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Shopee es una plataforma móvil singapurense dedicada al comercio electrónico. Fue fundada en 2015 en Singapur. Posteriormente, se expandió a varios países de Asia-Pacífico, América Latina y Europa, incluidos Malasia, Tailandia, Taiwán, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Filipinas, Brasil, México, Chile, Colombia, Francia y Polonia. Dejó de operar en Argentina desde el 8 de septiembre de 2022, a nueve meses de su llegada. También está disponible en China continental, Hong Kong, Japón y Corea del Sur como centros de ventas.

Pertenece a Sea Group (NYSE: SE, anteriormente llamado Garena).

Historia
En febrero de 2015, Shopee se lanzó en Singapur como un ecommerce centrado en dispositivos móviles donde los usuarios pueden navegar, comprar y vender. Integrada con soporte logístico y de pago, pretende hacer que las compras online sean fáciles y seguras tanto para vendedores como para compradores.

La empresa lanzó un sitio web para competir con otros sitios web de comercio electrónico en la región, como Coupang, Lazada, Tokopedia y AliExpress. Para diferenciarse, Shopee ofrece seguridad en las compras online a través de su propio servicio de depósito en garantía llamado "Garantía Shopee", donde retiene el pago a los vendedores hasta que los compradores hayan recibido sus pedidos.

El 3 de septiembre de 2019, Shopee inauguró oficialmente su nueva sede regional de seis pisos en el Parque Científico de Singapur. El nuevo edificio tiene 22.700 m² de espacio, con capacidad para 3000 empleados y es seis veces más grande que la sede anterior en Ascent Building. El edificio fue alquilado anteriormente por WeWork en Singapur. Posteriormente, el contrato de arrendamiento se entregó a Shopee como resultado de su rápida expansión. Al hacerlo, fortalece su impulso en la economía digital.

Modelo de Negocio
Shopee comenzó como un mercado de consumidor a consumidor (C2C), pero desde entonces ha pasado a un modelo híbrido de C2C y de empresa a consumidor (B2C).

Shopee se asocia con más de 70 proveedores de servicios de mensajería en sus mercados para brindar apoyo logístico a sus usuarios. En Singapur, colaboró con la startup de logística NinjaVan para la recogida y entrega de artículos. Otros socios de entrega en la región incluyen Pos Malaysia y Pos Indonesia. Shopee se asocia con Delhivery y Ecom Express para la entrega de bienes comprados en la India.

Nuevos lanzamientos
En 2016, Shopee lanzó una iniciativa llamada "Universidad Shopee", una serie de talleres y tutoriales para ayudar a los empresarios y empresas locales a establecer sus negocios online en Filipinas.

En 2017, Shopee lanzó Shopee Mall con 200 marcas en Singapur y Filipinas. Presenta miles de productos por marcas y minoristas líderes en la región. Shopee Mall se creó para ofrecer una experiencia de compra online más diversa y atender mejor a las marcas más grandes que buscan un enfoque omnicanal.

En 2018, Shopee lanzó el portal China Marketplace que ofrece a los compradores un fácil acceso a productos de comerciantes chinos, sin gastos de envío ni de agente en Singapur y Filipinas. Este portal compite directamente con la opción Taobao Collection de Lazada.

Embajadores de marca
En 2018, Shopee nombró a Blackpink como su primer embajador de marca regional, como parte de su asociación con YG Group. Bambam de Got7 también fue designado embajador de la marca en Tailandia en octubre del mismo año.

En 2019, Shopee se asoció con el ícono del fútbol mundial Cristiano Ronaldo como su embajador de marca regional. La asociación se anunció en consonancia con el evento de compras anual característico de Shopee, 9.9 Super Shopping Day.

En Filipinas, Shopee ha generado siete embajadores de marca locales: la actriz Anne Curtis, el cantante Jose Mari Chan, la personalidad de televisión Sarah Geronimo, el boxeador y senador Manny Pacquiao, la personalidad de televisión Kris Aquino, el presentador de televisión y comediante Willie Revillame, el presentador de televisión y vlogger Alex Gonzaga y la actriz de televisión Kim Chiu.

En 2020, la personalidad de televisión Aquino se convirtió en el nuevo patrocinador de Shopee para la Venta de Navidad del 11.11, después de Chan, quien fue el patrocinador de la Venta de Navidad del 11.11 al 12.12 en 2018 y el Super Shopping Day del 9.9 en 2020. Chan luego se unió a Aquino en la Venta de Navidad 12.12 en 2020. En febrero de 2021, el presentador de televisión y comediante Revillame fue nombrado nuevo patrocinador de Shopee para 3.3-4.4 Mega Shopping Sale. El programa de Revillame, Wowowin, es socio de Shopee para sus promociones mensuales de venta de compras de dos dígitos en 2020, incluso antes de que Revillame fuera nombrado patrocinador de Shopee en 2021. Aunque Revillame es el nuevo patrocinador de Shopee en 2021, aparece en anuncios en línea, mientras que Kris Aquino permanece el patrocinador de la venta 3.3-4.4 en comerciales de televisión y videos de YouTube.

En agosto de 2020, Phua Chu Kang, un papel clásico de una comedia de situación de Singapur interpretada por Gurmit Singh, fue anunciado y firmado como el primer embajador de la marca de Singapur de Shopee. Posteriormente nombró a Mark Lee como el próximo embajador de Shopee en mayo de 2021.

En Indonesia, Shopee reclutó a 2 embajadores de marca locales: el difunto cantante Didi Kempot y la cantante Nella Kharisma en 2020. Algunas celebridades indonesias también se convirtieron en embajadores de marca locales, como la actriz Prilly Latuconsina, el actor Maxime Bouttier, la cantante Via Vallen y el cantante Rizky Febian en 2018, la legendaria banda de rock Slank y la cantante Syahrini en 2019, y también ex miembro y gerente general de JKT48 Melody Nurramdhani Laksani para Shopee Barokah y el comediante Tukul Arwana en 2020. También en 2020, el grupo masculino coreano Stray Kids asumió el cargo de embajador de la marca de Shopee Indonesia para la gran venta del 11 de noviembre y la venta de cumpleaños del 12 de diciembre. A principios de 2021, dos actores y actrices de telenovelas Amanda Manopo y Arya Saloka de la telenovela de gran éxito Ikatan Cinta (Love Ties) firmaron como embajadores de la marca local de Shopee. También en 2021, el actor y artista marcial Joe Taslim fue contratado como embajador de la marca local de Shopee para el Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day.

En junio de 2021, BtoB fue seleccionada como embajadora oficial de Shopee's K-Collection, una exhibición de marcas coreanas en la que participan 50 pequeñas y medianas empresas nacionales a través de Shopee's Live Shopee Singapur, Shopee Malasia, Shopee Filipinas y Shopee Vietnam. El grupo presentó productos directamente a través de 'Shopee's Live' y llevó a cabo una reunión de fans en línea exclusiva para atraer activamente a los fans locales del K-pop como clientes.

Oferta publica inicial
Sea Group, el conglomerado tecnológico al cual pertenece Shopee, presentó una oferta pública inicial en la Bolsa de Valores de Nueva York (NYSE) en octubre de 2017 por mil millones de dólares estadounidenses. Tencent es el principal beneficiario de la cotización de Sea con una participación del 20 %, mientras que Blue Dolphins Venture, una organización creada por el fundador Forrest Li, posee el 15 %. El propio Li tiene el 20 % y el director de tecnología, Gang Ye, el 10 %.

Premios
En 2015, Shopee fue galardonada con la Startup Of The Year de Singapur en la segunda edición de los Vulcan Awards, presentados por la editorial digital de Singapur, Vulcan Post.

Referencias

Enlaces externos

 Shopee México
 Shopee Colombia
 Shopee Chile
 Shopee España
Garantía Shopee Argentina

Sitios web de comercio electrónico
Subastas
Empresas de Internet
Empresas de Singapur
Empresas fundadas en 2015


On November 5th I discussed a fake Frans Hals which cried fake to me, even without the testing that revealed that it included pigments that were not invented until the 20th Century. Just the look of the thing was wrong—too cool, too modern.
Then last week this image of St. Jerome, supposedly by the 16th Century Mannerist Parmigianino, turns out to be a fake, again betrayed by the presence of modern pigments.
But while the "Hals" jumped out at me, this did not. I haven't looked at enough genuine Parmigianinos to get my eye in tune. It doesn't seem wrong to me the way the "Hals" did. It just seems rather blah, whatever it might be. But enthusiasts keen to collect a famous name, even enthusiasts familiar with Parmigianino's altogether more muscular and decisive "Madonna With The Long Neck" (below), wouldn't necessarily be put off. A slack Parmigianino is still a Parmigianino. Sotheby's thought it good enough to put up for sale. Some unfortunate collector was convinced enough to fork over $672,000 for it.
Forgers, of course, feed on the appetite for the unexpected treasures that turn up from time to time, often in attics and suchlike places. Provenance of such discoveries is, naturally, obscure. All you can do is look.
The background landscape is really pretty good.
And we are, after all, at no less a house than Sotheby's.
Forgers delight in taunting the art world—okay, they've been caught this time, but most of the time they've gotten away with it. The bulk of their work, they chuckle, is out there in the best museums, admired by all. And no doubt, at least occasionally, this is true. And anyway, how do I know that the "Madonna" is the genuine article? Wikipedia gives it that dignity, but are we really. . . ?
For the story of this "Parmigianino," check out "Second Old Master Painting a Fake, Says Sotheby's in Lawsuit" in The New York Times, 1/17/17.


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Villages in Sicily: Scicli and Marzamemi
Gaia Guarino 10 October 2021 Tour of Sicily, Tourism
Sicily is an island where you can get lost in art cities, archaeological sites, amazing landscapes. And then, you can go from the peaks of Etna covered with snow to the blue waves of the sea, on the coast from which you can see some legendary archipelagos. You can enjoy the most hidden towns; they are small gems located in these unique corners of the world. Welcome to the villages in Sicily, so secret that you will want to reveal them to everyone!
Our journey starts from the south of Sicily, from the provinces of Ragusa and Syracuse, and in particular from Scicli and Marzamemi. Let's pack…gooo!
Scicli, the land of Baroque
Here is the Baroque queen, Elio Vittorini describes it as:
«The city of Scicli stands at the intersection of three valleys, with houses on all sides on the cliffs, a large square straddling a stream, and ancient ecclesiastical buildings that crown in several points, like baroque acropolises, the semicircle of the altitudes…».
This territory is varied, the sandy coast is characterized by the Mediterranean scrub, then the almond and olive trees decorate the hinterland. People who want to add a pinch of adrenaline to their holiday will love canyons and gorges…you can feel like in Colorado!
The monuments you have to put into your bucket list include both civil and religious architecture, even if the past of this city has a strong medieval identity. In the 14th century there were two castles: the so-called Castellaccio – nowadays we can see only a few remains on the top of San Matteo hill – and Castello dei Tre Cantoni, today there are no more than a bunch of ruins.
Among the churches, the Church of San Bartolomeo Apostolo (15th century) stands out. It is a Baroque-Rococo 'casket' that hosts a cycle of stuccoes ranging from the 18th to the 19th century. Another remarkable church is the one dedicated to Santa Maria La Nova. It has Byzantine origins, and its history has been long and troubled. Note the neoclassical interior and the quadrangular choir signed by Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia.
Villages in Sicily: listen to this tidbit
While you are visiting Scicli, spend a few minutes at Palazzo Beneventano, located between the ancient, fortified citadel at the top of the hill, and the modern eighteenth-century city. It is enough to know that the art historian Sir Anthony Blunt had the audacity to call it 'the most beautiful Baroque palace in Sicily'
with a pale yellow-gold color that in the sun acquires an indescribable opulence.
So, it is not a coincidence to find it on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Palazzo Beneventano
Marzamemi, let's jump into a painting
Among the villages in Sicily, one of the most colorful and lively is Marzamemi. It is a district of the municipality of Pachino and the root of its name is uncertain. According to the linguist Corrado Avolio, the toponym derives from the Arabic marsà al-ḥamāma, that means 'bay of turtledoves', due to the conspicuous presence of these birds during the spring. It is a hypothesis but what matters is the beauty offered by this place. It has seduced directors such as Gabriele Salvatores who shot his film 'South' here in 1993, this village has also been the set of famous films such as 'The Star Maker' and famous TV series like 'Inspector Montalbano'.
Tourists fall in love with the beach in Spinazza district, the soul of Marzamemi is fishing and visitors can breathe this tradition in every street. From the memory of the ancient tuna fishery to the fishermen's boats, the seafaring culture is also clear in the typical products that delight the palate: red tuna bottarga, dried Pachino tomatoes, cantaloupe melon and then a sip of Nero d'Avola wine to toast to life.
This is not the end of our tour among the villages in Sicily!
Continue to follow Sicilian Secrets, read the articles on the blog and the interviews, without forgetting the news on our Facebook page and Instagram. Stay tuned!
sicilian secrets sicilian tours sicily
Written by Gaia Guarino

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The Descendants (R) George Clooney stars in Alexander Payne's adaptation of Kaui Hart Hemmings' novel about a wealthy Hawaii lawyer trying to raise his daughters in the aftermath of a boating accident that left his wife comatose. Also with Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard, Nick Krause, Beau Bridges, and Robert Forster. (Opens Friday in Dallas)
Dragonslayer (NR) Not to be confused with the 1981 medieval epic of the same name, Tristan Patterson's documentary profiles Josh "Skreech" Sandoval, a Southern California skateboarding legend facing the next chapter of his life. (Opens Friday in Dallas)
Empire of Silver (NR) Christina Yao's drama stars Aaron Kwok as a Chinese man in 1899 who must decide whether to take over his father's banking business or strike out on his own path. Also with Tielin Zhang, Hao Lei, Ding Zhicheng, and Jennifer Tilly. (Opens Friday in Dallas)
Like Crazy (PG-13) Drake Doremus' roundly overrated romance stars Anton Yelchin as an American college student who tries to keep his relationship with his British girlfriend (Felicity Jones) going after she's barred from re-entering the U.S. The movie focuses so much on mood instead of plot that it turns out weirdly forgettable, and while the story is reportedly based on the filmmaker's own life, he doesn't tell us anything about long-distance relationships that we don't already know. Jones brings asperity and sweetness to her role, and Doremus occasionally captures the mood perfectly (the final shot), but not enough to raise this movie above the ranks of other earnest indie dramas. Also with Jennifer Lawrence, Charlie Bewley, Oliver Muirhead, Finola Hughes, Alex Kingston, and Chris Messina.
The Other F Word (NR) Andrea Blaugrund Nevins' documentary profiles various punk-rock guitarists as they enter middle age and become fathers. Starring Mark Hoppus, Tim McIlrath, Jim Lindberg, Art Alexakis, Mark Mothersbaugh, and Flea. (Opens Friday in Dallas)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part I (PG-13) New director Bill Condon takes over the series, as Edward and Bella (Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart) face unexpected complications over her pregnancy. Also with Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, Jackson Rathbone, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Mía Maestro, Maggie Grace, MyAnna Buring, Jamie Campbell Bower, Anna Kendrick, and Michael Sheen. (Opens Friday)
Anonymous (PG-13) Total crap as history, but surprisingly watchable. Roland Emmerich's attempt to credit Edward de Vere (Rhys Ifans) as the real author of Shakespeare's plays, ensnaring him in even more cracked history that involves Ben Jonson, the Earl of Essex's rebellion, Christopher Marlowe's murder, multiple hidden illegitimate children borne by Queen Elizabeth I, and possibly an alien invasion of 17th-century England. Emmerich does keep this thing moving reasonably well and gets some nice performances from his actors, especially David Thewlis as a ruthless royal advisor. This is better than any of the disaster-porn movies that Emmerich is known for. Faint praise, that. Also with Vanessa Redgrave, Sebastian Armesto, Rafe Spall, Edward Hogg, Jamie Campbell Bower, Joely Richardson, Sam Reid, Paolo de Vita, Xavier Samuel, Trystan Gravelle, Mark Rylance, and Derek Jacobi.
Courageous (PG-13) Alex Kendrick appears to be regressing creatively in his latest Christian drama. In addition to directing and co-writing, he stars as a deputy sheriff who vows to become a better father after his young daughter is killed in an accident. Every scene in this male weeper seems to end with a guy putting a fatherly hand on someone's shoulder and dispensing a homily on how a man should behave. The acting is terrible too. A few well-executed action sequences can't counteract the stifling preachiness of this exercise. Also with Ken Bevel, Ben Davies, Kevin Downes, Robert Amaya, Angelita Nelson, T.C. Stallings, Rusty Martin, Taylor Hutcherson, and Renée Jewell.
Dolphin Tale (PG) The true story of a dolphin who lost its tail to a crab trap and the boy who saved its life becomes this sleep-inducing kids' movie. The dolphin in question (named Winter) portrays herself and Nathan Gamble portrays the boy who finds her beached in Florida and convinces the financially struggling water park that's sheltering her to take a chance. The material has potential, but director Charles Martin Smith (Air Bud) dials up the cute animal shtick and drowns out all complexity and anything else that might make this an interesting story. The pelican steals a few scenes, though. Do not pay the 3D surcharge for this movie. In fact, just save your money and go to an aquarium. Also with Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr., Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Michael Roark, Frances Sternhagen, and Kris Kristofferson.
Dream House (PG-13) Daniel Craig stars in this slick but forgettable supernatural thriller that might well work better if you haven't seen the movie's spoiler-tastic trailer. He portrays a writer who moves into a new house with his wife (Rachel Weisz) and young daughters (Taylor and Claire Geare), only to encounter hostile neighbors and supernatural phenomena, both related to the house's previous occupants, who were murdered. David Loucka's script is ingenious enough and the movie looks good, but director Jim Sheridan (In America, In the Name of the Father) has no flair for horror. Too bad. This could have been a terrific scary movie with even a modestly talented producer who fit the genre. Also with Naomi Watts, Marton Csokas, Elias Koteas, Rachel G. Fox, and Jane Alexander.
50/50 (R) This comedy about surviving cancer isn't as ground-breaking as it thinks it is, but it does have its moments. Joseph Gordon-Levitt portrays a 27-year-old Seattleite who's diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer that has a 50 percent chance of killing him. Will Reiser's script is based on his own life experience, but it doesn't go much deeper than other narratives we've seen before about disease. Thankfully, the movie is funny, largely thanks to Seth Rogen as the main character's best friend, a weed-smoking layabout who's forced to assume a few adult responsibilities. There's a great scene near the end, too, when the patient finally calls his even-younger therapist (Anna Kendrick) and lets her hear how scared he is. This may only be a disease-of-the-week movie, but it's rather good. Also with Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston, Serge Houde, Matt Frewer, and Philip Baker Hall.
Footloose (PG-13) Better than the original. This remake of the 1984 hit movie stars Kenny Wormald as the dance-loving big-city teen who finds himself in a small Southern town that bans public dancing. Director/co-writer Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan) fits the assignment perfectly, bringing his feel for the local atmosphere and his ear for music while also making small but noticeable improvements on the original's script. Newcomer Wormald can't match Kevin Bacon's charisma (then again, who could?), but he is a better dancer, and he matches up well with Julianne Hough as the preacher's rebellious daughter. Rejiggered for a new era, this is a terrific piece of entertainment. Also with Dennis Quaid, Miles Teller, Ziah Colon, Ray McKinnon, Kim Dickens, Patrick John Flueger, Ser'Darius Blain, and Andie Macdowell.
The Ides of March (PG-13) Like the other movies George Clooney has directed, this political thriller is stylish, literate, well-acted, and icy cold to the touch. Ryan Gosling portrays a campaign strategist whose errors in judgment lead him to information that could destroy a presidential candidate (played by Clooney himself). Based on Beau Willimon's play Farragut North, the film has some sharp writing and a deluxe cast that pays dividends (especially Paul Giamatti and Evan Rachel Wood). Yet the movie fails both as a broad critique of American politics and as a human tragedy. It's still a neat little story about a clever guy maneuvering out of a tight spot of his own making. It should have been more. Also with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright, Max Minghella, Michael Mantell, Gregory Itzin, and Jennifer Ehle.
Immortals (R) Once again, video director Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall) astonishes the eyes with fantastic digital backdrops and kinetic, stylized fight choreography while numbing the brain with dull characters and a simple plot that somehow manages to trip over its own feet. In this loose interpretation of Greek mythology, Mickey Rourke stars as the villainous, deicidal King Hyperion, who seeks a mythical bow that will give him the power to unleash the legendary Titans from their prison inside Mount Tartarus. Hyperion's army of fearsome, masked marauders is opposed by Theseus (Henry Cavill), the peasant leader of the Hellenic resistance. The film is front-loaded with hasty exposition and scenes that are pretty much smashed together, which unfortunately obscures a subtext on the power of faith — albeit faith in Zeus and Athena and stuff. Tarsem sucks as a storyteller, but the scope of the guy's imagination is breathtaking; the sweep of set pieces such as a village cut into a sheer cliff or the magnitude of a giant fortress' wall are amazing, like Holy Mountain with 100 times the budget mixed with the metopes of the Parthenon come to life. Also with Frieda Pinto, Stephen Dorff, Luke Evans, Kellan Lutz, Stephen McHattie, Isabel Lucas, and John Hurt. –– Steve Steward
In Time (PG-13) This truly odd sci-fi thriller takes place in a dystopian society where time is used as currency, poor people die at 25, and rich people live indefinitely without aging. Justin Timberlake plays a working-class rebel who falls afoul of the law when a rich man who wants to die (Mark Bomer) gives him a century, which leads to him kidnapping an heiress (Amanda Seyfried) in order to redistribute time to the poor. Director Andrew Niccol renders this parallel reality in antiseptic surfaces and harsh light, and instructs his actors to play like they're mummified. The result is a mishmash of wayward satire and logy action thriller. For a movie built around a crime spree, this feels curiously low-energy. Also with Cillian Murphy, Vincent Kartheiser, Alex Pettyfer, Johnny Galecki, Yaya DaCosta, and Olivia Wilde.
J. Edgar (R) Clint Eastwood turns the fascinating life of J. Edgar Hoover into a slog. Leonardo DiCaprio plays the FBI director from youth to old age, as he turns the bureau into the modern crime-fighting unit that we know but also uses it to spy on his personal enemies. Dustin Lance Black's script is always intelligent, but director Eastwood can't resist turning this into a historical pageant, pitching all the scenes at the same low temperature and failing to give a sense of why Hoover inspired such awe and fear. The only time the movie explodes into life is during a violent lovers' quarrel between Edgar and Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer, stealing the movie). The rawness of that scene only accentuates how dull the rest of the movie is. Also with Naomi Watts, Josh Lucas, Jeffrey Donovan, Dermot Mulroney, Stephen Root, Lea Thompson, Jessica Hecht, Ken Howard, Christopher Shyer, Denis O'Hare, and Judi Dench.
Jack and Jill (PG) Adam Sandler probably gets his buddies together every couple of months and asks, "Anyone need work? You cool on money, David Spade? Or do we need to make a movie?" While helping his buddies/SNL also-rans pay their rents is admirable, he could at least stop making such terrible movies. This one might be Sandler's worst, as he plays the titular Jack as well as Jack's twin, the shrewish, mannish, needy, fat-assed, fortysomething, parrot-owning Jill. Jack is an ad exec whose awesome L.A. life is totally upended by an extended holiday visit by his much-loathed sibling. Of course this movie is filled with cameos by Happy Madison regulars Allen Covert, Norm MacDonald, Tim Meadows, and probationary Sandler Friend Nick Swardson, not to mention Johnny Depp, playing himself, and Al Pacino, also playing himself, whose part is the plot point driving the second half of the movie. If you care, Jack has to get Al to be in a Dunkin' Donuts commercial, and when Pacino becomes obsessed with Jill, Jack scrambles around trying to hook them up to make the deal happen. Jill, perhaps wisely, finds Pacino repulsive, falling instead for Jack's gardener, Felipe (Eugenio Derbez), who in turn provides a gateway for Sandler to make Mexican minstrelsy so atrocious even Speedy Gonzalez would say, "That's fucked up, ese." Also with Katie Holmes, Elodie Tougne, Rohand Chand, and Dana Carvey. — S.S.
Moneyball (PG-13) Based on Michael Lewis' book, this drama tells how Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) and his assistant (Jonah Hill) built a winning baseball team on a budget by upending the sport's conventional wisdom and acquiring underrated players. Pitt and Hill are starkly different comic actors, and the chemistry between them never quite takes, even though they do fine work on their own. Writers Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin turn the story into some good comedy, but repetitive scenes keep this from achieving the streamlined momentum of The Social Network, the movie this so badly wants to be. Still, the ending is near magical, with Billy finding value in sports and life beyond the wins and losses. Also with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Pratt, Stephen Bishop, Arliss Howard, Reed Thompson, Brent Jennings, Kerris Dorsey, and Robin Wright.
Paranormal Activity 3 (PG-13) The premise remains the same: vérité horror flick about a family filming themselves as they're terrorized by a poltergeist haunting their improbably large house. By all rights this should be tired by now, and yet the directing team of Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman (Catfish) keeps it all fresh. This prequel set in 1988 stars Chloe Csengery and Jessica Tyler Brown as the two young sisters whose parents (Christopher Nicholas Smith and Lauren Bittner) are the unlucky first to discover the malign force that only their younger girl can see. The mix of special and practical effects makes for a third movie that offers different scares from its predecessors. Also with Dustin Ingram, Sprague Grayden, and Katie Featherston.
Puss in Boots (PG) Five years too late. The feline adventurer voiced by Antonio Banderas is a funny character, but he was introduced to us in Shrek 2 back in 2004, which is why this spinoff feels so stale. In this tale, Puss must team up with his ex-best friend Humpty Dumpty (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) and a beguiling pickpocket (voiced by Salma Hayek) to steal some magic beans that'll lead them to a golden-egg-laying goose. The movie gets off to a nice start, and the animators clearly have fun animating the ungainly Humpty. Yet an extended flashback sequence derails the film's momentum, and the relationship between Puss and Humpty never carries the weight that it's supposed to. Additional voices by Billy Bob Thornton, Amy Sedaris, Constance Marie, and Guillermo Del Toro.
Real Steel (PG-13) For a movie with such a silly premise, this is far more entertaining than it should be. Hugh Jackman stars in this drama set in the near future as a down-on-his-luck owner of giant boxing robots, who enjoys an unlikely run of success after unexpectedly having to take charge of his unacknowledged 11-year-old son (Dakota Goyo). The rock-em-sock-em robot action falls apart at the end, but the thing is carried off with an unusual amount of conviction, and Jackman in particular looks revitalized. Watch for a cameo by screenwriter John Gatins as a tattooed mohawked lowlife fight organizer. Also with Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie, Kevin Durand, Olga Fonda, Rick Yune, Hope Davis, and James Rebhorn.
The Rum Diary (R) Based on a Hunter S. Thompson novel written early but published late in his career, this film stars Johnny Depp as a hard-drinking journalist who lands in Puerto Rico in 1960 and finds his voice during a series of encounters with corrupt officials. This long-shelved film has a nifty cast and some nicely staged hijinks, but director Bruce Robinson (Withnail & I) only succeeds in raising dry chuckles. Except for a few scattered instances (like the reporter's first hit of LSD), this thing raises never evokes the psychedelic madness of Thompson's world-view. Agreeable though this is, it's still Thompson denatured. Also with Amber Heard, Michael Rispoli, Aaron Eckhart, Giovanni Ribisi, Amaury Nolasco, and Richard Jenkins.
Tower Heist (PG-13) Brett Ratner's plush comic thriller wants badly to be awesome but enjoys only a few isolated moments of awesomeness. When a Bernard Madoff-like financier (Alan Alda) is placed under house arrest in his deluxe Manhattan apartment tower, the building's manager (Ben Stiller) recruits a small-time neighborhood thug (Eddie Murphy) to help the building employees steal back the money that the financier conned them out of. The premise is clever, but the hole-filled plot shifts all the weight onto the comedy. Some of the jokes land but not enough of them. Even though the street-hustler role rejuvenates Murphy, his partnership with Stiller and the chemistry among the cast as a whole doesn't yield much. The movie's a modest little diversion, but it should have been much more. Also with Gabourey Sidibe, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Michael Peña, Téa Leoni, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zeljko Ivanek, Jessica Szohr, Heavy D, and Judd Hirsch.
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (R) Our favorite Asian stoner pals (John Cho and Kal Penn) are back in top form, having to find a new tree on Christmas Eve after Kumar accidentally burns down Harold's tree. Along the way, they sling in-jokes at each other, become claymation figures, run from Russian mobsters, almost kill Santa Claus (Richard Riehle), pick up a waffle-making robot that falls in love with Kumar, acknowledge that they're getting older, and take part in a fabulous dance number with Neil Patrick Harris. With better use of the 3D than you find in most Hollywood blockbusters, this is great surreal fun. Also with Paula Garcés, Danny Trejo, Danneel Harris, Thomas Lennon, Amir Blumenfeld, Bobby Lee, Elias Koteas, RZA, Jordan Hinson, Patton Oswalt, Eddie Kaye Thomas, and David Krumholtz.
DALLAS EXCLUSIVES:
Into the Abyss (PG-13) The latest documentary by Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man, Cave of Forgotten Dreams) focuses on the odd details surrounding the impending execution of a triple-murderer in Texas.
Margin Call (R) J.C. Chandor's drama set at a brokerage firm trying to cope with the early days of the 2008 financial crisis. Starring Kevin Spacey, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, Zachary Quinto, Paul Bettany, Penn Badgley, Mary McDonnell, Aasif Mandvi, Simon Baker, and Jeremy Irons.
Martha Marcy May Marlene (R) Elizabeth Olsen stars in Sean Durkin's psychological thriller as a mentally unstable young woman who struggles to re-integrate with her family after fleeing a religious cult. Also with John Hawkes, Hugh Dancy, Sarah Paulson, Brady Corbet, and Julia Garner.
Mozart's Sister (NR) René Féret's French-language historical drama stars Marie Féret as Maria Anna Mozart, who in 1762 finds her musical career being overshadowed by that of her younger brother Wolfgang (David Moreau). Also with Marc Barbé, Delphine Chuillot, Clovis Fouin, Lisa Féret, Adèle Leprêtre, and Valentine Duval.
The Skin I Live In (R) Pedro Almodóvar's latest film stars Antonio Banderas as an insane plastic surgeon who uses a captive patient (Elena Anaya) as a human guinea pig for his new artificial skin. Also with Marisa Paredes, Jan Cornet, Roberto Álamo, Eduard Fernández, and José Luis Gómez.
Take Shelter (R) Michael Shannon stars in Jeff Nichols' thriller as a possibly delusional man trying to shield his family from what he believes is the looming apocalypse. Also with Jessica Chastain, Tova Stewart, Shea Whigham, Katy Mixon, and Robert Longstreet.
portrays
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Any out-of-sample results for more than a year?
Home › Forums › Logical Invest Forum › Any out-of-sample results for more than a year?
This topic contains 3 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by Frank Grossmann 1 week, 1 day ago.
Dear Frank, Alex and co.
I came across LI and initially it looked very impressive, but then I noticed that you keep tweaking and changing strategies. Having strategies that work well ex-post is not difficult at all. Ex-ante is a totally different ball game and I see no evidence you're playing it well. Moreover, I see evidence to the contrary. I've installed QuantTrader323S in order to test Morpheus strategy. And I see that not only Morpheus didn't work out-of-sample since 2017, but NONE of your strategies worked! They ALL had Sharpe of 0.5 or lower over the last 2 years. Of course you kept tweaking them since 2017, but who are you fooling? All your current backtests and strategies are ex-post and can't be relied upon as predictors of future returns whatsoever.
I'll be happy to consider any evidence that my understanding so far is incorrect. Can you show any out-of-sample results with good performance for more than a year?
As a new subscriber, I'm interested in a reply on this.
By the way strategies are never a static thing which can be made once and then is valid forever. Going forward it is extremely important that you adapt to changes in the market environment while keeping the character of the strategy. All our main strategies still do the same like at the beginning. The biggest change was that we tried to give the strategies more possibilities to hedge. In the past we relied only on Treasuries what was a good choice for a long time, however with rising rates and more and more interventions of the Fed and the Governement we had to broaden our choice of hedging assets. You will always have the situation that something what worked for long times in the past does not work anymore. Then our approach is to do changes to the strategy so that it works as good as possible in the past and and also under this new market conditions. This way you have a high chance, that it will also work in the future. The goal is, that we try to learn and not to do investment errors again. A normal investor normally makes investment errors over and over again. They lost big percentages of their money during every severe market correction but still I guess they are mostly 100% long the stock market and have already totally forgotten the correction of end 2018.


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Home > Courts Brickell Key > Unit 1211
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Courts Brickell Key 801 Brickell Key Blvd #1211 Miami, FL 33131 has 2 Beds , 2.5 Bathrooms , and 1,397 square feet. The asking price for this property is $3,150, or $2.25 per square feet.
© The data relating to real estate for sale/lease on this web site come in part from a cooperative data exchange program of the multiple listing service (MLS) in which this real estate firm (Broker) participates. The properties displayed may not be all of the properties in the MLS's database, or all of the properties listed with Brokers participating in the cooperative data exchange program. Properties listed by Brokers other than this Broker are marked with either the listing Broker's logo or name or the MLS name or a logo provided by the MLS. Detailed information about such properties includes the name of the listing Brokers. Information provided is thought to be reliable but is not guaranteed to be accurate; you are advised to verify facts that are important to you. No warranties, expressed or implied, are provided for the data herein, or for their use or interpretation by the user. The Florida Association of Realtors and its cooperating MLSs do not create, control or review the property data displayed herein and take no responsibility for the content of such records. Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin in the sale, rental or financing of housing. Listing courtesy of : Related ISG International Realty


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On August of 1994, The Atonement Academy opened its doors to sixty-six students in kindergarten through third grade. Our teaching staff was initially comprised of the School Sisters of St. Francis, but as our enrollment increased we added lay teachers to the staff.
Since being founded The Atonement Academy had added a grade to supplement the growing student population. In 1996, we added a fifth grade class, as well as a pre-kindergarten class. In the millennial year of 2000, The Atonement Academy's first eighth grade graduated. A few years later, The Atonement Academy took the huge step of establishing a high school, and the groundbreaking for a large addition took place on August 15, 2003, with the Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Bishop Bernard Popp taking part in the ceremony.
The Atonement Academy's freshman class began in August 2004, and each year thereafter we added another grade until our high school was complete. Our first high school class graduated in 2008. With an enrollment of 300, students enrolled in Pre-K3 – 12 th at The Atonement Academy receive an accredited classical education grounded by faith. Our highly acclaimed and awarded academics program encourages students to develop intellectual ability, make moral decisions, and solidify Catholic virtues.
In 2005, The Atonement Academy was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon school. That same school year, The Atonement Academy expanded the school, which also included an extension of the existing church building, which more than doubled the seating capacity, allowing for the seating for the expanding student body. In March 16, 2006, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez blessed the new school building.
In 2017, The Atonement Academy was awarded "Best Parish Schools in the Nation" by the Catholic Education Foundation. The Atonement Academy has been on The Cardinal Newman Society's Catholic Education Honor Roll since 2018 and we are currently ranked #3 on the list for "Best Private K-12 Schools in San Antonio Area," and #20 out of 53 for "Best Catholic Schools in Texas" according to Niche, a national research company that analyzes the performance of schools across the country.
The Atonement Catholic Academy strives for excellence in the physical, the intellectual and the spiritual virtues through a challenging course of classical and Catholic education.
The Atonement Catholic Academy provides an accredited classical education and unparalleled Catholic culture to boys and girls. With a "Fides et Ratio" (Faith & Reason) motto as a guide, The Atonement Catholic Academy's environment inspires the development of both faith and reason.


This Bengali Language Collection contains the following titles: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Beowulf, Brrmm! Let's Go!, Buri and the Marrow, Goal! Let's Play!, Hansel and Gretel, Keeping Up With Cheetah, Little Red Hen and the Grains of Wheat, Not Again, Red Riding Hood!, Pandora's Box, Reading Together in English, Sports Day in the Jungle, The Buskers of Bremen, The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Fox and the Crane, The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg, The King of the Forest, The Pied Piper, The Tortoise and the Geese, Yeh-Hsien: A Chinese Cinderella.


text:
require 'rails_helper'

RSpec.describe DropboxesController, :type => :controller do

  describe "GET index" do
    it "returns http success" do
      get :index
      expect(response).to have_http_status(:success)
    end
  end

  describe "GET sync" do
    it "returns http success" do
      get :sync
      expect(response).to have_http_status(:success)
    end
  end

end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Councils, housing, leisure, planning
Deben High School Site Sold for Leisure and Housing Development
After standing empty for some time Suffolk County Council have transferred the old Deben School Site to East Suffolk Council – and they have big plans to redevelop the site for both sport and housing.
Deben High School closed and left the site in 2012, after merging with Orwell High School and the property was vacant for a year before Suffolk County Council leased the site to Felixstowe International College. Unfortunately their pupil numbers never achieved the increases they were hoping for so they vacated the premises in June 2019 and since then it's stood empty and has been subject to vandalism on a number of occasions.
It was inevitable that this large piece of land would be eyed up for housing – but it will also come in handy for ESC to fill the gaps that will be left when they redevelop the Eastward Ho outdoor pitches with the new Leisure Centre complex and close both Brackenbury Sports Centre and the Seafront facilities.
The 4.09 hectares site consists of a range of buildings of various ages, and substantial playing fields. The playing fields are protected from development under the Schools Framework Act 1977 and so ESC are working with Felixstowe and Corinthians Cricket Club to explore the opportunity to make this their long-term home. By utilising and upgrading the old sports hall facility as well, the plan is for the Indoor Bowls Club and Cricket Club to share some of the facilities in a purpose-built centre.
Meanwhile, proposals for the redevelopment of the main school buildings also include a range of housing, in particular affordable units for the town.
Initial layouts, mix and tenure are being developed with assistance from the projects design team. An application for outline planning permission is expected to be submitted later this year. According to the council the proposed housing will have a strong sustainable focus; the low carbon approach to the housing need of the town will be catered specifically to Felixstowe and its residents.
Suzanne June 11, 2020 Councils, East Suffolk, featured, Felixstowe, housing, leisure, planning
2 thoughts on "Deben High School Site Sold for Leisure and Housing Development"
clive008 says:
As an ex-pupil, one more wander through the premises would be nice.
Would it not make more sense to put the new spirts and leisure centre on this ground, which would be ideal and town central, the housing of course which is more important could go on the site allocated for the new spirts development. This would mean that most of the town would be if it from a spirts facility that is in the town centre and not stuck out from the town itself and would be easy access for all.
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Home » current affairs daily digest » Current Affairs Daily Digest – October 04 2019
Current Affairs Daily Digest – October 04 2019
1. Exercise KAZIND 2019 is being held at Pithoragarh
Exercise KAZIND-2019, a joint military exercise, between India and Kazakhstan is being held in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The 12-day exercise was inaugurated by Brig SK Mandal, Commander of the Ill Independent Infantry Brigade. It will conclude on 15 October 2019.
2. India's first private train Tejas Express flagged off from Lucknow
India's first private train Tejas Express was flagged off by UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Lucknow-Delhi route. The train is being operated entirely by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a subsidiary of Indian Railways. The train's commercial operation would start from Saturday. The train will cover distance between Delhi and Lucknow in six hours and 15 minutes.
3. World Animal Day observed on October 04
The mission of World Animal Day, is "To raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe. Building the celebration of World Animal Day unites the animal welfare movement, mobilising it into a global force to make the world a better place for all animals.
4. World Space Week observed on October 04
World Space Week (WSW) is an annual holiday observed from 4 to 10 October in various parts of the world, including Europe and Asia. World Space Week is officially defined as "an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition".
5. RBI cuts repo rate by 25 bps to 5.15%, maintains accommodative stance
The six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India slashed the short-term lending rate, repo rate, by 25 basis points in its fourth bimonthly policy review.
This was the fifth consecutive rate cut effected by the Shaktikanta Das-led panel, and it was in addition to a cumulative 110 basis points rate cut that RBI has announced so far this year. The repo rate now stands at 5.15 per cent, the lowest since March 2010.
6. Government launches Prakash portal to improve coal supply to power plants
The government launched a web portal, Prakash, with a view to improving coordination between the power, coal and railway ministries to ensure coal supplies to power plants. The portal was jointly launched by power minister RK Singh and coal minister Pralhad Joshi.
7. Ministry of Tourism launches 'Audio Odigos' for 12 sites of India
Yogendra Tripathi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism in the presence of Usha Sharma, DG, ASI launched the Audio Guide facility Audio Odigos for 12 sites of India(including Iconic Sites). An MoU for Gol Gumbad, Delhi with Government of Delhi and Resbird Technologies was also exchanged for the development of Tourism Amenities during the programmeat ParyatanParv New Delhi.
8. Uttarakhand CM launches awareness campaign to stop power theft
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat launched an awareness campaign — Urjagiri — which aims at stopping power theft and saving. Speaking on the occasion here, the Chief Minister emphasised on the need to speed up the process for wider awareness to avoid power loss in Uttarakhand.
9. Ben Stokes named PCA Players' Player of the Year
Ben Stokes bagged the Professional Cricketers' Association Players' Player of the Year award after his splendid show in the ICC Cricket World Cup and the Ashes. The England allrounder edged past Ryan Higgins, Dominic Sibley and Simon Harmer and also became the sixth player to have bagged the Young Player of the Year award and the Player of the Year recognition.
10. New India Assurance Company signs Inter Creditor Agreements (ICAs) with Reliance HF, Dewan HF
For its exposure to debt instruments of Reliance Home Finance and Dewan Housing Finance. New India Assurance Company has signed the Deed of Accession for entering into the Inter Creditor Agreements for the Company's exposure to the Debt instruments of Reliance Home Finance and Dewan Housing Finance.
current affairs daily digest


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Q: Configuring destination name in Spring @JmsListener I have Spring-based component that needs to be able to communicate via JMS and would like to use a @JmsListener annotated method to do so. My listener class needs to read a JSON-encoded payload, but also needs to read some custom header.
I have set up a @Configuration bean and added it to the current XML based configuration, in which I configure the necessary message converter. Currently my listener method is annotated like this:
    @JmsListener(destination = "activemq:queue:queue.name")
    public void handleItemCommand(ProvisionItemCommand itemCommand, @Header(AUTH_HEADER_NAME) String auth) {

This all works but obviously the queue name can't be hardcoded, it needs to be configurable. To complicate matters, we use some custom class to read configuration data, so using @PropertySource and properties file is out of the question.
Where I keep getting stuck is seeing how to set things up so this can happen. The Spring 4.2 reference documentation tells me to create and register a custom PropertySource class (which could be backed by our custom config code) but the example in the doc (http://docs.spring.io/spring/docs/4.1.9.RELEASE/spring-framework-reference/htmlsingle/#beans-property-source-abstraction) is just creating an application context on the fly and adding the custom property source to that.
Maybe I have developed a blind spot here, but how do I create a custom property source and add it to the environment that's already there? I've found several partial examples around the web, but most are for Spring 3, and some seem to be contradicting.
I'd be grateful if somebody can clear this up as I think I'm 99% there but somehow the final 1% fails to "click" for me.

A: Answering my own question, as doing the simplest thing I could think of actually seems to solve my problem.
In my @Configuration class I added the following:
@Autowired
public void setCustomConfiguration(CustomConfiguration customConfiguration, ConfigurableEnvironment env) {
    LOG.trace("setCustomConfiguration()");
    this.customConfiguration = customConfiguration;
    env.getPropertySources().addFirst(new CustomPropertySource("custom-config", customConfiguration));
}

Then the CustomPropertySource class simply looks up whatever key it is asked for in it's CustomConfiguration. Posted here in hopes it helps somebody else; if anyone has any remarks/improvements on this solution I would be glad to hear it.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Many reputable private investigation and background check investigation companies often hear people asking to fulfill their employment screening processes with background check packages or "searches". The truth is, relying on generic database searches or public records websites to verify individuals is simply not possible, and a very reckless approach to risk management. In most cases, searching databases is of little to no value. Proper verification of individuals and companies requires skilled investigators.
In international cases that are by nature higher risk and more difficult to verify, relying on such websites and searches is dangerous and ill-advised, as most developing countries have no infrastructure where databases are accessible. The company or website you're dealing with might not even have an investigator or office in the country, let alone speak the language. How could they possibly obtain meaningful evidence? This article will help explain the differences between real background check investigations and websites selling a worthless service.
Many companies are beginning to realize the shortcomings and high risk nature of using such generic services. Searching criminal records, for example, is not a background check investigation and by itself not an effective method of verifying candidates. Even Osama bin Laden, the Muslim terrorist responsible for the 2001 terrorist attacks, had no prior criminal or court records. Some companies are surprised to learn they've hired someone who lied about their experience, or who turn out to be a fraud, after having passed a "background check" process.
A typical background check investigation from Wymoo International includes education and employment verification, reference checks, public and media records, criminal and court records, verification of ID or passport, document verification, travel records and fraud screening. Each case is assigned to a trained private investigator and any red flags are also identified in a comprehensive and narrative report.
The quality of services offered varies dramatically, and there are many reasons why it's important to get a real background check investigation. Below we will highlight the most important points, and how you can be sure you're protecting yourself and your company.
On a global scale, more than half of the resumes a recruiter receives contain false information. The employment market is a very competitive one, and many people have turned to lying on their resumes or CV to increase their chances of getting the job.
Recruiters and human resources staff need to be especially keen about top corporate executives and people who will be undertaking great responsibilities. A bad hire at the management or executive level can lead to negative publicity, bankruptcy or even criminal charges! Given this situation, databases are hardly of any help because no convicted crime is on record, and even if there is a record, you may not know where to search. This is why it is so important to have a professional investigator verify the entire background of a candidate. Professional background check investigations verify previous employment and also obtain independent references on character and performance.
Accurate information and clear evidence will allow a recruiter or HR manager to make a good hiring decision and keep the company moving forward with limited risk. There is no database that can properly verify a candidate's employment history.
Expert background check investigations verify all known employment and education history, as well as identity red flags such as past bankruptcies, poor work performance, lawsuits, resume discrepancies, and screen the case for fraud. Trained private investigators uncover as much evidence as possible, using database searches to supplement cases when needed, but never relying on them alone.
Some Human Resource professionals like to play the role of a private detective, although more and more companies are now putting an end to this practice. HR managers should focus on what they know best, and leave the investigating to those who specialize in that field. With that said, a reputable private investigation firm can customize cases to meet your needs, and verify specific elements of an individual's background based on your unique situation. Part of an investigators job is to advise clients on how to best mitigate risk.
If you're considering doing business or hiring an individual overseas, you are at especially high risk and should speak to an investigator about your options. International background checks require highly trained investigators on the ground where you need them, who have access to local records, speak the language, and can obtain key evidence. If you've recently met someone on the Internet and are considering the person for a personal, romantic or business relationship, don't be a victim of fraud or scam! Speak to an investigator about how to stay safe.
Relying on cheap database searches and public records websites for information is a dangerous game even in the United States. Information is often of little or no value, and can be outdated or inaccurate. Remember the old adage you get what you pay for! Expect to pay realistic prices if you need actual investigation and clear answers. In most cases, consumers are disappointed with the generic and automated results they get from database search websites, and then turn to private investigators for advice.
In international cases, using database searches should NEVER be part of your verification process. Developing countries with high risk do not have the same access to information and database infrastructure as developed countries. If you pay someone for a database search in South Africa, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Philippines, Malaysia, Nigeria, Ghana, Brazil, Colombia, China or India, you've just had your money stolen! Countries like these require a trained investigator on the ground who can check local office and agencies and manually obtain the records and evidence.
In case you haven't wondered already, ask yourself what you can buy these days for less than $100. Not much. Unfortunately, professional services in any industry costs money, and real professional investigations and background check services are no different. If you've found a very cheap service that claims to offer the world all at a very cheap price, chances are you're being scammed. There is no free lunch. If you're serious about staying safe and minimizing your risk, expect to pay a realistic price. If you come across a website offering "background checks" for $39.99 or even $99, this is a dead give away you're not paying for an actual investigation, and the information you receive won't be of any value.
Wymoo International has highly trained private investigators on the ground in over 100 countries. We speak the language, we have access to local records around the globe, and we verify individuals and companies on a comprehensive scale. Our rates are very competitive and we beat pricing offered by most small private investigator companies or individuals. The industry standard pricing for background check investigations usually starts at $300 to $500 USD, and can vary depending on your needs and the country or countries involved.
We offer significant volume discounts to corporate customers with repeat orders, or clients with multiple cases. Consumers and businesses should think of professional background check services as a form of insurance. The services can be somewhat costly, but in the long run, real background checks save you time and money. Don't be a victim of fraud or scam. If you need a dating background check investigation, an employment screening or international due diligence, get it done right the first time! Contact us today for a free quote.
Companies and especially recruiters should have very clear what information exactly they need and how important that data is to the hiring process. There may be times when a simple check will do it, and times when a deep investigation is required.
True, some of the search sites online are built by the users, so the information has absolutely no value.
I tried many times to look in databases for any clues that would lead me to my biological parents. Databases are a scam, even the paid ones. From my experience real private investigations can be costly, but it was worthy to pay and see results.
Agree. It only takes to check your own name to discover how databases are useless.
Most databases are just a collection of outdated information. Many are built just for commercial purposes, and they may be useful to send out spam, but no to check if someone is real and honest.


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Fan News
Black Lightning: Six Things I Loved About the Premiere
By Regular Et Cetera Tuesday, January 16th, 2018
The #DCTV Couch Club is a team of DC fans dedicated to exploring the universe of The CW's Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow, Black Lightning and DC's Legends of Tomorrow. Look for new Couch Club posts here on DCComics.com after every new episode!
Black Lightning fans, #RiseUp! And welcome to my weekly episode wrap-up of Black Lightning. Now, just so you know, I don't plan on spoiling the episode…but, I am going to do a little talking around some of its greatness. Plus, this was the premiere and, as much I love you guys living vicariously through my writing, I want as many people to watch this show as possible. So, yes there will be some spoilers here, but just enough to let you in on a few of the things I enjoyed most. Starting with...
The entire episode seems to revolve around Jefferson Pierce trying with all his might to save the things he loves most—his family, his students, and the city of Freeland. Here are the beats.
The show begins with Black Lightning bailing his daughter Anissa out (#WokeDaughterAlert) after she was arrested for protesting injustices in Freeland. On the way home from springing Anissa, he's pulled over and harassed by some smarmy police officer and in almost direct dichotomy to how his daughter deals with the injustices surrounding her, he does nothing—even though he is clearly livid about the situation. (I also thought this was an interesting expression of the generational and ideological divide on accepting police violence as status quo in our communities.)
He takes them home and heads to a fundraiser/gala event celebrating the things he has done for their community and we meet his stunningly beautiful, ex-wife (and mother of their two children), Lynn. We learn that the reason she is an ex is basically because he had a secret crime fighting identity, that tore their family apart. Apparently, it's been nine years since he last put on that Black Lightning costume, and he's been trying to stitch his life back together ever since. The gala is interrupted when Jefferson Pierce discovers that his daughter, Jennifer, is in some trouble at a club with a local and tyrannical gang, the 100—led by the ruthless gang leader (and ex-student of Jefferson's), Lala.
Jefferson shows up and secretly and subtly uses his powers to save his daughter. Unfortunately, this ends up only further deepening Jennifer's tangled situation with the 100 gang, and they show up the next day at her school and kidnap both her and her sister, Anissa. The police say they can't do much, and even though he knows the persona of Black Lightning will eventually destroy his family, Jefferson Pierce also knows becoming him is the only way to save his family. So he decides to don the mask and becomes Black Lightning again.
He does, and it's magnificent. Readers, I LOVED this action scene! And I loved this episode. Hard luck hero stories ALWAYS cut right into my feels and allow me to empathize directly with the hero. Because in my experience, having great power or great talent has not shielded me or anyone I know from the hardships of life. And watching these heroes navigate that struggle without giving up just…inspires me to do all I can with the little bit of (non-superpowered) skills and talents I have.
Black Lightning opens with Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" playing in the background. It's a really interesting (although, somewhat misplaced) choice as the thematic intro to the life and times of people in the city of Freeland, and it adds a nice touch of melancholy to the tragic montage of struggle that is their everyday lives. But it doesn't end there. There are soulful hits interlaced throughout the entire episode. We got a little taste of Isaac Hayes' "Walk on By." Bobby Blue Bland's "Aint No Love in the Heart of the City" makes a lovely appearance, and Gil Scott Heron's "A Sign of the Ages" is so perfectly dropped into the scene, it almost feels like a whole new cast member.
The Code Switching
Okay, so for those that don't know, code-switching is a term used for when a person alternates between two or more languages, or language varieties, as part of one conversation. It's a way of speaking that's often used by people to "get in where they fit in" with language they know their audience will understand. One thing I absolutely enjoyed was watching Jefferson Pierce along with his daughters Anissa and Jennifer navigate their way through the world of Freeland, not just physically, but interpersonally as well.
The reason I'm bringing it up here is because I noticed the way characters flipped language switches to speak to their loved ones, coworkers and even police officers, in completely different and situationally appropriate ways. The verbal (like Anissa's use of the word "fast" before Jennifer's "Harriet" retort) and non-verbal cues (like "the nod") of the characters in Black Lightning are some of the most genuine parts of this premiere, and because of how well the actors played their roles, it doesn't come off as offensive or corny in any way (a wonderful side effect of excellent writing and stellar acting performances), and instead pays off with remarkable dividends for the story through style and character believability.
The Other Nods to Black American Culture
At the beginning of the show, there is an exchange between Anissa and Jefferson where they quote lines from famous civil rights leaders Dr. MLK and Fannie Lou Hamer respectively. It reminded me of how my parents did the same.
Growing up, there were nods like this to the black American experience all around my house. Famous quotes, stories and works of art by famous black scientists, civil rights leaders, poets, athletes and musicians were never much farther than an arm's length away. So, watching Jefferson Pierce and his daughters go back and forth with snippets of black culture warmed my heart in the best of ways. Music, art, education, resistance to injustice. These are all major parts of the lived experience of black folks in these United States, and I was overjoyed to see them represented on screen here.
More specifically, his spirited, take-no-stuff daughters. The show literally starts with Jefferson having to bail one of them out of jail. Then, when his daughter Jennifer gets hemmed up at the club, rather than shake and shiver like a victim, she demands Lala's goons respect her, and then knees one of them in the groin to further emphasize her point. Jefferson's other daughter, Anissa, boldly stands up to a member of the 100 gang to protect her students at Garfield High School. That and the chemistry between Jefferson, Anissa and Jennifer is so good. SO GOOD. They really look and feel like they love one another. It's nice.
So, there are two movies that I felt that this show makes direct parallels to. The first is Lean on Me (where Morgan Freeman plays high school principal, Joe Clark). Jefferson Pierce is also a high school principal, and just like Joe Clark in Lean on Me, he believes the greatest thing he can do for his community starts with saving the kids at his school.
The other story parallel I appreciated comes from the cult classic superhero flick, Meteor Man (wherein Robert Townsend plays mild-mannered-man-turned-superhero, Jefferson Reed). Like Jefferson Reed, Jefferson Pierce lives in a city that's drowning in gang violence, and just like in Meteor Man, because of complete police ineptitude, Jefferson has to take justice into his own hands to bring peace back to the neighborhood where he loves and lives.
Both of these parallels were beautiful nods to popular stories about black heroes saving the world by first saving their community—and they were wonderfully appreciated.
Six Honorable Mentions
Lala's army of velour suits
Black Lightning is "fake news"
Police harassment (not whitewashed for TV)
Witty hero/bad guy banter
The town undertaker having "deep pockets"
Anissa's big reveal at the end of the episode (See? Told you I wouldn't spoil everything!)
One last thing. It looks like that fan theory I floated earlier about Scooter (of Living Single fame) leaving Flavor magazine, changing his name, moving to Freeland and becoming an electric-powered superhero was completely debunked in this episode…
I know, crazy, right? I thought I may have really been on to something with that! Oh well. On to the next one!
Alright, dear readers, that's all I have until next week's episode of Black Lightning. For more from me on all things Black Lightning, check me out on Twitter at @RegularEtCetera. Until then, hasta la próxima semana!
Regular Et Cetera covers Black Lightning as a part of the #DCTV Couch Club. Look for him on Twitter at @RegularEtCetera. Black Lightning airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. CST) on The CW.
#DCTV Couch Club: More on Black Lightning Season 1
Black Lightning: The Grand Finale
Black Lightning: Tying Up Loose Ends
Black Lightning: Reconciliations
Black Lightning: Some Things You Can't Make Right
Black Lightning: The Tangled Webs We Weave
Black Lightning: All in the Family
Black Lightning: Do You Believe in the Resurrection?
Black Lightning: It's a Family Affair
Black Lightning: Lighting Things Up
Black Lightning: Thunder on the Horizon
Black Lightning: Death Becomes Her
Black Lightning: Return of the Good Guy
The Flash: Flash on Trial
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Few experiences are as exhilarating as the opportunity to track tiger in their natural habitat.
A good sighting of this powerful beast is sure to be something that will stay with you forever.
Possibly the most iconic big cat on the planet, the majestic tiger has been through incredibly hard times with numbers dropping by more that 95% since the beginning of the 20th century. There are now estimated to be around 3,900 tigers left in the wild - but for the first time in conservation history with the help of many protectors and a variety of conservation efforts across many different countries, the numbers are slowly starting to go in the right direction.
The national parks in India and Nepal are tiny compared to those in Africa and face a variety of pressures; selecting where and when to go to, choosing intelligently guided safaris and small camps run by passionate conservationists gets you away from the crowds - and gives you the best possible tiger safari.
Some of India's tiger reserves, such as Ranthambhore and Tadoba, are former hunting grounds of maharajas and the ruins of their deserted forts and palaces provide a regal backdrop to the tiger's jungle domain.
Using small lodges and camps we use jeeps to cover large areas of the parks in the company of people who are passionate about all wildlife and will interpret the sights and sounds of the jungle to track their hidden inhabitants.
Tracking tiger on elephant back: while you're still in bed in Kaziranga national parks mahouts are already preparing their elephants for the day ahead. Listening for alarm calls as the jungle awakes, they know if a tiger is in the area. Seated in a howdah on atop your trusty pachyderm there are no barriers as you lumber through the undergrowth in search of tiger on an elephant back safari. If your timing is right - and with some luck too - you may literally get just a few meters away from this majestic creature.
Safaris by boat: Boat safaris and canoeing are part of the mix at Tadoba and Satpura giving access to inlets, bays and islands otherwise hidden within the forest. The open grassy banks at Tadoba regularly prove to be a photographer's dream as tiger come to the waters' edge to drink, bathe and even play, oblivious to their awestruck admirers. While exploring along the banks of the Kabini River by small motorised boat in Nagarhole, in south India, rarely leads to a clear sighting of a large predator like tiger, the views are magical, bird life is prolific and elephant sightings are common. It's a wonderfully relaxed way to search for tiger and other incredible wildlife.
In Nepal we track tiger while walking with elephants and raft on the Babai River through the sal forests and jungle of Bardia National Park.
Track TIGERS over rolling hills and rock kopjes guided by pioneering conservationists.


Become an ace bounty hunter as you take down motorized terror gangs in a high-speed battle for survival! Set against authentic retro-styled pixel art graphics, you will have to master driving skills while crushing your enemies with a variety of unlockable and upgradeable weapons.
* Endless arcade-style overhead vertical scrolling gameplay.
* A choice of control schemes ('Modern' accelerometer or 'Classic' on-screen controls) to suit how you play.
* Upgrade and unlock new weapons.
* Hand-drawn pixel art graphics.
* Retro-styled CRT scan line effect (can be toggled on/off in the Options menu).