaction he had with Rick Gates. He lied in that interview according to Mueller's investigators."
5. STILL Various van der Zwaan arriving at courthouse
"The plea today does not relate to the indictment from Friday about the meddling in the 2016 presidential election. And it doesn't directly connect in any way to President Trump or Candidate Trump."
"But I would say what's really interesting now is this is the fourth person who we have seen charged with lying to investigators. So clearly Mueller is saying if you lie to us, and if we catch you in a lie making a knowing and false and willfully false statement, not just a mistake but a willfully false statement, you could wind up being prosecuted."
++EDIT ENDS IN A SOUNDBITE++
Criminal investigations , Crime , General news , Criminal investigations , Law and order , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , Presidential elections , National elections , Elections , Government and politics , United States presidential election , 2016 United States presidential election
6486be8dc5ca3f14d6c0d35e8cfe3e19
US Barr Senate 5 (NR LON)
AG Barr, Senate Dems spar over Mueller report
William Barr , Robert Mueller , Kamala Harris , Donald Trump , Richard Blumenthal , Hillary Clinton , Amy Klobuchar , Cory Booker
Private tensions between Justice Department leaders and Robert Mueller's team broke into public view in extraordinary fashion Wednesday as Attorney General William Barr pushed back at the special counsel's "snitty" complaints over his handling of the Trump-Russia investigation report.
Testifying for the first time since releasing Mueller's report, Barr said he was surprised Mueller did not reach a conclusion on whether President Donald Trump had tried to obstruct justice, and that he had felt compelled to step in with his own judgment that the president had committed no crime.
Barr was also perturbed by a private letter Mueller sent him last month complaining that the attorney general had not properly portrayed the special counsel's finding.
Barr called the note "a bit snitty."
"I said 'Bob, what's with the letter? Just pick up the phone and call me if there is an issue,'" Barr said.
The airing of disagreements over the handling of the report followed Mueller's two-year investigation into Russian interference to help Trump in the 2016 campaign and the possibility that Trump's team conspired with the Russians.
During most of the investigation, the Justice Department and Mueller's team seemed to be unified in approach.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been anything but unified.
And their partisan divide was on full display during Wednesday's contentious Judiciary Committee hearing, which included three Democratic presidential candidates.
Some Republicans, in addition to defending Trump, focused on the president's 2016 Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton's email and campaign practices and what they argued has been a lack of investigation of them.
Democrats, for their part, moved to exploit the daylight between Barr and Mueller to attack the attorney general's credibility and accuse him of unduly spinning the special counsel's report in the president's favor.
Barr sought to minimize the rift by suggesting the special counsel's concerns were largely about process, not substance.
Barr's appearance gave him his most extensive opportunity to explain the department's actions, including his news conference held before the Mueller report's release.
Barr has also been invited to appear Thursday before the Democratic-led House Judiciary panel, but the Justice Department has said he would not testify if the committee insisted on having its lawyers question him.
Neither side broke much new ground Wednesday on the specifics of Mueller's investigation, though Barr did articulate a robust defense of Trump as he made clear his firm conviction that there was no prosecutable case against the president for obstruction of justice.
Washington DC - 1 May 2019
1. Wide, Senate Judiciary Committee
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Cory Booker, Democrat - New Jersey:
"We right now have a new normal in our country. We have a document that shows over 200 hundred attempts, connections between a presidential campaign and a foreign adversary sharing information that would be illegal if you did it with a super PAC. We know that. (Barr: What information was shared?) The polling data was shared sir. It's in the report I can cite you the page. (Barr: With who?) And I guess my point here is is that your willingness to seem to brush over this and use words like the American people should be grateful. What's in this report? Nobody should be grateful."
3. Back view of hearing
4. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General:
"Sen. Kamala Harris: Attorney General Barr has the president or anyone at the White House ever asked or suggested that you open an investigation of anyone?
Umm, I wouldn't I wouldn't.
Harris: Yes or no.
Could you repeat that question?"
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, Democrat - California:
"I will repeat it. Has the president or anyone at the White House ever asked or suggested that you open an investigation of anyone? Yes or no please sir?"
"The president or anybody else.
Harris: Seems you'd remember something like that and be able to tell us.
Yeah but I'm trying to grapple with the words suggest. I mean there have been discussions of of matters out there that they have not asked me to open investigation but ...
Harris: Perhaps they've suggested?
I don't know, I wouldn't say suggest.
Harris: Hinted? Inferred?"
"Is in reaching your conclusion did you personally review all of the underlying evidence?"
"No. We took and ...
Harris: Did Mr. Rosenstein?
No we accepted the statements in the report as the factual record. We did not go underneath it to see whether or not they were accurate. We accepted it as accurate."
"As the Attorney General of the United States. You run the United States Department of Justice. If in any U.S. attorney's office around the country, the head of that office when being asked to make a critical decision about in this case the person who holds the highest office in the land and whether or not that person committed a crime, would you accept them recommending a charging decision to you if they had not reviewed the evidence?
Barr: Well that's a question for Bob Mueller. He's the U.S. attorney. He's the one who presents the report.
But it was you who made the charging decision, sir? You made the decision not to charge the president."
10. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General:
"In a pross (process) memo and then a declination memo.
Harris: You said it was your baby, what did you mean by that?
It was my baby to to let to decide whether or not to disclose it to the public
Harris: And whose decision was it? Who had the power to make the decision about whether or not the evidence was sufficient to make a determination of whether there had been an obstruction of justice?
Prosecution memos go up to the supervisor, in this case it was the the attorney general and the deputy attorney general who who decide on the final decision."
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Democrat - Minnesota:
"Mr. Attorney General, on April 27th President Trump stated 'Mueller, I assume for 35 million dollars he checked my taxes and he checked my financials.' Is that accurate? Did the special counsel review the president's taxes and the Trump Organization's financial statements?"
"I don't know.
Klobuchar: Can you find out if I ask later in a written question?
I, yes or you could ask Bob Mueller when he comes here.
Klobuchar: OK I'll do that too."
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat - Connecticut:
"In fact in response to your question 'why not just pick up the phone,' this letter was an extraordinary act. A career prosecutor rebuking the attorney general of the United States, memorializing in writing. Right? I know of no other instance of that happening. Do you?"
"I don't consider Bob at this stage a career prosecutor. He's had a career as a prosecutor.
Blumenthal: Well, he's a very eminent prosecutor.
He was the head of the FBI for 12 years.
Blumenthal: He's a career a law enforcement professional, right? Yeah I know of no other instance of ...
But he was also political appointee and he was a political appointee with me at the Department of Justice. I don't know the letters a bit snitty and I think it was probably written by one of his staff people."
"Did you make a memorandum of your conversation? Did you make a memorandum"
Barr: I didn't.
Did anyone, either you or anyone on your staff memorialize your conversation with Robert Mueller?"
"Yes.
Blumenthal: Who did that?
Barr: There were notes taken of the call.
Blumenthal: May we have those notes?
Barr: No
Blumethal: Why not?"
Barr: Why should you have them."
16. Pan, Barr leaving hearing
Political conventions , Judiciary , Government and politics , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , Judicial appointments and nominations , Government appointments and nominations , Judicial appointments and nominations , 2016 United States presidential election , United States presidential election , Presidential elections , National elections , Elections , Political parties , Political organizations , Legislature , Criminal investigations , Crime , General news , Criminal investigations , Law and order
U.S. Department of Justice, United States government, U.S. Democratic Party
94532284699fb5819855c6f34ac91ca3
US Barr Senate 5
William Barr , Robert Mueller , Kamala Harris , Donald Trump , Richard Blumenthal , Cory Booker , Hillary Clinton , Amy Klobuchar
Political conventions , Presidential elections , National elections , Elections , Government and politics , Political parties , Political organizations , 2016 United States presidential election , United States presidential election , Judicial appointments and nominations , Government appointments and nominations , Judicial appointments and nominations , Judiciary , Criminal investigations , Crime , General news , Criminal investigations , Law and order , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , Legislature
1842cf50c5f5ed54319a9cd7d7f5a9a3
US Russia Probe Debrief (Lon NR)
Donald Trump , Paul Manafort , Hillary Clinton , Robert Mueller , Rick Gates
1. STILL Alex van der Zwaan arriving at the courthouse
"Today we had another guilty plea in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. This is a lawyer. His name is Alex van der Zwaan. He admitted to lying to federal investigators during an interview in November 2017."
"This is the 19th person that we've seen charged so far in Mueller's investigation. This is a person who lied to the FBI about his interactions with Rick Gates, who is a codefendant of Paul Manafort, who is the former campaign chairman of President Donald Trump."
"So one thing that's really interesting is when you think about the timing of this investigation, this comes right on the heels of a stunning indictment that we had last Friday against 13 Russians and 3 Russian companies in connection to a hidden but very powerful social media effort that Mueller says was aimed at denigrating Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election and aiding the campaign of her Republican opponent Donald Trump."
11. STILL van der Zwaan leaving the courthouse
"Alex van der Zwaan is going to be sentenced in April. He was free today, he was allowed to go, allowed to leave the courtroom."
16.SOUNDBITE (English) Eric Tucker, Associated Press Justice Department Reporter:
"That charge that he is pleading guilty to, a charge of making false statements to investigators, technically carries a five year maximum prison sentence. However, under the sentencing guideline ranges that were discussed in court today he's looking at between zero months and six months in prison."
Online media , Media , United States presidential election , 2016 United States presidential election , Legal proceedings , Law and order , General news , Elections , Government and politics , Crime , Presidential elections , National elections , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , Criminal investigations , Criminal investigations
cd3b660cee5f1dabc97d17fa8371a076
US Rosenstein Russia Indict
13 Russians Charged in Mueller Investigation
Robert Mueller , Donald Trump , Rod Rosenstein , Hillary Clinton
Thirteen Russians and three Russian entities were charged Friday with an elaborate plot to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, federal prosecutors announced Friday.
The indictment, brought by the office of special counsel Robert Mueller, alleges that Russians used bogus social media postings and advertisements fraudulently purchased in the name of Americans to sway political opinion during the race between Republican Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, his Democratic opponent.
The charges are the most direct allegation to date of illegal Russian meddling in the election.
The goal, the indictment says, was to "sow discord in the U.S. political system, including the 2016 presidential election."
Charges include conspiracy, wire fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The charges arise from Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the election and whether there was improper coordination between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin.
Before Friday, four people, including Trump's former national security adviser and former campaign chairman, had been charged in Mueller's investigation.
The White House had no immediate response to the indictment.
Washington DC - 16 February 2018
1. Wide, Rosenstein walking into news conference
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:
"A grand jury in the District of Columbia today returned an indictment presented by the special counsel's office. The indictment charges 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for committing federal crimes while seeking to interfere in the United States political system including the 2016 presidential election. The defendants allegedly conducted what they called information warfare against the United States with the stated goal of spreading distrust toward the candidates and the political system in general. According to the allegations in the indictment 12 of the individual defendants worked at various times for a company called Internet Research Agency LLC, a Russian company based in St. Petersburg. The other individual defendant Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin funded the conspiracy through companies known as Concord Management and Consulting LLC, Concord catering and many affiliates and subsidiaries.
3. Cutaway reporters
"Two of the defendants allegedly traveled to the United States in 2014 to collect intelligence for their American influence operations. In order to hide the Russian origins of their activities, the defendants allegedly purchased space on computer servers located here in the United States in order to set up a virtual private network. The defendants allegedly use that infrastructure to establish hundreds of accounts on social media networks such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, making it appear that those accounts were controlled by persons located in the United States."
5. Wide, Rosenstein speaking
"The indictment includes eight criminal counts. Count one alleges a criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States by all of the defendants. The defendants allegedly conspired to defraud America by impairing the lawful functions of the Federal Election Commission, the United States Department of Justice and the Department of State. Those organizations of the U.S. government are responsible for administering federal requirements for disclosure of foreign involvement in certain domestic activities. Count two charges conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud by Internet Research Agency and two of the individual defendants. Counts three through eight charge aggravated identity theft by Internet Research Agency and four individuals. Now there is no allegation in this indictment that any American was a knowing participant in this illegal activity. There is no allegation in the indictment that the charge conduct altered the outcome of the 2016 election. I want to caution you that everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. At trial prosecutors must introduce credible evidence that is sufficient to prove each defendant guilty beyond any reasonable doubt to a unanimous jury. Special Counsel's investigation is ongoing. There will be no comments from the special counsel at this time. "
7. Cutaway
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General
"This indictment serves as a reminder that people are not always who they appear to be on the Internet. The indictment alleges that the Russian conspirators want to promote discord in the United States and undermine public confidence in democracy. We must not allow them to succeed. The Department of Justice will continue to work cooperatively with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies and with the Congress to defend our nation against similar current and future efforts."
9. Mid, Rosenstein walking out
Criminal investigations , Crime , General news , Criminal investigations , Law and order , Online media , Media , Corporate crime , Corporate crime , Corporate news , Business , Fraud and false statements , Presidential elections , National elections , Elections , Government and politics , United States presidential election , Indictments , Legal proceedings , Conspiracy , Corporate legal affairs , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , Judicial elections , Judiciary , Judicial elections , Corporate investigations , 2016 United States presidential election , Identity theft
904f8f869b6c130c7fb4d1c8d4a6a283
US Rosenstein Russia Indict (CR)
Rod Rosenstein , Robert Mueller , Hillary Clinton , Donald Trump
"A grand jury in the District of Columbia today returned an indictment presented by the special counsel's office. The indictment charges 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for committing federal crimes while seeking to interfere in the United States political system including the 2016 presidential election. The defendants allegedly conducted what they called information warfare against the United States with the stated goal of spreading distrust toward the candidates and the political system in general. According to the allegations in the indictment 12 of the individual defendants worked at various times for a company called Internet Research Agency LLC, a Russian company based in St. Petersburg. The other individual defendant Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin funded the conspiracy through companies known as Concord Management and Consulting LLC. Concord catering and many affiliates and subsidiaries.
"Now there is no allegation in this indictment that any American was a knowing participant in this illegal activity. There is no allegation in the indictment that the charge conduct altered the outcome of the 2016 election. I want to caution you that everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. At trial prosecutors must introduce credible evidence that is sufficient to prove each defendant guilty beyond any reasonable doubt to a unanimous jury. Special Counsel's investigation is ongoing. There will be no comments from the special counsel at this time. "
Crime , General news , Indictments , Law and order , Corporate legal affairs , Corporate news , Business , Corporate investigations , 2016 United States presidential election , United States presidential election , Legal proceedings , Government and politics , Fraud and false statements , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , Criminal investigations , Criminal investigations , Presidential elections , National elections , Elections
964774e4527731a191178a6f126ec174
US Rosenstein Russia Indict (Lon NR)
Hillary Clinton , Rod Rosenstein , Donald Trump , Robert Mueller
Crime , General news , Fraud and false statements , Indictments , Law and order , Corporate crime , Corporate crime , Corporate news , Business , Corporate investigations , Corporate legal affairs , Identity theft , Online media , Media , Elections , Government and politics , Judicial elections , Judiciary , Judicial elections , 2016 United States presidential election , United States presidential election , Legal proceedings , Conspiracy , Presidential elections , National elections , Criminal investigations , Criminal investigations , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections
02078a39252a8ff9974c8cdd6187f7d8
US Barr Briefing 2
Mueller probed 10 potential acts of obstruction
William Barr , Donald Trump , Robert Mueller , Rod Rosenstein
Attorney General William Barr says special counsel Robert Mueller's report recounts 10 episodes involving President Donald Trump that were investigated as potential acts of criminal obstruction of justice.
Barr says Mueller did not reach a "prosecutorial judgment" and that he and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein concluded the evidence was not sufficient to establish the president committed an offense.
Barr spoke Thursday at a news conference with reporters.
While Mueller drew no conclusion about whether President Donald Trump had obstructed justice in the investigation, Barr said he and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein personally had concluded that while Trump was "frustrated and angry" about the Mueller probe, nothing the president did rose to the level of an "obstruction-of-justice offense."
Washington - 18 April 2019
1. Side shot of US Attorney General William
2. SOUNDBITE (English): William Barr, US Attorney General:
"Finally the special counsel investigated a number of links or contacts between the Trump campaign officials and individuals connected with the Russian government during the 2016 presidential campaign. After reviewing these contacts, the special counsel did not find any conspiracy to violate U.S. law involving Russian-linked persons and any persons associated with the Trump campaign. So that's the bottom line. After nearly two years of investigation, thousands of subpoenas, hundreds of warrants and witness interviews, the special counsel confirmed that the Russian government sponsored efforts to illegally interfere with the 2016 presidential election but did not find that the Trump campaign or other Americans colluded in those efforts. After finding no underlying collusion with Russia, the special counsel's report goes on to consider whether certain actions of the president could amount to obstruction of the special counsel's investigation. As I addressed in my March 24th letter, the special counsel did not make a traditional prosecutorial judgment regarding this allegation. Instead, the report recounts 10 episodes involving the president and discusses potential legal theories for connecting those activities to the elements of an obstruction offense. After carefully reviewing the facts and legal theories outlined in the report, and in consultation with the Office of Legal Counsel and other department lawyers, the deputy attorney general and I concluded that the evidence developed by the special counsel is not sufficient to establish that the president committed an obstruction of justice offense. Although the deputy attorney general and I disagreed with some of the special counsel's legal theories and felt that some of the episodes examined did not amount to obstruction as a matter of law, we did not rely solely on that in making our decision. Instead, we accepted the special counsel's legal framework for purposes of our analysis and evaluated the evidence as presented by the special counsel in reaching our conclusions. In assessing the president's actions discussed in the report it is important to bear in mind the context. President Trump faced an unprecedented situation. As he entered into office and sought to perform his responsibilities as president, federal agents and prosecutors were scrutinizing his conduct before and after taking office and the conduct of some of his associates. At the same time, there was relentless speculation in the news media about the president's personal culpability. Yet as he said from the beginning there was in fact no collusion. And as the special counsel's report acknowledges, there is substantial evidence to show that the president was frustrated and angered by his sincere belief that the investigation was undermining his presidency, propelled by his political opponents and fueled by illegal leaks. Nonetheless the White House fully cooperated with the special counsel's investigation providing unfettered access to campaign and White House documents, directing senior aides to testify freely and asserting no privilege claims. And at the same time, the president took no act that in fact deprived the special counsel of the documents and witnesses necessary to complete his investigation. Apart from whether the acts were obstructive, this evidence of noncorrupt motives weighs heavily against any allegation that the president had a corrupt intent to obstruct the investigation."
3. Side shot of Barr
Political conventions , Presidential elections , National elections , Elections , Government and politics , Obstruction of justice , Crime , General news , Criminal investigations , Criminal investigations , Law and order , 2016 United States presidential election , United States presidential election , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections
Russia government
d493097a43e33520a821568c07402acb
US DC Trump Legal (CR)
AP Explains: Can Trump Pardon Himself?
Richard Nixon , Donald Trump , James Comey , Robert Mueller
President Donald Trump and his lawyers are laying out an extraordinarily expansive vision of executive authority that scholars say is mostly untested in court and could portend a drawn-out fight with the prosecutors now investigating him.
A memo submitted by the president's lawyers to special counsel Robert Mueller asserts as fact that presidents cannot obstruct justice because, as the country's chief law enforcement officer, they have ultimate control of the Justice Department and executive branch.
His lawyers have repeatedly insisted that it's beyond dispute that a sitting president cannot be criminally prosecuted, while Trump tweeted Monday that he has the "absolute right" to pardon himself.
As Mueller's investigation moves forward, courts may have to confront questions with minimal if any historical precedent.
Those include whether a president can be forced to answer questions from prosecutors, whether it's possible for a commander-in-chief to criminally interfere in investigations and whether a president's broad pardon power can be deployed for corrupt purposes.
Mueller is investigating whether Trump associates coordinated with Russia during the 2016 presidential election and whether Trump took steps to shut down that investigation through actions including the firing of FBI Director James Comey.
Though Trump insists he did nothing wrong, the statements from him and his lawyers, including the January memo to Mueller, make clear how much of their defense revolves around establishing that he was constitutionally empowered to take the actions he took that are now under investigation.
The defense argument suggests that protocols meant to protect against abuses of power are merely norms the American public has come to expect, rather than laws binding upon a president.
There's some historical precedent for the court clash that could be instigated by the Trump investigation, but in many ways the arguments remain unsettled and tested.
The Supreme Court has never definitively ruled on the question of whether a president could be forced to testify, though the justices in 1974 did rule that President Richard Nixon had to turn over recordings and documents that had been subpoenaed.
TWITTER @RealDonaldTrump
Internet - 4 June 2018
1. Donald Trump tweet reading (English) "As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong? In the meantime, the never ending Witch Hunt, led by 13 very Angry and Conflicted Democrats (& others) continues into the mid-terms!"
2. Donald Trump tweet reading (English) "The appointment of the Special Counsel is totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL! Despite that, we play the game because I, unlike the Democrats, have done nothing wrong!"
"So President Donald Trump tweeted this morning that he has the absolute power to pardon himself if he wants to, though he quickly added that he has no intention of doing so because he's done nothing wrong."
Washington - 1 June 2018
4. Trump walking toward camera
"So what the president is getting at is actually something that has been historically untested, so nobody actually really knows whether it is true or not if the president can pardon himself because there's never been a Supreme Court that's weighed in on the opinion because frankly no president has ever thought to try to pardon himself or been in the position where they were going to do that. So, we're getting into unchartered territory to the extend that we're talking about this is a reasonable possibility. It's never reached the Supreme Court. I would however note that there is a Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel opinion from 1974 that suggests the president cannot act as his or her own judge. And so therefore would mitigate against pardoning himself or herself."
6. Trump walking on White House lawn
"So what we're seeing from the series of public statements and tweets both from the president and his lawyers are really expansive visions of constitutional presidential authority and power. And so we are realizing that the defense for the president in the Mueller investigation is not so much a factual defense about what I did or didn't do as much as as I am president and therefore I am entitled to carry out the very acts that you're now investigating me for and so if I want to fire the FBI director, I can. If I want to ask the FBI director to shut down a particular investigation. I can. I'm the president. I control the executive branch. And so we are now getting into fairly untested arguments about the scope of the constitutional authorities vested in the president."
8. Robert Mueller testifies on Capitol Hill
"So a lot's going to depend on whether the president consents to an interview. So if he agrees to an interview, that would sort of seem to suggest there won't be a hugely drawn out court fight. If he rejects the interview request formally and then Mueller chooses to subpoena, him which is not something that we're aware that he's going to do. But should he subpoena him, we will anticipate a very significant court fight, potentially up to the Supreme Court that will really test some of these issues that we're talking about, whether the president can be subpoenaed for his testimony, whether he could be compelled to speak to investigators. These are really significant issues that suggest that a big court fight could be ahead."
Beijing - 13 June 2013
10. Mueller at news conference
"I guess what's really interesting to me, at least, is how much of this is truly unknown. So you have legal experts and academics on one side of the spectrum who say this can never happen. You have others who say, 'well actually, technically when you look at the Constitution it doesn't preclude the types of behaviors or responses that the president's talking about.' So to the extent that we are moving into areas that we've never been before. I think there's going to be an opportunity to create new law and there's not going to be much to look at that guides us in terms of this is the one true right answer. So it's sort of fascinating in that sense."
Joint Base Andrews - 31 May 2018
12. Trump walking up steps to Air Force One
Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , Supreme courts , National courts , Courts , Judiciary , Government and politics , National courts , National governments , 2016 United States presidential election , United States presidential election , Criminal investigations , Crime , General news , Criminal investigations , Law and order , Subpoenas , Executive branch , Pardons and commutations , Presidential elections , National elections , Elections
U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States government, Supreme Court of the United States
c7c8fa6058ed9ac69a3dc1e4e4e9d751
US DC Trump Legal (Lon NR)
Richard Nixon , James Comey , Donald Trump , Robert Mueller
Subpoenas , Law and order , General news , Supreme courts , National courts , Courts , Judiciary , Government and politics , National courts , National governments , Executive branch , Criminal investigations , Crime , Criminal investigations , 2016 United States presidential election , United States presidential election , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , Pardons and commutations , Presidential elections , National elections , Elections
Supreme Court of the United States, United States government, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation
748c3000500564abd70b73771936ab1b
US Russia Probe Debrief
Analysis: Lawyer linked to Trump campaign admits lying to Federal probe
Donald Trump , Hillary Clinton , Rick Gates , Paul Manafort , Robert Mueller
Alex van der Zwaan, who worked at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom until he was fired last year, appeared at the federal courthouse in Washington where he formally pleaded guilty to a single charge of making false statements about his interactions with former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates.
United States presidential election , Presidential elections , National elections , Elections , Government and politics , Special Counsel investigation into Russia's interference in 2016 U.S. Elections , Criminal investigations , Crime , General news , Criminal investigations , Law and order , Legal proceedings , 2016 United States presidential election , Online media , Media


text:
Review of "Masterminds" movie
Rating: PG-13, Time: 1hr 34 min, Director: Jared Hess, Cast on IMDb
What did you think of the movie?
Probably the best part of the movie is that the preview doesn't ruin all the great jokes that the movie has. Nowadays many big films give away the whole plot in the preview, so you aren't even curious to see the movie. The worst offender was the fat movie that told the best parts in the commercial and then fell flat in the actual movie. This movie delivers the humor beyond the clips in the commercial below.
ISo what is the premise of the movie?
Basically this guy that has a boring life as a armored truck driver gets convinced to rob his own company. The motive is strong as he is living this really boring life and getting married to this deadly boring fiance played by Kate McKinnon. Her performance really describes why he decides to elope with the girl Kelly on the heist.
What does Kelly bring to the movie?
Her character is why David, played by Zach Galifianakis, decided to pull the heist. She offers excitement of new love and excitement vs. his boring life with his current fiance. She also is seduced by the heist Mastermind Steve, played by Owen Wilson.
Were there surprise elements?
The surprise is that they actually pull off the heist successfully without getting caught initially, which leaves us with how did they get caught. Basically, David is convinced to lay low in Mexico and is duped out of the money by Steve. One surprise is that David escapes getting killed by the assassin played by Jason Sudeikis. He adds some charm to the film. All in all its for a good, fun film with a host of charming characters that bring this event to life. Another surprise was that JJim Carrey was scheduled to be the lead villain and Zach took over.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Daniel Drezner and I did an impromptu podcast late this morning on the topic of the Cuban embargo. Apologies for the heavy breathing; this was a spur-of-the-moment foray into Skype, and my microphone turns out to be rather sensitive. Anyway, give it a listen. It's a trim ten minutes, and well worth your time.


text:
Al Dhahirah Governorate
Al Wusta Governorate
Full Day Private Muscat City Tour
Tours are especially helpful for travelers, who want to see what Muscat can offer Tours are cultural and historical and you can had fun either. You can also build your confidence in trying new things
Operated by: Sunshine Tours Oman
Stop At: Sultan Qaboos
We will take you through the gorgeous city of Muscat where we will first visit the grand mosque which, among a couple others, is one of the biggest 1-piece handmade Iranian carpet in the world. The carpet weighs a whopping 21 tons and can comfortably accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers.
Stop At: Royal Opera House
We will drive you around the ministries and the Royal Opera House area which is leading arts, and culture organization in the Sultanate of Oman. The vision of the Opera House is to serve as a center of excellence in global cultural engagement
Stop At: Bait Al Zubair
Bait Al Zubair is a museum, located on Al Saidiya Street, Old Muscat, Oman. The museum has an extensive collection of ancient weapons, including khanjar, household equipment's, and costumes. Outside the museum is a full-scale Omani village and souk
Stop At: Qurum Beach
This beach lies in Al Qurm Area in the heart of Muscat and extends over a large area. This beach is considered one of the busiest in Muscat due to its location near shopping centers and restaurants, but it will be a photo stop only.
Stop At: Mutrah Souq
Muttrah Souk is next, where you can find various souvenirs and Muttrah Souk one of the oldest marketplaces in Oman dating back two hundred years
Stop At: Al Alam Palace
The Al Alam Palace "Palace of the Flag" is a palace located in Old Muscat, Oman. It was used as a ceremonial palace by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. One of six sultanic residences of the monarch, has a history of over 200 years, and was built under the watch of Imam Sultan bin Ahmed, the 7th direct grandfather of Sultan Qaboos.
Pass By: Al Jalali Fort
Al Jalali Fort, or Ash Sharqiya Fort, is a fort in the harbor of Old Muscat, Oman. The fort was built by the Portuguese under Philip I of Portugal in the 1580s to protect the harbor after Muscat had twice been sacked by Ottoman forces. It fell to Omani forces in 1650. During the civil wars between 1718 and 1747, the fort was twice captured by Persians who had been invited to assist one of the rival Imams. The fort was extensively rebuilt later.
Pass By: Mirani Fort
Fort Al-Mirani is a fort, originally built by the Portuguese, in the harbour of the city of Old Muscat, Oman.
A visit in Al Bustan Palace Hotel with a photo stop in the best lobby of the hotel.
bottled water during the tour
Omani Tour Guide English Speaking
4wd vehicle / comfortable
Pick-up and drop-off to the hotel/port/airport (Muscat Area)
Royal Opera House - 7.9 USD per person
Bait Al Zubair Museum - 6 USD per person
Specialized infant seats are available
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Red Sand Morning Desert Safari With Camel Ride, Sand Boarding
Abu Dhabi Jet Ski Rental for 1 Hour
Quad Biking Dubai ATV Bike Ride
at the top of Burj Khalifa Tickets (Level 124 and 125)
30 minAudio Guide
Skip-The-Line Ticket to The View At The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai
Half Day Tour in Muscat (except on Friday)
Dune Buggy and Quad Bike Rental Dubai
Private Photo Session with a Local Photographer in Dubai
30 minPrivate Tour


"Caciofiore" cheese is a sort of ancestor of the Pecorino Romano cheese produced using rennet extracted from thistle flowers. According to Columella "it is convenient to coagulate the milk with lamb or goat rennet, even though it is also possible to use thistle flowers or safflowers" ("De Re Rustica", 50 A.D.). The vegetable rennet is the key factor in the production of this cheese. In fact, the protheolitic enzyme of the thistle flowers (Cynara cardunculus spp. cardunculus) characterises this extraordinary ewe's milk cheese. A yellowish rind contains an almost liquefied centre, incredibly creamy and with an intense flavour, lightly salted and slightly bitter. The blue-purple thistle flowers are picked during summer and dried in darkness for 4-5 days. The dried petals are soaked in water for 24 hours and the infusion filtered through a synthetic cloth and added to ewe's milk, kept at a constant temperature of 38°C (100°F). Coagulation takes place in about 1 hour and the curd is cut into big squares, placed in moulds and allowed to drain for 24 hours. The following day, the cheese is dry salted and transferred into ageing rooms for 35-40 days (optimal conditions: 7-10°C (45-50°F), 90-95% humidity).
•Caseificio De Juliis Enio e Figli s.r.l.
•Società Agricola La Baita del Formaggio s.s.
ASSOCIAZIONE FORMAGGI STORICI DELLA CAMPAGNA ROMANA | Via Giovanni Gregorio Mendel, 151 - 00134 Rome, Italy.


text:
Hidden and Revisionist History
» Jack the Ripper Mystery 'Solved'
Jack the Ripper Mystery 'Solved'
by tts-admin | Sep 7, 2014
Press Association — Sept 7, 2014
Aaron Kosminski, who was Jack the Ripper according to a new book. Click to enlarge
It is one of the world's greatest murder mysteries which has baffled investigators for more than a century.
But now an author and self confessed "armchair detective" claims to have solved perhaps the most notorious whodunit ever, and discovered who Jack the Ripper was.
Russell Edwards claims Aaron Kosminski, a 23 year-old Polish immigrant who ended up dying in an asylum, was "definitely, categorically and absolutely" the man behind the grisly killing spree in 1888 in London's East End.
Mr Edwards said a blood-stained shawl he bought in 2007 after an auction in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, held vital DNA evidence which led him to the killer.
He said: "I've got the only piece of forensic evidence in the whole history of the case. I've spent 14 years working on it, and we have definitively solved the mystery of who Jack the Ripper was.
"Only non-believers that want to perpetuate the myth will doubt. This is it now – we have unmasked him."
Jack the Ripper murdered at least five women, slashing their throats, removing some of their internal organs and leaving their mutilated bodied in Whitechapel's darkened alleyways.
Mr Edwards, 48, from Barnet, north London, was "captivated" by the murder mystery and had been investigating it in his spare time, but had come to the conclusion it could never be solved.
But then in 2007 he saw a shawl found by the body of Catherine Eddowes, one of the Ripper's victims, was up for sale.
He bought it, and enlisted the help of Jari Louhelainen, an expert in molecular biology, who used pioneering techniques to find DNA from her blood and that of the killer.
He said: "Here I am with the shawl and possibly the evidence to solve the most unsolvable murder in English criminal history. But where do I start? That was the big question.
"I enlisted the help of Jari and we embarked on a three-and-a-half year journey.
"When we discovered the truth it was the most amazing feeling of my entire life."
Mr Edwards said the discovery 126 years after the murders proves beyond doubt that Kosminski – one of the six key suspects commonly cited as the Ripper – was the actual killer.
He said the shawl had been taken by acting Sergeant Amos Simpson, who was on duty the night of Eddowes's death and wanted it for his wife.
But horrified at the blood-soaked wrap, she never wore it, and it was stored away and passed down through the generations until it came to auction seven years ago.
Mr Edwards said: "Thank God the shawl has never been washed, as it held the vital evidence."
The author, who said he was part-inspired to take up the search for the killer after watching the Johnny Depp film From Hell about the Ripper murders, said police had identified Kosminski as a suspect, but never had enough evidence to bring him to trial.
Kosminski was a Polish Jewish immigrant who, fleeing persecution in his Russia-controlled homeland, came with his family to England in 1881 and lived in Mile End Old Town.
He was admitted to a string of lunatic asylums, where he died in 1899 of gangrene in the leg.
Naming Jack the Ripper will be published by Sidgwick & Jackson on Tuesday and costs £16.99 for a hardback.
It's A Script
By Kevin Boyle on December 20, 2020
Boris Johnson has announced new Covid restrictions to be imposed across the UK. However, we had been forewarned about this by a Canadian whistleblower months ago and now it's playing out before us: the imposition of martial law by stealth
Category: Commentary, Coronavirus, Essential Reading
Future Zombies. Rudolf Steiner 1923 Prophecy: A Vaccine to Sever the Spiritual Connection in Mankind
By Kevin Boyle on November 29, 2020
Nearly a century ago Rudolf Steiner warned that criminal esoteric groups would, in the future, strive to eradicate man's spiritual drives. This would be done on the pretext of vaccination against disease
Category: Commentary, Coronavirus, Essential Reading, Predictions: from the past or for the future
Joe Brand's Prophetic Earthquake Vision
By tts-admin on October 24, 2020
lF the events described here happen it will be seen as a karmic response to the Covid scam. God's answer to man's arrogance. Atlantis Part II. Whatever you call it this will stop Bill Gates plan dead in its tracks
Category: Essential Reading, Predictions: from the past or for the future
Proof that the pandemic was planned with a purpose
By tts-admin on October 1, 2020
Over a 1,000 German and Spanish doctors declare coronavirus a "scam". As documents reveal that the "Covid-19 project" is planned to last until 2025!
Category: Coronavirus, Essential Reading
#OperationRadiation – The Video BANNED From Youtube. They Don't Want You To Know What Is Coming.
By tts-admin on August 25, 2020
In Jan 2017 Dr Fauci warned that the Trump administration would face a health crisis in a "surprise outbreak". Did he know history was about to repeat itself with Covid-19 and is that why YouTube banned this MUST SEE video?
Category: 5G, Commentary, Coronavirus, Essential Reading, Hidden and Revisionist History
James Corbett in Democracy Down
By tts-admin on July 25, 2020
James Corbett examines how Bill Gates Coronavirus vaccine could be delivered with "dissolvable micro-needles" that could be arrayed in "particle patterns" or marks invisible to the eye. As in the Mark of the Beast?
Riots, Race, Religion and Revolution – The Truth About What is Happening In America
By tts-admin on June 9, 2020
Dr. E. Michael Jones, Pastor Mario Sims, and Vincent Hunter attempt to dismantle and analyze recent events in Minneapolis
Category: Commentary, Current Affairs, Essential Reading
The Story of Influenza. An Important Tale to Tell Your Friends.
By Kevin Boyle on May 15, 2020
These revelations about the causes of influenza have been suppressed because they threaten much of what we take for granted in the modern world. Highly recommended
Category: Coronavirus, Essential Reading, Health, Hidden and Revisionist History
Israeli Historian Discovers '6 Million' Holocaust Figure Was Invented at Zionist Conference In 1944
By tts-admin on May 1, 2020
The figure of 6 million was originally proposed at a meeting of high ranking Zionists in 1944 — more than a year before the war ended
Category: Essential Reading, Hidden and Revisionist History, Israel, 'Anti-Semitism', Zionism and US-UK allies
Essential viewing: The most important video on covid 19 & 5G
By tts-admin on April 13, 2020
Former CIA analyst Robert David Steele reveals that he believes that Covid-19 is a "bio-engineered act of war … that contains nano-particles that can be activated by 5G"
Category: 5G, Behind The "News", Commentary, Coronavirus, Essential Reading


There have been fifteen Newcastle United live TV matches so far, including the League Cup match at Forest and the home (overseas TV only) and away FA Cup matches against Blackburn.
Another three games had also already also been moved for the purposes of live TV up to and including 1 April, these being the Premier League games against Burnley (Home), West Ham (away) and Arsenal (away).
However, on Friday we were set to find out just how many have been chosen for April (as well as the Arsenal away one already announced).
Today (22 February) was the scheduled date (see all scheduled dates for the release of live TV fixtures below) when Premier League and broadcasters were set to announce the Newcastle United live TV matches that have been chosen for April 2019.
With games on the final day of the season all kicking off at 3pm on Sunday 12 May, even if that game ends up being selected for Live TV, the date/time wouldn't change.
So now we are only waiting for the Liverpool home match (currently 4 May), with a decision on that expected on 5 April. However, it would appear to need a remarkable change of circumstances for that game not to be selected for live TV.
The only other possible change is if Palace beat Watford in their FA Cup quarter-final, the semis are due to be played around the weekend of Saturday 6 April, which is when we are due to play Palace. So that game could need to be rearranged.
'With the release of the 2018/19 Premier League fixtures, supporters can begin their planning for the season ahead.
Match dates can change for a variety of reasons, including live TV broadcast selections and to accommodate matches in European and domestic cup competitions.
Below are the approximate dates for when the announcements on matches that have been selected for live TV broadcast will be made.


Working with Levitt Bernstein Architects, we are the Civil and Structural Engineers for a new music school at King's School in Bruton, Somerset. King's Bruton is an independent secondary school, founded in 1519.
The new music school building includes a one-storey teaching area which is constructed with load-bearing blockwork walls and timber joists supporting a green roof. The building also includes a two-storey atrium, a recording studio and a double-height recital hall with balcony for concerts. These areas have been constructed using a braced steel frame. One of the main challenges our team faced was to meet the high acoustic insulation requirements, particularly important as there are so many adjacent music areas. To address this, we have provided details such as angled timber joist hangers. These ensure that the timber joists do not penetrate the angled blockwork walls and transfer sound.
We have been involved in the project since it began in early 2016 and work began on site during Summer 2017, with the majority of the structure now erected. During Summer 2018, the building will be completed and the final part of the project, which involves stabilizing the adjacent historic river retaining wall on the River Brue, will be carried out. This stone wall has suffered lateral movement over time and currently leans towards the river; we have designed a stabilisation system consisting of steel rods to tie the wall back to the edge ground beam of the new music school building. The historic stone wall will be rebuilt vertically above ground, using the original stone. Given the historic value of the wall and its proximity to a Grade II Listed Headmasters' Tower, the intention is to keep the wall visually as close as possible to its current condition.


text:
Die Aufgabenstellung des Algorithmus
=========

Zeichenmaterial: 2 Buntstifte (blau + grün) und rot/rosa Aquarellfarbe/Wasserfarbe mit Pinsel

Zeichenfläche: Normales Papier (kein Karo), bitte quadratisch zuschneiden bzw. die Zeichenfläche sollte quadratisch sein.

Andere Hilfsmittel: Geodreieck, 30cm langes Lineal

1. Zeichne mit einem gespitzten blauen Buntstift und mithilfe eines 30cm Linieals eine gerade Linie durchgehend von der linken oberen Ecke deiner Zeichenfläche bis zur rechten unteren Ecke deiner Zeichenfläche. Kein Zeitlimit.

2. Ausgehend von dieser geraden Linie solltest du nun, ober- und unterhalb, parallel mehrere gerade Linien mit demselben Buntstift ziehen, bis zum Ende der Zeichenfläche. Hilfsmittel soll ein Geodreieck sein. Kein Zeitlimit.

3. Wiederhole den Vorgang aus 1. und 2. Spiegelverkehrt auf deinem Blatt mit einem grünem Buntstift.

4. Setze nun in die Mitte jeder Fläche einen Punkt mit roter/rosa Aquarellfarbe/Wasserfarbe. Es SOLL schnell gearbeitet werden und es keine Hilfsmittel erlaubt.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Un Taktovik (en ) est un terme utilisé dans la théorie de la versification russe, pour désigner une mètre de la versification tonique dans lequel l'intervalle entre les syllabes accentuées est variable, de une à trois syllabes. Largement utilisé dans la poésie russe du début du , il s'enracine également dans la poésie populaire.

Notion
Le terme de taktovik est introduit dans la théorie de la versification russe en 1928 par Aleksandr Kviatkovski, en lien avec la présentation qu'il fait du vers comme d'une « période mesurée dans le temps » (), avec un nombre constant de « parties » (), c'est comme une « série contrôlée » (). La  vocalisation du texte et la réalisation des silences (les pauses) d'une telle période, et les regroupements des pieds (dans la terminologie de Kviatkovski, des « fois » («крат»)) obéissent à une mesure régulière («такт»), au sens de la mesure en musique. Entre les pulsations marquées par l'accent, il y a de nombreuses modalités de réalisation rythmique, en fonction du nombre de pauses et de la durée des pieds.

L'usage d'une déclamation poétique s'appuyant sur les taktoviks a été développé par un groupe de poètes-constructivistes, composé d'Aleksandr Kviatkowski, d'Ilia Selvinski, de Vladimir Lougovskoï et d'autres. Le terme  de taktovik est souvent employé par les spécialistes de la poésie dans les années 1920-1960, par Vladimir Piast ou , dans les Études du vers («Студии стиха») d'Ilia Selvinski, mais une définition claire, ne dépendant pas d'éléments subjectifs faisant référence à la « déclamation » ou à la « lecture » est donnée seulement dans les années 1960 et 1970 par Mikhaïl Gasparov.

Selon ce dernier, le taktovik est caractérisé par un intervalle entre les syllabes accentuées variable, de une à trois syllabes, à la différence du dolnik, où cet intervalle ne peut dépasser pas deux syllabes, et du vers accentué, où cet intervalle n'est pas limité.

Emploi
Les bases du taktovik se trouvent dans des formes métriques du vers populaire russe. Dans la littérature classique, il apparaît dans des imitations de la poésie populaire : chez Alexandre Soumarokov (Chœurs à une lumière trompeuse, ), Alexandre Pouchkine (Le Conte du pêcheur et du petit poisson, ), la plupart des  (), Mikhaïl Lermontov (Chanson du tsar Ivan Vassiliévitch, ), Alexis Konstantinovitch Tolstoï et d'autres.

Au , il se dégage de cette connotation folklorique, bien qu'il reste le plus souvent considéré comme plus proche de la prose de la conversation par l'intonation et stylistiquement que le vers classique syllabo-tonique. Le taktovik est alors très utilisé par Zinaïda Hippius, Alexandre Blok, Mikhaïl Kouzmine, Nikolaï Goumilev, Gueorgui Ivanov, Sergueï Essénine, Nikolaï Tikhonov, Nikolaï Asseïev et d'autres.

Il sera repris par les poètes soviétiques des années 1960, en particulier Joseph Brodsky et les poètes proches de lui.

Exemples

Alexandre Pouchkine : «Влах в Венеции».

Dans cet exemple, les intervalles de trois syllabes non accentuées caractéristiques du taktovik sont en italique. L'accent est marqué par ´. Les autres mètres sont des dolniks, des anapestes exacts et des amphibraques.

Notes et références

Annexes

Bibliographie
.

Articles connexes
 Versification
Versification russe
 Dolnik (versification)
 Vers russe accentué
Vers russe libéré

Versification
Langue russe
Poésie russe

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The course offers a wide and varied range of fences to cater for all levels from pre-novice, novice and open.
The layout allows trainers to view large area of the course which makes it ideal for schooling for groups and individuals.
All fences are regularly maintained with good take off and landing areas and grass is managed to ensure good coverage.
"........I have produced lots of young horses and riders through the grades from Novice to International level, and the cross country course at Deer Park is exceptional. It will give every level of horse and rider combination fun, experience and confidence. The going and the standard of construction put it in a class of its own. All my horses will be regular visitors!....."
The facilities are available for hire all year around, including weekends and evenings, subject to availability.
£20 per person, discounts available for groups and clubs. NO Time Limit!
Please note, bookings can only be confirmed by phone.
You can view a selection of the fences available below. More can be found on our Facebook page.


sketch for something new it's called Modern Dating. What you think?
Archive #14 - Black Dragon Canyon View Point, I-70, Utah. April 2015. Panorama (3/3 ) from "Mountain State Surfaces."
Archive #14 - Black Dragon Canyon View Point, I-70, Utah. April 2015. Panorama (2/3 ) from "Mountain State Surfaces."
Archive #14 - Black Dragon Canyon View Point, I-70, Utah. April 2015. Panorama (1/3 ) from "Mountain State Surfaces."
ANECDOTES Sometimes the rare view mirror offers the best view , but we can't forever be driving looking backwards to reach a new destination, can we ?


Happy 2016! I sincerely hope that your year is off to a wonderful start! January means it is time to begin planning the Alabama PALS Annual Poster and Recycled Art Contest! You read that right…we are changing the essay contest this year to a recycled art contest! Grades K-3 and 4-6 will still participate in the poster competition, and grades 7-12 now have the opportunity to make something cool, artistic or useful for our recycled art competition. The theme this year will be "LITTER IS ________________." The kids get to decide what they think of litter and use their imagination to create their poster or art around that theme.
Each school is to hold their own competition and send in ONLY the first place winner from each category at each school to the PALS office for statewide judging. The entries are due in the PALS office by Monday, May 9th, 2016, and sent to the PALS office at the following address: 340 N. Hull Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. Each entry submitted must have the following information listed on the back: Student's Name, Student's Address, Student/Parent Telephone Number, Student/Parent Email, Name of School & Point of Contact, Address of School, Telephone of School, Email of School/ Contact, and County of School. This information is extremely important, as it will allow us to properly notify and recognize each winner.
The PALS office will notify the winners and/or the county coordinators. Each of the winners will be recognized and presented with $250 for first place in each category and a plaque for second, third, and honorable mention. These awards will be presented at the Annual Governor's Awards Luncheon in November 2016.
Feel free to call or email me with any questions at (334) 263-7737 or Jamie@alpals.org. THANK YOU for your support of the Clean Campus Program, and GOOD LUCK with your contest!


text:
<?php

/**
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namespace Kss;

class Modifier
{
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    protected $name = '';

    /**
     * Description of the modifier
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     * @var string
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    protected $description = '';

    /**
     * Optional markup for the modifier
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     * @var string
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    /**
     * Class that this modifier extends from
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     * @var string
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    /**
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    /**
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    public function setName($name)
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        $name = $this->parseExtend($name);
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    /**
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    public function setMarkup($markup)
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        $this->markup = $markup;
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    /**
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    protected function parseExtend($name)
    {
        $this->setExtendedClass(null);

        $nameParts = explode('@extend', $name);
        $name = trim($nameParts[0]);
        if (count($nameParts) > 1) {
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        return $name;
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    /**
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     * @return boolean
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    public function isExtender()
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    /**
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    /**
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        $name = str_replace('%', ' ', $this->getExtendedClass());
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     * Returns the class name for the modifier
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    /**
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            // Use a positive lookbehind and lookahead to ensure we don't
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            // class name (e.g. button)
            $pattern = sprintf('/(?<="| )%s(?="| )/', $this->getExtendedClassName());
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        $html = str_replace('$modifierClass', $this->getClassName(), $html);

        return $html;
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}


I am having lots of fun with the " Tea Time" series on My Dream Canvas and I hope you are too:) My inbox has been filled with tea time pictures that make me smile :) I am getting to know people from all over the world who share a common passion for chai :) I am thrilled to introduce you to Maryam on the blog today. Maryam is based in India and is an illustrator and artist. I have spent the last two days reading her blog and admiring her illustrations.
Maryam is truly multi-talented and in her words " My blog is my little corner in the world that is like completely mine, away from my duties as an Army wife and mother of two hyperactive boys. I am a children's book and fashion illustrator, a newbie potter and a BIG time foodie. I love trying out new recipes and experimenting them on my ever ready family-who relish everything (well almost) that I put on their plates"
Here is Maryam's cup of tea and her beautiful tea time watercolor which she made a while back.
Here is a preview of Maryam's work. You can connect with her via her blog and on Facebook.
Thank you Maryam for sharing your cup of tea with me and the readers of My Dream Canvas!
Images: Maryam Hasanahmad and subject to Copyright!
thank you Anu for featuring me... and love the compliments!
her illustrations are so gorgeous! thanks for introducing us to these talented folks!
Lovely illustrations! Maryam is so talented! Being a chai addict, I am thoroughly enjoying this series!


This statistic shows the usage of paper towels in the United States from 2011 to 2018 and a forecast thereof until 2020. The data has been calculated by Statista based on the U.S. Census data and Simmons National Consumer Survey (NHCS). According to this statistic, 317.35 million Americans used paper towels in 2018. This figure was projected to increase to 322.77 million in 2020.


text:
Selected client list for Darcy Maulsby & Co.:
Syngenta: Syngenta is a leading global ag company focused on improving global food security by enabling millions of farmers worldwide to maximize available resources. I write science and technology feature stories for Syngenta's Thrive magazine, which is geared toward ag retailers.
National Pork Board: This one-stop resource for all things pork represents producers across America. I write feature stories for The Pork Checkoff Report Magazine, as well as online content for Pork.org.
American Soybean Association: The American Soybean Association helps protect the best interests of U.S. soybean growers by focusing on farm and trade policy work on Capitol Hill. I write feature stories for the American Soybean Association's national magazine.
The Progressive Farmer: This leading national ag magazine covers current topics and provides how-to articles geared for today's progressive growers. I write detailed, science-based articles on crop production, nitrogen management and more.
Farm News: This weeky newspaper covers timelyag news in counties throughout northwest, north-central and central Iowa. I write agri-business updates, human interest stories and farm cook features, Century Farm features and stories for the annual barn section, in addition to supplying photography to illustrate the stories.
Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers: The Coalition works with farmers to help implement on-farm, best-management practices that assist Iowa's farm families in raising livestock responsibly and successfully. I've written various articles for the Coalition.
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation: Iowa's largest grassroots farm organization has more than 150,000 member families and promotes the people, progress, and pride of Iowa. I write agri-business updates for the Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman newspaper, along with human-interest articles for Family Living, which serves a more urban, non-farm audience.
VistaComm: This Midwest-based precision marketing firm specializes in telling the stories of agri-businesses, cooperatives and other businesses. I write print newsletters, e-newsletters, online conrtent, marketing materials and more, in addition to supplying photography, for various businesses that work with VistaComm.
Iowa Pork Producers Association: I write feature stories for the Iowa Pork Producers' magazine and have coordinate the Dine and Swine bus tour to help urban and suburban residents across Iowa and the nation tour Iowa farms and learn more about ag from the farmers themselves.
Iowa Food and Family Project: This dynamic group encourages Iowans to become better acquainted with the dedicated farmers who grow their food by sponsoring activities throughout the year, including fun events the Iowa State Fair, farmers' markets, farm tours and more. I've written the monthly Farm Life Journal to give a farmer's perspective of what goes on at our Century Farm each month of the year. I've also worked with the Iowa Food and Family Project to host Expedition Yetter, where a motorcoach full of city and suburban Iowans toured a soybean farm, a cattle farm, a swine farm, a winery and my family's corn and soybean farm (complete with a catered, white tablecloth dinner in the pasture) to learn more about modern agricutlure and the farmers who help grow their food.
American Farming: I'm a columnist at American Farming magazine, which serves rural residents and agri-business nationwide.
Ralco Agriculture: I write magazine feature stories, compile client testimonials and help with other marketing projects for this Minnesota-based science and technology company, which provides the agriculture and aquaculture industries with natural technologies that help create safe, abundant food.
Business Publications Corp.: Central Iowa's source for business news also has a custom publishing division. I've written economic development guides for many Des Moines metro area cities and suburbs. I've also edited Innovation Iowa, a manazine that showcases successful Iowa business in various industries, from information technology to healthcare to agri-business.
Pace Communications: This North Carolina-based, industry-leading custom publishing company specializes in branded content creation. I write online content and feature stories for publications like Thrive magazine for Syngenta.
Green Hills Retirement Community: This innovative retirement community in Ames, Iowa, serves seniors by providing residential living, assisted living, and health care/skilled nursing options. I write newsletter stories that showcase the people and services that make Green Hills unique.
Heartland Bank: This family-owned, Iowa-based group of banks has served north-central Iowa for more than 115 years. I consult with Heartland Bank on press releases, marketing materials and more.
Iowa History Journal: I contribute cover stories and more ("Savoring Iowa's Culinary Culture' is one of my most popular features) to this bi-monthly magazine that's packed with unique stories about Iowa icons, entertainment, sports, politics, towns and historical attractions that appeal to Iowans of all ages. Knowing the past is a key to understanding the present and the future! Iowa History Journal is a wonderful educational tool, told in an entertaining and fun style.
Stewart Memorial Community Hospital: This hospital in Lake City, Iowa, provides high-quality health care in a rural setting. In 2012, I wrote the hospital's 50th anniversary book, which features historical feature stories, employee profiles and more.


Our team of volunteers have certainly enjoyed the experience in leading your children in a variety of activities while they learned about the character traits which are so very important to them. We use fun ways of teaching the children with puppet shows, crafts, songs, dances and skits. Through these days, you will see your children grow in character, individually, and as part of a team.
2016, it is a new year for Born To Fly! As a group of people passionate about developing children positively, we have worked hard to bring a breath of fresh air to this amazing program. We are proud and excited to present the new and improved Born to Fly 2016! We have a refreshed three day program dedicated to children from Prep to Grade 4 (5 to 10 years old). We uphold the importance of nurturing our young ones through a quality program, for this reason we are maximising the amount of registrations at 120 children to increase child engagement, child focus and ideal use of our resources and manpower.
Seize this wonderful opportunity! Register your child or children before 16/09/2016. We look forward to having an incredible time with them!
Registration has been closed due to full capacity.


GB Boxing have sent a team of five men and two women to the annual Feliks Stamm Memorial tournament.
The tournament is open to elite boxers and takes place over four days in the capital of Poland, Warsaw.
First up for GB Boxing is Sandy Ryan, she will face Sandra Kruk of Poland in this afternoon's quarterfinal. This is Sandy's second international tournament of the season, she recently took home a gold medal from Bulgaria's Balkan tournament earlier this month.
Tomorrow is a busy day for the team where we will see four boxers in the semi-final. Will Cawley is one of the four that will be boxing tomorrow as he makes his international debut as a member of the GB Boxing team.
To keep up to date with the progress of our team follow our Twitter account @gbboxing and check www.gbboxing.org.uk for regular updates.


OFFICIAL REVOLUTION GIRLS JAM EDIT ONLINE!
Our very own edit from the first ever Revolution Girls Skate Jam is online now! Watch it below!
Thanks to the Rev boys for filming!
If you missed the write up, photo gallery and short edit from Revolution Skatepark, you can catch it here.
← Revolution Girls Skate Jam Photos ONLINE NOW!


Hedge funds in South Africa account for less than 1% of the total assets managed and have experienced a beating of late, with significant outflows and some much-publicised withdrawals. Yet, according to Novare Investments, hedge funds remain a key part of any well-diversified portfolio and, although contrary to popular opinion, now may well be a very good time to be up-weighting exposure to the asset class.
Active managers, in general, have struggled in the past few years for a variety of reasons, including international political shocks (such as Brexit and US President Trump's unexpected win), along with local events such as Nenegate and an economy struggling to gain traction, with low levels of consumer, business and investor confidence. This was further compounded by SA's largest ever corporate failure, in the form of Steinhoff, along with many other stock-specific 'bombs'.
Whilst local hedge fund assets had shown an uninterrupted growth of 118% over the past five years ending June 2016 to R68.6 billion (a mere fraction of the local asset base), according to the Annual Novare Hedge Fund survey, those assets fell to roughly R62.4 billion by mid-2017, and even further since.
Regulatory changes were introduced to local hedge funds at the end of 2017, under the Collective Investment Schemes Control Act (CISCA), which were meant to catapult hedge funds into the mainstream. Significant retail inflows were expected but ended up coinciding with industry outflows. Some have argued that the move may have, unintentionally, contributed to the poor performance and industry woes.
The pressure on hedge funds has been both a local and global phenomenon. Several high-profile global fund closures have occurred – such as Passport Capital, Eaton Park and Perry Capital to name but three – as performance disappointed and strategies struggled. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, central bankers embarked on co-ordinated policies to support markets, the most significant being quantitative easing (QE) and zero interest-rate policies (ZIRP). The result of which was huge inflows into every kind of asset, along with a strong move into passive equity funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
In addition, many hedge fund strategies sit with large cash allocations as a necessary part of their strategy. With near zero returns on cash, returns were inevitably going to be far lower. A 'perfect storm' ensued for hedge funds but now one that provides an opportunity for the savvy investor.
"Hedge funds are once again finding their feet as traditional investments start to run out of steam post the bull market of the past decade. Listed assets are seeing lower returns and investors should certainly be seeking high-quality, diversified alternative investments in any well-balanced portfolio," says Silverman.
"For example, in the US, QE has become QT (quantitative tapering) and interest rates have risen. The one-way flows into capital markets and typically into growth or tech shares are now being challenged, with some hefty losses in late 2018. This change in both sentiment and momentum, along with the added advantage of hedge funds being able to short shares (i.e. benefit from falling prices too), should once again benefit active managers, and even more so, hedge fund managers. There are also increasing examples where hedge fund manager fees are starting to reduce, further adding to the attraction of the asset class," says Silverman.