The Complainant is Mr. Price Group Limited of Durban, South Africa, represented by Adams & Adams Attorneys, South Africa.
The Respondent is Niche Marketing Inc., Carson Lim of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
The disputed domain name <mrpricehomefurniture.com> ("the Domain Name") is registered with 1&1 Internet AG.
The Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the "Center") on December 7, 2011. On December 7, 2011, the Center transmitted by email to 1&1 Internet AG a request for registrar verification in connection with the Domain Name. On December 12, 2011, 1&1 Internet AG transmitted by email to the Center its verification response confirming that the Respondent is listed as the registrant and providing the contact details.
In accordance with the Rules, paragraphs 2(a) and 4(a), the Center formally notified the Respondent of the Complaint, and the proceedings commenced on December 14, 2011. In accordance with the Rules, paragraph 5(a), the due date for Response was January 3, 2012. The Respondent did not submit any response. Accordingly, the Center notified the Respondent's default on January 6, 2012.
The Center appointed Dawn Osborne as the sole panelist in this matter on January 24, 2012. The Panel finds that it was properly constituted. The Panel has submitted the Statement of Acceptance and Declaration of Impartiality and Independence, as required by the Center to ensure compliance with the Rules, paragraph 7.
The Complainant is a South African clothing and homeware retailer which has used the mark MR PRICE since 1985 and MR PRICE HOME since 1988. It has registrations for these marks around the world.
The Respondent registered the Domain Name in January 2011 and it has been used to display sponsored hyperlinks to web sites of third parties including the Complainant's competitors.
The Complainant is a South African clothing and homeware retailer which has used the mark MR PRICE since 1985 and MR PRICE HOME since 1988. It has registrations for these marks around the world. It has 510 MR PRICE stores in Africa including 338 MR PRICE stores, 36 MR PRICE SPORT stores and 136 MR PRICE HOME stores. As such it has built up reputation and goodwill in its marks. It is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
The Complainant owns over 300 trade marks for or incorporating the MR PRICE and MR PRICE HOME marks in at least 34 countries and the European Community.
The Complainant has conducted business from "www.mrprice.co.za" for over a decade and owns <mrprice.com> which also points to its main site. It also has a tab <mrpricehome.com> on the web site at which it advertises its latest furniture ranges and owns <mrpricehome.com>.
The Domain Name wholly incorporates the Complainant's MR PRICE and MR PRICE HOME trade marks. The combination of the well known MR PRICE and MR PRICE HOME trade marks with the generic words "home" and "furniture" is not sufficient to distinguish the Domain Name from the Complainant's trade marks. The Domain Name is confusingly similar to the Complainant's MR PRICE and MR PRICE HOME trade marks.
The use of the MR PRICE and MR PRICE HOME trade marks would not be bona fide without the authorisation of the Complainant. The Complainant has not authorised the use of its trade marks by the Respondent. The Complainant established user and registered rights in its trade marks prior to the registration and use of the Domain Name. There is no evidence that the Respondent has ever been commonly known by the name MR PRICE or MR PRICE HOME or has any trade marks rights in the same. It has not used the marks in trade and so cannot have any user rights.
The Respondent used the Domain Name for a web site containing sponsored links to the Complainant's competitor's web sites and commercial websites of other third parties. This is not bona fide use.
The Respondent must have been aware of the existence of the Complainant's well known MR PRICE and MR PRICE HOME trade marks when the Domain Name was registered. They are not in common use as a trade or service mark in any industry anywhere in the world.
The first 100 hits on the Internet for the word MR PRICE are associated with the Complainant. This demonstrates that the MR PRICE mark is associated solely with the Complainant. There is no obvious reason why the Respondent chose to register a Domain Name that is almost identical with the Complainant's marks except to extort money from the Complainant.
The Respondent did not reply to the Complainant's cease and desist letter.
By using the Domain Name the Respondent has intentionally attempted to attract for commercial gain Internet users to its web site by creating a likelihood of confusion with the Complainant's trade marks as to the source or endorsement of the Respondent's web site or products or services on its site.
The Respondent has further registered the Domain Name to prevent the Complainant from reflecting its MR PRICE and MR PRICE HOME trade marks in a corresponding domain name which amounts to bad faith.
Apart from the ".com" suffix which is not taken into account for the purposes of the Policy, the Domain Name consist of the Complainant's MR PRICE and MR PRICE HOME registered marks and the generic terms "home" and "furniture". The addition of the generic terms "home" and "furniture" does not serve to distinguish the Domain Name from the Complainant's marks, but indeed compounds the likelihood of confusion between the Domain Name and the Complainant's trade mark because the Complainant is in the home furniture business. The Panel finds that the Domain Name is confusingly similar to the Complainant's registered trade marks MR PRICE and MR PRICE HOME and as such satisfies paragraph 4(a)(i) of the Policy.
The Respondent has not filed a Response (i.e., it has not shown any circumstances under the Policy paragraph 4(c) which may apply to its favour) and does not appear to have any rights or legitimate interests in the Domain Name. The Complainant has indicated that it has not endorsed the Respondent in any way and the Respondent's business has no obvious connection with the designation MR PRICE or MR PRICE HOME. As such the Complainant has satisfied paragraph 4(a)(ii) of the Policy.
The references to home furniture on the web site linked to the Domain Name shows that the Respondent is aware of the Complainant and its business and by registering the Domain Name and using it for commercial purposes the Respondent is seeking to take advantage of the Complainant's trade mark.
"by using the domain name, [the Respondent has] intentionally attempted to attract, for commercial gain, Internet users to its web site or other on-line location, by creating a likelihood of confusion with the complainant's mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of its web site or location or of a product or service on [its] web site or location." (Paragraph 4(b)(iv).
The Domain Name has been used to link to commercial sites competing with the Complainant's business. Accordingly, it appears that the Respondent has intentionally attempted to attract for commercial gain Internet users to its web site, by creating confusion as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation or endorsement of its web site or products or services on its web site. The Panel, therefore, finds that bad faith has been demonstrated under paragraph 4(b)(iv) of the Policy.
For the foregoing reasons, in accordance with paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the Domain Name <mrpricehomefurniture.com> be transferred to the Complainant.


Crater Fireworks - Mineral, IL - Fireworks vendor & IPA member.
Skylighter.com - An excellent source of Pyro Supplies/Info.
Acepyro.com - The Company of an Ex-President of the PGI/Vendor in the Midwest.
The IPAI (Iowa Pyrotechnic Association, Incorporated) provides these links as a courtesy to area Vendors, Groups, Businesses, Organizations, and/or for their Entertainment value only. We do not endorse, and/or specifically recommend these links. The IPA takes no responsibility of any kind for the use of them, any responsibility for the content provided, or any subsequent links found on them. The Iowa Pyrotechnic Association, Inc. bears no liability whatsoever arising from damages of any kind, including personal, property, or consequential from any use of any link and/or information found on this Website.
SECAC - Good source for Pyro DVD's.
Pyro Universe - a Forum for Hobbyists around the US.
Passfire - Subscription fee for this one but worth it for the hobbyist builder.
LegalPyro.com - Information for the hobbyist on how to get & stay legal.
PyroPlanet.com - a Pyro-based Newsletter.
United Nuclear - chemistry experiments for the pyro hobbyist.
OSHA - Discusses hazards and controls for the outdoor display of fireworks.
OSHA - Common Safety Hazards in Pyrotechnics in general.
OSHA - Discusses hazards of the Retail Sale of fireworks.
Pyrotechnics Guild International Inc. - The Largest Hobbyist Pyro Organization in the World.
The Fireworks Foundation - (Devoted to the preservation of all things fireworks).
Crackerjacks Fireworks Club - A Northeastern Fireworks Club.
Vinton Unlimited: - The Vinton Civic Group we work closely with on Boomtown - a Great Bunch!
China Makes America's Fireworks by Hand - A Look at Fireworks Manufacturing.
The Secret World of Fireworks - Zambelli's Operation in New Castle, PA and more.


From the front of the choir: Hey, you at the back!
Unless you're in a fairly small choir which can rehearse in a circle, there is usually more than one row of singers, especially in concerts. Typically taller singers stand on the back row, and shorter singers at the front. I also encourage those who don't know the words off by heart to stand at the back as it doesn't look so good when they're holding pieces of paper! Other than that, why do some people choose to be on the back row and others on the front?
It's an understandable reaction for people who are less confident or new to a choir to avoid the spotlight. Hence they often end up on the back row. Their tendency is to be as far away from the action as possible. I have even seen them backing away from the choir so there is a huge gap between them and the 'real' back row! However, this obvious tendency is counter-productive. The back row should be reserved for those who really know what they're doing since there is very little reinforcement of the part from other singers. In contrast, the front row is the place to be if you're not sure since you can always see and hear the conductor clearly and you have all the other singers singing your part into your ears.
Dawna Markova and Mary Jane Ryan (Can you become a creature of new habits?) have identified three zones of existence: comfort, stretch and stress. The comfort zone is where we usually live and is the realm of existing habit (see Fighting habit and complacency). It is where we feel safest and most familiar. However, if we constantly stay in that zone then we are unlikely to learn, grow or develop. At the opposite extreme, stress occurs when a challenge is so far beyond current experience as to be overwhelming. So we don't really want to go there very often!
It's the stretch zone in between the extremes – activities that feel a bit awkward and unfamiliar – where real learning and development of skills occurs. So if you are an under confident singer in general, or just not sure about the song that we're learning at the moment, don't stay at the back. Step up your game to where your colleagues can help and support you, but maybe not right up to the front. Move into the thick of things into the middle row where you can stretch yourself a little whilst being supported by those around you.


For those who might not know, I sell Avon. It isn't the most lucrative endeavor, but I've come to amass a really great customer base, and well... I love make up so it fits (the discount isn't too bad either.) Having said all that, I'm not a huge fan of Avon's nail polish. Of course that doesn't stop me from getting the odd bottle or two, but I find it takes sooooo looooong (yes, that many 'o's are necessary.) Their polishes are big 3 free, and in the past few years they have really upped their game and put out some great shades. For spring- although they look more like summer shades- they have introduced four brights: Shocking Blue, Electric Green, Vivid Violet and Powerful Pink.
I don't wear a lot of purple polish and I found that Powerful Pink looked to close to others I have in my collection so I passed on it and the Vivid Purple. I have been really into blues and greens, so I had to go for Shocking Blue and Electric Green. The blue and purple shade of this collection are a unique finish, they aren't glittery, but thy have a micro shimmer and a hint of a duo chrome meets jelly thing going on. The green and pink are basic cremes.
Well, they sure didn't mess around when they named this guy. I applied it in bed, and once on I thought "Well, it's nice, but I just don't see what makes it shocking..." That was until I saw the next day in proper light. I love the colour, it's a bright cool blue with micro shimmer. The finish is almost like a jelly, but not quite. If that makes any sense...I thought that I would have a hell of a time with application because the first coat was so watery, it looked like I was trying to use watercolours to paint my nails with. Surprisingly the second coat brought it up to almost 100% opaque. In the photo shown I have three thin coats on. Drying time was better than my other Avon polishes, which is a major plus, but I still used a drying top coat to speed it up.
Unlike Shocking Blue this didn't live up to it's name. It isn't an electric green to me at all, but I do love the colour. I class this as more of a mature kelly green, or an acid green, which happens to be one of my favourite colours. Oddly enough, I didn't have a green like this in my collection. This is a basic creme, and applied quite similarly to Shocking Blue. The first coat was quite thin, but by the second coat it was almost perfect. I ended up with three thin coats.
Wear was better than I expected with these... Avon claims that they will last 10 days with normal touch ups. Huh? I had chips and tip wear by day three, which for me is pretty good. I usually have to touch up any nail polish by the second day. I am hard on my nails and have never gotten 10 days wear out of any nail polish.
Overall these are great shades and I am really happy with them, especially since they were $3.49 before my discount. If you get the Avon book, the new shades are available in campaign 6 at $3.49 as well.
Have you tried Avon's Nailwear Pro? What did you think?
wow suprisingly the greeen is by far my favorite out of all the colors!! I will be on the lookout for a green like that now!
just a quick question i don't know anybody that sells avon but can you just order from the website or do you have to go through a salesperson? and if so how do i find one here in the US? thnaks so much.
Go figure that you like the ones I didn't swatch! You can get Avon online, shipping in Canada is only $5, but they have promos when it is free quite often.
Hey! Thanks for reading! You can order online from the American site which is www.avon.com. You don't need to have a rep to order either. Hope that helps & happy shopping!
I was so disappointed with this product. Although the colour was great it took 3 coats to build and started to chip the same day I applied it. I generally really like Avon but not this range.


text:
ANN GARDNER: Variations
Artists: Ann Gardner
March 4, 2014 - April 17, 2014
Northwest artist Ann Gardner is known for her unique sculptures that use hand cut, tinted and etched glass to create elegant mosaic-covered forms that challenge the physical boundaries of her medium. In Variations, Gardner continues this exploration of form, light, and pattern with the inclusion of blown glass, free hanging mosaic tiles, and bronze sculpture in addition to her signature glass mosaics. The work seeks harmony and balance while providing a tension between the diverse surfaces of the fluid line sculptures.
Gardner's uncanny ability to capture a sense of movement and fluidity in her works is evident in the various mediums she has employed for this exhibition. Based on simple line drawings, suspended sculptures lyrically move through space. Glass mosaics reflect and absorb light, while the bronze works draw the eye to the structure of each form, creating an intimate and meditative interaction with the viewer. Ann Gardner is a Seattle based artist, recognized with numerous awards and public commissions. She most recently installed two sculptures at the Bellevue Arts Museum in Bellevue, Washington. Her work can be seen at the Amazon Corporate offices (Seattle), San Antonio International Airport, Fairbanks International Airport, and the Washington State Convention and Trade Center (Seattle). Her work is also included in many major collections such as the American Craft Museum in New York City, NY; Seattle Art Museum, WA; Corning Museum of Glass, NY; National Museum of American Art in Washington D.C.; and the Bureau of Cultural Affairs in Atlanta, Georgia.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
SLAPP (simile a "slap" schiaffo in lingua inglese) è un termine nato dall'acronimo di Strategic lawsuit against public participation (traducibile in italiano con "azione legale strategica contro la partecipazione pubblica") per identificare le azioni legali tese a bloccare la partecipazione alla vita pubblica.
È una pratica scorretta e nell'ordinamento italiano viene punita come "causa temeraria" (art. 96 del Codice di procedura civile); ma i codici italiani non entrano in questo specifico caso che potrebbe verificarsi delle ONG ambientaliste o di rispetto dei diritti criticano pubblicamente un'organizzazione ricca e forte, come una multinazionale, e quest'ultima cerca di intimidire la ONG con citazioni in giudizio e richieste danni notevoli. Vincere non è l'obiettivo principale di questa azione legale. L'obiettivo è intimorire l'avversario e reprimere il dibattito pubblico. La SLAPP non è fondata su reali motivi giuridici.
Fu coniato nel 1988 da due professori dell'università di Denver.
È un termine usato nell'ambito giudiziario e si è diffuso partendo inizialmente dai paesi anglosassoni e proprio in questi paesi, negli ultimi anni, sono state varate leggi che limitano le possibilità di ricorso a questa pratica.

Note

Terminologia giuridica

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Do you or don't you object? That is the million-dollar question most property owners are asking themselves since receiving their latest municipal property valuations. Now that the initial shock of the valuations has worn off, property owners are able to take a step back and consider the results with a cooler head.
Realistically speaking, your property has probably increased in value since 1 August 2015, the date of the last municipal valuations. The reason for this is that the Cape Peninsula enjoyed good growth over the two-year period commencing early 2016 and continuing until around the first quarter of 2018.
This was in large part due to the semigration of individuals and families to the region, primarily from Gauteng. Of course, this trend came to an abrupt halt in 2018 when the Cape experienced its worst drought in a century. There had already been growing anxiety in political circles over talks of expropriation of land without compensation, and this, combined with severe water restrictions, caused a significant decline in semigration. Shortage of water and lack of investment in the province resulted in little to no growth from about the second quarter of 2018.
This said, it's important to bear in mind that the latest municipal valuation is dated 2 July 2018. At that point in time, the property market in the Cape was slow, with few transactions taking place. Supply well exceeded demand and the prices of properties, especially residential properties, were the hardest hit by the sudden drop in demand.
The question therefore is: what would a willing buyer have paid a willing seller on the open market on 2 July 2018 - the date of the municipal valuation? This was when markets were slow and demand was limited - in other words, a buyer's market. In this type of market, where buyers are in a stronger position than sellers, property owners do one of two things: they hold onto their properties until the market has improved, or they sell for less than they'd hoped to receive.
In our opinion, it is unrealistic to say that properties have not grown since the previous municipal valuation. We have to take into account the entire period since the last valuation - not just the last several months. As mentioned, there has indeed been a slowdown in growth since 2018, but it's also fair to say that there was excellent growth between 2016 and 2018.
Hence, properties have shown an increase in value, but this value needs to be reflected as the market value as at 2 July 2018.
Do you have grounds to dispute the City's valuation?
If you believe that the updated municipal value of your property is greater than what you'd achieve on the open market today, then you may have grounds to object. An incorrect valuation can mean higher rates, taxes and CID levies, and you don't want to be paying more than you should be.
Swindon Property Services can help you with an objection against your municipal valuation, but we'll only do so if there are sufficient grounds. We'll do an analysis of your property and the sales in the area in order to ascertain whether or not to proceed.
As a final thought, nobody knows your property better than you. Would you sell it for less than its determined market value, according to the City of Cape Town, as at 2 July 2018? If not, then the valuation is in all likelihood accurate.
Get in touch with our Head of Valuations, Jill Coetze, via +27 83 708 2098 for advice on your valuation.


Are you experiencing low energy, anxiety, or unexplained weight gain? It could be your hormones! Hormones play a crucial role in overall health, but life changes can alter natural hormone levels, and negatively impact quality of life. Luckily, hormone replacement therapy can restore much needed balance. But are you a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) refers to the use of medications that are designed to restore hormone balance. HRT is usually customized to meet the needs and symptoms of each patient, based on the results of a hormone analysis test. The hormone analysis will provide measurements for the main hormones, namely – estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
HRT may be carried out using synthetic or bio-identical hormones. Bio-identical hormones are often preferred, as they have a chemical structure that is similar to the hormones naturally produced by the body.
If you are a woman experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, dry skin, decreased libido, and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, you may be a good candidate for HRT. HRT is also recommended for men experiencing symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, lack of energy, hair loss, and low libido. One of the main reasons men and women choose to undergo HRT, is to ease the discomfort of symptoms related to hormonal imbalance.
Patients considering HRT should discuss the pros and cons with their physician, and have a hormone analysis done.
Are you interested in hormone replacement therapy? Search our directory to find a practice in your area.


text:
Supreme Court Cancels Arguments In Trump-era Immigration Cases The move comes two days after the Biden administration asked the court to delay consideration of the major cases that were scheduled for oral argument in the coming weeks.
Supreme Court Cancels Arguments In Trump-era Immigration Cases
February 1, 20217:00 PM ET
Workers construct wall in the desert between Sundlad Park, N.M., and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, last month. Herika Martinez/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Herika Martinez/AFP via Getty Images
Workers construct wall in the desert between Sundlad Park, N.M., and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, last month.
Updated on Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. ET
The U.S. Supreme Court, at the Biden administration's urging, canceled two arguments on a pair of Trump-era immigration cases: one was related to funding for the border wall and other concerned the "remain in Mexico" policy."
The move comes two days after the Biden administration asked the court to delay consideration of the major cases that were scheduled for oral argument in the coming weeks.
The Supreme Court's move means the two cases very likely will be pronounced dead as a legal matter.
The Supreme Court had allowed both Trump administration policies to continue, temporarily overriding decisions by lower courts. But President Biden has already issued executive orders pausing both the erection of the border wall, and the "remain in Mexico" policy, under which some 68,000 asylum seekers and others who crossed the border without authorization, were sent back to Mexico and told to apply for immigration permits from there.
Acting Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar on Monday filed motions asking the High Court to postpone consideration of both cases in light of the Biden administration's reconsideration of the policies at issue in the two cases.
"In light of ... recent developments," Prelogar "respectfully" requested that the court "hold further briefing in abeyance and remove" them from the February oral argument calendar. That could well mean that the two Trump policies are, for all practical purposes, dead.
The question in the border wall cases was whether Trump could get around Congress' refusal to authorize money for the border wall by using money appropriated for the Defense Department.
As for the "remain in Mexico case," it tests the legality of the Trump policy that automatically returned to Mexico asylum seekers and other immigrants from third countries who enter the U.S. by crossing the U.S./Mexico border. That policy, however, was suspended by the acting Department of Homeland Security director within hours of Biden becoming president. In suspending the Trump policy, the acting director noted that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, for now, non-essential travel restrictions would remain in place.
As in the border wall case, the Biden administration's Prelogar asked the court to postpone consideration of the case in order to allow the Biden administration to review the Trump policies and decide what changes it plans to make.


text:
The Flexible Orchestra at the Ukrainian Restaurant, September 28th, 2017
The Flexible Orchestra with a core of bassoons and contrabassoons performs September 28th, Thursday, 7:30 at the Ukrainian Restaurant, 140 Second Av. At 9th Street, conducted by our wonderful, Tara Simoncic.
It's a "Concerto Program" with works by Daniel Goode (the orchestra's founder), Krystina Bobrowski from San Francisco, David Demnitz from Gamelan Son of Lion, and violist/composer, Stephanie Griffin of the Momenta Quartet. In addition, as a gesture to the history of "multiples" of one instrument, we will revive Mary Jane Leach's "Feu de Joie" for solo bassoon and six recorded bassoons. The soloist will be Sara Schoenbeck, our first bassoonist.
Goode's "Concerto for Lecturer and Orchestra" is a setting of his wife, Ann Snitow's lecture on how to survive backlash—ominously relevant to now. Ann will perform the solo lecture.
David Demnitz's "Savor Pelog/Shading: Clarinet Concerto" is written for Goode playing his instrument. It was originally a piece for gamelan orchestra, which he as transcribed for the Flexible Orchestra.
Bobrowski's premiere will feature her on french horn. Stephanie Griffin will feature herself on viola.
For further information, write Daniel Goode at
dsgoode@earthlink.net
No reservations are needed for the concert. For before the concert dinner reservations, call the restaurant at:
Remember the concert starts at 7:30!


text:
"""Mock johannesburg backend"""

from .fake_johannesburg import FakeJohannesburgV2
from .fake_johannesburg import FakeJohannesburg

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Spaced Out
Moon Base Alpha, Book 2
Written by: Stuart Gibbs
Narrated by: Gibson Frazier
4 out of 5 stars 4.0 (5 ratings)
Tensions are running high when multibillionaire Lars Sjoburg is poisoned and demands to go home, and everyone is looking to Dash Gibson to solve the case in this third and final book in the New York Times best-selling Moon Base Alpha series.
Preachy
By SWFOTWSKI's on 2018-10-14
Like his fellow lunarnauts - otherwise known as Moonies - living on Moon Base Alpha, twelve-year-old Dashiell Gibson is famous the world over for being one of the first humans to live on the moon. And he's bored out of his mind. Kids aren't allowed on the lunar surface, meaning they're trapped inside the tiny moon base with next to nothing to occupy their time - and the only other kid Dash's age spends all his time hooked into virtual reality games.
It's an amazing book.
By Pascale on 2019-05-04
Spy School British Invasion
Stranded in Mexico after nearly capturing the leaders of SPYDER, 13-year-old Ben Ripley desperately needs to take a shower. But even more so, he and his spy school friends need to come up with a new plan to defeat their enemies, their only clue a key that opens...something. The mission: go rogue from the CIA, join up with the British MI6 to locate the leader of SPYDER, the enigmatic Mr. E, and bring down the evil organization once and for all.
The Last Musketeer
Narrated by: Ramon de Ocampo
On a family trip to Paris, Greg Rich's parents disappear. They're not just missing from the city - they're missing from the century. So, Greg does what any other 14-year-old would do: He travels through time to rescue them. Greg soon finds out that his family history is tied to the legendary Three Musketeers. But when he meets them, they're his age, and they'll only live long enough to become true heroes if he can save them.
Spy School Goes South
Spy School Series, Book 6
Thirteen-year-old Ben Ripley has been caught in the snares of SPYDER more than once and knows well enough to be suspicious of anything that seems too good to be true - despite needing special tutoring in advanced survival techniques. So when Murray Hill finally breaks his silence with an offer to hand over the SPYDER elite, Ben knows there must be something going on. But his hesitation doesn't stop the assignment.
I love it<br />
Spy School
Length: 6 hrs and 1 min
Ben Ripley may only be in middle school, but he's already pegged his dream job: CIA or bust. Unfortunately for him, his personality doesn't exactly scream "secret agent". In fact Ben is so awkward, he can barely get to school and back without a mishap. Because of his innate nerdiness, Ben is not surprised when he is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science - but he's entirely shocked to discover that the school is actually a front for a junior CIA academy.
My son wants audio book over tablet time!
Evil Spy School
During a spy school game of Capture the Flag, 12-year-old Ben Ripley somehow accidentally shoots a live mortar into the principal's office - and immediately gets himself expelled. Not long after going back to the boring old real world, Ben gets recruited by evil crime organization SPYDER.
Excellent serries
Spy Camp
Spy School, Book 2
School may be out for summer, but top-secret training continues for aspiring spy Ben Ripley - and so does the danger. Ben Ripley is a middle schooler whose school is not exactly average - he's spent the last year training to be a top-level spy and dodging all sorts of associated danger. So now that summer's finally here, Ben's ready to have some fun and relax. Except that's not going to happen, because a spy-in-training's work is never done.
Spy Ski School
Twelve-year-old Ben Ripley is not exactly the best student spy school has ever seen - he keeps flunking Advanced Self Preservation. But outside of class, Ben is pretty great at staying alive. His enemies have kidnapped him, shot at him, locked him in a room with a ticking time bomb, and even tried to blow him up with missiles. And he's survived every time. After all that unexpected success, the CIA has decided to activate Ben for real.
Spy School Secret Service
Thirteen-year-old Ben Ripley has had a lot of field success despite only just beginning his second year at Spy School, something graduates rarely experience. But he'd never have survived without the help from experienced agents and his friends. Now he's been called in on a solo mission - and the fate of the United States of America is on his shoulders alone. The mission: Prevent a presidential assassination by infiltrating the White House and locating the enemy operative.
The Last Musketeer: Traitor's Chase
The Last Musketeer, Book 2
Having assumed the identity of a young D'Artagnan, Greg Rich is beginning to get the hang of things in 1615 Paris. But he hasn't figured out how to get home yet. Or how to defeat the dangerous Michel Dinicoeur, who has made it his mission to destroy Greg, Athos, Aramis, and Porthos. When Dinicoeur escapes the Bastille and flees to Spain, the Musketeers charge after him, only to be ambushed. Someone is anticipating their every move. Could there be a traitor in their midst?
Lion Down
For once, operations at the enormous zoo/theme park appear to be running smoothly (except for the occasional herring-related mishap in the penguin exhibit) and Teddy Fitzroy is finally able to give detective work a rest. But then a local lion is accused of killing a famous dog - and the dog's owner, an inflammatory radio host, goes on a crusade to have the cat declared a nuisance so it can be hunted. But it looks like the lion might have been framed, and a renegade animal activist wants Teddy and Summer to help prove it.
Teddy Fitzroy's back for another zoo mystery this time it's a koala caper in this action-packed follow-up to Belly Up, which Kirkus Reviews called great fun. School troublemaker Vance Jessup thinks Teddy Fitzroy's home at Fun Jungle, a state-of-the-art zoo and theme park, is the perfect place for a cruel prank. Vance bullies Teddy into his scheme, but the plan goes terribly awry. Teddy sneaks into the koala exhibit to hide out until the chaos dies down.
When someone takes aim at Rhonda Rhino, FunJungle's pregnant (and endangered) Asian greater one-horned rhinoceros, the zoo steps up security measures in order to protect this rare animal and her baby. But the extra security isn't enough - someone is still getting too close for comfort. Teddy and company start to suspect that whoever is after Rhonda is really after her horn, which is worth a lot of money on the black market.
This book was awesome because it really made you attach to the characters and the riter Stuart Gibbs didn't just
By Michele Amberiadis on 2018-02-19
Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1
Written by: Rick Riordan
Narrated by: Jesse Bernstein
Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. No matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to stay out of trouble. But can he really be expected to stand by and watch while a bully picks on his scrawny best friend? Or not defend himself against his pre-algebra teacher when she turns into a monster and tries to kill him? Of course, no one believes Percy about the monster incident; he's not even sure he believes himself.
By Christine on 2018-10-13
Minecraft: The Island (Narrated by Jack Black)
An Official Minecraft Novel
Written by: Max Brooks
Narrated by: Jack Black
The first official Minecraft novel! In the tradition of iconic adventures like Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island, the number one New York Times best-selling author of World War Z tells the story of a hero - stranded in the world of Minecraft - who must unravel the secrets of a mysterious island in order to survive.
Bedtime stories...
By Amazon Customer on 2019-07-13
Written by: Shannon Messenger
Narrated by: Caitlin Kelly
Sophie is settling in nicely to her new home and her new life in the world of the lost cities. And it helps that living at Havenfield means getting to spend time with rare, precious species - including the first female Alicorn, who shows herself to Sophie and trusts no one but her. Sophie is tasked with helping to train the magical creature so that the Alicorn can be revealed to the people of the lost cities as a sign of hope, and Sophie wants to believe that the recent drama and anguish is gone for good. But the secrets buried deep in Sophie's memories remain, and before long she's back in incredible danger....
Written by: Chris Grabenstein
Narrated by: Jesse Bernstein, Chris Grabenstein
Everyone's favorite game maker, Mr. Lemoncello, is testing out his new Fabulous Fact-Finding Frenzy game! If Kyle can make it through the first round, he and the other lucky finalists will go on a great race - by bicycle, bookmobile, and even Mr. Lemoncello's corporate banana jet - to find fascinating facts about famous Americans. The first to bring their facts back to the library will win spectacular prizes! But when a few surprising "facts" surface about Mr. Lemoncello, it might be go to jail and lose a turn all at once!
The moon base commander has gone missing, and Dash Gibson is on the case in the second mind-boggling mystery in the Moon Base Alpha series from the New York Times best-selling author of Belly Up and Spy School.
There's nowhere to hide on the world's first moon base. After all, it's only the size of a soccer field. So when Nina Stack, the commander of Moon Base Alpha, mysteriously vanishes, the Moonies are at a total loss.
Though he may be just 12 years old, Dashiell Gibson is the best detective they've got. But this confusing mystery pushes Dash to his limits. Especially since Dash accidentally made contact with an alien and has to keep it a secret. With the fate of the entire human race hanging in the balance, will Dash be able to solve the mystery of the missing Moonie?
©2016 Stuart Gibbs (P)2016 Simon & Schuster
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen
its perfect
it was splendid
it had all the flavors i could imagine i am looking forward to the 3rd book but sad it would be the last book in the moon alpha series
2014 HL Limited Platinum
Lives up to the expectation set by Part 1
Excellent story, great narration! The first past had set very high expectation, and this second part surely lives up to it!
xiaobei
this is one of my favorite books ever. it was so interesting. I recommend it.
Migvel Aviles
I love this series
this is one of the best books I've ever read I love it one of the best series ever!!!!!
KC Fairfield
Great book
Though it is a bit shorter than space case, its just as good. Go MBA, Go Dasheil
Gibbs knows what he is about.
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I would and regularly do recommend Stuart Gibbs' books, both audio and print, to my middle grades students and others who enjoy MG books on a regular basis. They are so well written, with a tight plot, compelling main characters, and quirky secondary characters. His work feels like a recipe for the perfect middle grade series.
What did you like best about this story?
I love how Spaced Out and its predecessor, Space Case, both have a compelling story that feels, from a scientific perspective, kind of possible. It is clear the author did his research so that life on the moon seems plausible, and we readers are not asked to suspend our disbelief too much.
Which character – as performed by Gibson Frazier – was your favorite?
Frazier does a great job with this book as well as other books by the author. I particularly enjoy how ridiculous he makes Lars Sjoberg, a fairly ridiculous character, sound. But really, he strikes just the right note with each character and the pace and mood of the book as a whole.
This book is part mystery, part comedy, part adventure, and there are a few moments, mostly involving the bathroom on Moon Base Alpha, that had me laughing out loud.
I really like this series, though I prefer Gibbs' Fun Jungle and Spy School books. This author really understands his audience, and writes smart, funny, compelling stories for those kids. He is one of my favorite MG authors, and I read A LOT of middle grade books.
Melissa Liu
This book kept me thinking about everything it is so fun lol lol lol fun¡
asrjlr
It is gGreat I love it
I love this book 📚 so much but he doesn't so much so so so much much
Chuck Finnley
Best book in a long time
I loved the book and how enticing it is. A must read for sci-fi and murder mystery lovers.
KArdin
SAME BOOK AS THE FIRST
DO NOT BUY UNLESS U WANT TO WASTE YOUR MONEY


Rep. Trey Hollingsworth Joseph (Trey) Albert HollingsworthThe Hill's Morning Report — Presented by Pass USMCA Coalition — Trump rallies for second term on 'promises kept' Overnight Defense: House votes to condemn transgender military ban | 5 Republicans vote against ban | Senate bill would block Turkey getting F-35s over Russia deal The 5 Republicans who voted to condemn Trump's transgender military ban MORE (R-Ind.) introduced legislation this week that would ban former members of Congress from registering as lobbyists.
The lifetime lobbying ban would also punish any former member or senator who "knowingly makes, with the intent to influence" communication with a member on behalf of another person, in order to avoid members working as lobbyists without registering.
Former lawmakers who head to K Street have faced scrutiny over the kind of work they engage in and how they use their Capitol Hill connections. Critics say former lawmakers have been the biggest offenders of working in the influence world without formally registering as lobbyists.
Comstock responded by suggesting Warren lacked civility.
No Democrats have signed on as co-sponsors to Hollingsworth's bill, and there is not a companion bill in the Senate.
He introduced the same measure in the previous Congress. It failed to advance out of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Hollingsworth was first elected in 2016 and serves on the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Warren, a 2020 White House candidate, is expected to soon re-introduce a similar bill that would impose a lifetime ban on former lawmakers from lobbying.


Yesterday, Brian and Marion Smith, the English couple who own Elgin Ridge, presented a vertical tasting of all vintages of their Sauvignon Blanc to date, a fascinating insight into how a winemaking vision evolves over time.
Brian Smith says he finds too many local examples of Sauvignon Blanc excessively green and acidic and is trying to avoid that in the wine that he makes but how just how rich should this variety be?
The current-release 2015 (R125 a bottle) is the ripest he's made to date, the alcohol on this a hefty 14.88%. It has appealing aromatics of granadilla and pineapple but the palate is a bit loose-knit, the finish slightly hot.
By contrast, the maiden vintage 2009 was the least ripe to date. Made off vineyards a mere 20 months old, it's holding up remarkably well and shows lime, green apple and honeydew melon flavours. With an alcohol of 13.5% and a total acidity of 8.12g/l, some will find it too lean and angular but I thought it had real zip. In any event, the future for Elgin Ridge surely lies between these two extremes.


DatingAdvice Forum | Boyfriends friends don't like me, is this reason for break up?
Boyfriends friends don't like me, is this reason for break up?
6 months into the relationship my bf was in Ireland and I was at a beer festival, His friend kissed me at the end of the night ( we had a last but he had a gf I didn't know about so we stopped talking once I found out) it was never sexual just kissing. After he kissed me I immediately told my boyfriend. He didn't want to break up. That was 7 months ago, his best friend Dan does not really like me, I understand. But I dread going out with his friends because I feel so alienated. By both his friends for cheating and because a lot of the girls that are around remain good friends with Jill so they ignore me. Last night I was at a surprise party and Jill's bf told my bf he didn't have to worry about me coming to newyears because we would be over by then, I was sitting right next to then. My boyfriend called her weird. I didn't want to make a scene but I was infuriated. It's been 7 months since the cheating. how long do I put up with this?
Jill is my ex friend, Liz's friebd (she introduced my boyfriend and I) we were roommates and friends. When my bf and I were on a break she slept in his bed which was usual. She had done this in the past for years prior to me dating my bf. We stopped talking because I felt disrespected that she was continuing this while we were on a break, which was usual for us and she never apologized.


Great industrial park site just north of Wake County with water, sewer, gas, tele, rail. Plenty of documents available: survey, topo, Proposed site plan, traffic study, environmental study, wetlands impact. Seller willing to subdivide. Just north of Youngsville with great US 1 Hwy access.


I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day--whether you are camping, boating, hosting a BBQ, visiting the grave site of a loved one, or just working on projects!
What a cute photo! I worked on a seemingly simple project for WAY too long on Memorial Day. Tried to make a $22 "French" wall clock from Marshalls look more authentic. You know how that goes!


In our personal lives we perform due diligence on everything from prospective employers to potential dates, where we want to go on holiday, or simply where to eat (think of restaurant reviews). Thus in the business sector, we need to take active steps to mitigate business relationship risks stemming from financial crime, credit worthiness and Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terror Financing perspectives.
Customer Due Diligence (CDD) or Know Your Customer (KYC) policies are the cornerstones of an effective AML/CTF program. Put simply, they are the act of performing background checks on the customer to ensure that they are properly risk assessed before being onboarded.
Many organisations have set forth guidelines on proper CDD policies, such as the United States' Federal Financial Institutions Examinations Council on Customer Due Diligence (FFEIC) or the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) guidelines on KYC/CDD.
The regulatory and reputational challenges faced by KYC professionals on a day-to-day basis.
What is 'Know Your Customer (KYC)'?


text:
Q: How to suppress stdout / stderr from a shell script output? I have a script that is suppose to stop and recover the process to run in the background:
process_id=`ps -eaf | grep -i daemon | grep -v grep | grep -v status | grep -v stop | awk '{print $2}'`
(kill -STOP $process_id) &
... # do something else
(kill -CONT $process_id) &

This is working fine, but then in the STDOUT / STDERR this appears:
[1]  +  8545 Suspended (signal)            /etc/init.d/...

So far I tried to:
(kill -STOP $process_id)

(kill -STOP $process_id) & > /dev/null

/etc/init.d/{name_of_the_daemon} start > /dev/null

(kill -STOP $process_id & ) 2>/dev/null

(kill -STOP $process_id & disown;) 2>/dev/null

set +m
(kill -STOP $process_id) &

(kill -STOP $process_id) & 1>&2

These are the steps that I'm doing:

*

*create a file fff in /etc/init.d/

*paste the script from below

*chmod 755 fff

*/etc/init.d/fff start

After that, I receive the "suspended" message...
According to @sourcejedi my script is not a daemon; when a child process of the script has been suspended, the "suspended" message appears
How can I suppress the output from the shell for only that particular message?
Here is a very simple version of my script:
#!/bin/bash

pid_script=`ps -eaf | grep -i fff | grep -v grep | grep -v status | grep -v stop | awk '{print $2}'`

case "$1" in
    start)
    ( sleep 3; kill -STOP $pid_script ) &
    sleep 10;
    (sleep 1; kill -CONT $pid_script) &
    ;;
    stop)
    for p in $pid_script # kill all the other processes related with this script (if any)
        do
            kill -9 $p
        done
esac

A: When you see [1] + 7766 Suspended (signal) ..., this is a message printed by the shell, telling you that one of its child processes has been suspended.
In the fff example, there are two shell processes to consider. Your initial interactive shell, and the shell script which runs as a child process.
Your script arranges to suspend itself. The "Suspended" message is printed by the interactive shell.  So this is not an option that you can toggle on or off inside the script.
Additionally, there is no option you could set in the interactive shell to toggle this specific message on or off.  It is not possible to "suppress" this message individually... basically because this is never what you want to do :-).
I think the fff script does not successfully resume itself anyway.  I think it might be possible to modify it to do so.  However, resuming itself is a terrible idea.    When you suspend the script, the interactive shell shows its command prompt again.  I.e. if you didn't see the "suspended" message, it looks like your script has finished.  But either way, if your script managed to resume itself, it would try to steal back control of the terminal from the user, no matter what they had started to do in the mean time.  This is not good!

I think you need to understand e.g. that if you launched a process from your terminal and it is a child process of your interactive shell, then it is absolutely not a daemon process.
To start a daemon from your terminal, the program must fork() itself during startup.  The original process should exit, and this allows the process which continues to be re-parented e.g. (in traditional unix) to PID 1 a.k.a. the init process.  And there are more steps it must include as well, to detach from the terminal.  See for example here: Daemonize a process in shell?
Additionally if your system uses systemd, you need to understand that legacy /etc/init.d/ scripts are required to be started using systemctl start.  The packaged init.d scripts in Debian and elsewhere include a compatibility hack that does this for you.  But you should not use that feature.  It is a recipe for confusion.  The script you have writen does not have this feature, so you must use systemctl start fff.
I strongly recommend not trying to use the games in the fff script in combination with systemctl start.
In reality systemctl uses a different approach to start background service processes.  It sends a message to PID 1 (the systemd init process), and PID 1 starts the requested program.  If you define a native systemd service, the program does not need to daemonize itself.  If you use a legacy init.d script, the program still needs to daemonize itself, but the only thing it achieves is to tell systemd that the init.d script has finished starting.  (This makes it possible to notice some startup failures in daemons, though unfortunately many existing programs have startup failures that can happen after the daemonization step).
You do not want to be worrying about whether and how systemd will react to the init.d script stopping and resuming itself.

A: Unsure if I understand your goal properly, but this is how it works for me:

*

*start "daemon", in fact just continuouslu running process: top -d1 >out

*in the second terminal you can tail -f out if you like

*in the third terminal I run kill -STOP   $(ps -eFH | grep "top -d" |grep -v grep|awk '{print $2}'
You will see the 'suspended' message in the first terminal where the daemon was started from, but in the out file there won't be such messages.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
U.S. Government Revokes the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations, But Restrictions and Risks Remain
By Steven Pelak, Gwen Green, and Jason Prince
On October 6, 2017, the U.S. Government announced its decision to revoke, effective October 12, 2017, the economic sanctions imposed upon Sudan since November 1997 through the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations ("SSR"). (82 Fed. Reg. 47287 (October 6, 2017)). Beginning a process begun by the Obama Administration in January 2017, the Trump Administration explained that the decision follows "sustained positive actions" by the government of Sudan over the last nine months to maintain a cessation of hostilities in Sudan, improve access to humanitarian aid throughout Sudan, and maintain cooperation with the United States on counter-terrorism efforts. Contemporaneous with the announcement, the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") published new Sudan Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQs") and issued new General License A to authorize certain exports and reexports pursuant to the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 ("TSRA").
From 1997 until January 2017, the U.S. Government imposed and enforced an extensive trade embargo that essentially prohibited U.S. persons from doing business with Sudan. In January 2017, President Obama conditionally lifted sanctions on Sudan authorizing a wide array of activities previously prohibited under the SSR and Executive Orders ("E.O.s") 13067 and 13412, with a path to a permanent revocation of sanctions in six months if certain conditions were met. In lifting the sanctions, OFAC issued a general license to allow most business between the United States and Sudan. The general license also unblocked Sudanese assets blocked under the SSR, including assets of the government of Sudan.
In July 2017, President Trump extended the suspension of the Sudanese embargo until October 12, 2017, at which time President Trump needed to renew the operative general license, terminate the SSR, or revoke the general license and reinstate the comprehensive sanctions program. Effective October 12, the U.S. Government revoked sections 1 and 2 of E.O. 13067 and E.O. 13412, which blocked the property of the government of Sudan and generally prohibited U.S. persons from engaging in transactions in Sudan or with the government of Sudan. In other words, as of October 12, 2017, U.S. persons are no longer prohibited from engaging in transactions previously prohibited under the SSR without an OFAC license. In addition, the prior general license issued in January 2017 is no longer necessary for U.S. persons to engage in such transactions. Termination of the SSR was accompanied by the removal of numerous Sudanese individuals and entities from OFAC's list of specially designated nationals ("SDNs"), but certain Sudanese individuals and entities remain on the SDN list pursuant to other OFAC sanctions programs.
In spite of the revocation of sanctions, Sudan remains on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List ("SST List"). In an attempt to address the potential incongruence between revocation of the SSR and Sudan's continued presence on the SST List, OFAC has issued General License A to authorize exports and reexports of certain TSRA items (e.g., agricultural commodities, medicine and medicinal devices) to Sudan.
Remaining Restrictions and Potential Risks
Despite the removal last week of the OFAC economic sanctions against Sudan, U.S. and non-U.S. parties considering business transactions involving Sudan should remain cognizant of continuing potential restrictions on transactions with Sudan because of its inclusion on the SST List. These include:
The Arms Export Control Act ("AECA")1 imposes a prohibition upon the export, sale, lease, or other provision of defense articles to Sudan (22 U.S.C. § 2780(b)(1)(A-C)). The AECA further prohibits a U.S. person from taking any other action which would facilitate the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of a defense article by the government of Sudan (22 U.S.C. § 2780(b)(1)(D)). Finally, the AECA establishes that a U.S. person may be found in violation of those prohibitions if a corporation or other person "controlled in fact by that United States person" sells, leases, or otherwise provides a defense article to Sudan or otherwise facilitates the acquisition of a defense article by the government of Sudan (22 U.S.C. 2780(b)(2)).
A U.S. person and non-U.S. persons may be required to obtain a license from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security ("BIS") to export or reexport to Sudan items subject to the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR") according to generally applicable regulations under the EAR (15 C.F.R. §§ 730-774) as well as regulations under the EAR specifically aimed at Sudan (15 C.F.R. § 742.10) or at Country Group E foreign nations which includes nations designated as state sponsors of international terrorism (15 C.F.R. § 740 Supp. No. 1).
Federal law prohibits any U.S. person from engaging in a financial transaction with the government of Sudan knowing or have reasonable cause to know that Sudan is designated as a country supporting international terrorism except as provided in OFAC regulations (18 U.S.C. § 2332d). Under OFAC's Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations (31 C.F.R. § 596), OFAC has provided general authorization for financial transactions with nations on the SST List that are not otherwise subject to licensing or prohibition under another OFAC sanctions program, except for a transfer from a Terrorism List Government: (1) constituting a donation to a U.S. person; or (2) posing a risk, which is known or should reasonably be known, of furthering terrorist acts in the United States (31 C.F.R. § 596.504).
Prohibitions on doing business with certain Sudanese individuals and entities that remain on OFAC's SDN and Blocked Persons List pursuant to other sanctions programs.
Multinational businesses may be subject to the European Union's sanctions targeting Sudan.
Prohibitions on U.S. foreign assistance to Sudan.
A requirement for the U.S. Government to oppose World Bank and International Monetary Fund loans to Sudan.
Parties should also consider the potential risks of doing business in/with Sudan, including, but not limited to:
Corruption concerns because of Sudan's high rate of public sector corruption.
Personal security risks and concerns because of the heightened threat of terrorist attacks in Sudan.
Reputational risks because of Sudan's inclusion on the SST List and reported human rights' violations.
Moreover, to reduce the risk of inadvertent breaches of commercial agreements, parties seeking to do business in Sudan should review existing agreements to determine whether they need to be amended to allow Sudan-related business under the agreement.
Recordkeeping Requirements
U.S. persons who rely on the new General License A must still comply with OFAC's recordkeeping requirements by keeping a "full and accurate record" of its Sudan-related transactions for a minimum of 5 years. See 31 C.F.R. § 501.601.
Revocation of the SSR Has No Impact on Pending or Future OFAC Enforcement Investigations Based on Conduct that Occurred Prior to October 12, 2017
The U.S. Government analyzes an apparent sanctions violation under the laws and regulations existing at the time the apparent violation occurred. As a result, the revocation of Sudanese sanctions will have no impact on any current/future investigations regarding apparent violations of the SSR that occurred before October 12, 2017. In other words, OFAC enforcement actions based on pre-sanctions-revocation violations of the SSR could arise after the effective date of the revocation of sanctions. For instance, on October 5, 2017, OFAC announced a $372,465 settlement with BD White Birch Investment LLC ("White Birch USA") to settle White Birch USA's potential civil liability for three apparent violations of the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations related to export transactions that occurred in April and December 2013.
Based on the U.S. Government's revocation of the SSR, it appears that Sudan is now significantly closer to being open for business than it has been at any point since 1997. Nevertheless, those seeking to do business with Sudan should still exercise caution as new business opportunities may still face certain restrictions and may also pose substantial risks.
The export controls/trade sanctions team at Holland & Hart is well equipped to answer questions about the revocation of the SSR and explain how the SSR's revocation may influence your consideration of future business opportunities with Sudan. We will provide updates as significant events occur.
1The administrative agency tasked in part with implementation of the AECA, the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, has issued inconsistent regulations with regard to the export of defense articles to designated state sponsors of international terrorism. See 22 C.F.R. §§ 126.1(d)(1) and 126.1(v). Regardless of the apparent contradictions of the ITAR provisions, the AECA's statutory prohibition upon the export or sale of defense articles to designated state sponsors of international terrorism controls. That statutory prohibition carries criminal penalties, including a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years for a willful violation of the AECA (22 U.S.C. § 2780(j)). For our detailed analysis of the apparent conflict between ITAR Section 126.1(v) and the AECA, please click here.
Department of Justice Issues New Guidance on Definition of "Confidential" under FOIA Exemption 4
Jason Prince Appointed as Vice Chair of ABA Export Controls & Economic Sanctions Committee
Holland & Hart Launches New International Compliance Blog


Last week, I flew down with my creative partner, Yanyanista, to sunny Miami, and spent time shooting with the Phase One XF 100MP Camera System for our Master Class on Fashion Photography. We shot on-set and on-location at the ultra-cool Miami Ad School, which was perfect for our concept of "dreamland".
The idea for the images was planned initially by making a creative mood board. Next, Yanyanista brought in her styling magic, and we casted our models and crew. We wanted an unusual setting with surreal elements and the best gear possible, and nothing compares to the XF 100MP. The Phase One camera shoots lighting fast. It always far exceeds the images that come from my mind's eye.
What sold me right away on this camera was that it has the largest sensor ever produced at a consumer level and such an incredible dynamic range. Up to 15 stops of Dynamic Range! There is literally so much one can do with their images, and fine-tuning them with the new Capture One Pro 10 only makes the dreamland even more realistic.
Watch the BTS video of the Master Class, and read along to experience our dreams come true, step by step.
A week before the shoot, we planned out the mood board to be full of unique dreamy locations. We sourced ideas and images to make our imagination come to life on paper. We started casting with the modeling agencies in Miami while we were in NYC, and chose Karina from Front Management, and Taylor from Next Management. They had just the look we needed to make our unique dreamland ideas shine. We learned on set that they were also very sweet girls, too, with wonderful characters and energy.
The inspiration was very natural. We planned the shoot based on magical creative backdrops similar to Alice in Wonderland. Not your usual locations. Location was to be set outside because we were fortunate to be shooting in wonderful warm Miami.
"The style is the essential part of the story telling. When I saw the location, I knew that something bazaar was going to be created there. Ideas were flooding in my mind. I immediately thought of one of my best friends, couture designer Anthony Manfredonia, and his gorgeous Rose Collection. I also thought of using cute headpieces from Ayuko H. Millinery and silk gowns from Manuel De la Cruz. I contacted the designers and they were super excited for the ideas!" stated Yanyanista.
We had stepped on a plane in NYC at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and stepped off to a perfect 80 degrees in Miami. We had really interesting backdrops of graffiti, a bull, flamingos, large pink buildings, greenery, and an air stream trailer. It was very important to utilize it all. Miami Ad School was very gracious to let us run around like kids on a playground shooting with the XF 100MP. We had so much fun.
At the Miami Ad School, our students and I shot for two days with a huge 10 foot monitor to display the images while shooting. We were able to tether and immediately see the massive files in full perfect clarity, exposing every gorgeous detail. Amazingly, we had no problems tethering such high resolution images. In fact, it was lightning fast. And the sharpness of the files was intense.
We simplified the workflow by tethering directly into Capture One Pro. We used the Mac core desktop indoors and MacBook Pro laptop outdoors, always tethering. It let us see our composition, that our lighting was on point, and easily see when we got our shot so we could move on to the next shot quickly.
We shot the two models in a variety of locations, shooting beauty indoors and fashion outdoors. Our incredibly smart digital tech helped us handle the files and see the beautiful images immediately upon each shot. Some students had their iPads with Capture Pilot, which allowed them to see each image on their individual screens. Very cool!
We had the Profoto D2 portable kit on-hand, along with the bright Miami sun. For the beauty shots we used the Schneider Kreuznack 120mm macro that was simply amazing. It has to be one of my favorite lenses of all time. It is so sharp and crystal clear. The depth of focus is extreme. One centimeter difference makes all the difference. This lens has gorgeous depth and sharpness.
Outdoors, we used theSchneider Kreuznack 55mm and 80mm prime lenses. Both are super sharp. I believe this is the best glass available on the market. When working with a large file you want to know the sensor actually has space to read the light coming into the camera. On a DSLR you know that the frame is small and therefore squeezing more information into a smaller space.
When working with medium format it allows the pixels to breathe. The light affects the sensor similar to using film. It is inherently beautiful straight from the camera, with little or no processing necessary.
Our "Dreamland" images came alive with the Phase One XF 100MP Camera System. Is it better than a DSLR? Without a doubt it is!
Capture One helps stylize and color tone your images for every shot, giving you a unique touch. It renders the picture color wonderfully.
Yanyanista broke down the steps in Capture One and Photoshop for retouching. She started with getting the most from the file in Capture One. Bringing up the shadows, setting the dreamy mood by lowering the clarity and desaturating the skin tone.
The images deliver a natural texture and tonal feel. In Photoshop, she worked on cleaning up the skin with her special techniques. And separating layers to isolate color tones.
The process was long but worth the detailed attention. We first broke down the concept, creating the right feeling with styling, mood boards and the location of Miami Ad School. Then, we made it happen with the great gear like the powerful portable Profoto lights and the glorious Phase One XF 100MP camera. Finally, Yanyanista processed the files with Capture One.
Our students in Miami were very discerning professionals working in high profile commercial studios that need the ultimate image quality for their jobs. The XF 100MP camera has breathtaking detail in both highlights and shadows.
On our large monitors, they saw images coming into Capture One via tethering that barely needed any retouch in Photoshop. With 500MB 16 bit 100%-scaled TIFFs you can crop into the image for any detail needed.
That was all from us. Feel free to leave a comment here on the blog.
JODI JONES is a two time SILVER LIONS AWARD WINNER at the CANNES INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL of CREATIVITY for 2015 and the founder of Jodi Jones Studio, a visionary studio that specializes in Creative Direction, Photography, Motion, Branding, Consulting and Marketing. Jodi helps companies like AKQA, McCann, Kenneth Cole, Bullett Media, NY Observer Media, and Art Not War communicate their message. Jodi's photographs have appeared in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, Time Magazine and countless others. The TV Show "Women on Top" did a full episode on her life as a photographer. Jodi is now traveling the world inspiring and speaking at seminars and workshops on creativity, entrepreneurship, and photography.


text:
Home News Transcript News Transcript News
News Transcript News Briefs, April 6
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Englishtown Police Chief Peter S. Cooke Jr. has announced that officers from the Englishtown Police Department will be cracking down on distracted drivers during April as part of New Jersey's UDrive. UText. UPay. enforcement campaign.
The enforcement campaign began on April 1 and will run through the end of the month. According to a press release from Cooke, the initiative will target motorists who engage in dangerous distracted driving behaviors such as talking on handheld cell phones and sending text messages while driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2019, 3,142 people were killed in distracted driving crashes on the nation's roads and an estimated 400,000 people were injured, according to the press release.
Driver inattention has remained the most frequently cited cause of fatal and incapacitating crashes in New Jersey, more than seven times higher than the total crashes cited for unsafe speed from 2015-19, according to the press release.
Driver inattention was a contributing circumstance in nearly 49% of New Jersey crashes in 2019.
According to the press release, distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on a phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in the vehicle, and using the vehicle's stereo, entertainment or navigation system.
New Jersey is one of eight states to receive dedicated federal funds this year to address the issue of driver distraction. The federal funding will be used for police overtime enforcement grants at the local level and a statewide multimedia public awareness campaign regarding this issue, according to the press release.
Acelero Head Start Freehold, 81 W. Main St., Freehold Borough, has annonced the expansion of Little Sprouts Garden, the school's outdoor learning space.
The garden is part of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and National Head Start Association's GroMoreGood Garden Grants initiative, which seeks to connect one million Head Start children across the country to garden education and fresh food, according to a press release.
Acelero Freehold received a GroMoreGood garden grant to expand and improve an existing garden, using the space as an educational outdoor experience, filled with wonder, smells, tastes and ways to get dirty, according to the press release.
Once the project is complete, Acelero Freehold will work with its families to harvest the fruits and vegetables for use in its classrooms and in students' homes.
Jen Bagdanov, center director of the Freehold Center, said, "We are honored to receive grant support for the Little Sprouts Garden. We know this garden will be a place of learning, creativity and growth for all of our students and their families."
As Freehold Borough's new water treatment plant nears completion, the Borough Council has awarded an increase in the contract for its construction.
On March 21, council members authorized a $47,254 increase in the borough's contract with Coppola Services Inc., Ringwood, for the construction of the water treatment plant on Waterworks Road in Freehold Township.
The contract initially totaled $7.83 million. Following three change orders, the contract now totals $8 million.
According to a resolution, the increase was necessitated by unforeseen conditions and changes to the overall contract scope, including contaminated soil removal, the installation of a fire alarm system, modifications to the pressure filters' sequencing and operation, the installation of a service line for chlorine analyzers, miscellaneous plumbing, electrical and chemical feed modifications, miscellaneous material modification credits and a road opening permit credit.
Freehold Borough's existing water treatment plant on Waterworks Road in Freehold Township was constructed in 1949 and most recently upgraded in 1977.
According to borough officials, the new treatment plant is expected to be operational in April.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA), which is a national organization committed to fighting diabetes, has announced the recognition of CentraState Healthcare System's Novo Nordisk Diabetes Center through the Education Recognition Program (ERP). The recognition lasts for four years.
The certification acknowledges that CentraState offers a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide people who have diabetes with comprehensive information about how to successfully manage the chronic condition, according to a press release.
"The expertise of our team is unrivaled and this recognition speaks to the quality of our service," said Kim Simers, assistant vice president of Integrated Health. "The Novo Nordisk Diabetes Center team of five certified diabetes educators are here to help anyone manage diabetes in order to prevent or delay the serious complications of diabetes."
CentraState helps individuals who are newly diagnosed or who have had long-term diabetes by educating them with practical information to better manage the chronic condition, according to the press release.
The ADA's Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational services meet the national standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support.
Acelero Head Start Freehold
CentraState Healthcare System
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Summary of Foundation Meeting on 18th May
rmehta May 19, 2017, 9:49am #1
Here is the summary of the foundation meeting on 18th May. This time there were lots of good discussions and we ran out of time. But we made great progress as usual!
There was a detailed discussion on roadmap on how we should move forward now that most of the issues are tagged. It was noted that there are 2 types of roadmaps, functional and technical. Python3 for example is a part of the technical roadmap. while a better bank statement reconciliation was an example of a functional roadmap.
The Frappe team was asked what is on their strategic roadmap. The Frappe team shared that they have never explicitly worked on a roadmap that lasted beyond a month. The feedback received from cloud users + forum + github was driving most of the process till now. Frappe team also shared two projects that are in their strategic roadmap. The Hub, which will be an information exchange for erpnext users and an offline version of ERPNext that will not be a client-server implementation.
Community members were requested add a thumbs up reaction to an issue on GitHub as a vote. So based on the votes make so far, Goals framework, Subscription Redesign are some of the issues that have been priority. It was decided to make community members aware of the "thumbs up" feature of GitHub so it can be used more often.
After a lot of discussion, it was decided that @Chude_Osiegbu and @JayRam would take the responsibility of building the roadmap and we would use GitHub Issues as the tool by which we will decide the roadmap. The roadmap will layout features that will be targeted for one quarter (June-August). The source of the roadmap will be the issues listed on GitHub and forum discussions. A draft roadmap will be discussed in the next meeting. After that we will create a GitHub milestone that can be monitored by everyone.
Testing, Security and Documentation
Members also thought it was necessary to add documentation and testing to the roadmap. Pawan suggested having a target of 2000 tests would be a great think to ensure stability and reliability that a lot of community members were asking for. It was decided that this would form a part of the roadmap.
Security aspects of ERPNext were also discussed in context of WannaCry attack. Frappe team shared that they promptly fixed any issues that were disclosed by various bounty hunters and staying on the most updated platforms was also very important, and hence the move to Python3 for example. It was decided that this was a longer discussion that needed more time.
There was a discussion on whether the foundation should hire more developers more than the two already hired. Many members felt that hiring would create the best impact for the foundation. A few members felt that instead of writing code, the foundation should only enable code. Alternative ways of investing foundation money were also discussed.
Initially we decided that having more code-sprints seems to be the way to achieve tangible results and also spread the community, but it felt that code sprints would require participation from local chapters to make it happen. Once the chapters are setup and the events start happening then we can assess how many code sprints we can have in a year.
Due to lack of time, it was decided that this should be discussed in the next meeting.
Developer session Bangalore and GST Code Sprint in Mumbai were discussed as possible foundation events in June / July
Summary of Foundation Calls
rmehta Pinned globally May 19, 2017, 9:49am #2
clarkej May 19, 2017, 12:55pm #3
Wonderful reporting you are a masterful leader Rushabh,
Excellent @Pawan -
rmehta:
Pawan suggested having a target of 2000 tests
With judicious test coverage - chronic trouble high maintenance spots and ideally a mix of gui, regression, smoketests maybe sql - and the more automatic and periodic the test suite runs - fixtures for test setup and listeners for test cleanup/teardown - and transparent reporting so all can better help troubleshoot…together you guys and the community can make a quantum step forward in Quality Assurance
Please excuse my 2 cents I got carried away here. Cheers and thanks…
James_Robertson May 19, 2017, 3:12pm #4
I was actually looking into this today based on some other forum conversations. Apparently you can use a filter to see the top votes. To find the most requested put this in the filter box for issues
is:issue is:open sort:reactions-+1-desc
However, the question I have is bigger than the granular issue level of voting. A lot of conversation from the community has been at a module or whole system perspective. How do we get to "vote" on big things like improvements to accounts module overall, release management improvements, upgrade/install process improvements, etc? I guess we could make those "issues" and use a label of some kind, but that does not seem to fit in the model right.
How can we see the roadmap? Where is it going to be published? Can we comment on it? Is there a way to add issues to projects or milestones, give these a start and end date and then display that is some kind of gantt view?
Even if community can't vote on this, just knowing what items the foundation is going to work on in a visual way to organize things and make it easier to see would be awesome.
Lastly, I am really glad you mentioned that there is a need to let the community know to use the thumbs up feature in issues to get votes on them. The main reason why I say this is there has been pretty much zero conversation over the past couple of weeks about the goals framework or subscription redesign. That is not what people are asking about.
Members also thought it was necessary to add documentation and testing to the roadmap.
From a testing perspective, there have been discussions on both auto and human manual testing. I am glad this is being discussed as well. Would cross-browser support be included in this piece of the roadmap? Lots of good discussions lately on that subject as well.
You guys are doing great from my perspective. Keep up the good work!
spoojary May 21, 2017, 2:00pm #5
James_Robertson:
I guess we could make those "issues" and use a label of some kind,
That is my suggestion as well. We have ~1000 issues now, but that is likely to grow very quickly as it gets more and more users. A lot of them might be related and would be solved by a single 'feature'/'improvement'. So it is very useful to create new 'roadmap issues', that gives a better perspective of the high level requirements.
If we get an agreement on that, we could update the app that I have mentioned in ERPNext Roadmap Document [Long Term Goal] - #13 by spoojary to capture all the requirements specific to our roadmap management. We will continue to use the github for detailed feature discussions, but use the app for capturing data needed for managing the roadmap. My previous company had a custom 'backlog tool' of prioritised roadmap items. One of the fields was input from account team telling how much valuable that feature is. That would be much more meaningful than a upvote button.
Btw, really great summary of the meetings minutes!


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Up and Down Wall Street
Not to Worry: Bumper Bond Crops Are Assured
Randall W. Forsyth
Updated Jan. 30, 2007 11:59 pm ET / Original July 17, 2019 11:22 pm ET
"BONDS ARE THE ONE CROP THAT NEVER FAILS," traders at the Chicago Board of Trade's Treasury futures pits used to like to say. Thanks to the folks in Washington providing "crop supports" through persistent budget deficits, there would always be more than enough bonds to satisfy any and all buyers.
Suddenly, however, there are signs the current harvest may fall short of projections. But fear not: long-range forecasts that future crops of government debt may shrivel can best be described with another agricultural term -- bovine scatterings, which is better known by its initials.
For the time being, the bond crop may be in short supply. The Treasury announced Monday first-quarter borrowing is currently estimated at $141 billion, some $34 billion less than its previous projection. In the second quarter, Uncle Sam is projected to pay down $130 billion in debt after we render unto him on April 15.
Unlike the 1990s -- which saw budget surpluses from a combination of expenditure restraint and robust tax revenues -- the shrinkage of the deficit, from a record $413 billion in fiscal 2004 to less than $200 billion projected for the current year, is entirely because of brimming tax coffers.
Indeed, the fiscal improvement is a product of bull -- the bull market, that is.
The government is reaping a windfall from the outsized returns to capital in the current expansion. Corporate tax receipts are up nearly 20% in the latest period, according to Citigroup's Comments on Credit.
"At the same time, double-digit returns in equity and many alternative investments have catapulted household tax liability, especially for those near the top of the income/wealth spectrum who face inordinately high effective tax rates even in the absence of strong capital market performance," Citi's economists write in riposte to populist class warriors.
Indeed, Uncle Sam is the big winner in the stock market's run. "The link between broad equity market and non-withheld tax receipts is robust and consistent with another windfall this April," they continue. These receipts follow the Wilshire 5000 closely and are up 20% from a year ago.
As a result, "there are too few tradeable Treasury securities," Citi's economists assert. By that they mean "on-the-run" issues, which in market parlance denotes the most recently issued and liquid securities. The on-the-run issues trade at a premium and even have been subject to squeezes in the repurchase agreement market.
Relative to the expanding global supply of savings, for now there aren't enough on-the-run Treasuries to go around, concludes Citi's Comments on Credit. On that score, about half of U.S. government debt is held by foreign investors.
You'd think the situation would only get worse over the longer term, especially after the Congressional Budget Office slashed its projection for the cumulative budget deficit from 2007 to 2016 by $2.1 trillion from its forecast of just last August.
But in the astringent assessment of Credit Suisse: "No grownup should believe that these projections bear much resemblance to what is actually likely to happen."
Close to three-quarters of the improvement reflects spending adjustments that have nothing to do with fiscal policies or economic conditions, CS economists Neal Soss, Kathleen Stephensen and Jay Feldman write. Case in point: $500 billion of $2.1 trillion deficit reduction results from the treatment of military spending. Over-simplified, because the government hasn't provided for supplemental appropriations for defense in the current fiscal year, the resulting reduction is extrapolated over 10 years, they explain.
"We don't know how long the involvement in Iraq will last and neither does the CBO," they note. But under the accounting rules, this temporary drop in appropriations in the current fiscal year, which is certain to be reversed, nonetheless is projected out a decade.
Other examples: $500 billion adjustment resulting from the decline in relief spending in the current year after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Lower-than-expected enrollments in the Medicare prescription drug program and lower estimates of overall Medicare costs lops another $500 billion off the deficit. Finally, the smaller assumed debt cuts assumed interest expenses by $250 billion.
Meantime, the CS economists also note the long-range fiscal projections assume the 2010 expiration of the Bush tax cuts, which include the reduction in the dividend and capital gains rates to 15%, and no fix in the Alternative Minimum Tax, which "left unattended, threatens to swallow up a huge chunk of the middle class." So far, Congress has only applied temporary, one-year fixes to the AMT.
In the 2008 elections, two vital fiscal questions are "obvious" candidates for debate, the CS economists say: The aging population and access to health care for the entire population. "In short, are we collectively content to see Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid about double as a share of GDP over the next quarter century? And, if not, what are we going to do about it?"
Obvious questions, indeed, which no politician I've heard wants to confront. And given the temporary fiscal improvement resulting from the bull-market windfall, these vital questions may be easily evaded -- especially if Iraq remains at the center of the national debate.
Comments: randall.forsyth@barrons.com
"BONDS ARE THE ONE CROP THAT NEVER FAILS," traders at the Chicago Board of Trade's Treasury futures pits used to like to say.


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Quarterly Year Ahead 2023
The Road to Fascism
Dec 12, 2022 Joseph E. Stiglitz
As if the economic fallout from COVID-19 and Russia's war on Ukraine wasn't difficult enough, one also must worry that the response by policymakers will make a bad situation even worse. Growing hardship is all but assured in 2023, and it will provide even more fertile ground for dangerous demagogues.
NEW YORK – Economics has been called the dismal science, and 2023 will vindicate that moniker. We are at the mercy of two cataclysms that are simply beyond our control. The first is the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to threaten us with new, more deadly, contagious, or vaccine-resistant variants. The pandemic has been managed especially poorly by China, owing mainly to its failure to inoculate its citizens with more effective (Western-made) mRNA vaccines.
The second cataclysm is Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. The conflict shows no end in sight, and could escalate or produce even greater spillover effects. Either way, more disturbances to energy and food prices are all but assured. And, as if these problems weren't vexing enough, there is ample reason to worry that the response from policymakers will make a bad situation worse.
Most importantly, the US Federal Reserve may raise interest rates too far and too fast. Today's inflation is largely driven by supply shortages, some of which are already in the process of being resolved. Raising interest rates therefore might be counterproductive. It will not produce more food, oil, or gas, but it will make it more difficult to mobilize investments that would help alleviate the supply shortages.
318 Commentaries
Joseph E. Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate in economics and University Professor at Columbia University, is a former chief economist of the World Bank (1997-2000), chair of the US President's Council of Economic Advisers, and co-chair of the High-Level Commission on Carbon Prices. He is a member of the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation and was lead author of the 1995 IPCC Climate Assessment.
Wars Aren't Won with Peacetime Economies
Joseph E. Stiglitz urges governments to intervene to overcome market failures and other problems caused by the Ukraine crisis.
Will Corporate Greed Prolong the Pandemic?
Free to read
Longer Reads 34
Joseph E. Stiglitz & Lori Wallach dismantle Big Pharma's arguments against waiving intellectual property rights to boost global vaccine production.
A World of Dangerous Debt Limbo
With many developing countries heading toward debt crises, the immediate priority for the international community is to avert more Sri Lanka-style meltdowns. That will require reforms to an outdated global debt-restructuring framework, as well as better use of existing institutions and policy instruments.
YL Chang Jan 17, 2023
"The pandemic has been managed especially poorly by China." This seems to have become the standard self-comforting rhetoric in the West while turning a blind eye to the numbers of lives lost in the US and Europe to Covid. But my bet is that when all the Covid pandemic dust has settled, credible statistics will show that China had managed to produce by far the lowest per-million-population mortality rate from this pandemic than any of the industrialized nations in the West, including Japan and South Korea, and in the absence of a comparable medical infrastructure. They will have managed this by stopping the pandemic in its tracks during the high-mortality phases where the Alpha and Delta versions of virus predominated and opening up only when the more contagious but less deadly Omicron version has became the dominant strand. Of course, saving lives may not rank high in Stiglitz' criteria for how well a country has "managed" the pandemic, which, however, has been the highest priority for China. It is true that China fumbled during both the initial phases of the Wuhan outbreak and the recent opening up, but I alway expected some hiccups in China's transitioning from zero tolerance to opening up to the rest of the world that had simply let the pandemic rip during the past three years. As to the long-term economic consequences of how different countries handled the pandemic, only time will tell, but here, too, I don't think China will come out badly in comparison, because it has used the pandemic period to restructure its economy for the long haul, even if this restructuring remains unfinished as of January 2023.
https://prosyn.org/vwVfzKD
War and Populism
Contributor/Getty Images
Quarterly 0
Nina L. Khrushcheva
A social contract is an implicit agreement by all members of a society to adhere to certain rules and norms, in exchange for shared benefits. Western populists, emulating Russian President Vladimir Putin, have subverted this fundamentally inclusive contract, creating instead a bargain based on exclusion and tribalism.
shows how an increasingly transactional approach to democracy enables crimes like the Ukraine war.
Joseph E. Stiglitz fears that economic policymakers will make a bad global situation worse, sowing the seeds of resentment.
The Fog of Waronomics
Beata Javorcik shows why even emergency economic policies should be assessed in terms of their longer-term effects.
The Ukraine War and Asian Security
Yawar Nazir/Getty Images
Yuriko Koike hopes that Russian aggression spurs Asian leaders to consider their own region's vulnerabilities.


text:
Weight Loss & Obesity Home
Weight Loss & Obesity Center
What Is Obesity?
Health Risks of Obesity
4 Types of Weight Loss Surgery
Weight Loss Surgery: What to Expect
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Related to Weight Loss & Obesity
4 Ways to Get That Diet Going
Want a better beginning to your weight loss plan? Get going with these tips from the experts.
By Kathleen Doheny
No matter how you slice it, diet is a dirty word. It smacks of deprivation and hunger pangs. To overcome the pain, you need a plan.
So WebMD asked the experts for advice, and put together their quick tips on how to get your weight loss going.
1. Know Your Weight Loss Goals
Consider how much you need to lose before you decide how to do it, recommends Brian C. Jacobson, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine and a gastroenterologist at Boston University Medical Center in Massachusetts.
Very overweight or obese. "For someone obese, I refer them to our weight loss center," says Jacobson, who says people with a lot of weight to lose can probably benefit from a structured, supervised program.
If you're slightly or moderately overweight. "I advise controlling portion size," Jacobson says. "If you control portion size, you cut calories."
To learn correct portion sizes, consult a registered dietitian or take a look at the USDA's new MyPlate guidelines.
Exercise also has to be part of your plan, Jacobson tells the do-it-yourselfers. But that doesn't necessarily mean joining a gym. "Buy a cheap treadmill," he says, and when you're watching TV, hop on and take a walk.
Before starting a new exercise regime or weight loss plan, however, remember to talk with your doctor.
2. Understand Your Weight Loss Personality
Personality plays a role in our attitude towards food, says Thomas R. Przybeck, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, who has published on the topic of diet and personality. Know your tendencies and tailor your plan to conquer the unproductive inclinations.
Impulsive. "If you have a tendency to be impulsive, you might see a pint of Ben & Jerry's in the freezer and go for it," Przybeck says. Clearly you are a dieter who needs to remove those temptations.
Oblivious. If you tend to not pay attention when you eat -- maybe you're a TV snacker? -- you need to avoid such situations if you want to control portions.
Uptight. "If you are highly anxious, you will probably have more difficulty," Przybeck says. "Those who are anxious, nervous, and depressed might eat to feel better."
Tenacious. Certain personalities don't find it that difficult losing weight. "If you are highly self-directed, cooperative, and have a lot of stick-to-it-ive-ness, you are going to have an easier time," Przybeck says.
Sociable. You tend to monitor your food intake better than others, Przybeck found.
3. Double Up: Diet & Exercise
When her heartburn patients ask which should come first, diet or exercise, Lauren Gerson, MD, MSc, director of the Esophageal and Small Bowel Disorders Center at Stanford University School of Medicine in California, says: jump in and do both.
"It's a combination of diet and exercise [that will lead to weight loss]," she says.
4. Make a Firm Weight Loss Commitment
To be successful, it helps to understand why you want to lose weight. So before you begin a weight loss plan, ask yourself:
Am I ready to do this?
Is my motivation coming from within?
Can I deal with occasional setbacks or lack of progress?
Can I focus on weight loss fully? (If you're in the midst of a job change or other distractions, for example, it might be better to resolve those issues, and then focus on weight loss efforts.)
Finally, be sure you're committed to losing weight for yourself -- not because someone else is pressuring you to do so.
Then, take things slowly, keep these tips in mind, and you should be on the road to weight loss in no time.
WebMD Feature Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on June 24, 2010
SOURCES: Brian C. Jacobson, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Massachusetts. Thomas R. Przybeck, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. Lauren Gerson, MD, MSc, assistant professor of medicine and director of the Esophageal and Small Bowel Disorders Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif.
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Daniele Strawmyre is a multi-media artist, choreographer, performer and educator based in Philadelphia. Utilizing projection, lighting, sculpture and sound she creates immersive performance installations with a strong sense of texture and a cinematic aesthetic. In her work she explores where humor and discovery intersect. Exploiting this connection, she aims to create thought-provoking, enjoyable situations and kinesthetic experiences.