text:
package consulo.util.io;

import consulo.annotation.DeprecationInfo;
import consulo.util.lang.Pair;
import consulo.util.lang.StringUtil;

import javax.annotation.Nonnull;
import javax.annotation.Nullable;
import java.io.*;
import java.net.MalformedURLException;
import java.net.URISyntaxException;
import java.net.URL;
import java.util.zip.ZipEntry;
import java.util.zip.ZipFile;

/**
 * @author VISTALL
 * @since 2020-10-22
 */
public class URLUtil {
  public static final String SCHEME_SEPARATOR = "://";
  public static final String FILE_PROTOCOL = "file";
  public static final String FILE_PROTOCOL_PREFIX = FILE_PROTOCOL + URLUtil.SCHEME_SEPARATOR;
  public static final String HTTP_PROTOCOL = "http";
  @Deprecated
  public static final String JAR_PROTOCOL = "jar";
  public static final String ARCHIVE_SEPARATOR = "!/";
  @Deprecated
  @DeprecationInfo(value = "Use #ARCHIVE_SEPARATOR")
  public static final String JAR_SEPARATOR = ARCHIVE_SEPARATOR;

  /**
   * Opens a url stream. The semantics is the sames as {@link URL#openStream()}. The
   * separate method is needed, since jar URLs open jars via JarFactory and thus keep them
   * mapped into memory.
   */
  @Nonnull
  public static InputStream openStream(@Nonnull URL url) throws IOException {
    String protocol = url.getProtocol();
    return protocol.equals(JAR_PROTOCOL) ? openJarStream(url) : url.openStream();
  }

  /**
   * Splits .jar URL along a separator and strips "jar" and "file" prefixes if any.
   * Returns a pair of path to a .jar file and entry name inside a .jar, or null if the URL does not contain a separator.
   *

   * E.g. "jar:file:///path/to/jar.jar!/resource.xml" is converted into ["/path/to/jar.jar", "resource.xml"].
   *

   * Please note that the first part is platform-dependent - see UrlUtilTest.testJarUrlSplitter() for examples.
   */
  @Nullable
  public static Pair<String, String> splitJarUrl(@Nonnull String url) {
    int pivot = url.indexOf(JAR_SEPARATOR);
    if (pivot < 0) return null;

    String resourcePath = url.substring(pivot + 2);
    String jarPath = url.substring(0, pivot);

    if (StringUtil.startsWithConcatenation(jarPath, JAR_PROTOCOL, ":")) {
      jarPath = jarPath.substring(JAR_PROTOCOL.length() + 1);
    }

    if (jarPath.startsWith(FILE_PROTOCOL)) {
      try {
        jarPath = urlToFile(new URL(jarPath)).getPath().replace('\\', '/');
      }
      catch (Exception e) {
        jarPath = jarPath.substring(FILE_PROTOCOL.length());
        if (jarPath.startsWith(SCHEME_SEPARATOR)) {
          jarPath = jarPath.substring(SCHEME_SEPARATOR.length());
        }
        else if (StringUtil.startsWithChar(jarPath, ':')) {
          jarPath = jarPath.substring(1);
        }
      }
    }

    return Pair.create(jarPath, resourcePath);
  }

  @Nonnull
  public static File urlToFile(@Nonnull URL url) {
    try {
      return new File(url.toURI().getSchemeSpecificPart());
    }
    catch (URISyntaxException e) {
      throw new IllegalArgumentException("URL='" + url.toString() + "'", e);
    }
  }

  @Nonnull
  private static InputStream openJarStream(@Nonnull URL url) throws IOException {
    Pair<String, String> paths = splitJarUrl(url.getFile());
    if (paths == null) {
      throw new MalformedURLException(url.getFile());
    }

    @SuppressWarnings("IOResourceOpenedButNotSafelyClosed") final ZipFile zipFile = new ZipFile(paths.first);
    ZipEntry zipEntry = zipFile.getEntry(paths.second);
    if (zipEntry == null) {
      zipFile.close();
      throw new FileNotFoundException("Entry " + paths.second + " not found in " + paths.first);
    }

    return new FilterInputStream(zipFile.getInputStream(zipEntry)) {
      @Override
      public void close() throws IOException {
        super.close();
        zipFile.close();
      }
    };
  }

  @Nonnull
  public static InputStream openResourceStream(@Nonnull URL url) throws IOException {
    try {
      return openStream(url);
    }
    catch (FileNotFoundException ex) {
      String protocol = url.getProtocol();
      String file = null;
      if (protocol.equals(FILE_PROTOCOL)) {
        file = url.getFile();
      }
      else if (protocol.equals(JAR_PROTOCOL)) {
        int pos = url.getFile().indexOf("!");
        if (pos >= 0) {
          file = url.getFile().substring(pos + 1);
        }
      }
      if (file != null && file.startsWith("/")) {
        InputStream resourceStream = URLUtil.class.getResourceAsStream(file);
        if (resourceStream != null) return resourceStream;
      }
      throw ex;
    }
  }
}


text:
Car Reviews one year ago - 2 min read
The Kia e-Niro: a car worthy of its own red carpet
Popstars win Brits, actors win Oscars and now the Kia e-Niro is picking up awards at a rate worthy of the red carpet.
This year has seen the model named WhatCar? 'Car of the Year', Driving Electric's 'Car of the Year', Auto Express's 'Affordable Electric Car of the Year', 'Best Electric Car' at the UK Business Car Awards and it also picked up Carwow's 'Eco Award'. Impressive to say the least.
So, what exactly makes the South Korean brand's offering worthy of all these prizes? We take a closer look at how this all-electric SUV is lighting up the industry.
More smiles to the electric gallon
The first thing for Kia to write home about is the miles you're able to cover on a single charge. On the combined cycle you'll get 282 miles – enough to get you from Leeds to Edinburgh – and on the urban cycle that figure increases to a substantial 382 miles.
The car is equipped with a high-capacity 64kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, which is paired with a 201bhp (105kw) motor that produces 395Nm of torque. This allows the e-Niro to accelerate from 0-60mph in just 7.5 seconds. Decent.
The e-Niro can be recharged to 80% in just under an hour using a 100kW charger, and with a 50kW charger, the battery can get to 80% in just over an hour.
Top features for a top car
The award-winning SUV offers drivers a range of Kia's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, an almost must-have in today's world as motorists look for extra safety in a range of driving conditions.
Regenerative braking technology allows the e-Niro to harvest kinetic energy and recharge the battery pack while coasting or braking, while the Eco Driving Assist System (Eco DAS) provides the driver with guidance on how to drive more efficiently.
The design of the centre console is one of the most interesting features, with the all-electric powertrain not requiring a traditional gear lever and gear linkage. The physical transmission has been replaced with a rotating drive selector, while the dashboard features bright blue trim around the air vents, echoing the trim highlights found on the outside.
The 8-inch touchscreen human-machine interface in the centre of the dashboard offers a series of mod-cons specific to the e-Niro. Perhaps most importantly it enables drivers to locate nearby charging points and monitor the level of charge and range.
Convenience features include rear parking sensors and a reversing camera system, electric windows all round, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and an engine start/stop button with a Smart Entry System.
Only one variant of the car has arrived on British shores so far – the 'First Edition' model that the manufacturer hopes will satisfy everyone. With the car already sold out until 2020, it's either a case of everyone is happy or some are left disappointed because they can't get their hands on one.
With an exterior design that features halogen headlights with Bi-Function projection, front fog lights, LED daytime running lights and LED rear combination clusters, an upmarket appearance is achieved.
Other equipment includes rain-sensing windscreen wipers, automatic headlight control, electrically adjustable, automatic air conditioning and heated and folding door mirrors.
A big hit for Kia
The e-Niro is so far a big hit for Kia – it's stylish, feels poised yet powerful and is picking up awards that help the car almost sell itself. The only downside right now is that you will need to wait until 2020 to get your hands on one.
Find out when the e-Niro becomes available at Lookers by clicking here
Take me back to the articles

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Ryle rolls over Dixie Heights for Ninth Region repeat
KHSAA 9th Region girls basketball championship, March 4, 2019 at NKU
Ryle rolls over Dixie Heights for Ninth Region repeat KHSAA 9th Region girls basketball championship, March 4, 2019 at NKU Check out this story on cincinnati.com: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/03/05/ryle-girls-basketball-heads-back-sweet-16/3061277002/
James Weber, Cincinnati Enquirer Published 12:05 a.m. ET March 5, 2019
Ryle senior Lauren Schwartz, 2019 9th Region final (Photo: James Weber/The Enquirer)
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – High school boys basketball players in Northern Kentucky have always talked about wanting to play on the floor at Rupp Arena since they were little.
Girls players are getting that chance this year for the first time, with the KHSAA Sweet 16 moving to the palatial home of the Kentucky Wildcats, which has hosted the boys Sweet 16 for the past 25 years and 35 of the past 40.
Ryle will be the first Northern Kentucky girls team to get that experience after winning the Ninth Region championship for the second straight year Monday night at BB&T Arena. Ryle defeated Dixie Heights 67-51.
"It's an unbelievable feeling," said Ryle senior Lauren Schwartz. "I can't wait. We'll prepare for that in the next week and a half and try to make a run at the state tournament."
Ryle (29-5) will face the First Region champion 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 at Rupp. Murray and Marshall County play for that berth Tuesday night. Dixie Heights, in the regional final for the first time since 1992, finished 22-11.
Ryle and Dixie battle for the loose ball, 2019 9th Region final. (Photo: James Weber/The Enquirer)
"It's great," said Ryle senior Juliet McGregor. "Back to back championships. You couldn't ask for much more out of your senior year. I'm very proud of my teammates."
Ryle won with a fast pace and a pressure defense. The Raiders led 13-2 midway through the first quarter, with five layups overall and a 3-pointer by Jaiden Douthit. McGregor had two of the baskets and Schwartz two, the last coming off of her own steal in transition.
Dixie came right back with a 10-0 run, anchored by threes from Sydney Lockard and Laci Reinhart. Grace Perry had seven points in the second quarter for Dixie, who stayed within range in the first half. Ryle scored the last four points to lead 33-25 at the break.
Ryle stormed out of the locker room to score the first 14 points and lead 47-25. Schwartz hit two quick baskets, one a 3-pointer. Sophomore Brie Crittendon scored two baskets. Junior Maddie Scherr had a putback.
Ryle and Dixie Heights battle for the loose ball in the 2019 9th Region final (Photo: James Weber/The Enquirer)
McGregor punctuated the run by stealing the ball at midcourt and using her track speed to beat everyone to the hoop.
Dixie kept fighting back with its shooting, hitting five 3-pointers in the second half and eight for the game, but got no closer than 13.
"We made some adjustments in the press that have really been a staple for us," said Ryle head coach Katie Haitz. "That's hard to do on a college floor, so for us to be successful with that makes all the difference in the world. We're a team that gets really amped up by our defense. They caused havoc, and that's what we needed."
"This game was a lot different than our last two games of the tournament," McGregor said. "We came out a lot harder. Our pressure was a lot more aggressive and that helped us and gave us a lot of momentum. It was a fun game.
Schwartz led Ryle with 20 points and had multiple steals and rebounds, including her 1,000th career rebound. She was tournament MVP and enters the Sweet 16 with over 2,000 career points.
"She was attacking the basket,' Haitz said. "She was that vocal leader out there. That was a huge team effort. She was creating that havoc. She wanted to go back to state and have an opportunity at it again. It's her last shot."
Dixie was in the final after upsetting Conner and Highlands during the tournament to avenge earlier losses to them.
"They're so tough to match up with once you get down to them," said Dixie head coach Joel Steczynski. "The athleticism of Scherr and Schwartz is really tough to match up with on the open floor. They played really well. They defended well and rebounded well. When they're doing those things and hitting their shots, they're a really good team that is extremely tough to beat. If they keep playing that way at state, they'll have a really good shot."
Dixie Heights senior Grace Perry walks off the court for the last time, 2019 9th Region final (Photo: James Weber/The Enquirer)
RYLE: Crittendon 3 6 12, McGregor 4 0 8, A. Johnson 3 2 8, Schwartz 8 3 20, Scherr 6 4 16, Douthit 1 0 3. Totals: 25 15 67.
DIXIE HEIGHTS: Reinhart 1 0 3, Pelfrey 1 0 3, Perry 6 2 17, Fields 1 0 3, Lockard 3 0 8, Lawson 5 3 13, McGinn 2 0 4. Totals: 19 5 51.
Halftime, R 33-25. 3-pointers: R 2 (Schwartz, Douthit), D 8 (Perry 3, Lockard 2, Reinhart, Pelfrey, Fields).
All-tournament: Ryle – Brie Crittendon, Maddie Scherr, Lauren Schwartz (MVP); Dixie Heights – Grace Perry, Sydney Lockard; Notre Dame – Lacey Bradshaw, Danielle Rennekamp; Highlands – Piper Macke, Zoie Barth; Newport Central Catholic – Annie Heck; Ludlow – Morgan Lantry; Conner – Courtney Hurst; Holy Cross – Grace Bezold.


text:
GIAF ANNOUNCE AUTUMN PROGRAMME
Art//Craic//Culture//Events//Festivals
Ado Lyons - Aug 04, 2020
Well this is just about the best news we've heard in months! Galway International Arts Festival is back with a spectacular Autumn schedule. Read all about it here...
GIAF's once-off autumn programme of events welcomes audiences to safely experience the spectacular visual arts exhibits, music, theatre and talks live in person
while facilitating those who may prefer to engage from home.
The programme will take place throughout September and October will include both live arts and an enhanced digital component giving audiences a choice as to how they wish to engage with it, in person (both indoors and outdoors) or at home digitally. The aim is that while moving forward and bringing live experiences back to the fore, no one is left behind, especially those who are unable to travel to Galway or are currently staying at home. GIAF is back and everybody's welcome!
Earlier this year the decision was made not to proceed with the July 2020 Galway International Arts Festival in the interests of public health but the Festival team were still committed to playing their part in the national recovery. Today John Crumlish and Paul Fahy announced details of an exciting programme of events entitled Galway International Arts Festival, Autumn Edition.
Acutely aware of public health concerns, the programme is designed to be presented within public health and Government guidelines, with all events allowing for limited attendance and social distancing. The centrepiece of the programme will be the world unveiling of a major new visual arts commission for Galway 2020, European Capital of Culture. Presented outdoors in Galway city and in Connemara, the unveiling of John Gerrard's Mirror Pavilion will be a dazzling moment on the Irish landscape.
John Crumlish, Chief Executive of GIAF, was determined to bring joy to people during this particularly difficult period. He said, "while this has been a very challenging time for everyone, we were determined to present a programme in Galway this year despite everything and we are set to do just that with our Autumn Edition. We wanted this to be a love letter from the arts to our audience during a very difficult period for people. We have had to radically rethink how we do things but one thing's for sure, we look forward to safely gathering again to celebrate great art with everyone - either in person or online – this Autumn."
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Mirror Pavilion by John Gerrard, using cutting edge digital technology, will be one of the largest outdoor installations ever to be seen in Ireland, as well as new work in the Festival Gallery from Hughie O'Donoghue and online from Sarah Hickson. The Festival gallery will also host American video art pioneer Bill Viola's Three Women.
Be among the first to see in person a new work by Enda Walsh at a work-in-progress stage, with Clare Barrett and Aoife Duffin which will also mark Domhnall Gleeson's return to the stage as well as a new ROOM, also written by Enda, to explore.
First Thought Talks: the big issues and challenges of 2020 are explored with speakers including Samantha Power, Professor Luke O'Neill, Marion McKeone, Colm Tóibín, Gaia Vince, Eamon Dunphy and Fintan O'Toole.
Experience through headphones, as you walk through the streets of Galway, Cascando by Samuel Beckett directed by Gavin Quinn, from Pan Pan.
Live performances to mark Beethoven 250 by ConTempo string quartet.
Check out the full programme, by clicking right HERE. Tickets go on sale at 1pm on August 10th.
Tagged: Arts, autumn, Culture, Festival, GIAF, GIAF 2020, Gigs, Music, Theatre
NEW GALWAY MUSIC: KIERAN O'BRIEN RELEASES ALBUM
NEWDAD KICK-OFF THE BLACK GATE SESSIONS TONIGHT!
NEW EXHIBIT OPENS IN FESTIVAL GALLERY
MAYOR TO LAUNCH KINETIC SCULPTURE ON GAOL RIVER
GALWAY SONG FIGHTS FOR CHRISTMAS NO. 1 SPOT
NEW DIGITAL THEATRE PROGRAMME FROM INTERACTION
MISLEÓR FESTIVAL CELEBRATES NOMADIC CULTURE
NEW MACNAS FILM REVEALS LEGENDARY HERO


Having bowed to pressure a few weeks ago to force councils to hold overnight election counts, it appears that Justice Secretary Jack Straw has had a rethink.
Nobody seems to have picked up on the fact that the new Government clause to prevent Friday counting was completely watered down at the Report stage this week.
If you look at the latest version of the Constiutional Reform and Governance Bill online (section 90) you will see that the clause that caused all that excitement recently has been removed.
'(1) Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as follows.
"(6) In making arrangements under this rule, the returning officer shall have regard to the duty imposed on him by rule 45(3A) below."
"(8) The Electoral Commission shall issue guidance to returning officers on the duty imposed by paragraph (3A) above."
(b) deliver it to the Electoral Commission.
(c) explain why the counting of the votes given on the ballot papers did not start within the period specified in rule 45(3A) above.
(3) Where a statement is delivered to the Electoral Commission under paragraph (1)(b) above, the Commission shall specify in any election report they produce that a statement has been delivered to them under that paragraph in respect of the constituency to which the statement relates.
Word hasn't got round the Returning Officer world about this yet, I understand, but when it does it would be reasonable to expect something like 60 to 80 to happily write the Electoral Commission a letter about their decision to count on Friday. They are not the most dissident set of people but you do get the impression that on this they are willing to die in the ditches.
The appalling thing is that no one - MPs, journalists and bloggers alike - seem to have noticed this sleight of hand by Jack Straw - or perhaps, more accurately, his civil servants. And we call this parliamentary scrutiny! Surely to God someone in the Commons should have been paying attention. It went through on the nod, with no debate and no vote.
I understand - although I haven't seen it - that a letter has been sent out by the AEA to Returning Officers explaining why Michael Wills, the Justice Minister, has agreed to the new amendment. Although surprisingly nothing appears on their public website.
It is not just the EROs who need certainty, it is the broadcasters. All the main broadcasters will have something like 100 outside broadcast vans in various leisure centres and school halls on the night and Friday if necessary. Many are being imported from overseas as British broadcasters don't have enough to go around.
The lack of certainty over who is counting when is causing huge logistical problems for Sky, ITV and the BBC. If there are significant numbers of counts on the Friday it makes the difference between planning a 14 hour broadcast and a 20 hour one, with all the resultant consequences of staffing levels, hotels etc.
At some point, decisions are going to have to be made.
Another classic example of Labour's sleight of hand. There ability to say one thing, mean another and then do something else is unparalelled. Following Gordon Brown's "disingenuous" (http://tinyurl.com/DidGordonBrownlie) display at the Chilcot Enquiry, nothing should surprise us, yet we hang on like an abused wife to the notion that they mean what they say.
Count the votes straightaway Jack. Every hours delay will damage the pound, skew the markets and hurt Britain.
And please God, let's hope the country rubs the sleep from its eyes and sees Labour and the Scottish mafia that is running Briiain for the charlatans theyare and send them scurrying back to Kircaldy.
I wouldn't worry too much about inconveniencing the media, Ian. I'd worry more about Labour being given another 24 hours to count their postal votes with no media being present.
Hmm, Straw did say at the time of the debate that he wanted to send a message to returning officers - and also that he was putting it in to send a message, he didn't say anything stronger. Not sure this is backtracking at all.
"Mr Straw said that Labour would hold a free vote and that Parliament should send election officers "a clear message" on this.
He admitted that the wording of the clause may not be perfect and require revising but he did not want to leave this until the report stage of the bill."
As I have pointed out before Iain, the answer to this is in Tory hands. In Norfolk all the overnight counts are being done by the non Tory run councils. All the Friday counts are being done by Tory councils.
Nich, for once, take off your party political blinkers. The decision lies in the sole hands of the Returning officer and is not open to political influence. A council leader does not have the power to step in to reverse it.
I would have thought an aspirant councillor would have known that.
How exact does this post decrying the laziness and incompetence of parliamentarians and their unwillingness to provide the most basic oversight square with yesterday's post about how those salt-of-the-earth hard-working MPs are soooo deserving of a bit more of my money?
Come on be fair, there are postal votes to be thought off, ballot boxes to appear or disappear. This all takes time to do properly.
All it does is allow the Labour Party to fine tune their success in Operation Glenrothes.
No doubt brown wants to hang on to power 12 hours longer and dodge the point where he concedes.
In any event the real story is Brown calling the chiefs of staff past and present a bunch of liars.
manipulate if you have an extra day to do it in.
Is it that no-one has noticed this or is it just that you are one of the few people who is actually bothered by it?
A vast number of other countries take time to count their votes properly, using fresh, alert staff rather then starting late at night and going on until the early hours. Amazingly, it doesn't result in bias, over stretched media or the fall of democracy.
It's also worth pointing out that by delaying the count until the next day in some of the more rural areas, it means that ballot boxes won't have to be transported by helicopter at great expense and that all the votes will be able to be counted at once rather then most of them being counted and the final result held up on the basis of a few boxes.
I suspect, and this may well be of interest to the Tories at the nest election, that staff will be much better prepared for recounting, being less tired at mid-day after a night's sleep then at 3AM.
Well, what did you expect Iain?, fairness, fairplay, honesty.
Good grief man this is Labour, this is pissed orff civil servants, people who don't give a damn. If we were colonial yankees we would thinking conspiracy.
More prosiac is that Labour don't give a toss, it keeps them in power for an extra day and will allow a deal to be struck with the power brokers within the Lib-Dems or some other minority party that will keep Gordo floating and a bunch of pretty nasty half-wits holding the levers of power.
Is there still time for a further amendment to this Act to make it decent and proper?
Is that a nervous state of total ecstasy.
Living in a paradise on a major global earthquake fault line.
Indeed, Iain, I'd be suspicious that the reason those specific Norfolk-based Returning Officers wish to defer their own Counts might be for dubious reasons.
Backtrack then slip it in later when we are not looking.
And Strawman rattles on about Rule of Law? His instinct, as with Harman, is to subvert it.when convenient.
If Hythlo-whatever was right, this would have been a problem since polling and counting began; but it isn't. The clue is there.
Especially with modern technology, it is now easier to do what has been done for decades (at least) without significant problems nationwide.
Of course, if that previous poster is trying to suggest that today's Count officials haven't what it takes to cope any more, well..
I think "slippery" is the defining word when one thinks of Jack Straw. Rarely was a man more suited to being a politician.
On the actual issue, isn't the problem postal votes? It would be good to hear what you think on this point. I've heard that the problem is that the government has not put in place the machinery or budget to expedite the growing problem of doing the required checks on postal votes on time. If so, it's a classic of non-joined-up government with one hand not having a clue what the other needs and also of requirements being placed on local authorities for which they are not funded, another NuLab favorite.
Why just why all of a sudden do we need to change countless decades of custom and practice?
On the subject of the election - Mr Smithson over at PB.com is speculating that there will not be a budget before the election - one obvious reason being that Brown and Darling cannot agree on its contents.
A bit of a change from when Brown was chancellor when he told nobody what was going on until they heard it in his speech.
Who is responsible for naming the budget day? I suppose the PM as chief Lord of the Treasury can veto Darling.
The government will have chosen their Returning Officers carefully enough. The informal networks such as Common Purpose will be in place to ensure the election result is the one required by the government.
Banana Republic? That would be a let-off from what is coming. This is dictatorship.
Gordon Brown is Britain's taste of history's evil, as the coming election will demonstrate.
The Pound won't be on a par to one Dollar, more like 10 cents.
Iain Dale will be in the tower and his entrails fed to the ravens, when he points out that the marginals were all counted the next day.
Next time they won't even pretend to rig an election. This one could be the last democratic act we ever see. Elections as theatre only from here on. People will be shattered by what is to happen next.
This is not a surprise, it is well known that Labour wish to have more time to ensure they do not lose marginal seats.
Expect in 2011-12 to see many court cases where Labour activisist and local party members are in courts with Voting and postal fraud charges against their name.
If the Conservative party were to state now that in their manifesto they will hold a judicial inquiry into the Iraq war and the death of Dr Kelly,with the result binding on whether to charge them with war crime offences at the hague or through our courts for willfully sending tropps into battle without proper funding then the party would win the election with a landslide.
Brown was very worrying yesterday, he talks like we have a world government in place, we do not, and we must fight to stop that happening.
Iain- I think you should write an open letter to the UN asking them to come in and monitor our election.
Perhaps we could have some of Obama's Black Panthers (thugs) assist us as they did him. NOT!
I see watching Glenn Beck that all charges against the Black Panthers movement have been dropped.
Does this not indicate that the GE will be held to coincide with local government elections - which, along with the postal vote issue, is surely what is behind returning officer concerns about managing overnight counts?
And please God, let's hope the country rubs the sleep from its eyes and sees Labour and the gay mafia that is running Briiain for the charlatans theyare.
Labour now see that the election could be stolen after all.
If those holding Friday counts are Labour marginals then we must assume the election has been fixed.
Brown is just trying to delay the day of his political execution.
Let him have another day.
But let the day he is finally driven out of Downing Street, be declared a National Holiday.
Perhaps it could be called "Freedom From Labour Day"
And please God, let's hope the country rubs the sleep from its eyes and sees Labour and the jewish mafia that is running Briiain for the charlatans theyare.
Its opperation rig the vote and stuff the ballot box, marginals suddenly turn out to have more votes in the boxes than voters in the area, postal votes mass produced and 'other votes' somehow lost.
The average ballot box holds the equivolent of the win lose margin for many constituencies, thats just one ballot box making the difference!
Does anyone think that cheating is beyond the political classes? A political class that has turned lying and cheating into an artform.
Overnight counts have nothing to do with cost savings and H&S b*ll*cks and everything to do with having ballot boxes sitting in a empty room away from prying eyes.
Socialism is built on lies peddled by liars, they lie and cheat because they believe the end justifies the means, they will do ANYTHING to further their cause, no trick is too dirty, no smear is too ugly, no crookery is too crooked for them, if they can steal the election you just know that they will try.
If the Tories had any sense they would man every ballot box store door untill the count begins.
All it takes to swap/stuff/rig a ballot box is a couple of minutes.
The longer they can get between the polling day and the count, the easyer it will be to alter or fix the election. We have already seen now it would work in Birmingham council elections.
The BNP have asked for their own seals to be placed on ballot boxes on close of poll (the parties are entitled to under the Ballott Act.
It might be impractical for every box in every marginal to be so sealed although we should try but we should demand that at 10.00 p.m. we see (and seal) the postal ballot boxes.
I am deeply concerned that there is another motive behind this.
The widespread use of postal voting on demand has already been shown to invite fraud, late counts could be another way of achieving the 'right' result.
They never did find all the paperwork in Glenrothes did they?
Blair invited international election monitors in to supervise the 2005 GE. Their recommendations were completely ignored.
(a) 134 of the Tories' top 200 targets have confirmed they are counting on the night.
(b) 10 of the Tories' top 200 targets will begin counting on the Friday if the election is on May 6th, but on the night otherwise.
(c) 19 of the Tories' top 200 targets will begin counting on the Friday.
(d) 24 of the Tories' top 200 targets have told the Electoral Commission they haven't decided yet.
(e) 13 of the Tories' top 200 targets have not responded to the Electoral Commission's request for information on this subject.
Having watched the debates on TV and noticed how carefully he chose his words during the debates I am not in the least bit surprised. The Labour Party are very good at giving the press a nice headline to placate the voters while pushing through legislation that is entirely different.
In parliamentary debates Jack Straw dissembles, stumbles and bumbles along whilst giving the appearance of being sincere. I honestly think the only thing he is sincere about is his desire to get re-elected.
Yes Iain, it's very important that the count happens as soon as the polls close.
But please stop getting your knickers in a twist about the broadcasters! The reason it's important is emphatically NOT so that the BBC, ITV and Sky can plan their flippin' schedules. It's important because the British people have the right to know who their Government is as soon as possible.
Going on about planning election night TV is just idiotic. No wonder people think us political types are weird.
I could have finished off my previous post with the phrase... Straw is a turd, but thought that may have been too harsh. Then I thought again. Actually Straw is a turd! He only has Labour and his own self interest in mind. If he had any class he would have taken Brown down, but self interest ruled the day. Coward!
All you conspiracy theorists (most of them pretty barking) have missed an obvious plot - that the "government" (who - civil servants? highly placed MI5 officers?) have decided that it would not be sensible to announce a hung parliament and then have the City take a resounding battering the following morning. This gives "them" an extra day to spin things and take control. They did this before remember, the weekend of the big bank failures.
Labour are good at this sort of stuff.
A pox on them and their union backers.
Sounds like they're counting on the night in Iraq.
If they can do it, I think we should be able to do it as well!
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What Are Paul Ryan's Conditions For Running For Speaker Of The House? If They're Met, He'll Throw His Hat In The Ring
By Hope Racine
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images
Shortly after meeting with House Republicans on Tuesday, Paul Ryan said he will run for Speaker of the House if certain conditions are met. Following Speaker John Boehner's decision to step down at the end of October, the House has been thrown into chaos as they struggle to find a suitable replacement. But amidst the division, Ryan has stood out as the most likely option.
Despite being initially reluctant to enter the race — at one point repeatedly maintaining that he would not run — Ryan finally settled on five requirements that must be met for him to considering running. And though all will require some compromise, the most difficult requirement for Ryan to attain is the most important one: that he will have full endorsement of the party. According to a statement released by Brendan Buck, Ryan's communication director, he won't run without it.
Ryan's other requests, though more achievable, are just as important to the young politician who once served as Mitt Romney's running mate. According to Ryan, he wants the Speaker to focus more on larger ideas and creating policy for the party. "Our next speaker has to be a visionary one," Ryan said.
Additionally, Ryan wants to enforce a stable work-life balance. During a press conference on Tuesday night where he outlined his conditions, Ryan reiterated his dedication to his family, voicing concerns that the position could pull him away from his children.
In keeping with his desire to be a unifying Speaker, Ryan stressed the importance of communal discussion when making changes to House rules. "They affect everyone, so everyone should have the opportunity for input," Ryan's statement read. But there is one change in particular that Ryan feels is crucial — to make the Speaker unimpeachable.
If successful, the sitting Speaker, regardless of who wins the election, would not face constant pressure from fear of losing the position. According to Ryan, a Speaker, "cannot be successful with this weapon pointed at them all the time."
This condition, paired with Ryan's desire for full backing, could force the organization and unity currently missing within the House. Constant pressure from the House Freedom Caucus — the organization that Ryan met with on Tuesday — was a part of Boehner's decision to step down. And worry over the ability to gather full support is what caused Kevin McCarthy, the house majority leader and assumed nominee, to back out of the race as well.
Despite friction between the various factions within the House, Ryan was elevated as a popular choice for Speaker because many believed he would be able to provide unity and stability to the party. And, although he hasn't even announced a decision to run yet, Ryan's already getting to work. Instead of winning the Speaker position and then working to quell in the infighting, Ryan is demanding that the representatives sort themselves out first.
And he's taking a big gamble on his conditions. If factions like the Freedom Caucus refuse to agree to change the impeachment rules or fully back Ryan, he'll be forced to either run anyway, or stick to his guns and refuse candidacy. If he refuses, that means drawing out the Speaker search even longer, and continuing to keep the House in chaos — something that voters may not be willing to forget come reelection season. He has effectively thrown the ball into the Freedom Caucus' court: if they don't pick it up, the blame will be on them.
According to Buck, Ryan hopes to have full support from the party by Friday, and a full decision is expected by then.


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The MEPA Board has approved the redevelopment of Gozo Heritage and adjacent property, situated on Triq-Mgarr and, Triq il-Qighan, Ghajnsielem, into residential units.
Gozo Heritage closed its doors for the last time at the end of May 2009, when former Gozo Heritage Director Brian Mizzi, who conceived the idea of the museum, said at the time that it had been losing money for the previous four years and they "stuck it out" for as long as they could, but were just not getting enough business.
He also acknowledged that Gozo Heritage could not compete with the rates offered by Heritage Malta to tour operators but said he accepted that the national heritage organisation needed to be competitive.
Mr Mizzi had pointed out that the number of day-trippers visiting Gozo with tour operators had gradually decreased, and companies organising the tours were reluctant to include paying attractions to optimise their own profits.
A former senior employee, who declined to give his name, at the time said he was "very hurt" by the closure, which led to the loss of 10 jobs. According to him, the museum never recovered from losing significant business due to the reconstruction of the Mgarr-Ghajnsielem road in 2006 and 2007.
Gozo Heritage officially opened in 1988 and was housed in a large house on the Mgarr road in Ghajnsielem. It consisted of a journey through a sequence of areas, each of which presented an aspect of Gozitan history from the past 7,000 years using faithfully reproduced reconstructions with atmospheric lighting and sound effects.
On the 23rd of December 2008 an outline development application was filed with MEPA by Mr Mizzi, for the redevelopment of Gozo Heritage and adjacent property into residential units. This was subsequently refused by MEPA due to the type of development around the old farmhouse and construction in the internal courtyard.


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Minecraft passes 4 million sales on Xbox Live Arcade
By Connor Sheridan published 1 October 12
Pretty Scary update planned for PC around Halloween
Minecraft is digging deep into Xbox Live's user base, as the Xbox Live Arcade version of the game surpassed 4 million sales since its May release. 4J Studios, the developer responsible for porting Mojang's PC survival simulation to XBLA, tweeted the milestone yesterday.
The game was reported in August to sell 17,000 copies per day on Xbox. Four million sales is an enviable achievement for any independent developer, but XBLA is only one of several platforms the game has found success on, including the most recent addition of Kindle Fire.
Platform diversity does not mean PC, Minecraft's original home, is being left in the dust. The Pretty Scary update is scheduled to go live around Halloween with new mobs, new blocks, and less bugs. Prepaid gift cards for the game are also now available at several U.S. retailers.
Not bad for what began as one Swede's placing-blocks-and-digging-holes simulator.
Connor Sheridan
I got a BA in journalism from Central Michigan University - though the best education I received there was from CM Life, its student-run newspaper. Long before that, I started pursuing my degree in video games by bugging my older brother to let me play Zelda on the Super Nintendo. I've previously been a news intern for GameSpot, a news writer for CVG, and now I'm a staff writer here at GamesRadar.
Razer DeathAdder V2 X review: 'great value for money with some sacrifices'


Ishqaa is a Punjabi Romantic thriller movie about a man who has multiple personality disorder. The director and the lead role of the movie, Nav Bajwa is the guy with multiple disorder issue. He gets even crazy when he gets to know that Payal (2nd lead) already has a boyfriend. This leads to Payal in huge trouble. Now, Payal's boyfriend who is a police officer is on a hunt of that guy. Click here for the details of Ishqaa Full Movie Download.
Qismat is a love drama Punjabi movie which is directed by the Jagdeep Sidhu and produced by the Ankit Vijan, Navdeep Narula and was released on 21 September 2018. Also, starring by Ammy Virk, Sargun Mehta, Guggu Gill, and Satwant Kaur is in the lead of the movie. Whereas, the showcase of the movie changed when Ammy Virk happened married to another girl in the movie. Click here to know where to watch Qismat Full Movie Online.
31 August 2018. Also, Starring by Gippy Grewal, Binnu Dhillon, Sapna Pabbi, and Jaswinder Bhalla are in the lead role of the movie. Moreover, the whole movie is a comedy and the movie revolves around the Gippy Grewal who wants to marry his dream lover. Click here to know where to watch Mar Gaye Oye Loko Full Movie Online.
Dulla Vaily is an action drama Punjabi movie about a corrupt landowner and how a man takes a stand to fight against him. Guggu Gill and Yograj Singh are the two main characters in this movie. Dulla a man from Punjab decides to fight against crime and the corrupt landowner. This movie actually talks about the bigger issue of education and how it affects every individual. Click here to know where to Watch Dulla Vaily Full Movie Online.
Do Dooni Panj is a comedy Punjabi movie, talking on the very serious topic and that is employment. This movie is about a Punjabi man holding a Ph.D. Degree. Even after several attempts, he does not get any job due to the recession. Now, he files a case against the education system of India so that he can get what he had paid for. Click here for the details of Do Dooni Panj Full Movie Download.
During the 90s Punjab was terrified by a gang called Kale Kachia Wale. Kaka Ji, on the other hand, is the movie talking about the gang Whereas the movie is directed by Mandeep Benipal. In the lead characters of this movie, we will see Dev Kharoud and Aarushi Sharma. Both characters have done a fabulous job. A love story about Kaka Jo and Deepi from two different villages. One day he gets trapped in a fight with the gang while trying to save Dipti. Click here for the details of Kaka Ji Full Movie Download.
Kake Da Viyah is a comedy Punjabi movie about a man stuck to fulfill the wish of 3 important movies in his life. This movie is directed by Rai Yuvraj Bains and in the lead, we have Jordan Sandhu and Prabjot Grewal. This is a journey of a boy who goes through a different situation to make his girlfriend, his mom, and his grandma happy. Click here for the details of Kaake Da Viyah Full Movie Download.
Kala Shah Kala Movie is a comedy Punjabi movie directed by Amarjit Singh, whereas in the lead role we have Binnu Dhillon and Sargun Mehta. The movie is about a dark complex man facing issue finding a girl for marriage. Finally, when he meets Sargun, he finds that there is a love triangle. Now it is his journey to show that love is far beyond color. Click here for the details of Kala Shah Kala Full Movie Download.
Disclaimer: After the release of the film we have seen almost all the films have been uploaded in illegal websites like Tamilrockers, Bolly4u, A2Movies, Bolly2Tolly, and Movie Rules which is against the law and called as piracy. So do not support piracy because it is harmful to movie industries and those working in the movie industries.


Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 | 6 p.m.
Four people were injured after a shooting in North Las Vegas this afternoon, police said.
North Las Vegas Police received a report about 4 p.m. of a shooting in the 2100 block of Englestad Street near Lake Mead Boulevard, Officer Aaron Patty said.
Two people suffered nonlife-threatening injuries, and the status of the other two people is unknown, he said.
All four were taken to nearby hospitals.
There is currently no suspect in custody, he said.
The 2100 block of Englestad is closed to traffic, Patty said.
Patty said it is unknown at this time whether the incident was gang related.


Methadone withdrawal will certainly be called for sooner or later, after methadone upkeep or a discomfort monitoring program using methadone has actually started. If your feeling shackled by having to go to a Belle Chasse LA clinic or a pharmacy everyday and also going through hell if you want to take a trip, there is an escape.
Methadone usage creates a numb sensation to living, considerable belly troubles and physical dependence that beats all others; that's the short list. All kinds of various other health problems that methadone usage created are exposed when starting methadone withdrawal. I'll give you some solution to assist today, and better options to take care of the issue to ending methadone dependence for life.
Addictions medical professionals and also pain administration clinics in Louisiana are busily recommending methadone for opiate misuse as well as chronic pain, however exactly what are the repercussions of methadone usage? I've detailed many below. If you've already tried Methadone withdrawal and also had troubles, I have actually obtained some help you wouldn't have actually located elsewhere.
Once it is time to start methadone withdrawal, many individuals are having BIG issues finishing their methadone use. How does one take out from methadone in Belle Chasse Louisiana? What difficulties will they have to overcome?
The truth is that many addictions physicians and also discomfort monitoring specialists in Belle Chasse are acting upon the recommendations from their peers and also experts. They are not told of the deaths due to recommended methadone use neither the troubles that in some cases take place when taking out from methadone use.
Vital: completely study medications or medications on your own before you purchase or take them. The effects could be gruesome. They also could have harmful interactive effects when taken with other medicines.
Numerous otherwise all of methadone effects are triggered by nutritional shortages. Methadone use develops dietary deficiency – specifically calcium and magnesium exhaustion. Another is B vitamin shortage. This is just how these deficiencies appear.
Methadone withdrawal will need a lot of additional dietary supplements. That indicates it's time to feed the body. Calcium as well as magnesium will certainly assist with the constraining and so on. However there will certainly be some difficulty several will have taking their nutrients – a negative digestive tract.
Methadone and also anxiousness medications tend to damage the digestive tract lining. A dripping gut provides pains when eating or allergies, vulnerable to health issues and also skin issues. One more symptom of a dripping digestive tract is impatience as well as a 'bad attitude'. The perspective could have physical reasons unspoken by the person.
A great pointer to assisting the intestine problem is consuming great deals of good quality yogurt with real-time probiotics in it, like acidophilus and also bifidus. One could additionally supplement with big amounts of glutathione – an antioxidant to assist the detoxification process.
The amount of nutrients called for throughout methadone withdrawal is undervalued so often that I tremble my head in marvel.
The issue with methadone is that it is toxic to the body. Your body recognizes it, however you could not. Taking methadone difficulties your body organs to detox the body and protect the essential organs before they are severely hurt.
Contaminants give the body a difficult time. If you've seen drug addict with dark circles under their eyes, gray skin, negative skin, hair falling out, reduced power, odd conditions, etc. they're obtained nutritional shortages. Those shortages are tough to recuperate from with food alone. Occasionally that food isn't being appropriately digested = bad digestive tract.
Cleansing the body is greater than merely quiting substance abuse. Substance abuse develops internal body damages you could not quickly identify. Nevertheless, the body will try to detox right after drug use and heal itself utilizing any type of nutrients offered. If the nutrients aren't offered, the body will borrow (swipe) them from the bones, nerve system or other crucial features.
Some will require medical detox from methadone – the problem is that most Belle Chasse methadone detox centers don't use nutritional supplements as part of their program. They just give more medications, and often not the right ones. The lack of full understanding on Methadone detox creates a brutal scene to withdraw from.
The bright side is that I've found the tools as well as the detoxification centers in LA that can defeat methadone withdrawal smoothly and easily.
Belle Chasse is a census-designated place (CDP) in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Belle Chasse is part of the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area. The population was 12,679 at the 2010 census.
There is little consensus regarding the origin of the name Belle Chasse. In French, belle chasse literally means "beautiful hunting." It is widely believed that it was so named due to the richness of wildlife which the initial French colonists observed when they settled in the region. Others say that Belle Chasse was named after a Colonel Joseph D. Bellechasse, who lived in New Orleans around the late 18th and early 19th century. Alternatively, it was named after the plantation of Deville de Goutin Bellechasse.
The Confederate statesman Judah P. Benjamin was the most famous owner of the Belle Chasse plantation. After falling into decay and abandonment by the 1930s, the landmark plantation house was demolished in 1960. The bell was salvaged and today is in front of the Belle Chasse Public Library.
The Naval Air Station was founded in 1920 on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, but in 1957 it relocated to its current location (Belle Chasse, Louisiana). It has been designated as a Joint Forces Reserve Air Station. It is home to various naval air units as well as an Air Force Reserve fighter squadron and a Marine Corps Reserve helicopter unit. In March 2009, U.S. Navy Reserve Airborne Early Warning Squadron 77 (VAW-77) relocated its six E-2C aircraft from NAS Atlanta, GA to Belle Chasse. The squadron routinely deploys to the Caribbean on counter-narcotic operations. The squadron aircrew are all U.S. Naval Reservists while the maintenance department for the aircraft is run by Northrop Grumman Field Services.


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Recent Insights » Home » Returning Study Results to Research Participants
Returning Study Results to Research Participants
David Forster, JD, MA, CIP | Chief Compliance Officer
Studies show that most clinical trial participants want to know what was learned from their involvement. A growing number of sponsors are implementing plans to deliver plain language summaries to trial participants.
Read this white paper, co-authored by the Center for Information and Study of Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) to learn about the current best practices for the content and preparation of plain language summaries, and the current guidance for how sponsors should work with Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) which have oversight of the clinical trials for which the summaries are provided.
Mr. Forster joined Western IRB (WIRB) in 1996 and is currently the Chief Compliance Officer for the WIRB-Copernicus Group (WCG). A strong advocate for human subject protections, Mr. Forster co-chairs the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections (SACHRP) Sub-Committee on Harmonization. He previously served a four-year term as a member of SACHRP, and was previously a member of the SACHRP Sub-Committee on Inclusion of Individuals with Impaired Decision-Making in Research. Mr. Forster also served on the Certified IRB Professional (CIP) Council. Mr. Forster has a law degree and a Masters in Medical Ethics from the University of Washington.
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Learn what high-performing research sites have in common, and what makes sponsors return to them again and again.
Not Like Everyone Else: Unique Challenges for Small & Emerging Biopharma Companies
Small and emerging biopharmas are conducting almost 50% of clinical trials in the U.S., often with lean teams, resources and infrastructure. Learn how to reduce the pressure on teams and timelines.
Question: What are the requirements for submitting protocol deviations?
Some deviations from the IRB approved protocol are planned while others are unintentional or unplanned. The FDA and HHS (45 CFR §46.103(b)(4) and 21 CFR §56.108(a)(4)), position is that...
Question: Does the IRB need to review news stories?
The local newspaper is planning to run a story on a new clinical trial that will highlight the development of an exciting new drug and the work done by our principal investigator...
Question: When can research participants be paid?
As a sponsor, what do the regulations say about paying research subjects? What are acceptable practices for compensating subjects for participating in a clinical trial?
The Role of Expert Committees: An interview with Dr. Seltzer
What's the role of expert committees today? What's happening on the regulatory side? Dr. Seltzer, Chief Scientific Officer of WCG Clinical, shared his insights on expert committees during a recent...
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Portfolio Based Data-Driven Site Selection
Recruiting Patients & Time Management: Top Tips for Dealing with the Most Critical Resource in Research
Learn how to engage sites more effectively with the appropriate recruitment resources, use dedicated staff to manage recruitment efforts, and eliminate bottlenecks and expedite recruitment timelines.
How Roche Optimized its Global Safety Reporting Process for Clinical Trials
Roche recognized several major challenges that its CTSP 2.0 system needed to address.
OhioHealth Case Study
Dissatisfied with its electronic IRB research management solution, OhioHealth Research & Innovation Institute searched for a solution to improve compliance, efficiency, customer service, and cost.
Virtual Clinical Trials Best Practices


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Looking directly at the sun
Don't look now, but the Toronto Blue Jays are hot:
Month      W     L     AVG     OBP     SLG     ERA   |   RS/G     RA/G
April     10    17    .279    .353    .452    6.08   |   5.52     6.59
May       19     6    .306    .366    .508    3.67   |   6.56     3.84
There are a lot ways to win baseball games: defense, pitching, hitting, luck - they're all fun. But nothing, and I mean nothing, beats simply bashing the hell out of your opponent. The Blue Jays have basically been doing that all season.
Look at the production they have gotten from each position, along with the corresponding AL OPS (on-base + slugging) ranking:
Position             AVG     OBP     SLG     Rnk
First Base          .319    .443    .649       1
Second Base         .287    .344    .395       7
Shortstop           .273    .330    .390       5
Third Base          .233    .320    .368      10
Left Field          .298    .352    .444       7
Center Field        .300    .342    .541       1
Right Field         .335    .361    .543       3
Catcher             .304    .377    .489       1
Designated Hitter   .264    .351    .457       4
Overall             .291    .358    .476       1
Not surprisingly, the Blue Jays lead the American League in runs, on-base percentage, OPS, hits, total bases and doubles. They rank second in batting average and slugging percentage, and third in walks and homers.
Perhaps the most amazing stat about their offense this year is that their first sacrifice bunt of the entire season came on Monday against the White Sox - their 51st game of the year! Meanwhile, the Tigers lead the AL with 24 sacrifices.
The Toronto offense is lead by two guys, Carlos Delgado and Vernon Wells. Delgado has been one of the better offensive players in the AL for a while now...
Year     AVG     OBP     SLG    HR    RBI    OPS+
1998    .292    .385    .592    38    115    150
That is some serious production. So far this year, Delgado has been the best hitter in the American League. He is hitting .335/.454/.665 and leads the AL in runs (45), RBIs (51), homers (15), extra-base hits (32), on-base percentage (.435) and slugging percentage (.665). He also leads the AL in the more advanced hitting metrics, like EqA (.361), EqR (48.9), RAR (33.0), RAP (23.2) and RARP (30.0).
While Delgado has been the best overall hitter in the AL, Vernon Wells has been the best centerfielder. Wells is hitting .299/.340/.540 and has driven in 49 runs, which is second in the AL to Delgado. Back at the beginning of this season I said I would trade Torii Hunter for Vernon Wells. At this point that looks like a pretty safe thing to say, but I actually got quite a few emails when I said it, most of them basically calling me an idiot. Wells is younger, cheaper and appears (so far this season) to be a better player than Hunter, at least offensively. Plus, Wells is a damn good defensive centerfielder too. The only thing "missing" from his game right now is plate discipline. He walked only 27 times in 159 games last year and, although he is walking much more this season, he still has only 15 walks in his first 53 games. If that ever comes, look out.
In addition to ranking first in the AL in offensive production at first base and centerfield thus far, the Blue Jays also rank #1 in the AL in offense by their catchers, which is more than a little surprising. The Jays have accomplished that with perhaps the best platoon in all of baseball: Greg Myers (against righties) and Tom Wilson (against lefties). Now, neither of those guys are great defensively, but they aren't horrible. And boy do they make a perfect combo.
Greg Myers vs righties - .359/.451/.590
Tom Wilson vs lefties - .300/.390/.420
(Wilson has actually done even better against righties than he has against lefties, hitting .300/.352/.560 against them in just 50 at bats)
Here is what Toronto's two-headed catching-machine's numbers look like, projected out to a full season:
AB     PA     AVG     OBP     SLG    HR    2B    BB    RBI    RUN
605    688    .318    .396    .518    25    47    78    105    111
That line would be awesome coming from a star first baseman. The Blue Jays are getting it from two journeyman catchers that are being paid a combined $1,116,000 this year and required absolutely nothing to acquire.
Greg Myers is 37 years old and in his 16th season as a major league baseball player. He started his major league career with the Blue Jays in 1987, after they selected him in the 3rd round of the 1984 draft. Since then he has bounced around from Toronto to Anaheim to Minnesota to Atlanta to San Diego to Baltimore to Oakland and now back to Toronto, where it all started. Myers is on pace for a career-high in plate appearances this season.
Tom Wilson has an even better story. When you hear people talking about there being "freely available talent" in the minor leagues, Tom Wilson is the type of player they are referring to. Wilson was a 23rd round pick of the Yankees all the way back in 1990. He made his major league debut on May 19, 2001 - approximately 11 years after he was drafted.
Perhaps more amazing than his willingness to stick around in the minor leagues for over a decade without playing a single day in the majors is that no team was willing to give him a shot at some point between 1990 and 2001. Wilson put up some very impressive numbers throughout his various stops in the minor leagues...
.269/.390/.486 at Triple-A Buffalo (Indians) in 1996.
.296/.416/.516 at Double-A Norwich (Yankees) in 1997.
.303/.380/.462 at Triple-A Tucson (Diamondbacks) in 1998.
.288/.405/.510 at Double-A Orlando (Devil Rays) in 1999.
.279/.410/.591 at Triple-A Durham (Devil Rays) in 1999.
.276/.410/.518 at Triple-A Columbus (Yankees) in 2000.
Look at those numbers and tell me how a catcher that puts them up cannot get even a sniff of the major leagues? Tom Wilson was one of the best hitting catchers in minor league baseball from 1996-2000 and he couldn't even get a cup of coffee with any of the four organizations he played with.
Finally, after he hit .282/.394/.440 for Oakland's Triple-A team in 2001, the A's gave Tom Wilson a call-up to the majors and he played a total of 9 games for them. After the 2001 season, it didn't look like the A's would be giving Wilson a major league job anytime soon. At that point, I bet Wilson thought he had just seen his last/only/best chance at a major league career vanish. I mean, if the Oakland A's, the team for giving minor league vets a chance and the only team to give him a chance decided he wasn't worth keeping on a big league roster full-time, what chance did he have at finding another team willing to do so?
Well, Wilson finally found himself a little luck. J.P. Ricciardi left Oakland's front office and took over as the General Manager of the Blue Jays. Ricciardi, who no doubt saw Wilson as a hidden gem and player that could be valuable to a major league team while they were both with Oakland, traded a fringe minor leaguer to the A's in exchange for him. Wilson not only played for the Blue Jays in 2002, he appeared in 96 games and totaled 265 at bats. He did fairly well playing catcher and first base and did particularly well hitting against left-handed pitchers (.337/.412/.506). So well in fact, the Jays brought him back for this season and made him one half of their catching platoon (his half being the "lefty-masher" portion).
It's really a great story all-around. Tom Wilson finally gets a chance to be a major league baseball player after more than a decade of struggling through the minor leagues. And J.P. Ricciardi and the Blue Jays get themselves a valuable player because they were willing to do what no other team was willing to do during Wilson's entire career - give him a chance.
The Blue Jays' offense has been outstanding all season long and completely dominant in May, but the reason for their complete turn-around this month has been the dramatic improvement of their pitching:
- APR -             - MAY -
Pitcher             IP     ERA          IP     ERA
Corey Lidle         36    5.75          39    3.20
Roy Halladay        33    4.91          45    3.22
Tanyon Sturtze      32    5.57          18    6.50
Mark Hendrickson    31    7.26          30    3.20
Pete Walker         24    5.92           2   13.50
Jeff Tam            16    6.32          12    1.54
Cliff Politte       12    3.65          11    4.22
Aquilino Lopez      12    5.40          13    4.15
Kelvim Escobar      10   13.06          15    1.20
Trever Miller        9    6.75           7    4.91
Doug Creek           9    4.00           5    1.93
Doug Linton          7    3.86          --    ----
Jason Kershner       5   10.80          --    ----
Doug Davis          --    ----          23    4.70
Total              237    6.08         221    3.67
Anytime a team drops its ERA from 6.08 one month to 3.67 the next, the improvements are going to come from all over, and they have for Toronto. Almost everyone has been as good or better in May than in April, with the exception of Tanyon Sturtze and Pete Walker. Not coincidentally, both Sturtze and Walker were bumped from the starting rotation recently.
The main cause for the pitching improvement has been the starting pitching and specifically the front three starters - Roy Halladay, Corey Lidle and Mark Hendrickson. After going 4-7 with a 5.94 ERA in April, those three starters are currently 14-0 with a 3.23 ERA in May. 14-0!
I still think the Blue Jays are a year away from beginning to put their best team on the field. They have a ton of talented young hitters, both at the major league level and in the minor leagues. Their pitching quality and depth are not nearly as strong, but Halladay is a guy to build a staff around, Lidle has proven to be a dependable #2/#3 starter type (although he is a free agent after this year) and the Jays have a prospect named Jason Arnold in Triple-A that I think will be a very good starting pitcher, possibly as soon as late this year (I rated Arnold as my #37 prospect in baseball back in January). Plus, they also have some other "interesting" pitching prospects in the lower-minors.
Waiting for the future and the full development of this Toronto team is nice and I do think they are set up for a very successful run from here on out, but this team is definitely ready to seriously compete right now. We are one-third of the way through the season and, despite Toronto starting the year 10-18, here is what the AL East standings look like:
Team         W     L    Win%     GB
Boston      31    20    .608    ---
New York    30    22    .577    1.5
Toronto     29    24    .547    3.0
I don't know if they will contine to stay as close to the top of the division as they are right now, but I do think they can continue to play .547 baseball (their winning percentage as of last night's win). This is a very good offensive team and the pitching staff is starting to come around. Plus, it's kinda fun to root for an "underdog" against the two "big dogs" in the AL East, isn't it?
What J.P. Ricciardi and the rest of the Jays' front office have been able to do with this team and the entire organization since taking it over just a short time ago is amazing. They have been making outstanding "minor" pickups like Tom Wilson, Greg Myers, Frank Catalanotto, Corey Lidle and Mike Bordick, which has led to them having a serious contender on their hands this season. And, at the same time, they have set up a phenomenal core of young talent in preparation for what appears to be a very successful run of winning in the very near future. Oddly enough, the winning seems to have started just a little bit before a lot of people (including myself and possibly even the Blue Jays) anticipated, but, as good as this current Toronto team is, the Blue Jays teams you see in the next several years are going to be even better.
It is no longer a two-dog division.
For more on the Toronto Blue Jays, visit my good friend Craig Burley and those wacky Canadians over at the best team-specific site on the internet...
Batter's Box: Opinions and observations about the Pastime, from a Toronto perspective
Minnesota 4, Oakland 3
From ESPN.com's "play-by-play":
B Kielty hit for L Rivas.
Barry Zito pitches to Bobby Kielty
Pitch 1: ball 1
Pitch 3: strike 1 (foul)
Pitch 6: foul
Pitch 7: in play
B Kielty homered to left, D Mohr and A Pierzynski scored
(A Gleeman smiled from ear-to-ear)
Today's picks:
Oakland (Halama) -100 over Minnesota (Mays)
Seattle (Moyer) -155 over Kansas City (Affeldt)
Detroit (Maroth) -105 over Cleveland (Rodriguez)
Texas (Benes) -100 over Tampa Bay (Gonzalez)
Total to date: + $1,070
W/L record: 101-100 (1-4 for -370 yesterday, with one rainout. Ouch.)
*****Comments? Questions? Email me!*****


I find chickpea or veggie patties from the supermarket or burger outlets can be quite dry and tasteless...or have too much salt in them. Making them yourself is super easy and you can flavour them how you like. And they aren't dry. Have them on their own with veggies or make them into a burger or toasted sandwich with some nice sourdough bread and guacamole. Chickpeas are super high in fibre so they are very filling. They are loaded with calcium and a very good source of iron. They also deliver good amounts of manganese, protein and are low GI, meaning they release energy slowly which can help to control appetite.
Pulse a few times until it is similar in consistency to that of cookie batter.
Place in a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes to firm up the batter.
After 30 minutes, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
With your hands, make a ball out of one large tablespoon of batter. Flatten a little bit.
Place in skillet in batches of about 4 at a time.
Fry for 4-5 minutes, then turn. Repeat on the other side.
Add the other tablespoon of olive oil and repeat frying steps for the remaining patties.
Remove from skillet and serve warm.
YUMMO! Made these and added a tomato and zucchini salad on the side. Choice ey bro!


Lovely family home in desirable West Harbour! 4 BR, 3 BA on large cul-de-sac lot. The large kitchen opens to the family room with fireplace and doors to the spacious, well landscaped backyard. Formal dining room and living room. Upstairs boasts a huge master suite with walk-in closet and 3 additional, generously sized bedrooms. Closets galore in this spacious home! Kitchen appliances included! New windows, A/C '17, sump pump '17, storage shed.


Government Revenues in Greece increased to 12003 EUR Million in March from 7831 EUR Million in February of 2019. Government Revenues in Greece averaged 23779.97 EUR Million from 1995 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 60352 EUR Million in December of 2008 and a record low of 244 EUR Million in January of 2019.
Government Revenues refer to all receipts the government gets, including taxes, custom duties, revenue from state-owned enterprises, capital revenues and foreign aid. Government Revenues are part of government budget balance calculation. This page provides - Greece Government Revenues- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Greece Government Revenues - actual data, historical chart and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2019.


I'm trying to get my credit straightened out. I am an authorized user on two credit cards and I'm in the process of getting it removed. Can I get a $200.00 Visa credit card to help me get started again?
Take a look at the secured credit cards. These cards will be good for you because they are for those who are rebuilding credit history. For example, there is the Capital Bank Open Sky Secured Visa® Credit Card. This is a Visa credit card with an annual fee but low APRs. You will also have to open a security deposit of at least $200 and up to $5,000. Your credit line will be equal to your security deposit, so if you want a particular limit, you may deposit that amount or ask for credit increase later.
I have never owned a credit card and want to get one. I am having a lot of trouble trying to get approved for one that is not pre-paid. What can I do?
I was discharge from bankruptcy about a year ago and want to apply for a credit card. What can I do?


The Los Angeles County Arts Commission (LACAC) seeks a full-time Project Consultant. Reporting to the LA County Arts Education Collective's Senior Manager, the Project Consultant will be responsible for implementing projects that focus on arts-based strategies to promote social emotional learning and healing informed instruction in K-12 public schools.
Three years of project management experience in arts, education, youth development, social justice or a related field.
Experience related to the public education and social services systems in Los Angeles County, as well as community based organizations that support these systems. Familiarity with teacher professional development and healing-centered practices.
Candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, resume and two writing samples (up to 5 pages each, in PDF format). Resumes should include a list of software proficiencies and note the skill level attained for each application. All submissions should be emailed to artsedcollective@arts.lacounty.gov with Project Consultant as the subject line. Please do not submit any application materials through the US mail or phone regarding the status of the submission. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. Position will remain open until the staffing need is met.
$4,700 - $5,200 monthly contract, depending on experience.


Hornsby Shire Council and its staff have been cleared of all allegations of corruption regarding development of a controversial property on Geelans Road, Arcadia.
Hornsby Shire Council resolved at last night's meeting to ask the Greater Sydney Planning Proposal not to proceed with the South Dural Planning Proposal.
Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock urges residents to continue placing recyclable items in the yellow bins.
Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock has responded with incredulous anger to City of Parramatta's attempt to take even more land off its shrinking neighbour.


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Home	Capital Program 2010-2014	No money for old snow equipment
Capital Program 2010-2014
No money for old snow equipment
MTA crews worked in late December to dig out snowed-in subway tracks. (Photo courtesy of MTA)
When the MTA faltered during the December blizzard, a few sources mentioned concerned over costs as a reason why the authority was slow to adopt a Plan IV response. While those charges were vehemently denied, other long-term cost concerns have led to deferred investment in show removal equpiment, Pete Donohue reported yesterday.
In his weekly column in the Daily News, Donohue delved into these financial difficulties:
One of the biggest mistakes that hampered the MTA during the December blizzard might have been a failure to act – years before the first flakes fell. At least as far back as 2008, Metropolitan Transportation Authority managers in charge of subway equipment deemed the fleet of snow-clearing trains too old and too small.
An MTA planning document from February 2008 stated that the authority should spend $9.5 million to buy eight new and powerful snow thrower cars "in order to ensure the tracks are kept clear, and service is not compromised in winter storms."
The authority, however, moved as quickly as an A train stuck in a snowdrift. It still hasn't purchased the big rigs. A spokesman last week cited "financial constraints" as a reason for initial delays, but he also said the current administration does intend to buy the equipment. "We're moving forward," the spokesman said.
This has now become a familiar refrain from the MTA. As I explored last week, the MTA knew about structural deficiencies at 181st St. years before the ceiling collapsed, but the authority simply did not have the dollars to address the problem. Now, we're hearing the same thing in regards to the authority's weather response preparedness and 30-year-old snow blasters that are due for replacement.
These are, in essence, early warning signs of a system on the brink of disaster. It costs money — a lot of money — to maintain an extensive network of subway tracks, trains and stations. Even as the MTA pares down its administrative costs, it still needs enough capital money to fulfill those maintenance demands, and right now, with a $10 billion hole in the capital budget, that future is murky. Will it take another monstrous snow storm or ceiling collapse before the people controlling the purse strings start paying attention?
Event reminder: Public Works in a Time of Crisis
Photo of the Day: Why we can't have nice things
For the R32s, another six years of keep...
For the capital plan, a $6.9 billion debt...
MTA promises $2 billion in capital spending cuts
Looking at private partners for capital funds
On the need to fund the MTA's Capital...
The MTA Capital Program's fall date with destiny
New placards promote MTA improvements
Facing budget gap, MTA eyes cuts to capital...
A look at the MTA's political problem
Station renewal program to target Outer Boroughs
JAzumah February 22, 2011 - 1:45 pm
We are well past the brink of disaster. The disaster has started in New York and it is going to start disrupting service shortly. There are numerous stretches of infrastructure that are well past their service lives and are functionally obsolete. Most of the elevated structures are years beyond their service lives.
al February 22, 2011 - 10:35 pm
The debt on those bonds are coming due, and so are the pension obligations. They will weigh down the operating budget into the next decade.
Scott E February 22, 2011 - 2:05 pm
When blizzard conditions strike, motorists are advised to stay off the roads for (1) their own safety, and (2) to allow snow removal crews to do their jobs. Rail passengers should do the same; there should be no obligation to move passengers as normal in adverse weather conditions. Yes, it stinks to be stranded; it can happen to those traveling by car, by bus, by plane, and – yes – by train. People need to be smart, be prepared, and get home before the storm.
tacony palmyra February 22, 2011 - 2:37 pm
But what do we define as an "adverse weather condition"? There are transit agencies operating in climates that make New York's winters seem practically balmy by comparison. What we consider a terrible blizzard is routine in some cities. Don't their buses and trains run fine? What makes this so hard in New York? Is the MTA using best practices in dealing with winter weather? Is it time for MTA brass to take a field trip to Moscow?
Ever spend time in a Southern city during a rare snow storm? They don't even have snow plows so they start freaking out and declare it an emergency. The largest transit system in the country shouldn't need to do that. We get a handful of significant snow storms every year; this winter is worse than most but certainly shouldn't be bringing the city to its knees.
Christopher February 22, 2011 - 4:54 pm
As a Chicagoan I'd tend to agree but then I don't expect snow to get in the way of much of anything. But from living in DC, I know that's not the way other cities approach winter. In DC, which gets a decent amount of snowfall and bad winter storms, just accepts that the city (and government) will shut down during a storm. Workers are dismissed early. Metro runs no trains above ground with a few inches of snow and above. It's an entirely different way to approach winter, but it's probably slightly more cost effective.
DC has one major employer. If that employer shuts down, the city shuts down. NYC doesn't have that degree of employer centralization.
It's undoubtedly more cost effective, but any minute the subway system isn't functioning, NYCT isn't fulfilling its mission. (It would be most cost effective of all for NYCT to shut down permanently!)
Trains are technologically better-equipped to handle snow than cars. Freight locos can shovel multiple feet of snow out of the way; urban rail plows are weaker, but still much better than anything running on rubber tires. One of the ways regional trains get ridership in countries where they're run well is by promising better reliability in adverse weather than highways.
All true, but I'm not referring to your regular winter snowstorms. I'm referring to your Christmas-blizzard-like storms. Is it worth it for any transit agency to pay for machinery to prepare for storms which occur one day in every five years? The MTA can always get more snow-removal equipment. The city can always buy more plows and hire more drivers until every block and every quarter-mile of highway has its own snow-removal crew on standby. At some point, you need to weigh whether its worth it.
If you're suggesting that the subway system preemptively shut down for snowstorms, how are those snow removal crews supposed to get to work?
There are some lines that are especially vulnerable to snow – two in the Coney Island area, one in the Rockaways, and one in the Bronx. NYCT should make every effort to keep the rest of the system running.
Donald February 22, 2011 - 3:11 pm
The main reason why snow has such a devestating impact is not because of the age of the system, but because of the design. Snow accumulation is far worse at outdoor stations that are on ground level (like the one in the picture above). Underground stations obvivously don't have to worry about snow, and neither do elevated statiosns since the snow just falls to the ground.
al February 22, 2011 - 3:54 pm
The nexus of wind, snow, and melt water flowing and freezing can do horrible things to an elevated line's electrical and signaling systems.
Sara Nordmann February 22, 2011 - 4:10 pm
I very nearly remarked on the help offered by the fed govt today for the cost of snowstorm-related repairs, but then I re-read the press release. Apparently it mostly applies to Nassau and Suffolk counties. Darn.
There isn't enough capital funding available for the MTA to do everything it would like to do. The "MTA planning document" presumably was making the case for this project, but in the end, like countless other worthy capital projects, it wasn't selected.
I can't say if that was a good or bad decision, but the only reason it's even being brought up now is because we got hit by a blizzard two months ago.
Al D February 23, 2011 - 9:54 am
There is also this bureaucratic morass that keeps purchases like these from being made even years later. There needs to be a review/re-shuffling of processes/procedures and management structure that prevents this from happening.


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Hong Kong-Based Coke Franchisee Is Optimistic About Business With China
Coca-Cola franchisee Swire Pacific Chairman John Slosar says business with China has been very successful over the past two decades. The company will continue to invest there, while maintaining business ties with Hong Kong and Taiwan. Located in Hong Kong since the 1870s, Swire Pacific has prospered since the former British colony was returned to China in 1997 and began operating under the "one country, two systems" policy. Slosar is bullish on both Hong Kong and China, noting that Swire will expand its real estate, airline and beverage investments. "I'm sure the next 20 years will also have a lot of great opportunities for us," he said. [Image Credit: © Swire Pacific Ltd. ]
Torrance Wang , "Interview: Swire Group to continue investing in China with confidence: chairman of HK-listed Swire Pacific", Xinhua, June 19, 2017, © XINHUANET.com


Refurbished Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge smartphone was launched in March 2015. The phone comes with a 5.10-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1440 pixels by 2560 pixels at a PPI of 577 pixels per inch.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is powered by 1.5GHz octa-core processor and it comes with 3GB of RAM. The phone packs 32GB of internal storage that cannot be expanded. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge packs a 16-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 5-megapixel front shooter for selfies.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is powered by a 2600mAh non removable battery. It measures 142.10 x 70.10 x 7.00 and weighs 132.00 grams.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is a single SIM (GSM) smartphone that accepts a Nano-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, Infrared, USB OTG, 3G and 4G. Sensors on the phone include Compass/ Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Gyroscope and Barometer.


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Ms. Farhat Abdullah
Home » Member » Ms. Farhat Abdullah
Department of English Lecturer
Courses At UCP
She has an M.Phil. degree in Applied Linguistics from Kinnaird College, Lahore. She is pursuing her Ph.D. After serving the Center for Language Engineering UET Lahore for two years, she joined UCP in 2013, and has represented the university in a number of international conferences and research workshops. She has been awarded HEC research travel grant twice. She is an independent member of International Federation for University Women. Furthermore, she is a member of Linguistic Association of Pakistan, Society for Natural Language Processing and Linguistic Society of America. In June 2016, Ms. Farhat attended CoLang2016 in USA, completed the Institute on Collaborative Language Research and attended credited courses of Linguistics.
Language, Culture & Society
M.Phil. (2012) Applied Linguistics Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore
Masters (2000) Applied Linguistics Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore
Graduation (1998) English Literature University of the Punjab
Inter–mediate Pre-medical BISE, Lahore(1996)
Matriculation Science BISE, Lahore(1994)
June-July, 2016 Completed Collaborative Language Research Program CoLang 2016 University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA
Feb-2013 to date Lecturer at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Central Punjab Lahore, Pakistan https://www.ucp.edu.pk/
Sept-2012 to Feb -2013 Visiting Lecturer at the University of Education Lahore, Pakistan http://ue.edu.pk/beta/
September 2011- Feb2013 Research Assistant at the Centre for Language Engineering, Al-Khwarizmi Institute of Computer Sciences. University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore. http://www.cle.org.pk/
August 2011-March 2012 Lecturer at Government Gulberg College for Women, Lahore.
Offered an award for conducting a workshop on "Developing Urdu WordNet" in Conference on Language Technology 12 (CLT12) UET Lahore which was attended by linguists from Germany (University of Konstanz,) and all over Pakistan
Have been an editor of the Kinnaird Literary Society
Member of Nazaria-I Pakistan Trust (www.nazariapak.info/)
Member of The Society for Natural Language Processing (SNLP) www.snlp.org.pk) and Linguistic Association of Pakistan (LAP)
Independent Member of International Federation of University Women (www.ifuw.org/) (Global Women International now)
Applied for the membership of Linguistic Society of America
Brief statement of Research Interest
Want to continue my research on semantic relations which is a specialized field of Linguistics.
"Development of Urdu WordNet Using the Merge Approach", is published in the peer review proceedings of Conference on Language Technology 12 (CLT12, UET, Lahore
"The Use of E-Contents for Teaching Language Subjects" is published in the online proceedings of International Conference on Language, Literature & Linguistics 2013 (LLL 2013) 2-3 Dec, 2013, Grand Oriental Hotel, and Colombo, Sri Lanka.
"Production, Delivery and Sharing of E-Contents: New Paradigm in Language Pedagogy" is submitted to the journal of Linguistics and Language Teaching, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
"A Comparative Study of Spoken English on Pakistani and Indian TV Channels" in the online proceedings of Second International Conference on Language, Literature & Community (LLLC2015). February 21-22, 2015. Bhubaneshwar,India.
"Hyponymy Noun Hierarchies in Urdu WordNet" unpublished
Research Grants and Contracts
Travel Grant to Present a Paper, 2013 (source/sponsor: Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, Amount: PKR 110,870/-
Travel Grant to Present a Paper, 2016 (source/sponsor: Punjab Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, Amount: Around three lac Pakistani rupees/-
Other Research or Creative accomplishments
I have been a part of a research team at Center for language Engineering (UET) Lahore which developed "Urdu WordNet", an electronic lexical database.
Selected Professional Presentation
Conducted a workshop on "Developing Urdu WordNet" in Conference on Language Technology 12 (CLT12) UET Lahore which was attended by linguists from Germany (University of Konstanz,) and all over Pakistan
A Paper, "Development of Urdu WordNet Using the Merge Approach", is published in the proceedings of Conference on Language Technology 12 (CLT12) held at Center for Language Engineering ,UET Lahore, Pakistan http://www.cle.org.pk/research/papers.html
Presented a research paper titled "The Use of E-Contents for Teaching Language Subjects" in the proceedings of International Conference on Language, Literature & Linguistics 2013 (LLL 2013) 2-3 Dec, 2013, Grand Oriental Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. http://theicrd.org/Proceeding%20LLL%202013.pdf
Presented a research article titled "Production, Delivery and Sharing of E-Contents: New Paradigm in Language Pedagogy" in 1st International Conference on Linguistics and Language Teaching, 25-26 November 2013, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. http://linguisticsconferenceiub.blogspot.com/p/tentative-detailed-programme-day-l_3030.html
Presented a research paper titled "A Comparative Study of Spoken English on Pakistani and Indian TV Channels" in the proceedings of Second International Conference on Language, Literature & Community (LLLC2015). February 21-22,2015. Bhubaneshwar, http://www.languages3000.com/
Presented a research paper titled "Hyponymy Noun Hierarchies in Urdu WordNet" in 2nd Kashmir International Conference on Linguistics, May 04-05, 2015. Muzaffarbad, Azad Kashmir. http://www.ajku.edu.pk/icl.php
Presented a research paper titled "Use of Computational Analysis of the Borrowed Words for Translation Studies" in International Conference of the Linguistic Association of Pakistan, October 07–09, 2015. Kinnaird College, Lahore http://www.iclap.org/ICLAP2015/
Presented a work titled "Construction of Hyponymy Relations in the Urdu WordNet"; furthermore, attended credited courses at CoLang2016 (alaska.edu/colang2016/), Fairbanks, Alaska, USA in (June20-July 01), 2016
Conducted a workshop on " Project Development" in the Faculty Development Program 2016 at University of Central Punjab
farhat.abdullah@ucp.edu.pk
042-35880007 Ext: 639
Faculty of English, University of Central Punjab
LLB – Honors


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Julie Oakes
Opening reception Saturday, June 10, 2-5pm
Lonsdale Gallery is pleased to present Moving On…, an exhibition of two recent series by artist Julie Oakes.
Oakes' works are structured by the rhythms of nature, including the temporal cycles of life and death, day and night and the changing seasons. Her worlds are fantastical, paradisiacal, and preternatural, while also meticulously rooted in real plant and animal life. Oakes demonstrates reverence for and sensitivity to her natural surroundings. Enchanted by the animal and vegetal life of her local Okanagan, British Columbia, regional life in all its varied forms appear as subjects in her work.
The artist presents nature as a realm both mystically powerful and ecologically threatened. Her works acknowledge the resilience of plants and animals in the wake of environmental devastation. Both a keen observer and advocate for the environment, Oakes visualizes the pertinence of nature, and focuses her viewers' attention on its many faces. Her animals are idyllic and venerable, clarifying her faith in the regenerative power of nature's cycles.
In her Moon Cycle: Rabbit in the Moon series, Oakes signals the importance of lunar phases to organic life on earth, and on forms of traditional storytelling. The series stems from the East Asian folk tale The Rabbit in the Moon, about a rabbit's self-sacrifice and its divine commemoration, whereby its likeness is inscribed on the lunar surface.
Oakes' four-piece series Seasoned similarly works from temporal orders. In these works, the artist pairs plant and animal species that thrive during the same seasons. This series is both a celebration of the vibrant diversity of nature and a momento mori on the precariousness and finiteness of natural life.
Julie Oakes holds a MA in Cultural Theory from New School, NY and second MA in Art and Art Professions from New York University, NY. She obtained her BFA from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Her works have been exhibited across Canada, in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and St. John, and internationally, in the United States, Poland, Germany, and Italy. Oakes' works belong to major collections, including those of the Glenbow Museum, the Mendel Art Gallery, the Penticton Art Gallery, the University of British Columbia, the Canadian Museum of Northern History, and the Canada Council Art Bank.


I am a sophomore at Millennium High School in New York. I am currently working on an advocacy project focusing on helping youths adapt to their new communities in the United States. Besides enjoying playing guitar and ice-skating, I am involved in the Asian American Advocacy Project, the Millennium Table Tennis Team and the American Bake Sale Club.
My project will create an awareness campaign that addresses race-driven bullying in New York City elementary and middle schools.