Russian neofolk ethno ambient band Kreiviskai will release its debut full length album "Zemmis Supnāi" via Casus Belli Musica until the end of August 2014. Kreiviskai ( Prussian "in Kryvyan", "Kryvyan" ) was founded in Тверь (Tver') in 2013. The aim of the band is the return of forgotten musical authenticity and mythology of Тверь (and wider – of Kryviya) by means of Тверь's old instruments. The debut album "Zemmis Supnāi" includes traditional tunes of Тверь together with elements of ambient, dungeon synth, neofolk, martial, so the regional folklore finds a new reading in other, archeo-futuristic, way. Track by track, the original arrangement of sacral ritual ethnic music gives way to the band's own songs; the speech of nowadays echoes with local dialects and Baltic ancestors' ancient language; the music canvas summons up, one by one, forgotten voices of old instruments of Тверь: solemn Kryvyan bagpipes, an inviting Kryvyan horn, a meditative gusli (the oldest Russian multi-string plucked instrument), an anxious hardy-gurdy, a glib gudok (a string instrument, played with a bow), magical vargans (guimbardes), ornate flutes.


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Retail Design Experts from Calvin Klein, Burton Snowboards, Lululemon to Discuss 'Future of Cannabis
BOSTON, April 30, 2019 – In its ongoing efforts to use education to break stigma and create opportunities for a diverse and inclusive cannabis industry, ELEVATE Northeast Events and Education is proud to announce details and speakers for its next event, "The Future of Cannabis Retail Design."
The panel discussion features four expert design professionals from the northeast who have worked for some of the world's most recognizable brands, including Calvin Klein, Burton Snowboards, Juicy Couture, MTV and Phish. The evening's conversation will cover practical suggestions retail operators, whether they be in dispensaries, CBD boutiques or ancillary products, can consider when undertaking a design or redesign, how design choices can impact the customer experience, and finally, what the future of cannabis retail design holds. The discussion will be followed by a questions-and-answers session and general networking.
"This stellar panel of design experts have created retail experiences for some of the world's most recognizable household brands," said Beth Waterfall, executive director at ELEVATE Northeast. "We hope their shared expertise will give our region's cannabis leaders another competitive differentiator and help them set the retail experience standards cannabis patients and consumers will connect with for years to come."
Moderator Sam Aquillano is the Founder and Executive Director of Design Museum Foundation a national, nomadic museum operating across three branches — Boston, Portland, San Francisco — and growing across the country. Their mission: bring the transformative power of design everywhere. Design is everywhere, so the museum has no permanent address — instead, Sam and his team turn the museum inside out and transform the city into the design museum with exhibitions, events, and more.
Heather Boesch is a Senior Director at IDEO, where she helps organizations of all scales become relentlessly customer-centered and leverage design as a competitive advantage. Educated as both an architect and an economist, Heather co-leads IDEO's Spatial Experiences practice, where she works with clients across industries and markets to bring their brands to life through integrated digital and physical experiences. Her recent work includes designing a new home for a Fortune 50 financial services company, helping a Major League sports team imagine future fan experiences at the stadium, and designing a flagship digital concept store for a luxury fashion retailer.
David Gruning has excelled as a leader in marketing, retail and experiential eventing for over 20 years. He has worked in-house and as an independent consultant with areas of expertise in: public relations, consumer marketing, retail design, celebrity & influencer outreach, digital & social media, special events, advertising, strategy & budget management. David has done work with Calvin Klein, Swarovski, Vogue, DeBeers, Moet Hennessy, Giorgio Armani, Saks Fifth Avenue, Trunk Club, Vince, BLK DNM, Moschino among many others.
For more than twenty-five years, Michael Jager, Founding Partner/Chief Creative Officer of Solidarity of Unbridled Labour (formerly JDK Design) and Vermont's first awarded AIGA Design Fellow, has been creating and collaborating with brands, driven by the idea that design distinction matters most. His collaborative output for a multitude of today's most recognizable and relevant brands—including Burton Snowboards, Microsoft's Xbox, Nike, Levi's, Phish, MTV, Virgin, Lululemon, Yara, Seventh Generation, and Patagonia—is recognized worldwide.
Penelope Nam-Stephen is a Cannabis and Consumer Goods executive with almost two decades of experience. She has held senior executive positions at Cache, Burberry, Juicy Couture, and Ascend, and in those positions was responsible for product merchandising, strategy, financial planning, product conception and commercialization, buying and inventory management, branding, pricing, positioning, supply chain, and marketing.
"The Future of Cannabis Retail Design" takes place on Wednesday, May 8 at the Cambridge Innovation Center, 50 Milk Street in Boston, MA. The event is sponsored by Sprout, Toasted Collective, Different Leaf magazine, Sensi Magazine and Burns & Levinson LLP.
To learn more about the event and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.universe.com/events/the-future-of-cannabis-retail-design-tickets-boston-N95V18
About ELEVATE Northeast Events and Education
Currently in the process of becoming a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, ELEVATE Northeast Events and Education was created to support the regional industry's need for workforce and community education, advocacy and networking in a professional and inviting atmosphere. And because cannabis businesses cannot succeed without inclusion of multiple perspectives, an educated community, and informed customer base, ELEVATE's mission is to empower underrepresented populations to work and lead in the cannabis industry, and to empower our communities to be educated customers and responsible consumers. Learn more at elevatene.org.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Written by Justa Barbosa
Manchester City – West Ham United (Capital One Cup)
Sam Allardyce and his men visit the Etihad Stadium for the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-finals. On Sunday they were hammered off the FA Cup by a Championship squad are will now try to avoid another embarrassment. Pellegrini will take a chance to get even closer to what may be his first silverware in his first year managing a team in England. The scale is tipping for Manchester but this is English football. Anything can happen, West Ham now only too well.
Saturday the Citizens were held to a 1-1 stalemate by the Rovers at Ewood Park in the third round of the FA Cup, forcing them to a rematch. Christmas injury season curse finally hit Etihad, proving that there's no such thing as too much depth on a squad. To make matters worse Boyata was expelled in the final minutes and a red card should grant him a couple of games suspension .Stevan Jovetic, Sergio Aguero, Micah Richards, John Guidetti, Jack Rodwell and Martin Demichelis are all sidelined due to injury. Just this Tuesday Pellegrini announced Jesus Navas had a knee problem that would keep him out of the League Cup tie and possibly the Newcastle clash on Sunday. Apparently it's not a serious issue but will narrow the Chilean's options. Navas featured in 11 of the Blues December's matches, it's no wonder he's picked up some nocks. He is now leading the team in assists, doing for Manchester City what Ozil has done for Arsenal and Rooney for Man United. Not bad for a Premier League debut. To reach the semi-finals Manchester City defeated Wigan Athletic (5-0), Newcastle (0-2 in overtime), and Leicester City (1-3). Despite the FA Cup stumble they are unbeaten for the last 13 games in all competitions (11 win and 2 draws).
Probable line-up: Pantilimon — Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov — Touré, Garcia — Navas, Nasri, Milner — Dzeko.
West Ham United are sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table, with 15 points. Behind them only Sunderland with 14. Their track record this season is by all accounts demoralizing, 7-6-12 in all competitions. Last Sunday they provided the big surprise of the FA Cup round, falling to the Blackburn Rovers, a Championship team, 5-0. The Hammers started a side with a handful of youngsters that were unable to stop a motivated and determined opposition. Once again Sam Allardyce's job was thought to be in the balance but West Ham's owners came out to give him a vote of confidence. Let's see. They'll probably kick his butt anyway at the end of the season, or sooner, but for now they try to appease the crowds. Allardyce recently expressed interest in taking City's Joleon Lescott on loan. The centre-back has to play regularly in order to aspire to a spot in Brasil. In West Ham he would certainly be given a lot of minutes but will he be keen on leaving the Etihad for Upton Park?
Sam Allardyce is dealing with a long injury report. Andy Carroll, Wiston Reid, Vaz Te, James Tomkins, Mark Noble and James Collins are all in it. Kevin Nolan will serve the last of 4 match ban.
Probable line-up: Jaaskalainen — Demel, Johnson, O'Brian, McCartney — Diarra, Diamé — Downing, Morrison, Taylor — Maiga.
This is yet another fixture marked by the devastating effects of the Holliday season schedule. It's almost a contest, who has the most crowded treatment room? Citizens and Hammers will start the game with a stalemate: six men down to injuries, one for suspension. The difference here lies in the quality of substitutes each side have. In this department Manchester City wins for a landslide, not just to West Ham United, to every Premier League side. Will the final scorer be evidence of that?
Asian Handicap: Man City -2.5 2.10
Stadium: Etihad
City: Manchester
Stadium: London Stadium
City: Londres
Justa Barbosa
Capital One Cup Ler prognóstico


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Home / In Depth/ National Budget 2015: Populist, yet on track
National Budget 2015: Populist, yet on track
President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa presented Sri Lanka's National Budget for 2015 in Parliament on 24 October. The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) expects to achieve a fiscal deficit of 5.0% for 2014E (vs. 5.9% in 2013), compared to its original deficit target of 5.2% for 2014E on account of lower than expected public investment. Furthermore, the GoSL expects to reduce its fiscal deficit to 4.6% in 2015E keeping in line with the policy guide lines formulated within the Medium Term Macro Fiscal Framework (MTMFF) for 2013-2016. In line with MTMFF policies, the GoSL expects to continuously reduce deficits down to 3% and thereby improving debt to GDP level to ~65% by 2017E. This is expected to create a conducive environment for greater investment which is in turn forecast to result in a 7-8% real GDP growth in the near term. Main focal points of the 2015E budget included proposals on penalty driven better tax compliance, continuation of social safety nets whilst strengthening tax collection mechanisms. The 2015E fiscal budget largely included populist proposals such as pay hikes targeting low and mid income groups, subsidies and concessions targeting high employment sectors amid a possible presidential election expected in early 1Q2015E. Nevertheless, the GoSL continues to maintain public investment at ~6% levels whilst focusing on a low cost financing debt management strategy. We have highlighted the key proposals of the Budget 2015, including the potential impact on key sectors and selected listed companies. It should be noted that the proposals laid out in the budget are not officially finalised by the GoSL, with information also limited in some instances, until the release of gazettes, and thereby the details on some of the proposals could be altered in the weeks ahead. By CT CLSA Securities RECOVERY OF TAX IN ARREARS Tax, EPF and ETF arrears to be refinanced at 6% p.a. Proposal
A special refinance facility scheme which is repayable within five years will be provided by all banks at 6% interest rate to facilitate the settlement of arrears in tax/EPF/ETF up to 31 Dec 2010 (settlements to be concluded within six months)
Property corresponding to such arrears of default taxpayers who do not make use of the aforementioned opportunity to be confiscated
The above proposal is expected to raise Rs.40 b revenue
Impact analysis
This will encourage higher tax compliance given the low interest cost involved whilst helping the fiscal coffers. Effectiveness of the above proposal is likely to be key in achieving the fiscal deficit target for 2015E as it accounts for ~60% of GoSL's incremental revenue proposals for 2015E
Banks that provide refinance facilities to fund tax/EPF/ETF arrears are unlikely to have a material negative impact given the lower volume involved from a sector angle and due to average market prime lending par int. rate
INCOME AND WAGES PAYE Tax reduced Proposal
Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Tax highest slab to be reduced to 16% from 24% w.e.f. 01 Apr 2015
This will increase the disposable income of the general consumer resulting in higher purchasing power
From the GoSL's perspective, the revenue foregone from the above proposal is expected to be negligible
Employer's minimum EPF contribution increased to 14% Proposal
Employer's minimum EPF contribution increased to 14% from 12% of gross salary
This will impact salary expenses across the board for all listed and unlisted business organisations whilst increasing retirement benefits of employees
PROPERTY Restrict entities with foreign ownership acquiring land in Sri Lanka Certain exemptions given under the bill Foreign entities will be able to lease land for a maximum of 99 years Proposal
The "Land (Restrictions on Alienation)" bill, passed in Parliament on 20 Oct 2014, is expected to limit purchase of land by foreigners and entities with over 50% of foreign ownership
Rs. 2 b is expected to be raised from the proposal The provisions of the Act are implemented w.e.f. 01 Jan 2013 Detailed provisions
However, there are certain exemptions given under the bill, namely;
Any land transferred to a Diplomatic Mission of another State Condominium Parcel situated on or above the fourth floor of a building specified under the Apartment Ownership Law A transfer consequent to a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers taken prior to Jan 1, 2013 Transfer to relocate a headquartered building A transfer to a next of kin A transfer to a dual citizen of Sri Lanka Transfer to a bank with foreign ownership over 50%, where;
Land is taken for recovery of mortgage, in execution of a decree of court to enforce the recovery of a loan given by the bank
Transfer to a finance leasing institution with foreign ownership over 50%, where;
Land has been mortgaged to as a security for a lease, in order to execute a lease and an agreement to sell or a loan and an agreement to sell, in execution of a decree of court
Land transferred under Strategic Development Act
Foreign entities will be able to lease land for a maximum of 99 years, subject to a land lease tax of 15% of the total rental payable for the entire duration of the lease which is payable upfront
Land lease tax of 7.5% will be applicable in cases of; entities being operated for consecutive period of ten years, condominium parcel situated on or above the fourth floor of a building specified under the provisions of the Apartment Ownership Law, where the period of lease is less than 35 years, condominium parcel situated below the fourth floor of a building with lease term less than 99 years, lease of land situated within BOI zone, tourist development area under the Tourism Act, industrial estate under the Industrial Development Act, area declared by the Minister
There are also exemptions provided on the land lease tax for those who are exempted from restrictions on buying land
The proposal potentially impacts listed entities (over 50% foreign ownership), especially those in property development, such as John Keells Holdings (JKH) and Overseas Realty (OSEA)
At a first glance, the act raises confusion amongst foreign investors and might bring questions as to whether the act is in line with the long term Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) targets of GoSL
Further, the legislation would bring difficulties in funding of leased projects as the upfront lease tax would require a further significant capital commitment and may limit participation by foreign investors
It would even require listed entities with less than 50% of foreign ownership to constantly monitor the shareholder mix and may even take costly measures when there is a change in mix
On a positive note, big ticket projects are likely to get exemptions subject to being classified under Strategic Development Act
Further, we expect that even some smaller scale projects would be granted exemptions on case by case basis considering the best interest and long term development of Sri Lanka
The final amended act is yet to be drafted and may have added flexibilities granted to improve the FDIs
UTILITIES Prices of key utilities such as electricity, fuel, water and LPG reduced Electricity
Tariff reduced by 25% to household consumers; w.e.f. 16 Sep 2014
Corporate electricity tariff reduced by 15% w.e.f. 01 Nov 2014. Create a separate tariff band for industries with monthly consumption of <300 units; 25% cost reduction to such Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Petrol and diesel price reduced by ~3% per litre, while kerosene price reduced by 19%, w.e.f 16 Sep 2014
Water charges up to 25 units reduced by 10% for household consumers, w.e.f 01 Nov 2014
Price of 12.5kg gas cylinder (largely in domestic usage) reduced by ~10%, w.e.f 09 Oct 2014
While reduction of corporate electricity tariff and fuel charges will have a positive impact on companies in all sectors (mostly for manufacturing sector), other utility reductions will largely benefit domestic consumers
Reduction in key utility prices will result in a further softening of inflation
BANKS AND FINANCE Financial VAT reduced from 12% to 11% Proposal
Financial Value Added Tax (FVAT) reduced from 12% to 11% w.e.f. 01 Jan 2015
At present banks in Sri Lanka pay FVAT at 12% on value added (i.e. ~PBT excluding personnel expenses)
The proposal is expected to positively impact listed banks. However, we do not forecast ROEs to be impacted materially given the insignificant downward tax revision
This proposal is expected to reduce lease rentals especially benefiting listed Non Bank Finance Institutions (NBFIs) that predominantly focus on leasing revenue as VAT comprises a significant portion out of leasing rental
Higher interest income for the elderly Proposal
Offer a 12% annual interest rate for deposits of pensioners and elders, who maintain their deposits in State Banks
Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is expected to exempt Statutory Reserve Requirement (SRR) on individual deposits maintained by elderly people in all Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs)
The CBSL has also permitted Finance Companies to pay 11% interest on such deposits
Interest income of deposits held by elders exempted from tax
Withholding tax (WHT) on interest reduced from 8% to 2.5% w.e.f. 01 Jan 2015
At present 1 year LCB FD rate stands between ~4% - 6% with a 1% upward adjustment for senior citizens
This is expected to increase the disposable income of the aging population of the country who largely depend on deposit interest income as a major source of income
We believe this proposal is highly likely to be applicable only to senior citizens who already maintain accounts with GoSL banks and thus there will not be a flight of deposits to GoSL banks from the private sector banks
However, if the interpretation of the proposal is not applicable only to senior citizens who already maintain accounts but applicable also to new senior citizen accounts opened with GoSL owned banks, there could be a flight of deposits from private sector banks to GoSL owned banks whilst also resulting in higher overall market interest rates in the near term
TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL Excise duties on tobacco and alcohol the second largest revenue proposal Proposal
Consolidate Excise Duties to raise additional Rs. 14 b
With immediate effect, in lieu of VAT and Nation Building Tax (NBT):
Excise Duty will be charged on manufacture of liquor Customs Duty & Cess will be charged on import of liquor Excise Duty will be charged on manufacture of cigarettes
Excise duties on cigarettes and alcohol were increased w.e.f 10 Oct 2014; gazetted without being proposed in the Budget as has been the norm in recent years. Consequently, cigarette and alcohol players increased prices of most varieties of their products w.e.f 10 Oct 2014. We currently do not anticipate a material impact from the consolidation of excise duties
Impact analysis – Tobacco
Legal local monopoly Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) raised prices of its cigarette sticks >84mm by Rs.1.00-2.00, comprising the John Player Gold Leaf range (~83% of sales mix) and the premium range (~2% of sales mix)
The latest price revision was implemented a couple of months later than anticipated and the price hike (~9%) is lower than forecast (~13%)
GoSL targets to raise additional Rs.6 b though GoSL levies earned have been under pressure amid easing product price inelasticity and declining sales volumes. Next excise duty led price revision is expected in 3Q2015E
Impact analysis – Alcohol
Distilleries Co. of Sri Lanka (DIST), holding ~73% legal arrack market share, raised prices of most varieties by ~Rs.60 per 750ml bottle, including for "Extra Special" (Rs.950 per 750ml; ~88-90% of DIST's sales mix)
Lion Brewery (Ceylon), commanding ~90% beer market position, increased most product prices by Rs.10-20, including its key product "Strong Beer" (Rs.200 for Rs.625ml bottle; strong beer segment – alcohol content >5% - accounts for ~90% of LION's sales mix and total local beer industry)
Hard alcohol sales volumes pressurised amidst consumer shift in demand to lower priced strong beer (with 8.8% alcohol strength) and illicit segment
GoSL targets to raise additional Rs.8 b from the alcohol industry. GoSL levies earned, particularly from the hard alcohol space, have however been under pressure, amid lower sales and sharp growth in the illicit hard alcohol segment. Next excise duty led price revision is expected in 3Q2015E
The removal of VAT and NBT would result in the inability for alcohol and tobacco players to claim the input VAT and NBT which was allowed thus far
Given GoSL's temperance program and that tobacco and liquor are not captured in the inflation basket, excise duty increases on tobacco and liquor is one of the GoSL's most popular mechanisms to raise revenue; combined accounting for ~13% of total GoSL revenue
MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRANSPORT Impose Excise Special Provision tax on motor vehicle imports Proposal
Impose Excise Special Provision Tax on motor vehicle imports, in lieu of all multiple taxes at the point of import
Customs based taxes on all electric cars will be reduced to 25%
Above proposal expected to raise additional revenue of Rs.5 b
Decrease in the prices of small motorcars and vans under 1000 cc engine capacity due to the new simple tax system. Possible modest easing in the prices of hybrid vehicles. There would be a difference between the cost of stocks imported and cleared prior to 25 Oct 2014 and thereafter
Additional revenue expected to be driven by increased demand for motor vehicles in above segments as well as renewed interest in fully electric vehicles following a reduction in customs based taxes on all electric cars
This is expected to stimulate import financing, resulting in better top line growth for import financiers such as commercial banks and Non Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs)
However, this could negatively impact the external value of the currency on account of the expected relatively higher import demand
Concessionary duty permits to Sri Lankans working overseas Proposal
Grant concessionary duty permits similar to those given to public servants to high income earning Sri Lankans working overseas for the importation of a motor vehicle to the value of 60% of foreign exchange they remit to Sri Lankan banks
Proposal aimed at enhancing inward remittances (Jan to Aug 2014 remittances stood at $4.5 b)
Increased demand for motor vehicles - possible improvement in volumes in near - medium term in Diesel & Motor Engineering (DIMO) and United Motors Lanka (UML) through demand from permit holders
Sri Lanka Transport Board to acquire 2,000 buses Proposal
Import 500 small buses to expand rural transport services
In order to strengthen the bus fleet of Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) with 2,000 buses, a public investment of Rs.1 b has been provided to SLTB
Duty concessions to import new buses, engines and gearboxes for any buses that have operated at least for five years
Possible positive impact on Lanka Ashok Leyland (ASHO) and leading NBFIs with high exposure to leasing such as People's Leasing & Finance (PLC) - PLC is the market leader in leasing and hire purchase; lorries and buses comprise ~30% of leasing advances
Impact analysis RETAIL Tax-free threshold initially set at Rs.500mn per quarter in Budget 2013 Proposal
Reduce the tax-free threshold applicable for VAT on wholesale and retail trade at Rs.100mn per quarter (from Rs.250mn per quarter) and reduce VAT from 12% to 11% w.e.f 01 Jan 2015
Limit charges imposed by supermarkets to suppliers, not to exceed more than 25% of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) marked on domestically supplied products
Request supermarkets and retail shops to reduce prices of essential goods by 10%
The reduction of the tax-free threshold - as implemented in the previous two years - will expand the tax base and further level the playing field for the larger organised trade players such as Cargills (Ceylon) (CARG), Ceylon Cold Stores (CCS) and Richard Pieris & Company (RICH)
Reduction of VAT by 1% to provide some relief to retailers, whose margins were impacted with the fixing of the turnover liable for VAT at 75% in 2014
Margins potentially thinned by limiting retailers to keep a maximum 25% margin over suppliers, though implementation is unclear as this is largely a commercial call
Further clarification needed on the reduction of essential goods as supermarkets anyway charge different rates on several essential items, which are not subject to a MRP. State-owned "Sathosa" supermarket chain could be leveraged to reduce prices and encourage competition to follow suit
Impact Analysis BETTING AND GAMING Betting and Gaming levy to raise an additional Rs.2.5 b Proposal
Increase the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) levy to 10% (from 5%)
Levy a $100 per person entrance fee to premises where casino entertainment activities take place
The above proposals will be implemented w.e.f 01 Jan 2015 and are to raise an additional revenue of Rs. 2.5b
The entry fee of $100 seems to be charged on both foreign and local visitors; however the general practice in the regional industry is to charge entry levy from the residents of the country only
E.g. Singapore casinos (Marina Bay Sands and Resort World Sentosa) charges an entry levy of S$100 for all Singapore citizens and permanent residents seeking admission to casinos
GoSL collected Rs.592mn from Betting and Gamin Levy in 2013
The proposal is expected to impact John Keells Holdings (JKH) – JKH's Integrated Resort will be operational in FY18 with entertainment facilities. However, it is premature to comment on the earnings impact in detail, as JKH is yet to disclose its casino operating and ownership arrangement
Sri Lanka currently has five small scale standalone casinos in Colombo TOURISM GoSL projects $2.8 b in tourism earnings 2016E Impact Analysis
Reduction of corporate electricity tariff, VAT to have a positive impact; Tourism companies pay approximately 6-8% of net revenue as energy costs
Higher staff cost (approximately 12-14% of net revenue) consequent to the increased employer's minimum contribution on EPF nImproved infrastructure development to ease accessibility within the country
GoSL projects 2.5mn tourist arrivals for 2016E, resulting in forecast tourism earnings of $2.8 b
EXPORTS Tax concessions for export industry Proposal
Grant frontloaded depreciation allowance for export industry fixed asset acquisitions over $2mn
Dividend payments will be exempted from taxes for a period of five years from the commencement of commercial operations
Reduce import taxes of packaging material required for exports w.e.f 01 Apr 2014
High level of Cess on primary commodity exports and is expected implement with effect immediately
A pension scheme is proposed for the employees in the apparel industry from 2015
Tax concessions to benefit export oriented businesses
No near term impact from the pension scheme as the finalised regulations on pension scheme is yet to be introduced
Listed entities impacted are Textured Jersey Lanka (TJL) and Hayleys MGT Knitting Mills (MGT)
DAIRY Large private milk collectors were anyway paying above the minimum farm gate price for fresh milk Proposal
Raise the guaranteed liquid milk price from Rs.50 to Rs.60 per litre
Reduce the price of locally produced milk powder by Rs.100 per kg
Reduce the price of yoghurt by Rs.3 per yoghurt
Cess of Rs.150 per kg on imported milk powder and the Cess on imported butter, yoghurt and dairy products to be maintained
Pressure on margins for select dairy producers sourcing local fresh milk e.g. Cargills (Ceylon) (CARG), Lanka Milk Foods (LMF), Lucky Lanka Milk Processing Co. (LLMP), Renuka Agri Foods (RAL) and Nestle Lanka (NEST), though partly cushioned by fall in key global food import prices
The reduction in product prices may possibly encourage a switch to local milk powder and liquid milk, though Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Ltd dominates the milk powder segment (only imports). Only NEST, state owned Milk Industries of Lanka Company (MILCO) and unlisted Pelwatte Dairy locally produce milk powder. The implementation is yet unclear as locally produced milk powder does not fall under the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA). The impact on NEST is not expected to be material as the profit contribution from the low margin segment is not significant
Yoghurt is currently not a price controlled item; MILCO (Highland) can however reduce prices to encourage competition to follow suit
Impact analysis AGRICULTURE Incentives to boost local rubber industry Emphasis on improving local sugar production Proposal
Increase Cess on all raw rubber imports by 33%. Guaranteed price of Rs.300.0 per kg for rubber suppliers w.e.f 01 Nov 2014
Extend concessionary tax rate of 12% to the local sugar industry
Allocate Rs.5 b to modernise select sugar manufacturing plants and increase the farm gate price of sugar cane to Rs.4,500 per MT
Increase subsidies for tea small holders' and coconut replanting
Continue the fertiliser subsidy of Rs.350.5 per kg for paddy cultivation. Increase guaranteed paddy price to Rs.34-40 per kg
Agriculture sector subsidies to increase government expenditure Impact analysis
Increased price of imported rubber to improve demand for locally produced rubber, amid glut in global rubber trade
Guaranteed price to support local rubber producers (current auction price of top graded rubber stands at ~Rs.275 per kg)
Companies with exposure to rubber to be (modestly) positively effected; Eg. Kegalle Plantations (KGAL), Kelani Valley Plantations (KVAL), Kotagala Plantations (KOTA), Agalawatte Plantations (AGAL), Namunukula Plantations (NAMU), Horana Plantations (HOPL)
Inadequate replantation has been a long term impediment in plantation sector to improve harvest and quality of plantations. Increased subsidies to improve plantation volumes
High subsidies provided for agriculture sector, accounting for ~30% of country's total employment to result in increased government expenditure
The GoSL announced that they would achieve a fiscal deficit of 5.0% of GDP over the previous target of 5.2% of GDP (i.e Rs.500 b), in 2014E (vs. 5.9% in 2013), despite the Jan-Apr 2014 annualised fiscal deficit estimate of 14.0% of GDP, largely attributable to aggressive policies undertaken in 2H2014E to improve revenue, new proposals to increase tax compliance and lower than anticipated capital expenditure The GoSL has adopted a policy direction in the 2015 Budget to uplift the rural, agriculture, educational, health and export sectors whilst maintaining a largely consistent corporate taxation policy also focusing on recovering tax arrears. The GoSL's emphasis on protectionism is expected to lead to an increase in domestic production and private sector investment, though the high indirect tax component within total tax income could possibly lead to income distribution disparities in medium term The GoSL forecasts the fiscal deficit for 2015E to decline to 4.6% of GDP (i.e Rs.521 b)
Total revenue and grants are budgeted by the GoSL to rise 19% YoY to Rs.1,689 b in 2015E, with indirect consumer taxes expected to be the main contributor, rising 17% YoY to Rs.1,095 b (65% of total revenue)
Tax revenue expected to rise 19% YoY to Rs.1,416 b, over the growth in recent years, whilst Non-Tax revenue is expected to increase 13% YoY
Major revenue raising proposals include Rs.40 b from payment of tax arrears, Rs.14 b from cigarettes and liquor and Rs.6 b from motor vehicles
We expect that the GoSL would broadly meet the revenue target given the penalty driven nature of the tax compliance proposals
GoSL estimates total expenditure to increase 15% YoY to Rs.2,210 b in 2015E
GoSL expects recurrent expenditure to rise by 10% YoY to Rs.1,525 b, whilst Public Investment is expected to rise 26% YoY to Rs.696 b
Major recurrent expenditure increases were seen on salaries & wages and subsidies & transfers. Major beneficiaries would be Education, Healthcare and Agricultural sectors
Meanwhile public investment is expected to grow 26% YoY in line with GoSL infrastructure development initiatives. However, this may be reduced in case of a more than anticipated increase in recurrent expenditure
We forecast that GoSL will slightly overshoot its slated expenditure targets on account of higher salaries & wages and safety nets introduced
Consequently, We forecast 2015E fiscal deficit at 4.9% of GDP (i.e Rs.554 b) given that we anticipate the expected increase in revenue via taxes of tobacco and alcohol (w.e.f. Oct 2014) and the proposed refinance facility for payment of tax and EPF arrears would only partly facilitate to bridge the deficit gap amidst higher populist proposals
The budget deficit is forecast to be funded 52:48 by local : foreign borrowings in 2015E, resulting in Debt / GDP of 71%. The mix with more foreign borrowings would lower the interest cost with domestic borrowings expected to be at low interest rates amid the soft monetary policy
Further, the conversion of GoSL debt of State Owned Entities (SOE) owed to state banks to equity capital is expected to be positive from a fiscal angle as these entities will be free from interest cost in the short term. Although the state banks would be impacted in the short term on lost interest income, the proposal would strengthen the balance sheet position and asset quality of state banks whilst also enabling higher dividend income in the long run
The GoSL further expects to achieve budget deficit targets of 3.8% for 2016E and 3.0% in 2017E and public Debt / GDP targets to 65% by 2017E and 60% by 2020E. This would lead to a low interest cost in fiscal account, enabling the GoSL to reduce possible crowding-out and strengthening private sector
We expect that the continuation of stable policy decisions would lead to the GoSL achieving medium term development targets and maintaining sustainable GDP growth rates of 7-8%.


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Culture x January 29, 2016
A Comprehensive Guide to the Magic That Is Sufjan Stevens
Everything you wanted to know about Sufjan and then some superfluous stuff.
By John Miles, Santa Fe College and Guest Contributor
Sufjan Stevens, Deconstructed Into Several Lists
By John Miles, Santa Fe College
Following his 2015 album Carrie and Lowell, Sufjan Stevens further cemented his status as an ever-evolving and all-around brilliant artist.
To pay respects to him, I've created a comprehensive guide that's designed to 1) assist people who are interested in his work but don't exactly know where to start, and 2) indirectly inspire pure and unchecked rage in the hearts of current Sufjan fans, who are sure to (and should be allowed to) vehemently disagree with certain aspects of these lists. We'll start with a classic.
Top Ten Sufjan Songs
10. Futile Devices (Age of Adz)
9. Sleeping Bear, Sault Ste. Marie (Michigan)
8. Should Have Known Better (Carrie And Lowell)
7. For The Widows In Paradise, For The Fatherless In Ypsalanti (Michigan)
6. The Dress Looks Nice On You (Seven Swans)
5. Blue Bucket Of Gold (Carrie And Lowell)
4. The Only Thing (Carrie And Lowell)
3. To Be Alone With You (Seven Swans)
2. Casimir Pulaski Day (Illinois)
1. Chicago (Illinois)
Top Opening Lines
One of the marks of a great songwriter lies in the effect created by the opening lines to their songs. However, a great opening line doesn't always translate to a great song, and vice versa.
For example, "Chicago" is arguably his best song, but in the opening line, Sufjan isn't trying to do anything particularly special: I fell in love again. That's it. He fell in love again.
An opening line doesn't need to be overtly poetic—all it needs to do is captivate your interest. With that being said, here are ten of Sufjan's most poetic and most captivating opening lines.
10. It's been a long, long time/since I memorized your face (Futile Devices)
9. Wolverine/Homecoming queen/Took the train/To Pickeral Lake (Wolverine)
8. My blue bucket of gold/friend, why don't you love me? (Blue Bucket Of Gold)
7. Everything You are/Is everything we have (A Sun Came)
6. I'm drawn to the blood/flight of a one-winged dove (Drawn to the Blood)
5. One dark day the trees began a marching sound (Marching Band)
4. Once a great place. Now a Prison. (Oh Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head (Rebuild! Restore! Reconsider!))
3. I can see a lot of life in you (The Dress Looks Nice On You)
2. Light struck from the lemon tree (Eugene)
1. Spirit of my silence, I can hear you (Death With Dignity)
Top Ten Strangest Christmas Songs
If you're just trying Sufjan Stevens for the first time, perhaps you feel like it's all a bit too polished, a bit too perfect or maybe too tight.
While this may indeed be a valid critique, I'd like to introduce to you the third list, which will hopefully act as a sort of counter-argument to the idea that his music is, well, too perfected.
Most people hear soft-spoken indie folk Sufjan, but I'm here to inform you that Sufjan is much more than that. Give one listen to this list, and you'll see that he's not exactly a tender, angel-voiced middle-aged man after all; no, in fact he's far from it: he's a madman.
10. Christmas Unicorn
9. We Wish You A Merry Christmas (Silver & Gold CD 2)
8. Holy, Holy, etc.
7. Get Behind Me, Santa!
6. Happy Karma Christmas
5. Ding-a-ling-a-ring-ling
4. Jingle Bells (Silver & Gold CD 2)
3. I Am Santa's Helper
2. Mr. Frosty Man
1. Particle Physics
Top Ten Most Clever Song Titles
In addition to being 1) a sensitive, introspective musician and 2) an absolute madman, Mr. Stevens also possesses quite the wit. Here are some of his funniest song titles.
10. Holy, Holy, etc.
9. Movement VII (Finale):The Emperor of Centrifuge
8. Did I Make You Cry on Christmas Day? Well, You Deserved It!
7. Let's hear that string part again, because I don't think they heard it all the way out in Bushnell
6. Come On, Feel The Illinoise! Part 1: The World's Columbian Exposition Part 2: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream
5. Year of the Asthmatic Cat
4. To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region, I Have an Idea Concerning Your Predicament, and It Involves an Inner Tube, Bath Mats, and 21 Able-bodied Men
Let's catch our breath for a minute. Yes, current and potential fans, these are actual song titles. Now let's continue.
3. Prairie Fire That Wanders About
2. They Are Night Zombies!! They are neighbors!! They have come back from the dead!! Ahhhh!
1. The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning, or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience but You're Going to Have to Leave Now, or, 'I Have Fought the Big Knives and Will Continue to Fight Them Until They Are Off Our Lands!'
One could certainly make the case that a truly great artist, in whatever field(s) of art he fall or she falls into, will never cease to evolve (or at least attempt to evolve) their work.
Stevens defines the word evolve: he evolves his lyric writing, and he constantly evolves as a musician. (Did you know that he co-released a rap album with rappers Son Lux and Serengeti in 2014? And that he played an instrument called the "guitalin"–of which there are only 27 in existence–on his latest album?)
But the craziest part is, these changes always just seem to happen overnight. Sufjan Stevens is operating in an artistic world based on macroevolution. Odds are, he'll continue to evolve just as rapidly as he has in the past because, well, that's just what Sufjan does.
Sufjan Stevens' Exploration of America Continues in His Upcoming Album


text:
Q: is this NodeJS API done correctly? - Chatfuel does not parse it as intended Chatfuel does not parse the entire json string that the JSON-API returns.
Any help is welcome.
While the JSON returned from the API looks like this (in postman):
{
    "messages": [
        {
            "text": "i think you should study"
        },
        {
            "text": "Mikrobiologi"
        }
    ]
}

the messenger bot only sends the first text.
my code for the app:
router.get('/ask/:question', function(req, res){
  var output = [];
  var keywords = req.params.question.split(' ');
  var answer = qHandler.search(keywords);
  answer.then(function(books){
    output.push({text: 'i think you should study'})
    for (var i = books.length; i > 0; i--){
      output.push({text: books[i-1].title});
      if (i-1 > 0){
        output.push({text: ' and '});
      }
    };
    res.send({messages: output});
  });
});

I have tried changing the order, adding more hardcoded text both before and after the string(s) returned.
In postman everything looks like it should, but chatfuel does not seem to parse text objects with book-titles inserted.

A: It looks like your code is correct.
Please make sure that you are getting parameters with HTTP request.debug books value without using postman under answer.then(function(books){
Here I am able to do this code in pure javascript
var books = [
    {
        title: 'asdfasdf'
    },{
        title: 'asdfasdf'
    },{
        title: 'asdfasdf'
    },{
        title: 'asdfasdf'
    },{
        title: 'asdfasdf'
    }]

var output = [];
output.push({ text: 'i think you should study' })
for (var i = books.length; i > 0; i--) {
    output.push({ text: books[i - 1].title });
    if (i - 1 > 0) {
        output.push({ text: ' and ' });
    }
};
console.log(output);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: How do I use Controller specific stylesheets in Rails 3.2.1? Using Rails 3.2.1

I created a simple controller called Home using the command:
rails g controller Home index

And it created a new controller and view for me:

Notice how there are two stylesheets, one "Application" and one "Home". I can't find any documentation to support this assumption but I'm guessing you put styles that will only be applied to the "Home" views, in the Home.css.scss file, correct?
So as a test, I added in some global styles to Application.css.scss.erb and ran the application.
The styles applied as expected.
Next, I added in some rules to the Home.css.scss file and I visited a "Home/index" view, yet the style in that file wasn't attached, neither as a seperate CSS reference link, or even appended to the single Application.css.scss file. This is highly confusing to me, since the comments say:
// Place all the styles related to the Home controller here.
// They will automatically be included in application.css.
// You can use Sass (SCSS) here: http://sass-lang.com/

Why aren't the rules written in Home.css.scss applied to my website?

A: It can work this way and Marek is quite correct, the answer is in the guide.
In the introduction to section 2.1:

For example, if you generate a ProjectsController, Rails will also add a new file at app/assets/javascripts/projects.js.coffee and another at app/assets/stylesheets/projects.css.scss. You should put any JavaScript or CSS unique to a controller inside their respective asset files, as these files can then be loaded just for these controllers with lines such as <%= javascript_include_tag params[:controller] %> or <%= stylesheet_link_tag params[:controller] %>.

So to set your application up to load controller specific stylesheets:
First, disable the default loading of all stylesheets by removing any extra requires in the application.css manifest.
Typically you'll see an entry like this:
 *= require_tree .

If you still want to load some common css files, you can move them to a subdirectory and do something like this:
 *= require_tree ./common

Second, In your application's layout add the suggested stylesheet_link_tag eg
<%= stylesheet_link_tag    "application", :media => "all" %>
<%= stylesheet_link_tag params[:controller] %>

In this example we first load the application css file, we then load any css file that matches the current controller name.

A: I don't think it works that way (Home.css being applied only to Home controller actions).  The different files are just for separation, to make it clearer what are the CSS rules describing.  You can read this guide about the asset pipeline.  I'm guessing you altered the default application.css.scss and removed the line importing all CSS files from app/assets/stylesheets.

A: TL;DR:
Ignore the comment, it's not made by Sass. But put:
@import "*";
into your application.css.scss file, and it will automatically import all the controller scss files.
Full read:
Disclaimer: This is my current understanding of the asset pipeline flow with and without Sass.
I think this comment is written by the standard Rails Asset pipeline (sprockets), and not by Sass:
// Place all the styles related to the Home controller here.
// They will automatically be included in application.css.
// You can use Sass (SCSS) here: http://sass-lang.com/

The standard pipeline will handle scss files but doesn't presume an application.css.scss file. But if you create such a file with Sass, then Sass will compile it to the application.css file.
If you use the normal Rails asset pipeline, without Sass, then sprockets would load the css file into the application.css file automatically (if that file has the default *= require_tree . line in it).
When you use Sass, with an application.css.scss file, Sass will compile this file into a application.css file. (I assume it would overwrite or take precedence over any application.css file you already had).
To get your home.css.scss file (and other controller files) automatically included, put this line into your application.css.scss file:
@import "*";

For reference, see this question:
Is it possible to import a whole directory in sass using @import?

A: I've solved this problem with a simple solution. I add to body the controller name as a class, editing views/layouts/application.html.slim:
body class=controller.controller_name

Or views/layouts/application.html.erb:
<body class="<%= controller.controller_name%>">

And then in my css I just use body.controller_name as a namespace:
/* example for /users/ */

body.users {
    color: #000;
}

body.users a {
    text-decoration: none;
}

For small projects I think it's fine.


The Gov.uk website states that it can take up to 3 weeks to receive a necessary appointment, for the Fast Track one day, or one week service. The British Passport Services has introduced a Queue Jumping Service, which means applicants who need to travel urgently will receive priority when booking an appointment, over those who are not travelling in the near future.
Whilst the Gov.uk service operates a 'first come first serve' rule, we offer a 'needs based' policy. We now ask each applicant whether they are travelling soon and whether they can be flexible with the date that they can lodge their application at the office. Those that advise us that they can be flexible and explicitly state that they would be willing to forfeit their current appointment, are subject to give up their appointment to someone who needs it more urgently.
An applicant who uses our service and stresses that they need the passport urgently- whether to travel due to work commitments, an annual holiday, or a family bereavement- will be able to 'queue jump.' This means they will be able to take the earlier applicant's appointment.The earlier applicant will be re-scheduled a new appointment, at a date that is convenient for them.
This service has already helped many applicants make their flight or holiday, and is becoming an increasingly popular part of our service.
You are provided with access to the Queue Jumping Service as part of the £98 + VAT passport package that you pay once you complete our online booking form. You will be allocated with a secure login and password, and will be able to move your appointment forwards or backwards online. This service is available 24 hours a day, from anywhere in the world.


text:
Q: touch: missing file operand with filename containing hash # My system is
Kernel: 5.3.0-26-generic x86_64 bits: 64 Desktop: Cinnamon 4.4.8 Distro: Linux Mint 19.3 Tricia

Touch version is touch (GNU coreutils) 8.28
When the following command is given -
$ touch #a{1..10}

It says -
touch: missing file operand
Try 'touch --help' for more information.

What is the issue here?

A: (Using set -x (xtrace) to see the command that actually runs)
$ set -x
$ touch #a{1..10}
+ touch
touch: missing file operand
Try 'touch --help' for more information.
$ touch a{1..10}
+ touch a1 a2 a3 a4 a5 a6 a7 a8 a9 a10

The hash sign # at the start of a word makes the rest of the line a comment. You need to quote it:
$ touch "#"a{1..10}
+ touch '#a1' '#a2' '#a3' '#a4' '#a5' '#a6' '#a7' '#a8' '#a9' '#a10'

Or in Bash, you can use shopt -u interactive_comments to disable processing comments altogether.

A: The problem here is that you want to include the # in your file names, which for the shell is the "comment" indicator. Therefore, all text behind an unescaped # gets ignored, and your command complains about a missing operand.
One possible solution is to enclose that part of the filename in quotes, as in
~$ touch "#a"{1..10}


text:
How Donald Trump Taught Conservatives to Defend Roy Moore
By Ryan Lizza
Republicans' defenses of Roy Moore, the Senate candidate in Alabama, are shocking, but they square with Donald Trump's when it comes to the extremes to which partisanship now pushes people.
Photograph by Mark Peterson / Redux
In early 2016, at a campaign rally in Iowa, Donald Trump famously said, "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters." Much of the rest of Trump's campaign, and his subsequent Presidency, has seemed like a test of that declaration. He talked on tape about sexually assaulting women and won the general election. He fired the F.B.I. director, who was investigating him and his campaign for potentially criminal conduct, and Republicans yawned. He has used Twitter to escalate a standoff with a renegade nuclear state, and his supporters have defended it as a brilliant strategy. It has become a journalistic cliché to point out that Trump survives scandals and outrages that would sink other politicians.
Yet the reactions to Thursday's revelations in the Washington Post about the Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore—in an article based on interviews with more than thirty people, the paper reported that the candidate sexually abused a fourteen-year-old girl in 1979, and pursued relationships with several other teen-age girls when he was in his thirties—are a sign that the partisan rationalization of even the most abhorrent behavior is not exclusive to Trumpism.
While some Washington Republicans have been unequivocal—Senator John McCain, of Arizona, said on Twitter that Moore should "immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of"—the more common response from Republican leaders in Washington was to hedge. Senator Mitch McConnell, the Majority Leader, led the way here: Moore was unfit to serve, he said, "if these allegations are true." On Thursday, Moore attacked the Post's article, saying, "This garbage is the very definition of fake news and intentional defamation." On Friday afternoon, in a radio interview with Sean Hannity, Moore conceded that he knew two of the women who told the Post that he had sought relationships with them when they were teen-agers, but he denied knowing the woman who said that he had abused her when she was fourteen. The Post's reporting was careful, and the article was even-toned and direct. One either believes the evidence laid out in the story or one believes something outlandish: a ridiculous conspiracy theory—being promoted by right-wing pundits and operatives—in which the Post, Moore's accusers, and numerous other corroborating sources engaged in a plot to harm Moore's campaign. So, although McConnell's statement appears relatively strong on its face, his "if it is true" caveat actually offers Moore a loophole to stay the course.
In Alabama itself, the Post reported on Friday, "Republican leaders mostly circled the wagons behind Moore." One Alabama Republican compared the relationship between Moore and the fourteen-year-old girl to that of Mary and Joseph, Jesus' parents. The Covington County G.O.P. chairman, William Blocker, was blunter, telling Daniel Dale, of the Toronto Star, "There is NO option to support Doug Jones, the Democratic nominee. When you do that, you are supporting the entire Democrat party."
These defenses are shocking, but they square with Trump's when it comes to the extremes to which partisanship now pushes people. Many wonder how evangelical Christians, a core constituency for Moore in Alabama, will react. In the Trump era, Moore might have a chance at retaining support from these voters. As Thomas Edsall recently noted, from 2011 to 2016, the percentage of white evangelical Protestants who believe that "an elected official who commits an immoral act in their personal life can still behave ethically and fulfill their duties in their public and professional life" shot up, from thirty to seventy-two per cent. Evangelicals went from being the least forgiving religious group to being the most forgiving religious group. "What happened in the interim?" Edsall asks. "The answer is obvious: the advent of Donald Trump." To justify their support of Trump, evangelicals apparently reassessed the importance they place on a politician's personal morality. "It shows just how much a G.O.P.-leaning group was willing to rationalize Trump's behavior," John Sides, a political scientist at George Washington University, told me on Friday.
At the same time, Sides said, Trump's rise has come at a time of intense debate among academics about the relationship between partisanship and ideology. The political scientists Shanto Iyengar, Gaurav Sood, and Yphtach Lelkes examined this issue in a 2012 paper called "Affect, Not Ideology: A Social Identity Perspective on Polarization." As the political scientist Danny Hayes said of his peers' work, "Instead of focusing on ideology and policy positions, Iyengar and his colleagues draw on a psychological concept called social identity theory." In other words: Americans identify with a party the way they do with a sports team or tribe. Often, one's hatred of an opposing tribe—what political scientists call "negative partisanship"—is enough to overcome any doubts about one's own.
"It's about affect and emotion," Sides told me. "Partisanship induces motivated reasoning. We align our perceptions and beliefs to be consonant with our social identities." Sides considered the comment from Blocker, the Alabama Republican official who could never consider voting for the Democrat running against Moore. "That's the tribalism that provides the incentive to excuse any kind of behavior," Sides said.
Ryan Lizza, an on-air contributor for CNN, was The New Yorker's Washington correspondent from 2007-2017.
Sign up for our daily newsletter and get the best of The New Yorker in your in-box.
Trump's Business of Corruption
Adam Davidson follows the money trail in one of the President's past deals all the way to Vladimir Putin.
Why Roy Moore's Law-School Professor Nicknamed Him Fruit Salad
"He's the one thing that brought humor to us, because he was, well, kind of a doofus," one of Moore's classmates said recently.
By Charles Bethea
Roy Moore's Supporters Stand By Their Candidate, Despite Sexual-Assault Allegations
"I have sympathy for women that are credible. I just don't believe for a minute that these women are credible," a supporter of the U.S. Senate candidate said.


Woodinville is the heart of winery country for Western Washington. There are wineries everywhere you turn! Woodinville is a perfect place for a wine tasting outing – and of course the perfect place to get married! DeLille Cellars is a picturesque winery in Woodinville and a great place to say, "I do"!
DeLille Cellars is located on a ten acre estate with an amazing chateau amongst the beautiful grounds. The venue offers a unique setting for your wedding and features multiple aspects that can complement different wedding styles. For couples that want a worldly, European feel, you can see nods of southern France and Italy, in addition to a rural northwest and elegant atmosphere.
The price of the venue ranges from $1,500-$6,000 depending on the number of guests and the time of the year. If you include the outdoor grounds, the venue can accommodate any size of guest list. The grand room in the chateau holds up to 80 people while the terrace can hold up to 200 guests for a cocktail reception and around 140 guests for a sit-down reception. Plus, DeLille offers event pricing on their wine so all your guests can enjoy the wine made at the winery! They even allow you to completely customize every aspect of your wedding so it is truly your wedding and everything you imagined for you big day!
Even better, DeLille Cellars offers a 12 hour rental period so you can relax your entire wedding day! This is offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday so there is no pressure to leave at a certain time or be worried about leaving late. Being relaxed and stress free is an important part of a wonderful wedding day and the 12 hour window will help make your day perfect.
Getting married at a Woodinville winery is a fun way to enjoy delicious wine, see beautiful landscapes and great views of the Pacific Northwest! Other brides have loved DeLille Cellars too – it has a 4.9/5 rating on Wedding Wire!
For more information go to DeLille Cellar's website!


text:
The Future Is Leaking In: "The Patient Will See You Now" Is 3D Printed Reality
Dave deBronkart
I cover news on participatory medicine.
Jan 15, 2015, 04:46pm EST |
When things go digital, the future leaks in. It makes the heads of today's experts spin. Look:
More on that in a moment - it's a hot new example that arrived yesterday, a glimpse of a (real) future depicted in visionary cardiologist Eric Topol MD's new book, The Patient Will See You Now. That future is becoming reality faster than most can imagine.
To be sure, the stories he tells are not daily reality for most doctors. Nine days ago in the NY Times, Abigail Zuger MD reviewed the book, saying:
Dr. Eric Topol and I appear to practice medicine on two different planets. This fact makes it difficult for me to comment sensibly on his books, let alone critique them. Instead, I read along with mouth slightly agape, marveling at this missive from a far-off place whose atmosphere, physical laws and inhabitants bear no resemblance to the ones I know.
I get that, Dr. Zuger. But it's not impossible or a pipe dream, either: the laws of what's possible have truly changed, real examples are starting to happen, and there's a good chance those inhabitants will visit you sooner than anyone would think.
The trouble is, when the future leaks in, things show up that have no precedent. The Exponential Medicine conference (West Coast, of course) says change accelerates at unbelievable (and increasing) speed. (For a West Coast view of the book, see Dave Chase's spot-on review on Forbes.)
Case in point: the story above - yesterday's 2,000 word piece by Sara Breselor in Make magazine, "Man Saves Wife's Sight by 3D Printing Her Tumor." It's not a joke, it's not overstated, and it ends with do-it-yourself instructions for the reader(!) Go look.
What's possible in medicine is changing.
My own book Let Patients Help (introduction by Topol) says "People perform better when they're informed better" and "Clarity is power," and as information digitizes, patients can truly help. In the Make story, two highly motivated stakeholders (the patient and her husband) had access to the patient's data and were able to enhance its value using new era tools (software and 3D printing) and bring it to the docs - clearer - so they could better apply their clinical skills.
Specifically, the physicians who read the scans before had not seen the situation clearly. With the tumor printed, a better picture emerged. That is adding value in medicine.
As I said, the article ends with DIY instructions:
Want to print your medical image? Ask your doctor for your DICOM files and download 3D Slicer (slicer.org). Then use the Region Growing tool to segment the image. Extract a 3D mesh of the surface, save as an STL, and use ParaView (paraview.org) to simplify it to a manageable number of triangles. To see more details, check out Make: volume 42, page 83, or visit makezine.com/ projects/3d-print-your-medical-scan.
That's geeky, like all new workflows - these are what Geoffrey Moore described as the early adopters, who'll take 85% of a solution and glue pieces together themselves. I know it's real - for years I've had the OsiriX open source radiology viewer, which I've used to view my own scans from my 2007 cancer. OsiriX is not consumer-ready but it's infinitely better than the viewer provided by my hospital ... and last fall, just as Make describes, I had it "export my lungs" so my tumors could be 3D printed at the Radboud REshape and Innovation Center in the Netherlands. Those are my lungs in the photo of the printout, with my tumors colored red.
I've been looking at them on-screen for years, and it was weird to see them printed out.
The new planet portrayed by The Patient Will See You Now is leaking into ours. Has been, for years, but as the tools get slicker and cheaper, watch it happen faster. Exponentially faster.
P.S. Two days later, from the BBC: A man created a 3D print of his own kidney [and kidney stones] to help his surgeons. (Surgeon says it could speed the procedure by 30 minutes; "It makes our job easier going in."


text:
Japan wakes up to the benefits of napping on the job
Sleep cafes prove a hit as companies encourage workers to grab 40 winks
CHIE MATSUMOTO, Nikkei staff writer June 14, 2019 13:30 JST
Customers at Nestle Japan's Suimin Cafe are provided with a partitioned space to doze in and a cup of coffee before they go to sleep to help them wake feeling refreshed 30 minutes later.
TOKYO -- As summer approaches and the nights grow warmer, sleep can be hard to come by. As Japanese companies look for new ways to improve productivity, and groggy workers aim for a better quality of life, they have hit upon a common-sense solution: midday catnaps.
According to one survey, people in Japan slept least in June and July last year. A variety of services are springing up to help alleviate the sleep deficit.
Nestle Japan has opened Suimin Cafe on the fifth floor of a building near JR Oimachi Station in Tokyo. There the weary can find luxurious beds and leather chairs bathed in dim, warm lighting, separated by cloth partitions. The spaces provide an ideal environment for napping.
"I had time before my next engagement, and I came here for the first time," said one recent customer. "It was refreshing."
At 750 yen ($6.90), the cafe offers a nap plan where customers can have a cup of coffee and doze for 30 minutes, after which they wake up feeling refreshed as the caffeine kicks in, the unit of the Swiss food processor said. Nestle no doubt senses a market opportunity: It sells a lot of coffee in Japan.
For those looking for a deeper slumber, there are also sleep plans of one to three hours, priced between 1,500 yen and 4,950 yen. For these longer courses, customers are offered a cup of decaf before hitting the hay and a regular cup after they wake up.
Nestle Japan's Atsushi Murata recommends that coffee drinkers to have brews of varying caffeine content on different occasions, depending on their sleeping habits.
Suimin Cafe is the company's first permanent nap room. It has experimented with temporary locations on three occasions since 2017 in Tokyo's fashionable Ginza and Harajuku districts. The cafes proved very popular, with customers sometimes waiting in line to get in.
Other companies are helping people unwind as well. For people who cannot fall asleep just by closing their eyes, Body Work, a Tokyo company that runs the Raffine chain of massage rooms, has begun a service where customers can lie down and go to sleep while receiving massage on a sleep-enhancing, breathable mattress.
The Summer Deep Sleep Plan, offered in a tie-up with Tokyo bedding maker Airweave, is priced at 2,160 yen for 20 minutes. Customers can buy more nap time for 1,080 yen per 10 minutes.
"The plan alleviates the unpleasantness of the heat, and you can receive treatment in comfort," said Body Work's Miyuki Oikawa.
Believing that power naps can make employees more productive, Tokyo social media app developer Gaiax in May set up a lounge where workers can take a company-sanctioned snooze. The room, which it opened on a trial basis, has mattresses supplied by Koala Sleep Japan, the local unit of the Australian bedding maker of the same name.
Gaiax, a Tokyo app developer, in May set up a nap room for employees on a trial basis.
"I had a better sleep in the new lounge than I was able to before," said Gaiax employee Machiko Kojima.
"We wanted to promote the idea that an effective nap can enhance work performance," said Tomohiro Kimura of the company's administrative department.
The municipal government of Fukuoka in southwestern Japan has partnered with Tokyo bedding manufacturer Nishikawa to create a campaign aimed at encouraging employees of local companies to take a short nap during the workday. Participating companies are given free blankets with an attached hood and emblazoned with the words "charging now."
The organizers received many inquiries after they launched the campaign, in which companies are asked to encourage employees to take one 15- to 20-minute nap a day. On a single day, 1,000 blankets were snapped up.
The campaign is a part of a city project to create a sustainable society, according to Mayor Soichiro Takashima. "We wanted to change the general thinking that dozing off at work is shirking," Takashima said.
Ryutaro Shirahama, a sleep specialist and head of Yokohama's Respiratory & Sleep Medical Care clinic, said those interested in catching some serious Zs should leave their smartphones behind. The screens can stimulate the brain and inhibit sleep. "Rest thoroughly when you should," Shirahama advised.
Travelers beware: Japanese inns now taking vacations of their own
Japan's Bandai Namco looks for life after Gundam anime
Japan's Shikoku named a top Asian destination by Lonely Planet
From hot baths to cool games, Japan exports experiences to Asia
For drinkers in a hurry, 30-minute bottomless glasses do the job


Artificial ripening of fruits with calcium carbide has continued in the country exposing consumers to high risk of developing cancer, kidney and heart diseases, Daily Trust reports.
However, our investigations across the country have revealed substantial application of the chemical to force-ripen fruits by farmers and fruit sellers.
Zuba International Fruit Market located along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, and Mararaba – a densely populated suburb of Abuja under Nasarawa State – are the biggest fruits markets that supply the FCT.
These markets receive fruits supplies from all parts of the country – pineapple, pawpaw, banana/plantain from Edo, Ondo and Kwara; oranges, mangoes mainly from Benue and Nasarawa and watermelon mainly from the far northern.
At Zuba International Market, our reporters, who posed as fruit dealers discovered that it was hard to find fruits (mostly mangoes, oranges and bananas) that are free of calcium carbide in the market.
One seller, who wouldn't want his name mentioned, said the application of the chemical was done by the farmers or sellers.
The reporter spoke with six sellers, who confirmed the application of the chemicals on fruits and the evidence was all around them.
Daily Trust also found calcium carbide sellers that have positioned themselves strategically by the spots where fruits are sold to easily attract customers – mostly those buying unripe fruits to prepare for sale in Abuja city.
Two of the sellers told this reporter that most of the buyers in the markets are people using it to fast-ripe fruits they sold in the city.
Reacting, Mr Jimoh Abubakar, spokesman of NAFDAC in a phone interview with our reporter, noted that using artificial ripening agent, calcium carbide, could cause kidney failure, liver cirrhosis and heart failure.
When Daily Trust requested an interview with him, Bature referred our correspondent to an earlier explanation on the issue. He said fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide are not good for consumption because such chemicals used in ripening the fruits contain radio-active elements, that can cause.


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I was extemeley honoured to accept a master craftsmans certificate in stonemasonry by the "Worshipul Company of Masons" at a ceramony in the carpenters Hall in the city of London on the 11th of March 2019. This presigious award was presented by the Lord Mayor & the Master of the Masons Guild. The award is given by the ancient Masons livery guild & nominees are judged by a panel of their peers appointed by the city & guilds institue & the stone federation of Great Britain. It is the highest award that a stonemason can recieve for their craft in the UK and I am extreamley proud to have been considered deserving of it!
More than 60 Stone Carvers from across the world took part in York Minsters 3rd Stone Carving Festival 17-19 August 2018. Participents were given 16hrs to carve a stone with the theme of "all creatures great & small" all 60+ stones were auctioned off to the public to raise funds for the ongoing restoration works at the minster.
ANDLEE mallets were among the official sponsors giving away 4 mallets as prizes for each of the different categories. I also entered the carving competition & won the prize for Mason's choice, a vote was taken from all the carvers for best carving & I was delighted when my stone "rat catcher" won!
My design was based on an existing carved capital from 1903 in Barcelona, with the addition of a crafty looking cat.


A beautifully designed deluxe collection of 64 full-color cards that convey the feel and essence of Julia Cameron's life-transforming bestseller, The Artist's Way. The perfect gift that offers daily inspiration and creative direction.
Keep creative with these 64 gorgeous cards! Each full-color card contains a vital quote from Julia Cameron's classic bestseller, The Artist's Way. In addition, each card contains a different creative quality—pick any card to be inspired and lovingly guided by Julia's wise words. A perfect gift for the artists in your life, and for everyone who wants to live more creatively!


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Q: Xcode 9, watchOS4, no longer showing 15% background CPU limit? With Xcode 9.0 and watchOS 4, it looks like when the app is doing work in the background (say in a HKWorkoutSession), the CPU Report tool within Xcode does not show the CPU average/cap and the 15% threshold max.
I'm unable to find documentation on the rule being removed, so I'm curious as why the feature no longer appears to be there.
CPU tool prior to Xcode 9/watchOS 4 shows that the CPU tool has an average/cap and usage limit
CPU tool in Xcode 9/watchOS 4 missing average/cap/usage legend and data
Thank you

A: For those experiencing the same problem:
I did reach out to an Apple Engineer who confirmed that this is a bug with Xcode.


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Puravankara plans bumper rollout of affordable projects this fiscal year
September 1, 2019 - by Josep
The company plans to launch six new projects spanning more than 8.21 million sq. ft this financial year across Kochi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Chennai. ( HT PHOTO (representational image))
Real estate firm Puravankara Ltd has planned bumper project launches this financial year, mainly from its affordable housing arm Provident Housing Ltd, as it looks to establish the brand pan India, said Puravankara managing director Ashish Puravankara.
Provident, which launched its first project in Chennai exactly a decade ago and mostly sells homes priced between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 70 lakh, seems to have hit the sweet spot in a tepid real estate environment, when many developers aim to launch projects in the mid-income segment.
The company plans to launch six new projects spanning more than 8.21 million sq. ft this financial year across Kochi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Chennai, the managing director said, as compared to Puravankara, which has premium category launches totalling 2.85 million sq. ft.
"Provident will be a game-changer for us in the next two years. Even if 60% of the planned launches happen this year, the entire company will be looked at differently. In volumes, we really believe it has the potential to be the country's homebuilder," Puravankara said.
Puravankara and Provident projects at present have a 50:50 share in the company's overall portfolio, but with the new launches, the latter will take up 70% share in terms of sheer project size.
Bengaluru-based Puravankara Projects was among the first to form a separate business vertical dedicated to affordable and mid-income housing projects.
Since 2009, it has launched around 16 million sq. ft under Provident and delivered nearly 12 million sq. ft and 11 million sq. ft, respectively, in the two segments.
Provident has disrupted the property market with homes that are compact and smaller than most projects in a given micro-market, said Puravankara's chief financial officer Kuldeep Chawlla.
"It's been a learning curve for Provident. I think we have hit the sweet spot in terms of design and ticket size. The brand has become stronger and we have tried to understand what the customer wants. We have focused on execution and standardization of quality and construction, where we offer the best value proposition in that market," Puravankara said.
The Puravankara group has also decided to develop co-living facilities and plans to launch one such project in suburban Mumbai's Goregaon.
"There is a clear market today for co-living, which is still evolving. We are closely tracking millennial purchase behaviour and patterns. The challenge will be how attractive it is commercially, in terms of returns. Design is key and one needs to get it right. We believe in the next 5-7 years, it will be a part of the housing sector and a certain portion of our business will constitute co-living," he said.
"Developers who have the financial discipline and wherewithal, the right product and the ability to garner sales velocity are launching projects in a tough environment today. Affordable housing projects, or projects which are priced lower than the market prices are the ones which are going off the shelves," said Juggy Marwaha, executive managing director at property advisory JLL India.
["source=hindustantimes"]
TaggedaffordablebumperfiscalofplansProjectsPuravankararolloutthisyear
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This course is for people with little or no experience of using computers or for people who wish to brush up on their basic ICT skills. It covers all of the basics such as turning the laptop on and off, launching and using programs and learning to use the mouse/trackpad and keyborad with confidence. It will also teach learners the basics of using the world wide web and email.
View a list of all courses provided by Age UK Leeds offered here.
View a list of all courses held at Bradbury Building Mark Lane offered here.
Leeds residents of 50 or older.
private 2019-04-17 13:15:00 2019-04-17 15:45:00 Europe/London First Steps in Computing - Leeds Adult Learning This course is for people with little or no experience of using computers or for people who wish to brush up on their basic ICT skills. It covers all of the basics such as turning the laptop on and off, launching and using programs and learning to use the mouse/trackpad and keyborad with confidence. It will also teach learners the basics of using the world wide web and email.


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