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VW wins at Cars.co.za awards
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Volkswagen wins big at the 2020 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards
→ The fifth annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards recognised the best cars in South Africa.
→ Volkswagen was the biggest winner on the night walking away with the coveted Brand of the Year award and six category wins.
Volkswagen was the biggest winner at the fifth annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards held at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on 6 February.
Widely regarded as South Africa's most definitive automotive awards programme, the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, which are exclusively supported by WesBank, South Africa's largest vehicle finance provider, have become a highlight in the automotive calendar since the inaugural event in 2016.
The wins at the Consumer Awards come after a record-breaking 2019 where the Volkswagen brand achieved a 20.4% passenger market share, the highest in 23 years, and the manufacturing plant in Uitenhage achieved an all-time record for production in a single year.
Volkswagen won the biggest accolade at the Consumer Awards, the coveted Brand of the Year award which is solely determined by market and customer data.
"We are truly happy and honoured with the vote of confidence and support from our customers. At Volkswagen we pride ourselves with outstanding products and excellent customer service and winning the Brand of the Year award is recognition of the great work being done by Volkswagen employees as well as the dealer network," said Mike Glendinning, Director: Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen Group South Africa.
Volkswagen's first win of the night was the Compact Hatchback category which went to the Polo – this is the second time the locally-manufactured vehicle has won this category.
The second award for Volkswagen went to the Polo GTI which won the Fun Hatchback category at its first time being a finalist at the Consumer Awards.
The popular Golf GTI won the Premium Hatchback category, bringing Volkswagen's wins on the night to three. With only five months on sale in South Africa, the T-Cross won its first award in the Compact Family Car category.
The Arteon defended its Business Class category title with a back-to-back win. Volkswagen's sixth category award for the night went to the Amarok which won the hotly contested Leisure Double Cab category. This is the third time the Amarok has won this category.
"We are so proud of the Volkswagen wins at this year's awards. For the locally-manufactured Polo and Polo GTI to defend and win their categories respectively, is great recognition for the Uitenhage plant. I am also very proud of the T-Cross which continues to be a key player in the A0 SUV segment and this win is a further statement of the great package this compact SUV offers. A great performance also by our premium brands, the Arteon and much-loved Golf GTI. With the bakkie market being intensely competitive in South Africa, it is a terrific feat that the Amarok defended its title in this category for the third time," concluded Glendinning.
The Volkswagen brand has had the most category wins (16) in the history of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. Volkswagen is also the only brand to have won at least one Consumer Awards category every year since the programme began in 2015/16.
Issued by: The Public Relations Department of Volkswagen of South Africa.


It starts with my already established love of the camel. And then spreads to other beasts of burden. A few wee rough sketches that have been begging me to do something with them; I'm keen to bring them into Illustrator to play with.
And perhaps start a new fabric line on spoonflower?
i love sketching! awesome post!


Photographs by Rowan Pybus of the artist working on editions, setting up the installation and details of the installation itself.
Faith47's Fragments of a Burnt History, showing at David Krut Projects Parkwood from 8 November 2012 to mid-January 2013, is comprised of an installation of found objects and artwork created in the artist's studio, as well as a new series of monotypes and editions produced in collaboration with the David Krut Print Workshop. Faith47, based in Cape Town, is a recognised street artist whose work can be found in cities all over the world. She has an established international gallery career, with exhibitions in Europe, America and Australia, but Fragments of a Burnt History is her first solo exhibition in South Africa, indicating a culture of cross-over from street to studio that is already well underway abroad.


Bomboniere is an Italian word roughly meaning "favours." These are gifts given out on special occasions to the attending guests. These occasions can include weddings, christenings, birthdays, reunions, or any other kind of celebration. Traditionally, they consisted of sugared almonds, but now can be almost anything. Many people today look for creative and unique options other than the traditional sugared almonds. At Wines by Design, we are very pleased to offer some modern alternatives, like wine bottle bomboniere which can be designed to your brief to fit the occasion perfectly.
If you are looking to really make your guests day and thank them for attending your party, the bomboniere that are available from Wines by Design will be perfect. Not only are our options affordable, your guests will love them. The wine bottle bomboniere available at our site will be personalised with your own message and will be a cherished gift that will be remembered for years to come. Depending on what varietal you choose, and whether it's a vintage or not, you may be able to specifically give something which will cellar well and be at perfect drinking condition on your one year anniversary! This type of favour will certainly make an impression and is highly practical, unlike larger items or decorative pieces.
We invite you to browse our site to find the right design for your special occasion, whether it's a small token or an impressive personalised present for each guest to take home. You will be sure to find the perfect addition for your next event. If you have any questions concerning our wine bottle bomboniere or any other item, please contact our expert team at your convenience. We are sure both you and your guests will love the gorgeous little surprises that you get them from Wines by Design.


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Can the British Government Just Enter the Ecuadorian Embassy Whenever It Wants?
By Perry Stein
Earlier today, the Ecuadorian government granted asylum to Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks who is wanted for questioning in Sweden for alleged sex crimes. The only problem: Assange is not actually in Ecuador, but rather is holed-up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Now the UK Foreign office is saying that it has the power to go inside the embassy—breaking the embassy's diplomatic immunity—to extradite Assange to Sweden.
But do hosting governments actually have the right to enter embassies without permission? The answer, it seems, is that most countries—including the United States—do not have that right, but for the British government, things are slightly more complicated.
The principle of diplomatic immunity as applied to embassies was established by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which clearly states that diplomatic missions are inviolable. Generally, that is taken to mean that the authorities of a state where an embassy is located cannot enter unless they are asked in.
But while the British government would be breaking international law by going inside the Ecuadorian embassy to extradite Assange, the government isn't necessarily wrong to say that it would be in keeping with its own domestic laws. In 1987, the UK passed the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act to help give the government power when dealing with the abuses of diplomatic or consular premises.
The law was passed in the wake of the 1984 shooting of a British police officer at a protest outside the Libyan embassy. After the incident, the government found itself powerless to determine whether the perpetrator fired the shots from inside the embassy. The act, according to the Law Society Gazette of UK, was implemented without the amendment of the Vienna Convention, but it allows it "to remove diplomatic status from premises which are being misused."
The United States, however, has no such law on the books, according to John R. Crook, an adjunct professor at George Washington University and a former lawyer for the State Department. Thus, there's no question in Washington that the Vienna Convention is the law of the land.
Indeed, that may explain why the United States has itself been especially active in offering asylum to others; in April, the United States famously granted temporary asylum to Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng in its embassy in Beijing. "Although some people might look at this and say it's a wonderful thing, that Julian Assange might be shielded and protected, those who might disagree with this need to realize that asylum has been granted in many instances, from Mr. Guangcheng to Cardinal Menzetti," Crook says. "I think it's a take a deep breath and go slow kind of situation."
Kal Raustiala, professor of law and director of UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations, said breaking the international agreement of the Vienna Convention could have implications that reach beyond London and Assange. "The inviobility of embassies is grounded in a principle of reciprocity...every state has embassies around the world," he told me.
So, if the British government does enter the Ecuadorian premises, it may not have to fear repercussions in British courts, but it should probably prepare for international diplomatic blowback.
Vienna, Wikileaks, Sweden, Ecuador, United States, Ecuadorian government, Ecuadorian embassy in London, British government, The Plank, Julian Assange

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Getting only specific data based on name in text file Let's say if my text file contains:
101    Adam
201    Clarie
502    Adam
403    Tom

and i want to write a command in the shell to only give me the numbers based of a specific name. For example, only output the number for the name 'Adam' would give:
101
502

I was thinking of something like:
cut -f 1 Data_1 | grep "Adam"

but it doesn't work. Data_1 is the filename. 1 refers to the first column. I'm new to Unix so I'll appreciate some feedback on this.

A: You can use single grep with perl look around extension via -P option:
grep -Po '.*(?=Adam)' file

That will print everything in the line up to the word Adam.
If you want only numbers, excluding whitespaces etc, then:
grep -Po '[0-9]*(?=.*Adam)' file

A: Would suggest to use awk for this

*

*Default input field separator is one or more consecutive white-spaces, so no need to worry about space/Tab separations

*Easier to compare fixed strings (i.e less prone to regex meta characters - need to take care in constructing string with quotes and the backslash character. See also Escape Sequences)

$ cat ip.txt
101    Adam
201    Clarie
502    Adam
403    Tom

$ # check if 2nd column value is Adam (wont match MAdam, Adama, etc)
$ # use $NF instead of $2 to check against last column
$ awk '$2=="Adam"{print $1}' ip.txt
101
502

$ # using variable instead of string constant
$ awk -v name='Adam' '$2==name{print $1}' ip.txt
101
502

$ # passing shell variable
$ n='Tom'
$ awk -v name="$n" '$2==name{print $1}' ip.txt
403

A: First you have the order of grep/cut backwards. And, unless those are actual tabs (as in Tab) separating your columns (I can't tell) you also need to specify that normal whitespace (as in Space) is your delimeter.
grep Adam Data_1 | cut -f1 -d' '

If you are using tabs then leave off -d' '.
Generally speaking try one thing at a time while building a compound command like this. What do you see when you do cut alone? Does it look like applying grep to it makes sense? If not then rethink things.
And always give the man page for each command a good read.

Bonus: Here's a sed command to do the same thing:
sed -n 's/^\(.*\)\t\+Adam$/\1/p' Data_1

This goes through each line in the file but prints only those that end with one or more tabs and your search string. Then, before printing, it strips off those same tabs and search string.

A: Simple approach with Awk:
awk '/ Adam$/ {print $1}' file
101
502

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Stephanie is an avid yogi and medical massage practitioner out of Fort Lauderdale, FL. She has a background in kinesiology from the University of Texas and has spent the last 10 years studying under some of the best names in the business learning the most innovative and effective techniques in the field of bodywork. Stephanie specializes in myofascial release and uses this knowledge to teach her own special brand of movement therapy which is taught in her yoga classes. When Stephanie is not at the yoga studio you can find her attending music festivals or hanging out at one of South Florida's many craft beer breweries.


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Home ข่าวไนท์แฟรงค์ ไนท์แฟรงค์ทั่วโลก The London Office Market Report Q3 2019
The London Office Market Report Q3 2019
Market Roundup
Despite political noise, take-up remains healthy
Occupiers are increasingly footloose
Partial recovery in investment turnover
Stable take-up persists
Against a backdrop of heightened political tensions stemming from the ongoing Brexit talks and the first UK General Election this side of Christmas since 1923, office take-up continues to remain healthy across London. Businesses appear more concerned about the lack of office space in the market and are committing to new leases at a steady rate; a remarkable outcome given the background political noise. Office take-up reached 3.4 million sq ft during Q3, in line with the 10 year average and marginally higher than both Q2 and the same period last year. Active demand levels stand at 10.3 million sq ft, the highest level recorded so far this year. Limited options are driving moves, while pre-letting activity is also showing signs of strengthening, placing occupiers under pressure to commence searches for alternative accommodation far earlier than has been the case historically.
Increasingly footloose occupiers
Regearing is also gaining momentum as the shortage of supply stymies the
ability of some occupiers to relocate. In markets where choice is particularly limited, such as the West End, occupiers are increasingly footloose. This is helping landlords in the City achieve new record rents in some cases. For many West End occupiers, the City still offers 'good value'. Rent free periods across London are still holding, at roughly 21-24 months
on 10 year leases and at about 32-34 months on 15 year leases. That said,
there are some pockets of London, such as Southbank and around Crossrail stations, where an ever tightening vacancy rate has compressed rent free
periods to nearer 18-20 months, for 10 year leases. Requirements from the finance, corporate and professional service sectors continue to account for the bulk of demand in the market, standing at 56%.
Investment turnover recovers
Following a weak Q2, investment turnover volumes partially recovered during the third quarter, falling just short of £2.4 billion, underpinned by
a resurgence in interest in London assets, particularly from the overseas
cohort. We believe this change in risk perceptions around London has been
driven by rising geopolitical tensions elsewhere in the world, most notably
Asia and the Middle East, which has made London look like a relatively
safer haven once more; arguably more so than it did at the start of 2019 as
we approached the original Brexit precipice. That said, with political clarity around Brexit appearing to remain elusive, there are still a large number of overseas buyers that would like to be buying in London, but are not prepared to commit before there is more certainty. While international investors gather on the sidelines in what appear to be increasing numbers, UK investors have leapt to the top of the leader board for London acquisitions, committing almost £1 billion in Q3, taking the nine month total to £2.6 billion. The home team clearly senses an opportunity to secure London assets in a less competitive field, even though yields in the City have now recovered the 25 basis point outward movement from the start of this year, to stand at 4.25% for 10 year income. In the West End, there is a lack of transactional evidence to suggest yields have recovered so they remain at 3.75% this quarter. Despite the compressed yield in the City, London still remains more attractive than many other global gateway locations.
3 Themes for thought
Pres-lets rise as supply weakens
The pre-let office market in London ha never seen such high levels of activity. Underpinned by an ever-decreasing number of options, we are continuing to see businesses committing to space that is under construction. During 2018, 2.1 million sq ft of space was let during construction, the highest level since 2007. During the first nine months of 2019, this trend has persisted, with 1.6 million sq ft let while still being built. What's more, of the 12.5 million sq ft under construction that we are currently tracking, 48% is committed, with a further 1.85 million sq ft under offer, suggesting that the total stands at 53%.
Some notable pre-lets during
Q3 2019 include:
British Telecommunications Plc: One Braham, E1 (310,000 sq ft)
Diageo: 16 Great Marlborough Street, W1 (105,000 sq ft)
Convene: 22 Bishopsgate, EC3 (99,000 sq ft)
Bridgepoint Capital Group: Marble Arch Place,W1 (78,000 sq ft)
Cooley LLP: 22 Bishopsgate, EC3 (75,000 sq ft)
Bank of Montreal: 100 Liverpool Street, EC2 (60,000 sq ft)
Commercial More Viable Than Residential ?
For residential developers in London, the planning environment remains challenging. More stringent affordable housing policies being introduced by City Hall have come at a time when planning across the capital have undergone sweeping changes and planning departments remain under-resourced. Little more than 9,000 private residential units were started in schemes of 20+ private units in the first half of 2019. If that is repeated during the rest of the year, developers will commence less than two thirds of the housing units started during the 2015 peak. Part of this is due to planning, and managing the viability of developing homes is testing developers. As a result, some are choosing to include a mixture of uses in large-scale developments, in order to keep them viable, or in some cases revisiting consents to include a greater proportion of commercial office space in later phases, likely driven by the strength of the office occupier market. That said, the government does appear to be listening and recently announced a suite of initiatives intended to speed up the planning process. At the Conservative Party Conference the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced the Government's "vision" for reforming the planning system. The 'accelerated planning' green paper, expected in November 2019, will seek views on introducing 'permission in principle' to demolish old commercial buildings for new housing and reducing planning conditions by a third. As always the devil will be in the detail but any further squeeze on commercial office space stock will only help to sustain upward pressure on rents.
*Contributed by Patrick Gower (Residential Research) and Nick Diment (Residential Development Planning).
Investment Levels Hampered by Low Stock
While overall investment into London's office market showed signs of recovering during the third quarter, the total turnover recorded is not a true reflection of the depth of demand. This is largely down to a lack of stock on the market. During Q3, there was £2.9 billion available on the market, spread across 81 assets. This is 21% down on the total for Q2 2019, reflecting the severity of the shortage of openly marketed investments. Potential sellers remain reluctant to bring assets to market in a politically uncertain environment and one where they are also struggling to invest their own funds. Demand for value-add stock, that can take advantage of pressures in the occupational market, is particularly strong. Furthermore, there was £2.4 billion of commercial office assets under offer at the end of Q3, equating to a 38% rise on Q2 and the highest level recorded in 12 months, underscoring the strengthening of purchaser appetite. Investors interested in London have decisions to make. The occupier market dynamics, in particular rising rents, are a clear opportunity, as is for many, the weak pound. However, with Brexit extended and an election looming, not all will have the courage to take advantage of these in the short term.
Markets in Review : The City
Rents remain stable but incentives see downward pressure
Prime headline rents remain stable in the City Core at £72.50 per sq ft, underpinned by falling availability and strengthening demand levels. The availability of stock is at the lowest since the start of 2016, which has in turn driven vacancy rates down to 5.0%. Despite this, rent free periods have remained at 24 months on a typical 10 year lease, although we are beginning to see downward pressure, with increasing examples of tighter rent frees.
Robust occupier activity despite Brexit delay
The delay to Brexit has done little to dent demand, with occupier activity in the City rising for the second consecutive quarter this year. Take-up in the third quarter increased by 22% from 1.6 million sq ft in Q2, to almost 2 million sq ft in Q3.
The level of take-up of new and refurbished stock was the second highest since Q2 2018 and double the levels recorded in Q2 2019. There was a high level of occupier activity in the City Core, accounting for 60% of total take-up in the wider City market. There were 113 deals in the City during the third quarter, seven of which were over 50,000 sq ft, compared to five in Q2. The average deal size in the City now stands at a little over 17,000 sq ft, albeit, 59% of transactions were below 10,000 sq ft. The largest deal was BT's acquisition at One Braham, Braham Street, E1 totalling circa 310,000 sq ft. The tech (26%), flexible office (25%) and financial (19%) sectors were the most active in Q3, accounting for 70% of take-up. Despite the strong level of occupier activity, tightness of supply has meant that we are seeing a greater number of businesses consider lease regears, especially those in modern buildings who are taking a more cost effective route.
Active requirements rise
Active demand in the City increased for a third consecutive quarter, up by 10% quarter-on-quarter to 5.6 million sq ft by the end of Q3. Levels are at the highest since Q1 2006. Requirements have been bolstered by West End occupiers, drawn to the City by the promise of greater options for large floor plates and also by cost savings. Requirement levels are now 33% above the long-term average of 4.2 million sq ft. The level of active searches over 50,000 sq ft increased further from 27 to 29 during Q3. However, there are just 20 buildings available with over 50,000 sq ft, 13 of which are located in the City Core and just eight of these are of new and refurbished stock.
Refurbished stock down, while supply tightens
Despite the increased level of occupier activity in Q3, supply levels remained stable at 6.1 million sq ft. This was attributable to the increased level of new stock entering the supply figures as they near completion.
There is approximately 2.5 million sq ft under offer across the City market. The current vacancy rate in the City market is now at 5.0% and 5.7% in the City Core submarket.
The supply of new and refurbished stock totalled 1.8 million sq ft at the end of Q3, nearly half the long-term average. There are just three buildings that could offer an occupier over 100,000 sq ft. All located in the City Core, these include: 70 St Mary Axe, EC3; The Scalpel, 52-54 Lime Street, EC3 and Vintners Place, EC4. We are currently tracking ten active requirements for space in excess of 100,000 sq ft by occupiers exclusively targeting the City that are not yet under offer.
Looking ahead at the supply pipeline, total under construction levels in the City are currently 6 million sq ft, of which 40% is already committed, leaving 3.6 million sq ft of speculative space under construction. There is 4.5 million sq ft under construction which is due to complete in the next 12 months, 52% of which is committed.
This leaves just 2.3 million sq ft of speculative space coming through in the next 12 months, which equates to approximately nine months of supply, assuming average levels of new and refurbished take-up.
Investment up, but much hinges on political clarity
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, demand for London assets is strengthening, reflecting the city's position as a global investment safe haven. The figure for assets under offer in the City currently stands at a 12 month high of £1.2 billion, which is also 32% up on Q2 of this year. The rising demand and shortage of availability in the City has compressed yields by 25bps to 4.25% for 10 year income.
Furthermore, comparing Q1-Q3 2019 against 2018 as a whole, investors from the Middle East, North America and Europe look set to match, if not better their investment commitments to London's office market this year.
Looking ahead to 2020, we expect to see a marked increase in overseas investment activity, especially as the government continues to message that a conclusion to Brexit may be near. We feel this will be instrumental in unlocking pent up demand as investors are waiting for greater political clarity before committing to London.
Markets in Review : West End
Occupier activity remains subdued
We continued to witness subdued levels of occupier activity in the West End during the third quarter. Take-up in Q3 was a little over 1 million sq ft, just 2% below the level recorded in Q2, but 16% below the long-term average of 1.2 million sq ft.
Despite this, there are a number of positive indicators that the market remains stable and resilient whilst the ongoing political uncertainty continues.
The competition for Grade A units over 50,000 sq ft still remains a significant market driver. Pre-let activity is still strong, highlighted by the recent acquisition from Diageo at 16 Great Marlborough Street totalling 105,000 sq ft.
Tracking evidence throughout the quarter, prime rents increased from £107 per sq ft in Q2, to £112.50 per sq ft in Q3, with incentives remaining stable between 21-24 months' rent free on a typical 10 year term.
There were over 170 deals in the West End in Q3, with an average deal size of nearly 6,000 sq ft. 73% of transactions completed were below 5,000 sq ft, making it the most significant component of the market and mirroring the fact that c. 40% of the market is comprised of sub-5,000 sq ft floor plates. The majority (49%) of occupier activity was located in the north of the West End, particularly, Marylebone, Fitzrovia and Soho, as the supply remains under pressure in other submarkets.
It's not all about TMT
The financial sector overtook the TMT sector during the course of the third quarter, increasing its share of take-up from 19% in Q2 to 38% in Q3, with the TMT sector accounting for just 10%. Two significant deals from the finance sector made up over half of all financial take-up during the quarter; Nationwide Building Society acquired the remaining floors totaling circa 89,000 sq ft at The Post Building, WC1, and Bridgepoint Capital Group completed their deal at Marble Arch Place, 5 Marble Arch, W1, acquiring 78,000 sq ft.
The TMT sector remains the most active over the last 12 months, with take-up from this sector totalling nearly 1 million sq ft. It is worth mentioning that it's not just tech businesses that remain active, but we are recording strong demand from a range of businesses. The flexible office cohort accounted for 17% of take-up in Q3, up from 9% in Q2.
Above average active demand
Despite the weaker levels of occupier activity during 2019, the level of office space requirements remained stable quarter-on-quarter, totalling 2.2 million sq ft, currently 8% ahead of the long term average. The TMT sector is now the most active in our demand profile, accounting for 34%, followed by finance (31%) and corporates (25%).
There are currently 15 active requirements over 50,000 sq ft that are focussed on the West End. Occupiers who are looking for sizeable units, especially for new and refurbished options, appear to be launching their search well in advance of their lease events to secure to right option and are not necessarily bound by a specific geography, or postcode, but are instead happy to consider options across London.
Half of 12 month pipeline committed
Availability in the West End increased by 3% from 4.5 million sq ft in Q2 to 4.6 million sq ft, however supply levels are still 16% below the long-term average. These conditions have translated into a vacancy rate of 5.3%, compared to a long-term average of 6.1%. The supply of new and refurbished office space fell below the 1 million sq ft mark at the beginning of the year for the first time since Q4 2011 and has continued to decline since, now standing at 814,000 sq ft, 45% below the long-term average. The shortage of options on the market is clearly exacerbating take-up levels, but also the reduction in options is driving West End occupiers to consider other locations in London.
Looking forward at the development pipeline, there is nearly 5.7 million sq ft under construction in the West End, 62% of which is already committed. Furthermore, 50% of the 1.5 million sq ft under construction and due for completion the next 12 months is already committed.
This leaves just 745,000 sq ft of speculative stock, which equates to just over five months of supply, assuming average levels of new and refurbished take-up.
Investment slowdown continues
Investment turnover in Q3 totalled £618 million, down 29% on Q2 and 55% below the long-term average. There were 12 transactions during the quarter, the largest of which was the sale of 23 Savile Row, purchased by a UK investor for £277 million.
Whilst many traditional West End buyers continue to cite political uncertainty as a concern, the biggest cause of reduced turnover is a lack of stock, particularly in the all-important middle-market. Demand is strongest in the sub £100 million range, but this segment of the market has a very limited number of options being openly marketed.
Markets in Review : Docklands & Stratford
Leasing activity remains strong
The headline figures (above) are arguably misleading. Despite a decrease on Q2, for the second consecutive quarter the Docklands and Stratford market saw an above average level of office take-up. Just over 382,000 sq ft of space was let, which is 19% above the long-term average.
The key deal of the quarter was WeWork acquiring of a sublease from the EMA totalling circa 283,000 sq ft at 30 Churchill Place, E14.
In Stratford, Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs signed a pre-let at 14 Westfield Avenue, E20, totalling 58,500 sq ft on a 25 year lease.
So far this year, we have seen just under 1.1 million sq ft of take-up, on par with the same period last year. There is a further 203,000 sq ft under offer in the Docklands and Stratford market. Should this all complete by the end of the year, take-up will have exceeded the long-term average by 36%.
Finance or flexible offices?
Unsurprisingly, it was the flexible office sector that was the most active during the quarter, accounting for 74% of total takeup, followed by the public sector (19%).
However, it is still the financial sector that has acquired the majority of stock over the last 12 months, totaling 373,000 sq ft, which equates to 35% of all space let.
Strong active requirements
Looking at active requirements in this market during Q3, levels of demand are still well above average at 764,000 sq ft. Furthermore, we are tracking a number of occupiers currently located in other submarkets across London who are actively considering the Docklands and Stratford as part of their wider search.
Availability set to fall
Supply in Docklands and Stratford totalled 2.4 million sq ft, increasing 12% on Q2 and 51% above the long-term average. We believe supply has now peaked and levels are likely to fall over the next 12 months as occupier seeking Grade A stock at competitive rents consider this market for their next move.
There is a total of 777,000 sq ft of new and refurbished stock available, with just five 100,000 sq ft+ options in the Docklands.
These include the Import & Export Buildings (R1 & R2) Republic, E14, Altitude, Royal Albert Dock, E16, 15 Westferry Circus, E14, Here East, E15, and 40 Bank Street, E14.
In Stratford itself, supply remains limited, with just over 226,000 sq ft available on the market. The current vacancy rate is 11.3% for the whole Docklands market, with Canary Wharf at 9.2%.
A tightening development pipeline
Despite the seemingly high vacancyrates when compared to othersubmarkets in London, futuresupply remains tight. Looking at thedevelopment pipeline, there is closeto 905,000 sq ft of office space underconstruction due to complete bythe end of 2023.
However, approximately 16% of this is already either pre-let, or under offer.
There is just over 552,000 sq ft due to complete next year, all of which is currently untenanted. This includes 20 Water Street in Wood Wharf, totaling 211,000 sq ft and Cargo, 25 North Colonnade, E14 (341,000 sq ft).
Mixed rental profile
The prime headline rent remainedstable across the Docklands market:£49.50 per sq ft in Canary Wharf,Stratford at £44 per sq ft and theRest of Docklands at £32.50 per sq ft.
Lack of investment stock continue
There were no investment transactions during the third quarter of the year. The supply of investment stock is extremely limited, with just two assets available in Canary Wharf, one of which is already under offer.
A lack of transactional evidence has meant that we have left our prime yield for the Docklands unchanged in Q3 at 4.75%.
Demand Weakens
Take-up in Southbank totalled almost 47,000 sq ft during Q3, significantly lower than the level recorded in Q2. After a relatively strong number of lease deals in Q2, take-up levels in Q3 were the lowest we have recorded since Q4 2009, and well below the long-term average of circa 214,000 sq ft. So far this year take-up has totalled 284,000 sq ft, significantly behind the 888,000 sq ft recorded in 2018.
There were no deals over 10,000 sq ft in Q3. The largest deal was at The Shard, where retailer, Jellyfish, acquired just under 9,000 sq ft, achieving the highest rent of the year in SE1. The professional sector has been the most active sector during the year so far, accounting for 36% of take-up, followed by the flexible office sector (23%) and the TMT sector (14%).
Severe lack of new and refurbished stock
Availability in Southbank increased 11% quarter-on-quarter from 428,000 sq ft in Q2 to 475,000 sq ft in Q3, however, supply levels remain significantly below the long-term average of just over 1 million sq ft. Of the total amount of offices available to let on the market, new and refurbished supply totals less than 30,000 sq ft and there are no units over 100,000 sq ft. The current vacancy rate now stands at 2.5%; the lowest in London.
Future supply heavily restricted
Over the last 12 months, there has been no development completions. The most recent was the completion of One and Two Southbank Place, both of which are already committed. Looking forward at the development pipeline, there is just one scheme currently under construction speculatively in Southbank; Bankside Yards totaling 220,000 sq ft which is due to complete in Q4 2021. The prime rent remained steady at £70 per sq ft during Q3, primarily due to a lack of transactions in this market.
Investment turnover impacted by lack of options
There were five investment transactions during the third quarter in Southbank, with a total turnover of £108 million, 28% below the £150 million recorded in Q2. The largest transaction was the sale of Blackfriars Crown Court, purchased by Fabrix Capital for just over £65 million.
West End rents set to reach £125 per sq ft by 2023
While prime headline office rents in the City Core and Docklands Core held steady in Q3, rental rates in the West End continued to rise, with prime rents now standing at £112.50 per sq ft. This puts rents in the West End within touching distance of the pre Brexit referendum peak of £115 per sq ft.
Despite the ongoing Brexit talks, we are still seeing many occupiers pressing ahead with expansion or relocation plans. This is of course against a backdrop of a supply starved environment and an office development pipeline that continues to be raided, which is why we are forecasting continued rent rises over the next five years.
Our forecasts indicate that prime headline office rents in the West End Core will end 2019 at £115 per sq ft, up 9.5% on 2018. We then expect rents to grow by an average of 2.1% per annum between 2020 and 2023, delivering total growth of 19% by the end of 2023. By this stage, rents are predicted to stand at £125 per sq ft.
Soho (£104 per sq ft), Fitzrovia (£102 per sq ft) and Marylebone (£104 per sq ft) are all also expected to join the £100 per sq ft rent club by 2023 as strong rental growth in the West End Core ripples outward.
Limited supply pipeline to underpin growth forecasts
Looking at the current development pipeline projections, the West End has a speculative pipeline of 2.1 million sq ft, due to complete by the end of 2022. The long term average annual take-up rate in the West End is a little over 4.9 million sq ft, suggesting there is just over five months of supply remaining, all other things being equal. However it is worth pointing out that the biggest segment of the West End market, c. 40%, falls in the sub 5,000 sq ft floor plate bracket, which is where vacancy rates (c.10%) are almost double those of London (5.7%).
Still, while this projected five-year growth rate of 19% appears strong, it equates to an average annual increase of just £2.50 per sq ft.
Southbank projected to see highest rate of rental growth
Beyond the West End Core, submarkets such as Southbank and the City Core remain relatively good value when compared to the West End. This, combined with a higher number of larger floor plate options (in the City market), plus a limited amount of speculative construction means our rental growth projections suggest these two locations will experience higher rates of growth over the next five years.
In fact, Southbank and the City Core are projected to experience office rent rises of 21.4% and 21.5%, respectively; the strongest rates in London. Like the West End, the availability of stock in the City Core (6.1 million sq ft) is at the second lowest level this year and at level not seen in four years. It is also currently 29% below the long term average, with 40% of space under construction already committed.
For a market like Southbank, vacancy rates for prime space are currently sitting at 2.5% and with limited development planned between now and 2023, rents are expected to come under upward pressure, with vacancy rates expected to ease further. Southbank's strategic location across from the City and the proximity of one of London's main commuter rail stations – Waterloo – makes it a highly desirable location and also arguably Central London's last main regeneration opportunities.
It is however a relatively small submarket, with just 19 million sq ft of prime office space, or about 8% of total stock in London. The tone of this submarket could easily be altered by a few large schemes.
That said, limited development, or indeed redevelopment opportunities are likely to negate the threat of this, at least in the medium term.
Market Outlook Q3 2019
COVID-19 and Its Impact on Real Estate Markets
Residential Market Outlook – Week Beginning 27 April 2020
Residential Market Outlook
London house prices:property market strongest since before the Brexit vote as experts warn of volatility from coronavirus and stamp duty ahead
London Residential Review Q1 2020
Super Prime Market Insight 2018
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text:
Jeffery Haynes, ed. Routledge Handbook of Religion and Politics. Second edition. London ; New York: Routledge, 2016, 396 pages.
[1] This is the second edition of Rutledge's excellent Handbook on Politics and Religion by Jeffery Haynes. Haynes is Director of Research at London Metropolitan University in the U.K. The first volume was published after the events of September 11, 2011, looking at the implications of "religious terrorism" and "extremism." Haynes asked some of the original contributors to update their previous contributions. What results is a very current and insightful picture of religious political engagement around the world.
[2] Hayne's writes, "Today, religion's social and political significance and influence is universal." (p. xv) There still is enthusiasm particularly in North America and Europe for dialogue and collaboration among various faith groups. This is a hopeful development. However, it is easy to be somewhat idealistic and captive to the theological discussion in the world of multifaith relationships. This volume provides helpful analysis about the internal dynamics and tensions shaping religious political engagement. It also offers a helpful glimpse of the issues in the background that can influence their interfaith conversations. It could serve as a useful tool for greater multifaith political engagement with public institutions and leaders.
[3] Haynes organizes the contributions around four general themes; "World religion and politics," "Religion and governance," "Religion and international relations," and "Religion, security, and development." Haynes makes it clear that the "starting point" for the analysis by many of the contributors is "that globalisation both highlights and boosts religious pluralism; while also encouraging intra-faith and inter-religious hostility and conflict." (p. xxii) Hayne's objective is that understanding these dynamics might help enable more collaboration in the pursuit of peace. As globalization seems to be called into question in Europe and Northern America, such an analysis might also help to diagnose globalization's failings and shortcomings. Nevertheless, such an assertion also requires some nuance about the places where this is not the case and where faith groups have taken the initiative for peace.
[4] I offer a brief overview with apologies since is hard to really do justice to the well-articulated arguments of each of the contributors. In the "World religion and politics" section some very noteworthy scholars offer a fascinating tour through some of the particular beliefs, of Buddhism, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Shia, and Sunni Islam and Judaism. These all offer some surprising insights such as Peter Friedlander's assessment of the tension between "engaged" Buddhism's "peace activism" versus a more "anti-Muslim Buddhist nationalism." (p.13). Paul Freston's helpful survey of Protestantism is useful in understanding the rising role of "evangelicals" and the challenge reconciling its' "institutional plurality" in a way to have a political impact. (p.32) The chapters on Sunni Islam, Shiism and Judaism are particularly prescient in the light of events in the Middle East. Often the media reports of the events but these three chapters are helpful in understanding the deeper currents the moving beyond view.
[5] Part II addresses "Religion and Governance." Luca Ozzano's helpful overview of "religious fundamentalism" notes that fundamentalism "is not 'simply' a religious phenomenon: on the contrary, it is linked to politics and to the search for control and hegemony over society." Such fundamentalism will "usually select, reinterpret, and sometimes rewrite their own religious traditions" to accomplish their goals (p.150). David Herbert provides an interesting analysis of the relationship between religion and civil society. There has been some debate as to whether religious organizations are part of or separate from "civil society." Herbert illustrates some of the "distrust" as well as "potential for new forms of political mobilization and confrontation." (p. 227) Jocelyne Cesari's article offers a useful perspective, particularly in the light of efforts in some jurisdictions to develop laws and charters securing secularism (e.g. Quebec's Charter of Values debate) and banning particular religious lifestyle practices (e.g. Burqini). For her, "Securitization and secularization sheds light on the rise of values centred liberalism which pitches itself against the recognition of religious and cultural diversity" mainly as it relates to Muslims. (p. 242.)
[6] In the "Religion and international relations" section, Luca Mavelli and Erin K. Wilson introduced the idea of "postsecularism" in their contribution that does not just recognize the "return of religion" to public life but its transformational implications for a new paradigm. Jonathan Fox and Nukhet A Sandal look at how to integrate religion into international relations. Christian realism has made an important contribution to ethics. Fox and Sandal revisit classical realism and how religion has been one of the "blind spots" for theories international relations. Nukhet in a subsequent chapter offers an explanation for this, "The Westphalian system has been primarily secular, so religion has not attracted much attention." (p.292) David Wessels in "Religions in a Globalizing World," makes the point that the "intersection of religion and politics in a globalizing world is the core of much human activity and a key to understanding global dynamics." (p.314)
[7] In the final and shortest section, "Religion, security and development," Kristin Aune and Line Nyhagen in their contribution, "Religion, Politics, and Gender" point out that "Gender is at the heart of religion and politics" yet at the same time marginalized. (p.335) They make the important feminist point that "politics is not simply about states, governance, and the electorate, but also about communities, civil society groups, families and intimate aspects of individuals' 'lived citizenship.'"(p. 335) Jeffery Haynes looks at "Faith-Based Organizations and Development" (FBOs) Martin Juergensmeyer discusses "Religious terrorism in global politics" and Paul Ilo explores "The rise of religious peacebuilding."
[8] Jeffrey Haynes has pulled together a remarkable group of scholars to introduce the reader to the how religious communities actually have been involved in the political life of their parts of the world. It is a very rich and fulsome treatment of a crucial area of statecraft and massive body experience. To tackle, any one of these areas could involve volumes. I applaud their accomplishment. It is a highly informative and useful primer for anyone interested or working in multifaith relations or public policy. Likewise, it provides cautionary tales for those who "don't know what they don't know," to paraphrase former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
[9] In the light of my overall favorable view, I think one has to read this volume recognizing some of the limitations. First, I was intrigued but not surprised that a 2016 second edition was needed so soon after the first from 2009. Ironically the third edition may be needed even sooner after the events of 2016. Trumpism, Brexit and the growing resistance to globalization in the Global North will have an impact on the analysis. Globalization in the Global South has always received more critical popular reviews. The authours do identify many of the seeds of these changes. Nevertheless, no longer can we assume globalization as an inevitable, desirable or even the same in various parts of the world. This doesn't detract from what is included in this volume. It may in fact be even more relevant to determining the role of faith-based communities and organizations. But it does qualify some of the observations by the authours.
[10] Second, the focus of this Handbook is to "religion" not necessarily theology. There are references to the systems of beliefs and ethics that are useful. However, religion as a field seeks to describe the reality from a particular perspective whereas theology asks what does this mean and theological ethics asks what should we do? Readers will be disappointed if they are looking for a theological treatment here. This volume does provide important insights that can inform theology and theological ethics.
[11] Third, the authours do a commendable job in grounding their work in the various contexts they address. This is not an easy task. However, having worked in multifaith and social justice faith-based organizations, this academic treatment misses some an "activist" perspective. I am not suggesting that scholars have to be activists, but there is a limitation to their work. I attended a conference on religion and peacemaking not long ago. There was a lovely panel of excellent scholars. They had interesting presentations about what faith groups could do but they failed to mention what churches and faith groups had actually been doing for some time.
[12] This volume has the same limitation. Churches in particular established some of the earliest non-governmental organizations and social service agencies. Churches have been well known for their work with refugees. Churches were the earliest critics and have challenged globalization policies effectively for thirty years. The Churches' Jubilee Campaign for example, made international debt a priority issue for the G-8, according to former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin. I could offer more examples. Brian Stewart, former Canadian Broadcast Corporation's Senior Correspondent and now a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Foreign Affairs in Toronto, has said that as one of the first to arrive in some very conflicted places to cover a story, he often found the churches were already there before anyone else. I think the same might be also true for other faith traditions as well. One should read this volume recognizing there is more to this story.
[13] Haynes has made a very important contribution to the question of faith in public life. This has been a "blind spot" and probably remains so for many people today particularly in the academy, public life, business and the media. José Casanova pointed out in 1994 "Religion in the 1980s 'went public' in a dual sense. It entered the 'public sphere' and gained, thereby, 'publicity." (Public Religions in the Modern World, 3). Many in the "chattering class" in the Global North missed or chose to overlook the role of faith and religious communities in public life and international affairs. Haynes offers a useful way back to exploring both the positive as well as the concerns for the impact of faith in public life.
David Pfrimmer is Professor of Applied Christian Ethics and Co-Director of the Centre for Public Ethics at Warello Lutheran Seminary/Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontorio, Canada.
© Februrary 2017
Volume 16, Issue10


text:
438 F. 2d 1270 - Gold Star Meat Company v. Union Pacific Railroad Company
438 F2d 1270 Gold Star Meat Company v. Union Pacific Railroad Company
438 F.2d 1270
GOLD STAR MEAT COMPANY, Plaintiff,
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY, Defendant.
No. 186-70.
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit.
February 8, 1971.
Rehearing Denied April 13, 1971.
Clayton D. Knowles, Denver, Colo. (J. H. Anderson and H. F. Coray, Omaha, Neb., on the brief) for appellant.
Robert Leland Johnson, Denver, Colo., for appellee.
Before HILL, SETH and HOLLOWAY, Circuit Judges.
HILL, Circuit Judge.
Appellant, Union Pacific Railroad appeals from a $3,169.35 judgment rendered against it by the trial court sitting without a jury. In sum, the trial court held that appellant negligently carried out its duties as a common carrier and in doing so caused appellee Gold Star to suffer the loss of its contract to supply a certain shipment of meat to a buyer in Memphis, Tennessee. Jurisdiction of this action is founded upon 28 U.S.C. § 1337.
The facts are largely without dispute. Appellee Gold Star, located in Denver, Colorado, is a supplier of prime cuts of meat. In early March, 1968, appellee contracted with John Morrell & Company of Memphis, Tennessee, to supply the latter with a quantity of beef on Monday, March 11, 1968. Having previously contracted out and shipped meat to John Morrell & Company under similar circumstances, appellee's sales manager believed that if the meat was shipped by appellant's train on Friday, March 8, 1968, it would arrive Monday morning, March 11, 1968. The sales manager testified that it is his custom to verify shipping schedules before contracting to supply meat to distant buyers, and he further testified that the receiving clerk at the railroad's loading ramp assured him that if the shipment of meat was received by 6:00 p. m. Friday, it would be loaded onto a fast train that day and would arrive in Memphis the following Monday morning. It developed, however, that in order to make the fast train on Friday the shipment had to arrive at appellant's loading ramp by 4:00 p. m.
Without dispute, appellee did not deliver the meat shipment to appellant's ramp until 4:45 p. m. Friday, March 8. When Gold Star delivered the meat to appellant's ramp, it was accompanied by the usual bill of lading made up by appellee. On the bill of lading was the notation, "Arrive Monday 3/11 Ship Friday 3/8." Appellant's employee in charge of the loading ramp observed this notation and knew that the shipment had arrived too late to get on Friday's eastbound fast train. Resultingly, he also knew that the shipment would not arrive the following Monday morning as appellee intended. Despite this knowledge, no effort was made to advise appellee that it was impossible to meet the desired schedule noted on the bill of lading.
Subsequently, the meat was shipped out on the next available train, which did not leave Denver until the following day, March 9, at 12:30 p. m. The shipment arrived in Memphis on Tuesday, March 12 and it was refused by John Morrell & Company. Appellee then attempted to find a new market for the beef, and eventually it was sold in Chicago at a loss. By this action, appellee seeks damages for the loss plus the cost of freighting the meat to the eventual purchaser.
The case was tried on theories of negligence and appellant's failure to deliver the meat within a reasonable time. The trial judge made findings and conclusions and entered judgment for Gold Star on the basis that appellant Union Pacific failed in its duties as a common carrier. Specifically, the trial court determined that the railroad knew of Gold Star's desired shipping schedule, knew when it received the shipment that the schedule could not be met, and thereby had a duty to advise Gold Star that the shipping schedule could not be met, but failed to so advise Gold Star. Appellant Union Pacific takes this appeal contending that there is no such obligation on the part of the railroad as found by the trial court.
As a starting point, we note that jurisdiction arises from 28 U.S.C. § 1337 which, in short, grants the district court jurisdiction of civil actions arising under an Act of Congress regulating commerce. The pertinent Act of Congress regulating commerce is 49 U.S.C. § 20(11) which is known as the Carmack Amendment. In substance this statute sets out the liability and responsibilities of railroads operating in interstate commerce: "Any common carrier, railroad, or transportation company subject to the provisions of this chapter receiving property for transportation * * * shall issue a receipt or bill of lading therefor, and shall be liable to the lawful holder thereof for any loss, damage, or injury to such property caused by it * * *." Clearly the liability imposed on interstate common carriers is exceedingly broad, and the question before this court is whether within this broad area of a common carrier's liability there lies appellant's liability for the loss suffered by appellee.1 It is plainly seen that though the Carmack Amendment stakes out the liability of a common carrier, it does not explicate the duties of a common carrier which, if breached, result in liability for proximately caused losses. In this respect, the Supreme Court has held in a long history of cases that the liability imposed by this statute "[p]lainly implies a liability for some default in its common-law duty as a common carrier."2 More fully stated, the Supreme Court has established, "The statutory liability * * * is not beyond the liability imposed by the common law, as that body of law applicable to carriers has been interpreted by this court, as well as many courts of the states."3 In summary, it can be fairly said, "Thus, whatever substantive or primary rights may flow from the statute, they are not new, but are determined by reference to common law doctrines."4 Our attention thus turns to what common law duties are visited upon common carriers.
At common law, carriers are obligated to transport goods with reasonable diligence and to make delivery of goods within a reasonable time.5 Commensurate with that obligation is the right of action by a shipper for delay,6 although delays due to occurrences which could not have been reasonably anticipated are excusable. Following from this, there is said to be a collateral common law duty: "Where goods are tendered to a carrier for transportation, it is bound to advise the shipper as to any cause likely to delay transportation, which cause is within its knowledge, or within its fair and reasonable means of knowledge, and not within the knowledge of the shipper * * *."7
We cannot but agree that such a duty exists for in Atchison, T. & S. F. Ry. Co. v. Jarboe Livestock Comm. Co., 159 F.2d 527 (10th Cir. 1947), this Circuit recognized the applicability of just such a common law duty. The facts in Jarboe admittedly are not on all fours with the facts in the present case, but the two cases coincide in two crucial respects. In both there was a delay in shipment not caused by the carrier's negligence, and in both the carrier had knowledge of the delay but failed to so inform the shipper who was placing goods on the train. Against this background, the court in Jarboe approved the trial court's judgment against the carrier resting on the proposition "[t]hat no matter how meritorious the excuses offered for delay in transportation, the duty nevertheless rested upon the carrier to inform the shipper of the known delay, and that the breach of that common law duty was not lessened by the plea of a `busy railroad.'"8
We approve the trial court's legal conclusion that on the facts heretofore set out appellant Union Pacific defaulted on its duty to advise Gold Star of the impending delay, and consequently Union Pacific is liable for the resulting loss.
Lastly, appellant Union Pacific argues that the trial court held it liable for special damages despite the fact that the railroad had no knowledge that such special damage might be incurred. This contention is without merit. The measure of damages in delay cases is actual damages, and the market value rule has been adopted as a proper method to ascertain the actual damages.9 The burden of proof is on the carrier to show that the market value rule will not result in a just measure of actual damages, and the common carrier has failed to carry this burden.
The record is replete with evidence showing the difference in the market value of the goods on the date and in the condition they were contracted to arrive at their destination and the market value after the delayed arrival. The trial judge properly utilized this measure of damages in rendering judgment.
In passing, we note that by the Carmack Amendment, Congress intended to take exclusive possession of the subject and thereby superseded all state policies and regulations concerning the liability of interstate common carriers. Hence, a common carrier's liability is governed solely by federal law, and that is all we need look to. Adams Exp. Co. v. Croninger, 226 U.S. 491, 33 S.Ct. 148, 57 L.Ed. 314 (1913)
Adams Exp. Co. v. Croninger, 226 U.S. 491 at 507, 33 S.Ct. 148 at 152 (1913)
Id. at 511, 33 S.Ct. at 154.
J & H Flyer Inc. v. Pennsylvania Railroad Company, 316 F.2d 203 at 205 (2nd Cir. 1963)
Chicago & A. R. Co. v. Kirby, 225 U.S. 155, 32 S.Ct. 648, 56 L.Ed. 1033 (1912)
New York P. & N. R. Co. v. Peninsula Produce Exch., 240 U.S. 34, 36 S.Ct. 230, 60 L.Ed. 511 (1916)
13 C.J.S. Carriers § 199, p. 403 (1939);see 13 Am.Jur.2d Carriers § 371 (1964).
Atchison, T. & S. F. Ry. Co. v. Jarboe Livestock Comm. Co., 159 F.2d 527 at 529 (10th Cir. 1947);see Mich. Cent. R. Co. v. Min. Springs Mfg. Co., 16 Wall. 318, 21 L.Ed. 297 (1873). See also Little Rock Packing Co. v. Chicago, B. & Q. R. Co., 116 F.Supp. 213 (W.D.Mo.1953).
Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. v. Atchison, T. & S. F. Ry. Co., 333 F.2d 705 (7th Cir. 1964);see Am.Jur.2d Carriers § 377 (1964).


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At this time we've completed over 1000 professional painting projects in and around the Louisville and Southern Indiana. We would like to include any or all of your up coming commercial or residential painting projects to our bidding schedule. We think that you will find our services to be delivered promptly, and reflect a high degree of skill in the way we operate our painting business. Estimates are free so call today, and we would be glad to discuss any upcoming project you may have.
We are a professional company and do both residential and commercial painting for our customers. Some of the benefits to having us do your project are.


T-posts are as common on the prairies as ticks on a dog. These brackets, named for noted Canadian shooter D. Schneider, work perfectly with your t-post as a simple and reliable way to hang a target.
Now available in 'Single Hole' or 'Two Hole' versions. The two-hole model works with holes spaced 4" apart, like our gongs up to 12" diameter. We will custom-make a target for you to get the hole spacing you want; just call or email. Schneiders are designed for 1/2" bolts, but will work OK with smaller bolts.
You need only one bracket per target, but we sell them as a pair. Bolt or chain your steel target to the bracket, slip the bracket over the T-post, and set the height as desired.
Price includes TWO Hangers. T-posts sold separately at home improvement and ag-supply stores.


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Our Servıces
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Blockchain Goes To Work At Walmart, Amazon, JPMorgan, Cargill and 46 Other Enterprises
On the Jersey side of the Hudson River just across from Manhattan's Financial District, there is a glass-and-steel office tower designed in a severe International Style aesthetic. "DTCC" is emblazoned across the top, but few outside of Wall Street realize that in this building, occupied by the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., are records for most of the world's securities, representing some $48 trillion in assets from stocks and bonds to mutual funds and derivatives. In the 1970s, Wall Street created a DTCC predecessor to replace a system that had been powered by young men running around the cavernous alleys of lower Manhattan delivering stock certificates from brokerage house to brokerage house.
DTCC still has paper certificates in its vaults, but records related to the 90 million daily transactions it handles are kept electronically on its servers and backed up in various locations. Thousands of financial institutions and exchanges in 130 countries rely on DTCC for custody, clearing, settlement and other clerical services. In a few months DTCC will begin the largest live implementation of blockchain, the distributed database technology made popular by the bitcoin cryptocurrency. Records for about 50,000 accounts in DTCC's Trade Information Warehouse, where information on $10 trillion worth of credit derivatives is stored, will move to a customized digital ledger called AxCore.
According to Rob Palatnick, DTCC's chief technology architect, the warehouse already keeps an electronic "golden record" of events such as maturity dates, payment calculations and other activities needed to clear and settle these securities daily. But each participant in a complicated credit derivatives transaction also keeps its own records, which must in turn be reconciled multiple times before the investment matures. By moving those records to the blockchain, visible to all participants in real time, most of those redundancies won't be necessary.
"We're not talking about eliminating humans and firms," Palatnick says. "We're talking about getting rid of layers of databases and translations between those databases." On the other side of the world, in Taipei, Taiwan, Foxconn, the electronics giant best known as a manufacturer of iPhones, launched a Shanghai startup called Chained Finance with a Chinese peer-to-peer lender. Chained will soon connect Foxconn and its many small suppliers (and their suppliers' suppliers) on an Ethereum-based blockchain that will use its own token and smart contracts (read: automatically executed) to make payments and provide financing in near real time, eliminating a daisy chain of paperwork. "We view blockchain as the skeleton of our work," says Jack Lee, the founder of Foxconn's venture capital arm, which has invested $40 million in six blockchain startups. "Smart contracts that automatically execute transactions are the muscles, and tokens are the blood."
Welcome to the brave new world of enterprise blockchain, where corporations are embracing the technology underlying cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and using it to speed up business processes, increase transparency and potentially save billions of dollars. At its core, blockchain is simply a distributed database, with an identical copy stored on many computers. That facilitates transactions (financial or otherwise) between individuals (or companies) that don't know or trust each other. It's virtually impossible to cheat, since every transaction is recorded in many places and the details of those transactions are visible to everyone. Companies are already using blockchain to track fresh-caught tuna from fishing hooks in the South Pacific to grocery shelves, to speed up insurance claims and to manage medical records. Total corporate and government spending on blockchain should hit $2.9 billion in 2019, an increase of 89% over the previous year, and reach $12.4 billion by 2022, according to the International Data Corp. When PwC surveyed 600 "blockchain-savvy" execs last year, 84% said their companies are involved with blockchain.
To chronicle the rise of so called "enterprise" blockchain, Forbes created their first annual Blockchain 50 list of big companies that are putting the technology to work in meaningful ways. While blockchain's first application, cryptocurrency, is struggling to achieve mainstream adoption, these companies are committing manpower and capital to build the future on top of shared databases.The version of a blockchain future these companies are building is, for the most part, far different from what the founders and early adopters of blockchain had envisioned. While many cryptocurrency idealists fantasize about a global, public network of individuals connected directly and democratically, without middlemen, these companies many of which are middlemen themselves like DTCC are building private networks they will use to profit from centralized management. Not surprisingly, financial firms from Allianz to Visa and JPMorgan Chase dominate the list. But Blockchain 50 companies run the gamut of industries, including energy firm BP, retailer Walmart and media company Comcast.
Because of the lingering bad taste left by bitcoin drug bazaars like Silk Road and the 2017 digital currency bubble, most companies emphasize the distinction between crypto and blockchain, shunning the former and embracing the latter. In some ways the members of the Blockchain 50 represent a bridge between the old and new worlds. Just as internal computer networks were adopted by companies long before the internet took off, these firms are starting by adopting distributed ledger technology at a small scale.
In 2009, when Satoshi Nakamoto, bitcoin's pseudonymous creator, activated his network, its blockchain was the underlying accounting system that let anyone with bitcoin transfer money without the need of a middleman. Transactions are processed in blocks just a fancy word for a hunk of data about every ten minutes, each containing a compressed version of the previous block, linking them together into a chain. Instead of relying on a bank or another middleman to keep track of when a bitcoin leaves one location and arrives at another, the thousands of computers on the bitcoin network do the work and in exchange for their efforts are paid in bitcoin.
For most companies this presented a potential problem. While identities aren't required to use the bitcoin blockchain, the transactions themselves are tied to addresses that are publicly available, meaning that with a bit of work many of these addresses can be tied to actual people or companies. Thus enterprises like Coca-Cola and JPMorgan Chase, accustomed to maintaining competitive advantages based on proprietary processes and control, were initially skeptical of cryptocurrency. Businesses also need some control over their data. "The entire corporate world has been fashioned around who has responsibility over a particular part of the business flow," says David Treat, the global head of Accenture's Financial Services Blockchain practice. "There can be no gaps, because that is unacceptable for a multibillion-dollar company. You cannot have a gap, or you are subject to huge security breaches and social contract breaches."
Perhaps no firm has had a greater influence on the growing corporate use of blockchain technology than Digital Asset Holdings, a New York-based startup that hired the former JPMorgan Chase banker Blythe Masters as its CEO in early 2015. Under Masters, Digital Asset began making acquisitions and almost immediately purchased a small company that was in the process of building an "invitation only," or permissioned, blockchain. Then in late 2015 Digital Asset donated the code for its "open ledger" project to the Linux Foundation, which supports commercial open-source software projects, including the Linux operating system.The project was called Hyperledger, and thanks in part to Masters' connections, its backers read like a who's who of finance and technology. Thirty companies are listed as founders, including ABN AMRO, Accenture, Cisco, CME Group, IBM, Intel, JPMorgan Chase, NEC, State Street, VMware and Wells Fargo. Hyperledger immediately established itself as the gold standard for corporate blockchain projects.
What happened next might be considered the Big Bang moment of enterprise blockchain. In early 2016, IBM donated 44,000 lines of code to the project, which formed the core of a new blockchain with faster speeds and increased privacy. No fewer than half of the members of the Forbes Blockchain 50 are now using that blockchain, known as Hyperledger Fabric. "We've been very focused on making sure that not only is the blockchain technology standard but that the documents and data are standard," says Marie Wieck, IBM Blockchain's general manager. "This standardization allows companies to not spend their time comparing differences and validity in the documents."Shortly after the launch of Hyperledger, which is a nonprofit venture, a New York fintech called R3 raised $107 million from the likes of ING, Barclays and UBS to create a for-profit enterprise blockchain platform called Corda Enterprise. As the commercial potential of co-opting blockchain technology became more apparent, many cryptocurrency startups began to rethink their models.
For example, San Francisco's Ripple, originally called OpenCoin and conceived of as yet another alternative monetary system, expanded its focus in late 2015 from the cryptocurrency (called ripple and trading as XRP) to building software for large banks. A bitcoin startup called Counterparty spawned another company, Symbiont, in March 2015, which coded a proprietary blockchain that's now being used by Vanguard for sharing stock index data. In February 2017, ConsenSys, a Brooklyn-based collection of crypto companies controlled by one of Ethereum's founders, helped launch the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance.
In insurance, for example, MetLife's mobile app Vitana bundles insurance with a test for gestational diabetes that uses a blockchain to record data and verify and pay claims. In recent testing in Singapore, where one in five expectant mothers develops gestational diabetes, a practitioner simply enters a positive test result into a patient's electronic medical record and in a matter of seconds MetLife's smart contract deposits an insurance payment into that patient's bank account to cover the medical expenses associated with the condition. No paperwork or claim filing necessary. Similarly, Germany's Allianz, working with EY, tested moving certain captive insurance claims processes often involving many emails, attachments and phone calls across multiple times zones to a private blockchain. The time required to process a claim fell from weeks to hours.
The French bank BNP Paribas, which has lent money to commodities traders since the 19th century, is considering using a ledger platform called Voltron to process letters of credit for traders. Northern Trust has begun administering private equity funds using Hyperledger Fabric. In the perpetually fraught food business, which regularly endures disasters ranging from E. coli outbreaks to a worker being cooked alive, companies like Nestlé and Bumble Bee Foods are turning to blockchain to secure their supply chains and reduce paperwork. Golden State Foods, a big McDonald's supplier that makes more than 400,000 hamburgers per hour, tracks the location and temperature of its patties with devices like radio-frequency ID tags and Hyperledger Fabric. The system can immediately alert GSF to conditions that might lead to spoilage. At the same time, it can optimize inventory levels by tracking how much meat is in a truck or in a restaurant's freezer, in real time.
At this year's SXSW conference in Austin, Texas, Bumble Bee unveiled an SAP-built supply-chain blockchain offering complete transparency to its customers. Soon you will no longer have to take Bumble Bee's word for it when its assures you that the 12-ounce package of yellowfin tuna you just bought was caught by individual fishermen in the South Pacific and not by a factory ship. The fishing crews, tuna processors and packers are now entering their own data in real time on Bumble Bee's distributed ledger. By summer, Bumble Bee will be sharing that information with retailers and customers who take the time to check. From a public relations standpoint alone, Bumble Bee's SAP blockchain is likely to bear dividends. In 2017 Greenpeace ranked Bumble Bee 17th out of 20 tuna brands for its sustainability practices, accusing it of "greenwashing" a host of bad behaviors with environmentally friendly marketing.
In the healthcare business, an estimated 20 cents of every dollar some $700 billion a year is wasted because of inefficiencies. Ciox, a little-known company based in Alpharetta, Georgia, that manages medical-records exchanges for 60% of the hospitals in the U.S., is considering developing a private blockchain that health-care providers could use for a fee paid to Ciox to exchange data. Blockchain 50 enterprises like Ciox and the media giant Comcast, which is toying with using blockchain to micro-target television advertisements, plan to use the privacy features of blockchain to profit from their customers' data while protecting their identities. Despite the surge in corporations working on blockchain projects, the technology is still new, and relatively few have generated significant revenues or savings.
The one group that is getting rich from the current enterprise blockchain gold rush: consultants. Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, EY and Tata Consultancy Services are deploying small armies to preach the virtues of blockchain to the C-suite and charging huge fees to help companies implement the technology. Deloitte, for example, has 1,400 full-time blockchain employees. India's Tata has 1,000 staffers, 600 of them full-time, in its blockchain unit. Tech firms, including Oracle, SAP and Amazon, are also staking out their turf. Part technology firm, part consultant, IBM may be the biggest and most successful enterprise blockchain company of all. Besides helping create Hyperledger Fabric, the company has 1,500 staffers mostly engineers devoted to the new technology and reports that its IBM Blockchain powers 500 client projects.
IBM Food Trust, for example, counts Walmart, Kroger, Nestlé and Carrefour, the French grocer, among its 50-plus members. IBM is also behind TrustChain, a consortium of companies in the supply chain for diamonds and jewelry, including Rio Tinto Diamonds, Asahi Refining and Helzberg Diamonds. Health Utility Network, another Big Blue group, counts three of the five largest U.S. health insurers Aetna, Cigna and Anthem as members.
"The power of any blockchain network is in its participants and its members," says IBM's Wieck. It matters little whether those members are crypto-idealists or global corporations.
#blockchain #data #healthcare #ethereum #smartcontracts #cryptocurrency #emergingtech
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text:
Cardinals Take Opener of Doubleheader Split at Findlay
Saginaw Valley (24-11, 10-7) 3 1 0 0 0 1 2 7 10 2
Findlay (26-15, 12-7) 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 5 3 5
Saginaw Valley (24-12, 10-8) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Sam Willman tossed a gem in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader at Findlay...
2B: Shelby Weeks
3B: none
FINDLAY, Ohio - The SVSU softball team wrapped up its weekend with a GLIAC doubleheader at the University of Findlay on Sunday afternoon. The Cardinals split on the day, posting a 7-5 victory in the opener before losing a 1-0 contest in the second game in what was the definition of a pitchers' duel.
Saginaw Valley sprinted out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Shelby Weeks scored on an error by the Oilers and Evy Lobdell ripped a two-RBI single to plate Meredith Rousse and Madison Burgess for the other runs.
In the top of the second inning, Weeks brought-in Aubree Mouthaan with an RBI double to push the lead to 4-0.
Findlay scored in the bottom of the second and added another pair in the fifth inning to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Kennedi Thomas scored Mouthaan with a squeeze play in the visitor half of the sixth to make the score 5-3.
The Cardinals pushed the lead to 7-3 after another pair of runs in the seventh, scoring when Weeks crossed the plate once more and a Rousse RBI single that drove-in Burgess.
The Oilers scored twice in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough to over take the Cardinals, who won game one by a final score of 7-5.
Inside the Boxscore
Weeks went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in the victory. She had a double for the team's only extra-base hit of the game.
Lobdell had two hits and a pair of RBIs while Rousse added two base knocks with a run and an RBI.
The Cardinals had 10 hits total in the game, marking the 12th time they have reached double-digits in that category for the 2016 campaign.
Sarah Appold (7-5) got the victory for SVSU after pitching 4.0 innings in total in start and relief. She allowed three runs on a single hit. She posted two strikeouts and walked seven.
Annie Hansen tossed 2.1 innings, allowing two runs on one hit, walking three and striking out one.
Samantha Willman took over in the last inning, allowing no runs on one hit in 0.2 innings.
Game Two
The second game of the day featured fantastic pitching performances from both sides, as SVSU's Willman got the start and tossed a complete game one-hitter. Findlay's Chelsea McManaway was just a not to be outdone, however, as she posted a perfect game in the win, striking-out 18 of 21 batters she faced.
The Oilers' only run came in the top of the fourth inning, when Findlay took advantage of a walk and error and would eventually score on a fielder's choice for the game's only run.
Samantha Willman pitched all seven innings for Saginaw Valley. She allowed only one run on one hit, striking out five and walking four.
McManaway had the 18 strikeouts for Findlay in the perfect game.
Saginaw Valley returns home for a Tuesday (Apr. 19) non-conference doubleheader against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers. The twinbill is set for 1:00 p.m. at the SVSU Softball Complex.
@SVSU_Softball | #svsusball
--- www.svsucardinals.com ---


text:
'use strict';

const jsonHandler = require('./jsonHandler'),
  plainHandler = require('./plainHandler'),
  csvHandler = require('./csvHandler'),
  luftdatenHandler = require('./luftdatenHandler'),
  hackairHandler = require('./hackairHandler'),
  { bytesHandler, bytesTimestampHandler } = require('./bytesHandler'),
  validators = require('./validators');

module.exports = {
  'json': jsonHandler,
  'application/json': jsonHandler,
  'application/json; charset=utf-8': jsonHandler,
  'debug_plain': plainHandler,
  'csv': csvHandler,
  'text/csv': csvHandler,
  'luftdaten': luftdatenHandler,
  'hackair': hackairHandler,
  'application/sbx-bytes': bytesHandler,
  'application/sbx-bytes-ts': bytesTimestampHandler,
  'sbx-bytes': bytesHandler,
  'sbx-bytes-ts': bytesTimestampHandler,
  validators
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Dansk Flatware is always crafted of the finest, most durable 18/10 Stainless Steel. The beautiful designs and stunning shine of Lenox Flatware is sure to turn heads at any dinner table. The ultimate in classic styling, Foxcroft will feel equally at home with your modern or traditional dinnerware. Crafted in 18/10 stainless steel to provide a lustrous, long-lasting appearance. Dishwasher safe.


John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor; their correspondence [i.e. friendship] and subsequent marriage, by F. A. Hayek.
Hayek, Friedrich A. von 1899-1992, Mill, Harriet Hardy Taylor 1807-1858.
Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1951.
320 p. illus. 22 cm.


text:
Publisher's Notes | The Realities Of Negotiations: The Not-So-Easy Road To Peace
By Jess Dureza on November 25, 2020
TODAY, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is a reality. Congress passed a law that provides that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) its transition mechanism will end in 2022. I strongly support the on-going clamor for its extension to 2025.
(I wrote this article on October 13, 2014, while Congress was still working on a law that would entrench the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.)
AS NEGOTIATOR — My previous work as "negotiator" was varied. I spent almost HALF of my lifetime doing it where I somewhat SUCCEEDED. And let me also tell you later about my LIFE-LONG "negotiations" that I always FAILED.
RECALLING — I dealt with hostage-takers at the Davao Penal Colony where all eight hostage-takers were "neutralized" (killed) and the stand-off resolved; I helped in the surrender of prison escapee "Bucay" Manero; the peaceful surrender of high-value suspect Datu Unsay Ampatuan in the Maguindanao Massacre; the surrender of armed rebel commanders in Lanao; the pacification of desperate and hungry farmers at Sultan Kudarat during the EL NINO in 1998; the handling of angry and grieving families of plane crash victims in Cagayan de Oro; the release of Army general Obillo and his junior officer Ed Montealto by NPA Kumander Parago in Davao after a trip to the Netherlands and meeting with Joma Sison; the safe return of Marine General Ben Dolorfino and OPAPP Usec. Mon Santos from the hands of MNLF Commander Habier Malik in Sulu who figured in the Zamboanga siege; handled the return of MNLF's Nur Misuari back to the country from Malaysia where he was arrested after a failed uprising in Sulu. Then during the time of President Duterte, I was able to negotiate with terrorists, the ASG, in Sulu on different occasions the safe return of Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, 8-year-old Rexon Romoc, Marites Flor, two PNP ladies, five Indonesians and a few others.
Those were the days when almost half of my lifetime was devoted to "negotiations."
"NEGO"WITH REBELS — But here's an indisputable fact: negotiating with rebels in peace talks and getting agreements done is something else. They are more complex to handle given that there are principled positions and grievances, mostly generational, that have to be addressed. I had the privilege (and agony ) of being part of the peace negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF while I was Davao Congressman as House representative in the government panel during the Ramos administration; and as chief negotiator with the MILF while I dealt with implementation issues with the MNLF while serving as the presidential adviser during the Arroyo administration overseeing the whole peace process, not to mention Cordillera's CPLA and other so-called "breakaway" groups. And yes, as peace adviser of President Duterte.
No doubt, dealing with armed rebels who have waged a rebellion against the government to seek peace is totally a different story from those cases which are purely criminal like hostaging or bringing in of suspects back to the folds of the law.
Peace negotiations are not only about pacification and law enforcement. This "genre" (or special class) has deep political dimensions that must be carefully navigated and adroitly handled. Let me share with you some insights.
BEYOND GOVT — First, rebels by taking up arms and rising up against the government, impugn, reject and even challenge the legal order. They consider themselves as outside the "ambit of our laws" as they do not operate under the Philippine legal framework. In fact, they rise up in arms against it. Hence they claim that they are beyond the reach of the laws and the government. So people should not take it against them or be surprised if they refuse, during negotiations and in signed agreements to make reference to the Constitution or the laws of the land. To do so is to impose on them prematurely what they reject. To do otherwise is, to them, early capitulation and a betrayal of what rebels fought for in the first place.
AS EQUALS — In my negotiations across the table, the principle of "parity" or of equal status between negotiating parties is assumed. Of course, the government does not concede this but being on a high moral ground than rebels, it temporarily "suspends disbelief" and allows the rebels to negotiate under those parameters. So one party, in principle, cannot admit being subsumed or of lower status than the other. For instance, as a result of this, signed agreements with the MILF or the MNLF for that matter, make direct reference to and use as framework international protocols or mutually agreed references and the Philippine Constitution is obviously not one of them. This is a strategic and calibrated move to eventually bring peace.
CALIBRATION PROCESS — But the signing of the FINAL Peace Agreement and the IMPLEMENTATION phase signal a strategic shift in this calibration process. At this point, the primacy of the basic law of the land is a "GIVEN" simply because implementing the terms of any peace agreement must be done within the context and confines of the internal laws and under the coercive force of the government. Even the MILF recognizes this as a reality and will have to submit to this unequivocally as the peace process mutates and takes its inevitable course under the good offices of the government. I refer to this as a "calibration process" that everyone must understand. This is something that Congress must first understand as they now scrutinize the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Absent this insight, we may unnecessarily dwell and focus and find fault and at every turn quibble on every word or phrase or provision — or look for what is not there — in the agreement and its annexes, looking at them through the conventional prism of constitutionality and legality. Just to illustrate: the "annexes" of the agreement were signed in the course of negotiations and BEFORE the final peace agreement and they were done so during the "calibration" stage. And there are NO references to the Philippine Constitution that we all consider a "must". So it is important that the contemporaneous stage at which those vital agreements were signed and sealed had to be seen in this light. Congress and the public must understand all this in this light. I need not explain more.
INCREMENTAL —Thus, I cringed and squirmed in great discomfort when I heard one congressman insisting that the BBL must contain a commitment from the MILF that it would not at all go back to the hills again and rebel again. Peace agreements, although the ultimate repository of what was mutually agreed upon, are not "self-executing." They are merely pieces of paper, although sacrosanct, that will raise expectations among expectant stakeholders. They have to be implemented in time — –on a long-term basis. The process is incremental. We need not say here but it is obvious that failing in keeping true to the government commitments will drive them back, maybe not all, to fight government again and continue their struggle. No amount of cautionary words in the BBL foreclosing their right to rebel again will remedy this. What is key is implementing the terms of the peace agreement, which is not only to show sincerity but more importantly, we improve forthwith the lives of our own disadvantaged Filipinos who felt that they were excluded from the mainstream.
DISARMAMENT — I had reason to also feel discomfort reading the blaring media headlines, courtesy of OPAPP statements (where I previously served) bannering disarmament or decommissioning protocols well ahead of progress in the congressional work on the BBL. I find this imprudent, although the purpose may be to make the public feel good that the armed rebels will eventually get rid of their firearms. I heard already audible grumblings on the ground from some MILF elements on this. Let us not forget that the MILF agreed to this but only on a phased basis, depending on the implementation outcomes. It can happen only when there is significant progress in agreement implementation and when a" firearms-less" enabling environment is at hand, which requires disarming of warlords, politicians and other criminal elements. Absent this development on the ground, do you think the MILF will voluntarily disarm? Think again!
MILF PARTICIPATION– I was even surprised to see the MILF, through Panel Chair Mohaqher Iqbal once gamely participating in the congressional hearings. Although this is a positive development for government, I thought the MILF would have been better off leaving the government panel to defend and advocate for the CAB. To be subjected to the rigors and discomfort of congressional scrutiny is something the MILF will definitely not relish organizationally, given that they have not forsaken their bottom-line positions while the final form of the BBL is still unclear. In my humble view, that canalizes MILF's remaining options. However, on a positive note, it can be interpreted to mean that MILF will eventually accept and submit to whatever final decision Congress will arrive at — which augers well for peace in the land. But will it? That we still have to see!
MY FAILED NEGOTIATIONS — And yes, before I forget, I said at the outset that I would also disclose my LIFETIME negotiations where I always FAILED. And for sure this is true for all husbands like me.
I have to publicly confess here and now the never-ending and most inscrutable and difficult of all: "negotiations" with our dear wives on matters that are conjugal in nature. This is one area where all husbands (including myself) may not claim much success! Otherwise, there will no sustainable peace, not in the land, but in our households!
(All husbands must say in chorus: " amen, amen to that". Or "yes, yes I agree!"! Whatever or however you say it, pls. just don't deny it! Ok?)
End of my public confession — on my never-ending travails — for peace!!
Published in OPINION
ROUGH CUTS | We're paying for our forebears' omissions
Jess Dureza
More from OPINIONMore posts in OPINION »


[snippet ...] Glasgow grew from a small rural settlement on the River Clyde to become the largest seaport in Britain. In other sports, Glasgow is also well known for the football rivalry of the Old Firm between Celtic and Rangers. Although the Glasgow Corporation had been a pioneer in the municipal socialist movement from the late 19th century, since the Representation of the People Act 1918, Glasgow increasingly supported Left-wing ideas and politics at a national level.
[snippet ...] Individuals will have indicated, as per the general inclination of the Law Society, that they have and will keep up an abnormal state of information, abilities, experience and practice in the zone of family law. In spite of the fact that hereditary testing is the most dependable standard, more seasoned techniques likewise exist, including ABO blood gathering writing, investigation of different proteins and chemicals, or utilizing human leukocyte antigen antigens. Rather, a tyke may be permitted to dwell or have contact with a guardian.