text:
package org.apache.flink.table.planner.plan.utils

import org.apache.calcite.rel.core.AggregateCall
import org.apache.calcite.rex.{RexCall, RexNode}
import org.apache.flink.table.functions.FunctionDefinition
import org.apache.flink.table.functions.python.{PythonFunction, PythonFunctionKind}
import org.apache.flink.table.planner.functions.aggfunctions.{DeclarativeAggregateFunction, InternalAggregateFunction}
import org.apache.flink.table.planner.functions.bridging.{BridgingSqlAggFunction, BridgingSqlFunction}
import org.apache.flink.table.planner.functions.utils.{AggSqlFunction, ScalarSqlFunction, TableSqlFunction}

import scala.collection.JavaConversions._

object PythonUtil {

  /**
    * Checks whether it contains the specified kind of Python function call in the specified node.
    * If the parameter pythonFunctionKind is null, it will return true for any kind of Python
    * function.
    *
    * @param node the RexNode to check
    * @param pythonFunctionKind the kind of the python function
    * @return true if it contains the Python function call in the specified node.
    */
  def containsPythonCall(node: RexNode, pythonFunctionKind: PythonFunctionKind = null): Boolean =
    node.accept(new FunctionFinder(true, Option(pythonFunctionKind), true))

  /**
    * Checks whether it contains non-Python function call in the specified node.
    *
    * @param node the RexNode to check
    * @return true if it contains the non-Python function call in the specified node.
    */
  def containsNonPythonCall(node: RexNode): Boolean =
    node.accept(new FunctionFinder(false, None, true))

  /**
    * Checks whether the specified node is the specified kind of Python function call.
    * If the parameter pythonFunctionKind is null, it will return true for any kind of Python
    * function.
    *
    * @param node the RexNode to check
    * @param pythonFunctionKind the kind of the python function
    * @return true if the specified node is a Python function call.
    */
  def isPythonCall(node: RexNode, pythonFunctionKind: PythonFunctionKind = null): Boolean =
    node.accept(new FunctionFinder(true, Option(pythonFunctionKind), false))

  /**
    * Checks whether the specified node is a non-Python function call.
    *
    * @param node the RexNode to check
    * @return true if the specified node is a non-Python function call.
    */
  def isNonPythonCall(node: RexNode): Boolean = node.accept(new FunctionFinder(false, None, false))

  /**
    * Checks whether the specified aggregate is the specified kind of Python function Aggregate.
    *
    * @param call the AggregateCall to check
    * @param pythonFunctionKind the kind of the python function
    * @return true if the specified call is a Python function Aggregate.
    */
  def isPythonAggregate(
      call: AggregateCall,
      pythonFunctionKind: PythonFunctionKind = null): Boolean = {
    val aggregation = call.getAggregation
    aggregation match {
      case function: AggSqlFunction =>
        isPythonFunction(function.aggregateFunction, pythonFunctionKind)
      case function: BridgingSqlAggFunction =>
        isPythonFunction(function.getDefinition, pythonFunctionKind)
      case _ => false
    }
  }

  def isBuiltInAggregate(call: AggregateCall): Boolean = {
    val aggregation = call.getAggregation
    aggregation match {
      case function: AggSqlFunction =>
        function.aggregateFunction.isInstanceOf[InternalAggregateFunction[_, _]]
      case function: BridgingSqlAggFunction =>
        function.getDefinition.isInstanceOf[DeclarativeAggregateFunction]
      case _ => true
    }
  }

  private[this] def isPythonFunction(
      function: FunctionDefinition,
      pythonFunctionKind: PythonFunctionKind): Boolean = {
    function match {
      case pythonFunction: PythonFunction =>
        pythonFunctionKind == null || pythonFunction.getPythonFunctionKind == pythonFunctionKind
      case _ => false
    }
  }

  /**
    * Checks whether it contains the specified kind of function in a RexNode.
    *
    * @param findPythonFunction true to find python function, false to find non-python function
    * @param pythonFunctionKind the kind of the python function
    * @param recursive whether check the inputs
    */
  private class FunctionFinder(
      findPythonFunction: Boolean,
      pythonFunctionKind: Option[PythonFunctionKind],
      recursive: Boolean)
    extends RexDefaultVisitor[Boolean] {

    /**
      * Checks whether the specified rexCall is a python function call of the specified kind.
      *
      * @param rexCall the RexCall to check.
      * @return true if it is python function call of the specified kind.
      */
    private def isPythonRexCall(rexCall: RexCall): Boolean =
      rexCall.getOperator match {
        case sfc: ScalarSqlFunction => isPythonFunction(sfc.scalarFunction)
        case tfc: TableSqlFunction => isPythonFunction(tfc.udtf)
        case bsf: BridgingSqlFunction => isPythonFunction(bsf.getDefinition)
        case _ => false
    }

    private def isPythonFunction(functionDefinition: FunctionDefinition): Boolean = {
      functionDefinition.isInstanceOf[PythonFunction] &&
        (pythonFunctionKind.isEmpty ||
          functionDefinition.asInstanceOf[PythonFunction].getPythonFunctionKind ==
            pythonFunctionKind.get)
    }

    override def visitCall(call: RexCall): Boolean = {
      findPythonFunction == isPythonRexCall(call) ||
        (recursive && call.getOperands.exists(_.accept(this)))
    }

    override def visitNode(rexNode: RexNode): Boolean = false
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
import { call, takeLatest } from 'redux-saga/effects'

import { fetchResourceIfRequired } from '../../sagas/api'
import { isYearListRequired } from '../selectors'

import {
  YEARS_FETCH_STARTED,
  YEARS_FETCH_SUCCESS,
  YEARS_FETCH_ERROR,
  YEARS_REQUIRED
} from '../constants'

import * as api from '../../api'

export function * fetchYearList () {
  yield call(
    fetchResourceIfRequired,
    api.fetchYears,
    {
      isRequired: isYearListRequired,
      actions: {
        start: YEARS_FETCH_STARTED,
        success: YEARS_FETCH_SUCCESS,
        fail: YEARS_FETCH_ERROR
      }
    }
  )
}

export function * requireYearList () {
  yield takeLatest(YEARS_REQUIRED, fetchYearList)
}

export default [
  requireYearList
]


MakeUseOf.com featured us on "The 9 Safest Free Software Download Sites for Windows"
Free software download sites can be dangerous. Visiting a bad site could end up with you smothered in fake download buttons and fake virus and malware warnings, which are usually malware in disguise... Donation Coder prides itself on providing free and clean software in exchange for nothing but donations.
Re: DonationCoder featured on list of "9 Safest Free Software Download Sites"
That's quite a nice endorsement.
Keep it up! Great achievement gained! I'm proud of you (all)!
Feels Great to be a part of DC.


text:
Latest News Updates - Stay Updated
Pakistan to introduce chemical castration law against rapists
By: newsauditorium
Islamabad: Pakistani government is set to promulgate an ordinance to introduce punishments of chemical castration for rapists and sex offenders, a statement issued from the Ministry of Law said on Tuesday.
"Since the Parliament is not in session, an ordinance will be promulgated to tighten the laws against rapists and sex offenders," the ministry's statement quoted Federal Minister for Law and Justice Dr Farogh Naseem as saying.
The statement added that strict penalties also included a death sentence, life imprisonment. The minister said that the offender could be subject to chemical castration either for some time or for life. He maintained that the similar laws were in place in other countries such as the United States, adding that the chances of chemical castration would be increased for the habitual offenders.
The law minister further said that the data of sex offenders would be maintained by National Database and Registration Authority. He said that maintenance of data would help in apprehending the perpetrators of sex crimes. The law minister also emphasized that people need to play an important role by pointing out sex offenders around them.
The statement was issued following a meeting of the federal cabinet in which the increasing incidents of rapes in the country were discussed. Some of the federal ministers including Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri suggested the death penalty for sex offenders.
However, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the law for chemical castration would be introduced first. The government also decided that those who sexually offend transgender would also be considered as rape.
During the cabinet meeting, the law ministry presented a draft of the anti-rape ordinance which also included women's role in policing, fast-tracking rape cases and witness protection. The premier stressed that the rape was a serious matter and no further delay in introducing the law would be tolerated, further adding, "We need to ensure a safe environment for our citizens."
He further told the cabinet that the legislation would be clear with strict implementation, adding that the rape victims would be able to register complaints without fear as the government would protect the identity of the complainant.
In a post-cabinet press conference, Information Minister Senator Shibli Faraz said that after approval of the anti-rape ordinance, the cabinet asked the Law Division and other departments concerned to finalize the draft at earliest by removing legal lacunae.
Faraz told the media that the Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice of another recent incident of rape of a mother and her daughter in Sindh's Kashmore district and asked Law Minister Farogh Naseem to prepare a comprehensive ordinance including a clear definition of rape.
Faraz expressed hope that the new legislation would significantly reduce the number of rape incidents in the country.
The idea of chemical castration was first floated by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The premier during a television interview in September had said that the rapists should be hanged publically or chemically castrated. Prime Minister Khan's statement had come in the backdrop of motorway-gang rape incident.
Read Also: Rapists should be hanged publicly or castrated, PM Khan
Read Also: Pakistan to introduce a bill seeking castration of sex offenders
In September, a woman along with her two sons (below eight) was stuck on Sialkot-Lahore Motorway in midnight when her car ran out of fuel. The two dacoits not only robbed her but also raped her in nearby fields after which they managed the escape before the arrival of police and victim lady's relatives. The primary accused namely Abid Malhi was arrested after a month and his trial is pending adjudication.
Prime Minister Khan during the interview had said, "Unfortunately when we had the discussion, we were told public hangings would not be internationally acceptable. We were even told that the GSP-Plus trade status given to Pakistan by the European Union will be affected badly."
After the recent cabinet meeting, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari took to Twitter and said that the cabinet approved in-principle two ordinances to deal holistically with rape and child abuse and to make necessary amendments in Pakistan Penal Code.
These two ordinances include the Anti-Rape (Investigation & Trial) Ordinance 2020 and the Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Ordinance 2020. Human rights minister further said that the two ordinances would be finalized by the Cabinet Committee on Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC). She added that the legislation also included the establishment of special courts, anti-rape crisis cells and prohibition of the 'two-finger' test.
Earlier this month, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan had told Dawn News that the special courts for expeditious trials of rape cases would be established under the ordinance.
He had said that under the proposed law, only a gazetted officer of deputy inspector general or senior superintendent of police level would investigate the rape cases. According to Awan over 21,000 rape cases were registered in the country in the last few years but a few hundred could go for trial.
UK invites India PM Modi for G7 summit as a guest
New Delhi: The United Kingdom (UK) on Sunday formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend G7 summit as a guest that is scheduled to be held in Cornwall from June 11 to 14, 2021. A press statement issued by the British High Commission said that UK's Prime Minister Boris
FBI screening 25, 000 National Guards troops amid fears of attack from inside
Crashed Indonesian plane black boxes located, families help sought for identification
Why the new policy should be a major privacy concern for WhatsApp users
Know what PS5 and Xbox X offering
Screenshots become more important than ever as WhatsApp likely to introduce a new feature
Money be recovered from involved Maulvi to reconstruct the temple: SC
Islamabad: Unlike Supreme Court of India which favoured Country's majority population by issuing an order to demolish Babri Mosque and construct the temple on its place, the Supreme Court of Pakistan emerged as a progressive institution giving equal space to all the minorities including Hindus living in Pakistan. To protect
Hazara Community protestors refuse to end the sit-in
Param Maharaj Samadhi be declared prominent site like Kartarpur Gurdwara: Commission recommends
Eight gorillas at US zoo contract Covid-19
Federal Ombudsperson orders to stop Drama Serial Dunk, issues notice to channel owner and producer
Islamabad: Pakistan's Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace on Tuesday directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to stop the drama serial Dunk, being telecasted at ARY Digital, to be aired till further orders of this forum. Observing that the drama serial Dunk was against
SC issues notice to Ali Zafar on Meesha Shafi's petition
Divorce rumors are serious accusation at someone's family: Sanam Jung
News Auditorium
UK invites India PM Modi for G7 summit as a guest January 18, 2021
FBI screening 25, 000 National Guards troops amid fears of attack from inside January 18, 2021
Federal Ombudsperson orders to stop Drama Serial Dunk, issues notice to channel owner and producer January 12, 2021
Eight gorillas at US zoo contract Covid-19 January 12, 2021
SC issues notice to Ali Zafar on Meesha Shafi's petition January 12, 2021
© Copyrights 2020 – All Rights Reserved by NewsAuditorium

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Abe Lincoln's plan was initially to ship the so-called black problem far from the shores of America. Did you know that 155 years ago today a meeting occurred in the White House that could've definitely changed the direction of black people in this nation? You see before President Lincoln was to be labeled "The Great Emancipator" with the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. President Lincoln, first wanted to be labeled as the "The Great Black Emigrator"? Yes, Lincoln had a meeting with a group of noted freed black Washingtonians to discuss the emigration of "all freed and recently escaped slaves a chance to leave America on the first thing smoking out of Annapolis, and various other ports around the nation. Dear Ole Abe whom we have historically measured as a man who showed ultimate humanity to the poor wretched bondsmen and women of this country was actually a proponent of white supremacy edict that permeated this nation in the 19th century. Lincoln had decided to fully support a national emigration policy that would have sent all black people to another country. Of course, blacks wouldn't have had a choice in either going or staying had this plan actually been implemented. You see Lincoln placed the total blame of the War Between The States on people of color. His conclusive thought? Rid America of people of the darker hue and henceforth and forever America would be the supreme white nation, God had prophecized. Of course, this didn't even take into account that Native Americans still residing on the Great Plains or the not yet conquered tribes of southwestern America. You see the national policy of Manifest Destiny w was totally in full effect before the Civil War started. It was shown to be easier to terminate then domesticate the native tribes of America.
Well, the plan of shipping off freed blacks, escaped blacks, or even emancipated blacks never really took off Mr. Lincoln's launching pad or launching port. My college professor, Dr. Benjamin Quarles, initially noted that group of blacks who met with President Lincoln 155 years today were not notable black men. Yet it has been proven that these men were in fact intellectually capable men who were of status in the District of Columbia. The group didn't include Frederick Douglass because Mr. Douglass was in opposition to any emigration program directed by the government towards black people. You have to wonder what would've occurred to our ancestors and us had this emigration policy been instituted. Now possibility outcome that would make a remarkable, insightful epic historically fictional show. Imagine, just imagine no Jim Crow, no Black Codes, no public lynchings, no terroristic organization threatening blacks about casting votes, no Buffalo Soldiers on the Great Plains killing Native Americans, no civil rights movements, no Brown vs. Board of Education, No Plessey vs. Ferguson, or any other counter measure by white segregationists that was utilized to disenfranchise us or deny us full citizenship rights on this continent. We have never been wanted here in the United States even "The Great Emancipator" knew that our fate in this nation would be one filled with continual malaise and injustice. We have suffered the life of being unwanted, abused, neglected, tortured, institutionalized, murdered, burned, shot, marginalized for over 397 years. I wonder today if that movement of emigration proposed by Mr. Lincoln on this date in 1862 shouldn't have been accepted?


text:
Sue Maslin – Inducted into the 2018 Victorian Honour Roll of Women
By Film Art Media March 9, 2018 Awards, news
Congratulations to Sue Maslin, who has again been been formally recognised for her life-long commitment to gender equality, and who today, was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
The Victorian Honour Roll of Women is an ongoing, year round, program which recognises and celebrates the wide-ranging and lasting contributions made by Victorian women. The women acknowledged have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in their field of expertise, interest or endeavour.
In 2018, Sue has been recognised for her relentless passion and advocacy in enhancing the roles of women both on screen and behind the camera.
What an incredible achievement.
The Victorian Honour Roll of Women is a reminder of the strength of women in Victoria.
"Too often the achievements and contributions made by women are not recognised. This year's inductees have left a huge impact on their communities and the Honour Roll acknowledges them."
"As Minister for Women, I am privileged every day to meet and work with incredible women who make Victoria the great state that it is. Today I've had the honour of recognising the work of twenty outstanding leaders."
– Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins
www.vic.gov.au/women/women-s-leadership/victorian-honour-roll-of-women.html
Diana Fisk and Film Art Media announced in Screen Australia's Enterprise Fund
Costumes from The Dressmaker find a new home at Canberra's National Film & Sound Archive
The Dressmaker Costume exhibition completes its national tour at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
Sue Maslin appointed as an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia
Brazen Hussies team meet Merle and Sigrid Thornton
Harry Seidler – Modernist
Jill Bilcock
Jill Bilcock: Dancing The Invisible
Other People's Problems
The Edge of the Possible
The Variations
OTHER PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS International premiere at the Berlin Film Festival
Film Art Media Pty Ltd
PO Box 1312, Collingwood
Diana Fisk and Film Art Media announced in Screen Australia's Enterprise Fund July 10, 2019
Costumes from The Dressmaker find a new home at Canberra's National Film & Sound Archive April 24, 2019
© 2019 Film Art Media.


I remember this place from my schooldays, when it was nothing like it is now. It has changed owners and appearance plenty of times, once it even burned down to the ground. It was rebuilt to what later became Skaptobara.
Skaptobara emerged from of a kick-starter fundraiser campaign, which apparently turned out sufficiently, by fellows from the American University in Bulgaria.
So things shaped up well and from AUBG's alumni's 'hub' idea Skaptobara developed to what's now an overcrowded after-work shine-up. It has a summer garden in front, bar tables and couches inside, but what I like best is the upstairs mansard-like second floor. Its low-roof, dwarf-tables and fluffy carpet environment always makes me want to take off my shoes and sit like a child. But, there is no doubt I am an adult so I sit like a man, err, of course..


text:
Colliers International Bostons Week In Review
Real Estate Articles of Note
June 29 – July 7, 2017
The following represents articles of interest to the Boston real estate community that appeared in various publications during the week. Certain news links may require site registration or subscription to access the complete article.
The Employment Situation - June 2017
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — July 07, 2017
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 222,000 in June, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.4 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment increased in health care, social assistance, financial activities, and mining.
Los Angeles firm buys a second Stuart Street parking garage in Boston
Boston Business Journal — July 06, 2017
Since October, Los Angeles-based CIM Group has dropped a combined $258 million to acquire two parking garages located on Stuart Street in Boston.
Locus Robotics' new Wilmington HQ has plenty of room for growth
Locus Robotics was founded to fill a void left by Amazon's acquisition of North Reading-based Kiva Systems. Now CEO Rick Faulk says the startup is seeing early traction with major customers and is planning to increase its headcount significantly.
South Boston developer proposes boutique hotel near Broadway T station
The proposal also comes at a time when hotel brands including Virgin Group Ltd. and Choice Hotels International have expressed a desire to expand in Boston.
Siemens Starts Construction on $300M Project in Walpole
GlobeSt.com — July 04, 2017
Siemens reports that the $300-million investment will create up to 700 new high-tech jobs over the next 10 years at the Walpole site.
Dorchester waterfront proposal revised
Boston Herald — July 03, 2017
Four new buildings with housing, a small hotel, restaurant and boathouse would be constructed on a waterfront section of Dorchester's Port Norfolk peninsula under revised project plans submitted for Boston Planning & Development Agency review.South Boston-based City Point Capital wants to demolish the MarineMax Russo Boston buildings on Ericsson Street to build 150 condos, a 25-room hotel, a 4,000-square-foot restaurant, 185 parking spaces and a boat storage facility for 75 vessels.
First Faneuil Hall, now New York's Ashkenazy is buying another iconic Boston spot: South Station
Boston Business Journal — June 30, 2017
The firm behind Faneuil Hall's repositioning has struck an agreement to snap up one of the most iconic and highly trafficked buildings in Boston: South Station.
Amazon to join GE, Red Hat in Boston's Fort Point
Tech juggernaut Amazon.com is leasing 150,000 square feet in Boston's white-hot Fort Point neighborhood.
Colliers In The News
Just released: Market Viewpoint Q2 2017
Colliers International Boston — June 29, 2017
In Boston, the tides may be turning in favor of Class A properties, while Amazon has leased space in the Seaport. Cambridge's lab inventory is now larger than the office inventory for the first time ever. Out in the suburbs more than 500,000 SF of new product delivered this quarter.
Building Improvements at 55 Ferncroft Seal the Deal for Several Tenants
Citybizlist : Boston : Commercial Real Estate — July 03, 2017
...Colliers International 's North team, comprised of executive vice president Greg Klemmer, senior vice president Tim ...
Boston Commercial Real Estate News CPExecutive
Commercial Property Executive — July 02, 2017
...Colliers International will be in charge of identifying and securing suitable retail and office tenants for DTX 399. The ...
Cronin and Sower of Colliers International handle $4.75 million sale of Bay View Independent Living Apartment Community
New England Real Estate Journal — June 30, 2017
... Cronin and Sower of Colliers International handle $4.75 million sale of Bay View Independent Living Apartment Community......
Robert M. Brierley of Colliers Boston Elected Chair of BOMA International
Boston Real Estate Times — June 30, 2017
...Robert Brierley, Managing Director and EVP for Colliers International Boston, was elected as Chair and CEO of BOMA International. BOMA International is a federation of 90 ...
Amazon Finds Permanent Site For Boston Expansion
Banker & Tradesman — June 30, 2017
... science market, and Amazon is a great example," said Aaron Jodka, director of research at Colliers International Boston. "They looked to Boston and the heart of the Seaport which seems to be more of a fit for ...
To subscribe to the Week In Review newsletter mailing list email WeekInReview@colliers.com


It is important to know for all that there is no Income Tax if an spouse gift to each other. I mean to say Wife can gift any amount to her Husband and Husband can gift any amount to his Wife.
In such type of gift, it is important to know that if payee of gift (गिफ्ट पाने वाला) earn any income from gifted amount like Interest, Rent etct, Income will be taxable in the hand of Payer (गिफ्ट देने वाला). It means income will be clubbed in the hand of Gift's Payer.
Therefore, before taking such gift, everyone should understand these type of complication through Spouse's Gift.
No doubt that gift received from any relative is totally free. List of relative is detailed here.


1) Today Kevin and Tommy set out to do this pitch… most of the 11th on Mescalito. It goes free with most of it being 5.9, except for the last 20ft or so which goes at 13.c.
2) Tommy got the call and quickly blitzed up the 5.9 and is seen here getting into the more difficult part.
3) Stopping from time to time to warm his hands, Tommy quickly dispatched the pitch and then lowered back to the start of the pitch where he would belay Kevin up, in relative comfort.
4) Kevin is seen here climbing off the belay.
5) He made the 5.9 look pretty tame on some beautiful rock.
6) Kevin stopped at the start of the serious difficulties and shook out and warmed his hands.
7) A bit higher Kevin found a no hands rest and got warm again then set off on the final 13.c section.
8) Kevin climbed well right up to the final few feet and came off just as he was making the final move. Afterward, he lowered down to the belay and rested a while. That was my signal to get out of there as the cold had really moved in and I had enough of it. I assume he returned and finished the pitch.
Blast from the past..My buddy and original Bridge Rat, Nickie Martinez, showed up today and hung out a while. That got me to thinking we should look back a few years to a great climb.
Those of you who are long time readers of the report will recall Nicola (Nickie) Martinez and Alik Berg climbing an excellent Eric Kohl route (I don't recall if it was a solo) called' Pressure Cooker" over several days in 2010. Part of the route climbs the recently named "Twin Towers", the amazing golden rectangles in the black rock on the upper east side of the Cap.
9) Here Nickie was leading some dicey thin stuff, thinking he had it made.
10) Ah yes!! You should never think you have it make, until you have it done! The plunge soon followed!
They finished the route a few days later… I think parts of it have disappeared in recent rock falls. It was good theater, watching two excellent climbers, on difficult rock.
In other news: Kevin Jorgeson is an Adidas Outdoor Athlete and Adidas asked me to come up and shoot the climb for them. I was glad to accept their invitation, as this is a historic climb done by climbers for whom I have the greatest respect. Thanks Adidas for making this possible. You might give their products a good look, as they do support climbing and climbers, and make quality stuff. With John Long and Wally Barker in prominent positions you know you can't go wrong!
So that's the way it is, for this Wednesday, the last day of 2014. I hope this past year has been a good one for you and hope the future will be a bright one for all of us!
Capt. Tom… the human popsicle!
#1Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/02/2015 - 02:44.
Very exciting to watch there progress!! Thanks Tom and Thanks Adidas. Reading these reports and looking at these pictures from the comfort of my South Dakota living room!! Awesome!!
#2Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/01/2015 - 17:10.
#3Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/01/2015 - 07:01.
Totally freaking amazing stuff, cold and hard up there, wow.
#4Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/01/2015 - 06:26.


It's Sunday Thursday, everyone! And while your weekend is starting to come into hazy focus after Hump Day, we at Choosy Beggars are here to prepare you with a drink and the latest in food culture (that we didn't write).
If you're not reading us on Twitter (and judging by our follower count, you aren't!), here's a round-up of what caught our attention this week.
It's St. Patrick's day! Enjoy it with a modern twist on corned beef, perhaps a bit of Guinness Irish stew, or hell, a gut full of a lot of delicious liquor. The important thing is celebrating the unique traditions of Irish culture or whatever!
Coming soon to an upscale bar near you, the kind you can't afford and probably aren't even allowed into without a Corporate expense card, cask-aged cocktails! That's right, more than garden centers will be competing for old, small oak casks — hotels will be pre-aging Negronis and Rusty Nails for your enjoyment and a modest 500% markup.
Aren't you tired of wondering, "When oh when will someone launch a web-based ensemble comedy about food snobs?" We know we are, and thank God someone's finally listened: episodes one and two of Foodies are now live! Will this recipe for slow-braised funnybone render sweet flavors of comedy? It has to be funnier than our puns, anyway.
Pepsi announced this week that they have "cracked the code" of an entirely plant-based bottle that they plan to test in 2012, significantly reducing their carbon footprint and leapfrogging Coca-Cola's own eco-efforts. Think about this deeply and feel good! Those happy sensations may be enough to drown out your anxiety about all that radiation creeping into the food chain over in Japan.
Ugh, that calls for a drink.
Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake very vigorously, for at least 10 seconds, to emulsify the egg. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
The sparky heat of Irish whiskey, the sweetness of cherry liqueur and the acid of orange juice, all brought stiff by the raw egg that will terrify your most squeamish guests. Perfect for a St. Patrick's Day cocktail that will help you forget all of your woes.
It's a cultural festival, and excuse to tipple, and nearly the weekend! Enjoy!


text:
Xconomy Seattle
Seattle Home
Seattle	Events
Neural Audio Acquired by DTS for $7.5M
Gregory T. Huang
@gthuang
Kirkland, WA-based Neural Audio, a digital sound company, has been acquired by DTS (NASDAQ: DTSI), a technology and entertainment firm in Agoura Hills, CA. The purchase price was $7.5 million in cash, with DTS also agreeing to pay up to $7.5 million more over the next five years if certain conditions are met. No other terms were disclosed. The deal closed on December 31.
Neural Audio focuses on audio signal processing for playback of music, movies, broadcast programs, and video games. Its main markets are digital TV, satellite radio, consumer electronics, and gaming. "The acquisition of Neural Audio strengthens DTS' position in the important broadcast and automotive markets while also providing immediate access to the evolving satellite and HD radio industries," said Jon Kirchner, president and chief executive of DTS, in a statement. "We are acquiring an extremely talented team of professionals who we expect will enhance our technology expertise and market knowledge."
No word yet on the fate of Neural Audio's Kirkland office, or its employees. The company was founded in 2000 by engineers Paul Hubert and Robert Reams, with the goal of commercializing signal-processing techniques to improve the quality of music files and other audio programs.
One response to "Neural Audio Acquired by DTS for $7.5M"
Jim Edwards says:
The press release included the fate of Neural Audio's Kirkland office. Not sure why this reporter left it out.
The acquisition brings aboard Geir Skaaden, CEO; Mark Seigle, President & COO; Jeff Thompson, Director of Engineering; and Chief Scientist James "JJ" Johnston. Mr. Johnston is a pioneer in the field of perceptual audio coding, having made contributions to the development of the AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) and MP3 formats, which revolutionized the encoding and delivery of digital audio.
"We believe that the acquisition of Neural Audio strengthens DTS' position in the important broadcast and automotive markets while also providing immediate access to the evolving satellite and HD radio industries," said Jon Kirchner, President and CEO of DTS. "In addition and very importantly, we are acquiring an extremely talented team of professionals who we expect will enhance our technology expertise and market knowledge, and help drive our efforts to sell value-added, branded enhancement technologies into the emerging internet, PC and mobile markets for years to come."
How Big Is the US Market for Medical Devices & Technologies?
Knowing the volume of procedures and growth trends by site of care can allow you to understand the market demand for your product


Memories are made from special moments that celebrate our lives and tell our stories.
Pictures are reminders of those memories that you and your family will treasure from generation to generation.
You've got a customer for life! I can't wait until my husband gets home so I can see the pics with him!
Christy has taken both personal and professional photographs of myself and my family, and each time she has completely exceeded my expectations and made me feel beyond comfortable and gorgeous!
I have had Christy at Open Box do both family and business photography for me. The photos were "priceless" AND affordable! She's my choice for any future photos!
Make sure to write what services you're interested in learning more about below!


This study examines the psychometric properties of 9 items on the Patient Activation component of the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) that assess how patients approach and communicate with their physicians. The MCBS is a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of Medicare beneficiaries.
We analyzed MCBS data collected in 2002 and 2005 from 15,165 adults aged 65 and older. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted using maximum likelihood to estimate a polychoric correlation matrix on the 2002 data, and confirmatory factor analysis was performed using the 2005 data.
Exploratory factor analysis of the 2002 data showed a 2-factor solution: approach to interactions (5 items) and views about physician's healthcare communication (6 items). Findings were confirmed using the 2005 data. Items were combined to form the Patient Approach and Views toward Healthcare Communication (PAV-COM) scale (range 1 to 100; Cronbach's alpha of 0.75, and item-rest correlations between 0.33 and 0.54). Higher PAV-COM scores were associated with greater fulfillment of preventive health behaviors such as vaccinations and cancer screenings.
The PAV-COM measure is a valid tool for assessing patient approaches and views toward communication with physicians. This measure can be used to evaluate interventions to improve patient participation during healthcare encounters.
Good physician-patient communication results in better patient outcomes . Patients given more information during an office visit are more satisfied, recall more information, and are more adherent to treatment plans [2–4]. Patients have substantial influence on what is discussed. Those who ask more questions typically receive more answers from their physicians [5–7], and those who are more involved in their office visits adhere better to treatment recommendations . Patients who actively seek information and participate more with their physicians report better health status at follow-up , have fewer functional limitations, and better health outcomes [9, 10].
Despite the importance of patient participation during the medical encounter, most existing survey instruments do not measure how actively patients prepare for or view communication with their physicians. Analyses of audio and video recordings of encounters can provide information about what actually occurs during office visits [11, 12], but these analyses are difficult to collect in larger studies. They also do not capture patient understanding or views about the information conveyed during encounters. Survey instruments measuring patient activation fail to capture patient perceptions about communication with their physicians. The primary instruments used to measure patient activation focus on patients': 1) beliefs about the importance of being activated, 2) confidence and knowledge to act upon those beliefs, and 3) ability to implement and maintain desired actions [13, 14]. Patient-centered care measures provide assessments of physician communication, but they mostly assess interactions during specific office visits, and are therefore limited for exploring more general patient views about a healthcare provider .
There is a need for an instrument to measure both how actively patients approach and view communication during their healthcare encounters, because these interactions can help shape patient understandings about disease processes and their requisite treatments, and contribute to the development of acceptable treatment plans. This study investigates the psychometric properties of 9 items assessing how actively patients approach and view communication with their healthcare providers. These questions were asked in the 2002 and 2005 versions of the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS), a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of Medicare beneficiaries. It contains a set of questions assessing patient information-seeking during and outside of interactions with physicians, and patient impressions of interactions with their physicians. This study will investigate the psychometric properties of these MCBS survey items using factor analysis.
The MCBS has been administered since 1991. Data used for this study are from the 2002 and 2005 summer and fall supplements of the Access to Care components. Responses were collected via face-to-face interviews from all MCBS respondents who were not institutionalized and did not require a proxy during the interview. The survey response rate was 82.6% . We examined respondents aged 65 or older (N = 7,839 in the 2002 survey and 7,433 in the 2005 survey) because it is unknown whether younger Medicare beneficiaries, who may have more serious illnesses, interact differently with their providers. Prior to analysis, we removed 64 respondents (0.4%) due to non-response and 43 respondents (0.3%) who reported not knowing the answers to 5 or more survey items. The study was approved by the University of Wisconsin's institutional review board (45 CFR 46.101(b)(4)).
The summer supplement of the 2002 and 2005 MCBS surveys both contained 16 questions that were "designed to assess the degree to which Medicare beneficiaries actively participate in their own health care and the decisions concerning that health care."  Our analyses focused on 9 of the 16 items. These items queried patients about their preparation for healthcare encounters and about their views concerning communication with their healthcare providers. We did not analyze 7 items related to patient self-efficacy (confidence in performing specified activities) or self-care.
The survey questions are listed in Table 1. All had 4-level Likert-type response scales (always, usually, sometimes, never), and all allowed respondents to indicate that they did not know the response (these were recoded to the median response). Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the impact of the recoding on the results.
Read about health conditions in newspapers, magazines, or on the Internet.
Read information about a new prescription, such as side effects and precautions.
Bring with you to your doctor visits a list of questions or concerns you want to cover.
Leave your doctor's office feeling that all your concerns or questions have been fully answered.
Make sure you understand the results of any medical test or procedure.
Talk with your doctor or other medical person about your options if you need tests or follow-up care.
My doctor listens to what I have to say about my symptoms and concerns.
My doctor explains things to me in terms that I can easily understand.
I can call my doctor's office to get medical advice when I need it.
*The two factors are approach to interactions (PA9, PA10, PA11, PA14, PA15) and views about physician's healthcare communication (PA12, PA14, PA15, PA16, PA20, PA21).
Database management was conducted in SAS 9.1, and statistical analyses were conducted in STATA MP 11.2.
First we used factor analysis to assess how well the individual survey items measure the construct of patient approach and views toward healthcare communication (construct validity). To determine whether the 9 items of interest could be combined into a scale, we evaluated unidimensionality using pairwise chi-squared tests, and examined the statistical significance of ordinal correlations using Spearman's rho and Kendall's tau. Because all of the survey items had ordinal responses, we estimated a polychoric correlation (covariance matrix) to examine the association between the variables. The polychoric estimation accounts for potential variation in distances between the levels and assumes that the latent constructs underlying the ordinal responses are normally distributed continuous variables. Each element of the polychoric matrix represents the correlation of a bivariate Gaussian distribution between two latent variables. Maximum likelihood was used to estimate the matrix. Based on simulation evidence, the two-step maximum likelihood estimation provides a close approximation of the underlying construct, particularly in large samples where cell frequencies are high [18, 19].
Using the 2002 data, we conducted an exploratory principal factor analysis. Following the Kaiser criterion, we examined only factors with eigenvalues above 1. The resulting factors were then ordered by the proportion of the variance explained. The factors were rotated to better examine correlations among the items. We performed both Varimax orthogonal and Promax oblique rotations on the principal factors to assist with the interpretation and reproducibility of the item structure . To test whether factors were consistent for linear scoring, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis using the 2005 MCBS responses . We did not use factor loadings from the 2002 exploratory principal factor analysis as constraints in the confirmatory factor analysis.
After confirming the principal factors, we constructed an additive score ranging from 9 to 36 using responses from the 9 items from 2002 and 2005 data. We affirmed the score's unidimensionality by estimating item-to-rest correlations and evaluating the reliability of internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha. To improve the interpretation, the score was linearly translated to a scale ranging from 0 to 100, which we called the Patient Approach and Views toward Healthcare COMmunication (PAV-COM) scale; higher PAV-COM scores represent greater patient preparation and better views toward healthcare communication. Distributional properties of the score (i.e., mean, median, variance, interquartile range, and skewness) were examined.
To assess the predictive validity of the PAV-Com score (its ability to predict expected outcomes), we examined the relationship between mean PAV-COM scores and health-related behavior fulfillment. We expected that patients with higher PAV-COM scores would fulfill more health behaviors. Health-related behaviors were assessed by asking respondents whether they "currently smoked cigarettes, cigars, or pipe tobacco" and if they had "a flu shot last winter" or "a shot for pneumonia." They also were questioned about "the most recent time their blood pressure was taken by a doctor or other health professional" and "the most recent time their blood cholesterol was checked." Fulfillment of cancer screening tests in the past year was assessed by asking if respondents had a mammogram, pap smear, prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, and digital rectal examination since last year's interview. All health-related behaviors were assessed in the fall survey. The associations between the PAV-COM score and behaviors were stratified by survey year and tested for significance using multivariate linear regression models adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity.
The analytical sample consisted of 15,165 adults aged 65 and older. Respondent characteristics from the 2002 and 2005 surveys were similar (Table 2). In both samples, there were more females than males, and the majority of the sample was white. Compared to the 2005 sample, a greater percentage of respondents reported receiving pneumonia vaccinations and having cholesterol levels checked in 2002. However, in 2005 a lower percentage of respondents reported receiving cancer screenings (mammograms, pap smears, and digital rectal examinations) in the past 12 months.
Unidimensionality tests indicated that the 9 items we examined on the MCBS surveys were related. Polychoric estimates ranged from 0.102 (PA11 and PA12) to 0.678 (PA16 and PA20). Principal factor analysis identified 2 factors with eigenvalues above 1 (Table 3). The first factor showed positive loadings for all items (0.337 to 0.722) and the second factor showed negative loadings on 4 items (PA12,PA16, PA20 and PA21). After orthogonal rotation, PA12, PA16, PA20 and PA21 separated from the other items (Figure 1). Among the remaining 5 items, 2 items (PA14 and PA15) contributed to both factors. We labeled the two factors approach to interactions (PA9, PA10, PA11, PA14, PA15) and views about physician's healthcare communication (PA12, PA14, PA15, PA16, PA20, PA21). To assess effects of median recoding, the principal factor analysis was repeated after the removal of all "don't know" respondents from the 2002 sample (6%), and yielded identical results.
* Loadings are illustrated in Figure 1.
Factor loadings with varimax orthogonal rotation.
After conducting the exploratory factor analysis, which aids in the interpretation of a polychoric correlation matrix, we performed a confirmatory factor analysis using the 2005 data to confirm the association between the items and factors. The confirmatory factor analysis results confirmed the statistical significance of the factor loadings for each factor (ranging from 0.244 to 0.774), as well as the significance of the correlation between the 2 factors (0.261) (Table 3). In terms of conventional measures of fit, the root mean square error of approximation is 0.0763, the Tucker-Lewis index is 0.9037, and the comparative fit index is 0.9358.
The PAV-COM scale has good reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.75. The subscales have Cronbach's alpha of 0.76 (approach to interactions) and 0.69 (views about physician's healthcare communication). Each item in the scale is positively correlated with a scale composed of the remaining items (correlations range from 0.33 to 0.53). In both 2002 and 2005, the distribution of the PAV-COM score was skewed slightly to the left (Figure 2). Between 2002 and 2005, the mean PAV-COM score increased from 68.9 to 71.2 (2.3; 95% CI 1.7, 2.9).
Histogram of Patient Approach and Views toward Healthcare Communication (PAV-COM) Score by Year.
Table 4 delineates adjusted differences in average PAV-COM scores by fulfillment of health-related behaviors. Overall, individuals who participated in cancer or health screenings and chose healthier behaviors had higher PAV-COM scores than those who did not. The smallest average difference in the PAV-COM score (2.7 points) was between respondents who were and were not screened using a Pap smear test (p < 0.001). The largest differences related to blood pressure being checked within the last 12 months.
This study demonstrates that a 9-item scale to measure patient approach and views about healthcare communication with physicians has good internal consistency and validity. Two subscales were identified, approach to interactions and views about physician's healthcare communication. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the psychometric properties of a scale that measures both how actively patients approach encounters with healthcare providers, and how they view these interactions. Compared to patients with lower PAV-COM scores, those with higher scores more frequently obtained routine health screenings, cancer screenings, and vaccinations. These results are consistent with studies showing that patients who actively participate in medical encounters and have positive views about these interactions can influence processes of care . However, further work should investigate whether patients received more services because they asked specifically for them when they might not otherwise have been offered, or whether increased preparation for office visits led patients to follow physician recommendations.
The effect of active patient preparation for visits on the physician-patient relationship is unknown. In one study, patients who were trained to be more involved in their medical care had better health outcomes [8, 9], but they also may have experienced more anxiety and less satisfaction with their physicians than those not receiving the training . There is some debate about whether patients who actively research health information have more productive interactions with healthcare providers  or whether their research breeds skepticism and mistrust of the medical system. Nonetheless, this study suggests that patients who more actively prepare for interactions with their providers and who have more positive views about communicating with their providers receive better preventive care.
The availability of nationally representative survey data presented a promising research opportunity; nevertheless, our study shares the survey's limitations. It is uncertain whether the PAV-COM will produce similar results if different clinical relationships are examined, since survey questions asked patients to reflect on their relationship with a specific doctor. Further psychometric testing should be performed to ensure stability of the score in different patient subgroups and to assess its relationship with patient characteristics. Additional work also should be done to assess the concurrent validity of the scale.
Sampling weights for the older adult subsample of the MCBS do not account for non-response in the questions analyzed for this study, and would need to be re-estimated. Since this would contribute to parameter uncertainty, we did not apply weights for this estimation. Given the large sample size and the efforts of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) to collect a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries, it is unlikely that the inclusion of study-specific sampling weights would noticeably improve the generalizability of the results.
The study also has other limitations. Active patient participation in healthcare is necessary to achieve patient-centered care. This measure represents limited aspects of patient-provider communication, since it does not assess actual patient expressions of concerns or feelings, or patient sharing of "health stories" in the context of everyday life . This was a psychometric analysis of existing MCBS survey items, so some of the individual items might be construed to measure constructs other than communication. For example, the ability to call the physician's office for advice when needed could be a measure of access to healthcare. Items such as reading about health conditions and about new medication prescriptions are generally considered to be health information seeking behaviors, rather than behaviors associated with preparing for interactions with a provider.
Preventive health measures were based on self-report, rather than on objective measures, such as medical records or claims data. Due to social desirability bias, patients who more actively sought healthcare information may have been more knowledgeable about desired preventive health behaviors and may have falsely reported fulfillment of the measures. Alternatively, these patients may have had greater awareness about whether they completed the health behaviors. However, even if the results merely reflect increased knowledge or awareness, it can be argued that patients who do not know about the recommended measures will be unable to complete them. Future research may examine the association between patient active communication and objective measures of preventive health behaviors.
In conclusion, this study offers researchers a reliable and valid 9-item instrument containing 2 subscales (approach to interactions and views about physician's healthcare communication), for the assessment of patient approach and views toward healthcare communication. The causal relationship between the PAV-COM and the use of preventive health measures could be better assessed with a prospective study utilizing claims data or chart reviews to assess fulfillment of health behaviors.
Derjung M Tarn, Henry N Young and Benjamin M Craig contributed equally to this work.
Dr. Tarn was supported by a UCLA Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (5K12AG001004) and by the UCLA Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center funded by the National Institute of Aging (5P30 AG028748). Dr. Craig was funded in part by a Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award (K25) from the National Cancer Institute. The manuscript content does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Aging, National Cancer Institute, or the National Institutes of Health.
All authors contributed to the concept, design, analysis and interpretation of the data, and were involved in drafting the manuscript. BMC conducted all study analyses. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.


text:
George will receive the AFI Life achievement award
Re: George will receive the AFI Life achievement award
by Doug Ross on Fri 08 Jun 2018, 15:39
Nothing of what we heard about the Royal Wedding was true:
Ooh, Mr Clooney!
by ladybugcngc on Fri 08 Jun 2018, 15:53
Happy tears... so many happy tears...
I loved George Clooney's entrance into the room.
A life and career celebrated.
by annemarie on Fri 08 Jun 2018, 15:59
He is a wonderful man and nothing will ever change him. What a wonderful evening for everyone to share.
by benex on Fri 08 Jun 2018, 16:22
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjw9CuSAAmw/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjwKdmHg03v/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjv15gjAm9c/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjxA2NcgIVk/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjvzmRpAXrV
by party animal - not! on Fri 08 Jun 2018, 16:26
The best copy I've seen of Amal's speech to George
https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a21234025/george-clooney-teared-up-during-amals-speech-on-being-in-love-with-him/
http://www.justjared.com/2018/06/08/amal-clooney-speaks-publicly-about-george-for-first-time-brings-him-to-tears-at-afi-tribute-video/
that's her full speech
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amal-clooney-full-speech-george-clooney-afi-life-achievement-1118360
benex wrote: that's her full speech
Amal: stated "You fill our home with laughter and happiness and that's even before the children have worked out that 'da-da' is Batman, a talking fox, and friends with Mary Poppins,"
I think a lot of people will spend time processing "da-da' is Batman, a talking fox, and friends with Mary Poppins,"
Amal gave a beautiful tribute to George Clooney in all of his life roles.
lot of pictures
http://www.zimbio.com/George+Clooney/pictures/pro
by LizzyNY on Fri 08 Jun 2018, 20:31
Many thanks to Benex and PAN and everyone else who posted videos and links. I can't wait to have the time to sit down and look at all of them. It looks like George had the time of his life. How can he top this, I wonder?
by it's me on Fri 08 Jun 2018, 21:35
http://www.zimbio.com/photos/George+Clooney/American+Film+Institute+46th+Life+Achievement/rxdZ-RaI-pi
I had no idea he reached to people with his same health problem: it's great.
http://ew.com/movies/2018/06/08/george-clooneys-afi-life-achievement-award-best-moments/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com
[size=48]The 5 best moments from George Clooney's star-studded AFI Life Achievement Award Gala
[url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Few.com%2Fmovies%2F2018%2F06%2F08%2Fgeorge-clooneys-afi-life-achievement-award-best-moments%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fewedit.files.wordpress.com%2F2018%2F06%2Fgettyimages-969616972.jpg&description=The 5 best moments from George Clooney%27s star-studded AFI Life Achievement Award Gala][/url][url=https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The 5 best moments from George Clooney%27s star-studded AFI Life Achievement Award Gala https://ew.com/movies/2018/06/08/george-clooneys-afi-life-achievement-award-best-moments/?utm_source=twitter.com%26utm_medium=social%26utm_campaign=social-button-sharing via @ew][/url][/size]
Current Time0:26
Duration Time1:14
[size=10]
[size=10]Loaded: 0%
FRIENDS FOREVER! JENNIFER ANISTON AND COURTENEY COX COORDINATE LOOKS FOR STAR-STUDDED DINNER
BREAKING: 'GAME OF THRONES' PREQUEL PILOT ORDERED BY HBO. FULL DETAILS...
MAUREEN LEE LENKER
On Thursday evening, the stars were out in full force to honor George Clooney, the 46th recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award.
While Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts were noticeably absent from the proceedings (Roberts was intended to present Clooney with the award, but was unable to make it due to a scheduling conflict), the gala dinner and tribute at the Dolby Theater was still a star-studded affair with Clooney's Ocean's Eleven co-stars Don Cheadle and Andy Garcia in the house, as well as Cate Blanchett, Jimmy Kimmel, Laura Dern, Julianna Margulies, and more taking the stage to honor the man of the hour.
Roberts still joined by video, remarking on the wonderful coincidence that Clooney was born the same year the original Ocean's 11 hit theaters. "That film is from the golden age of Hollywood, timeless just like you are. I love you so much," she said while the camera panned down to show her holding a sign that read "Honk if you love George Clooney Brad Pitt."
Julianna Margulies movingly told the story of how she owed her career and role on E.R. to Clooney after he urged her to hold out for a series regular role despite her original fate in the pilot. Laura Dern hilariously recounted their time together making one of their first films, the never-released Grizzly II, while Jimmy Kimmel called particular attention to Clooney's notorious reputation as a prankster. Kimmel regaled the audience with stories of Clooney's practical jokes, including sending Brad Pitt packages labeled "the porn that you ordered."
RELATED VIDEO: George Clooney Has No Plans of Running for Political Office; Says Trump Proves, 'Just Being a Celebrity' Is Not Enough
[size=32][size=32]Play Video[/size][/size]
[size=11]YOU MIGHT LIKE
'FRIENDS' REUNION JENNIFER ANISTON AND COURTENEY COX MAKE FUN OF GEORGE CLOONEY[/size]
But the night most particularly belonged to Clooney's closest friends and family, who not only celebrated his work as an actor, director, writer, and producer, but more broadly as a compassionate and generous citizen of the world.
Fans can catch the broadcast of the ceremony on TNT on Thursday, June 21 at 10 p.m. ET, but here's a glimpse of the five best moments from the evening.
1. Barack Obama's video message
[url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Few.com%2Fmovies%2F2018%2F06%2F08%2Fgeorge-clooneys-afi-life-achievement-award-best-moments%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fewedit.files.wordpress.com%2F2018%2F06%2Fshutterstock_editorial_7066571b_huge.jpg&description=The 5 best moments from George Clooney%27s star-studded AFI Life Achievement Award Gala][/url]
MANNIE GARCIA/AP/REX/Shutterstock
The 44th President kicked off the evening with a pre-taped video tribute to Clooney. He joked about their similarities, noting Clooney's superiority in multiple arenas — "George who is exactly the same age as me, always looks better than me and does the whole grey hair thing better than me. [And he's] maybe a little more debonair than me," Obama said.
Obama then went on to set the tone for the evening, praising Clooney for his contributions to the world on- and off-screen. "I can nevertheless not deny what we all know — that he is a good man, a good friend, a good citizen, an outstanding maker of film," concluded the former President. "For all the lifetimes you have portrayed and all the lives that your work has helped to save, congratulations on this lifetime achievement award my friend. It is well deserved. Now go work on that jump shot."
2. Bill Murray sings a song and reads a poem
[url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Few.com%2Fmovies%2F2018%2F06%2F08%2Fgeorge-clooneys-afi-life-achievement-award-best-moments%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fewedit.files.wordpress.com%2F2018%2F06%2Fgettyimages-969525902.jpg&description=The 5 best moments from George Clooney%27s star-studded AFI Life Achievement Award Gala][/url]
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Bill Murray, who first met Clooney working on 2009's Fantastic Mr. Fox before going on to appear in the Clooney-directed Monuments Men, took the stage to toast Clooney in his off-beat manner.
Ever the comedian, Murray began with a signature deadpan riff on Clooney's relatively young age to be receiving a lifetime achievement award. The actor recently turned 57. "It happened to all of us, I'm sure, when we realized that the lifetime achievement award was being given to a 56 year old man," joked Murray. "I know that all of you thought the same thing that I thought. George is dying. It's fatal. We don't know what what it is, but it's progressing very quickly. So this isn't really a lifetime achievement award, it's a celebration of life."
Murray then transitioned to praising Clooney, saying, "I don't know what I regret most in my life, but I do know one thing is I regret not meeting George Clooney earlier in my life. George Clooney is the most decent person I've ever worked with in the movie business. He's more thoughtful than anyone I've ever worked with."
He also diverged from the more off-the-cuff speeches and tributes, choosing instead to sing a song called "Kentucky," spelling out the words to the state where Clooney was born with lyrics that went, "That spells Kentucky, and it means paradise."
Finally, after noting, "They gave me 9 minutes, so I've got another thing I'm going to do," Murray ended with a poem from Kentucky poet laureate Wendell Berry and concluded that he can't wait to see what Clooney does next.
3. Miley Cyrus performs "Man of Constant Sorrow"
One of Clooney's most beloved projects is the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou? where he portrays a bumbling idiot of an escaped convict. The film was notable for its soundtrack, produced by legendary music creative T Bone Burnett, and included the original tune "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" performed by the convicts on the run as part of an escape scheme.
Clooney revealed that both he and Burnett assumed he could sing because of his genes. (His aunt Rosemary Clooney was a hit recording artist in the 1940s and '50s.) He could not, as he only discovered in the recording booth. Following this humorous pre-taped anecdote, Miley Cyrus walked out on stage to put her own twist on "Man of Constant Sorrow," backed by a bluegrass band. Cyrus delivered a knock-out performance of the tune, while making room for banjo and fiddle solos from the musicians.
4. Family and friends honor Clooney, the man
[url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Few.com%2Fmovies%2F2018%2F06%2F08%2Fgeorge-clooneys-afi-life-achievement-award-best-moments%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fewedit.files.wordpress.com%2F2018%2F06%2Fclooney-split.jpg&description=The 5 best moments from George Clooney%27s star-studded AFI Life Achievement Award Gala][/url]
Kevin Winter/Getty Images (2); Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
AFI Lifetime Achievement tributes always include a host of starry faces sharing anecdotes and memories of their time working with the honoree. But the highlight of last night's ceremony were the speeches from those closest to Clooney: his wife, Amal, speaking publicly about George for the first time; his father, legendary newsman Nick Clooney; and his close friend of over 30 years, actor Richard Kind.
Kind was the first to take the stage, cracking Clooney and the audience up with tales of the many pranks Clooney played on him over the years, including having wardrobe take in his pants to make him think he was gaining weight. Kind also spoke of Clooney's lifelong love of cinema and how they used to dream about nights like this when they first met in the 1980s when cast as brothers on an NBC sitcom. "George and I would talk about nights like this and the people who were honored by AFI. This was our shared love, history of film," he said. "We talked about [John] Ford and about Billy Wilder, and Bette Davis and we would talk about Spencer Tracy… And he loved it. He loved Inherit the Wind and Fail-Safe, the films of Sidney Lumet, and now tonight I'm looking at this – what the hell happened? Honestly what are we doing here? How have you got two 1-year-olds?"
The main focus of Kind's speech was what an incredible friend and humanitarian Clooney has always been, even before fame. He spoke of their friend group that has endured over 30 years, a bunch known affectionately as "the guys." Kind also told stories of Clooney's dedication to service, from his hands-on role in building spaces for celebrities to sit during the 9/11 telethon to a time Clooney convinced "the guys" to go out with garbage bags, shovels, and rakes to help clean up the aftermath of the L.A. riots. "I honor the man, the citizen, the friend," concluded Kind.
Clooney was visibly moved by a brief speech from his father Nick Clooney, who introduced his son via a "News on the March" newsreel at the start of the evening. "It is the solemn duty of elderly parents to totally embarrass their adult children any chance they get," joked the elder Clooney at the start of his speech. He dryly explained how George's invitation to join him on a trip to Sudan gave him "nightmares for all the rest of [his] life" before remembering the time the two were arrested at the Sudanese embassy in Washington, D.C. "For the first time in my life, I was arrested, handcuffed, thrown in jail, booked, for a reason I no longer remember. I don't know why I still took his calls," said the proud father.
He concluded by telling the story of joining George for a dinner at the White House where individuals were discussing Martin Luther King, Jr.'s relationship with his father. "Someone quoted a poem, a fragment of the poem, 'the child is father to the man.' I liked that," the elder Clooney said, gazing at his son with deep admiration. "It seemed to me that maybe there was something there. Perhaps even at the age 84, I might even yet, grow up to be my son."
Rounding out the tributes from friends and family, Amal Clooney honored George's "character in real life." She called him a "gentleman in every sense of the word" and spoke of his enduring "Kentucky manners," while telling a story of how he Clooney refused a jacket on a cold winter set until all the extras had one as well.
"The second thing is that George is incredibly generous," she continued. "He is generous with his time. He finds out about people that have suffered the same health issues as him and he writes to give them advice. He helps young people pursue their passion for film. He'll visit an elderly lady at our local nursing home if he thinks it will make their day. He has a big heart and he puts it into everything he does whether it's making a movie, hosting a fundraiser, or quite often these days, pranking our latest guest using a nappie and a pot of Nutella."
Amal also praised George's commitment to political and humanitarian causes, including recently meeting with survivors of the Parkland School shooting to advocate for gun control. "George picks good fights," she said. "Even before I knew him I admired George's commitment to taking up causes like exposing corruption in Sudan before they were visible…He fights for what is right as a way of life. George shows us more what it is to have a moral conscience and how powerful it can be when combined with eloquence and courage."
Lastly, she spoke to their personal connection and how his "incredible talent and character" also make him an "amazing husband and father." She recalled how, at the age of 35 when she'd "become quite resigned to the idea that [she] was going to be a spinster," George changed her life. "Very soon, it felt like no matter what happened, I would never want to be with anyone else."
"Five years later, none of that has changed. He is the person who has my complete admiration and also the person who's smile makes me melt every time. My love, what I have found, is a great love that I always hoped existed," she concluded. "And seeing you with our children, Ella and Alexander, is my greatest joy in life. You fill our home with laughter and happiness and that's even before the children grow up to learn their Da-Da is actually Batman, a talking fox, and friends with Mary Poppins. I'm so proud of you my love. Congratulations on this great honor you're receiving tonight…When our children find out not only what you've done, but who you are, they will be so proud of you too."
5. George Clooney accepts the AFI Life Achievement Award
Michael Kovac/Getty Images
The evening concluded with remarks from Clooney himself, as he accepted the award presented by Shirley MacLaine, a member of the original Ocean's 11 cast. He began by telling a story of how friend and character actor James Karen pretended to be dying and requested obituaries from multiple friends. "He just wanted to know what everybody thought about him while he was still around. He got a bunch of people to do it," Clooney explained. "That's what tonight feels like for me."
He spoke to his pride in being a part of the industry and how AFI started his career when he appeared in student films as a young actor, which enabled him to gain footage with which to secure an agent. "I love being a part of this industry," Clooney said. "I'm very proud of the changes I'm seeing in this industry. They're much overdue."
Clooney continued the lovefest between himself, his parents, and his wife. "On top of being two of the funniest people I've ever met, my parents are two of the most ethical people you've ever met. And for me, their example was always due north," he said. "They didn't much care what you became, they cared who you became. Your character. Do you have compassion? Do you have empathy? I failed more often than I succeed in trying to live up to my parents example. But I tell you, it's really worth the effort."
"I thought you couldn't have it all. I thought, if you had a successful career that you weren't really going to be able to have one great love in life," Clooney said. "Amal, people know about your intelligence, and your integrity, but they don't know how much you are capable of loving and giving love and you make every single day — Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday — feel as special as tonight. And tonight is very special, and I will treasure it always."
Clooney concluded with the words of newsman Edward R. Murrow, whose life he chronicled in Good Night, and Good Luck: "From the words of someone who is much more intelligent, which we probably need now more than ever, good night, and good luck."[/size]
by it's me on Sat 09 Jun 2018, 00:16
Truth is he's the Joker
by Donnamarie on Sat 09 Jun 2018, 04:24
What a lovely evening for George. Well deserved recognition of his talent and his character.
Thanks for all the posts ladies. It was fun watching the videos and reading all the articles tonight!
Bravo George!
by What Would He Say on Sat 09 Jun 2018, 10:13
....Oh make my life look shitty why don't you....
And while your there rub my nose in my stupidity.... swear to God, first time I heard 35 was the cut off....
I don't tilt my dumb ass head when I read dirty flirty texts, I unattractively cackle or snort ..And I've never lost sleep over a man....
I don't have Jo Malone candles in every room, I don't have billowing voil curtains wafting the sent of jasmine in to a perfect crispy white sheeted bedroom....and the only person I call My Love is my Plummer, because he's the only Plummer that can get my Jax flushing....
.... Oh my shitty life .... I bow down, I can only learn ....
My particular strain of jealousy/envy is terminal, it appears....And damn well should be.....
Btw the dress was awful...!!!
What Would He Say
Location : OneDAyComo
Tough night
Jax...
by party animal - not! on Sat 09 Jun 2018, 12:01
George the Joker from podium guests.........
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/06/08/george-clooney-now-pranks-friends-nutella-stuffed-nappies/683894002/
by annemarie on Sat 09 Jun 2018, 12:13
[size=32]George Clooney has moved on to dirty-diaper pranks, says wife Amal[/size]
Andrea Mandell, USA TODAYPublished 11:58 a.m. ET June 8, 2018 | Updated 4:48 p.m. ET June 8, 2018
George Clooney was awarded the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award, but Amal Clooney's speech may have stolen the show. USA TODAY
(Photo: Emma McIntyre, Getty Images for Turner)
CONNECT[url=https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A//usat.ly/2M4ppWF&text=George Clooney has moved on to dirty-diaper pranks%2C says wife amal&via=usatoday]TWEET[/url]LINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE
HOLLYWOOD – George Clooney is officially living that dad life.
Clooney, 57, who is father to 1-year-old twins with wife Amal, 40, received the AFI Lifet Achievement Award in Los Angeles on Thursday night, surrounded by famous friends and colleagues. But the event naturally included some ribbing, even from Amal. Here's a look at a few of the best zingers of the night.
The notorious Hollywood prankster has found new ways to torture his well-meaning friends when they visit the couple, Amal Clooney said from the stage, in a sweet speech toasting her husband.
"George is incredibly generous. He is generous with his time. He finds out about people who have suffered the same health issues as him and he writes to give them advice...he'll visit an elderly lady in our local nursing home if he thinks it will make her day. He has a big heart and he puts it into everything that he does, whether it's making a movie, hosting a fundraiser or, quite often these days, pranking our latest guest using a "nappie" (diaper) and pot of Nutella."
"A billion dollars?!" said Jimmy Kimmel, roasting George Clooney while chugging from his tequila line, Casamigos, at Clooney's AFI Lifetime Achievement dinner on June 7. (Photo: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Kimmel also brought up Clooney's notorious pranks. "He put his father in the movie The Monuments Men — which was a lovely thing to do — and then added 'In loving memory of Nick Clooney' to the end credits.' As you saw earlier, his father is not deceased," said Kimmel, nodding to Nick, 84, seated right next to his famous son. Both grinned recalling the prank.
More: Amal Clooney gives romantic toast to teary George, thought she'd be a 'spinster'
Even Kimmel hasn't escaped Clooney's clutches. "George once told me that no one had ever been able to swim the length of his pool and back four times without coming up for air, and for whatever reason I accepted the challenge," said Kimmel. "Everyone gathered around the pool. I jumped in.
"I swam the first, second, third laps all underwater and by halfway through the fourth lap I was positive I was going to drown, I was swimming for my life but I made it to the end. And when I came up triumphantly, panting for air after setting the official pool record at George Clooney's house, no one was there," he said, to wide laughter. "George had escorted everyone back into the house. I celebrated alone."
But, "maybe the best prank of all happened when he was back on Roseanne," deadpanned Kimmel, "he convinced her to open a Twitter account."
Bill Murray showed up for George Clooney at his AFI lifetime achievement dinner. (Photo: Chris Pizzello, Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Taking the podium, Murray expressed confusion about why "the lifetime achievement award was being given to a 56-year-old man." (Clooney is 57.) "I know you all thought the same thing that I thought: George is dying," Murray deadpanned as Clooney laughed. "It's fatal, we don't know what it is but it's progressing very quickly. So this isn't really a lifetime achievement award, it's a celebration of life." (Don't worry, Clooney is fine.)
Anna Kendrick served up some zingers while toasting George Clooney on June 7. (Photo: VALERIE MACON, AFP/Getty Images)
Kendrick referenced a pre-taped bit with Clooney that ran during the dinner, in which he admitted to struggling with being middle-aged while making their 2009 film Up in the Air. "I didn't realize that in Up in the Air you were coming to terms with getting older. You're so brave," she grinned. "And to play a handsome, aloof, successful older bachelor-type. The range on you!"
A shot of Brad Pitt and George Clooney from 2001's 'Ocean 11.' (Photo: BOB MARSHAK/WARNER BROS.)
Pitt couldn't make the dinner (he sent his tongue-in-cheek remarks in a video), but Kimmel dropped a hilarious old Pitt prank from the stage. "The fact that he can juggle the Armenian genocide and the conflict in Darfur with sending Brad Pitt packages marked 'the porn you ordered' makes George Clooney one of the world's most intensely fascinating men," toasted Kimmel.
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to George Clooney airs June 21 on TNT at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
by benex on Sat 09 Jun 2018, 12:18
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjybbr_FLMg/
WWHS
Did anyone else recognize the gown that Nina wore? It looked like the beautiful gown she wore to George's wedding. Am I wrong? I thought the two Mrs. Clooneys looked so elegant.
Yes it does look like that gown , they both looked wonderful and so happy for George.
by Doug Ross on Sat 09 Jun 2018, 15:28
Right, Donna. I remember saw that gown already, but I couldn't recall where.
Cindy's gown was lovely as well.
Last edited by annemarie on Sat 09 Jun 2018, 15:34; edited 1 time in total
They all look great.
That was Nina's dress for George and Amal's wedding..........
Oh, and good for George for respecting the Royal Family's wishes and not revealing the Amal/Meghan question....
Yep PAN. And all those stories about George the bartender and dancing man extraordinaire at the royal party. Completely untrue and debunked by George.
Loved the 'hiding in my flat' story from Amal - he was certainly there as a 'resident' for much more than a month to qualify to register the marriage in the borough........very 'Notting Hill'
I didn't see pics of Grant last night. Did anyone else?
Grant wasn't there , he probably stayed in Italy for work.
Donnamarie wrote: I didn't see pics of Grant last night. Did anyone else?
No Grant, but I saw John Lambros in one.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjwpmL5gqWK/?taken-by=mr_mrs_clooney
by ladybugcngc on Sun 10 Jun 2018, 00:18
party animal - not! wrote: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjwpmL5gqWK/?taken-by=mr_mrs_clooney
I agree PAN
by annemarie on Sun 10 Jun 2018, 16:54
George watching Amal give her speech.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRV76kVSjA0
Thanks Annemarie,
It's wonderful when the popular guy finds his Lady Love. Amal literally poured her heart out in her AFI speech. It is my hope as life moves on she will be able to live the happily ever after her heart longs for.
As fairytales go, it's tough when the shoe does not fit. A gentleman will tell hopeful prospects they are not the right fit for him; the good news is somewhere there's a wonderful guy holding the perfect fit.
by party animal - not! on Sun 10 Jun 2018, 19:21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiDiKwbGfIY
by it's me on Sun 10 Jun 2018, 23:44
I am speechless
by LizzyNY on Mon 11 Jun 2018, 00:27
PAN - Thank you so much! Just gorgeous!
by it's me on Mon 11 Jun 2018, 01:18
Let me ask this
At the end of the speech
The clapping went to?
by Way2Old4Dis on Mon 11 Jun 2018, 01:31
party animal - not! wrote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiDiKwbGfIY
I'm an Ed Sheeran fan (except for this particular song), but what does this have to do with George and the AFI award? What am I missing?
by annemarie on Mon 11 Jun 2018, 01:35
They were applauding Amal for her speech.
And was she applauding
Too?
by hairyhound on Mon 11 Jun 2018, 09:52
it's me wrote: And was she applauding
No, just standing there
hairyhound
Getting serious about George
Location : Saint Paul,Minnesota
She should have
At that point
Applauded to him
Not standing there
as all the clapping was for her
and not for him


text:
Philip Hammond praises RAF role as IS forced from Iraqi city Ramadi
Iraqi security forces enter heavily damaged Ramadi (AP)
Islamic State's loss of Ramadi to Iraqi forces is a "significant blow" to the extremists, Philip Hammond said as he hailed the "key role" played by the RAF.
The jihadists were said by Iraqi generals to have been forced out of the centre and the local government headquarters in the city west of Baghdad, the loss of which in July was a severe blow to Baghdad.
Pockets of fighters for IS - also known as Isis, Isil and Daesh - remain dug in in other sectors, however.
The successful push, which followed several failed efforts to retake the city, was helped by "high-intensity" support from RAF air strikes and reconnaissance over the Christmas period.
Mr Hammond said: "This is the latest in a series of significant losses for Daesh. These barbaric terrorists have lost 30% of the territory they once held in Iraq.
"They have been driven out of cities across the country by Iraqi forces, with support from the UK and the global coalition.
"The Royal Air Force's close air support operations around Ramadi in recent days have played a key role.
"We will continue to support the government of Iraq as it re-establishes the security, governance and services the people of Ramadi will need as they return to their city.
"This remains a long fight but the coalition's strategy is succeeding. We will continue to stand with the Iraqi people until Daesh is defeated."


text:
Udhampur: Reports link teachers, political workers to protest by students; govt orders probe
The students lifted the dharna on Monday after an assurance from the Basantgarh subdivisional magistrate (SDM) that their grievances would be addressed in two days.
Written by Arun Sharma | Jammu |
The protesting students block the Basantgarh-Ramnagar road. File photo
The Udhampur district administration has ordered a probe into the suspected involvement of teachers, political workers, panches and sarpanches in a protest by schoolchildren in Basantgarh subdivision last week.
Students of some eight schools in Khaned and Panara villages boycotted classes for almost a week, and marched 15 km to Basantgarh town to protest against shortage of teachers and erratic supply of drinking water at their institutions. Joined by local villagers, they blocked the road, disrupting traffic and forcing a shutdown in the town.
The role of outsiders in the students' protest was first indicated in intelligence reports, said Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary. This was later substantiated in separate reports submitted by the Basantgarh SDM, Chief Education Officer and Executive Engineer of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Choudhary said, adding that this "necessitated a high-level probe to fix responsibility".
The inquiry will be conducted by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, who is also the District Vigilance Officer. He will be assisted by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters).
Choudhary said that according to the CEO's report, there were 39 teachers against the sanctioned strength of 55 teachers in eight schools in the area, putting the teacher-student ratio at 1:26. The Executive Engineer also reported sufficient drinking water in seven of the eight schools. The remaining school had recently shifted to a new building, he pointed out.
The SDM's report said that the administration's action against mass copying and teacher absenteeism had upset some officials and locals. "The results of the Government Higher Secondary School, Khaned, remained between 70-80 per cent for many years. In this session, only one student passed out of 102 after strict vigilance by the district administration through special squads. This led to a lot of discontent," the SDM reported.
The report "further indicted Master Mohammad Farooq for instigating the strike upon his transfer to Government High School, Rai Chak, as he was reportedly a major conduit in the copying nexus".
Choudhary said that some political workers also exploited the situation for fixing scores with rivals ahead of panchayat elections. The names of some retired and serving teachers, members of panchayati institutions and PHE officials surfaced in the preliminary inquiry, he added.
dharna


text:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Aims Dig At Manchester United's 'Class Of 92'
Ryan Sidle in Football
Last updated 1:48 PM, Tuesday March 19 2019 GMT
Zlatan Ibrahimovic thinks that Manchester United's recent troubles have been because of a failure of the club to move on from Sir Alex Ferguson and the former players in the media who want jobs at the club.
Before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came in from nowhere to steady the wheel and take the ship at Manchester United, nothing wrong with mixing metaphors, the Old Trafford club had become a shadow of its former self.
In the five and a bit years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired at United as a 12 time Premier League champion the club had constantly stalled and gone backwards.
Jose Mourinho had returned some credibility with his second place finish in the league last season, as well as victory in the Europa League a season before, but by the time he left in December they were back to the bad old days under Louis van Gaal and David Moyes and facing another season out of the Champions League.
And one of Mourinho's signings, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, believes that Paul Scholes, as well as other members of the 'Class of 92.' criticism of the 'Special One' didn't help the former Chelsea manager at United.
Speaking to the Mirror the LA Galaxy striker said:
"They are not there anymore. They are on TV and complaining all the time because they are not active in the club.
"If you want to work in the club, go and search for work in the club.
"So you cannot be on TV and always complaining and criticising. Yeah, ok, you've had your time, we know it."
Ibrahimovic's first season saw him score a brace in the EFL Cup final. Image: PA Images
The Swedish striker, who played a season and a half at Old Trafford and scored 22 goals in his first season, also claimed that Paul Pogba's decision to leave the club under Fergie is why criticism is aimed at him from former players, adding, "With Pogba, he was with United when he was young, then he went out and he came back.
"And in the circle of Ferguson, they don't like that. Because they stayed all their life under Ferguson and they never moved from Ferguson.
"And they didn't even talk if Ferguson didn't tell them to open their mouth.
"So now if they are talking, I don't know whether Ferguson gave them permission or not."
The Class of 92 can be quite prominent in the media now. Image: PA Images
Scholes was particularly critical of Mourinho, and his style of play, along with Rio Ferdinand on BT Sport. The two Neville brothers have both done lots of punditry on United too.
Is Zlatan right about the Class of 92?
Topics: Paul Scholes, Football News, Phil Neville, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Class of 92, MLS, Premier League, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, LA Galaxy, Nicky Butt
Ryan Sidle
Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.
Follow @Sidler28
No Juventus Player Makes It Into Opta's Winter Serie A XI
Spanish Pundit Claims Lionel Messi Will 'Hide' Against Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson's Final Chewing Gum As Manchester United Manager Sold For £390,000
France Football Names Top 50 Managers Of All Time


text:
package com.google.android.apps.common.testing.broker;

import com.google.android.apps.common.testing.broker.DeviceBrokerAnnotations.ExecReporterAnnotation;
import com.google.inject.AbstractModule;

/** ADB execution info reporter module. */
public class ExecReporterModule extends AbstractModule {

  @Override
  protected void configure() {
    bind(ExecReporter.class).annotatedWith(ExecReporterAnnotation.class).to(NoOpExecReporter.class);
  }
}


text:
ASIA/INDIA - The Pontifical Mission Societies present their charism and initiatives at the National Meeting of Major Seminaries
Wednesday, 24 November 2021 pontifical mission societies seminaries religious institutes missionary animation
2021 "the most violent year" for Christians in India
The recognition of the Missionaries of Charity as a "charitable body" has not been renewed
Resignation and appointment of bishop of Ambikapur
Vandalism in a Catholic church in southern India
Resignation of bishop of Baroda
Missionaries of Charity accused of proselytizing: for Catholics it is pure defamation
Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) - The National Meeting of all the Rectors of the Indian Seminaries took place in Bangalore, at the National Biblical Catechetical & Liturgical Center. About 90 Rectors gathered for the usual annual appointment in November in which a large space was dedicated to the Pontifical Mission Societies. Father Ambrose Pitchaimuthu, National Director of the PMS of India, gave a detailed presentation of the four Pontifical Mission Societies. "I had the opportunity to explain the structure of the PMS at an international, continental (Asia), national, regional and diocesan level - says Father Father Pitchaimuthu -. Particular attention was paid to the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle (POSPA), as it is directly involved in the formation of seminarians, priests, professors and religious. The history and mission of POSPA were the subject of a further study". The meeting was also an opportunity to invite the Rectors to include a weekly prayer intention for all four PMS, to introduce the founders to the seminarians to draw inspiration from their biographies, to include a lesson on the PMS in the Course of Pastoral Care for Deacons and to include the experience of a missionary during missiology lessons. To promote and support the mission of POSPA, the Rectors were asked to involve professors, priests, former students, seminarians and religious more so that they can be the first witnesses of the benefit received and also to encourage professors and seminarians to participate in the special offering on the Day desired by the Pope. (E.G.) (Agenzia Fides, 24/11/2021)
pontifical mission societies
AFRICA/BENIN - Opening of the Jubilees of the Pontifical Mission Societies: all the baptized must become aware of their missionary identity
VATICAN - Myanmar and Italy united in prayer and missionary reflection on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Paolo Manna
AMERICA/VENEZUELA - "Church, your name is mission": new Venezuelan edition of the CELAM Missiology Manual
ASIA/CHINA - "Me and my seminary": the seminary in Beijing celebrates 40 years of commitment to priesthood formation
religious institutes
AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - The Ursulines of Gandino worried and saddened for their sister still in prison
ASIA/MYANMAR - The parish of St. Michael in Myitkyina entrusted to the Salesians


text:
Australia's pension system is world's most sustainable, study finds
Melinda Oliver / Friday, April 4, 2014
Australia's retirement income system is the most sustainable of 50 countries, according to a new survey by Allianz.
The Allianz 2014 Pension Sustainability Index report found that Australia's combination of a public and private retirement income made it the most sustainable, placing it ahead of Sweden, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands and Denmark.
The annual report examined key elements of each nation's pension system, both public and private, and the developments that influence them. It also evaluated the pressure on governments to effect reform to improve the fiscal sustainability of their systems.
Australia's two-tier system, with a lean public pension and highly developed funded pension, means it is under the least pressure to reform.
New Zealand was also found to have a sustainable pension system, as it is not aging as rapidly as many other countries, and its labour force tends to work beyond statutory retirement age.
The report found that Thailand has replaced Greece as the nation with the most need to reform its pension system. Thailand has an extremely low retirement age and sporadic pension coverage.
Brazil was ranked second lowest, due to its high replacement rate and low effective retirement.
Allianz found that, in addition to Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Romania, Singapore, Turkey and the US were able to move more than five places up in the rankings from the 2011 report. It found a combination of factors led to this improvement, including improved aging perspectives and improved economic development.
Countries that dropped in ranking included Croatia, France, Hong Kong, Malta, Slovenia and Taiwan.
Allianz general manager of corporate affairs Nicholas Scofield told SmartCompany that one of the reasons Australia's pension was sustainable was that it paid 42% of the average wage, while other countries paid much higher portions of their country's average wage and had been slow to implement private superannuation.
Schofield says that while the Australian system is sustainable, the report does not rank on generosity. In Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and Korea, the portion of the average wage paid was closer to 60%, while in Spain it was more than 70% and in Italy it was 80%.
The findings of the survey appear to contradict perceptions that Australia's superannuation system and pension is in need of urgent reform, and Scofield says it shows there is a lot Australia is doing well.
"Australia moved early on establishing a private contribution system … there are some countries that are still starting that journey," he says.
He says that with superannuation contributions edging towards 12%, Australia's pension sustainability should continue.
Allianz Australia managing director Niran Peiris said one area the report found concerning was that Australia's superannuation system allowed people to give lump sum contributions.
"The report highlighted that allowing people to take all their superannuation savings as a lump sum to be used to repay home mortgages or other purposes risked leaving retirees with reduced incomes for their retirement," he said.
Melinda Oliver
Brands need to use the right content on the right platform at the right time: IAG Head of Content, Zara Curtis
Diversity matters: How five tech startups are improving workplace diversity