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Dr. Monorisha Mukhopadhyay
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography
Phone/Mobile No: +91-9818939131
E-mail ID: mono.jnu@gmail.com
Geospatial study of population health and demographic behaviour, socio- economic and spatial inequalities of population attributes
Dr. Monorisha Mukhopadhyay has a B.Sc. in Geography from University of Calcutta, an M.A in Geography and an M. Phil. (2010) and Ph.D. (2015) in Population Geography from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She Joined Rishi Bankim Evening College (2018) as Assistant Professor having previously worked as Senior Research Officer with Collaborative Research and Dissemination and Lokashraya Foundation, New Delhi.
She is an early career professional who takes keen interest in both classroom teaching and research. Her research interests are largely interdisciplinary. Geography fascinates her as it always reflects the changing society and the subject also helps her explore other disciplines like economics, sociology, anthropology and political geography.
She also has keen aptitude on analyzing population policies and evaluation programmes. Dr. Mukhopadhyay has research publications in various reputed national and international journals, research report, monographs, chapter in edited volumes to her credit. She has actively participated in many national and international conferences and workshops. She is also a member of professional bodies like Institute of Indian Geographers
She has been awarded UGC-JRF in Population Studies. She is also skilled in GIS, SPSS, STATA and cartography.
Mukhopadhyay, M., 2017. "The determinants of low fertility in a developing country metropolis: The case of Kolkata" Indian Journal of Social Research, 58(6): 757-767
Mukhopadhyay, M, 2017. "Analysis of demand for children in Madhya Pradesh and its implication in population stabilization" Journal of Humanities and Social Science 22(6): 21-27
Kumar, Abhay and Mukhopadhyay, M. 2016, "Assessing the adequacy of health manpower in India" Working Paper Series No 1, Lokashraya Foundation, New Delhi
M. 2014, "Exploring the nexus between infant and child mortality and poverty" Paper in edited book "Population Resource and Development", Genuine Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, India
M., 2012. "Awareness of Reproductive Health among Adolescent Girls in India", Monograph, Lambert Academic Publishing AG & Co. KG, Saarbrücken, Germany.
George, A., Madhu Roy, and Mukhopadhyay. M., 2009. "Communities for children: Selected good practices in improving children's well-being through community participation" A study jointly published by Save the children and Public Interest Foundation, New Delhi.
Collaborative Research and Dissemination, New Delhi
February 2017- 14 th June, 2017 (4 months)
Actively involved in several projects; primarily in the project "Teaching Effectively All Children (TEACh)" done in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, UK. I had been involved in checking questionnaires, data cleaning and detailed data analysis largely with the help of statistical software like SPSS, STATA. Also steer headed the Project on Women Empowerment in Nutrition Index (WENI) done in collaboration with University of Austin, Texas and Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai. I had been a part of the research team who examined several datasets and attempted building an index. Also helped in supervising the interns.
Lokashraya Foundation, New Delhi
February 2016 – February, 2017 (12 months)
Involvement in all aspects of the in-house research projects including desk review, literature review, field work, data analysis, report writing.
Contribute to in-house publication of working paper series. Had been primary contributor to the working paper- "Assessing Adequacy of Human Resources in India's Healthcare System" and "A critical assessment of estimation of poverty and identification of poor in India". Dissemination of research findings; help in organizing seminars, workshops, lecture etc and contribute in institutional networking with other research organizations.
Digital Empowerment Foundation, New Delhi.
October 2015- January 2016 (4 months)
Was involved with desk research, framing of tools, data collation, data coding, data analysis largely with the help of statistical software like SPSS, base line data analysis and report writing. I had also I have been an integral part of drafting the report on 'Mobile for Social and Behavioral Change' in collaboration with UNICEF- India, which deals with mobile phone as a tool for empowerment in the verticals of education, civic participation and health initiatives.
December 2008- February 2009 (3 months)
Worked as a Research Assistant for Institute of Social Science. As part of the team was an integral part of drafting a document on "Children's Well Being" in collaboration with Save the Children-PIF. On this capacity helped in management and implementation of research activities; Undertaken research design, development of methodology, data collection instruments; and documentation of report.


Handmade gemstone spheres make these one of a kind pieces of wearable, decorative or architetural art truly unique. The sphere as a shape is an ancient and universal symbol that represents unity, completeness, infinity - the whole universe.
Lapis Lazuli Sphere "Extra" - SM4 - 2 3/8'' to 2 1/2"


FRENSHIP -- The Midland High boys soccer team defeated Wolfforth Frenship 5-2 in non-district action on Tuesday.
The Bulldogs (3-1) got two goals from Gus Ramirez, two goals from Alex VonHolle and a goal from Homero Vasquez.
Vasquez also had two assists for MHS plus assists from Allan Aguilar, Isaac Venegas and Nathan Bejil.
MHS will next play in the President's Cup this weekend at Grande Communications Stadium.The Bulldogs will play at 6 p.m. Thursday against Amarillo Tascosa.


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SpaceX Astronauts Took Baby Yoda to the ISS
For Wakata, who made his first flight to the ISS aboard a NASA Space Shuttle in 1996, the next mission will be his fifth, while Furukawa's mission to the space station will be his second after his first flight aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 2011.
Another Japanese astronaut, Akihiko Hoshide, 51, is expected to launch aboard the next Crew Dragon mission to the ISS in the spring to serve as commander, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said. The toy was floating and spinning across the crew as they have been leaving their house planet in SpaceX's Crew Dragon rocketship, named Resilience.
During the stay stream of the primary operational crewed mission of NASA and SpaceX, astronauts have been seen carrying a luxurious toy of "The Child" from the favored Star Wars spinoff sequence from Disney+, the Mandalorian.
Release Date and New Episode Plans
Princess struggles with memories of her traumatic past and tries to escape one way or another with the help of Ezekiel. In this, she said that the spinoff is kind of not imitating The Walking Dead both in substance or even form.
First Volume of The Mandalorian Season 2's Soundtrack Released
Substantial-tech seems and cinematic orchestras are infused into the natural and organic factors of these devices. You can listen or download to the full score of Chapters 1-12 through your proffered service here.
Ouverture du procès de Nicolas Sarkozy dans l'affaire des "écoutes" — France
Azibert pour l'aider à obtenir un poste à Monaco qu'il convoitait - et qu'il n'a jamais obtenu. Sarkozy, 65 ans, est le premier chef d'État de l'après-guerre jugé pour corruption.
Now, the "Baby Yoda" toy, which I think is the official one that Disney launched past year, was present there for a said goal alongside the Crew-1 astronauts, Victor J. Glover, Michael S. Hopkins, Shannon Walker, and Japan's Soichi Noguchi.
If you are unaware of a zero-G indicator, it is actually a prop to indicate that the astronauts have left the Earth's orbit and are experiencing zero gravity. Hence, the toy begins to drift within the air as quickly because the rocket reaches the objective the place there aren't any results of Earth's gravity.
So, if you think that The Child is there just for its cuteness, then I am afraid you are partially wrong.
Coronavirus vaccine first available in March, but won't be mandatory
Finally, Swaminathan touted Oxford-AstraZeneca's "heat-stable" vaccine candidate, and she hopes similar vaccines are forthcoming. AstraZeneca said it is looking at a capacity of up to three billion doses of the vaccine in 2021 pending regulatory approval.
Microsoft employees can work from home (or anywhere) forever
Moreover, Hogan said that, in terms of work hours, work schedule flexibility is now considered standard for most roles. Some staff will be allowed work from home all of the time, if they get approval from managers.
Russian destroyer 'aggressively' approaches USA warship in Sea of Japan
However, Russia said it caught the USA guided-missile destroyer operating illegally in its waters, Reuters reported. First, more competition around potentially contested environments.
BTS Light Up AMAs 2020 With 'Life Goes On', 'Dynamite'
Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. I think it will be announced early in the morning. "I hope there will be fantastic news", said RM.
Covid-19 vaccine could be given out before Christmas
AstraZeneca said 20 million doses could be available by the start of next year - with four million already waiting for use. Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccines use very similar technology, while AstraZeneca uses a different approach.
Eta Aquarids: Watch Halley's Comet's 'Meteor Shower' peak in night skies
If you're in Australia, then you're in luck, as that's apparently at the most beneficial angle to see the shower in full force. It should still be possible to see a "shooting star" here and there for those viewing from May 1 to 3 during pre-dawn hours.
Melia stars as Kansas City book MLS Cup playoff clash with Minnesota
It was just the second career playoff goal for Wondolowski , who has an MLS-record 166 goals in the regular season. Sporting appeared to have a game-winner with Gianluca Busio's strike one minute into second-half stoppage time.
COVID-19 rapid tests deployed to some Ontario hospitals, long-term care homes
That's according to the provincial government, who says that 98,000 of the rapid, ID NOW tests have already been received. Ford said the tests are in addition to 150 pharmacies and 174 assessment centres offering testing across the province.
Independent Autopsy Confirms Quawan Charles Died By Drowning
Charles was reported missing from his home in Baldwin on October 30 and was found dead four days later near Loreauville. Investigators are still awaiting the teen's final autopsy results, as well as a toxicology report, Romero said.
Mortal Kombat 11 Movie Skin Pack Calls Back to the Klassic
You can see three polaroids in the embedded tweet from Boon below , showing off alternate costumes for Raiden, Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade.
Yemeni Forces Hit Saudi Aramco Site in Jeddah: Military Spokesman
The Saudi-led coalition says it intercepts many attacks, and has responded with air strikes on Houthi-held territory. The strike had been carried out in response to the Saudi-led coalition's actions in Yemen, he said.
Cyberpunk 2077 fuite à deux semaines de sa sortie
Il y a quelques semaines de cela, Łukasz Babiel révélait par exemple avoir obtenu le trophée platine du jeu sur PlayStation 4. Des upgrades vers les versions next-gen (PS5 et Xbox Series) seront proposés gratuitement par la suite.
Les mineurs vont reprendre — Allocution Emmanuel Macron
Il a également considéré que les stations de ski ne rouvriraient probablement pas avant janvier. Matignon se donnait " une dizaine de jours " pour annoncer sa décision.
Kristen Stewart weighs in on straight actors portraying LGBTQ+ characters
"I would never want to tell a story that really should be told by somebody who's lived that experience", she told Kate Aurthur. There are ways for men to tell women's stories or ways for women to tell men's stories.
Waqar Younis expects tight contest between India and Australia
India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan posted a picture on social media where he is seen sporting a "new jersey" for the upcoming limited-overs series against Australia .
AstraZeneca, Oxford vaccine produces strong immune response
Pittsburgh is one of more than 100 trial sites for the vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford. "We need more time". Another dosing regimen showed 62% efficacy when given as two full doses at least one month apart.
Pennsylvania adds 6,669 new covid-19 cases
The Bureau, Putnam and Marshall County Health Departments on Tuesday reported two COVID-19-related deaths in Bureau County. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.
Trade department's Brexit soy sauce price cut claim prompts backlash
The department for global trade double-down, responding: "Under World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms, the tariff on soya sauce is 6 per cent".
941 cases of COVID-19 in B.C., 29 in Northern Health
British Columbia reached a grim milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic today (Nov. 24) with 941 new cases recorded in a single day. In addition, six new healthcare outbreaks have been declared including one in Northern Health.
Leduc's Kaitlyn Bristowe crowned Dancing with the Stars champion
The night ended with a three-way tie for the top spot on the leaderboard with Nev , Kaitlyn , and Justina all scoring ideal 60s. Fans voted from home all night long and the votes were combined with the judges scores to determine the victor .
Klopp backs misfiring Firmino: He plays 12 instruments in our orchestra
Scoring goals is always important for Bobby, but he is a complete footballer and I am not concerned about anything with him. A number of Liverpool fans have been wowed by footage of Diogo Jota's superb team goal against Leicester City .
How to leverage trade to fight and recover from COVID-19
After signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), China will see the China-Cambodia free trade agreement take effect at the earliest and accelerate investment agreement negotiations with Europe, Zhong said in a signed article published Tuesday in the People's Daily.
Rugby. Décès de Chistophe Dominici
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FDA sets December 10 meeting to discuss Pfizer`s vaccine authorization bid
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Real Madrid : Antonio Conte pas tendre avec les Merengue
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Baylor MBB will not participate in Empire Classic
Football Association to Probe Preston's Fisher Grabbing Sheffield's Paterson Genitals During Game
Tree of Life: Charles Darwin notebooks 'stolen' from Cambridge University
Hal Ketchum, "Small Town Saturday Night" Singer, Dead at 67

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Tag Archives: african union
CAR (Centrafrique)
Does Djotodia's resignation matter in Central African Republic?
With the resignation of the Central African Republic's president Michel Djotodia over the weekend, the country has its best chance to transcend the violence of the past month — though with grave questions about future Christian-Muslim relations and the CAR's ability to move forward with any truly secure, representative government.
When French troops arrived in Bangui, the country's capital, in early December, their mission was immediately more difficult than the French mission earlier in 2013 in Mali to stabilize the interim government and rid northern Mali of foreign forces that controlled much of the northern two-thirds of Mali. Instead, French troops were inserting themselves into an entirely homegrown fiasco — the country's post-independence record on rule of law, security and democracy is one of the worst (and most tragic) in all of sub-Saharan Africa.
Djotodia, as the leader of the Séléka coalition, pushed François Bozizé out of office in March 2013 — Bozizé himself came to power in 2003 in a putsch of his own, pushing Ange-Félix Patassé out of the centrafricaine presidency and organizing elections to ratify his position in 2005 and again in 2011. Djotodia's Séléka coalition, which attracted Muslims, but also many Patassé loyalists (Djotodia himself was a former civil servant in the Patassé regime) and a healthy majority of the country's northern population.
Initially, Djotodia's selection of Nicolas Tiangaye as prime minister was a strong sign that his new government would actually attempt to unite the country — Tiangaye, a human rights attorney with links to both Bozizé and the Séléka coalition, had a strong record as someone who could unite both rebel and government forces.
But Djotodia, the CAR's first Muslim president, had a difficult time uniting the country that he spent years dividing, even after his formal inauguration as interim president in August 2013 and after officially disbanding the Séléka coalition in September 2013. Dismantling the Séléka rebels, in fact, may have cost him his sole substantial platform, and it left Djotodia's forces staggering to fight off the newly formed 'anti-balaka,' largely Christian militia that opposed his rule. As a Muslim president and a relatively lesser-known figure throughout the CAR, Djotodia didn't bring with him any natural base to the presidency, except the Muslim population in the northeastern corner of the country, which amounts to just 10% of the population. Each of the two main centrafricaine ethnic groups, the Banda of the east-central heartland of the country, and the Gbaya in the western third of the country, mistrusted Djotodia from the beginning.
What's more, Djotodia and Tiangaye soon found themselves at odds over the country's future, depriving the country of one of its most thoughtful and careful leaders (Tiangaye himself stepped down as prime minister on Friday as well).
Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet, previously a member of the National Council for Transition (NCT), will serve as acting president until the NCT selects a new president. Nguendet recognized Djotodia's presidency shortly after Séléka troops overran Bangui. Nguendet was quick to call an end to the anarchy, imploring an end to fighting between Muslim and Christian groups, and it's a strategy that just might work — French and African Union troops have worked for the past two months to keep the violence as minimal as possible. That hasn't stopped over 1,000 deaths in December alone and the internal displacement of nearly 500,000 people, but it has prevented the kind of genocide or massacre that the international community worries might otherwise have resulted. The anti-balaka rebels listed Djotodia's resignation among their chief demands, so there's a solid chance that the CAR can retreat from the worst of last month's fighting.
Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the United Nations, and a proponent of liberal interventionism on humanitarian grounds, even made a trip to the Central African Republic on December 19 (pictured above), demonstrating how seriously the US government is taking the crisis. Though the United States has ruled out sending troops to central Africa, they have pledged to assist the 1,600-strong French military force already there. Notwithstanding Power's humanitarian concerns, the United States has cause to worry that a militant Muslim minority could transform an anarchic CAR into a staging ground for terrorism — and to foment unrest throughout central Africa, west Africa and the Sahel. Continue reading Does Djotodia's resignation matter in Central African Republic? →
african unionanti-balakabozizeCARcentrafricainecentrafriquecentral african republicchaddebydjotodiaFrancenguendetpatasseselekaseleka coalitiontiangaye
Madagascar holds long-awaited election, prepares for December runoff
October 29, 2013 Kevin Lees	1 Comment
Though the main actors in Malagasy politics have all been barred from running in Madagascar's presidential election, they still found a way to overshadow the actual candidates in the country's October 25 election.
Results are still trickling in four days after the vote, but with just over 25% of all votes counted, it seems almost certain that the race will head to a December 20 runoff between the top two candidates.
That the vote actually went forward four years after a political coup marks significant progress for Madagascar, which has been trapped in a political and economic crisis since 2009. With a new constitution in place, however, the new president will hopefully close the door on the turmoil that began with the March 2009 coup that brought opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, then the mayor of Madagascar's capital of Antananarivo, to power. Rajoelina replaced Marc Ravalomanana, first elected president in 2002 and reelected overwhelmingly in 2006, following widespread riots over economic conditions, sparking concern from throughout the world, including donor countries like France and the United States.
The country has been essentially transitioning toward last weekend's presidential election ever since. Finally scheduled for July 24, the election was postponed to August 23 and, again, to October after repeated delays and clashes among Madagascar's constitutional court, the electoral commission and the Rajoelina administration.
Last year, the European Union and the African Union brokered a deal whereby both Rajoelina and Ravalomanana agreed not to recontest the presidency, which appeared to clear the way for 2013 elections. But when former first lady Lalao Ravalomanana declared her own candidacy, Rajoelina declared his candidacy as well, arguing that Ravalomanana's wife was a sly stand-in for the former president. For good measure, former president Didier Ratsiraka, who brings an additional set of baggage to Malagasy politics, threw his hat in the ring as well.
Over the summer, however, Madagascar's electoral court banned all three candidates — Rajoelina, Ravalomanana and Ratsiraka — thereby clearing the way for an entirely new administration relatively untainted by the personal failures of the three men who have governed Madagascar for all but five of the past 38 years.
Among the 33 candidates in the first round, two candidates seem poised to face off in the runoff, and unsurprisingly, they are the two candidates who are supported by both Rajoelina and Ravalomanana.
The first is Jean Louis Robinson (pictured above with Lalao Ravalomanana), a physician who previously served as Ravalomanana's health minister, who leads with 26.32% of the current vote total. He has benefitted from the full support of both Ravalomanana and his spouse during the campaign, and his campaign platform involves returning to an updated Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) that Ravalomanana tried to implement in the mid-2000s.
The second is Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Rajoelina's finance minister between 2009 and 2013, who is in second place with 15.16%. Though Rajoelina, as sitting president, remains neutral in the race, it's clear that he is supporting Rajaonarimampianina. Rajaonarimampianina received a masters' degree in finance and accounting in Québec in the 1980s, served as director of the National Business Institute in the early 1990s, and worked in the private sector in the 2000s as an auditor and accountant.
Both candidates have promised to take action to boost employment and reduce poverty. Madagascar, a former French colony with a population of around 22 million, suffers from low growth after years of a relatively planned, socialist economy that flatlined after the 2009 coup, despite Rajoelina's pledge four years ago to restore democracy. While the eventual winner of Madagascar's presidency can look forward to a boost from the resumption of international aid from the European Union and the United States, he will face the need to implement serious and fundamental structural reforms if the Malagasy economy is to become truly competitive globally.
No other candidate is currently polling more than 10% of the vote, but the next five candidates include a who's who of Malagasy political figures, including other politicians who have held roles in Rajoelina's government over the past four years:
Continue reading Madagascar holds long-awaited election, prepares for December runoff →
african unionandrianainarivelocoupdisqualificationEUEuropean Unionjean louis robinsonlalao ravalomananamadagascarrabeharisoarajaonarimampianinarajoelinaratsirakaravalomananarazafindravahyrobinsonvitalzafitsimivalozafy
Jubaland, Kenya, Somalia
Westgate Mall siege the first test of Uhuru Kenyatta's mettle as Kenya's new president
September 21, 2013 Kevin Lees	2 Comments
UPDATE: Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta has made a statement about today's assault on Nairobi's Westgate Mall, which has killed 39 people. Declaring terrorism a 'philosophy of cowards,' and declaring Kenya will respond in a manner 'as brave and invincible as the lions on our coats of arms,' Kenyatta responded with grace, strength and compassion, rallying the unity of the Kenyan people.
The despicable perpetrators of this cowardly act hoped to intimidate, divide and cause despondency among Kenyans. They would like us to retreat into a closed, fearful and fractured society where trust, unity and enterprise are difficult to muster. An open and united country is a threat to evildoers everywhere.
It's worth watching in full:
Today's attack on Nairobi's Westgate Mall — perhaps the deadliest terrorist attack in Kenya since the 1998 assault on the US embassy in Nairobi — is the first crisis of the nascent presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta.
Al-Shabab, the Somali militant group, has taken responsibility for the attack. The assailants, who attacked the mall with a combination of machine guns and grenades, may have killed over 30 people and injured many more. It's not the first time the radical Somali group has threatened Kenya — and it follows an al-Shabab attack in July 2010 in Kampala, Uganda, that killed 74 people within a peaceful crowd that had gathered to watch the 2010 World Cup finals.
Al-Shabab's rationale lies in the Kenyan invasion of Jubaland, the semi-autonomous tract of southern Somalia, in October 2011 and its subsequent role as part of an African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia. But the sudden attack on a shopping mall full of civilians — including expatriates, women and children — is a senseless and asymmetrical act of terrorism.
Even as we remember the victims of today's tragedy and even as our thoughts remain with Nairobi police, Kenya Defense Force officials and hospital and health care workers carrying out rescue and recovery efforts, Kenyan policymakers face some weighty and difficult days ahead.
Kenyatta (pictured above, left) wasn't president at the time of Kenya's initial invasion, and he didn't ask for this conflict when he was elected in March 2013 as Kenya's fourth post-independence president.
But the challenge is his first serious crisis as president. That's not to say that the challenges of boosting Kenya's economy or maintaining the calm and orderly process of sorting out land reform in Kenya. But Kenyatta's response to the Westgate killings places the Somali question at the heart of his administration, even amid signs that Somalia's central government based in Mogadishu, with strong support from the African Union and Western governments, is making tentative strides (at least compared to more than two decades of civil war and state failure following the fall of strongman Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991).
It's not an enviable position for Kenyatta.
If Kenyatta withdraws into what has been the traditional comfort zone of Kenya's military and civilian leadership, it will mean that the most powerful (and still, even after today, by far the most stable) east African country is backing away from its vital role in solving east Africa's most pressing regional security challenge. But if Kenyatta launches a hasty, retributive wave into southern Somalia in the weeks or months ahead, he could also risk drawing Kenyans further into a quagmire — with the possibility of future al-Shabab terrorist attacks within Kenya. Striking the right balance will be crucial.
Continue reading Westgate Mall siege the first test of Uhuru Kenyatta's mettle as Kenya's new president →
african unional-shababAMISOMhasan shiekh mahmoudICCjubalandkenyakenyattakismayomogadishurutosheikh madobesomaliauhuruwestgate
Disqualifications of current, former presidents give Madagascar chance for fresh start (eventually)
August 20, 2013 Kevin Lees	3 Comments
In the latest twist of Madagascar's long-running electoral saga, the African island country's electoral court earlier this week decided to disqualify the three leading candidates in the election, which had been scheduled for August 23.
That means neither current president Andry Rajoelina nor former first lady Lalao Ravalomanana (a stand-in for exiled former president Lalao Ravalomanana) nor former president Didier Ratsiraka will be in the running for the first presidential vote in seven years.
In a sense, it may have been a better solution to let all of the candidates run — why not let them have at it in a free-for-all to determine who should lead Madagascar? In a free and fair election, the winner would have that much more of a mandate for his (or her) government. This way, all three can now credibly claim that, but for the judicial intervention, he (or she) would have been elected, which will inevitably weaken the person who is ultimately chosen in the election.
But in a world where the election court is going to start disqualifying candidates, it's better that all three heavyweights are excluded rather than just one or two. Moreover, the European Union, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community had all pushed for their disqualification, and EU high representative for foreign policy Catherine Ashton had set a sharp deadline for Madagascan elections to be held by the end of the year in order to avoid further sanctions.
The immediate roots of Madagascar's current political crisis lie in the early days of 2009, when Rajoelina, then the major of Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital and largest city, led sustained protests against Ravalomanana's government. When a pro-Rajoelina crowd marched on the presidential palace, Ravalomanana ordered his guard to fire on the crowd, killing 30 protesters and leading to a military coup that essentially deposed Ravalomanana in March 2009 and installed Rajoelina in his place — illegitimately, in the eyes of the rest of the world. Rajoelina, only 34 years old at the time, was supposed to serve as president of a semi-transitional government — the 'High Transitional Authority of Madagascar' — that was supposed to pass a new constitution and hold new presidential elections as soon as 2010.
But Rajoelina has now served almost as long as he would have if elected to a full term as president — four years. Although the country passed a new constitution into effect in November 2010 with the support of the international community, Madagascar's presidential election was postponed six times from an initial date in May 2011 until the August 2013 date, which now too looks like it will be postponed. Much of the problem has had to do with who's running — Rajoelina and Marc Ravalomanana, who remains in exile in South Africa, had struck an agreement in January that neither would stand in the election. But when Lalao Ravalomanana decided to enter the race in lieu of her husband in May, Rajoelina argued that Ravalomanana broke their agreement and accordingly, Rajoelina declared his own candidacy. Continue reading Disqualifications of current, former presidents give Madagascar chance for fresh start (eventually) →
african unionandrianainarivelocoupdisqualificationEUEuropean UnionmadagascarrajoelinaratsirakaravalomananarazafindravahySADCvitalzafitsimivalozafy
Longtime centrafricaine attorney Tiangaye key to peaceful CAR resolution
April 4, 2013 Kevin Lees	1 Comment
Though the January centrafricaine ceasefire between the administration of François Bozizé and Séléka coalition rebels didn't last much over two months, its elevation of Nicolas Tiangaye to government may yet provide a solution for governing Central African Republic in a diplomatic impasse that's become a tricky international issue for African countries from Chad to South Africa.
Séléka coalition rebels took control of the capital, Bangui, on March 24, forcing Bozizé into exile, and proclaiming Michel Djotodia as the country's new interim president. But the new government just as quickly reappointed Nicolas Tiangaye as the country's prime minister. Tiangaye (pictured above), a well-respected constitutional attorney and human rights activist whose role in centrafricaine politics goes back to the 1980s and before, became prime minister pursuant to the January ceasefire agreement.
Where Tiangaye was once the figure that the rebels looked to as 'their man' in Bozizé's government, Tiangaye has now become the man who pro-Bozizé forces now look to as 'their man' in the rebel-led government — indeed, both sides continue to praise Tiangaye, who founded the Central African Human Rights League in the 1990s:
"A man of integrity in a sea of corruption," says one diplomat. "He has integrity. His record is impeccable. He doesn't compromise," adds top opposition figure Martin Ziguele. "A good person," says Eric Massi, spokesman for the Seleka rebels. "We respect him," adds a member of government.
To the extent that the international community can force a political settlement, all paths go through Tiangaye.
That hasn't been enough to win the international stamp of approval — Chadian president Idriss Derby, speaking on behalf of the Economic Community of Central African States today, has refused to recognize the self-appointed Djotodia government, and other countries, including the United States, those from the African Union and those from the European Union, have been hesitant to recognize Djotodia, a former civil servant in the administration of Ange-Félix Patassé (Bozizé's predecessor) and leader of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR), only gained power of the broad Séléka rebel group in recent years.
As it stands now, the CAR has been suspended from the African Union, which also froze the Séléka rebels' assets and imposed a travel ban on Séléka leaders.
That's in part because Djotodia, days after taking power, dissolved the country's parliament and suspended the country's constitution for a three-year period, claiming that he would hold power through 2016, when new elections would be called — a timeline that much of the international community thinks is too slow. Djotodia was appointed in February 2013 as a deputy prime minister for national defense under the auspices of the ill-fated ceasefire agreement.
It's also because, in taking power, rebels killed 13 South Africans troops, out of a contingent of around 200 that came to Bangui ostensibly to protect South African mining, oil and other contracts.
Continue reading Longtime centrafricaine attorney Tiangaye key to peaceful CAR resolution →
african unionbokassabozizeCARceasefirecentrafricainecentrafriquecentral african republicchaddjotodiafrancafriqueselekaseleka coalitionsouth africatiangaye
Who is Hasan Sheikh Mahmoud? And is Somalia capable of turning a new leaf?
Somalia has a new president today — Hasan Sheikh Mahmoud (pictured above) — after his election by Somalia's new parliament, which itself was sworn in just last month.
Mamhoud defeated current president Sheikh Sharif Ahmed in the second round of voting — although the incumbent won the first round of voting, Mamhoud finished a close second, defeating prime minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, who came in third.
But who is Mahmoud?
And, more importantly, can he succeed where 15 prior transitional governments have failed in reviving a country that vies as perhaps the world's most infamous failed state?
Mahmoud, and academic and a civic activist, speaks both Somali and English, has worked for the United Nations Children's Fund in Somalia from 1993 until 1995, and he co-founded the Somali Institute of Management and Administration Development in Mogadishu, the country's capital, in 1999. Last year, he formed the Peace and Development Party.
Allegations of bribery (among all factions) are already marring Mahmoud's victory, but the fact that the vote even took place is perhaps itself the bigger victory for a country that's effectively been without a government for over two decades– Somalia descended into anarchy and clan-based fighting after the fall of Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, who had ruled the country since 1969.
Recently, a UN-backed transitional roadmap, reinforced by the African Union, has prompted some hope that Somalia may have reached a transition point — the roadmap led to the current political process, and last year, AU and other regional forces ended fighting in Mogadishu. Although al Shabaab and other militants have been swept from the capital, ending years of street-battle violence, Islamic militants still control much of the rest of the center and south of Somalia. Al Shabaab (Islamic for "the youth," it formed in 2006 as a radical spinoff from Somalia's main Islamist group, the Union of Islamic Courts, and is now affiliated with al Qaeda).
Despite the gains, Mahmoud and the Somali parliament have a very long road ahead in regard to gaining control in Somalia and securing the entire country, to say nothing of other pressing needs for infrastructure and economic development. Mahmoud's legislative counterpart, Mohamed Osman Jawari, who was appointed speaker of the federal parliament on August 28, is also an English-speaking academic and an attorney by occupation. Jawari served briefly as the minister of transportation and as minister of labor and sports in the Siad Barre regime, and he lived in Norway in exile after civil war broke out in 1991.
Both Mahmoud and Jawari as seen as technocratic and academic moderates, in contrast to both the Islamist fundamentalists who rose to power in 2006 and the warlords of Somalia's various clans. Continue reading Who is Hasan Sheikh Mahmoud? And is Somalia capable of turning a new leaf? →
african unional shabaabfailed statehasan shiekh mahmoudjawarimahmoudsharif ahmedsomalia


text:
Q: Horizontal checklistbox I have multiple check box lists on my winform, but the downward flow of the list doesnt look too appealing.'
I was wondering if there is a way to force a checklistbox to display its items horizontally, instead of vertically.
I have tried MiltiColumn and ColumnWidth, but the items are still vertically listed.

A: The most efficient way would be a FlowLayoutPanel in which you can add checkboxes. They will then be sorted from left to right.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Bianco, Nike Air Max, Nike Air Max 90, Uomo.
Multicoloured leather and rubber Air Max 90 OG sneakers from Nike featuring a round toe, a flat sole, a signature Nike swoosh, a lace fastening and a panelled colour block design. These styles are supplied by a premium sneaker marketplace. Stocking only the most sought-after footwear, they source and curate some of the most hard to find sneakers from around the world..


text:
package mem

import (
	"fmt"

	m "github.com/shirou/gopsutil/mem"
	"github.com/zstyblik/go-facter/lib/common"
)

// Facter interface
type Facter interface {
	Add(string, interface{})
}

// addMemoryUnits will convert a memory fact into "fact_mb" and "fact_bytes"
func addMemoryUnits(f Facter, label string, memory uint64) error {
	units := map[string]string{
		"MB": "mb",
		"B":  "bytes",
	}

	for unit, unitLabel := range units {
		factLabel := fmt.Sprintf("%s_%s", label, unitLabel)
		convertedMemory, _, err := common.ConvertBytesTo(memory, unit)
		if err != nil {
			return err
		}

		f.Add(factLabel, fmt.Sprintf("%.2f", convertedMemory))
	}

	return nil
}

// GetMemoryFacts gathers facts related to system memory
func GetMemoryFacts(f Facter) error {
	// Get the virtual memory from gopsutil
	hostVMem, err := m.VirtualMemory()
	if err != nil {
		return err
	}

	// Add a memoryfree fact
	memFree, unit, err := common.ConvertBytes(hostVMem.Free)
	if err != nil {
		return err
	}
	f.Add("memoryfree", fmt.Sprintf("%.2f %v", memFree, unit))

	// Add memoryfree_mb and memoryfree_bytes facts
	err = addMemoryUnits(f, "memoryfree", hostVMem.Free)
	if err != nil {
		return err
	}

	// Add a memorytotal fact
	memTotal, unit, err := common.ConvertBytes(hostVMem.Total)
	if err != nil {
		return err
	}
	f.Add("memorysize", fmt.Sprintf("%.2f %v", memTotal, unit))

	// add memorytotal_mb and memorytotal_bytes facts
	err = addMemoryUnits(f, "memorysize", hostVMem.Total)
	if err != nil {
		return err
	}

	// Get the swap information from gopsutil
	hostSwapMem, err := m.SwapMemory()
	if err != nil {
		return err
	}

	// Add a swapfree fact
	swapFree, unit, err := common.ConvertBytes(hostSwapMem.Free)
	if err != nil {
		return err
	}
	f.Add("swapfree", fmt.Sprintf("%.2f %v", swapFree, unit))

	// Add swapfree_mb and swapfree_bytes facts
	err = addMemoryUnits(f, "swapfree", hostSwapMem.Free)
	if err != nil {
		return err
	}

	// Add a swapsize fact
	swapTotal, unit, err := common.ConvertBytes(hostSwapMem.Total)
	if err != nil {
		return err
	}
	f.Add("swapsize", fmt.Sprintf("%.2f %v", swapTotal, unit))

	// Add swapsize_mb and swapsize_bytes facts
	err = addMemoryUnits(f, "swapsize", hostSwapMem.Total)
	if err != nil {
		return err
	}

	return nil
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The catering gives the migrant workers an additional income source and allow's them to explore their chef's and business skills. You will arrange the details of the menu, the costs and fees directly with the chef. MWTF does not take any commission, we simply act as a platform for you to connect with each other.
Email mwtaskforce.lb@gmail.com for more information.


Sports event organiser : This is badminton tournament was organised by Bamboo Events for Boeing India in Bangalore. This event was organised at Gurukul Sports academy Whitefield. Check the gallery for more details.


Richard Michaels, President of the Victoria HarbourCats Foundation, is pleased to announce that the Foundation, in partnership with Bayview Place Properties and Island Savings Credit Union, will be hosting the first annual "Halloween Monster Mash" Costume Ball Fundraiser from 7:30pm-11: 30 pm Friday, October, 26th at The Roundhouse at Bayview Place, 253 Esquimalt Road.
The fundraiser, with tickets being offered at $100 per person, will feature dancing to a live performance by The Consenting Adults Band and Haunting Sounds by DJ Clinton. There will be a costume contest for the scariest, funniest, and best overall costume, as well as a contest for the best evil laugh / scary ghost sound.
The event will be the first major fundraising effort for the Foundation, following on the heels of a generous seed donation made this past summer by Island Savings and Credit Union, as well as a major donation from long-time HarbourCats season ticket holder Helen Edwards, who will be honoured at the event.
The Foundation will also select and donate their first community cheque in support of a chosen recipient at this event.
In addition to music and dancing, the event will feature a number of local restaurant businesses and the Camosun Culinary School as sponsors of appetizer stations, with local wineries and beer distilleries to sponsor beverages and a cash bar. A silent auction in conjunction with a live auction is in the works and Harvey the HarbourCat will be making his appearance, mingling with guests and providing photo opportunities.


KELANA JAYA: 1Malaysia People's Housing Scheme (PR1MA) has earmarked a few plots of government land as part of its plan to build 10,000 affordable houses in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, within a decade.
PR1MA is also eyeing private andpublic land in Johor, Malacca and Pahang, besides the Klang Valley.
PR1MA is a government unit tasked to build affordable quality homes for the people, with household income of RM3,000 to RM7,500 a month.
"We have identified three plots of federal land in Seremban. Our target is to build about 10,000 PR1MAhouses in Seremban over 10 years," PR1MA chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Mutalib Alias said.
He did not disclose details of its targeted land.
"Our priorities (in building affordable houses) are urban areas in Johor, Malacca, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan, besides the Klang Valley," Abdul Mutalib said at a briefing hereyesterday.
Seremban is poised to host PR1MA's first housing scheme since the PR1MA Act was gazetted in January this year.
The scheme, to be launched on Saturday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, will involve 1,200 units of double-storey houses under the first phase.
The three-phase project is sited on some 162ha in the northern part of Seremban, which is being bought gradually from private owners, Abdul Mutalib said.
PR1MA had decided to carry out the project there because there was demand for it, he added.
PR1MA is also finalising plans to launch several projects in Kuala Lumpur. These include a high-rise development at Bandar Tun Razak.
Abdul Mutalib said PR1MA will implement the Industrialised Building System (IBS) mechanism to speed up construction work.
IBS may be costlier than the conventional way but over time, it will be offset by the high volume of units built, he added.
"Of course, initially not all PR1MA projects will use IBS. It will be hybrid-IBS," he remarked.
Industry observers said IBS would speed up the construction of housing projects by half the time compared with the conventional way, while needing only a third of workers.
The mechanism, however, would see a cost increase of between 10 per cent and 15 per cent.
Abdul Mutalib said PR1MA will ask private property developers to set aside part of their projects to build affordable PR1MA houses.
In return, the developers will be provided with the government's facilitation fund supervised by the Public Private Partnership Unit.
Abdul Mutalib reiterated that originally, when PR1MA was announced last year, the scheme was only open to a narrow joint-salary band of RM3,000 to RM6,000.
This had created a sandwich group, and hence, the move to broaden the income eligibility to between RM3,000 and RM7,500 a month.
He also reiterated that PR1MA prices will be below market price, and will be the same for everyone, without quotas or discounts of any kind.
There will be a mix of PR1MA landed and medium-rise properties.


Important: Don't edit existing template files as this will be overwritten on the next cwp update.
The easiest way to do that is to simply copy existing file and then edit a new file you have created.
Now you can edit this newly created template files.
– main folder = default templates used as templates for all php-fpm versions, php-fpm has no .stpl (https/ssl) files and also has no other subfolders.


When: Saturday 04 Mar, 2017 10:00 AM - Wednesday 04 Oct, 2017 10:00 PM.
Beloved Bodies II presents a compilation of artworks drawn from the Barjeel Art Foundation collection that investigate representations of the human body, traversing themes of language, landscape, trauma and remembrance. Each work alludes to the body in a variety of ways, ranging from more literal representations of physical forms to subtle references to bodily experiences in certain social, natural and political contexts.
The exhibition's title is loosely inspired by French theorist Roland Barthes' writings on the dynamics of love and desire. Barthes uses the term 'beloved body' to refer to the object of a lover's desire, whether that is a person, an object or a place. The word l'autre—the other—is his way of describing the beloved or that which provokes in us a yearning to connect with or possess this other. In the grips of such longing, the body becomes a sensory device that responds to internal and external stimuli. Beloved Bodies II offers glimpses into different bodily encounters, including romantic and spiritual love, political oppression and gendered marginalisation.


Find us — Steam Town Brew Co.
Steam Town Brew Co is situated at 1 Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh, which is right on the corner of Bishopstoke Road and Dutton Lane.
We're only a five minute walk from Eastleigh train station; just turn right when you leave the booking office and walk up Station Hill (it's not much of a hill though) before almost immediately turning right again and walking across the bridge. You'll find Steam Town Brew Co a short way down on the left hand side of the road.
Click here to download the South Western Railway timetable that covers the majority of the above routes.
Click here to go to the South Western Railway website.
Or click here to go to National Rail Enquiries.
Steam Town have bike racks so that's also a good way to get here, and there's plenty of tracks that head in all directions.
Eastleigh Borough Council have an entire page dedicated to cycling in the area, or you can download their cycling map by clicking here.
Another useful site for planning purposes is Cycle Streets, you can find that by going here.
Listing all the ways of walking to Steam Town would obviously be a bit crazy, but if you wanted to stretch your legs either before or after visiting us then here's a suggestion; Bishopstoke's very own Water Vole Way.
John Harris' Walking In England website is a mine of information. You can find his page for Hampshire Walks by clicking here (which lists the Water Vole Way under 'Eastleigh Walk, 3.5m') , or you can directly download the Hampshire & IOW Wildlife Trust 'Water Vole Walk' map by clicking here.
The walk listed starts off near the Bishopstoke Recreation Grounds, which is about a minute from us.
If you're driving from the direction of Winchester / Basingstoke / London, follow the M3 until you head onto the A335 at Exit 12. Continue on the A335 heading to the Bishopstoke Rd / B3037.
At the first roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Allbrook Way / A335, then at the second roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Twyford Rd / A335, and at the third roundabout, continue straight onto Bishopstoke Rd / B3037 and Steam Town Brew Co will be on your left.
If you're driving up from Southampton you need to head north and get on the M3. At junction 13, use the 2nd from the left lane to take the A335 exit to Eastleigh / Chandler's Ford.
Use the right two lanes to turn right onto Leigh Rd / A335 and continue to follow the A335. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Bishopstoke Rd / B3037. You'll find us on the left.


1/10 TCW Round Diamond Solid 10k White Gold Marquise-Shaped Bridal Engagement Ring Set is rated 4.5 out of 5 by 2.
Rated 5 out of 5 by Samantha from LOVE THIS RING!!!! I wear my ring everyday since I got it from my fiance. In less than a month I will be wearing my set every day. I love my ring so much, it was smaller than we thought it would be but it is just perfect for me. The only thing about the ring that bothered me was in the middle part it had two points that stuck up and I kept scratching myself and others so I had to file it down but other than that I have nothing negative to say about this ring.
Rated 4 out of 5 by Dila from Very pretty and petite. Love the ring, just thought the diamonds would show more on the set. Looks larger in the pictures.


CompuDyne Corporation ("CompuDyne"), headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, is a leading provider of security systems for the domestic corrections industry. CompuDyne is engaged primarily in the design, installation and maintenance of both electronic security and physical security (cell doors, guard booths, locking mechanisms, etc.) products.
Merit provided subordinated debt and common stock to finance the acquisition of CompuDyne's largest competitor.


GUMC consists of the School of Drugs, the School of Nursing & Well being Studies, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Middle, and Biomedical Graduate Research and Education. These embrace both ambulatory care and inpatient companies, emergency rooms , intensive care medication , surgical procedure providers, physical therapy , labor and supply , endoscopy units, diagnostic laboratory and medical imaging companies, hospice facilities, and so forth. Elsewhere, especially in North America, normal pediatrics is often a form of main care. Because their patients are sometimes significantly unwell or require advanced investigations, internists do much of their work in hospitals.


the weird rectangular tailpipes on the A7 are, IMHO, awful.
Never liked the pipes on the current A7.
I like them too. The taillight horizontal element and the exhaust tips tie the rear together and make it appear wider.
I am confused. If I order a new A7 in US now , do I receive a 2015 model ?
Is this the same 2015 model to be sold in Europe ?
Sort of - The US export lacks some features that are available to the rest of the world.
When can I order the car with the 330 HP engine ?
As soon as Audi says that they are available in the A6. All the A6/A7 engines produce more horse power than what is advertised now.
That extra 20 hp will likely only be a slight change in tune. Or simply a change in marketing - as you wrote, the 3.0T engine output is underrated now.
I always thought they should have launched the 2010 concept as was !, interesting comparing the front lights and grill of the 2010 concept to the 2015 model. I prefer the more integrated look of the exhaust tips on the 2010 concept.
I'm pretty sure USA will get the new model next year as MY2016.
The MY2015's order guide is already out and people are making orders, with expected delivery dates coming up in June/July/etc.
Audi is not going to change this mid-year, so they are going to wait for the next model year cycle to start, which is going to be early next year.
Also, I believe Europe usually gets the newer models before USA.
Thanks for the answers.. I am even more confused now, it looks like the US will get a 1015 and Europe a 1015 1/2 model during the year of 2014. It doesn't make sense to call a 2015 model in Europe a 2015 and the same car in US a 2016 model. People who ordered a A7 recently will get a 2015 model but not the same car that will soon be available in Europe, correct ?


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading;

using ZeroMQ;

namespace Examples
{
	static partial class Program
	{
		public static void TaskWork(string[] args)
		{
			//
			// Task worker
			// Connects PULL socket to tcp://localhost:5557
			// Collects workloads from ventilator via that socket
			// Connects PUSH socket to tcp://localhost:5558
			// Sends results to sink via that socket
			//
			// Author: metadings
			//

			// Socket to receive messages on and
			// Socket to send messages to
			using (var context = new ZContext())
			using (var receiver = new ZSocket(context, ZSocketType.PULL))
			using (var sink = new ZSocket(context, ZSocketType.PUSH))
			{
				receiver.Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:5557");
				sink.Connect("tcp://127.0.0.1:5558");

				// Process tasks forever
				while (true)
				{
					var replyBytes = new byte[4];
					receiver.ReceiveBytes(replyBytes, 0, replyBytes.Length);
					int workload = BitConverter.ToInt32(replyBytes, 0);
					Console.WriteLine("{0}.", workload);	// Show progress

					Thread.Sleep(workload);	// Do the work

					sink.Send(new byte[0], 0, 0);	// Send results to sink
				}
			}
		}
	}
}


Luxury motor yacht AQUAHOLIC is an Italian built Ferretti measuring 29.5m (96.9ft). Offering 5 deluxe en-suite cabins, M/Y AQUAHOLIC accommodates up to 12 charter guests.
Crewed charter yacht AQUAHOLIC features a warm contemporary interior décor, with a timeless elegant ambiance. The salon offers a large plush sofa, occasional chairs and ottomans, set within modern light wood panels and rich dark wood floors. Forward of the salon is the formal dining table, flanked in high back leather chairs. The salon boasts elongated side windows with cream toned roman shades, for optimum privacy.
Forward of the salon on the main deck is the master stateroom, while above is the main helm station. Further guest accommodation is below decks, in 4 en-suite cabins.
The Ferretti yacht AQUAHOLIC has well-appointed and spacious exterior living, on 2 decks. The aft deck has direct access to the salon, through sliding glass doors and features an alfresco dining option, ample seating, sunpads and partial shade. Port and starboard side decks lead to the foredeck and a triple sunpad.
Water enthusiasts will find the extended swim platform on the transom, ideal for effortless water activities. On the flybridge deck, an additional alfresco dining option and BBQ service station is perfect for casual entertaining. A large sunpad and ample seating complete the upper deck.
Powered by 2 x MTU engines, charter yacht AQUAHOLIC is capable of an impressive 20 – 25 knots.
Luxury accommodation aboard the Ferretti motor yacht AQUAHOLIC is offered in 5 spacious cabins, for up to 12 guests. The master suite is full beam of the yacht on the main deck, forward of the salon, with a center lined queen size bed, sofa, vanity and study desk. Below decks are 2 guest cabins with queen size beds and 2 guest cabins with side by side twin beds. One Pullman berth is available in each twin cabin. All 5 cabins are timeless, light, airy, and feature a modern and relaxed atmosphere.


text:
TSX Composite Index Price
Change(%)
Toronto Stock Exchange
The Toronto Stock Exchange, also known as TSX, is the largest market in Canada. It is owned by the TMX Group, which also owns the TSX Venture Exchange.
The exchange was founded back in 1861 and has around 1,500 listings as of 2014. It has a market capitalization of approximately CA$2.5 trillion.
The TSX is mainly used for trading equities, but also lists other securities such as split share corporations, exchange traded funds, investment funds and income trusts. The market is recognized as a leader in the mining and oil & gas sectors, having more companies form these sectors than any other stock exchange in the world.
The exchange operates with a normal trading schedule from 9:30am to 4:00pm Eastern Timewith a post market trading period from 4:15pm until 5:00pm ET.
Normal operating days are from Monday to Friday.
TSX Composite Intraday Chart
Customise this chart
TSX Composite Yearly Chart
With the gathering of 24 Canadian businessmen known as the Association of Brokers, the Toronto Stock Exchange can trace its roots back to 1861.
The exchange has run pretty much continuously since then, with a few brief exceptions. For instance, in 1914, due to market shock at the outbreak of World War I, the exchange was closed for around 3 months.
In 1934, the stock market merged with the Standard Stock and Mining Exchange, its main competitor at the time.
The market introduced the Computer Assisted Trading System (CATS) in 1977, a system for automatically providing quotes for less liquid securities.
In 2011, a merger with the London Stock Exchange (LSE) was planned which would have provided a combined market capitalization of CA$5.9 trillion. After failing to receive the minimal voting requirements the merger was abandoned and the markets continue to operate separately.
Main Indices
The Toronto Stock Exchange has three main indices.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index is a measure of the largest 250 companies on the exchange. This index accounts for around 70% of the capitalization of the Toronto Stock Exchange.
The 60 largest companies listed on the TSX make up the S&P/TSX 60 Index.
The third index is the S&P/TSX Completion Index, made up of the remaining companies from the Composite not found in the TSX 60 index.
Most big Canadian companies are listed on the TSX, including Canada's five largest banks and some of the biggest global corporations from within the oil & gas and mining industries. Some of these companies also have secondary listings on American stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or NASDAQ.
Some of the exchange's most traded companies can be seen below.
Toronto Stock Exchange listings
Bank of Montreal 103.8 103.75 103.8 0.44 +0.43% 14:59:37
Bank of Nova Scotia 72.48 72.48 72.49 -0.06 -0.08% 14:59:59
Baytex Energy 1.77 1.76 1.78 0 +0.00% 15:10:03
Canadian Imperial Bank o... 108.77 108.73 108.77 0.17 +0.16% 14:59:37
Canadian Natural Resources 41.41 41.41 41.42 -0.02 -0.05% 15:00:00
Canadian National Railway 125.62 125.61 125.62 0.92 +0.74% 15:15:00
Canadian Pacific Railway 343.08 343.08 343.21 2.81 +0.83% 14:59:37
Crescent Point Energy 5.5 5.48 5.5 -0.09 -1.61% 14:59:37
Enbridge 52.97 52.95 52.97 0.18 +0.34% 15:00:00
Goldcorp Inc. 14.2 14.2 14.31 0 +0.00% 18:00:00
Manulife Financial 27.61 27.61 27.62 0.36 +1.32% 15:00:00
National Bank of Canada 73.52 73.52 73.6 0.21 +0.29% 14:59:37
Potash Corporation of Saskatchew
Royal Bank of Canada 106.55 106.51 106.56 0.4 +0.38% 15:00:00
Suncor Energy 43.9 43.89 43.92 -0.41 -0.93% 15:00:00
Toronto Dominion Bank 74.12 74.12 74.14 0.16 +0.22% 15:00:00
TC Energy 70.85 70.84 70.96 0.73 +1.04% 15:11:01
Valeant Pharmaceuticals Internat


The 2014 festival gets into full swing on Saturday and Sunday. There are plenty of options for music lovers to listen and dance to while enjoying great food and libations. Here are my picks. Click the link for the full schedule.
Before the Satchmo Summerfest kicks off, the music community will lay to rest Lionel Ferbos, the 103-year old trumpeter and vocalist who was the oldest jazz musician alive. The festival is being dedicated to his memory and a good place to start the weekend on Saturday is checking out Lars Edegran and the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra. Ferbos played with the band and the mostly tour-reticent musician actually went on the road to Europe with them.
Debbie Davis and the Mesmerizers isn't a traditional jazz band, but with Alex McMurray, Josh Paxton, and Matt Perrine, they can play anything. I expect a jazz and Louis Armstrong-inspired set.
Another band I am looking forward to on Saturday is Mario Abney and the Abney Effect. This trumpeter plays modern jazz and his inclusion on the schedule is a testament to his relevance on the scene today and his talent.
Sunday kicks off with another musician who is not associated with the traditional jazz canon. Norbert Slama is a French accordionist and is usually accompanied by Raphael Bas, another Frenchmen on guitar, and our own Christopher Kohl on clarinet. His music is as passionate as newlyweds on the banks of the Seine.
Brice Winston recently received his doctorate and joins an infinitesimally small list of New Orleans musicians with a Ph.D. His band, the Mahogany Brass Band, never fails to put on a great show.
Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers close the weekend before the half-hour Trumpet Tribute to Louis Armstrong, which usually includes almost all of the trumpets players appearing at the festival and lots of kids.
However, don't neglect checking out a bit of the Pinettes. This all-female brass band, the only one of its kind, just kills.


text:
Front Page Politics U.S.ON CAPITOL HILL
New accuser claims Roy Moore sexually assaulted her
Celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred represents 5th woman to come forward
By Art Moore
Published November 13, 2017 at 3:14pm
Beverly Young Nelson, left, with lawyer Gloria Allred, at a news conference Nov. 13, 2017, declaring she was sexually assaulted by U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore when she was 16.
Shortly after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called on Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore to withdraw from the special election in Alabama in response to allegations of sexual misconduct by four women, a fifth woman came forward Monday, represented by celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred.
Allred – a Democrat known for representing women who make sexual-assault claims against prominent figures – introduced Beverly Young Nelson at a news conference in Madison, New York. Nelson alleges Moore sexually assaulted her in 1977 when she 16 and working as a waitress in a restaurant in Moore's hometown of Gadsden, Alabama.
Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore
Nelson said she didn't speak out previously because she feared Moore and his power but was inspired by the others who recently came forward.
Moore is the Republican nominee in a special election Dec. 12 for the Alabama U.S. Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Polls show Moore's significant lead has evaporated in the wake of the allegations, with some showing him behind and others with a narrow lead over Democratic nominee Doug Jones.
Last week, the Washington Post cited four women who claimed the former judge dated them when he was in his 30s and they were teens, with one charging he initiated a sexual encounter when she was 14.
Moore has called the allegations reported by the Post "completely false and a desperate political attack."
His campaign responded during the news conference Monday afternoon, denying the charges and calling Allred a "sensationalist leading a witch hunt."
Meanwhile, the top Senate Republican campaign official, Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., said Monday that the Senate should move to expel Moore it he were to win the election.
"I believe the individuals speaking out against Roy Moore spoke with courage and truth, proving he is unfit to serve in the United States Senate and he should not run for office," said Gardner. "If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate."
Moore campaign responds
Just before news conference began, Moore's campaign chairman, Bill Armistead, issued a statement.
"Gloria Allred is a sensationalist leading a witch hunt, and she is only around to create a spectacle," he said.
Armistead emphasized Allred "was the attorney who claims credit for giving us Roe v. Wade which has resulted in the murder of tens of millions of unborn babies."
"We've said this before and we'll say it again: Judge Moore is an innocent man and has never had any sexual misconduct with anyone," he said.
"This is a witch hunt against a man who has had an impeccable career for over 30 years and has always been known as a man of high character," Armistead said.
"Let it be understood: the truth will come forward, we will pursue all legal options against these false claims and Judge Moore will be vindicated."
Moore also held a press conference Monday in which he denied he knows Nelson and asserted her allegations are "absolutely false."
Nelson's claims
Allred said at her news conference that within two years of the alleged incident, Nelson told her sister Moore had attacked her. Nelson's mother, according to Allred, was told of the allegation only four years ago.
Allred, who said Nelson reached out to her, said the accuser is willing to testify under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which the lawyer said should subpoena her. Allred said that if the Senate does not hold a hearing within two weeks, Nelson will agree to interviews with the media.
Nelson read a statement at the news conference in which she said that when she was 15, she knew Moore as a regular customer at the Old Hickory House restaurant in Gadsden.
At the time, Moore was the district attorney for Etowah County, she said.
Nelson said Moore regularly flirted with her, and she did not respond to him, noting she had a boyfriend. On one night in 1977, shortly after her 16th birthday, she was waiting for her boyfriend after finishing a shift, she claimed, when Moore offered to give her a ride home. Nelson explained her boyfriend was late, and she accepted Moore's offer.
She alleged that instead of taking her home, Moore drove behind the restaurant to an isolated spot and stopped the car.
Nelson said she asked Moore what he was doing.
"Instead of answering my question, Mr. Moore reached over and began groping me, putting his hands on my breasts," Nelson said. "I tried to open my car door to leave, but he reached over and locked it so I could not get out."
She said she "tried fighting him off, while yelling at him to stop, but instead of stopping he began squeezing my neck attempting to force my head onto his crotch."
"I continued to struggle," Nelson said, "I was determined that I was not going to allow him to force me to have sex with him. I was terrified. He was also trying to pull my shirt off. I thought that he was going to rape me. I was twisting and struggling and begging him to stop. I had tears running down my face."
Nelson said that at some point "he gave up" and then told her: "You are a child. I am the district attorney of Etowah County. If you tell anyone about this, no one will believe you."
She said Moore "finally allowed me to open the car door and I either fell out or he pushed me out."
"I was on the ground as he pulled out of the parking area behind the restaurant," she said. "The passenger door was open as he burned rubber pulling away leaving me laying there on the cold concrete in the dark."
Nelson said she went home and the following morning, "my neck was black and blue and purple."
She said Moore "no longer has any power over me, and I no longer live in fear of him."
As evidence, Allred presented a Gadsden High School yearbook, with Young's name engraved on the cover, that she says Moore signed just days before the alleged attack. Young said she was flattered that Moore had asked to sign the book.
The yearbook inscription reads: "To a sweeter, more beautiful girl I could not say 'Merry Christmas.' Christmas 1977. Love, Roy Moore, D.A., 12-22-77, Old Hickory House."
What do YOU think? After latest accuser, where do you stand on Roy Moore? Sound off in today's WND poll
GOP mobilizes against Moore
On Monday evening, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, pulled his endorsement of Moore just hours after the latest allegations of sexual misconduct. He even suggested Moore should be criminally prosecuted if the allegations are true.
"As it stands, I can't urge the people of Alabama to support a campaign in the face of these charges without serious, persuasive demonstration that the charges are not true," Cruz told reporters, according to the Texas Tribune. "Both last week and this week, there are serious charges of criminal conduct that, if true, not only make him unfit to serve in the Senate but merit criminal prosecution."
Earlier Monday, McConnell spoke to reporters about the Alabama race at a tax event Monday.
"I think he should step aside," he said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
And he told WLKY in Louisville he believes the women who are accusing Moore.
Moore immediately responded to McConnell in a tweet.
"The person who should step aside is @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell," Moore said. "He has failed conservatives and must be replaced. #DrainTheSwamp."
With a little more than four weeks before the special election, Moore's name cannot be removed from the ballot. The state law requires 76 days notice. But Republicans could launch a write-in campaign, and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has the authority to postpone the election.
McConnell, earlier Monday, told WLKY a write-in campaign "is an option we are looking at."
But the Senate leader did not commit to the candidate being Luther Strange, the interim incumbent appointed by Alabama's previous Republican governor.
"We'll see," McConnell said.
Even two unnamed White House officials purportedly suggested that Moore, as a sitting senator, could be ousted and replaced with Attorney General Jeff Sessions. According to the alleged proposal, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey would appoint Sessions to the seat "when it becomes vacant," according to a New York Times report.
Anti-establishment battle
Republican analysts view the Moore candidacy as a proxy battle between the party establishment, represented by McConnell, and former White House chief strategist Steven Bannon. Bannon has supported Moore as part of a broader effort to challenge incumbent Republicans with candidates who he believes will carry out President Trump's agenda.
Bannon has said that until there is more evidence, he's standing with Moore.
Speaking at a fundraiser in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Thursday, Bannon compared the Post's report on Moore to the "Access Hollywood" tape that was leaked during the 2016 presidential election.
"The Bezos-Amazon-Washington Post that dropped that dime on Donald Trump, is the same Bezos-Amazon-Washington Post that dropped the dime this afternoon on Judge Roy Moore. Now is that a coincidence?" Bannon asked.
"That's what I mean when I say opposition party, right? It's purely part of the apparatus of the Democratic Party. They don't make any bones about it. By the way, I don't mind it. I'll call them out every day."
In a radio interview with Sean Hannity Friday, Moore, adamantly denied the allegation by Leigh Corfman that Moore, at the age of 32, engaged in sexual touching when she was 14. But Moore left open the possibility that he dated the older teens, saying he didn't remember, before unequivocally stating he did not date any teens when he was in his 30s when Hannity asked for clarification.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah
Along with McConnell, Republican leaders such as former governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and Ohio governor and former presidential candidate John Kasich, have called on Moore to step down.
Romney and Kasich have never been Moore supporters, but the former Alabama chief justice lost key allies in Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Steve Daines, R-Mont., who withdrew their endorsements last Friday.
"Having read the detailed description of the incidents, as well as the response from Judge Moore and his campaign, I can no longer endorse his candidacy for the US Senate," Lee wrote in a tweet.
On Friday, the National Republican Senatorial Committee backed out of a joint fundraising effort with Moore because of the allegations.
Statement from accuser who says she drank with Moore
Meanwhile, accuser Gloria Deason claims she was 18 when she drank wine with Moore and dated him when he was in his 30s. Alabama's drinking age was 19 at the time. Deason released a statement Nov. 10 through her attorney "due to the public falsehoods and defamatory remarks being made by Roy Moore."
Her statement, which was printed by Birmingham's WIAT-TV, read:
This statement is being given due to the public falsehoods and defamatory remarks being made by Roy Moore, many Alabama Republican officeholders and leaders, and Steve Bannon, regarding the motivations of Ms. Deason in describing her former relationship with Moore. She did not seek public exposure on the events described in The Washington Post article. She was contacted by the Post reporters several weeks ago. After careful consideration, and fully understanding that her character and veracity would be viciously attacked, she nonetheless agreed to go on the record and tell the truth.
Ms. Deason confirms that the The Post accurately reported the substance of her interviews with them. She does not know the other women named in the article. She is no longer a resident of Alabama. She is a registered Republican, but has no affiliation with the RNC and has not been contacted by the RNC or any Republican leaders at any time. The same is true for the DNC and Democratic leaders. She does not know Doug Jones, has not been contacted at any point by him or anyone associated with his campaign nor made any financial contributions to him.
There is nothing about being public regarding her relationship with Roy Moore that will enhance Ms. Deason's life. She did not seek the limelight. No glory, no financial compensation, no justice. But she stands firmly on the truth. No one can take that away from her. No one.
And Roy Moore knows the truth. Notably, he has not denied knowing Ms. Deason, or pursuing and dating her when she was 18 and he was in his mid-thirties. He has not denied plying her with alcohol knowing in his position as a district attorney that she was younger than the legal drinking age. He has not given a press conference or opened himself up to questions on his relationship with Ms. Deason or the other women named in the article. He appears to be in hiding while issuing incendiary statements about the women, calling them "evil" and accusing them of bribery and conspiracy with the DNC. He has also sent emails to his supporters using this as a reason to request more financial contributions for his campaign.
It is reprehensible that so many Alabama Republican officeholders and leaders of their party have rejected wholesale the magnitude of evidence reported in The Post. Worse yet, they claim that even if they believed the statements of pedophilia and sexual assault, specifically against Leigh Corfman (the 14 year old), to be true, they don't find it to be illegal or immoral conduct by Moore. A 14 year old cannot legally give consent for sex. In short, these leaders don't care. This is a stunning admission that the GOP is not a party of family values, certainly not in Alabama. And Steve Bannon's ridiculous statement that Moore's misconduct is akin to "locker room talk" deserves no response. It fails on its face.
For those critical of these 4 women for not voluntarily coming forward earlier, ask yourselves what difference it would have made. Republicans in Alabama, the Christian conservatives of the Deep South, are saying that they don't care if Roy Moore's predatory sexual child pursuits are true. It's no big deal to them that Moore abused his position of power as a district attorney and committed crimes against teenage women.
Art Moore
Art Moore, co-author of the best-selling book "See Something, Say Nothing," entered the media world as a PR assistant for the Seattle Mariners and a correspondent covering pro and college sports for Associated Press Radio. He reported for a Chicago-area daily newspaper and was senior news writer for Christianity Today magazine and an editor for Worldwide Newsroom before joining WND shortly after 9/11. He earned a master's degree in communications from Wheaton College.
@@arthurdmoore
Now Democrats are in favor of walls?
Biden plans 10-day blitz to reverse Trump legacy
AOC calls for more funding to 'deradicalize' Trump supporters


text:
Ferrari's Mattia Binotto: "Our performance did not live up to our expectations"
Credit: Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow
Mattia Binotto says Scuderia Ferrari's performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend did not live up to their expectations as they once again played second fiddle to the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport team in the sessions that mattered.
Ferrari had been the quickest of everyone during all three free practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit but neither Sebastian Vettel nor Charles Leclerc were able to get onto the front row, with the latter crashing out of Qualifying all together midway through Q2 that saw him unable to compete in Q3.
On race, Vettel could only finish third and Leclerc fifth, with Mercedes taking the two top spots on the podium, Valtteri Bottas ahead of Lewis Hamilton, to extend their advantage at the head of both championships.
Binotto, the team principal of Ferrari, admitted that failing to get their cars to the front of the grid on Saturday cost them on race day, and it meant another below-par result for the team.
"Our performance did not live up to our expectations," said Binotto. "Qualifying had not gone the way we would have wanted and, on this track, grid positions make a big difference, as starting further back makes everything more difficult.
"In the race, there were no Safety Car periods to take advantage of, which might have played into our hands against our rivals. Sebastian produced a solid performance, always close to the two leaders and he fully deserved to finish on the podium.
"Charles ran a great race, moving up the order, after losing a few places at the start, because it was harder for him to get his Medium tyres up to temperature than it was for those on the Softs."
Binotto says Ferrari need to go back to their Maranello base and identify and work on the areas they seemingly are weaker than Mercedes in order to break the run of consecutive one-two finishes that their main rivals have achieved in the opening four races of 2019.
"Our pace was not good enough and our rivals were faster," said Binotto. "We have to go home, identify the areas where we are weak and push in our way of working, to make more aggressive choices to get back to where we deserve to be."
Nicholas Latifi feels George Russell was able to get more out of Williams' flawed FW43 during 2020 than he was, although he felt he learned a lot by being the Briton's team-mate in his rookie season.
Red Bull Could've Dominated Like Mercedes But For 2014 Engine Rule Changes – Verstappen
Max Verstappen says Red Bull could've dominated Formula 1 like Mercedes has in recent years if engine regulations had not changed in 2014.
2021 Portuguese Grand Prix Decision Likely Before the 'End of February' - Ni Amorim
A decision to whether Portugal will host the third round of the 2021 Formula 1 season is likely to be made before the end of February.
Troy F Collins
The car seems to go well…..but only in low downforce config…..class the field in fact in Bahrain……opposite of last year….Ferrari now has the Diva…bugger. Have to wait for Spa and Monza


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Back in the 5th century, monks began to live and worship together in communities. They were called Monastic Orders and they followed various schools of thought on how to live a spiritual life. They called their plans, or sets of instructions, a "Rule of Life".
A monastery's "rule" organized the monk's daily life and it dictated times for prayer, for meditation, for gathering together as a community, for meals and for how to behave during meals etc. The monastic rule of each Order also dictated how the monks should behave with each other.
Some of those early rules have come down to us in church and spiritual practices. For example we know the Benedictine Rule—from Saint Benedict—and the Ignation Rule from Saint Ignatius. Some of the spiritual practices that recovering people use today are taught to us on retreats or by a spiritual director and they come from these ancient rules of life.
Recently I have been reading Margaret Guenther's book, "A Home in the World" which is about how to make spirituality a part of daily life and I now see that recovery—via Twelve-step programs—is itself one of the finest rules for life. Our steps and our traditions offer guidance on prayer, meditation, community life and a tradition of sponsorship and teaching. We jokingly say these are "suggestions" and they are, in the same way that the early monks received suggestions to pray five times each day.
Over time in recovery we incorporate these practices into our recovering lives. We also follow the suggestions to improve our relationship with God or a Higher Power. The reminder that this program of ours is ultimately about a spiritual way is noted in our Twelfth Step, which reminds us that the previous eleven steps are intended to result in a "spiritual awakening". The steps are not to get us abstinent or sober but rather to get us to God. But sometimes we miss that point.
It makes sense that we have ancient roots. Our 12 steps come from the six steps of the Oxford Group—the spiritual tradition that enabled Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob to get sober. We sometimes forget that Bill and Bob got sober through the Oxford Group—not in AA. There was no AA when they first got sober. It was after their recovery began that they adapted those six Oxford steps to be more inclusive—and more palatable—to men and women of wider faith.
There is something lovely in realizing that we in Twelve Step recovery share a tradition that monks lived by ages ago. It is a rule of life costing not less than everything.


Any probe into Hastings's untimely death needs to take into account this complex but essential background.
Hey [5 REDACTED WORDS] the Feds are interviewing my "close friends and associates." Perhaps if the authorities arrive "Buzzfeed GQ", er HQ, may be wise to immediately request legal counsel before any conversations or interviews about our news-gathering practices or related journalism issues.
Also: I'm onto a big story, and need to go off the radar for a bit.
The next day, Hastings went "off the radar" permanently.
Following publication of the email by KTLA, the FBI quickly denied that the Bureau was ever investigating Hastings.
The Freedom of the Press Foundation and ProjectPM — the research wiki that Brown was involved with — are in the process of filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to learn if indeed Hastings was the subject of an FBI probe.
The FBI denial notwithstanding, a number of clues indicate that the proximity of Hastings to Brown and the work of ProjectPM may have been what spawned the purported investigation in the first place.
When the FBI raided the Dallas home of journalist Barrett Brown in March 2012, the travails of the Vanity Fair and Guardian contributor didn't get much ink — that is, until Michael Hastings published an exclusive on the Brown raid on Buzzfeed.
The story included a copy of the search warrant that revealed why the government was so interested in Brown: Along with colleagues at the research wiki he started, ProjectPM (PPM), Brown was looking into a legion of shadowy cybersecurity firms whose work for the government raised all sorts of questions about privacy and the rule of law.
– Former Secretary of State and presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, with whose staff Michael had many pointed exchanges regarding State's Benghazi spin.
In his profile on the blogging consortium True/Slant, Hastings confided that his "secret ambition" was "to maintain and cultivate an enemies list." Such ironic distancing was Hastings's way of making palatable an inherently cynical view of the world. He knew that power corrupted, and to effect change it was necessary to point out the Emperor's glaringly naked flesh.
In this manner, he was much like his blogging colleague at True/Slant, Barrett Brown. So much so, in fact, that the latter approached Hastings to work on a project that would change the way the public viewed the murky world of intelligence contracting in the post-9/11 era.
For those unfamiliar with Brown's tale,WhoWhatWhy has been chroniclinghis trials since February 2013. He is currently in federal custody in Ft. Worth, Texas, facing over a hundred years behind bars for researching 70,000 hacked emails obtained from the cybersecurity firm HBGary Federal and its parent company HBGary. At no point is the government alleging he was involved in the hack itself. His putative "crime" is doing what investigative reporters are supposed to do: digging for the truth about breaches of the public trust.
To do this, Brown pioneered a collaborative wiki where researchers and journalists could sift through these emails and create an encyclopedia from the information contained within. This was known as ProjectPM (PPM).
In 2009, Brown invited Hastings to join forces on PPM, but Hastings's interest was tempered by other commitments. When the two spoke next, Hastings told Brown he was working on something big.
Hastings was referring to his impending 2010 article, "The Runaway General," for Rolling Stone, in which he quoted several high-ranking military officials from within Gen. McChrystal's inner circle disparaging their civilian command. The article caused a stir in official Washington, and eventually led to McChrystal being relieved of duty by President Obama.
Amid the fallout from this journalistic coup, an interesting narrative began forming in certain sectors of the press: "Michael Hastings is not one of us." Hastings had broken one of the rules governing Washington's hermetic circle of "access journalism" by quoting his subjects without their express permission. Elsewhere, most working reporters would call this, well, journalism.
Brown was quick to defend Hastings, penning an article for Vanity Fair titled, "Why The Hacks Hate Michael Hastings." Later, the two blurbed each other's books, further cementing their professional relationship.
Kevin Gallagher, the administrator of Brown's legal defense fund atFreeBarrettBrown.org, said Brown and Hastings hadn't been able to talk securely in eight or nine months, but that after a few months of back and forth with Brown's lawyers Hastings finally planned on interviewing him in custody in June.
"Transparency supporters, whistleblowers, and investigative reporters, especially those writers who have aggressively pursued the connections between the corporate defense industry and federal and local authorities involved in domestic surveillance, have been viciously attacked by the Obama administration and its allies in the FBI and DOJ.
The fact that he planned to interview Brown was corroborated by documentarian Vivien Weisman, who told WhoWhatWhy that she spoke to Hastings about it at a Los Angeles book signing for "Dirty Wars" in May 2013. And the editor of Buzzfeed reportedly confirmed that Hastings was in the midst of working on the Brown expose at the time of his death.
Knowing this prompts the question: what angle of the PPM research was Hastings about to tackle?
The evidence seems to point to another shadowy project revealed in the cache of hacked emails that PPM was sifting through: Romas/COIN.
Over the course of a year, Aaron Barr, CEO of HBGary Federal, sought out various companies to form a consortium that could wrest control of Romas/COIN from the current contract holder, Northrop Grumman. Eventually the consortium included no less than 12 different firms — ranging from niche software companies to behemoths like Google, Apple, and even Disney.
From the emails, it's clear that "mobile phone software and applications constitute a major component of the program," concludes the entry in ProjectPM. Periodic references to "semantic analysis," "Latent Semantic Indexing," and "specialized linguistics" indicate that the government agency overseeing the contract was clearly interested in automated dissection of spoken or written communication. This is the hallmark of NSA surveillance.
Is it possible that this consortium planned on developing mobile phone software and applications with bugs that would allow the US government to hack into targets' phones and give it access to all of the communications within?
As detailed by New York Times national security reporter Mark Mazzetti, mobile phone intrusion has been par for the course in the military's signals intelligence work abroad.
Claims of government surveillance capabilities embedded in private-company software are bolstered by recent reporting on the sale of "zero-day exploits" to government agencies.
"Zero-day exploits" refer to security vulnerabilities that are taken advantage of on the same day that the vulnerability becomes known to the victim. As the jargon implies, there are zero days between the time the hole is discovered and the initial attack.
Endgame Systems, one such company cashing in on this new market, was of particular interest to Brown and ProjectPM. Deep in the cache of Aaron Barr's emails are indications of just how secret the work of Endgame is.
One look at Endgame's product line explains a lot about their wariness. Their premier software, "Bonesaw," shows what a powerful asset the corporation has become to America's intelligence agencies.
Bonesaw is a targeting application that tracks servers and routers around the world. It maps out all the hardware attached to the Internet. Through these access points, NSA and Cyber Command can hack into or launch attacks against adversaries. The Bonesaw program functions essentially as a user-friendly map.
That map has at its disposal the geolocation and Internet address of every device connected to the Internet around the globe. By designating a country and city — like Beijing, China for example — and the name or address of a target — say, a People's Liberation Army research facility — a user can find out what software is running on all of the computers inside the facility, what entry points to those computers exist, and a menu of custom exploits that can be used to sneak in.
To put it another way: a clone army for future psywars.
Given the information currently available it is impossible to know with certainty what angle in the Brown case Michael Hastings was pursuing at the time of his death.
With that potential suddenly snuffed out, it's not surprising the Internet is abuzz with speculation over Hastings's death. We've contributed to the investigation surrounding it but, with so few hard facts at hand, now is not the time to speculate about whether foul play was involved. What's clear is that an important voice in the grand tradition of investigative journalism has been silenced.
Hopefully, more information will come to light, and we will know with a fair degree of certainty what Michael Hastings was working on that attracted the government's watchful eye. That is, unless all of his information was incinerated with him in the early hours of that June morning.