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U.S. international transactions, second quarter 1984 Essay
May 11, 2019 February 22, 2020 adminAccounting
current-account deficit increased to a record $24.4billion in the second quarter from $19.7 billion (revised) in the first,as net service receipts fell to their lowest quarterly level in 9 years.Services receipts decreased $2.6 billion; a sharp fall in directinvestment income receipts, largely due to capital losses, was onlypartly offset by higher interest receipts on U.S. portfolio investment.Service payments increased $2.
3 billion; interest payments on foreignportfolio investment in the United States increased strongly, andpayments for travel abroad were at a record level. In contrast to large increases in recent quarters, the merchandisetrade deficit decreased slightly to $25.7 billion. The faster increasein exports than in imports is expected to be temporary. In the private capital accounts, unusually large gross inflowsreflected a number of factors. There was a strong demand, largely bybanks, for foreign source funds to meet domestic credit demands relatedto rapid U.S.
expansion and Treasury financing. In addition, a markedrise in U.S. interest rates relative to those abroad and an appreciatingdollar created strong incentives for foreigners to place funds indollar-denominated assets in the United States. These capital inflowswere augmented by substantial inflows to finance mergers or takeovers ofseveral major U.S. corporations. Gross outflows also were large, as international credit demandsshifted to U.
S. banks to dund foreign banks' participation in largeU.S. mergers, to fund their own foreign offices, to participate in loansto Mexico arranged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and to fundmidyear positioning by foreign banks.
On balance, bank-reported flowsshifted to small net outflows during the quarter, in contrast to strongnet inflows in the previous four quarters. The merger financing wasevident throughout the banking, nonbanking, and direct investmentaccounts. The statistical discrepancy (errors and omissions in reportedtransactions) was an inflow of $13.3 billion. U.
S. nonbankingconcerns' claims on, and liabilities to, unaffiliated foreignersare not yet available for the second quarter. When available, they willinclude corporate borrowing to finance merger activity and should reducethe unreported inflows reflected in the statistical discrepancy. The statistical discrepancy in the first quarter was reviseddownward from an inflow of $13.5 billion to $5.9 billion, primarily dueto newly reported data on U.S. nonbanking concerns' claims on, andliabilities to, unaffiliated foreigners.
Claims decreased (inflow) $1.7billion, and liabilities increased (inflow) a record $4.4 billion tofinance several large mergers. The U.S. dollar continued to appreciate in the second quarter. Theappreciation was 4 percent on a trade-weighted, quarterly average basisagainst the currencies of 22 OECD countries and 1 percent against thecurrencies of 10 industrial countries. Record levels were reachedagainst the Canadian dollar, Japanese yen, British pound, and severalEuropean currencies.
Rapidly rising U.S. short-term interest rates,which reflected strong expansion, contributed to the appreciation. U.S.
rates were higher than a weighted average of foreign rates by thelargest amount since early 1982. In addition, indications of continuedlow U.S.
inflation, together with strikes and weak expansions abroad,encourage large purchases of dollar-denominated assets. Temporaryweakness in mid-May partly reflected rumors about the vulnerability ofsome large U.S.
banks to international debt problems and unsettledmarket conditions. The dollar appreciated 3 percent against the Canadian dollar,largely due to the rise in U.S. interest rates and uncertainties aboutupcoming Canadian elections.
Increases in Canadian interest rates inline with U.S. rates failed to stop the steady decline of the Canadiandollar, and Canadian monetary authorities borrowed from U.S. and otherforeign banks and in the Eurobound market to prevent further declines inCanada's international reserves. Additional demands for U.S.
dollars late in the quarter were to make semiannual bond payments. The dollar appreciated 3 percent against the British pound. A longcoal strike that cut industrial production and worsened the Britishtrade balance, as well as weakness in petroleum prices, contributed tothe pound's steady decline. Also, large interest ratedifferentials in favor of dollar-denominated assets contributed to thepound's weakness. The dollar appreciated about 1 percent on a quarterly average basisagainst each of the European Monetary System currencies.
However,increases during the quarter were 5 to 6 percent, as the dollar rosesteadily following a period of temporary weakness late in the firstquarter. The dollar reached record levels against the French franc andItalian lira, and the highest levels in 10 years against the Germanmark, Dutch guilder, and Belgian franc. A metalworkers' strike inGermany weakened industrial production throughout Europe and tended toreduce European exports. The German central bank intervened severaltimes to support the mark during the quarter. Although the dollar was unchanged against the yen on a quarterlyaverage basis, it appreciated gradually over the quarter. Japanexperienced record capital outflows as rising U.
S. interest rates ledJapanese investors to buy U.S. Treasury bonds, and declining stockprices in Japan led some foreign investors to sell Japanese stocks. The dollar appreciated 13 percent against the Mexican peso, amidreports of Mexican capital flight and speculation that the rate of dailydevaluations would be increased or that a new major devaluation would beannounced. These pressures caused the peso to drop sharply in earlyMay, with some recovery later in the quarter. Merchandise trade In contrast to large increases in the U.
S. merchandise tradedeficit in the previous four quarters, the deficit decreased in thesecond quarter to $25.7 billion from $25.9 billion in the first. Exportswere slightly higher; an increase in nonagricultural exports was partlyoffset by a decrease in agricultural exports.
Imports also increasedslightly; an increase in petroleum imports was partly offset by adecrease in nonpetroleum imports. The pause in the trade deficit growthis unlikely to be sustained because the fundamental factors contributingto it–the high exchange value of the dollar, the rapid economicexpansion in the United States, and the weak expansions abroad–remainunchanged. Imports increased $0.5 billion, or 1 percent, to $80.3 billion, thesmallest increase since the onset of the domestic expansion. Petroleumimports increased $1.
1 billion or 8 percent, to $14.9 billion; importsfrom OPEC members were up $1.3 billion, or 24 percent, and more thanaccounted for the increase.
Increased petroleum imports went into bothincreased consumption and a buildup in domestic stocks. Most of thebuildup occured early in the quarter when attacks on a number of oiltankers in the Persian Gulf raised concern that future petroleumsupplies might be threatened. Despite the troubles in the Middle East,spot petroleum prices weakened later in the quarter, as increasedproduction more than made up for limited disruptions in supply. Theaverage price per barrel rose to $28.26 from $28.05 in the firstquarter, and the average number of barrels imported per day increased to5.
76 million from 5.40 million. Nonpetroleum imports decreased $0.5 billion, or 1 percent, to $65.4billion; volume decreased 2 percent. Some moderation in the economicexpansion in the second quarter, particularly a slowdown in inventoryaccumulation, probably contributed to the temporary pause in importgrowth. Most major commodity categories, except automotive products,decreased $0.
4 billion, to $14.2 billion; textile products fell $0.3billion from the record level in the first quarter, and gem diamondsfell $0.2 billion. Capital goods decreased $0.
3 billion, to $14$1billion, following a first-quarter surge in business machines andcomputers. Industrial supplies and materials were unchanged at $16.4billion. Iron and steel decreased $0.
2 billion; imports from LatinAmerican, which had increased strongly over the past year, accounted formost of the decrease. Brazilian restrictions on steel exports to theUnited States–established in the first quarter in response to U.S.steel industry anti-dumping complaints–reduced shipments by overone-third. Foods, feeds, and beverages decreased $0.2 billion, to $5.1billion.
Declines were widespread, except for coffee, which increased$0.2 billion. Automotive products increased $0.5 billion, to $13.8 billion, thefifth consecutive record quarterly level.
Most of the increase was dueto imports from Japan; Japanese auto imports increased substantially atthe beginning of the new year under the voluntary export restriction program, and imports of trucks and parts were also strong. Increasedtruck imports from Canada were partly offset by lower imports of parts. Exports increased $0.7 billion, or 1 percent, to $54.6 billion.Agricultural exports decreased $1.0 billion, or 10 percent, to $9.
3billion; volume decreased 11 percent. Sunflower and other oil seeds andoils decreased following the sharp rise in the first quarter; soybeansand corn were also down. Exports to Western Europe fell sharply–37percent, or $1.2 billion. Nonagricultural exports increased $1.
7 billion, or 4 percent, to$45.3 billion, nearly all in volume. The increase was limited to a fewproducts however; there were no signs of a generalized pickup.Industrial supplies and materials were up $0.5 billion to $13.8 billion,mostly due to fuel exports to Canada, Japan, newly industrializedcountries in Asia, and United Kingdom.
Capital equipment increased $0.3billion, to $17.8 billion; the increase was more than accounted for bycomputers, up 11 percent, to $3.5 billion, for the quarter and up 37percent since the first quarter of 1983. Automotive exports decreased$0.4 billion, to $5.3 billion, due to a decrease in shipments ofcomplete autos, trucks, and parts to Canada.
(Much of the balance ofthe increase is in exports for which commodity detail is not available.)Service transactions Net service receipts fell sharply, down $4.9 billion to $3.4billion, the lowest quarterly level since 1975. Receipts decreased $2.6billion to $34.1 billion; payments increased $2.
3 billion to $30.7billion. The dollar's appreciation and higher U.S.
interest ratescontributed to the fall in net service receipts. The dollar'sappreciation resulted in large capital losses on U.S. direct investmentabroad and contributed to a sharp increase in net payments for travel.Higher U.
S. interest rates contributed to a more rapid rise in interestpayments on portfolio investment than in interest receipts. Receipts of income on U.S.
direct investment abroad decreased $3.9billion to $4.5 billion. The dollar's appreciation resulted inlarge capital losses ($2.2 billion) related to currency translation,especially in Canada and European countries, and may have also reducedoperating earnings. Also, a large capital loss was related to thewriteoff of a U.S.
company's holdings in the Caribbean area.Strikes, weak expansions in some European countries, and soft petroleummarkets also reduced operating earnings, which fell $1.0 billion beforecapital losses. Interest payments increased $0.1 billion to $1.0billion, as borrowing through Netherlands Antilles finance affiliatesremained large.
Payments of income in foreign direct investment in theUnited States were virtually unchanged at $2.5 billion. A moderateincrease in operating earnings associated with the U.
S. expansion wasoffset by a shift to small capital losses from first-quarter gains.Interest payments increased $0.1 billion to $0.7 billion, due to a largeloan to a U.S.
affiliate for use in a buy-out of minority stockholders. REceipts of income on other private investment increased $1.0billion to $14.
8 billion, due to rising interest rates and a sharpincrease in U.S. bank claims in the second quarter. In May, Federalbank supervisory authorities jointly recommended changes in bankaccounting practices for nonaccruing loans, which resulted in a smallreduction in earnings reported by U.S. banks. Under the regulations,banks must classify loans as nonaccruing whenever interest payments are90 days or more overdue. The new regulations are mandatory forthird-quarter financial reports, but many banks effected the changeimmediately and reclassified a number of loans to Argentina andVenezuela.
Interest arrears on the reclassified loans are now reflectedin the income estimates. Payments of income on other private investmentcontinued to increase strongly, up $1.3 billion, to $9.7 billion,reflecting rising interest rates, together with an increase in U.S. bankliabilities. During the past year, large net borrowing by banks causedpayments to increase $o.
8 billion, or 40 percent, against an increase inreceipts of $2.5 billion, or 20 percent. U.S. Government income receipts increased $0.3 billion, to $1.
jbillion, in the second quarter; Government income payments increased$0.1 billion, to $4.8 billion.
Net payments for travel increased sharply; payments rose $0.6billion to $4.1 billion, and receipts declined $0.1 billion to $2.8billion. Dollar appreciation encouraged U.S.
residents to travel abroadand slowed the increase in foreign visitors to the United States. Theincrease in U.S. travel abroad on foreign-flag carriers caused passengerfare payments to increase 25 percent to $1.
8 billion; receipts increasedslightly. Other transportation receipts and payments were unchanged, at$3.3 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively. Transfer under U.S. military sales contracts increased $0.
1 billionto $2.6 billion. Many major weapons delivery programs were recentlycompleted, and deliveries under new programs, although scheduled, havenot yet begun. Direct defense expenditures abroad were unchanged at$2.9 billion.
Net unilateral transfers were unchanged at $2.1 billion. U.S.assets abroad U.S.
official reserve assets increased $0.6 billion. Foreigncurrency holdings decreased slightly, reflecting a single U.S.intervention sale of German marks to support the dollar in disorderlymarkets. the U.S.
reserve position with the IMF and holdings of specialdrawing rights each increased $0.3 billion. U.S. claims on foreigners reported by U.S. banks increased $24.
ibillion, compared with a $2.0 billion decrease in the first quarter.Much of the increase was related to the financing of mergers in theUnited States.
In some instances, large credits to consortiums offoreign banks were arranged to finance merger activity, becauseloan-to-capital ratios of many U.S. banks limited the amount of fundsthat each could advance to a single borrower. Much of themerger-related corporate borrowing began to be repaid by the end of thesecond quarter, as borrowers substituted funds borrowed in the U.S.commercial paper market and the Eurobond market for relatively high costbank funds. U.S.
banks also advanced funds to their own foreign officesin May and June; to foreign banks for midyear positioning; and– in alimited amount–to Mexico in May, in conjunction with an IMFz-arrangeddebt restructuring program. Claims on several developing countries inSoutheast Asia increased strongly, probably related to brisk economicactivity in those countries. Net U.S. purchases of foreign securities were $0.8 billion in thesecond quarter, compared with net sales of $0.
6 billion in the first.The shift was more than accounted for by $1.7 billion in long-termfloating rate issues by the Swedish Government to refinance its bankborrowings. The attractiveness of the issues was enhanced by includingannual options permitting investors to resell the issue.
Canadian newissues were $0.3 billion; others included a $0.1 billion World Bankfloating rate issue and small issues from Japan and Israel. Intransactions in outstanding bonds, redemptions increased to $0.7billion, mostly attributable to Canada and a European regionalorganization. In other transactions in outstanding bonds, net salesincreased to $0.
7 billion as bond prices fell sharply, reflecting thesharp rise in interest rates. In stocks, $0.2 billion in new issues,primarily from the United Kingdom and Canada, was offset by $0.2 billionin net sales of outstanding stocks, mostly from Japan. Foreign stockmarkets, except in France, were down sharply during the quarter, andrising U.S. interest rates attracted funds away from equities. U.
S. direct investment abroad shifted $5.4 billion, to inflows of$1.9 billion.
REinvested earnings decreased $3.4 billion to $3.0billion, largely reflecting capital (currency translation) losses fromthe dollar's appreciation. Intercompany debt inflows increased$2.9 billion to $5.2 billion.
there were large borrowings throughNetherlands Antilles finance affiliates, with over one-half of the $3.5billion total associated with a single large merger-related transaction.Equity capital outflows increased $0.4 billion to $1.0 billion.
U.S.parents of Netherlands Antilles finance affiliates increased theirequity in these affiliates in conjunction with the just mentionedborrowings.
A U.S. company's sale of most of its interest inAustralian mining properties to an Australian company resulted in areduction in equity in Australia (inflow). (Related transactions appearin the capital account for foreign direct investment in the UnitedStates.) Foreign assets in the United States Foreign official assets in the United States decresed $0.
6 billion,following a $2.8 billion decrease in the first quarter. Assets ofindustrial countries increased $0.
8 billion; an increase in holdings ofsmaller European countries was partly offset by a decrease in those ofother industrial countries, which sold dollars when their currenciescame under strong pressure in exchange markets. Assets of OPEC membersdecreased $2.2 billion, slightly less than in the first quarter. MiddleEastern OPEC members reduced assets by more than double thefirst-quarter rate; there were large inflows from other OPEC members.Assets of other countries incresed $0.9 billion; the increase was morethan accounted for by inflows from several Southeast Asian developingcountries. U.S.
liabilities to private foreigners and international financialinstitutions reported by banks (including U.S. Treasury securities)increased $28.2 billion. Foreign purchases of U.S.
Treasury securitieswere a record $6.5 billion, up from $1.4 billion. Rising U.S. interestrates, dollar appreciation, and declining bond and equity prices abroadall encouraged inflows.
In addition, investors' preferencesshifted towards U.S. Treasury issues, as shown in chart 7 by thelimited rise in 90-day U.S. TReasury bill rates compared with the sharpincrease in rates banks had to offer in unsettled financial markets toattract funds through 90-day certificates of deposits (CD's). Bank liabilities other than U.S.
Treasury securities increased$21.7 billion. As in the first quarter, rising U.S.
interest ratesrelative to rates abroad and dollar appreciation made placement of fundsin the United States highly attractive. The demand for these funds wasrelated to the U.S.
expansion and Treasury financing needs. Some ofthese funds were U.S.
residents' deposits previously placed atCaribbean offices. These deposits offshore have increased strongly inrecent quarters; a substantial portion of them represents proceeds of ofcommercial paper borrowing by U.S. bank holding companies depositedabroad and then returned to the U.S. parent bank. Another factorcontributing to the rise in liabilities was the previously mentionedlarge-scale merger financing. Data for U.
S. liabilities to unaffiliated foreigners reported bynonbanking concerns are not available for the second quarter, but theyare expected to show large net inflows reflecting corporate borrowing tofinance mergers, as in the first quarter. Inflows for foreign direct investment in the United Statesincreased sharply, up $5.3 billion to $7.7 billion, the second largestquarterly total on record. Intercompany account inflows increased $3.
4billion to $4.2 billion, largely reflecting a substantial loan to a U.S.subsidiary to purchase a U.S.
company. Excluding this transaction,intercompany accounts shifted to small net outflows, mostly because oflending by a U.S. financial affiliate to its parent of proceeds obtainedby borrowing in the U.S. commercial paper market. Equity capitalinflows increased $1.7 billion to $2.
4 billion, largely because offoreign company established a new U.S. holding company to acquire theU.S. and foreign properties of a U.S. company.
REinvested earnings wereunchanged at $1.0 billion. Net foreign purchases of U.S. securities other than U.S. Treasurysecurities decreased to $0.6 billion from $1.5 billion, well under thequarterly rate that prevailed in the previous year and a half.Contributing factors were declining equity prices and investorpreferences for Treasury securities and other short-term investments.
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As long as no one gets hurt…
August 27, 2019 sheikyermami	1 Comment
Indonesian Muselman marries his two girlfriends at once 'so nobody gets hurt'
Polygamy is legal in Indonesia and is practised by people of multiple faiths including Muslims, Balinese, and the Papuans.
The Prophet Muhammad and the Challenge in Promoting a "Moderate Islam"
Jihadist quoting the Quran. (Photo: Yonkers Tribune)
Winston Churchill once said, "Individual Moslems [sic] may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it." Islam and how it is observed by Muslims is almost exclusively based on the Prophet Muhammad's life. All Muslims are conditioned by him because in both the Quran and Islamic tradition, he is the example par excellence of behavior for everyone to follow. His words and deeds are agreed upon by all Muslims as identifying Islam, since he was faithful to Allah's will as dictated in the Quran: And "[h]e who obeys the Messenger [Muhammad], obeys Allah." (Sura 4, 80) Allah established in the life of the Prophet Muhammad general, eternal, and all-inclusive characteristics, and he gave every human being the possibility to imitate him and take his life as a model.
According to Muqtedar Khan of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, in the history of the human race, "no religious leader has as much influence on his followers as does Muhammad..… So much so that the words, deeds and silences (that which he saw and did not forbid) of Muhammad became an independent source of Islamic law. Muslims, as part of religious observance, not only obey, but also seek to emulate and imitate their Prophet in every aspect of life. Thus, Muhammad is the medium as well as a source of the divine law."
Robert Spencer says: "If the jihadists are correct in invoking his example to justify their deeds, then Islamic reformers will need to initiate a respectful but searching re-evaluation of the place Muhammad occupies within Islam." The problem is that the Quran hardly offers anything on Muhammad's life itself. On the contrary: it does not show us the Prophet from the outside at all, but rather takes us inside his head, where Allah is speaking to him, telling him what to preach, how to react to people who poke fun at him, what to say to his supporters, and so on." In other words, we perceive the original Muslim society through Muhammad's eyes, and the elusive style of the Quran makes it difficult to put facts into perspective. And as far as the hadiths — the sayings and acts of Muhammad — are concerned, it would be superfluous even attempting to resolve their many disparities.
One can then argue that the fundamentalists and other Islamists may wrongly be justifying their positions. All this being said, there is confusion as to who speaks for Islam and how Islamic law (the sharia) is to be employed, especially in light of the Sunni-Shi'ite division. Nevertheless, the manner in which both physical and cultural jihadists invoke their legal tenets in order to justify their jihad leads one to confirm that their indiscriminate acts are sanctioned by the Islamic texts:
[Remember] when you asked help of your Lord, and He answered you, "Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another … I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so strike [them] upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip. That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger—indeed, Allah is severe in penalty." — Sura 8, 9; 12–13
Imitating the Prophet could be as innocuous as wearing a full beard or entering a mosque with the right foot, as recorded by the hadiths. The dilemma is that the adherents of Islam cannot subjectively pick and choose, for once they declare that Muhammad is the messenger of God — as per the profession of faith contained in the shahada — they affirm that everything he did was good because it was in furtherance of Allah's cause. While some of the deeds of the Prophet are considered criminal in the West, they are presented in Islamic biographical works as pious.
Incidents in the life of an Arab conqueror, in this case Muhammad, the tales of raiding, private assassinations and public executions, perpetual enlargements of the harem and so forth, might be historically explicable and therefore pardonable. It is another matter that they should be taken as a setting forth of the moral ideal for all time.
Muslim apologists have become defensive at the accusations from the West that Islam is to blame for terror acts carried out by Islamists as well as labeling Islam as an evil religion and Muhammad as a Prophet of violence and sexual promiscuity. However, they have not been able to fully explain otherwise, partly because there have not been any profound studies on Muhammad sufficient enough to exonerate him as a promoter of violence, misogyny, or even the pedophilia: "Aisha reported that Allah's Apostle married her when she was seven years old, and she was taken to his house as a bride when she was nine, and her dolls were with her; and when he [the Holy Prophet] died she was eighteen years old." — Sahih Muslim, Book 8, hadith 3311
Former UN Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel Hans Corell indicated that part of this dual problem is that a given few who exercise and exert power over the many tend not to look at their own record on human rights. "There is a tendency among some [Islamic] States to criticize others for not respecting international rules on human rights. Unfortunately, this criticism is often all too well founded but in order for a State to criticize others with legitimacy, that State must pay attention to its own observance of human rights."
This opportune shift from moral absolutism to moral relativism is both fickle and troubling. If it is wrong to condemn practices we hold to be immoral in Arabia and in the rest of the Muslim world, then it is out of line for Muslims to judge the Christian disciplines or democratic principles of our culture. But if condemning immoral observances is acceptable for Islamic apologists, then they need a better response to criticisms of the Prophet's killings, raids, and sexual practices, especially since he is the ideal pattern of conduct for Muslims and is considered to be morally infallible.
It is both duplicitous and oblique to promote human rights while holding that if marrying a girl at six or seven years of age and consummating marriage with her at nine — as Muhammad did with Aisha when he was in his 50s — was acceptable in seventh-century Arabia, it is perfectly fine in today's society. This is precisely why this pedophile practice continues in certain Muslim countries today. And yet, most Western leaders and Christian officials refrain from criticizing such observances out of respect for Islamic culture, holding that it can coexist with ours. Culture, however, is supposed to create harmony and foster human development, not suppress them. Until there is a re-examining of the Islamic texts, putting them into exegetical and historical context, there can be no moderation of Islam nor can it coexist with Western culture. If, however, there is a reformation of the texts, and if the person Muhammad of is consequently restructured, it then can be a part of our civilisation, but it would no longer be Islam.
Previous PostTHE MANY FACES OF JIHADNext PostThe Muslim's Inner Struggles (Part 3)
One thought on "As long as no one gets hurt…"
UNCLE VLADDI says:
Re: "Culture, however, is supposed to create harmony and foster human development, not suppress them. "
SEZ WHO?!
"Culture" is merely one's social education. A "culture" can be either an aggressively predatory, criminal one – or a peacefully symbiotic, collaborative, moral and law-abiding one.
And, because many if not most or all of them developed over time in an incoherent and fumbling, traditionalist manner, they may even be mixes of same.
But there is no rule which says, "Culture is supposed to create harmony and foster human development, not suppress them " any more than there's a rule that says "All religions must create harmony and foster human development, not suppress them. "
In fact, with all religions, it's obvious that the opposite is true: The most "religious" people, are those who give up all personal responsibility to other peoples' past interpretations of what their god/s want/s. That's criminal negligence, not holy virtue!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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NIFVI is composed of six immigrant serving agencies from across the country, along with a research/evaluation program. We are dedicated to improving the lives of immigrants and their families in our local communities and across the country. NIFVI is funded by the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, through the Family Youth Services Bureau in Administration for Children and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services.
Through individual experiences, we recognized how difficult it is for immigrants to seek assistance and the specialized services needed to effectively serve this population. Six of the coalition's founders are sister agencies, members of the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, a national nonprofit organization with members serving more than 1 million immigrants annually.
NIFVI Philosophy
While we support efforts to combat DV in all groups, our work focuses on cultural and linguistic minorities. So we use a cultural and linguistic lens in expressing our philosophy.
Vision: A society in which cultural norms support non-violent relationships.
Mission: Enhancing responses to domestic violence through use of culturally and linguistically effective methods at the personal, organizational, community and societal levels.
Values Statements:
Violence against women is never acceptable. DV is a crime: just because it was not considered a crime in the survivor's home country doesn't make it less of a crime in the US.
Safety is of paramount importance and should be addressed before other services. Safety is particularly complex for those from small minority groups who may struggle to obtain anonymity. Special strategies for protection are thus needed.
We support woman-defined advocacy, including the right to remain with an abuser, or leave. Leaving is often more complicated for CLS individuals; advocates need to be clear in their support whatever choice a women makes.
Prevention requires an understanding of the factors that increase the likelihood of DV, so appropriate strategies can be employed. The most common framework for understanding DV is the use of power and control by perpetrators. We recognize this element in violence in immigrant communities. We also know there are relationships between exposure to violence and future perpetration of violence, although the nature of those relationships remains unclear. So prevention strategies – especially with refugees – require multiple strategies.
Cultural norms and life experiences may shape the expression of violence in general, and thus should shape strategies and services. But they should never be excuses for violence.
Bridging cultural differences requires both an understanding of the survivor's culture and that of mainstream America. Cultural competence can be obtained regardless of one's cultural background. Partnering across cultures maximizes cultural competence, as well as decreases segregation and isolation.
Culture and language are complex phenomena, continuously shifting and not monolithic in typically defined CLS groups. No one can be an expert on another person's cultural beliefs or linguistic patterns. We can however show empathy, openness to learning, and respect, which will help in bridging cultural and linguistic differences.
We embrace cultural norms that lead to protection against violence and strengthen positive community responses. Violence is both an interpersonal and community problem. Especially in collectivist cultures, the community plays a critical role in instilling non-violent norms.
Research should inform practice. However, little research is available to address cultural minorities who experience DV, so practice must also inform research. The best T&TA is built on integrating research and practice, and advancing our knowledge.
NIFVI Partners include:
International Institute of the Bay Area
International Institute of New England Nationalities Service Center of Philadelphia
International Institute of St. Louis University of Florida - Department of Epidemiology
©2016 NIFVI.org, All Rights Reserved


text:
package com.rationaleemotions.pojos;

import com.google.common.collect.Maps;
import com.rationaleemotions.internal.JvmArgs;
import com.rationaleemotions.internal.parser.pojos.Element;
import com.rationaleemotions.internal.parser.pojos.Wait;
import com.rationaleemotions.page.WebElementType;
import com.rationaleemotions.utils.StringUtils;
import org.openqa.selenium.By;

import java.util.List;
import java.util.Map;

import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkArgument;
import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkState;

public final class JsonWebElement {
    static final int DEFAULT_WAIT_TIME = JvmArgs.DEFAULT_WAIT_TIME.asInt();
    static final String ATTRIBUTE_IS_MISSING = " attribute is missing.";
    private String name;
    private Map<String, By> locationStrategy = Maps.newHashMap();
    private String defaultLocale;
    private WebElementType type;
    private Wait wait;

    private JsonWebElement() {
        //Defeat instantiation
    }

    public Wait getWait() {
        return wait;
    }

    public WebElementType getType() {
        return type;
    }

    String getName() {
        return name;
    }

    public By getLocationStrategy(String whichLocale) {
        checkArgument(StringUtils.isNotBlank(whichLocale), "Querying locale cannot be empty (or) null.");
        checkState(locationStrategy.containsKey(defaultLocale), "Un-recognized default locale [" + defaultLocale + "]"
            + " provided.");
        if (locationStrategy.containsKey(whichLocale)) {
            return locationStrategy.get(whichLocale);
        }
        return locationStrategy.get(defaultLocale);
    }

    static JsonWebElement newElement(Element element, String defaultLocale) {
        element.validate();
        JsonWebElement jsonWebElement = new JsonWebElement();
        jsonWebElement.name = element.getName();
        List<LocaleDefinition> definitions = LocaleDefinition.newDefinition(element.getLocales());
        definitions.forEach(localeDefinition ->
                jsonWebElement.locationStrategy.put(localeDefinition.getLocale(), localeDefinition.getLocationStrategy()));
        jsonWebElement.defaultLocale = defaultLocale;
        if (element.getWait() != null && element.getWait().isValid()) {
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


BOE inflation report, good news is good news!
The Bank of England released its latest inflation report on Thursday, and although Mark Carney agrees that the fall in the oil price may strengthen economic growth this year, he believes that in the short term inflation could fall further and on that basis could entertain the idea of a further rate cut. It does seem remarkable that last year when the nation was clearly not strong enough to weather a rise in rates, the Bank of England debated the idea, and this year when households are in a far better shape to withstand a modest rate rise due to the fall in commodity prices, they suggest the idea of a cut. It does however go to underline the point how determined central bankers are to ensure they do whatever is needed to support an economic recovery.
Members of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee must pour over reams of economic data in coming to these views, and one feels at the end of it they risk getting caught by being unable to see the wood for the trees.
We argued long and hard last year against the case for a rate rise, and still see this year that there is no fundamental case for a rate rise in the coming months in the UK or the US. Ultimately a rise in rates should be seen as good news, it would be a vindication of all the measures that central bankers have put into place to stimulate the global economy. When rates do start to rise, there is no doubt in our minds it will be reactive, and the fears that many have that the bankers will be behind the curve therefore rates will move faster than expected will be founded. Mark Carney's comments today reinforce that view.
Wednesday evening carried press reports that an agreement with Greece had been reached, and Thursday morning was met with no agreement and that discussions would resume on Monday. Both reports were met by complete indifference from equity investors, as was the news that a cease-fire has been agreed in the Ukraine. The 28th of February is the date by which an agreement has to be reached, as it's the date when the current EU-IMF bailout agreement comes to an end. If history has taught us anything, assuming an agreement will be found, negotiations will go the wire before it is finalised.
As equity markets grind higher those who doubt the merits of equities over bonds at this point should take heed from Switzerland where major corporations can fund themselves at negative rates and offer dividend yields of circa 3%.
Posted on February 12, 2015 by Paul Sedgwick.


It has been said that many of Robin's ballads seem to belong to an earlier era. Two songs particularly spring to mind. One is Sincere Relation (which reaches its melodramatic twin peaks with the almost disturbingly declamatory 'and then he died…'). And the other is the bitter-sweet, cameo vignette, Dearest.
Dearest is the stronger of the two. With a swooning melody steeped in loss, nostalgia and longing, it strongly evokes the semi-forgotten genre of the Victorian sentimental song. Indeed, listening to 'Dearest' is the aural equivalent of opening the delicate clasp of a Victorian cameo and gazing lovingly upon the image captured within and that, I suppose, is what the song describes. A string quartet or grand piano accompaniment might have better completed the picture of strained, treasured intimacy.
I imagine a velvet-jacketed Robin performing before a candlelit assembly of quietly enraptured ladies and monocled gentleman in an Edwardian country house drawing-room. Robin perhaps holds that cameo outstretched in his hand, gazing upon it for heightened dramatic effect.
'Dearest''s heart is so bursting with seriousness that it paradoxically seems to teeter into precarious pastiche. The emotional pitch is raised alarmingly with 'and if you could see me today, I will remember you'.
I admit that upon first listening to Trafalgar, (the album) I would often press 'skip' when Robin's opening vocals to Track 10 sounded, not wishing to encounter the somewhat cloying experience of the song. Then, one day, I must have hesitated. 'Dearest' made sense and touched me somehow. I think this is quite characteristic of Robin's songs. They can take time for one to appreciate fully from the inside.
Despite its pre-pop allusions, Dearest surely imparts too much feeling for it to have been written purely as a genre piece. Curiously, at times, it reminds me melodically of 'I Can Sing a Rainbow', and certainly shares with that song an utter lack of cynicism and irony. These absences make 'Dearest' strange to twenty-first century ears – and then really rather lovely.
Posted on June 6, 2014 by lightspots.	This entry was posted in Bee Gees, Bee Gees Top 50 1966-72 and tagged 1971, Robin Gibb, Trafalgar. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
Sheffield United issued Bruno Fernandes warning but told how to exploit Manchester Utd weakness
The Blades entertain Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side at Bramall Lane this evening looking for a result to keep alive their survival hopes
Nathan HemminghamSheffield United reporter
Bruno Fernandes up against Sander Berge during the match at Old Trafford in the 2019/20 campaign. (Image: Matthew Peters, via Getty Images)
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Sheffield United entertain Manchester United at Bramall Lane this evening knowing a result could be the turning point in their season.
The Blades are desperate for something to keep alive their survival hopes after opening the campaign with 11 defeats from 12.
However, they don't come much tougher than their next test, with tonight's visitors in superb form away from home.
To get the inside track on United's next opponents, we spoke to senior football writer Tyrone Marshall, from Yorkshire Live's sister site the Manchester Evening News, to get the lowdown on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.
How have Manchester United been playing lately, what type of form are they in?
"The idea of form with this United team has almost gone out of the window, they've been so inconsistent this season that they can be in poor form in the first half of a game and good form in the second half.
"Considering how bad they were in Germany a week ago the derby draw on Saturday was an improvement and a platform to build on.
"United have been excellent away, they've won nine in a row in the Premier League and while they have fallen behind in all five away games this season, they've managed to turn them all round, despite playing dreadfully in some of those matches. They've certainly improved since the 6-1 defeat to Tottenham, but they're still very inconsistent."
They have not lost away from home in the league since January, what's been special about their away form?
"Their ability to score goals is the difference for them away from home. They've scored just once from open play at Old Trafford this season but have scored 16 goals in five away games.
"Solskjaer has said recently that there's no such thing as home and away when games are being played behind closed doors, but that probably undersells their away record.
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"Playing away from home clearly suits them and even when they fall behind they retain confidence they can turn it around because they've done it so often."
I guess with a team like Man United it's so hard to ask which player is the dangerman, but who do United have to keep quiet on Thursday night?
"It has to be Bruno Fernandes. He just makes this team tick.
"Take him out and United are a very different proposition, as West Ham found out in the first 45 minutes just under two weeks ago.
"When Fernandes came on United were much better and he created eight chances inside 45 minutes. Virtually all of United's attacking play goes through him and he's easily the most important player in this side."
Last season at Bramall Lane, Lys Mousset's pace really hurt that Man U backline and was key to such a good start, are you still vulnerable to pace at the back
"Yes, that's still an issue for United. Maguire and Lindelof are not the quickest and that stops them from playing a high line.
Lys Mousset celebrates scoring United's second goal against Manchester United at Bramall Lane in November.
"They can be exposed by quick attackers. They also played a back three at Bramall Lane last season, a tactic abandoned at half-time, and while it's still occasionally a system Solskjaer uses it's unlikely he will revert to it on Thursday."
When Man U have dropped points this season, what have the opposition done that United can learn from?
"There's no doubt United are still vulnerable at the back.
"They don't keep enough clean sheets and the protection from midfield is sometimes lacking.
Sheffield United already know how to hurt Manchester United as Graeme Souness will testify
The unwanted record neither Manchester United or Sheffield United want after Thursday's match
"If Solskjaer plays Fred and McTominay it usually gives the defence more protection, but if only one of those plays it can expose the back four and it's easy for midfielders to find gaps between the lines.
"That's where United have tended to be vulnerable this season."
Score prediction?
"With United's away record you have to fancy them to get the points, but it's usually eventful on the road, so I'll go with a 3-1 away win."
CrimeReports of men armed with a shotgun chasing third man as shots fired in Doncaster streetThere were reports of shots being fired in Coronach Way, Rossington and South Yorkshire Police have been patrolling the scene
Cocaine snorting Barnsley mum relives co-sleeping tragedy and finding baby 'squashed'
South YorkshireInquest heard that Aimee Jones had taken cocaine before taking her baby to bed in hospital and squashing her


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text:
The ITB Journal
Home > Journals > Arrow > ceased > ITBJ > Vol. 4 (2003) > Iss. 2
Brian Nolan
Teaching Culture in Business Studies
Nathalie Cazaux
Fionnuala Darby
Multiculturalism in Secondary Schools – a Linguistic, Socio-Political & Pedagogic Perspective
Maria Kenneally
Determination of the Frequency Response of an End Tidal CO2 Analyser
Kabita Shakya, Catherine Deegan, and Fran Hegarty
Pathfinding in Computer Games
Ross Graham, Hugh McCabe, and Stephen Sheridan
A Preliminary Investigation of the Role of Problem Based Learning (PBL)
Alan Pike and Declan Barber
Embedded Systems in a Mobile Distributed IP Network
Conor Gildea and Declan Barber
Towards a Framework for Modelling Multimedia Conferencing Calls in the Next Generation Network
Gavin Byrne and Declan Barber
Problems with Internet and Library Usage for Secondary School Children
Tom Nolan and Mark Humphrys
Space – the Final Frontier
Sandy Fitzgerald
Publications Ethics and Malpractice Statement
All Issues Vol. 16, Iss. 1 Vol. 15, Iss. 2 Vol. 15, Iss. 1 Vol. 14, Iss. 1 Vol. 13, Iss. 2 Vol. 13, Iss. 1 Vol. 12, Iss. 1 Vol. 11, Iss. 2 Vol. 11, Iss. 1 Vol. 10, Iss. 1 Vol. 9, Iss. 1 Vol. 8, Iss. 2 Vol. 8, Iss. 1 Vol. 7, Iss. 2 Vol. 7, Iss. 1 Vol. 6, Iss. 2 Vol. 6, Iss. 1 Vol. 5, Iss. 2 Vol. 5, Iss. 1 Vol. 4, Iss. 2 Vol. 4, Iss. 1 Vol. 3, Iss. 2 Vol. 3, Iss. 1 Vol. 2, Iss. 2 Vol. 2, Iss. 1 Vol. 1, Iss. 2 Vol. 1, Iss. 1


text:
2009 Atlantic Championship.........
Post by mlittle » Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:06 pm
2009 Atlantic Championship Schedule........................
~~Rd. 1--15 March 2009, Hutchinson Island/Savannah, Ga.(Green Prix USA)*
~~Rd. 2--20 March 2009, Sebring International Raceway(ALMS)
~~Rd. 3--17 May 2009, Miller Motorsports Park(ALMS)
~~Rd. 4--14 June 2009, New Jersey Motorsports Park(Feature)**
~~Rd. 5--18 July 2009, Lime Rock Park(ALMS)
~~Rd. 6--25 July 2009, Autobahn Club of Chicago(Feature)*
~~Rd. 7--8 August 2009, Mid Ohio Sports Car Course(IndyCar Series)
~~Rd. 8--16 August 2009, Trois Rivieres(Feature)
~~Rd. 9--30 August 2009, Mosport International Raceway(ALMS)
~~Rd. 10--27 Sept. 2009, Road Atlanta(ALMS)
~~Rd. 11--11 October 2009, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca(ALMS)
*--subject to IMSA/ACCUS homologation
**--possible doubleheader weekend
LeFevre to race for Condor in 2009
Post by mlittle » Sun Nov 30, 2008 9:37 am
At least one Atlantic seat has been filled for the 2009 Atlantic Championship season as Condor Motorsports recently signed French driver Max Lefevre, 2008 French Renault Challenge champion, for their 2009 campaign after a 3-day test at Buttonwillow Raceway in California.....quotes from the announcement.
~~Max Lefevre, Condor Motorsports,
All the members of Condor Motorsports succeeded in making me feel at home and this helped me build confidence and adapt to the car within the first day. Working on car setups at Condor's level of professionalism was a real treat. The know how, and the way I was looked after during the whole three days of the test confirmed that Carlos Bobeda was the perfect person for me to make my first steps in American racing. I am very excited with the opportunity to compete in this high-level series and look forward to the start of the Atlantic season.
~~Carlos Bobeda, Team Owner--Condor Motorsports,
"He adapted very quickly to the race track and the Atlantic car and was turning competitive times from the onset. The whole team is excited to have Max in our driver lineup for 2009. He is definitely someone to watch in 2009. "It was (a) pleasure to work with Max. I was not only impressed by his driving ability but also his professional approach. He never put a wheel wrong in all the laps he turned. Max has achieved good results in the European lower formulas so there was no doubt in my mind that he would do well in the test. However, his performance in the more powerful Atlantic car was far superior to the expectations I placed on him.
Atlantic Championship Announces 2009 Prize Purses
Post by mlittle » Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:42 pm
The 2009 Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda will feature a $1 million prize to the series champion as part of $3 million in prize money, series officials announced today. The $1 million champion's prize is the most lucrative championship payout in a North American open-wheel driver development series. The driver who finishes second in the 2009 Atlantic Championship will receive $500,000, with the remaining $1.5 million to be paid out in per-event race purses.
----Ben Johnston, President--Atlantic Championship:
This is a significant prize package that should attract top drivers from all over the world to the Atlantic Championship this season. The $1 million champion's prize is not a scholarship. This is $1 million in cold hard cash that the champion may use in whatever way he or she sees fit. Likewise, the $500,000 prize for the driver who finishes second in the championship far exceeds what most other driver development series pay out to their champions, while the $1.5 million in per-race purses makes every race an opportunity for the drivers to win big money.
Last year, the Atlantic Championship offered $1.6 million in prize money, with $300,000 going to series champion Markus Niemela. With nearly double the prize money available in 2009, it is expected that the increased prizes will be a major incentive to help Atlantic teams to recruit drivers.
In addition to the $3 million prize package, bonus and contingency prizes will continue to be offered in the 2009 Atlantic Championship, including the $1,000 Cooper Tire Pole Award for the fastest qualifier at each race. The Cooper Tire Pole Award has been a mainstay in the Atlantic Championship since Cooper joined the series as presenting sponsor and official tire in 2007.
The 12-race 2009 Atlantic Championship will get underway on Friday, March 20 at Sebring International Raceway in support of the prestigious Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh From Florida for the American Le Mans Series.
The series will run seven weekends alongside the American Le Mans Series, while "headlining" events at Trois-Rivières, Quebec, New Jersey Motorsports Park and Autobahn Country Club in suburban Chicago. The Atlantic Championship runs alongside both the American Le Mans Series and the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on the weekend of August 8.
Quotes from Purse Announcement..................
~~Chris Pantani, Cooper Tire Motorsports Director,
This is an exciting day for the Atlantic Championship. The $1 million dollar prize is an extremely attractive award for the premier open-wheel development series. The reality of it is that a young driver will actually walk away with a check for $1 million dollars as a series champion.
~~Robert Davis, Senior VP--Mazda North American Motorsports,
The Atlantic Championship is the highest rung of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports open wheel ladder. Mazda works hard to help talented drivers move from karts to Skip Barber to Star Mazda to Atlantic. It's great to see that the Atlantic series is making sure they can move upward as well. Mazda has already committed to offering the 2009 Atlantic champion a test drive with both our ALMS LMP2 and Grand-Am GT Mazda powered teams. Our teams appreciate the deep talent pool such that they can promote from within the family.
~~John Edwards, Driver--Newman/Wachs Racing,
I was one of the few ready to go before the prize money was announced, but to hear that the champion will get a million dollars and second place $500,000 is a huge bonus. It is pretty rare and I think will attract even more drivers. Most series don't offer anything to anyone outside of the champion, and I think this is just one more reason why the Atlantic Championship is the top series in junior open wheel.
~~Carlos Bobeda, Owner--Condor Motorsports,
There is no doubt that this announcement is the most exciting news that team owners and drivers alike have received in a long time. As team owners, it allows us to offer a driver the best opportunity to enhance their careers, not only by participating in one of the best driver development series in the world, but also by guaranteeing them a future in years to come. It's been known that in the past, awards of this caliber had many strings attached. This time it is clear. If you win the 2009 Atlantic Championship, you can use the money to go anywhere you see fit to continue your racing career. I've seen many drivers become champions one year and sit on the sidelines the next due to lack of sponsorship or funding to continue. The Atlantic Championship is now offering them a chance to make their best racing move of they careers.
~~Brian Halahan, Team Manager--Newman/Wachs Racing,
We are pleased that our questions and concerns about the upcoming season have been addressed and we can finally move forward with this year's preparations. To compete as a Series in today's economy, a substantial prize fund is crucial to attract drivers. The system that has been put into place is a good solution and should make for another strong championship. Things have been looking good, and the phone has been ringing to fill our second seat alongside John Edwards, who brings MAZDASPEED sponsorship. We're now focusing on the month ahead in preparation for Sebring.
~~Bob Gelles, Owner--Gelles Racing,
As a long-standing team owner in the Atlantic Championship, obviously, it's the most grand prize that they've ever offered. The fact that the driver can take the cash and go wherever he wants to advance his career, anywhere in the world, it's phenomenal.
~~Shane Senevirante, Owner--US RaceTronics,
The Atlantic community has been involved in constructive dialog in the past few weeks, and I am very satisfied to see those conversations and feedback stating to take shape. These are tough times for any industry and I am very encouraged to see the Atlantic series show strength with a $3 million prize fund. I am grateful to (Atlantic Championship President) Ben Johnston for his commitment to the series and its teams. I am very enthusiastic to support him and his wonderful staff in building a strong series. Our team looks forward to the 2009 season and will be making driver announcements shortly.
New team in the works..........
Post by mlittle » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:30 am
(quoting from multiple sources)..................
~~~~ Tampa real estate tycoon and multimillionaire Jamie Rand today announced that he has purchased the entire inventory from an undisclosed race team with an eye toward competing in the 2009 Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda.
Rand's purchase includes two complete Atlantic racecars and all the spares needed to field a two-car effort in the 12-race 2009 Atlantic Championship, which gets underway on March 20 at Sebring International Raceway.
Rand has partnered with Chris Hall in this new venture. The UK-born Hall has competed as a professional racecar driver for more than 25 years and is currently driving in the American Le Mans Series. He owns five championships in competition in the UK and in the United States, and has finished on the podium more than 200 times in his career.
Rand and Hall determined that the time was right to enter the Atlantic Championship, given the series' recent announcement that $3 million in purse and prize money. The 2009 Atlantic awards package features a $1 million prize for the series champion and $130,000 in purses for every race weekend.
"(Atlantic Championship President) Ben Johnston's commitment this year means a lot to me and for that reason there is no better place to run this year than in the Atlantic Championship," said Rand. "With the largest prize money in North America for open-wheel racing, I have been getting many phone calls. I've been in heavy discussions with some of the hottest drivers and several major corporations for sponsorship, including publicly-traded companies."
Rand and Hall are currently in talks with several other teams and drivers to find the best "win-win-scenario. They hope announce their 2009 driver lineup shortly.
Anyone interested in testing with Rand and Hall is encouraged to contact Rand at [email protected]
Current 2009 Atlantic Championship Driver Lineup
~~Condor Motorsports(2): Borja Garcia, Max Lefevre
~~Team Stargate Worlds(2): Simona de Silvestro, Frankie Muniz
~~Conquest Racing(2): Harald Schlegelmilch, James Winslow
~~Genoa Racing(2): Alexander Rossi, Frederic Vervisch, Jonathan Summerton
~~Mathiasen Motorsports(1): Jonathan Bomarito
~~Newman-Wachs Racing(2): John Edwards, Markus Niemala
~~Jensen Motorsports(2): Matt Lee, Michael Nacol
Winslow to compete in Atlantics w/Conquest in 2009
Post by mlittle » Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:59 am
(quoting from Conquest Racing press release, 17 March 2009)
~~~Conquest Racing to Field Second Car with James Winslow at Atlantic Championship Race in Sebring
INDIANAPOLIS (March 17, 2009) - Conquest Racing today confirmed that British racecar driver James Winslow will be behind the wheel of their #12 Atlantic car at this week's Cooper Tires Presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda race at Sebring International Raceway. Winslow will be joining teammate Harald Schlegelmilch who drives the team's #21 entry.
Winslow, the reigning Australian Formula 3 champion, will be making his Atlantic debut at the 3.7-mile, 17-turn road course which hosts the famed 12-hours of Sebring race. Although this will be his first time aboard an Atlantic car, Winslow is already familiar with the Conquest Racing team.
"I know the team having tested a Champ Car with them before in 2007 and got on with them really well," said the 25-year-old Winslow. "I'm very confident that Conquest will put out a very strong car at Sebring and I'm looking forward to repaying their faith in selecting me as one of their drivers for this race."
Prior to winning his 2008 Championship on the strength of six wins and 11 podiums, Winslow was crowned the Formula Renault V6 Champion in 2007 after collecting four wins and nine podium finishes. In 2006, he scored eight wins while capturing the Asian Formula 3 title. He took Rookie of the Year honors in that same series in 2005 and won the ARP Formula 3 Championship in 2004. Winslow was also a driver for A1GP Team Great Britain in 2007 and 2008.
"James has proven himself in many other racing series in Europe and Australia and we're glad to be welcoming him to North America for this race in Sebring," told Conquest Racing team owner Eric Bachelart. "We know James from back in 2007 when he tested one of our Champ Cars and from what we know of him we expect him to do well in the Atlantic cars."
Sebring Startling Grid
1. 19 Jonathan Summerton Genoa Racing 1:53.571 117.283
2. 36 John Edwards Newman Wachs Racing 1:53.715 117.135
3. 17 Frederic Vervisch* Genoa Racing 1:53.625 117.228
4. 21 Harald Schlegelmilch Conquest Racing 1:53.810 117.037
5. 6 Borja Garcia* Condor Motorsports 1:53.984 116.859
6. 1 Markus Niemela Newman Wachs Racing 1:54.083 116.757
7. 26 Jonathan Bomarito Mathiasen Motorsports 1:54.206 116.631
8. 78 Simona De Silvestro Team Stargate Worlds 1:54.525 116.306
9. 77 Frankie Muniz Team Stargate Worlds 1:54.846 115.981
10. 2 Matt Lee Jensen MotorSport 1:54.955 115.871
11. 35 Tonis Kasemets Polestar Motor Racing 1:55.036 115.790
12. 7 Max Lefevre* Condor Motorsports 1:56.130 114.699
13. 12 James Winslow* Conquest Racing 1:56.531 114.304
14. 88 Mirl Swan* Swan Racing 1:58.965 111.966
15. 75 Sadat Yelkin* Swan Racing 1:59.275 111.675
16. 29 Ahsen Yelkin* Swan Motorsports 2:00.304 110.720
17. 68 Chris Lee* Swan Racing 2:01.561 109.575
18. 3 Michael Nacol Jensen MotorSport 2:01.619 109.522
19. 71 Michael Mallinen* Swan Racing 2:04.026 107.397
*--series rookie
Edwards dominates in Sebring victory
(quoting from IMSA and Atlantic reports)
SEBRING, Fla. (March 20, 2009) - Two years after becoming the youngest driver in the history of the Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda, John Edwards scored his first career Atlantic victory and a $50,000 winner's paycheck in Friday's season opener at Sebring International Raceway.
Driving the No. 36 MAZDASPEED
Motorsports Development/Nuclear Clean Air Energy/NEI/Entergy machine for Newman Wachs Racing, Edwards started second and charged into the lead on the race's standing start ahead of polesitter Jonathan Summerton. From there, the Cincinnati, Ohio resident never looked back, cruising to a 4.731-second victory over rookie Frederic Vervisch. Edwards' victory eclipsed a previous best result of second, which he achieved at Toronto in his rookie Atlantic season of 2007. Last year, Edwards competed in Star Mazda and took the series championship.
"It was an incredible feeling just pulling into pit lane and seeing all of the cameras coming to me," said Edwards. "It was a great race. I have to thank my engineer, Nick Harvey, and the team for putting the car together, because it was really easy to drive, almost, in the first few laps and that's where I gained the gap. Luckily, I had the teammates racing behind me, so I got to pull out a little more of a gap. From there, I just kept looking forward and pulling a gap."
Vervisch was the first of two Genoa Racing drivers to finish on the podium, coming home with a second-place trophy from the first Atlantic race of the career. The Belgian, driving the No. 17 Genoa Racing machine, had the best result for a driver making his series debut since Canadian Robert Wickens also finished second in his Atlantic debut in Las Vegas two years ago.
"The start was good, so we could take one position," Vervisch explained. "Then, I was looking a little bit to John Edwards to see how his pace was. I had the feeling we could follow or catch up. There was a full-course yellow and on the restart I really focused on John and not on the ones behind me. There was a white car in my mirrors and it was Jonathan (Summerton) and I knew he would take me in the first corner, so we lost some time, because the rule is I cannot block so he passed. I saw I was faster and John was getting away, so I did the same move in the same spot and he didn't block me either. From then, John already had an advantage and I was just trying to catch up, but it was difficult. My second goal was just to finish the race on the podium."
Summerton rounded out the podium with a third-place performance in the No. 19 Genoa Racing machine. The Kissimmee, Fla. resident admitted to having trouble on the race's standing start and enjoyed a good battle with his teammate before settling for third. It was the sixth podium result of Summerton's 12-race Atlantic career, and his first podium since placing second in the penultimate round of the championship at Miller Motorsports Park last September.
"We started out with a bit of a problem at the start," Summerton explained. "The clutch wasn't grabbing at all for me, so I basically short shifted up the gears and got to third and then it started grabbing. Then, I had to downshift back to second to get the acceleration. In the first corner, we had lost three spots, so I was down to fourth, and was able to get one back by Turn 2. Then, I just started chasing the other two. Of course, we had that full-course yellow, and from there, I tried my best, but I just didn't have a car to follow behind anybody. We had a car for out front."
Latvian rookie Harald Schlegelmilch was solid throughout his first Atlantic weekend and came home fourth in the No. 21 Conquest Racing entry. Schlegelmilch was inside the top five virtually throughout every practice and qualifying session leading up to the race.
Simona De Silvestro rounded out the top five in the No. 78 Stargate Worlds/Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment/FireSky/Cardinal Technologies machine for Team Stargate Worlds. It was De Silvestro's fifth career top-five performance in Atlantic competition, and her third consecutive top-five run dating back to a fourth-place performance at Miller Motorsports Park last season.
Two would-be contenders were involved in a frightening incident on the opening lap of the race, as defending series champion Markus Niemela and 2008 championship runner-up Jonathan Bomarito tangled in Turn 17. Both made hard contact with the tire barrier, and Niemela's No. 1 Mr. Jones/Nuclear Clean Air Energy/Entergy/NWR machine landed upside down on top of the barrier.
Bomarito quickly scrambled from his No. 26 Mathiasen Motorsports car to aid the safety workers in turning Niemela's car back onto its wheels, and Niemela emerged from the car under his own power. The Finnish driver was transported to nearby Highlands Regional Medical Center for observation, but was expected to be released early Friday evening.
The C2 category, which is back for the first time since the 2005 Atlantic Championship season, was won by owner/driver Mirl Swan in the No. 88 Everclear Specialty Lubricants machine for Swan Racing. Swan started from the C2 pole position and led every lap, winning by more than 11 seconds over teammate Sadat Yelkin in the identically sponsored No. 75 machine.
"The guys have worked real hard to get the cars here," Swan said. "It was hard work. We had a rather small crew for the five cars, and to get to come to Florida in March is a great opportunity to get out of the cold weather up north, so all the guys were glad to get here. The battle my teammate, Sadat, was really good. It was really close early on. I think I had an advantage in Turn 1 and slowly started to pull away and had a bit of a gap at the end, but it was a good race."
Post by mlittle » Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:28 am
~~~Primetime Race Group Expands Into Atlantic Championship
As the 2009 racing season begins to unfold, Primetime Race Group has decided to spread its diversity into the Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda with the addition of a two-car effort aimed at the $1 million series championship.
American Le Mans Series Team owner Joel Feinberg and team manager Brent O'Neill, in a joint venture with entrepreneur Jamie Rand, have acquired the 2008 championship-winning No. 8 car and the No. 88 car from Brooks Associates Racing. The team intends to campaign both cars for a repeat performance in the 2009 championship.
"These cars are proven to be competitive and for them to not be running at a time when the grids need to be filled made our decision an easy one," O'Neill said. "The entire Atlantic organization including Mazda, Cooper Tires, and Ben Johnston have provided an unmatched opportunity to race at a competitive level giving drivers the ability to earn big money and big exposure."
Primetime will provide a full-service, arrive and drive program for interested drivers and will deliver the highest standard of race support available. Programs will include private testing, full data analysis and driver coaching, PR and marketing activation, as well the ability to co-brand potential sponsors with the team's ALMS effort. While the team's goal is to win a championship, its focus will be geared towards funded drivers who are seeking a reputable team capable of fielding an ultra competitive program.
"This is a move for Primetime that gives us another opportunity to expand our brand under the IMSA umbrella at a point in time when racing needs us," said Feinberg. "With the commitment of Ben Johnston, the Atlantics have become the biggest bang for your buck. In the times that we're in, this opportunity couldn't be passed up. The move will be beneficial to everyone involved as it will bring more cars to the grid, more drivers to the series, and allow Primetime to continue to grow even bigger."
The Atlantic Championship features a $1 million prize for the series champion, $500,000 to the runner up, and $200,000 going to third place with all drivers earning points from their best 11 finishes in the 12-race season. Additionally, most 2009 Atlantic events offer a $50,000 winner's purse, making Atlantic purses among the richest in all of North American open-wheel racing. As if this is not enough reason for Primetime to participate, the series also shares six of its remaining race weekends with the American Le Mans Series at Miller Motorsports Park, Lime Rock Park, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Mosport International Raceway, Road Atlanta and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
"We are obviously thrilled to welcome Primetime Race Group to the Atlantic Championship," said Atlantic Championship President Ben Johnston. "Joel and Brent have earned a reputation for fielding a first-class program in the American Le Mans Series, and this is exactly the type of team we need in Atlantic. We're looking forward to seeing the two Primetime cars on the grid next month at Miller Motorsports Park, throughout the 2009 season and hopefully well into the future."
"Primetime Race Group could not have acquired two better cars for its initial foray into the Atlantic Championship," added Atlantic Championship Executive Vice President Vicki O'Connor. "That No. 8 car was clearly a front-runner throughout the 2008 Atlantic season and the No. 88 was also a top contender at many of our events last year. It would come as no surprise if the two Primetime cars were at the front right off the truck in Utah."
About Primetime Race Group
The Primetime team is known for their rapid growth and ability to build their brand. In just 4 years since its entry to IMSA, it has grown from a single car in IMSA Lites, to a full scale American Le Mans Championship competitor returning for their second full season in the #11 GT2 Viper. With multiple entries in IMSA Lites and SPEED World Challenge over the last 3 seasons, Primetime has hand carved its name into the record books as well as the heart of the fans. Through its development in IMSA Lites and their GT2 program they have become a fixture within the paddock and will continue to build on this success for years to come. www.primetimeracegroup.com
De Silvestro Sweeps Utah Weekend
Post by mlittle » Mon May 18, 2009 5:47 pm
Things to do on a race weekend..........
---lead all practice sessions.................check!
---qualify on the pole..........................check!
---set fast lap of the race....................check!
---win race in dominating fashion.........check!
Simona De Silvestro had a perfect weekend at Round 2 of the 12-race 2009 Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship, the $50,000-to-win Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix at Miller Motorsports Park.
The 20-year-old Swiss racer led both practice sessions on Friday, took her first career Atlantic pole position on Saturday and dominated Sunday's race to score the second victory of her Atlantic career. Driving the No. 78 Stargate Worlds/CME/FireSky/Cardinal Technologies/Maakoa machine, De Silvestro sped into the lead as soon as the lights went out on the race's standing start and quickly checked out on the rest of the field, leading throughout the 50-minute, 31-lap race. The Team Stargate Worlds driver won by 11.7 seconds ahead of John Edwards.
It was De Silvestro's first Atlantic win since the 2008 season opener at Long Beach, where she became the second woman in series history to win a race behind Katherine Legge, who won three races in 2005. On Saturday, De Silvestro became the second woman in series history to win a pole position behind Danica Patrick, who took a pole position at Portland in 2004. De Silvestro became the first woman in series history to win a race after starting from the pole position.
It feels awesome. We had the perfect weekend. We led every session, we had pole, and I think we had fastest lap during the race. Team Stargate Worlds just did a great job. The car was really good. I just could drive every time the same lap time and we kind of pulled away. It looked easy but it was pretty hard to be consistently fast, especially running after ALMS (practice). It was pretty slippery. I'm just really happy to have won my second race in the Atlantic series.
Edwards, who earned a $50,000 check for his victory in Round 1 of the 2009 championship at Sebring in March, quickly moved up from fourth on the starting grid to second on the opening lap in the No. 36 MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development/Nuclear Clean Air Energy/NEI/Entergy car for Newman Wachs Racing. While De Silvestro set sail, Edwards spent the remainder of the race with Belgian rookie Frederic Vervisch filling his mirrors. He was able to keep Vervisch behind him throughout the race to secure second place and keep the lead in the point standings after two of 12 races. The 18-year-old Edwards leads De Silvestro by five points, 36-31 in the race for the $1 million title.
When we're talking about the championship before the year, we're always thinking about top three, top five, so my goal today was to move up from fourth up into the top three. Luckily, (Jonathan) Summerton went off during the first lap and gave me second, but there was just no catching Simona today. We're definitely focused on the championship. So far, I've had a first and a second, so I'm still in the lead, and hopefully we can keep that podium streak going in the next two rounds.
Vervisch came home third to earn his second podium result in as many Atlantic Championship starts in the No. 17 Genoa Racing entry. The Belgian previously finished second in the season opener at Sebring and is just one point behind De Silvestro and six out of the championship lead with two races now in the books. He also leads the Rookie of the Year standings by 17 points over James Winslow.
A podium is, of course, good. We couldn't win today because Simona was too strong, but we could have had second because, definitely, we were quite a bit faster than John. Just at the last part of the track, we had some problems with the car to have a good exit. That made it really difficult to overtake. I'm happy that I finished the race and have the points, but I'm not happy that I'm not second, because we had a pace, for sure, to be second. He defended it well, he did a good race, and Simona did a great job and her team also. I'm happy with the result.
Scoring a career-best fourth place result and making it two Team Stargate Worlds cars inside the top four was Frankie Muniz in the No. 77 Stargate Worlds/CME/FireSky/Cardinal Technologies/Maakoa entry. Muniz started seventh and spent most of the race battling for fourth with Borja Garcia and defending series champion Markus Niemela. He capitalized on last-lap contact between Garcia and Niemela to take fourth, earning the $2,000 Hard Charger bonus and a bonus championship point for improving the most positions from start to finish. The actor-turned-racer's previous best result was a ninth-place run at Toronto in 2007.
Atlantic veteran Tonis Kasemets completed the top five in the No. 18 Genoa Racing machine. The Estonian finished seventh at Sebring with Polestar Motor Racing before moving to Genoa Racing for Round 2 in Utah. After dropping to the tail of the field due to an opening-lap off-course excursion, Summerton fought his way back to finish sixth in the No. 19 machine to give Genoa Racing three of the top six finishers.
Michael Mallinen claimed the C2 class victory in the No. 71 Mallinen Properties machine for Swan Racing and finished 10th overall. Following the race, series officials excluded Garcia from the final results when it was determined that he violated IMSA Code 5.5 (blocking) and 5.6 (avoidable contact) in the incident with Niemela.
~~~Race Results, Larry H. Miller Utah Grand Prix
1. (1) Simona De Silvestro, No. 78 Team Stargate Worlds, 31.
2. (4) John Edwards, No. 36 Newman Wachs Racing, 31.
3. (3) Frederic Vervisch (R), No. 17 Genoa Racing, 31.
4. (7) Frankie Muniz, No. 77 Team Stargate Worlds, 31.
5. (6) Tonis Kasemets, No. No. 18 Genoa Racing, 31.
6. (2) Jonathan Summerton, No. 19 Genoa Racing, 31.
7. (10) Max Lefevre (R), No. 7 Condor Motorsports, 31.
8. (9) James Winslow (R), No. 2 Jensen MotorSport, 31.
9. (10) Matt Lee, No. 2 Jensen MotorSport, 19.
10. (12) Michael Mallinen, No. 71 Swan Racing, 29.
11. (11) Michael Nacol (R), No. 3 Jensen MotorSport, 29.
*12. (6) Borja Garcia (R), No. 6 Condor Motorsports, excluded.
Time of Race: 51:25.717
Average Speed: 110.236 mph
Margin of Victory: 11.700 seconds
Lap leaders: De Silvestro, 1-31.
Lead changes: None.
Atlantic Championship announces new website
Post by mlittle » Tue May 19, 2009 9:29 am
Redesigned Atlantic-Championship.com Now Online
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (May 14, 2009) - The official website of the Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda has been completely redesigned and is now online at www.atlantic-championship.com .
The redesigned site features news, results and photos, as well as a wealth of information on drivers, teams, sponsors and the series itself. Over the days, weeks and months to come, new features will be continually added, including items such as a photo gallery, video highlights and interviews.
"We are excited to relaunch Atlantic-Championship.com with a whole new look just in time for this weekend's race at Miller Motorsports Park," said Atlantic Championship Executive Vice President Vicki O'Connor. "The new look of the site enables us to once again establish our own identity. The beauty of websites is that updates and new features can be performed constantly, and this new site will evolve considerably."
The Atlantic Championship returns to action this weekend for the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix after a two-month break. John Edwards leads the race for the $1 million champion's prize into Utah by virtue of his victory in the season-opening race at Sebring International Raceway in March. Edwards earned $50,000 for that victory.
The Atlantic Championship is the longest-running open-wheel driver development series in North America and celebrated its 35th Anniversary season in 2008, with Finnish rookie Markus Niemela taking the series championship in the final race of the season. With a $1 million champion's prize and a total of $3 million in prize money up for grabs, the 2009 Atlantic Championship offers one of the most lucrative prize packages in North American open-wheel racing.
The series is noted for its long history of graduating its drivers into the top levels of motorsport throughout the world, including IndyCar drivers such as Bobby Rahal, Danny Sullivan, Michael Andretti, Jimmy Vasser, Danica Patrick, Dan Wheldon, Graham Rahal and Raphael Matos, Formula One world champions such as Jacques Villeneuve and Keke Rosberg, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Sam Hornish Jr. and A.J. Allmendinger and sports car stars like Jon Fogarty, Alex Gurney, Michael Valiante, Joey Hand and Simon Pagenaud.
Atlantic Championship graduates have won races and championships at the highest levels of motorsport, including Formula 1, IndyCar and Champ Car, and sports cars. In 2009, Atlantic graduates will again be top competitors in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, the American Le Mans Series, the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and even the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series among many others. Learn more about Atlantic at www.atlantic-championship.com.
Lee rejoins Conquest Racing for Lime Rock round
Conquest Racing is returning to the Cooper Tires Presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda this weekend. Joining the team for the race at Lime Rock Park is former Conquest Atlantic driver Matt Lee along with sponsorship from JOJO Energy Drink.
"It will be nice to return to Atlantic racing for a second time this year," said Conquest team owner Eric Bachelart. "We've worked with Matt in the past and we're happy to be working with him again for this race."
Lee previously drove for the Conquest Racing Atlantic team in 2007 alongside Giacomo Ricci. More recently, he competed at the 2009 Atlantic Championship season-opener in Sebring with Jensen Motorsports and took part in a couple of Firestone Indy Lights races at Watkins Glen in 2008. Prior to joining Conquest in 2007, the Syosset, NY-native finished second in the Formula BMW USA championship in 2006. This will be Lee's third start at Lime Rock Park. In two races at the 10-turn, 1.51-mile permanent road course in the Formula BMW USA series in 2006, he started one race in 23rd and moved up to finish seventh while he started on pole and went on to finish runner-up in the second event.
"I'm really excited to be back with Conquest Racing this weekend," expressed 19-year-old Lee. "I enjoyed driving for them in 2007 and we had a good test together yesterday at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Things are very encouraging heading into the weekend. It feels good to be back in the car in the Atlantic Series and to be racing at Lime Rock Park. It's like my home race because it's so close to where I live. I'm also happy to be partnered with JOJO Energy Drinks and to be part of their motor sports program. They're a great company to be associated with."
Updated Atlantic Championship Standings(top-10).......
1st} Simona de Silvestro, 68 pts
2nd} Jonathan Summerton, 60 pts
3rd} John Edwards, 55 pts
4th} Frederick Vervisch, 52 pts
t-5th}[5]Borja Garcia, 32 pts
t-5th}[6]Tonis Kasemets, 32 pts
7th} Markus Niemala, 31 pts
8th} Frankie Muniz, 29 pts
9th} James Winslow, 23 pts
10th} Max Lefevre, 13 pts
De Silvestro on point in Lime Rock
Post by mlittle » Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:19 pm
Simona de Silvestro earned her third pole on the 2009 season today on what was a very wet qualifying session on the 1.53-mile road course in Lakeville, Conn. She did it on her final lap in the closing minutes. First appearing to slow down, de Silvestro was only setting up her Team Stargate Worlds Swift powered by Mazda for her flying lap.
"It was crazy, especially with the rain. We started with a new set of rain tires, so it took a long while to get grip," said de Silvestro. "I caught traffic at the end, so I was really nervous, but I could put one lap together on the last lap. It was just a perfect lap."
Laying down a time of 59.624 (90.568 mph), de Silvestro bested the earlier fast time held by Borja Garcia by nearly three-tenths of a second at the Lime Rock Park road course.
"I really have to thank the whole Stargate team, because they were running around just before the session because they didn't know what to do with the cars," de Silvestro added. "I really want to thank (engineer) Burke Harrison, too, for giving me a car like this every weekend. I hope we can keep it like this tomorrow and win tomorrow. I'm really excited."
Rookie driver Borja Garcia, who competes for Condor Motorsports, was sitting pretty on the top of the speedcharts for most of the session but all it took was one competitor to snatch away what would have been his first career pole. "Until the last lap, I was on pole, but on the last lap, Simona was faster by three tenths. We'll see tomorrow, because today in the dry conditions, the car is good, and also in the wet," Garcia said.
Instead Garcia has to settle for his first Atlantic Championship career front row start with his flying lap of 59.916 (90.126 mph). "I'm starting on the front row, I don't have anybody in front, and we'll see what happens on the start and also in the race. It's a long race," added Garcia. "I'm really confident, because I think finally my team and I have a good setup for this race and this car. I hope to continue in this way."
Genoa Racing's rookie Frederic Vervisch slots third on the grid with a 1:00.037 (89.945 mph) for Saturday's race. "It was okay. We were on the front row the whole time. The car was actually quite good, and we improved it in the rain from last time in New Jersey. It suited me well. It's only a shame that on the last lap, I went off at the chicane. Otherwise, I think P1 was for sure possible, but we will see how it will work tomorrow," said Vervisch. "It's again P3, so I'm getting used to it. We will do our best for tomorrow."


The young learners within this program have transitioned from the unconcious learner to the concious learner. Language social awareness and fine motor skills have developed to the next stage within learning.
Learning the things necessary for the PRACTICAL side of LIFE.
How does learning to prepare food help a child's development?
Children move at their own pace. Moving from primary to the elementary program.
Montessori education builds confidence and self-control in the child.


Turmeric as a spice is known in its fresh root or ground powder form. As a plant, however, all its parts are edible, from the flowers (as a vegetable) to the leaves (to make a wrap). It belongs to the ginger family and has a pepper-like aroma and bitter flavour. It is an essential ingredient in curries, but you can also enjoy its amazing benefits, which are produced from very small quantities in hot beverages (try a warming turmeric tea or latte) and smoothies. And don't forget to include it when making a natural body scrub or face mask for glowing skin.
Although the tropical plant (botanical name Curcuma longa) mostly grows in South Asia, you can plant your own turmeric and add a lush and exotic look to your home. Fill pots with rich organic soil and insert root cuttings (called rhizomes) about 5cm under the surface with a couple of buds facing up. The plant thrives on heat and moisture, so keep it in a conservatory or on a sunny windowsill and water regularly. Turmeric roots mature in eight to 10 months and can then be harvested and boiled, left to dry, peeled and ground.
More than a spice, turmeric is revered in both Hinduism and Buddhism and used for devotional purposes. Being associated with fertility, luck and the sun, it is often a gift for pregnant women – and turmeric paste is also traditionally applied to a bride's skin as part of a ritual purification before her wedding. So, not only is it a culinary treat with healing properties, but turmeric can also be considered auspicious and sacred.