text:
The Allure of the Aesthetic
Emma Jameson – 20 June, 2014
Ironically, critique is not only provoked by consumerism but can also be seen to motivate it in helping to sustain the art-market's self-reassuring stance that it is working for a greater ideal. By provoking critical readings of his works through explicit titles and subject matter, Zavros seems to mock our need to find a greater meaning to justify art consumption by hiding any traces of superficiality with the appearance of a social-conscience.
STARKWHITE
Michael Zavros
Bad Dad
2 June - 28 June 2014
In its self-conscious exemplification of beauty, Michael Zavros's Bad Dad series is an exploration into the alluring appeal of a polished aesthetic and how this is enacted in the realm of consumerism and the art gallery itself. The hyper-real painting style that Zavros employs has an effect that is two fold: the value (both moral and commercial) of the painting act is reasserted through each meticulous paint stroke, and these individual gestures merge together to create an image that advertises not only the materialistic culture that it represents, but also the painting's presence within the gallery space as an art object for sale.
Zavros's paintings are a blatant celebration of the aesthetic appeal of consumable beauty in their subject matter and technique. For Zavros, fashion "articulates a utopia, a perfect world" that utilises advertising to seduce the public through presenting an ideal life and mode of being. In fashion, the aesthetic object is an extension of the aesthetic life, working to reflect and reinforce the visual appearance and status of the possessor. Zavros's paintings engage in a dynamic relationship with these concepts. In their realism they assume the role of an advertising spread in a fashion magazine, selling their subject (and with it, themselves) through sheer beauty of composition, realistic texture, and luminous colour and light. Bad Dad brings to mind the bright, fun colours of Mario Testino's swimming pool themed fashion spreads and it is through this reference that Zavros markets his artistic talents: the bulging plastic forms of the inflatable rings are so realistically reflected in the water that I had to keep reminding myself that I was looking at a painted canvas, and not a photograph. Like fashion objects, these works present a certain perfection that demands to be consumed. The luxurious sheen of a silk tie is impeccably evoked in Charmer/Pucci and the artist's skill, like the tie's branded label, is laid bare for the viewer's scrutiny, appreciation, and admiration.
It is through the seemingly simultaneous heralding and masking of the presence of the artist's hand that Zavros's works both invite and elude artistic comparison. In their shameless allusions to aestheticism and vanity in works such as Charmer/Pucci, it would be tempting to suggest comparisons with Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and possibly even Warhol. It is within this artistic framework that Robert Leonard, the writer of the exhibition catalogue essay "Michael Zavros: Charm Offensive", places Zavros. For him, Zavros's works follow a similar artistic vein to Koons and Hirst in that in shamelessly celebrating the aesthetic they can be seen to bridge the divide between high-minded art and the simplicity of pure entertainment.
Yet while Zavros's plastic forms possibly bring to mind the sculptural objects of Jeff Koons and the shameless revelling in materialistic pleasure is certainly akin to the spirit of Pop Art, there is a marked difference in approach. Whereas Koons employs a team of fabricators to assist with his high production works, Zavros instead painstakingly paints each work himself. Each beautifully realistic flower petal in The Greek is the product of his virtuosic ability and the covering of his daughter Phoebe's body with a diaphanous fabric in Phoebe is Dead/McQueen displays his indepth understanding and ability to powerfully evoke tangible human flesh through painted gesture and technique. The video of Zavros working in his studio serves as a constant reminder of the presence of the artist's hand and impressive talents: as unbelievable as it may be, these images were created by the physical movement of a hand across a canvas. The powerful potential of human creativity is thus asserted and celebrated within the gallery space.
This can particularly be seen in the drawings on the upper level of the gallery. These drawings and etchings are copied from Richard Prince's photographs of cowboys, which in themselves are appropriations of Sam Abnell's photographs for cigarette advertisements. The images are thus embroiled in a complex interlocking network of re-appropriation and self-reference. Theoretically such visual appropriation is comparable to Sherrie Levine's re-photographing of Walker Evans's photographs in 1980, yet there is a fundamental difference in that while Levine utilised the same media to appropriate, Zavros replaces the mechanical apparatus of the camera with the personal hand of the artist. There is thus an additional dimension to the theoretical conception, in which the relationship between drawing and photography is implicated.
As stated in Zavros's interview with Rhana Devenport, Gerard Richter's notion of diminishing an original photograph through the act of painting it is of key influence to Zavros's working methodology and conception. The traditionally perceived binary between photography and the act of drawing is, through Zavros, explored and challenged through the works' sheer attention to detail and realism (this can particularly be seen in the folds of the cowboy's jacket). The drawings are thus not simply a mechanical reproduction of an original, but rather the result of an exercise of copying in which the artist's abilities have been tested and experimented with. In re-appropriating an appropriation with artistic manipulation, Zavros seems to play with concepts of artistic ingenuity and originality, proclaiming these qualities for himself in the process. Walter Benjamin's postulations of the loss of authenticity in reproductions are thus turned on their head and challenged.
These drawings and etchings are indicative of the layers of self-reflexivity and societal referents that, in my opinion, permeate Zavros's works. It is through this suggestion of criticality that I find a point of departure from Robert Leonard's arguments in the catalogue text. For Leonard, Zavros's works are self-reflexively beautiful yet do not deconstruct or critique their subjects; they eschew criticality and in doing so, unconsciously critique criticality. While I do agree with Leonard's opinion that criticality tends to be the go-to for art reviewers who privilege social theorising instead of concentrating on formalist aesthetic qualities, I feel that his argument is but one reading of Zavros's works. In my opinion, the subject matter and technique of his paintings works present an intelligent criticality that is two fold: a critique of the consumption governing a status-oriented society, and a critique of the art-market appeal that this visual criticism will necessarily ignite.
Self-obsession and materialism in a consumer-driven world are prevalent themes throughout the works. In Bad Dad, narcissistic vanity is linked to bad parenting and Phoebe is Dead/McQueen can be seen to be a haunting memento mori of the temporality of beauty in fashion trends (in which artistic trends can be implicated). In Charmer/Pucci a beautiful tie rears up towards us, exposing its branded label and creating an interesting power relationship in its allusions to snake charming: we are charmed by the allure of high fashion and want to consume it, yet are we in control of this desire or is it in control of us?
Alain de Botton's theory of status anxiety is, as Leonard suggests, most definitely relevant in viewing Zavros's works. Beautiful objects speak of aspiration and as such are appropriated to convey and bolster prestige and sense of self-worth. It is a cult of consumption to which everyone aspires and it is at this point that Zavros seems to both reference and parody Walter Benjamin's postulations of the cult-like authority of the ritual and religion of in pre-industrial art. The subjects and technique of Zavros's paintings are symptomatic of an industrial, materialist culture and as such, according to Benjamin, should be devoid of authenticity and originality. Yet the very presence of Zavros's personal painterly hand re-invests both the subject and the painterly object with this 'aura', thus elevating symbols of post-industrial capitalism to objects of ritual and authority.
In referencing advertising through his artistic style, Zavros is calling attention to the role of paintings within this theory and to the commercial role expected and presumed of an art object within the gallery context. The works are imbued with layers of self-reflexivity and influence: they are beautiful paintings that we want to possess and display in our homes yet their beauty is sourced in objects that are also beautiful and ripe for possession. The act of consumption (visual and monetary) in entering the gallery space is revealed by the very nature in which we are seduced by Zavros's artistic style. In his interview with Devenport, Zavros explicitly refers to the commercially centred view and practice of the contemporary art market, stating that "art's value has shifted. These days, people discuss art's commodity value rather than its merit value". As such, the direct flaunting of his paintings as displaying and embodying beauty can be seen to pander to this commerciality, exploiting and critiquing it in the process.
Yet this critique is laid bare for the audience through the connotative titles of the work, which suggests another layer of critique within the work. Titles like Bad Dad, Phoebe Dead/McQueen make it all too easy to assume a generic 'consumerism is bad' critique from the paintings. The paintings, in their explicit referencing of vanity in a self-consciously beautiful style, perhaps can be seen to subtly mock the contradictory expectation and role of art in today's art market: art objects are bought and consumed for their connotations of social prestige and capital, yet are also expected to hide any potential superficiality of consumer motivation by being invested with a layer of social interpretation or critique.
In this analysis, critique thus motivates and is provoked by consumerism, helping to sustain the art-market's self-reassuring stance that it is working for a greater ideal. This is alluded to in Zavros's interview with Devenport, in which he states, "Art holds fast to the idea that it is relevant, important and enduring. I find this lofty self-importance tedious, and yet I am complicit with it." For him, fashion appeals because it doesn't take itself too seriously, "Fashion isn't going to save the world, but neither is art." By provoking critical readings of his works through his explicit titles and subject matter (the skulls in the Phoebe is Dead/McQueen almost provide a visual 'interpretation by numbers', or 'fill in the blanks' exercise), he seems to mock our need to find a greater meaning to justify art consumption by hiding any traces of superficiality with the appearance of a social-conscience.
Be they critical or not, consumerist or anti-consumerist, Zavros's paintings bring the sheer potential of the artist's hand into the spotlight. The video of Zavros working in his studio is a constant reminder of what cannot be denied: as a painter, he has extraordinary skill and talent in rendering tangible form, texture and tone. They are most certainly beautiful paintings of beautiful people and objects that can be appreciated and celebrated as such. While a critical interpretation is by no means necessary or obligatory, to deny the possibility of such a reading would be a disservice to not only Zavros's interview with Rhana Devenport but also the layers of meaning that can be garnered from the works.
Emma Jameson is the 2014 EyeContact Artists Alliance Writing Intern, a programme made possible with generous funding from the ASB Community Trust.
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Recent Posts by Emma Jameson
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5 Dec 2014 - 8 Jan 2015


The Meadowbrook School rents some of its buildings and grounds to the public on a case by case basis. Birthday parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, local fundraisers and other community events can be held in our facilities when the school calendar allows. Rates vary by space and time; payment must be made ahead of time by cash or check only.
For events involving food and beverage in the MacDowell Center Dining Room, Meadowbrook offers a choice of two exclusive caterers, though any event planner may be used. To learn more, contact Gerald Butcher in our Business Office.


text:
"Rock With U" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her tenth studio album, Discipline (2008). It was written by Ne-Yo, Jermaine Dupri, and Eric Stamile, and produced by the last two. The song was released as the album's second single on February 5, 2008, by Island Records. "Rock with U" is a pop, Eurodisco, and house song that was recorded with the gay community in mind, as Jackson felt the necessity to do something for her gay fans, as well as the wider community members.

"Rock with U" received positive reviews from music critics, with the majority lauding its retro, but futuristic sound, and commending the song's elements of house music. The song had minimal success, only being able to reach the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles and the top 20 of the Hot Dance Club Songs. Saam Farahmand directed the long-take music video, which features Jackson having a party inside a club, with red and white rays of light entering the room. "Rock with U" served as the title for Jackson's Rock Witchu Tour the same year, where the song was also performed.

Background and writing
In July 2007, it was announced that Jackson had signed a recording contract with Island Records, after her five-album deal with Virgin Records was fulfilled with the release of her album 20 Y.O. (2006). Jackson's tenth studio album, Discipline, which was an acknowledgment of Jackson's commitment, focus and dedication to her career, was released on February 26, 2008 under the supervision of label head L. A. Reid. She did not write or co-write any songs on the album, a departure from her usual practice of co-writing and producing all of the songs on her albums. "Rock With U" was written by Shaffer Smith, Jermaine Dupri and Eric Stamile, with Dupri producing it, while Stamile co-produced it. In an interview for NewNowNext, Jackson explained that the song was created for the gay community, saying,
"Honestly the song was created for the gay community. I kept stressing to Jermaine [Dupri, the song's co-writer], 'I got to do something for the kids.' I had talked about it on the last album – and there was a song that I had, and it wasn't quite completed. And I talked about it to the papers, gay magazines, and it didn't wind up on the album with the cut-off date. I felt really badly about that. So he just handed me a CD and said, 'Here are 10 tracks for the kids; tell me which one you like the best.' I fell in love with 'Rock With U'."

After the song was released, Jackson was awarded the Vanguard Award at the 19th annual GLAAD Media Awards, honoring her contributions in promoting equal rights among the gay community. The organization's president commented, "Ms. Jackson has a tremendous following inside the LGBT community and out, and having her stand with us against the defamation that LGBT people still face in our country is extremely significant."

Music and lyrics

"Rock with U" is a pop, Eurodisco, and house song. According to Jackson, it is reminiscent of "Together Again" or "Throb" from The Velvet Rope (1997) and janet. (1993), respectively. "It's still classic me but with a different twist to it – a modern twist", she said. Jim Farber from the New York Daily News noted the song's riffs, which he considered greater when they first appeared in Madonna's 1985 song "Into the Groove". The song was compared to Jackson's brother Michael Jackson's "Rock with You" (1979), due to its disco themes. "Rock with U" also contains vocodered whispers and murmured vocals. The song opens with the line, "Strobe lights make everything sexier", while it talks about an erotic proposition which was reportedly dedicated to the gay community.

Release
"Rock with U" was made available for sale through the US iTunes Store on February 5, 2008, along with a pre-order offer for Discipline. In the United States, the song was serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio stations on February 11 and to contemporary hit radio stations on February 26.

Critical reception
"Rock with U" was met with general critical acclaim from most music critics, with most praising its style and retro vibe. Picking the song as one of the album's best tracks, Andy Kellman of AllMusic named it "an irresistible, grade-A dancefloor track", calling it "swift and swooning." Bryan Borzykowski of Now called it a "bouncy house track", while Nick Levine from Digital Spy called it "cosmic, sleek, catchy and bracingly modern", writing that "it wouldn't disgrace itself as a Kylie [Minogue] single." Dan Gennoe of Yahoo! Music was extremely positive, writing that the song marries Jackson's sweet and stomping side for a 1980s influenced song, which we called both genuinely exciting and "sounds 100 per cent like Janet Jackson".

Ann Powers from the Los Angeles Times enjoyed the track, calling it "the gentlest time travel ever accomplished." Powers also wrote, "Playing on memory and melancholia, Janet's 'Rock With U' is nowhere as great as the original, but as a bit of intimate meta-pop it's utterly poignant. Jackson has long been the bearer of her brother's secrets, and on this song she shows that she can still crave something other than sexual fulfillment. Something like innocence." Michael Arceneaux of PopMatters praised the track, calling it "a sensual gem" and "almost euphoric", effectively complimenting Jackson's "whispery delivery." Arceneaux added, "It's a digitized form of pop music Janet should look into for future recordings." Tom Young from BBC Music was negative in his review, saying that its lyrics would not seduce anybody.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Rock with U" was directed by Saam Farahmand and choreographed by Gil Duldulao. It premiered on Access Granted on March 5, 2008. Jackson described Farahmand as an excited, passionated and creative person. He wanted to make the video as a long take video, like the music video for previous single "Feedback", which he also directed. According to the singer, the makeup looks and fashion of the video were a "futuristic version of the Blitz Kids from the 80's". Dulduao commented "I just wanted sort of bring Janet into the visionary style she's had in the past and I wanted to bring to like, video, and bring it back". He also mentioned that it took him at least a day and a half to finish its choreography.

The long-take video begins with many people dancing on a hallway, until a girl comes and opens a door which leads to a room. There, other dancers are dancing to the song in midway of white rays of light, until the camera shows Jackson in the corner of the room and they start performing a dance routine. While the singer disappears from vision, people dance until she appears again dancing to the song. Then she goes to a hallway and enters a red-lighted room, accompanied by dancers, where entertainer Mimi Marks is seen. There she dances another routine along with her dancers. After dancing, she enters in another hallway where she gets alone with a man, until they share a kiss. Then, people who were in the previous room enter to the hallway to connect to another room, with Marks taking Jackson with her. The video ends with people coming closer to Jackson.

Live performances
Jackson performed "Rock with U" on Good Morning America, which aired in February 2008 on ABC. During the Rock Witchu Tour the same year, "Rock with U" was performed by Jackson right after "All Nite (Don't Stop)". An interlude of "Rock with U" was used during her Unbreakable World Tour (2015–2016). It was also included during the DJ intermission on the State of the World Tour (2017–2018). Jackson also included the song on the set list of her Las Vegas residency Janet Jackson: Metamorphosis (2019).

Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Discipline.

Janet Jackson – vocals
Shaffer Smith – songwriter
Jermaine Dupri – songwriter, producer, vocal production, mixing
Eric Stamile – songwriter, co-producer
Manuel Seal – vocal production
Ian Cross – vocal production, mixing assistant, vocal recording
John Horesco IV – guitar, recording
Josh Houghkirk – engineer
Steven Barlow – assistant engineer
Chris Soper – assistant engineer
Angie Teo – assistant engineer

Charts

Release history

References

2008 singles
2008 songs
Eurodisco songs
House music songs
Island Records singles
Janet Jackson songs
LGBT-related songs
Song recordings produced by Jermaine Dupri
Songs about dancing
Songs written by Jermaine Dupri
Songs written by Ne-Yo

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
/*
 * File:   TimePoint.h
 * Author: bam4d
 *
 * Created on 19 February 2012, 18:03
 */

#ifndef TIMEPOINT_H
#define	TIMEPOINT_H

class TimePoint
{
public:

    axon_event* axon_eventLLHead;

    axon_event* next_axon_event;

    int num_axonsToFire;

    TimePoint();

    void Add(axon* _toAdd);

    bool Delete();

    ~TimePoint();

private:
    int _maxEvents;

};

#endif	/* TIMEPOINT_H */

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach Pro Sound includes a large 7-inch slim wide touchscreen, DAB Digital Radio and DVB-T Digital TV. Also included is a speed camera detector, Lane Guidance and Junction View to help guide your bus or coach along your route with turn-by-turn voice directions.
Snooper Bus and Coach DB8500 also features Bluetooth for handsfree calls and provides FREE TMC Traffic information. The DB8500 is preloaded with European maps which are free to update for the lifetime of the product.
Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach Pro Sound has been discontinued.
Accessories and spares for the Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach Pro Sound can be purchased here.
The Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach Pro Sound is a portable premium 7-inch satellite navigation system which has been designed for drivers of coaches and buses.
The Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach is part of a family of four different DB8500 Pro Sound sat nav devices. While each model uses here maps, the preloaded POI and internal database differs between the range. Each of the four different models has a different driver, or more specifically a different vehicle type/size in mind.
The Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach model includes built-in Bluetooth technology and 100's of bus and coach points of interest. The launch of this Snooper system is an industry first that features the ability to only route you onto roads which are suitable for your coach or bus for excursions, day-trips and bus tours, etc. You can also optionally add a reversing camera to the Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach sat nav.
Listen to DAB Digital Radio on your vehicles speakers using the built-in FM transmitter. Simply tune your bus or coaches radio to an unused frequency and set your Snooper DB8500 to transmit on that frequency to listen in. With this DAB radio you can also set it to provide reports such as traffic, news and weather. You can also listen to turn by turn directions on your vehicles speakers using the FM transmitter.
Also included with the Snooper DB8500 is Free Premium TMC traffic information. Plus you will get Bluetooth handsfree technology so you can connect you mobile phone with your Snooper sat nav.
With the Snooper DB8500 you will get turn-by-turn directions to all your destinations. You can also program in 7 journeys with 16 stops along each journey you enter into the Snooper system. The Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach includes free map updates for European mapping so you will be able to navigate in your bus or coach on national journeys in the UK and international bus journeys with your snooper sat nav.
With the Snooper DB8500 you will get many features to guide you along your route. Furthermore there are features that are specific to your Bus and Coach operator. Lane guidance and junction view help to ensure you are in the correct lane when approaching junctions, etc. You can also enter your vehicles dimensions such as height, width and weight and then your DB8500 satnav will only route you along appropriate roads avoiding low bridges, weight restrictions, narrow roads and more. There are 1000's more attributes to protect you from hazards.
The DB8500 uses Snoopers AURA speed camera database to warn you to all fixed speed cameras in the UK and across Europe. If you want to get detection of ALL mobile speed cameras then you can upgrade by buying the Snooper Laser Pod.
Snooper DB8500 also includes a feature called MY SPEED. This feature provides speed limits for all roads in the UK and Europe. You can select speed limits for cars or larger vehicles. Plus you can set the system to alert you if you are driving above the speed limit.
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The battery life of the bus and coach DB8500 is 1 hour.
Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach Pro mounts on the inside of your vehicles windscreen using the supplied suction cup windscreen bracket. Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach Pro Sound can be powered directly either from its internal battery if it's fully charged or powered from the cigarette lighter socket.
Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach Pro Sound provides advanced warning of all fixed speed cameras, SPECS and many laser sites using Snooper's AURA speed trap database. There are 3 easy ways to pay using a credit or debit card.
The DB8500 Bus and Coach Pro Sound comes supplied with everything you need to use it in-car (see What's in the box? above), however replacement and additional DB8500 Pro Sound accessories are also available to buy from ActiveGPS.
View all of the Snooper DB8500 Bus and Coach accessories.


The Date for the 2013 BLUE NOTE OPEN IS SET!
The date for the 2013 BLUE NOTE OPEN INDOOR GOLF EVENT has been set!
We will be holding the event on SATURDAY FEBRUARY 9TH 2013, with the host establishment being the CASINO STARLITE NIGHTCLUB, AT 20TH & CEDAR IN QUINCY.
At approximately 6:45pm-Blue Note Open Staff will draw out 5 Teams Scorecards, and EACH TEAM'S SCORECARD that is drawn WILL WIN $100 for each winning team!
If you are interested in being involved in this year's event, you know what you need to do…First-you need to round up your team members, and explain to them that you (now more than ever) actually has a chance to win money this year! Then, get your team's entry fee turned in asap-we do need to know how many teams to plan for. We'd like to have your entry fee by Friday February 4th 2013. If you can't get it in until the day of the event, you are taking a chance, because with the new rules, we're planning on having a full event, and we might have to cut off entries if we feel we are overloading the event. (Though-we will accept additional teams-as space permits).
We look forward to seeing everyone on the 9th of February at The Starlite!


A spur gear is the most common type of gear and consists of a cylinder or disk with teeth projected straight outward. A spur gear also generally looks the same from either side, since the teeth are straight from one side to the other.
Cat gears are machined from carefully selected materials to exacting specifications that match the loads encountered in Cat machines. They are manufactured using special, and in some cases proprietary, heat treat processes — including case carburizing, nitriding, and induction hardening. Cat gears have the industry&_amp;s highest power density, or the amount of power a gear can transmit relative to its size and are designed with reusability in mind. Consequently, they are more durable and keep your overall machine operating costs down.
Cat gears are built specific to their application to ensure all drive train parts work and wear together as a system.


Japanese Vocab - What does this mean?
After Sayaka says " Minna-san konnichiwa", she also says right after that: "Mata ai mashita me" (I guess that's how you spell it) So what does "Mata ai mashita me" mean?
またあいましたね。Mata aimashita ne. means "We meet again!"
MATA is "again" and "aimashita" comes from the verb AU "to meet" and the NE adds a familiarity to the phrase.
Something like, "Hey, we meet again."
what we say hello goodmorning in japanese?
and what we say thank you in japanese?
How are you?= O genki desu ka?
I think "O genki desu ka?" does mean "How are you?", but as a concern of one's health.
Literally, it does translate as this(in concern of health), but it is also used casually to simply mean "how are you"
It certainly is used for 'how are you', but I would say not in quite the same way as we use that in English. It seems only commonly to be used after a longer absense or lack of contact. In English, you can say 'how are you' to someone you saw yesterday & it sounds quite normal, we often dont really expect a reply. But it seems to me that in Japanese this would be a bit odd. Some native Japanese speakers confirmed that for me, they would not expect to be asked 'お元気ですか' say twice in two days by the same person. They also felt that whilst it did have the more general sense, it does retain more of an explicit enquiry after your wellbeing & health than the English usage.
Yep, you're right. I overlooked the fact that people meet more than one time in a single day.


text:
How Tiny Qatar 'Punches Above Its Weight'
Qatar is a tiny place that insists on being heard.
The Arab nation just off the coast of Saudi Arabia has made itself a major diplomatic player, a generous donor of foreign aid, and a leader in modernizing education in the region. The ultra-modern capital Doha is full of skyscrapers, museums and history, much of it dating as far back as … the 1990s.
Qatar is also a commercial capital that aims to become a cultural, sports and tourist center for the Gulf region despite having just 260,000 citizens.
Those citizens are outnumbered by foreign workers more than 5 to 1. The citizens and foreigners alike are governed by an absolute monarchy that was passed down earlier this year from the emir — the man responsible for Qatar's ascendancy — to his 33-year-old son.
All of these head-spinning changes prompted Professor Mehran Kamrava, an American who teaches at Georgetown University's campus in Doha, to write Qatar: Small State, Big Politics.
"What motivated me to write this book was the question of whether or not Qatar is for real," Kamrava said. "When I started studying Qatar, I realized that here is an extremely small state consistently punching above its weight and playing a larger role that is commensurate with its size, demography and, in many ways, its resources."
So what makes Qatar tick? As one American expat put it to me, Qataris could take their money — they have the highest per capita GDP in the world at more than $86,000 a head — and retire en masse to the South of France. So why do they play what Kamrava calls a hyperactive role in regional and world affairs?
Qatar is involved in Libya, Egypt and Syria. It owns the Al Jazeera satellite channel. It hosts satellite campuses of American universities. And the 2022 World Cup will be held there.
A Branding Exercise
Shadi Hamid, the director of research at the Brookings Institution's Doha Center, views this as a kind of branding exercise.
"Qatar doesn't want to just be a tiny, small state in the middle of the Gulf," he said. "They want to leave their mark on the region's politics — and not just politics, but culture, sports and education. The question is why do they want that? And I think it's part of a shift that we saw start in the mid-1990s."
Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani — often refererred to as HBK — became the emir in 1995 when he ousted his father, who was on an extended summer vacation in Europe. Sheik Hamad then survived a failed countercoup backed by Saudi Arabia.
Together with his wife and the prime minister, Sheik Hamad set out to drag Qatar into modernity.
Something else happened a few years before Sheik Hamad took over. Back in 1990, Iraq invaded the small, oil-rich nation of Kuwait and occupied it for seven months before a U.S.-led coalition drove the Iraqis out.
Allen Fromherz, who used to teach in Qatar and has written a book on the emirate, Qatar: A Modern History, said the Qataris have not forgotten Kuwait.
"Qatar doesn't want to see itself as being this priceless jewel that can simply be gobbled up by one of its more powerful neighbors, whether Saudi Arabia or Iran," said Fromherz.
So Qatar set about becoming not just rich, but also valuable to the region and to the world.
Launching Al Jazeera
Its first big achievement was launching the Al Jazeera satellite television network, first in Arabic and then in English. This was a revolutionary step in a region that had been dominated by staid, state-run broadcasters.
Al Jazeera is backed by so much Qatari money that when it launched its American channel and bought Current TV for access to cable systems, it paid $500 million for a virtually unwatched channel. That's twice what Amazon chief Jeff Bezos paid for the venerable Washington Post.
Qatar's hyperactivism goes far beyond Al Jazeera. It has mediated Arab disputes among the the main Palestinian factions — Hamas and Fatah — and also among factions in Lebanon and Sudan.
Qatar was a strong supporter of ousting Moammar Gadhafi in Libya, and it backed the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Islamist rebels in Syria.
Those efforts have turned out to be so messy that when Sheik Hamad stepped down voluntarily as emir this year, and handed the reins to his son, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, analysts like Shadi Hamid of the Brookings Institution saw a re-calibration of Qatari priorities.
"There's going to be more of a domestic focus," said Hamid. "I think there's a realization that maybe they went too far with their support of certain Islamist groups in the region. That provoked a backlash. Qatar's stock has taken a hit."
The Qataris insist that they only backed the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt because the group dominated the government until the military seized power last July. They point out that they've aided Egyptian governments before and since the Brotherhood ruled — although Qatar has hosted a prominent exiled Egyptian preacher, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who has been linked to the Brotherhood for decades.
As for Syria, the Qataris say they deplore the most extreme Islamists but think the U.S. has pushed away others by being too fast to label them terrorists. More recently, two men who have advised Qatar on philanthropic giving have been accused by the U.S. Treasury of aiding groups allied to al-Qaida.
Relations With The U.S.
There are serious differences between the U.S. and Qatar. But the connections between the two countries are strong.
At al-Udeid, about 20 miles from Doha, the U.S. Air Force has a base in a flat, lifeless desert where the wind is incessant. The base services the U.S. Central Command, including U.S. forces in Afghanistan. This is where the Air Force came when Saudi Arabia wanted the U.S. military out.
Like every place else in Qatar, al-Udeid, or, as it's known to American airmen, The Deed, is a massive construction zone that is becoming more permanent.
Until this month, the U.S. deferred to Qatari sensibilities and referred to this base as an undisclosed location in southwest Asia. Now, the Qataris have spoken publicly about it.
But Qatar is a land of strange bedfellows. While it welcomes the U.S. Air Force, the country also has permitted the Afghan Taliban to establish a political office. Qatar maintains good ties with Iran, and the two countries share a huge natural gas field.
"What Qatar did was to hedge its bets," said Mehran Kamrava of Georgetown. "It placed one big bet one way, with American military protection and American diplomacy. But at the same time, it also made sure it maintained relationships with actors such as Hamas or countries such as Iran."
Qatar's aim was to create a space in the Gulf region where differing parties, even rivals and enemies, could do deals. Allen Fromherz says the Qataris had a history of mediating among tribes and with their more powerful neighbors, the Saudis.
"They simply extended that to the international affairs arena," said Fromherz.
Policy Of Inclusion
Qataris call it a policy of inclusion. Khalid Al-Attiyah, the Qatari foreign minister, spoke about it this year at Britain's Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House.
"Our country considers that political solutions require the representation and participation of all parties to the conflict, no matter how difficult and controversial," he said. "It is our belief that only such preconditions can allow for viable, legitimate and ultimately long-term resolution to conflicts."
If Qatar has spent the past two decades putting itself on the map, it has even bigger ambitions ahead.
The Qataris won a bid for soccer's 2022 World Cup despite summer humidity that pushes 100 percent and temperatures that exceed it — and despite a population so small that a million expected visiting soccer fans will increase the population by 50 percent.
The bid has accelerated the need for new infrastructure, including new highways and a subway. This is a big cause of the traffic jams, and it has prompted criticism of the country's labor practices.
The chairman of the national 2022 Committee is Hassan al-Thawadi, whose aides assure me he speaks French and Spanish like a native. He spoke to me in English at his office in a Doha skyscraper. He was in full national dress and expressed the pride Qataris have in the cup coming to this region.
"It's not just Qataris. It's people throughout this region that are proud of Qatar actually hosting the World Cup," he said.
Hosting the World Cup or the Olympics typically prompts a debate over whether the huge expense is worth it. Will the facilities be used after the games? Will there really be jobs for the locals in building them?
In Qatar, it's different. The construction jobs, like most jobs in the country, are for foreign workers, not Qataris.
As for the stadiums, after the World Cup, Qatar's plan is unique.
"Once we're done with the World Cup, what we're going to do is take down these modular seats, reconfigure them into smaller seatings," al-Thawadi said.
A stadium that seats 50,000 in Qatar can then be turned into a 5,000-seat stadium, which Qatar will then "pass on to developing nations," al-Thawadi added.
As he describes it, the World Cup symbolizes regional leadership, and by creating a novel form of foreign aid — stadiums — it enhances global prestige.
And the Qataris have nine years to figure out how to make good on their obligation to make beer available without offending local sensibilities in a country where alcohol is largely banned.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Six. Teenth. Of. Oc. Tober.
Six. Bloody. Teenth. Bloody. Of. Bloody. Oc. Bloody. Tober.
...and I've just walked past a hotel in Salford that appears to have its Christmas Tree up in reception.
It's the 16th October, FFS.
Does the USAF do drone strikes on request?
My local supermarket cafe has been wishing me a Happy Halloween for the past fortnight.
Everything in the world is rubbish.
Isn't it just. GJ. GKN, etc will confirm that.
One of the movie channels on sky has been showing Christmas movies since the beginning of the month.
I thought it was Sam Burgess' fault. I blame him.
The Christmas lights were certainly up on Roundhay Road in Leeds yesterday. They weren't up in Morley on Saturday, but I bet they're up now. And they'll sodding well be there until February probably, that's three and a half months of Christmas!!!! I HATE Christmas!


My mother's been watching a GMA 7 afternoon soap opera entitled Hiram na Puso, and while it has all the usual elements–melodrama, shoddy acting, poor writing–I give it the stick for spreading ignorance. Lira, Kris Bernal's character, received a heart transplant from another girl, and apparently, the heart donor's spirit lives on in her heart, transforming Lira's personality. I wish I could go on and on about how irresponsible this is and how any gullible viewers would be concerned about organ transplants, but it seems like GMA is perfectly happy to pursue it, never mind how ignorant the story is, and a single annoyed blog post won't stop them anyway.


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Republicans Plan to Investigate Biden's Deadly Afghanistan Withdrawal
Thu Dec 8, 2022 AT 9:54 AM EST
House Republicans are beginning to lay the groundwork for their first investigations into the Biden administration, starting with a review of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan last year.
Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, sent letters to a number of government agencies requesting documentation and other materials related to the troop withdrawal, accusing the Biden administration of committing obstruction.
"It has been over a year since the Biden Administration's botched Afghanistan withdrawal and the American people have not received any answers about this national security and humanitarian catastrophe. U.S. servicemen and women lost their lives, thousands of Americans were abandoned, billions of taxpayer dollars are still unaccounted for, military equipment fell into the hands of the Taliban, progress for Afghan women has stalled, and the entire region is under hostile Taliban control. Under a Republican majority, the Biden Administration's obstruction of this investigation will be met with the power of the gavel," Comer said in a statement. Read Full Story
PJ Media: Kari Lake Promises to Take Lawsuit 'All the Way to the Supreme Court'
The Federalist: Thom Tillis' Amnesty Plan Act of Betrayal by Senate GOP?
American Greatness: What House Needs to Do to Check China Threat
American Thinker: Make GOP Brave Again
The Hill: Frustration Swirls in House GOP Over McCarthy Speakership Opposition


Follow me on the road and discover quiet places for meditative travel. Learn to be 100% in the moment. Wherever I take you, we will look at ways to be totally present, in that instant. Not thinking about yesterday, not worrying about tomorrow, being here and now.
Could jetting off to Barcelona for a music festival for a mere five days disconnect you so much that you feel as if a month has passed when you get back to normal life? Well… yes, it can.


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Published on March 22nd, 2019 | by Joshua S Hill
UBS Tightens Coal Financing Standards & Strengthens Sustainable Investments
March 22nd, 2019 by Joshua S Hill
Swiss investment banking giant UBS revealed this week that it has decided to further tighten its standards on coal financing transactions, ruling out project-level finance to new coal-fired power plants around the world, at the same time as the bank seeks double penetration of sustainable investments by 2020.
UBS is one of the world's top 40 banks and leads the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), the most widely recognized sustainability rating, and was recently upgraded to AA by MSCI ESG Research in its latest sustainability ratings, placing it in the top three of its primary peer group. Sustainalytics — the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings and research analysts — also ranked UBS as an industry leader, while CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) confirmed the bank's position on its Climate A-List.
The bank revealed its 2018 sustainability progress this week, showing that it was making significant progress in 2018 towards meeting its ambitious targets in sustainable investing, philanthropy, and business stability, while simultaneously reducing its own environmental footprint. Specifically, as of the end of 2018, the bank's total sustainable investment (SI) assets represented $1,110 billion and core SI assets amounted to $313 billion, representing 35.8% and 10.1% of the bank's total invested assets respectively.
Further, UBS's $313 billion core SI assets — including environmental, social, and governance integration and a range of sustainability strategies — increased by 72% in 2018 from $182 billion in 2017, driven primarily by the integration of ESG factors into UBS Asset Management's investment research process.
UBS also directed $1.9 billion of client assets towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) related impact investments, increasing its progress towards its target of $5 billion in commitments by the end of 2021.
"We see a strong business rationale for catering to the growing importance of and demand for sustainability," said UBS Chairman Axel A. Weber. "We have set ourselves the goal to create long-term positive value for clients, employees, investors and society. Our goal carries with it a clear responsibility for taking a leading role driving change towards a positive future."
UBS has reduced its carbon-related assets to $2.7 billion, down from $6.6 billion in 2017, while its climate-related sustainable investments increased to $87.5 billion, up from $74 billion in 2017.
The bank also announced on Thursday that it was further tightening its coal financing transactions, and will no longer provide project-level financing to new coal-fired power plants around the world. The bank has already "significantly" reduced lending and capital raising to the coal mining sector and has cut support to coal-mining companies engaged in mountain-top removal (MTR) operations. UBS will continue to support financing transactions for existing coal-fired operators (which are more than 30% reliant on coal) but who have a transition strategy in place that aligns with a pathway under the Paris Agreement, or the transaction is related to renewable energy.
"It's our priority to protect our clients' assets and UBS from the materialization of risks," explained Christian Bluhm, Group Chief Risk Officer. "This includes climate-related risks since sustainable financing is high on our agenda. We already limited our risk appetite for carbon-related assets and have further tightened our standards on coal-financing transactions while growing our exposure in climate-related sustainable asset classes."
Tags: coal financing, sustainable finance, sustainable financing, sustainable investments, UBS
China, Japan, & South Korea Lie To Themselves (& Us) About Renewable Energy Intentions →
Tesla's Long-Term Hardware & Software Play — CleanTech Talk with Tasha Keeney, Part 2 →
UBS Declares That "Tesla Has Won The Race And Leads The Championship" With EVs →
Tesla Has 20% Battery Cost Advantage On Competition, Says UBS Analyst →


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16-Year-Old Jaelynn Willey, Maryland School Shooting Victim, Will Be Taken Off Life Support This Evening
March 23, 2018 11:52 By Fabiosa
16-year-old Jaelynn Willey, the victim of a Maryland school shooting, will be taken off her life support after the doctors announced her "brain is dead."
Heartbreaking choice
Jaelynn Willey was one of two students shot by Austin Wyatt Rollins at the Great Mills High School on Tuesday. All these days, the doctors have maintained the girl's life via a system of life support. Jaelynn has been in critical condition since the shooting.
READ ALSO: Maryland High School's Resource Officer Was Hailed As "A True Hero" After Shooting
On Thursday, the girl's mother, Melissa Willey, announced some sad news. The family made a decision to take her off the life support as Jaelynn's brain was dead and "no life left in her."
My daughter was hurt by a boy who shot her in the head and took everything from our lives. It will be different forever.
Jaelynn was the second oldest of nine children. She helped her mother take care of the younger siblings. The girl was doing very well at school. She was a member of the school's swim team. Her friends describe Jaelynn as an amazing young lady.
She's the most thoughtful caring person in this world. She has a heart full of love that can't be met by anyone else. Her beautiful smile lights up any room she walks into.
As it was reported earlier, Jaelynn was involved in a romantic relationship with the shooter. When their relationship ended, Rollins decided to take a revenge with an act of violence. Rollins was severely injured and was later declared dead.
The Maryland School Shooter Austin Wyatt Rollins Used His Father's Gun To Kill His Ex-Girlfriendhttps://t.co/0GgMExDG07 #NotAParkland
— Tedderman (@Tedderman1) March 23, 2018
At the moment, Jaelynn is still on life support, but she will not make it. The doctors will take her off life support this evening.
READ ALSO: Parkland Survivors Sent Messages To Maryland School Students To Say "We Are Here For You"


Getting a chance to participate in other activities can be difficult especially if you have a busy schedule throughout the week. If you are a casino lover, you can still get to engage in your favorite activity from anywhere you are through online casinos. Online casinos are convenient for those casino lovers who rarely get the time to visit the casinos in their area physically. It makes it possible for you to gamble whether you are at work or at home. Moreover, the different online casino sites offer a multiplayer option which means that you do not have to gamble all by yourself. This can add some excitement to the game. You can be sure that you will enjoy every aspect of the game when using online casinos.


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Start With The End In Mind
Select Projects
The Baker's Son
Split, Open and Melt
Kiddie Academy
FCP Intracoastal
FCP Fleming Island
Church's Fried Chicken
Midnight Farms School
Jax Brick House
sweetFrog
Dr. Carvell
Vascular Surgery Center
Total Salon Solutions
Butler Building
Metal Buildings and Steel Buildings in Jacksonville, FL
The Accelerated Contractors' Team
Brad Hollett
Brad Hollett – Commercial Construction Expert
Accelerated Contractors has been in the construction industry since he was 16. He co-owns ACT Architects also. He has completed substantial work in commercial and industrial projects. Brad has been in the top 10 commercial remodelers and the top 20 commercial contractors in North Florida for the last 30 years. ACT has been in the North Florida top 20 architect firms for 5 years. Brad has more than 30 years' experience as a contractor. With his state license as a general contractor, Brad has built many projects in the Southeast United States. These projects would include but are not limited to medical building construction, office construction, restaurant construction, thrift store retail construction, spa construction, general contracting of salons, exercise gym and retail stores. He's known for his efforts to "Go Green" whenever possible. Accelerated and ACT have been featured in many magazines such as MD-News, Jacksonville Business Journal, Florida Times Union and FOCUS displaying his company's work. He's received awards year after year for his work in the community and for Best Commercial Builder, just to name a few. Brad is "hands on" from beginning to end, from the blueprints and design to ground breaking and grand opening. You can put your project in the trust of Accelerated Contractors and feel confident and secure that Brad Hollett will make your vision come to life, it will be up to code, up to date, with the latest and greatest products and safe for the environment. Brad is United States Green Building Council Accredited on the highest levels of LEED AP BD+C (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) with specific training in Building Design and Construction.
Angie Denton
Angie Denton – General Contractor Expert
Our Executive Office Director and Project Manager, Angie Denton has worked with Brad since 1998. Her years of experience in the area of construction include all aspects of the project, starting in the office from answering the phones, to being proficient in Florida building statutes, constructing contracts, change orders, lien waivers, letters of warranties and the closing process, to helping the client really understand what to expect – from what they think the building process is all about, to being out in the field supervising her own crews and meeting with inspectors. Angie can foresee obstacles prior to them arising which protects the timing and cost of the project. She has the knowledge to fulfill the same outcome many different ways so the task is completed without a hitch. She is best known for her attention to details, nothing is left undone or forgotten. The relationships she has made over the last 20 years of being in the construction industry are long-lasting and makes it easier to achieve and overcome the milestones needed to accomplish the assignment at hand.
Pat Cunningham
Pat Cunningham – General Contractor Safety Expert
Our Estimator/Project Manager, has been along side Brad since 1990. His extensive experience goes back even as far as picking up his first hammer, nails and a ruler as Brad's helper. His experience includes knowing OSHA regulations, the safety programs and procedures, the permitting process, the Florida Building Codes and staying up to date with the latest changes, timing and scheduling of each phase of the project just to name a few. He's not only the project manager who knows every square foot of the project he's working on, but how to make it look like it "Grew together". He's the man who makes sure every person has all the needed safety equipment for a healthy environment whether you're working on site, visiting, or just making a delivery. His presence on the job-site assures that progress is being done safely, timely and accurately.
Accelerated Contractors Team doesn't end there, Brad has hand picked his staff of Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers and Project Accountants. Brad sought out for the best experienced and knowledgeable office staff, who have the in's and out's of the local to state contracting procedures perfected. Our thoroughly screened, reviewed and skilled in house carpenters and tradesman complete most of the phases of the projects we accept. Our average Carpenter/Tradesmen has been with us over 10 years so they know exactly how Brad wants things done. Their dedication to a completely perfected finished product is definitely noticed. This makes Accelerated Contractors a strong solid team that communicates and understands our clients wants and needs.
Accelerated Contractors, LLC
6903 Atlantic Boulevard
Email information@acceleratedcontractors.com
"We are Medical Office Experts" Members of Associated Medical Office Experts
Quick Contact:
Accelerated Contractors proudly serves clients throughout Northeast Florida including; Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Flagler Beach, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, St. Augustine Beach, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Macclenny, Keystone Heights, Palatka, Palm Coast and in other locations where our clients need us to go.
License# CGC1520846
Jacksonville Website Design MagicAngel.net


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Multilateral Diplomacy
Explore the origins of multilateral diplomacy and its evolution within a dynamic and rapidly changing environment.
This course introduces participants to the diplomatic interaction among more than two actors, with particular emphasis on the multilateral diplomacy represented by the United Nations system. Participants examine an overview of all protagonists and their roles, as well as the complex framework, intricate rules, and methods of multilateral diplomacy. These challenging topics are complemented by insights into the processes leading to the adoption of documents by states within international organisations, as well the current transformations affecting the multilateral system. Using illustrative case studies, the course blends an academic perspective with the experience of current practitioners of multilateral diplomacy.
I have gained a wealth of knowledge in this field and I have enhanced my ability to think critically.
Bertha Amakali
Director of Information and Research, Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Namibia (September 2017)
The course on Multilateral Diplomacy was comprehensive, insightful and innovative.
Roshelle Henry
Foreign Service Officer Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jamaica (September 2017)
Multilateral Diplomacy is an in-depth course on a wide spectrum of aspects of such diplomatic sphere, ranging from its history to its actors,...
Diego García Doval
Secretary General, Carral Town Council, Spain (September 2015)
This course is an intriguing eye-opener to the UN system.
Fitina Khonje
Officer for Press, Cultural and Development Cooperation, German Embassy in Malawi (September 2012)
- Select a course - 21st Century Diplomacy Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance Artificial Intelligence Bilateral Diplomacy Capacity Development CD Multi Africa CD Multi Caribbean Children & Mobile Technology Consular and Diaspora Diplomacy Cybersecurity Cybersecurity for SEE Development Diplomacy Digital Commerce Geneva Digital Policy DC Digital Policy Geneva Digital Policy New York Diplomacy of Small States Diplomatic Law: Privileges & Immunities Diplomatic Protocol Diplomatic Theory and Practice E-Diplomacy Economic Diplomacy Foundations in Education Diplomacy Global Health Diplomacy Humanitarian Diplomacy Internet Technology and Policy Intro to Internet Governance Language and Diplomacy Master in Contemporary Diplomacy Multilateral Diplomacy Negotiation Skills Public Diplomacy
SUBSCRIBE FOR COURSE UPDATES >
Open for applications: Yes
Application deadline: Certificate: 10 July 2019
Start date: 22 July 2019
Fees: Certificate: €690; Credit: €850; Scholarships available
Course code: IRL 5013
Mode(s) of study: Certificate - Credit - Master/PGD
Register for this course
Amb. Amr Aljowaily
Ambassador of Egypt to Serbia
Amb. Amr Aljowaily is Egypt's Ambassador to Serbia. He is also visiting faculty at UNITAR's Multilateral Diplomacy Program, adjunct faculty in International Security at the School of Global Public Affairs of the American University in Cairo...
Dr Petru Dumitriu has been a member of the Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system since 1 January 2016. Previously, he was Ambassador and Permanent Observer of the Council of Europe to the United Nations Office and other internation...
Dr André Saramago
Online Learning and Research Associate
Based in Setúbal, Portugal, where he is originally from, André Saramago is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at University Beira Interior, in Covilhã, Portugal, where teaches international relations theory, international hist...
This course introduces participants to the diplomatic interaction among more than two actors, with particular emphasis on the multilateral diplomacy represented by the United Nations system. Participants examine an overview of all protagonists and their roles, as well as the complex framework, intricate rules and methods of multilateral diplomacy. These challenging topics are complemented by insights into the processes leading to the adoption of documents by states within international organisations, as well the current transformations affecting the multilateral system. Using illustrative case studies, the course blends an academic perspective with the experience of current practitioners of multilateral diplomacy.
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
Provide an overview of multilateral diplomacy from its origins through to current changes introduced by globalisation and new information and communication technologies.
Describe the roles of traditional and new stakeholders with interest and influence in multilateral organisations.
Discuss the various forums and forms of multilateral diplomacy, from the formal to the informal, identifying the rules, methods, processes and actors involved in each.
Describe the institutional framework within which multilateral diplomacy operates.
Provide examples, and analyse how multilateral diplomacy is responding to factors such as political changes, globalisation and the growing influence of the business sector and civil society.
Excerpt from course materials
Why is consensus necessary?
A widespread belief suggests that decisions taken by consensus have greater political force than those that one or more delegations have refused to support. Many governments and delegates dislike the overt confrontation and sense of victory and defeat that voting conveys.
Multilateral meetings are co-operative endeavours and one of their main tasks is to produce and project the assurance of a prevailing collaborative spirit. This spirit is visible if all participants consent to the decision adopted. A more practical interpretation, however, of why consensus is necessary is that on many issues most countries find it possible to accept language with which they are not entirely satisfied, but with which they are not in strong opposition. If called upon to vote on the same proposal or document, they might feel obliged to vote against or signify lack of enthusiasm or the presence of a reservation, by registering an abstention.
Origin, evolution, and objectives of multilateral diplomacy: a brief historic preface covering key events that have marked the evolution of multilateral diplomacy. We examine existing intergovernmental organisations created by treaties concluded among member countries, dealing with the increasing number of issues that need international debate, action and regulation.
Actors: sovereign states are still the main protagonists in multilateral diplomacy, but we are currently witnessing the increased involvement of non-state actors, including non-governmental organisations, representatives of civil society and the business community. Both traditional and new actors are discussed.
Framework: we examine the increasingly diverse bodies within which governments and other actors cooperate, while their responsibilities and mandates cover ever more demanding areas and new challenges.
Rules: despite the importance of the full observance of the constitutive acts of various international organisations, including their rules of procedure, multilateral diplomacy embraces constantly new forms of interaction, thus reflecting the need for flexibility and rapid adaptability to a dynamic environment.
Methods: Nowadays only a part of the multilateral diplomatic effort takes place in formal and solemn settings. The interaction among various actors extends to a number of modalities, including informal contacts and spontaneous coalitions of the willing. We look at both formal and informal methods of multilateral diplomacy.
Process: the preparation of diplomatic events is manifold, and depends on the level at which it is undertaken: national or international, formal or informal, on substance or on procedures.
New developments: We consider the crucial changes which globalisation has introduced into the multilateral context, including the emergence of new stakeholders with interests and resources to influence the behaviour and power of states.
United Nations concepts for global governance: this final lecture proposes ways that the UN can change the world, its own vision and its instruments without changing the Charter. Innovative concepts constitute a reaction to the dynamics of world affairs and to the challenges of globalisation. The concepts are illustrated by several multi-faceted approaches to an increasingly interdependent world where classic concepts such as development and security no longer reflect reality.
This course will be of interest to:
Practising diplomats, civil servants, and others working in international relations who want to refresh or expand their knowledge under the guidance of experienced practitioners and academics.
Postgraduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to study topics not offered through their university programmes or diplomatic academies and to gain deeper insight through interaction with practising diplomats.
Postgraduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy.
Journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people and others who interact with diplomats and wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics.
This course is conducted entirely online over a period of ten weeks. Reading materials and tools for online interaction are provided through an online classroom. Each week, participants read the provided lecture text, adding questions, comments and references in the form of hypertext entries. Lecturers and other participants read and respond to these entries, creating interaction based on the lecture text. During the week, participants complete additional online activities (e.g. further discussion via blogs or forums, quizzes, group tasks, simulations or short assignments). At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet online in a chat room to discuss the week's topic. To complete the course successfully, participants must write several essay assignments. Courses are based on a collaborative approach to learning, involving a high level of interaction.
This course requires a minimum of five to seven hours of study time per week.
All course applicants must have regular access to the Internet (dial-up connection is sufficient, although broadband is preferable).
Applicants for certificate courses must have:
An undergraduate university degree OR three years of work experience and appropriate professional qualifications in diplomacy or international relations.
Sufficient ability in the English language to undertake postgraduate level studies (including reading academic texts, discussing complex concepts with other course participants, and submitting written essay assignments of up to 2500 words in length).
Applicants for accredited courses must meet University of Malta prerequisites:
Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject with at least Second Class Honours.
English language proficiency certificate obtained within the last two years (minimum requirements: Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) – 95 (with a writing score of at least 24); IELTS: 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each element); Cambridge: Advanced Certificate with Grade C or better). Please indicate on the application form if you are still waiting for your English language proficiency results.
Course fees depend on whether you wish to obtain university credit for the course:
€850 (University of Malta Accredited Course)
€690 (Diplo Certificate Course)
Applicants must pay full fees upon official acceptance into the course. The fee includes:
Access to all course materials online, via Diplo's online classroom
Personal interaction via the online classroom with course lecturers, staff and other participants
Online technical support
University of Malta application fee (for University of Malta Accredited Courses only)
Access, via the Internet, to the University of Malta e-journal collection (University of Malta Accredited Courses only)
For Diplo Certificate Courses, postgraduate level e-certificate issued by DiploFoundation on successful completion of course requirements (interaction and participation, all assignments) which can be printed or shared electronically via a permanent link
Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for diplomats and others working in international relations from developing countries.
To apply for a scholarship please upload your CV and a motivation letter with your application. The motivation letter should include:
Details of your relevant professional and educational background.
Reasons for your interest in the course.
Why you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this course: how will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country?
As Diplo's ability to offer scholarship support is limited, candidates are strongly encouraged to seek scholarship funding directly from local or international institutions.
A number of routes for application are available:
Apply for this course as a Diplo Certificate Course
Apply for this course as a University of Malta Accredited Course
Take this course as part of the Master/PGD in Contemporary Diplomacy
Apply for a Diplo Certificate Course
Applicants for certificate courses should apply online.
If you are applying for financial assistance, please upload your CV and a motivation letter with your application. The motivation letter should include:
Please note that financial assistance from DiploFoundation is available only to applicants from developing countries. Late applications will be considered if there are spaces available in the course.
Apply for a University of Malta Accredited Course
Complete application packages must be received by specified application deadlines in order to be considered.
Two copies of the University of Malta application form filled out in full (download form for overseas applicants; download form for applicants with Maltese qualifications).
Certified copies of original degree(s) and official transcripts.
English translations of degree(s) and transcripts if they are not in English, signed and stamped by translator.
English language proficiency certificate obtained within the last two years (minimum requirements TOEFL: paper-based – 650; Internet-based – 95. IELTS: 6.5. Cambridge: Proficiency Certificate with Grade C or better). Please indicate on the application form if you are still waiting for your English language proficiency results.
Photocopy of personal details pages of your passport.
If you are requesting financial assistance, please include your CV and a motivation letter with your application. The motivation letter should include details of your relevant professional and educational background; reasons for your interest in the course; and why you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this course: i.e. how will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country? Financial assistance from DiploFoundation is available only to applicants from developing countries.
Application fee or proof of payment (€100 – non-refundable – see methods of payment).
Please send the complete application package by e-mail to admissions@diplomacy.edu or by post to:
Anutruf, Ground Floor
Hriereb Street
Msida, MSD 1675, Malta
Please note that by sending your application package, you are confirming that you have read DiploFoundation's Privacy Policy. Please note that DiploFoundation will process and share your personal data with third parties (including the University of Malta) for admissions and academic matters, administering finance, and administrative purposes in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
Diplo reserves the right to cancel this course if enrolment is insufficient. In case of cancellation, Diplo will notify applicants shortly after the application deadline. Applicants who have paid an application fee may apply this fee towards another course or receive a refund.
DiploFoundation (attn Tanja Nikolic)
Tel: +356 21 333 323;
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This article critically explores the working lives and views of disabled senior staff working in UK organisations. The qualitative research at the core of the article establishes that some disabled people are confounding established notions of disabled people only working in peripheral employment roles by exploring the working lives and perceptions of disabled managers. The findings do, however, point to continued barriers to what disabled staff in senior positions can be seen to do and be organisationally. Here both practical and ontological risk inheres in organisationally induced change, openness about impairment and risky identities. Such ideas, it is argued, present limits to further promotion and workplace inclusion for some disabled managers.
Roulstone A and Williams J (2014) Being disabled, being a manager: 'glass partitions' and conditional identities in the contemporary workplace. Disability and Society. 29(1): 16-29.


text:
by Jayson Greene
Pop/R&B
Listen to the track below
Best New Track
"Radio Silence"
There is something about James Blake's chilly, exacting touch with drum hits; they feel like you could run your finger over them. The sharp, hollow knock of "Radio Silence," the opening track on his surprise new album The Colour In Anything, has so much character that you could lose yourself in it, just counting it off. This is partly what people like Beyoncé (who gave James Blake his own track on Lemonade) and Drake (who reportedly put up a copy of James Blake's self-titled in the studio when he was making Take Care) see in him; his arrangement of items in space, his voice and the drums and the synths like three primary-color chairs in a white room with no windows.
This clinical precision sometimes gives the extravagant sadness of his voice a distant feel. Many of his songs are built around a repeated mantra, something yearning and brokenhearted, and on "Radio Silence" it is "I can't believe this, you don't wanna see me/I'm sorry I don't know how you feel." You could easily imagine those words being delivered as a scream, or a sob, or with acrid disdain, but Blake sends them fluttering up into his arrangements, like balloons loosed into a grey sky. It is strange music, emotionally, somehow warming and numbing, comforting and discomfiting. You get the impression of a beautiful alien creature rehearsing human emotions in a mirror. You can feel everything to it or nothing at all.


text:
Faizabad attack
Life imprisonment for two terrorists in 2007 Faizabad court blast case
A third accused, Sajjadur Rehman, has been acquitted by the court due to a lack of evidence. The verdict pronounced by Additional District Judge Ashok Kumar came after 12 years of investigation and trial.
Represenational Image
Subhangi Kumari Singh
Ayodhya: Two terrorists, Mohammad Tariq and Mohammad Akhtar, were given life imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000 each by a special court here on Friday for their involvement in the 2007 serial blasts in Faizabad, Lucknow and Varanasi. A third accused, Sajjadur Rehman, has been acquitted by the court due to lack of evidence.
The verdict pronounced by Additional District Judge Ashok Kumar came after 12 years of investigation and trial."They were nabbed following a bomb blast in the Faizabad court on November 23, 2007.
The Judge has pronounced the verdict after completion of the trial. Two people have been granted life imprisonment, while a third person has been acquitted due to lack of evidence," said Vijay Bahadur Singh, president of Faizabad Bar Association."This is a good judgement. They were involved in the Faizabad blast. Blasts also took place in Varanasi and Lucknow. All were interlinked. They (terrorists) were all part of a team," he added.
Four people were killed while 26 others sustained injuries during the blasts in 2007.
Faizabad attackFaizabad case verdictLife imprisonment2007 serial blasts
Amid huge anti-CAA protests, govt releases five clauses to acquire Indian citizenship


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Erdogan Childhood Biography, life Story & Net worth
on August 13, 2018 in Famous People Now Trending Politics
Famous: Presidents Prime Ministers
Also Known As: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mayor Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Erdoğan, Recep Tayyip
Born In: Kasımpaşa
Famous As: 12th President Of Turkey
Spouse/Ex-: Emine Erdoğan
Father: Ahmet Erdoğan
Mother: Tenzile Erdoğan
Children: Ahmet Burak Erdoğan, Esra Erdoğan, Necmettin Bilal Erdoğan, Sümeyye Erdoğan
Religion: Islam, Hanafi, Sunni Islam
Founder/Co-Founder: Justice And Development Party, Alliance Of Civilizations
Who Is Erdogan?
Erdogan was Born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1954, Tayyip Erdogan became involved in politics while attending university. The first Islamist to be elected mayor of Istanbul, he reduced pollution and improved the city's infrastructure, but was imprisoned on charges of inciting religious hatred.
Erdogan later served three terms as prime minister, during which time he markedly improved Turkey's economic standing, but drew criticism for perceived power grabs. He was voted the country's president in 2014, and after surviving an attempted military coup in July 2016, he earned reelection two years later.
Erdogan Early Years
Real Name : Tayyip Erdogan is the president of Turkey. He was given birth on February 26, 1954, in the Kasimpasa quarter of Istanbul, Turkey, to parents Ahmet and Tenzile Erdogan. He spent part of his childhood in Rize, where his father worked as a coastguard, before the family returned to Istanbul when he was 13.
Raised without much money, Erdogan sold lemonade and sesame buns on the streets as a teenager. A talented football player, he competed for many years and reportedly drew interest from top clubs, but was prevented from pursuing that path by his father. Erdogan instead attended the religious Istanbul Imam Hatip School, where he became involved with the National Turkish Students' Association, and passed the exams to earn a diploma from Eyup High School as well.
His Political Beginnings
Influenced by the teachings of National Salvation Party leader Necmettin Erbakan, Erdogan was elected head of the party's Beyoglu Youth Branch and Istanbul Youth Branch in 1976. The party was dissolved in the wake of a 1980 military coup, and after Erdogan earned a graduate degree from Marmara University's Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences in 1981, he worked as an accountant and a manager in the private sector.
Erdogan returned to politics with the formation of the Welfare Party in 1983, becoming the Beyoglu District head in 1984. The following year, he was voted the Istanbul Provincial head and named to the Central Executive Board. Tasked with improving voter turnout, Erdogan was credited for the party's success in the 1989 municipal elections.
Instanbul Mayor and Imprisonment
Recep Tayyip Erdogan was elected mayor of Istanbul in 1994. The first Islamist to serve in this role, he demonstrated his religious commitment by banning alcohol from city-owned cafes. He also successfully tackled the city's water shortage, reduced pollution and improved infrastructure, helping to modernize the country's capital.
Erdogan came under serious fire in December 1997 after publicly reciting a poem which included the lines "The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets and the faithful our soldiers." Charged with violating secularist law and inciting religious hatred, he was forced to step down as mayor and barred from public office, and ultimately wound up serving four months in prison in 1999.
Erdogan As Prime Minister
His prison sentence complete, Erdogan co-founded the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001. The AKP claimed a resounding victory in the 2002 parliamentary elections, and Erdogan soon had his power officially restored thanks to a constitutional amendment that overturned his political ban.
He became prime minister of Turkey on March 9, 2003, and subsequently was reelected to the position twice more.
As prime minister, Erdogan markedly improved Turkey's economic standing. He reigned in inflation and encouraged foreign investment, leading to a rise in per capita income, stronger credit ratings and close ties with Western allies. However, Erdogan also increasingly became known as an authoritarian leader out to increase the breadth of his power.
In 2013, he had several senior military officials imprisoned for life for plotting to overthrow the AKP, and also ordered the military to crush peaceful demonstrations at Istanbul's Gezi Park. The following year, after condemning the use of social media, he briefly blocked Turkey's access to Twitter and YouTube.
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Erdogan – President
After reaching his term limits as prime minister, Erdogan became the AKP's candidate in Turkey's first direct election for the presidency, and was inaugurated on August 28, 2014. Although the role had previously been more of a ceremonial one, Erdogan indicated his intention to establish new powers as president.
His goal was temporarily impeded when the AKP failed to garner a majority in the 2015 parliamentary elections, but after attempts to form a coalition government faltered, the AKP regained the majority in an election that November.
Mounting unrest boiled over in the form of an attempted military coup on the night of July 15, 2016. Erdogan, who was vacationing with his family, narrowly avoided trouble when his hotel was raided, and successfully escaped to Istanbul. Out of harm's way, he took to the video chat app FaceTime to implore his countrymen to fight the renegade military units.
He was largely supported by key government officials and influential figures, and within a few hours the coup, which resulted in more than 400 deaths and another 1,400 people injured, had been quashed.
Erdogan blamed the uprising on followers of Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric living in exile in the United States, and demanded the cleric's extradition. Along with imprisoning thousands of military personnel, he had tens of thousands police officers, judges, civil servants and teachers suspended, detained or placed under investigation. He then declared a national state of emergency, lending credence to the idea that he would use the experience to oust his known enemies and claim even more power.
Those fears were realized with the narrow passage of a constitutional referendum in April 2017, which eliminated the post of prime minister and gave Turkey's president new executive powers, including the ability to appoint judges and officials.
Erdogan – Reelection to Second Term
After Erdogan called for early elections in 2018, opposition parties put up a spirited fight in an attempt to halt his consolidation of power. However, the incumbent earned a reported 53 percent of the vote in the June 24 election, enough to avoid a runoff with the runner-up, Muharrem Ince. And while his AKP earned less than 50 percent of the parliamentary vote, its alliance with the Nationalist Movement Party ensured a majority coalition there, as well.
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That night, with the results still being processed but pointing toward victory, Erdogan delivered a short speech outside one of his Istanbul residences. "It seems the nation has entrusted me with the duty of the presidency, and to us a very big responsibility in the legislature," he said. "Turkey has given a lesson of democracy with a turnout of close to 90 percent. I hope that some will not provoke to hide their own failure."
Erdogan Net Worth
As of December 2015, Erdoğan has an estimated net worth of $185 million.
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Q: Session maintenance in monotouch? My application based on banking domain, need session handling. When application is idle (without any touch events after application open) have to calculate the time in background.
I handle the session maintenance when application entered into foreground and onResignInactive events in AppDelegate.
I need to handle application when live. Please help me to figure out this feature

A: There's an answer for obj-C there: iOS perform action after period of inactivity (no user interaction)
So, at the application level, you keep a timer, and reset it on any event. Then you can do your business (like hiding any sensitive information) in the timer's handler.
Now, to the code.
First, you have to subclass UIApplication and make sure yours is instantiated:
//Main.cs
public class Application
{
    static void Main (string[] args)
    {
        //Here I specify the UIApplication name ("Application") in addition to the AppDelegate
        UIApplication.Main (args, "Application", "AppDelegate");
    }
}

//UIApplicationWithTimeout.cs

//The name should match with the one defined in Main.cs
[Register ("Application")]
public class UIApplicationWithTimeout : UIApplication
{
    const int TimeoutInSeconds = 60;
    NSTimer idleTimer;

    public override void SendEvent (UIEvent uievent)
    {
        base.SendEvent (uievent);

        if (idleTimer == null)
            ResetTimer ();

        var allTouches = uievent.AllTouches;
        if (allTouches != null && allTouches.Count > 0 && ((UITouch)allTouches.First ()).Phase == UITouchPhase.Began)
            ResetTimer ();
    }

    void ResetTimer ()
    {
        if (idleTimer != null)
            idleTimer.Invalidate ();
        idleTimer = NSTimer.CreateScheduledTimer (new TimeSpan (0, 0, TimeoutInSeconds), TimerExceeded);
    }

    void TimerExceeded ()
    {
        NSNotificationCenter.DefaultCenter.PostNotificationName ("timeoutNotification", null);
    }
}

This will ensure you have a timer running (caveat: the time starts only at the first event), that the timer will resets itself at any touch, and that a timeout will send a notification (named "timeoutNotification").
You now can listen to that notification and act on it (probably pushing a cover ViewController)
//AppDelegate.cs
[Register ("AppDelegate")]
public partial class AppDelegate : UIApplicationDelegate
{
    UIWindow window;
    testViewController viewController;

    public override bool FinishedLaunching (UIApplication app, NSDictionary options)
    {
        window = new UIWindow (UIScreen.MainScreen.Bounds);

        viewController = new testViewController ();
        window.RootViewController = viewController;
        window.MakeKeyAndVisible ();

        //Listen to notifications !
        NSNotificationCenter.DefaultCenter.AddObserver ("timeoutNotification", ApplicationTimeout);

        return true;
    }

    void ApplicationTimeout (NSNotification notification)
    {
        Console.WriteLine ("Timeout !!!");
        //push any viewcontroller
    }
}

@Jason had a very good point that you shouldn't rely on client timeout for your session management but you should probably maintain a server state - and timeout - as well.

A: If you were writing this as a web app, you would put the session timeout logic on the server, not the client.  I would take the same approach with a mobile client also - have the server manage the session and timeout.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Jane Norton doesn't agree with John McCain on everything -- just what's wrong with Ken Buck
Michael Roberts | August 9, 2010 | 12:20pm
Update below: The Democratic senate race between Andrew Romanoff and Michael Bennet in advance of tomorrow's primary has been a truckload of ugly -- and the Republican matchup's offered more of the same.
Jane Norton has spent week after week slamming Ken Buck -- and spokeswoman Cinamon Watson keeps doing so in the campaign's waning hours.
In Watson's view, "the momentum is all on Jane's side over the past several weeks. And over the weekend, hundreds of volunteers knocked on doors and made calls for Jane, and fundraising has been going gangbusters."
One person deserving credit for this late windfall, Watson says, is Senator John McCain, who appeared alongside Norton this weekend. McCain is a divisive presence in conservative circles, with sizable chunks of the Tea Party and 9.12 Project crowds blaming his allegedly too-liberal policies for hastening Barack Obama's White House residency. But Watson doesn't acknowledge any doubts about pairing her candidate with the Arizona senator.
The weekend events with McCain "were positive for a couple of reasons," Watson says. "We had some very successful fundraising -- and Senator McCain pointed out where Ken Buck's been weak, and where he's flip-flopped. He talked about a cost-benefit analysis with terrorists, and the senator pointed out that Ken Buck's wrong about that. And he talked about how Ken is not a fiscal conservative, based on how much his budget's increased" during his stint as district attorney for Weld County. "If you ask him, it's up 40 percent, and if you look at the actual numbers, it's up 50 percent. And pointing out things like that are very helpful."
Granted, "John McCain and Jane Norton do not agree on every issue," she continues. "But on some things, they do agree -- like the war on terror and no earmarks. And this was an opportunity to point out those discrepancies in Ken Buck's record."
Norton's taken heat in some quarters for focusing an ad campaign on joking comments Buck made at an Independence Institute bash; there, he talked about "Weld County bullshit" and said people should vote for him because he doesn't wear high heels. But Watson thinks the Buck camp's gripes are the equivalent of a mud wrestler calling his competitor dirty.
"Jane has taken on over $2 million in negative ads from Ken Buck that started in January," she declares. "So to say it's something new is flat-out wrong. That money's definitely had an impact, and it's lended legitimacy to his candidacy. But as the media and voters started focusing on the race, they began to realize that he isn't the same candidate on tape than he is when he's caught on tape. He has a long list of flip-flops and foot-in-mouth moments. And for a lot of people, that's not the type of person you want in the U.S. Senate representing you."
In contrast, Watson says, "Jane Norton has never wavered on her principles, or on the agenda she'll set forth if elected. That's why I think that after the primary, Republicans will come together with independents and probably some Democrats with the goal of taking our country back."
Update: Today, Westword conducted primary-eve interviews with spokespersons for all six major candidates being tested tomorrow. Click to read posts about Michael Bennet, Scott McInnis, Ken Buck, Andrew Romanoff and Dan Maes.


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https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/asynchronous-cooperative-linear-dispersion-coding
Asynchronous Cooperative Linear Dispersion Coding
In this work, a family of asynchronous cooperative linear dispersion codes (ACLDCs) capable of maintaining full diversity in cooperative scenarios have been investigated even in the presence of asynchronous reception. The linear dispersion structure is employed to accommodate the dynamic topology of cooperative networks, as well as to achieve higher throughput than conventional space–time codes based on orthogonal designs. By introducing guard intervals and block encoding/decoding techniques, the interference signals caused by asynchronous reception can be exploited rather than discarded.
The space–time block coding (STBC) techniques provide full spatial diversity in the context of collocated multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) systems, requiring reliable wireless communications at high rates. However, it may not always be practical to accommodate multiple antennas at the mobile nodes in the network, owing to cost, size, and other hardware limitations. As a remedy, the concept of "cooperative diversity" has been proposed in the literature, providing diversity using single antennas of other nodes in the network.
Furthermore, it is often the case that propagation delays experienced by the signals from cooperative nodes are different, even if these nodes are scheduled to simultaneously transmit. Thus, the composite pulse seen at the receiver, which is the sum of the pulses from each transmitter shifted by the corresponding propagation delay, will no longer be Nyquist. Hence, intersymbol interference (ISI) is generated after sampling at the receiver, where a similar phenomenon is observed with frequency-selective channels. In general, there are three classes of techniques in the open literature to deal with the issue of ISI, which are time-domain approaches, frequency-domain solutions, and the use of a conventional equalizer.
In this paper, we propose a novel time-domain STBC scheme by combining the features of both LA-STBCs and TR-STBCs to combat imperfect synchronization in cooperative MIMO systems, namely, asynchronous cooperative linear dispersion codes (ACLDCs). The rationale and novelty of the proposed
ACLDCs are given in the list that follows.
The proposed scheme is capable of dealing with an arbitrary propagation delay difference τ while maintaining full spatial diversity, provided that sufficient guard intervals are appropriately inserted, as opposed to certain delays of LA-STBCs and distributed-TAST codes.
The proposed scheme features high-rate transmissions, whereas the TR-STBCs are unable to have a symbol rate higher than unity.
The ACLDC scheme consists of a space–time encoder to achieve full spatial diversity and a block encoder (or interleaver) to combat the propagation delay, which are designed jointly, rather than separately.
The proposed ACLDCs maintain a flexible linear dispersion structure, which supports an arbitrary number of nodes to cooperate, while supporting arbitrary modulation schemes.
Cooperative Nodes Topology
Asynchronous Cooperative Linear Dispersion Coding Aided Transceiver Block Diagram
Associated Product(s)
Wireless Access Networks Publications
Wireless (RF), Sensors, Mobile and Networking
Advanced Network Technologies Division
Emerging Network Technologies Group
hamid.gharavi@nist.gov
Nan Wu
Created August 30, 2016, Updated April 12, 2018