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NEWS > Doncaster schoolchildren learn valuable oracy skills in Big Debate with author Frank Cottrell Boyce
Doncaster schoolchildren learn valuable oracy skills in Big Debate with author Frank Cottrell Boyce
Acclaimed children's author Frank Cottrell Boyce is to chair a Big Debate for local schoolchildren at the National College for High Speed Rail, Doncaster, on Monday 12 November 2018. Organised by educational charity The English-Speaking Union and popular children's current affairs magazine The Week Junior, the event will see around 150 students from six local primary schools invited for a day of fun, interactive workshops to help them build their oracy (speaking and listening) skills.
Students from Arbourthorne Community Primary School in Sheffield, all of whom took part in the English-Speaking Union's Discover Debating programme in the last school year, will also hold a show debate on the theme of 'This house believes that more children's stories should have unhappy endings'. Frank Cottrell Boyce will chair the debate.
'I'm a big advocate for children developing their reading and speaking skills from a young age, especially since this is when I first discovered my love for writing and reading,' says Frank Cottrell Boyce. 'Debating is a great way for young people to really develop their communication skills which will only get better and better as time goes on.'
'We know from our experience that debating is a skill which develops confidence, critical thinking and has a positive impact on wider academic abilities, all of which open doors and help children to reach their full potential,' says Duncan Partridge, Director of Education at the English-Speaking Union. 'We are delighted to be holding this event in Doncaster, an Opportunity Area, where the fostering of social mobility is a priority.'
The day is named after The Week Junior's regular feature: The Big Debate (on which the ESU advises), which every week looks at a different topic from 'Should children have to do homework?' to 'Is it okay to wear pyjamas in public?' Anna Bassi, Editor-in-Chief of The Week Junior said: 'We're thrilled to be joining forces with the English-Speaking Union to host this exciting event. The Week Junior encourages young people to form and share their own opinions and helps readers to explore a range of perspectives. The Big Debate Day will demonstrate how to put those skills into practice and build confidence and competence in public speaking.'
The event is hosted by the National College for High Speed Rail in Doncaster, set up to provide training and work experience to learners aged 18 and above in all aspects of high-speed rail. Clair Mowbray, Chief
Executive for the College said: 'We are thrilled to host the Big Debate event at our site in Doncaster. Oracy skills are very important in the rail industry and we hope our specialist kit and equipment, including the Eurostar power car, #Donnystar, will inspire the students and give them lots to talk about!'
If you would like to attend on the day, please reply to comms@esu.org
Attending Doncaster schools:
Highfields Primary Academy
Hatfield Crookesbroom Primary Academy
Castle Hills Primary School
St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School
Park Primary School Edenthorpe
Hall Primary Academy


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Almanac says get ready for colder, snowier winter
By RIK STEVENS, Associated Press | Posted - Sept. 10, 2013 at 9:41 a.m.
Cold winter: Farmer s Almanac predicts bitter temperatures
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The other jury is in: A second periodical used for everything from predicting the weather to helping people lose weight agrees that this winter's shaping up to be cold and snowy.
The Dublin, N.H.-based Old Farmer's Almanac which, at 222, is believed to be the oldest continuously published periodical in North America, is predicting that a drop in solar activity and a change in ocean patterns point to colder-than-average temperatures and higher-than-average snowfall totals.
The 2014 edition officially comes out Tuesday.
Last month, the Maine-based Farmer's Almanac, said much the same. The younger cousin has been published for a mere 197 years.
The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts a cold winter for every region but the lower Great Lakes, upper Midwest and the northern states of the Northeast.
"Sweaters and snow shovels should be unpacked early and kept close by throughout the season," said Janice Stillman, editor of the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Coming out of winter, the almanac says the country can expect warmer, drier conditions into spring and that fears of a drought will persist into summer for several areas.
There are other morsels of sage advice in the almanac. For example, if you're trying to grab or rescue a scared pet or wild animal, you're going to get bitten so try covering it with a blanket or towel.
And of course, in keeping with its origins as an aid for farmers, the almanac is packed with growing tips, advice on planting with the moon's phases and information on animal husbandry.
KSL Weather Center
Could climate change hurt Utah's winter sports?
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RIK STEVENS
Alex Murdaugh's murder trial starts with cellphones, bullets
Suspect in shootings at Half Moon Bay farms was employee, due in court Wednesday

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


A liner is a casing string that does not extend to the surface, but instead is anchored or suspended from inside of the previous casing string. The advantage to the well designer is a substantial savings in capital costs; however, achieving viable annular isolation in these applications can be extremely challenging. TAM's inflatable Casing Annulus Packers (CAPs) and FREECAP® swellable packers can be utilized in a variety of scenarios to complement the primary liner top sealing elements and cementing operations to ensure wellbore integrity is established and maintained. TAM's unique slimline OD designs minimize the impacts on equivalent circulating densities (ECDs) during primary pumping operations. Subsequently, they provide a secondary barrier to annular gas or fluid migration to the previous casing string once activated.


Liverpool-born, Oxford-educated, on stage from 1911, Leslie Banks entered films in Hollywood in the famous horror piece, The Most Dangerous Game (US, d. Ernest B.Schoedsack, 1932, aka The Hounds of Zaroff), returned to Britain for Strange Evidence (d. Robert Milton, 1933) and became an important character star. A facially-paralysing injury in World War I left him without the leading man's conventional handsomeness, but did not preclude interesting roles.
He starred for Hitchcock in The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) and Jamaica Inn (1939), Michael Powell in The Fire Raisers (1933), Red Ensign and The Night of the Party (1934), Zoltan Korda in Sanders of the River (1935), bearing the white man's burden in Africa, and Thorold Dickinson in The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (1939).
His civilised, rugged persona was cleverly exploited in Went the Day Well? (d. Alberto Cavalcanti, 1942) as the treacherous squire; he was a memorably inviting Chorus in Olivier 's Henry V (1944); and in his last film, Madeleine (d. David Lean, 1949), he was Ann Todd 's oppressive Victorian father.
He was awarded the CBE in 1950.


Housing – What can we do?
Business, friend or foe? Working together.
Housing & Planning – what can we do?
The first area was around making change in a council with councillors who are in their 90s. The main response from the group was to encourage new people to become councillors. FTC councillor, Mel Usher, spoke about how new councillors were recruited for Frome. An advert was put in the local paper, asking 'Do you want to do something for Frome', then only two questions were asked of the applicants: 'What will you do for Frome?' and 'What are you really interested in?'. Objective people then made the selection and the result was 17 new people wanting to stand for 17 seats.
The Clerk from Shepton Mallet then replied, saying that strategy might not work for other councils which are in areas smaller than Frome, with depressed populations, without 'middle-class, engaged' residents. He also noted that if there are less than 5 or 6 people standing, they'll lose general competence, and that one solution is for the 1972 act to be updated.
The next question was around what advice Clerks can give, except ones in the legislator book. Toby suggested that you can take advice but make different decisions.
The discussion then moved onto engaging younger members of communities. The group generally agreed that young people need to become involved and get angry about the status quo, to allow for change. Several people in the group spoke about introducing School Councils and Youth Councils to their areas, as engaging children towards the end of Primary School.
Toby then spoke about risk, and asked "What is your [council's] attitude to risk?". A change of attitude can take years, but it's worth putting the work in for. Mel Usher also added, "How do you judge risk? If no-one's dying, we can afford to take risks. If we're not making mistakes, we're not pushing far enough. If no-one can hurt you, give it a go." An example of an innovative thing a council can do is Top Up Street Cleaning, it can be high profile, and is low cost.
Conversation then moved to communication. Many people agreed that having a social media presence was very valuable. Also, that you can create a general town facebook page/website, if the current Town Council pages are rubbish/non-existent. Getting out and asking people what they think, removing obstacles to communication (such as money), asking isolated people what they think, having clear money/budget information, and providing free food and drink at events to incentivise the community to get involved were all great suggestions from the group.
Councillors and clerks were also asked what they can do to get individual residents involved and engaged to fundraise, lobby and focus on things that matter to them – which Councils can support and facilitate.
It was also noted that there are no advice bodies which serve councils, and a Councillor Network was brought up as an idea.
The conversation then moved to political skills: how important it is for young councillors to have tactical political training, and for every councillor to have communication and engagement skills (not just party-political councillors). A challenge was raised, that "if we're trying to innovate, why should we encourage people to be trained in behaviours that have existed for decades?" It was recognised that there is value in these skills, that if people know how the current game is played, they're better equipped to challenge it. Alternatively, teach others to question everything – if you don't understand or agree with anything question it, as many situations can be like the 'Emperor's New Clothes'.


Why do horses "spook" at things?
Why do horses kick if approached from the rear?
Why do horses breathe into each other's nostrils?
These and 36 other curious equine behaviors are informatively and lightheartedly answered in the handsomely illustrated Why Horses Do That.
An original pencil drawing illustrates each insightful explanation of odd but characteristic horse actions.


Resilience is one of those buzz words going around.
In essence, Resilience is our innate inner strength: that drive which keeps us from giving up on the things we truly want.
And in the stress of our modern environment, we are tight for time and low on energy. Therefore, by the time we realise we need to change the way we're coping, making a change feels too hard.
Feeling resilient is about unlocking that inner drive, and, rather than being fearless, trusting yourself to thrive despite the world around you.
I find the most effective tools to manage stress and overwhelm involves small steps that don't take too long but can be used regularly. Let's begin with the mental aspects, then onto the practical changes.
1. Recognise that you do not need to be fixed. You are not weak. I'm not saying you're a faultless human being… but you don't need to put all that energy into trying to be strong.
2. Know that our brains are designed to learn, grow and change. Every experience builds pathways in our brain. The more we think, say or do; the more 'wired' our brain becomes. So spend time on things you'd like to grow.
3. Believe that we hold power. Humans as a species are so inherently able to manage things. You have survived everything you've ever experienced. Don't forget that.
4. Something in this world will light you up. You may have already found it, or you may just believe in its existence.You are enough, no matter where you are on that path.
5. Creativity is a useful tool, which helps keep us mentally active. This might be holding a spoon with your non-dominant hand or counting items in another language. Get creative and use skills you may not have used since you were a kid.
6. It is okay to reflect, even on negative events. We learn by evaluating how things may have gone previously. Try writing things down with a 10-minute timer. Learn your lessons to avoid making them again (& seek support if needed).
7. Get dressed into your costume or battle armour for the day. Have you ever changed into clothes for an event, then changed them before you left? Next time you need a boost, pause and see what your intuition is telling you about the costume you choose.
8. We are all walking a path of trial and error. You are the expert in yourself, but nothing stays the same forever. Things that used to work may stop working. It's okay to still be finding what works for you.
9. Goals are proven to be helpful in keeping us 'on track.' Whether your goal is weight loss, writing novel words, 'self-development-work' or fixing up the shed… write the goal down, and split it into baby steps. Then evaluate what is / not working and tweak things!
10. You have some control over your thoughts and behaviours. We can't stop our thoughts, but we can question the 'truth' of them. Equally, we can control our actions, and reactions. The rest is often outside of our control, and it's okay to let those things go.
Still with me? Grand. We're half-way there.
When you feel low or stressed, how do you cope? How do you wind down?
Do you bottle it up until the emotions explode, or can you control the gentle management before it reaches those places?
You can lower your stress levels via your thoughts and behaviours. This is a key aspect of CBT, but also follows general psychology principles. Let's look at some of the more active, practical techniques to manage your stress and build that inner strength.
11. Complete something. Anything. Add an item to your to-do list, go do it, then cross it off. This is a brilliant trick for those days which lack momentum.
12. Meditation means 'training of the mind' and can be done at any time. There are many types, from the 'just sitting' of stereotype to mindfulness. The latter focuses on whatever you are doing, and you can grab my free introduction to mindfulness here. Most meditations focus on pausing mental chatter than emptying the mind.
13. Balance out to-do lists with 'ta-da lists' and gratitude. To-do lists are helpful in moving tasks out of our head. However, accomplishments and achievements help us feel mentally stronger. Noticing the positives, the things we're grateful for or recognising how much we completed today: That is what builds our sense of strength.
14. Journaling supports us to make emotional 'progress'. It's a great way to process experiences, make headspace and recognise patterns. Which in turn, provide the insight needed to grow. Colour, list, doodle, write… whatever works for you. Even labelling your emotions reduces their power.
15. Engage in a world of fiction. The real world isn't always pleasant. Taking some time away from reality really benefits our well of inner strength. Whether you read a book, watch a movie or play a video game – take space from the 'real world' even for 5 minutes.
16. Pay attention to what fuels you. Research now shows links between diet and not just physical health, but how food affects mood. Notice how you feel after each meal, and see what fuels you best.
17. Move your body in some way, be it dance, yoga or weightlifting. Exercise releases anxiety and helps us feel empowered: psychologically strong. Even in small doses. Dance to a song in your living room, do 5 squats while you brush your teeth, or star-jump as the kettle boils.
18. Similarly to diet, it's worth noticing when caffeine or alcohol influence our feelings. Caffeine and cigarettes both mimic anxiety in the body, and alcohol is a depressant which damages our sleep. If you feel stressed out, these items are worth monitoring to feel more in control.
19. Get enough sleep. Sleep is a natural stress-reliever, brings us energy and creates resilience for when the unexpected happens. We often don't recognise just how much tiredness contributes to our daily struggles.
20. Breathe. In, hold, out. Over-breathing can cause dizziness, panic-symptoms, fast heart beat, shaky hands and tingling sensations. Holding our breath is a sign to our body that we're in danger. Managing your breathing is the best way to 'reset' sensations of panic or weakness. Here's a quick link to a good breathing technique.
This list is far from 'complete.' But if you're burnt out, overwhelmed and exhausted, picking one or two tips to try out can create a bit of mental space and inner strength.
Give yourself credit that you can figure it out, and if you have another tools that helps you reconnect with that inner power, take some time to try it out more often. See where it takes you.
When we feel strong in ourselves, we're better able to support others, to do the work we're meant to do, and we just feel better about life.


In the beginning of August, SWYers from all around the globe gathered in beautiful Stockholm where they spent a week attending Sweden's SWY Camp.
The trip entailed two days spent in Stockholm sightseeing and four days at camp Västeräng located by Sweden's second largest lake. Fourteen different batches from eleven countries were represented.
"Friends from all over the world reunited to spend one week together, water skiing, kayaking, wall climbing and playing traditional Swedish games" says Mifuyu Shimizu from Japan.
At official reunions there is little time for casual conversations and spontaneous networking. Camp SWY provided the alternative; a laid-back, relaxed and informal event where old and new SWY bonds could grow and flourish.
"We wanted to reconnect to the SWY spirit by offering an opportunity to foster international relationships, personal development and cross-cultural connections" says SWYAA Sweden.
The planning process took 6 people. "We started a year ahead and moved over to having short meetings every second week for briefing and updates" says Carolina Hawranek of SWYAA Sweden.
K-G Eriksson, SWY Sweden's treasurer first came up with the idea of doing a reunion at his campsite back in 2011. "It took almost 6 years until we had a board strong enough to start planning" he says.
They spread the duties amongst themselves, from budgeting, embassy contacts, bookings, accommodations, etc.
"To have small reunions is a wonderful way to fill up my SWY spirit" says K-G Eriksson. In particular, he enjoyed having so many new friends know Sweden- not just the internationally known facts but the downsides and background stories too. "It was fun to see them come to a normal Swedish supermarket and meet local swede's" says Eriksson.
The camp was truly a communal effort, with participants being divided in letter groups to help with food and dishes. "A lot of things in SWY camp were so memorable from the long walking tour in Stockholm, the museums, beautiful lakes and the food time ringing the bell" says Mahmood Alfarsi from Oman.
K-G Erikkson describes the time spent together as wonderful. "If you have a strong SWYAA board, I would absolutely recommend making something similar" he says.
"The Swedish love nature and the outdoors. We would love to host a similar activity in Spain!" comments Paloma from Spain, "SWY spirit for me is the wish of keeping our connections alive and feeling like you are part of the SWY family-a family that keeps growing even after SWY ends".
Carolina from SWYAA Sweden says to not underestimate the work load of getting PY's signed up and reminding them about transferring their fees.
"But once the SWYers arrive it's all worth it!" she exclaims.
Arrival day was full of happy cheers, hugs, city sights and historic insights.
Day 2 included strolls to Parliament, Old Town and then a ferry ride to Royal Djurgarden.
Day 3 was the first day at Camp SWY. Canoeing, siesta, swimming, outdoor dinner by the lake and sauna the "finnish" way. Many first times and happy faces when trying all these new adventures while immersed in Swedish Nature!
Day 4 was excursion day to the cosy town of Askersund. Swedish fika (coffee break) in the Castle Café, on the boat accompanied with local shopping and historical interiors!
Pizza for dinner and farewell party!
SWYAA Bahrain invited SWYers to participate in The First Global Youth Festival for SDGs 2018 in the Kingdom of Bahrain from October 20th to 26th. Sareema Husain from SWY 29's Canadian delegation was selected alongside Matika Lauzon, and this is her account of it.
If I am to speak of my first visit to the Middle East, where do I begin? Do I tell you of the brilliance of the colossal mosques, their pointed tops paramounting the skyline? Or the grittiness of the desert and towering skyscrapers that were planted in the thick of it. The pastel colors –cashmeres, gold and off whites- provided a calming backdrop to the jutting signs of industrialization. Bahrain is a country comprised of 30 islands in the Arabian Gulf. Many of these islands are manmade which explains the empty square plots of land that lay in between the fancy hotels, lounges and cafes.
We visit the Isa Cultural Center and the Al Fateh Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. It is strikingly huge, with a big open square in the middle surrounded by pillars made from Bahraini limestone. We don traditional abaya's and thobe's and follow the tour guide as he educates us about the long-standing history of the place. Built in 1987, the mosques carpet is from Ireland, the crystal chandelier from Austria, the carved doors from India and the glass globes from France. We stand underneath the central dome, the largest fiberglass dome in the world. "This is where we make all the bombs" he jokes. His humor is refreshing. As we are leaving, I spot a dusty cloud rushing to us in the horizon. In awe, I stand and stare at it; it's rare I see clouds move so fast. Suddenly, I'm covering my eyes with my scarf and grinning at the novelty. I've been caught in my first sand storm!
The conference itself had insightful speakers brought in from all over the world. A blind man named Simon Wheatcroft sharing how technology has enabled him to run marathons without the use of a guide. A hacker named Jamie Woodruff tells us how we can all obtain free iPads with a little bit of trickery. Gender equality, the changing face of the cyber age, and artificial intelligence-these were a few of the timely subjects the conference speakers elaborated on.
Most importantly, the speakers reaffirmed what us SWYers know to be true. In terms of development, "it takes someone with a cultural perspective to bring up the tough questions". How you interpret the world is how your brain is trained to see it. I was reminded how SWY primed us to act in a global sense, armored with the realization that cross pollination breeds creativity. SWY was a space that welcomed diversity and implemented in us ways to hold multiple views of reality and appreciate alternative value systems. It was humbling to remember that this beautiful structure we created could inspire us to demand for trust, accountability and transparency in larger institutions.
However, such pretty words aren't applicable to all. During the Q&A session, a young girl raised the question: "What if my society does not allow me to live my truths?". One speaker encouraged her to build communities, pockets of resilience that could eventually forefront change. Another said to focus on changing systems instead of biased minds.
Being from Pakistan, I had imagined the streets in Bahrain would be filled with food stalls, children scurrying underneath them and thick city musk filling the air. But apart from the harbors and markets, the streets were empty. I later realized that sidewalks were few; Bahrain was not very pedestrian friendly as a majority of Bahraini's drive. In 2006, Bahrain was labeled as the fastest growing economy in the Arab World and today, students are primarily educated in banking, finance, science and technology. Moreso, I met more female engineers in one week in Bahrain than I have in my entire life. When asked if they were the outliers in a male dominated field, they said no. Women in Bahrain are highly educated, as Bahrain was the first gulf state to have education for women in 1920.
During the nights, a festival took place outside the stadium with various stalls where you could explore Virtual Reality, observe youth innovators SDG related inventions, or grab some food and relax on beanbags by the stage, immersed in Traditional Bahraini folk music. Every night had its sparkle. One night, I joined the bicycle tour and rode steadfast into the desert, a soothing momentary escape from the bustling festivities. Another night, SWYAA Bahrain took us to enjoy a traditional Bahraini meal. Indulged by the warmth of Bahraini hospitality, we sipped Karak chai as we exchanged SWY stories and ruminations of Japan.
The last night, we clambered onto a mini bus at 4a.m. and drove to The Tree of Life to catch the sunrise. The Tree of Life or Shajarat-al-Hayat is a 9.75 metres high Prosopis cineraria tree that is over 400 years old. 92% of Bahrain is Arabian desert yet the tree has miraculously managed to survive despite extreme temperatures and lack of fresh water or nutrients. A security guard watches over it at all hours, making sure no loiterers climb onto it and break the sacred branches. As we were making the drive to this cultural artifact transformed tourist attraction, the desert was barren but speckles of civilization ebbed and shined in the distance. Hammer like structures toiled into the earth; some of these oil fields were on fire and I mistakenly thought their eruptive glows were the sun rising more than once. The scenery felt almost dystopic; it was no coincidence that us SWYers on the bus were discussing who would die first in a zombie apocalypse.
That last night felt surreal, courtesy of the lack of sleep and desolate landscape. We lined up and took pictures as the sun rose up and claimed its spot in the pink cotton candy sky. On a beautiful island in the Persian Gulf, I was incredibly lucky to experience a sliver of SWY all over again. It happened so quickly; they told us of our acceptance a week before the festival and suddenly, I was staying up late in a 5-star hotel room trading candies and having experiences doused in culture alongside fellow SWYers I'd never met before but felt like family. It goes without saying, but I am incredibly grateful to SWYAA Bahrain for all hard work they put into enabling SWYers to attend this festival and making sure we had a memorable experience. Bahrain; your loving generosity and delicious hummus will not be forgotten!
In many countries around the world, too many people often lack basic clothing. This challenge is amplified particularly during the winter months.
We hope to engage as many of the SWY Alumni and Associations as possible to take part in the Winter Clothing Campaign.
 homeless people in highly urbanized areas.
The type of clothing gathered and donated will depend on the local needs of the engaging SWYAA: winter clothes for the countries where winters are present, and regular clothes for those where they are not.
Building on SWYAA Brazil's project this past June, we are aiming to collect clothing items over the holidays in December and formally making the donation on January 18th – SWY International Day.
1) Join the Facebook event called "SWYAA Winter Clothing Donation Campaign" and connect with your SWYAA.
5) Enjoy the connection with other Ex-PYs, work as a team and make a difference in your country.
This project emerged from the joint action of SWYAA Brazil and SWYAA Canada. However, the spirit of this project is to be extended to all SWYAA around the globe.
The Global Assembly aims to foster cultural understanding, enhance communication skills among diverse cultures and create an international platform for youth to promote cross-cultural cooperation and understanding allowing those youth to develop common perspectives about many of the pressing issues that require innovative solutions, in addition to highlighting the UAE government's role in supporting and empowering youth. The Global Assembly participants are ex-participants of Ship for World Youth Programme.
The 12th Global Assembly will take place in Tonga.
Anastasiia Stasiuk (SWY 29 Ukraine), Yaroslav Kucher (SWY 29 Ukraine), Anya Bobino (SWY 29 Ukraine), Mykhailo Zhernakov (SWY 29 Ukraine), Pavlo Kotenko (SWY 29 Ukraine), Alisa Berezutska (SWY 29 Ukraine), Kevin Kobayashi (SWY 29 Canada), Andrii Dovhyi (SWY 29 Ukraine), Svitlana Yarova (SWY 29 Ukraine), Rostyslav Kubik (SWY 29 Ukraine), Lidiia Kozhevnikova (SWY 29 Ukraine).
Anastasiia Stasiuk (SWY 29 Ukraine, Kevin Kobayashi (SWY 29 Canada), Svitlana Yarova (SWY 29 Ukraine), Lidiia Kozhevnikova (SWY 29 Ukraine).
Svitlana Yarova (SWY 29 Ukraine), Kevin Kobayashi (SWY 29 Canada), Andrii Dovhyi (SWY 29 Ukraine), Anastasiia Stasiuk (SWY 29 Ukraine), Alisa Berezutska (SWY 29 Ukraine), Mykhailo Zhernakov (SWY 29 Ukraine).
Ievgen Kozin (SWY 29 Ukraine), Ilshat Sultanovich (SWY 28 Russia), Kevin Kobayashi (SWY 29 Canada).
Diversity and inclusion is a concept best learned by experience, not research. On March 20th, 2017 I was fortunate enough to deepen my understanding of cross-cultural understanding with a group of fascinating students from Kyiv, Ukraine. Coincidentally, the visit to The European Collegium was to speak about just that. The importance of meeting, interacting, and exchanging with others is more relevant than ever. National boarders should be crossed, not armed. The word foreign should be celebrated, not feared. Curiosity is a natural beauty, not sin.
Through speaking and learning from a class of teenagers from Ukraine, I realized that cross-cultural is not a two way street, but an open sea. We do not travel down a road with a single intention in sight ahead. Our bearings lead us in many directions and learning is a constant process along the way. The Ship for World Youth Program fosters this international journey for all participants, and expands its reach to friends and family all over the world.
A very special SWY alumnus once said that life on board is just an appetizer. The real feast begins when we disembark the ship and join the global family for dinner. I didn't know what they meant at the time, but I do now. This experience was enriching beyond anything imaginable while sailing the South Pacific on Nippon Maru. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to educate the leaders of tomorrow about a fantastic program called SWY.
Thank you to SWYAA Ukraine for their generous hospitality. To the greater SWYAA family, I cannot wait to meet you all in the future. After all, it's all aboat the journey.
From the 12-16th January 2017, the official Canadian Delegation for the 2017 Ship for World Youth (SWY) Global Leaders program were in action in Toronto for a training and team-building session before departing to Japan! The packed program included various sessions on SWY protocol, Japanese language and culture and of course, National Presentation rehearsals as well as a farewell reception organized at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. Ex-PYs mingled with the new delegation and shared their wisdom from past batches. The training wrapped up with team-building activities at the hostel.
Official SWY 29 Canadian Delegation Announced!
Special thanks to all Canadians from coast to coast to coast who took the time to share their stories and apply for the Canadian delegation for the Ship for World Youth. Over the course of the summer, we received nearly 200 applications. The talent, passion, and commitment across the country was immeasurable and highly inspiring. Behind the scenes, SWY alumni from across the country reviewed applications and rigorously debated their qualities throughout the selection process. In the end, the final selection was made to encompass a highly diverse team representative of different geographical and cultural backgrounds and personal experiences from all walks of life….no easy task to say the least.
The candidates who were selected have been notified and their bios have been posted on the site here. Again, we thank everyone for their time, effort, and patience throughout the selection process. If you have questions about the selection process, kindly email us info@swycanada.org.


Good Morning TMS friends. Thank you so much for joining us for our last look back on previous sketches. This week, Nina picked a sketch that was created by former DT member Laura Nehring. It's an easy sketch and great for the CAS cards or a great map for something more over the top.
Our sponsor this week is Stitchy Bear Digital Outlet.
It's your turn to play along and if you use a Stitchy Bear Digital Outlet stamp, you can join their monthly challenge on their Facebook page. Have fun!
Lovely DT inspirations!! Thank you so much for this challenge!!
Cute cards DT & players!


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George Breakfast
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Club Classics Countdown
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Meet Harmony, the world's first AI sex robot
nsfw 06/04/2017
A sex doll company that's been making products for those searching a more 'intimate' experience has fashioned its most realistic creation yet - a robot that can speak and be programmed with a personality.
The high-grade silicone doll, created by Realbotix and called Harmony 2.0, is believed to be the first equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. It has 18 changeable personality traits that can take it from being 'shy' to 'intellectual' to 'sexual' in a matter of moments.
Harmony's creators say she is able to speak with its owner about a range of topics, and has a "persistent memory" that allows it to store information from previous conversations.
In an interview with The Daily Star, Realbotix founder Matt McCullen said each user "will be able to say to her: "I'm hungry, what should I eat?" and she would say: "Well you told me pizza is your favourite food maybe you should have that".
"Once the robot is out you'll be able to connect the AI that's been created to the robot."
Each doll is said to take about 80 hours to construct, and has facial features and genitalia that can be customised based on the user's preferences. The dolls retail for US$10,000 ($14,350).
Harmony 2.0 has been designed with the goal of "alleviating loneliness and helping individuals to conquer social anxiety and intimacy phobia", according to their website.
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Canal Winchester is having their annual tree give away at Stradley Park, 36 S. High Street in historic downtown Canal Winchester. Approximately 120 trees will be given away to Canal Winchester residents living within the city limits, on a first come first serve basis. Be sure to bring proof of your residency such as a water bill or driver's license. Members of the Street Tree Advisory Board will be there to answer questions regarding selection, planting and care.
May 4th from 9 am to 11 am.


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Teamsters pension cuts to take effect despite 2-1 opposing vote | The Daily Gazette
Teamsters pension cuts to take effect despite 2-1 opposing vote
Most of 34,000-plus eligible don't return ballots
By John Cropley | September 13, 2017
PHOTOGRAPHER: Shutterstock Image
Categories: Business, News, Schenectady County
The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday announced that active and retired Teamsters across upstate New York had voted against big pension reductions by a more than 2-1 ratio.
But since most of the 34,000-plus eligible Teamsters didn't vote — and under federal law, an unreturned ballot counts as a "yes" vote — the cuts are approved, and will take effect Oct. 1.
For most retired Teamsters, this will mean a 29 percent reduction in their pension checks. The oldest retirees and those receiving disability pensions will not see any reductions. Teamsters who are still working will see a 19 percent reduction in the pension benefits promised to them when they do retire.
The New York State Teamsters Conference Pension and Retirement Fund identified 35,173 participants and beneficiaries who were eligible to vote, and ballots were delivered to 34,636 of these individuals. (The other 537 could not be located.)
The voting period opened Aug. 16 and closed Sept. 6.
Of the ballots returned, there were 9,788 against the pension cuts and 4,081 in favor; the other 20,767 ballots that had been sent out were not returned and so became "yes" votes.
The Teamsters leadership has blamed a shrinking unionized workforce and pension law changes for their pension fund's problems, and said reducing the amount of money paid is crucial to keeping it solvent.
Washington, D.C., attorney John Ring, counsel for the pension fund, said Wednesday that shifting demographics remain a problem but the Teamsters' projections — accepted by the Treasury Department — show that the fund will remain solvent for at least 30 years under the cuts to be made starting Oct. 1.
He said it's a common problem for this type of pension.
"The New York state plan is not the only multiemployer plan that's in trouble," he said, adding that some are in such bad shape that they won't even be allowed to take steps to save themselves under the federal Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014.
Teamsters Local 707 in New York City went insolvent after it was denied cutbacks under MPRA, for example. Pensions for more than 4,000 retirees were slashed more than 50 percent when the federal Pension Benefits Guaranty Corp. took over payments.
Ring said there are not many good long-term solutions to the pension fund's problem, which is simple: More money being paid out than put in.
The pension fund is growing through investment in various vehicles, but that also is not enough to offset payouts, Ring said. Aside from the disastrous years of 2001 and 2008, the pension fund has performed well and averaged an 8.5 percent annual return, he added.
Tom Baum of Rotterdam, a retired UPS worker and former officer of Teamsters Local 294 in Albany, served as the retiree representative during the MPRA process. He became the focal point for criticism for a lot of union members looking at big changes to their income if not their standard of living.
On Wednesday, he repeated his criticism of MPRA, under which a non-vote is counted as a "yes" vote.
He had predicted a lot of "no" votes but nonetheless had expected a "yes" outcome due to the "rigged" rules.
But he's glad it's over.
"Do I like it? No. I'm just hoping that down the road there's a better solution than the 29 percent," Baum said.
"The numbers tell it like it is. It's a very sad scenario. There's a lot of people that are going to be in trouble because of it."
Baum's only immediate suggestion is for pensioners to consider changing their tax withholding.
"I encourage them to change their federal income tax benefit," he said. "I did it myself."
UAlbany researchers develop way to help people visualize climate change
UAlbany men's basketball completes sweep of NJIT


Being a professional football player is a hard job, and it certainly stands to reason that Eric Decker, who retired from the NFL in August, deserves some relaxation after his eight grueling seasons.
It's clear that Decker is indeed basking in a relaxing retirement—and hasn't lost any of his muscle tone yet—based on a NSFW photo his wife Jessie James Decker shared on social media.
The Deckers look to be wrapping up 2018 on vacation somewhere tropical, as Jessie posted a photo of herself (just slightly more covered up than her husband) in a skimpy bikini on her Instagram stories. it's a good guess they are in Mexico, as she also shared a photo of some delicious looking chips, salsa and guacamole.
At any rate, while Eric is hanging on to his football physique in retirement, Jessie herself is looking admirably fit, having given birth to the couple's third child and second son, Forrest, just 9 months ago.
Unlike her husband, she is nowhere near retirement, and is in fact set to embark on a headlining tour that will run across spring and early summer 2019. The 19-date trek will stop in cities including Seattle, San Francisco, Atlanta, New York, Washington, D.C. and more.


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Posted in Wisconsin - Western District
Ten Charged with Offenses Related to Multi-Year Cocaine Conspiracy | USAO-WDWI
MADISON, WIS. – Three indictments have been unsealed charging a total of 10 people with participating in a cocaine conspiracy, announced Timothy M. O'Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. The indictments were returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison, Wisconsin, on January 5, 2022.
The first indictment charges:
1. Winfield Agee, 35, Chicago, Illinois;
2. Darryl McDonald, 38, Chicago;
3. Jason Hall, 36, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin;
4. Nikia Cannon, 46, Chicago;
5. Kiayla Alston, 28, Madison;
6. Daniel Barlow, 34, Madison;
7. Daren Jones, 27, Madison; and
8. Larry Dotson, 40, Madison.
This indictment charges that from December 2014 to November 2020, Winfield Agee and Darryl McDonald conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. The indictment also charges that from November 2010 to July 2020, Agee conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. If convicted, Agee and McDonald face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life on the cocaine conspiracy charge, and Agee faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on the marijuana conspiracy. Agee was arrested in Chicago on January 12, 2022 and his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison occurred on the same day. McDonald was arrested in Indiana on January 12, 2022. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Fort Wayne, Indiana occurred on January 13, 2022.
The indictment also charges that from December 2018 to May 2020, Jason Hall conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The indictment alleges that the amount of cocaine attributable to Hall was 500 grams or more. In addition, the indictment charges Hall with 5 counts of distributing cocaine in April and May 2020, and with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute on February 24, 2021. If convicted, Hall faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life on the cocaine conspiracy charge, and a maximum of 20 years on the other 6 charges. Hall was arrested in Madison on January 13 and his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison occurred on the same day.
The indictment charges that from December 2018 to May 2020, Nikia Cannon and Kiayla Alston conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Cannon was arrested in Chicago, Illinois on January 13, 2022 and her initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Chicago occurred on the same day. Alston was arrested in Madison on January 13, 2022 and her initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison occurred on the same day.
The indictment charges Daren Jones with 3 counts of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed cocaine for distribution on April 26, April 30, and May 6, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. Jones was arrested in Madison on January 13, 2022. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison is scheduled for today.
The indictment charges Daniel Barlow with 2 counts of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed cocaine for distribution on April 24 and May 5, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. Barlow was already in custody on an unrelated matter. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.
Finally, the indictment charges Larry Dotson with attempting to possess 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute on November 25, 2020. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison. Dotson was arrested in Madison on January 12, 2022. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.
The second indictment charges Shaneeque Parker, 27, Madison, Wisconsin, with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute on November 25, 2020. If convicted, Parker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Her initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.
The third indictment charges Brian Battle, 44, Jefferson, Wisconsin, with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on April 25, 2021, he possessed cocaine for distribution and a firearm. If convicted, Battle faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the cocaine charge and a maximum of 10 years on the gun charge. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.
The charges against these individuals are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Dane County Narcotics Task Force; Jefferson County Narcotics Task Force; Madison Police Department; and Chicago Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper is handling the prosecution.
You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.


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'Great Replacement' ideology is spreading hate in U.S. and across the globe
Melissa Rossi
Yahoo News June 30, 2019
Martin Sellner speaks during an Identitarian protest in front of the Justice Ministry in Vienna in April. (Photo: Imago via ZUMA Press)
BARCELONA — "I just had a house raid by the police," Martin Sellner said last weekend from his apartment in Vienna, where he makes YouTube videos, sometimes in his kitchen, warning about the dangers of multiculturalism and how Muslim immigrants are replacing the white population across Europe.
This wasn't the first time Austrian authorities have taken an interest in the articulate, engaging 30-year-old activist, known for the "actions" he plots as one of the leaders of an ethno-nationalist movement known as Generation Identity. Its members, believed to number about 10,000, are fighting back against what they consider Europe's forced "Islamization" and a "dilution" of its original genetic stock.
But last week's sweep of Sellner's apartment wasn't the result of Generation Identity's usual stunts — like throwing a giant burqa over the head of a 65-foot-high statue of revered Austrian archduchess Maria Theresa with a sign saying "Islamization — No Thanks!" or chartering a boat to hinder rescue vessels from picking up drowning Africans whose dinghies capsized in the Mediterranean.
This raid concerned a donation — a gift of 1,500 euros (over $1,800), one of the biggest in Generation Identity's seven-year existence. The donor was Brenton Tarrant, accused of opening fire on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, leaving 50 dead. This was the second time police raided Sellner's apartment to investigate his connections with Tarrant, seizing his phones, cameras and computers. Sellner protests that there aren't any links — Tarrant was just "a random Australian guy" whom he thanked via email in 2018 for his donation and invited to share a beer if he visited Vienna.
Even if they never met to share a pitcher, Sellner and Tarrant share a controversial belief, one that's integral to Generation Identity and to scores of extremist groups worldwide: the Great Replacement of white Christians by dark-skinned "invaders," an idea that is driving right-wing politics in many European countries — and has echoes in the United States, not just in politics, but in terror attacks against minorities and Jews.
The veiled statue of Empress Maria Theresa. (Photo: krone.at)
Sellner views the Great Replacement as "a mathematical fact," the result of cultural, political and economic decisions made over recent decades. "Since the '60s and '70s, Europe's population [of indigenous white Europeans] has been shrinking," he says, largely because white European women, like their American counterparts, were not bearing the 2.1 children considered necessary to maintain a stable population. But Europe's population is rising — due to the influx of immigrants, or what he calls "replacement migration."
That part, statistics show, is true at least in some countries: The numbers of incoming immigrants have offset deaths in European nations, such as Germany and Sweden, leading to overall population growth.
But the Great Replacement theory goes entirely off the rails when proponents, such as Sellner's group, assert, as they do on the Generation Identity website, that "Low birth rates of German and European people and simultaneous massive Muslim immigration will turn us into minorities in our own countries in a few decades," leading to "the disappearance of Germans and Europeans in their own countries."
Even given the higher birthrate of immigrants, that's an unlikely scenario, according to demographer Landis Mackellar of the Population Council and editor of Population and Development Review. "The Great Replacement and statements attributed to Generation Identity distort the demographic and sociological evidence," he says.
Hélène Ducros, human geographer at Columbia University's Council for European Studies, questions what data the group is using to make such projections. Some European countries, like France, don't ask about ethnicity or religion on their census forms, making statistics unreliable, and many "migrants" into European countries actually come from other European countries. "The reality is that Europe — in the largest sense, not just the EU — has always been a continent where people moved around a lot," she says. "I would say that mobility, and thus intermixing, is what characterizes Europeans across time, not ethnicity."
Dylann Roof and Timothy McVeigh. (Photos: Chuck Burton/AP, Bob Daemmerich/AFP/Getty Images)
A report from the Pew Research Center released in late 2017, "Europe's Growing Muslim Population," estimated the number of Muslims in Europe to be less than 5 percent. Even using the highest estimates for migration rates, the report estimated that in 2050, the number of Muslims continent-wide would be around 14 percent.
Sellner counters that going further out on the timeline, "if you just continue the trend, the population decline plus the replacement migration will lead to a total replacement." Despite its shaky premises, the concept of the Great Replacement is so potent that it has inspired mass shootings. Beyond Tarrant — who was so moved by it that he titled his 74-page manifesto about his attack "The Great Replacement" — authorities believe it motivated the synagogue shooter in Pittsburgh who killed 11 in October; the Poway, Calif., synagogue shooter who killed one and injured three worshippers in the spring; and Dylann Roof, who in 2015 gunned down nine African-Americans in a Charleston, S.C., church. Echoes of it showed up in the ramblings of Anders Breivik, who killed 77 in Norway in 2011 "in defense of my culture and my people," and Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City terror bomber of 1995, owned a copy of a novel based on its ideas.
A leitmotif in neo-Nazi circles, the Great Replacement may have also motivated the neo-Nazi-linked fatal shooting in early June of German politician Walter Lübcke, who supported the immigration policies of German chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as the threats posted by two neo-Nazis in Britain to Prince Harry, who was called a "race traitor," evidently for having a child with his biracial wife, Meghan Markel. It could be heard in the chants of white supremacists who marched in Charlottesville, Va., yelling, "You will not replace us" and "Jews will not replace us." A white supremacist who drove into a crowd of counter-demonstrators, killing one, was sentenced Friday to life in prison for hate crimes.
The Great Replacement theory is also believed to be one factor in the push to outlaw abortion in the United States.
An honor guard stands at the coffin of murdered German politician Walter Lübcke at his memorial service on June 13. (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
As in much of Europe, in the U.S. "the white population is getting older, which means proportionately few white women are in their childbearing years," says William Frey, author of "Diversity Explosion" and in-house demographer at Brookings Institute. As of last year, he wrote, "for the first time there are more children [in the U.S.] who are minorities than who are white, at every age from zero to nine."
That's just a hint at the changing ethnicity of America. Frey says that across the entire U.S. population, the percentage of whites — or "non-Hispanic whites" as they are called in the census — is projected to dip below the 50 percent mark in about 25 years.
That shift in racial balance is earth-shaking for some. According to Keegan Hankes, a research analyst for the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project, that predicted demographic change — the projection that "by 2040, or around then, whites will no longer be an absolute majority is … the No. 1 driver in anxiety for people who join these [hate] groups."
He says the number of hate groups in the United States is rising, with white supremacist groups, only one subset of the hate groups tracked by the SPLC, jumping from 100 to 150 last year. "White nationalism is the ideology at the core" of the Great Replacement, he says, defining it as "based on a conspiratorial idea that these demographic changes are the product of a calculated plan of enemies of the white race."
Indeed, Great Replacement adherents often assign blame for ethnic shifts to a conspiracy, by plotters whose identity varies depending on which group is pointing fingers.
Sellner believes that "replacement migration" was a deliberate decision by liberal politicians and big enterprises who "wanted cheap labor," as well as by certain (unspecified) agents hoping to achieve "a dilution of the indigenous (European) population" and impose "multiculturalism to overcome nationalism and European identity." And to counteract the influx of immigrants, Generation Identity is demanding drastic cuts in immigration and the deportation and "repatriation" of immigrants already on the Continent. They refer to this as the "Reconquista" of Europe by white Christians, a name borrowed from Spain's 15th century military campaign to push out Muslims and Jews.
Brenton Tarrant, the man charged in the Christchurch, New Zealand, mosque shootings, in court on March 16. (Photo: Mark Mitchell/AP)
Sellner says his movement isn't racist and doesn't advocate violence. Tarrant, however, took the idea to a new level in the document he sent to politicians before allegedly storming Christchurch mosques. Explaining his motivation, Tarrant's "Great Replacement" manifesto begins with "It's the birthrates, it's the birthrates, it's the birthrates…"
"Why did you target those people?" Tarrant, who considers himself of European origin, writes of his attack on Christchurch Muslims. "They were an obvious, visible and large group of invaders, from a culture with higher fertility rates … that seek to occupy my people's lands and ethnically replace my own people…"
Viewing immigrants, especially dark-skinned Muslims, whether from Africa or Asia, as "invaders" is commonplace for many who buy into the Great Replacement idea, including the man generally credited with devising the phrase, French writer Renaud Camus. In 2012, Camus (no relation to Albert Camus) published a nonfiction book with that title warning of the cultural dangers of Muslim immigrants in France. He said in an interview last year that "too often, for us, by their number, by their behavior, by their growing attachment to their cultures, manners and religion of origin, they have become, with a few exceptions, invaders, conquerors, and colonizers."
An anti-immigration demonstrator in Amsterdam in 2016, when thousands of people took part in protests against Islam and immigration in several European cities. (Photo: Peter Dejong/AP)
But the ideas in his book — and others of the "Muslim horror genre" such as Bat Ye'or's "Eurabia" and Michel Houellebecq's "Submission" — go back decades, to the 1960s and '70s when guest workers were invited from countries such as Turkey and Algeria for jobs in construction, mining and transportation. In 1973, when the worldwide oil crisis slammed the brake on many European economies, jobs for guest workers dried up, but many chose to stay. It was that year that Jean Raspail unleashed his macabre vision of France besieged by dark-skinned invaders in the stomach-wrenching novel "The Camp of the Saints," a book often referenced by proponents of the Great Replacement. In a 2015 radio broadcast, future White House strategist Steve Bannon remarked that the flood of refugees fleeing civil war in Syria was "almost a Camp of the Saints-type invasion into Central and then Western and Northern Europe."
Other extremists and rabble-rousers in the web of far-right hate groups, including Jason Kessler, who organized the 2017 Charlottesville "Unite the Right" rally, spin the Great Replacement into a "white genocide" plot foisted on civilization by a shadowy global elite, the European Union, United Nations, attendees at the World Economic Forum in Davos, feminists and/or Jews. That "white genocide" terminology stems from "The Turner Diaries," an apocalyptic novel published in 1978 by American neo-Nazi William Luther Pierce, who envisioned a disarmed white populace, beaten down by a black majority led by Jews, who are overthrown by a band of white supremacist guerrillas, known as "the Order." When Timothy McVeigh was arrested, a copy of "The Turner Diaries" was found in his car.
Neo-Nazi David Lane, part of the Order, a real-life terror group modeled on the one in the novel, added more touches to that idea: While serving a 190-year sentence in prison for racketeering, conspiracy and his involvement in the 1984 murder of Alan Berg, a Jewish radio host, he penned the "White Genocide Manifesto" and a slogan called the Fourteen Words: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children." The number 14, which stands as neo-Nazi code for that phrase, was scrawled on one of Tarrant's weapons, and shortly before the attack in Charleston, Dylann Roof was photographed on a beach, kneeling before a sand image with that number and 88, code for "Heil Hitler." John Earnest, who opened fire at the synagogue in Poway, wrote in a letter explaining his actions that "Every Jew is responsible for the meticulously planned genocide of the European race."
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Italian Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. (Photos: John Thys/AFP/Getty Images; Stefano Montesi/Corbis/Getty Images)
Some European political figures are now referencing the "Great Replacement" in their speeches and policies, among them Heinz-Christian Strache, the leader of Austria's Freedom Party and vice chancellor of that country, until he resigned in a recent unrelated scandal. "Italy's Matteo Salvini and Hungary's Viktor Orbán have mentioned replacement theory," says Louie Dean Valencia-García, an assistant professor of Digital History at Texas State University, who is editing a book about the role of small publishers and the distortion of history by the far right.
"They take the ideas of the identitarian movement and put them in a framework that is more sanitized and palatable" he says, couching them in broader terms like "Western civilization." It usually means, he says, "we don't want brown people in Europe."
As he studied the emergence of identitarians and white-power groups, Valencia-García has come to believe that they share "an obsession with a purity that's usually imagined" and is based on an imagined history refashioned for their purposes, and conflating Caucasian ancestry with Christian culture. Throughout history, says Andrew Wilson, a sociologist who teaches at the University of Derby, in England, and writes about the conspiratorial elements of extremist groups, "we see a constant interplay of cultures"— including how the Renaissance kicked off because of writings from ancient Greeks and Romans that had been translated and preserved by Muslims during the Middle Ages. The groups pushing the Great Replacement, he says, are trying to portray "monolithic cultures which they perceive as being under threat." It taps into an ideology in which "they are being persecuted" often by "a group secretly working behind the scenes."
Demonstrators bear torches at a far-right rally in Jena, Germany, in 2016. (Photo: Jens Meyer/AP)
"Culture is always changing — that is the nature of culture," Valencia-García says. "Having a fixed identity is impossible." For Valencia-García, it all raises the question, "What is white anyway?" He says it's a relatively novel concept, first given importance in the 1800s. "The idea of whiteness," he says, "is a new category that humans use to divide themselves."
Demographer Frey notes that in the 1920s, immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe were considered a threat to American culture, leading to harsh immigration laws restricting their entry. In fact, they were viewed as such a liability to the American blood line that eugenicists were consulted to help draft laws banning intermarriage. Yet today, of course, citizens whose ancestors came from countries such as Italy, Greece or Spain are considered "white" while those with origins in Central and South America, with Spanish surnames, are counted as "Hispanic" regardless of their skin color. The ethnic group that is becoming a smaller share of the U.S. population is, in census terms, "non-Hispanic white." If Hispanics were counted as white — which many consider themselves to be — the issue of "white replacement," in the U.S. at least, could be solved merely by changing a box on the census form.
Melissa Rossi is a U.S. journalist based in Western Europe.
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Shining a light on fossil sunshine
Dr. Phil Jardine
An international team of scientists have reconstructed the longest ever record of past sunshine using pollen trapped in lake sediments collected in Ghana, Africa. The study published today in Scientific Reports enables us to understand past changes in solar input to the global system over the past 140,000 years. Previously we have had to rely upon computer models to mathematically determine past solar inputs to the Earth. "This work really is a first; being able to peer back in time to understand how the Sun has driven our global system over many of thousands of years is a very exciting prospect" said joint-lead author Dr. Phillip Jardine of The Open University.
The Sun is a key component of our natural environment, driving a multitude of processes at Earth's surface, from photosynthesis generating energy within plants, through to global-scale circulation patterns in our oceans and atmosphere. Understanding more about how the Sun has behaved in the past, and the influence this had on Earth's environment, will help scientists predict future climate change.
Dr. Jardine used a technique pioneered by one of his co-authors, Dr. Wesley Fraser of Oxford Brookes University, to determine past changes in solar input, specifically changes in ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Plants protect themselves from the harmful nature of ultraviolet radiation by incorporating a number of specific chemical compounds into their tissues that absorb and dissipate the energy of UV radiation. Pollen grains of flowering plants are also provided protection by these UV-absorbing chemicals, thus act as a long-term recorder of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
Pollen grains are readily trapped in lake sediments, where they can be preserved for millions of years. By extracting material from Lake Bosumtwi, Ghana, the pollen that was released by flowering plants thousands of years ago can be separated from the lake sediment and chemically analysed for UV-absorbing chemical compounds. It is this chemical signature within the ancient pollen grains that provides us with information about past levels of solar ultraviolet radiation.
"What we present here is a new opportunity to explore how the Earth has changed" said Dr. William Gosling (University of Amsterdam). "I am particularly excited about this because it will means that we can gain a better understanding of why vegetation changed in the past, and consequently this will allow us to anticipate better what the likely impacts of projected future climate change will be."
This study is available now at www.nature.com/articles/srep39269
Jardine PE, Fraser WT, Lomax BH, Sephton MA, Shanahan TM, Miller CS & Gosling WD (2016) Pollen and spores as biological recorders of past ultraviolet irradiance. Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/srep39269
Categories: Journal articles, Phil Jardine, Publications, Wesley Fraser, William Gosling • Tags: Barry Lomax, biological recorders, Charoltte Miller, chemical, chemical palynology, Climate change, fossil pollen, fossil sunshine, Fourier Transformed Infra-red Spectrscopy, FTIR, Mark Sephton, OU, Oxford Brooks University, palynology, Phillip Jardine, pollen, solar radiation, spores, Sporomiella, The Open University, Tim Shanahan, total solar irradance, TSI, University of Amsterdam, University of Nottingham, University of Texas Austin, UV, UV-B, UvA, Wesley Fraser, William Gosling • Permalink
Published open access:
Julier, A.C.M., Jardine, P.E., Coe, A.L., Gosling, W.D., Lomax, B.H. & Fraser, W.T. (2016) Chemotaxonomy as a tool for interpreting the cryptic diversity of Poaceae pollen. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 235, 140-147. DOI: 10.1016/j.revpalbo.2016.08.004
Introducing the XPERT network
The Cross-disciplinary Palaeo-Environmental Research Training (XPERT) network commences in 2015. This international network will bring together early career researchers from five countries to learn new skills and develop collaborative projects. Training will be provided during a field school in Ecuador, and a summer school at the University of Amsterdam. For further details please visit the respective field school, summer school and staff pages hosted on this blog.
Categories: William Gosling, XPERT • Tags: Alberto Sáez Ruiz, Barry Lomax, Boris Jansen, collaborative projects, CONDESAN, Daniel Kissling, Emile van Loon, Escuela Poitecnica Nacional, Field school, IBED, Institute for Biodiversity & Ecosystem Dynamics, Instituto Geofisico, international network, League of European Research Universities, LERU, Palaeo-Environmental Research Training, Patricia Mothes, Petra Visser, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador, Robert Colwell, Sarah Metcalfe, staff, Stefan Engels, Summer School, Susana León Yánez, Teresa Vegas Vilarrubia, University of Amsterdam, University of Barcelona, University of Connecticut, University of Nottingham, William Gosling, XPERT, XPERT network • Permalink
3rd BES Macroecology SIG meeting
Last week I went to the University of Nottingham for the third BES Macroecology Special Interest Group annual meeting. Macroecology concerns itself with ecological patterns and processes at large spatial and/or temporal scales, and so is a natural place to link palaeoecological research with that of modern ecologists and biogeographers. The conference took place over two days, and comprised a mix of 5 minute lightning talks, longer invited talks (including two keynotes by Catherine Graham of Stony Brook University, New York) and discussion sessions.
The lightning talks covered a wide range of subjects, including maximising phylogenetic diversity in the Kew Seed Bank, outstanding problems with species distribution modelling, morphological variability in Madagascan tenrecs, and latitudinal gradients in pollination mechanism. The breakout discussion groups focused on questions inspired by Edge.org, such as 'Which ecological concepts are ready for retirement?' and 'What should worry macroecologists most?'; I led a group discussing 'Should macroecology be more interdisciplinary?' (yes, but with caution was our rather non-committal answer).
There are plans to hold next year's Macroecology SIG meeting at the Centre for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC) at the University of Copenhagen, and I'd like to encourage palaeoecologists to consider attending. Chatting to the delegates at the Nottingham meeting, there certainly is a growing interest in ecological change over longer timescales and the role of history in shaping modern biotas, and so palaeoecologists have a lot to offer to these sorts of research areas. Copenhagen's got to be a nice place for a conference as well…
Categories: Meeting, Phil Jardine • Tags: BES, BES Macroecology Special Interest Group, Catherine Graham, lightning talks, Macroecology, SIG, Special Interest Group, Stony Brook University, University of Nottingham • Permalink
PDRA: Past environmental and climate change in West Africa
Full time Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Temporary contract for 36 months, £27,854 – £36,298
Department of Environment, Earth & Ecosystems, Faculty of Science, The Open University
Closing date : 25/04/2013
The PDRA project will descover more about past vegetation and climate change in Lake Bosumtwi (Ghana)
We are seeking a PDRA to study past climate and vegetation change in tropical West Africa as part of the NERC-funded "500,000 years of solar irradiance, climate and vegetation changes" project. You will join a multidisciplinary collaborative research team and will work with an international network of project partners. The project will utilise cutting-edge organic geochemical techniques to generate the longest continuous record of fossil pollen chemistry change. The study will build upon previous research into the sediments recovered from Lake Bosumtwi (Ghana). The data generated will shed new light on the role of climate in driving vegetation change in the tropics.
You will already hold a PhD, or be near to completing your PhD, in a relevant scientific discipline with a background in the Earth or Environmental sciences. You must have substantial experience of organic geochemistry or tropical palynology, with well-developed self-management skills and the ability to prioritise effectively.
The PDRA will work with an associated PhD student looking at modern pollen-vegetation relationships in the same region.
Co-Investigators:
Dr Barry Lomax (University of Nottingham)
Dr Wesley Fraser (Oxford Brookes University)
Prof . Yadvinder Malhi (University of Oxford)
Prof. Mark Sephton (Imperial College London)
Dr Tim Shanahan (University of Texas, Austin)
Dr Stephen Abu-Bredu (Forestry Research Institute of Ghana)
For further particulars click here.
For information on how to apply click here visit The Open University jobs web site.
Associated PhD project.
The PDRA will be part of an international team; partners based at University of Nottingham, Oxford Brooks University, Imperial College London, Oxford University, University of Texas at Austin and the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana
Categories: News, William Gosling • Tags: Barry Lomax, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, FORIG, FTIR, GC-MS, geochemistry, Ghana, Imperial College London, Job, Mark Sephton, NERC, organic, Oxford Brooks University, palynology, past, PDRA, pollen, Quaternary, Stephen Abu-Bredu, The Open University, tropics, University of Nottingham, University of Oxford, vegetation, Wesley Fraser, West Africa, Yadvinder Malhi • Permalink
Funded PhD studentship: Tropical vegetation, environment and climate
William Gosling pollen trapping in west Africa. A studentship on the new grant will investigate modern pollen-vegeation relationships
Fully funded NERC PhD studentship tied to 500,000 years of solar irradiance, climate and vegetation changes project.
To start October 2013 now avaliable with the Palaeoenvironmental Change Research Group.
Title: Tropical vegetation, environment and climate: The present is the key to the past
William D. Gosling (The Open University),
Wesley Fraser (Oxford Brookes University),
Barry Lomax (University of Nottingham),
Mark Sephton (Imperial College London) &
Yadvinder Malhi (University of Oxford)
Investigate the dynamics of modern tropical forest and savannah ecosystems
Training in micro fossil and organic geochemical analysis
Develop a comprehensive understanding of modern pollen-vegetation relationships
Field work in Ghana, in conjunction with Forestry Research Institute of Ghana
Making pollen traps on field work in Ghana
Understanding how vegetation responded to past climate change requires the development of well constrained relationships between living floras, environment and climate. This project will help constrain the great uncertainty which exists as to how tropical ecosystems are represented in the fossil record by examining the relationship between modern vegetation and the pollen it produces. The project will analyse modern pollen rain using a combination of traditional microscopic analysis [1] and cutting edge geochemical techniques [2]. We anticipate that the findings will provide new insight into past vegetation and climatic change.
For further information on the project and how to apply see the full advert: NERC PhD advert. Prior to applying please check eligibility for NERC funding by clicking here.
Closing date: 25th April, interviews will be held at The Open University during May.
To find out more about the department, research environment and student life at The Open Univerity visit the Department of Environment, Earth & Ecosystems, the Centre for Earth, Planetry, Space & Astronomical Research (CEPSAR) and OU RocSoc web pages.
Work as part of a larger research team in the UK and abroad.
[1] Gosling, W.D., et al., Differentiation between Neotropical rainforest, dry forest, and savannah ecosystems by their modern pollen spectra and implications for the fossil pollen record. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2009. 153(1-2): p. 70-85.
[2] Lomax, B.H., et al., Plant spore walls as a record of long-term changes in Ultraviolet-B radiation. Nature Geoscience, 2008. 1(9): p. 592-596.
Categories: News, Wesley Fraser, William Gosling • Tags: Barry Lomax, CEPSAR, Department, Earth, Ecosystems, Environment, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, FORIG, geochemistry, Ghana, Imperial College London, Mark Sephton, microscope, NERC, organic, Oxford Brooks University, Oxford University, palynology, past environmental change, PhD studentship, pollen, pollen traps, pollen-vegetation relationships, The Open University, tropics, University of Nottingham, vegetation study plots, Wesley Fraser, West Africa, Yadvinder Malhi • Permalink
500,000 years of solar irradiance, climate and vegetation changes
William Gosling pollen trapping in west Africa. A studentship on the new grant will investigate modern pollen-vegeation relationships from tropical West Africa.
I am delighted to be able to report that the PCRG has recently obtained a NERC standard grant to investigate "500,000 years of solar irradiance, climate and vegetation changes" (NE/K005294/1).
Investigators on the project are:
myself (William Gosling, PI),
Wes Fraser (now Oxford Brooks), and
Barry Lomax (University of Nottingham).
Supported by project partners:
Tim Shanahan (University of Texas, Austin),
Stephen Abu-Bredu (Forestry Research Institute of Ghana),
Yadvinder Malhi (University of Oxford), and
Mark Sephton (Imperial College London).
Much thanks to the many people who have supported and helped us in the development of this proposal. Now time to do some fun science…
Categories: News, William Gosling • Tags: Austin, Barry Lomax, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, FORIG, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, geochemistry, Ghana, ICDP, Imperial College London, International Continental scientific Drilling Program, Lake Bosumtwi, Mark Sephton, NERC, organic geochemistry, pollen, sporopollenin, Standard grant, Tim Shanahan, University of Nottingham, University of Oxford, University of Texas, Wesley Fraser, Yadvinder Malhi • Permalink
PCRG July
PCRG members taking part in the Milton Keynes NSPCC Half Marathon, 8 July (left to right: Charlotte Miller, Wesley Fraser and William Gosling)
I have been really excited with the increase in the number of posts and various contributions to this blog over the last month or so. So thanks to everyone who has contributed. The excellent content allows me to focus on just a few research and teaching events which have not been previously covered.
1) Welcome to Wesley Fraser who has joined us officilally as a visiting postdoc for a few months. We hope to develop a paper and another grant submission looking at pollen/spore chemistry during this time; for further details see "Do plants wear sunblock" post.
2) Well done to Frazer and Hayley for performing well in their end of year 1 mini-vivas. Both projects are progressing well and we are all looking forward to field work at the end of the month. Hopefully most of the prepartation and equipment are now in place…
3) Potential for more exiting collaborations was also developed at two meetings. The first, at the Natural History Museum and, in conjunction with long term collaborator Steve Brooks was with old friends Mick Frogley (Sussex) and Alex Chepstow-Lusty. Both Mick and Alex taught me when I was at Cambridge and it would be super exiting to develop a new collaboration with them looking at Chironomids in Andean lakes. The second was at the Univesity of Nottingham as I took part in a UK Tropical Peatlands meeting which brought together ecologists and palaeoecologists from Nottingham, Leeds, Leicester and The OU. The aim of the meeting was to coordinate papers and grant applications.
4) At the end of July beginning of August I taught on the "Sedimentary Rocks and Fossils in the field" topic for the new Practical Science, Earth & Environment (SXG288) module which The OU now offers. Longridge Towers School (no children around this time of year) provided the perfect base for investigating the sedimentary geology of the region. The small group of students had the opportunity to make field observations and test hypotheses related to past environmental change. Everyone was very excited to find numerous fossils and interesting sedimentary structres and had fun trying to work out what they all meant! Congratulations to Angela Coe for putting together this great event.
Categories: News, William Gosling • Tags: Alex Chepstow-Lusty, Andes, Chironomidae, chironomids, Earth & Environment, Lake sediments, Longridge Towers, Mick Frogely, Natural History Museum, Practical Science, Sedimentary Rocks and Fossils in the field, Steve Brooks, SXG288, The Open University, University of Leeds, University of Leicester, University of Nottingham, Wesley Fraser • Permalink


You will get to learn about the different equipment used in physics labs and what it is used for. Focus on mechanics, optics, and the study of waves, and learn about graphing calculators too.
Explain how the equipment in an optics laboratory is used.
What are some of the tools you might find in an optics laboratory?
~ Some of the tools you might find in an optics laboratory include light sources, mirrors, lenses, prisms, filters, protractors, and handheld visual spectroscopes.
What happens when white light enters a prism?
~ When white light enters a prism, it is refracted and dispersed by the prism's first and second surfaces. This produces a spectrum.
~ When light rays encounter a polarizing filter, all of the rays with polarization orientation aligned with the filter are allowed to pass through, and all the waves with orientation perpendicular to the filter are blocked.
What is a handheld spectroscope?
~ A handheld spectroscope is a piece of laboratory equipment that is used to get accurate spectra from any visible light source.
What is the advantage of using computer in optics?
~ Answer may vary. For example, with the help of computer, we can easily draw ray diagrams of concave and convex mirrors and converging and diverging lenses.
Pre-requisite Concepts Students should have a general understanding of the following terms: angle of incidence, angle of reflection, and concave lens.


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Michael W. Bell
ARK.S
Singles, All Releases
Michael W. Bell - The Raging of the Falcons
AEP0005 - Single
iTunes/Apple Music
After a series of conversations with our friend and photographer Stuart J. Bland, he convinced Mike to release his short action cue "The Raging of the Falcons" and offered to help out with the cover design, an offer we immediately took him up on.
The track was composed during a quiet period some months ago while using some new sample libraries and recording a YouTube video (embedded below) talking audiences through the composition and how various string sample libraries can be mixed together to achieve a desired sound.
Mike was after this type of hyper action packed tension in a cue for some time, we are pleased to finally be able to share this with the world! Check it on your chosen streaming music platform or pick it up directly from out store.
Tagged: trailer, action music, orchestral, strings, brass, percussion
Mike was born in South East London in 1988 but moved to Brighton during his early teens where he spent most of his time collecting music and performing rhythm guitar in a local heavy metal band. He later studied both Music Production and Composition for Film & Media at the University of Brighton where he found a passion for working sonically within the visual arts. Now based in London, Mike works as a film composer and sound designer providing bespoke music and sound for any media project you can throw at him through his own production company Aurora Eclipse Productions. Mike's journey into music composition and production began while studying Music Production when he was commissioned for the first time to compose original music for "Francis" (2011), a short horror film. This was the first time he had approached writing music for an orchestra and fell in love with the whole process. During this time Mike also found himself in the studio, where he successfully produced "Hatriotism", an EP for Demental, a Brighton (UK) based metal band. While finishing his degree in 2012, Mike was asked to compose a dark ambient orchestral soundscape for the US based band Shores of Acheron. This soundscape is featured on their newly released EP "End of Reign" as well as serving as an opener to the band's live performance. It was also during this time that he formed his own sonic production company, Aurora Eclipse Productions. Mike has just finished working on the short animation "Æ Har Det Bare Bra" (2013) in which he provided sound design and engineered the sonic environment of the film. Currently, Mike is working with Personatones Ltd. to provide original music and sound for smartphones with his first Personatone 'Cinematic Majesty" due out next week; he is also composing music for the upcoming documentary film "Night Owls" from director Roy Petersen. Mike's music may be described as dark, haunting, dramatic, atmospheric, orchestral, minimalist, cinematic, modern and textural. Description
Michael W. Bell - Blanket (Original Motion Picture Score)
500,000 Youtube Views | Michael W. Bell - Lurking In The Delta Waves
© 2013 - 2019 AURORA ECLIPSE PRODUCTIONS LTD
REGISTERED IN ENGLAND. REGISTRATION NUMBER: 08376559
REGISTERED OFFICE: C/O ASHFERNS, SBC HOUSE, RESTMOR WAY, WALLINGTON, SURREY, SM6 7AH


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<?php

class TestModel extends Model {
    //put your code here
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Press Release (March 18, 2019):
MHA is full of false promises. It will increase, not reduce the cost of housing. It will replace diverse communities with gentrified communities. It will not build family-size housing and removes all single-family zoning in urban villages. It will displace long-time residents and leave them with no place to live. It will produce only a very tiny amount of affordable housing. It may not even produce more affordable housing units than it destroys.
SCALE is opposed to the MHA legislation. SCALE is a coalition of community groups comprised of volunteers from neighborhoods throughout Seattle. We live in neighborhoods, not in housing production zones. MHA treats residents of Seattle, historic buildings, trees, and yards as having no value, and only values the developer profits of the "Grand Bargain". SCALE asks the Council and the Mayor to reject the MHA legislation.
SCALE calls for the Mayor to engage with the neighborhoods. SCALE supports the anti-displacement resolution before the City Council and urges passage without delay. We need to preserve existing affordable housing and ensure that residents displaced by redevelopment can find affordable places to live.
Should the MHA legislation pass the City Council and be signed by the Mayor, SCALE is considering appealing the inadequately considered impacts of the MHA legislation to the Growth Management Hearings Board.
The Seattle Coalition for Affordability, Livability, and Equity (SCALE) held a Press Conference on Monday March 18 at 1:15 PM in Seattle City Hall before the City Council meeting at 2:00 PM to consider the Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) legislation.
Media Alert (March 15, 2019):
Press Conference with the Seattle Coalition for Affordability, Livability, and Equity (SCALE)
Monday March 18, 1:15 PM
media.contact@scaleseattle.org
As the Seattle City Council prepares to vote on the Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) legislation, a coalition of community groups will detail the false promises, neighborhood impacts, and displacement of residents by the "Grand Bargain". The Seattle Coalition for Affordability, Livability, and Equity (SCALE) will hold a press conference on Monday March 18 at 1:15 PM at Seattle City Hall (at the foyer near the Bertha Knight Landes Room). SCALE is considering whether to file suit under Growth Management Act (GMA) to overturn MHA.
SCALE is a city-wide coalition of community groups that appealed the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the MHA legislation.
scaleseattle.org
From the Seattle Coalition For Affordability, Livability, and Equity.


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Q: Why do I get an error requesting template arguments when I'm instantiating a generic object? I'm getting the following error: error C2955: 'MagicBag': use of class template requires template argument list. This occurs at line 5 of my main class, which is as follows:
#include "stdafx.h"
#include "MagicBag.h"

int main() {
    MagicBag<int> mb1;//this is where I'm getting the error
    mb1.insert(5);
    mb1.insert(4);
    return 0;
}

I've looked into this error (for hours now) and as far as I can tell, it's because I'm not giving the declaration template arguments. But isn't that exactly what I'm doing by putting "int" in the diamond operator? I'm trying to make sure my insert method works properly, but I can't seem to even properly declare a MagicBag object. Below is the MagicBag.h file.
#pragma once
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

template <class T> struct node {
   T value;
   node<T> * next;
};

template<class T> class MagicBag {
public:
MagicBag() {
    first = NULL;
}

~MagicBag() {
}

void insert(T item) {
    size++;
    node<T> a;
    a.value = item;
    if (first == NULL) {
        a.next = NULL;
    }
    else {
        a.next = first;//set a.next to point to node pointed to by first
    }
    first = &a;//set first to point to a
}
private:
node<T> * first;
int size = 0;
};

I've tried about everything at this point, putting T in diamond operators just about anywhere I could think to do so including in the MagicBag.h file. I know this is a common problem (plenty of results on google and this site) and I should be able to manage it on my own, but for the life of me I don't understand what I'm missing. Why is my declaration of a MagicBag object insufficient? For other people (like here, it seems to be an issue of them calling Node instead of Node(T) (I can't get the T in diamond operators to show up), but I don't see any instances of me doing that in my code. Trying to put T in diamond operators in the constructor also does nothing to fix the issue, so for the life of me I'm stumped. Thank you for any help anyone may be willing to offer.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Cinquetta Frazier
Actor, Music Composer, Musician and Singer
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About Cinquetta
Rapper/Songwriter/Engineer
Born and raised in "Strong Island" NY, a multi-talented, hardworking artist Cin-Q enters the scene. Not only is she a triple threat rapper/singer/model chick, she also is a licensed Real estate Agent and engineer. Cin-Q's dedication to overachieve can be directly credited to triumphing through the rough start she endured growing up. Her father, a Rapper/DJ himself was murdered when Cin-Q was only 10 months old. Her mother did her best to raise her in her single parent home, all the while coping with such an emotional loss. Cin-Q followed her late father's path and started rapping by age 12. Writing about her own life situations to music became Cin-Q's form of emotional and therapeutic release. Having been apart of 3 all female groups, including 2Deep for 6 years, Cin-Q decided it was time to go solo in 2005. This decision sparked a major progression for her solo artistry, which in turn gave her the confidence to explore many other options.
Cin-Q began writing R&B songs for a few singers and was also able to help develop their talent from her own experiences, adding artist management to her resume. Cin-Q went on to open up for Vonny Sweeney's Post Grammy Party in Los Angelas CA at the New Otani Hotel with legends like the Temptations, Dappa Dan (Outstanding), B2K, Ray J, Joe Jackson and many more in attendance. Cin-Q has performed at various venues from New York City to Los Angeles and more spots in between. In 2004, Cin-Q decided to move to Atlanta to cultivate her talents and grow further. Along her journey, Cin-Q has had the honor of working with Naughty by Nature, Joe Budden, Cassidy, Da Band, Loom, D-Block, Desert Storm and Nina Sky just to name a few. As for production, Cin-Q has tracks with A-One, Fuse, Tony Dophat (BadBoy Ent.), Eric Sermon, Kip Collins, Charlie Marotta, Dagga, Mastermind and more. Featuring on D-Block and G-Unit mixtapes Hotgirls DVD(based out of ATL), Live On Fiya (TV Show based out of ATL), SGIB Magazine, Cin-Q has made many power moves even without the help of a major label.
Cin-Q's life goal is to share her story with others with the intention on creating a way in for younger artists on the come up. In addition to managing a group called Da Swagg Kidz, she is currently working on a solo project as well as becoming the CEO of her own label. Cin-Q has plans to move to LA to expand her brand. Just off of sheer will alone, Cin-Q has afforded herself many amazing opportunities and has made a lasting impression on many industry greats. Cin-Q is determined and ready to make an even bigger impression worldwide.
For more info contact me @
reverbnation.com/theofficialcinq
myspace.com/sinq
facebook.com/Cinquetta Frazier
twitter.com/TheRealCinQ
email: cinqmusic@gmail.com
instagram.com/therealcinq
wix.com/therealcinq/music
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Anthony Kaye
Producer and screenwriter
Alex Jayson
Screenwriter, author and director


The Pharisees were blind. They could not see spiritually (Matt. 23:16-28). Nicodemas could not get his mind off of a physical birth (John 3:1-8). Some have sight but not others (Matt. 13:13-16). God opens the eyes of the humble and shuts the eyes of the proud (Matt. 11:25,26). The blind can not see the entrance to the kingdom because it is a birth of the spirit, not of the flesh (John 3:6-8). "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Without being born of God the person remains a natural man and can not see spiritually (1 Cor. 2:14). He describes the initial seeking after God as feeling after Him like blind men (Acts 17:26). One reason that not everyone who seeks to enter will be able (Luke 13:24) is that they can not see it. Jesus told them apostles "But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear" (Matt. 13:16). God sends a strong delusion when a man does not love his truth (2 Thess. 2:10-12). Thus not everyone can see it. The kingdom is spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14). It is not possible to see a spiritual birth with physical eyes. No one would be able to say Lo the kingdom is here! or, lo the kingdom is there! Why? Because Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20, 21). God's kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, not a physical one. And so today, as then, there are many who are not able to see the spiritual kingdom because they are spiritually blind.


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16 July 2018 – Members of the Makati Business Club met with University of the Philippines professor Emmanuel De Dios and Rotterdam School of Management professor Rob van Tulder to discuss compelling business cases for companies to adopt inclusive business strategies in their operations, particularly in their supply chains.
The business executives and resource speakers looked at various IB practices in the country, especially in the areas of inclusive financing and inclusive value chains. Van Tulder explained that these models are not—and should not be—treated as philanthropic activities but as growth partnerships linked to the core business of companies.
This was supported by the presentation of successful IB cases in the Philippine agriculture sector from which firms from other sectors can gain valuable lessons. For example, De Dios shared his research team's insights in studying agriculture value chains. "It's not just physical connectivity that is needed. It is the relational and transactional connectivity, too. Larger firms and social enterprises, with greater presence in the country and direct access to consumers, can build that relationship and increase the value that the farmers produce and receive," he said.
The experts presented the factors that drive corporations to invest in sustainable practices, beginning with reducing cost, boosting reputation, and promoting goodwill. In other cases, the decision to adopt sustainable and inclusive practices is a strategic move to support their core business, such as in the case of food manufacturing firms that support sustainable fishing. Finally, there are proactive companies that adopt an IB approach because of diversification plans. This means creating shared values and having joint responsibility for prices and quality with supplier communities.
According to Van Tulder, human resource management offers one of the strongest arguments for inclusiveness and high social performance. "People do not want to work for companies that are known to have lower sustainability and inclusive practices than its competitors." And because of the competitive labor market, Van Tulder said the result could be higher wage costs for companies with reputation problems. He added that workers employed in responsible and inclusive companies are more likely to support their companies in overcoming corporate crises.
De Dios and Van Tulder are currently working with Philippine companies in an action research program, Escaping the Middle-Income Trap: Chains for Change Center (EMIT-C4C), which looks at the conditions that improve the inclusiveness and competitiveness of frontrunner firms in the Philippines. The roundtable discussion was the first of MBC's series of activities promoting inclusive business practices to its member companies, as well as its overall advocacy for businesses to adopt any or all of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


One of the biggest challenges facing organisations today is supporting IT systems to ensure they are continually secure, and that the environment is managed in line with compliance requirements. The cost, resource and skills required in addition supporting operational requirements can be difficult for businesses to manage. We have developed a unique service that combines the technical skills of our IT infrastructure, security systems and compliance personnel.
This 24×7 service has been designed to help organisations that require their IT operations to be resilient, continually monitored, whilst working to continually improving their IT security posture but lack the in house capability or skills.
Our support team have a comprehensive understanding of Palo- Alto and Cisco Firewalls, Microsoft Server and OS products, VMware and Safenet technologies. Our Security Testing team regularly conduct vulnerability scans, external infrastructure, web application and internal penetration tests and understand what makes an environment both resilient and secure. Finally, our compliance team ensure that the requirements of ISO27001, PCI-DSS, and Cyber Essentials Plus are met by providing continual assessment of the work taking place.
Over and above supporting the technical IT controls, we provide you with an appointed Information Security System Officer. Aligned to the needs of your business, the Information Security Officer will help with the governance, risk and compliance oversight that is required to support your business. Customers that are required to be compliant with the PCI DSS will have unlimited access to our team of Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs).