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Srbuk will represent Armenia in Eurovision 2019!
Nathan Picot Follow on Twitter November 30, 2018
The broadcaster responsible for the Armenian participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, AMPTV, has announced that Srbuk will be representing the nation in the 2019 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. The contest will take place in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Submit your songs for Srbuk now!
In addition, AMPTV has launched a submissions process for songwriters to submit songs for Srbuk to perform in Tel Aviv. The submissions period closes on January 10th, and interested parties can find the full guidelines here. Furthermore, the broadcaster has uploaded the following promotional video!
About Srbuk
This year, Srbuhi Sargsyan took part in the Ukrainian edition of The Voice. As part of "Team Potap", Srbuk went on to finish in fourth-place. After the contest, she signed a contract with Armenian agency Factory Production and, a few days ago, released a single titled "Half a Goddess".
Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest
Debuting in 2006, Armenia has competed at the contest on 12 occasions. Their only non-participation since debuting came in 2012 when the contest was held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Armenia is usually quite successful on the whole, only having two non-qualifications. They came in 2011 when Emmy sang "Boom Boom" and in 2018 when Sevak Khanagyan sang "Qami".
Armenia has finished in the top 10 on eight occasions with their most successful result being two fourth-places. Their first took place in 2008 when Sirusho sang "Qélé, Qélé" and achieved 199 points in the process. Armenia got their second fourth-place in 2014 when Aram MP3 sang "Not Alone", amassing 174 points.
Are you pleased with Armenia's choice for Tel Aviv? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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&nbspAMPTV
&nbspglobnews.am
By Nathan Picot
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🇵🇱 Junior Eurovision completely home grown!
🇦🇲 Depi Evratesil returns for 2020!


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Q: memory use in recursive tree algorithm I've got a code where I need to create a map with key values as double (value of the f-test between two clusters. I need to calculate the residual sum of squares for this) and the mapped value of cluspair which is pair of the class Cluster that I created. Map aims to store the F-test values between the all clusters so that I would not need to do the calculation again and again in every step. BTW cluster is a tree structure where every cluster contains two subclusters and the stored values are 70-dimensional vectors.
Problem is, in order to calculate the RSS, I need to implement a recursive code where I need to find the distance of every element of the cluster with the mean of the cluster and this seems to be consuming an enormous amount of memory. When I create the same map with the key values being the simple distance between the means of two clusters, the program uses minimal memory so I think the increase in the memory use is caused by the call of the recursive function RSS. What should I do to manage the memory use in the code below? In its current implementation the system runs out of memory and windows closes the application saying that the system ran out of virtual memory.
The main code:
    map<double,cluspair> createRSSMap( list<Cluster*> cluslist )
    {
            list<Cluster*>::iterator it1;
            list<Cluster*>::iterator it2;

            map<double,cluspair> rtrnmap;

            for(it1=cluslist.begin(); it1!= --cluslist.end() ;it1++)
            {
                it2=it1;
                ++it2;
                cout << ".";

                list<Cluster*>::iterator itc;
                double cFvalue=10000000000000000000;
                double rIt1 = (*it1)->rss();

                for(int kk=0 ; it2!=cluslist.end(); it2++)
                {

                    Cluster tclustr ((*it1) , (*it2));
                    double r1 = tclustr.rss();
                    double r2= rIt1 + (*it2)->rss();
                    int df2 = tclustr.getNumOfVecs() - 2;

                    double fvalue = (r1 - r2) / (r2 / df2);

                    if(fvalue<cFvalue)
                    {
                        cFvalue=fvalue;
                        itc=it2;
                    }
                }

                cluspair clp;
                clp.c1 = *it1;
                clp.c2 = *itc;

                bool doesexists = (rtrnmap.find(cFvalue) != rtrnmap.end());

                while(rtrnmap)
                {
                    cFvalue+= 0.000000001;
                    rtrnmap= (rtrnmap.find(cFvalue) != rtrnmap.end());
                }

                rtrnmap[cFvalue] = clp;

            }

            return rtrnmap;
    }

and the imlementation of the function RSS:
double Cluster::rss()
{
    return rss(cnode->mean);
}

double Cluster::rss(vector<double> &cmean)
{
    if(cnode->numOfVecs==1)
    {
        return vectorDist(cmean,cnode->mean);
    }
    else
    {
        return ( ec1->rss(cmean) + ec2->rss(cmean) );
    }
}

Much thanks in advance. I really don't know what to do at this point.

below is the code with that I use to create a map with keys being simple euclidian distance between two cluster means. As I've said above, it is quite similar and uses minimal memory. It only differs in the calculation of the fvalue. Instead of the recursive calculation, there is the calculation of simple distance of means of two clusters. Hope it helps to identify the problem
    map<double,cluspair> createDistMap( list<Cluster*> cluslist )
    {
            list<Cluster*>::iterator it1;
            list<Cluster*>::iterator it2;

            map<double,cluspair> rtrnmap;

            for(it1=cluslist.begin(); it1!= --cluslist.end() ;it1++)
            {
                it2=it1;
                ++it2;
                cout << ".";

                list<Cluster*>::iterator itc;
                double cDist=1000000000000000;

                for(int kk=0 ; it2!=cluslist.end(); it2++)
                {
                    double nDist = vectorDist( (*it1)->getMean(),(*it2)->getMean());
                    if (nDist<cDist)
                    {
                        cDist = nDist;
                        itc=it2;
                    }
                }

                cluspair clp;
                clp.c1 = *it1;
              clp.c2 = *itc;

                bool doesexists = (rtrnmap.find(cDist) != rtrnmap.end());

                while(doesexists)
                {
                    cDist+= 0.000000001;
                    doesexists  = (rtrnmap.find(cDist) != rtrnmap.end());
                }

                rtrnmap[cDist] = clp;

            }

            return rtrnmap;
    }

Cluster constructer
Cluster::Cluster (Cluster *C1, Cluster *C2)
{
    ec1=C1;
    ec2=C2;
    node* cn = new node;
    cn->numOfVecs = C1->cnode->numOfVecs + C2->cnode->numOfVecs;

    double nov = cn->numOfVecs;
    double div = (1 / nov);

    cn->mean = scalarMultVect(div,vectAdd(scalarMultVect(C1->cnode->numOfVecs,C1->cnode->mean),scalarMultVect(C2->cnode->numOfVecs,C2->cnode->mean)));

    mvect tmv;
    tmv.stock="";
    cn->v1 = tmv;

    cnode = cn;
}

A: You've asked exactly the same question before:
 Enormous Increase In the Use Of Memory

*

*rtrnmap= (rtrnmap.find(cFvalue) != rtrnmap.end()); does not make sense.

*You were told to pass data through references

*You were told to add logging information and see how many iterations are performed.

A few comments:

*

*It is a bad idea to have a map with a double as key as you may find yourself unable to retrieve an element due to a tiny difference in the double.

*Add only a few elements in the collection and manually go through all the functions in the debugger. You'll get to "see" what gets executed and can immediately see if the actual execution flow matches your expectations

And please don't double post your questions (even if you use different users).
EDIT:
We all assumed a proper destructor. Make sure you deallocate any memory you explicitly allocate with new or new[] with delete or delete[] as appropriate.

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text:
Sport January 17, 2021 <January 17, 2021
The Australian Federation is offering a tournament with the Blues
After skipping a trip to Argentina last summer, will the 16th in France be able to tour Australia next July? Faced with the recent developments in the health crisis, European teams are skeptical about the possibility of joining the Southern Hemisphere next July. A situation that could call into question the traditional quadrennial tour of the British and Irish Lions, who will play nine matches in South Africa between June 26 and August 7. Faced with all these uncertainties, the Australian Rugby Federation (ARU) suggested an alternative through the voice of its president, Hamish McLennan. Second, in an interview Financial Times, Proposing to organize a "mini-world cup" on its soil, inviting proud selections to face the Wallabies.
McLellan: "If anyone wants to come, it's great! "
As ARU's boss makes clear, France's XV is due to play three Test matches against the Wallabies on July 3, 10 and 17. But Hamish McLellan is ready to welcome other choices, including the British and Irish Lions. "If anyone else wants to come, it would be great! In Australia, we have a large British and Irish population. There are a lot of South Africans too, the boss of Australian rugby guarantees. We are ready for the idea of creating a new competition to allow the international calendar to continue. In addition, such a tournament will attract the greed of investors … CVC Capital Partners participating in the 6 Nations Tournament, to Silver interested in investing in All Blacks. "I had the opportunity to discuss this with senior executives at CVC, Silver Lake and other investment funds," says Hamish McLellan. These discussions were very constructive. "For the first time in the tournament we will be able to face the Blues and the British and Irish Lions, which will be impressive for Fabian Galti and FFR.
See also Despite the English victory, Boris Johnson has been conspicuous in his absence
Jason Wright named Washington Football Staff president in historic employ the service of
The Washington Soccer Team ongoing its overhaul Monday, naming Jason Wright as...
Matt Miyasga has left Chelsea for a fourth loan after agreeing to a deal with Anderlecht.
Irishman Josh van der Flyer (Leinster) named European Player of the Year
ÖFB-Frauen: math game, Schützenhilf and fluency
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Next articleThey observe for the first time the death of a distant galaxy
Government updates on Pandemic Unemployment Payment as thousands of people see pay rises

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text:
EY Cybersecurity Manager Clara Luya discusses her role
Cybersecurity management proves an excellent career choice
Clara Luya is an impressive Cybersecurity Manager at EY Australia. Her focus areas include Cyber governance, Cyber transformation, Cyber threat management, Threat intelligence and Digital disruption.
Clara grew up in China. She lived in the United States and has worked in the Asia-Pacific and Africa. She commenced her career in the banking and financial services sector in Sydney. Clara worked with different consultancy firms from the Big 4, a technology specialist and a boutique consulting company. Working in professional services which enabled her to gain focused industry experience in addition to consulting.
She is part of the EY Risk Advisory team so she spends the majority of her time working with the business to understand their needs and provide advice on Information & Communications technology related matters such as security strategy, risk management, cyber transformation and cyber governance. "The work can certainly be very hands-on at times," explains Clara. "For example, I've managed a team designing and proposing security operating models and have been involved in identifying a security transformation program for clients. I've also been involved in data breach and data leakage investigation, working alongside our Forensic Investigation team."
Clara has provided many impressive achievements for EY, one of which was to lead a team to design and recommend a security operating model for a client who operates in a federated environment. "We worked with the CIOs of each entity to define the security maturity and service capabilities in order to build a clear understanding of the operating model. We also negotiated on behalf of each entity to develop the contractual agreements between the entities. Needless to say, it was a complex and high profile engagement," says Clara.
Being passionate about strategic governance, what Clara found very satisfying about this work was that it allowed her to make a real and tangible impact in the community. Working with other parts of the business, such as Legal, during the contract development also provided significant experience for Clara.
When asked about EY as an employer, Clara declares that "EY is the best place to work". She believes that what makes EY stand out amongst competitors is its people. "We've so many talented and driven people in EY who are eager to make a difference. The work culture that these people create is so very rich, encouraging and satisfying. People at EY are not only exceptionally good at the detailed, technical stuff but they also have the ability to listen, engage a business and dedicate themselves to develop the best solution." Clara also believes that there's a strong openness throughout the working environment. "If anyone has a question, there'll always be a person nearby who is ready to help. At EY, we collaborative on ideas and options to deliver the common goal which is "building a better working world".
Moving to EY from another Big 4 firm, Clara wasn't expecting many changes. However, her experience with EY has been very refreshing and energising. "Prior to joining EY, I was heavily focusing on technology consulting and managing large system implementations. At EY, I really enjoyed the learning curve that bridged my experience with new areas in relation to cybersecurity advisory work. I got to see how an idea or vision or requirement translates into a tangible solution that can benefit the organisation," explains Clara.
Since joining EY, Clara has enjoyed learning how to work with business step by step throughout cyber assessment security reviews. She invests in the relationships with business to support them in their journey of transforming their cyber capabilities. "The strong relationship, rich experience and insight that I get from building the relationships with the business over time is one of the best parts," comments Clara." I'm passionate about what I do and enjoy the challenge in looking for ways to get things 100% correct. And my happy disposition means I'm always cheerful and that I enjoy motivating others. I like to spend time getting to know who I'm working with. I take on responsibilities and I'm always fully committed to what I do. Thankfully these are all qualities that EY values as an employer.
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Read about further women at EY working in the cybersecurity arena, or explore the range of career options open.


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È stato tastierista ed organista della rock band inglese Status Quo negli anni sessanta.

Biografia
Entrò a far parte degli Status Quo, quando la formazione aveva ancora la denominazione di The Spectres, nel 1965, prendendo il posto dell'organista Jess Jaworski.

Lynes ebbe un ruolo molto importante per tutti gli anni sessanta, compose alcuni pezzi e diede un contributo rilevante nella evoluzione del sound della band, specie dopo il passaggio al genere "rock psichedelico".

In particolare, a lui si devono i delicati impasti sonori con organo e tastiera che tanto contribuirono alla elaborazione delle tipiche atmosfere trasognate e lisergiche grazie alle quali la band divenne una tra le più apprezzate negli ambienti della musica psichedelica. Il suo contributo più famoso rimane sicuramente quello dato alla incisione del brano Pictures of Matchstick Men, classico psichedelico del 1968.

Tuttavia, nel 1970, gli Status Quo decisero di rivoluzionare il loro modo di fare musica orientandosi verso un più ruvido hard boogie rock, che prevedeva un impatto assai più ridotto delle tastiere.

Approfittando di una relazione sentimentale che aveva intrapreso mentre era in tour con i compagni, lasciò perentoriamente la band e si trasferì in Australia.

Discografia parziale

Discografia con The Spectres

Discografia con Traffic Jam

Discografia con gli Status Quo

Album di studio
 1968 – Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo
 1969 – Spare Parts
 1970 – Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon

Album dal vivo
 2010 – Status Quo Live at the BBC

Collegamenti esterni

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George Washington at the Battle of Princeton, January 3rd 1777, from 'Life and Times of Washington', Volume I, 1857 - Alonzo Chappel - WikiGallery.org, the largest gallery in the world
George Washington at the Battle of Princeton, January 3rd 1777, from 'Life and Times of Washington', Volume I, 1857 - Alonzo Chappel
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George Washington hears his mother convince him not to go to sea as a midshipman, from 'Life and Times of Washington', Volume I, 1857 - Alonzo Chappel
George Washington taking command of the Army, 1775, from 'Life and Times of Washington', Volume I, 1857 - Alonzo Chappel
Henry Lee III (1756-1818) - Alonzo Chappel
John Anthony Quitman (1798-1858) - Alonzo Chappel
John Jacob Astor (1763-1848) - Alonzo Chappel
John James Audubon (1785-1851) - Alonzo Chappel
John Jay (1745-1829) - Alonzo Chappel
John Marshall (1755-1835) - Alonzo Chappel
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Portrait of Napoleon I - Robert-Jacques-Francois-Faust Lefevre
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text:
FinermanWorks
Crafting Words with Impact
Your RDA of Irony
Posts Tagged 'idiot'
The Candidate and the Idiot
Posted in General on November 2nd, 2010 by Eugene Finerman – Be the first to comment
(From the archives but worth repeating….)
The candidate has always been conscious of his image. In the days of the Roman Republic (509 B.C.-27 B.C.), long before there were press releases, the aspiring politician announced his campaign for public office by putting on his very best-whitest-toga and proclaiming his virtues in the Forum. There was a term for this spectacle, "candidatus" meaning clothed in white. Unfortunately, Roman politics were so tumultuous that "candidates" increasingly found it safer to wear armor than togas. Indeed, by 100 B.C. and for the remaining five centuries of Rome's dominion, civil war was the most common method of election. By the Middle Ages, the idea of a "candidate" had lapsed into Latin obscurity.
Seventeenth century England revived the idea. The growing power of Parliament attracted ambitious men. Many were tantalized by the prospects for social-climbing and the opportunities for graft. The Puritans wanted to impose their principles on everyone else. All of these aspiring megalomaniacs were vying for seats in Parliament. Whether this new occupation was a career or an affliction, it still required a name.
Fortunately, the Renaissance had revived literacy, and some English scholars remembered the term "candidatus." Of course, the term was not meant literally. At the time, the only white clothing would have been shirts, which also served men as their pajamas and underwear. (The Roman practice of hygiene had yet to be revived.) The idea of publicly parading in only a shirt would have disqualified the Puritan politicians. Candidate now was a generic term.
The scholars had also revived the Roman word for white: candidus. People like John Milton always flaunted their erudition, and so they would speak of a candid cloud. Ironically, "candid" soon began its evolution, first mixing with other synonyms for white and then acquiring its distinct definition. To phrase it as etymological formula: Candid=white=shining=clear=open=frank. This evolution proved surprisingly quick. By the end of the 17th century, candid had assumed its current meaning. So, the similarity between the words "candid" and "candidate" is not an accident: it just is an oxymoron.
The voter was not always treated like an idiot. On the contrary, in Ancient Greece the epithet was applied to those who didn't vote. Idiot is derived from the Greek word, idiotes, meaning private citizen. In its broadest and snobbiest definition, it applied to any citizen not in the ruling class. Of course, in a democracy-like Athens– every citizen was in the ruling class. (However, not everyone was a citizen: the women and slaves learned that.) From the Athenian perspective, an idiot was that myopic, apathetic soul who did not participate in the city's democracy.
Indeed, it is hard to imagine anyone who could witness the birth of Democracy and yet be oblivious to it. There was as much drama in Greek politics as in any amphitheater. Combining politics and theater, the Greeks had created the art of rhetoric. Pericles and Demosthenes treated the public like an audience, flattering, moving and dazzling the citizens. And the citizens were expected to argue back and debate the issues. Think of the topics that those Athenians decided: building a fleet, the construction of the Parthenon, war with Sparta. (The latter was not Athen's most brilliant decision: imagine Meryl Streep starting a fist fight with Vin Diesel.) Yes, the Athenian citizens probably discussed zoning ordinances for chariots, too. Even classical Athens had its mundane matters.
Anyone so indifferent to this vital and dramatic process deserved contempt. The apathetic citizens were neglecting their rights and self-interest, abandoning their role in the democratic state. The word idiot became their stigma. Twenty-five centuries have broaden the word's application but not improved its meaning. Of course, democracy and idiots are the not our only political legacy from Greece. We also have inherited a term for anyone whose politics differed from yours. The Greek word for fool is moron.
States of Denial
Lose a War, Lose Your Identity
Ole Vey!
Byzantine Eugenics
O Tempora, O Morass!
Derailed Train of Thoughts
May Dei
English Stew
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Welcome all to the home stretch of gift ideas. I was so clever, I wrote a bunch of posts in advance and scheduled them to publish then bam, here we reach my non scheduled posts. Did I mention it's Sunday and I woke up today at 5 a.m. to go to work? My status update today for fb is "The more tired I am, the more makeup I put on. Today you would never guess I don't work for the oldest profession." Subtle, right? Pats on the back all around and then I must return to working. BUT FIRST!
This is the matching necklace to the earrings we gave my sister in law for her bday. It's from one of my neighbor boutiques Mabel Chong. The raw ruby is so beautiful, a deep luscious magenta. Magenta is such an outdated word, isn't it? It sounds so much less beautiful than it is.
Another of my merchant neighbors is Twiga Gallery. Twiga is from Tanzania and her collection of jewelry is all from various places in Africa. It's more art than jewelry. So if you want to buy something unique, exotic, from far away lands for prices unknown…. Seriously, I have no idea what the prices are on her pieces but I know they are fancy levels.
"If you have to ask, you can't afford it." -Chairman Mao. Just kidding. I don't know who said that but it's inscribed on a smartass bangle of mine.
It's one of the saying bangles 👆 same brand as above made by Jessica Kagan Cushman, a favorite jewelry designer of mine.
So how's everybody doing? You finished with your shopping yet? I still have my mom left. She wants sunscreen. So I need to figure out something better than sunscreen to give her. Sunscreen. Let me repeat that, all my mom wants for XMas is sunscreen. SMH.
Right?!? Now it's on us to figure out something special. And despite the 16 days of jewelry ideas I'm drawing a blank on my mom jewelry wise. She just gave me a ton of hers, so I think jewelry isn't going to work for her maybe I should get her socks too?
Magenta does sound old you're right but it's a gorgeous color. The word megenta makes me think of some ugly fabric somebody wore in 1977 or the ripped seat in a movie theatre but it's really beautiful! It needs a new name!
Exactly! But I couldn't think if a better color name "purpley red" was kind of wordy.
Megenta is pretty though & it's not megenta's fault that people abused it and made it remind us of weird stuff. We can bring meganta back and give it the glory of ruby and crimson!
That magenta necklace is so pretty and a good staple necklace. Also a perfect gift for an Internet friend named Dora.
Why can't you and I be neighbors??! Damn geography!
Yeah we would be neighbors and still communicate mostly via internets 🙂 but I would drop off egg nog first. What's the plan for our rewatching The Walking Dead? Is there some strategy here or first one thru gets bragging rights?
I know! Haha! But it would be awesome to drop by your store all the time and just become a store helper only because I hang out there so much. I've never tasted eggnog before!
I'm planning to do it next week. And kind of see how many episodes I can go through in one sitting. I'll probably binge watch on a Friday only because that's my only day off from work.
I hope you make TWD posts during your re-watch. *fingers crossed* It's always nice to read someone else's POV just in case I miss something.
Ok, I will! Though I'm working basically all the time right now so it will probably start on christmas. But maybe not!
Egg Nog can be either boozy or not boozy. Homemade is like drinking cream with lots of sugar and nutmeg. And raw eggs. It's amazing. But rich. I can only handle drinking it about 1 time per year.
Also, you are totally hired as shop helper/hanger outer. That's one of the best things about my job is getting visitors at work hanging out.
So agree on no schedule on TWD?
I tried making homemade boozy eggnog and it did not turn out well. So I need the legit thing! Raw egg drink sound really weird though.
Id be the best shopper helper. And or a good dog walker.


Here is an award for social responsibility and governance: The A' Design Award for Governance, recognise and celebrate good practice in commissioning and providing social value where you, as an institution, a corporation, an association or government body can enter valuable projects that benefit value to society through support and solutions for life, transportation, health, environment, living conditions, and more. The award is also open to smart city solutions as well as new systems of security and safety for citizens. You can impress the jury and get global attention for your social responsibility project by winning the A' Design Award, the World's largest and most influential design accolade. Participation is really easy and all you need to do is go to adesignaward.com and register a new account. The Social value awards will announce the award winners on April 15 and registration is ongoing and open right now. The objective of these awards is to recognise and reward initiatives that promote the social inclusion and well-being of people worldwide, and winning the award is for sure a benchmark, a milestone for you. In addition to the governance award for good social value (which is most suitable for projects), there is also a social design award where you could present especially products and finally a separate category for green design initiatives to ensure that designs that relate to environment get the attention they deserve. If your institution is committed to social value, and if you need to show it to your audience and stakeholders, it is the right time to join and get promoted for doing good.In Summary:Here is an award for social responsibility and governance: The A' Design Award for Governance, recognise and celebrate good practice in commissioning and providing social value where you, as an institution, a corporation, an association or government body can enter valuable projects that benefit value to society through support and solutions for life, transportation, health, environment, living conditions, and more. The award is also open to smart city solutions as well as new systems of secur..


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Tag Archives: Iran's Willingness to Confront the U.S.
Iran's Grim Economy Limits Its Willingness to Confront the U.S. – The New York Times
". . . Within Iran, the killing resounded as a breach of national sovereignty and evidence that the United States bore malevolent intent. It muted the complaints that propelled November's demonstrations — laments over rising prices, accusations of corruption and economic malpractice amid the leadership — replacing them with mourning for a man celebrated as a national hero.
A country fraught with grievances aimed directly at its senior leaders had seemingly been united in anger at the United States.
"The killing of Suleimani represents a watershed, not only in terms of directing attention away from domestic problems, but also rallying Iranians around their flag," said Fawaz A. Gerges, a professor of international relations at the London School of Economics.
Mr. Trump had supplied the Iranian leadership "time and space to change the conversation," he added. Iranians were no longer consumed with the "misguided and failed economic policies of the Iranian regime," but rather "the arrogant aggression of the United States against the Iranian nation."
But then came the government's admission that it was responsible for bringing down the Ukrainian passenger jet. Now, Iran's leaders again find themselves on the wrong end of angry street demonstrations.
For now, the regime is seeking to quash the demonstrations with riot police and admonitions to the protesters to go home. But if public rage continues, hard-liners may resort to challenging American interests in the hopes that confrontation will force Mr. Trump to negotiate a deal toward eliminating the sanctions."
Posted in Iran, Military Affairs and Espionage	| Tagged Iran's Willingness to Confront the U.S., Iran's Grim Economy	| Leave a reply


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Редлайтен () — коммуна () в Австрии, в федеральной земле Верхняя Австрия.

Входит в состав округа Фёклабрук.  Население составляет 482 человека (на 31 декабря 2005 года). Занимает площадь 14 км². Официальный код  —  41729.

Политическая ситуация
Бургомистр коммуны — Йоханнес Веннингер (АНП) по результатам выборов 2003 года.

Совет представителей коммуны () состоит из 13 мест.

 АНП занимает 6 мест.
 СДПА занимает 6 мест.
 АПС занимает 1 место.

Ссылки

Города Верхней Австрии


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Editor's Сhoice
Turkey's Revival of a Dirty 'Deep State'
Turkey's embattled President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is resurrecting the "deep state" alliance of secret intelligence operatives and extreme rightists that he so notably challenged just a few years ago while putting hundreds of military officers and other opponents on trial for conspiring against Turkish democracy. In a remarkable about-face, Erdogan is now emulating the ruthless tactics of previous authoritarian rulers at the expense of Turkey's evolution as a liberal state.
Like many of his secular predecessors, Erdogan has reverted to waging an all-out war against radical Kurdish separatists, the PKK. He is dramatically expanding the once discredited National Intelligence Agency, which in years past recruited Mafia criminals and right-wing terrorists to murder Kurdish leaders, left-wing activists and intellectuals. And he appears to be forging an alliance with ultranationalist members of the National Action Party (MHP), who supplied many of the ruthless killers for those murderous operations.
These developments should alarm U.S. and European leaders. They are ominously anti-democratic trends in a country that once promised to meld the best of Western and Near Eastern traditions. They are also helping to drive Turkey's secret alliances with Islamist extremists in Syria and its violent opposition to Kurdish groups that are leading the resistance to ISIS in that country.
Erdogan successfully cultivated a democratic image after his moderate Islamic party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), gained a two-thirds parliamentary majority in the November 2002 elections. Then in 2008, with public support for his party sagging, Erdogan oversaw the mass indictment of more than 200 former military officers, academics, journalists, businessmen and other opponents of the AKP.
The 2,455-page indictment alleged a vast conspiracy by members of an alleged "Ergenekon terrorist organization," named after a mythical place in the Altay Mountains, to destabilize Turkish society and overthrow the government.
The alleged Ergenekon plot drew credibility from an all-too-real alliance of intelligence operatives, criminals and rightist terrorists exposed in the aftermath of the so-called "Susurluk Incident." A car crash in the Turkish town of Susurluk in 1996 connected one of the country's leading heroin traffickers and terrorists with a member of the conservative ruling party, the head of the counterinsurgency police, and the Minister of Interior.
Subsequent investigations linked this "deep state" network to a former NATO program — sometimes known by the name of its Italian version, "Operation Gladio" — to foment guerrilla resistance in case of a Soviet occupation of Turkey.
In contrast to the legitimate revelations that grew out of the Susurluk affair, the Ergenekon proceeding at times resembled a Soviet show trial. A court handed down life sentences to a former head of the Turkish military and several top generals, the heads of various intelligence organizations, a prominent secular ultranationalist, secular journalists, and a prominent deputy from a secular opposition party, among others.
A separate proceeding, known as "Sledgehammer," convicted more than 300 secular military officers of involvement in an alleged coup plot against the AKP government in 2003.
Critics accused the Erdogan regime of using the cases to neutralize its potential rivals as part of its broader suppression of political dissent.
"The intimidation and the number of arrests have steadily risen in the last 10 years," Der Spiegel observed in 2013. "Many journalists no longer dare to report what's really happening, authors avoid making public appearances and government critics need bodyguards. The anti-terrorism law is an effective instrument of power for the government as the supposed terrorist threat is an accusation that's hard to disprove. It plays on a deep-rooted fear among Turks that someone is trying to destabilize and damage the nation."
The two big trials that fanned that fear were based on falsified evidence and a politicized judicial system. The injustice was effectively recognized by Istanbul's high criminal court in 2014 when it freed the former army chief of staff convicted in the Ergenekon case. In March 2015, a prosecutor admitted that evidence submitted in the Sledgehammer case was "fake" and 236 convicted suspects were acquitted.
However, just as Erdogan had used those two cases to purge the Turkish power structure of his secular critics, so he used the discrediting of those cases as an excuse to purge supporters of another rival, the exiled moderate Muslim cleric Fethullah Gülen. Erdogan accused them of terrorism and of creating a "parallel state" to challenge his rule. The crackdown followed judicial actions and news leaks, attributed to Gülen followers, that implicated Erdogan's family and supporters in high-level corruption. As the New York Times observed, Erdogan turned his back on those show trials "for the simple reason that the same prosecutors who targeted the military with fake evidence are now going after him."
Now, in a complete reversal of his previous warnings about the dangers of the deep state, Erdogan is actively cultivating the very institutions that were at its core.
For example, the government is planning a 48 percent increase in spending for the National Intelligence Agency (MIT) in 2016, on top of a 419 percent increase over the past decade. The new money is slated to pay for construction of a big new headquarters building and to expand the agency's operations.
According to Turkish expert Pinar Tremblay, "What we are observing here is a national intelligence agency that has become a prominent player in the decision-making process for Turkish politics. … [MIT head Hakan] Fidan acts as a shadow foreign minister. He is present in almost all high-level meetings with the president and prime minister. It is an open secret that both the president and the prime minister trust Fidan more than any other bureaucrat."
After MIT trucks were caught in 2013 and 2014 smuggling ammunition, rocket parts, and mortar shells to radical Islamic groups in Syria, Erdogan's allies put police and other officials involved in the raids on trial for allegedly conspiring with Gülen against the government.
A recent report also suggest that Erdogan is also seeking support for his Syrian adventures from members of the National Action Party (MHP), sometimes known as the Grey Wolves. Once openly neo-fascist in ideology, the party figured prominently in terrorist violence in the 1970s and 1980s with backing from military and police officials. Mehmet Ali Agca, the terrorist who tried to assassinate Pope John Paul II in 1981, was a member of the Grey Wolves.
Members of a youth branch of the MHP are reportedly now fighting in Syria to support that country's Turkish ethnic minority, the Turkmen, against Syrian Kurds. (The Turkmen are also being armed by the MIT.) At least one MHP notable was killed recently by a Russian bombing raid; one of the mourners at his funeral was the Turkish gunman who murdered the pilot of the Russian jet shot down by Turkey in November.
A leading Turkish expert on the Grey Wolves, journalist Kemal Can, says they are drawn to supporting the Turkmen less for ideological reasons than because of state recruitment. "I think that, directly or indirectly, the state link is the decisive one," he said. "The ultranationalists are the most fertile pool for secret operations."
Many members of the MHP are also drawn to the cause by their violent opposition to the Kurds and other non-Turkish minority groups.
After PKK militants attacked Turkish soldiers and police last summer and fall, Grey Wolves attacked 140 offices of the HDP, the Peoples' Democratic Party which supports the rights of Kurds and other minorities, according to the leftist Turkish journalist Sungur Savran, setting many offices on fire:
"Ordinary Kurds were hunted on the streets of the cities and towns of the Turkish-dominated western parts of the country, intercity buses stopped and stoned, and Kurdish seasonal workers attacked collectively, their houses and cars burnt down, and they themselves driven away en masse."
Such polarizing violence suited the needs of Erdogan's AKP party, which wants to eliminate the HDP from parliament in order to gain the super-majority it needs to revise the constitution to enhance Erdogan's powers as president.
Last September, intriguingly, one leader of the ultranationalist MHP urged restraint against ordinary Kurds, saying that "equating the PKK and our Kurdish-origin siblings is a blind trap" that would ensure wider ethnic conflict. Further, he claimed that groups acting in the name of the Grey Wolves to attack Kurds were actually "Mafia" fronts for President Erdogan.
His claim about the "Mafia" may have been more than metaphorical. Following Erdogan's recent denunciation of hundreds of Turkish academics as "traitors" for protesting the government's vicious crackdown on Kurdish communities, an ultranationalist organized crime boss – who was briefly imprisoned for his alleged role in the Ergenekon conspiracy but is today chummy with Erdogan – promised to "take a shower" in "the blood of those so-called intellectuals."
So there you have it: The Erdogan regime has revived an alliance of intelligence officials, right-wing ultranationalists and even organized criminals to crush Kurdish extremism, to cow political critics, and to support radical Islamists in Syria.
The Erdogan regime, once the great scourge of alleged anti-democratic conspirators, has recreated the Turkish deep state as part of a menacing power grab. It represents a direct threat not only to Turkish democracy, but to Turkey's neighbors and NATO allies, who will bear the consequences of Erdogan's ever-more risky, erratic and self-serving policies.
Jonathan Marshall, consortiumnews.com
Erdogan Middle East Turkey
February 12, 2016 | Editor's Сhoice
Also from EDITOR'S CHOICE
Western Intellectuals Freak Over 'Frankenstein' China
I Know What It's Like to Be Told to 'Go Back' to My Own Country
Trump's Next Trade War Target: Vietnam
Police in America Have Killed 12.8 Times More Citizens Than Mass Shooters in Just the Last 4 Years


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Dave Maass
Senior Investigative Researcher
As EFF's senior investigative researcher, Dave Maass is a muckraker/noisemaker, covering issues related to police surveillance, free speech, transparency, and government accountability. In addition to leading deep-dive investigations, Dave coordinates large-scale public records campaigns, advocates on state legislation, and compiles The Foilies, EFF's annual tongue-in-cheek awards for outrageous responses to FOIA requests. He sometimes represents EFF in digital rights-themed cosplay at Dragon Con, and he edited EFF's first science fiction collection, Pwning Tomorrow. He also researches virtual reality as part of the team that developed Spot the Surveillance, EFF's first VR experience. Contact him with questions or information on police technology (e.g. automated license plate readers, biometric identification), prisoner rights, or public records laws.
Dave is currently Visiting Professor of Media Technology at the University of Nevada, Reno Reynolds School of Journalism.
Download high resolution photo.
Before joining EFF, Dave wrote for alt weeklies in every state along the southern border, reporting on everything from Texas death row to San Diego Comic-Con. He has moderated dark-horse presidential debates on public access TV; organized digital media on barely legal road rallies; performed spoken word on a British art-rock tour, and revealed human-rights abuses in Ghanaian refugee camps. His political investigations uncovered embezzlement that ultimately put a New Mexico elected official behind bars and misconduct resulting in the severe censure and fines levied against a San Diego County Superior Court Judge. His work on incarceration has been used to support civil rights lawsuits, detention system reform, and state legislation.
His investigative reporting on incarceration in San Diego County was honored with the Youth Law Center's Loren Warboys Unsung Hero Award and the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement's Contribution to Oversight Award. He has also won top honors from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia and the Society of Professional Journalists San Diego Chapter. In 2017, Dave was a recipient of the First Amendment Coalition's Free Speech and Open Government Award alongside EFF Senior Staff Attorney Jennifer Lynch and the ACLU of Southern California's Director of Police Practices Peter Bibring. He also served on the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance Task Force from 2016-2018.
The city council of San Diego created "Dave Maass Day" on February 13, 2013 in sarcastic recognition of his commitment to annoying politicians and filing records requests. He still celebrates it.
dm@eff.org
+1 415 436 9333 x151
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Deeplinks Posts by Dave
Deeplinks Blog by Dave Maass | May 14, 2014
California Voters: Check Yes on Prop. 42
Whether you're filling out a mail-in ballot or planning to rock the polling station in person on election day (June 3), if you're a California voter we urge you to please vote "yes" on Prop. 42. This statewide ballot measure would ensure that local agencies, such as cities and...
Read more about California Voters: Check Yes on Prop. 42
Deeplinks Blog by Dave Maass | May 8, 2014
EFF Wins San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's Bike-Friendliness Award
[caption]EFF's Yan Zhu, Maira Sutton, April Glaser and Mark Burdett at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Awards press conference, with Mayor Ed Lee.[/caption] The Electronic Frontier Foundation loves bikes almost as much as Bruce Schneier loves encryption. Cycling relieves road congestion, alleviates the city's parking deficit, and contributes...
Read more about EFF Wins San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's Bike-Friendliness Award
EFF Statement on Rep. Sensenbrenner's USA FREEDOM Act Amendment
In the latest legislative move to rein in NSA surveillance, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner today released new language for the USA FREEDOM Act that will be reviewed this Wednesday by the House Judiciary Committee. If passed, the bill will move forward for the full House for a vote. EFF Senior Staff...
Read more about EFF Statement on Rep. Sensenbrenner's USA FREEDOM Act Amendment
Press Release | May 1, 2014
EFF Demands Release of More Secret Surveillance Court Rulings
San Francisco - In a continuing campaign to uncover the government's secret interpretations of the surveillance laws underlying the National Security Agency (NSA)'s spying programs, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) today filed another lawsuit against the Department of Justice, demanding that the government hand over key Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court...
Read more about EFF Demands Release of More Secret Surveillance Court Rulings
Deeplinks Blog by Dave Maass | April 18, 2014
Answers and Questions About Military, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Agency Chatbots
You Asked: Tell us all your secrets. SGT STAR: Good question. I'm not sure how to answer that. Please try rewording your question. I understand simple questions best. You Asked: In that case, tell us everything. SGT STAR: That is a good question, however, I am not positive that I...
Read more about Answers and Questions About Military, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Agency Chatbots
Deeplinks Blog by Dave Maass, Dia Kayyali | April 15, 2014
Tea Party, Taxes and Why the Original Patriots Would've Revolted Against the Surveillance State
Let's just imagine we could transport an Internet-connected laptop back to the 1790s, when the United States was in its infancy. The technology would no doubt knock the founders out of their buckle-top boots, but once the original patriots got over the initial shock and novelty (and clearing...
Read more about Tea Party, Taxes and Why the Original Patriots Would've Revolted Against the Surveillance State
EFF Urges Appeals Court to Reconsider Dangerous Copyright Ruling
San Francisco - The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is urging a federal appeals court to reconsider its decision to order Google to take down the controversial "Innocence of Muslims" video while a copyright lawsuit—based on a claim that the Copyright Office itself has rejected—is pending. As EFF explains, the decision...
Read more about EFF Urges Appeals Court to Reconsider Dangerous Copyright Ruling
EFF to Present Oral Argument in Copyright 'Troll' Case
Washington, DC - The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) will ask a federal appeals court at a hearing on Monday, April 14, to prevent a notorious copyright troll from obtaining the identities of more than 1,000 Internet users. Speaking on behalf of EFF, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of...
Read more about EFF to Present Oral Argument in Copyright 'Troll' Case
Appeals Court Overturns Andrew "weev" Auernheimer Conviction
San Francisco - A federal appeals court overturned the conviction of Andrew "weev" Auernheimer, the computer researcher who was charged with violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) after he exposed a massive security flaw in AT&T's website. Auernheimer was represented on appeal by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)...
Read more about Appeals Court Overturns Andrew "weev" Auernheimer Conviction
Deeplinks Blog by Dave Maass | March 21, 2014
Transparency Tip: Scouring Public Records with Scout
If you do any kind of shopping online, then you're probably already familiar with the concept of a metasearch engine—a search engine that searches other search engines. When you're looking for airline tickets or a used copy of The King in Yellow, you might use a metasearch engine to...
Read more about Transparency Tip: Scouring Public Records with Scout


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When it comes to interest rates and tax rates, you can't go lower than zero. The same thing is true of free trade. When there are no tariffs, it's impossible to lower tariffs any further. Still, if you want to maintain the benefits of free trade, it's important to maintain low tariffs.
On April 19, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is expected to publish an assessment of the USMCA, the free trade deal with Canada and Mexico that the Trump administration negotiated last year to replace NAFTA. The ITC is a nonpartisan federal agency that exists to study trade agreements and provide advice to the legislative and executive branches.
Lawmakers want the report to "assess the likely impact of the United States‐Mexico‐Canada Agreement (USMCA) on the U.S. economy as a whole, on selected industry sectors, and on U.S. consumer interests." To be fair, the report is not likely to promise massive benefits, although it is expected to show it would boost the American economy at least a bit. As several trade experts explained to Politico, NAFTA eliminated almost all trade barriers among the U.S., Mexico and Canada. So our three economies have been benefiting from free trade for years now; there's not much more juice to squeeze.
Trade with Canada and Mexico already supports 12 million American jobs, according to the Business Roundtable. Furthermore, those two nations purchase about a third of all American exports. Free trade is valuable to the Canadian economy, as well, with one out of every six Canadian jobs related to exports. So it is crucial to maintain the tripartite policy of free and fair trade.
USMCA does seem to be a step in the right direction; it would update NAFTA in some important ways. For example, it would give better protections to intellectual property, the force that is driving the 21st-century economy. It would also provide new enforcement mechanisms if a country violates the agreement. That should please House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "We need to see enforcement," she told The Washington Post. "Unless you have enforcement you're just going down a path that isn't going to be helpful to America's workers." As the Democratic leader in the House, she could bring the agreement to the floor.
One thing that is slowing up ratification, though, is that President Donald Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on steel and 10 percent tariffs on aluminum last year, and Canada retaliated with tariffs of its own on American products. These tariffs, put into place even as negotiators were in the final weeks of hammering out the USMCA, are unpopular on both sides of the border.
Lawmakers also want repeal. "The tariffs are going to come off because the president has a good agreement," Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) told The Washington Post. "It's just a matter of his realizing that nothing's going to happen until the tariffs go off." Grassley's support of this issue is important, because he chairs the Senate committee which must evaluate the USMCA.
It's not clear how quickly lawmakers will move on USMCA. Supporters are reportedly hoping for a vote before August, but no specific action is scheduled yet. Until the new agreement is ratified, NAFTA will remain in effect, but the uncertainty is causing some to doubt the future of free trade. "The actual impact of tariffs themselves is not the worst. It's the symbolism, the idea that trade relations might be getting worse," David Detomasi of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario told the Toronto Globe and Mail.
So there's no time to waste. The story of NAFTA is a story of success, and the USMCA is the next logical chapter.


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The Diplomacy and International Politics Program examines the future of diplomacy and conflict prevention, and also supports research and teaching on global political relations through initiatives on the Middle East, the Gulf, and South Asia.
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The Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex is Holding Our National Security Back
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This battle between past and future is the hidden drama within the gargantuan $750 billion fiscal 2020 defense budget proposal. Nearly everyone favors high-tech weapons to combat great-power adversaries in the new millennium, in principle. But meanwhile, the military-industrial-congressional complex, as John McCain termed it, keeps pumping vast sums to sustain legacy weapons systems.
House Foreign Affairs Committee
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Ambassador Doug Lute testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on March 13, 2019 about the indispensable role of NATO, the U.S.'s greatest geo-strategic advantage over any potential competitors.
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Trump administration claims of progress in talks with the Taliban have sparked fears even among the president's allies that his impatience with the war in Afghanistan will lead him to withdraw troops too soon, leaving the country at risk of returning to the same volatile condition that prompted the invasion in the first place.
Trade and Security Lead Trump's Ambitious G20 Agenda
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Africa Doesn't Fully Take Advantage of its Resources Because of its Leaders
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A Conversation with Joaquin Castro and Nicholas Burns: Congress' Role in Trump Era Foreign Policy
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Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro joined Harvard Kennedy School Professor Nicholas Burns in a discussion concerning the role Congress should play in foreign policy in the era of President Trump. Castro discussed his upbringing and the civic conscious he gained at a young age alongside his twin brother Julian Castro, which encouraged him to eventually pursue a career in public service. The conversation covered a wide range of foreign affairs topics including immigration, trade, and terrorism. Castro took questions from the audience and voiced his concerns about a variety of global developments and threats and his believe that Congress should take a more active role in these issues.
Newspaper Article - Harvard Crimson
Burns and Summers Talk Trade and Trump with Former USTR Mike Froman
Lawrence Summers
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Former University President Lawrence H. Summers and two former U.S. diplomats critiqued the Trump administration's trade policies at an Institute of Politics panel event Tuesday.
Speakers included Michael B. Froman, who was the U.S. Trade Representative during the Obama administration, and Kennedy School Professor R. Nicholas Burns. Burns previously served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2005 to 2008.
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KAI R. MCNAMEE
Conversations in Diplomacy: Michael Froman
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In this installment of "Conversations in Diplomacy," the Future of Diplomacy Project's Faculty Director, Nicholas Burns, is joined by Michael Froman, former United States Trade Representative.
U.S. Department of Defense/Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz
Ambassador Douglas E. Lute Named Senior Fellow by Belfer Center's Future of Diplomacy Project
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The Future of Diplomacy Project at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs has named Ambassador Douglas E. Lute a Senior Fellow. While at the Kennedy School, Ambassador Lute will initiate a research project focused on NATO and transatlantic relations that will address the multiplicity of challenges facing the alliance as it approaches its 70th anniversary. He will also share his expertise in security and diplomacy by conducting seminars and study groups with students and fellows.
Benn Craig/Belfer Center
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Conversations in Diplomacy: Congressman Seth Moulton
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I am interested in the Orthopedic Spine opportunity in Southwest, IL that Genesis HealthCare Consultants is advertising on the PhysEmp.com site. If the position is still open, please respond so I can tell you more about my qualifications.


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Beroia ( oder ) ist eine Person der griechischen Mythologie.

Beroia ist die eponyme Heroine der gleichnamigen makedonischen Stadt Beroia. Sie ist die Tochter des Beres und die Schwester der Mieza und des Olganos.

Literatur

Anmerkungen

Person der griechischen Mythologie


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[comparative photo: cover of the 13 Sept.1888 issue of The Graphic, showing the opening of the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition]
Established in 1869, The Graphic was a significant platform for black and white illustrators of the period, continuing weekly publication until 1932.
Founded to compete with the established Illustrated London News, it attracted many of the best graphic artists of the day, and is also known to have been admired by other artists, including van Gogh (who later recalled his pleasure at viewing each week's illustrations in the windows of the magazine's offices in The Strand, when he lived in London, 1873-75).
The magazine recorded various aspects of contemporary society and events, including major military conflicts of the period, especially the Serbo-Turkish War (1876-78) and the Zulu War (1879-96). In an era when in situ photography was still a somewhat laborious business, illustrators played a key role in producing arresting images of such events.
A series of original drawings produced for the magazine was purchased from the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1881 (see list below). Fripp's drawing was donated by the magazine, presumably in recognition of Melbourne's purchases. Several of these sketches had already been shown in Sydney and Brisbane in 1879 and 1880 respectively (see Maynard 1980).
The sketch by Hodgson, not one of the group acquired in 1881, but purchased later, also appears to have been a preparatory drawing for an illustration published in the magazine in 1876.
Other artists represented in the pre-Felton collection who worked for The Graphic included Samuel Waller (see Waller Jealous 1875 {1875} NGV [PA]) and Phil May.
Works included in this catalogue originally produced for The Graphic:
Fripp Incidents in the Zulu War, 1878 {1881} NGV [DR]
Green Holiday Time Afloat {1881} NGV [DR]
Green Sunday Afternoon in a Picture Gallery {1881} NGV [DR]
Gregory (C.) Flight into Alexinatz {1881} NGV [DR]
Hodgson The Oban boat {1891} NGV [DR]
Holl (F.) The Deserter {1881} NGV [DR]
Laugée Edward Bulwer 1872 {1881} NGV [DR]
Staniland Colliery Explosion {1881} NGV [DR]
Ward (L.) Elizabeth Thompson {1881} NGV [DR]
Ward (L.) Frederick Leighton {1881} NGV [DR]
Ward (L.) John Everett Millais {1881} NGV [DR]
Copies of the magazine may be consulted online: see https://archive.org/details/graphicillustrat1907unse/page/n8. For general information, see also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Graphic (noting other sources)
See also Margaret Maynard, "Aspects of Taste: Exhibitions of art in Brisbane 1876-1887," John Oxley Journal 1.6, 1980, pp.16-29 (http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:243632/John_Oxley_Jnl_v1no6_1980_p16_p29.pdf), esp. pp.22 and 28 (n.40)
For informative comments on the coverage of the Turkish-Serbian war by British journalists and artists, see https://research.kent.ac.uk/victorianspecials/exhibitionitem/turkish-serbian-war-1876/ (focussing on another Graphic artist, Frederic Villiers)
For van Gogh's admiration for the magazine, quoting an 1883 letter, see https://www.vangoghroute.com/england/london/the-illustrated-londen-news-the-graphic/ (accessed 3 April 2020), also reproducing the 1888 cover illustrated above


In 2015, students in secondary professional education for Chechnya, Republic of was 23,134 persons. Students in secondary professional education of Chechnya, Republic of increased from 12,086 persons in 2013 to 23,134 persons in 2015 growing at an average annual rate of 43.25 %.
What is students in secondary professional education?
Number of students in state and municipal educational institutions of secondary vocational education. Total number of students as of October 1 of current year is reported.
What is Chechnya, Republic of students in secondary professional education?


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You are in Home > Stories > Scotch Whisky: Distillery Tour in Scotland | Gallery
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Scotch Whisky: Distillery Tour in Scotland | Gallery
A gourmet tour amongst the finest distilleries of Scotland, from Lagavulin to Taliskert, to discover taste and history of the ancient Caledonia
By Davide Oltolini on October 27, 2011
I've always been passionate about sensory analysis and tastings: whether it's wine, cheese, gelati or coffee. But when it comes to spirits, it's a whole other story: the personality of every product is closely tied to the tradition and place where it was produced, and it's difficult to develop a expertise without understanding the natural and productive context.
This is why, when I received an invitation to Scotland, I didn't hesitate. This alluring land whose wind carries the scent of heather, malt and peat, is famous for producine some of the most famous whisky"s in the world. The Scottish, of course, call it simply «whisky», because for them, Scotch has no equals and it's no wonder: on the extreme tip of Great Britain between the North Sea and the Atlantic, there are a good 118 distilleris (96 of which are active) that produce a third of the whisky consumed in the world.
My voyage begins in Islay, the southernmost of the Western Isles, and the biggest among the malt whiskey regions. Here, kilometres and kilometres of peat bog provide the raw ingredients of the single malts produced in the nine local distilleries, a production that dates back to several centuries ago: already in 1742 there were ten illegal distilleries here. It was only in 1816 that a farmer, John Johnson, founded the first legal factory that would eventually become Lagavulin, the famous distillery of Islay.
Today, the Lagavulin "family" includes the 16 year-old Lagavulin, dry and velvety with the unmistakable "full" and persistent aftertaste, the so-called Distillers Edition, like the Lagavulin 1989 (D.E. 2007), sweet and "juicy" with the scents of coffee and vanilla that accompany the clear herbal and peaty top notes, and finally, the Special Releases – limited editions that come out in only selected years, like the Natural Cask Strength 2010.
I taste these products in one of the warehouses of the distillery, among mountains of barrels in front of the choppy sea and biting winds. I'm sharing the experience with the young, determined Distillery manager of Lagavulin, Georgie Crawford, and my friend Dave Broom, considered to be one of the world's top experts of scotch whisky and who shares my passion for sensorial analysis of sprits.
And it's here – while admiring the ruins of Dunyvaig castle, built to protect the bay of Lagavulin – that I was told the stories about the place responsible for the diffusion of whisky throughout the entire of Britain.Dunyvaig was the stronghold of the MacDonald family that governed the islands since 1493, when King James IV of England defeated the clan and destroyed the castle. And the first written mention of «whisky» dates back to the following year, 1494, when King James ordered several barrels from the friar John Cor. The appearance of the written term seems to support the thesis that, before that time, whisky wasn't known of outside of Scotland and that the King had only heard of its existence during the battle for the castle, which also housed a monastery whose friars produced the spirit.
The next stop: the castle of Drummuir, in Speyside: a splendid example of Scottish architecture in Victorian style. After a supper of smoked salmon salad, spiced duck breast with peas, asparagus and celeriac mash and fondant chocolate with vanilla ice cream, eaten in the impressive dining room, we headed to the library stocked with an incredible selection of spirits.
I carefully choose what I will be tasting, and create a sequence of memorable single malt scotch whiskies: Glenury Royal 23 years old, Caol Ila 25 y.o., Oban 32 y.o. (which surprises me for its initial smokey, vegetal notes that quickly transform into fresh, decisive scents like a biting sea breeze), Port Ellen 24 y.o., and once again the Benrinnes 23 y.o., Talisker 25 y.o. (with an incredible balance between softness and vigour), Convalmore 28 y.o. and Brora 30 y.o. Special Releases (which, after the initial malted sweetness, it blossoms into a warm dry explosion with hints of peat).
After seal watching along the coast and a stop at the Kinloch Lodge owned by Claire and Godfrey Macdonald to taste the starred food of their Brazilian chef Marcello Tully, and another stop at The Three Chimneys, one of Scotland's most famous restaurants, I head towards Talisker. Founded by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, Talisker is the only distillery in Skye, whose very existence challenged the position of the teetotaller Reverend Roderick Macleod who called its construction «one of the biggest curses that could have ever occurred.»
History, of course, proved the Reverend wrong, and the elixir of MacAskill was even cited by Robert Louis Stevenson in his 1880 poem, The Scotsman's Return from Abroad.
In Talisker, where I get welcomed by the sound of bagpipes, I get a chance to taste some of the Special Releases of the distillery, like the Talisker 34, which was produced in only 200 bottles worldwide. Here in Talisker, we are joined by Charles Mac Lean, who, along with Dave Broom, is one of the most respected experts of Scottish whisky.
And so here I am, on green lawn by the coastline of this foggy island, intent on raising a glass, along with Charles and Dave, of "uisge beatha" (the Gaelic name for whisky), to toast to friendship and life. Maybe it's the most vivid memory that I'll take back from this trip to ancient Caledonia.
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On my latest project I have been doing a lot of research and learning on how to conduct a Data Warehouse project in an Agile manner. Actually I'm really honoured to be able to combine my two passions in my career: Data Modeling and Agile.
This investigation has led me to what I feel is a unique approach to an Agile Data Warehouse project. Many of the Agile Data Warehouse projects I hear of and read about typically seem to follow a somewhat standard process. This process usually involves building a Data Warehouse in increments by working with departments within the corporation to understand their data requirements. (in many situations, this is a very detailed analysis of their data requirements) In this way, the Data Warehouse is built up over time until an Enterprise Data Warehouse is created. While this is a far cry better that trying to analyze the data requirements for the entire corporation, I do believe there are some limitations with this approach.
1) If the Data Modelers are not experts in the existing data domain, this process may involve significant rework as data modeled for one department may need to be modified as new information is learned and existing data structures need to be integrated with data structures designed in subsequent releases. This risk can be significantly reduced if the data modelers are experts in the data domain, but this can be a real risk for consultants that are not experts.
2) We are still not implementing a Data Warehouse in an iterative fashion, only incrementally. While this is a step in the right direction, it is still falling short of being able to implement a Data Warehouse iteratively and get even quicker feedback. Since we are also essentially time-boxing implementing data requirements on a department by department basis, we are also only working on the most important data requirements on a departmental basis. We are not working on the prioritized data requirements for the entire corporation. If every department receives the same time allocation, we may work on some data requirements while other more important ones are left in the backlog. And finally, the data requirement for each department can get quite detailed. In many ways, we are still doing Big Design Up Front – in chunks.
My background in Data Modeling has always been aligned with Bill Inmon's thoughts rather than Ralph Kimball's. So to no surprise I felt I needed a good understanding of the data domain for the Enterprise before I could start to model the data. To address this I proposed we create and Agile Enterprise Data Model. An Agile Enterprise Data Model is an Enterprise Data Model that takes 6 weeks instead of 6 months to create. (or 6 years) Its purpose is to validate the entities, relationships, and primary attributes. It is not intended to drive down into every single attribute and ensure alignment. In my experience, this excessive detail has derailed other Enterprise Data Model projects. (as consensus cannot be reached or the data is always evolving) But in creating an Agile Enterprise Data Model, we now understand enough of the enterprise's data so that even though we may only be modeling one department's data, we know what integrations and relationships are required in the future.
I felt this addressed the first limitation.
The second limitation was much harder. I felt it was much harder to engage clients in small slices or iterations of their data requirements in a light-weight fashion that wouldn't require reviewing their current data requirements in detail. How could we get a picture of the data requirements for the corporation at a high level? Many of the clients were concerned that if the project operated in iterations they would not get all of their requirements satisfied. In addition, our current project had a list of existing reports that the clients would like to be migrated to the new environment. How could we engage our clients and work with them to determine what their corporation's data requirements were in an iterative light-weight manner? How could we provide visibility of what the entire corporation data requirement were?
I turned to Innovation Games.
I am a fan of Innovation Games and any light weight process that can help to visualize data and engage the clients better. I was searching for a way to use a variant of the 'Prune the Product Tree' game to use. But I didn't feel that just placing data requirements on the Product Tree would truly help the engagement of the client and provide the visibility required. What we really needed was a variant of the Product Tree that helped the clients 'see' their data requirements to confirm that we got it right and that showed the requirements for the entire corporation on one wall.
We ended up merging a 'Prune the Product Tree' game with a 'Spider Web' game with some unique additions.
1) We are seeding the visualizations with 30-40 enterprise level reports that are used internally and externally.
2) We have asked for the top 20 reports from each department to further seed the visualizations. This will help to populate the visualization and I believe help the clients to generate other data requirements that we are missing.
Frequency : How often do I need the answer?
We will capture these additional data requirement stories in Silent Brainstorming sessions with users. This Silent Brainstorming will occur after we present the visualizations and review the data requirements that have seeded the visualization.
Even with those first three pieces, it was still unclear how we could visualize the data and reporting requirements and gain engagement with the clients. Then during an Innovation Games course that was educating us on how to customize and create our own game, it struck me. The Product Tree is the wrong metaphor for our data requirements. We need something that visualizes the data requirements themselves. We iterated through a spider web metaphor, to a 3 dimensional axis metaphor, until we ended up on a hexagon. I'd recommend you find the shape that best fits your data domain. The hex and its six dimensions fit our data domain nicely.
The hex diagram below is our customized Innovation Game we will use to seed data requirements and generate new requirements.
Usually for all data requirements or reports there is a person object at the centre. This is no exception. We will have a data hex for each type of person that the corporation needs to know about. The six accesses were chosen by understanding the data domain and by reviewing existing reports that are used by the client. The existing data requirements and reports will be translated into the data requirement stories and placed on the hex. Sessions will be facilitated to add additional stories onto the data hexes.
Once all of the stories have been placed on the data hexes we will prioritize the stories by moving the data requirement stories based on priority. Data Requirement stories that are high priority will be moved near the centre. Stories of less priority will be moved to the outer rings.
1) Visualize the hundreds of data requirements and reports of the corporation at once and prioritize them.
2) Ensure we are working on the true data requirements across the entire corporation.
3) Work in a true iterative fashion in how we deliver data requirements and ultimately build the Data Warehouse iteratively.
If you want to hear how this process worked, the results will be presented at Agile 2012 in Dallas and at SDEC2012 in Winnipeg! I'll also have a subsequent blog post that publishes the results. So far the feedback has been encouraging and we will be expanding the use of the process over the next few weeks.
1. Is "Agile Enterprise Data Model" similar to something else I've heard… the Canonical Model?
2. Once you've done this planning, how short can your data/report iterations get (2 weeks?)? …a big challenge I see with Agile DW or Agile BI.
Actually I believe this goes beyond a canonical model. My understanding of canonical models is that there are more data taxonomies and don't go into the detail of relationships between entities and distinctive attributes for the entities.
The real benefit of this approach is that you have a 'report backlog' that can then allow even weekly iterations. You pull report stories and refine them and work on them in priority sequence. We will run into challenges where we may not have production data to test the reports until the ETL processes are done. This is something we will have to work through and see if we can co-ordinate.
If you already have a warehouse that is populated. I don't see an issues having weekly or even daily iterations!