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ICAI issues guidance note on internal financial controls
NEW DELHI: The apex body of chartered accountants' ICAI has issued detailed guidelines on audit of internal financial controls over financial reporting as required under the new companies law.
According to the guidance note, the auditor needs to obtain reasonable assurance to state whether an adequate internal financial controls (IFC) system was maintained and whether such internal financial controls system operated effectively in the company in all material respects with respect to financial reporting only.
Under the Companies Act, 2013, auditors are required to separately opine whether the company has adequate internal financial controls system in place and the operating effectiveness of such a framework for the year ending March 31, 2016.
In foreword to the more than 200-page guidance note, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has said the requirement under the Act has "cast onerous responsibilities on the statutory auditors".
This is because reporting on internal financial controls is not covered under the standards on auditing issued by the ICAI and also because of the fact that no framework has been prescribed under the Act and the rules thereunder for the evaluation of internal financial controls, it said.
According to Sumit Seth, Partner at Price Waterhouse & Co, the note explains that for auditor reporting, the term IFC is restricted to internal financial control over financial reporting only (ICFR) as of the balance sheet date.
"It (note) also makes clear that such reporting will be applicable for both listed and unlisted companies, including standalone and consolidated financial statements (to the extent of Indian companies within the group)," Seth noted.
Capital First to raise $50 million from IFC
KOLKATA: Mumbai-based non-banking finance company Capital First is looking to raise $50 million from International Finance Corporation in five-year non-convertible debentures.
The funding will be used for lending to women-owned small and medium enterprises, IFC said in a disclosure.
"This investment is part of IFC's strategic target to reach 10 million MSMEs during FY17-21," the World Bank's lending arm said.
This is the second IFC's debt investment in the company, which is 61% owned by private equity firm Warburg Pincus through its affiliated funds.following. Last year, IFC had invested $52.5 million.
Promoted by former ICICI Prudential Life Insurance managing director V Vaidyanathan, Capital First has 48 offices covering 222 locations in India.
The company has a highly persified loan book of Rs 18800 crore as of December 31, 2016, of which 91% consists of MSME and consumer financing. It has financed 3.5 million customers so far.
Other shareholders of the company include financial investors such as Goldman Sachs Asset Management, GIC — the Sovereign Wealth Fund of the Government of Singapore, HDFC Standard Life, Government Pension Fund Global (Norges Bank Investment Management), Birla Asset Management, Ashburton, Ashmore and other global and local institutional investors.
IFC invests Rs 290 crore in fund raised by Lighthouse
MUMBAI: World Bank unit International Finance Corporation has invested $45 million (Rs 290 crore) in a $200-million fund, being raised by private equity firm Lighthouse to invest in India's consumer sector.
While IFC will invest $20 million, its asset management arm will put in another $25 million in Lighthouse India Fund III, the PE firm said in a news release.
Lighthouse is able to raise the fund at a time when most fund managers are finding it tough to attract capital from global investors for repeat Indiafocused funds, as a depreciation in the rupee has hurt their returns from earlier investments.
Lighthouse has already received commitments for two-thirds of the $200 million India Fund III from global marquee institutional investors, the release said. The fund is expected to close by the end of next quarter.
Lighthouse's first India fund of $92.7 million was raised in 2008. The next fund, raised in 2013, was of $138 million. The firm, founded by Mukund Krishnaswamy, William Sean Sovak and with Sachin Bhartiya, has seen half a dozen repeat investors for the third fund.
"For funds with a good track record, getting investors to repose their trust again is not difficult. A lot of first-time fund managers and those who have failed to generate profitable returns have been struggling to raise capital," Krishnaswamy told ET over the phone.
HDFC to raise funds from retail investors through Green Deposits to finance sustainable housing
Mortgage lender Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) is planning to raise funds from retail investors to support financing of green and sustainable housing projects including loans to developers and homebuyers.
The financing offered through these 'Green and Sustainable Deposits' will aim to safeguard the environment from climate change.
Last month, HDFC and the World Bank Group member IFC entered into an agreement to promote green housing in India through lending for affordable and low-income housing.
IFC, the largest global development institution, has extended a loan worth $250 million to HDFC under this partnership. At least 25% of the financing is earmarked for green affordable housing, which is likely to encourage this market in India.
"We have always had a successful deposits program. Though we do not have a target in mind, even a fraction of what we have been raising by way of our regular retail deposits can translate to a reasonable amount. The larger purpose is to provide another product to environmentally conscious customers who also want to contribute towards a better environment and are looking for a dependable platform that can help contribute to this cause at a very nominal cost and least effort," Renu Sud Karnad, Managing Director, HDFC, told ET.
At present, HDFC has a total deposit base of Rs 1.54 lakh crore (Rs 1.54 trillion) as on June end and even 1% of this the new fundraising will amount to over Rs 1,500 crores.
"Today, sustainability is no longer about doing less harm, but about doing more good. HDFC anticipates growing demand for green solutions and we are raising funds through Green & Sustainable Deposits offering our customers to grow wealth while contributing to serve the needs of a changing world. HDFC is committed towards supporting India's efforts for a sustainable and green low-carbon economy," said Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC.
The country's largest private mortgage lender has signed an agreement with the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) to promote green buildings in the country. It has disbursed over Rs 19,665 crores of home loans to 47,819 families in certified green building projects across the country as on March end.
More than half of HDFC's lease rental discounting (LRD) portfolio is certified as green buildings by the Indian Green Building Council or the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
The funds will be raised through deposits from retail investors including both resident and non-resident Indians (NRIs). The deposits will attract an interest rate of up to 6.55% per year and have tenure of 36 to 120 months. Senior citizens above 60 years will be eligible for an additional 0.25% per annum on deposits up to Rs 2 crore.
A green building, or sustainable design, is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use energy, water, and materials, and of reducing impacts on human health and the environment for the entire lifecycle of a building.
The government is also pushing the green building movement in India by offering fast track environmental clearance for green building projects which are pre-certified or provisionally certified by IGBC. In some states, an additional floor space index (FSI) is granted to such projects ranging from 1-10% depending upon the rating of the project. Property Tax rebate is also being given to property owners in a few states based on the rating of the project.
World Bank's IFC warns of Asia-Pacific 'financial crisis'
JAKARTA: The Asia-Pacific region risks a damaging financial crisis from a surge of non-performing loans caused by rising insolvencies, a senior official from the World Bank Group's private sector arm said on Thursday.
In an interview with Reuters, Alfonso Garcia Mora, Vice President for Asia and the Pacific of the International Finance Corp (IFC), said bankruptcies were expected to rise by 30% because of the economic crisis caused by the new coronavirus pandemic.
While many firms have been given moratoriums on their loan repayments, many central banks are not requiring financial institutions to regularly monitor these firms' solvency. This, said Garcia Mora, was "very dangerous".
"What can happen is that when the bank opens their books in six months, or in 12 months, they will realise that their non-performing loans ratio is not 2% but 20%," he said.
"This is why I am very concerned about the sequencing of this crisis. We started with a health care crisis, that's clear. We went into an economic crisis, and we might end up in a financial crisis."
About 50% of firms will not have enough income to service their loans in the coming year, Garcia Mora said, citing an analysis by the World Bank and the Bank for International Settlements.
With a few exceptions, Garcia Mora said the region's judicial systems were unprepared for a leap in insolvency cases. There was also a lack of simplified methods for smaller firms to declare bankruptcy and start again, he said.
"We will have probably many zombie firms around that will not be able to liquidate," he said. "There are other cases where we will need to liquidate firms that should not be liquidated."
Dire situation
In its most recent forecasts in June, the World Bank estimated that the Asia-Pacific economy would contract by 0.5% in 2020, its lowest rate since 1967.
Globally, the World Bank has estimated 100 million people to fall into "extreme poverty", where they earn $1.90 a day or less. About half of the newly poverty-stricken will come from the Asia-Pacific, mostly in South Asia, Garcia Mora said.
"We are facing an extremely dire situation as far as youth unemployment is concerned," he said, with 10 million to 15 million youth jobs predicted to be lost across the Asia-Pacific.
Governments needed to use their "limited fiscal space" to target the most vulnerable; promote the digital and green economies; and reform sectors dominated by inefficient and heavily-subsidised state-owned enterprises.
"This is the time to open the market, to allow private participants to come, to allow all these new entrepreneurs to start coming into the economy," he said.
Without these reforms to state-owned enterprises, many of those who lost their jobs could end up in the informal economy, with little protections and low salaries.
The IFC has allocated more than $7 billion to boost the liquidity of businesses in the region for the fiscal year ending June 2021, with a focus on small and medium enterprises.


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Whether you're looking for something fun to do in the summer or are an aspiring Olympic Champion, our member clubs offer a variety of programs for all skill levels and age groups.
Canoe Kayak Ontario (CKO) Sprint provides the framework for Ontario canoe clubs and their members to participate in provincial programs. We are divided into two geographical divisions, Eastern Ontario Division and Western Ontario Division that represent 27 canoe clubs.
Never paddled before? If you live in Canada, it's about time to make your way to a nearby club and get involved in a uniquely Canadian sport. The fun you'll have splashing around and learning new skills will surely inspire you to continue fulfilling your fitness goals while making new friends and enjoying the outdoors. It might even inspire you to pursue the sport on a competitive basis.
Kid's Programs
Canoe Kayak Canada's CanoeKids program get kid's active and on the water. Learn the fundamental skills of paddling and safe boating skills while enjoying the summer at your local paddling club. It's the first step to a lifelong interest in paddling and healthy living. What better way to spend a summer vacation?
Be The Best In The World
Canoeing and kayaking has strong roots in Canada and it is fitting that we've experienced such phenomenal success on the world stage. If you're interested in high performance sport, we've got the coaching, programming and infrastructure across the country to enable athletes to excel to the highest level. Since 1936, Canada has won 24 Olympic medals in sprint. If it's your dream to increase that number, then we've got programs for you. Training groups bust it out early before school and after. Join a group of motivated teammates in pursuit of making the transition from Junior to National Team athlete to the world podium.
Be Part Of A Team
Canoe & Kayak offers a unique blend of individual and team sport. Out on the water in a single boat you can enjoy a refreshing sense of mental solitude. While training in crew boats or in a group alongside your fellow training partners, you have the chance to push one another in an inspiring and cohesive environment. The war canoe is the apex of team events in which fifteen paddlers join together.
A Sport For Families
Many generations of families have grown up at local canoe clubs. The families who make the Canadian Sprint Canoe Kayak Championships their summer vacation will tell you there is no better family photo than one with a few medals.
You're Never Too Old To Paddle
The many adults who make the annual trek to the Canadian Master's Championships and enjoy paddling – some of them into their 70s and 80s – are testament to this statement. Enrolling your kids in Canoe/Kayak doesn't mean you have to sit on the sidelines watching. Masters groups paddle at clubs across the country several morning or evenings a week. It's a great way to stay in shape while being social. And if you want some time to relax on the sidelines before or after practice, the lakefront isn't a bad place to do that either.
A Sport For All
Anyone who has experienced the joy of paddling would surely agree that it is something to be made accessible to everyone. Canoe Kayak Ontario Sprint is a leader in creating opportunities for people with disabilities. Paracanoe programs offer persons with disabilities the opportunity to pursue sport to the highest level. Paracanoe made its debut on the 2016 Paralympic program. Athletes compete in different categories based on the ability they have in their legs, trunk and arms. The fact that you don't need to be able to run or walk makes this an ideal sport for people with limited use of their lower body.
Canoe Kayak Ontario is also a Partner in Play sport with Special Olympics Ontario. Many clubs provide programs for persons with intellectual disabilities. These programs allow persons with disabilities to enjoy paddling, learn new skills, have influential role models and gain self-confidence in the true spirit of the sport.
Long Term Athlete Development
Canoe Kayak Canada has a Long-Term Athlete Development Model that follows Canadian Sport for Life's framework. Appropriate phases of development are defined for specific age groups based on science and research. By aligning programming with CS4L's strategy to improve the quality of sport in Canada, Canoe Kayak Canada and Canoe Kayak Ontario Sprint are increasing participation in sport and creating a pathway for athletes to reach their fullest potential.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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More recently, the role of sport psychologist has been called on to meet the increasing demand for anger management for athletes. Increasingly, Sport Psychologists have needed to address this topic and provide strategies and interventions for overcoming excessive anger and aggression in athletes, and techniques for athletes to manage emotions. A comprehensive anger management program for athletes was developed by Dr. Mitch Abrams, a licensed sport psychologist who authored "Anger Management in Sport"[21]
"You seem like exactly the type of person hypnosis would not work on," a friend told me when I mentioned I was going to try it, implying I'm too skeptical and set in my ways to be open to something like this. Still, there I was, ready to see what would happen. Hall's voice worked a strange alchemy on me in the library, and I drifted off into what seemed like a state of intense relaxation. I could've fallen asleep easily. I didn't even pull out my phone and refresh Twitter for a whole half hour.
In the UK, up to 5% of the general population is underweight, but more than 10% of those with lung or gastrointestinal diseases and who have recently had surgery.[29] According to data in the UK using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool ('MUST'), which incorporates unintentional weight loss, more than 10% of the population over the age of 65 is at risk of malnutrition.[29] A high proportion (10-60%) of hospital patients are also at risk, along with a similar proportion in care homes.[29]
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is the name given to a series of models and techniques used to enhance the therapist's ability to do hypnotherapy. NLP consists of a number of models, with a series of techniques based on those models. Sensory acuity and physiology is one model whose premise is that a person's thought processes change their physiological state. People recognize such a physiological change when startled. The body receives a great dose of adrenaline, the heart beats faster, the scare may be verbalized by shouting, and the startled person may sweat. Sensory acuity, (i.e., being attuned to changes occurring in another person) will strengthen communication to a person in ways over and above simple verbal cues, therefore making the therapist more effective. A second model of NLP deals with representational systems. The idea behind this model is that different people represent knowledge in different sensory styles. In other words, an individual's language reveals that person's mode of representation. There are three basic modes of representation. These are: Auditory, Visual, and Kinesthetic. The same information will be expressed differently by each. For example, the auditory person might say, "That sounds good to me;" the visual person might convey, "I see it the same way;" and the kinesthetic person would offer, "I'm comfortable with it too."
During the next year, Nelson suggested a number of personnel changes. Since those came with the CEO's backing, the HR director accepted them, no questions asked. Because she was afraid to buck the CEO's handpicked adviser, the personnel director also said nothing about the problems that ensued. These stemmed from Nelson's exclusive reliance on his profiling system. For example, in recommending the promotion of one East Coast store manager to regional director of West Coast sales, Nelson ignored the man's unfamiliarity with the region and the people he was appointed to manage. Not surprisingly, that move—and many of Nelson's other ill-conceived selections—bombed. To compound the problem, word of Nelson's status and his often horrific recommendations circulated through the company like wildfire, leading many people to both fear and resent his undue influence over Garvin. The negative emotions Nelson generated were so intense that underperforming, newly promoted managers became the targets of an undeclared, but uniformly embraced, pattern of passive-aggressive behavior by the rank and file. Such behaviors ranged from not attending meetings to botching orders to failing to stock goods in a timely manner.
So long as the therapist is trained and follows basic ethical norms, hypnotherapy is safe. Some people may feel dizzy or nauseous during or after being hypnotized. People who discuss traumatic memories may be subject to feelings of panic, flashbacks, or general feelings of anxiety, and the clinician or client may elect to discontinue treatment when symptoms are severe.
When you sign up to the quit smoking program, you will receive a series of emails telling you how to use the program and get the results you are looking for. These are from Mark Tyrrell, the creator of '10 Steps to Become a Non-Smoker', one of the co-founders of Hypnosis Downloads. Mark is a highly experienced hypnotherapist and psychology trainer. His emails will remind you to keep moving with the program and help you stay focused on the goal.
Consultation and training. Team building; sports organization consultation; systems interventions with parents and families involved in youth sports participation; education of coaches regarding motivation, interpersonal and leadership skills and talent development; education of coaches and administrators regarding early identification and prevention of psychological difficulties.
Business coaching is a type of human resource development for business leaders. It provides positive support, feedback and advice on an individual or group basis to improve personal effectiveness in the business setting, many a time focusing on behavioural changes through psychometrics or 360-degree feedback. Business coaching is also called executive coaching,[16] corporate coaching or leadership coaching. Coaches help their clients advance towards specific professional goals. These include career transition, interpersonal and professional communication, performance management, organizational effectiveness, managing career and personal changes, developing executive presence, enhancing strategic thinking, dealing effectively with conflict, and building an effective team within an organization. An industrial organizational psychologist is one example of executive coach. Business coaching is not restricted to external experts or providers. Many organizations expect their senior leaders and middle managers to coach their team members to reach higher levels of performance, increased job satisfaction, personal growth, and career development. Research studies suggest that executive coaching has a positive impact on workplace performance.[17]
I've have had problems with my teeth and have had many pulled. About 2 years ago I quit smoking, I knew I had to if I wanted to save the remaining teeth. And let me tell you, it is a bummer not to be able to eat! I spent good money on a nicotine replacement medicine and I did stop smoking for about 9 months. Then a friend was smoking a cigarette at my house and I smoked one too. It wasn't long before I was a smoker again. It is depressing and I knew I had to quit again, but couldn't get myself to do it. I needed help.
Coaching is a form of development in which a person called a coach supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.[1] The learner is sometimes called a coachee. Occasionally, coaching may mean an informal relationship between two people, of whom one has more experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the latter learns; but coaching differs from mentoring in focusing on specific tasks or objectives, as opposed to more general goals or overall development.[1][2][3]
Hypnotherapists say they facilitate this process, just without the sleep part. More or less. Again, for every positive study you read about hypnosis, there are be numerous, often conflicting other accounts. In a 2000 study for the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, Joseph P. Green and Steven Jay Lynn reviewed 56 studies on the results of hypnosis on smoking cessation. While it was shown to generally be a better option than no treatment at all, many of the studies combined hypnosis with other therapeutic methods, making it difficult to isolate its effects.
Sports psychologists may also pursue voluntary certification. This does not confer the legal right to practice, but does demonstrate expertise in a specialty area. Sports psychology professionals at both the master's and doctoral levels are eligible to become Certified Consultants (CC-AASP) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (http://www.appliedsportpsych.org/certified-consultants/become-a-certified-consultant).
And whereas coaching was once viewed by many as a tool to help correct underperformance, today it is becoming much more widely used in supporting top producers. In fact, in a 2004 survey by Right Management Consultants (Philadelphia), 86 percent of companies said they used coaching to sharpen the skills of individuals who have been identified as future organizational leaders.
In 2002, the Department for Education and Skills developed National Occupational Standards for hypnotherapy[45] linked to National Vocational Qualifications based on the then National Qualifications Framework under the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. NCFE, a national awarding body, issues level four national vocational qualification diploma in hypnotherapy. Currently AIM Awards offers a Level 3 Certificate in Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills at level 3 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework.[46]


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Former Apple engineer aims to bring audiophile quality to gaming headsets
The VZR Model 1 comes with a carrying case and several removable pieces such as a microphone.
— VZR
By GIESON CACHO , Tribune News Service
March 03, 2021 - 9:39 AM
Victor Tiscareno knows sound. The engineer established a career by crafting high-end music systems. His work drew the notice of Apple's Steve Jobs and it was impressive enough that the Cupertino, Calif., company hired him.
Fast forward several years later and Tiscareno is using his talent in the gaming sphere. The devices he crafts are made for discerning audiophiles, who typically own systems that cost thousands of dollars. His research and development led to several patents, but his latest one, CrossWave technology, could be a game-changer for surround sound in headphones.
It's the centerpiece of the VZR Model 1, a $349 headset aiming to create more realistic sound in closed-back set of cans.
The tech is an acoustic lens that fits inside the ear cup and goes atop the driver. The lens filters the audio so it reproduces a more accurate surround sound, Tiscareno said. If players see a rocket taking off, they'll get a sense of the verticality, of the sound rising above the screen instead of just staying flat and horizontal.
Apertures in the acoustic lens push audio out so that it isn't blasting on the ear, but moves around the ear cup, creating better spatialized sound. Tiscareno and fellow co-founder Mike Henein want to give players more immersion in single-player games and they want the device to give players an edge in multiplayer matches.
A carbon fiber back creates a solid and light support for drivers. The memory foam is soft and creates a tight seal so that the Model 1 doesn't lose the deeper bass frequencies.
At 430 grams, it's a bit heavier than the likes of the Epos GSP 600, but Henein said his headset carries the weight well. A suspension headband lets the Model 1 sit atop the head. Meanwhile, the clamping force creates a good seal while the memory foam doesn't put too much pressure around the ear.
When it comes to the microphone, players can expect a noise-canceling system that focuses on removing excess audio. "We strike a balance of rejecting noise and keeping a vocal timbre," Henein said. The VZR Model 1 is expected to be released later this year.
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After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you have a period of time before you have to begin repayment.
Six months for a Federal Stafford Loan (Direct Loan ProgramSM or Federal Family Education Loan (FFELSM) Program).
for PLUS loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, for an additional six months after the borrower is no longer enrolled at least half-time.
Interest that accrues during these periods will be capitalized if not paid by the borrower during the deferment.
for whom the parent borrowed is enrolled at least half-time and for an additional six months after that student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.
Interest that accrues during these periods will be capitalized if not paid by the parent during the deferment.
Your loan servicer will provide information about repayment and will notify you of the date loan repayment begins.
If you don't, you could end up in default, which has serious consequences (see Default below). Student loans are real loans—just as real as car loans or mortgages.
You have to pay back your student loans.
disbursed amounts, outstanding principal and interest, and the total amount of all your loans. To access NSLDS, go to www.nslds.ed.gov.
FFEL Program Loans purchased by the U.S. Department of Education, go to the Loan Servicer page.
You have a choice of several repayment plans that are designed to meet the different needs of individual borrowers.
The amount you pay and the length of time to repay your loans will vary depending on the repayment plan you choose. Go to Repayment Plans and Calculators for more information about the various repayment plans and to calculate your estimated repayment amount under each of the different plans.
your servicer will be the school that made the loan. If you don't know who your loan servicer is, go to www.nslds.ed.gov to find out.
The following table provides interest rates for Direct and FFEL Program Loans.
the interest rate is 3.27%.
To access information on your federal loans including interest rates, go to www.nslds.ed.gov.
Why does the amount of interest I pay vary from month to month?
Interest accrues on a daily basis on your loans. Factors such as the number of days between your last payment, the interest rate, and the amount of your loan balance determine the amount of interest that accrues each month.
You can calculate the monthly interest on your loan by using the Simple Daily Interest Formula.
In some cases, you might be able to reduce your interest rate if you sign up for electronic debiting. To learn more, go to the Electronic Payment page on this website.
Requesting a deferment—If you meet certain requirements, a deferment allows you to temporarily stop making payments on your loan.
Requesting a forbearance—If you don't meet the eligibility requirements for a deferment but are temporarily unable to make your loan payments, then (in limited circumstances) a forbearance allows you to temporarily stop making payments on your loan, temporarily make smaller payments, or extend the time for making payments.
If you stop making payments and don't get a deferment or forbearance, your loan could go into default (see Default section below), which has serious consequences.
National credit bureaus can be notified of your default, which will harm your credit rating, making it hard to buy a car or a house.
You will be ineligible for additional federal student aid if you decide to return to school.
Loan payments can be deducted from your paycheck.
State and federal income tax refunds can be withheld and applied toward the amount you owe.
For more information and to learn what actions to take if you default on your loans, see the Department of Education's Default Resolution Group Web site.
In certain circumstances, your loan can be cancelled/discharged. Read about cancellation provisions here.
If you're a teacher serving in a low-income or subject-matter shortage area, it may be possible for you to cancel or defer your student loans. Find out whether you qualify.
Under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, if you are employed in a public service job, you may have the balance of your loans forgiven if you make 120 on-time monthly payments under certain repayment plans after October 1, 2007. You must be employed full-time in a public service job during the same period in which the qualifying payments are made and at the time that the cancellation is granted. The amount forgiven is the remaining outstanding balance of principal and accrued interest on eligible Direct Loans that are not in default. For additional details, go to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness page on this website.
The Civil Legal Assistance Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program was established to encourage qualified individuals to enter and continue employment as civil legal assistance attorneys. Note — The 2010 application process closed August 16, 2010.
A Consolidation Loan allows you to combine your federal student loans into a single loan. Visit the Loan Consolidation page to see whether consolidation is right for you.


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Alison-Madueke Defends Award of 60% of Oil Contracts to Local Firms
Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has said the recent award of crude oil term contracts primarily to indigenous oil and gas companies is part of the federal government�s larger objective to encourage effective local participation in the operations of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The minister�s defence came amidst allegations that she had still not responded to any of the queries from the House of Representatives� Committee of Public Accounts demanding information on the charter of two private jets for her personal use by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Girls Kidnapping: 10,000 Women Petitions NASS In Lagos
No fewer than 10,000 women in Lagos have petitioned the National Assembly over the recent abduction of 234 girls at in Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State by the Boko Haram sect. The petition, signed by the women some of whom converged in Lagos for Women for Destiny Conference organized Daystar Christian Centre in Lagos, noted that the lives of the girls are in danger, and urged the National Assembly and security authorities to intervene without delay.
Motorists Paid N128.7bn Under Park & Pay Policy � Investigation
Barely two weeks after Justice Peter Affen of an Abuja High Court declared as illegal the operation of the �Park and Pay� policy in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), LEADERSHIP investigations have revealed that motorists in Abuja paid an estimated N128.7 billion in the more than two years that the policy was in operation. The N128.7billion, which is considered a very conservative estimate, excludes the N5,000 penalty paid for clamping of cars or the N1,000 paid by motorists for bulk purchase of the parking tickets.
2015: Jonathan, Obasanjo In Fresh Battle
Less than 10 months to the all-important 2015 general elections, there are strong indications that a fresh battle for supremacy has re-surfaced between President Goodluck Jonathan and former president Olusegun Obasanjo. The relationship between the two leaders has been replete with mutual suspicion and indifference on the part of the former leader in the affairs of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Obasanjo�s open letter to the president had been seen as the peak of the cold war.
Confab: Standing Committees Resume Fireworks Today
The 20 Standing Committees of the National Conference will today resume fireworks on the thematic issues under the purview of their assignments as they are expected to wind up deliberations on Wednesday this week. The committees are deliberating on specific national issues after which they will make recommendations to the conference at plenary on Monday next week.
5 Tips for a Happy Entrepreneurial Life
Being an entrepreneur is a demanding profession. Having experienced the entrepreneurial world for my entire professional career, I�ve learned that achieving a work-life balance is often difficult to do. While some are able to achieve this balance easier than their peers, while others struggle with this balance and never achieve it. Having seen numerous friends and acquaintances lose the fight for balance and ultimately end up with a disaster -- either in their business or personal life -- I thought it would be appropriate to lean on the advice of some of the wisest people I know -- both dead and alive -- to give you a cheat sheet to a happy life.
3 Ways to Measure Bold Ideas
Organizations often fail to adopt potentially game-changing ideas. Typically, it's because the internal idea-evangelists fail to convince the C-Suite that the ideas will either boost profits or cut costs. But the problem, notes author and former McKinsey consultant Kaihan Krippendorff in a fascinating article on the Knowledge@Wharton site, isn't the idea evangelists. The problem is that most organizations are erring in using such bottom-line numbers to measure the potential of new ideas.
From balloons to shrimp-filled shallows, the future is wireless
The Internet may feel like it's everywhere, but large pockets of sky, swathes of land and most of the oceans are still beyond a signal's reach. Three decades after the first cellphone went on sale - the $4,000 MotorolaDynaTAC 8000X "Brick" - half the world remains unconnected. For some it costs too much, but up to a fifth of the population, or some 1.4 billion people, live where "the basic network infrastructure has yet to be built," according to a Facebook white paper last month.
The high cost of emotional investing
Certainly, by now, any investment enthusiast has encountered an article articulating the dangers of market timing. To be clear, I would construe market timing as an attempt to profit from an investment at a precise moment before the price fluctuates dramatically. An example would be selling all of your stocks and going to cash. That can be destructive, seeing as the most exalted investors devote their entire careers to developing the acumen needed to know when to step in and out of investments.
Russian Billions Scattered Abroad Leave Trail to Putin Circle
Outside a Moscow stadium one night in 2006, deputy central bank chief Andrei Kozlov was walking to his car after playing soccer when two men opened fire, pumping bullets into his head and neck and killing his driver. Days before the murders, the man leadingRussia�s fight against money laundering had shut down a scheme used to funnel $1.6 billion of dirty funds abroad, including at least $112 million via Vienna-based Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oesterreich AG, according to Russian and Austrian investigators.


text:
Congratulations Chef Kenneth Thompson
Anthony Thompson, CEC, CCA, received the Central region's Dr. L.J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) during ChefConnect: Hawaii, April 3-5.
As the ACF Central region recipient, Chef Thompson is now a finalist to receive the national award.
Chef Kenneth Thompson, CEC, CCA, is the chef/instructor at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois. Previously, Chef Thompson served as executive chef at the Memphis Country Club, Memphis, TN; executive chef at the Evansville Country Club, Evansville, IN; and sous chef at the Cherokee Town and Country Club, Atlanta, GA. He has a bachelor's degree in culinary management and ProChef Level III Certification from The Culinary Institute of America. Chef Thompson is an active member of the L'Ecole Culinaire – Memphis Campus Program Advisory Committee, Cordova, TN. He also served as student coach for the culinary arts program at Kingsbury Vocational School, Memphis, during the school's local, state and national competitions. He is currently serving as secretary of ACF Louis Joliet Chapter.
Find out who this year's national Chef Professionalism award winner will be at the 27th annual gala dinner during the ACF's Cook. Craft. Create. Convention & Show in Phoenix, AZ, July 15-19th.
Established in 1990, the Dr. L.J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award is presented annually to a chef who exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism through certification, continuing education and training, culinary competitions and community involvement. This honor was named for Dr. Lewis J. Minor, food scientist and founder of Minor's®, who tirelessly worked to elevate the Chef profession.
In 1974, during the ACF Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, keynote speaker Chef Louis I. Szathmary challenged the Department of Labor's classification of Executive Chefs in the "Domestic, Services" category along with maids and butlers. Joined by Lt. General John McLaughlin, Dr. L.J. Minor championed the re-classification of Executive Chefs into the "Professional, Technical, and Managerial Occupations" category in the Dictionary of Official Titles with the U.S. Department of Labor. By 1977 they had succeeded, and their efforts changed the professional image of American Chefs. Since 1990, Minor's has sponsored the Chef Professionalism Award to commemorate this achievement and continue support of the chef profession.
Has the Casual Menu Become the New Way to Dine?
Congratulations Chef Anthony Danna


Jul. 11, 2017 6:35 p.m.
Officials from the City of Williams Lake, the Cariboo Regional District and the BC Wildfire Service hosted a public meeting Tuesday afternoon which offered some hopeful news on local wildfires.
Glen Burgess of the BC Forest Service said he was optimistic about the progress made on the 150 Mile fire, particularly in the residential areas. He also said that crews made great progress on a fire break to protect the city from a wildfire that officials were afraid would jump the Fraser River and threaten Williams Lake.
"We're hoping that tomorrow we'll be able to publicly announce a certain level of containment. I can tell you at this time we don't feel there is a threat to jump the river. Anything's possible but we've made good progress.


text:
Q: How to use my website ip address as a proxy? I have a website where I can embed some youtube videos, but some videos are region restricted. I found a video that is allowed in US, my server is in US but still it doesn't work. After some investigation I figured out that Google thinks my website IP is in Brazil and therefore it blocks this video from playing in my website. What I want to do is to use my website IP as a proxy to request the video info using cURL
As I tried to use file_get_contents but i received nothing due to the region restriction which shouldn't happen to me because my server is in US not Brazil.
So, as a working around I tried to use my Website IP as a proxy which seems a bit weird because if google thinks my website IP is from Brazil sill making the same IP as a proxy will cause the same problem, but I want to give it a shot and see what will happen. As I tested my IP on man websites and all of them confirmed it is from US.
If anyone knows what is the reason behind this issue please, let me know.
I just want to know how to use my website IP as a proxy.
Thanks.
(I edited the question so I can elaborate and give more details)

A: You need a what's called a forward Proxy, here is how you can make one very easily with apache :
<VirtualHost *:80>
# Enable forward proxy
ProxyRequests On
# Add "Via" header
ProxyVia On

<Proxy *>
  Order allow,deny
  allow from all
</Proxy>

ErrorLog "/var/log/apache2/proxy-error.log"
CustomLog "/var/log/apache2/proxy-access.log" common
</VirtualHost>

This goes into the default config file of your Apache, usually under :
/etc/apache2/sites-enabled/000-default.conf

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


"8th Annual San Francisco Sinclair Pub Crawl! This picture taken in front of 21st Amendment, our second stop!"
Custom shirts are a great way to keep track of your group during an awesome pub crawl!
Printing a custom T-shirt or sweatshirt is a great idea for an anniversary present. Thanks for the great submission Mr. and Mrs Adair!


text:
Biografia
Di educazione cattolica, si è diplomato presso l'Istituto Leone XIII ed ha conseguito la laurea all'università Statale in giurisprudenza. Dal 1974 è alla guida, con il fratello Carlo Alberto, dell'azienda di famiglia, la "Cesare Albertini S.p.A.", fondata dal padre Cesare nell'ottobre del 1932 e acquisita alla fine del 2017 dal Gruppo Bosch GmbH, che si occupa di pressofusioni in alluminio.

Ha ricoperto numerose cariche in Confindustria e in Assolombarda, dove è stato vicepresidente, oltre a essere stato presidente della Piccola Industria. Nel 1996 viene eletto presidente di Federmeccanica (Federazione sindacale dell'industria metalmeccanica italiana). Sin da giovane, ha visto nella figura dell'imprenditore un "portatore di ideali di civiltà", attribuendogli "un certo spirito missionario". Di sé dirà: "Io, come industriale, mi considero uno dei più grandi rivoluzionari della storia, perché chi ha cambiato l'uomo, chi ha rivoluzionato l'individuo, non è stata la rivoluzione marxista, è stata l'industrializzazione".

Sindaco di Milano

Nel 1997 è stato candidato da Silvio Berlusconi a sindaco di Milano con il sostegno del Polo per le Libertà ed ha vinto le elezioni amministrative al ballottaggio, con il 53,14% dei consensi, contro il candidato dell'Ulivo Aldo Fumagalli (46,86%). In occasione delle successive elezioni comunali, nel 2001, si è nuovamente candidato con il centrodestra per un secondo mandato ed è stato riconfermato come primo cittadino, ottenendo al primo turno il 57,54% delle preferenze, contro il 30,47% dello sfidante di centrosinistra Sandro Antoniazzi.

Durante il periodo alla guida del capoluogo lombardo si definiva "l'amministratore di condominio" ed ha avviato numerosi progetti di riqualificazione della città, dalla vecchio polo fieristico, alla zona Porta Nuova-Varesine, fino alla nuova fiera di Rho-Pero. Le sue giunte hanno lanciato nuovi progetti di espansione della metropolitana e portato a compimento le linee metrotranviarie di superficie volute dalla precedente amministrazione Formentini. Il sindaco ha rilanciato la Triennale e il ruolo di Milano come una delle capitali mondiali della moda e del design, valorizzando notevolmente gli eventi della fashion week e del Fuori Salone e prestandosi anche a sfilare in mutande (di cachemire) per lo stilista Valentino. Dichiarerà: "Teo Teocoli ne ha fatto poi una simpatica imitazione... ma è stata un'esperienza che mi ha aiutato a non prendermi troppo sul serio".
Nel 2005 rifiutò di concedere il patrocinato del comune di Milano al gay pride; per tale motivo venne a più riprese intonato il coro "Albertini vieni giù, che sei frocio pure tu" nel corso delle dimostrazioni degli attivisti LGBT sotto Palazzo Marino, sede dell'amministrazione cittadina.

Il caso Milano-Serravalle
Il 29 luglio 2005 la provincia di Milano ha acquistato, al prezzo di 8,831 euro per azione, tramite la società Asam, il 15% delle azioni della società Milano Serravalle-Milano Tangenziali. Albertini giudicò il prezzo troppo alto e sollevò il problema in varie sedi politiche e giurisdizionali, sostenendo che il patto di sindacato fra provincia e comune rendesse l'acquisto superfluo al fine di mantenere il controllo pubblico sulla società, e continuò a sostenere l'illiceità dell'operazione anche al termine del suo mandato, accusando vari organi inquirenti di aver prestato poca attenzione all'accaduto e alle quattro denunce da lui presentate.

A seguito delle denunce di Albertini il caso, nel 2013, è stato oggetto di procedimento presso la Corte dei Conti della Lombardia e di un'indagine penale presso la procura di Monza. La procura della Corte dei Conti ha accertato un danno erariale di 118 milioni di euro.

Nel 2018 la Sezione seconda giurisdizionale centrale d'appello della Corte dei Conti ha condannato Penati & c.

Nel 2021 la Corte di Cassazione  conferma e rende definitiva la condanna a risarcire respingendo il ricorso di legittimità con la sentenza di appello .

Commissario straordinario
Gabriele Albertini è stato nominato commissario straordinario per il traffico il 15 novembre 2001 e del sistema di depurazione delle acque della città di Milano. Durante la sua gestione commissariale sono stati messi in funzione i depuratori di Nosedo e Ronchetto delle Rane ed il raddoppio del già esistente impianto di Peschiera Borromeo. Albertini ha avuto poteri commissariali per la gestione del traffico dal 2001 al 2006. In virtù di tali poteri, ha avviato i progetti ed aperto i cantieri del piano parcheggi; per 200.000 posti sotterranei, delle due nuove linee di metropolitana (4 e 5) e dei prolungamenti delle linee esistenti verso l'Hinterland.

Eurodeputato
Alle consultazioni del 2004 viene eletto europarlamentare per la lista di Forza Italia nella circoscrizione Italia nord-occidentale, con 140.383 preferenze. Tale elezione fu resa possibile da una norma transitoria della legge 8 aprile 2004, n. 90 che gli consentì di candidarsi senza dover lasciare il ruolo di primo cittadino milanese, una legge che molti definirono "ad personam".

Iscritto al Partito Popolare Europeo è stato vicepresidente della commissione per i trasporti e il turismo, membro sostituto della commissione per l'industria, la ricerca e l'energia, vicepresidente della delegazione per le relazioni con l'Assemblea parlamentare della NATO, membro della delegazione per le relazioni con gli Stati Uniti e della delegazione per le relazioni con Israele.

È stato rieletto al Parlamento Europeo nelle elezioni del 6-7 giugno 2009 nella circoscrizione Italia nord-occidentale per il PdL con 67.128 voti di preferenza. Nel corso di questo secondo mandato è stato Presidente della Commissione per gli affari esteri, organo cui spetta l'indirizzo di politica estera dell'Europa nelle relazioni e con gli altri Stati.

Senatore della Repubblica dal marzo del 2013, inizialmente membro della Commissione Giustizia e Difesa, in seguito anche membro della Commissione Affari Costituzionali e Presidente della "sottocommissione pareri" della commissione Giustizia.

Corsa alla Presidenza della Regione Lombardia

Il 22 dicembre 2012 ufficializza la sua candidatura alla presidenza della Regione Lombardia nelle elezioni anticipate del 2013 del 24 e 25 febbraio, sostenuto da una coalizione formata dall'UdC, da FLI, da Italia Futura di Montezemolo e dall'Unione Padana (quest'ultima composta da deputati leghisti uscenti in disaccordo con Maroni, come dichiarato dallo stesso Albertini). La candidatura è stata appoggiata da Mario Monti. Nel frattempo il suo partito, il PdL, annuncia il proprio appoggio alla candidatura per il centro-destra del leghista Roberto Maroni.

Alle elezioni regionali lombarde del 24 e 25 febbraio, vinte dalla coalizione di centro-destra a sostegno di Maroni, la lista di Albertini ottiene appena il 4,12% ( voti) delle preferenze e non ottiene alcun seggio al Consiglio regionale lombardo.

Elezione a Senatore: SC, NCD e AP
Alle elezioni politiche del febbraio 2013 si presenta come capolista anche per il Senato, nella circoscrizione Lombardia, con il partito Scelta Civica con Monti per l'Italia, e viene eletto.

Il 10 dicembre 2013 aderisce al gruppo parlamentare Per l'Italia.

Il 1º marzo 2014 ufficializza la sua adesione al partito di Angelino Alfano, il Nuovo Centrodestra.

Si candida alle elezioni europee del 2014 nella circoscrizione Italia nord-occidentale (che raccoglie i collegi di Lombardia, Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta) per il Nuovo Centrodestra - Unione di Centro, ma con 11.474 preferenze non viene eletto.

Il 12 aprile 2016 viene ufficializzato come capolista a sostegno del candidato sindaco di Milano per il centro-destra Stefano Parisi, suo city manager quando era sindaco; raccoglie 1376 preferenze, unico eletto della lista civica: "energie per Milano", lascia il seggio al 2º classificato per numero di voti di preferenza: Manfredi Palmeri, e a vincere è il centro-sinistra, con il proprio candidato Giuseppe Sala.

Terminata l'esperienza nel partito di Alfano (per ultimo Alternativa Popolare) e quella da senatore, nel 2018 sostiene i candidati della lista di Parisi alle regionali in Lombardia a sostegno del candidato di centro-destra, il leghista Attilio Fontana, dopo aver rifiutato la candidatura con il centro-sinistra.

Sviluppi successivi

In vista delle elezioni comunali a Milano in programma nel 2021, il segretario della Lega Matteo Salvini ha proposto di candidare nuovamente Albertini a sindaco per la coalizione di centro-destra, contrapponendolo al sindaco uscente di centro-sinistra Sala, candidatosi per un secondo mandato. Albertini, in una lettera pubblicata sul quotidiano Libero il 6 maggio 2021, ha tuttavia declinato l'offerta, affermando di "voler dare priorità alla famiglia"; il centro-destra sceglierà poi di proporre per la poltrona di Palazzo Marino il medico pediatra Luca Bernardo, sconfitto pesantemente da Sala al primo turno elettorale.

In vista delle elezioni politiche anticipate del 2022, Albertini lancia, insieme al deputato Guido Della Frera e altri dirigenti lombardi, un appello a Carlo Calenda e Matteo Renzi per costruire un "terzo polo" liberale nel segno della cosiddetta "Agenda Draghi".

Opere
 Nella stanza del sindaco (con Carlo Maria Lomartire), Milano, Mondadori collana Oscar saggi, 2006.
 Sindaco senza frontiere. Fatti e idee per un condominio globale, Genova, Marietti Editore, 2008.
 La lezione di Milano (a cura di Mario Paternostro), Genova, De Ferrari, 2012.
 Rivoglio la mia Milano (con Sergio Rotondo, prefazione di Francesco Alberoni, postfazione di Vittorio Feltri), Genova, De Ferrari 2021.

Onorificenze

Onorificenze italiane

Onorificenze straniere

Note

Bibliografia
 Alberto Mazzuca, Gabriele Albertini in Confindustria una poltrona che scotta, Milano, Edizioni Sphyrna, 1981.
 Gianni Barbacetto, Compagni che sbagliano. La sinistra al governo e altre storie della nuova Italia, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2007. ISBN 978-88-428-1418-4
 Gabriele Albertini, Sindaco senza frontiere: fatti e idee per un condominio globale, Marietti Editore, 2008. ISBN 9788821164477
 Roberto Gelmini, L'onestà al potere. La rivoluzione del Buon Governo, Genova, Marietti Editore, 2012.
 Gabriele Albertini, La lezione di Milano, De Ferrari, 2012. EAN: 9788864053370
 Gabriele Albertini con Carlo M. Lomartire, Nella stanza del sindaco. Nove anni al governo di una metropoli che cambia, Oscar saggi, Mondadori, 2016. ISBN 8804561653 - ISBN 978-8804561651

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

Cavalieri dell'Ordine pro merito melitensi
Europarlamentari dell'Italia della VI legislatura
Europarlamentari dell'Italia della VII legislatura
Grandi ufficiali dell'Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro
Politici di Forza Italia (1994)
Politici del Popolo della Libertà
Politici di Scelta Civica
Politici del Nuovo Centrodestra
Politici di Alternativa Popolare
Senatori della XVII legislatura della Repubblica Italiana
Studenti dell'Università degli Studi di Milano
Ufficiali della Legion d'onore
Ordine dell'Amicizia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Congratulations to Arcadian Surf Lifesaver, Stefaan Demopoulous who competed recently in the Australian Pool Rescue Championships at the Australian Institute of Sports in Canberra. His results were outstanding. Congratulations to Stefaan and his support team for your all your hard work.
1st 200 metre Super Lifesaver with an Australian record.
In the team events, Stefaan also picked up 1 gold and 2 bronze medals!
He has been named in the Australian team to head to New Zealand at the end of October.
Heading down south for a surf carnival or holiday? Find great deals on Gold Coast Accommodation, as well as many other destinations.
Planning that something special and need that unique place to hold it in. Well Arcadian Surf Life Saving Club can offer you two rooms for hire, The Steele Davis Room and The Bob Chadd Training Room.


The Children's Museum Annual Chair-ity Auction and Dinner was held September 2016 and had record attendance and an unbelievable outpouring of support! Our thanks to our community for helping us Build a Brighter Future for the children and families in our region. It was clearly a good thing to be together and our hearts are full with the amazing care that was shared.
To become a Museum Sponsor, contact us or fill out our Sponsorship form below.


text:
Memorial fund launched to honor Cheslie Kryst
CATS bus drivers reach tentative deal to avoid labor strike
Sunny and pleasant Monday afternoon before more rain in Charlotte
'A bright light' | Amir Locke's family shares heartbreak; County, AG partner to review shooting
The Hennepin Co. Attorney's Office and Minnesota Attorney General's Office will work together to review Locke's shooting by Minneapolis police.
Author: Dana Thiede
Published: 10:35 AM EST February 4, 2022
Updated: 6:24 PM EST February 4, 2022
MINNEAPOLIS — Amir Locke's parents are vowing not to rest until there is justice for their son, who was shot and killed by Minneapolis police inside a downtown apartment on Wednesday morning.
Locke's family spoke to the media in a virtual news conference on Friday morning, shortly after it was announced that the Hennepin County Attorney's office will work with a legal team from the Minnesota Attorney General's office to review the fatal shooting of Amir Locke by a Minneapolis police officer.
A news release from Mike Freeman's office says he asked Attorney General Keith Ellison to join forces in the review, and the A.G. agreed. The joint effort follows what Freeman called "previous constructive partnerships" in the prosecutions of Derek Chauvin and Kim Potter, both convicted in incidents involving fatal use of force.
"I promise the Locke family and all Minnesotans that we will work with the Hennepin County Attorney's Office to conduct a fair and thorough review of the BCA investigation and that we will be guided by the values of accountability and transparency," Ellison said later in a social media post.
Freeman has asked retired Judge Daniel Mabley, currently acting as Chief Criminal Deputy in the County Attorney's Office, to lead the efforts from his side.
RELATED: St. Paul police did not request a 'no-knock' warrant in MPD raid that led to Amir Locke's death
The combined team will work with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to "ensure a thorough and complete evaluation. Freeman's office says at that point, the team will decide together, based on evidence assembled and the law, whether criminal charges will be filed against the officer who fired the fatal shots."
The Minneapolis Police Department has identified the officer who shot Amir Locke as Mark Hanneman.
At their news conference Friday, Amir Locke's father called him as a "good kid" and a law-abiding citizen who he described as the protector of the family.
"He did what was right, he did all the things he was supposed to do," said Andre Locke of his 22-year-old son. "He wanted to change lives, he wanted to help youth, that was his goal."
"Amir was very respectful. He was raised with morals and values. He respected law enforcement," shared Amir's mother Karen Wells, who talked about his dreams of a career in music and working with young people. "Amir was loved by all, hated by none... he didn't deserve what happened to him."
Family attorney Jeff Storms emphasized that Amir Locke's name was not on the warrant, and called Minneapolis "a city that refuses to learn," referencing what he called a promise to refrain from using no-knock warrants following the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville.
"This poor young man is awoken from a slumber and given no opportunity to survive, to live," Storms said. "They barge in before they ever identify themselves, and they give Amir no time to save his own life."
Co-attorney Tony Romanucci also asserted that the Minneapolis SWAT team errored in their execution, saying officers didn't announce themselves or the serving of a warrant until they were already over the threshold of the front door. Calling it "an absolutely disgusting violation of civil rights," Romanucci said there was just one way this interaction would end.
"Amir was doomed to die, he had no chance," Romanucci insisted.
Both Romanucci and Storms said there are different standards for Black and White people who are permitted to carry guns, and maintain this would not have happened to a person who was White.
Later Friday afternoon, Locke's parents held another press conference alongside several members of their family, as well as local activists.
Wells spoke again, saying, "I was always an advocate for the families that went through this, but never in a million years would I have imagined that I would be standing up here talking about the execution of my son by the Minneapolis Police Department. I should not have to be here."
"At the end of the day, I believe that he was executed by the MPD and I want the police officer that murdered my son to be prosecuted and fired."
Locke's father, Andre Locke added, "Put yourselves in our shoes. "How does that feel to know that your son is sleeping comfortably in a safe place, peaceful, and someone takes it upon themselves to choose who lives and who dies? Amir was a bright light and deserved to be able to shine."
Locke agreed with Wells' sentiment, saying he believes the officer who shot and killed his son should fully be prosecuted.
"His story doesn't end here," Locke's uncle, Andrew Tyler, said.
Locke's aunt said, "We want justice; not just for Amir, not just for our family, we want justice for the families to be. We want change. We want the change that people are talking about -- our community leaders are talking about and speaking about. We need everyone to know Amir's name: Amir Locke."
The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus agrees with the victim's attorneys. On Friday the organization released a statement in support of Locke and called for a "transparent and independent investigation" into his death.
Locke was a legal gun owner and had a permit to conceal and carry, and bodycam video showed he was covered in blankets and had his firearm nearby when Minneapolis police entered the apartment where he was sleeping the morning of Feb. 2 and startled him awake.
"Mr. Locke did what many of us might do in the same confusing circumstances, he reached for a legal means of self-defense while he sought to understand what was happening," said Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus Senior VP of Governmental Affairs Rob Doar in a statement.
"Amir Locke, a lawful gun owner, should still be alive," Bryan Strawser, chairman of the caucus, added in the statement. "Black men, like all citizens, have a right to keep and bear arms. Black men, like all citizens, have the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable search and seizure."
Locke was shot by a Minneapolis SWAT officer as a team served a warrant at the Bolero Flats apartments Wednesday morning. On Thursday, the city of Minneapolis released body cam footage of the incident, which shows slow motion and regular speed footage of police using a key to enter an apartment, yell "police" and order a subject under a blanket on a sofa to show their hands and get on the ground. The video seems to show Locke roll over holding a gun, and shots are fired.
The video was released after a day of intense pressure from community groups and Minneapolis legislators, but Mayor Jacob Frey and interim Police Chief Amelia Huffman said they needed to show Locke's family the bodycam footage first.
RELATED: Body-worn camera footage released in police shooting of Amir Locke
RELATED: Emotions run high after release of body cam video in deadly police shooting
Emotions run high after release of body cam video in deadly police shooting
Body-worn camera footage released in police shooting of Amir Locke
Police shoot, kill man in downtown Minneapolis apartment
Watch more local news:
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities in our YouTube playlist:


While I didn't know how little support Florida gave its less privileged residents, the common themes in all these stories really are glaringly obvious once pointed out.
Ms. Kondo may well be good at organizing and helping people find ways to de-clutter and tidy their lives. But she can keep her sparkling woo away from my bookshelves.
An automatically generated list of links that caught my eye between May 13th and May 25th.


David W. Zang played junior high school basketball in a drained swimming pool. He wore a rubber suit to bed to make weight for a wrestling meet. He kept a log as an obsessive runner (not a jogger). In short, he soldiered through the life of an ordinary athlete. Whether pondering his long-unbuilt replica of Connie Mack Stadium or his eye-opening turn as the Baltimore Ravens' mascot, Zang offers tales at turns poignant and hilarious as he engages with the passions that shaped his life. Yet his meditations also probe the tragedy of a modern athletic culture that substitutes hyped spectatorship for participation. As he laments, American society's increasing scorn for taking part in play robs adults of the life-affirming virtues of games that challenge us to accomplish the impossible for the most transcendent of reasons: to see if it can be done. From teammates named Lop to tracing Joe Paterno's long shadow over Happy Valley, I Wore Babe Ruth's Hat reports from the everyman's Elysium where games and life intersect.
David W. Zang is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Towson University. He is the author of Fleet Walker's Divided Heart: The Life of Baseball's First Black Major Leaguer and Sports Wars: Athletes in the Age of Aquarius.
"These essays deliver intelligent analysis, brilliant insights, wit, laugh-out-loud hilarity, and a disarmingly serious look at David Zang's passion for sport and its place in his life and ours."


The External Trade of the Loango Coast 1576-1870. The External Trade of the Loango Coast 1576-1870.
The External Trade of the Loango Coast 1576-1870.
1st edition. Oxford Studiews in African Affairs series. The Effects of Changing Commercial Relations on the Vili Kingdom of Loango. "The Loango Coast lies between Cape Lopez in the North and the Congo river in the south. In the eighteenth century it was one of the most important sources of slaves for the Transatlantic Trade. This study traces the development of trade in the area, starting with the pre-slave trade era, following the story through the slave trade period, and looking briefly at the legitimate trade that had developed by the mid-nineteenth century. The book also focuses on the Loango Kingdom and considers how the indigenous Vili society was affected by these varying commercial conditions." Pp.xiv/193, 4 maps. Black cloth, dustwrapper has minor edge wear. Scarce. VG/VG.
Title: The External Trade of the Loango Coast 1576-1870.
Author Name: MARTIN, Phyllis M.


CONTEST EXTENDED due to a Database Crash. Deadline moved to June 15, 11:59pm GMT +8. In case your entry was lost, please join again. My apologies.
Hey folks! Been plagued by hosting issues lately but I have managed to move the site successfully. Still tweaking some settings but it looks like things are going to be fine now. *crosses fingers* During this time, while I was reading all sorts of troubleshooting articles I couldn't comprehend, pestering net-savvy friends for help, and headdesking from frustration, Kitchen Cow's Third Anniversary actually came and went. Well, two weeks overdue it may be, but I won't let that stop me from celebrating! So, let me present the Kitchen Cow 3rd Anniversary Bento Giveaway!
What's in the Bento Giveaway? Well, everything in the photo!
Like last year, this year's giveaway is open to all readers, regardless of geographic location. Well, as long as your shipping address is serviced by the Post Office. ^_^;; Simply make a comment in this post, containing your answer to this question: "If you win this bento package, what will you put in it?" Each comment gets one raffle ticket.
If you want to win an extra ticket, answer the question in your own blog and add a link back to this contest post. Please remember to post your blog's URL in the comment's section here so your points can be counted and to spread the love.
This contest will run until June 8, 11:59pm Manila time (UTC/GMT +8 hours) to post your replies. Results will be out June 9. Good luck everyone!
This entry was posted in admin, culinary events and tagged anniversary, bento, free, freebie, giveaway, kitchen cow, kitchencow, obento. Bookmark the permalink.
Love your pictures and would love a bento kit. Brainstorming as we speak!
I will use it for me! A slot for mini pancakes, maple syrup in the condiment container, sausages, a slice of cheese, and fruit for a perfect breakfast at the office.
I will use the bento set for my everyday lunch. I always have my lunch packed when I go to work. I'd put all sorts of food in it, from simple omelettes to yummy dishes that my mom cook for us.
(^_^)v — smiley with peace sign!
I don't have any bento gadgets at the moment…so if I win your giveaway, then I would definitely start my dream bento meals!!
this would deffinatly give me an excuse to eat more of the japanese and other foods i like on a daily basis.
hello i am relatively new to your site so i don't feel like i deserve a bento giveaway. but, if i had something like that i would be motivated to cook and bake lots of food every time just to make use of it. From pastas, sandwiches, chicken dishes, vegetables, i'll even try making sushi. after, i will share it with friends and family to make it even more special.
I kid you not, I have spent the last several hours on thw web and bento. I've even signed up for a class at a local community college. I love the site. Great info!
if i win the bento set, i would prepare a japanese-italian fusion meal for me and my husband, and we will go somewhere, probably in tagaytay, and have our anniversary picnic there.
Hi there! Just looking through your site for some ideas for bento and I saw the announcement, sorry to see the database crashed, I hope everything returns to normal soon. Love the recipes on the site, and am going to try a few this week for my lunch!
As for the bento competition, I think a must for compartment 1 would be some chicken teriyaki, possibly with some shredded white cabbage and some stir fried beansprouts, with plenty of sesame seeds and lemon juice on top. Compartment 2 would be for rice, with some cut-out shapes of nori, a sliced boiled egg and a little shichimi – yum-o! Compartment 3 would be for fruit – some lovely refreshing cantaloupe and honeydew melon, a couple of strawberries and a grape or 2 for good measure. Finally, compartment 4 would be for sweet treats, probably red bean mochi and a couple of little pandan crispy sticks… My mouth is watering now! See how much inspiration you've given me already after just an hour of browsing!
Congratulations on your 3rd anniversary! Thank you for this chance to win such a great giveaway. If I were to win it, I have the perfect foursome for it: rice, barbecued pork, itlog na pula and tomatoes.
I'm so glad I found your blog. I would make lunches for my little one who has a nut allergy and so I don't trust the food in schools.
And for those who joined again despite losing their entries, thank you for the forgiving attitude. *hugs* You guys are the best.
Wow! Extended to June 15! I can still join!
We have a terrible canteen. If you don't believe me, I'll gladly show you. Really.
The servers are grumpy. We tried smiling, being nice, and flirting (I did!), but nothing worked! And did I mention that the food portions are very small? They are! Most of the time, we feel like we're asking for alms when in fact we're paying a hefty price for such an awful food. So we bring our own baon. Friends have followed suit.
We're currently using Lock n Lock. And while Lock n Lock is useful, my wife wants something substantial but playful. Lock n Lock looks pretty boring. My wife and I have been searching high and low, and with this bento package, in no time at all, I'm pretty sure we'll be having the same bentos you've been sharing all these years!
So, in this bento I would put seasoned rice with peas, decorate with meat and cheese, tuck in bites and bits of veggies and fruits. Packed full of love.
I'd put food in a bento.
If I win I would put in the clear bento some tempura shrimp , carrot cut in flower and edamame on the mini pick and some chicken yakisoba.
With he hello kitty mold I would do some strawberries jelly with whipecream.
with the bento cup I could put some snack in them.
If I won, I'd use the bento and supplies for my school lunch. I neveer eat at school, mainly because I don't like the lunch provided. I usually end up buying some candy or chips. But with these I would be able to bring my own healthy, tasty lunch. Knowing me, though, I'd probably stop making my own lunches, and end up using it for my mom. she goes to work at night and wants to eat healthier, so she would enjoy it a lot.
i hope this entry still makes it in time.
again please please include me… but if you can't it's ok.
thnx! tc n hope you're having a great day.
I really really hope im in time!!
If I won the prize I would put all my school lunches in the bento boxes! I'm trying to turn over a new leaf for next year and make my life more organized and this would be a great start!


The single view of the customer has been a talking point for so long that many now assume it's an industry norm. In reality, that's far from the case. During a panel discussion on multichannel integration at InternetRetailing Conference (IRC) 2016, when an audience of senior retailers was asked whether they believed their businesses had fully achieved this single view of the customer, not one hand was raised.
Of course this is a highly anecdotal measure but it does aptly illustrate a retail environment in which the customer's demands and aspirations for service still far outstrip the day-to-day reality.
It's a phrase that sums up nicely the reasons for bringing together customer data in one place. Some data maps shoppers' vital statistics, such as purchase history and delivery address. Other data records their interactions via the brand's touchpoints, from website, email and telephone through to deliveries and collections and returns. Being able to see all of this data in one place enables retailers to reach out and respond to shoppers in the most relevant way possible.
In The Customer Performance Dimension Report, InternetRetailing researchers measure the efficiency and speed of customer service. These days, it's clear that data is a good approach to driving that top-quality service. The importance of recognising the digital customer and responding to them with a relevant service may have begun with ecommerce but its roots go back to the local shopkeeper who knows customers by name and understands their preferences. As the ecommerce – or commerce – platform has extended to manage not only the website but also the store and call centre, the challenge has extended too. The task now is not just to understand how a customer behaves online, but also to gain a fuller understanding of that shopper by bringing together data wherever, whenever and however he or she touches the brand. Leading retailers are now doing just that, using identifiers such as loyalty cards, postcodes and email addresses to join up customers' interactions with the brand regardless of whether they are in store or on the website.
B&Q is consolidating its multichannel customer experience from separate website, contact centre and store systems into a single website-based experience that's fed by a single customer data and content systems. This, says Mike Durbridge, director of omnichannel at the DIY retailer, simplifies the customer experience and makes it more consistent at every touchpoint. "It's important for us to have that consistency and connected journey when interacting with a customer or a colleague," he said, speaking to InternetRetailing ahead of InternetRetailing Expo (IRX) 2016.
Boots itself, he said, has been developing its single view of the customer for the last three years, yet still has another two to go. The data it is bringing together in the single view includes more than 100m records from sources including the Advantage Card, Boots.com, its optician business, health records and appointment booking. Its virtual database pools existing data that is then analysed and put to use through approaches such as cross-channel campaign management and augmented customer segmentation. When Boots has got it right, says Phillips, it will have a memory view of the customer that will enable it to understand what they are trying to do next, letting them respond accordingly. This is key, he says, to its task of rewarding loyalty.
If all this sounds complicated, then spare a thought for a future when the SVC has become even more complex for retailers as new channels embodying the Internet of Things start to emerge. Already, with the arrival of Amazon's Dash replenishment service, that retailer is enabling connected devices to not only order their own consumables but also provide customer data at the same time. And this is only the start.
In the meantime, while the single view of the customer is a project that is set to be a foundation stone in offering shoppers the service they demand, it's one that will take time to achieve.
Integral to the notion of the customer service is the notion that shoppers don't like to wait. That's more true online than in the store environment, where it's unlikely that a slight delay in service will cause shoppers to move on. InternetRetailing researchers analysing the service that Top500 retailers offer their customers decided to measure the speed with which web pages loaded as they saw this as a relevant measure of the consideration that retailers extend to shoppers. And it's certainly true that digital shoppers hate to wait, especially when shopping via mobile.
Since online shoppers hate to wait, these tiny improvements in load time mean that users aren't as impatient and are more likely to convert. Retailers that want to engage with their customers must talk to them in a timely fashion and part of that might mean being polite enough to have an optimised website that doesn't take 5s of customers' time to load.
That reluctance to wait was foremost in InternetRetailing researchers' minds when they tested customer service across Top500 retailers. They measured how quickly customer service staff responded to shopper problems, as well as how long they took to resolve the issue. Their findings were that UK retailers as a group had slow average times in responding to emails, Facebook questions and telephone calls. Phone calls lasted an average of 2m 6s across the group – but 8% of all calls were unanswered. Emails were answered in an average of 27h, while multichannel retailers responded to Facebook queries in less than 9h – nearly six times quicker than the average response time for the IRUK Top500.
in 1h 24m and answered a phone query in less than a minute.
While overall performance is patchy, it's clear that leading retailers are those that invest in responding to customers across all channels.
"Since online shoppers hate to wait, tiny improvements in load times mean that users aren't as impatient and are more likely to convert."
Improving customer service surely starts with the customer. That's another way that the single view of the customer, touched on earlier, comes into play. Retailers can ask customers what they think of their service through research but thanks to their improved view, and understanding, of customer data, they might also analyse their behaviour both online and across channels, using the data that single view brings together. By improving the customer's experience across those channels and focusing on the 'pain points' that emerge from its analysis, retailers can potentially take a few simple steps that should have a lasting effect on the bottom line. These steps might be as straightforward as focusing customer service resources across channels, or ensuring that the phone gets answered quickly by people who are empowered to resolve any issues.
Ultimately, it's at the bottom line that most business improvements are truly measured. Our research supports the idea that even the simplest changes that benefit the customer are likely to have a far-reaching effect here.