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Can we really use El Niño to predict flooding?
March 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 Rebecca Emerton
R. Emerton, H. Cloke, E. Stephens, E. Zsoter, S. Woolnough, F. Pappenberger (2017). Complex picture for likelihood of ENSO-driven flood hazard. Nature Communications. doi: 10.1038/NCOMMS14796
Email: r.e.emerton@pgr.reading.ac.uk
When an El Niño is declared, or even forecast, we think back to memorable past El Niños (such as 1997/98), and begin to ask whether we will see the same impacts. Will California receive a lot of rainfall? Will we see droughts in tropical Asia and Australia? Will Peru experience the same devastating floods as in 1997/98, and 1982/83?
El Niño and La Niña, which see changes in the ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific, are well known to affect weather, and indeed river flow and flooding, around the globe. But how well can we estimate the potential impacts of El Niño and La Niña, and how likely flooding is to occur?
This question is what some of us in the Water@Reading research group at the University of Reading have been looking to answer in our recent publication in Nature Communications. As part of our multi- and inter-disciplinary research, we work closely with the Red Cross / Red Crescent Climate Centre (RCCC), who are working on an initiative called Forecast-based Financing (FbF, Coughlan de Perez et al.). FbF aims to distribute aid (for example providing water purification tablets to prevent spread of disease, or digging trenches to divert flood water) ahead of a flood, based on forecasts. This approach helps to reduce the impact of the flood in the first place, rather than working to undo the damage once the flood has already occurred.
Photo credit: Red Cross / Red Crescent Climate Centre
In Peru, previous strong El Niños in 1982/83 and 1997/98 had resulted in devastating floods in several regions. As such, when forecasts in early 2015 began to indicate a very strong El Niño was developing, the RCCC and forecasters at the Peruvian national hydrological and meteorology agency (SENAMHI) began to look into the likelihood of flooding, and what FbF actions might need to be taken.
Typically, statistical products indicating the historical probability (likelihood [%] based on what happened during past El Niños) of extreme precipitation are used as a proxy for whether a region will experience flooding during an El Niño (or La Niña), such as these maps produced by the IRI (International Research Institute for Climate and Society). You may also have seen maps which circle regions of the globe that will be drier / warmer / wetter / cooler – we'll come back to these shortly.
These rainfall maps show that Peru, alongside several other regions of the world, is likely to see more rainfall than usual during an El Niño. But does this necessarily mean there will be floods? And what products are out there indicating the effect of El Niño on rivers across the globe?
For organisations working at the global scale, such as the RCCC and other humanitarian aid agencies, global overviews of potential impacts are key in taking decisions on where to focus resources during an El Niño or La Niña. While these maps are useful for looking at the likely changes in precipitation, it has been shown that the link between precipitation and flood magnitude is nonlinear (Stephens et al.), – more rain does not necessarily equal floods – so how does this transfer to the potential for flooding?
The motivation behind this work was to provide similar information, but taking into account the hydrology as well as the meteorology. We wanted to answer the question "what is the probability of flooding during El Niño?" not only for Peru, but for the global river network.
To do this, we have taken the new ECMWF ERA-20CM ensemble model reconstruction of the atmosphere, and run this through a hydrological model to produce the first 20th century global hydrological reconstruction of river flow. Using this new dataset, we have for the first time estimated the historical probability of increased or decreased flood hazard (defined as abnormally high or low river flow) during an El Niño (or La Niña), for the global river network.
Figure 1: The probability of increased (blue) or decreased (red) flood hazard during each month of an El Nino. Based on the ensemble mean of the ERA-20CM-R 20th century river flow reconstruction.
The question – "what is the probability of flooding during El Niño?", however, remains difficult to answer. We now have maps of the probability of abnormally high or low river flow (see Figure 1), and we see clear differences between the hydrological analysis and precipitation. It is also evident that the probabilities themselves are often lower, and much more uncertain, than might be useful – how do you make a decision on whether to provide aid to an area worried about flooding, when the probability of that flooding is 50%?
Figure 2: Historical probability of increased / decreased flood hazard map for February, with overlay showing the typical impact map for winter during an El Nino. This highlights the complexity of the link between El Nino and flooding compared to the information usually available.
The likely impacts are much more complex than is often perceived and reported – going back to the afore-mentioned maps that circle regions of the globe and what their impact will be (warmer, drier, wetter?) – these maps portray these impacts as a certainty, not a probability, with the same impacts occurring across huge areas. For example, in Figure 2, we take one of the maps from our results, which indicates the probability of increased or decreased flood hazard in one month during an El Niño, and draw over this these oft-seen circles of potential impacts. In doing this, we remove all information on how likely (or unlikely) the impacts are, smaller scale changes within these circles (in some cases our flood hazard map even indicates a different impact), and a lot of the potential impacts outside of these circles – not to mention the likely impacts can change dramatically from one month to the next. For those organisations that take actions based on such information, it is important to be aware of the uncertainties surrounding the likely impacts of El Niño and La Niña.
"We conclude that while it may seem possible to use historical probabilities to evaluate regions across the globe that are more likely to be at risk of flooding during an El Niño / La Niña, and indeed circle large areas of the globe under one banner of wetter or drier, the reality is much more complex."
PS. During the winter of 2015/16, our results estimated an ~80% likelihood of increased flood hazard in northern coastal Peru, with only ~10% uncertainty surrounding this. The RCCC took FbF actions to protect thousands of families from potentially devastating floods driven by one of the strongest El Niños on records. While flooding did occur, this was not as severe as expected based on the strength of the El Niño. More recently, during the past few months (January – March 2017), anomalously high sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the far eastern Pacific (known as a "coastal El Niño" in Peru but not widely acknowledged as an El Niño because central Pacific SSTs are not anomalously warm) have led to devastating flooding in several regions and significant loss of life. And Peru wasn't the only place that didn't see the impacts it expected in 2015/16; other regions of the world, such as the US, also saw more rainfall than normal in places that were expected to be drier, and California didn't receive the deluge they were perhaps hoping for. It's important to remember that no two El Niños are the same, and El Niño will not be the only influence on the weather around the globe. While El Niño and La Niña can provide some added predictability to the atmosphere, the impacts are far from certain.
Flooded areas of Trujillo, Peru, March 2017. Photo credit: Presidencia Peru, via Floodlist
Improved El Niño flood hazard warnings could save lives
Communication, Impacts, Precipitation, Predictability, Published Work, Tropical, Uncategorized, WeatherEl Nino, Flooding, Prediction
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Chairmen, vice chairmen and secretaries of 34 political parties introduce themselves, call on Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
Nay Pyi Taw August 14
Election of candidates for people's representatives is of great importance in building a modern, developed democratic country, and it is necessary to elect not only candidates but also good representatives. It is necessary to correctly choose people's representatives who must be qualified for six points to practically serve interest of the respective areas, to abide by laws, rules and regulations with outlook of rule of law, to have capability to safeguard Our Three Main National Causes which are national interest of the State, to understand national politic role of the Tatmadaw, to systematically preserve nationality, language and religion through correct ways and means and to restrain influence of external organizations and foreigners. The Tatmadaw is carrying out national politics. Political parties are engaging the politics. Although those political parties are different in nature as they do politics, they have the common ground to develop their country and further the political cause. With regard to politics, all need to keep themselves in patience as much as they can with the attitude of improving the country, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the meeting with chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and officials of political parties who introduced themselves at the parlour of Bayintnaung Villa, here, this afternoon.
Those from the party organizations who introduced and met with the Senior General were Chairman of Union Solidarity and Development Party U Than Htay and Secretary U Paik Htway, Joint Secretary of National Unity Party U Nay Win, Chairman of New National Democracy Party U Thein Nyunt, Chairman of National Development Party Dr Nay Zin Latt, Chairman of New Age People's Party U Tun Aung Kyaw, Chairman of National Democratic Force U Khin Maung Swe, Chairperson of People's Pioneer Party Dr Daw Thet Thet Khaing, Chairman of Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics Alliances U Thein Kyi, Chairman of Inn National Development Party U Win Myint, Vice Chairman of Democratic Party (Myanmar) U Tint Swe, Chairman of Lisu National Development Party (Dulay Party) U Shwe Min (aka) Hsi Pha Larlu, Patron of Karen National Democratic Party U Saw Tun Kyi, Chairman of Kayah State Democratic Party U Poe Yei, Chairperson of Wunthanu Democratic Party Daw Nan Shwe Kyar, Vice Chairman of Wa National Party U Yan Kyaw, Vice Chairman of Pa-O National Organization (PNO) U Khun Maung Thaung, Temporary Chairman of Democracy and Peace Party U Myo Nyunt, Vice Chairman of Mro National Development Party U Kyaw Tun Khaing, Chairman of Rakhine National Strength Party U Aye Kyaing, Chairman of New Age Union Party U Aung Than, Chairman of Bamar People's Party U Aung Than Tint, Chairperson of Peace and Diversity Party Daw Sanda Oo, Chairman of Kokang Democracy and Unity Party U Tun Naing, Chairman of People's Party of Myanmar Farmers and Workers U Aung Myo Khaing, Vice Chairman of 88 Generation Democracy Party U Thaung Oo, Public Party Chairman U Percy Pyi Hein (aka) U Myo Min Tun, Chairman of Myanmar People's Democratic Party U Htay Kyaw, Chairman of People's Labour Party U Kyaw Zin, Vice Chairperson of Public Service Students Party Daw Khin San Mu, Chairman of People's Force Party U Htay Aung, Chairman of Union Farmer-Labour Force Party U Min Thu, Chairman of National Progressive Party U Kyaw Sein, Chairman of Myanmar Farmer Development Party U Kyaw Swa Soe, General Secretary of Party for Uplifting the Life of Common People U Kyaw Myint (a) Michael Kyaw Myint. The meeting was also attended by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Deputy Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services Commander- in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and senior military officers.
In his greetings, the Senior General expressed his delight and welcome to such a meeting. In February this year, some political parties sent letters saying that they would like to introduce themselves and discuss the ongoing situations in the country. A meeting was first planned to take place but it didn't due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Preparations are now being made to hold the multi-party democracy election.
As the concern for COVID-19 in the country wanes, the meeting has now come. Since 2011, the country has been on a track of multi-party democracy witnessing changes and developments as well as strengths and weaknesses. In the 2020 general election also, the winning party has to take over State duties by forming a government.
The parties have gone through the two terms of government. So they, based on their experiences, are urged to consider what they will do, what they can do and how they can do. As there are a lot of parties, they might have different views. The Tatmadaw welcomes every organization serving the best interest of the country and will cooperate in serving the national interest, he said. The Senior General then invited the parties to discuss their policies and political outlooks.
Next, chairmen, vice chairmen and officials from the parties in attendance introduced individually. On behalf of the political parties, Chairman U Khin Maung Swe of National Democratic Force, Chairman U Thein Nyunt of New National Democracy Party, Chairman Dr Nay Zin Latt of National Development Party, Chairperson Dr Daw Thet Thet Khaing of People's Pioneer Party, Vice Chairman U Khun Maung Thaung of Pa-O National Organization and chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and officials from respective parties discussed their party policies, matters related to the multi-party democracy general election to be held on 8 November 2020, views on the Union Election Commission, ensuring a free and fair election and request for Tatmadaw's assistance and understanding of the fact that Tatmadaw is playing a national politic role with a sense of duty.
The Senior General expressed thanks to the political parties for their open discussions and outlooks. Reviewing their discussions, they have a real desire to develop their own country. Tatmadaw is engaging in national politics. Although those political parties are different in nature as they do politics, they have the common ground to develop their country and further the political cause. They need to work together for a peaceful, modern and developed democratic State.
Generally, democracy means electing candidates in accordance with the will of the majority of the people and federalism means sharing. There are many countries that adopted democratic systems in the world and they have chosen a democratic system that matches the reality and social, economic, and cultural characteristics of their countries. Therefore, it is necessary for us to adopt an administrative system that matches with our country. It is necessary for all of us to cooperate in order to create a better present by learning lessons from the past without arguing.
Despite adopting democracy and human rights, priority should be given to stability, tranquility, and development of the country. For the development of the country, it is essential to promote economic development. For economic development, it is important to nurture scholars and experts. It is vital to create job opportunities for economic development. No one should forget the Myanmar proverb that says one can keep ethics only when one's stomach is full. We need scholars and experts to establish a disciplined administrative system. Only when education is developed, a modern and developed nation can be built. As about 70 percent of the population of the country are rural people, the industrial economy cannot be established immediately and it is necessary to create industries based on agriculture and livestock breeding step by step. He urged political parties to narrow the gap between rural and urban areas and regions and states as much as possible, to alleviate poverty and to reflect the reality.
He urged political parties to carry out political activities with the commitment to the betterment of the country. In politics, words are required to reflect deeds and vice visa. It is of utmost importance to elect genuine candidates of the people in building a modern and democratic nation and to elect better candidates. The Tatmadaw will cooperate with all to make the upcoming elections a free and fair one. It is necessary for all eligible voters to cast their votes in the upcoming election and candidates who should be elected will not get votes if eligible voters refuse to cast votes in the election. It is necessary to persuade voters to cast their votes for candidates who should get votes. The Tatmadaw is ready to cooperate with any organization that is doing national politics for the development of the country.
After the meeting, the Senior General and party cordially greeted the chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries, and officials of the political parties who came to the meeting.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing encourages collective blood donation of officers, other ranks from Yangon Command area at National Blood Centre (Yangon), participates in blood donation together with senior military officers
The address to be delivered by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the Union Peace Conference: 21st Century Panglong
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing cordially meets townselders, ethnics, departmental officials, war veterans and people's militia in Putao
Famous vocalists, musicians perform as part of safeguarding Myanmar musical performing art
Myanmar Tatmadaw delegation led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing tours unique places in Kanchanaburi District
September 5, 2019 Admin 0

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Vijetha is said to be a father-son relationship story where the son is trying hard to make his father proud.
Coincidentally, Vijetha is also the title of a Chiranjeevi's film which was a remake of Bollywood film Saaheb which featured Anil Kapoor and Amrita Singh. Chiranjeevi's Vijetha is the story of a young man who gives up his dreams to support his father in running the family. And it is being reported that the new Vijetha also has a similar backdrop in it. Murli Sharma will be seen playing an important role in Vijetha while Malavika Nair will be playing the love interest of Kalyan Dhev in the film. interestingly, Vijetha has been captioned 'Lighting up smiles on others faces is also a success' hinting at a similar backdrop of Chiranjeevi's Vijetha.


Welcome to my web site where you can find a short bio and my professional details.
Everything started in León on Jun 13th, 1982, in a sunny Sunday, during the inaugural ceremony of 1982 FIFA Football World Cup. The rest of the story comes next.
I studied Computer Engineering at University of León (2000-2005). Last year of my higher degree, I obtained an Erasmus grant for studying at Engineer School of Copenhagen, Denmark. Back at my home university, I realized my final degree project about robot navigation and I discovered the amazing world of robots.
On September 2008, I got my Master Degree in Robotics and Automation from Carlos III University of Madrid. My final project was titled "From teleoperation to tactil control on social robots".
In February 2009, I started to work as Teaching Assistant and, since 2013, I am an Assistant Professor. During these years, I've been involved on several courses, such as Computing Systems, Real Time Systems, Intelligent Control, Production Systems and Manufacturing, Integrated Manufacturing Systems, Industrial Automation, or Home and Building Automation.
In 2009 I spent 3 months in the Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories, Japan, collaborating with Takayuki Kanda and Mashahiro Shiomi. We researched on the prediction of the trajectories of people while crossing each other for its application to social robots. This work was published in IROS 2010.
Next year my destination was the Adaptive Systems Research Group in the School of Computer Science, University of Hertfordshire, where I stayed for 4 months. My advisors during my stay were Farshid Amirabdolahian and Daniel Polani. We researched on robot's behavior adaptation to user's preferences and the results were published in IEEE-ROBIO 2011.
In 2013 I visited the Social Robotics Lab at Yale University, USA, during 4 months. In this period, I collaborated with Prof. Brian Scassellati and we investigated on the effects of form and motion on judgments of social robots' animacy, likability, trustworthiness and unpleasantness. The results were published on the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies.
My research fields are social robotics, human-robot interaction, decision making systems, emotions and motivations on robots, robot expressiveness, and other related issues.
RobAlz is a project born from the collaboration between the Spanish Alzheimer Foundation and the RoboticsLab. The aim is to develop robots that assist in the daily tasks of caregiver to the Alzheimer's sufferers.
Journal Effects of form and motion on judgments of social robots' animacy, likability, trustworthiness and unpleasantness.


Jessica stood at the back of a small boutique staring at the calm grey flats that looked comfortable to wear with any white cotton sundress or her white denim capris. Hmmm, she thought to herself, I'm ready for simple, elegant and a tasteful kind of life. A pair of shoes says a lot about a person. Her phone rang, she answered knowing that this call she couldn't push to voicemail.
She turned the phone around so the caller could see the shoes.
She turned to the row behind her and lifted up the spiked, red platinum heels that could leave damage to a newly laid sod. Her fingers glided down each spike that lined the heel. They glimmered as if they were dipped in silver but gleamed like platinum. The spikes were sharp and could scratch anyone that dared to touch them in a non-respectful way. They were like guard dogs for her precious gorgeous feet, that seemed to be a fetish for freaks like the one on the call.
Jessica hung up…counted down under her breath in a whisper, 5-4-3-2-1. Bingo! The phone rang as she predicted, she answered and hung up. Again counting down as she stood there in her stocking feet with a tight jean skirt and bulging breasts out of her laced white top, red bra showing underneath. 5-4-3-2-1. The phone rings, she says hello this time.
She hung up knowing every word out of her mouth was a damn lie. She might not even show up, that would shut his trashy mouth. Not all the money in the world would she said to herself…not all the money in the world.
She grabbed the spiked heels and walked to the register but stopped and turned back and grabbed the grey flats. The flats that spoke to her, made her remember who she use to be and who she wanted to be again.


This popular American dessert is the perfect starting point to spin-off a healthy, plant-based, antioxidant-rich smoothie. Forget the white cake, whipped cream and loads of sugar, fat and calories and welcome a creamy, delicious, fiber-rich, protein-packed nutrient-dense breakfast or afternoon snack.
Strawberries are loaded with antioxidants.
Pour into a tall glass and garnish with cashews and oats for an extra crunch.


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Village Voice Taps Joe Levy as Interim EIC
He will continue to contribute to Rolling Stone.
By Richard Horgan
In the wake of Will Bourne's dismissal from The Village Voice, Rolling Stone contributing editor Joe Levy has stepped in this week as the publication's interim editor in chief. He will continue to contribute to Rolling Stone while he fills in at the Voice.
"We appreciate Joe coming on board to help while we look for a new EIC," owner Peter Barbey said in a statement to FishbowlNY. "He is one of the best in the business and the Village Voice is lucky to be the recipient of his immense talents."
One of Levy's recent pieces for Rolling Stone was a cover story tribute to Prince, anchored around the performer's final show in Atlanta:
As with so many visionary artists, there was a period in Prince's career – almost all of the 1980s – when he seemed able to look around corners, when his music seemed to live in the future, and then assemble that future around us.
The Voice says finding a new EIC is a top priority, but that they are not rushing through the process. They are meeting with candidates now.
http://adweek.it/2buReWD
Richard Horgan
@hollywoodspin
Richard Horgan is co-editor of Fishbowl.


Those wishing to take out citizenship in Switzerland will face tougher requirements from January 2018. The new federal law on nationality is among a number of legal revisions to come into effect with the new year. In future only those immigrants who have a C residence permit will be eligible to apply. Stricter language requirements will also come into effect: candidates will have to demonstrate their ability in a Swiss national language in a written test. Until now there has been no consistency in language testing, with many cantons in the French-language region making a judgment based on the candidate's oral skills. "Candidates' linguistic abilities were evaluated at an interview with the commune or cantonal naturalization committee," said Christophe Maillard, head of the canton of Fribourg naturalization service in comments quoted by Le Matin. The new law formalizes the language requirement, with candidates having to demonstrate A2 level writing ability and B1 spoken skills under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The cantons can raise the barrier even higher if they wish.The Thurgau cantonal government decided in November that its applicants for citizenship must have B2 level speaking ability. The language tests will take place in accredited language schools, Le Matin said, and cost the applicant a maximum of 250 francs. Candidates whose mother tongue is a Swiss national language or who have studied for at least five years in one of these languages will not be required to undergo the test. Another change affects social welfare.Until now applicants in receipt of welfare benefits were excluded from applying for citizenship. From January this will be extended to include those in receipt of social welfare in the three years prior to their application. An exception is made if the benefits are paid back in full.In one important respect the application process is being eased, with candidates only having to have been resident in Switzerland for 10 years instead of the current 12.
Hackathon day of the first Swiss Legal Tech Conference, held in Zürich the 2nd of October 2017. Pitching ideas and group building.
First Swiss Legal Tech Hackathon & conference held in Zürich.
The Swiss (German: die Schweizer, French: les Suisses, Italian: gli Svizzeri, Romansh: ils Svizzers) are citizens or natives of Switzerland. The demonym derives from the toponym of Schwyz and has been in widespread use to refer to the Old Swiss Confederacy since the 16th century.
Although the Swiss Confederation, the modern state of Switzerland, originated in 1848, the period of romantic nationalism, it is not a nation-state, and the Swiss are not usually considered to form a single ethnic group, but a confederacy (Eidgenossenschaft) or Willensnation ("nation of will", "nation by choice", that is, a consociational state), a term coined in conscious contrast to "nation" in the conventionally linguistic or ethnic sense of the term.
The number of Swiss nationals has grown from 1.7 million in 1815 to 6.76 million in 2009, 90% of them living in Switzerland. About 60% of those living abroad reside in the European Union (423,300); the largest group of Swiss descendants outside of Europe is in Canada (146,830).
Swiss law is a set of rules which constitutes the law in Switzerland.
adjudication (binding decisions) by competent tribunals.
As gun violence and mass shootings continue to plague America, the issue of gun-control remains politically divisive and has many wondering how to reconcile the right to bear arms with public safety. But one European nation may hold a clue. Switzerland also has a proud tradition of gun ownership but has not seen a mass shooting since 2001. NBC's Lucy Kafanov visited the alpine nation to learn more about the Swiss attitude toward weapons and the laws by which their guns are governed.


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Home/NEWSROOM/News/NEWS: Task Force Releases New Report on SNAP Strategies to Combat Hunger, Promote Wellness, and Boost Houston Economy
NEWS: Task Force Releases New Report on SNAP Strategies to Combat Hunger, Promote Wellness, and Boost Houston Economy
Closing Houston SNAP Gap Could Reach 190,000 More Eligible People
A new report endorsed by a broad cross-section of Houston leaders provides a roadmap for Houston to access more federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food dollars to combat hunger, improve health and well-being, and boost the local economy. Currently, more than one in five eligible people in Houston are missing out on SNAP benefits. The report estimates that closing the Houston SNAP gap would bring a total of $110 million per year to over 190,000 more eligible Houstonians and generate $196 million more in local economic activity. The report will be released at a press conference October 18, at 10:30 a.m.
The report was created by a task force composed of food bankers, service providers, educators, students, faith-based groups, retailers, seniors' groups, and other stakeholders led by Houston Food Bank CEO Brian Greene and CHILDREN AT RISK CEO Dr. Bob Sanborn. The Task Force was convened with technical assistance from national experts Food Research & Action Center and The Food Trust, and with support from Target.
The Task Force recommends strategies to educate more eligible people about SNAP and assist them in obtaining SNAP benefits. These range from simplifying SNAP agency procedures and adopting neighborhood-based strategies to educate people and help them navigate the SNAP enrollment process, to improving access to affordable food, including for people with mobility issues. In the near future, the Task Force calls for steps to streamline the SNAP enrollment process for seniors; to augment SNAP disaster planning; and to explore ways to improve SNAP benefit distribution.
"Contrary to what many people think, most of the families struggling with food insecurity have jobs," says Houston Food Bank President and CEO Brian Greene. "They're just not making enough money to get by. We need SNAP to help working families fill that gap."
"Children should not ever be hungry or worry about when their next meal will be," says Dr. Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK. "Children that are not hungry and have eaten nutritious meals are healthier, have stronger brain function and have a better chance at success in school and beyond."
"We're proud of the public-private partnership that allows SNAP to serve our customers efficiently and with dignity," says Texas Retailers Association Food Council Chairwoman Kathy Sweidel-Caton of Lewis Food Town, Inc. "We know that our customers may go through difficult times, whether due to economic downturn, personal issues, or a natural disaster. After Hurricane Harvey, Disaster SNAP brought critical resources that helped many Houston families during the recovery. Adopting best practices in SNAP remains important to Houston going forward, and representing Texas retailers by continuing our work with the SNAP Task Force can only improve distribution of benefits to those who need it most."
"Our partner organizations see over 200,000 people each year who are making the choice between food or housing and food or healthcare," says Sharon Zachary, CEO of Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries. "As we work with families toward their overall financial stability, SNAP is a quick and effective temporary support for families in need, reducing food insecurity and freeing up resources for other basic needs. We will continue to support our partnerships in helping eligible families connect with SNAP."
"Hunger undermines students' ability to learn, whether that is in grade school or in higher education," says Dr. Daphne Hernandez, professor at the University of Houston. On college campuses in Houston—and across the U.S.—too many college students are struggling with hunger and homelessness. SNAP can help more of those low-income students have the food they need while they get the education to attain financial security long-term."


You wanted to know where the athletes of the 11th Annual Offense-Defense All-American Bowl would be showing their talents off and we're excited to say that your wait is over! Offense-Defense is proud to announce that this year's All-American Bowl Week in Atlanta will be showcased at Fifth Third Bank Stadium!
Named as one of the TOP FIVE must see sports stadiums by NCAA.com, Fifth Third Bank hosts Division I Kennesaw State University athletics programs and is a world-class facility with a gorgeous field, spectacular seating, a giant video board, top-flight dressing and locker rooms, interview rooms, and TONS more!
As we were scouting locations for this year's All-American Bowl, we were BLOWN AWAY by Kennesaw State's Fifth Third Bank facility and we think you'll agree that this might be the most gorgeous venue to ever host our games. But don't take our word for it - we want you to wow us at camp and be named an Offense-Defense All-American so you can see for yourself!
Remember, the ONLY way to get an invitation to the All-American Bowl is to GET TO CAMP! Don't get left on the sidelines this season.


text:
Oral history interview with Colin L. Westerbeck 1975
Chicago Citation
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Westerbeck, Colin L (Interviewee)
Nackman, Mark E (Interviewer)
Family owned can company, manufacturing custom and specialty cans: sale of company to Continental Can, 1935; national sales promotion of beer can to brewing industry; anecdotes about Anheuser Busch and Falstaff; can self-manufacture; responsibilities as district sales manager; products and distribution of various plants.
Continental Group project
Sales personnel; Manufacturing processes; Consolidation and merger of corporations; Sales management; Containers; Westerbeck, Colin L; Continental Can Company
oral histories; sound recordings
Origin Information
Note (Biographical)
District sales manager.
Interviewed by Mark E. Nackman on January 13, 1975.
Note (Provenance)
Colin L. Westerbeck, Gift 1975
Columbia Center for Oral History, Columbia University
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Time-Based Media
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https://dx.doi.org/10.7916/d8-x2zz-c683
Available digital content for this interview.


I love it when you need to see a dentist & they make time for you immediately! We all lead busy lives and some things get left out until they really start to bother you.. I called ASAP when my tooth started to feel sensitive and Dr Nicks staff urged me to come in ... I'm glad they did.. my tooth had a crack in it and if I would have waited any longer they would have pulled it.. Dr Nick saved my tooth..it's the little things that make us happy.. love the staff and Dr Nick! If you don't have a dentist I urge you to see Dr Nick!
Dr Nick has a deeply experienced team of caring professionals who will put you at ease with their always positive manner, and impress you with their skills. Nobody does it better!
Dr. Nick and his entire staff were excellent! I made a same day emergency appointment for a lost filling and they were able to get me in and out very quickly! The friendliest and most professional group I have worked with hands down. On top of getting an excellent result I had a great visit and would recommend them to anyone!
Love going to see Dr Nick! He's always fun to talk to, his staff is amazing, he uses the latest technology and procedures and most importantly creates a collaborative care plan with his patients.
Had my six month checkup and cleaning today and I am very happy with my experience. From the time I walk in the door until time to go I feel at ease knowing I am being taken care of by true professionals that care about my health. Everyone there takes pride in the service they provide and it shows.
Great atmosphere. Everyone truly makes you feel loved.
I'm so Blessed to have been led to Columbia Smiles!!! Today I had a long dreaded appt that advices else where would have been more intense and may have meant for a partial. However Dr.Nick took much time review my situation early and felt he could fix my broken crown without extensive damage or pulling on out. Today was the First Time I left the dentist not in pain or upset. Dr Nick was so kind and patient with me!!! Angie kept me calm, I was there over two hours it it truly flew by. ALL the staff are sweet caring and personable. I felt at home and not dreading upcoming appts. I thank God for these folks. Highly Recommend!! Truly!!!
Had my semi annual visit today. As always a great experience, most people have some fear of visiting a dentist office, not here, extra care is taken every time to insure that a patient has as pleasant experience as possible. Great staff !!
Excellent experience. Pam did a great job of cleaning my teeth and checking things out. The office staff is wonderful and very friendly. Nick is energetic and is very concerned about his patients and their well-being. Highly recommend.


text:
Matthew Mackendree "Matt" Lanter (Massillon, Ohio, 1 april 1983) is een Amerikaans acteur die vooral in televisieseries te zien is.

Biografie
Lanter is een zoon van Joseph 'Joe' Lanter en Jana Burson. Op achtjarige leeftijd verhuisde hij naar Atlanta, Georgia. In 2001 studeerde Lanter af aan de Collins Hill High School. In zijn vrije tijd speelde hij honkbal, voetbal en golf. Hij studeerde aan de University of Georgia.

Zijn debuut maakte hij in de animatiefilm Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Hij sprak de stem van Anakin Skywalker in.

Filmografie

|-
| 2022 || Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi || Anakin Skywalker || televisieserie; 1 aflevering (stem)
|-
| 2022 || LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation || Anakin Skywalker / Rodian || televisiefilm (stem)
|-
| 2020 || The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special || Anakin Skywalker / Rodian || televisiefilm (stem)
|-
| 2019 || The Mandalorian || Lant Davan || televisieserie; 1 aflevering
|-
| 2019 || Avengers Assemble || Winter Soldier || televisieserie; 1 aflevering (stem)
|-
| 2017 || Pitch Perfect 3 || Chicago ||
|-
| 2017-2018 || Star Wars: Forces of Destiny || Anakin Skywalker / Boushh || televisieserie; 7 afleveringen (stem)
|-
| 2017 || Star Wars Battlefront II || Anakin Skywalker || videospel (stem)
|-
| 2016 || Timeless || Wyatt Logan || televisieserie (hoofdrol)
|-
| 2016 || LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens || Anakin Skywalker || videospel (stem)
|-
| 2016 || Star Wars Rebels || Anakin Skywalker || televisieserie; 2 afleveringen (stem)
|-
| 2016 || LEGO Marvel's Avengers || Ulysses Klaue || videospel (stem)
|-
| 2014-2015 || Disney Infinity || Venom / Anakin Skywalker || videospel (stem)
|-
| 2014 || Star-Crossed || Roman || televisieserie (hoofdrol)
|-
| 2012-2017 || Ultimate Spider-Man || Harry Osborn / Flash Thompson / Venom / Klaw || televisieserie; 46 afleveringen (stem)
|-
| 2010 || The Roommate || Jason ||
|-
| 2010 || Vampires Suck || Edward ||
|-
| 2009 || 90210 || Liam || televisieserie; Meerdere afleveringen
|-
| 2009 || Sorority row || Kyle || televisiefilm
|-
| 2008 || The Oaks || Mike || televisieserie; 1 aflevering
|-
| 2008 || Life || Patrick || televisieserie; 1 aflevering
|-
| 2008-2020 || Star Wars: The Clone Wars || Anakin Skywalker || televisieserie; 95 aflevering (stem)
|-
| 2007 || Disaster Movie || Will || televisiefilm
|-
| 2008 || Star Wars: The Clone Wars || Anakin Skywalker || televisiefilm (stem)
|-
| 2008 || Wargames: The Dead Code || Will Farmer || televisiefilm
|-
| 2008 || The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream || Zack Conroy || televisiefilm
|-
| 2007 || Grey's Anatomy || Adam Singer || televisieserie; 1 aflevering
|-
| 2007 || Monk || Clay Bridges || televisieserie; 1 aflevering
|-
| 2007 || CSI: Crime Scene Investigation || Ryan Lansco || televisieserie; 1 aflevering
|-
| 2007 || Judy's Got a Gun || Isaac Prentice || televisiefilm
|-
| 2006 || Shark || Eddie Linden || televisieserie; 3 afleveringen
|-
| 2006 || Heroes || Brody Mitchum || televisieserie; 5 afleveringen
|-
| 2005-2006 || Commander in Chief || Horace Calloway || televisieserie; 18 afleveringen
|-
| 2006 || Big Love || Gibson || televisieserie; 1 aflevering
|-
| 2005 || Point Pleasant || Nick || televisieserie; 3 afleveringen
|-
| 2005 || 8 Simple Rules || Brendon || televisieserie; 1 aflevering
|-
| 2004 || Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius || Bobby Jones' Caddy || televisiefilm
|-
| 2004 || Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model || Matt Lanter || tv-show
|}

Externe link

Amerikaans acteur
Amerikaans model

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Read part I of the ebizQ excerpt here.
Define Incremental Test Cases. Both the vendor run-off and your in-house tests will be time constrained. To maximize the time, define tests cases that can be built out incrementally, to demonstrate product capabilities. For example, start with a simple integration scenario that exposes a back-end customer database through a customer lookup service. Next, incorporate the customer lookup service in an orchestration, perhaps open customer account. Finally, add the open customer account orchestration to a process, such as loan approval, which could also include logging and notifications.
Describe Your Test Cases in Business Terms. The test case requirements you send to the vendors should be described in terms of "what," not "how." That way, you can see and evaluate the vendor's recommendation for "how." For example, your description of the customer lookup case might be: The customer lookup service accepts customer ID, name or telephone number as input, and returns customer ID, name, address, phone, and status. The customer database is stored in an Oracle DBMS, and is accessible through a plain old Java object (POJO).
Communicate Standards and Constraints. Make sure you share any in-house standards or constraints with the vendors. For example, if you have standardized on Restful (XML/HTTP) services rather than Web Services, articulate that as a requirement. If privacy compliance is important and certain data elements need to be stripped or encrypted, articulate that as a requirement.
Request an Architecture Review. Based on your test cases, standards, and constraints, ask the vendor to provide a suggested architecture to resolve your tests. The architecture should include views of each test case (integration scenario) as well as the design, development, and runtime environments. Use the architecture review as a final gate before bringing a vendor on-site for the run-off. If the architecture presented doesn't match your vision, and adjustments can't be made, move on to another vendor.
Negotiate Post Run-Off Resource Access and Ownership. In your deal, secure access to the software installation and run-off deliverables for the duration of your internal proof-of-concept. Be clear as to the ownership and rights in respect to the run-off deliverables, particularly software components that contain your IP.
Be Prepared! Secure and prepare equipment and personnel before the vendor is on-site. Don't allow small problems––security access, operating system patch levels, or incorrect personnel—to obstruct your test period, and provide the vendor a built-in excuse.
Work One Product at a Time. Schedule one vendor at a time. Block a one-week test period (minimum) immediately following the vendor run-off. Capture all results, questions, concerns, and reactions before moving on to the next product.


The recalled Kidde smoke alarms were sold at Menards, Home Depot, Walmart, and other department, home, and hardware stores nationwide; and online at Amazon.com, ShopKidde.com and other websites from September 2016 through January of this year for between $20 and $40.
While this recall does not affect detectors currently given out through WNEP's Operation Save a Life, people are encouraged to check their home detectors.
For more information, consumers can call Kidde toll-free at 833-551-7739 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Those who prefer not to call can go online can visit http://www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
I'm still waiting on my Kidde Fire Extinguisher replacement from the recall they had back in November '17. ANOTHER recall – what about their Quality Assurance….


Directed by Frank Miller. With Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Jaime King. Rookie cop Denny Colt returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a hero whose mission is to fight against the bad forces in Central City.


Follow them on Facebook, share any one of their posts and take a screenshot.
You will be dropped with 55 FIC tokens.
Florafic Airdrop is a project that really helps the economic segment of its users, hopefully many support this project.


Supplying steel bar to construction buildings.
Fabrication & installation of all types of structural steelworks.
Stainless steel & brass fabrication.
Specialise in stainless steel, brass, bronze railing, gold plated finishes, spiral staircase, shopfront, column cladding, etc and also all kinds of glazing contract.
Manufacturer of 'HWACO' pressed steel, stainless steel water tanks & stainless steel sinks. 'HWACOTUBE' stainless steel tube for water and ornamental use.
Specialise in the fabrication, installation & repairs of ship.
Importers & exporters: Stockist of copper, brass, stainless steel, sheets, plates, rods, angle bars, flat bars, expanded metals & lead sheets, etc.
Manufacture and sale of stainless steel products.


text:
What Comes Next After Microservices, Kubernetes, and Serverless
sponsored,
Cloud Native / Containers / Serverless / Sponsored
18 Jan 2019 11:52am, by Sonya Koptyev
Twistlock sponsored this post.
Sonya Koptyev
Sonya is the director of evangelism at Twistlock. She has been driving community efforts across various development technologies since the early days of SharePoint and .NET. Sonya worked on building the Office developer community and the Microsoft AI developer community and bringing the latest in bleeding-edge technologies into the hands of developers. As part of Twistlock, Sonya is looking to bring the world of secure cloud native development into the hands of every developer, ensuring that they can make the most of the best cloud native technologies in a secure way.
It's 2019 and Docker containers are already old news — or at least, they've become so mainstream that they are no longer cutting-edge technology. You could say the same about microservices architectures, Kubernetes, serverless functions, service meshes and many of the other cloud-native infrastructure technologies that have been at the forefront of innovation over the past several years.
That begs the question: What comes next? Which new technologies and processes will shape cloud-native computing stacks going forward?
Predicting the future is always a risky business, but here are some thoughts about what might be the next big thing in infrastructure technologies for cloud native organizations.
To be clear, many of the cloud native technologies discussed below won't replace existing ones, like containers, as much as they will build upon or extend them. But that makes sense; despite the myth of disruption, most innovations are just incremental improvements upon things that already exist, not radical breakthroughs that appear out of thin air.
Unless you're a computer scientist, you probably have not heard of unikernels, which for the most part remain experimental today. But they're an interesting technology for cloud native environments that could help organizations double-down on the benefits of containers.
Unikernels put everything required to run an application (including operating system libraries) into a portable package, and they exclude everything else. In other words, a unikernel contains only the very specific bits of code required to run a specific application. That makes them even lighter-weight and more secure than Docker containers.
Unikernels are also theoretically ultra-portable because they include everything they need to boot themselves. That means they should be able to boot on any kind of hardware. (In practice, most of the unikernels that have been created to date work only in specific types of virtualized environments, like ones created using the Xen hypervisor, but that could change as unikernel technology matures).
Projects like MirageOS are working to make unikernels a practical solution for production workloads. Unikernels are a technology to follow if you want to stay ahead of the cloud native curve.
Sponsor Note
Trusted by 25 percent of the Fortune 100, Twistlock is the most complete, automated and scalable cloud native cybersecurity platform. Purpose built for containers, serverless, and other leading technologies — Twistlock gives developers the speed they want and CISOs the control they need.
Short for (depending on whom you ask) either "artificial intelligence operations" or "AI operations," AIOps is a buzzword we're hearing more and more these days. And while I don't usually like speaking in buzzwords, AIOps is a genuinely innovative technological concept that's worth watching closely.
The premise behind AIOps is that by using machine learning and artificial intelligence, we can build tools that fully automate much of the work traditionally done by IT Ops teams. Instead of relying on human engineers to figure out why a cloud native application service has slowed down, for example, or to pinpoint the root cause of a complex system failure, AIOps tools can use data to interpret the problem, then fix it automatically.
So far, there has been much more talk about AIOps than real-world solutions. The concept is easy enough to implement at a basic level, and some APM vendors (I won't name names here, in the interest of neutrality) are already starting to build AIOps into their offerings.
In the future, we're likely to see the AIOps concept extended more broadly, including to the realm of security.
Hands-off Containers
Initially, Docker containers required a lot of effort to manage. Then, orchestration tools like Kubernetes matured and simplified container management, although they left some gaps that engineers had to address by hand.
I suspect that one of the prevailing trends we'll eventually see is the rise of a new generation of tools that simplify container management even more. We've already seen this happening with the introduction of services like AWS Fargate, which eliminates most of the burden related to managing container infrastructure, and KNative, which makes it easier to integrate Kubernetes into fully automated CI/CD pipelines. Expect more new tools to appear within this vein of solutions for making containers (and other cloud native technologies) easier to manage and deploy.
Broader Serverless Support
Serverless functions are great for running code in a highly scalable, cost-efficient way and make infrastructure management easier. However, most of the serverless solutions that have appeared to date are subject to two significant limitations: They're tied to specific vendors (usually, a particular public cloud), and they support only certain programming languages.
There's room for improvement on this front, and I think we'll see it happen in the form of serverless frameworks that are infrastructure-agnostic, meaning that they can work with multiple clouds or even on-premises infrastructure. They'll also likely support any type of programming language.
Things are already headed in this direction. The number of languages supported by the major cloud-based serverless environments available today has been steadily increasing, and open source projects like Fn are building infrastructure-agnostic serverless frameworks, although they have yet to achieve the market share or mindshare of cloud-based alternatives like AWS Lambda and Azure Functions.
Containers, microservices and the other types of cloud-native technology that are widely used today have enabled us to build environments and software stacks that are magnitudes more scalable, flexible and efficient than those that prevailed just a decade ago. However, we can do even better.
As the next generation of cloud native technologies emerges, I suspect we'll see unikernels, which promise even more portability and efficiency than containers; AIOps, which takes IT Ops automation to the next level; better container-orchestration solutions that allow for better CI/CD pipeline automation and more flexible serverless frameworks emerge as the cutting edge of modern cloud native infrastructure.
Register today for the Cloud Native Live virtual summit on January 29 to learn more about building, shipping, and securing Cloud Native applications. It's free to attend.
Feature image via Pixabay.
CI/CD / DevOps / Security / Sponsored
The State of Security for DevOps in 2020
20 Jan 2020 5:00pm, by Jennifer Riggins
Microservices / Service Mesh / Sponsored / Contributed
Part 3: The Best Way to Select a Proxy Architecture for Microservices Application Delivery
16 Jan 2020 1:25pm, by Pankaj Gupta


Vatican City, Jan 19, 2019 / 06:02 am (CNA).- Pope Francis issued a motu proprio Saturday ending the pontifical commission Ecclesia Dei and creating an office within the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith to focus on doctrinal dialogue with traditionalist groups.
For over thirty years, the pontifical commission Ecclesia Dei has "facilitated the full ecclesial communion of priests, seminarians, communities or individual religious linked to Mgr. Marcel Lefebvre's fraternity, who wished to remain united to the Successor of Peter in the Catholic Church, preserving their spiritual and liturgical traditions," Pope Francis wrote in the apostolic letter published Jan. 19.
"The institutes and religious communities that usually celebrate in extraordinary form have found today their own stability of number and life," the pope noted.
Established in 1988 by St. John Paul II in order to carry on a dialogue with traditionalist parties, Ecclesia Dei was reformed by Benedict XVI in 2009 with the instruction Universae Ecclesiae, linking the commission to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).
The closing of Ecclesia Dei is the latest step in the pope's wider project of reform of the Roman Curia. Administrative matters, including the pontifical commission's budget, will now be included in the ordinary accounts of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.
The Ordinary Session of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith on November 15, 2017 requested that "the dialogue between the Holy See and the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X be conducted directly" by their congregation, the apostolic letter explained.
In November 2018, Fr. Davide Pagliarani, the superior general of the SSPX, met with CDF Prefect Cardinal Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer and Archbishop Guido Pozzo, secretary of the pontifical commission Ecclesia Dei.
During the meeting "it was recalled that the fundamental problem is actually doctrinal … Because of this irreducible doctrinal divergence, for the past seven years no attempt to compose a draft of a doctrinal statement acceptable to both parties has succeeded. This is why the doctrinal question remains absolutely essential," according to a SSPX statement.
The SSPX was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1970 to form priests, as a response to what he described as errors that had crept into the Church after the Second Vatican Council. Its relations with the Holy See became particularly strained in 1988 when Archbishop Lefebvre and Bishop Antonio de Castro Mayer consecrated four bishops without the permission of St. John Paul II.
The illicit episcopal consecrations resulted in the excommunication of the bishops involved. The excommunications of the surviving bishops were lifted in 2009 by Benedict XVI, and since then negotiations "to rediscover full communion with the Church" have continued between the SSPX and the Vatican.
There were indications in recent years of movement towards regularization of the priestly society, which has some 600 priest-members.
In March 2017, Pope Francis gave diocesan bishops or other local ordinaries the authorization to grant priests of the SSPX the ability to celebrate licitly and validly the marriages of the faithful who follow the Society's pastoral activity.
And in September 2015, the pope announced that the faithful would be able to validly and licitly receive absolution from priests of the SSPX during the Jubilee Year of Mercy. This ability was later extended indefinitely by Francis in his 2016 apostolic letter Misericordia et misera.
Vatican City, May 31, 2018 / 05:39 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis Thursday extended the mandate of his special envoy to Medjugorje, tasking him with oversight of the pastoral needs of both the local parish community, and pilgrims who come to visit the site of alleged Marian apparitions that took place in the city.
Henryk Hoser, archbishop emeritus of Warszawa-Praga, was tapped as the pope's special envoy to study the pastoral situation of Medjugorje in February 2017.
Hoser's task now, according to a Vatican communique on the appointment, is an "exclusively pastoral" role in continuity with the work Hoser did when first named as the papal envoy.
The alleged Marian apparitions in Medjugorje started June 24, 1981, when six children in the town, now a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, claimed to have had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
According to the alleged visionaries, the apparitions conveyed a message of peace for the world, a call to conversion, prayer and fasting, as well as certain secrets surrounding events to be fulfilled in the future.
These apparitions are said to have continued almost daily since their first occurrence, with three of the original six visionaries claiming to have received apparitions every afternoon because not all of the "secrets" intended for them have been revealed.
However, Benedict XVI established a commission, headed by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, to study the topic in further detail.
In January 2014, the commission completed their study on the supposed apparitions' doctrinal and disciplinary aspects, and was to have submitted its findings to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The congregation has yet to submit its final document to the pope for a final decision.
Pope Francis tapped Archbishop Hoser as a special envoy to look into the pastoral situation in Medjugorje in February 2017.
Two months after his appointment as special envoy, Hoser told members of the press that the site bore many genuine expressions of faith, and many vocations were found there. However, he clarified that the final determination of the apparition's authenticity remains to be seen.
Pope Francis has often referenced the alleged Medjugorje apparitions in daily homilies, saying Mary is not a "post-master" who delivers messages everyday on the hour.
When asked by journalists about the apparitions on the flight back from Fatima, Portugal in May 2017, the pope said the original apparitions from more than three decades ago deserve further study, but the ongoing visions seem less credible.
He stressed the need to distinguish between the two sets of apparitions, and referenced the report given to the CDF by Cardinal Ruini in 2014.
Vatican City, Dec 1, 2018 / 09:38 am (CNA/EWTN News).- As the Advent season begins, it is a good time to reflect on the Christian call to joyful expectancy, finding hope and consolation in waiting for Christ, Pope Francis said Saturday.


text:
package faux.mvc.internal;

import java.lang.reflect.Method;
import java.util.HashMap;

import faux.mvc.Context;
import faux.mvc.Controller;

/** Take a request url and return an action */
public class Dispatcher {

  /** Set of controllers we've created so far */
  private HashMap<String,Controller> _controllers = new HashMap<String, Controller>();

  /** Context of this request */
  private Context _context;

  public Dispatcher(Context context) {
    _context = context;
  }

  public Action handleRequest(String requestUri) {
    String path = qualifiedUri(requestUri);
    Action rtn = null;

    // Is the path valid given our namespace?
    // NB. If this is false the servlet is configured wrong.
    if (path == null)
      _context.handler.status().error("Invalid request: URI does not match application namespace", Status.ERROR);

    // Otherwise, get the controller, look for an action to run and run it.
    else {
      String[] parts = path.split("/");
      String cid = (parts.length == 1) ? "home" : parts[1];
      String aid = (parts.length <= 2) ? "index" : parts[2];
      try {
        Controller controller = _controllers.containsKey(cid) ? _controllers.get(cid) : null;
        if (controller == null) {
          String namespace = _context.handler.controllerNamespace();
          Class<?> ctype = Class.forName(controllerName(cid, namespace));
          controller = (Controller) _context.injector.getInstance(ctype);
          controller.setContext(_context);
          _controllers.put(cid, controller);
        }
        Method action = controller.getClass().getMethod(aid);
        rtn = new Action(controller, action, _context);
      }
      catch(Exception e) {
        _context.handler.status().error("Unable to find controller action", e, Status.NOT_FOUND);
      }
    }
    return rtn;
  }

  /** Remove the application namespace, if any */
  private String qualifiedUri(String requestUri) {

    String appNamespace = _context.handler.applicationNamespace();
    String rtn = requestUri;

    // Remove namespace
    if (appNamespace != "") {
      if (requestUri.startsWith(appNamespace)) {
        rtn = requestUri.replaceFirst(appNamespace, "");
      }
    }

    // Remove trailing slash
    if (rtn.endsWith("/"))
      rtn = rtn.substring(0, rtn.length() - 1);

    return rtn;
  }

  /**
   * Return a fully qualified controller namespace.
   * @param cid The name of the controller.
   * @param namespace The namespace in the form 'blah.blah'
   */
  private String controllerName(String cid, String namespace) {
    String rtn = namespace + "." + cid.substring(0, 1).toUpperCase() + cid.substring(1).toLowerCase() + "Controller";
    return rtn;
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


This application consists of Surah Maida (Surah Ma'idah) from the Holy Quran in Arabic, its translation and transliteration in English. There are 120 verses in this surah and it is a 'makki' surah ie. it was revealed in Makkah.


There was a time when the train from Dushanbe reached only Astrakhan, the fact that made the latter a major trans-shipment point for Central Asian immigrants on their way to Russia. Awhile ago, the route was extended to Moscow again. Made up in Dushanbe, it makes five runs to Moscow a week. Most trains come to Moscow from Dushanbe but there are also some trains from Kulyab. The ride takes nearly four days. The train crosses four borders - with Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and finally Russia. This latter is crossed in the town of Aksaraisk not far from Astrakhan.
So many borders make life hard for the passengers, most of them labor immigrants. Travelling to Russia and going back, passengers take as little money with them as possible - just enough for frugal meals and bribes to whoever may turn up and demand to be shown papers (border guards, customs officials, transport police, and so on). In fact, the train with labor immigrants inevitably attracts a whole bunch of extortionists. In Aksaraisk alone the cars are visited by border guards, customs officials, and transport police officers. Representatives of every structure collect 200 rubles from every passenger. Six hundred rubles per passenger, in Aksaraisk alone. As a matter of fact, conductors themselves are not above having their palms greased. Every now and then they are known to demand 100 rubles for the immigration card that is supposed to be free. (We can only hope that it does not happen too frequently.) Sum total is quite impressive, even within a single car.
Do not forget the so called Ticket Mafia that has taken over railroad terminals. People who know what they are talking about maintain that an immigrant cannot buy a ticket at the booking office. All tickets are sold to intermediaries who approach immigrants and offer tickets at the nominal price plus a commission (500 to 600 rubles).
Late summer is the worst season for going home. Trains depart Moscow already filled to the capacity. Labor immigrants never earn that much in the fields or wherever and therefore cannot afford to part with the commission demanded by the Ticket Mafia. Whole families with children huddle right on the platforms for days on end in the hope to eventually make it home from Aksaraisk. More often than not, these "family teams" are from the Karakalpak Autonomous Republic of Uzbekistan.
In the meantime, even the coveted ticket is not yet a guarantee of an easy and unproblematic ride home. In Aksaraisk, the train rides the tracks and stops to admit passengers beyond an iron fence with the only passageway which is of course manned by extortionists in uniforms. The only way for labor immigrants is past them. The hapless passengers are bluntly told to "raise 800 rubles each or the train will leave without you." Every palm must be greased or border guards will still be "examining" the luggage when the train has already departed. (There was an episode once when the man and his child boarded the train but the wife remained behind.) There are even the rumors that the particularly obstinate passengers may end up with drugs planted in their luggage.
The whole situation is enormously beneficial for all the involved structures. Absolutely everyone from ticket intermediaries to conductors to policemen to customs officials takes his turn at robbing labor immigrants. "I feel real sorry for them," a Russian conductor once said. "They make the trip in the hope to earn some money. They all have families, after all. The impression is that this is a train of lepers or something. Everyone demands his share, literally everyone..." Of course, infrequent and mostly formal investigations do occur. Some officials do lose their jobs and get replaced with new ones but... Activists of Paivand Society established by the Embassy of Tajikistan and newspaper Tojikistoni Rossiya do what they can to help with investigations but even they admit that "corruption is flourishing. An official gets sacked but his replacement is not any better."
Where age groups are concerned, passengers of the Dushanbe-Moscow train represent Central Asian labor immigration in miniature. A lot of passengers are 40-45, but there are lots of 20 and 30 year-olds as well. Women are few because not everyone would take his family with him. What women are encountered are usually after 40, small-time vendors colloquially known as "shuttles".
Nazri from the Kulyab region is 28. This is his third trip to Moscow. Nazri lives and works in the Moscow region near the capital itself, his Russian is nearly ideal. A student of an institute in Dushanbe once, Nazri dropped out when it turned out that the cost of studies (he was in his last year already) was more than he could afford. Nazri did not have a single acquaintance in Russia when he made his first trip here. He became a porter at the Kiev Railroad Station then. His first stay in Russia lasted 2.5 years, his second 1.5 years (he also spent some time in Kemerovo and Novokuznetsk with his uncle). Somebody asked Nazri if he had even thought of changing his vocation... He is a member of a team that is building a factory in the Schelkovo district of the Moscow region, these days.
Onboard. Foreman and trainman. Photo by Ferghana.ru"
Nazri does not know how long he will spend in Russia this time. "It depends," he said. His leave of absence from Schelkovo was long (November to August) but Nazri has an excuse. He got married. "If everything is all right, I may even decide to bring my wife to Russia with me," he said. The girl is at home now, at her mother's. Nazri's "little brother" (he is 22) is also in Russia, a worker at some construction site or other in Ramenskoye.
Nazri likes the way things in general are turning out. He likes Russia ("even the climate is OK"), he even got to missing this country. The team of workers he belongs to includes relatives and countrymen, living together in a hostel provided by the employer. The latter takes care of all documents from work permits to registration. Labor immigrants are getting piece-work pay. They celebrate the Navruz, New Year, and Kurban-Bairam right at the hostel. Sometimes, they even ride a commuting train to Moscow and attend the mosque on Poklonnaya Gora. Unfortunately, they cannot attend mosque every Friday but the employer (a Russian, by the way) always gives them a day-off to celebrate the Kurban-Bairam. Safe with the official registration, Nazri does not perceive any particular problems in the future. The only con is that the sick are not paid anything but whoever needs to see a doctor is always given a day-off - at his own expense.
Needless to say, Nazri would dearly like to be able to work at home but it remains an unattainable dream for the time being. Nazri owns a plot of land in his native village where a house could be built. Practically all young men from Nazri's village are labor immigrants, away from homes where only women, children, and the elderly are left. Nazri's mother is content. Her two sons make sure that at least one of them is at home so as not to leave it without a man for long.
In short, Nazri has succeeded in Russia. On this trip, he has even taken a friend of his who does not know a word in Russia. Nazri is going to ask his employer if he could find a job for the friend too. Only the men who have scored are more or less secure, only they can offer help to their friends.
Here is a story (an infrequent one) of a labor immigrant who brought his family to Russia.
labor migrant with his family. Photo by Ferghana.ru"
Kamiliddin has worked in the Samara region for eight years. He eventually bought a house and brought his family from Dushanbe. Kamiliddin with his brother and other relative comprising a team worked at all sorts of construction sites, while his wife and seven children were waiting for him at home. He is taking the family back to Dushanbe now. "It didn't work out," Kamiliddin said. "The children didn't attend school, and I never seemed able to earn enough to sustain the whole family here in Russia. They are going back, and I'll be sending them money."
Boarding the train at Kharabali. Photo by Ferghana.ru"
All of that is great, if true. The immigrants, however, distrust promises, taught by their own bitter experience or scared by stories they heard. The promises nevertheless had their effect, and a lively discussion went on and on in the car - that the whole group might be dispatched to Sochi for construction of objects of the future Winter Olympics. As for Krasnodar itself, "there are lots of businesses over there. We will certainly find jobs in Krasnodar." Employers eagerly hire Tajiks because they "do not drink or smoke" but neither do they feel any pangs of conscience when they sack the workers without pay. Pay is withheld frequently indeed. One of the men in the group had spent a whole year working in Sverdlovsk and been given the boot without pay. All of that made the discussion lively indeed, both exciting first-timers and leaving them somewhat frightened.
A young man from Dushanbe was particularly energetic. All his brothers already working in Russia, he had barely succeeded to persuade his parents to permit him to go to Russia too. I silently wished him luck. He needs it to live up to the parents' (and his own) expectations and come home with money. Hopefully enough to pay for his own wedding.
As for the parents, they can only stay at home and wish their sons luck. Very many labor immigrants carry the tumor - a small amulet - with them.
Natalia Aleksandrovna Zotova is a researcher with the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. She lives in Moscow. This article was written on the basis of trips to the Astrakhan and Volgograd regions in August 2006.


Voted the 'World's Friendliest City' in a 2014 Rough Guide poll, friendly Glaswegians are the thing everyone comments on.
Glasgow also has a phenomenally vibrant arts scene for a city of its size. Indeed, some say the city's size – big enough to be a city, small enough to be a village – is what makes it so unique.
Glasgow's amazing architecture, fantastic venues and world-class museums and galleries are the canvas for many artistic collaborations – whether it's Celtic Connections, Glasgow International, or a Play, a Pie and a Pint!
That isn't the only thing we offer in the Glasgow, we have loads of different mobility equipment to help make your holiday as enjoyable as possible.


The Romans regarded Jupiter as the equivalent of Greek Zeus, and in Latin literature and Roman art, the myths and iconography of Zeus are adapted under the name Iuppiter. In the Greek-influenced tradition, Jupiter was the brother of Neptune and Pluto. Each presided over one of the three realms of the universe: sky, the waters, and the underworld.


European brigandine of the XIV-XV centuries was used both as by the representatives of noble birth, so by commoners-foot soldiers. It protected body at the highest level during the combat. Depending on the fabric and decoration, it could be a real regal armor.
Pattern of this brigandine is based on the scientific publication "The riders of the war. European Cavalry" by Aleksinsky, Zhukov, Butyagin, Korovkin, 2005.
Made-to-measure brigandine is completely handcrafted. Fastenings from the front and on the shoulders allow easy and comfortable wearing of brigandine without external assistance.
We offer you to order really unique medieval body protection by choosing different options, such as type and thickness of metal (for example, cold-rolled or stainless steel, or titanium), wool, leather, velvet or suede for outer layer and linen or cotton for lining.
Various fastenings and types of decoration are available for order. We can sew your personal blazon on the brigandine, or decorate the bottom edge with figured festoons. Brigand or whole-hammered spaulders provide with additional protection. and are available in options as well.
If you choose half-coloured or quarter-coloured brigandine, please inform us via [email protected], what colours you prefer and its exact disposition.
Please have a look at similar models of brigand armor with fastenings from the front: Middle Ages brigandine, Chalkis brigandine type II, brigandine of Spanish knight, large-plate brigandine.
This medieval body plates' armour goes perfect together with brigandine arms and legs protection. We do recommend to wear brigandine over the quilted gambeson for better protection and more comfortable wearing.
In category "Brigandines", you can see all models that we offer for ordering. If you didn't find any for your taste and wish, please send us photo and description of the required model and we will make it for you.
We also offer you read short review about brigandine and how to choose a brigand body protection.
Here is one of the authentic samples of brigandine that was recreated, basing on the materials of excavation of the Battle of Visby (Gotland, Sweden). This notable battle between forces of King Valdemar IV of Denmark and the Gutnish country yeomen on the 27 July 1361 year. So-called Visby brigandine is one of the most popular models between reenactors. Brigandine pattern is designed by its historical analogue. You can use this brigandine armor for: SCA HEMA Larp Stage performances Medieval festivals Reenactment events Made-to-measure brigandine is completely handcrafted. Leather belts for fastening are placed on the back of brigand armor. Front of the body is reliably protected with metal plates, riveted to the base of brigantine armour. Base price includes following options: Black wool for outer shell; Cotton for inner shell; Plates of cold-rolled steel 1.0 mm; Steel finding rivets; Black leather straps; Steel nickel-plated buckles; Straight bottom edge; XS-size; No decora..
Leather brigandine was popular among the warriors in the early XV century. Soldiers, who took participation in close fights, preferably used such medieval body armor, as leather is very firm and durable material. You can use this functional leather armor for: SCA HEMA Larp Stage performances Medieval festivals Reenactment events Made-to-measure medieval brigand body protection is completely handcrafted. The front side of leather battle armor consists of two parts, that are joined with the back side with leather straps. There are belts with buckles for fastening from the front of the brigandine. Skirt has five sections and doesn't hinder movements during the fighting. Plates of brigand armor are overlapped. Base price includes following options: Black leather for outer shell; Plates of cold-rolled steel 1.0 mm; Steel rivets; Black leather straps; Steel nickel-plated buckles; Straight bottom edge; XS-size; No decoration In options, we offer you to choose type and thi..
Brigandine armor for SCA and fencing (basic model) Here is one of the earliest models of brigandine, which refers to the turn of the XII-XIII centuries. We guess you are aware that first European brigandine armor was amateurish attempts to copy Eastern lamellar armor. Invading the Holy Land to Holy Sepulcher, knight-crusader were developing that his heavy chainmail and surcoat protect against sun well, but provide with quite weak protection from arrows and other weapon of damned Saracens. In their turn, damned Saracens were protected with plates' armor, which is lighter and more functional, than chainmails of Lord's soldiers. Some knights succeeded to rob Saracen's corpse in order to sack an armor, but most part of warriors went in chainmails. European blacksmiths were a bit afraid of beginning of "complex and time-consuming" process of lamellar armor making. They preferred "fast and easy" making of chainmail. Finally, the most brave of them, inspired by future glory and heavy knights' fists, began to make own pla..


Will visit on my next trip to Singapore.
we haaaaaaaaave to go to singapore soon.
It's so beautiful and breath taking.
I went there but it was closed for maintenance.
I've been here! It's amazing, you guys should totally go.
it looks like a dreaaaaam.
can't wait to go to Singapore with you.