text:
Who is Tony Blinken? Biden taps close confidante, longtime aide for secretary of state
CONOR FINNEGAN
In Tony Blinken, Joe Biden has said he has a "superstar."
The president-elect's pick to be secretary of state is not a household name. But his years of experience in Washington's foreign policy circles and near-two decades of working closely with Biden have brought bipartisan praise for his forthcoming nomination.
Biden will appear alongside Blinken and other key members of his national security cabinet Tuesday, as he continues to try to project calm competence during a rocky transition log-jammed by President Donald Trump's refusal to concede.
MORE: Biden announces historic picks for foreign policy and national security Cabinet posts
In selecting Blinken, a close confidant who served as the State Department's number two under President Barack Obama, Biden said he is looking for a team to hit the ground running. That's contingent on Blinken clearing Senate confirmation, where Republicans may put up a fight, while some progressives who view him as a centrist, status-quo figure oppose the selection, too.
PHOTO: Vice President Joe Biden and Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken listen as President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki address reporters in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Nov. 1, 2013. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters, FILE)
If he is sworn in as the 71st secretary of state, Blinken has a long list of foreign policy challenges that his boss wants to tackle. But several former State Department officials say he has the key ingredients to be successful as the top U.S. diplomat -- a deep trust and tight bond with the president, an understanding of the agency and its byzantine structure, and the support of its rank and file.
"He is a superb choice. He is an accomplished and experienced foreign policy expert," said Colin Powell, President George W. Bush's secretary of state who endorsed Biden in the 2020 campaign. "I know him well. He is a balanced diplomat with a superb reputation and will represent the United States with skill and professionalism."
MORE: Joe Biden's presidential transition allowed to proceed after 16-day standoff
Blinken, 58, has been a loyal foreign policy aide to Biden since he served as Democratic staff director on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee while Biden was the chair. He went with Biden to the White House as his national security adviser, before serving as Obama's deputy national security adviser and then deputy secretary of state.
His experience as the second highest-ranking U.S. diplomat makes him a known quantity in foreign capitals, especially for his work building the international coalition to defeat the Islamic State and pressing for international sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle for the illegal occupation of Crimea. It could also make him a Republican target, with senators looking to sink his nomination by tying him to Obama-era policies like the Iran nuclear deal.
MORE: Trump admin cementing legacy with Israeli settlement visit, Yemen and Iran sanctions
During the 2020 campaign, the mild-mannered Blinken said a Biden presidency would focus on strengthening those alliances, blaming Trump and his hard-charging Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for alienating U.S. allies and weakening U.S. standing.
"The first step is actually revitalizing these alliances, revitalizing these partnerships, reasserting that America values them and that we want to be engaged in them or with them to work together to tackle these hard problems," he told the Hudson Institute in July.
PHOTO: In this July 27, 2015, file photo, US Deputy Secretary of State, Antony Blinken shakes hands with Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ignacio Ybanez, during their meeting in Madrid. (J.J. Guillen/EPA via Shutterstock, FILE)
Fluent in French and known for his guitar skills, the Harvard College and Columbia Law School graduate spent his teenage years living with his mother Judith Pisar and stepfather Samuel Pisar in Paris after Judith and his father Donald Blinken divorced. The elder Blinken is a wealthy financier who served as President Bill Clinton's ambassador to Hungary, while his uncle Alan served as ambassador to Belgium.
His mother is a well-known patron of the arts and his stepfather is a famed lawyer and author, who survived the horrors of Auschwitz and Dachau, but lost his family. It's an experience that left a deep impression on a young Blinken, according to Pisar.
"It gave him another dimension, another look at the world and what can happen here," Pisar told The Washington Post in 2013, two years before his death in 2015. "When he has to worry today about poison gas in Syria, he almost inevitably thinks about the gas with which my entire family was eliminated."
This school year, some kids will have new classmates: refugees. @Grover & I discuss how to make them feel welcome in their new communities. pic.twitter.com/gKInM2Ahuw
— Antony Blinken (@ABlinken) September 21, 2016
That compassion has become a calling card, according to Blinken's supporters, who describe him as kind and thoughtful -- qualities on display during a segment with Sesame Street's Grover about refugees that was filmed in September 2016, but went viral again after news of his selection broke Sunday night.
"Can you imagine how difficult it would be to have to leave your home?" Blinken asked Grover, who said he never wanted to leave Sesame Street. "Sadly, refugees have to leave everything behind."
"Even though they come from many different places, they're just like you and me," Blinken added in the video. "We all have something to learn and gain from one another, even when it doesn't seem at first like we have much in common."
PHOTO: In this June 2, 2015, file photo, former Deputy Secretary of State Antony J Blinken gives a joint press conference following a meeting with Foreign Affairs members of the anti-Islamic State coalition in Paris. (Stephane De Sakutin/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)
Supporters hope that means Blinken will take a tougher stance on human rights, especially against China for its assault on Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities or Hong Kong and its democracy -- something Trump refused to do, even as Pompeo made China a frequent target of his withering criticism.
That empathy also seems to be behind Blinken's push for U.S. interventions during the Obama years, including supporting U.S. airstrikes against Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Libya and greater American involvement in Syria's long, bloody war -- two instances where he was on the opposite end of the argument as his boss Biden.
But it's those very policies that have now engendered opposition from some liberal groups, as well as the isolationist streak of Republicans that backed Trump and his call to "end endless wars" and stop America's role as the "world's policeman."
"Blinken has agreed with some of the biggest foreign policy mistakes that Biden and Obama made, and he has tended to be more of an interventionist than both of them," wrote Daniel Larison, senior editor of The American Conservative -- while Cindy Wiesner, executive director of Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, said he "reflects the status quo of the Obama era: pro-war, pro-US intervention, and pro-military agenda."
There is one other quality that supporters say will make Blinken a distinctive voice: He's a new father to two young children with his wife Evan Ryan, a former assistant secretary of state.
"It will be inspiring for working parents everywhere to see America's top diplomat in action as he also helps raise two toddlers," tweeted his former colleague Samantha Power, Obama's U.N. ambassador. "Thanks to Tony & the incomparable Evan Ryan for their family sacrifice."
This report was featured in the Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, episode of "Start Here," ABC News' daily news podcast.
"Start Here" offers a straightforward look at the day's top stories in 20 minutes. Listen for free every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, the ABC News app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Who is Tony Blinken? Biden taps close confidante, longtime aide for secretary of state originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Lawmakers introduce bill to honor officer who led Capitol rioters away from Senate
Trader Joe's, Instacart among grocery companies offering incentives to vaccinated employees
Health care businesses and hospitals have started to offer incentives for employees that get the COVID-19 vaccine and now grocery companies are too. Trader Joe's announced Thursday that staff who get the COVID-19 vaccine will receive two hours of pay, per dose, according to The Associated Press. Grocery delivery service Instacart also announced Thursday that it will soon help its gig workers who plan to get the vaccine with a new vaccine support stipend.
President Donald Trump plans to make the unprecedented move to depart the White House next Wednesday morning, just before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, ABC News has learned. Trump has requested a large sendoff to be planned for the morning of Jan. 20, sources said, after he choppers via Marine One to Joint Base Andrews, where he is expected to give remarks to supporters and departing members of his administration. Meanwhile, it's been revealed that Vice President Mike Pence spoke with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Thursday, just six days before the inauguration, according to sources familiar with the call, first reported by The New York Times.
10-year-old's emotional letter reaches officer who was injured in Capitol siege
A little girl's touching letter to an officer who responded to the violent siege at the U.S. Capitol has received a response from the Metropolitan Police Department. Johnna Jablonski, mom to 10-year-old Emma, told "Good Morning America" that her daughter had seen news footage covering the now-viral video of Officer Daniel Hodges being crushed against a metal door frame inside the Capitol building. The rioting unfolded the afternoon of Jan. 6 after supporters of President Donald Trump made their way up the Capitol steps around 2:15 p.m. ET, pushing through barricades, officers in riot gear and other security measures that were put in place in anticipation of the moment.
Ben Affleck details 'sexist, racist' way Jennifer Lopez was treated when they were dating
Ben Affleck revisited his "Bennifer" days and detailed the racism Jennifer Lopez endured during their brief engagement. Speaking Thursday to The Hollywood Reporter for its "Awards Chatter" podcast to promote his film "The Way Back," the 48-year-old actor recalled the abuse tabloids hurled at Lopez when news broke of their romance. "There's always a story of the month, and me dating Jennifer Lopez happened to be that tabloid story at the time," the "Gone Girl" star explained.
Career breaks 'don't define you' says executive mom in viral post
"Sometimes one has to make tough career choices for the family," Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue of Lagos, Nigeria, told "Good Morning America." In Chuks-Adizue case, her son OJ was having difficulty at school and with speech. At the time, Chuks-Adizue was senior marketing manager at Procter & Gamble.
Lisa Kudrow spills more 'Friends' reunion details, has 'already shot a little something'
Nearly a year after fans learned Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and Lisa Kudrow had agreed to a "Friends" reunion, the special finally seems to be back on track. With Rob Lowe on Thursday, Kudrow gave an update on the HBO Max project, which was delayed after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.
TikTok's latest makeup trend is... under-eye bags and dark circles?
While there are lots of interesting beauty hacks and tips found on TikTok, many people have been stunned to see others intentionally painting on under-eye bags and dark circles. Miami-based makeup and skincare engineer Megha Singh gave the unusual hack a try and shared a video where she is seen applying a pinkish-purple shade of makeup under her eyes. "Can we make dark circles a trend?" she questioned in the video.
Shawn Johnson pregnant with baby No. 2 with husband Andrew East
Shawn Johnson is pregnant with her second child with husband Andrew East, the couple announced Friday. "Here we go again," the Olympic gold medalist captioned an Instagram post featuring a series of photos in which she shows off her baby bump with her family. In the first snap, she shares a romantic kiss with East.
Willie Nelson gives a thumbs-up after receiving COVID-19 vaccine
Willie Nelson is among the many Americans who've signed up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. During his drive-through vaccination this week, a masked Nelson posed for a series of pictures, offering the camera a thumbs-up as he received his dose of the vaccine. Nelson, who turns 88 in April, is among the first mainstream country stars to publicly receive the COVID-19 vaccine, though many of his fellow artists have battled the virus.
Three of the key advisers who helped engineer Donald Trump's' rise to the presidency in 2016, and who fell from grace under the weight of federal criminal charges, resurfaced during Trump's final days in office to help engineer his ill-fated attempt to cling to power. Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn all participated in efforts to promote the Jan. 6 "Stop the Steal" event that ultimately devolved into a riotous and deadly melee at the United States Capitol, leaving five dead and causing Trump to become the only president to be impeached for a second time.
Engineer stuns TikTok with marvelous real-life Iron Man suit
Emily Yarid posted a now-viral video of how she built a 3D printed replica of the famed Iron Man suit that has racked up more than 57 million views and counting. Yarid joined "Good Morning America" on Friday to discuss her marvelous creation, the moment her TikTok took off and the advice she would give to kids who also feel inspired. "I had spent about three days making this TikTok video about behind the scenes of me making this suit and I posted it about two hours before I went to my graduation ceremony," the recent Clemson University graduate said.
Braised chicken recipe 2 ways for 4 people under $20
One top chef has a recipe that can affordably feed four people without sacrificing flavor. Chef Antonia Lofaso joined "Good Morning America" for the Dollar Dinner Challenge to create two meals for four people, all for under 20 bucks. The chef, TV personality, owner and executive chef of Scopa Italian Roots in Marina del Ray, California, used boneless, skinless chicken thighs as the base protein for both meals.
FBI discusses possibility of explosive devices at expected protests linked to inauguration
The danger to the public and to law enforcement officers from explosive devices during expected upcoming protests "is substantial," the FBI warned in a new awareness bulletin obtained by ABC News. The document includes photos of devices used in the last eight months against civilian and law enforcement targets during public protests. The FBI now wants to make first responders aware of what has been deployed in the past and what they might encounter during demonstrations linked to the inauguration.
DC police officers speak out after US Capitol siege: 'I thought ... I might die'
When a violent mob of President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, it was law enforcement officers who put their lives at risk to protect Congress and secure the area. Robert Contee, chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, let three of his officers who were on the front lines speak to D.C. ABC affiliate WJLA about their experiences. "They have a heroic story and I think the world really needs to know," Contee told WJLA.
Blizzard warning issued for Midwest as storm moves into Northeast
A strong storm system is producing lots of wind and snow in the Central U.S., with a blizzard warning issued for five states, from Minnesota to Missouri. Already Friday morning up to half a foot of snow has fallen in Iowa and winds have been gusting at 60 to 80 mph from the Dakotas to Oklahoma. As the storm is expected to move into the Northeast, snow alerts have been extended into upstate New York and New England.
Nine in 10 Americans oppose the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, seven in 10 say Donald Trump bears at least some responsibility for it and a majority in a new ABC News/Washington Post poll – 56% – favors efforts in Congress to bar him from holding elected office again. Fifty-four percent in the national survey also say Trump should be charged criminally with inciting a riot for having encouraged his supporters to march on the Capitol.
The pullback of political giving by some of the country's most prominent companies -- a move triggered by the siege on the United States Capitol by a mob of President Donald Trump's supporters -- unevenly affects Republicans, but is unlikely to hamper the party's overall fundraising ahead of the 2022 cycle. In the days after the insurrection on Capitol Hill, more than two dozen companies announced they are either reevaluating their political giving strategies or withholding financial support for lawmakers -- for now -- including some businesses that are specifically halting donations to those Republicans in Congress who objected to the outcome of the 2020 presidential election last week. It's a dramatic defiance within corporate America, which historically lines the parties' pockets with hundreds of millions of dollars in an election cycle, and could especially hurt Republicans who rely relatively more heavily on contributions from corporate political action committees, or PACs.
6 questions about Trump's 2nd impeachment trial answered, much still unknown
For the second time in 13 months and for the fourth time in American history, the Senate will again embark on yet another impeachment trial, the second for President Donald Trump. Now that the House has approved an article of impeachment accusing Trump of inciting violence against the U.S. government, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi essentially determines when the trial starts. Proceedings are triggered when Pelosi authorizes the House impeachment managers, who she formally appointed Wednesday, to formally deliver the article to the Senate chamber.
Kindergarten teacher continues to teach virtually while getting chemotherapy for 2nd cancer battle
When Kelly Klein, a kindergarten teacher in Minnesota, first battled stage 3 ovarian cancer five years ago, she had to take off about six months due to her aggressive treatments. Over the summer, when Klein, 54, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer again, she decided she would do whatever it takes to continue to be able to teach, a career she calls her passion. Klein has taught at Falcon Heights Elementary in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, for the past 32 years.


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The Daily Show - 11-30-15
Today's topics - Watching TV shows with someone you don't have anything in common with, Thanksgiving, and the top TV shows people are binge watching.
Today's topics - Nose picking in public, TV Networks canceling more shows, How to be a 'Good Wife,' and more..
Today's topics - Hollywood's bombshell: Charlie Sheen to disclose he has HIV, Justin Bieber is killing it, top songs on iTunes and more..
Today's topics - Paris and the United States fight against ISIS, Ronda Rousey gets beat, and more..
Today's topics - What's better: Thanksgiving or Christmas, Man on jetpack flies around Statue of Liberty, New planets found and more..
Today's topics - Starbuck's creates holiday controversy, UFO's in California, Best place to live in world, and more..
Today's topics - Friday is here, New Netflix show, Some GOP candidates need to drop out, ISIS involved in Russian plane crash, and more..
Today's topics - Country Music Awards last night, Google promises drone delivery service by 2017, Leftovers on HBO and more..
Today's topics - America's top Sandwiches, Top breakup songs, Ohio rejects legalization of marijuana, and more..
Today's topics - Royals win World Series, E. Coli scare in Chipotle stores, Russian plane crash mystery and more..

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: How to resolve SerializationException when complex objects contain non-nullable DateTime members? I am converting some objects to JSON using WCF.
Sometimes, there is an error:

SerializationException: DateTime values that are greater than DateTime.MaxValue or smaller than DateTime.MinValue when converted to UTC cannot be serialized to JSON.

According to this post, I can resolve it by setting
objects of type DateTime this way dt = DateTime.SpecifyKind(dt, DateTimeKind.Utc). This resolves well enough when my class isn't compound, example:
public class MyObj : BaseObj
{
    [XmlElement(Order = 0, ElementName = "name")]
    public string Name { get; set; }
    [XmlElement(Order = 1, ElementName = "xDate")]
    public DateTime? XDate { get; set; }
    [XmlElement(Order = 2, ElementName = "yDate")]
    public DateTime YDate { get; set; }

}

[Serializable]
public class BaseObj
{
    [XmlElement(Order = 0,ElementName = "pDate")]
    public DateTime? PDate { get; set; }
    [XmlElement(Order = 1, ElementName = "qDate")]
    public DateTime QDate { get; set; }
}

Edit:
I don't actually create the instance of MyObj. I'm passed the object and create a wrapper around it
/*..some factory creates the instance `mo` and returns it...*/
MyObjWrapper wrapped = new MyObjWrapper() {MyObject = mo};

public class MyObjWrapper{
    [XmlIgnore]
    private MyObj _myObject;

    [XmlElement(Order = 0, ElementName = "Arg1")]
    public MyObj MyObject {
        get{ return _myobject; }
        set{
            value.GetType().GetProperties().ToList().ForEach(
                m => { if (m.PropertyType.Equals(typeof(DateTime))) m.SetValue(value, DateTime.SpecifyKind((DateTime)m.GetValue(value), DateTimeKind.Utc)); });
            _myobject = value;
        }
    }
}

How would I do so when the class is more complex (ie it has members which are user defined classes containing non-nullable date times as well)? I cannot set the members to be of the nullable type DateTime?.
Example:
public class MyObj : BaseObj
{
    [XmlElement(Order = 0, ElementName = "name")]
    public string Name { get; set; }
    [XmlElement(Order = 1, ElementName = "xDate")]
    public DateTime? XDate { get; set; }
    [XmlElement(Order = 2, ElementName = "yDate")]
    public DateTime YDate { get; set; }
    [XmlElement(Order = 3, ElementName = "kaBoom")]
    public AnotherObj KaBoom {get; set;} /*This contains a non-nullable DateTime member which causes the exception */
}

[Serializable]
public class AnotherObj
{
    [XmlElement(Order = 0,ElementName = "objID")]
    public int ObjID {get; set;}
    [XmlElement(Order = 1,ElementName = "anotherDate")]
    public DateTime AnotherDate {get; set;}
}

A: you can use this workaround, In your json object definition
[IgnoreDataMember]
public DateTime dateObject;

public string dateCustomSerialize
{
 get {
//Custom get
}
set {
//Custom set
}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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10.Income assistance for those on disability will rise $77 a month, except for those who already receive a bus pass or transit assistance. It's the first increase in the rate in nine years. The overall welfare rate remains unchanged.


text:
AJHL Announces South Division Schedule for Round One
The Alberta Junior Hockey League announced today the South Division schedule for Round One of the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs. The best-of-five first round series will begin on Wednesday, March 6th.
The top seven teams in each division qualified for the 2013 AJHL Playoffs. The AJHL Regular Season Champion Brooks Bandits have captured the South Division and earned a bye for the second straight year. The Spruce Grove Saints have earned a first round bye in the North Division for a fifth consecutive season.
The highest ranked seed is awarded home ice advantage in the opening round of the 2013 playoffs. The teams will playoff as follows: 2nd versus 7th place, 3rd versus 6th place, and 4th versus 5th place.
Okotoks Oilers (2) vs. Olds Grizzlys (7)
Game 1 March 6, 2013 @ Okotoks 7:00 PM
Game 3 March 9, 2013 @ Olds 7:30 PM
Game 4 March 10, 2013 @ Olds 7:30 PM*
Game 5 March 12, 2013 @ Okotoks 7:00 PM*
Camrose Kodiaks (3) vs. Calgary Mustangs (6)
Game 1 March 6, 2013 @ Camrose 7:30 PM
Game 3 March 9, 2013 @ Calgary 7:00 PM
Game 4 March 10, 2013 @ Calgary 7:45 PM*
Game 5 March 12, 2013 @ Camrose 7:30 PM*
Drumheller Dragons (4) vs. Canmore Eagles (5)
Game 1 March 6, 2013 @ Drumheller 7:30 PM
Game 3 March 9, 2013 @ Canmore 7:00 PM
Game 4 March 10, 2013 @ Canmore 7:00 PM*
Game 5 March 12, 2013 @Drumheller 7:30 PM*
* if necessary
The first place team in each division at the completion of the regular season will receive a bye to Round Two of the AJHL Playoffs. The first place team in each division will play the lowest place team remaining in their division and the next highest placed team will play the other team in a best-of-seven series.
Round Three: League Semi-Finals
The remaining two teams in each division will playoff for the title of Division Champion and advance to the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Cup Final.
Round Four – AJHL Gas Drive Cup: League Final
The North Division Champion and the South Division Champion will compete in the League Final for the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Cup.
The North Division schedule will be released shortly, followed by the announcement of all 2013 AJHL League Award Winners on March 5th.
The 2013 AJHL Playoff Schedule, Playoff Bracket, and head to head stats for each series are available on the AJHL website www.AJHL.ca. Watch each game of the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs LIVE on AJHL Web TV at www.AJHL.ca.
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text:
COVID-19 haunts industrial zones in Indonesia
Ardila Syakriah
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil (right) observes COVID-19 rapid tests for workers at the Suzuki plant in Cikarang, Bekasi regency, West Java, on Friday. (Antara/Fakhri Hermansyah)
Six months into the pandemic, Indonesian workers are not only at risk of massive layoffs but also of infections at their workplaces, as virus clusters have emerged in factories, prompting calls for tighter government supervision and better compliance of health protocols from companies.
The country's most populous province, West Java, has seen at least three big clusters with a total of 541 cases emerging from its industrial areas in Bekasi regency, located at the periphery of the capital, within the last weeks of August.
The regency's health agency head, Sri Enny Mainarti, declined to disclose the names of the three factories but said each had 250, 220 and 71 cases, respectively. Another factory had earlier seen dozens of cases in July and another one in May.
They were LG Electronics, motorcycle manufacturer Suzuki and automotive spare part manufacturer PT Nippon Oilseal Kogyu, while previous clusters were also reported from Unilever Indonesia and Japanese industrial conglomerate Hitachi Ltd.
In total, Enny said 22 factories in the regency had reported COVID-19 cases among their workers since the beginning of the pandemic.
In Tangerang, Banten, Mayor Arief Wismansyah told the Post that the administration had traced a total of 43 cases in a cluster emerging from a factory producing daily products from July to August. He also declined to disclose the company names.
Local administration officials have said that the affected factory workers did not only live in the areas where the industrial zones were located but also commuted from areas in Greater Jakarta.
Central Java and East Java have also reported clusters among their workers, amounting to some 300 cases in at least three companies in July for the former and more than 100 cases in two cigarette factories in April and May.
Read also: Sampoerna factory closes after two COVID-19 deaths
COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Committee Erick Thohir said during a press briefing last week that factory owners must help curb transmission by following health protocols instead of relying solely on the government, which he said had provided assistance by wage subsidies, tests and health protocol campaigns.
"If [factory owners] don't protect their workers, [choosing to apply] one shift [in a day] instead of two just to pursue [more] income, then [companies must] be ready for the consequences. It's not impossible for the factories to be closed," he said.
Inter-Factory Laborers Federation (FBLP) chairwoman Jumisih said there were still companies that did not provide the necessary facilities for workers to follow health protocols, especially in terms of social distancing. Hence, it was inevitable that thousands or hundreds of workers would come across each other when entering or exiting their workplaces, or during break time.
Some factories had yet to divide shifts and even then, workers were concerned that if they did, their companies would cut their pay according to their working hours, she said, adding that her federation was collecting data on workers who failed to pay their rent due to the pay cuts. Jumisih urged for tighter monitoring from manpower agencies.
"There are workers who only receive half or a third of their income. Who can survive with that money? We need the government's intervention in this. Workers who are afraid of coming to work are afraid of being laid off and can't bring food to the table, but those who come and are at risk of infection also face pay cuts and can't provide for themselves and their families," she said.
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil visited an industrial area in Cikarang, Bekasi, on Friday, urging companies to facilitate workers to follow protocols, such as by providing good air ventilation. He said that if a local cluster emerged, factories must let their employees in exposed locations work from home.
"Every factory worker is required to fill out a journal every morning detailing their activities outside of the factory, as well as a list of everywhere they go outside of the factory," Ridwan said.
Enny of Bekasi's health agency said transmissions could occur at smoking area or food stalls outside factory complexes after working hours.
Read also: Indonesia's factory activity in deepest-ever contraction as pandemic disrupts supply, demand
Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) property and economic zone head Sanny Iskandar said companies had followed health protocols and regulations, with some carrying out massive testing using rapid antibody tests, which should be seen positively.
Given that most cities and regencies have relaxed lockdown restrictions, companies would have no idea where workers could spend after-work hours, he said, emphasizing that it took everyone to work together in improving the country's economy and maintaining safe workplaces.
"Factories [affected] are large companies that have the money to test their workers. They provide food in canteens. But factories outside these [industrial] areas, their workers eat outside. So, I'm not sure with these companies; maybe it's just because they don't test so they don't find any cases," he said.
"There must be monitoring because it's better to prevent rather than take reactive actions after workers are infected."
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text:
Q: Simple random walk on cycle graph (Ending on specific vertex after cover time) I'm considering a simple random walk on a cycle graph comprising a number of vertices, labelled $1$ to $5$ consecutively. Suppose I start at vertex 1 and can traverse to either side ($2$ or $5$). I continue this random walk until I have covered all vertices. What is the probability that I finish on node $3$, and the expected number of steps to get there? How do I calculate the same quantities if I finish on the other vertices? How do I generalise to say $n$ vertices?
I have seen multiple resources discussing the cover time on a cycle graph, but in this context, I guess I have to include a discussion on either stopping time after visiting all vertices (which I don't really know how to include here, perhaps via a conditional probability) or transforming the end state as an absorbing state (which I guess won't make it a Markov chain anymore). I also suspect that for the first part (ending on node 3) we can exploit symmetry, but I'm not sure how. What should I do here? Thanks!
Edit: after simulating this, I've noticed that the probabilities of ending at any node is $1/4$. The expected number of steps terminating at $3$ (or $4$) should be $11$, and the expected number of steps terminating at $2$ (or $5$) should be $9$.

A: Look at my comment under
This problem can be decomposed as several mini problems. Each of these mini problems are versions of a common expected value problem which looks something like a line of lily pads numbered $0,1,\ldots n$ with a frog starting on $k\in (0,n]$ and something bad (like a crocodile) on lilypad $0$ and something good (like food) on lilypad $n$.
Let's call the expected value of the number of steps it takes the frog to reach $n$ when starting from $k$ as $E(k,n)$. We get the following system of equations using states (assuming $n\geq 2$)
$$\begin{cases} E(1,n)=1+E(2,n)\\
E(x,n)=1+\frac{1}{2}E(x-1,n)+\frac{1}{2}E(x+1,n)~\forall x\in [2,n-1]\\
E(n,n)=0\end{cases}$$
We can see that $E(x,n)$ has a really nice recursion for the non-edge cases (if $a_x=E(x,n)$, then $a_x-3a_{x-1}+3a_{x-2}-a_{x-3}=0$) We also have $3$ "initial" conditions ($E(1,n)=1+\frac{1}{2}E(2,n)$, $E(n,n)=0$, and $2E(x,n)-E(x-1,n)-E(x+1,n)=2$). We can use the properties of linear recurrences to conclude that $E(x,n)$ will be some quadratic polynomial in $x$. Let's say $E(x,n)=ax^2+bx+c$ (the constants $a,b,c$ will likely be dependent on $n$).
From the recursion, we have that
$$2E(x,n)-E(x-1,n)-E(x+1,n)=2$$
$$(E(x,n)-E(x-1,n))-(E(x+1,n)-E(x,n))=2$$
$$(2ax+b-1)-(2ax+2a+b-1)=2$$
$$-2a=2$$
$$a=-1$$
So $E(x,n)=-x^2+bx+c$. Now we also have
$$\begin{cases} E(1,n)=1+E(2,n)\\E(n,n)=0\end{cases}$$
$$\begin{cases} -1+b+c=1+(-4+2b+c)\\-n^2+bn+c=0\end{cases}$$
$$\begin{cases} b=2\\c=n^2-bn\end{cases}$$
$$\begin{cases} b=2\\c=n^2-2n\end{cases}$$
Hence, we have $\boxed{E(x,n)=-x^2+2x+n^2-2n}$. This result will be useful for the rest of the problem
There is also another problem we need to solve that will be useful. This is the probability that given lilypads numbered $0,1,\ldots n$ with a frog at $x$, what is the probability that they will go to $n$ before going to $0$. If we call this probability $P(x,n)$, we get a similar system of equations using states (assuming $n\geq 2$)
$$\begin{cases} P(0,n)=0\\
P(x,n)=\frac{1}{2}P(x-1,n)+\frac{1}{2}P(x+1,n)~\forall x\in [1,n-1]\\
P(n,n)=1\end{cases}$$
Using a similar approach as previously, we can use the fact that there is a nice recursion for $P(x,n)$ to see that $P(x,n)$ must be a linear polynomial in $x$. Hence, we have $P(x,n)=ax+b$ Since $P(0,n)=0$ and $P(n,n)=1$, we can quickly see that $\boxed{P(x,n)=\frac{x}{n}}$.
Back to the original problem, to finish on $3$, you must first get to $2$ or $4$. Then you must go to the other of $2$ or $4$. Then you must go to $3$.
The only decision we have to make is whether to go to $2$ or $4$ first. After we have made this decision, there are no more decisions left to make so that we achieve our goal of finishing on $3$
Let's say that we choose to go to $2$ before going to $4$. We can treat $4$ as the $0$ lilypad and $2$ as the $n$ lilypad. The probability that we actually choose this path of going to $2$ before going to $4$ is $P(2,3)$. The expected number of steps to get to $2$ is $E(2,3)$.
From there, we must go to $4$ without going to $3$. The expected number of steps to do that is $E(1,4)$. From there we simply need to go to $3$ anyway possible. We can't actually use any of the formulae we derived above, but this is a straightforward application of states with a lot of symmetry. So I'll leave it as an exercise to the reader to prove that the expected number of steps to do this is $4$.
Now we deal with the case that we choose to go to $4$ before going to $2$. We can treat $2$ as the $0$ lilypad and $4$ as the $n$ lilypad. The probability that we actually choose this path of going to $4$ before going to $2$ is $P(1,3)$. The expected number of steps to get to $4$ is $E(1,3)$.
From there, we must go to $2$ without going to $3$. The expected number of steps to do that is $E(1,4)$. From there we simply need to go to $3$ anyway possible. As before, the expected number of steps to do this is $4$.
In total, the expected number of steps to execute this 2-part procedure is
$$P(2,3)(E(2,3)+E(1,4)+4)+P(1,3)(E(1,3)+E(1,4)+4)$$
$$=\frac{2}{3}(3+9+4)+\frac{1}{3}(4+9+4)$$
$$=\frac{32}{3}+5$$
$$=\frac{47}{3}$$
Similarly, it's not hard to see that the probability you end on $3$ is
$$P(2,3)P(1,4)(1)+P(1,3)P(1,4)(1)$$
$$=P(1,4)(P(2,3)+P(1,3))$$
$$=\frac{1}{4}$$
Code for finding expected number of steps to end on 3. Should return approximately 11 if trials is high enough
def f1(trials):
    successful_trials = 0
    total_steps = 0
    for i in range(trials):
        steps = 0
        pos = 1
        unvisited = [0,2,4]
        while(pos % 5 != 3):
            pos += get_random_step()
            steps += 1
            if pos % 5 in unvisited:
                unvisited.remove(pos % 5)
        if unvisited == []:
            successful_trials += 1
            total_steps += steps
    return total_steps/successful_trials

Code for finding $E(x,n)$
def f2(x,n,trials):
    successful_trials = 0
    total_steps = 0
    for i in range(trials):
        steps = 0
        pos = x
        while(pos != n and pos != 0):
            pos += get_random_step()
            steps += 1
        if pos == n:
            successful_trials += 1
            total_steps += steps
    return total_steps/successful_trials

A: I'd like to propose another approach, based on the graph being the $N$-cycle.
First, let's fix the notation making it more standard.
We assume that the vertices are $0,1,\dots,N-1$ and that the walker begins from $0$. The RW is symmetric, meaning the transition function is of the form $p(i,i+1 \mod N) = \frac 12 = 1-p(i,i-1 \mod N)$.
Theorem. The distribution of the last hit vertex is uniform on $\{1,\dots, N-1\}$.
Proof
Fix any vertex $j\in \{1,\dots,N-1\}$. Now consider the graph obtained by removing the state $j$. This is an "interval", a line graph with $N-1$ vertices,  $\{j+1 \mod N,\dots,-1 \mod N,0,1,\dots, j-1\}$
Let $\sigma$ be the time until the walk on the cycle,  starting from $0$ hits an endpoint of the interval, namely until the walk hits   $j-1$ or $j+1 \mod N$.
Now $j$ will be the last vertex to be hit by the walk if and only if after $\sigma$, the walk will hit the other endpoint before hitting $j$.
Since:

*

*the walk is symmetric;  and at time $\sigma$ is

*a. $N-2$ units from the other endpoint (remember that the interval has $N-1$ elements in it);

*b. $1$ unit from $j$, in the opposite direction.  the position of the  walk at time $\sigma$ is one unit away from $j$;
We conclude that the probability of $j$ being hit last is independent of $j$, and is the same as the probability of the walk starting from (say) $0$ to hit $N-2$ before hitting $N-1$ (much simple to draw) Since we have $N-1$ choices for $j$, the result follows. $\Box$
Expectation
I'll consider the expectation of the cover time conditioned on $j$ hit last. I  will only outline analysis leading to an answer. All calculations reduce to standard recurrence relations on the integers.
Let $\rho$ be the cover time. We are looking at its distribution conditioned on $j$ hit last. This is an independent sum of the following:

*

*$\sigma$: time to hit one of the endpoints of the interval above, starting from $0$.

*$\rho_1$: starting from that endpoint, time to hit the other endpoint, conditioned it happens before hitting $j$ (note: both endpoints are neighbors of $j$). Regardless of the choice of $j$, this has the same distribution the time  to hit $N-2$ before hitting $N-1$, starting from $0$.

*$\rho_2$: starting from an endpoint, time to hit $j$ (remember that both endpoints are neighbors of $j$).  This has the same distribution as time to hit $N-1$, starting from $0$.

Note that $\sigma+\rho_2$ has the same distribution as time $j$ is first hit starting from $0$ (start from zero, hit one of the endpoints, and then hit $j$), so effectively it is only two recurrence relations one needs to solve.
Also, only the distribution of $\sigma$ depends on $j$, the other two are the same for all $j$.

A: Continuing the discussion with Alan (see his answer above) I would like to present the approach here for the computation of the cover time. I am basically following the ideas of Lovász [Lov93] as presented in "Markov Chains and Mixing Times", Levin et al, Chapter 11, Example 11.1 along with the formula we will derive at the end.
If we have a symmetric Random Walk $(X_n)_{n\geq0}$ on $\mathbb Z/n$ (cycle graph), where $n\geq 1$, we can ask for the expected time to visit all the $n$ states at least once. The counting stops when we reach the last new state for the first time. Let us call this time $\tau^n_{cov}$ (cover time).
Further we can assume that we start with probability $1$ in some given state. Then the RW visits a new state in the next step, as we can not stay where we began. We then have two options: either we leave this set of two already visited states to left or to the right. For example, if we started in 0, and the next state was 1, we either go directly to the new state 2, or we travel via 0 to n-1.
Directly after, we again wait until the RW has left the set of now three states at either end. And so on.
This is the classic situation of computing the number of games before a gambler either is ruined or beats the opponent. We call this ruin time $\tau^{(r,n)}$.
For that we can use first-step-analysis. Let $f_n(k):=\mathbb E(\tau^{(r,n)}|Z_0=k)$.
We can now think of a state space $\{0,1,2,\ldots,n\}$, where $n$ and $0$ are absorbing.
We get:
$$f_n(0)=0$$
$$f_n(1)=1+\frac12f_n(0)+\frac12f_n(2)=1+\frac12f_n(2)$$
$$...$$
$$f_n(k)=1+\frac12f_n(k-1)+\frac12f_n(k+1)$$
$$...$$
$$f_n(n)=0$$
Like in the answer by Allan, we assume that $f_n(k)$ is a quadratic polynomial, such that $f_n(k)=a\cdot k^2+b\cdot k+c$ with real numbers $a,b,c$ yet unknown.
Using $f_n(0)=0$ we get immediately $c=0$. After this reduction we just need to solve the system of equations above for general $k, 1\leq k\leq n-1$:
$$ak^2+bk=1+\frac12(k-1)(a(k-1)+b)+\frac12(k+1)(a(k-1)+b)=1+a(k^2+1)+bk$$
Luckily this reduces after some simple algebra to just $a=-1$.
Now we have $f_n(k)=-k^2+bk$ and need to find the value of $b$. For that, we use the case for $k=n$, which gives:
$$f_n(n)=-n^2+bn=0\Leftrightarrow b=n$$
Finally, we have found $f_n(k)=-k^2+nk=(n-k)k$. Indeed, we actually need to evaluate the function only at $k=1$ or equivalently at $n-1$, as we always start at the boundary.
Now we can combine both results. If we have in total n states in the cycle graph:
$$\mathbb E[\tau^n_{cov}]=\sum_{i=2}^{n}f_i(1)=\sum_{i=2}^{n}(i-1)1=\sum_{i=1}^{n-1}i=\frac12n(n-1)$$
Either way, for the original question, we get exactly $\mathbb E[\tau_{cov}]=1+2+3+4=\frac125*4=10$.
Since all the states except the first one, are equally likely to be the last, the number of steps to reach 3 takes on average 10 steps, unless of course we had started in 3.
A simulation confirms that. All states exept the first one are equally likely to be the last. A histogramm confirms the uniform distribution over all non-starting states.
With 100000 samples I got an estimate of 9.97144 for the cover time and this for the distribution on the end states: [0.24762, 0.25162, 0.2512, 0.24956]
[Lov93] On the last new vertex visited by a random walk, Lovász and Winkler, Journal of Graph Theory 17, p 593-596
If needed the code i used in Processing (JAVA)
ArrayList<Integer> visitedStates = new ArrayList<Integer>();

int firstState;
int currentState;
int expSteps=0;
float sum = 0;
float samples = 100000;
int[] hist = new int[4];

for(int i = 0; i < samples; i++) {
  visitedStates.clear();   firstState = 1;
  currentState = firstState;
  expSteps = 0;
  visitedStates.add(firstState);

  while(visitedStates.size() != 5) {
    float theta = random(0,1);

    if(theta > 0.5) {
      currentState += 1;
    }
    else {
      currentState -= 1;
    }

    if(currentState<1) { currentState = 5; }
    if(currentState>5) { currentState = 1; }

    if(!visitedStates.contains(currentState)) {
      visitedStates.add(currentState);
    }
    expSteps++;
  }
  hist[currentState-2] += 1;
  sum += expSteps;
}

println(sum/samples);
println(hist[0]/samples +", " + hist[1]/samples
+", " + hist[2]/samples + ", " + hist[3]/samples);

Some extra notes:
With some adaptions, we can also see what the expected number of steps until  cover with respect to some given end state is.
For that we something more. Assuming, we start in state 1 we either go to {1,2} which is neighbouring 3. Therefore we have to leave that subset via 1 to 5. The other case is {1,5}, then it is not important to which other state we go next, as both are not 3.
The complete case study is displayed in the image. Red subsets are neighbouring 3 only on one side.

We therefore need to compute the average number of games in a symmetric gambler's ruin chain if condition the process to ruin in the end. We assume again a state space of the natural numbers from 0 to some fixed n. In this situation 0 and n are absorbing.
Let $\tau_R$ be the (stopping) time until ruin (time to reach 0). We know that the event $\{\tau_R<\infty\}$ is equivalent to the event of ruin at some point in the future.
For given $i,j\in\{1,\ldots,n-1\}$ we can compute the following conditional probability: $\mathbb P(X_n=j| \tau_R<\infty, X_0=i)$.
In this form it is not very handy, but we can simplify the expression:
$$\mathbb P(X_n=j|\tau_R<\infty,X_0=i)=\frac{\mathbb P(\exists m\geq0:X_{n+m}=0|X_n=j)}{\mathbb P(\exists m'\geq0:X_{n+m'}=0|X_n=i)}\cdot\mathbb P(X_n=j|X_0=i)$$
$$=\frac{\mathbb P(\tau_R<\infty|X_0=j)}{\mathbb P(\tau_R<\infty|X_0=i)}\mathbb P(X_n=j|X_0=i)$$
The ratio of probabilities is actually known, as these are just the ruin probabilities that Alan computed. Therefore
$$\mathbb P(\tau_R<\infty|X_0=k)=1-\frac kn$$
and therefore
$$\mathbb P(X_n=j|\tau_R<\infty,X_0=i)=\frac{n-j}{n-i}\mathbb P(X_n=j|X_0=i).$$
In particular, if we assume time homogeneity (as we did in the previous computation), we also get for a single step:
$$\mathbb P(X_1=j|\tau_R<\infty,X_0=i)=\frac{n-j}{2(n-i)}.$$
This transforms the problem now into a simple absorption problem. Note, the probability to go from state n-1 to n is now zero. Naturally, one could swap the roles of 0 and n, as everything is symmetric.
To compute the average absorption time we simply follow the same approach as before using first step analysis. Let $g(i)=\mathbb E[\tau|X_0=i]$ where $\tau$ is now the absorption time in the new system.
$$g(0) = 0$$
$$g(k)=1+ \frac{n-k+1}{n-k}g(k-1)+\frac{n-k-1}{n-k}g(k+1)$$
$$g(n-1)=1+g(n-2)$$
The last equation states that we have to go to n-2 if we are in n-1, as now going to n is not allowed anymore. I have not bothered to find the general solution to this.
In any case, we just need to solve this for $n=3$ and $n=4$. Escaping to 0 in the first case is on average 8/3 if started in n-1, and in the second case we get 5.
Now we just need to notice that in the above diagram the transition from one set to another are determined just by either the probability to leave or to leave at one side starting at a boundary state.


text:
SNAP Helps Millions of Latinos
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the nation's most important anti-hunger program. The SNAP program lifts millions of low-income Latinos[1] out of poverty and helps them afford an adequate diet.
Poverty and Food Insecurity Are Higher Among Latinos
Latinos have a higher poverty rate than the overall U.S. population. (See Figure 1.)
The most recent Census data show that: [2]
About 1 in 5 Latinos (19 percent) live below the poverty line, compared with 1 in 8 (13 percent) in the general population.
About 1 in 4 (27 percent) Latino children live below the poverty line, compared with 1 in 6 (18 percent) among U.S. children.
About 1 in 6 (16 percent) Latinos aged 18-59 live below the poverty line, compared with 1 in 9 (12 percent) among all such adults.
About 1 in 6 (17 percent) Latino adults aged 60 and over lived below the poverty line, compared with 1 in 10 (10 percent) among all such older adults.
Latino households are more likely to experience food insecurity, compared with all U.S. households. (See Figure 2.) The U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) classifies households that lack consistent access to nutritious food at some point during the year because of limited resources as "food insecure."
The most recent USDA report shows that: [3]
About 1 in 5 (19 percent) households headed by Latinos were food insecure in 2016, compared with 1 in 8 (12 percent) for all U.S. households.
More than 1 in 5 (22 percent) households headed by Latinos with children were food insecure in 2016, compared with 1 in 6 (17 percent) for all U.S. households with children.
How SNAP Responds
SNAP is a powerful anti-poverty program for Latinos. In a typical month of 2016, SNAP helped about 10 million Latinos put sufficient food on the table.[4] Its benefits lifted about 2.5 million Latinos, including 1.2 million children, out of poverty in 2015. SNAP also kept 1.2 million Latinos out of deep poverty (above half of the poverty line) that year.[5] (See Figure 3.)
Latinos represent more than one-fifth of all SNAP participants. According to the Census estimates for 2016, Latinos make up about 18 percent of the U.S. population.[6]
More than a fifth of SNAP benefits — about $16 billion in 2016 — went to Latino households.[7]
On average, Latino households that participate in SNAP receive $290 in SNAP each month.
A typical participating Latino family of three has an average monthly income of $980, or 59 percent of the poverty line. When their $400 SNAP benefit — the average for a family of three — is added to their cash income, total monthly resources rise by 29 percent, to $1,380.
Food Assistance, SNAP Basics
[1] Latinos refers to an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race.
[2] U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2017 Annual Social and Economic Supplement.
[3] Alisha Coleman-Jensen et al., "Household Food Security in the United States in 2016, Statistical Supplement," USDA, September 2017, https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/84973/err-237.pdf.
[4] The source for these data is the U.S. Agriculture Department's fiscal year 2016 SNAP Households Characteristic data. Reporting of race/ethnicity is voluntary and is missing for 15.5 percent of SNAP participants. Some 7.5 million SNAP participants self-identified or were coded by an eligibility worker as "Latino or Hispanic." They represented about 17 percent of all SNAP participants. The cases with missing race/ethnicity information are concentrated in 23 states. For example, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington each were missing the data for more than two-thirds of SNAP individuals. As a result, we relied on another data source, the March 2017 Current Population Survey, to estimate that another 2 million Latinos, 5 percent of all SNAP participants, should have been included as Latino.
[5] CBPP analysis of Census Bureau data from the March Current Population Survey; corrections for underreported benefits from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Urban Institute TRIM model.
[6] U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population as of July 1, 2016.
[7] A Latino household is defined as a household with at least one Latino SNAP participant. About $13 billion, 19 percent of total SNAP benefits, was issued to Latino households based on the U.S. Agriculture Department's fiscal year 2016 SNAP Households Characteristic data. Due to missing race/ethnicity data discussed above, we estimate that an additional $3 billion was issued to Latino households that did not report race/ethnicity data.
PDF of this report (3 pp.)
SNAP Helps a Variety of Demographic Groups
SNAP Helps Millions of Low-Income Seniors
SNAP Helps Millions of Children
SNAP Helps Millions of African Americans


I had never knew that the Matchbox Lion Voltron accessories exit back in the 80's until the modern day. The Blazing Sword and the Spinning Laser Blade were sold separated from the Matchbox Lion Voltron Giftset or Individually. I got the accessories on May Xxiii, Mmvi and it cost me $XXVIII from Ebay.
"From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend. The legend of Voltron: Defender of the Universe! A mighty robot. Loved by good, feared by evil. As Voltron's legend grew, peace settled across the galaxy. On planet Earth, a galaxy alliance was formed. Together with the good planets of the solar system, they maintained peace throughout the universe. Until a new horrible menace threatened the galaxy. Voltron was needed once more. This is the story of the super force of space explorers. Specially trained and sent by the Alliance to bring back Voltron: Defender of the Universe."
- Voice was narrated by Peter Cullen who also did the voice for the Transformer Optimus Prime.
NOTE-1: This review page is meant to give you some ideas about the figure and for nostalgic or sentimental purposes. I hold no responsibility for your action. These images were mostly photographed and scanned by me. If there's a section or image that owned by you and I didn't give you credit, please Email Me and I'll make the correction. Have fun.
1 - Here's the Blazing Sword and Spinning Laser Blade in it's original card.
2 - Back of card show an art of Voltron with the sword and blade.
3 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" blazing sword, and "1" spinning laser blade.
NOTE-2: Matchbox Lion Voltron Sword and Blade came with two assortments, the "700401" card (right image) is for the large regular Voltron and the "700402" card (left image - you are reading this review) is for small 6" Voltron.
The Spinning Laser Blade measures approximately 2 7/16 x 2 7/16 x 3/4 (LxWxH in inch). In an exception to the blue plastic, everything else has chrome paint. The spinning laser blade consist of 8 sharp blades with 4 large blades and 4 small blades. At the back of the spinning laser blade, there is a handle that looks like an L shape for the 6" Voltron to hold on.
NOTE-3: Both the Matchbox Lion Voltron Giftset or the Individual Lion do come with accessories. The accessories were sold in separate package.
Packaging with the spinning laser blade is Voltron trademark the Blazing Sword which measures approximately 6 x 1 10/16 x 10/16 (LxWxH in inch). The sword is all chrome and beautifully design. At the corrected side of the sword, the hilt of the sword has an extra protruded plate (middle image) while the back is all flushed with the blade (bottom image).
The Voltron Sword Assortment #700402 is designed to be held by the Matchbox 6" Miniature Lion Voltron (left image), not by the Regular Matchbox Voltron. For the regular Matchbox Voltron, you need Assortment #700401 (right image of R-1), but at this time I don't have that item. Back to Assortment #700402, unfortunately the short and small L-shape handle of the spinning laser blade and the narrow hilt of the blazing sword do not fit too well into the 6" Voltron hands (mouth). Therefore, don't expect the 6" Voltron to hold its accessories tightly and firmly. The latter lion versions such as the 1997 Trendmasters Voltron and even more superbly done is the 2005 Toynami Masterpiece Voltron did an excellent job with their Voltron mold so that there was no problem for Voltron to hold their accessories.
Line, Series/ Wave: Matchbox, Series 1.
Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - 9 13/16 X 4 1/4 X 3/4 Card.
Place on a clear plastic tray "1" blazing sword, "1" spinning laser blade shield.
Box Special Note: Front Card Appearance: Lion Voltron art. Back Card Appearance: A drawing of Voltron with both the blazing sword and shield.
Box Point or Robot Point: [N/A] - Not Applicable.
Toy Stamp/ Fine Print: None.
Transformation Of Difficulty: [N/A] - Accessories - not action figure.
Stability: [N/A] - Accessories - not action figure.
Fun Toy: [C] - It's only accessories, it's only good if you have the action figures.
Negative Drawback: Voltron can't hold either the Blazing Sword or Spinning Laser Blade securely due to weak connection.
Articulations: [N/A] - Accessories - not action figure.
Voltron's Accessories look alike: [-A] - Looks pretty much like the cartoon.
Lion's Cartoon looks alike: [N/A] - No individual component.
1 - Matchbox Lion Voltron Sword and Shield came with two assortments, the "700401" card and the "700402" card (this is the one that are viewing).


text:
Microservice challenges
by pav October 12, 2016 September 21, 2020
Everybody talks how good microservices are, but it's less popular subject what challenges it brings. As any other tool it is good at solving one kind of problems, sucks at others, and comes at a price.
In case you've forgotten what microservices are, it's an application building pattern that sees an application as a set of small independent services, which communicate with each other via some lightweight protocol.
What you need to remember before joining the microservice camp
It's difficult to choose service boundaries.
Choosing where responsibility of one module ends and another one starts never was easy. But in case of independent services the cost of mistake is much, much higher. Assume you realized that some three individual services should be joined into just two. Now, you need to change the services, their public API, and also all the services that used to communicate to these three. What's more, all of them should be updated simultaneously.
Microservice architecture requires more resources.
Moving to distributed app means that modules previously communicating within the same process now have to talk over the network. This is slow. Putting services into containers, while not significantly affecting performance, still adds an overhead. As each service should has its own data storage, data duplication becomes an issue. For instance, it's not practical to allow reporting service to request its data from, let's stay, payments service. Ideally it should have local copy of payments data. This is how you get both storage overhead, as well as the headache of keeping data replica consistent.
Distributed app is harder to launch.
It's not single EXE anymore. Starting distributed app means launching many services, which have own settings, requirements and inter-dependences. Most likely separate tool will be built and/or involved only to make application start possible.
It's harder to tell, if distributed app is running or not.
It's OK for some services of an app to be temporarily down. It still should work. But how many of them should be down before we could say something's not right? How do we detect that some service is down anyway? If we're talking about something small like a service that sends out "your order has been shipped" emails, it might be down for weeks, and nobody will notice.
In order to get these questions answered, services should be equipped with monitoring and logging tools. Something that was good-to-have in monolithic app suddenly became crucial.
Distributed transactions are 'fun'.
Certain things that just used to work now become a quest. Here's an example. When customer clicks "Place an order", three things happen: subtract order amount from user's balance, add new record to "orders" table and reduce number of goods available in "warehouse" table. This is usually done in some sort of transaction:
Purchase transaction
BEGIN TRANSACTION PURCHASE UPDATE UserAccount SET... INSERT INTO Orders... UPDATE Warehouse SET... COMMIT TRANSACTION PURCHASE
BEGIN TRANSACTION PURCHASE
UPDATE UserAccount SET...
INSERT INTO Orders...
UPDATE Warehouse SET...
COMMIT TRANSACTION PURCHASE
When accounts manager, orders manager and warehouse are three separate services, which is often a logical thing to do, performing distributed transaction becomes The Task. For instance, we sent three HTTP requests to corresponding services to do their part. Two returned "Success", but the third one – warehouse – didn't return at all. We obviously should rollback changes in account and orders via another HTTP calls (hopefully, they will succeed this time), but how warehouse service did fail? Was it before it performed the update, or after – when it was responding with success? Or was it failure? Out of nowhere, our data is potentially inconsistent, with no simple way to fix it.
Epic fail happens.
It's usually referred as catastrophic failover. Let's assume some services are talking to each other via message queue, which gets malformed message. The first service receives it and dies. Because it didn't reported back to MQ, it assumes message wasn't processed and sends it to next guy in the line. And next one. When there're no subscribers left, MQ dies of messages overflow and takes message publishers with it, as they now have no one to talk to.
That's hypothetical scenario and reality will differ, but what's interesting how would you to track down the first event that caused devastation chain? Without logging and monitoring tools that's hardly doable.
Microservies require learning of new tools.
Containers, virtualization, monitoring, logging, services orchestration, network and firewall management, distributed application patterns – it won't learn itself.
New security concerns.
Monolithic application security, while not being trivial, still has limited amount of attack vectors and more or less established ways of fighting them. What about dozens of small services with their public APIs? Here's the simplest security concern: who's allowed to call methods of, e.g. payments processor service?
We can choose to keep its methods unprotected and put the service into the network where only trusted services reside. But is it safe? Attacker might pass through the firewall or get access to one of the neighbor services and get free pass to payments processor.
Alternatively, if we choose to pass some sort of token to payments processor methods as way of authentication, how do we validate the token and check which actions it actually authorizes? Payments processor is a microservice, so it doesn't have much of a knowledge about users and roles. We can bring along a copy of users table along with their permissions, but that means overhead and possible inconsistency. Relying on another service to validate permissions introduces tighter coupling and new point of failure. It's not easy to do the right choice, even if there's one.
Doing microservices is hard, but this doesn't mean they should be avoided. If you are Netflix, or your application should be highly resilient and scalable, then you might have no other choice but to adopt this pattern. On the other hand, if you're building another home page for cat video fan club, you'll be fine with traditional monolithic approach. It's a tool for certain jobs and it's not coming for free.
Taggedmicroservices
Quick intro to docker-compose
Asynchronous communication with message queue
Provisioning Vagrant VM with Ansible
May 3, 2017 September 29, 2020


Forget the G-Wagen. After twenty long years, Suzuki is finally ready with a brand new Jimny. And this box on a ladder frame, well, we like it a lot.
The new Jimny seems to be the lime in our lemonade this summer, especially now that we know that the new G-Wagen is nothing like the original diesel workhorse. Why? Because next to having an independent front suspension in the name of road comfort, it's also wider, longer, and more luxurious than the people at Austria's Steyr-Daimler-Puch (now Magna Steyr) could have ever foreseen. In fact, the Gs became so fancy that it almost feels wrong to scratch their metallic paint jobs. And what exactly is the point of spending so much money on an otherwise capable off-roader when you don't even intend to go on an adventure with it?
That's where Suzuki's compact, lightweight, and equally boxy 2019 Jimny comes in. It's the perfect go everywhere donkey that now also has the looks for your local boulevard.
Available in eight colors at launch, the new Jimny is a breath of fresh air after two decades of not thinking about the third-generation car. Frankly, Suzuki's first "jeep" in 1970 was a two-stroke, hard working deathtrap, while the second-generation "Samurai" has had a cult following since its launch in 1981.
To cover all fronts, the 2019 Jimny comes on a ladder frame with 3-link solid axles and part-time 4WD with a low range transfer gear.
No wonder this compact off-roader plays a huge part in Suzuki's plans to increase European sales from 245,000 vehicles to 300,000, which would grant it a 1.5 percent market share on the oldest of continents. But the world for Suzuki doesn't stop there, so while the JDM market is looking at engines as tiny as 660cc, export models can get both 1.2 and 1.5 liter naturally aspirated gas engines, or a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder. Suzuki will pair those with five-speed manuals or four-speed automatics, while wheel choices will include 15 and 16-inch alloys.
And for a touch of modernity, the list of other goodies includes air conditioning, cruise control, push-button start, a multi-function steering wheel, and autonomous emergency braking.


Join Dot and Dash on an interactive learning adventure that teaches letter writing and more.
Form a band with Dot and Dash, tune up on writing skills and give a letter perfect performance at the Doodleburg Fun Fair!
Trace and write letters with stroke-by-stroke audio support, and watch them magically appear on mess-free paper.
Review key elements of writing the alphabet—letter names, forms, sounds and strokes—with 40+ fun hands-on activities.
The Read and Write series supports reading and writing development with LeapFrog™ mess-free writing paper.
This set teaches the correct sequence of strokes to form letters, building from basic lines to complex curves. Writing letters and hearing their sounds reinforces the letter-sound relationship, while activities encourage the practise children need to build writing fluency.


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Spain is a vibrant land of world-class cities, renowned masterpieces, divine food and wine, swirling Flamenco dancers and exhilarating outdoor activities.
A single visit to Spain can result in many different experiences. Culture lovers and history buffs can be awed at more than 40 UNESCO World Heritage sites and more than 1,000 museums. Outdoor enthusiasts can walk, hike and golf their way across stunning landscapes. And foodies can get their fill of delectable regional cuisine paired with incomparable wines.
Much more than flamenco and bullfights, Spain has everything from cutting-edge museums to quaint fishing villages, green highland valleys, soaring cathedrals, medieval towns, designer cuisine, spirited nightlife, and an immense treasury of painting and sculpture. At the hub of it all is Madrid, one of Europe's liveliest capitals. It's the seat of the Spanish government and a center for the national media. Beyond the designer boutiques and chic restaurants, however, you'll find a simple Castilian town. Life here is lived in cafés and rustic taverns. All it takes to become a local is to duck inside one. Barcelona, whose leafy streets are lined with stunning art nouveau and modernist architecture, rivals Madrid for power and is generally regarded as the winner in culture and style. Although both cities are exciting, most exciting for anyone vacationing in Spain is the nationwide insistence on enjoying life. On a trip here, you'll no doubt catch that spirit, too.


Indian Railways has decided to award contracts for three to five years for non-fare revenue projects such as advertising on trains, railway bridges and other assets, setting up of ATMs on platforms and offering digital content to passengers. Non-fare revenue is money earned by railways from sources other than passenger fares.
Indian Railways expects to earn around ₹15,000 crore in the next 10 years using the non-fare revenue model.
The licences under this model shall be awarded for a minimum of three years and maximum of five years with an extension of up to one year in special cases, the railways said in a circular issued on Wednesday.


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Additional Persecution News from China - September 25, 2010 (18 Reports)
(Clearwisdom.net) Today's News from China includes incidents of persecution that took place in 18 cities or counties in ten provinces. In this report, 13 practitioners were subjected to mistreatment during their detention and at least 11 practitioners were illegally arrested.
[Jianyang City, Sichuan Province] Supplementary Information on Ms. Jiang Suying's Arrest
[Qian'an City, Shanxi Province] Mr. Sun Yongsheng Tortured in Jidong Prison
[Beijing] Ms. Zhang Huiying, a Chinese Medicine Doctor, Secretly Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
[Dandong City, Liaoning Province] Mr. E Xiancai and Mr. Sui Shengguo Held at Weining Forced Labor Camp in Benxi City
[Yushu City, Jilin Province] Mr. Zhu Haishan and Mr. Yang Xin Face Illegal Sentencing
[Shenyang City, Liaoning Province] Mr. Liu Yongming Arrested While Clarifying the Truth in Dadong District Square on the Afternoon of September 23, 2010
[Dalian City, Liaoning Province] Mr. Pei Held at Jinnan Road Drug Rehabilitation Center
[Tianjin] Ms. Deng Shujuan's Whereabouts Unknown
[Ruichang City, Jiangxi Province] Ms. Wei Aizhen Arrested
[Fangzheng County, Heilongjiang Province] Ms. Si Bingling Held at Local Detention Center
[Chongqing] Ms. Xiang Zhongyao Arrested by State Security Police on September 21, 2010
[Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province] Mr. Wu Dinghe Arrested
[Linxia Prefecture, Gansu Province] Mr. Jiao Yongren Held in Custody for Over Three Months
[Chengdu City, Sichuan Province] Ms. Liao Xingyun Taken to Brainwashing Center
[Huaihua City, Hunan Province] Mr. Zhang Zhimin Taken to Brainwashing Center
[Xichang City, Hebei Province] Ms. Hu Yunhuai and Ms. Wu Shujun Illegally Tried in Xichang City Court on September 20, 2010
[Shahe City, Hebei Province] Ms. Wang Xinying and Mr. Zhang Guangcai Arrested by the Police
[Benxi City, Liaoning Province] Ms. Wen Shumei Arrested Recently
1. [Jianyang City, Sichuan Province] Supplementary Information on Ms. Jiang Suying's Arrest
Ms. Jiang Suying was arrested by the police at her home in Shibandeng Town, Jianyang City, on July 30, 2010. She has been held at the Erehu Brainwashing Center in Yingjie Town, Ziyang City for persecution. On September 18, half a dozen police officers, including those in charge of the brainwashing center, along with state security officers from Jianyang City, and the director of the Shibandeng Town Police Station, broke into and searched her home. They took a notebook computer, and a printer, valued at about 6,000 yuan. The police also tried to arrest her husband but were not successful.
Chen Xinghe, director of the Sanchatown Police Station in Jianyang City: 86-13882983663 (Cell)
Yang Chang'an, deputy director of the police station: 86-13982921915 (Cell)
2. [Qian'an City, Shanxi Province] Mr. Sun Yongsheng Tortured in Jidong Prison
Mr. Sun Yongsheng, from Qian'an City, was arrested in 2008. In 2010, he was illegally sentenced to seven years in prison. After being taken to the Jidong Prison, he spent three months under the control of the Strict Supervision Team. He was then taken to the No. 2 Division. On September 11, 2010, he was taken back to the Strict Supervision Team. He was forced to sit handcuffed and shackled in the cell, and deprived of sleep for over a week.
3. [Beijing] Ms. Zhang Huiying, a Chinese Medicine Doctor, Secretly Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
Ms. Zhang Huiying, a doctor of Chinese medicine at the Beijing Petroleum Employees Hospital, has been secretly sentenced to five years in prison. She is being held at the Beijing No. 1 Prison.
Ms. Zhang is in her sixties and lives in the hospital's family quarters.
4. [Dandong City, Liaoning Province] Mr. E Xiancai and Mr. Sui Shengguo Held at Weining Forced Labor Camp in Benxi City
Visitor's Office of Weining Forced Labor Camp in Benxi City: 86-414-4618964, 86-414-4618953
Division Office: 86-414-4618993, 86-414-4618980
5. [Yushu City, Jilin Province] Mr. Zhu Haishan and Mr. Yang Xin Face Illegal Sentencing
Mr. Zhu Haishan and Mr. Yang Xin were reported to the police while they clarified the truth in Sihe Town. They were arrested and held at the local detention center. Their case files were recently transferred to the Procuratorate. The two practitioners are facing illegal sentencing.
Individuals in charge of the case at the Procuratorate:
Bian Qinglin, chief procurator: 86-13804390988 (Cell)
Jin Huicheng: 86-13904395880 (Cell)
Xu Zhi: 86-13630549600 (Cell)
6. [Shenyang City, Liaoning Province] Mr. Liu Yongming Arrested While Clarifying the Truth in Dadong District Square on the Afternoon of September 23, 2010
7. [Dalian City, Liaoning Province] Mr. Pei Held at Jinnan Road Drug Rehabilitation Center
Mr. Pei, a young practitioner in Dalian City, was reported to the police while telling others about the persecution on September 22, 2010. Officers from the Xinggong Street Police Station arrested him. He has been transferred to the Jinnan Road Drug Rehabilitation Center.
8. [Tianjin] Ms. Deng Shujuan's Whereabouts Unknown
Ms. Deng Shujuan, around 30 years old, is from Cuihuangkou Town in Wuqing District, Tianjin. She sells jewelry in a Carrefour supermarket. She went missing around September 13 or 14, and her whereabouts are unknown.
9. [Ruichang City, Jiangxi Province] Ms. Wei Aizhen Arrested
At 8:00 a.m. on September 24, 2010, Ms. Wei Aizhen was arrested by officers from the Ruichang City Police Department while spreading the word about Falun Gong.
10. [Fangzheng County, Heilongjiang Province] Ms. Si Bingling Held at Local Detention Center
Ms. Si Bingling was arrested while telling others about the persecution on the evening of July 7, 2010. She was first detained out of town for several weeks. For the past several days she has been held at the Fangzheng County Detention Center.
11. [Chongqing] Ms. Xiang Zhongyao Arrested by State Security Police on September 21, 2010
12. [Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province] Mr. Wu Dinghe Arrested
On September 17, officials from the Longfeng Residential Committee in Haizhu District, and members of the Haizhu District 610 Office in Guangzhou City, arrested Mr. Wu Dong at his store. The police confiscated two copies of the book Zhuan Falun.
13. [Linxia Prefecture, Gansu Province] Mr. Jiao Yongren Held in Custody for Over Three Months
Mr. Jiao Yongren from Linxia Prefecture was taken to the detention center at the Linxia County Police Department on the afternoon of June 29, 2010. Mr. Jiao has been held for over three months.
President of the Linxia Prefecture Intermediate Court: 86-930-6212424, 86-930-6214708
Chief and deputy chief of the police department: 86-930-6214131, 86-930-6214006
Section 1 of the police department: 86-930-6212238
14. [Chengdu City, Sichuan Province] Ms. Liao Xingyun Taken to Brainwashing Center
Ms. Liao Xingyun was arrested by agents from the Jintang County 610 Office in Chengdu City, along with state security agents, and officials of the Longwei Residential Community, on September 16, 2010. Ms. Liao is a retired employee from the Longwei Liquor Factory. Also arrested were Ms. Xu Xiufen, in her sixties, and Ms. Li Shengyu, in her fifties, from Yangliu Township. The three practitioners were sent to the Xinjin Brainwashing Center in Chengdu City.
15. [Huaihua City, Hunan Province] Mr. Zhang Zhimin Taken to Brainwashing Center
Mr. Zhang Zhimin was pushed into a car by several unidentified people who broke into his home in Ruanling County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province on September 10, 2010. He was sent to the Huaihua Brainwashing Center. He was severely persecuted at the brainwashing center and developed symptoms of high blood pressure.
16. [Xichang City, Hebei Province] Ms. Hu Yunhuai and Ms. Wu Shujun Illegally Tried in Xichang City Court on September 20, 2010
17. [Shahe City, Hebei Province] Ms. Wang Xinying and Mr. Zhang Guangcai Arrested by the Police
Ms. Wang Xinying and Mr. Zhang Guangcai of Shahe City, were arrested by officers from the Shahe City Domestic Security Division on September 20, 2010. Ms. Wang was release for physical reasons.
18. [Benxi City, Liaoning Province] Ms. Wen Shumei Arrested Recently
Ms. Wen Shumei in Benxi City went to the Dongming Business District to clarify the truth on September 6, 2010. She was reported to the police by a plainclothes agent affiliated with the Dongming Police Station. She was taken to the Benxi Detention Center where she was rejected because she failed the physical examination. The officers from the Dongming Police Station took her into custody at a hospital for continued persecution.
"Realizing the Power of Compassion in Falun Dafa"
"Henan Province: Mr. Wu Guangcheng of Kaifeng City Persecuted for Ten Years"


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UPDATE: Rep. Scott Perry Denies Jan. 6 Panel's Request for Interview
Written By	 Associated Press	 The Keystone Staff
Originally Published	December 21, 2021 8:49 am EST
Capitol Breach Investigation
FILE - Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., takes a question from a reporter at a news conference held by the House Freedom Caucus on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Aug. 23, 2021. The committee investigating the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection has requested an interview with Perry. The Republican lawmaker is the first sitting member of Congress the panel has requested to speak with. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File)
The panel investigating the violent insurrection at the US Capitol is seeking an interview and phone records from the five-term Dauphin County congressman.
WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania on Tuesday rebuffed a request for him to sit down for an interview and turn over documents to the House panel investigating the Jan. 6 US Capitol insurrection, joining other allies of former President Donald Trump in trying to stonewall the committee.
"I stand with immense respect for our Constitution, the Rule of Law, and the Americans I represent who know that this entity is illegitimate, and not duly constituted under the rules of the US House of Representatives," Perry said in a statement.
In a letter to Perry on Monday night, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democratic chairman of the panel, said the panel had received evidence from multiple witnesses, including then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and then-acting Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue, that Perry had "an important role" in efforts to install Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark as acting attorney general.
The lawmaker's refusal will test how far the committee is willing to go in its quest for information as members have so far resisted subpoenaing one of their own as they investigate the insurrection by Trump's supporters and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The letter is the first time the panel has publicly released a request to a fellow member of Congress as the members inquire about the details of Perry and other congressional Republicans who met with Trump ahead of the Capitol attack and strategized about how they could block the results at the Jan. 6 electoral count.
Also in the letter, Thompson added that while the panel "has tremendous respect for the prerogatives of Congress and the privacy of its Members," it also has "a solemn responsibility to investigate fully all of these facts and circumstances."
The committee has also asked for any documents and correspondence between Perry and Trump, his legal team or anyone involved in the planning of Jan. 6 events.
A request for comment left with Perry's office was not immediately returned.
In January, Perry was the subject of a New York Times report, saying that he had introduced Trump to Clark who, according to the newspaper, discussed a plan to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Perry initially denied the report, only to confirm it several days later. Gov. Tom Wolf, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, and State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta all called on Perry to resign in the wake of the report.
Perry was cited more than 50 times in a Senate Judiciary report released in October outlining how Trump's effort to overturn his 2020 election defeat brought the Justice Department to the brink of chaos and prompted top officials there and at the White House to threaten to resign.
Perry, who has continuously disputed the validity of President Joe Biden's victory in Pennsylvania, has said he obliged Trump's request for an introduction to Clark, then an assistant attorney general whom Perry knew from unrelated legislative matters. The three men went on to discuss their shared concerns about the election, Perry has said.
The recent Senate report outlined a call Perry made to Donoghue last December to say the department wasn't doing its job with respect to the elections. Perry encouraged Donoghue to elicit Clark's help because he's "the kind of guy who could really get in there and do something about this," the report said.
Perry has previously said his "official communications" with Justice Department officials were consistent with the law.
Following the 2020 election, Perry, along with more than half of the Republicans in Pennsylvania's Legislature and seven other Republican members of Congress from Pennsylvania, tried in court and in Congress to block the state's electoral votes from going to Biden.
They have amplified unfounded tales of election fraud and irregularities. They described ballots cast by legal, eligible voters as "illegal ballots," and distorted the actions of state election officials and judges as illegal or unconstitutional.
Even after the violent insurrection at the US Capitol, Perry and the seven other Republican congressmen from Pennsylvania not only voted against accepting the state's electoral votes for Biden, but also against Trump's second impeachment.
After Congress voted to accept Pennsylvania's electoral votes for Biden, Perry issued a statement saying that he accepted the results, but still maintained that the election was tainted by "constitutional abuses."
The Justice Department found no evidence of widespread fraud in Pennsylvania or any other state, and senior Justice officials dismissed Perry's claims
The letter sent Monday night is the first time the panel has publicly released a request to a fellow member of Congress as it investigates Trump's communications with his Republican allies. But the panel notably did not subpoena Perry, as it has other witnesses close to Trump whom lawmakers believe have relevant information.
In his letter to Perry, Thompson added that the panel "has tremendous respect for the prerogatives of Congress and the privacy of its Members. At the same time, we have a solemn responsibility to investigate fully all of these facts and circumstances."
The panel voted in November to hold Clark in contempt after he showed up for a deposition yet declined to answer questions. But Thompson has said he will hold off pursuing the charges and allow Clark to attend another deposition and try again. Clark's lawyer has said Clark intends to assert his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself, but the deposition has been repeatedly postponed as Clark has dealt with an unidentified medical condition.
The panel has already interviewed around 300 people as it seeks to create a comprehensive record of the attack and the events leading up to it.
Trump at the time was pushing false claims of widespread voter fraud and lobbying Vice President Mike Pence and Republican members of Congress to try to overturn the count at the Jan. 6 congressional certification. Election officials across the country, along with the courts, had repeatedly dismissed Trump's claims.
An angry mob of Trump supporters were echoing his false claims as they brutally beat Capitol police and broke into the building that day, interrupting the certification of Biden's victory.
In his request for a meeting with Perry, Thompson wrote: "We would like to meet with you soon to discuss these topics, but we also want to accommodate your schedule."
Perry, who is up for reelection in 2022, represents District 10, which includes Dauphin County and portions of Cumberland and York counties. Perry was elected in November to chair the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
Attack on the CapitolDonald TrumpScott PerryUS CapitolUS Congress
The Keystone Staff
Voting	Court Puts GOP Inspection of Fulton County Voting Machines on Hold
Money	Navient to Cancel $67 Million in Pennsylvanians' Student Debt


Cholesterol is a normal part of the body's daily function, resembling a soft, fat-like waxy substance that is found in the bloodstream and in all body cells. It is used for producing cell membranes and some hormones, and also serves other needed bodily functions. However, when too much blood cholesterol is found in the system, it becomes are major risk for heart attacks and strokes. This condition is known as hypercholesterolemia. There are several remedies that are recommended to combat the effects of cholesterol, ranging from changes in diet, to exercise, to the use of medication. Statins are one class of drug that is are commonly prescribed by physicians. However, safety of use may be questionable.
Statin drugs are medications prescribed by a doctor to improve blood cholesterol levels. This is largely done by inhibiting the liver enzyme called HMG Co-A reductase, which is an enzyme that reduces the liver's ability to produce cholesterol. The use of statin drugs is to reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, reduce triglyceride levels, and an increase HDL "(good") cholesterol. These types of drugs are meant to reduce the risk of heart attack and death in patients that have coronary artery disease. While these drugs are supposed to decrease the symptoms that propose a risk of heart disease, there are potentially harmful side effects associated with all statin drugs.
Statins can cause elevated liver enzymes in one of every hundred patients.
Statins can cause muscle disorders producing muscle weakness, and occasional pain, in one of a thousand patients.
If there is widespread muscle destruction, kidney failure and death can result. More extreme cases resulted due to unapproved doses.
One of the statin medications was also reported to cause a poorly explained kidney disorder as the result of unapproved dosages.
There have also been rare cases of memory loss that have been reported from people taking cholesterol lowering statin drugs. These reports, however, have been considered anecdotal and have not been substantiated by formal cognitive function testing.
Grapefruit juice: Can increase the amount of statin drugs absorbed from the intestines. If levels go too high, toxicity can happen.
Certain antibiotics and cyclosporine can increase statin effects and cause muscle damage.
Making statins with certain types of lipid lowering agents can increase muscle damage risk.
Some statin types can mix with Coumadin, and increase digoxin blood levels.
Before using any type of medication, it is important to check with a physician to see if there are any potentially harmful side effects, and if the combination of medications could provide dangerous results. Sometimes it is best to try a natural treatment to lower your cholesterol.
Why Do I Need A Graded Exercise Program For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
What Is LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)?
You are here: The Smart Living Network ► Cholesterol ► Blogs ► Are Statin Drugs Dangerous?


One of the stars of the Rosewood "Naturals" range is the very unique Nibble 'n' Dig Meadow, which is a real slice of cultivated meadow full of herbs, grasses and edible flowers; rooted in loam and then carefully dried. Ideal for allowing rabbits, Guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus to dig and forage like they would in nature.
The Rosweood Naturals brand has always been driven by their desire to provide customers and their pets a better quality treat made from 100% natural ingredients for better health and wellbeing.
The Rosewood 'Nibble n' Dig Meadow' is one such innovation and we, our wonderful clients and their very special animals are very happy that they have done so!


Pokemon Go players urged to..
There are calls for Pokemon Go players to stay away from the war memorial in Kings Park, after players interrupted a service on the weekend.
The RSL WA wants players to stay away from the cenotaph and Court of Contemplation as they strive to 'catch 'em all' in one of Perth's Pokemon Go hotspots.
State War Memorial Warden Geoff Simpson told Gary Adshead on the 6PR Morning Show, that Pokemon Go players lacked respect for those attending the weekend's service.


Have you thought about how you use your body? The world tells us to do what we want with it – but think about what God intended your body for?
Your body was bought at a high price – the death of Jesus. God tells us we're His and we're on earth for His purposes. We are the temple of God, where the Holy Spirit lives. We are members of Christ's body.
How will knowing this impact the way you use yours?


At the Conference Heinrich Boell Foundation presented its regional energy study South Caucasus Energy Pathways: Opportunities for Development and Political Choices. Specially for this occasion, HBF SC has invited Mr. Hans-Joseph Fell - German Green Politician (former MP 1998-2013) and the leading author of the key renewable energy-related legislation of Germany, as a keynote speaker.
The sessions of the Conference focused on: 1) current trends of the economic and energy development of South Caucasus countries, 2) costs and prospects of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in the region, 3) environmental and social impacts of the current energy systems in the South Caucasus and 4) climate politics and preparation for COP 21st.
Conference Report "South Caucasus Energy Pathways: Opportunities for Development and Political Choices"


We recommend beginners install MATRIX HAL from package.
Learn how to install MATRIX HAL from package.
Learn how to install MATRIX HAL from source.
Create and compile a sample program for your MATRIX device.


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Taj Express in Boca Raton curries favor with seekers of Indian food to go
Asian, Indian, Takeout
Taj Express is tucked into a 7 Eleven strip center
This tiny takeout kitchen, an offshoot of a well-established, full-service Deerfield Beach restaurant, offers a broad menu of flavorful Indian cuisine.
As is often the case in these plague-stricken days, outdoor dining or takeout are a priority for many diners, including me. But as best as I've been able to tell, outdoor dining choices for ethnic cuisines are limited.
So, as we ran errands in Boca Raton early on a recent evening, the prospect of dining on Indian food at an outside table was appealing. We read on Yelp that Taj Express, which. Is in a somewhat out-of-the-way strip Center in Boca Raton—about a mile west of Federal Highway off Glades Road – had outdoor seating. But as we pulled up after following our GPS to Taj Express, we learned, as often is the case with Yelp, there were no outside tables at this mostly takeout eatery, which shares a strip center with 7 Eleven, Domino's Pizza and the Cuban Café, among other businesses.
We made the best of the situation, opting for takeout. In the end, we were happy that we did. The flavorful food at Taj Express is cooked to order, but that unfortunately meant we had to kill about 20 minutes while our curries and naans were prepared.
Inside Taj Express, a half dozen Formica-topped tables were pushed into a corner of the eatery, just below a triptych of flat-screen TVs on a bare wall that were doing double duty as menu board. A granite-covered brown stone counter topped with Plexiglass, a wood-carved room divider surrounding a Coca-Cola refrigerator, and a sort of black tapestry of Indian dancers hung on another wall. That's the extent of the décor here. No bronze elephants or statuary of Buddha or Hindu gods, no strumming sitar or thumping table or bouncy Bollywood tunes echoing from a sound system that one might encounter in a fancier Indian establishment. No Taj Express, which opened unpropitiously early in March 2020, lacks them. What it doesn't lack, however, is a kitchen capable of turning out well-prepared, flavorful food.
That shouldn't be a surprise. Taj Express is an offshoot of Taj, a full-service Indian restaurant in Deerfield Beach that's been serving up tandoor dishes and curries since it was opened in 2004 by Anoop Chopra, a native of India's northern province of Punjab. Chopra also operates eateries in Tampa and Ottawa.
The hallmark of Punjab cuisine is tandoori dishes and rich, buttery stews. All of Chopra's restaurants serve Halal food, meaning it adheres to the laws of Islam, India's second-largest religion.
The menu, despite Taj Express's diminutive size, is extensive with both meat and vegetable dishes. And there are lunch-time combo plates and service until 10 p.m.
Despite Taj Express' roots in northern India, we mostly opted for food from India's south.
Mixed vegetable appetizer
We started with a mixed vegetable appetizer ($6.99), which include a samosa, four deeply caramelized onion pakoras (only two were listed on the menu) and two paneer (cheese) pakoras.
The vegetable samosa was a crispy thin pastry pocket filled with a flavorful blend of potatoes and peas. The onion pakoras, fritters made with onions, spices and flour, were deeply caramelized. Paneer pakora, or cheese fritters, were deep-fried Indian cottage cheese coated with a light chickpea batter — sort of an Indian spin on fried mozzarella.
Lamb Madras
For a main, I went hot, ordering lamb madras ($14.99), one of the hottest dishes in the Indian kitchen repertoire. Tender stewed boneless lamb — lots of it — were bathed in a thick, rich russet-hued curry sauce with just enough heat to slightly singe my lips. Basmati rice (included at no extra charge), long-grained rice flecked with the tiniest slivers of carrots, helped to cool my palate as did a glass of lassi $2.50), a creamy, yogurt-based beverage flavored with a touch of rose water.
Chicken korma ($13.99) was more than enough for my wife and daughter to share. The dish of tender chicken chunks cooked in a mild, almond and raisin sweet cream sauce, suited their delicate palates, but was flavorful all the same.
We also ordered two types of Indian breads, plain naan ($1. 50) and Kashmiri naan ($4.50). The latter, stuffed with dried fruits and typically a breakfast or tea bread, is perfect for those with a bit of a sweet tooth. Unfortunately, our breads were cooked well ahead of the rest of our food and sat cooling on the counter awaiting the rest of our order to be completed and were less than ideal after our 20-minute drive home.
Nevertheless, Taj Express is a welcome addition to the ethnic dining scene for those sensitive to dining indoors — or those who just want flavorful Indian takeout. Just remember to order online or call ahead.
Taj Express
1320 NW 2nd Ave., Boca Raton FL 33441
tajexpress-kitchen.com
Post Tagged with Anoop Chopra, Boca Raton Indian restaurant, Boca Raton takeout, chicken korma, curry, Delray Indian restaurant, Indian food, Indian takeout, lamb madras, lassi, naan, pakora, paneer, samosa
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