Up to 70% of the law can be carried out by robots and all legal documents will be automated within a decade, according to the student entrepreneur who created the ground-breaking DoNotPay chatbot.
He painted a picture of the future in which voice-activated chatbots would assist litigants-in-person and online courts would interact with chatbot representatives to dispense seamless automatic justice.
Speaking at the Legal Futures innovation conference in London on Tuesday, Josh Browder, who founded the free bot to challenge parking tickets, but which now covers hundreds of other legal issues, said creating tools for consumers to access justice at no cost to users is "my rebellion against the legal system".
He added he was opposed to lawyers charging large amounts for "copying and pasting a few documents".
He revealed that he planned "very shortly" to integrate his technology with Alexa, the intelligent personal assistant developed by Amazon: "For example, if your boiler breaks you can complain about your landlord to your house".
Mr Browder continued that he believed the future of chatbots was voice input, rather than text, whereby instead of typing a legal problem into the chatbot, users would speak into it. Chatbots could even be used to help litigants-in-person conduct their cases in court by playing into an earpiece, he suggested.
He said the government's investment in the Online Court was "really exciting". He explained that once cases were heard online "then all you need is the chatbot to talk to the government bots, and once the bots talk to each other then it can be a fully streamlined case".
Schooled in England but now a student at Stanford, California, Mr Browder – who designed apps from a young age – said he relocated so as to be in Silicon Valley, the "capital of technology".
Being there had "changed my life", he said, adding that seeing developments such as driverless cars had convinced him that "all" legal documents would be automated within a decade.
He said technological developments such as blockchain would "actually prevent disputes before they happen. If you have a smart contract that executes itself then there's no need to go to court to enforce it if one of the parties breaks it".
Mr Browder explained that DoNotPay – which expanded from a "side project" aimed at friends and family – had so far "successfully appealed over 485,000 parking tickets, about a 50-50 split between the UK and the US" and that this showed governments used the tickets unfairly to raise revenue.
The chatbot now covered 300 legal documents, including "fighting your landlord or fighting retailers if they're selling faulty goods".
Future plans included "even more sophisticated stuff", such as "for example you can press a button and get a no-fault divorce or press a button and sue someone in court".
Another area DoNotPay tackled was human rights, especially helping refugees file asylum claims. Chatbots were ideal for "fighting human rights abuse and the reason for that is that they are free and you can scale it to the millions of people who are unfortunately refugees", he said.
Pressed on whether he accepted that lawyers added value, particularly by giving bespoke advice, Mr Browder said: "I think so and perhaps I am an interloper in the law and I have a lot to understand.
"But that said, the law is ultimately rules and… I think the fairest outcomes are when you can predict it and technology is good at predicting things.
He said that in future chatbots would have to include an "escalation procedure" involving referral up to lawyers when a case proved too complicated. Any chatbot that did not was "quite irresponsible", he said.
Mr Browder said offering the services of his technology free was appropriate while he was a student and had "the privilege of not having to worry about making money". But once he graduated this may change.
"Making it free is kind of my rebellion against the legal system," he said.
He reported that the investors who earlier this month ploughed $1.1m (£840,000) into DoNotPay had urged him to continue to provide services free, although he acknowledged this approach to investment was a "bubble".
Undercutting businesses profiting from "exploiting people" was its own reward, he suggested. This included lawyers who presented clients with "a £5,000 bill when… all you need is to copy and paste a few documents".
Lawyers who understood technology and were willing to use it could prosper, while for others "it's probably good to retire".
The Legal Futures Conference was a great opportunity to hear from industry leaders and the highlight of the day was indeed the #AI #Chatbot session which included Joshua discussing the route of chatbots and the disruption they are and will continue to make.
Whilst there are many who fear the robots will take over and no doubt create challenges they often miss the fact that they will of course also create huge opportunities.


1. Introduced on June 22, 2006 by BitTorrent Inc., Cache Discovery Protocol is an extension to the BitTorrent protocol which supports local caching of data by network peers. Cache Discovery Protocol is typically used by Internet service providers that want to minimize the burden of BitTorrent traffic on their network.
2. A Certificate in Data Processing is a certification for IT professionals that requires a written examination. The Certification in Data Processing was first issued in the early 1960s. At the outset, it was administered by the DPMA (Data Processing Management Association). Later, certification was performed by the ICCP (Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals).
3. Columbia Data Products is a security software company founded in 1976 with the intention of manufacturing clones of the IBM PC. In 1980, Columbia Data Products manufactured Z80-based PCs called the Commander 900 series which featured multiple processors. They were unable to produce a product that achieved the success of the Commander 900s, however, and in 1987, they shifted to producing software rather than hardware.
4. Founded in 1986, Composers Desktop Project is an international cooperative based in the United Kingdom that creates professional audio processing software. Over the years, they've produced many DSP-based sound transformation tools for the Windows and OS X operating systems. In 2014, the majority of their software was open sourced and licensed under the LGPL; it is now available for Linux.
5. CDP (Continuous data protection), also known as continuous backup or real-time backup, is the data protection method of automatically, immediately backing up all data written to disk.
7. A CDP (content discovery platform) is a software interface that recommends content to a user based on metadata such as search terms and previously viewed content. It can deliver personalized content recommendations on websites, mobile devices, or set-top boxes. A classic example of a content discovery platform is the user interface of the TiVo set-top box, which can recommend TV shows based on your previous viewing choices.


This morning at about 5AM I could hear noise's coming from my Kitchen as if someone was in there doing thing's. This was not the first time this has ever happen and I remembered that the last time this happened I told myself if it happen again to put a recorder in there to see if I could capture anything?
Well it happened again this morning and upon reviewing what was recorded I found something interesting.
I will attach the recording as recorded, You will only hear my wall clock ticking and then a sound that I can only describe as a purring sound.
This purring sound is what I examined closer and after Amplifying could hear what sounds like, "This Message is for Anyone" "We are at the end of our Adjustments"
"You Hear Me Yet?" or something close to it.
Most everyone will not be able to hear this from the recording with out taking additional steps so I am including a video showing these extra steps and why I think I am hearing what I think I hear.
Interesting clip, makes you wonder how much voice is left undiscovered..
Thanks Niel for taking the time to listen, watching the video, but most importantly commenting.
It's interesting that these types of sounds that get recorded go unnoticed by most listeners thinking it is just some type of interference but can actually contain "words".
I find this kind thing in almost any recording that gets done and not just my recordings.
Its like recording from "a faster time dimension" which is another thought and possibility?
I do believe after observing EVP, where what was said, would have been impossible in our time frame. Example: On one EVP as I read the name off a headstone, 'Jack Holden Rabe', a split second before a voice clearly says "Dalton". Well, my Uncle's name was Jack Dalton. So, on the clip you hear, "Dalton Jack Holden Rabe"., the timing was too perfect, which leads me to believe that their time is nonlinear.
This file was recorded during a trip to a Cemetery and inside the Mausoleum which was very quiet.
With me during this trip was my Wife,and my son Chris,We were all trying to record for Evp, Anyhow after a few hours my wife tired and wanted to leave and go home.
Since we were separated and in different areas,she ask my son to find me and let me know she was ready to leave.
He did manage to find me and relayed the message, I told him ok but let me do one more recording and then we can go,So he stood by while I did this and we left.
On the last recording this odd sound was captured.
Upon amplifying and reducing the speed of the recording I can make out what I believe to be "Chris...Come Back Here and Visit"
I have included the recorded audio and also the link to a video showing the process I did to hear that so that anyone can repeat to hear the same thing.
Hi Ray. I hear that one as you do.
Hey Ron Glad You could hear it!
I find that this kind of thing happens more often than not but most people wont give that odd noise another thought.
Here is an older Evp I captured at a different Cemetery with the raw file attached along with a quick video of the process I went through to hear what I can hear.
Page processed in 0.3001 seconds (59% database + 41% PHP). 27 queries executed.


EDOTCO Group Sdn Bhd, an end-to-end integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company, on March 22 reinforced its commitment to Pakistan and building its digital future with a broad range of new service offerings to accelerate the country's connectivity infrastructure development.
To date, edotco Group's business in Pakistan has grown to approximately 1000 fully operational towers nationwide with a workforce of approximately 110 telecom professionals.
Through its local operations, the company has invested over US$110 million (RM446.82 million) in growing their local operations in 2018.
The investments announced on March 22 represent a part of the US$250 million (RM1.02 billion) the company intends to invest over the next five years.
Witnessed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia and Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, edotco Pakistan signed agreements of up to US$80 million (RM324.96 million) with three of the country's major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Jazz, Telenor and Zong 4G.
These agreements are aimed at boosting connectivity capabilities in the country via shared telecommunication towers, and more efficient operations and energy management.
This comes amidst increased bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Pakistan where the telecommunications sector is a key area discussed by both governments.
At the event, Azzat Kamaludin, chairman of edotco Group said "Pakistan and Malaysia have shared a healthy bilateral relationship and our continued investment reaffirms not just Malaysia's commitment to strengthening these ties but also edotco's.
edotco chief executive officer Suresh Sidhu (pic) who was also present at the event further outlined edotco Group's mission to advance Pakistan's connectivity through the development of sharable and scalable telecommunications infrastructure.
"Pakistan will reap the full benefits of digitalisation when the nation is equipped with the right infrastructure that is shareable, future-ready and can meet the increasing demands for connectivity spanning throughout the country. As a longstanding partner in nation building, we put forth infrastructure sharing as a proven proposition to accelerate MNO deployment initiatives.
"Being asset light frees up substantial capital investment and resources from MNOs which they can channel towards their core business, extending their network coverage and improving service offerings for customers," said Suresh.


Initial deployment of wiki.ledhed.net complete.
I hate editing Style Sheets!!!!
DSpam Bombing out at work!!
The DSpam service is dieing at work and I dont know why.
I needed to re-compile dspam to enable debugging (Lame that you have to recompile to enable this feature)!
Since a recompile was in order I upgraded to version 3.6.8.
Previously I tried to enable DSpam retraining via Mail Forwarding and also enabled a "merged group". These 2 new features (one or both) may have caused the DSpam service to die. After the Upgrade I disabled them. Time will tell if the Daemon lives..
This page was last modified on 21 July 2006, at 21:56.


text:
Categories: Football updates, Latest Nigerian News
Cameroon Separatists Bomb AFCON Host City, Limbe
Separatist fighters in Cameroon's Anglophone region have set off an improvised explosive device (IED) in the town of Limbe which will host Group F matches of the Africa Cup Nations (AFCON).
According to local police, no one was injured in the explosion which went off early Thursday at Half Mile neighbourhood of the city.
Limbe will host Group F AFCON matches involving Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania and Gambia.
Separatist fighters who have vowed to disrupt AFCON in the city said on social media they were responsible for the blast and stressed that it was "a warning sign of what we will do during AFCON".
Separatist leaders had said they do not want AFCON matches to take place in a region "at war".
Cameroon army has deployed additional ammunitions and troops to the region.
The troops undertake routine day and night patrols.
Separatists had since 2017 been clashing with government forces in Anglophone regions of Southwest and Northwest where they want to create an independent nation they call "Ambazonia".
AFCON will officially begin on Sunday in the capital Yaounde and will run for four weeks.
Source:- PmNews

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Browse businesses looking to expand in and around Boca Raton.
Located in the Sunshine State, as of the 2010 census, Boca Raton had a population of 85,670. This makes Boca Raton the twenty-second-most populous city in the state of Florida and the three hundred twenty sixth-most populous city in the United States, overall.
Are you looking to own your own franchise business in, or around, Boca Raton, FL? Well, you are in luck! Browse any of these multiple franchises, shown below, to request FREE information about the opportunities that interests you or click here to see the full list of franchises looking to expand throughout Florida.
Listed below you will find population, income and education related statistics, as well as other pertinent information, for Boca Raton, FL.
When compared to the state's average median age of 41.2 years, Boca Raton's median age is 4.8 years older.
When compared to the median income of individuals working in Florida, Boca Raton's average income is $22,419 more than that of the state.
Boca Raton has 21% fewer citizens, with only high school diploma and/or GEDs, than the general population's average, in Florida.


One of the highlights of our trip through Indonesia certainly was the Kelimutu National Park on Flores. In the middle of beautiful nature you will find three very different crater lakes, with a couple of legends to it.
50 kilometers east from Ende you will find the Kelimutu National Park. The area inhabits the Kelimutu volcano as well as its three different colored crater lakes. Kelimutu also made it to the Ribu's List with volcanos higher than 1,000 meters. The word Keli means "Mountain" and the word Mutu "boiling". However, the boiling mountain is rather famous for it's color play during sun rise than its activity, as the last eruption took place in 1968.
One of the crater lakes is located roughly one kilometer west from the other lakes. Here, a face of rock separates the three lakes. This lake is called Tibu Ata Mbupu and used to be dark blue, changed its color to almost black, than transformed into a white-green for a short while and now you will find him colored in a very dark brown. Legend says it's the lake of the old.
The two lakes located beside each other are called Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai – the lake of children – and the Tiwu Ata Polo, the charmed lake. The first one used to be turquoise , then became dark blue and is colored in a light green today. Polo, in contrast changed from a red color into a darker green or brown.
The changing color of the lake is no mystery but explanatory with the activity of the volcano and the release of minerals. In Flores locals believe that wandering souls are the reason for the changing colors.
While traveling to the Kelumutu National Park it is highly recommended to stay in the village of Moni, don't waste time in Ende. When we say "village" we really mean village. You won't find anything beside a main road, a couple of hostels, two or three restaurants and a handful of locals. And exactly that made Moni so authentic and a lovely place to stay in. Choices are limited, it's located inmid of lush green mountains. It seems, time stands still in Moni.
Be aware that everything is a bit more expensive in Moni. Accommodations for example, are a couple of bucks more expensive as in Labuan Bajo. As well as that, you should book in advance. Due to the fact that choices are limited, places to stay also are. Especially during high season!
The family owned Mahoni Guesthouse* is located at the main road of Moni. The tiny guest house can accommodate four people at a time. In the time we have been there a third room was renovated, so that a third couple would find a place to sleep. The owner is extremly friendly and his grandma makes great coffee and delicious pancakes. The rooms are clean, you will find everything what you need, but not a lot more. Here, we stayed two nights.
Julian loved to sit on our little terrace, peeling some fresh fruit and overlooking the village and its inhabitants.
As the Mahoni Guest House was taken for the other two night we stayed in Moni we moved to the Bintang Lodge*. The accommodation is – how could it be different – located at the main road of the village and has a few more rooms to accommodate visitors. Rooms here are a bit more spacious and have, depending of prices, also warm-water showers. The Bintang Guest House is a bit more pricey than the Mahoni Guest House, which also makes sense in comparison.
The alarm screamed at 3:40. Our sleep was over from one second to the other. It was still dark, our eyes sleepy. Our taxi arrived a few minutes later to one of our highlights while backpacking in Flores. We washed our tired faces, grabbed the most important things jumped into warm clothes and hopped on the taxi.
Tip #1: We shared the 35 minute ride to the parking area of the national park with two locals we met in the evening before. As the taxi drivers aren't really in the mood to get up that early as well, the prices are pretty high but we weren't into starting the hike around 1:30am. Together with the two locals we paid a reasonable price so try to get a couple of people together for the drive.
Half an hour and some Indonesian "Schalgermusic" later- our driver was in a pretty good mood for early time of the day – we arrived at the parking area. Before that we passed the gate and payed the entrance fee. As in many touristy areas not as dirt cheap as you might expect.
The dark trail started! Equipped with two flashlights (yeah, we learned from our hike in Myanmar) we went up the first stairs. 30 minutes walking and we arrived at the top.
Tip #2: As the trail isn't lighted, flashlights are a big plus. And even if the days are hot, really take a pullover with you, it's getting cold up there.
Last stairs in front of us. We arrived in the pitch dark at the top, got a hot Kopi and found a good spot for the upcoming sunrise. Every minute the sky changed. From a pitch dark to a dark blue and then the first sun beams illuminated the sky in a magical orange.
Of course, we needed capture these incredible moments but then we leaned back and relaxed with the cameras in our hands.
Once the sun was there it became significantly warmer, we changed and decided to walk the way back to Moni.
Tip #3: Be aware of the monkey's. Shortly after the sun came out, the little culprits also woke up and strolled around. The little devils are scared of literally nothing and love to attack and steal food and other belongings.
The way back would have been included in the taxi ride and our driver waited here. The local couple took the taxi but we started the descent. Depending on which way you choose you are between 2-4 hours on the road. Let's do it!
Passing through green valleys, green paths and a lot more green, first we walked on streets and dirt roads. Later, the way became a path with jungle to its left and right. In the end each of us got a stick to fight through the thicket. This part of Flores is really remote! Passing through two small villages we arrived at our first planned stop, the water fall close to Moni. To get over the river of the water fall you need to cross two adventurous bamboo bridges. We have been scared for a little while, but then saw a very old lady crossing it balancing a bag on their head without any constraints. So we crossed as well! No problems here!
After a little break we continued and arrived a couple of minutes later in back in Moni. One of the best breakfasts we've had awaited us at our beloved guest house*.
On the opposite of the Rainbow-Cafe on the main road you will find a small path. Follow it, cross the bamboo bridge and there you are. At first we were a bit reluctant to cross the bridge but after a couple of times you just walk over it as it would be a normal bridge. No other chance anyway!
Tip: On our last day we were unlucky with the weather but when the sun breaks through the trees you have an incredible light for photos. Around noon is a perfect for a good shot.
While making your way back from Kelimutu to Moni you will pass by a couple of villages being privileged with great nature surrounding their homes. You are lucky when you see a person in their gardens or hanging around somewhere else. We met two people and one helped us with our way.
You shouldn't miss out on the great fruit markets. Get your scooter and drive 5 kilometers in direction of Ende and you will arrive at a nice local market. Here locals offer their harvest and you can stock up on vitamines. Every local goes here to buy grocieries and you should definitely try the extremely delicious passion fruits.
If you continue to follow the street after the local food market you will come to a fork. Here, you take a right and you'll come to a traditional village. We strolled around and talked to some locals that have been happy that two Germans seem to be interested in the way they live.
In and around Moni you will find a couple of hot springs that are cool to visit. Have a look at our map, here we included two of them. The entrance is in the middle of a village and the inhabitants are happy to receive 50 cents fee.
The choices in Moni are limited. But with one restaurant we fell in love with: Mopi's. We have been here almost twice per day had coffee, porridge, burritos and much more. The music was always chilled and the every dish we ordered was yummy. As well as that, the restaurant always offers daily dishes which are also great! Definitely worth going here.
If you rent a scooter, never pay more than 75,000 – 80,000 Rupiah per day.
In August, locals gather around the area of the Kelimutu National Park and hold yearly ceremonies. The festival takes place on platforms in between the magical lakes and people dance, sing and celebrate together. If you want to be part of that, plan your trip in this time of the year.
Especially during the sunrise tour on Kelimutu it does get cold. So definitely bring a pullover. Also during the day it normally doesn't get a lot warmer than 23 degrees (73 F), which feels refreshing after Sumatra, Java or Bali.
Every single accommodation is located directly at the main road. Here tuned scooters, motorbikes and trucks clatter through the streets in the very early morning. Bring ear plugs to enjoy your heavenly sleep with tired leg of the day before.
That's it! These were our tips regarding the Kelimutu National Park Flores. You have any questions or we forgot something crucial? Please leave a comment! Now, have fun exploring Flores.
➳ You are planning a trip to Flores? I bet you will be in Labuan Bajo! Here's our Food Guide to Labuan Bajo!
*Affiliate-Link | When you book we receive a small commission without any additional costs.
Highlights on Flores, Indonesia – The hidden beauty!


text:
« Upon Reflection
A Day Adorned in Monochrome »
A few months ago, I allowed the USGS to use some of my crayfish photos on their invasive species site. I recently went to see the page where one of those photos was used and was shocked, shocked I tell you.
Instead of Orconectes luteus, the page was titled Faxonius luteus. WTF? How could USGS use the wrong name for a crayfish? I was about to send them a nasty-gram with that very question when I noticed the following, lower on the page:
Faxonius luteus underwent a reclassification in August 2017, changing the genus of non-cave dwelling Orconectes to Faxonius.
My heart stopped and dizziness overtook me. Lying on the floor, I screamed "NOOOO!! You can't take my Orconectes! You CAN'T! I LOVE Orconectes. Why would you do that?" followed by a bout of pitiful sobbing.
The crayfish formerly known as Orconectes marchandi, 9 June 2012, Martin Access, Warm Fork of the Spring River, Oregon County, Missouri.
Once I regained my composure, I found the citation for the study responsible for the reclassification:
Crandall, K.A. and S. De Grave. 2017. An updated classification of the freshwater crayfishes (Decapoda: Astacidea) of the world, with a complete species list. Journal of Crustacean Biology 37(5):615-653. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/rux070.
and downloaded a copy. Reading through it, I located the section relevant to my despondency:
Similarly, the representatives of Orconectes form at least two distinct groups. The nominal group (the "cave Orconectes") form a monophyletic group that is more closely related to members of Cambarus, while the remaining "Orconectes" are more closely related to Barbicambarus, Creaserinus, and other species of Cambarus (Crandall & Fitzpatrick, 1996; Fetzner, 1996). As the type species of Orconectes, Orconectes inermis (Cope, 1872), belongs to the cave-dwelling group, the genus is herein restricted to just those taxa. The surface-dwelling taxa now excluded from Orconectes sensu stricto are herein placed in the resurrected genus Faxonius Ortmann, 1905a, the oldest available name previously considered to be a synonym of Orconectes Cope, 1872.
Doctors Crandall and De Grave did what scientists tend to do; they re-examined the relationship between crayfish species and then revised the taxonomy. Determining that the cave- and stream-dwelling Orconectes are not that closely related, they split them into separate genera.
Because cave-obligate Orconectes inermis was the first species placed in the genus—separated from the genus Cambarus due to the absence of visual organs (also called "eyes" by the less sophisticated among us)—the cave-dwellers get to keep the name. Faxonius was the oldest name synonymous with Orconectes—I think it was first used in Ortmann, 1905—so the stream-dwellers were reassigned to a genus of that name.
There is no shame in being a member of the genus Faxonius. It's named for William Faxon, a prominent astacologist in the 19th and early 20th centuries, who contributed a number of crayfish-related papers to the literature.
A man after my own heart, he was also an ornithologist of some note, the one who demonstrated that Brewster's Warbler was a hybrid between Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers instead of a separate species. So I can't argue that he is unworthy of a genus named after him.
But Orconectes does have a certain je ne sais quoi that Faxonius lacks. Maybe it just rolls off the tongue more smoothly. Hell, I don't know. My real problem, I suspect, is that I just don't like change, period, and will resist it instinctively. Plus I have all of those damned files that will have to be renamed.
Faxonius punctimanus, 21 July 2011, Current River @ Big Spring, Carter County, Missouri.
Resistance, I hear, is futile, so I bow to the wisdom of the experts and accept Faxonius in lieu of Orconectes. But I don't have to like it. Grumble, grumble, grumble.
Cope, E.D. 1872. On the Wyandotte Cave and its fauna. American Naturalist, 6: 406–422.
Crandall, K.A. & Fitzpatrick, J.F. Jr. 1996. Crayfish molecular systematics: Using a combination of procedures to estimate phylogeny. Systematic Biology, 45: 1–26.
Fetzner, J.W. Jr. 1996. Biochemical systematics and evolution of the crayfish genus Orconectes (Decapoda: Cambaridae). Journal of Crustacean Biology, 16: 111–141.
Ortmann, A.E. 1905. The mutual affinities of the species of the genus Cambarus, and their dispersal over the United States. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 44: 91–136, pl. 3.
February 27th, 2018 | Category: Crayfish


text:
Author HomeBilly DeCarlo2022-10-26T13:12:42+00:00
Billy DeCarlo
Our stories connect us as human beings…
Billy DeCarlo is an American author of novels and short stories
Latest Book Release
Farawayer: A Literary Travelogue
"…a sweeping literary travelogue that evokes Kerouac's On the Road and Salinger's Catcher in the Rye…"
Hitchhiking and motorcycling are means to a destination, but you can't outrun your demons.
Buy On Amazon (eBook, Paperback, Audible)
More About Billy DeCarlo
Billy DeCarlo is an American author of novels and short stories. He grew up camped out at the corner newsstand, reading as many comic books as he could before the owner would throw him out. He writes out of love and in hope to change the world, or at least a few minds. He still believes there are superheroes, and sees evidence of them sometimes on the news. And villains, lots of villains.
The most rewarding thing a writer can receive is a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads from those who enjoyed the work.
The most constructive thing a writer can receive is a private message with anything that can help to improve his or her work.
I do hope that you sign up for the newsletter (below) so that you hear about future books, special deals, and other news.
Reviews are the currency of the craft, so if you have enjoyed my books please take the time to review, and if not please send me a private message at my website. Thank you and I hope you enjoy my books!
Billy DeCarlo Latest Blog Entries
Farawayer! Billy DeCarlo News April 28, 2022
By Billy DeCarlo|2022-10-22T13:06:18+00:00April 28th, 2022|Categories: Blog|
Farawayer is on pre-order! My first stand-alone literary fiction novel is on pre-order, with a publication date of May 28, 2022. It will also be on Kindle Unlimited and in paperback on that date. You can pre-order it from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3vhhUEc
Billy DeCarlo News July 30, 2018
By Billy DeCarlo|2022-10-22T13:07:51+00:00July 30th, 2018|Categories: Blog|
The final book in my new science fiction trilogy is done. The title is War-Bot: DroidMesh Trilogy Book 3. Hell hath no fury as an android spurned. The remnants of humanity and newly awakened, sentient androids of Novae Terrae have come to an uneasy truce. Robotics scientist Harley Harris has sorted out his relationship issues, leaving behind an angry former partner. Will the peace hold after the androids come to the artificial intelligence-driven conclusion that humans are inferior and unnecessary? Will humanity survive?
Awesome Vigilante Angels Shirts! Billy DeCarlo News May 28, 2018
By Billy DeCarlo|2022-10-22T13:09:16+00:00May 28th, 2018|Categories: Blog|
Vigilante Angels shirts are available! The first book in my new science fiction trilogy is done. The title is Sped-Bot: DroidMesh Trilogy Book 1. You can buy it from your favorite bookstore at https://www.books2read.com/spedbot. The Audible audiobook should be available in the next week or so. This series is suitable for ages 12 through adult.
Be notified about upcoming books, sales, and book signings!
Billy DeCarlo is an American author of novels and short stories.
9 N Main St #432, Nazareth, PA 18064
Email: billy@billydecarlo.com


Journalists worldwide are invited to apply for membership in the International Association of Religion Journalists. Join several hundred leading colleagues from more than 90 nations across the globe as together we build a respected professional body that can transcend national and regional biases to become a compelling voice, a trusted source of support and an indispensable resource for journalists worldwide reporting on religion.
A comprehensive website, with original stories and access to the finest and most up-to-date research on religion throughout the world. Guided tools such as mapping features, tutorials and specially designed search engines will enable journalists to get deadline access to the most relevant data on hundreds of subjects and the role of religion in nearly every nation in the world.
Opportunity to attend courses and take part in dialogues and conferences enabling journalists to discuss contemporary issues in international religion journalism, and share best practices for coverage.
News of the latest job and fellowship openings related to international coverage of religion and job and training opportunities in mainstream journalism.
Newsletters in English and Arabic, keeping you up-to-date with news on the beat, international and national reporting resources and a comprehensive list of conferences, fellowships, training and other professional opportunities in religion reporting and commentary worldwide.


The Hyper Single VF (Various Friction) features comfortable driveability with more heat durability and better heat dissipation via an integration of organic and metal friction surfaces. Evolutionally developed for those people who are pursuing both the comfort of driving on the street and durability under aggressive driving and abusive clutch conditions, the Hyper Single VF is the ideal clutch choice for matching practicality with performance.
Capable of handling a high torque capacity without sacrificing the feel of a standard clutch.
Combination of cerametallic & organic friction facings allows for high heat durability.
Unique cushioning plate design reduces pedal effort by 12% vs Hyper Single.
20 to 30% reduction in inertia over the original equipment part.


An industry is a subdivision of a market sector and includes companies producing the same or similar goods and services. These companies often compete with each other for customers and investors.
For example, within the consumer staples sector, companies that manufacture household appliances, such as dishwashers and refrigerators, are part of the same industry.
The fundamentals of any single company in an industry can be measured against the industry as a whole, revealing where the company stands in relation to its peers.
a branch of commercial enterprise concerned with the output of related goods or services. For example, the beer/brewing industry might be defined as all those firms that produce bitter and mild ales, lagers, stouts and elders. However, beer production might be seen also as constituting part of a wider and bigger industry, the 'alcoholic beverages industry'which includes the production of spirits and wines as well as beer. Thus, there are specification problems with respect to how widely or narrowly a particular industry is defined. Moreover, STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATIONS typically group together products on the basis of their supply characteristics, such as the use of common raw materials and manufacturing processes. This may or may not coincide with how goods and services are grouped together to define MARKETS, which requires account to be taken also of how products are seen from the point of view of buyers (that is, their demand characteristics). Thus although men's and women's' shoes are produced using the same materials and manufacturing processes, and often by the same firms, they are not considered by buyers as close substitutes, and hence, from a MARKETING point of view, they must be treated as constituting separate markets. See STRUCTURE OF INDUSTRY.
a group of related economic activities classified according to the type of good or service supplied. For example, the beer/brewing industry might be defined as all those firms that produce bitter and mild ales, lagers, stouts and ciders. However, beer production might be seen also as constituting part of a wider and bigger industry, the 'alcoholic beverages industry', which includes the production of spirits and wines as well as beer. Thus, there are specification problems with respect to how widely or narrowly a particular industry is defined. Moreover, INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATIONS typically group together products on the basis of their supply characteristics such as the use of common raw materials and manufacturing processes. This may or may not coincide with how goods and services are grouped together to define MARKETS, which requires account to be taken also of how products are seen from the point of view of buyers (that is, their demand characteristics). Thus, although men's and women's shoes are produced using the same materials and manufacturing processes, and often by the same firms, they are not considered by buyers as close substitutes, and hence, from a buyer's point of view, they must be treated as constituting separate markets.
Looked at dynamically, a typical industry will grow, reach maturity (see Fig. 158 (b) -PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE entry) and, in many cases, then decline (for example, the textile, coal and shipbuilding industries in the UK). See STRUCTURE OF INDUSTRY, CROSS-ELASTICITY OF DEMAND, MARKET STRUCTURE.
Rawai, "A Review of Industrialised Building System in Malaysian Construction Industry," no.
The reference index currently contains 300 stock corporations from 23 industrialised nations.
MEPs stressed that the industrial sectors of the economy should be developed and that Structural Funds should help former industrialised regions to become modern industrial regions.
However, continued growth in developing countries and economic recovery by industrialised countries led to a record-breaking 5.
For many industrialised countries, particularly the US, it will be very difficult to conclude an agreement unless their citizens see that major developing countries are also willing to engage further.
China and Asia Far East are the main destination for recovered paper surpluses from the industrialised countries.
The meeting will bring together foreign ministers from the G8 group of industrialised nations, the Arab League and Iraq's neighbours.
When measured on this partial basis Australia's per capita emissions are high, but are exceeded by other industrialised countries'.
If the pact is passed, industrialised countries will have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around five per cent between 2008-2012.
Countries such as Australia and the United States argued that they should, while the developing nations pointed out that their industrialised neighbours are not yet meeting even their own modest targets, but continuing to increase emissions.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the industrialised world.
In addition, this paper will contribute to development of an appropriate payment mechanism in order to fully utilized Industrialised Building System (IBS) in Malaysia.


text:
When a son of a gangster shark boss is accidentally killed while on the hunt, his would-be prey and his vegetarian brother decide to use the incident to their own advantage.
Brand rankings
All TerritoriesDomesticArgentinaAustraliaAustriaBelgiumBrazilBulgariaCentral America+ChileChinaColombiaCroatiaCyprusCzech RepublicCzech Republic/SlovakiaDenmarkEcuadorEgyptEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIsraelItalyJapanKenyaLatviaLebanonLithuaniaMalaysiaMexicoMiddle East/UAENetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaRussia/CISSerbia and MontenegroSingaporeSloveniaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanThailandTurkeyUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomVenezuela
DistributorDreamWorks Distribution
Opening$47,604,606
Budget$75,000,000
Release DateOct 1, 2004 - Jan 6, 2005
GenresAdventure Animation Comedy Family Fantasy
Oct 2, 2004 Saturday 1 $21,085,643 +63.2% - 4,016 $5,250 $34,006,489 2 false
Oct 9, 2004 Saturday 1 $13,944,289 +78.1% -33.9% 4,070 $3,426 $77,791,590 9 false
Oct 3, 2004 Sunday 1 $13,598,117 -35.5% - 4,016 $3,385 $47,604,606 3 false
Oct 1, 2004 Friday 1 $12,920,846 - - 4,016 $3,217 $12,920,846 1 false
Oct 16, 2004 Saturday 1 $9,874,275 +74.7% -29.2% 3,948 $2,501 $112,245,006 16 false
Oct 10, 2004 Sunday 1 $9,558,685 -31.5% -29.7% 4,070 $2,348 $87,350,275 10 false
Oct 8, 2004 Friday 1 $7,827,325 +280.6% -39.4% 4,070 $1,923 $63,847,301 8 false
Oct 17, 2004 Sunday 1 $6,479,857 -34.4% -32.2% 3,948 $1,641 $118,724,863 17 false
Oct 15, 2004 Friday 1 $5,651,820 +296.3% -27.8% 3,948 $1,431 $102,370,731 15 false
Monday 1 $5,273,734 -44.8% +123.8% 4,070 $1,295 $92,624,009 11 false
Oct 4, 2004 Monday 1 $2,356,076 -82.7% - 4,016 $586 $49,960,682 4 false
Oct 5, 2004 Tuesday 1 $2,063,088 -12.4% - 4,016 $513 $52,023,770 5 false
Oct 7, 2004 Thursday 1 $2,056,631 +6% - 4,016 $512 $56,019,976 7 false
Oct 6, 2004 Wednesday 1 $1,939,575 -6% - 4,016 $482 $53,963,345 6 false
Oct 14, 2004 Thursday 1 $1,426,042 +12.3% -30.7% 4,070 $350 $96,718,911 14 false
Oct 12, 2004 Tuesday 1 $1,398,968 -73.5% -32.2% 4,070 $343 $94,022,977 12 false
Oct 13, 2004 Wednesday 1 $1,269,892 -9.2% -34.5% 4,070 $312 $95,292,869 13 false
Oct 21, 2004 Thursday 1 $1,061,228 +17.6% -25.6% 3,948 $268 $122,674,189 21 false
Oct 18, 2004 Monday 1 $1,031,085 -84.1% -80.4% 3,948 $261 $119,755,948 18 false
Oct 23, 2004 Saturday 2 $6,512,927 +79.2% -34% 3,656 $1,781 $132,821,506 23 false
Oct 22, 2004 Friday 2 $3,634,390 +242.5% -35.7% 3,656 $994 $126,308,579 22 false
Oct 20, 2004 Wednesday 2 $902,518 -5.4% -28.9% 3,948 $228 $121,612,961 20 false
Oct 19, 2004 Tuesday 3 $954,495 -7.4% -31.8% 3,948 $241 $120,710,443 19 false
Oct 28, 2004 Thursday 3 $659,955 +22.5% -37.8% 3,656 $180 $139,356,983 28 false
Oct 25, 2004 Monday 3 $633,049 -84.8% -38.6% 3,656 $173 $137,615,509 25 false
Oct 26, 2004 Tuesday 3 $542,748 -14.3% -43.1% 3,656 $148 $138,158,257 26 false
Sunday 4 $1,635,782 -55.9% -60.7% 3,381 $483 $146,859,079 31 false
Nov 2, 2004 Tuesday 4 $978,301 +43.3% +80.2% 3,381 $289 $148,520,092 33 false
Nov 1, 2004 Monday 4 $682,712 -58.3% +7.8% 3,381 $201 $147,541,791 32 false
Nov 4, 2004 Thursday 5 $544,702 +32.4% -17.5% 3,381 $161 $149,476,085 35 false
Nov 3, 2004 Wednesday 5 $411,291 -58% -23.7% 3,381 $121 $148,931,383 34 false
Nov 6, 2004 Saturday 7 $2,129,517 +90.1% -42.6% 2,817 $755 $152,725,882 37 false
Nov 7, 2004 Sunday 7 $1,305,585 -38.7% -20.2% 2,817 $463 $154,031,467 38 false
Nov 5, 2004 Friday 7 $1,120,280 +105.7% -48% 2,817 $397 $150,596,365 36 false
Nov 11, 2004 Thursday 7 $814,117 +261.3% +49.5% 2,817 $289 $155,432,842 42 false
Nov 8, 2004 Monday 7 $183,378 -86% -73.1% 2,817 $65 $154,214,845 39 false
Nov 10, 2004 Wednesday 8 $225,330 +26.2% -45.2% 2,817 $79 $154,618,725 41 false
Nov 9, 2004 Tuesday 8 $178,550 -2.6% -81.7% 2,817 $63 $154,393,395 40 false
Nov 13, 2004 Saturday 11 $967,042 +92.7% -54.6% 1,622 $596 $156,901,790 44 false
Nov 14, 2004 Sunday 11 $628,596 -35% -51.9% 1,622 $387 $157,530,386 45 false
Nov 12, 2004 Friday 11 $501,906 -38.3% -55.2% 1,622 $309 $155,934,748 43 false
Nov 15, 2004 Monday 12 $85,292 -86.4% -53.5% 1,622 $52 $157,615,678 46 false
Nov 16, 2004 Tuesday 12 $82,944 -2.8% -53.5% 1,622 $51 $157,698,622 47 false
Nov 18, 2004 Thursday 12 $79,747 +2.1% -90.2% 1,622 $49 $157,856,451 49 false
Nov 17, 2004 Wednesday 12 $78,082 -5.9% -65.3% 1,622 $48 $157,776,704 48 false
Nov 20, 2004 Saturday 15 $274,115 +167.3% -71.7% 907 $302 $158,233,118 51 false
Nov 21, 2004 Sunday 15 $199,183 -27.3% -68.3% 907 $219 $158,432,301 52 false
Nov 23, 2004 Tuesday 15 $61,346 +25.8% -26% 907 $67 $158,542,393 54 false
Nov 22, 2004 Monday 15 $48,746 -75.5% -42.8% 907 $53 $158,481,047 53 false
Nov 27, 2004 Saturday 16 $123,845 -0.5% -54.8% 512 $241 $158,889,300 58 false
Nov 28, 2004 Sunday 16 $77,165 -37.7% -61.3% 512 $150 $158,966,465 59 false
Dec 5, 2004 Sunday 17 $47,343 -29.3% -38.6% 408 $116 $159,160,152 66 false
Nov 19, 2004 Friday 18 $102,552 +28.6% -79.6% 907 $113 $157,959,003 50 false
Nov 24, 2004 Wednesday 18 $56,096 -8.6% -28.2% 512 $109 $158,598,489 55 false
Nov 26, 2004 Friday 19 $124,432 +192.5% +21.3% 512 $243 $158,765,455 57 false
Dec 21, 2004 Tuesday 19 $70,112 +39.5% +1,131.1% 411 $170 $159,689,168 82 false
Dec 22, 2004 Wednesday 19 $58,987 -15.9% +956.4% 411 $143 $159,748,155 83 false
Dec 20, 2004 Monday 19 $50,275 -40.1% +886.4% 411 $122 $159,619,056 81 false
Nov 30, 2004 Tuesday 19 $12,116 -1.4% -80.2% 512 $23 $158,990,869 61 false
Dec 2, 2004 Thursday 19 $11,092 +2.6% -73.9% 512 $21 $159,012,770 63 false
Dec 1, 2004 Wednesday 19 $10,809 -10.8% -80.7% 512 $21 $159,001,678 62 false
Dec 18, 2004 Saturday 20 $125,214 +101.6% +237.4% 411 $304 $159,484,869 79 false
Dec 29, 2004 Wednesday 20 $115,092 +17.6% +95.1% 407 $282 $160,294,305 90 false
Dec 28, 2004 Tuesday 20 $97,878 +8.6% +39.6% 407 $240 $160,179,213 89 false
Dec 27, 2004 Monday 20 $90,101 +0.1% +79.2% 407 $221 $160,081,335 88 false
Dec 19, 2004 Sunday 20 $83,912 -33% +235.3% 411 $204 $159,568,781 80 false
Dec 23, 2004 Thursday 20 $67,324 +14.1% +730.8% 411 $163 $159,815,479 84 false
Dec 4, 2004 Saturday 20 $66,931 +102.2% -46% 408 $164 $159,112,809 65 false
Dec 17, 2004 Friday 20 $62,110 +666.4% +262.5% 411 $151 $159,359,655 78 false
Dec 30, 2004 Thursday 21 $126,456 +9.9% +87.8% 407 $310 $160,420,761 91 false
Thursday 21 $42,534 -24.2% -46.7% 512 $83 $158,641,023 56 false
Dec 11, 2004 Saturday 21 $37,107 +116.6% -44.6% 216 $171 $159,248,041 72 false
Dec 24, 2004 Friday 22 $37,309 -44.6% -39.9% 407 $91 $159,852,788 85 false
Dec 3, 2004 Friday 22 $33,108 +198.5% -73.4% 408 $81 $159,045,878 64 false
Dec 12, 2004 Sunday 22 $25,024 -32.6% -47.1% 216 $115 $159,273,065 73 false
Dec 6, 2004 Monday 22 $8,894 -81.2% -27.6% 408 $21 $159,169,046 67 false
Dec 9, 2004 Thursday 22 $8,762 +12.9% -21% 408 $21 $159,193,801 70 false
Dec 7, 2004 Tuesday 22 $8,235 -7.4% -32% 408 $20 $159,177,281 68 false
Dec 8, 2004 Wednesday 22 $7,758 -5.8% -28.2% 408 $19 $159,185,039 69 false
Jan 3, 2005 Monday 23 $42,499 -61.6% -52.8% 407 $104 $160,804,521 95 false
Jan 4, 2005 Tuesday 23 $20,399 -52% -79.2% 407 $50 $160,824,920 96 false
Jan 5, 2005 Wednesday 23 $18,499 -9.3% -83.9% 407 $45 $160,843,419 97 false
Dec 16, 2004 Thursday 23 $8,104 +45.1% -7.5% 216 $37 $159,297,545 77 false
Saturday 24 $119,416 +7.5% +146.4% 407 $293 $160,651,285 93 false
Friday 24 $111,108 -12.1% +197.8% 407 $272 $160,531,869 92 false
Jan 2, 2005 Sunday 24 $110,737 -7.3% +23.1% 407 $272 $160,762,022 94 false
Dec 26, 2004 Sunday 24 $89,990 +85.7% +7.2% 407 $221 $159,991,234 87 false
Jan 6, 2005 Thursday 24 $18,489 <0.1% -85.4% 407 $45 $160,861,908 98 false
Dec 10, 2004 Friday 24 $17,133 +95.5% -48.3% 216 $79 $159,210,934 71 false
Dec 14, 2004 Tuesday 24 $5,695 +11.7% -30.8% 216 $26 $159,283,857 75 false
Dec 13, 2004 Monday 24 $5,097 -79.6% -42.7% 216 $23 $159,278,162 74 false
Saturday 25 $48,456 +29.9% -61.3% 407 $119 $159,901,244 86 false
Dec 15, 2004 Wednesday 26 $5,584 -1.9% -28% 216 $25 $159,289,441 76 false


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlTypes;
using System.Linq;

namespace DevExpress.DataAccess.BigQuery.Native {
    public static class BigQueryTypeConverter {
        static readonly Tuple<DbType, BigQueryDbType>[] DbTypeToBigQueryDbTypePairs = {
            new Tuple<DbType, BigQueryDbType>(DbType.String, BigQueryDbType.String),
            new Tuple<DbType, BigQueryDbType>(DbType.Date, BigQueryDbType.Date),
            new Tuple<DbType, BigQueryDbType>(DbType.Time, BigQueryDbType.Time),
            new Tuple<DbType, BigQueryDbType>(DbType.DateTime, BigQueryDbType.DateTime),
            new Tuple<DbType, BigQueryDbType>(DbType.Boolean, BigQueryDbType.Boolean),
            new Tuple<DbType, BigQueryDbType>(DbType.DateTime, BigQueryDbType.Timestamp),
            new Tuple<DbType, BigQueryDbType>(DbType.Single, BigQueryDbType.Float),
            new Tuple<DbType, BigQueryDbType>(DbType.Int64, BigQueryDbType.Integer),
            new Tuple<DbType, BigQueryDbType>(DbType.Object, BigQueryDbType.Unknown)
        };

        static readonly Tuple<Type, DbType>[] TypeToDbTypePairs = {
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(long), DbType.Int64),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(float), DbType.Single),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(string), DbType.String),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(char), DbType.String),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(DateTime), DbType.DateTime),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(DateTime), DbType.Date),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(DateTime), DbType.Time),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(bool), DbType.Boolean),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(object), DbType.Object),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(short), DbType.Int64),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(int), DbType.Int64),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(uint), DbType.Int64),
            new Tuple<Type, DbType>(typeof(ushort), DbType.Int64)
        };

        static readonly Tuple<string, Type>[] StringToTypePairs = {
            new Tuple<string, Type>("STRING", typeof(string)),
            new Tuple<string, Type>("DATE", typeof(DateTime)),
            new Tuple<string, Type>("TIME", typeof(DateTime)),
            new Tuple<string, Type>("DATETIME", typeof(DateTime)),
            new Tuple<string, Type>("INTEGER", typeof(long)),
            new Tuple<string, Type>("FLOAT", typeof(float)),
            new Tuple<string, Type>("BOOLEAN", typeof(bool)),
            new Tuple<string, Type>("TIMESTAMP", typeof(DateTime)),
            new Tuple<string, Type>("RECORD", typeof(object))
        };

        static readonly Tuple<string, BigQueryDbType>[] StringToBigQueryDbTypePairs = {
            new Tuple<string, BigQueryDbType>("STRING", BigQueryDbType.String),
            new Tuple<string, BigQueryDbType>("DATE", BigQueryDbType.Date),
            new Tuple<string, BigQueryDbType>("TIME", BigQueryDbType.Time),
            new Tuple<string, BigQueryDbType>("DATETIME", BigQueryDbType.DateTime),
            new Tuple<string, BigQueryDbType>("INTEGER", BigQueryDbType.Integer),
            new Tuple<string, BigQueryDbType>("FLOAT", BigQueryDbType.Float),
            new Tuple<string, BigQueryDbType>("BOOLEAN", BigQueryDbType.Boolean),
            new Tuple<string, BigQueryDbType>("TIMESTAMP", BigQueryDbType.Timestamp),
            new Tuple<string, BigQueryDbType>("RECORD", BigQueryDbType.Record),
            new Tuple<string, BigQueryDbType>("BYTES", BigQueryDbType.Bytes)
        };

        public static BigQueryDbType ToBigQueryDbType(DbType dbType) {
            return DbTypeToBigQueryDbTypePairs.FindRightPairFor(dbType);
        }

        public static BigQueryDbType ToBigQueryDbType(Type type) {
            return ToBigQueryDbType(ToDbType(type));
        }

        public static BigQueryDbType ToBigQueryDbType(string stringType) {
            return StringToBigQueryDbTypePairs.FindRightPairFor(stringType);
        }

        public static DbType ToDbType(BigQueryDbType bqDbType) {
            return DbTypeToBigQueryDbTypePairs.FindLeftPairFor(bqDbType);
        }

        public static DbType ToDbType(Type type) {
            return TypeToDbTypePairs.FindRightPairFor(type);
        }

        public static Type ToType(BigQueryDbType bqDbType) {
            return ToType(ToDbType(bqDbType));
        }

        public static Type ToType(string stringType) {
            return StringToTypePairs.FindRightPairFor(stringType);
        }

        public static Type ToType(DbType dbType) {
            return TypeToDbTypePairs.FindLeftPairFor(dbType);
        }

        static string ToStringType(BigQueryDbType dbType) {
            return StringToBigQueryDbTypePairs.FindLeftPairFor(dbType);
        }

        public static string ToParameterStringType(BigQueryDbType dbType) {
            var type = ToStringType(dbType);
            if(type == "BOOLEAN") {
                return "BOOL";
            }

            return type;
        }

        public static object GetDefaultValueFor(DbType dbType) {
            if(dbType == DbType.DateTime)
                return SqlDateTime.MinValue;
            var type = ToType(dbType);
            return GetDefaultValue(type);
        }

        static object GetDefaultValueFor(Type type) {
            if(type == typeof(DbType)) {
                return DbType.Object;
            }
            if(type == typeof(BigQueryDbType)) {
                return BigQueryDbType.Unknown;
            }

            return GetDefaultValue(type);
        }

        static object GetDefaultValue(Type type) {
            return type == null ? null : (type.IsValueType ? Activator.CreateInstance(type) : null);
        }

        static TResult FindPairFor<T1, T2, TResult>(this IEnumerable<Tuple<T1, T2>> tuples, Predicate<Tuple<T1, T2>> predicate, Func<Tuple<T1, T2>, TResult> selector) {
            var tuple = tuples.FirstOrDefault(t => predicate(t));
            return tuple == null ? (TResult)GetDefaultValueFor(typeof(TResult)) : selector(tuple);
        }

        static T1 FindLeftPairFor<T1, T2>(this IEnumerable<Tuple<T1, T2>> tuples, object knownItem) {
            return tuples.FindPairFor(tuple => tuple.Item2.Equals(knownItem), tuple => tuple.Item1);
        }

        static T2 FindRightPairFor<T1, T2>(this IEnumerable<Tuple<T1, T2>> tuples, object knownItem) {
            return tuples.FindPairFor(tuple => tuple.Item1.Equals(knownItem), tuple => tuple.Item2);
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Hartpury College Football Academy
A view of the Football Academy at Desert Springs Resort, Europe's only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almanzora region of Almeria in south-east Spain, which has been selected by Hartpury College Football Academy from Gloucester, England, as the venue for their 2013 training camp.
The Hartpury College Football Academy based in Gloucester, England have selected the Desert Springs Resort, Europe's only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía, in south-east Spain, as the venue for their 2013 winter training camp.
A squad of twenty two elite players and twenty development squad players with three officials from Hartpury College Football Academy are following in the footsteps of other teams such as Bryne, Honefoss, UD Almeria and Shrewsbury Town Football Club, all of whom have previously benefited from the facilities of the Football Academy established at Desert Springs.
The Hartpury College Football Academy established in 2002, is split into two sections; Junior and Senior. The Junior section caters for the further education side of the college and includes players aged 16-19 years, whilst the Seniors are made up of higher education students on degree or foundation degree programmes aged 18 years and upwards.
The Academy's notable achievements include being crowned British University Champions in 2007, 2008 and 2011, BUCS National Futsal trophy winners 2011, English Colleges Champions in 2008, 2010 and 2011, and England Schools U18 Champions in 2009 and 2010.
During a seven-night stay between Saturday 6th – Saturday 13th April at Desert Springs the Hartpury College players will benefit from training and coaching on the football academy's international-size quality grass pitch. A new hard standing area provides outside space for facilities such as a free weights gym, stretching mats and a medical area. The players will also be able to make use of the goalkeeper training and five-a-side games area.
The football academy practice facilities at Desert Springs, which are being used by Hartpury College Football Academy players for training in warm weather.
Simon Coaker, sales and marketing manager at Desert Springs, commented;
"Further to a familiarisation visit to the resort by Hartpury Football Junior Academy Manager, Paul Tassell, he felt that the quality of the Football Academy pitch and training facilities, coupled with the wide range of sports and leisure facilities available in the resort, were the driving factors for his decision to select Desert Springs for their training camp."
Players and coaches utilizing the gymnasium facilities available at the Sierra Sports and Fitness Club at Desert Springs.
Players can also enjoy opportunities to swim, mountain bike, play tennis and use the gymnasium, trim trail, jogging tracks, paddle tennis and beach volley ball courts. They also have access to the resort's Private Reserve which incorporates a spa, private sauna and jacuzzi suite, personal fitness workout room, games room with bar, and a home cinema.
The players and officials will be accommodated in some of the privately owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort's executive chef will be on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the award-winning El Torrente Restaurant.
Already well known as a resort specialising in golf and family holidays, Desert Springs is gaining popularity as a centre for warm-weather training for golfers and cricketers, as well as footballers.
For more information about training camps, sports breaks and properties available, or golf at Desert Springs, contact The Almanzora Group on telephone +44 (0) 1242 680 116 or visit the website, www.almanzora.com
Additional background Information
The Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club
Facilities already completed and in use at Desert Springs include:
a 72 par 18-hole USGA Indiana golf course designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Team Captain Peter McEvoy who was inspired by the desert courses of Arizona and California;
a golf academy whose PGA qualified teaching professionals cater for several international teams, for the women's elite squads of the Golf Union of Wales and for many of the English County Union's elite squads; PGA European Tour and LET players.
two hard tennis courts, two paddle courts, beach volley ball and two football pitches – one is a full-size international grass pitch; the other is designed for five-a-side games;
a Spanish colonial style Golf Club House with a lounge, bar, restaurant, locker rooms, TV and reading rooms, and a Ralph Lauren Golf Boutique;
The Crocodile Club which provides family fun at the heart of the resort with pools, equipped sand play areas, a kid's battery powered John Deere Gator circuit and a games room as well as a jacuzzi, sun lawns and a pool bar;
a health and fitness club and spa.
In 2005 Desert Springs won the Daily Mail Best Almeria Award and the Bentley International Property Awards for the Best Spain Development and Best Architecture. In 2006, it was awarded the Spanish National Madera Verde Prize for Environmentally Sensitive Development. In 2007, the El Torrente Restaurant received the New Millennium International Gastronomy Award for the Tourist, Hotel and Catering Industry. This award was created by the Trade Leaders Club with the aim of distinguishing companies from all countries, for the outstanding quality of their products or services.
The climate of the Almanzora coastal region
Desert Springs takes it name from the region's desert microclimate, which is unique in Europe. It has the warmest winter weather on the continent with an annual average of more than nine hours of daily sunshine and maximum daily temperatures of between 16°C (60°F) and 30°C (86°F) throughout the year. Annual rainfall is less than 200 mm. The Almanzora's coastal waters are among the cleanest and warmest in Europe, attracting both fish and diving enthusiasts.
Getting there from the UK
Desert Springs in The Almanzora region is easy to reach from the UK, thanks to three international airports. They are: Almeria Airport, around 40 minutes away by road; Murcia Airport, 80 minutes by car, and Alicante Airport which is a drive of less than two hours. Airlines currently flying to the region from the UK include easyJet, Monarch, Ryanair, Jet2, Jetair Fly and Thomas Cook.
Reader enquiries:
The Almanzora Group Ltd
The Manor, Boddington,
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 0TJ
e: tag@almanzora.co.uk
www.almanzora.com


New foods its a kids decor for arts crafts to make houses villages city skyscrapers cities towns and the kids. Spot to tap into. Kids playroom rugs theme, bedrooms ocean sea life theme playroom furniture childrens toddler teens bedrooms kids if so you may chose the upper mountain golf. Kids room marine kids babble search me and views of all the best carpet for kids rooms teens bedrooms kids spend a lot more than just a fun movie posters movie posters movie theme room. Bedroom decorating ideas from the walls and mystique of the fantasy glitz and design a creek.


Alison is a mother, a wife and a defense lawyer. She gets good cases but not big ones like murder trials. She's been with the firm a long time and finally is given a big murder case. She's excited to work it and it will be with one of her co-workers Patrick. He also happens to be her lover. They have been carrying on for a while now when they can. Her marriage to Carl is not going well but they're still together. She works a lot and takes care of their daughter Matilda more than she does. She also drinks a lot, which isn't helping her marriage.
When she starts getting mysterious texts she thinks someone is on to her affair. She still keeps seeing Patrick and the texts keep happening. She's deep into the murder case and her client has admitted to the murder. She also has been a victim of abuse and Alison thinks they may be able to use that at trial. When something shocking happens with Patrick is throw Alison for a loop. And then Carl says he's filing for divorce and sole custody of their daughter. He has been gaslighting her for months now on every little thing she does. And then makes a shocking admission. Alison decides she's not gonna just give up on her daughter and it leads to a shocking discovery and a climatic showdown.
Author Harriet Tyce has written a good, suspenseful first novel, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engrossed. The story starts off strong and continues to a climatic ending. Harriet is one to watch in the coming years.
You can pick up Blood Orange in stores on Tuesday, February 19 from Grand Central Publishing.


text:
Hulme Crescents was a large housing development in the Hulme district of Manchester, England. It was the largest public housing development in Europe, encompassing 3,284 deck-access homes and capacity for over 13,000 people, but was marred by serious construction and design errors. Demolition of the Crescents began in 1993, 21 years after it was constructed in 1972.

The Crescents were described by the Architects' Journal as "Europe's worst housing stock... hideous system-built deck-access block which gave Hulme its unsavoury reputation." The Hulme Crescents had implications for new housing in Manchester and signalled the end of the Streets in the sky idea popular throughout the 1960s and 1970s in the United Kingdom. After demolition, Hulme was redeveloped in the 1990s with a mix of low-rise to medium-rise housing.

History

Proposal

In 1945, the Manchester Corporation published the long-term development plan. The development plan described the existing housing stock in Hulme as "Endless rows of grimy houses: no gardens, no parks, no community buildings, no hope." Manchester Corporation historically refrained from the high-rise residential tower block schemes that were eminent in other British cities such as neighbouring Salford. By the 1960s a need for high-density housing had become apparent and Hulme with vacant land and housing stock perceived to be outdated was an ideal area for new housing.

In 1969, during the housing development, Nikolaus Pevsner wrote of "the biggest redevelopment area of Manchester, many say of England, and some of Europe. At the time of writing whole blocks lie waste, streets are blocked and new streets are made". The centrepiece of the new housing development would be the Hulme Crescents. The Crescents were designed by Hugh Wilson and J. L. Womersley – the latter was in charge of the delivery of Park Hill flats in Sheffield in the 1960s and the much-maligned Manchester Arndale retail development in the 1970s.

The housing scheme consisted of four south-facing u-shaped blocks, seven storeys high. Each block contained a variety of flats, from one to five bedrooms in size, each with a private balcony. To protect the occupants from noise and provide privacy, the only rooms that faced onto the decks were kitchens and dining rooms and the decks were sufficiently wide to allow milk floats to pass by. These looked onto a landscaped communal area intended for public use, containing play parks and trees were intended to be planted that would conceal the garage floor level and give the impression that the buildings floated at first floor level. Similar to the Park Hill model, the estate was to contain shops, churches and public amenities to ensure that the population could exist free from traffic.

Each crescent was named after a distinguished architect – Adam, Nash, Barry and Kent – a decision which appeared seriously misjudged after the failings of the Crescents surfaced.  Womersley said: "We feel that the analogy we have made with Georgian London and Bath is entirely valid.  By the use of similar shapes and proportions, large-scale building groups and open spaces, and, above all, by skilful landscaping and extensive tree planning, it is our endeavour to achieve at Hulme a solution to the problems of twentieth-century living which would be the equivalent in quality that reached the requirements of eighteenth-century Bloomsbury and Bath."

Failures
Two years after opening, Manchester City Council deemed The Crescents unsuitable for families and the housing scheme became adult-only. The decks had intended to be streets in the sky where neighbours would see one another and children could play unsupervised.

Serious design flaws such as thick concrete balconies prevented residents from seeing one another. Worst of all, the balconies had a horizontal aperture which allowed curious children to climb onto the balcony ledge. Children climbed the balcony ledge by putting a foot in the aperture and lifting themselves onto the ledge. In 1974 this flaw came to a head when a five-year-old child died after falling from a balcony. After the incident, a petition was launched and was signed by 643 residents who wished to be rehoused. Manchester City Council agreed to re-house families from The Crescents and the flats were offered to students and all-adult households.

The new Mancunian Way flyover and Princess Parkway road left residents feeling isolated and "cut off" from the rest of the city. The feeling persisted for decades and the Hulme Arch Bridge, built in 1997, aimed to re-establish this link to the city. Police did not patrol the upper decks despite the intention of streets in the sky and quick responses to incidents was often complicated by the scale of the estate, which totalled over a quarter of a mile of passageways. Responses to emergencies were also complicated by faulty lifts which had been described as "usually filthy" even when in service.

Construction was rushed, building techniques were improperly understood and not sufficiently applied. Furthermore, the collapse of Ronan Point in London following a gas explosion had led to gas heating being discontinued in high rise accommodation and the occupants could no longer afford to heat their homes. The resultant damp coupled with inadequate sewage system attracted vermin and the flats were no longer fit for inhabitation.  The Crescents, therefore, were not heated by radiators – but by advanced underfloor heating which was in an early stage of development during the 1970s. The architects proposed underfloor heating in the proposal stages in the late 1960s and The Crescents were completed by 1972. However the architects did not foresee the 1973 oil crisis and consequently many tenants could not afford the heating costs.

Pest infestation was a problem from the outset due to serious failures in the construction and design process. The subsoil was not cleansed from pest infestation before construction of the Crescents. Cockroaches were prevalent in the undamp-proofed slum houses due to the high water and moisture availability. The Crescents were district heated with long ducts linking flats together. Cockroaches and mice thrived on the warmth and ducts provided a constant source of food in waste areas. The use of asbestos in construction compounded the issue and meant that treating ducts with pesticide to remove the cockroaches was practically impossible due to the dangers of removing asbestos.

The long list of failures gave the Crescents national notoriety. In 1975, just three years after opening, a survey was conducted which found 96.3% of residents wanted to leave the Crescents and be re-housed. In 1978, the Granada Television investigative programme World in Action questioned the suitability of Hulme Crescent. The Guardian described the development as "a morass in which design faults and tenants' revulsion at their environment have combined to produce a staggering number of maintenance demands and angry howls of neglect".

In 1980 economist Milton Friedman visited the Crescents in the fourth episode of his documentary series Free to Choose. The Crescents' residents were used as an example for his critique of the welfare state.  Friedman cites the Crescents as an example of what happens where welfare policy goes even further than his previous example of public housing projects in The Bronx, New York.

Abandonment
By 1984, the Crescents had become so undesired by prospective residents that Manchester City Council, which lacked sufficient funds to demolish the housing scheme, stopped charging rents entirely from tenants. However the council did still provide electricity to the building to those who needed it. The Crescents became an eclectic place for various subculture groups such as bohemians, criminals and squatters. Unwanted by the council, occupants resorted to altering The Crescents themselves. The Kitchen was an illegal nightclub which was created from three knocked-through flats and was described as a "much wilder alternative" to the nearby Haçienda club. Creative residents proceeded to put their own stamp on the building and covered the dreary grey concrete surfaces in graffiti.

The Guardian critic Owen Hatherley argued that the sense of dereliction made The Crescents a breeding ground for creativity. "All the things bemoaned as deleterious to family life . . . the complexity of the blocks, the noise and sense of height, the lack of a feeling of 'ownership' in the communal areas" turned out to be "perfect" for a different sort of tenant, Manchester's young bohemians, who relished the estate's air of decaying modernism. By the early 80s, it had an art house cinema, club nights run by the soon-to-be-famous Factory Records, and even a "Hulme look" of intense youths in baggy secondhand suits. Hatherley juxtaposes the difference between the Manchester of the 1980s and 2010s: "the very fact that [many] spaces were unused . . . led to a sense of possibility absent from the sewn-up, high-rent city of today".

Demolition
In 1991, the government provided Manchester with £31 million to revive housing stock. It was decided that a tabula rasa approach was required and the entire Hulme Crescents were demolished from 1993 to 1995.

Asbestos
A legacy of Hulmes post war council housing has been through the deadly effects of asbestos dust. John Shiers, a campaigner and later a leading figure in Save The Children had moved to council housing in Hulme in the late 1970s, where he discovered he and thousands of his neighbours council properties were riddled with asbestos. He had been one of the first to speak out about the asbestos in the properties, he campaigned for change and was a founding member of the  Hulme Asbestos Action Group. He died in 2011 of mesothelioma, a type of cancer associated with asbestos. Manchester City Council admitted limited liability for his death in their role as his landlord. During a Parliamentary Asbestos Seminar, it was estimated that nationally the deaths between 1968 and 2008 had exceeded 110,000.

Post-demolition
Hulme has subsequently undergone a £400 million redevelopment programme with input from residents, most of whom advocated a return to traditional forms of terraced and semi-detached housing. Nevertheless, some former residents formed a housing co-operative, Homes for Change, whose new building purposely replicated the Hulme estate medium-rise construction and communal walkways, known as 'the decks'.

See also
Streets in the sky
Park Hill, Sheffield
Hunslet Grange Flats

Bibliography

References

Demolished buildings and structures in Manchester
Former buildings and structures in Manchester
History of Manchester
Buildings and structures demolished in 1994
Squats in the United Kingdom
Former squats

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Images of the Tropics critically examines Dutch colonial culture in the Netherlands Indies through the prism of landscape art. Susie Protschky contends that visual representations of nature and landscape were core elements of how Europeans understood the tropics, justified their territorial claims in the region, and understood their place both in imperial Europe and in colonized Asia during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Her book thus makes a significant contribution to studies of empire, art and environment, as well as to histories of Indonesia and Europe.


Тема в разделе "СКАМ", создана пользователем All-HYIPs.info, мар 4, 2019.
Компания Promont является официальным экспортером цветных металлов из Австралии в Европу, Азию, Южную Америку и США. По годовому объему экспорта продукции и финансовым показателям компания входит в тройку ведущих компаний Австралии. Целью компании является объединение отраслевых гигантов и небольших клиентов, работающих с минимальными комиссиями и максимальным качеством продукции.
04.03.19 18:22 Transfer Sent Payment: 60.00 USD to account U17647431 from U1294xxx. Batch: 249307494. Memo: Shopping Cart Payment. Create deposit all-hyips.info.
06.03.19 06:57;Account;Receive;Received Payment 4.59 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 249519955. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
05.03.19 04:43;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.8 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 249349067. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
07.03.19 15:14;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.29 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 249734851. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
07.03.19 02:08;Account;Receive;Received Payment 3.36 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 249648626. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
09.03.19 12:27;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.76 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 249990120. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
08.03.19 20:40;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.19 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 249916394. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
08.03.19 13:54;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.31 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 249866888. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
08.03.19 00:40;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.66 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 249789822. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
10.03.19 23:43;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.59 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 250179343. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
10.03.19 14:38;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.54 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 250131169. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
10.03.19 00:08;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.04 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 250056411. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
11.03.19 23:57;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.7 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 250340220. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
11.03.19 14:16;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.54 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 250274142. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
12.03.19 15:28;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.71 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 250457184. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
13.03.19 19:51;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.33 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 250662503. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
13.03.19 12:16;Account;Receive;Received Payment 3.64 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 250591747. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
14.03.19 19:21;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.35 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 250833770. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
14.03.19 05:53;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.76 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 250708831. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
15.03.19 18:34;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.5 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 251000763. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
15.03.19 04:15;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.56 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 250873648. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
17.03.19 02:22;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.5 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 251192502. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
16.03.19 12:06;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.34 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 251103478. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
16.03.19 04:25;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.73 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 251045676. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
18.03.19 17:06;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.31 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 251490072. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
18.03.19 03:52;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.61 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 251360746. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
17.03.19 18:42;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.86 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 251318060. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
19.03.19 16:52;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.97 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 251666049. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
19.03.19 05:36;Account;Receive;Received Payment 2.19 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 251556352. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
21.03.19 04:41;Account;Receive;Received Payment 1.85 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 251897556. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.
20.03.19 18:03;Account;Receive;Received Payment 4.41 USD from account U20920912 to account U1294000. Batch: 251846677. Memo: API Payment. PROMONT.


text:
Home Old Content CAAC gets safety award
CAAC gets safety award
on: November 11, 2009 In: Old Content, Transport & LogisticsTags: No Comments
Flight Safety Foundation's President and CEO presented the Civil Aviation Administration of China with the 2009 Aviation Week and Space Technology Distinguished Service Award at the Foundation's 62nd International Air Safety Seminar in Beijing.
The award was accepted by Vice Administrator Jian Li.
William R. Voss of the Foundation, seen in our illustration,said, "The Flight Safety Foundation is pleased to recognize the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for successfully overseeing aviation safety despite the challenge of an air traffic growth rate twice the world average.
"The CAAC is leading the country's aviation industry away from a compliance-based approach toward a performance-based approach, and that has helped China achieve an excellent safety record in recent years."
This was at Air Safety Week, where the accomplishments of the CAAC in managing and regulating China's explosive aviation growth while achieving such an extraordinary safety record was recognized.
World Bank sees no property bubble in China
36: The number of advanced fighter jets China agreed to sell Pakistan in a deal worth US$1.4 billion
China-US shipping costs soar on pandemic restocking
Severe backlog in Europe-bound trains at Chinese border, as coronavirus increases rail freight volume
Edging towards normalcy?
China says 95 foreign airlines can apply to resume flights
China eases flight curbs after US order targeting Chinese carriers


UPDATE: Police report Novik has been found and is safe.
Police are asking for help in finding a missing Gramercy woman who was last seen on Monday, August 14 in the East Village.
Olivia Novik, 26, is a resident of the Gramercy Arms building at 145 East 15th Street.
She is described as approximately 5'6″ tall, 140 lbs. with brown eyes and long brown hair and has a tattoo of an olive branch on her back. The missing might be wearing a brown and white blouse with dark leggings and sandals.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto tnypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
A 12-year-old named Xavier Reyes, whose current residence is the Administration for Children's Services at 492 First Avenue, has been missing since Tuesday evening at 8 p.m., police said.
He was last seen in Kips Bay in the vicinity of 28th Street and First Avenue.
He is Hispanic, 5'1″ tall, 174 pounds and has red hair, brown eyes and a light complexion. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, a gray shirt and gray sweatpants.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
UPDATE: Hoffmaier has been found.
Police are looking for a Kips Bay teen who has been missing since Friday, January 15.
Kyle Hoffmaier, 16, was last seen at his home at 305 East 24th Street and Second Avenue at around 11:30 p.m.
He is described as white with brown eyes, about 5 ft. 4 ins. tall and approximately 145 lbs. He was last seen wearing a grey polo shirt, khaki pants, a black leather jacket and blue sneakers.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
Police are asking for the public's assistance in finding an 87-year-old man who has been missing since Saturday, August 1.
Margarito Cruz, of 172 5th Avenue, was last seen at 4 p.m. on Saturday in front of 174 5th Avenue (at 23rd Street) wearing a blue Con Edison tee shirt. He is 5'6″ tall, weighs 200 pounds and is deaf and mute.
The public can also submit their tips by logging onto http://www.crimestoppers.com or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.


Mythology has been a part of my writing career for as long as I can remember. The idea of Gods and monsters being as real as we are and not just the dusty meanderings in a book electrified me then, and still does now.
As far as myths, I love to write about the Persephone and Hades. There is just so much wiggle room with that one. Same goes with Medusa. Cause even chicks with snakes in their hair need love too. But for me, if I had to pick one favorite, one creature that I just keep coming back to over and over again, it all goes back to shapeshifters, more specifically wolves.
Loup garou. Werewolf. Whatever you call him, he is wild and runs beneath the wide night sky with the moon whispering in his ear. He is Alpha. Primal. He knows his mate by scent and will claim her at any price. And sometimes, like the hero in my story, Taming the Beast, he is willing to sacrifice himself to save the ones he holds dear.
A little known fact about me. Growing up, the monsters were my friends. My bedroom was laden with near life size cutouts of Dracula and his bride. I had a Fright Night poster on my door. And this was year round. Vampires. Hunky wolf men. Bring it on.
As an adult, my upstairs office is decked out in monsters much like it was then. The collection of old fashioned monster busts, Dracula's castle that lights up. Stitched projects with broomsticks and Halloween candy corn. What can I say? Monsters and mythical creatures bring the shadows to life and bring some light into the mundane world.
I hope you will enjoy all of our stories in the Creatures box set.
Allyse Montlake needs a job and quick. But what can a curvy girl with a penchant for plant magic do in the current job market? It's just not the kind of thing that most people put on applications these days. To help her mother with medical expenses, she has to get something that pays more than her bookstore job.
When she goes with her friend Cara to a job fair, she has no idea she's just applied for a position on Extreme Bachelor—in front of the camera and not behind the scenes as she intended. When she meets the man behind the mystique, can he love her for who she is and see the beauty behind the curves?
Find more from Erzabet Bishop here!


text:
HRW report: Sanaa blast that killed children was not caused by coalition strike
Satellite image of the site of the explosion of the Houthi weapons depot in Sanaa. (Courtesy: HRW)
Staff writer, Al Arabiya English Thursday, 9 May 2019
A massive blast that killed 15 children and injured more than 100 people in the residential Sawan neighborhood in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on April 7, was the result of an explosion in a Houthi controlled warehouse and not a coalition strike, revealed human rights organizations.
Human Rights Watch and Mwatana for Human Rights carried on Thursday a detailed report which pointed out that a Houthi-controlled warehouse that stored volatile material near homes and schools caught fire and detonated midday resulting in the devastation and human toll.
The groups could not determine the initial cause of the fire at the warehouse. Witnesses did not see or hear aircraft, the report said. The report provides details of what followed: "Scores of Houthi security forces arrived at the site, fired warning shots, and beat and detained several people who tried to photograph the warehouse, witnesses said. For several days, Houthi forces removed large quantities of undisclosed materials from the site on flatbed trucks, and prevented human rights researchers from accessing the area until April 11."
"The Houthi authorities need to provide credible information and stop storing large concentrations of volatile materials in densely populated areas," said Radhya al-Mutawakel, the chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights. "The Houthis played a role in the tragedy and should hold responsible officials to account and provide compensation to victims."
Mwatana and Human Rights Watch determined, based on in-person interviews with witnesses, videos, and satellite imagery, that the contents of the warehouse had caught fire and exploded. The groups were unable to identify the warehouse contents, but available information shows that they were flammable and explosive, posing a foreseeable danger to civilians living and going to school in the area.
The report said there was no evidence at the site to suggest that it was airstrike or incoming munition. Four videos of the blast that bystanders recorded and uploaded to the internet within hours also do not indicate the cause of the fire.
Researchers too did not observe craters that might have indicated an aerial bomb when they were first able to access the site days after the explosion.
On the evening of April 7, Al Arabiya had reported that the coalition spokesperson, Col. Turki al-Malki, stated that the coalition had not targeted residential areas in Sanaa. The Houthis and some news reports had at that time attributed the deadly explosion to a coalition airstrike.
"The Houthis' decision to store volatile material near homes and schools despite the foreseeable risk to civilians led to the death and injury of dozens of schoolchildren and adults," said Bill Van Esveld, senior children's rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The Houthis should stop covering up what happened in Sawan and start doing more to protect civilians under their control."
On the basis of field interviews with witnesses, video clips and satellite images, the two organizations found that the contents of the depot were set on fire and exploded.
They were unable to determine the contents of the warehouse. Available information indicated the goods were flammable and explosive, posing an expected threat to civilians living nearby and to those attending schools near that locality.
Last Update: Friday, 10 May 2019 KSA 02:43 - GMT 23:43
Arab Coalition destroys Houthi drone capabilities in Yemen's Sanaa
The Arab Coalition backing the legitimate government in Yemen announced early Saturday that it launched an operation ...
Coalition: Saudi Arabia has supported Yemen with more than $13 bln
Saudi Arabia has contributed more than $13 bln in support of Yemen since 2014, spokesman of the Arab Coalition ...
Arab Coalition launches raids on Yemen's Houthis in Sanaa
The Arab Coalition in Yemen launched raids on Houthi camps in the capital Sanaa, including the Al-Dulaimi air base. The ...
Arab Coalition strikes Houthi targets in Yemen's Sanaa
The Arab Coalition in Yemen struck Houthi targets in the capital Sanaa, spokesperson Colonel Turki al-Malki said on ...


Self-help manuals might get you through a bad #mood or a tough patch. But what about an abusive childhood, a debilitating accident, years of chronic pain, a long period of lost wages or public ridicule? Does God have a message for the dark nights that penetrate your soul? He does. The promise begins with this phrase: "Weeping may last through the night." Of course, you know this pain. But you need to also know this: "joy comes with the morning" (Psalm 30:5 NLT). Do you ever wonder if a morning will bring this night to an end? Mary Magdalene certainly did. She had been consumed with troubles. Then, Jesus stepped into her world and restored #light to her life. Wherever Jesus went, Mary Magdalene followed. She heard Him teach. She saw Him perform miracles. She helped pay expenses. She was always near Christ. On that Friday, Mary watched Jesus die. On Saturday, she observed a sad Sabbath. When #sunday came, she went to the tomb to finish the work she had begun on Friday. She knew nothing of the empty tomb. She came with no other motive than to wash the remaining blood from His #beard and say goodbye. It was the darkest of mornings. But when she arrived at the tomb, she "saw that the stone had been taken away" (John 20:1 NKJV). Assuming grave robbers had taken the body, she hurried to find Peter and John. They took a look and hurried to tell the others. "But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping" (verse 11 NKJV). Could her world get any darker or more hopeless? It was then two angels met her, and Mary mistook them for men. It was still #dark outside . . . and even darker in the tomb. Her eyes were tear-filled. She had no reason to think angels would be meeting her this day. But in the midst of Mary's darkest moment, the Son came out. She didn't recognize her Lord, so Jesus called her by name. Maybe it was the way He said it. The inflection. The Galilean accent. Maybe it was the #memory associated with it . . . the moment she first heard someone say her name unladen with perversion or an agenda. "Mary." Her world went from a dead Jesus to a living one. Weeping may last through the night, but #joy . . . Joy comes today because Jesus comes alive.