1 The applicant, Mr Tarif Akhras, is a Syrian businessman. He controls the Akhras group of undertakings, he was for a number of years Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of the city of Homs in Syria and he is a member of the Board of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce.
2 Strongly condemning the violent repression of peaceful protests in Syria and calling on the Syrian authorities to exercise restraint and not to use force, the Council of the European Union adopted, on 9 May 2011, Decision 2011/273/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria (OJ 2011 L 121, p. 11). In view of the seriousness of the situation, the Council established an arms embargo, a ban on exports of material which might be used for internal repression, restrictions on admission to the European Union, and the freezing of funds of certain persons and entities responsible for the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria.
4 Given that some of the restrictive measures taken against the Syrian Arab Republic fall within the scope of the FEU Treaty, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 442/2011 of 9 May 2011 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria (OJ 2011 L 121, p. 1). That regulation is, essentially, identical to Decision 2011/273, but provides for the possibility that frozen funds may be released. The list of persons, entities or bodies identified as being responsible for the repression in question, or associated with those responsible, in Annex II, is identical to the list in the annex to Decision 2011/273. The name of the applicant is therefore not on that list. Under Article 14(1) and (4) of the regulation in question, where the Council decides to subject a person, entity or body to the restrictive measures referred to, it is to amend Annex II accordingly and furthermore it is to review the list in Annex II at regular intervals and at least every 12 months.
6 On the same day, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 878/2011, amending Regulation No 442/2011 (OJ 2011 L 228, p. 1), by which the Council introduced new criteria for inclusion in the list, thereby extending the scope of that regulation to 'persons and entities benefiting from or supporting the regime, or persons and entities associated with them'. The applicant's name appears in the annex to Regulation No 878/2011 with the same reasons and information as set out in the annex to Decision 2011/522.
7 On 3 September 2011 the Council published a notice for the attention of the persons and entities to which restrictive measures provided for in Decision 2011/522 and Regulation No 878/2011 apply (OJ 2011 C 261, p. 4).
8 By Decision 2011/628/CFSP of 23 September 2011, amending Decision 2011/273 (OJ 2011 L 247, p. 17), the Council amended the entry relating to Mr Akhras in Annex I to Decision 2011/273 by adding as identifying information the following: 'Date of birth: 1949; Place of birth: Homs, Syria'.
9 On 24 September 2011 the Council published a notice for the attention of the persons and entities to which the restrictive measures provided for in Decision 2011/273, as amended by Decision 2011/628, and in Regulation No 442/2011, as amended by Regulation (EU) No 950/2011 concerning restrictive measures against Syria, apply (OJ 2011 C 281, p. 17).
10 On 13 October 2011 the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 1011/2011 amending Regulation No 442/2011 (OJ 2011 L 269, p. 18). The name of the applicant features in line 3 of the table in Annex II to that regulation, with the same information and reasons as set out in the annex to Decision 2011/628.
11 On 14 October 2011 a further notice was published by the Council for the attention of the persons and entities to which the restrictive measures provided for in Decision 2011/273, as amended by Council Decision 2011/684/CFSP and by Council Regulation (EU) No 1011/2011 concerning restrictive measures against Syria, apply (OJ 2011 C 303, p. 5).
12 By Decision 2011/782/CFSP of 1 December 2011 concerning restrictive measures against Syria and repealing Decision 2011/273 (OJ 2011 L 319, p. 56), the Council expressed the view that, in light of the gravity of the situation in Syria, it was necessary to impose additional restrictive measures, such as restrictions on the financing of enterprises and on participation in certain infrastructure projects. For the sake of clarity, the measures imposed by Decision 2011/273 and the additional measures were integrated into a single legal instrument. The name of the applicant features in line 53 of the table in Annex I to that decision, with the same information and reasons as set out in the annex to Decision 2011/628.
13 On 2 December 2011 the Council published a notice for the attention of the persons and entities to which the restrictive measures provided for, inter alia, in Decision 2011/782 and in Regulation No 442/2011, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1244/2011 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria, apply (OJ 2011 C 351, p. 14).
14 Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 of 18 January 2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria and repealing Regulation No 442/2011 (OJ 2012 L 16, p. 1) makes provision for additional restrictive measures and amends the list of persons and entities referred to. The applicant's name features in line 53 of Annex II to that regulation, with the same information and reasons as set out in the annex to Decision 2011/628.
16 On the same day, the Council adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) No 266/2012 implementing Article 32(1) of Regulation No 36/2012 (OJ 2012 L 87, p. 45). The applicant's name features in the annex to that regulation, with the same information and reasons as set out in the annex to Implementing Decision 2012/172.
17 On 24 March 2012 the Council published a notice for the attention of the persons and entities to which the restrictive measures provided for in Decision 2011/782, as implemented by Implementing Decision 2012/172, and by Regulation No 36/2012, as implemented by Implementing Regulation No 266/2012, apply (OJ 2012 C 88, p. 9).
18 By Council Decision 2012/739/CFSP of 29 November 2012 concerning restrictive measures against Syria and repealing Decision 2011/782 (OJ 2012 L 330, p. 21) the restrictive measures in question were integrated into a single legal instrument. The name of the applicant features in line 50 of the table in Annex I to that decision, with the same information and reasons as set out in the annex to Implementing Decision 2012/172.
19 On 30 November 2012 the Council published a notice for the attention of the persons and entities to which the restrictive measures provided for in Decision 2012/739 and in Regulation No 36/2012, as implemented by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1117/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria, apply (OJ 2012 C 370, p. 6).
20 Council Implementing Decision 2013/185/CFSP of 22 April 2013 implementing Decision 2012/739 (OJ 2013 L 111, p. 77), is intended to update the list of individuals and entities subject to restrictive measures as set out in Annex I to that decision. The applicant's name features in line 48 of Annex I with the same information and reasons as set out in the annex to Implementing Decision 2012/172.
21 Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 363/2013 of 22 April 2013, implementing Regulation No 36/2012 (OJ 2013 L 111, p. 1), contains the same information and reasons as set out in the annex to Implementing Decision 2012/172 in relation to the applicant.
22 On 23 April 2013 the Council published a notice for the attention of the persons and entities to which restrictive measures provided for in Decision 2012/739, as implemented by Implementing Decision 2013/185, and in Regulation No 36/2012, as implemented by Implementing Regulation No 363/2013, apply (OJ 2013 C 115, p. 5).
23 On 31 May 2013 the Council adopted Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria (OJ 2013 L 147, p. 14). The applicant's name features in line 48 of Annex I to that decision, with the same information and reasons as set out in the annex to Implementing Decision 2012/172.
24 On 1 June 2013 the Council published a notice for the attention of the persons and entities to which restrictive measures provided for in Decision 2013/255 and Regulation No 36/2012 apply (OJ 2013 C 155, p. 1).
26 On the same day, the Council adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1105/2014 implementing Regulation No 36/2012 (OJ 2014 L 301, p. 7). The applicant's name features in line 50 of the annex to that regulation, with the same information and reasons as set out in the annex to Implementing Decision 2014/730.
27 On 21 October 2014 the Council published a notice for the attention of the persons subject to the restrictive measures provided for in Decision 2013/255 and Regulation No 36/2012 (OJ 2014 C 373, p. 7).
28 By application lodged at the Registry of the General Court on 11 November 2011, the applicant brought an action for annulment of Decision 2011/522, Regulation No 878/2011, Decision 2011/628 and Regulation No 1011/2011 in so far as his name is included in the list of persons and entities to which the restrictive measures imposed by those acts apply.
29 By a separate document, lodged at the Court Registry on the same day, the applicant submitted an application for interim relief seeking the immediate suspension of the application of Decision 2011/522, Regulation No 878/2011, Decision 2011/628 and Regulation No 1011/2011, pursuant to Article 105(2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Court, or in the alternative the suspension of those acts after consideration of the Council's observations. The application also requested that the Council publicise, through a press release and a notice published in the Official Journal, the suspension of the above acts within 24 hours of service of the order of the Court. By order of 12 December 2011, the President of the Court dismissed that application.
30 By a separate document lodged at the Court Registry on the same day, the applicant applied for an expedited procedure pursuant to Article 76a of the Rules of Procedure.
31 By decision of 20 January 2012, the Court rejected that application.
32 In his written pleading lodged at the Court Registry on 3 February 2012, the applicant adapted his claims by seeking annulment of Decision 2011/782 and Regulation No 36/2012 in so far as they concern him. In its observations on that pleading, lodged at the Court Registry on 6 March 2012, the Council took notice of the request made by the applicant.
33 By order of the President of the Sixth Chamber of 29 March 2012, the European Commission's application to intervene in support of the form of order being sought by the Council, lodged at the Court Registry on 10 February 2012, was granted.
34 In his written pleading lodged at the Court Registry on 1 June 2012, the applicant adapted his claims by seeking also annulment of Implementing Decision 2012/172 and Implementing Regulation No 266/2012 in so far as those acts concern him. He also asks that the effects of the annulment be immediate, irrespective of the expiry of the period for bringing an appeal.
35 In their observations on that pleading, lodged at the Court Registry on 20 June and 3 July 2012 respectively, the Commission and the Council did not object to the applicant's request to extend the subject-matter of his application for annulment.
36 In his written pleading lodged at the Court Registry on 11 February 2013, the applicant adapted his claims by seeking also annulment of Decision 2012/739 in so far as that act concerns him and the inclusion in the documents before the Court of a letter from the Council of 30 November 2012 informing him that his name would continue to be listed in the annexes to the contested acts. In their observations on that pleading, lodged at the Court Registry respectively on 20 February and 13 March 2013, the Commission and the Council took notice of the request made by the applicant.
37 In his written pleading lodged at the Court Registry on 19 June 2013, the applicant adapted his claims by seeking also annulment of Implementing Decision 2013/185, Implementing Regulation No 363/2013 and Decision 2013/255, and a declaration of inapplicability of Article 27(1) and Article 28(1) of Decision 2013/255. By letter received at the Court Registry on 12 August 2013, the Commission made no observation on that pleading. In its observations on that pleading, lodged at the Court Registry on 3 September 2013, the Council stated that it did not object to the application to adapt, but that the application for a declaration of inapplicability of Article 27(1) and Article 28(1) of Decision 2013/255 should be dismissed for the reasons set out in its observations of 3 July 2012.
38 Following a change in the composition of the Chambers of the Court, the Judge-Rapporteur was assigned to the Seventh Chamber, to which the present case was accordingly allocated.
39 By letter received on 16 October 2013, the applicant applied for the case to be referred to the Grand Chamber.
40 By decision of 21 November 2013, the Seventh Chamber refused to refer the case to the Grand Chamber.
41 On hearing the report of the Judge-Rapporteur, the Court decided to open the oral procedure and, by way of measures of organisation of procedure provided for under Article 64 of the Rules of Procedure, invited the Council to reply to certain written questions and, as appropriate, to produce certain documents. The Council complied with those requests.
42 The parties presented oral argument and replied to questions put by the Court at the hearing on 21 May 2014.
43 By order of the President of the Seventh Chamber of 11 November 2014, the Court reopened the oral procedure.
44 In his written pleading lodged at the Court Registry on 27 October 2014, the applicant adapted his claims by seeking annulment of Implementing Decision 2014/730 and Implementing Regulation No 1105/2014 in so far as they concern him. In their observations on that pleading, lodged at the Court Registry respectively on 27 November and 4 December 2014, the Commission and the Council took notice of the request made by the applicant.
47 In support of his action, the applicant puts forward three pleas in law. The first plea alleges a manifest error of assessment, the second, infringement of the applicant's fundamental rights, in particular, his right to life, his right to respect for private and family life and his right to property, and the third, infringement of essential procedural requirements and of the rights of the defence.
48 It is necessary, first of all, to examine the admissibility of the applicant's second, third and fourth heads of claim.
49 By the second, third and fourth heads of claim the applicant asks the Court to declare that Article 4(1) of Decision 2011/273 (as amended), Article 5(1) of Regulation No 442/2011 (as amended) and Articles 27(1) and 28(1) of Decision 2013/255 do not apply to him.
50 First of all, it must be stated that such applications on the part of the applicant involve a finding or a declaration on the part of the Court (see by analogy, Case T‑33/01 Infront WM v Commission  ECR II‑5897, paragraph 171).
51 An application seeking a declaratory judgment must be rejected for clear lack of jurisdiction. It is clear from settled case-law that the Court, in the context of a review of legality based on Article 263 TFEU, does not have jurisdiction to give declaratory judgments (see, to that effect, the order of 25 November 2008 in Case C‑500/07 P TEA v Commission, not published in the ECR, paragraph 33, and Case T‑145/06 Omya v Commission  ECR II‑145, paragraph 23).
52 The applicant's second, third and fourth heads of claim must therefore be dismissed as inadmissible.
53 There are three parts to the applicant's third plea in law. The first part is that the applicant was not individually notified, even though it was possible for the Council to obtain his personal address. The second part is based on a failure to state adequate, precise and sufficient reasons for listing his name in the annexes to the acts at issue, because of the vague and imprecise nature of the information provided. The applicant claims, in particular, that the initial reasons for that listing were insufficient and inadequate. Furthermore, according to the applicant, the fact that the Council amended the reasons for entering his name in the lists at issue is a strong indication that the reasons stated for the initial listing were insufficient. The last part is that insufficient information and evidence was provided to enable him to make useful and relevant observations in order to safeguard his right to a fair hearing. In that regard, the applicant claims that the Council was late in complying with the obligation to disclose the contents of the file to him.
55 In order to justify listing the applicant's name in the contested acts, the Council relied on two different statements of reasons. The reasons stated were substantially amended with effect from 23 March 2012 (see paragraph 15 above). It is therefore necessary to examine the first plea in law separately in relation to acts adopted before that date (see paragraphs 5 to 14 above) ('the contested acts preceding 23 March 2012') and acts adopted after that date (see paragraphs 15 to 23 above) ('the other contested acts').
56 With regard to the acts preceding 23 March 2012, the Court will first of all examine the second part of the third plea in law, alleging infringement of the duty to state reasons.
57 To begin with, it must be borne in mind that, in accordance with settled case-law, the purpose of the obligation to state the reasons on which an act adversely affecting an individual is based, which is a corollary of the principle of respect for the rights of the defence, is, first, to provide the person concerned with sufficient information to make it possible to ascertain whether the act is well founded or whether it is vitiated by a defect which may permit its legality to be contested before the Courts of the European Union and, secondly, to enable those Courts to review the legality of that act (see Case T‑383/11 Makhlouf v Council  ECR, paragraph 60 and the case-law cited).
58 According to further settled case-law, the statement of reasons required by Article 296 TFEU must be appropriate to the act at issue and must disclose in a clear and unequivocal fashion the reasoning followed by the institution which adopted the measure in question in such a way as to enable the persons concerned to ascertain the reasons for the measure and to enable the competent court to exercise its power of review (see Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 61 and the case-law cited).
59 If the person or entity concerned is not afforded the opportunity to be heard before the adoption of an initial decision to freeze funds and economic resources, compliance with the obligation to state reasons is all the more important because it constitutes the sole safeguard enabling the party concerned, especially after the adoption of that decision, to make effective use of the legal remedies available to it to challenge the lawfulness of that decision (see Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 62 and the case-law cited).
60 Therefore, the statement of reasons for an act of the Council which imposes a measure freezing funds and economic resources must identify the actual and specific reasons why the Council considers, in the exercise of its discretion, that that measure must be adopted in respect of the person concerned (see Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 63 and the case-law cited).
61 However, the requirements to be satisfied by the statement of reasons depend on the circumstances of each case, in particular the content of the measure in question, the nature of the reasons given and the interest which the addressees of the measure may have in obtaining explanations (see Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 64 and the case-law cited).
62 It is not necessary for the reasoning to go into all the relevant facts and points of law, since the question whether the statement of reasons for a measure meets the requirements of Article 296 TFEU must be assessed with regard not only to its wording but also to its context and to all the legal rules governing the matter in question (see Case T‑29/05 Deltafina v Commission  ECR II‑4077, paragraph 319, and Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 65 and the case-law cited).
63 In particular, the reasons given for a measure adversely affecting a person are sufficient if it was adopted in circumstances known to that person which enable him to understand the scope of the measure concerning him (see Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 66 and the case-law cited).
'1 On 29 April 2011, the European Union expressed its grave concern about the situation unfolding in Syria and the deployment of military and security forces in a number of Syrian cities.
2 The Union strongly condemned the violent repression, including through the use of live ammunition, of peaceful protest in various locations across Syria resulting in the death of several demonstrators, wounded persons and arbitrary detentions, and called on the Syrian security forces to exercise restraint instead of repression.
66 It is clear from the case-law that it may be presumed that the general context to which reference is made in the contested acts preceding 23 March 2012 was known to prominent figures in Syrian society (see, to that effect, Makhlouf v Council). In the present case, the applicant, as is clear from the documents in the case-file and his own statements, is a prominent businessman in Syria.
67 Furthermore, contrary to what the applicant maintains, the general criteria at issue are neither vague and nor imprecise. Even if those criteria leave the Council an element of discretion as regards their application, they are not arbitrary, in that they are confined to targeting the persons responsible for the repression against the civilian population in Syria, persons and entities benefiting from the Syrian regime, persons and entities which financially or logistically support that regime, and persons and entities associated with those responsible.
68 Secondly, with regard to the specific context of the inclusion of the applicant's name in the lists annexed to the contested acts preceding 23 March 2012, the Council relied on the following two reasons: 'Founder of the Akhras Group (commodities, trading, processing and logistics), Homs' and 'Provides economic support for the Syrian regime'.
69 With regard to the first reason, it must be stated that it merely describes the applicant's status. The fact that he is the founder of an industrial group does not necessarily or automatically mean that the applicant satisfies the general criteria set out in paragraph 67 above. Therefore, the statement that the applicant is the founder of a Syrian industrial group cannot constitute a fact capable of being stated as an adequate and specific reason for the contested acts preceding 23 March 2012.
70 With regard to the second reason, it must be held that, in the present case, the Council merely reproduced one of the criteria that would justify including the applicant's name in the lists at issue, that is to say, the criterion relating to support for the incumbent regime, as introduced by Decision 2011/522 (see paragraph 5 above). The mere reproduction of the criterion, without any other information to support it, cannot serve as a sufficient statement of reasons on the part of the Council.
71 It is clear from the foregoing that the Council failed to comply with its obligation to state reasons in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 296 TFEU.
72 It is therefore necessary to uphold the third plea in law and to annul the contested acts preceding 23 March 2012 for a failure to state reasons in so far as those acts concern the applicant. It is therefore no longer necessary to examine the other pleas advanced in support of the action against those acts.
73 Since the contested acts preceding 23 March 2012 have been amended or repealed by Implementing Decision 2012/172 (see paragraph 15 above) and Implementing Regulation No 266/2012 (see paragraph 16 above), there is no need to rule on the temporal effects of the annulment.
74 The applicant claims that the Council infringed essential procedural requirements by failing to notify him of the other contested acts, an obligation imposed by the legislation and by the case-law of the Court.
75 The applicant also challenges the Council's argument that the notification could not be sent to his business address so as to ensure that it was not opened by a subordinate. According to the applicant, that approach would, however, be less harmful than discovering that his name is included in the lists at issue from Syrian television.
76 As a preliminary point, it must be observed that, in accordance with settled case-law, respect for the rights of the defence, guaranteed by Article 41(2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, includes the right to be heard and the right to have access to the file, while respecting legitimate interests of confidentiality (Joined Cases C‑584/10 P, C‑593/10 P and C‑595/10 P Commission and Others v Kadi  ECR ('Kadi II'), paragraph 99 and the case-law cited).
77 With regard to the right to effective judicial protection, laid down in Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, it requires that the person concerned must be able to ascertain the reasons upon which the decision taken in relation to him is based, either by reading the decision itself or by requesting and obtaining disclosure of those reasons so as to make it possible for him to defend his rights in the best possible conditions and to decide, with full knowledge of the relevant facts, whether there is any point in his applying to the court having jurisdiction, and in order to put the latter fully in a position to review the lawfulness of the decision in question (see, to that effect, Kadi II, paragraph 100 and the case-law cited).
78 Article 52(1) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights nevertheless allows limitations on the exercise of the rights enshrined in the Charter, subject to the conditions that the limitation concerned respects the essence of the fundamental right in question and, subject to the principle of proportionality, that it is necessary and genuinely meets objectives of general interest recognised by the European Union (see Kadi II, paragraph 101 and the case-law cited).
79 Further, the existence of an infringement of the rights of the defence and of the right to effective judicial protection must be examined in relation to the specific circumstances of each particular case, including the nature of the act at issue, the context of its adoption and the legal rules governing the matter in question (Kadi II, paragraph 102).
80 With regard to the rights of defence of a person who has been subject to restrictive measures, the Courts of the European Union distinguish between the initial inclusion of the name of a person or an entity in a list imposing restrictive measures and the maintenance of the name of that person or that entity on that list by subsequent decisions.
81 Thus, regarding acts maintaining the name of the person concerned on the list in question, as is the situation in the present case, the competent EU authority is required to disclose to that person, before adopting that decision, the evidence against that person available to that authority and relied on as the basis of its decision, so that that person may defend his rights (see, to that effect, Kadi II, paragraphs 111 and 112).
82 In the present case, Article 21 of Decision 2011/782, Article 15(3) of Regulation No 36/2012 and Article 30(2) of Decision 2013/255 provide, in essence, that the Council must communicate its decision, including the grounds for including or maintaining the name in the lists at issue, to the person or entity concerned, either directly, if the address is known, or through the publication of a notice, providing such person or entity with an opportunity to present observations.
83 In that respect, it must be observed that the Council is not free to choose arbitrarily the means of communication of its decisions to the persons concerned. It is clear from paragraph 61 of Joined Cases C‑478/11 P to C‑482/11 P Gbagbo and Others v Council  ECR that the Court of Justice intended that indirect communication of measures in respect of which annulment is sought by means of the publication of a notice in the Official Journal should be permissible solely in cases where it is impossible for the Council to effect service.
84 In the present case, with regard to Implementing Decision 2012/172 and Implementing Regulation No 266/2012, it does not appear from documents in the case-file that the Council had the applicant's personal address and the Council could therefore not give him individual notification that his name was maintained on the lists at issue by those measures.
85 Furthermore, the applicant is wrong to claim that the Council should have given him notice at his business address of the fact that it had maintained his name in the lists at issue. In view of the fact that restrictive measures are to be implemented in areas frequently involving a high degree of sensitivity, it is clear that the consequences of those measures would, if notification of the fact that the applicant's name was included or maintained in those lists was effected at his business address and might therefore be received by third parties, be more harmful than if it had been effected at his personal address or that of his lawyer.
86 It is clear from the provisions of the other contested acts and the case-law referred to above that valid notification was possible by means of a notice published in the Official Journal. As was observed in paragraph 17 above, the Council published a notice in the Official Journal in connection with Implementing Decision 2012/172 and Implementing Regulation No 266/2012 on 24 March 2012.
87 Therefore, since the Council did not have the applicant's personal address on the date when Implementing Decision 2012/172 and Implementing Regulation No 266/2012 were adopted, it cannot be criticised for having failed in its duty to give notice in connection with those acts.
88 With regard to Decision 2012/739, Implementing Decision 2013/185, Implementing Regulation No 363/2013, Decision 2013/255, Implementing Decision 2014/730 and Implementing Regulation No 1105/2014, it is clear from the documents in the case-file that on 30 November 2012, 13 May 2013, 13 June 2013 and 22 July 2014 the Council caused notifications of those acts to be sent, informing the applicant that his name was being maintained in the lists annexed to the acts at issue, to the address of the applicant's lawyer and not to the applicant's personal address in Syria. Sending notification to the lawyer's address is contrary to the provisions set out in paragraph 82 above.
89 However, it must be noted that the lack of individual notification of the contested acts, although it has an effect on when the time for bringing proceedings started to run, does not, on its own, justify annulment of the acts in question. In that regard, the applicant does not put forward any arguments to demonstrate that, in the present case, that lack of individual notification resulted in an interference with his rights which would justify annulment of those acts in so far as they concern him (see, to that effect, judgment of 6 September 2013 in Bank Melli Iran v Council, T‑35/10 and T‑7/11, ECR, EU:T:2013:397, paragraphs 112 and 113). Furthermore, the existence of such interference is not apparent from the case-file. Finally, it must be stated that the applicant was in a position to adapt his claims by applying also for annulment of the abovementioned acts. Consequently, the fact that notice was not given of the acts maintaining the listing of the applicant's name does not amount to an infringement of his rights of defence.
90 It follows that the first part of the third plea is unfounded.
91 The applicant claims, in essence, that the Council infringed his right to effective judicial protection by not disclosing the administrative file concerning him. In that respect, the applicant takes the view that he was not in a position to be informed of the matters which might be relied against him and to defend himself. In particular, he criticises the Council for not fulfilling that obligation on its own initiative.
92 As was stated in paragraph 77 above, the right to effective judicial protection is a right guaranteed under the Charter of Fundamental Rights and includes, inter alia, the right of the applicant to ascertain the reasons why the decision against him was taken.
93 However, contrary to what the applicant claims, it must be stated that it is only on the request of the party concerned that the Council is required to provide him with access to all non-confidential official documents concerning the measure at issue (Case C‑548/09 P Bank Melli Iran v Council  ECR I‑11381, paragraph 92).
94 In the present case, such a possibility is expressly laid down to that effect by the legislation. Thus, it must be stated that Article 21(2) and (3) of Decision 2011/782, Article 32(2) and (3) of Regulation No 36/2012 and Article 30(2) and (3) of Decision 2013/255 provide, first, that the Council is to inform the individuals of the inclusion of their names in the lists at issue and of the grounds for doing so, and secondly that, where observations are submitted or where substantial new evidence is presented, the Council is to review its decision and inform the person or entity concerned accordingly. However, the time-limit within which the Council must reply to those observations is not specifically laid down.
95 It is clear from the documents in the case-file that the Council, in its letter of 21 December 2011, disclosed to the applicant the documents from its file which, in its opinion, justified maintaining his name on the lists of persons and entities subject to the restrictive measures in question. That disclosure enabled the applicant to react to the position adopted by the Council and to put forward his point of view. The applicant made use of that procedure on several occasions, in particular by sending letters of 16 January and 6 March 2012, in which he challenged the maintenance of his name on the lists annexed to the other contested acts, made certain observations and asked the Council to send him the evidence justifying his listing being maintained. The Council acknowledged receipt of those observations in its letter of 16 March 2012 and informed the applicant that they did not require it to do more than refer to its defence in the present proceedings. The Council also stated on 27 March 2012 that the applicant had been given access to the documents from the file.
96 Consequently, whilst it is true that the Council's responses to the applicant's observations and requests are particularly succinct, the fact remains that the applicant had access to summary material which the Council had in its possession and that he was able to make known his point of view. Therefore, it cannot be held that the Council infringed the applicant's right to effective judicial protection. Accordingly, the third part of the third plea must therefore be rejected.
97 The applicant claims that the Council should have provided him with specific and detailed reasons and not merely made reference to vague and general information. Similarly, the applicant criticises the Council for not having established in what respects his behaviour justified including his name in the lists at issue.
98 As has been observed in paragraphs 57 to 63 above, the obligation to state reasons is a substantive obligation imposed on the Council, non-compliance with which may result in annulment of the other contested acts.
99 In the present case, first, the general grounds for the European Union's adoption of restrictive measures against Syria are the same as those referred to in paragraph 64 above.
100 As has been demonstrated in paragraphs 66 and 67 above, the applicant could not have been unaware of the general context referred to by the other contested acts.
101 Secondly, in respect of the specific reasons for his listing, it must be observed that the Council twice amended the reasons for including the applicant's name in the lists at issue.
102 In Implementing Decision 2012/172, Implementing Regulation No 266/2012, Decision 2012/739, Implementing Decision 2013/185, Implementing Regulation No 363/2013 and Decision 2013/255, those reasons were based on the following five grounds: 'Prominent businessman benefiting from and supporting the regime', 'Founder of the Akhras Group (commodities, trading, processing and logistics) and former Chairman of the Homs Chamber of Commerce', 'Close business relations with President Al-Assad's family', 'Member of the Board of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce' and 'Provided industrial and residential premises for improvised detention camps, as well as logistical support for the regime (buses and tank loaders)'.
103 In Implementing Decision 2014/730 and Implementing Regulation No 1105/2014, those reasons are henceforth based on the following five grounds: 'Prominent businessman benefiting from and supporting the regime', 'Founder of the Akhras Group (commodities, trading, processing and logistics) and former Chairman of the Homs Chamber of Commerce', 'Close business relations with President Al-Assad's family', 'Member of the Board of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce' and 'Provided logistical support for the regime (buses and tank loaders)'.
104 It is clear that, in respect of both statements of reasons mentioned in paragraphs 102 and 103 above, which are virtually identical, the five grounds relied on are sufficiently clear and detailed for the purposes of the case-law in that the applicant has the opportunity to challenge each one of them. They set out the significant roles played by the applicant in the Syrian business world, his links with the person principally responsible for the repression in Syria and the type of support which the applicant is alleged to have provided to the regime. The applicant therefore has had the opportunity to understand the reasons why his name had been included in the lists at issue and to dispute either the truth or the relevance of those reasons, as is clear from his arguments in the context of the first plea in law.
105 Consequently, the reasons given by the Council are sufficient to satisfy its obligation to state reasons under the second paragraph of Article 296 TFEU.
106 Therefore, the second part of the third plea in law must be rejected, and, accordingly, that plea must be rejected in its entirety in so far as it concerns the other contested acts.
107 The applicant essentially relies on two arguments in support of his claim that the Council committed a manifest error of assessment. First, he claims that the Council did not adduce any evidence that he provides the regime with economic support. Secondly, he claims that the Council has not demonstrated that he satisfied the substantive criteria justifying the inclusion of his name in the lists annexed to the other contested acts.
108 Before examining those arguments, it is necessary to explain the burden of proof which lay on the Council with respect to justifying the inclusion of the applicant's name in the lists at issue.
109 It is clear from recitals 3 and 4 in the preamble to Decision 2011/782, to which Regulation No 36/2012 refers, that, since the restrictive measures adopted by Decision 2011/273 did not bring an end to the Syrian regime's repression of the civilian population in Syria, the Council considered that it was appropriate to impose those measures on other persons and entities which were benefiting from or supporting that regime, especially those financing the regime or providing it with logistical support, in particular for its security apparatus, or which were undermining efforts to achieve a peaceful transition to democracy (see paragraph 12 above). Thus, Decision 2011/782 confirmed the extension of the restrictive measures under Decision 2011/522 to Syria's leading business figures, the Council considering that the heads of Syria's leading businesses could be classified as persons associated with the Syrian regime since the commercial activities of those businesses could not prosper without benefitting from favours from that regime and providing it with some support in return. In doing so, the Council sought to apply a presumption that the heads of Syria's leading businesses were supporting the Syrian regime.
110 In the present case, it is apparent from the documents in the case-file that the Council applied, in respect of the applicant, a presumption of support for the Syrian regime in particular because of his positions as former Chairman of the Homs Chamber of Commerce and Member of the Board of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce.
111 It is necessary to ascertain whether, in taking that approach, the Council erred in law having regard to the burden of proof which lay on it.
112 First, it must be observed that, according to the case-law, the institutions may make use of presumptions which reflect the fact that it is open to an authority on which the burden of proof lies to draw conclusions on the basis of common experience derived from the normal course of events (see, to that effect, judgment of 13 September 2013 in Case T‑563/11 Anbouba v Council, not published in the ECR, paragraph 35).
113 Secondly, in respect of decisions relating to the freezing of funds, according to the case-law, the use of presumptions is not precluded, if provision was made for them in the other contested acts and they are consistent with the objective of the legislation at issue (see, to that effect, Case C‑376/10 P Tay Za v Council  ECR, paragraph 69).
114 In the light of those principles, it is necessary to examine whether the presumption in the present case introduced by the Council is consistent with the objective of the legislation at issue, whether it is proportionate to the aim pursued by the Council, whether it is rebuttable and whether it preserves the applicant's rights of defence.
115 First of all, it is clear from recitals 2 and 3 in the preamble to Decision 2011/782 that the Council's aim is to bring an end to the repression inflicted by the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad, and his regime on their own population. In order to achieve that aim, the Council decided to impose precautionary restrictive measures on all persons and entities benefiting from or supporting the regime, in particular those which finance the regime or provide it with logistical support, on the presumption that the heads of Syria's leading businesses could be classified as persons associated with the Syrian regime. Furthermore, it must be observed that overriding considerations to do with security or the conduct of the international relations of the European Union and of its Member States may militate against the disclosure of certain evidence to the persons concerned (see, to that effect, Joined Cases C‑402/05 P and C‑415/05 Kadi and Al Baraka at International Foundation v Council and Commission  ECR I‑6351, paragraph 342). Given the importance and nature of the aims pursued, the presumption used by the Council, which in principle makes it possible to meet those aims, seems proportionate.
116 Next, given the authoritarian nature of the Syrian regime and the State's tight control over the Syrian economy, the Council could rightly take into account, as a matter of common experience, the fact that the activities of Syria's leading businessmen, active in a number of sectors, could not have prospered without having the benefit of favours from that regime and that regime providing them with some sort of support in return.
117 Finally, it must be noted that that presumption is rebuttable. As has been observed in paragraph 82 above, Article 21 of Decision 2011/782 and Article 15(3) of Regulation No 36/2012 provide that the Council is to communicate its decision to the persons or entities concerned, including the reasons for including their names in the lists at issue, either directly if their addresses are known, or by publishing a notice giving them the opportunity to present observations. The persons subject to the restrictive measures therefore remain free to rebut that presumption. In that respect, they may, inter alia, demonstrate either that they do not belong to the category of Syria's leading businessmen, or that they have publicly distanced themselves from the regime, or that they have publicly condemned it.
118 Moreover, as has been established in paragraphs 74 to 106, the other contested acts were adopted with due regard to the applicant's rights of defence.
119 Therefore, it follows from the foregoing that the Council did not err in law in considering that it could discharge its burden of proof by relying on the presumption that the leading businessmen provided the Syrian regime with economic support.
120 The applicant claims that the substantive criteria justifying his inclusion in the lists annexed to the other contested acts, in particular his alleged economic support for the Syrian regime, have not been satisfied. First of all, according to the applicant, he is not responsible for the repression, he does not benefit from the regime nor does he support it, and he is not associated with any person responsible for the repression or benefitting from the regime. The applicant claims that, on the contrary, the regime has hindered the development of his business. In that regard, he submits, inter alia, that his removal from the Homs Chamber of Commerce is proof that he does not support the regime.
121 Furthermore, the applicant claims that he is not in any way linked to any person responsible for the repression, benefitting from the regime or supporting it. In that respect, the fact that the daughter of his cousin is the wife of the current Syrian President is a link with the Syrian leaders that is too remote to justify his being regarded as associated with them. In addition, he has not had close contact with his cousin for approximately 25 years.
122 Finally, the applicant disputes the Council's claim that he provided the regime with premises for improvised detention camps or rented buses and tank loaders.
123 The applicant concludes that the Council committed a manifest error of assessment in its legal analysis of the criteria justifying the inclusion of his name in the lists at issue.
124 The Council, supported by the Commission, disputes the applicant's arguments.
125 As a preliminary point, it must be observed that the effectiveness of the judicial review guaranteed by Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights requires inter alia that, as part of the review of the lawfulness of the grounds which are the basis of the decision to list or to maintain the listing of a given person, the Courts of the European Union are to ensure that that decision is taken on a sufficiently solid factual basis. That entails a verification of the factual allegations in the summary of reasons supporting that decision, with the consequence that judicial review cannot be restricted to an assessment of the cogency in the abstract of the reasons relied on, but must concern whether those reasons, or, at the very least, one of those reasons, deemed sufficient in itself to support that decision, is substantiated (Kadi II, paragraph 119).
126 However, as has been observed in paragraphs 109 to 119 above, in relation to decisions concerning the freezing of funds, according to the case-law, the use of presumptions is not precluded if provision was made for them in the other contested acts and they are consistent with the objective of the legislation at issue (Tay Za v Council, paragraph 69).
127 In the present case, the other contested acts mention, inter alia, that the applicant is the former Chairman of the Homs Chamber of Commerce and that he has close business relations with President Al-Assad's family. He is also a member of the Board of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce. As the Council rightly observes, the applicant is a prominent businessman who is part of the economic ruling class in Syria. His status as a businessman and his leading positions in the networks of Syrian businessmen such as the Chambers of Commerce, and his role as a representative of Syrian businessmen is an undeniable fact which, moreover, the applicant does not dispute.
128 Those factors thus enabled the Council to presume, in accordance with the principles referred to above (see paragraphs 109 to 119), that the applicant provided the regime with support or benefitted from the regime. It is therefore necessary to examine whether the applicant put forward any arguments capable of rebutting that presumption.
129 First, the applicant claims that the newspaper which he founded in 2008 was permanently closed in July 2011 on the initiative of the Syrian Minister of Information. However, the applicant does not demonstrate in what respects that closure influenced his business prosperity or in what respects the newspaper which he owned could be regarded as a newspaper opposed to the regime. Furthermore, even if that newspaper was hardly favourable to the regime, its closure does not appear to have had any impact on the applicant's businesses, suggesting that he could allow himself a degree of frankness with regard to the regime.
130 Secondly, the applicant claims that the lease which he had signed with the port of Tartus (Syria) was terminated abruptly in 2003 on the order of the Ministry of Defence. However, the applicant cannot rely on a single event, dating from more than 10 years ago, to show that he did not benefit from the regime. In that respect, the applicant does not demonstrate that he was refused subsequent contracts, that other contracts to which he was a party were terminated or the long term consequences of that termination.
131 Thirdly, the applicant claims that he was not re-elected as Chairman of the Homs Chamber of Commerce because the incumbent government backed another candidate. However, the applicant has not specified whether his removal came about against his will or whether he objected to it. Furthermore, the applicant does not produce any document to support his assertions.
132 In addition, it is clear from the documents in the case-file that the applicant is still a member of the Board of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce. His role within such a body, the aim of which is to promote the Syrian economy and the development of its businesses, can be explained only by a certain proximity to the incumbent regime, as evidenced by the fact, relied on by the applicant himself, that the leading positions within the Chambers of Commerce depend on the endorsement of the incumbent government.
133 Therefore, the applicant has not produced any evidence capable of rebutting the presumption applied by the Council.
134 Since, in accordance with the case-law referred to in paragraph 125 above, if only one of the grounds on which the other contested acts are based is valid, that is sufficient to justify the legality of those acts, and since, in the present case, at least two of the five grounds relied on by the Council (see paragraphs 129 to 132 above) are valid, there is no longer any need to rule on the merits of the three other grounds relied on by the Council.
135 Consequently, the first plea, as submitted with respect to the other contested acts, must be rejected.
136 First, the applicant claims that, where a fund freezing measure is adopted without any real safeguard enabling the applicant to put his case to the competent authorities, such a measure is to be regarded as a disproportionate interference with the fundamental rights to respect for property and for private life.
137 Secondly, the applicant claims that the inclusion of his name in the lists annexed to the other contested acts has had 'devastating' consequences for him and his close family, who have been subjected to death threats, acts of violence and assassination attempts. Such conduct is caused by his designation in the other contested acts, and his life and the lives of his family are threatened. That risk to life should require the Council to show a high degree of vigilance and transparency and to place before the Court particularly compelling evidence to justify his designation in the other contested acts. A designation made only on the basis of a proposal by a Member State cannot be valid. Furthermore, the Council has taken no administrative measures to safeguard the applicant's right to life, in spite of his letters to the Council concerning the threats and acts of violence suffered. According to the applicant, the adoption of such measures is the consequence of the obligation to review decisions where observations have been submitted or where substantial new evidence has been presented. In that respect, the applicant claims that the Council must be held responsible for the consequences of the inclusion of his name in the lists at issue.
138 Thirdly, the designation of the applicant has destroyed his personal reputation and the reputation of his group of undertakings.
139 Fourthly, the applicant claims that the fund freezing measures interfered with his right to property in that he no longer has access to a substantial part of his assets. In his opinion, the same applies to his freedom to travel.
140 Fifthly, the applicant claims that the infringement of the principle of proportionality stems from the fact that he was not given a reasonable opportunity to put his case to the competent authorities, given that the Council did not provide him with the information or evidence on which it relied or which it took into account when including him in the lists, and that it did not place him in a position to make 'effective' representations.
141 The Council, supported by the Commission, disputes the applicant's arguments.
142 First, with regard to the alleged interference with the right to life, it must be noted that the applicant does not provide any specific evidence to support that claim or any evidence as to the link between the risk of an interference with the right to life and his inclusion in the lists at issue. In that respect, the interference with the right to life which the applicant relies on is mainly the consequence of the situation in Syria and not of the acts of the European Union relating to the restrictive measures taken against him.
143 Secondly, it should be borne in mind, first, that the principle of proportionality is one of the general principles of EU law and requires that measures implemented through EU law provisions be appropriate for attaining the legitimate objectives pursued by the legislation at issue and must not go beyond what is necessary to achieve them (Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 98). Furthermore, the right to property is one of the general principles of EU law and is enshrined in Article 17 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Finally, with regard to respect for private life, Article 7 of the Charter recognises the right to respect for private and family life (see, to that effect, Joined Cases C‑356/11 and C‑357/11 O and S  ECR, paragraph 76).
144 As such, respect for fundamental rights is a condition of the lawfulness of European Union acts. In accordance with settled case-law, those fundamental rights do not, however, enjoy, under EU law, absolute protection, but must be viewed in the light of their function in society. Consequently, the exercise of those rights may be restricted, provided that those restrictions in fact correspond to objectives of general interest pursued by the European Union and do not constitute, in relation to the aim pursued, a disproportionate and intolerable interference, impairing the very substance of the rights guaranteed (Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 97).
145 It has previously been held that, where an act imposing restrictive measures has been adopted without furnishing any real safeguard enabling the person concerned to put his case to the competent authorities, the imposition of such measures constitutes an unjustified restriction of his right (see, to that effect and by analogy, Joined Cases C‑402/05 P and C‑415/05 P Kadi and Al Barakaat International Foundation v Council and Commission  ECR I‑6351, paragraphs 369 and 370).
146 Thirdly, it must be observed that, although in accordance with settled case-law the right to property is guaranteed by Article 17 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, it does not enjoy, under EU law, absolute protection, but must be viewed in the light of its function in society. Consequently, the exercise of that right may be restricted, provided that those restrictions in fact correspond to objectives of public interest pursued by the European Union and do not constitute, in relation to the aim pursued, a disproportionate and intolerable interference, impairing the very substance of the right so guaranteed (see Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 97 and the case-law cited).
147 In the present case, first, it is clear that the imposition of restrictive measures on the applicant is appropriate in that the background to it is an objective of general interest as fundamental to the international community as the protection of civilian populations. The freezing of funds, financial assets and other economic resources, and the prohibition of entry into the territory of the European Union, of persons identified as being involved in supporting the Syrian regime cannot, in themselves, be regarded as inappropriate (see Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 100 and the case-law cited).
148 Secondly, the measures at issue are also necessary since alternative and less restrictive measures, such as a system of prior authorisation or an obligation to justify, a posteriori, how the funds transferred were used, are not as effective in achieving the goal pursued, namely countering the financing of the Syrian regime, particularly given the possibility of circumventing the restrictions imposed (see Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 101 and the case-law cited).
149 Furthermore, the other contested acts containing the restrictive measures at issue were adopted in compliance with all the safeguards enabling the applicant to exercise his rights of defence, as has already been stated above in the analysis of the third plea.
150 Thirdly, the other contested acts provide for the possibility of the use of frozen funds being authorised to meet essential needs or to satisfy certain commitments, of specific authorisation being granted to unfreeze funds, other financial assets or other economic resources, and of the inclusion in the lists at issue being reviewed periodically in order to ensure that the persons who, and entities which, no longer meet the necessary criteria for inclusion are removed from the lists (Makhlouf v Council, paragraph 105).
151 Fourthly, with regard to the interference with the right to private life, the other contested acts also provide that the competent authority of a Member State may authorise entry into its territory, in particular for urgent humanitarian reasons, which has the effect of limiting the interference with the applicant's right to life (Case T‑202/12 Al-Assad v Council  ECR, paragraph 119).
152 Fifthly, with regard to the harm to his reputation, suffice it to note that the applicant has not provided any specific evidence to support that claim or any evidence as to the causal link between that harm and his inclusion in the lists at issue. Furthermore, with regard to the harm to the reputation of his industrial group, it must be observed that, although the European Court of Human Rights has recognised that a person's right to protection of his reputation is covered by Article 8 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, signed in Rome on 4 November 1950, as a component of the right to respect for private life, it also made it clear that there is a difference between harm to a person's reputation and harm to a business reputation, as the latter lacks any moral dimension (see judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, Uj v. Hungary, no. 23954/10, § 22, 19 July 2011). Therefore, the applicant is wrong to rely on harm to the reputation of his business.
153 Accordingly, given the overriding importance of the protection of civilian populations in Syria and the derogations provided for by the other contested acts, the restrictions on the applicant's right to property and his right to respect for private life caused by those acts are not disproportionate in the light of the aim pursued.
154 Consequently, this plea, as submitted with respect to the other contested acts, must be rejected, and accordingly the action, in so far as it seeks the annulment of those acts, must be dismissed.
155 Article 87(3) of the Rules of Procedure provides that the Court may rule that costs are to be shared or that each party is to bear its own costs where each party succeeds on some and fails on other heads.
156 In the present case, since the Council has failed on the head of claim for annulment in relation to the contested acts preceding 23 March 2012, in so far as those acts concern the applicant, and the applicant has failed on the head of claim for annulment in relation to the other contested acts, the Court considers it to be a fair application of the abovementioned provision to decide that the parties should bear their own costs.
157 In respect of the costs relating to the application for interim relief, the applicant shall bear his own costs and shall pay those of the Council.
4. Orders Mr Akhras to bear his own costs and to pay those of the Council of the European Union in relation to the interim relief proceedings.
Delivered in open court in Luxembourg on 12 February 2015.


text:
Beyond line of sight: Army precision fires tackle targeting at long ranges
An M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System fires during a September 2017 exercise in Rocket Valley, South Korea. (Sgt. Michelle U. Blesam/Army)
It is the Army's No. 1 priority to develop long-range precision fires that ultimately can exceed 10,000 nautical miles. And while enhanced projectiles can get a munition well out beyond the line of sight, ensuring accuracy and effective targeting will depend on other technologies and operational tactics.
The Army's Long-Range Precision Fires Cross-Functional Team, which was formed earlier this year as part of Army Futures Command, is now looking at taking on the targeting challenge as it develops technology across the board.
"People who challenge what we are doing, in a positive way, will say, 'Hey, how are you going to acquire? How are going to find the targets for systems at these ranges? Are you going to be able to shoot farther than you can see?'" Col. John Rafferty, director of the Long-Range Precision Fires Cross-Functional Team, told Defense News in an interview ahead of the Association of the United States Army's annual conference.
For more coverage from the AUSA annual meeting, click here.
The initial answer is no, he said. But by working with targeting and intelligence communities as the CFT advances in its own prototyping efforts, and working to refine fires procedures and the sensor and shooter architecture, the Army hopes to get there, Rafferty said.
The capability is not historically inherent in artillery.
Rafferty said he's recently brought to his team an Army military intelligence officer with an "enormous" amount of experience with joint intelligence surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting, and a senior chief warrant officer who was an Army target officer.
The US Army's top modernization priority is in jeopardy
Budget cuts may harm progress on the service's new precision strike missile.
By: Jen Judson
The aim was to "not just introduce our systems to the targeting and intelligence communities, but also to work on refining our procedures, refining our sensor and shooter architecture," he said.
Part of the challenge is shoring up the time between communicating with the observer and sending targeting information to the gun, Rafferty said. While it's part of the procedural process for artillery now, the challenge grows at longer distances, especially as the joint force will be required in the future to react more quickly than ever before.
A key to that is making sure the systems developed within Long-Range Precision Fires are fully understood by not just the combatant commanders, but joint and and allied partners as well, Rafferty said. This way they are truly an integrated part of a network of sensors and shooters on the battlefield.
One of the fundamental issues that Long-Range Precision Fires addresses when considering the Army's future operations is ensuring joint access, Rafferty said.
"How do we penetrate the enemy's A2AD [anti-access, area denial] networks? … That is a pacing threat," he said. "This Army strategic fires, the purpose of that, is to create windows of opportunity for exploitation by the joint force."
The systems the Long-Range Precision Fires CFT is now focused on for strategic distances reside in the realm of hypersonics and drastically extending the range of cannon artillery using state-of-the-art technology, Rafferty said.
The CFT is watching closely an effort to demonstrate a hypersonic capability through the Army's Space and Missile Defense Command.
A Sabre short-range ballistic missile launches in June 2017 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., for a test of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement, an advanced missile defense system. (Army)
But those are "exquisite munitions, very expensive, incredibly sophisticated and travel long, long distances," Rafferty said.
These systems will address the delivery of "incredible kinetic energy" that would destroy an adversary's strategic infrastructure and hardened targets.
To address the need of more distributed targets, the Army's CFT is also focused on developing a strategic cannon that would also fire at "very, very" long ranges, but within a larger volume of more affordable projectiles, Rafferty said, "that would enable us to create more of 'mass of volume' of fires effects."
"You need traditional artillery area fire, but just at much greater ranges," he said. "And then there would be enough room in the warhead to be able to put in sensor fuse munitions and sensors that would enable you to track moving targets in multiple domains."
Rafferty said the Army is on a path toward a technology demonstrator to address the need in the next couple of years and then will pursue small units of capability for different theaters.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Residence | A unique place in Val Thorens for a custom-made stay!
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At no extra cost, we provide you with logs for the fire, free wifi, Nintendo Wii game consoles, Netflix in the living room, books, DVDs, and the right atmosphere for spending a nice, relaxing week with family or friends.
Optionally, you can also order Savoyard evenings with fondue or raclette prepared in your apartment.
The three apartments of 110m² managed by our two Chalet Girls offer 4 bedrooms with bathroom, a private sauna and a nice living room with a fireplace. The apartments are designed for a big family or a group of friends.
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text:
fryszerka – rodzaj XIX-wiecznego zakładu metalurgicznego

Miejscowości i ich części w Polsce
 Fryszerka – część wsi Majdan Borowski w woj. lubelskim, w pow. opolskim, w gminie Chodel
 Fryszerka – osada w woj. łódzkim, w pow. opoczyńskim, w gminie Poświętne
 Fryszerka – część wsi Młynek w woj. łódzkim, w pow. opoczyńskim, w gminie Żarnów
 Fryszerka – wieś w woj. łódzkim, w pow. radomszczańskim, w gminie Gomunice
 Fryszerka – osada wsi Silnica w woj. łódzkim, w pow. radomszczańskim, w gminie Żytno
 Fryszerka – wieś w woj. mazowieckim, w pow. przysuskim, w gminie Przysucha
 Fryszerka – część wsi Pradła w woj. śląskim, w pow. zawierciańskim, w gminie Kroczyce
 Fryszerka – osada w woj. świętokrzyskim, w pow. kieleckim, w gminie Łopuszno

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


A long piece in The Guardian on how and why Amazon keeps CEOs in possibly dozens of different sectors up at night.
With fingers in nine of the top ten US industries by GDP, Amazon has inspired a "Death By Amazon index" from Bespoke Investment Group. Fifty-four retail stocks the firm considers most vulnerable to Amazon. Between February 2012 and January 2018, Amazon's value rose 560%, the S&P index rose 102%, and the Death by Amazon index grew just 42.8%.


text:
T&T PM breaks silence on drug bust in the US
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has broken her silence on the multimillion-dollar drug bust in the United States that allegedly involves products from a leading manufacturer in Trinidad and Tobago.
"Every nation in the world has issues with narco-trafficking and therefore it's (about) our response now. We learn every day," she told reporters on Sunday night as she attended the launch of the National Week of Prayer.
"The matter is under investigation. It is sensitive and it would be inappropriate to comment on it at this time.
"I think with this being such a sensitive matter, information should be shared on a need-to-know basis. Therefore, this blanket in terms of sharing information is on lockdown; I think it's a good strategy because we've seen in the past where leakages could lead to compromising of the investigation," Persad Bissessar added.
Earlier this month, US Federal officials announced that they had found 732 pounds of cocaine on December 20, 2013 concealed in cans of fruit juice at the Port of Norfolk in Virginia.
Investigators estimate the cocaine had a wholesale value of about US$12 million and a street value of up to US$100 million.
Officials from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) are here conducting investigations into the matter and the local beverage manufacturer, SM Jaleel & Co Ltd, whose products have been used in the shipment of the drugs, has distanced itself from the shipment.
Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said she does not believe the island's international trade reputation would be negatively impacted as a result of the drug bust.
"We were able through allies to bust this container of goods, unfortunately with a Trinidad and Tobago name on it. We still don't know if it was something done here or elsewhere; that is under investigation. The shipment may have left Trinidad and Tobago, but what transpired after that is still sensitive and still under investigation.
"Certainly there will be concerns, but I'm not sure we will be impacted so negatively that we will be branded everywhere and blocked everywhere and I'm fortified in that view that the manufacturer was able to show these labels were counterfeit, and that the shipment was not made by them," she added.
Trade Minister Vasant Bharath said a multimillion-dollar scanner to examine import containers – purchased through a Chinese grant – is now being installed at the Port of Port of Spain.
He said that three scanners that were to be acquired through the United States last year were delayed because of regulatory issues that had to be approved by the US Senate.
But he told reporters the scanners are now due here in June.
Family Gathering of 35 Bumps Up COVID Numbers for USVI
Republic Bank EC Birthday Celebrations End On A Kind Note
St Lucia Opposition Pleased With Protest
Antigua And Barbuda Re-Elected To Head Regional Telecoms Body


The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs invited members of the National League of Cities Policy Committees to a briefing to discuss how local officials can partner with the Administration to address social, economic and fiscal challenges in cities and towns across America.
Two Borough Council members from State College, Cathy Dauler and Theresa Lafer, attended the briefing.
The White House from the Executive Office building, where the briefing was held.
Reseption Room. After the briefing, a reception was held in this magnificent room in the Executive Office Building. Valerie Jarrett, advisor to President Obama, welcomed us.
WASHINGTON - More than 2,000 city leaders and delegates from cities and towns across the country are convening in Washington for the 50th annual National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional City Conference to advocate for city priorities with Congress and the Administration. President Barack Obama will address delegates Monday, March 9 to speak about the many partnerships and connections that unite all levels of government working to make our communities, and our country, stronger. Delegates have more than 100 meetings scheduled with members of Congress and their staffs, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, on issues including e-fairness, transportation and protecting municipal bonds. The convening is March 7-11 at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel.
President Obama's address comes at a time when the federal government continues strengthen local partnerships that are critical to promoting economic development, building transportation infrastructure, protecting the health of our residents and improving the lives of our young people.
"I am excited to welcome city leaders to Washington to network and advocate for the critical priorities that cities need from our federal partners," said Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and executive director of the National League of Cities. "We are thrilled to have President Obama and a number of his cabinet officials address our delegates, and look forward to meeting with members of Congress and their staffs on the importance of city leadership on the many initiatives that build stronger communities and improve the lives of our residents."
On Tuesday, March 10, NLC will hold a town hall event for the Race, Equity & Leadership (REAL) initiative. REAL was created after recent events prompted many city leaders to examine the critical issues of race and equity and how it impacts our society. In the town hall event, city and community leaders will examine how racial biases affect communities, policies, systems and structures including law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
Karen Freeman Wilson, mayor, Gary, Ind.
Suzanne Chan, vice mayor, Freemont, Calif.
NLC Transportation & Infrastructure Services Chair Robert Bauman, alderman, Milwaukee, Wisc.
NLC Transportation & Infrastructure Services Vice Chair Patrick Wojahn, councilmember, College Park Md.
"It is a great honor to have President Obama address city leaders at the National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional City Conference next week in Washington. Since the very beginning of his Administration, the president has been a close friend and ally of America's cities. Through local/federal partnerships and numerous joint initiatives, he continues to recognize the critical role municipal governments play in promoting economic development, building transportation infrastructure, protecting the health of our residents and improving the lives of our young people. The president's top appointees at the highest level include an unprecedented number of former local elected officials.
"President Obama's visit comes at a time when federal leaders are 'going local' by partnering with cities on initiatives that build stronger communities and improve the lives of our residents. NLC and our members have worked closely with the Administration on programs including Let's Move! Cities, Towns & Counties and My Brother's Keeper Community Challenge. In addition, NLC has productive formal partnerships with the Departments of Education, Interior and Housing and Urban Development. We look forward to both seeing President Obama next week and continuing to collaborate with his Administration to strengthen the connections that unite all levels of government working to make our communities, and our country, stronger."
MEDIA: A separate media advisory will be issued as soon as possible that includes registration information and logistics details.


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Brotherhood arrests in Egypt
Egyptian police have arrested 150 activists from the Muslim Brotherhood in areas where the opposition Islamist group will contest legislative elections this week.
Police arrested Brotherhood activists north of Cairo
The Brotherhood, which is officially banned, has made a strong showing in the four days of voting held so far, despite arrests of its activists and the blocking of polling stations in Islamist strongholds.
A police source said the arrests were made in areas north of Cairo, including the Nile Delta provinces of al-Sharqia and al-Daqhalia, where voting will take place on 1 and 7 December.
The Brotherhood's website said the authorities had "launched a wide arrest campaign" against delegates of its candidates in the final two days of voting. It said 110 had been detained so far.
The Brotherhood has won 76 of parliament's 444 seats so far – more than five times its strength in the outgoing chamber. The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) has won at least 195 seats.
The Brotherhood, whose candidates stand as independents, is contesting only about a third of the seats in parliament. It is fielding 49 seats in the final two days of voting for 136 seats.


Hi there—I'm Elizabeth Terry. Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I have a great family—along with my mother and father, I'm the oldest of three. My sister Aimée and my brother Tim round off the rest of the Terry's. Aimée has three beautiful children who I just can't get enough of.
I'm a 20-year scrapping veteran. I started scrapping the 'safe' way 10+ years ago after attending a "home" party. After my third home party the demonstrator saw that I was passionate about scrapping (and had some scrapping talent as well) and advised I should be a demonstrator as well. I was helping others finish their pages, and showing them examples from my own book. However I chose not to join that particular company because their sales and minimum quotas were too high.
minimums and offered many of the name brand scrapbooking supplies at a discount. Unfortunately, the company went out of business in 2004, shortly after I joined another relatively new company that has also since gone of out business.
In 2006, I decided the best route for my customers was to offer them some of the best brands in the Papercrafting business and started my own web site for other scrapbooking supplies in 2004, offering pre made albums, custom album services, handmade cards, invitations and favors.


Thanks to our 2018 Checkpoints!
In association with the wonderful businesses and organizations that agreed to be our checkpoints this year, we're proud to include their information and encourage everyone to continue to patronize them for their efforts and stop in and say "Hi" the next time you're in the area.
In addition to these checkpoints, the hotels that provided lodging for the tour can be found here.


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102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the Rescue facts for kids
102 Dalmatians Puppies to the Rescue
Eidos Interactive
Dreamcast, PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Color
NA November 15, 2000
PAL December 20, 2000
3D Adventure, Action, Platformer
Single player, multiplayer
102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the Rescue is a video game based on the live-action Disney movie 102 Dalmatians. It was made for the Sony PlayStation.
Voice cast
Cruella's Toys
Susan Blakeslee as Cruella de Vil
Molly Marlette as Oddball
Frankie Muniz as Domino
Barbara Dirikson as Dottie
Jeff Bennett as Dipstick and Jasper
Eric Idle as Waddlesworth
Nancy Cartwright as Fidget
Eddie Izzard as Sgt. Tibs
Tress MacNeille as Ivana
Rob Paulsen as Fluffy
Maurice LaMarche as Horace
The game itself follows the movie's storyline closely. The player can choose the role of two of the dalmatians, Oddball or Domino, who are out on the town looking for treasure. It's not long before the player realizes that a toy found buried in a park was made at one of Cruella de Vil's toy factories; the fact that her toys are being buried rather than being played with is making mean Cruella very upset. Facing financial ruin from lack of sales, Cruella sets an evil plan in motion - to reprogram her toys to capture any Dalmatian puppies in sight. Soon enough, Domino and Oddball are out on their biggest adventure yet - to save their brothers and sisters. The player needs to save their brothers and sisters, collect 100 bones and stop Cruella's henchmen. Player's health can be increased by picking up food. The player fights Cruella a few times, then off to the Toy Factory where Cruella is waiting for them. The game includes several challenging levels, from the sewers to the circus. The player befriends many other characters that help them along the way. At times the player has to take a challenge to fight Cruella in certain levels as well as other enemies such as Jasper or Horace.
-You find Jasper in this level.
Picadilly
-Horace is found in this level.
1. Cruella I -Defeat Cruella to unlock the mini game "Tilt Maze".
Royal Museum
-Le Pelt will be found inside the Pyramid in the Egyptian exhibit.
-Jasper will be found here. When you find the dunk tank after talking to the turtle Shelby, he will appear.
Lumber Mill
2. Cruella II -Defeat Cruella to unlock the mini game "Checkers".
-Horace will show up near Stonehenge.
Ice Festival
-Jasper shows up for the 3rd time in this level.
3. Cruella III -Defeat Cruella and you will unlock the mini game "Ice Race".
Spooky Forest
-Le Pelt shows up again in this level.
Hedge Maze
De Vil Mansion
-Horace appears in this level.
4. Cruella IV -Defeat Cruella and you will win the game as well as unlocking the mini game "Jam Dance."
Jack-in-the-Box: This toy is the very first toy you'll come across in the game (found in the first level). When they pop up, they say "Hello." Get too close to them and they'll say "I've got an idea" before lashing out at you.
102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the Rescue Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.
This page was last modified on 16 July 2021, at 09:44. Suggest an edit.


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Much better trailer for DOGGING: A LOVE STORY
quietearth [Celluloid 10.12.09] movie trailer news comedy
We posted this horrific trailer for dogging from IFC a little while back to some pretty big boos.. now, here's the UK version. Much, much better.
Wannabe journalist Dan expected so much more after graduation.. but with no leads, little ambition and a girlfriend who would rather cosy up to the boss at the office, it's not exactly as he planned. In a bid to get his life back on track and coerced by his womanising flatmate, Dan is introduced to the risque sex scene that is Dogging. Encoutnering an array of qweird and wonderful characters looking for the ultimate high, it's quickly clear that the scene is ripe for an expose. Dropping his inhibitions in the name of research, Dan quickly becomes a regular player on the car park circuit, until he meets fellow thrill-seeker Laura and the totally unexpected hapens. He falls in love.
NSFW Trailer after the break.


14178 ft (4321 m) .
Mount Elgon is a huge, ancient, and eroded stratovolcano which sits astride the Uganda-Kenya border. Although not the tallest of the isolated volcanoes of East Africa, it is among the largest in volume, rising up from a base over 50 miles (80 km) in diameter on the plains at about 4000 ft (1200 m) elevation. Elgon is topped by a caldera about 5 miles (8 km) in diameter, with several high points over 13000 ft (4000 m) along the rim. Elgon is noted for its unique Afro-alpine trees and plants, and for the many caves in its mid-elevation slopes, where elephants and other large animals can often be found eating mineral salts. These caves are not lava tubes, since Elgon has few suitable lava flows, but are instead eroded from the volcanic tuff (welded ash flows) which make up the bulk of Elgon's volume (digging by elephants may also contribute to the enlargement of the caves). Although not presently glaciated, during the Ice Ages Mount Elgon supported numerous glaciers which extended down below 11000 ft (3400 m). Occasional snows still fall on the higher slopes, but accumulations do not last for long. With good timing, it may just be possible to ski a short run someplace near the caldera rim after a major storm.


projects. We have a number of services available to fit your needs and requirements.
staff is here to serve you.
in the home building process.
guarantee that the drawings meet all requirements and standards.
Olson Plans will supply you with certified and sealed plans from our extensive library.
resubmit the plans at no further cost to you.
by the local building authorities to obtain final building permit.
service is by contractor referral so we know how to do this right.
your plans to obtain your building permit.
You first are requested to submit a customer menu sheet with your requirements.
to set up an expected time schedule for the finished final drawings.
We do not want to delude you into believing that building a home is a simple matter.
specifications is not simple but can be highly rewarding.
We look forward to serving your needs and making your home a reality.


I think there is a minimum spend of £30 - £35, after which there's a cancellation, as long as you prostrate yourself regretfully and obsequiously in front of Rachel Organ and her Aldi based PE parkies. Just wonder how much this victim spent. It would be good to bottom out the minimum spend, to help others.
If that is the case, then best not go to Aldi if you cannot be sure to spend a minimum of £30 then.
Lidl's better, anyways, so there!
But Athena charge you £90 for an overstay at Lidl. Parking Eye charge £70 at Aldi. Always cheaper at Aldi!
Whats the cheapest way to explore Bethlehem ? On a Lidl Donkey.
What this completely misses is that you don't have to make a purchase on a particular day to be a customer. The store may not have the item you require, or you are inspecting prices for shopping around, or you forgot your wallet.
There are plenty of reasons that you may have entered the store with the intention of making a purchase, yet came away empty handed. Until stores realise this, they will continue to annoy people by employing the likes of ParkingEye.


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Jan. 6 committee considers criminal referrals for at least 4 besides Trump
By CNN Newsource staff
Published: Dec. 9, 2022 at 5:51 AM EST
(CNN) - Sources close to the House Select Committee on the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection said members are considering making at least four criminal referrals in addition to former President Donald Trump to the Justice Department.
The list is said to include former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark.
Two former Trump legal advisers, Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman, are also said to be in consideration for criminal referrals.
One committee member has said that anyone who engaged in criminal action needs to be held accountable.
If the Department of Justice moves ahead with the committee's recommendations, the charges would be related to the attempt to overthrow a presidential election and bypass the Constitution.
Chair Rep. Bennie Thompson said the committee could make a final decision on criminal referrals when it meets virtually on Sunday.
The select committee plans to submit its final report on Dec. 21.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.


Cushing, E. H. May 31, 1865.
Cushing, E. H. The Houston Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 31, No. 29, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 31, 1865, newspaper, May 31, 1865; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth235149/: accessed April 24, 2019), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.


"...As a facilitator and consultant, she is unsurpassed."
Susan Coleman brings incredible sensitivity, insight and passion to conflict issues within organizations. She listens exceptionally well to ensure that she understands the complexity, given multiple perspectives. She then brings clarity, nuance and great facilitation skills to support organizations as they navigate their way through thorny interpersonal relationships. She is particularly sensitive to issues of race, ethnicity and gender, and has a deep commitment to helping workplaces become more inclusive.
"I wanted to write to tell you how much of an impact your course design and talented trainers had on me... I found the experience to be life-transforming. I came into the program feeling unfulfilled in my work and frustrated with some of the people I had to deal with every day. Your course helped me to see my role in creating the conflict I was experiencing. You also helped me to understand the perspectives of my colleagues in a much deeper way.
Thank you for creating something so incredible! You have inspired me to try to grow both professionally and personally!"
"Negotiation is the lifeblood of any workplace and organization nowadays...That is why, during the past seven years, we have progressively implemented the Conflict Resolution Programme offered by Coleman, with participants spanning different areas of the Organization, from project managers to team members, from senior supervisors to new professionals. This training has helped our staff collaborate with people from diverse multicultural backgrounds and disciplines including economists, sociologists, environment scientists and statisticians. Interdisciplinary teams need to develop and monitor negotiated agreements, as well as solving and preventing interpersonal conflicts on a daily basis during the process.
We thoroughly recommend this programme to improve relationships between staff members and external relationships with long- term partners and counterparts.
work, at home, even when we're on vacation and different people want different things! The difference for me now is I have acquired specific skills for managing conflict. These skills help us to manage our feelings while we are dealing with the cast of characters involved in the conflict at hand. No small feat!
"At the outset, all the issues presented in the two courses Collaborative Negotiation Skills and Mediation Skills seemed, to me, to have a no-win solution for all involved. After learning what each person felt and wanted and needed to become respectful and understanding of the other and be respected in the group, a common goal came into form. The steps that each and every student in the negotiations and mediations learned to take usually led to a peaceful understanding of each person who would ultimately be affected by the outcome.
I hereby wish to thank you once again for your inputs at our UNDP-. . . retreat. . . Your moderation truly helped our team to come together in a gentle yet significant way, as you excelled in subtly creating an atmosphere of collegial friendship between the newcomers . . . and old-timers. Everybody . . . highly appreciated these team-building exercises . . . and found them to be extremely useful. . . I highly recommend . . . your services.


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other| August 01 2013
A Model of Individual Accounting Faculty Salaries
Elizabeth Dreike Almer;
Elizabeth Dreike Almer
Elizabeth Dreike Almer is a Professor at Portland State University, Michelle Bertolini is an Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University, and Julia L. Higgs is an Associate Professor at Florida Atlantic University.
Michelle Bertolini;
Michelle Bertolini
Julia L. Higgs
Issues in Accounting Education (2013) 28 (3): 411–433.
https://doi.org/10.2308/iace-50467
Elizabeth Dreike Almer, Michelle Bertolini, Julia L. Higgs; A Model of Individual Accounting Faculty Salaries. Issues in Accounting Education 1 August 2013; 28 (3): 411–433. https://doi.org/10.2308/iace-50467
While much has been written about how to successfully manage an academic accounting career, to date, research has not considered how accounting academics can manage their career to impact their salary. The current study utilizes publicly available individual salary information for over 1,200 tenure-track faculty at over 100 of the largest accounting programs in U.S. public universities. Using this salary data, we create a model of accounting faculty salary using individual and institutional variables for top-ranked doctoral, other doctoral, and non-doctoral programs.
Our results offer additional insights into accredited public university accounting faculty salaries beyond the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) publications, which aggregate by public/private schools and accredited/non-accredited programs.
We find that Brigham Young University (BYU) 20 faculty research ranking, a financial teaching/research emphasis, being a department chair, and having a named business school can be positively associated with salary, although the specific influence varies by type of program. There is generally a U-shaped relationship between salary and academic rank, but a negative relationship with length of employment at an institution and cost of living. A systems teaching/research emphasis is negatively associated with salary at other doctoral programs. We do not find that salary is associated with gender.
faculty salary, compensation, publication


Philips AquaTouch S5420/06 electric shaver review - Which?
The Philips AquaTouch S5420/06 isn't as expensive as some models in the Philips rotary shaver range, so it could be a good bet if you want to buy a well-known brand of electric shaver without breaking the bank. But it's only worth considering if it cuts closely and comfortably. Read our full review of this electric shaver to see what we made of it.


"Have your breakfast like a king; lunch like a prince; and dinner like a popper!" But which are some of the best breakfast places in Delhi where one can eat like a king?
Delhi is revered and loved for the sheer variety of food it offers. Typically when it comes to enjoying different cuisines and tastes of Delhi, then the city seldom disappoints. Perhaps, all of us have at least one or two friends or relatives in our circle that keep whining about the lack of variety in food that their respective cities offer; or that just how fortunate we are as to be living in a city where food excites as much as the changing seasons.
Where else but in Delhi can you enjoy pretty much anything and everything, be the chaat, the chole bhature, the iconic traditional desserts and mithais as well as the pleasure of biting into some delectable food amid both- spring seasons as well as the nippy breeze of winters? Isn't it?
But where the breakfast meal is concerned, one's always well advised to begin the day on a great note. There cannot be anything better than tucking into some nice, delectable breakfast meal ideas before stepping, whether for professional endeavours or any other tasks.
Very quickly then, what are some of the best breakfast places in Delhi? Tell us, in the comment section below, if you've covered Delhi by the breakfast food-trail or not?
Delhi is an enigma of sorts. No other place serves the spine-twisting variety of both continental or western as well as traditional meals. At the revered Pandit Gaya Prasad Shiv Charan's Parathe, nestled in the heart of the old Delhi, in a beautiful habitat called the Parathe Wali Gali, one can have kachoris, puris with aalo ki sabzi and plenty of other vegan delicacies that truly give an enriching feeling.
There also cannot be anything better other than having some lassi to polish of a delectable breakfast meal.
A place frequented by both young working couples and full-fledged families, there's really never a dull breakfast experience at the Sagar Ratna, a jovial experience that turns up the best south Indian food that one could possibly have.
Once at Sagar Ratna, you have the choicest delight of opting from some of the best dosas and idlis, along with other traditional south-Indian delicacies that are unmistakably delicious. Fill up your breakfast appetite by rounding off the meal with a fantastic cup of typical filter coffee, something that's truly unavoidable.
Tucked in the heart of south Delhi, one can visit the Defence Colony market as well as Vasant Kunj to have some of the best south-Indian breakfast ever.
Fans and aficionados of north-Indian cuisine cannot possibly think of a better option, whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner other than that of the quintessential chole bhature. This is that one dish that unites one and all, regardless of belonging to a sub-culture, region or geography.
One of the best qualities of lip-smacking chole bhature can be found at the famous Bille Di Hatti, based out of Kamla Nagar. This truly is, amongst the best breakfast places in Delhi and has risen to become a household name of sorts.
Cannot imagine your life without Dhoklas and Fafdas along with some jalebi? Like something that tastes adequately sweet, even in your breakfast meal? Well, head now to the famous Gujarat Bhavan. This is located in the heart-line of the Diplomatic area, in the revered Chanakyapuri.
You can savour some of the best breakfast meals that you can ever get in Delhi at the evergreen Gujarat Bhavan, a place that's both economical as well as backed by an amazing quality of food it serves.
Often, one wonders just what might have life been had it not been for coffee, eggs, bacon, cheeseburger and mushroom sandwiches. Hey, how did we forget the pure pleasure that delightful items like a pancake can provide?
If you see yourself craving for any of this, then probably, time's come to hit up the All American Diner, in the posh and revered India Habitat Centre. With its easy-going American themed outlook, this is one of the best breakfast places in the whole of New Delhi.
So the next time you are bugged eating at home and wish to experience a change, you know what to do, right? Just visit any of these best breakfast places in Delhi.
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