text:
Dems: what Kennedy wants
By Godfrey Sperling Jr. Staff correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
June 5, 1980 | Washington
Buoyed by his five final-day primary victories, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is determined to make the road to political reconciliation with Jimmy Carter one that will place heavy -- but not impossible -- demands on the President.
The senator thinks that his showing in the primaries has earned him the right to put a liberal stamp on the Democratic National Convention and on the party platform. Mr. Kennedy claims the big states he carried -- Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and California -- are the heart of the Democratic Party.
The Monitor has learned from sources close to the senator that his "bottom line" requirements for the platform include a philosophical theme that is "clearly Kennedy." This theme would be expressed in the following planks:
* An assertion of party intentions to give assistance to those at the bottom of the income ladder -- including a specific government jobs program of large proportions.
* A commitment to go ahead immediately with a national health program that reflects the Kennedy proposal -- legislation that would require $30 billion to $ 40 billion in federal expenditures over the next few years.
* Support of a foreign policy that would apply a strict interpretation of the War Powers Act. It would call for a specific assertion of intent that the President seek the counsel and support of Congress before undertaking any initiative abroad involving the use of the military.
* Support of an energy policy that would limit consumption of oil by reducing supply rather than by price.
* Commitments to cities and minorities beyond those that the President has thus far provided -- and in line with Senator Kennedy's desires.
However, even though the senator did win five of the last eight primaries, including major ones in California and New Jersey, he still has no intention of making his demands too steep for rapprochement.
Kennedy sources say he is not likely "to push Carter to the wall" on proposals for wage-price controls and a big gasoline tax. The President already has said he would not accept those proposals.
Publicly, the senator still is "talking tough," as though he would be willing to risk tearing the party apart at the convention.
But, as a source close to the senator says: "Ted is a good Democrat. He'll stop short of wrecking the party."
Added a Kennedy worker June 4:
"Carter has an edge of some 700 or so delegates. That's an awfully big bulge. How is Kennedy going o get enough of those Carter supporters to vote for a rules change that would unpledge all the delegates on the first ballot?"
President Carter and Mr. Kennedy polled about an equal number of votes -- about 1.5 million each -- in the final eight primaries.
In addition to his other victories, the senator won is South Dakota, Rhode Island, and New Mexico. Mr. Carter won in Ohio, West Virginia, and Montana.
Mr. Carter ended up winning 23 of the 34 Democratic primaries, with Senator Kennedy taking the rest. The President's total of delegates, according to United Press International, now has reached 1,962 -- with 1,666 needed to nominate. Mr. Kennedy now has 1,212 delegates.
US Agriculture Secretary Bob Bergland, the former four-term congressman from Minnesota, told reporters over breakfast June 4 that he though Senator Kennedy would "make peace at the convention. . . ."
You, Bernie Sanders, are no Ted Kennedy. (Why that's good for Hillary.)
Is America ready for another Kennedy?
Will new Senate institute honoring Ted Kennedy foster bipartisan cooperation?


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Seed CSA
Cleaning and Storing Your Own Seed
Farmscaping
Farmscaping and Sustainable Landscaping Services
Agroecology Research
About Agroecology
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Reflection on the limitations of modern plant breeding
By Erik
In Garden Blog, Uncategorized
The following is a review of and reaction to the following paper: Extending Darwin's Analogy: Bridging Difference in Concepts of Selection between Farmers, Biologist, and Plant Breeders by DA Cleveland and D Soleri
As an aspiring plant breeder, following the traditional route in academia, you learn about both the theory and practice of modern day plant breeding. Likely one will come across the works of Darwin and Mendel, as they are the fathers of this revolution in plant breeding (i.e., they provided the foundation on which 'scientific selection' stands upon). This paper attempts to question this foundation, by comparing our modern day assumptions with ideologies of traditional farmers.
So what is selection?
We can divide this term into natural and artificial selection, but all this identifies is whether or not man has had a hand in evolution. Some may postulate that when done, according to scripture, plant breeding is applied evolution. In other words, plant breeders are playing god with their subjects. I have always had a difficult time swallowing this mantra, although the concept of selection=god is a seductive one.
So here I'm bringing up an important bias and that is our lust for control and power. With the revolutionary scientific foundations provided by Darwin and Mendel we understood how to control evolution, and for those in the know, we could create a niche in the marketplace. This is no different than the biotechnology 'gene jockeys' of today. All this may have taken a different route if capitalism had been replaced by a more egalitarian participatory democracy, but let's save that for another time.
The major distinction between modern and traditional selection is the separation between phenotype and genotype. As modern plant breeders, we chase the genotype. Why? Well, it is understood that genes are inherited while the phenotype is an expression of those genes within an environment. Since we cannot control the environment per se, it makes rational sense to focus on what we can predict…A mechanistic dogma but it has produced results much faster than if only selecting on phenotypic differences. Now let's not rule out epigenetic influences, although they have effectively been neglected by mainstream practitioners.
Genetic response=evolution…or does it?
Another issue I have with modern plant breeding is its ability to create tremendous amounts of diversity, while narrowing overall diversity. Inherently, selection reduces allelic diversity within a population over time, but it can also lead to an overall genetic response in that population, for instance, size of fruit. Is this evolution? In the short term probably not, because all that was done was the big fruits were propagated, and therefore, made up more of the population in subsequent generations (sounds similar to natural selection, doesn't it?). Without allelic diversity there is no evolution and it's only a matter of time before species extinction. This is why as backyard seed savers, we must be aware of our individual limitations and strength in numbers. 'Artificial' evolution is only feasible through the diversification of crop species over long periods of time in response to diverse environments. Darwin understood this, "selection does nothing without variability".
Enter the traditional peasant-farmer…
Without the understanding of genetics, as we know it today, the food producers of the past developed a tremendous variety of inter- and intra-species diversity. Modern plant breeders have succeeded in selecting the best and eliminating much of the remaining over the pasts 100 years. While we will not likely be able to regenerative what has been lost, we may be able to learn from our mistakes and take an alternative, more sustainable path.
"Plant breeders focused on modern varieties widely adapted to more optimal, more intensively managed environments, while many traditionally-based farmers in relatively marginal environments continued to focus on traditional varieties for their diverse, more marginal growing environments."
Reintroducing the farmers' varieties or modern landraces—
This can be as simple as collecting modern varieties and planting them in bulk according to a varietal ideotype. Over time these will 'creolize' and become more or less adapted to your environment. With judicious inclusion of exotic genetics you can create a resilient modern landrace unique and specific to your growing conditions.
If you do decide to impose some selection on the developing landrace, remember that you are selecting on the phenotype that may or may not be heritable. Your selection may reduce allelic diversity for the good, but it can also bring lots of disappointment, so do so with care and awareness. One simple way to maximize the genetic diversity on a small scale is to select one seed from each plant. Otherwise known as single seed decent, this is the optimal method if you do not have the space to save your seeds in bulk. Ideally a bulk method of breeding, only imposing selection for highest quality during seed cleaning, will maximize the potential for 'evolution'.
Finally, traditional agriculturists, past or present, are by nature, integrated into the household-community through production, consumption, crop improvement, and genetic conservation 'customs'. This network has all been consolidated into the hands of a few and we have lost our traditional knowledge. We as backyard seed savers can reverse this trend for the better by relying on one another, be it close or from afar, to foster new community customs and seed sovereignty. We are just as capable of developing resilient germplasm adapted to climate change and suited for consumption on our dinner tables.
"Words and their implicit cultural meanings can have important effects on our understanding of basic biological processes, emphasizing some aspects at the expense of others."
In Cleveland's ancillary paper 'Is plant breeding science objective truth or social construction? The case of yield stability' we are introduced to the two ideological goals of modern plant breeders: yield and yield stability.
In this paper, Cleveland uses the many applications of yield stability to highlight that plant breeding, as well as all science disciples are influenced by both objective truth and social construction. These are social science terms but instructive in understanding why things are the way they are and how to come to terms with this dominant paradigm.
Pertinent to understand is that landraces were selected against because they were often heterogenous and locally adapted to marginal growing environments, i.e., static stability. Much of the success of modern plant breeding can be attributed to a refinement of these original landraces, and through blending specific genetics and breeding methodologies the result was an increase in homogeneity, yield, and broad adaptation, i.e., dynamic stability. Now none of this could have been possible without manipulating the environment through the agronomist's chemical revolution, which makes a lot more sense than Borlaug's Green Revolution.
Some may argue that we've created chemical junkies. Others standby the 'spillover effect' where varieties selected under optimal conditions outperform ones that were selected under marginal conditions in these low productive environments. Like Cleveland, a holistic approach may be valuable here. This needs further research but it appears that varieties selected under the intended environment of use are better adapted, i.e., static stability than those selected abroad. Now there are some contingencies: available genetic diversity and selection methodology but the theory appears sound and it is the one all backyard seed savers should head.
So why haven't we taken the route of specific rather than adopting broad adaptation?
Well follow the $ silly. In other words the dominant structure dictates not only research objectives but characterizes the scientific plant breeder's ability to reason rationally. As Borlaug dutifully notes, "Increased yields are needed to buy time for society to deal with issues affecting population growth". Now Borlaug's shuttle breeding was an ingenious method no doubt, but his ideology followed "Malthusian pessimism" and was a major contributor to industrialization, the rural to urban migration, and loss of in-situ genetic diversity. In other words, "plant breeding always implies an economic advantage for someone".
Static stability–ideal in marginal environments where 'traditional farmers' reduce risk via the genetic security of the varieties in use, which they control and mediate with support of their community, i.e., informed peasantry. Workhorse varieties
Dynamic stability–ideal in optimized environments where 'progressive farmers' reduce risk via the genetic uniformity of the varieties in use in combination with a crop protection package and subsidy-ins safety net distributed by third parties, i.e., modern serfdom. Thoroughbred varieties
In conclusion, as backyard seed savers, we can be empowered with the scientific understanding of genetics and plant breeding, but we must also be realistic of our own inherent bias largely via social construction disguised as truth. With an emphasis on static stability of the seeds we save, we can promote a genetically diverse landscape. Through sharing these locally adapted workhorse varieties we may be able to tap into aspects of dynamic stability through genetic complementation at the very least. Even more importantly, however, it allows us to maximize novel-unusual variation, which is why we save seeds in the first place. If you are in it for the money or fame you've read the wrong blog. If you are in it for the love, well join us!
Research Fieldwork
© Backyard Seed Savers 2013-2020. All rights reserved.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Enterprise Digital Platform
Top five Application Architecture That Enable Digital Transformation
Navdeep Singh Gill | 05 April 2020
"When digital transformation is done right, it's like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, but when done wrong, all you have is a fast caterpillar." by George Westerman, MIT Sloan Initiative on the Digital Economy Choosing the right Application Architecture has become essential for corporations to be successful in supporting Digital Transformation and Business growth at a much faster pace in the ever-changing environment of technology
What Digital Business Transformation?
Digital Business Transformation is the application of technology to build new business models, processes, software and systems that result in more profitable revenue, more significant competitive advantage, and higher efficiency. Businesses achieve this by transforming processes and business models, empowering workforce efficiency and innovation, and personalizing customer/citizen experiences. Since the term Digital Business Transformation itself relates itself to computer technologies/ applications, choosing the right Application Architecture becomes essential for your Business. So let's take you through Top Application Architecture Trends that enable you to transform your Digital Business
Top Five Application Architecture Trends
Mesh App and Service Architecture
The "Mesh App and Service Architecture" (MASA) refer to the design of solutions that link, mobile apps, web apps, desktop apps and IoT apps – and their data, whether the user or operational – into a large mesh of back-end services to create what users view as the "Application."
Event-driven architecture (EDA) is a software architecture paradigm promoting the production, detection, consumption of, and reaction to events. An event can explain as "a significant change in state." Suppose a store catches fire, instead of witnessing it (maybe witness is not even present) and then reporting to Fire Brigade and Ambulance. Sensors would sense it and publish this event to concerned Departments who are continuously listening to such events through software and quickly respond to that event. This scenario explains the fundamental role of Event-Driven Computing in the Digital World.
The event-driven architecture enables real-time, complex transactions among IoT devices, data streams and workflow systems. Taken From Article, Event-Driven Architecture for Microservices and Cloud-Native in Kubernetes
Microservices architecture
Microservices - also known as the microservice architecture - is an architectural style that structures an application as a collection of services that are
Highly maintainable and testable
Loosely coupled
Independently deployable
Organized around business capabilities
Owned by a small team
The microservice architecture enables the rapid, frequent and reliable delivery of large, complex applications. It also allows an organization to evolve its technology stack.
Each component is continuously developed and separately managed, and the application is then merely the sum of its constituent elements Taken From Article, Microservices Architecture and Design Patterns
CQRS: Command Query Responsibility Segregation (CQRS)
Command Query Responsibility Segregation (CQRS) is an architectural pattern that separates reading and writing into two different models. CQRS means that every method should either be a command that performs an action or a query that returns data. A Command cannot recover data, and a Query cannot change the data.
A Service-Oriented Architecture is a design model that makes use of shared systems that give services to additional applications over the protocol; this is just a concept and not defined in some programming languages. The primary sources of service-oriented architecture are independent of vendors, outcomes, and technologies. SOA is helping businesses respond more quickly and more efficiently to changing market conditions. An organization can take full overall control and look at problems holistically with the help of SOA.
SOA is helping businesses respond more quickly and more efficiently to changing market conditions. An organization can take full overall control and look at problems holistically with the help of SOA. Taken From Article, A Quick Guide to Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)
When companies go Digital and opt for business growth, the complexity of IT services may increase. Enterprise Application Team can play a central role in reducing the complexity associated with Digital Transformation by choosing the right set of Application Architecture to achieve the best performance, because of customer matters.
Platform Engineering Tools and its Working | Complete Guide
Cyber-physical Systems Benefits and its Future Trends
10 Fallacies in Platform Engineering | The Complete Guide


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Manipulating Doctors: testimony from an ex-drug rep The Risky Business of Medical Reporting
What did James Lind do in 1747?
This video is a clip of a BBC documentary in which Iain Chalmers and Dan Cruikshank recreate James Lind's celebrated experiment to test treatments for scurvy.
The video is available on the James Lind Library website.
The page also contains other material commemorating James Lind, including a postage stamp and commemorative plaque erected by the Citrus Growers of California and Arizona.
Tarihten örnekler, TTekstralar, Video
Jorgecortes
Which facts did he do?
In the 1700s, more British Navy sailors died from scurvy than from enemy action.
In short, James Lind discovered that you could prevent scurvy by giving sailors oranges and lemon to eat whilst they were at sea.
What was particularly notable about this was that he did so by conducting one of the first ever clinical trials to test how well different treatments work.
Watch the video, and if you want to read more, there are lots of essays about the importance of his contribution on the James Lind Library website linked above.


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Funding & ESD Focus
The Most Active Investors in African Startups PLUS What They are Looking for
By Michelle Strydom
- February 7, 2018
February is Funding & Enterprise Supplier Development Month on SME South Africa. Follow along here for all our coverage.
The most active investors in African startups were recently revealed in Disrupt Africa's 2017 African Tech Startups Funding Report.
The list is dominated by US-based venture capital (VC) funds with the exception of Algebra Ventures, an Egyptian venture fund; Kalon Ventures, a South Africa-based section 12J venture capital fund and Nigeria's Ventures Platform.
These investors prove that there is an appetite for African startups, the same report shows that 2017 was the most successful year of fundraising by African startups.
Below are the startups they have invested in and what they are looking for.
1. GREYCROFT PARTNERS
This US-based venture capital company recently invested in a Kenyan bitcoin payment solution, BitPesa and Nigerian payment solution, Flutterwave.
They have two funds available: Greycroft IV, a $204 million venture fund and Greycroft Growth II, a $365 million growth-stage fund.
Greycroft Growth II starts at $10 million and will invest up to $35 million in a company.
What they are looking for
The company mainly invests in digital media and tech startups. They target early-stage companies with young founders, typically in "seed" or "Series A" rounds according to Fortune. They also have a keen interest in startups that are headed by female founders and entrepreneurs, according to the same report.
2. 500 STARTUPS
500 Startups is a US-based Silicon Valley early-stage venture fund and seed accelerator. They have previously invested in Egyptian-based companies: food startup Mumm and event management company, Eventtus, according to Disrupt Africa.
This fund typically invest in a diverse range of companies in tech, from marketplaces and SaaS to media and AI.
According to their website, they welcome a variety of startups for their seed programmes, however startups are required to pay a fee of $37,500 in order to take part. These fees can, however, be deducted from their investment amount.
The accelerator, according to their website, invests $150,000 in exchange for 6% equity in all startups that take part in their seed programme.
3. ACCION
Accion is a US-based non-profit organisation that focuses on providing services to underserved consumers and businesses.
In 2017, they partnered with Quona, a fund that invests in fintech startups with a social purpose. Some of the startups they have invested in include Nigeria's fintech solution Lidya and South Africa's insurance company AllLife.
Accion sponsors and is the anchor investor in the Accion Frontier Inclusion Fund, the first global fintech fund for the underserved.
Managed by Quona Capital, the fund invests in companies that innovate to expand access to financial services to underserved consumers and businesses in emerging markets.
4. ALGEBRA VENTURES
Algebra Ventures is considered Egypt's "largest ever tech-focused VC fund". They focus mainly on tech startups. The fund has backed startups like online grocery startup GoodsMart, event management company, Eventtus and home services marketplace, FilKhedma.
In a Venture Burn article, Algebra confirmed that investments would mostly be in the range of $500 000 to $4 million.
The firm specialises in Egypt-based startups, early venture, mid venture and growth capital investments in the tech sector, according to Bloomberg. Their venture capital fund also looks closely at tech startups that focus on technology IP, fintech, ecommerce and consumer internet.
5. Y COMBINATOR
Y Combinator is a US-based seed accelerator which has been taking on increasing number of African tech startups into its programmes and providing further investment down the line.
Last year, they have invested in Morocco-based ecommerce firm WaystoCap, Nigeria-based B2B marketplace Releaf and Nigerian fintech startup Aella Credit.
Twice a year Y Combinator invests a small amount of money ($120k) in a large number of startups in exchange for 7% of the company's equity, they say on their website.
Startups don't need to be based in Silicon Valley, but upon receiving funding, startups are required to move to Silicon Valley for three months, during which they will work intensively with the accelerator to get the company into the best possible shape and refine their pitch to investors.
According to the website, the company invests in a range of industries, however they state that the majority of the startups they fund are internet and mobile companies. On their website, they mention that they like to fund startups that have been in existence for a while, but will help any startup that hasn't already raised a series A round from VCs.
6. KALON VENTURE PARTNERS
Kalon Venture Partners (previously Grotech) is a South Africa-based section 12J venture capital fund and is one of a few 12J funds that invests in tech startups.
Their focus is on disruptive tech startups. Last year they invested in shopping app, Snapnsave, solar power financial system, Sun Exchange, and online payment processor i-Pay.
The company invests as little as R110 000 and as much as R20 million into startups.
The company invests in disruptive technology startups that aim to solve problems in Africa, with the potential for global application. According to their website, they invest in post-revenue startups. They also look closely at the startup's ability to identify a clear exit strategy.
7. VENTURES PLATFORM
Ventures Platform is a VC and tech hub focussing on early and growth stage tech companies.
Having only launched in 2016, Ventures Platform has already established itself as a major player in Nigeria.
The company has backed Nigeria-based tech startups, including design and print business Printivo, financial service provider, Kudi, and accounting software, Accounteer.
According to their website, Venture Platform looks for growth stage startups that are solving real problems, have a solid team and display potential to scale. For the accelerator programme, the company requires startups to be primarily based on site in Lagos, Nigeria.
The company invests up to $40,000 in cash and $10,000 in services. According to the website, in addition to funding, they also provide services such as AWS credit, thousands of dollars in Facebook credit, legal service, finance, and accounting support, hands-on business support, training, a strong global mentor and expert network, workspace and several other add-on services and discounts on other services.
Funding Slideshow
SA Junior Miners Demand Greater Support from Government
Why Mark Zuckerberg Owning up to Mistakes at Facebook Matters
Michelle Strydom
I'm a journalist for online publication, SME South Africa. I'm a BA journalism graduate from the University of Johannesburg. My areas of focus when it comes to writing are entrepreneurs, startups, marketing and funding. I also enjoy creative writing and proofreading.
A Look at How 3 of SA's Biggest Hotel Groups are Supporting Local SMEs
Women Entrepreneurs and the Funding Gap
Find Out about VC Office Hours and how it's Helping to Close the Gap Between SA Entrepreneurs and VCs
South African junior miners on Tuesday demanded that the government…
Before You Ask For Funding Answer These Questions First


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Q: jQuery slider control for opacity I'm trying to implement a jQuery slider control for opacity of a certain element on my web page.
Kind of like this question but with a slider.
I was wondering how I should implement this best, as I'm a little lost as how I should get started...
I'm guessing a function wouldn't be the best, would it?  Defining a function and then calling it for the slider?
The jQuery documentation for the slider control is proving to be a little too complex for me for this topic, but I'm sure some of you can help clarify how to get this thing going!
Sorry the question is kind of vague, but I'm not really sure how to proceed.

A: I'm not sure exactly what you would like your end result to be, but here is a simple example of a slider controlling the opacity of another element on the page. I've included comments in my Javascript for the relevant parts.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">

    <title>Slider</title>

    <link rel="stylesheet" href="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.8.3/themes/base/jquery-ui.css" type="text/css"/>

Fade with the above slider...

A: It's a nice code example but I revised the above code al little bit, the slider now changes the opacity immediately when start sliding and the opacity changes more smooth.`

    Slider

Fade with the above slider...

`

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


If you're up in arms about the contents of the Harry Potter books, why weren't you out marching years back when the first Potter book found its way onto school library shelves, rather than now, after the Coca-Cola deals are being signed?
Would anyone really sit and *watch* a game like Quidditch? Did JK Rowling really think the scoring system through? A single 'goal' – completely unrelated to the main activity of the game – could effectively end the entire match after 5 minutes, or 5 weeks. If you have two evenly-matched sides playing each other, the closest possible outcome is 150-nil. It's the equivalent of holding a chess match and awarding the prize based on the competitors' fashion sense. Not since the French mangled the tennis scoring systems have we had to cope with such a strange new world of maths.
For more info; the old Harry Potter Home Page is a nice-looking site for the movie.
Next *How* McHappy can you get?


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Q: calcular el salario mensual de un vendedor Estoy tratando de crear una función de flecha que resuelva el siguiente problema.
PROBLEMA: Watto paga a su personal de ventas un salario de 3500000 mensuales, más una comisión de 1500000 por cada licencia de software vendida menos el 5% de deducciones por impuestos. Codifica un programa que calcule e imprima el salario mensual de un vendedor dado;
Este es el código que he realizado
let calcular = ()=>{

let salario = 3500000;
let comicion = 1500000;
let licencia = 3;
let salarioCom = 0;

salarioCom = (licencia * comicion)+ salario;
salarioDe = salarioCom * 0.05;
salarioNeto = salarioCom - salarioDe;

console.log(salarioNeto);

}

A: Las funciones flechas se declaran de manera similar a las variables, declarando primero el identificador de variable (const, let o var), luego el nombre de la función, el signo de igual (=), los argumentos entre paréntesis y luego el cuerpo de la función. En general:
const nombreDeLaFuncion = (argumentos) => {// código}

Basado en el problema, el salario mensual es una cantidad fija y solo varía dependiendo de la cantidad de licencias que venda un empleado. Tu función entonces tomará como único parámetro la cantidad de licencias vendidas, e imprimirá y devolverá el salario mensual.
El salario mensual es el salario base (3500000), más la comisión por licencia (1500000) menos el 5% del total. O lo que es lo mismo, el 95% de todo lo que ganó, que se puede escribir como:
salario = (3500000 + 1500000*licenciasVendidas)*0.95

Finalmente, poniendo los requerimientos en dentro de una función flecha, quedaría:

const salarioMensual = (licenciasVendidas = 0) => {
   const salario = (3500000 + 1500000*licenciasVendidas)*0.95
   console.log(salario)
   return salario
}

salarioMensual()
salarioMensual(1)


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Family of British Nationals in Ukraine: UK Visa Concession
Demetris Demetriou
From 4 March 2022, a new Ukrainian Family Permit Scheme has been launched, replacing the family migration visa below. Details of the new visa can be found here.
The UK government has introduced new temporary visa concessions for family members of British nationals living in Ukraine.
Under guidance published by the UK Home Office, eligible individuals can make an application for a family migration visa, free of charge, to enter the UK.
The British Embassy in Kyiv has now closed and all consular services from Kyiv have been suspended. British Embassy staff are temporarily operating from Lviv, where consular services are currently limited, and may be subject to further disruption or change as a result of Russian military action.
The Home Office continues to update its guidance in response to activity in the region, and individuals are advised to check the Home Office website for the most up to date information on visa rules and the status of local Consular services.
Separate guidance has been provided by the Home Office for British nationals in Ukraine. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Ukraine.
On 27 February, Boris Johnson announced the UK would allow immediate family members fleeing Ukraine to join their Ukrainian relatives settled in the UK. Priti Patel later confirmed in the House of Commons that family members of those who are British nationals or have been given settled status, and who do not meet the usual eligibility criteria but pass security checks, will be able to come to the UK for 12 months.
Family migration visa eligibility requirements
Individuals can apply to the Home Office for a family migration visa for free if they have a family member who is a British national and usually lives in Ukraine.
The applicant's British national family member must meet one of the following requirements:
Be the applicant's spouse or civil partner
Be the applicant's unmarried partner and have been living together in a relationship for at least two years
Be the applicant's parent, if the applicant is under the age of 18
Be the applicant's child, under the age of 18
Be the applicant's adult relative who they provide care for and who lives with them due to a medical condition
The Home Office guidance also states that where individuals do not meet the eligibility criteria for the visa concession, for example the English language requirement or minimum income requirement, UKVI will, given the circumstances, "consider an alternative grant of leave to come to the UK".
How to apply for a Family migration visa
The guidance states that applicants should first make contact with the Home Office department for visas and immigration, UKVI, prior to making their application.
UKVI can be contacted at:
Telephone: +44 300 3032785 – select option 1 (0300 3032785 if you're in the UK – select option 1)
Saturday to Sunday, 9am to 5:30pm
Applicants will be required to provide contact details and information about themselves and their family member(s). UKVI will then assess each applicant's eligibility. Those that meet the criteria will be provided with the specific details of the application process.
After the application has been submitted, applicants will need to submit their biometric information in person, either by attending the new temporary office in the Lemberg Business Centre in Lviv (walk-in appointments are available) or by applying through a VAC in a nearby country such as Poland, Romania, Hungary or Moldova.
The Home Office advises that it is increasing capacity at VACs in cities within neighbouring countries to Ukraine, including Warsaw (Poland), Chisinau (Moldova), Bucharest (Romania), Budapest (Hungary), and a new pop-up VAC being set up in Rzeszow (Poland) for dependants of British nationals.
How much does the family migration visa cost?
There is no fee from the UK Home Office to make the visa application. However, applicants may have to pay for certain user services such uploading supporting documents at the VAC, although applicants can upload their documents before attending the VAC. User service costs should be checked with the VAC.
How long is application processing for the family migration visa?
The Home Office has pledged to process these applications within 24 hours of the date when the applicant enrols their biometric information.
What if you are not eligible for the family migration visa?
As applications cannot currently be made through a VAC in Ukraine, individuals who are not dependants of British nationals would need to travel to apply for a UK visa through a VAC in a nearby country.
Last updated: 1 March 2022


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Queensland teen attacked by croc to impress a girl says stunt left him in 'pure agony'
By 9NEWS
9:55am Mar 21, 2017
The Queensland teenager who was attacked by a crocodile on a dare has relived the "pure agony" he felt in the moments after the attack.
Lee De Paauw, 18, says he'd had about "ten cups of goon" with friends when he deliberately jumped into the Johnstone River at Innisfail early on Sunday morning, to impress "a beautiful backpacker" named Sophie Paterson.
He had been teasing a group of travellers by telling them crocodiles were more likely to attack a backpacker than an Australian, when he decided to prove his point and jump into the water.
The crocodile grabbed him almost immediately.
"(The crocodile) took me underneath the water, shook its head a bit, and I managed to get a good punch in on its eye, and then it let go and I swam back to the stairs," Mr De Paauw told The TODAY Show this morning.
The Queensland teen said he didn't feel any pain at first, but that didn't last long.
"I didn't feel no pain at first, it was all adrenalin, but afterwards when I walked up to the main street I was just in pure agony," he said.
"I couldn't stop screaming."
Ms Paterson said she "watched on in horror" as a three-meter crocodile suddenly latched onto the dare-devil's arm.
"I've never heard a guy scream like that," she told 9NEWS.
"There was a lot of blood, a lot of bone."
Lee De Paauw, 18, was attacked by a crocodile in the Johnstone River. (Facebook)
When TODAY host Karl Stefanovic asked Mr De Paauw if Ms Paterson was special to him, however, he seemed less than enthusiastic.
"She's not really, just another girl," he said.
"But she's really good looking and had been kind to me the night before."
The river is known for having a large crocodile population (AAP)
Ms Paterson has agreed to go to the movies with Mr De Paauw following the stunt, prompting his belief "it was all worth it".
He has been released from hospital, where he was treated for two broken bones and gauge marks, but added he will go back in later today for another procedure.
The crocodile that attacked Mr De Paauw is reportedly well known to locals. It's said to be around three metres long, and frequently swims around the boats ported along the Johnstone River.
A trap has been set up to catch it despite Mr De Paauw's wish for it to remain unharmed.
"I don't want that crocodile harmed. I want it to life a happy life," he said.
Read more: Police search for crocodile after spearfisherman's body found in far north Queensland
Property News: Sunny playground where the growth is only just beginning - domain.com.au


As we've told our readers, News of the Force has exclusively obtained a copy of the Report of Inquiry (S6889P) Civil Air Patrol, as the report of an investigation by the Inspector General of the Air Force. A copy of the report was obtained by NOTF under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
To the credit of the Air Force, our FOIA request was filed on Feb 15, and the report was received by us less than a month after it was requested.
According to the report, "This inquiry was directed by the Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF) in response to a complaint filed by [redacted]. The crux of the complaint is that the CAP's Board of Governors (BoG) violated their fiduciary duties, CAP's Constitution, By-laws, and regulations, and treated [redacted] in an unfair manner, primarily during the conduct and resolution of numerous CAP investigations into complaints made against [redacted]." From what NOTF has already learned, and reported on, the "redacted" information could only refer to former CAP National Commander Maj Gen Amy S. Courter.
The report then goes on to detail the governing bodies of the CAP and their responsibilities (the Board of Governors, the National Executive Committee & the National Board).
OF course, we'd like to know what the "redacted" words are, but this once again goes to show that many CAP members who do not read NOTF seem think that the CAP is all we report on. CAP Insights does that, but CAP stories are actually less than 1% of the news that NOTF provides, and 99% of those CAP stories that NOTF does report are actually "good" stories about the CAP and its activities.
The report goes into great detail about the CAP's governing boards, and their structure and regulatory authorities are quoted, but we will not go into all of that here. But one of the main issues pointed out in the report is that the BoG has existed for more than ten years, but most of the CAP's regulations still do not delineate the BoG's actual make-up and authority.
But it is also clear CAP has much work to do in the are of governance reform. Witnesses invariably pointed to the same factors which are hindering CAP. The first is that the CAP volunteer leadership structure is over-politicized, a byproduct of the way CAP selects its leaders. Competing factions have used CAP's IG system and have leaked internal CAP information to vocal bloggers to gain political advantage over rivals. This has tarnished the reputation of CAP's senior leaders and distracted the BoG from focusing on more strategic matters.
• Clarity roles & responsibilities of CAP's three main governing bodies – BoG, NEC & NB.
• Review process to remove CAP CC and CAP CV.
• Review composition of BoG & how members are selected/appointed.
• Clarify lines of authority and expectations between BoG, BoG Chairman, CAP/CC & NHQ Executive Director.
• Review appointment authority of CAP/CC in selecting NB/NEC & BoG members.
• Review procedures which ensure BoG, NEC & NB decisions and policies are properly codified in governing documents and regulations.
• Reconcile/codify authority of BoG over other CAP entities that currently are given 'final' say in CAP matters or that otherwise have ability to review BoG decisions.
• Thoroughly review CAP regulations for inconsistent, incomplete or conflicting guidance: CAPR 20-1, Organization of Civil Air Patrol, is dated 29 May 00 and does not reflect existence of BoG; CPR 35-7, Removal of National Commander or Vice National Commander, also predated BoG (1 Apr 97) & contains wording which differs from Article XV of CAP's Constitution & seems inconsistent with portions of CAPR 123-2, Complaints; AFI 10-2702, para 2, lists 9 'principal tasks' of the Bog' as described in Constitution and Bylaws & related governing documents, but these tasks are not found in Constitution & Bylaws or other documents.
• CAPR 123-2, paras 7.d. and 7.e. (5) give conflicting guidance regarding handling of IG complaints against CAP CC and CAP CV.
• Clarify language in CAPR 123-2, para 7.e. (5) regarding the BoG's/BoG Chairman's IG appointment authority to be consistent with para 6.a. (1) of CAPR 123-1, The Civil Air Patrol Inspector General Program.
• Evaluate process by which complaints against CAP senior officials are processed & resolved.
• Clarify roles of CAP's National Legal Officer & NHQ General Counsel.
• Clarify duties of CAP CV.
• Clarify term expiration's of BoG's Interested Organization appointees.
• Evaluate CAP's process for growing senior leaders.
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Once again, Civil Air Patrol has duped the United States Air Force just as was described by Lt Col Allan Stein in his 2005 autobiography Into the Wild Blue Yonder.


If you want to experience most of the nifty next-gen features Sony flaunted forPS4, you'll need to download a day-one update, according to the PlayStation Blog. The 300 MB patch (mysteriously numbered 1.50)is annoying though not unexpected, but one convenience will remain unavailable even after installing it: suspending and resuming games.
It's meant to make PS4 titles as easy to pick up and put down as a mobile game: you simply suspend the game when you want to take a break for a while, putting the system in a low-power state, and resume it almost instantly when ready to start again.
Sony plans to say more about upcoming PS4 features in the near future.


What is Darija? It is the dialect of Morocco, used a lot even if the official language is Arabic. If you travel to Morocco you will only hear Darija. This guide is packed with more important words and phrases and above all you can hear the sound of the word or phrase in Darija. This application contains the corresponding translations in Arabic, Italian, English and French. This allows most people from different countries to benefit from the application. The app is already packed with elements, but we're happy to provide you with a comprehensive guide soon, update after upgrade.
Words and phrases translated into Moroccan dialect from Arab,Italian,English,French.


Epic trekking through the remote mountains of Bhutan.
What I liked about travelling with Mountain Kingdoms was that their client wellbeing is paramount, their long standing relationship with BTCL ensured a totally trouble free trip and the quality of hotels outside the trek. Thank you all for making the Gangkar Punsum trip such a memorably fantastic one. May our next adventures be so fortunate.
I just wanted to say a big thank you for our Bhutan adventure. Truly a trip of a lifetime for all of us. I have really enjoyed looking at the photos and recounting all the tails to friends and family...All have been stunned by the scenery and the beauty of Bhutan.
Gangkar Punsum at 7,550m/24,770ft is the highest mountain in Bhutan and also happens to be the highest unclimbed peak in the world. It sits astride Bhutan's northern border with Tibet and the mountain and surrounding region has received very few visitors. This exciting trek is a thrilling exploration of the largely unexplored mountains and valleys on the southern side of Gangkar Punsum.
Driving to the Bumthang valley in central Bhutan you trek north out of the valley through wild country to the base of Gangkar Punsum, with time to explore the remote Zhigeyphu valley, an incredibly beautiful valley which few westerners have ever seen, let alone explored. You have two full days to investigate and enjoy this wild country and the fabulous views of Gankar Punsum, and perhaps even to hunt for the elusive 'yeti'. You then return to Bumthang by way of an exhilarating crossing of the largely untrodden Thole La Pass at 4,766m/15,537ft. Joining this extraordinary trek you will be a real pioneer and one of the very first to set foot in this magical region!
This is a tough trek and should only be attempted by clients in an excellent state of health and fitness. Having said this, it is an extremely worthwhile objective and you will be able to truly say that you have trekked to one of the very remotest parts of the Himalaya.
Fly to Paro. Drive To Thimphu.
Drive to Tongsa and on to Jakar.
Drive to Chumey and Tharpaling. Ridge walk and descend to Chumey Valley. Return to Jakar.
Trek to Bamurpa via Tsawuu and Shingo. Day trek from Bamurpa.
Trek to the Zhigeyphu Valley. Two days of exploration around the valley.
Trek to Tsho Shap. Visit Tsampa Monastery en route.
Cross the Thole La pass. Trek to Tashi Sa.
Trek to Chokchum and end trek at Dur. Drive to Jakar.
Fly to Paro. Walk to Taktsang Monastery and sightseeing in Paro.
On some of our most remote and longest treks you will be led by a Mountain Kingdoms Appointed Leader, often supported by a local guide. Your leader will be very experienced having led many of our trips across the globe and will often have a particular expertise in the region you are visiting.
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. The Shangri La is a comfortable 4 star hotel situated near the British Embassy. You may choose to eat here tonight or venture out into Thamel with its many bars and restaurants.
Day 3 - Fly to Paro. Drive To Thimphu.
Today you will fly to Paro. Particularly exciting is the flight through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing at the small airstrip at Paro. After receiving your Bhutan visas and meeting your guide and driver, you will make the two-hour drive on twisting mountain roads to the least visited of all Himalayan capitals, Thimphu. You should arrive around dusk and have time to wander the main streets before turning in early.
Day 4 - Drive to Tongsa, 2,200m/7,218ft - 7 to 8 hours.
Leaving the Thimphu Valley, you climb slowly up to the Dochu La, 10,000ft/3,000m, passing Simtoka Dzong, one of the earliest monastery/fortresses in Bhutan. From the pass on a clear day there are panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya, including Gangkar Punsum, the highest peak in Bhutan. The long descent from the pass takes you into the fertile valleys of Punakha and Wangdiphodrang.
Wangdiphodrang has a large monastery/fortress built in the shape of a sleeping bull. The first ruler of Bhutan, Nawang Namgyal had a vision that if he built it in this shape peace would come to the land. The Dzong built in the 1600's suffered a terrible fire in 2012 and is now in the course of being renovated. The road then begins the long climb over the Pele La, 11,000ft/3,350m. Some parts of the road are literally cut into the rock face and landslides are not unknown in this area. Then begins the long winding descent. The largest castle in Bhutan, Tongsa Dzong, can be seen for a long way off before you get there. This was the seat of power for the father of the first king of Bhutan, and it is tradition still that the Crown Prince becomes Tongsa Penlop (governor) before ascending to the throne.
Day 5 - Drive to Jakar in the Bumthang region, 2,560m/8,400ft - 3-4 hours.
From Tongsa you cross the Yotong La, 11,000ft/3,350m, and descend to the valley of Chumey in the heart of the famous Bumthang Yatha weaving region. Close to the 7th century Zugney Lakhang (temple) are two Yatha shops. The first shop has about 10-15 girls who do the spinning, dyeing and weaving. You then continue to the Bumthang Valley.
The Bumthang valley is one of the most sacred in the kingdom and innumerable legends surround the area. It is here that the kings are cremated and the present royal family trace their ancestry back to a famous saint called Pemalingma who was a smith in Jakar township. It is said that he discovered burning treasures at the bottom of a lake and that female heavenly spirits visited him encouraging Pemalingma to preach their contents around the country. It is said that whenever he spoke crystalline flowers appeared in the sky and dissolved as they drifted down to earth.
Day 6 - Drive to Chumey and Tharpaling. Walk along the ridge and down through the forest to Chumey Valley - 4 hours. Drive to Jakar.
Today you drive back to Chumey (around 1 - 1½ hours' drive) and up to the cluster of temples at Tharpaling - a sacred spot and place of meditation founded by Geluwa Lonchen Rabchampa (1308-1363) during his self-exile from Tibet for ten years. Several picturesque monasteries dot the hillside above the Chumey Valley with views over Domkhar (Chumey) and Domkhar Summer Palace. After a picnic lunch, you start the 4 hour walk along an old trail back towards Chumey. The path starts out beneath craggy cliffs, from where it climbs fairly gently up to the ridge top and reaches the Shutre Sae Pass at 3,700m/12,139ft. Sited on the pass in a glass case is a statue of the founder of Tharpaling. From here the views are phenomenal - looking south you can see over the Chumey/Domkhar Valley with the Black Mountains in the distance. The other way you get fabulous and unexpected views over Jakar town with the new airport runway and the dzong clearly seen far below. Beyond and further north, you can see towards the high mountains - perhaps even Mount Gangkar Punsum on a clear day.
You descend from the pass in beautiful forest, nearly all downhill. On the higher reaches, you pass through pine, fir and rhododendron forest. Eventually you reach the road again at a huge area of prayer flags where you will meet your transport and head to your hotel in Jakar around 40 minutes away.
Day 7 - Drive beyond Toktu Zampa to Tangbi, 2,640m/8,662ft. Trek to before Khakthang army camp, 2,834m/9,297ft - 5 1/2 hours.
It is a half hour drive from Jakar to Tangbi crossing the river on the suspension bridge. On arrival at Tangbi you will meet your trek crew, horsemen and horses. Exciting stuff as the lads start loading the animals with all the equipment, supplies and your main bags. Every journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step!
You begin your trek by following the left bank of the river through cultivated farmland and hamlets, following a rough jeep track. There are some beautiful examples of typical Bhutanese farmhouses, as well as one of two temples and water driven prayer wheels. In under 2 hours you come opposite Drapham Dzong. You will just make this out as ruined fortifications on top of a small hill. In recent years some archaeological work has been done here apparently. Just beyond here you cross the river on a foot bridge and then back track down the valley on the opposite bank to visit Nga Lahkthang, 2,786m/9,141ft. It is about half an hour back down from the bridge to the temple. Nga Lahkthang dates back to the 7th century when it was built by the lama Namkha Samdrup. There is a young man living here called Wangyal. Apparently his wife's family and her ancestors have looked after the temple since the 7th century. Wangyal married into the family, which like many Bhutanese families follow a tradition of passing the property down through the female line. This is a good place to have a picnic lunch.
You return to the bridge in half an hour and cross it, and carry on for another half hour to cross a small bridge to Nathe village. Just beyond here there is a large monastery quite high up on the hill. You are now beginning to leave civilization behind and entering into forest and jungle. In any case it's only another half hour to the camp situated before an interesting chorten with a tall prayer flag. This is a very short distance before the army camp.
The army camp is just a small post where people's permits are examined. At certain times of the year local people are given permits to travel further up the Chamkha Chhu valley to collect cordyceps. Collecting cordyceps is big business in the Himalaya! Basically, it is a caterpillar that is killed by a particular type of fungus and it is believed to have extremely potent medicinal properties. In Bhutan the traditional collecting grounds of cordyceps are carefully controlled, hence the small army post.
Day 8 - Trek to Gophu or Kuphu Camp, 3,276m/ 10,748ft - 7 hours.
If a camera trap was set last night you will probably have captured lots of pictures of horses. Hopefully you might obtain pictures of more interesting things higher up on the trek.
You are now walking through the most beautiful virgin forest alongside the noisy turbulent river constantly cascading down rapids. After 2 hours you come to a new wooden bridge at a river junction, 2,949m/9,659ft. You are basically gently ascending all day within a gorge that squeezes and squeezes. There are impressive rocky peaks and cliffs framed at the end of the valley. It is a great feeling to be out in the wild and away from human habitation. About 3 hours into the trek you come to a campsite called Tsho Zhow, further on there is a girder bridge and there are two rather smart wooden chalets behind a palisade fence. This is where the Royal Family stay before they climb up to the 'high route'.
Apparently there are some very special meditation temples at Chungge and Lungsipang. You have to have special permits to take this route, but in any case it would not be good for acclimatisation as it involves 1,500m of ascent.
Opposite the wooden chalets there are some very impressive cliffs and some short vertical cliffs on the left hand side with a swampy meadow. You will aim to camp at Gophu (sometimes called Kuphu).
Day 9 - Trek to Tsawuu, 3,849m/12,627ft, beyond Tsampa – 8 hours.
A stunning walk on the right hand side of the river with beetling cliffs and great roaring rapids. Parts of the trail are a bit boggy and slippery in a couple of places. The further up the trail you go the more impressive the facing cliffs become. After about 4 hours you come to a 'lake' where the river funnels into a very narrow slot forcing a lake to form. You might see ducks here. You are climbing up now through sloping meadows where you might encounter herds of yaks. Incidentally look out for any white yaks. They are thought to be 'lucky' and are more valuable than your common-or-garden black yaks! Finally you come to a three pronged valley junction. Off to your right is the last small army outpost and the valley leading to the Mon La Karchung La. This is the pass leading into Tibet that F.M. Bailey and Captain M.R.C. Meade crossed in 1922. It was their survey work from the top of the pass that fixed the height for Gangkar Punsum. The left prong of the valley leads further up to the source of the Chamkha Chhu River. Sitting on a shoulder of the mountain at this junction of rivers is a small and ancient temple. Two of the statues were recently donated by one of the queens of the 4th king.
The trees have all but disappeared by now and rugged mountains are a welcome site. You might want to visit the army camp to see the rough conditions that the soldiers live in on their two month tour of duty. From there it is a short distance to cross a wooden cantilevered bridge leading to the temple. It would be good to offer prayers here before continuing for another hour to reach camp at the small hamlet of Tsawuu some way beyond the junction which is called Tsampa.
It is not always possible to camp at Tsawuu in which case you may camp next to the river below the temple at Tsampa.
Day 10 - Trek to Shingo, 4,209m/13,808ft – 4½ hours.
To aid acclimatisation there are now two short days. The first to Shingo only takes 4½ hours. It is getting really exciting now and if the weather is clear you will see framed at the end of the valley the huge peaks on the Tibetan border. Leaving camp you soon plunge back into the forest and shortly climb for quite a long way uphill. Eventually you come to a 'shoulder' with prayer flags and an old square chorten (30 mins from camp). Shortly after this there is a 'yak gateway'. Local people build these either from stone and timbers and/or felled trees to keep the yaks from straying too far. The trees now give way to open hillside and you traverse for some way even descending a little to meet the river again. Rounding a corner you come to a large meadow with four yak herder huts. This is Gewathang (1 hour 10 mins from camp). You should meet very friendly, shy people who will be astonished to see these strange foreigners!
From here you cross a meadow and enter an enchanted forest. Very pretty indeed. Perhaps it is another half hour to a second yak gate. You are nearly out of the forest again and there is some proper boulder hopping through rhododendron and juniper. More herds of yaks for sure. After 2½ hrs you come to another group of four to five yak huts called Shewwa, 3,905m/12,812ft. Another 30 mins and you come to a third yak gate. After 4 ½ hrs you arrive at Shingo having traversed a long way under some seriously impressive rock cliffs on your right hand side. The river is now your close companion again on your left. At Shingo there are another four stone/wooden huts.
It is interesting that there is a strong tradition with all the local people that they take all their herds of yaks to the topmost pastures in the summer months. Each family knows its own particular yak huts and the area their yaks are allowed to graze. In the autumn they move downwards in an orderly way, each family moving down on certain dates to avoid their herd of yaks having fights with other herds of yaks.
At Shingo hot washing water can be organised for the shower tent and washing clothes or you might like to go on short walks to explore the locality.
Day 11 - Trek to Bamurpa, 4,490m/ 14,730ft - 4 hours.
There are now some astounding views of the peaks at the head of the valley. The biggest of these is Melunghi Gang 7,000m/22,965ft. A Japanese expedition requested permission to climb this peak but were refused. It still remains unclimbed.
Another thankfully short day all of which aids acclimatisation, just 4 hours to Bamurpa. Leaving camp there is an easy angled rise to some prayer flags on a shoulder 10 mins from camp. You then drop down to the river and begin to turn the slight right hand corner keeping to the right of the stream. The trees have all disappeared now and there are easy grass slopes, boulder fields, wild azalea, stunted juniper and carpets of bright blue gentians. 20 mins from the prayer flags you come to another yak gate and beyond it more prayer flags. The Chamkha Chhu valley is spread out below you and hemmed in by grey granite peaks, steep mountain sides, rock gullies and enticing side valleys. The main river is still a powerful torrent and joined here and there by side streams. Autumn colours add to the beauty. You may well see herds of Blue Sheep here.
After 25 minutes you come to another set of four or five yak herder huts with buildings both sides of the river. You reach another yak gate after half an hour beyond this after climbing a slope. The next set of yak herder huts at Cedi is half an hours walk ahead. Beyond there again after half an hour you come to two rock boulder enclosures. We imagine these are for keeping animals safe at night.
Having turned the corner you are now heading directly up the valley towards the wall of snow and ice at the end. After a bit of boggy land you come to Bamurpa. This is a large flat area with a meadow the size of half a dozen football pitches, just away from the river with again three or four yak herder huts. The impressive rock peaks here have serrated tops with occasional leaning towers and unusual tottering pinnacles.
Another afternoon to rest and relax, or look for an interesting place for the camera trap. If it is a clear night spend a little time before turning in to do a bit of shooting star spotting.
Day 12 - Explore to beyond Buurtsam - possible max altitude 4,800m/15,750ft - and return to Bamurpa - 6 hours.
With a long slow ascent to altitude you should be nicely acclimatised, and today you can make an exploration right up towards Melunghi Gang. You should reach an altitude of around 4,900m/16,000ft. As far as we know our 2014 group were the first Brits to set foot in this area. There are no records but we think only the American mountaineering expedition in 1985 have been up here before us. There were rumours of a USA company, Geo Adventure, but no one is quite sure what they did.
You will get your first views of Gangkar Punsum as you just see parts of the summit ridge off to the west. You will also see a string of beautiful peaks running off to the east towards the Mon La Karchung La.
First thing in the morning you will probably hear Himalayan Pheasant not far from camp, and during the day you may well see large birds of prey cruising the thermals and even smaller falcons hovering on ridges. You should see Blue Sheep again with luck.
For this day we suggest walking up the right hand side of the river. There are only indistinct occasional paths and you just have to follow your nose. On a previous expedition, Steve Berry's group made the mistake of traversing the right hand slopes quite high above the valley floor. They found this to be slow hard work and it would probably be better to stay closer to the river and head straight for the moraine. Their high point was on the crest of part of the moraine at a height of 4,800m/15,750ft. However, if you make faster progress than they did you could certainly go on further from here if time and energy allowed.
If you do follow up beside the river you will eventually come to Buurtsum, a group of about six stone house/yak herder huts in a dilapidated state with no roofs.
Certainly you should be rewarded with very up close and personal views of Melunghi Gang and its neighbours. You look down on huge glaciers, and straight ahead at extremely steep and frighteningly difficult looking mountain sides. A magnificent day!
Day 13 - Trek to Zhigeyphu Valley, 4,994m/16,384ft - 5 hours.
Zhigeyphu valley is an incredibly beautiful region that very few westerners have ever seen, let alone explored. The main valley system leads almost directly towards Gangkar Punsum and on the western side of the region is a line of mountains beyond which we know lies the Mangde Chhu valley system. In 1986 Mountain Kingdoms' M.D. Steve Berry led a British expedition to try and climb Gangkar Punsum and their approach to the mountain was up the Mangde Chuu. When Steve and companions went back in 2014 they had hoped to perhaps find a connecting pass from Zhigeyphu valley through to the Mangde Chuu side. The one pass they did reach (the closest to Gangkar Punsum) did not provide a viable route through but there are four or five other 'passes' that could be explored to see where they lead.
There is so much to do but the first thing having reached your base camp in Zhigeyphu valley is to climb one of the adjoining ridges that will give you a very fine overview of the area. In any event, today is all about getting to the base camp at a place called Zhigeyphu. It is not a long day only 4 or 5 hours, but it feels like quite a long uphill climb.
Leaving camp you first have to wade across the river. This is not too difficult but cold! You then walk the short distance back down the river to the yak huts opposite Bamurpa. From here sandy zigzags lead up the front of a ridge to prayer flags. The path then starts to traverse into the upper reaches of Zhigeyphu valley. After about 2 hours you come to some more yak herder stone houses (724m/15,500ft) and another hour on from here you come to the top of a rise (4,916m/16,130ft). Just ahead of you there are more prayer flags and a 'pass' (approximately 5,000m/16,500ft). This really is the true 'entrance' to Zhigeyphu valley. Just down from here is a very nice campsite next to three yak herder huts and three enclosures. If the weather is clear you have the most extraordinary view of Gangkar Punsum.
Day 14 - Explore Zhigeyphu Valley.
Ask your guide to wake you early for dawn views of Gangkar Punsum. Spectacular! To your north there are a rounded series of ridges and climbing to the top of the ones immediately north of camp will provide extremely valuable acclimatisation and give you an overview.
From your base it's about 45 mins slowly uphill to the first cairn, 5,184m/17,008ft, and is then a long slow but gradual uphill hike to the top of the ridge. This will take you a further 35 - 45 mins. Hopefully the set of prayer flags and chortens that we built in 2014 are still there. The top of the ridge forms a sort of 'corner' and has a height of 5,421m/17,785ft. The views from here are both breath-taking and humbling. Childlike excitement might be what you experience at this point at the thought of so much beautiful country to explore. From here, assuming a clear day of course, you can see the various possible 'passes' that might lead through to the Mangde Chuu valley system to the west. You will also be able to pick out at least eleven lakes scattered throughout Zhigeyphu valley and there are almost certainly more than that hidden away in corners of the region as a whole. Strangely you occasionally see two or even three lakes next to each other each one with a different colour. Strange but true!
Worth mentioning here are the incredible 'hard' mosses, lichens, strange plants, and stunted ferns that cover the hillsides here. Truly extraordinary and beautiful. Some of the large mosses are so hard you can stand on them!
Descending from your high point you can actually keep over to the western edge of the ridge you are on and drop down to the obvious huge circular turquoise lake. This must be a holy place as there are several lots of prayer flags around the edge of the lake, the main group being quite elaborate. There is a local legend that says a mermaid lives in the lake. Another legend tells how in the sixteen hundreds there was an intelligent raven living near Gangkar Punsum who, seeing a Tibetan army gathering to attack Bhutan, flew to Bumthang and warned the Bhutanese of their danger. The Raven Crown that the kings wear on ceremonial occasions is connected with this legend. From here it is less than two hours back to camp.
Day 15 - Further exploration in Zhigeyphu Valley.
So many options, so little time! You could for instance attempt to hike to the top of the obvious rocky mountain south of the camp. Our 2014 party felt sure it could be done in a day with an early start. Alternatively you could explore one of the side valleys, or indeed have a look at some of the 'passes' that might possibly lead through to the Mangde Chuu valley. No doubt a democratic planning meeting on the evening of day 14 will have focused your ambitions. Remember to allow plenty of time to get back to camp before dark, but in any case pack a head torch just in case.
In 2014 Steve Berry and party reached a high col, nearest to Gangkar Punsum, and it was here that the Bhutanese Guide Karma Tenzing spotted the strange set of tracks that are pictured later in this itinerary. Do watch 'Footsteps in the Snow' on our website for a detailed explanation!
Day 16 - Trek to clearing in forest beyond the Shingo Bridge, 4,072m/13,358ft - 5½ hours.
A sad farewell has to be made, and your back has to turn on this beautiful place. Amazingly it only takes about 2 hours to drop back down to the yak herder huts next to the river. However, instead of crossing the river it is best to stay on the right hand bank going down. You may stop for lunch opposite Sedi. Incidentally just after leaving camp and at the prayer flagged 'pass' look out to the distant mountains on the horizon with binoculars to spot an amazing rock tower. Most unusual! Bigger at the top than at the bottom. Quite bizarre! About an hour on from lunch you come to the main bridge across the river and just down from that is the campsite in a clearing.
Day 17 - Trek to Tsampa. Visit monastery. Camp by river, 3,720m/12,205ft - 3½ hours.
A nice short easy day down to Tsampa. 15 minutes from camp you come to a yak gate and after that three yak huts and enclosures in a large clearing next to the river. This is a further half hour from the yak gate. Just 20 mins on from here there is a place where sulphurous water bubbles up from the ground. It is marked by a prayer flag and there is a silver mug left beside the bubbling water for people to drink the efficacious waters. After this there is a short uphill to a gulley with a stream and immediately afterwards another yak gate. 40 mins on from here you come to more yak huts where the lady of the house might like to sell you some hand woven belts. Another hour and a half down through the forest and you will arrive at Tsampa, where you might like to visit the monastery again. Dropping down from here it is just a few mins to cross the river by a substantial bridge and make camp in a clearing next to the river.
Day 18 - Trek to Tsho Shap, 4,420m/14,501ft - 5½ hours.
Leaving camp you climb up to join the track that will eventually take you over the Thole La pass. Having joined the main trail you now have a steep set of zigzags uphill, next to some impressive cliffs. Looking out and back you can see the army post, the valley leading to the Mon La Karchung La and the temple. Carry on steeply uphill and eventually you come out above the tree line and traverse a stunningly beautiful V valley with some beautiful peaks at the end, the main one of which looks like a castle out of Mordor. This is the essence of Bhutan and you will almost certainly meet local people and their yaks. Previously, Steve's group met a pair of Tibetan lamas who had crossed illicitly from India into Bhutan and were trying to make their way into Tibet. This is a lovely walk up the right hand side of the valley with lots of autumn colours and many of the hillsides completely swathed in rhododendron. Flocks of rock pigeon have acrobatic fun and we called them 'the Red Sparrows'!
After 2½ hours you come to a col with one ruined house and two enclosures, 4,090m/13,418ft. Less than 2½ hrs further on you come to three yak herder huts and prayer flags and the valley turns left here. It is only then another 40 mins to come to the magical camp next to the edge of the lake of Tsho Shap.
Day 19 - Cross the Thole La pass, 4,766m/15,637ft. Trek to Tashi Sa just beyond Labrong, 4,117m /13,506ft - 6 hours.
A big day! To our certain knowledge 'foreigners' have never been this way, and it is a real thrill to have this place to yourself. Again stunning scenery and all the pleasure of achieving the crossing of a high pass. Firstly, boulder hop to cross the stream issuing from the lake (take care as early in the morning the rocks can be icy). You then follow a vague path along the side of the lake at the far end of which is a single yak herders hut. From here it is a steep climb to the Thole La, but only 2 hrs from camp and if you are lucky enough to have a clear day, the views are outstanding. From the pass if you have a map and a good compass you can pick out the peak of Kula Kangri in Tibet. This is the other huge peak that sits behind Gangkar Punsum. Turn round and you are basically looking south over Bhutan. Ahead and below you is a huge valley with a river in the bottom which disappears in the distance. This is the way you are now heading. However just look to the west and you can just pick out a zigzag path the locals say leads through to the hot springs at Dur Tsachu.
Reluctantly you now leave the pass and follow the path diving steeply down to the floor of a huge valley. It is some 427m/1,400ft of descent. At the bottom of the descent there is a deserted yak hut which makes a good picnic venue.
From lunch you follow the river on its left hand side going down past huge grey granite mountains on either side. On the first rock face on the right hand side is perched a huge balanced tower of rock and having gone past and looking back it sort of disappears into the face and can no longer be picked out. Again the path is boggy in places and there are a couple of places where it is easier to bolder hop down the shallow stream bed. Incidentally, always keep your eyes open for interesting or unusual animal prints. It was around here where we came across some bear prints, but up in Zhigeyphu valley we saw some very clear prints that must have been a snow leopard or even perhaps a tiger. Good possibilities of spotting Blue Sheep in this area. About 5½ hrs from camp you come to the bridge at Labrong. Cross this but continue to traverse down the hillside for another half hour to a place called Tashi Sa. As you traverse this path on the mountainside it doesn't seem possible that there is a campsite but it is 'hidden'.
Day 20 - Trek to Chokchum, 3,247m/10,652ft - 6½ hours.
From camp it is about 45 mins back down into the jungle to reach the junction. If you were to turn right here it would take you to Tsochenchen, then over the Dhule La, down to the hot springs at Dur Satchu, and from there on to Gangkar Punsum Base Camp on the Mangde Chuu side. However you are now on your way out back down to Bumthang and 20 minutes from the junction you come to a bridge. From here it is about 2½ hours to Kurzang's rather muddy campsite which you will pass by. There is a wooden shelter there. Further on down there is a riverside cliff path and 5 hours from camp you reach the main bridge that takes you to the other side. It is then about an hours steep slog up through the forest to get to the camp at Chokchum. This is a clearing high up on the right hand side of the river.
Day 21 - Trek to Dur, 2,700m/8,858ft - 4 hours. Drive to Jakar.
The last of your fifteen days on trek and your tired legs will be looking forward to a rest and the thought of a bath and a comfortable bed to sleep in is somewhat attractive. Be aware there are some famous mud sections though it is always possible to bypass the worst of it. Don't let me put you off. This is still a good and interesting walk through prime untouched forest with one or two fantastic sections next to the river. Eventually 'civilization' begins to appear. You see fields, meet people and encounter proper paths and houses. At Dur there is a suspension bridge and on the other side a large chorten. We recommend you do at least three Koras to thank the gods for your safe return. Then congratulations all round are in order and if you are lucky the boys with the bus have brought some beer and sandwiches. It is now time to make some speeches and hand out tips to your cool, hardworking gang of Bhutanese staff and horsemen. Then all that remains is a half hour drive to the lodge in Jakar.
Day 22 - Fly to Paro.
Today you take the internal flight from Bumthang to Paro. On arrival at Paro airport you will be met and taken to your hotel. There may be time today to see the some of the treasures from Bhutan's National Museum. The Museum itself was closed following the earthquake in 2011, and many of the artefacts and displays were temporarily housed in a nearby building. Hopefully the main building will be open in due course.
If for any reason the flight is cancelled we have allowed enough time to drive back to Paro in time to catch the flight back to Kathmandu.
Day 23 - Morning walk to view Taktsang Monastery. Afternoon at leisure.
A short drive beyond Paro town takes you to the trailhead for the walk up to the famous 'Tiger's Nest', Taktsang Monastery. The monastery is perched some 600m/2,000ft up on a cliff overlooking the valley and was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is a steep uphill walk through woods, of about 1½-2hrs, to reach a tea house (an ascent of 340m/1,115ft.) Apart from offering welcome refreshment this tea house is one of the principle viewpoints of Taktsang, and those that prefer not to climb any further can relax here whilst others continue on. If there is a particular religious gathering or VIP visit in progress, you will not be able to enter the monastery but the further half an hour's ascent is well worth it in any case, as it brings you to another viewpoint directly across from Taktsang. If you are able to make a visit, the final section of the walk takes you from here steeply down 100m/330ft into the gorge that separates you from the monastery and then climbs back up again to reach the monastery gate.
You descend back to the valley floor by your outward route. The full walk to Taktsang and back involves approximately 740m/2,428ft of ascent and takes about 4 hours.
In the afternoon you have time to relax and reflect on your adventures or for further sightseeing.
Day 24 - Fly to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel.
You will be transferred to the airport where you will bid farewell to your guide and driver. Then once again you will enjoy the sensational take-off and scenic Himalayan flight past Chomolhari, Bhutan's second highest peak, past Kangchenjunga and Everest back to Kathmandu, where you transfer to the Shangri La Hotel.
Day 25 - Fly to London.
...So may I say now that we were very well supported by Karma Tenzin, Lotay and their team (Dorji, Phub Tshering and Dophu) and, indeed, the horsemen from Dur. Cooperation throughout the trek was exemplary and created a very happy spirit for all concerned. The meals were terrific and Lotay's skill is remarkable, ensuring that supplies were used steadily throughout the trek and most supplies lasted to the final day... The whole experience seems to be 'thought through'; timings, logistics, acclimatisation, supplies, staffing all fit; most comforting. Best wishes and thanks for a splendid trip.
What I liked about travelling with Mountain Kingdoms was that their client wellbeing is paramount, their long standing relationship with their local agents ensured a totally trouble free trip and the quality of hotels outside the trek. Thank you all for making the Gangkar Punsum trip such a memorably fantastic one. May our next adventures be so fortunate.


Now if anyone has come across the Golden Desert Coin Quest,. this will allow you to find the quest location as fast as possible. Fourth,.
This page is a finding aid which lists all quests in the Blood and Wine expansion in a sortable table format. Browse 339 Coin Laundry and Laundromat Businesses for sale on BizQuest.
Chests costing 90, 170, or 250 coins to open are the smallest variety. Every time a player enters one of the five major areas, one Surprise Chest spawns in the area.For Sale: This Successful Woodland Coin Op Laundry has one of the Best Locations in the City of Woodland.The quests for receiving coins are reset from year to year. there will be Lunar Festival Elders spread around the world. When you do the elder quest,.Quest Throwing Away Money Location Winter Palace Related quests Wicked Eyes and.
He will trade players coins for several old quest items from both Shilo Village and Zogre Flesh.
Many Old School RuneScape quests are a part of a series of quests that share a. Quest: Flipping the Coin Questgiver: Cinder-Tail Level: 22 Location: Redfur Trading Post Reward: Hollow Moon Cowl, 386 gold Note: Get the thief to the two chests on.For Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King on the PlayStation 2, Monster Arena FAQ by BNii. Coins until you. the location of the NPC that takes the coins.
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Q: Converting raster from WGS_1984_plate_carree to WGS_1984 in ArcGIS Desktop? I am a beginner using ArcGIS and I  downloaded a TIFF which is in WGS_1984_plate_carree coordinate system. This image covers all the world and in this coordinate system the extent goes from -180 (left) to 180 (right) and from -90 (bottom) to 90 (top). I need to convert it to WGS_1984 without changing its extent but when i try to convert it, using the project raster tool, i get this extent:
Top      0,000808483755708
Left     -0,00161696751142
Right    0,00161696751142
Bottom   -0,000808483755708
I know that plate carree is a projection while WGS_1984 is a geographic coordinate system but i don't know how to solve this problem


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reflections at the intersection of American history, religion, politics, and academic life
What happened in Gettysburg this weekend?
July 5, 2020 / johnfea
Jimmy, a friend of friends who works in a local ministry to drug and alcohol abusers, was in Gettysburg this weekend. Here, in his own words, is what happened:
Over the last 2.5 years, I have been in a group called "Be the Bridge." The goal of the group was to have meaningful conversations about race, racism, systemic racism, the Church's response to race, and racial reconciliation. My Dad and I (along with 2 other white guys) met with 4 Black guys each month to talk through these issues.
It was eye opening. It was challenging. I learned a lot about my own biases. I learned about the part I play in propping up systems that benefit white people. I learned about the systemic racism that plagues the U.S (throughout history and present day). I learned about what it takes to make important personal changes and become aware of my own cultural preferences. And, I learned about the strong theological basis for justice and racial reconciliation.
It left me with a strong desire to find tangible, everyday ways to fight for racial equality.
Yesterday, my Dad and I went down to the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial to meet with the Black guys from our group. The goal was to talk about how important it is to tell the truth about many of the Confederate monuments and to keep a clear focus on the goals of the Confederacy (which was the preservation of slavery).
We held some signs at three different monuments: North Carolina, Robert E. Lee, and Mississippi. These are important statues.
The North Carolina statue was made by a staunch supporter of the KKK, Gutzon Borglum (he also did Mount Rushmore). He famously said of the KKK, "I would do anything to serve them…"
Robert E. Lee's statue was chosen because of the "hero status" he embodies. But, Robert E. Lee was in charge of his wife's 189 slaves, beat and whipped them, and said of slavery, "The blacks are immeasurably better off here than in Africa, morally, socially & physically. The painful discipline they are undergoing, is necessary for their instruction as a race, & I hope will prepare & lead them to better things. How long their subjugation may be necessary is known & ordered by a wise Merciful Providence."
Mississippi was also chosen because of their article of succession. If you haven't read it, please read it here. The opening several lines are most key.
Scott (one of the members of our group and a history professor at a local College) led most of these discussions. Scott believes that the Confederate Monuments should remain at Gettysburg, but should tell the full story of the monuments and those represented. This is the reason we were in Gettysburg yesterday. This is important and worth reiterating: We were there to tell this critical part of history, so it wouldn't be forgotten or swept under the rug.
While we all remained civil, we were met with much hostility. At the Robert E. Lee statue, we arrived and were met by more than a dozen men in full tactical gear, holding AR-15s (none were park rangers or police). Several others were open carrying. As they surrounded us, many shouted racial slurs at Scott. These people said some of the following, "Go back to Africa!", "Why don't you just go back on welfare?", "F@&k you guys," "Have you ever picked cotton?", "You need to forget about slavery," "you're one of the dumbest people," and, to me and my Dad specifically, "You kind of white people make me sick." There were many more things said, as well as the "N" word.
At the end of our time, about 15 bikers pulled up to our group at the Mississippi statue and began circling our group (you can see this picture below). We decided it was safest to leave. These bikers followed us out of the battlefield, through Gettysburg, all the way until we got to a police barricade. While we were sitting at a red light, the bikers motioned to some guys (who had a confederate flag in the truck) and they came over to my car and told us to "Get the f&%k out of here" and motioned with their finger.
I share this experience because I think it's important to talk about these issues. That racism is still alive and well in our country. That the story of America has a lot of good parts and some really terrible ones, but we must tell it fully. That the church must be at the center of racial reconciliation. And we must stand up for and with those who have been marginalized and oppressed. It's a critical part of the gospel and following Jesus.
Gettysburg battlefield, July 4, 2020 (photo by Jimmy)
Please don't tell me that there is not a connection between Donald Trump's speech at Mount Rushmore on Friday night (or at the very least his general defense of monuments since the George Floyd protests) and what happened to Jimmy and his friends at Gettysburg this weekend. In fact, Jimmy said in a private exchange that much of the hostility came from self-professed "Christians" with Trump 2020 swag.
Peter Carmichael, the Robert C. Fluhrer Professor of Civil War Studies and Director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College, also visited the Gettysburg battlefield this weekend. If I understand things correctly, a member of his group carried a sign that read:"10,000 Black Slaves In Lee's Army #BlackLivesMatter."
Here is the poster that inflamed the passions of the militia pic.twitter.com/fSTsqbo8V4
— Peter Carmichael (@PeterCarmicha15) July 5, 2020
Carmichael and his group were confronted by what appears to be a white militia organization. Watch:
For what it's worth, I agree with everything Scott Hancock says in this interview with CNN's Michael Smerconish. It is worth your time:
Hancock, a professor of History and Africana Studies at Gettysburg College, is becoming an important voice right now. Listen to our interview with him in Episode 70 of The Way of Improvement Leads Home Podcast.
#ageoftrump, African American history, African Americans, Battle of Gettysburg, Black Lives Matter, Civil War, CNN, Donald Trump, George Floyd, Gettysburg, Gettysburg College, monuments, Peter Carmichael, race, race and religion, race in America, racism, religion and race, Robert E. Lee, Scott Hancock, Uncategorized, white supremacy
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World Holocaust Day 2023
The world is a darker place without the beacon of hope that was Queen Elizabeth II
Second year Level 1 ranking for Journal of Data Protection & Privacy
An inspiration to the world
David Peach on MNCs like Experian won't be showed any mercy under forthcoming GDPR
Genericcialis on Navroze Mubarak! A very happy New Year to everyone on this auspicious day.
Frank Bennett on Killing a few sacred cows?
Savan Kheni on My 'light bulb' moment on the GDPR
Mirian Shadem on Why BYOD in the workplace is such a bad idea
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'Team DPO' set to become the de facto way for monitoring compliance with the GDPR
April 13, 2017, EU General Data Protection Regulation, Henley Business School, Legal update, News No comments
Are you an organisation that's been on the hunt for a suitably qualified and trained Data Protection Officer (DPO) but have found it impossible to find one? You're not alone.
There's a shortage, not just in the UK, but across the European Union, with 12 months to go before the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is fully enforceable across all 28 Member States. The role of the DPO is at the heart of the new legal framework for data protection and privacy and facilitating compliance with the provisions of the GDPR. It's also mandatory to appoint a DPO under Art.37(1), GDPR in three specific circumstances:
Where the personal data processing is carried out by a public authority or body
Where the core activities of the Data Controller, Joint Data Controller, or Data Processor consist of processing operations that require the regular and systematic monitoring of Data Subjects on a large scale
Where the core activities of the Data Controller, Joint Data Controller or Data Processor consist of processing on a large scale of special personal data or personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences.
In the opinion of the UK Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, if you're wondering whether to appoint a DPO, then you should take the leap and appoint a DPO. Such an appointment will be a mitigating factor in your favour in the wake of a personal data breach and will be taken into account by the regulator.
Perhaps mindful that DPOs are a rare breed – a senior manager who has a combination of skills and training covering compliance, risk and technology – you may want to identify someone internally and ensure that they get the requisite training. This is certainly a more expedient and cost effective approach if the senior manager doesn't have a conflict of interest and can also walk that fine line between the internal culture of the organisation and maintaining an independent, objective and external focus.
Interestingly, the latest guidance published by Article 29 Data Protection Working Party (Art 29 WP) recognises that in many cases, an organisation may be best served by a 'Team DPO' provided by an external service provider. In such arrangements, a team of individuals may effectively carry out the tasks of a DPO (Art.39, GDPR) under the responsibility of a designated lead contact for the client organisation.
This could be an attractive solution given that with a little over 12 months to go, organisations need to crack on with putting in place technical and organisational measures and will require a DPO to help advise and consult on what should be done in order to comply with the GDPR. Critically, this will include interfacing with HR, legal, IT, security, sales and marketing and other functions where there's processing of personal data and special personal data.
The rule of thumb is that the more complex and/or sensitive the personal data processing operation, the more resources must be given to the DPO or Team DPO.
The monitoring of internal compliance with the GDPR is a big part of the job and in practical terms, this means Team DPO will need to:
Collect information to identify personal data processing activities
Analyse and check compliance of personal data processing activities
Inform, advise and issue recommendations to the Data Controller, Joint Data Controller or Data Processor in the exercise of their corporate responsibilities as well as advise the 'accountable individual' at Board level where such responsibilities can carry criminal sanctions under the GDPR.
A very important task is the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and the methodology best used to carry this out that's appropriate for the organisation. This will help to prioritise very high risks to the rights and freedoms of Data Subjects (customers, clients and supporters) and provide a pathway for mitigating those risks to residual risks within the risk appetite of the organisation.
This is now less of a tick box exercise but much more about taking a pragmatic approach in order achieve outcomes, known as the risk-based approach to data protection under the GDPR. And this applies to the Data Controller, Joint Data Controller and the Data Processor.
Underpinning all of this is training – both for the DPO or Team DPO as well as all staff processing personal data within the organisation.
Whether it's a managed service supplying the capability to fulfil the DPO function or whether it's in-sourced, Art 29 WP state in the current guidance note that continuous training is a requirement under the GDPR:
DPOs must be given the opportunity to stay up to date with regard to developments within the field of data protection. The aim should be to constantly increase the level of expertise of DPOs and they should be encouraged to participate in training courses on data protection and other forms of professional development, such as participation in privacy fora, workshops, etc.
For information about the GDPR Transition Programme at Henley Business School, click here.
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