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5 Things to Know About Fatwa
What is a Fatwa? How is a Fatwa different from an Irsyad? Who are the people tasked to undertake this momentous task? This article intends to introduce readers about Fatwa in Singapore.
by Ustazah Nur Hafiza Roslee 2022-06-15 • 13 min read
Upon completing her madrasah education, Ustazah Nur Hafiza Roslee went to Al-Azhar University to pursue her studies in Islamic Jurisprudence. After gaining a few years of teaching experience, she later furthered her studies and graduated with M.A. in Islamic Thought and Civilisation from International Islamic University Malaysia.
2022-06-15 • 13 min read
In the face of unprecedented challenges and hardships that life has to offer, members of the Muslim community may find it increasingly hard to ensure that our lived realities remain guided by Islamic requirements and teachings. Oftentimes, we find ourselves in ever more unique situations that raise intricate questions which require the issuance of religious guidance and advisory from our scholars and religious institutions.
Mosque closure due to the COVID-19 Pandemic back in 2020
This article seeks to discuss the main elements and features of Fatwa as well as its process in our local context, with hopes that members of our community can appreciate its complexities and intricacies.
Definition of Fatwa
There are several definitions to describe the meaning of Fatwa. From the literal sense, the term fatwa comes from the Arabic root word (فَ - تَ - يَ) which means "to clarify". According to the Arab lexicographer Ibn Manẓūr, who was also the author of the Arabic dictionary called Lisān al-ʿArab, when one provides a fatwa on a particular issue, this means that the person provides clarification about the issue raised.
In the study of Shariah, different scholars and jurists have provided us with a variety of descriptions when defining the term Fatwa. For example, according to the medieval scholar Ibn Hamdān, the issuance of fatwa refers to "informing Allah's law from religious evidence", while another scholar known as al-Alūsī described it as "clarification of an issue concerning the Shariah law".
In summary, based on the various definitions stated by both classical as well as contemporary scholars, one may conclude that fatwa refers to a religious ruling or position issued by a qualified legal scholar or an official religious authority in response to a question raised by an individual or an organisation.
Religious Basis of Fatwa
The term Fatwa and its functions have been recorded in several verses of the Quran as well as the prophetic tradition (Hadith).
For example, in Surah al-Nisa' verse 127, Allah states:
وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِي النِّسَآءِ ۖ قُلِ اللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِيهِنَّ
"They ask your legal instruction concerning women (O Prophet Muhammad), say: "Allah gives you Fatwa concerning them."
(Surah An-Nisā', 4:127)
And from a Hadith, Ibn Abbas r.a. narrated:
وَعَنْ اِبْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اَللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: اِسْتَفْتَى سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ رضى الله عنه رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي نَذْرٍ كَانَ عَلَى أُمِّهِ, تُوُفِّيَتْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تَقْضِيَهُ ? فَقَالَ: "اِقْضِهِ عَنْهَا"
Sa'd bin Ubada r.a. asked Rasulullah s.a.w. for a ruling regarding a vow taken by his mother who had died before fulfilling it, and he said, "Fulfill it on her behalf."
(Muttafaqun 'Alayh)
Elements of Fatwa
When discussing about Fatwa, there are several important elements and terminologies that are good for us to know:
- Iftāʾ (الإفتاء): refers to the activity and process of issuing a religious ruling regarding the issue of concern
- Mustaftī (المستفتي): refers to the questioner, whether an individual or an organisation that inquires about the religious ruling
- Mufti (المفتي): refers to the qualified legal scholar who is responsible for the issuance of the religious ruling
- Fatwa (الفتوى): refers to the religious ruling issued regarding the issue of concern
Based on the above, it is noteworthy that for a Fatwa to be issued, there is a need for the matter in question to be raised to a qualified Mufti, who must also be aware of the context of the question and Mustaftī, to effectively embark upon the process of Iftāʾ.
Essentially, the process of Fatwa issuance can be rather complex and complicated, especially when it concerns issues that are highly intricate and multifaceted. It is hence understandable why Fatwa issuance is not for anyone or everyone to embark upon.
Mufti Dr Nazirudin Nasir issuing the Fatwa on Tudung for Muslim Women in Uniformed Work, October 2021
For a person to be regarded as a qualified legal scholar, they are expected to have attained a certain level of knowledge and expertise, to ensure that the heavy responsibility of Iftāʾ is carried out in the best manner possible. On this matter, Imam al-Nawawi mentions the risks involved in being a Mufti:
"Know that the act of issuing Fatwa is a task of very high risk and danger, a position of great honour with many merits. This is because the Mufti is an inheritor of the Prophets (peace and prayers be upon them) and (the Mufti) is performing a farḍ kifāyah (collective responsibility). However, he (the Mufti) may be subject to error in his views, and therefore they say that a Mufti is a signatory of Allah."
Fatwas in Singapore
The constant evolution of science and technological advancements, as well as the lived realities of life in a dynamic society like Singapore, has raised new questions which require solutions through Fatwa.
Read: Published Fatwa by MUIS
As this task requires a high level of expertise in addition to a wide-ranging understanding of various disciplines, like many other countries, Singapore has adopted the concept of Iftāʾ Jamāʿī (collective Fatwa issuance) by forming a Fatwa Committee to assist the Mufti so that the rulings are deliberated upon in a holistic and comprehensive manner.
Meeting and discussion of the Fatwa Committee at Masjid Yusof Ishak
Locally, the appointment of a Mufti and the establishment of the Fatwa Committee are formalised through the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) which came into effect in 1968.
In 1999, a department called the Office of the Mufti was established in Muis to support the Mufti in keeping up with the religious needs of the local community and to essentially function as the Secretariat to the Fatwa Committee which is responsible for handling the operational duties related to the issuance of Fatwa.
Visit: Office of the Mufti
As the Secretariat of the Fatwa Committee, the Office of the Mufti gathers necessary references and information to be disseminated to the committee members. Depending on the case at hand, individuals who can contribute in terms of ideas, views and expertise will be invited to the Fatwa discussions, including (but not limited to) experienced religious teachers and even other domain experts like medical professionals.
Follow: Office of the Mufti on Instagram
The process of fatwa-making in Singapore, therefore, differs from that usually found in the books of classical Fiqh, in which any religious answer issued by an individual religious scholar or jurist is considered a fatwa. In Singapore, each fatwa issued by the Fatwa Committee is considered a Fatwa Jamā'ī (collective) and not Fardī (individual). All Fatwas issued must be based on the unanimous decision of the Fatwa Committee. In other words, if no consensus is reached on a particular decision, a Fatwa cannot be issued in Singapore.
Listen to: Office of the Mufti on Spotify
Differences between Fatwa and Irsyad
While anyone may pose a question to the Fatwa Committee seeking a Fatwa in any religious matter, it is for the Fatwa Committee to decide on the necessity of issuing a Fatwa on the issue in question. According to the current procedure, the Mufti as the Chairman is mandated by the Fatwa Committee to decide on their behalf. Questions not brought up to the Fatwa Committee will then be answered by the Office of the Mufti instead, and such responses are termed as Irsyad.
Religious guidance (Irsyad) issued by the Office of the Mufti is normally issued due to one of the following reasons:
a. The issue was not brought to the Fatwa Committee for discussion, as there is already sufficient and suitable guidance from existing works on the matter, or when there is an urgency to immediately issue a religious position
b. The question was answered by the Muis Council as the Fatwa Committee was unable to reach a unanimous decision or consensus
Read: Published Advisory (Irsyad) from Office of the Mufti
From left; Deputy Mufti Ustaz Mohd Murat Md Aris, Mufti Dr Nazirudin Nasir, Former Mufti Dr Fatris Bakaram, Deputy Mufti Dr Hannan Hassan
The role of Fatwa becomes extremely crucial today due to the fast-paced environment and interconnected world we are living in. Indeed, members of the Muslim community are exposed to a variety of new issues and challenges that require rigorous religious analysis before the most appropriate religious position can be agreed upon.
While Fatwa issuance can provide solutions to present and future challenges, the process of Iftāʾ is becoming even more complicated due to the intricate nature of the issues raised, especially for a minority Muslim community in a secular, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious country like Singapore.
Ultimately, the main objective of Fatwa issuance is to provide reliable and practical solutions considering our lived realities that continue to evolve with the change of place, time, people, and circumstances.
4th and current Mufti of Singapore Dr Nazirudin Nasir with the 2nd Mufti of Singapore Sheikh Isa Semait
May Allah grant patience and wisdom to our religious leaders and authority, reward their efforts in fulfilling such a heavy responsibility, as well as bless them in this world and the next.
Listen to: Mufti speaks about Fatwa on Tea With Mufti
Fatwa Contribution to the Development of Islamic law. Fitrah: Jurnal Kajian Ilmu-ilmu Keislaman Vol. 5. (2019)
Fatwas of Singapore: Science, Medicine & Health. Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura. (2017)
fatwamuftiIslam
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Islam and Globalisation
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The Ultimate Travel Guide For Muslims
Ustazah Nursyahiirah Ismail


An operational guide including slots, ground handling and other aircraft services for operating to Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali) ( DPS / WADD ) Denpasar-Bali Island, Indonesia.
All information listed below is provided by JAS Airport Services.
Jet A1 (Avtur) and Avgas fuel are available. Tech stops are also available.
Kindly be advised that RWY is closed between 1800-2259 UTC due to WIP, except on Wednesday when RWY is open for service 24hrs.
Furthermore, kindly refer to latest updated NOTM WADD (DPS) A2059/18 NOTAMN.
Aircraft weight limitation is B747-400 – PCN 83/F/C/X/T.
Furthermore, please be advised that RWY is closed between 1800-2259 UTC. Except on Wednesdays.
This is because of work in progress. Kindly refer to latest NOTAM for the latest information.
Slot is mandatory and needs advance approval.
The lead time for the processing of permits is 2 weeks. Hence keep in mind the working days, which are Monday-Friday.
An FBO facility is also available – known as General Aviation Terminal (GAT).
It is located at the South Apron, across RWY 09-27 of Ngurah Rai INTL Airport, separated from the North Main Terminal.
The North Main Terminal is also for the regular and mostly for wide-body aircraft.
Lounge for crew and PAX is also available at GAT.
There is a 24hrs service, however, advance notice is required.
Crew is cleared by Gendec – airport access is available through a special line.
European, Russian and also US nationalities do not require a visa.
Holiday visas are not required for 30 days of stay – however, Visa on Arrival (VOA) is a requirement for certain countries.
For more information on visa regulations and a list of countries with visa exemption – kindly visit the official Bali page by clicking here.
For any further inquiries or if you would require services at Ngurah Rai (Bali) International Airport – kindly contact JAS Airport Services.
Visit flock.aero if you are looking for business information on airports and providers around the world and if you want to keep up with how Flock is progressing, new features and the value we can add to your business, keep up with our daily blog posts.


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Chip and Joanna Gaines
Home » Country Music » CMA Awards » Keith Urban's Reaction to CMA Entertainer of the Year Award Win is Priceless
Keith Urban's Reaction to CMA Entertainer of the Year Award Win is Priceless
Lisa Konicki
Photo by Tammie Arroyo/AFF-USA.com
It was the surprise win of the night when Keith Urban took home Entertainer of the Year at the 52nd Annual CMA Awards Wednesday night (Nov. 14). While his big win was long overdue and well deserved, the Aussie singer has been passed over for a CMA award, even going 0 for 5 at the 2016 ceremony. Finally last night, Keith Urban got the recognition he so deserves.
However, no one was more surprised than Keith himself. The look on Keith's face after his name was announced was that of pure shock. His wife, Nicole Kidman was equally as shocked, burying her head in her hand as his name was read.
With tears in his eyes, Keith hugged Nicole and took the stage for an emotional and thankful speech.
"Thank you so much. Baby girl I love you so much. I'm shocked beyond shocked. Our girls at home I love you. Thank you for supporting daddy and loving me through all of what I do, same with you baby girl. You make it all worthwhile," Keith began.
"The fans, you are phenomenal, phenomenal," Keith added before thanking the people behind the scenes. "Above all, God I thank you so much for the blessings of this. I wish my dad was alive to see this but I think he's watching over me tonight. I just feel very, very blessed, very grateful that I get to do what I do. Thank all of you for coming out and God bless country music. God bless you all."
Congratulations to country music's Entertainer of the Year, Keith Urban.
Award win, cma awards, entertainer of the year, EOTY, keith urban
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Echoes in Death, the chilling new suspense novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author J.D. Robb is the perfect entry point into the compelling In Death police procedural series featuring Lieutenant Eve Dallas.
As NY Lt. Eve Dallas and her billionaire husband Roarke are driving home, a young woman ― dazed, naked, and bloody ― suddenly stumbles out in front of their car. Roarke slams on the brakes and Eve springs into action.
What does the devil look like? And where will he show up next?
J. D. Robb is a pseudonym used by Nora Roberts.


February 14, 2001: Things that could disappear from the face of the Earth today and I would not miss them: beer, soccer, The New York Times.
T. Valentine Wake Up Wake Up Black Man Hello Lucille ... Are You a Lesbian?
Lora Logic World Friction Beat Rhythm News / Waddle Ya Play?
Playlist compiled June 17, 2017.


text:
<?php
namespace eDemy\CartBundle\Tools;

use Zend\Http\Client;
use BeSimple\SoapBundle\Soap\SoapRequest;

class PaypalClient extends Client {
    private $parameters = array();

    function __construct($uri = null, $options = array()) {
        parent::__construct($uri, $options);
        $this->parameters = array_merge($this->parameters, $options);
    }

    /**
     * Request an authorization token.
     *
     * @param float $paymentAmount
     * @param string $returnURL
     * @param string $cancelURL
     * @param string $currencyID
     * @param string $payment_action Can be 'Authorization', 'Sale', or 'Order'. Default is 'Authorization'
     * @return Zend_Http_Response
     */
    function ecSetExpressCheckout($paymentAmount, $returnURL, $cancelURL, $currencyID, $items, $landing = 'paypal', $payment_action = 'Authorization') {

        $this->parameters = array_merge($this->parameters, array(
            'METHOD' => 'SetExpressCheckout',
            'RETURNURL' => $returnURL,
            'CANCELURL' => $cancelURL,
            'PAYMENTREQUEST_0_PAYMENTACTION' => $payment_action
        )); // Can be 'Authorization', 'Sale', or 'Order'
        if($landing == 'card') $this->parameters = array_merge($this->parameters, array('LANDINGPAGE' => 'Billing'));

        $i = 0;
        foreach($items->getItems() as $item) {
            $this->parameters = array_merge($this->parameters, array(
                'L_PAYMENTREQUEST_0_NAME' . $i => $item->getProduct()->getName(),
                'L_PAYMENTREQUEST_0_DESC' . $i => 'description',//$item->getProduct()->getDescription(),
                'L_PAYMENTREQUEST_0_AMT' . $i => $item->getProduct()->getPrice(),
                'L_PAYMENTREQUEST_0_QTY' . $i => $item->getQuantity()
            ));
            $i++;
        }
        $this->parameters = array_merge($this->parameters, array(
            'PAYMENTREQUEST_0_CURRENCYCODE' => $currencyID,
            'PAYMENTREQUEST_0_SHIPPINGAMT' => urlencode(4.95),
            'PAYMENTREQUEST_0_ITEMAMT' => urlencode($paymentAmount),
            'PAYMENTREQUEST_0_AMT' => urlencode($paymentAmount + 4.95),
            'ALLOWNOTE' => 1
        ));
        $this->setParameterGet($this->parameters);

        return $this->send();
    }

    /**
     *
     * Calls the 'ECDoExpressCheckout' API call. Requires a token that can
     * be obtained using the 'SetExpressCheckout' API call. The payer_id is
     * obtained from the 'SetExpressCheckout' or 'GetExpressCheckoutDetails' API call.
     *
     * @param string $token
     * @param string $payer_id
     * @param float  $payment_amount
     * @param string $currency_code
     * @param string $payment_action Can be 'Authorization', 'Sale', or 'Order'
     *
     * @return Zend_Http_Response
     * @throws Zend_Http_Client_Exception
     */
    function ecDoExpressCheckout($token, $payer_id, $payment_amount, $currency_code, $payment_action = 'Authorization') {
        $this->parameters = array_merge($this->parameters, array(
            'METHOD' => 'DoExpressCheckoutPayment',
            'PAYMENTREQUEST_0_AMT' => $payment_amount,
            'PAYMENTREQUEST_0_CURRENCYCODE' => 'EUR',
            'PAYMENTREQUEST_0_PAYMENTACTION' => $payment_action,
            'TOKEN' => $token,
            'PAYERID' => $payer_id,
            'PAYMENTACTION' => $payment_action,
    )); // Can be 'Authorization', 'Sale', or 'Order'
        $this->setParameterGet($this->parameters);
        return $this->send();
// return $this->request(\Zend\Http\Client::GET);
    }

    function ecGetExpressCheckoutDetails($token) {
        $this->parameters = array_merge($this->parameters, array(
            'METHOD' => 'GetExpressCheckoutDetails',
            'TOKEN' => $token
        ));
        $this->setParameterGet($this->parameters);
        return $this->send();
    }

    /**
     * Parse a Name-Value Pair response into an object.
     * @param string $response
     * @return object Returns an object representation of the fresponse.
     */
    public static function parse($response) {

        $responseArray = explode("&", $response);
        $responseArray = explode("&", $response);

        $result = array();

        if (count($responseArray) > 0) {
            foreach ($responseArray as $i => $value) {

                $keyValuePair = explode("=", $value);

                if(sizeof($keyValuePair) > 1) {
                    $result[$keyValuePair[0]] = urldecode($keyValuePair[1]);
                }
            }
        }

        if (empty($result)) {
            $result = null;
        } else {
            $result = (object) $result;
        }

        return $result;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Click on the image below to access the Athletics website for Walton-Verona ISD.
The athletic website covers all Fall, Winter, and Spring sports for Walton-Verona Elementary, Walton-Verona Middle School and Walton-Verona High School. The information is managed and updated by the district's Athletics Department. Access schedules and team pages by clicking the image below.


When we started The Coating Crew, we had over 20 years of experience in the concrete industry and a mission to offer Minneapolis-area home and business owners top-quality concrete floor coating systems. Since 1999, we've built a reputation for providing these superior products along with expert installation and exceptional customer service.
As the area's trusted full-service floor and concrete restoration company, The Coating Crew specializes in residential and light commercial applications. Our family-owned and operated business can handle both interior and exterior installations, and most surfaces will be ready for use within 24 hours.
Copyright ©2019 The Coating Crew. All Rights Reserved.


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LINKS www.rayracecar.com
News / Press Cuttings
New Lap Record for Patrick McKenna
Patrick McKenna has emerged as the fastest up and coming driver in Irish motor racing after capping a perfect week by breaking the long-standing Formula Ford 1600 lap record at Kirkistown last Saturday.
Dubliner McKenna steered his Ray 07 to a lap time of 1 minute 01.36 seconds at the County Down venue, slicing over a tenth of a second off the time set by Jonny Kane in 1990 which was later equaled by Richard Lyons.
McKenna also holds the Formula Ford 1600 lap record for the Mondello Park National circuit which he set the previous week, bettering the existing benchmark by two hundredths of a second with 57.767s on his way to winning both IFFDA races on the day.
The former British Championship kart racer currently leads the Northern Ireland FF1600 Championship by 38 points and is just seven points off the lead of the IFFDA Formula Ford series.
Last Saturday's lap record was the culmination of top testing form for the Bernard Dolan Racing run driver who was consistently below the record in testing and qualifying before finally reducing the mark by 12 hundredths of a second on his way to victory in the 15 lap race.
"I managed a 61.29s lap in testing and then set a 61.33s lap in qualifying so I knew the record was on," the 20-year-old said afterwards. "To come out with the win and the lap record is a dream come true because everyone in Formula Ford has been talking about that record for a long time."
Having been shortlisted for the Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year award as the Dunlop Young Driver of the Month for April, McKenna is looking forward to reaffirming his status in the coming months ahead of a planned move to UK racing in 2009.
"I'm interested in moving to the UK Formula Ford Duratec championship next season which I think would be the ideal springboard for an international career.
"I'll be talking to teams later in the year but we still have plenty of work to do this season starting with the Martin Donnelly Trophy at Kirkistown in 30th August.
"Then I'll be working hard to finish off the two championships in style and after that there's the Leinster Trophy meeting in Mondello, the Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy events in England."
Copyright © 2009 RAY Cars. All rights reserved.


The first step must not be skipped as it goes to allow one to generate the operational resume. In that perspective, the choosing procedure is a lot times per terrifying, and mysterious process, in which jobseekers often have a location to get a sufferer'. All 3 areas really are crucial in any practice of change, and it can be useful to know where you stand for each aspect, in order to cover the acceptable matter. It is necessary your job application must be verified using an suitable resume cover letter when you're asking to get job and notably using to get a marketing occupation. Waiting far too large an amount of time to state your wage requirements can cause a much lower wages than you were counting . Employment cover letter can be a overview of your own abilities. One other essential issue will be , you need to compose the pay letter alongside local standards. Essentiallya cover letter functions the aim of briefing the organization on your worthiness for the task . If you believe it's tricky to draw an advertisement employment cover letter afterward you are able to make a bid to check through its sample online. You can rest assured that your documents will likely be reviewed very carefully in order to find the best fit based on your experience and background. After you telephone someone for the meeting, you should be cautious of what you are asked for. Interviews are astoundingly essential since they can let you determine the best candidate to the occupation would be. You're able to make certain that only by running a suitable job interview. Scarcity of talent to be able to move forwards you may want to grab skills on the manner. Effortlessly Assessing Your abilities when you've discovered your strongest transferable abilities, you should show future employers exactly what you must provide you with. The next matter to do is to increase your abilities where the query of the best way to compose a cover letter will be treated appropriately. Your concerns will decide whether that the person has been appropriate for the career. If your reply is not as that 7 you're not likely to adhere to up this completely. Offer support or help Offering service is quite a constructive and thoroughly non-destructive first response and can be hence one among the very best strategies to cope with a student who is digging themselves in to a deep gap. It will be possible to shift if you are well prepared to do work and obtain the support you desire. Getting into a position to say why you are in need of a project counts to get a lot more than being at a position to provide all the explanations for the reason you ought to be employed. You will find there to learn if you are interested at the occupation and your organisation, and it's your option to just accept a project once it truly is sold. A coverletter case for people that are trying work in airport. Salaries certainly are lots higher than at the usa and also the possiblity to yield a small fortune in a few decades of assistance is challenging to resist. To begin with, make an attempt and answer the company's specific needs. You'd be astonished just what a possible employer could find on line whenever they take the chance to appear.


text:
1947 Roger 2022
Roger Williams
June 20, 1947 — October 17, 2022
Roger Hugh Williams returned to his heavenly home and reunited with his parents on October 17, 2022.
He was born June 20, 1947 in Grand Junction, Colorado to Bertis Lloyd and Myrtle Genevieve Williams. As a young man, Roger served honorably in the United States Navy. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He loved being outside camping, fishing, and hunting. He also enjoyed music and movies.
He is much loved by his family. He was preceded in death by his father Bertis Lloyd Williams, his mother Myrtle Genevieve Williams, and his five siblings, Becky, Wayne, Wendell, Shirley, and Sharon. He was the youngest of 7 children and is survived by his brother and his sister-in-law, Bert and Nancy Williams of Westminster, Colorado.
He is survived by his children, David Williams of Hope Mills, North Carolina, Kimberly Daniels of Eagle Mountain, Utah, Brandy Curtis of Upton, Utah, and stepdaughter Jessica Garrett of Montrose, Colorado.
He is also survived by his 15 Grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one on the way.
Memorial Services are pending and will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers please share a memory of Roger Hugh Williams.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roger Williams, please visit our flower store.


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Alternative to toilet facility unhealthy – Expert
Henry Uche
World Toilet Day (WTD) is an annual global event organized by United Nation-Water, commemorated every November 19 to raise awareness of the crucial role that sanitation plays in reducing disease and creating healthier communities.
It focuses on the importance of sanitation and aims to raise awareness about the 2.6 billion people (nearly half the world's population) who don't have access to toilets and proper sanitation.
Nigeria takes the lead in open defecation globally, with its attendant health consequences. According to UNICEF, about 47 million Nigerians practise open defecation. As a Public health practitioner, in this interview with a medical practitioner, Asomugha Noble, of Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ogun State, he gives insight into the issue with Nigeria leading in open defecation.
The theme for this year's commemoration is "Leaving No One Behind".
What is your view on the theme of this year's commemoration?
I must say is a very commendable theme for this year's WTD. Many Nigerians (Africans at large) do not deem it necessary to have good toilet facilities built in their residential and work places. Many people think it's waste of resources to do so because there are so many alternatives. However, these "so many alternatives" are not healthy. Most diseases we suffer today such as typhoid and cholera can be linked directly or indirectly to poor toilet facilities. Therefore, "leaving no one behind" as the theme is aimed at properly educating every single Nigerian, both young and old on the importance of having good toilet facilities.
What could have made Nigeria to take the first position in open defecation?
The problems of Nigeria that makes her take the first position in open defecation are multifaceted and not until these issues are attacked, the campaign against open defecation may continue for a longer time without meeting desired results.
Open defecation is a human practice of defecating outside/ open environment rather than inside a toilet. People may choose fields, bushes, forests, ditches, streets, canals or other open space for defecation.
Some factors that result in the practice of open defecation in Nigeria and African countries are: Lack of or insufficient toilet facilities; uncomfortable, dirty or unsafe toilets as can be seen in public toilets. Others are cultural factors, lack of awareness, disease conditions (such as incontinence), social norms, combining open defecation with other activities such smoking, and so on.
Most houses do not have toilets. What does this portend?
Open defecation is not just an act of indiscipline but also a bad practice of grave public health concern, and to mention the fact that most houses don't have adequate toilet facilities while some totally lack same is; inhuman. Every residential building, office place, markets, etc are supposed to have adequate toilet facilities to serve the number of people using that building. There are rules for toilet and washing facilities.
Workers have a right to "welfare facilities". These include toilets and washbasins. Businesses with one or more staff must have these basic items.
There are circumstances when businesses may not have to offer toilets and washing facilities to staff. For example, issues such as physical difficulties, cost, trouble and time may prevent the installation of toilets. But employers should not regard these as potential excuses. They should make every reasonable effort to have toilets and washbasins on hand, even during a period of short-term work.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, cover the supply of toilets and washing facilities for staff. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has a code of practice based on the law that explains the full requirements.
The law states that toilets and washing facilities must be adequate. Because the word "adequate" is open to interpretation, the HSE clarifies what it means: Employers should arrange for separate facilities for men and women. If this isn't possible, toilets and washing facilities must have locks. These ensure privacy and security. The facilities must be clean and easy to maintain. Walls and floors should be waterproof.
Toilets and washing facilities should have both cold and hot running water. They should have soap or a similar cleaning product. And a hot air dryer or paper towels should be available. Washing basins must be a reasonable size. People should be able to wash hands and forearms in them. The toilets should have toilet paper. In the female toilets, there should be a disposal point for sanitary dressings. The facilities must have ventilation and light.
The law says that workers should not have to queue for long periods to use toilets and washing facilities. To clarify this point, the HSE quotes minimum toilet numbers per employees.
For women only or for mixed use, there should be one toilet and washbasin for one to five employees. The number of toilets and washbasins then rises according to the total staff. For example, 25-50 staff should have three toilets and three washbasins between them. And 76-100 employees should have five toilets and five washbasins.
For men only, there should be one toilet and one urinal for one to 15 employees. This rises to two toilets and one urinal for 16-30 staff, and four toilets and four urinals for 91-100 staff.
Disabled workers require toilets and washing facilities that meet their needs. Large cubicles with supports and low hand basins are essential. Under the law, an employer must provide suitable facilities for disabled staff.
Some work sites are temporary. This applies particularly to the building industry. An employer must provide running water and flushing toilets if it's reasonable to do so. An employer should not assume workers could use nearby public toilets.
If there's no running water or plumbing, an employer should consider using chemical toilets. In these circumstances, washing facilities can be water containers.
Lagos in particular, we have seen houses with one or two toilets, some of these houses are two-storey buildings where five rooms occupied by not less than 25 persons use only one toilet, why do house owners find it difficult to put up this very important facility and it seems the government has little or no control or influence over land developers/landlords.
Well, it is not new to us that many property owners who collect rents from their tenants find it very difficult installing good and adequate toilet facilities, however such acts are condemnable to every sane mind, this points to one of the leading factors of open defecation which I earlier pointed to.
As for the government having control over these property owners, I can't really tell. But the environmental protection laws are there, I have seen a lot of times the environmental sanitation agents went house to house to check for neatness and probably fined defaulters but I can't really tell if or not they paid attention to toilet facilities. Generally, enforcement of these environmental protection laws is really a big setback and is directly or indirectly of great public health concern.
If you are one of those who hit the streets very early in the morning on regular basis, you must have seen people defecating in any available space in the neighbourhood, this underscore why Nigeria leads, others follows in open defecation globally.
Some persons avoid contracting infections from contaminated toilets, hence, resort to open defecation. What do you think can be done by landlords or governments?
Some of these issues are just very simple and straightforward. The house owners need to provide sufficient and adequate toilet facilities, considering the number of people in their buildings. On the part of the government, it is important that houses are supervised from time to time, building plans should be approved by the government and the environmental sanitation agents should shun bribery and corruption if ever they are being faced with such. The government can as well provide public toilets along the streets to serve people who for one or two reasons couldn't empty bowels at home before leaving. And on the part of the tenants, they should be made to understand the long term and short term implications of open defecation, hence the theme "leaving no one behind". Attitudinal change on the part of everyone is what we need.
Despite all the campaigns against this uncivil practice, the act persists, why?
If a house is on fire, you can't probably quench the fire by pouring water from outside. Someone must get to the source of the fire and quench it there. Getting a lasting solution to any problem is all about attacking it right from the source. If the causes of open defecation as earlier mentioned can be attacked, this menace will greatly reduce.
As a nurse, I have always believed that prevention is better than cure. The cost of preventing diseases has always been cheaper than the cost of curing. A situation whereby someone who has cholera defecates into a stream in community A, this stream also supplies community B. Members of community B use the tributary of the stream coming from community A. A few days later, it is announced that there is outbreak of cholera in community B, before help can arrive three children are already dead. When there is an outbreak which could have been prevented, what is the cost of treating a whole community compared to the cost of fixing good and adequate toilets? Can the lives of those who have died be equated to the cost of fixing good toilet facilities?? We can go on and on enumerating these things. Let all hands be on deck today to put an end to open defecation today.
Tips for healthy living: Heath benefits of eating groundnuts
Rotary leads fight against cervical cancer
Henry Uche World Toilet Day (WTD) is an annual global event organized by United Nation-Water, commemorated every...


To make it more flexibe, you can enter the size of the sides and the script will adjust.
There is a null object as well, all the sides have been parented to it and should make moving the cube around relatively simple.
"this is a script to make a 3d cube with a null object with which to control the cube to run, simply have an empty comp ready, select it in the project window, and run the script. the cube's sides are held in place through expressions so they will 'always' hold their positions.
thanks to dan ebberts and everyone at creative cow for their help."


text:
\section{Introduction}
\label{sec:intro}

Fluoroperovskites  display rich  structural chemistry,  strongly ionic
bonding character (due  to the high electronegativity  of the fluoride
anions), and  corresponding localized electron  magnetism \cite{FLUOR,
  FLUOR2}.  They  exhibit a  wide  range  of  properties that  can  be
utilized  in  e.g.  data storage,  computer  processors,  spintronics,
multiferroics  and  batteries   \cite{SPINTRON1,  SPINTRON2,  MultiF1,
  MultiF2}.

${\rm NaFeF_3}$ has attracted attention as a low-cost cathode material
\cite{NF3SIB,NF3SIB2}. Its advantages in  this application include the
Earth's  abundance  of  the   constituent  elements,  intrinsic  anion
stability and  a theoretical capacity  of 197 ${\rm mAhg^{-1}}$  for a
one-electron process.  ${\rm NaFeF_3}$  nanoplates in  particular show
good capacity retention compared to other metal fluoride and composite
cathode materials with 50\% retained  capacity for Na after 200 cycles
at 0.2 A g$^{-1}$ \cite{NCATH}.

The ${\rm  NaFeF_3}$ fluoroperovskite  has intriguing  phase relations
under  high-pressure.   At  ambient   temperature  and  pressure,  the
compound  adopts  the  orthorhombic  perovskite  ${\rm  GdFeO_3}$-type
crystal  structure  with space  group  $Pnma$.  It transforms  into  a
corrugated   layered   ${\rm  CaIrO_3}$-type   post-perovskite   (pPv)
structure  at  room  temperature  at   9  GPa  \cite{ME1}.   A  second
structural phase transition occurs at 20 GPa from pPv-to-ppPv with the
${\rm  Sb_2S_3}$-type crystal  structure  \cite{ME2}.  The  remarkable
structural flexibility of  ${\rm NaFeF_3}$ has made  it an interesting
candidate  for  studies  and   simulations  of  extreme  environments,
including the Earth's interior and exoplanets \cite{PPV}.

The  electronic   configuration  of   the  ${\rm  Fe^{2+}}$   ions  in
${\rm NaFeF_3}$  is high-spin (HS)  $t_{2g}^4 e_g^2$. They  follow the
spin-only model  with $S=2$ and  a theoretical paramagnetic  moment of
$\mu_{eff}=4.90 \mu_B$,  which is influenced by  orbital contributions
and usually leads to slightly higher $\mu_{eff}$.

${\rm   Fe^{2+}}$   is   air   sensitive  and   oxidizes   easily   to
${\rm   Fe^{3+}}$.     Controlling   the   anaerobic    chemistry   of
${\rm Fe^{2+}}$ ions  is a prerequisite for synthesis  of single phase
${\rm NaFeF_3}$. We  have previously utilized a  solid state synthesis
under inert conditions \cite{ME1}, yielding a sample with $<0.5$ \% Fe
metal  impurity. Impurities,  either  from an  incomplete solid  state
reaction  or  from  the  iron reactor,  may  introduce  inaccuracy  to
magnetometric studies and disguise  the intrinsic magnetic behavior of
${\rm NaFeF_3}$.   Indeed, to the best  of our knowledge there  are no
neutron powder diffraction  (NPD) studies on the  magnetic ordering in
${\rm   NaFeF_3}$,   probably   because   the   air   sensitivity   of
${\rm  Fe^{2+}}$ makes  it very  difficult to  produce sample  volumes
sufficient for NPD experiments by conventional solid state methods.

In  this article  we  describe a  wet-chemistry  synthesis method  for
${\rm  NaFeF_3}$, which  produces  iron-free  material in  substantial
volumes. Using the  high purity ${\rm NaFeF_3}$ samples,  we study the
intrinsic magnetic  properties of the compound.  Further, the magnetic
structure is  precisely described based on  neutron powder diffraction
data.

\section{Experimental}
\label{sec:exp}
\subsection{Synthesis of $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$}
\label{sec:syn}
${\rm  NaFeF_3}$  was  synthesised  on a  Schlenk-line  equipped  with
flexible  hoses.  Two  polycarbonate vials  of  85 and  200 ml  volume
(denoted A and B respectively) were  used for the reaction. Vial A was
filled with 2  g of Fe ($\sim$0.035 g mol$^{-1}$,  99.999 \% pure) and
vial  B with  0.08 mol  ($\sim$ 3.35  g) NaF.   The vials  were closed
tightly with silicone rubber septa, connected through the hoses to the
Schlenk-line  and  thoroughly  flushed  with   Ar.  The  Ar  flow  was
maintained  throughout  the reaction  to  ensure  inert conditions.  A
needle  was placed  in each  septum to  vent the  excess gas  from the
vials. 10  mL of  HCl (37 \%)  and 20 mL  ${\rm H_2O}$  were degassed,
mixed  and  added to  vial  A.  20 mL  of  degassed  ${\rm H_2O}$  was
carefully injected (using  a syringe first evacuated  and flushed with
Ar) to the NaF in vial B.  Both vials were placed in an oil-bath under
constant Ar  flow at 90 $^\circ$C  until the oxidation of  Fe metal to
${\rm FeCl_2}$ was completed.  The ${\rm FeCl_2}$ solution from vial A
was then quickly transferred to vial B with an Ar flushed syringe. The
contents of vial B were stirred constantly during injection to mix the
two solutions. Thereafter,  vial B was cooled to 80  $^\circ$C and the
contents stirred for  30 to 60 minutes. ${\rm NaFeF_3}$  appeared as a
beige  precipitate. The  product was  washed repeatedly  with degassed
water and MeOH under flowing Ar,  with decanting the liquid after each
washing.   Finally  the  solid  product was  removed  from  the  vial,
filtered, washed thoroughly with degassed MeOH, and dried under vacuum
overnight before  storing in the  Ar-atmosphere of a glove  box. Phase
purity  was   confirmed  by   powder  x-ray  diffraction   (PXRD)  and
magnetometry.

\subsection{Powder X-ray diffraction}
\label{sec:sc}

PXRD  data  for $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$  were  collected  at the  Norwegian
National Resource Centre for X-ray Diffraction, Scattering and Imaging
(RECX) on a  Bruker D8 Advance diffractometer in  capillary mode using
$\mathrm{Cu_{K\alpha 1}}$ radiation (1.540598Å)  selected by a Ge(111)
focusing monochromator, and a LynxEye XE detector system.

\subsection{Magnetic characterization}
\label{sec:mc}

Magnetometry experiments  were performed  with a 9T  Physical Property
Measurement System (PPMS, Quantum Design)  on 48 mg of polycrystalline
powder. Temperature  dependent DC  magnetic susceptibility  $\chi (T)$
measurements were conducted between 2 and  300 K for zero field cooled
samples, followed by  studies at field cooled conditions  (ZFC and FC,
respectively).   The   magnetic   susceptibility  is   calculated   by
$\chi   =M/H$    where   $M$   is   the    magnetization,   given   in
emu.$\mathrm{mol^{-1}  Oe^{-1}}$   and  H   the  magnetic   field  (10
kOe). Isothermal  field dependent measurements $M  (H)$ were collected
at  ~2K, likewise  half-loop isothermal  measurements at  70, 120  and
300~K,  all up  to  90  kOe. AC  measurements  were  carried out  with
frequencies ranging from 100 Hz to 10 kHz with a 10 Oe field.

\subsection{Neutron Powder Diffraction}
\label{sec:npd}

NPD data for $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ was measured on the WISH instrument at
the ISIS pulsed neutron and muon source (UK) \cite{WISH}.  Diffraction
patterns were collected between 2 and  297 K, and the data was reduced
with the  Mantid software \cite{MANTID}.   Data from the  four highest
resolution detector banks were used, as the lowest resolution bank did
not contain  any unique  information.  NPD  was collected  at selected
temperatures below and above $T_N$.

The magnetic refinements were carried  out in the magnetic space group
$Pn'ma'$, which allows non-zero values  for $M_x$, $M_y$ and $M_z$, in
the  Jana2006 software  \cite{JANA}. The  background (5  term Legendre
polynomials),  peak-shape,  atomic  positions (according  to  symmetry
restrictions),  isotropic  thermal  displacement parameters  for  each
element type,  lattice parameters  and scale parameters  were refined.
The derived values for $M_x$ and $M_z$ are given in \tref{moment}.

\section{Results}
\label{sec:RES}

\subsection{Synthesis procedure and crystal structure}

Fluoroperovskites are typically prepared  by solid-state reactions and
may  contain  magnetic  impurities  that  make  them  appear  as  weak
ferromagnets,  both  below  and   above  the  N\'eel  temperature,  as
e.g.    $\mathrm{\alpha}$-Fe    impurities    in    $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$
\cite{ME1}.  The  air-sensitive   chemistry  of  fluoroperovskites  is
demanding.  We currently  benefit from a new  wet-chemical method that
bypass the challenges of  conventional solid-state reactions by always
working under inert conditions on  a Schlenk line.  This wet-chemistry
approach  is  ideal  for  synthesis  of  air-sensitive  fluorides,  as
recently  shown  for  the   extremely  air-sensitive  ${\rm  Cr^{2+}}$
\cite{ME3}.  $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ is currently prepared by means of this
wet-chemical method, and high purity was confirmed by XRD and NPD.

$\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$      adopts     the      distorted     orthorhombic
$\mathrm{GdFeO_3}$ perovskite  structure with  space group  $Pnma$ and
Glazer  tilt $\mathrm{a^-b^+a^-}$,  \fref{str}.  The  relation to  the
ideal        cubic        perovskite         is        given        by
$  a \approx  c \approx  \sqrt{2}a_{c}$ and  $b \approx  2a_{c}$ where
$a_{c}$  is the  lattice parameter  of  the cubic  perovskite. A  weak
Jahn-Teller distortion is  present in the system  originating from the
high-spin  $d^6$  electron  configuration of  $\mathrm{Fe^{2+}}$.  The
consequence of  the weak Jahn-Teller  effect is slight  differences in
the bond  lengths; the  Fe-F1 bonds adopt  a medium  length (2.0744(3)
\AA), while Fe-F2 forms two short  and two long bonds (2.0564(6)~\AA ~
and 2.0795(6)~\AA~  respectively), \fref{str}. Bond length  values are
from NPD at 297 K, see below.

\begin{figure*}[ht!]
  \centering
  \includegraphics[scale=.24]{NaFeF3_red_times_comb3.png}
  \caption{Crystal   structure   of    the   orthorhombic   perovskite
    $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$   ($Pnma$).    Left:   Illustration    of   the
    corner-connected  octahedra of  $\mathrm{FeF_6}$ with  Glazer tilt
    $\mathrm{a^-b^+a^-}$.  Sodium,  iron and fluorine atoms  are shown
    in red, orange and gray,  respectively.  Right: Illustration of the
    $ac$-plane, where ordered short and long Fe-F2 bonds are formed by
    the weak  Jahn-Teller effect. The  short and long Fe-F2  bonds are
    marked  $s$ and  $l$ respectively,  while medium  Fe-F1 bonds  are
    out-of-plane.  Fe, F1 and F2 are shown in orange, purple and green,
    respectively.  }
  \label{fig:str}
\end{figure*}

\subsection{Magnetic properties}
Variable temperature DC magnetization measurements were carried out on
a polycrystalline  sample between  2 and  300 K under  a 10  kOe field
(\fref{mag}).    The    data    are   consistent    with    long-range
antiferromagnetic  ordering. A  sharp decrease  in the  molar magnetic
susceptibility is associated  with a N\'eel transition  at 90~K.  From
the  inverse  susceptibility  $\chi^{-1}$ curve  in  the  paramagnetic
region  (100  to  300~K),  we   calculate  a  paramagnetic  moment  of
$\mu_{eff} =  5.58~\mu_B$. This  is in  good agreement  with typically
observed  values  for  ${\rm Fe^{2+}}$  (5.0-5.6~$\mu_B$).   From  the
Curie-Weiss fit, we  extract a Weiss-temperature of  $\theta$ = -124~K
(data  measured  in a  field  of  10~kOe), confirming  the  dominating
antiferromagnetic nature of ${\rm NaFeF_3}$.

\begin{figure}[ht!]
  \centering
  \includegraphics[scale=.30]{chi_NaFeF3}
  \caption{Temperature  dependency  of   the  magnetic  susceptibility
    $\chi(T)$ at $H$ = 10 kOe  measured in ZFC-FC mode (left axis) and
    inverse $\chi^{-1}$ (right axis).}
  \label{fig:mag}
\end{figure}

We note a significant difference between  the FC and ZFC curves at low
temperatures, as  well as a  minor hysteresis.  This might  indicate a
transition to a spin-glass like state at low temperatures. However, AC
magnetization  measurements  (\fref{X}a) in  a  10  Oe field  show  no
variations of  the N\'eel temperature  versus frequency for  $\chi '$,
refuting this hypothesis.

\begin{figure}[ht!]
  \centering
  \includegraphics[scale=.30]{X_AC_all}
  \caption{ Temperature dependence of the (\emph{a}) real ($\chi'$) and (\emph{b}) imaginary ($\chi''$) part of the AC magnetic
    susceptibility   at different  frequencies (100  Hz, 1 kHz
    and  10 kHz).
  }
  \label{fig:X}
\end{figure}

Appearance of magnetic hysteresis may  be explained by the presence of
a small ferromagnetic moment  originating from spin canting, resulting
in weak ferromagnetism. For a purely antiferromagnetic transition, the
imaginary  component  $\chi   ''$  is  expected  to  be   zero  in  AC
measurements  \cite{ACmag}.  In fact,  for  $\chi  ''$ (\fref{X}b)  we
observe a  strong peak for  an AC  field of 10  kHz. The peak  is less
pronounced for 1 kHz AC field, while only noise is observed for 100 Hz
AC  field. The  peak starts  to increase  in intensity  at the  N\'eel
temperature,  indicating  that  it  is associated  with  the  magnetic
transition  in $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$,  and that  we can  excluded effects
caused  by  an impurity,  such  as  e.g. $\mathrm{\alpha}$-Fe.  It  is
therefore evident that spin-canting  results in weak ferromagnetism in
$\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$,  inherent  to  the  compound.  We  note  that  the
ferromagnetism  is very  weak  and  based on  DC  (\fref{mag}) and  AC
(\fref{X}) magnetometry, it should be very close to zero in the absent
of  a magnetic  field. The  maximum of  the peak  is at  $\sim$ 32  K,
indicating  that  the spin-canting  is  further  developing below  the
N\'eel temperature.

Isothermal  field dependent  magnetic  measurements  above the  N\'eel
temperature ($T_N$ =  90~K) at 120 and 300~K show  a linear behaviour,
associated   with  a   paramagnetic  state   (\fref{hyst}).  The   low
magnetization observed at 90 kOe ($0.25~\mu_B$/Fe at 2~K) confirms the
dominating antiferromagnetic  behavior of the system.   However, below
the  N\'eel   temperature,  a  slight  hysteresis   is  observed.  The
hysteresis is  clear at 2~K (inset  in \fref{hyst}), while it  is less
prominent at  70~K. The  presence of  hysteresis below  $T_N$ supports
that weak ferromagnetism is intrinsic to the compound.

\begin{figure}[t!]
  \centering
  \includegraphics[scale=.30]{hyst_NAFeF3}
  \caption{Isothermal $M$ versus $H$ curves  with an applied field 0~T
    $\to$ 9~T  $\to$ 0~T  recorded at  2, 70,  120 and  300~K. Insert:
    $M$ versus $H$ curve at  2 K to  show the full symmetry.}
  \label{fig:hyst}
\end{figure}

\subsection{Neutron diffraction and magnetic structure}
Neutron diffraction was carried out between 2 and 297~K to investigate
possible ordering of ${\rm Fe^{2+}}$ magnetic moments.  At 2~K, strong
additional reflections from long-range magnetic ordering are evident ,
e.g. two  strong reflections  at 4.49  and 4.58 \AA  ~ and  one weaker
reflection  at  7.89  \AA   ~(\fref{NPD}  and  \fref{NPD_RT}).   These
reflections were  indexed according  to the unit  cell of  the crystal
structure of  $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$, and corresponds to  a $\Gamma$-point
magnetic propagation vector  $k = (0, 0, 0)$. However,  several of the
observed magnetic reflections break  the symmetry extinctions of space
group $Pnma$. We hence evaluated  the possible magnetic structures for
the   $\Gamma$-point   representations  (\tref{irrep})   by   Rietveld
refinements  against NPD  at  2~K,  and we  found  $  \Gamma^+_4 $  to
precisely  describe the  magnetic  ordering. This  corresponds to  the
magnetic space group $Pn'ma'$ (\fref{magstr}).

\begin{figure}[ht!]
  \centering
  \includegraphics[scale=.34]{40704_pattern}
  \caption{Measured,  calculated and  difference  curve from  Rietveld
    refinement of the magnetic structure  of $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ at 2 K
    for the second detector bank. The green ticks indicate reflections
    allowed by the magnetic symmetry (space group $Pn'ma'$).}
  \label{fig:NPD}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}[ht!]
  \centering
  \includegraphics[scale=.23]{40704_new_orientation4.png}
  \caption{Magnetic structure of  the $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ with magnetic
    space group $Pn'ma'$.  The magnetic moments of the  iron atoms are
    antiferromagnetically ordered relative to their nearest neighbors,
    yielding G-type antiferromagnetism. Iron atoms are shown in orange
    and the  bonds to fluorine  as pale  grey lines. Sodium  atoms are
    removed for clarity.}
  \label{fig:magstr}
\end{figure}

\begin{table}[h!]
  \centering
  \caption{Basis  functions  of   the  one-dimensional  $\Gamma$-point
    irreducible representations found by decomposition of the magnetic
    representation for  the iron  site in $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$.  The +
    and -  symbols denote the  relative sign of the  magnetic moment
    along $x$, $y$, and $z$ on the respective site. }
  \label{tab:irrep}
  \begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c}
    \hline\hline
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&\\
& Coordinate & & &  & &  $ \Gamma^+_1 $  & & &  & $ \Gamma^+_2 $  & & & $ \Gamma^+_3 $  &  &  & & $ \Gamma^+_4 $  & & \\

$x$	 & $y$		& $z$ 		&	&  	&	$x$   		&	$y$   	&	$z$	& &	$x$   	&	$y$   	&	$z$	& &	$x$   	&	$y$   	&	$z$	& &	$x$   	&	$y$   	&	$z$   \\

0.0	 & 0.0	& 0.5	&  	&	&     +   	&	+   	&	+	& &	+   	&	+   	&	+	& &	+   	&	+   	&	+	& &	+   	&	+   	&	+   \\

0.0	 & 0.5	& 0.5	&  	&	&     -   	&	+   	&	-	& &	+   	&	-   	&	+	& &	+   	&	-   	&	+	& &	-   	&	+   	&	-   \\

0.5	 & 0.5	& 0.0 	& 	&	&     +   	&	-   	&	-	& &	-   	&	+   	&	+	& &	+   	&	-   	&	-	& &	-   	&	+   	&       +   \\

0.5	 & 0.0	& 0.0 	& 	&	&     -   	&	-   	&	+	& &	-   	&	-   	&	+	& &	+   	&	+   	&	-	& &	+   	&	+   	&	- \\
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&\\
    \hline
  \end{tabular}
\end{table}

The magnetic  ordering of  $ \Gamma^+_4  $ can  be described  as A$_x$
antiferromagnetic ordering  along [001], F$_y$  ferromagnetic ordering
along  [010]   and  G$_z$  antiferromagnetic  ordering   along  [001],
corresponding  to  the  refined  parameters  $M_x$,  $M_y$  and  $M_z$
respectively  (\tref{irrep}).  In  our  magnetic Rietveld  refinements
(\tref{str_2K}), we find a large value for the G$_z$ component ($M_z$)
and a  small value for  the A$_x$ component ($M_x$).   When performing
Rietveld refinements of the ferromagnetic  F$_y$ component, a value of
$M_y =  0.75(3) ~ \mu_B$  is obtained for the  2 K NPD  data. However,
since  F$_y$-scattering coincides  with nuclear  peak positions,  such
quite small values of $M_y$ yield very minor changes to the calculated
diffraction  pattern and  agreement  factors.  Furthermore, these  are
strong correlations with other parameters of the refinements, e.g. the
thermal  displacement   parameter  of   Fe.   The   ZFC  magnetization
measurement furthermore suggests that  the ferromagnetic moment should
almost  absent at  low temperatures  without  a magnetic  field. As  a
consequence, the NPD  data cannot be used to claim  the existence of a
F$_y$  component. Hence,  $M_y$ was  fixed  to zero  during the  final
refinements.

 \begin{table*}[t]
  \centering
  \caption{Atomic  coordinates  of  $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$  from  Rietveld
    refinement of NPD at 2 K. The refinement was performed in magnetic
    space group $Pn'ma'$ with lattice  parameters of $a$ = 5.62571(11)
    \AA, $b$ = 7.87673(15) \AA and $c$ = 5.45623(10) \AA, and magnetic
    parameters $M_x$ = 0.422(11) $\mu_B$,  $M_y$ = 0 $\mu_B$ and $M_z$
    = 4.221(4)  $\mu_B$, yielding a  total ordered magnetic  moment of
    $M$ = $4.246(11)~\mu_B$.  }
  \label{tab:str_2K}
  \begin{tabular}{l c c c c c l}
         &&&&&&\\
    \hline\hline
         &&&&&&\\
    Site & Multiplicity & $x$ & $y$ & $z$ & Occ & U$_{iso}$ (\AA$^2$) \\
         &&&&&&\\
    Na &  4& 0.0544(2) 		& 0.25 			& 0.9826(3) 	& 1 & 0.0175(4)           \\
    Fe &  4& 0.5 			& 0 			& 0 			& 1 & 0.00438(17)     \\
    F1 &  4& 0.45061(16) 	& 0.25 			& 0.11401(16) 	& 1 & 0.0105(3)             \\
    F2 &  8& 0.29707(11) 	& 0.06114(8) 	& 0.68918(11) 	& 1 & 0.0096(2)         \\
         &&&&&&\\
    \hline
  \end{tabular}
\end{table*}

Complete structural details obtained  from the Rietveld refinements of
NPD  data is  given in  \tref{str_2K} and  \tref{moment}. The  refined
model  has a  dominating G$_z$-type  antiferromagnetic structure  with
moments aligned  parallel to [001].  There are weak indications  for a
small  canting parallel  to  [100]  as given  by  the A$_x$  component
(\fref{magstr}).   The  magnetic   moments  are  antiferromagnetically
oriented   with    respect   to   their   nearest    neighbors   along
$\mathrm{[010]}$,                 $\mathrm{[101]}$                 and
$\mathrm{[\bar{1}01]}$.  Neighboring spins  are aligned  close to  the
equatorial  plane of  the octahedra  (defined  by the  four F2  atoms,
\fref{str}) in the crystallographic (010)-plane.

At 2  K the Rietveld  refinements give  an ordered magnetic  moment of
$4.246(11)~\mu_B$, slightly lower that the theoretical spin-only value
for  $\mathrm{Fe^{2+}}$  of  $4.90~\mu_B$.    The  value  is  in  good
agreement with that of  $\mathrm{Fe^{2+}}$ in $\mathrm{KFeF_3}$, which
is  $4.42~\mu_B$  \cite{GTYPE}.  The  slightly  lower  value than  the
spin-only value can be accounted for by a slight hybridization between
iron  and fluorine,  effectively reducing  the number  of magnetically
ordered  electrons.  A  very weak  additional ferromagnetic  component
will not change this picture, but should not be neglected, see below.

The refinements (and magnetic peak  intensities) show that the ordered
magnetic moment decreases upon heating  from 2~K. This is evidenced in
the refined values for $M_x$ and $M_z$ (\fref{str_prm}a). The magnetic
reflection in NPD disappears at 95  K, which is in compliance with the
N\'eel temperature found by magnetometry.

We  note  the  presence  of a  strong  magnetostructural  coupling  in
$\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$,  evidenced   by  major  changes  in   the  lattice
parameters at the N\'eel ordering temperature (\fref{str_prm}b and c).
At the transition, we observe a  rather smooth contraction of the unit
cell  volume, however,  this is  an average  of a  contraction of  the
$a$-axis in contrast to expansion of the $b$- and $c$-axis.

\begin{figure}[t!]
  \centering
  \includegraphics[scale=.29]{Str_prm_NaFeF3}
  \caption{  Temperature dependence  of structural  parameters derived
    from Rietveld refinements  of NPD; (a) the  total magnetic moment,
    the  inset  show  the  $M_x$ and  $M_z$  components,  (b)  lattice
    parameter $a$ and  cell volume, and (c) lattice  parameter $b$ and
    $c$. The  N\'eel temperature of  90 K  is indicated by  the purple
    dashed line.  }
  \label{fig:str_prm}
\end{figure}

Already at  120 K, well above  the ordering temperature, we  observe a
change     in    temperature     dependence    for     the    $b$-axis
(\fref{str_prm}).  Actually, by  evaluating  the difference  intensity
plot between  NPD patterns at  95 and 120~K  (close to, and  above the
magnetic ordering  temperature respectively), we observe  a broad peak
at around 4.8 \AA~(\fref{NPD_diff}), which corresponds to the position
of  the (011)  and (110)  magnetic  Bragg reflections  in the  ordered
phase.  The broad peak at 4.8  \AA~ is thus interpreted as originating
from the  existence of  short-range magnetic  ordering just  above the
N\'eel   temperature.   ${\rm   Fe^{2+}}$  is   reported  to   display
magnetostrictive  behavior  and  diffuse  scattering  above  $T_N$  in
$\mathrm{Rb_2FeF_4}$,  and we  note  that the  diffuse scattering  for
$\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ above $T_N$ also coincides with a tensile effect on
the lattice \cite{MAGSTRICRP1}.

\begin{figure}[t!]
  \centering
  \includegraphics[scale=.34]{Difference_NPD}
  \caption{Plot of the difference between NPD patterns at 95 and 120 K
    measured on the low resolution  detector bank. A broad peak around
    4.8 \AA~ is marked by a red arrow, which corresponds to the (011)-
    and  (110)-magnetic Bragg  reflections  and indicates  short-range
    magnetic order appearing at 95 K.}
  \label{fig:NPD_diff}
\end{figure}

As   discussed  above,   due   to  a   weak  Jahn-Teller   distortion,
$\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$  adopts   short,  medium   and  long   Fe-F  bonds,
\fref{str}. Considering the variation of  the Fe-F bond length between
2 and 297 K in the NPD  experiment, we observe a clear trend: The bond
lengths  tend  towards  receiving identical  values  when  temperature
approaches  297   K  (\fref{NPD_bond}).    In  the   cubic  perovskite
$\mathrm{KFeF_3}$, the Fe-F  bond lengths adopts a value  of 2.06 \AA,
which ought to be  a value expected also for the  Fe-F bond lengths in
$\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$  \cite{KFEF3}.  On this  basis  it  is tempting  to
suggest  that $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$  may  undergo  transitions to  higher
symmetric structures at elevated temperatures \cite{ME1,ME2}.  This is
beyond the scope of the present work.

\begin{figure}[t!]
  \centering
  \includegraphics[scale=.30]{NPD_Bond_length_NaFeF3}
  \caption{Variation of  the Fe-F  bond lengths derived  from Rietveld
    refinements of NPD between 2  and 297 K. Uncertainties are smaller
    than the symbol size. }
  \label{fig:NPD_bond}
\end{figure}

\section{Discussion}
\label{sec:DIS}

We highlight that our new  wet chemical synthesis protocol has allowed
preparation  of $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$  of  very high  purity  which is  a
prerequisite for  clarification of intrinsic  properties. Importantly,
we compared  ZFC - FC  magnetic behaviour  of phase pure  samples with
reported data  for samples made  by a conventional  solid-state method
\cite{ME1}.  For  $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ prepared by  solid-state methods,
iron  impurities   easily  outweigh  the  weak   antiferromagnetic  or
paramagnetic signal, resulting  in overestimated magnetization values.
This  is mirrored  by  a  measured ferromagnetic  behaviour  at 300  K
\cite{ME1}, which is not intrinsic to pure $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ prepared
by our wet-chemical  method.  Note, that the  very weak ferromagnetism
observed  in AC  susceptibility below  the N\'eel  temperature of  our
phase  pure $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$  samples is  intrinsic, but  with value
close to zero.

Although NPD  cannot unambiguously conclude on  the possible existence
of  a symmetry  allowed  ferromagnetic component  along [010]  (F$_y$)
according  to  the magnetic  space  group  $Pn'ma'$, this  is  clearly
indicated by a strong peak in the imaginary component $\chi ''$ of the
AC susceptibility. Considering the magnetic F - Fe - F interactions of
$\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ in light  of the Goodenough-Kanamori-Anderson (GKA)
rules,  antiferromagnetism  is  expected  \cite{GKA}.  Furthermore,  a
linear   G-type  magnetic   structure   was  predicted   by  DFT   for
$\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ \cite{ME1}, also with  moments arranged along [001]
(G$_z$-type). However, our Rietveld  analysis considered an additional
weak    A$_x$-component,     which    implies    canting     of    the
antiferromagnetism.  The latter  component is  close to  the detection
limit of the analysis.

G-type   magnetic    ordering   is    observed   in    several   other
fluoroperovskites, e.g.   $\mathrm{KMF_3}$ (M  = Mn,  Fe, Co,  and Ni)
\cite{GTYPE}. However, due  to the small sodium cation  and the weakly
Jahn-Teller    active    $\mathrm{Fe^{2+}}$,    the    structure    of
$\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$  is significantly  distorted  and  the F-Fe-F  bond
angles deviate  from 180$^\circ$.  As a  consequence, the interactions
may deviate from the GKA rules.

Correspondingly,  one must  consider  other  magnetic interactions  as
origin to the  weak ferromagnetism. For compounds  with $d^6$ electron
configuration,   Jahn-Teller,  as   well  as   spin-orbit  interaction
mechanism, will  contribute to stabilization of  the system \cite{KK}.
If   spin-orbit    coupling   is   present    in   $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$,
Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions  may occur. Such  interactions give
rise to  ferromagnetic exchange  and may  thus be  the origin  of weak
ferromagnetism in $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ \cite{DINTER,MINTER}.

\section{Conclusion}
\label{sec:CON}

In summary  we have developed  a wet-chemical synthesis  protocol that
allow  preparation of  $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ in  large quantities  and of
high purity.   As a consequence we  have been able to  investigate the
intrinsic magnetic properties  of $\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ without potential
additional    magnetic    contributions     from    impurities    like
$\mathrm{\alpha}$-Fe that  will interfere with the  analysis. Magnetic
susceptibility  and powder  neutron  diffraction  analysis shows  that
$\mathrm{NaFeF_3}$ has a  N\'eel temperature of 90  K. AC magnetometry
clearly show  the presence of  weak ferromagnetism below  the ordering
temperature,  supported by  field dependent  DC measurements.  Neutron
diffraction data describe  the compound as a  weakly canted G$_z$-type
antiferromagnet with a minor  A$_x$-component allowed by symmetry. The
magnetic space  group opens  for a F$_y$  component, however,  this is
almost absent at  zero-field and is too weak to  be proven the current
analysis.  The  temperature variation  of  the  Fe-F bonds  suggest  a
possible structural  phase transition to a  higher symmetric structure
above 300 K.

\section{Aknowledgements}
\label{sec:AK}

We  thank  Serena Margadonna  (Swansea  University,  Swansea, UK)  for
providing project support  via the Research Council  of Norway project
214260. This  work was partially performed  within the RIDSEM-project,
financed by the Research Council  of Norway (Project No. 272253).  The
U.K. Science and  Technology Facilities Council (STFC)  is thanked for
allocating beamtime at the ISIS Facility.  We also thank Pascal Manuel
for help during the NPD experiment, and Asbj\o rn Slagtern Fjellv\aa g
and Vincent Hardy for discussions regarding magnetic properties.

\bibliographystyle{plain}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


text:
Condor Liberation enters service
Condor Ferries created a bit of a fanfare when it introduced Liberation, its brand new trimaran. It spent £50m on what it described as a "state of the art high speed ferry" that would "increase capacity and give our guests a much greater level of comfort".
In a blog post, Condor said the ferry would be more reliable and able to cope with much higher waves.
Condor configured the craft to carry up to 880 passengers in three different classes, along with 235 vehicles, with a planned service speed of 35 knots (40mph or 64km/h).
Liberation naming competition
The craft had sat idle for four years before Condor bought it, which it did when its licence to serve the Channel Islands was extended through to 2020. It had been built by Austal in Australia under the name Austal 270. When Condor bought it, it briefly renamed it Condor 102 (it's 102m long), and launched a competition to give it its final name.
More than 7000 people submitted an idea in the hope of winning a year's free travel, by sea, to and from the islands. The winning name was announced on the dedicated Condor 102 blog and in the Guernsey Press and Jersey Post.
"Liberation" had been suggested by several entrants, as the ship was entering service 70 years after the Channel Islands had been liberated following the occupation. Condor put all the Liberation suggestions into a hat and picked out the winner. It was 49-year-old Guernseyman Clive Davies, who was invited to Poole to see the name being painted onto the ship.
Three-hour crossings
Upon launch, the Bahamas-registered vessel completed its mainland to Guernsey crossings in around three hours, which compared favourably against the seven hours taken by a conventional ferry. However, on its second day of operation, when berthing at St Peter Port in high winds, it struck the harbour and had to be taken out of service for a week.
Passengers were quick to point out that the crossings could also be turbulent, in even fairly small swells.
However, a report prepared for the States of Guernsey and Jersey by Houlder, an independent marine engineering firm, found that the Liberation had no stability issues. It said that it rolled less frequently than a catamaran would (although it may roll to a larger roll angle). Houlder also said in the October 2015 report that damage the vessel had sustained was not uncommon on high speed craft.
Category: Guernsey History | Other events tagged transport
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What else happened in Guernsey in July?
Alderney was occupied by German forces
Seigneur of Sark, Michael Beaumont, died aged 88
Guernsey hosts the Island Games 2003 closing ceremony
Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum opens
Guernseyman Edward Tupper was killed by cannibals
Guernsey got a new set of coins
Victor Hugo's statue was unveiled in Candie Gardens
First Commando raid of the Second World War
Sark-based writer Mervyn Peake born
Guernsey nurses went on hunger strike
ITV broadcast first episode of Island at War
Guernsey man posts himself to Sark
Murderer Peter Robin was sentenced to death
Victor Hugo planted his United States of Europe oak
Point Law ran aground off Alderney
Racing yacht Westward was blown up off Guernsey
BBC makes its first ever Channel Islands broadcast
The Star receives some "grave" news
The Guernsey Martyrs are burned at the stake
Price Charles and Camilla visit Guernsey
President Garcia was refloated in Saints Bay
A typhoid suspect holidaymaker flew home
Occupation Controlling Committee's Sir John Leale dies
Alderney to Guernsey telephone connection established
Val des Terres first opened for traffic
The BBC makes its first broadcast from Sark
Escaped Guernsey convict is caught again
Braye du Valle is gifted by the crown
Murderer sentenced to death in three hours
Guernsey buys Herm from the mainland
Albert Lamy appointed Guernsey Police Chief Officer
Guernsey to Jersey plane crashes into the sea
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July in Guernsey through the years…
Guernsey's last execution didn't go according to plan
When John Tapner was hanged, he became the last man executed on Guernsey. It was a messy execution that took...


The Port Orford Heads State park provides a nice loop trail of a mile or so with a couple of options for branching off. The trails are very well maintained and receive regular but moderate use. Most of the trail is dirt but there are portions that are paved. The park is day use only and is only open April through October.
A map of the trails at the Port Orford Heads is located in the parking area.
The Port Oford Head State Park is a historical site. This used to be the location of the Coast Guard Rescue boat, tower and crew housing. The housing still stands and now serves as a museum which is open Wednesday-Monday 10AM to 3:30PM. The 36ft motor life boat that was used at this location still on site.
The Coast guard Lifeboat that used to launch from Nellies Cove is now housed near the parking area.
The trails leave from the housing complex and yard. There is a sign on the south-west that says Cove Trail and one in the north-west that leads to the heads and tower. In reality, these two trails meet and create a nice loop. A branch off of the tower trail leads out to a view point at the tip of the north-west head.
While the sign suggests that this is the Cove Trail, it is actually the beginning of a nice loop. The Cove view point is .35 miles.
The trails stay high up on the heads and weave in and out of thick forest areas. Each opening offers a unique view ranging from the old launch site at Nellie Cove to Redfish Rocks to the Cape Blanco Lighthouse.
The view of Nellies Cove from the Cove Trail viewpoint.
Some areas along the heads provide sweeping views of the rocky headlands and the ocean beyond.
While hiking this area keep your eyes and ears open. There is a resident population of Black Tail Deer that you might encounter as well as several varieties of birds and other wildlife. Flowers may also be present depending on time of year.
A variety of wildlife may be seen in the area such as this group of Harbor Seals basking in the sun as viewed from the headlands viewpoint.
There is one other trail at this location though it is not an "approved trail" and the park service has tried to keep it rather hidden. This is the trail down to Nellie Cove. The trail is actually a set of stairs that the old coast guard crew used to access the rescue boat when they needed to go to sea. By my count, there are 356 steps remaining and my best guess is that somewhere around 100 of the steps are missing making for a very steep slippery area. This is not an easy trek and I don't recommend it as there is little to be seen once you have made your way down. To find the start of this trail, one must slip behind a tree that is straight out from the museum (follow the paved walkway that seems to go straight into a tree and then go around).
Heading down the stairs to Nellies Cove. The stairs are rough and the State Parks does not maintain this access.
Nellies Cove is where the boast used to launch. Now it is an odd concrete walkway that dead ends into a seastack. I had the impression that if I only knew the magic words a doorway might open. It may have been that I had been out in too much sun or I have been reading to much Tolkein.
From Bandon, head south on highway 101 to the town of Port Orford. Turn right on 9th street and then left on Port Orford highway (a very inappropriately named road. This is not a highway but a narrow road leading out to the heads).


text:
NetsGC Earn Your Spot Tournament Presented By Samson
NetsGC and the MPBA present the Earn Your Spot Tournament
Once the team captain has paid the team's registration amount, you will be sent a separate email to register your team.
*TOURNAMENT START DATE WILL BE DECIDED ONCE REGISTRATION CLOSES. WE WILL CLOSE REGISTRATION ONCE WE REACH CAPACITY OR TWO WEEKS FROM THE BEGINNING OF REGISTRATION.*
Game: NBA 2K20
Console: Xbox One
Mode: 5v5 Pro-Am. Best of three series every round.
All teams participating in the tournament must have five (5) players on the roster in order to participate in the tournament.
All players must be 18+ to participate in the tournament.
All team owners will be placed in a group chat by NetsGC in order to schedule game times.
All teams must provide a Twitch link to NetsGC before each series begins.
All players will have to provide their real name in tournament registration.
All players must participate under the gamertag that they have registered under. Only OG KING CURT can approve gamertag changes.
All players can compete only on one team throughout the entire tournament.
All players must comply with all applicable laws, as well as NBA 2K League qualifier and combine rules and procedures.
Gameplay Rules:
Players are not allowed to send a message during gameplay. Doing so can result in a forfeit or a loss of possession.
One (1) player from each team must stream each tournament game.
Each round of the tournament is a best of three series.
All decisions that are made regarding a team will be made by the team's owner. Owners will be identified and labeled during the sign-up process.
If any gameplay glitch happens, players are instructed to record the clip via Xbox. The gameplay will result in a restart once the administrators have made a judgement.
If a player lags out within the first two minutes, the game is to be replayed. Also, if a player on the winning team lags out, the other four players must quit within 30 seconds to replay the game.
Disputes with teams will be resolved by NetsGC staff.
Screenshots are due after each game to NetsGC staff.
All players must follow NBA 2K League's rules and guidelines.
All players must follow MPBA and NetsGC rules and guidelines.
All participants must comply with the NBA 2K League conduct policies.
All participants will have to sign a waiver.
Winning Team:
Samson G Track Pro USB Microphones
Samson Z55 Studio Headphones
MVP Prizes:
Samson G Track Pro USB Microphone
Samson Media One M50 Studio Monitors
Samson QH4 Headphone amplifier
One (1) participant from the winning team and one (1) participant from the whole tournament will be selected to be draft eligible for Season 3 of the NBA 2K League, in accordance with NBA 2K League guidelines.
The opportunity to join the NBA 2K League draft pool is subject to NBA 2K League approval, which approval may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of the NBA 2K League, and the satisfaction of all applicable eligibility requirements established by the NBA 2K League.
To be eligible for potential draft eligibility, participants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and have graduated from high school by October 22, 2019 (or, if the participant did not graduate from high school, the class with which the participant would have graduated had he or she graduated from high school must have graduated by October 22, 2019). This requirement relates only to potential draft eligibility and, subject to applicable laws and participation rules, failure to satisfy this requirement does not preclude tournament participation.
No individual who participated in the NBA 2K League as a player at any point during the 2019 NBA 2K League season may participate in the tournament for draft pool eligibility, in accordance with NBA 2K League policy.
NetsGC Protects NateKahl and Shuttles For Season 3


text:
I can't do it! There must be a way for me to get out of here. Why did I bring myself here? I can't sleep with Darren to get out of his house. I'm leaving. I have to leave now!
I'm seated on the couch and Darren has been staring at me for a long time now. It's starting to freak me out. That strange guy left a while ago. I was scared of him and I insisted he left. He said he was gonna pass by again.
My phone is in my hoodie pocket. I could go somewhere in the house and make a call. I need to call someone to come get me.
"Darren, where's the bathroom?"
"Jerry will lead you," Jerry is the guy who locked the door. I saw him put the key in his pocket.
"Cool." I get off the couch.
"But first," he says a little too loud, "give me your phone," he smiles.
What the fuck?! How am I supposed to get out of this? I can't give him my phone. I have to call someone to come get me out of here.
"My phone's in the car," I lie.
"Are you sure about that?" He takes a step forward.
"Take off the hoodie," he says.
"I'm not wearing anything else. You can't make me do that." He places his hands in my pocket and takes out my phone, "give it back!". He puts it on the table and smiles at me.
I'm fucked!
He takes a hold of my hand and leads me up the stairs. I try to fight him off but his grip is so tight. I'm so sick of this guy. Why is he keeping me here? He already knows my answer. Why can't he respect my decision and let me out of here.
Once we're in the room, he shuts the door and locks it. He puts the key in his back pocket and smiles at me.
"Aria, you don't know how much I want you. I've tried. I've been trying for a long time to get over these feelings that I have for you," he takes a step forward and I take one back. I can't believe he's saying this.
Is he really into me or is he trying to trick me into sleeping with him? It's Darren. What am I supposed to expect from him? He's a jerk!
"This is not fair Darren! You can't keep me here against my will."
"You wouldn't stay alone with me. I had no other choice."
"You had a choice! You could've left me alone," I yell, "I don't want anything to do with you! Why don't you understand that?"
"Everyone knows me for one thing. I never take no for an answer. I'm not gonna let you leave without giving me what I want."
"Darren, please let me leave. I just can't. I've never done something like this and I don't want to. You're the last person I'd give my virginity to! You're a dick!."
"Aria, I promise to make your first time the best," he steps closer and wraps an arm around my waist.
"Darren, let go of me," I take his arm off my waist.
"Aria," he whispers my name and buries his head in my neck. I step away from him and stand next to the door.
"Why are you doing this?" My eyes well up. I'm so messed up. How am I supposed to leave?
"Nothing. I'm not gonna force you to do anything. It's your choice. If you wanna leave, give me what I want."
"I hate you!" I shout and he takes off his shirt. Is that supposed to make me want him? He should know that I'm disgusted!
"Just one time," he pins me against the door and smashes his lips on mine. I can't do this. Not with Darren.
I have a plan to get out of here. I'm gonna play along and try to get the key out of his pocket unnoticed.
I kiss him back and he lifts me off the ground. My legs wrap around his waist as he deepens the kiss. It doesn't feel so good to kiss him. I'm just doing this to get out of here.
"Darren, I want you," I say breathlessy and he immediately lays me on the bed. Once again, it's just a trick. I hate Darren.
I run my hands down his back slowly and stop at the back pocket. He's so distracted that he doesn't notice what I'm about to do. He pulls my hoodie up as he trails kisses down my neck. I quickly fix a hand inside his left pocket and grab the key. Realization hit him and he tries to get the key.
"What are you doing?" He groans and I push him off with all my energy and he falls off the bed. In your fucking face! Asshole! I kick him in the balls really hard and he groans in pain.
I rush to door and open it. I lock him in and make my way down the stairs. That Jerry guy is in the living room.
"Where are you going?" He takes a hold of my arm.
"None of your fucking business! Where's the key? I wanna leave."
"I can't let you out," I knee him in the balls and he hisses in pain. I kick him continuously and he falls on the ground. I begin to check his pockets as fast as I can. When I get the key, I stand up and smile to myself. I knew it was in his pocket! Jerry grabs my leg and I try hard to fight him off. Why is it so hard to get out of here?
I use my other leg to kick his arm and quickly make my way to the table. My phone isn't here anymore. Oh God!
When I turn to leave, Jerry is standing infront of me.
"You better get out my way!" I yell.
"Someone open the fucking door!" Darren yells from upstairs.
I knee Jerry in between his legs again and quickly unlock the door. I run to the driveway and get into my car. I drive off immediately feeling nothing but relief.
I can't believe I got out of there. Darren thought I was dumb enough to give him my body. He's so wrong. I've kicked a lot today. That's the only means of self defense that I'm good at. With the guys. They're gonna need some ice.
Darren has done enough and I'm not going to get involved with him. He's so stupid! How could he keep me in his house to have sex? He even took my phone. I'm so lucky I was able to run.
I've never been in such a situation before and I wasn't ready to give up. I did what I had to do. I'm so glad that strange guy (aka the guy who tried to take advantage of me at the party) left. It made things much easier for me.
The moment Bryson opens the door, I give him a hug. He wraps his arms around me and we stay like that for a while.
I feel so safe in his arms. I can't believe I got out of there on my own. I'm with Bryson now.
"Aria, is everything okay?" He asks as we pull away.
He lets me in and we get into the living room. Leo is here. I have no problem. I can just tell them both right now.
"Hey Ari," he smiles.
"Hi Leo," I give him a small smile.
"Ari, your mom called and told me you left the house when you were angry." Bryson says.
"She was pissing me off so I went to see Leo and Darren called me," I say.
"Darren?!" Leo exclaims.
"Yeah. I don't know how he got my number. He told me to go to his place and I...."
"What did you do? You didn't go, right?" Bryson asks.
"I did."
"Aria, how could you just go to his place 'cause he asked you to?! It's Darren! You can't trust him!" Bryson yells.
Is it just me or Bryson's reaction is a little too much? He's so angry.
"I agree with him." Leo nods.
"He told me someone wanted to see me and when I got there, it was that guy from the party."
"What the fuck Ariana?!" Bryson yells, "what fucking took you there. You could've told him you didn't want to go!"
"Bryson, I know I shouldn't have gone there. Getting out was really hard!"
"What do you mean?" Leo asks.
"One of his friends locked the door and I couldn't get out. He said I would be able to leave after having sex with him."
"That fucker!" Bryson exclaims.
"Why didn't you tell me it was Darren on the phone?" Leo asks.
"I didn't think he was gonna do something like that."
"Expect the worst when it's Darren you're dealing with," Leo says.
"Did you have sex with Darren?" Bryson asks.
How could he ask me such a question? Does he think I'm so stupid?
"I didn't. How could you even ask me that?"
"How did you get out then?" Leo asks.
"Darren took me to his room and started talking shit. He was trying to trick me into sleeping with him. He said he wouldn't force me to do anything. I would've left but the door was locked. He started kissing me and I kissed back_"
"You did what?" Bryson interrupts me before I can finish my sentence. Why is he reacting so quickly? I didn't even say everything!
"I was only doing that to distract him. I got the key from his pocket and pushed him off. Once he was on the ground, I kicked him really hard and made my way out. The guy who locked the door was there. Long story short, I kicked him the way I kicked Darren and got the key. Now, I'm here."
"Aria, do you realize how lucky you were?" Leo says.
"Yeah. I'm not dumb either. I saw where they kept the keys."
"I'm going to see Darren," Bryson says.
"Don't you dare!" I get up and place a hand on his chest, "don't go. I don't want you to get into trouble because of me."
"Aria, he's messing with you and I want him to stop."
"Bryson has a point. That guy is no good. He's not gonna stop anytime soon. Someone has to knock some sense into him."
"Guys please, I can take care of myself. Darren will leave me alone! I'm the one who'll knock sense into him. You don't have to do anything."
"Why are you so eager to let this go Ari?" Leo asks.
"I just don't want any trouble, okay?"
"You're not going near Darren anymore. Not in anyway? Do you understand?" Bryson says.
Geez! Why is he acting like this? I haven't seen him this angry in a long time. I got away from that asshole. He's not supposed to overreact.
"Fine," I say and make my way out of the house. I can't be here any longer. Bryson is yelling and it stresses me even more.
I'm just gonna go back home and face mom. I was hoping to talk to Bryson the way we did last time. We were both so calm and we listened to each other. I was comfortable but today, he was a different person.
Mom opens the door and looks at me with no clear expression on her face, "welcome back Ariana," she says but I don't respond.
"Some guy is here to see you. He says he's a friend,"
"What's his name?" I ask.
"Go to the living room and you'll find him there."
"Okay," I say and start to make my way to the living room.
Darren is seated there with a smirk on his face. Why? Why? Why? Why is he here? If mom finds out he's the one who gave me the drink, he'll be in trouble. Did he follow me? Why are the problems all coming in one day?!
"Hello Ariana," he smiles.
"What are you doing here?"
"You forgot your phone and your jacket at my place," He hands me my phone and a jacket which isn't mine. Mom is watching us. Is he seriously trying to get me in trouble?
"I didn't_"
"I'll see you around," he says before I can finish my sentence. He makes his way out and I'm left standing in the living room with my mom.
Someone save me from this woman!
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