It has been quite a week for the team at iSEC Partners, NCC Group and Artemis. We have had a total of ten talks at Black Hat and Defcon. While the opportunity to interact with our colleagues and contribute to the discussion in this way is an incredible honor, I have to admit that I'm ready to get home. For easy reference, I wanted to post the two talks in which I was involved.
First off is the Black Hat USA 2013 talk I gave with Tom Ritter and Javed Samuel, called "The Factoring Dead". In this talk we discuss the latest advances in academic research and how that could imperil the trust we place in two critical algorithms, RSA and Diffie-Hellman.
Below is my Defcon talk. This is a more personal topic on the ethics of our industry, and I hope you find it useful.


For much of the twentieth century, most religious and secular Jewish thinkers believed that they were witnessing a steady, ongoing movement toward secularization. Toward the end of the century, however, as scholars and pundits began to speak of the global resurgence of religion, the normalization of secularism could no longer be considered inevitable. Recent decades have seen the strengthening of Orthodox movements in the United States and in Israel; religious Zionism has grown and radically changed since the 1960s, and new and vibrant nondenominational Jewish movements have emerged.
Secularism in Question examines the ways these contemporary revivals of religion prompt a reconsideration of many issues concerning Jews and Judaism from the early modern era to the present. Bringing together scholars of history, religion, philosophy, and literature, this volume illustrates how the categories of "religious" and "secular" have frequently proven far more permeable than fixed. The contributors challenge the problematic assumptions about the development of secularism that emerge from Protestant European and American perspectives and demonstrate that global Jewish experiences necessitate a reappraisal of conventional narratives of secularism. Ultimately, Secularism in Question calls for rethinking the very terms that animate many of the most contentious debates in contemporary Jewish life and far beyond.
Contributors: Michal Ben-Horin, Aryeh Edrei, Jonathan Mark Gribetz, Ari Joskowicz, Ethan B. Katz, Eva Lezzi, Vivian Liska, Rachel Manekin, David Myers, Amnon Raz-Krakotzkin, Andrea Schatz, Christophe Schulte, Daniel B. Schwartz, Galili Shahar, Scott Ury.
Ari Joskowicz teaches Jewish studies and European studies at Vanderbilt University. He is author of The Modernity of Others: Jewish Anti-Catholicism in Germany and France.
Ethan B. Katz teaches history at the University of Cincinnati.


text:
Bosnian Serb commander Mladic is jailed for life
Verdict proceedings had been interrupted earlier when the 74-year-old's legal team claimed that..
By admin , in Europe , at November 22, 2017
Verdict proceedings had been interrupted earlier when the 74-year-old's legal team claimed that his blood pressure was too high to continue.After outbursts from Mladic, Judge Alphons Orie, who was delivering a summation of the case, ordered the removal of the ex-general, telling him he could monitor proceedings by audio and video. Mladic's legal team had asked for proceedings to be halted or for the summation of the case to be skipped, which the Judge refused. Mladic was charged with two counts of genocide, and nine crimes against humanity and war crimes for his role in the conflict in the former Yugoslavia from 1992 to 1995, during which 100,000 people were killed and another 2.2 million displaced. He was found not guilty on one charge of genocide. The trial, which opened in 2012, took place at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, Netherlands. The ad-hoc court was established to prosecute crimes committed during the Balkans conflict. Mladic was accused of orchestrating a campaign of ethnic cleansing, including the slaughter of thousands of Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in July 1995. It is the worst massacre to have taken place in Europe since the Second World War.Arrested in 2011, Mladic's trial has lasted 530 days, included more than 500 witnesses and nearly 10,000 exhibits. Before the case was adjourned last December, prosecutors recommended a life sentence. Mladic had previously referred to the court as "satanic" and labeled the charges against him as "obnoxious."
Who is Ratko Mladic?
The ex-general — accused of being "the Butcher of Bosnia" — was in command of the Bosnian Serb army which entered the town of Srebrenica in July 1995. In the days which followed, 8,000 Muslim men and boys were systematically slaughtered by troops under his leadership.The late Bosnia peace negotiator Richard Holbrooke once described Mladic as "one of those lethal combinations that history thrusts up occasionally — a charismatic murderer."Read: Bosnia's future is tied to justiceMladic faced charges over his actions during the siege of Sarajevo where his heavily armed forces cut the city off from the outside world. Serb forces pounded the city from higher ground positions each day, trapping Sarajevo's residents in the valley below. More than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, perished.As the war ended in 1995, Mladic went on the run before being found 16 years later when police burst into the garden of a small house in northern Serbia.Though he was carrying two handguns, he surrendered without a fight. He was extradited for trial in the Netherlands. In 2011, a tribunal judge entered not guilty pleas for Mladic after he refused to cooperate and was forcibly removed from the courtroom at the judge's order.Mladic's judgment day comes more than a year after Bosnian Serb political leader Radovan Karadzic was sentenced to 40 years in prison in March 2016, for his role in the 1990s conflict. Former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic was arrested in 2001 but died before his trial could be completed.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I do love crawfish…being from Mississippi can't really help it…Well I do! I can remember many times as a kid getting a bag of 5 lbs and eating them all by my self. I do love them…I do! But, the thought of a crawfish pie never really occurred to me. Well, I was visiting down at Watercolor last week. When in SeaSide or Watercolor area I end up many of the times at a place called Stinky's. I was in the mood to try something different and it sounded good. I tried the Crawfish Pot Pie and oh goodness it was sooooo good. I ask can I have the recipe and guess what they gave it too me….I came home and straight away made it! Oh goodness it was so good.
1. Bring chicken stock to a simmer in a large stock pot over medium heat. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onion and next 2 ingredients; sauté 6 to 7 minutes or until tender. Add the minced garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add flour: cook, stirring constantly, 10 minutes or until browned.
2. Add simmering chicken stock 1 1/2 cups at a time, to sautéed mixture; whisk until blended. Add Old Bay seasoning and next 5 ingredients, whisking until blended. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes.
3. Stir crawfish tails, tomatoes, and green chiles into mixture; cook 1 minute or just until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat; stir in cheese and green onions.
4. Preheat oven to 425. Turn out pie dough onto a light floured surface. Roll out pie dough to 1/8 thickness. Cut out to fit your desired dish. It will make 8 – 10oz ramekins or a large oval baking dish or 9 X 12. Lightly butter your dish. Fill with your crawfish filling and then top with the dough. Brush top with an egg white. Cut slits for the steam to escape.
5. Place ramekins on an aluminum baking dish. Bake at 425 for 25 – 30 minutes.


text:
<?php
if (!function_exists('essb_generate_morebutton_code')) {
	function essb_generate_morebutton_code($button_style, $share_bottom_networks, $social_networks_order, $salt, $position,
			$post_share_details, $social_networks_names, $share_button_exist = false) {

		$code = "";

		//print "position = ".$position. ", more button = ".$intance_morebutton_func;
		$user_set_morebutton_func = $button_style['more_button_func'];

		$user_set_style_ofpop = essb_option_value('more_button_popstyle');
		$user_set_template_ofpop = essb_option_value('more_button_poptemplate');

		// @since 3.3 - option to change more button style on each display position
		if (isset($button_style['location_more_button_func'])) {
			if (!empty($button_style['location_more_button_func'])) {
				$user_set_morebutton_func = $button_style['location_more_button_func'];
			}
		}

		if ($share_button_exist) {
			$user_set_morebutton_func = $button_style['share_button_func'];
			$user_set_style_ofpop = essb_option_value('share_button_popstyle');
			$user_set_template_ofpop = essb_option_value('share_button_poptemplate');
		}

		if ($user_set_morebutton_func == '1') {
			//essb_resource_builder()->add_js(ESSBResourceBuilderSnippets::js_build_generate_more_button_inline(), true, 'essb-inlinemore-code');
			essb_depend_load_function('essb_rs_js_build_generate_more_button_inline', 'lib/core/resource-snippets/essb_rs_js_build_generate_more_button_inline.php');

		}
		if (($user_set_morebutton_func == '2' || $user_set_morebutton_func == '3' || $user_set_morebutton_func == '4' || $user_set_morebutton_func == '5')) {
			//essb_resource_builder()->add_js(ESSBResourceBuilderSnippets::js_build_generate_more_button_popup(), true, 'essb-popupmore-code');
			essb_depend_load_function('essb_rs_js_build_generate_more_button_popup', 'lib/core/resource-snippets/essb_rs_js_build_generate_more_button_popup.php');

			$listAllNetworks = ($user_set_morebutton_func == '2') ? true: false;
			$more_social_networks = essb_core_helper_generate_list_networks($listAllNetworks);
			$more_social_networks_order = essb_core_helper_generate_network_list();

			if ($user_set_morebutton_func == '4' || $user_set_morebutton_func == '5') {
				$more_social_networks = essb_core_helper_generate_list_networks_with_more(false);
				//$more_social_networks = essb_core_helper_networks_after_more($more_social_networks);
			}

			if ($user_set_morebutton_func != '2') {
				$personalized_networks = essb_get_active_social_networks_by_position($position);
				$personalized_network_order = essb_get_order_of_social_networks_by_position($position);

				if (is_array($personalized_networks) && count($personalized_networks) > 0) {
					$more_social_networks = $personalized_networks;
				}

				if (is_array($personalized_network_order) && count($personalized_network_order) > 0) {
					$more_social_networks_order = $personalized_network_order;
				}
			}

			if ($user_set_morebutton_func == '2') {
				$more_social_networks = essb_core_helper_networks_without_more($more_social_networks);

			}
			if ($user_set_morebutton_func == '3') {
				$more_social_networks = essb_core_helper_networks_after_more($more_social_networks);
			}

			if ($user_set_morebutton_func == '4' || $user_set_morebutton_func == '5') {
				//$more_social_networks = essb_core_helper_generate_list_networks_with_more(false);
				$more_social_networks = essb_core_helper_networks_after_more($more_social_networks);
			}

			//print_r($more_social_networks_order);
			//print_r($share_bottom_networks);

			// fix for missing print code
			if (in_array('print', $more_social_networks) && !essb_resource_builder()->is_activated('print')) {
				//essb_resource_builder()->add_js(ESSBResourceBuilderSnippets::js_build_window_print_code(), true, 'essb-printing-code');
				essb_depend_load_function('essb_rs_js_build_window_print_code', 'lib/core/resource-snippets/essb_rs_js_build_window_print_code.php');
				essb_resource_builder()->activate_resource('print');
			}

			if (in_array('mail', $more_social_networks)) {
				essb_resource_builder()->activate_resource('mail');
			}

			if (in_array("love", $more_social_networks)) {
				essb_depend_load_function('essb_love_generate_js_code', 'lib/networks/essb-loveyou.php');
			}

			if ($position == "sharebottom") {
				$more_social_networks = $share_bottom_networks;
				$more_social_networks_order = $social_networks_order;
				//$button_style['more_button_icon'] = "dots";
			}

			$button_style['button_style'] = "button";
			$button_style['show_counter'] = false;
			$button_style['button_width'] = "column";
			$button_style['button_width_columns'] = (essb_is_mobile() ? "1" : "3");
			$button_style['counter_pos'] = "left";

			if ($user_set_template_ofpop != '') {
				$button_style['template'] = $user_set_template_ofpop;
			}

			if ($position == "sharebottom") {
				$button_style['button_width_columns'] = "1";
			}

			$more_salt = mt_rand();

			$additional_popup = '';
			$additional_popup_shadow = '';
			if ($user_set_morebutton_func == '4') {
				$additional_popup = ' essb_morepopup_inline';
				$button_style['button_style'] = "icon";
				$button_style['button_width'] = 'auto';
			}
			if ($user_set_morebutton_func == '5') {
				$additional_popup = ' essb_morepopup_inline essb_morepopup_inline_names';
				$button_style['button_style'] = "button";
				$button_style['button_width'] = "column";
				$button_style['button_width_columns'] = (essb_is_mobile() ? "1" : "2");
			}

			if ($user_set_style_ofpop != '') {
				$additional_popup .= ' essb_morepopup_'.$user_set_style_ofpop;
				$button_style['button_style'] = "vertical";
				$button_style['button_width_columns'] = (essb_is_mobile() ? "2" : "4");
				$additional_popup_shadow .= ' essb_morepopup_shadow_'.$user_set_style_ofpop;
			}

			$user_message_inpop = "";
			if ($user_set_style_ofpop == 'modern') {
				$sharing_title = isset($post_share_details['title_plain']) ? $post_share_details['title_plain'] : '';
				$sharing_url = isset($post_share_details['full_url']) ? $post_share_details['full_url'] : '';

				$user_message_inpop .= '
';
				$user_message_inpop .= '
'.$sharing_title.'
';
				$user_message_inpop .= '
'.$sharing_url.'
';
				$user_message_inpop .= '
';
			}

			$add_pointer = '';
			if ($user_set_morebutton_func == '4' || $user_set_morebutton_func == '5') {
				$add_pointer = '

';
			}

			$code .= sprintf('

%2$s
%5$s

',
					$salt,
					$user_message_inpop.ESSBButtonHelper::draw_share_buttons($post_share_details, $button_style,
							$more_social_networks, $more_social_networks_order, $social_networks_names, "more_popup", $more_salt, 'share'),
					$position, $additional_popup, $add_pointer, $additional_popup_shadow);

			//print $more_salt."|";

			// fix for not workin mail in more button
			if (!isset($post_share_details['mail_subject'])) {
				if (!function_exists('essb_sharing_prepare_mail')) {
					include_once (ESSB3_PLUGIN_ROOT . 'lib/core/extenders/essb-core-extender-sharing.php');
				}

				$post_share_details = essb_sharing_prepare_mail($post_share_details);

			}

			// fix for the subcribe button
			// @since 3.6 Invoke code for subscribe button if network is active in list
			if (in_array("subscribe", $more_social_networks) && ESSBGlobalSettings::$subscribe_function != "link") {
				if (!class_exists('ESSBNetworks_Subscribe')) {
					include_once (ESSB3_PLUGIN_ROOT . 'lib/networks/essb-subscribe.php');
				}

				$code .= ESSBNetworks_Subscribe::draw_subscribe_form('sidebar', $more_salt);
			}

			///essb_resource_builder()->add_js(essb_print_mailer_code($post_share_details['mail_subject'], $post_share_details['mail_body'],
			//		$more_salt, $post_share_details["post_id"], $position), true, 'essb-mailform-'.$more_salt);

		}

		return $code;
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
← Narrative Efficiency in Captain America 704
Tony is the Team in Tony Stark Iron Man 1 →
Approaching Old Stories From a New Angle in Poe Dameron 28
This article containers SPOILERS. If you have not read the issue yet, proceed at your own risk!
The fact that The Last Jedi picks up almost immediately where The Force Awakens left off leaves the Poe Dameron comic in a bit of a tight spot — the Star Wars comics have been mining the fertile ground between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back for decades now, but Poe Dameron doesn't have that kind of space to work in, instead leaving Charles Soule and Angel Unzueta only tiny blank gaps of backstory to fill in. We here at Retcon Punch have been a bit frustrated by this over the past few issues, generally preferring the sweet, chemistry-filled framing device (a conversation between Poe, Rey, and Finn) to the actual stories it's being used to tell. Poe Dameron 28, though, finds success by approaching these vignettes from a new angle, building a mystery around who actually is telling the story.
It's a smart move because the first half of Poe Dameron 28 is devoted to retelling the climax of The Force Awakens, and as gorgeous as Unzueta's work often is, it's still hard to get excited about seeing scenes we've already watched on the big screen play out on page. What draws readers into this sequence, then, is the mystery of the two narrators telling the story. Identified only by two differently colored narration boxes — orange and blue — readers are left to slowly put together the pieces, crossing prospective narrators off the list once they're brought up in the story, and trying to guess based off the relationships and perspectives mentioned. It's a tight little mystery with a brilliant pay-off.
Retcon Punch's own Patrick messaged me immediately upon reaching this moment to tell me that it made him laugh and cry simultaneously, and I can see why. There's humor, of course, in finding out that the entire somber conversation we've just read has actually been a bunch of beeps and bloops exchanged between two droids, as well as in C-3P0 popping up to shush them in his characteristically fussy manner. But the actual content of their conversation becomes even more touching when their identities are revealed — seeing that BB-8 remembers the name of every pilot and droid who has sacrificed their lives for the Resistance, or how R2-D2 feels fated to watch the galaxy evolve, and thus compelled to record the its stories and keep them alive, tugs at the heartstrings and adds real weight and character to figures perhaps too often used as comic relief.
This whole sequence is formally inventive and full of insightful character work, turning a flashback/retelling that probably should have been filler at best into essential reading. That's how you handle a storytelling challenge like the one Poe Dameron's been handed this arc.
For a complete list of what we're reading, head on over to our Pull List page. Whenever possible, buy your comics from your local mom and pop comic bookstore. If you want to rock digital copies, head on over to Comixology and download issues there. There's no need to pirate, right?
By Spencer • Posted in Poe Dameron, Spencer Irwin, Star Wars • Tagged Angel Unzueta, BB-8, C-3PO, Charles Soule, D'Qar, Finn, Poe Dameron, R2-D2, Rey, Star Wars, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi
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A blog devoted to Grant Morrison featuring detailed annotations.


text:
CenturyLink acquires DataGardens, adds disaster recovery to cloud portfolio
Dec 8, 2014 10:10am
CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) is acquiring DataGardens, a Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service (DRaaS) provider based in Edmonton, Alberta, a move that immediately enhances the disaster recovery capabilities of its cloud service portfolio.
By making this acquisition, CenturyLink will be able to give its customers a way to mirror physical or virtual machine data in a cloud environment if a man-made or natural disaster takes down their site.
Customers would be able to use DataGardens' software suite SafeHaven, which provides cloud-based disaster recovery by creating an offsite virtual data center in locations such as CenturyLink Cloud.
Two of the key targets for SafeHaven software suite are the small to mid-size business (SMB) customers and enterprise departments that can't tolerate unexpected downtime, but do not have the financial or IT resources to set up a disaster recovery platform. CenturyLink said that SafeHaven will allow customers to define recovery point objectives and recovery time objectives and quickly failover and failback with minimal disruption to mission-critical systems.
In addition, the service offers multiple deployment options, or "protection groups" that ensure that a pool of servers stays consistent, DR planning options and several other capabilities.
While the acquisition is new, CenturyLink and DataGardens are not strangers as the two companies began a cloud partnership earlier this year.
CenturyLink may continue to command a growing influence in the data center and cloud services space by expanding its data center presence in the U.S. and in major international markets in Asia-Pacific and Europe, but the service provider has been equally aggressive on enhancing its cloud capabilities.
Besides DataGardens, the service provider enhanced its cloud application capabilities by acquiring Tier 3 and Platform as a Service (PaaS) provider AppFog.
- see this post
CenturyLink plans to extend IPTV into new markets in 2015
CenturyLink employs Alcatel-Lucent to build national common core network
CenturyLink taps Liberty Global, Covad exec Aamir Hussain to be new CTO
CenturyLink establishes Las Vegas data center presence via Switch SUPERNAP agreement
CenturyLink launches Cloud Development Center in Seattle


Michael Emerson (born September 7, 1954) is an American film and television character actor who is best known for his roles as serial killer William Hinks on The Practice, Benjamin Linus on Lost, Zep Hindle in the first Saw movie and currently as Harold Finch on the CBS series Person of Interest.
Emerson has also worked extensively in theater and narration. He has won two Primetime Emmy Awards and been nominated for three others, as well as receiving other awards and nominations.
Emerson is married to actress Carrie Preston.
Michael Emerson a grandi à Toledo dans l'Iowa. Il joue dans des pièces de son école mais c'est au lycée qu'il se rend compte que « de toutes les formes d'art possibles, l'art théâtral était ce qu'[il] arrivait le plus facilement et qu'[il] trouvait le plus excitant ». Il se spécialise alors dans le théâtre à l'Université de Drake (Des Moines), où il reçoit une distinction dans l'Art théâtral.
En 1976, il part s'installer à New York, poussé par sa petite amie poète. Il y restera 10 ans, travaillant comme illustrateur pour des journaux tels que le Boston Globe et le New York Times, à défaut de trouver le moyen d'être acteur.
En 1986, il quitte New York avec sa première femme pour Jacksonville en Floride, où ils finissent par divorcer. On lui conseille d'aller auditionner pour une pièce de théâtre à l'Université de Floride du Nord et il décroche le rôle de Iago dans Othello. Son ex-métier d'illustrateur lui a donné un sens du design qu'il utilise pour concevoir les décors des pièces dans lesquelles il joue, notamment au Théâtre Jacksonville, le menant jusqu'au poste de directeur technique. Il s'occupe aussi d'animer des ateliers sur Shakespeare et de donner des cours de théâtre.
En 1993, il part à l'Alabama Shakespeare Festival et obtient un « Professional Actor Training M.F.A. ». Il y rencontre celle qui deviendra sa femme, Carrie Preston, et la suit jusqu'à New York.
After the death of his protégé Jason Todd, billionaire industrialist Bruce Wayne was forced to retire from his Batman persona. Ten years later, Gotham City is overrun with crime and terrorized by a gang known as the Mutants. The 55-year-old Wayne maintains a friendship with 70-year-old retiring Police Commissioner James Gordon, while the Joker (Batman's archenemy) has been catatonic in Arkham Asylum since Wayne's retirement. Arkham inmate and former district attorney Harvey Dent undergoes plastic surgery to repair his disfigured face. Although he is declared sane, he quickly goes into hiding following his release. Dent's disappearance, news stories of the crime epidemic throughout the city and the memory of his parents' deaths drive Wayne to become Batman once more. He combats serious crimes, rescuing 13-year-old Carrie Kelley, but now struggles with the physical limitations of age.
Andrea Dowd (Carrie Preston), a single parent, is struggling to raise her ten-year-old son, Joshua (Lurie Poston). Andrea's concerned about Joshua's interests. Instead of wanting to be on the school wrestling team, Joshua strives to be on the cheerleading squad. When students are told to come to school dressed as an influential role model, Joshua chooses Maria von Trapp. The film explores Andrea's internal battle of wanting her son to be normal, and embracing his individuality and accepting him how he is.
James Sanchez is a 29-year-old gay man who feels he has reached a dead end in his life. While his best friend Roxy, an actress-turned-activist, struggles to show him there is life beyond the glitz of the disco ball, his other friend, Brandon works on getting James to socialize. Feeling out of place in the world and caught between his Hispanic-American heritage and his homosexuality, James grows, realizing that life is in the journey, not the destination.
Informant Michael Marks wakes up to find a spike-filled mask locked around his neck. A videotape informs him that he has sixty seconds to remove his eye with the scalpel and retrieve the key, but he cannot bring himself to do so and is killed when the mask closes. Detective Eric Matthews, is called to the scene by Detective Allison Kerry when a message for him is found. Although he is initially reluctant to join the case, Eric joins Kerry and Sergeant Daniel Rigg in leading a SWAT team to an old factory. There they find the John Kramer, The Jigsaw Killer, who he is weak from cancer, and several computer monitors showing eight people trapped in a house. Among them are Amanda Young, Jigsaw's only known survivor, and Eric's estranged son Daniel. A nerve agent filling the house will kill them within two hours, but John assures Eric he will get Daniel back if Eric talks with John until the game is complete. At Kerry's urging, Eric reluctantly agrees in order to buy time for the police tech team to arrive and trace the video signal.
Guy Stone (Matt Letscher) is blissfully closeted, picking up tricks for one-night-stands, while capturing the country's heart as "America's most eligible bachelor" (starring in such films as The Love Barrel and I Married the Ghost). However, Guy's carefully managed façade collapses when he comes up for the lead in S.R.O. studio's version of Ben-Hur. Things turn sour for the film idol when a fellow actor, Freddie Stevens (Jack Plotnick) (famous in the film for portraying "Captain Astro" in a succession of Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon-type serial films), decides to steal the lead in Ben-Hur from Guy by taking a picture of Guy exiting a gay bar. Freddie plans to out Guy to the world and ruin his career. Jerry (Veronica Cartwright), Guy's repressed lesbian ball-bustingly ambitious agent, connives to cover up the impending outing and ensure Guy the role in Ben-Hur by marrying her client off with great fanfare to the studio head's secretary, Sally (Carrie Preston), who just happens to also be a slavishly devoted Guy Stone fan. However, Sally isn't aware the marriage is a sham.
In New York City, 1938 Arthur (Tucci) and Maurice (Platt) scrape a living by petty swindles, practicing their acting technique whenever they can. Following a drunken confrontation with pretentious and dreadful Shakespearean actor Sir Jeremy Burtom (Alfred Molina), they are forced to hide as stowaways on an ocean liner.
Among the characters are a mature couple about to renew their vows (Sean Connery and Gena Rowlands); a woman (Gillian Anderson) who accepts a date offer from a stranger (Jon Stewart); a gay man dying of AIDS (Jay Mohr) and his mother (Ellen Burstyn) who has struggled to accept him; two clubbers who meet in a nightclub (Ryan Phillippe and Angelina Jolie); a couple having an affair (Anthony Edwards and Madeleine Stowe) and a man (Dennis Quaid) who tells his tragic life story to a woman he meets in a bar (Patricia Clarkson), but seems to have a strange connection to another mysterious woman. As the film continues and the stories evolve, the connections between the characters become evident. Kellie Waymire, Nastassja Kinski, Alec Mapa, Amanda Peet and Michael Emerson also have roles in the film.


text:
Daryl Mosley - The Secret of Life
Bluegrass	/ Americana / Folk
AMERICA NORTH: USA:Tennessee (TN)
Pinecastle Records
darylmosley.com/
AirPlayDirect.com/thesecretoflife
In A Country Town [Focus Track]
A Few Years Ago
The Secret of Life
Hands In Wood
It Never Gets Old
Do What The Good Book Says
A Piece At A Time
I'd Write You
Heartaches Moving In
MP3 (04:23) [10.03 MB]
Ethan Burkhardt | CEO | ethan@pinecastlemusic.com
Kyle Watson | Director of Marketing | kyle@pinecastlemusic.com
Martha Moore | Daryl Mosley PR Contact | martha@somuchmooremedia.com
Calling Daryl Mosley a singer/songwriter is only correct in the most basic sense. Daryl is a gifted songwriter and storyteller who paints vivid pictures of life as it could be, used to be, or might have been. He's not flashy; just a man with a guitar, a voice as smooth as molasses in winter, and some exquisitely-crafted songs that resonate deeply with people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether performing at an auditorium, festival, church, or songwriting venue, Mosley's affable personality and remarkable songs engage the listener in a way that few artists can.
Mosley has traveled extensively in his professional career but has remained a resident of Waverly, Tennessee-the small, Mayberryesque hamlet just west of Nashville where he grew up. The experiences of life, work, faith, and love that resonate so strongly in this community are the very foundation of his songwriting. Daryl writes about real, salt-of-the-earth people and their personal struggles and victories on life's journey. And when he sings those songs, the characters and scenes come alive as if they were sitting on the front porch with you.
Country music legend Ronnie Milsap has called himself "a real fan" of both Mosley's songs and singing prowess. Legendary songwriters from Tom T. Hall to Tony Arata to Dave Loggins are among those who have sung his praises. Gospel music legend Bill Gaither said "Daryl is a poet-and we don't have many poets left." Mosley's musical poetry has led to him being twice honored as Songwriter of the Year, six #1 songs, and three Song of the Year awards. Other artists including Lynn Anderson, Bobby Osborne, Josh Williams, the Booth Brothers, and Carolina Blue are among the many who have recorded Daryl Mosley songs.
Throughout the 1990s, Mosley toured as the lead vocalist with the much celebrated bluegrass group New Tradition. In 2001, he joined the legendary Osborne Brothers. In 2010, he formed the band The Farm Hands who quickly became one of the most awarded acts in bluegrass music. Yet, the common thread throughout his career has been the union of Mosley's picturesque songs and his easy vocal delivery. This marriage has taken him to the pinnacle of musical stages and venues ranging from the Grand Ole Opry to the legendary Bluebird Cafe to even West Point Military Academy.
In 2020, Mosley's talents step brighter into the spotlight with the release of his first solo album. "The Secret of Life" on Pinecastle Records is an impressive collection of Daryl Mosley originals delivered pure and honest. From the retrospective "A Few Years Ago" to the eerie sales pitch of "The Deal" to the classic bluegrass attack on "A Piece At A Time" the album deliverS nothing less than musical short stories. Each song stands alone and at the same time weaves together with the others into a tapestry of insight into the life and the heart of writer.
Whether you hear Daryl on the radio, on television, or on the humblest or most renowned of concert stages, the message is always the same. Songs touting old school values, faith, slowing down and appreciating the things in life that truly matter are what he writes and what he sings. Because that's just who he is.
Daryl Mosley
Produced by Daryl Mosley/Danny Roberts | Danny Roberts/Mandolin | Tony Wray/Guitar | Aaron McDaris/Banjo | Adam Haynes/Fiddle | Michael Stockton/Dobro | Irene Kelley/Jaelee Roberts/Jeanette Williams - Harmony Vocals


Workers protested because, to get the latest and last portion of the bailout from international banks, the Greek parliament had to agree to limit the right to strike, extend electronic auctions and seizures for tax and social security debts, and make cuts to child and disability benefits.
On Jan. 15, the day of the vote, there was a strike by ADEDY (the Confederation of Civil Servants), the largest union of public-sector workers. They shut down mass transit in Athens.
It is clear that the unions in Greece are defending the right to strike by striking. Given all the pain and losses they have suffered over the past 8 years, they are in no mood to accept the latest attacks quietly.
Since Greece entered a financial crisis in 2010, its unions have called about 50 one-day general strikes to fight blatant attacks on workers' living standards and lives. Farmers, the self-employed and retirees, who were also severely impacted by cuts in health care and other social services, often supported those strikes.
Most of the strikes lasted one day. The short duration led the Greek and European bourgeoisie to discount their strength and impact. Production would quickly recover; a day of stoppage now and then would hurt little.
The bailout program is set to end in August 2018. After that Greece must finance itself by selling government bonds instead of arranging support through the European Union. If the Greek government enters the open loan market, the loss of productivity from all these strikes will be more important to the Greek ruling class.


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Track Review: The Lonely Surf: Losing It
by Harriet Heywood December 1, 2020 January 7, 2021
'Ridiculously catchy, you'll want to dive into the melting pot of indie-punk and new wave influences.'
Intro to The Lonely Surf
The Lonely Surf, formerly known as Death By Shotgun, are a four-piece alternative rock band who bring a recurring wave of new-age surf-punk musicality. Leading the way ahead of their upcoming EP 'Shifting', latest single 'Losing It' provides an incredible first offering of what we can expect from that extended release, and signals the start of a new chapter. Recorded before lockdown at Southampton's The Ranch Production House with Daly George – a place where bands such as Creeper and The Winter Passing have captured their sound – 'Losing It' is an energetic statement that says our name has changed, and our sound has got even better.
As the days get darker and inevitably colder, 'The Lonely Surf' prove they aren't fazed by winter blues. Riding their new-wave, surf-punk sound right to our speakers, 'Losing It' can be summed up in two words: ridiculously catchy. Flickering between moments reminiscent of The Wombats and Blink-182, it's a melting pot of indie-punk and new wave influences that you constantly want to dive into. Ticking every box, the mix of dreamy guitars, overlaid vocal harmonies and a truly insane backbeat ensures your foot cannot resist the pull of what you are hearing.
Despite the melancholy inspiration for the track, the playful energy within is intensified by this very thing, resulting in a giddy bubble of sound that's just waiting to pop. Losing itself somewhere between happy and sad, and doing exactly what it says on the tin, you find yourself in a strange place. One that you can't quite locate, but know you love all the same. And given lead singer Dom Wright's description of the story behind the track, you can appreciate why this is the case: "The main inspiration for this track was just being in a weird headspace and various life experiences formed the basis for the lyrics. It's about being unhappy, relying on other things to try and make yourself feel good and descending into a sort of chaos which is always fun at the time, but so exhausting in the long run."
Slick, dreamy, punchy and cinematic in all the best ways, 'Losing It' brims with character and classic indie alt-rock energy that make it a must-listen track.
Feature by Harriet Heywood
TaggedDecember 2020music reviewnew artistnew musicThe Lonely Surf
Guest Writer Track Review: Chloe Mogg: Attack
Track Review: Lo Lauren: Easier
Track Review: Bessie Turner: Big Sleep
Track Review: DLORE: Jackal
Cover Track Review: The Howl & The Hum: Blinding Lights


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Cyprus: CyBC releases details on 2018 national selection
by Stratos Agadellis September 15, 2017 6:10 pm 577 views
It's time that Cyprus announced its plans for Lisbon! The national broadcaster of the country Cypriot Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) has now released a long information text in which everything that concerns a candidate performer is reported.
As it is now officially confirmed, the composer of the Cypriot entry at the 63rd Eurovision Song Contest will be the Swedish-Greek award-winner Alex Papakonstantinou, who has collaborated with many former Eurovision participants, such as Helena Paparizou, Anna Vissi, Sarbel and Arash and has been the composer of three former Eurovision entries. These entries are:
Yassou Maria by Sarbel (Greece 2007)
Always by Aysel and Arash (Azerbaijan 2009)
La La Love by Ivi Adamou (Cyprus 2012)
According to the CyBC rules, as a performer can apply only anyone who is over 16 years old and he/she or his/her parent(s) is/are Cypriot citizen(s).
Every artist wishing to participate can submit his/her application only by e-mail (cybceurovision2018@cybc.com.cy). On the CyBC file the candidates may get aware of all the documenation that is demanded to accompany their application as well as the YouTube video sample that have to submit. Artists are able to apply until 20 October. Any overdue entry will be considered void.
All applicants that meet the requirements of CyBC are going to compete during the first selection phase. The ones who will pass to the second phase, will take part in a round of auditions which will lead the successful hopefuls to the final show, which will be airing live on TV. At this show, the candidates are going to compete with entries that will be assigned to them by the broadcaster.
The final winner and Cypriot 2018 Eurovision representative will be chosen by both jury vote and televoting. However, CyBC holds the right to proceed with the selection of a performer by any way and in any phase of the procedure.
Cyprus at Eurovision
The island of Aphrodite made its debut in 1981, having missed the contest only twice since. The best placing for Cyprus has been a 5th place, which has been achieved on 3 occassions: in 1982, in 1997 and in 2004. This was the last time that Cyprus reached the Top 10. Cyprus has had relatively poor resuls since then, as they have seen 6 semi-final non-qualifications and low placings on the final scoreboard.
In 2017, CyBC had internally selected the former participant of the Greek X-Factor Hovig to represent country in Kyiv. With his electropop entry Gravity, he reached the Grand Final of 13 May and he finished 21st with 68 points.
Who can bring Cyprus back to the left side of the scoreboard in 2018?
ESCToday is growing and always looks for new members to join our team! Feel free to drop us a line if you're interested! Use the Contact Us page or send us an email at vacancies@esctoday.com!
alex papakonstantinou
CyBC
National final
national selection
Stratos Agadellis
Chemist. Restless spirit. Book and food lover. Eurovision passionate since childhood.
Slovenia: RTVSLO confirms participation in Eurovision 2018
Italy: RAI confirms participation in Eurovision 2018
Eurovision 2020: Two cities remain in the host city battle
by Sanjay (Sergio) Jiandani - July 16, 2019 5:05 pm
Cyprus: CyBC confirms participation in Eurovision 2020
by Sanjay (Sergio) Jiandani - July 15, 2019 11:00 am
The Netherlands: Duncan Laurence will not defend his ESC title next year
by Sanjay (Sergio) Jiandani - July 15, 2019 9:20 am
Eurovision 2020: Two cities to be shortlisted; Rotterdam and Maastricht?
Eurovision 2020: 'For real' Rotterdam's slogan; promo video released
Eurovision 2020: Utrecht plans to host the contest in a tent
Eurovision 2020: Five cities officially submit bidbooks to NPO
Eurovision 2020: The Host City race has officially kicked off!
Eurovision 2020: Highlights from the Bid Book submission event
Switzerland: SRF confirms participation in Eurovision 2020
ESCToday was founded in 1999 and since then it delivers Eurovision Song Contest news, polls, interviews, charts and exclusivities on a daily basis.
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Employment Screening Resources (ESR) Announces the Addition of Kirk Bogue as Vice President of Operations
Employment Screening Resources (ESR)
September 21, 2017, 17:17 GMT
Employment Screening Resources® (ESR)
Bogue is a seasoned screening industry professional who brings ESR a wealth of executive management experience in operations, client services, and technology.
Kirk's unique background will help ESR leadership further develop a people-focused culture that promotes professional and personal growth."
— ESR President Brad Landin
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, September 21, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Employment Screening Resources® (ESR), a leading global background check firm headquartered in the San Francisco Bay area, has announced that Kirk Bogue has joined the company as Vice President of Operations with overall responsibility for ESR's operations and client services.
"Kirk is a seasoned screening industry professional who brings ESR a wealth of executive management experience in operations, client services, applied technology, business and product development, and organizational leadership," said ESR president Brad Landin.
Before joining ESR, Bogue was on a fast track leadership path at Conoco, Vice President at ACNielsen/Dun& Bradstreet and ADP, Vice President of Strategic Product Development at ChoicePoint, and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Technology Services at ClearStar.
In addition to his operations and product development experience, Bogue was Vice President of Client Services at ADP for four years. He is client focused in his approach and believes that enduring business relationships are built on a foundation of integrity and respect.
Bogue holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Sciences from the University of Florida which has enabled him to manage large development projects and software development teams in several of his prior positions.
The combination of operations, client services, and technology competencies makes Bogue uniquely qualified to help deliver and improve upon ESR's technology-driven professional screening products and services, and to understand, anticipate, and serve ESR client needs.
Bogue also brings experience in leadership and corporate development. He served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Kennesaw State University Siegel Institute for Leadership, Ethics, and Character and has worked as a professional consultant in these areas.
"Kirk's unique background will help ESR leadership further develop a people-focused culture that promotes professional and personal growth that increases the effectiveness of our people and the quality of the services that we deliver," added Landin.
ABOUT EMPLOYMENT SCREENING RESOURCES® (ESR)
Employment Screening Resources® (ESR) is a leading global background check firm and a strategic choice for employers wanting accuracy and compliance in screening programs. ESR is accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS®) and undergoes yearly SOC 2® audits. To learn more about ESR, visit www.esrcheck.com.
Thomas Ahearn
Distribution channels: Banking, Finance & Investment Industry, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals Industry, IT Industry, Law, Technology
Employment Screening Resources (ESR) Announces Integration with Merydyan for Total Tribal Gaming Solution
Employment Screening Resources (ESR) Announces Prime Integration with iCIMS to Streamline Background Screening
Employment Screening Resources (ESR) CEO Lester Rosen Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from PBSA (Formerly NAPBS)


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STARS NATION SUCCESS
I LOVE SPONSORING PEOPLE WHO….
I am an Arbonne Independent Consultant and this is who I love to surround myself with and sponsor into my business, so that they may live their most beautiful life too.
Prior to Arbonne I was on total people burnout. I had gone from a singing on the bus happy-go-lucky kid, to a 29 year old whose people patience had all but worn off. Misalignment will do that to you!
Today, with the help of meeting incredible people through this business, much self-development and actually being happy in myself and what I am doing and bringing to the world...it's a very different story.
Now as I grow my Arbonne business in all 6 countries we are currently in - Australia, USA, UK, Canada, Poland, and New Zealand - I'm thrilled to find people from all walks of life who want to make or be the change, who want something more and who dare to dream!
I love coaching people. I love rewarding people. I love cheering people on.
I LOVE SPONSORING PEOPLE WHO LOVE!
I love sponsoring people who have a big dream and who aren't afraid to dream bigger - even when they're told to come back to reality.
I love sponsoring people with a massive goal - who know what they want and aren't afraid to go and get it.
I love sponsoring people who don't fully realize their potential and when they start to see it, they're just totally blown away and on fire!
I love sponsoring people with sparkly eyes.
I love sponsoring people who love on their families, and want the best for their families, and want to leave a legacy.
I love sponsoring people who are organized, who are motivated, who are driven, passionate, great listeners, great communicators, who love life and who love and respect themselves.
I love sponsoring people who have the bravery to love other people unconditionally, or to let them go with love.
I love sponsoring people who love to travel ...and I can have lots of really fun travel conversations with… and then we can plan trips together, and actually go on them because we are free... and earn free ones too.
I love sponsoring people who have other passions. Those who want to invest in property and require the capital to get started. Those who want to create a new business, or a new empire, or invent something. Musicians or artists who want to fund a special project or go to college or a school in another country.
People who are hungry to see their passion come alive because of Arbonne. And thrive because of Arbonne. It's really cool. And it's happening for me.
I love sponsoring people into this business who are a little bit different. Who might be a minority in some other workplace and who maybe hasn't had a voice before.
Those who would rather not conform to been told when to clock in and clock out, when to go to the toilet, each lunch, and what to say and how to dress on a daily basis.
I love sponsoring people who think differently. Who may not have ever had a platform where they can be themselves before, let alone be celebrated for being themselves. I love seeing them attract more of the like-minded people that they want in their lives through their own Arbonne business. For the first time ever they feel like they have this freedom to create a business that is them but still in total alignment with the company ethos and culture.
I love sponsoring people who care about our green values. People who care about the environment and really care about other people, and really give a damn about important things are more than welcome here.
I love sponsoring people from different cultures. They bring this new energy and this new vibrancy. They bring their different ways and their different rituals and their different beliefs. With the launch of Arbonne into Poland, Taiwan, New Zealand, and next year Germany, there's always so much excitement about exploring the new countries.
It's one of the best gifts Arbonne has given me - the chance to travel and be immersed in these other cultures. Our global expansion gives voice to sharing their essence and the lives of their people, and there truly is so much to learn from them.I never thought that I'd make friends with this many people around the world and it's only getting bigger and bigger.
I like sponsoring people who don't give up - who realize that everything in life is going to have its ups and downs.It's inspiring to watch them handle that reality, and their growth as a result teaches me so much.
This business and the people in it and who we get to bring into this business...
it's rewarding to watch the people who stick it out and what beautiful
life-changing rewards they truly get for sticking it out.
I feel very honoured to sponsor, coach, mentor,
and call my friends, such incredible people.
Like YOU.
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.
- Gail Devers
*In Arbonne, sponsoring means to introduce and support someone
to the products and/or business opportunity.
Got some of these qualities and want to work with winners too?
Maybe the Arbonne business model can be the vehicle to your goals
Take a look, speak to your Arbonne Independent Consultant, or CONTACT US.
(Please consider your goals as a consultant in conjunction with the
Independent Consultant Compensation Summary here.)
*This post first appeared on samanthaclark,com.au
TEAM RECOGNITION
STARS NATION YOUTUBE
SAMANTHA CLARK YOUTUBE


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Seattle City Council Insight
Independent news and analysis of the Seattle City Council. Wordy and nerdy.
About SCC Insight
The latest research on coronavirus transmission in King County is a much-needed sign of hope
On 03/31/2020 By Kevin Schofield In public health
Earlier this week the Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) released a pair of research papers (here and here) looking at the transmission rate of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in King County. It provides hopeful news for the effectiveness of the social-distancing methods being used to try to slow the spread, and it also suggests some new ways to predict how we're doing.
The data that we've had to-date on COVID infections has been meager, mostly because of the lack of testing. But particularly over the past two weeks as testing has started to ramp up, it's become more possible (though still not easy) to start looking for meaningful trends in the data. This becomes even more true as researchers try to find correlations with other related data sources that might be more reliable, such as hospitalizations and deaths: to the extent that modeling the number of infections using different sources produces similar results, we can feel more confident in those results.
The IDM has been working on a model for estimating "R", the reproductive rate of the coronavirus (where R represents the number of additional people that an infected person will in turn infect). R changes over time as an outbreak progresses: R0 represents the initial, unimpeded reproduction rate in a community, where there are no measures in place to slow it down and no innate or herd immunity, but as measures are put in place and herd immunity grows, R will decrease. The farther than a community can lower R, the more likely that the disease outbreak can be controlled and eventually extinguished without a major healthcare crisis. Ideally, the goal should be to get R below 1; that's the threshold below which the outbreak will start dying out as people recover from the illness.
The IDM now estimates that in King County R for COVID was about 2.7 at the beginning of March, putting it on par with a nastier influenza strain in terms of contagion; but by March 18 it estimates that R had been reduced to around 1.4. That's a huge accomplishment that we can chalk up to all the social distancing measures that have been put in place; we're not over the goal line yet, but it will save lives and significantly reduce the load on the county's healthcare system. A caveat: the R measurements have a large level of uncertainty at the beginning of the month (+/- 0.9), though it decreases significantly by March 18 (+/- 0.2).
Much of the two papers that the IDM released focus on looking to see whether various measures of population mobility correlate with the reduction in R over the last month. To do this, they used social-media data made available through Facebook's "Data for Good" research program, which on a typical day tracks 230,000 people around the Puget Sound region. They collected mobility data for February 26 through March 28, as well as for a "baseline" period for three months before that. First, they checked to see whether the mobility data derived from Facebook was reasonably accurate by checking to see whether it correlated with local traffic data — and it does.
Comparing reduction in mobility in King County as seen in Facebook data to the reduction in traffic on the 520 bridge. They are closely correlated.
The researchers looked at where individuals were spending their time, and when and where they changed locations. Not surprisingly, they found that over March people spent increasingly more time in residential neighborhoods and less time in commercial and mixed use zones or at UW. The trend is much more prevalent on weekdays than on the weekends — which is partly because of people flouting the "stay at home" rules on the weekend, but also because in general people spend more time at home on weekends so the change to weekend behavior during March was less significant.
You can see in the map below how, at the beginning of the month, there was a lot of commuting — represented by a lot of people spending their day in one place and their night in another. But two weeks later, much of it had disappeared.
It's interesting to look at the data at a more granular level: overall mobility has gone way down, but not as much on weekends. In fact, the situation has flipped: now more people are staying home during the week and getting out on the weekend, in defiance of the "stay at home" mandate (shame on us).
But the really interesting stuff is relating the mobility data back to R. The researchers at IDM found four measures derived from the mobility data that have high value in predicting R:
the difference in daytime occupancy compared to the baseline;
the number of commuters between Seattle and the Eastside;
the daytime occupancy in residential neighborhoods;
overall daytime occupancy (which one assumes would measure the people no longer commuting between King County and neighboring counties).
That doesn't mean that we can assign a cause-and-effect relationship to any of these measures, or to some combination of them. But R is very difficult to measure, especially in real-time since there is a time lag in patients becoming symptomatic and in getting test results back. So having a way to accurately predict R, right now, is immensely valuable.
Unfortunately, the catch is that these four measures don't yield the same predictions for the future; you can see from the charts above that according to the daytime overall occupancy data R should already be below 1, whereas the Seattle-Eastside commuter data suggests that we're leveling off around 1.4. This is an interesting test for their predictive models: because of the lag in epidemiological data, they only have reliable information on infections through March 18; but Governor Inslee's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order wasn't announced until March 23. There's a very good chance that R is significantly lower now than it was on March 18, but we will need to wait a bit longer to know for sure.
A follow-on question is whether the prediction of R gets even better when you combine the epi data and the Facebook mobility data. the IDM researchers built a new model that did just that, and it predicts that R was 1.3 +/- 0.07 on March 18 — just slightly lower, consistent with the case data, but with higher certainty.
The IDM researchers then used their new ability to model R to predict the trend for new daily cases in King County.
So far so good: yesterday there were 171 new COVID-19 cases, which is close to the predicted curve.
In all there is a bunch of good news: the social-distancing measures seem to be working so far (but please don't ease up; we're not out of the woods yet), and policy-makers potentially have a new tool that will help to inform them as to whether more drastic actions need to be taken without a 1-2 week lag time for data.
I hope you found this article valuable. If you did, please take a moment to make a contribution to support my ongoing work. Thanks!
Tagged with COVID-19, IDM
Tuesday news roundup
Two off-the-beaten-path research papers on the coronavirus, with interesting results
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JWA Dubai 2023 Awards Presentation Ceremony & Panel Discussion
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: Brand of the Year - Retail
Luk Fook Holdings (International) Limited
Country / Region: Hong Kong
About Luk Fook Holdings (International) Limited:
Luk Fook Holdings (International) Limited was listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in May 1997. The Group principally engages in the sourcing, designing, wholesaling, trademark licensing and retailing of a variety of gold and platinum jewellery and gem-set jewellery products, with a total of over 1,720 shops in Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Philippines, the United States, Canada and Australia. The Group will continue to identify new business opportunities in the international market in response to its corporate vision, "Brand of Hong Kong, Sparkling the World".
What the judges have to say:
The judging panel is impressed to see how Luk Fook has successfully built its retailing and franchising network under the brand name "3D-GOLD" by entering into joint ventures in Greater China and other countries, as well as online platforms. What remains impressive about Lukfook is how cohesive its branding is despite the breadth of its portfolio. In the "Love is Beauty" campaign, the group strengthens customers' emotional attachment to the brand through carefully crafted and highly targeted marketing campaigns.
For general awards enquiries:
Title Sponsors


Look close to see that this Decorative Wrought Iron 3-Wick Candle Display has a padded handle at the top. This makes it mobile and capable of being deployed around the store over time. So you can surprise and cross-merchandise to customers differently daily, if you so choose. The upscale and artistic wrought iron creation upgrades the merchandise's positioning. This Decorative Wrought Iron 3-Wick Candle Display seen at Pier 1 Imports, Rockaway TownSquare Mall.


The target this day was in the upslope regimen of the Cheyenne Ridge through southeast WY with storms expected to develop in the mountains and move out into the High Plains area during the mid to late afternoon.Our group left Colby, KS in the morning and progressed northwest to Cheyenne and then north on I-25 toward Chugwater, WY as a pair of intense storms were already firing on the Laramie Range and about to move off the mountains into the open High Plains.Consequently, this is where the better environment was at with moderately strong heating indicated by SB CAPE values in the 1500-2500 j/kg range, dewpoints adequately into the upper 50's in a higher elevation area, and strong east-southeast winds at 20-30 kts which led to strong inflow and low level shear.In addition, these storms developed in an area of higher bulk/deep layer shear values of 40-50 kts and could have been higher with a shortwave moving through the region and helping to ignite convection.
Upon approaching the storm near Chugwater, it quickly produced a short-lived rope tornado that we did see from 15 miles south of the storm.This tornado touched down near Wheatland, WY.Being so far away from the storm at the time of the tornado, we were not positive that it touched down after seeing the funnel ¾ of the way to the ground, but confirmation came from spotters and chasers in that area that it did indeed touch down around 5pm.The tornado dissipated as we followed to the south of the storm on Hwy 316 and then north in Hwy 160 towards Fort Laramie, WY as the storm continued to right turn and actually take a more east-southeast movement.A couple of rotating wall clouds were seen along the storm path, as well as a very interesting lowering on the left split storm to the north of ours that did end up becoming tornado warned.Our storm ended up moving out into an area with no roads upon crossing the WY/NE border so we ended up going north on Hwy 85 towards Lusk, WY and then east on Hwy 20 where we intercepted again near sunset in Crawford, NE.We witnessed a spectacular lightning show before ending the chase here and traveling to Valentine, NE for the night.
Tough to see, but this is the tail end of the tornado way in the distance near Wheatland, WY.
Lowering underneath a new updraft on the storm near Wheatland, WY.
Another storm coming off of the Laramie Range in WY.
Two new explosive updrafts on our storm east of Wheatland, WY.
Horizontal funnel forming on the leading edge of the RFD clear slot.


Birdlife at Katara - Katara Lodge Katara Lodge is situated on the Great Rift Valley escarpment with uninterrupted views of the savannah, Lake Edward, Virunga, Rwenzori mountain ranges beyond in Uganda.
Large brown eagles are regularly seen exploiting the thermal upwinds along the escarpment, and at times can be seen perched on top of the cottages.
Scrambling through the bushes and trees on the Katara Lodge compound, one can see barbets, firefinches, fly catchers, long tailed mousebirds and different types of cuckoos, that are benefiting from the ubiquitous presence of scrub-robins and robin chats. Three different types of woodpeckers have been spotted so far.
A number of different sun birds are frequently seen hovering around the tropical plants in the restaurant area and the car park.
There are at least 4 different types of weaver birds nesting at different places on the compound.
Other birds putting in occasional appearances include herons, storks, buzzards, ibises, kingfishers, owls, and many more!
The below shots have been taken within the Katara Lodge compound or in the immediate vicinity.


Ahhhhhh hair! Something we all have on all (or at least most parts) of the body!
I don't know about you, but I am constantly fed up with not knowing what to do with all this hair on my head.
Do I keep on trying to grow it *still waiting for that extra luscious long locks* or do I cut it all off and attempt to rock a midi length style with some natural waves/curls?
I keep seeing pictures of these gorgeous girls with short styles hair and they just look effortless – although I can imagine that effortless look really wasn't effortless and no doubt took some time to achieve. And I instantly want to get my hair chopped off.
I am keen on going for it as it's been YEARSSSSS since I've had my hair any shorter than it is now and sometimes I think it's good to go for a change, so we can only try I guess eh!?
Anyway, for for the time being here are a few things I'm doing to keep my hair healthy/styled for the summer!
Ugh – this really annoys me/ gets me down.
I put out a tweet the other day about this issue, and I had lots of people coming back to me about all these different shampoos/ products to use to reduce the flaky scalp look as it has been really affecting me recently – I think down to weather going from so cold to pretty warm in a matter of days (thank you England)! After doing some research I came across the Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Shampoo. I thought I would order it and see how it works, and it's been working a dream! When I say it's worked a dream, I really mean it. I used it twice in a row (2 days apart) and after the second time I noticed the flakiness had pretty much gone! YAY. This is a must if you are suffering from this problem!
Now, this seems like a really strange and basic point to make but I think it's really important. I find that I get less headaches and just generally feel better when I wear my hair down! Sounds crazy but I genuinely think it makes a huge difference. I mean I know some days when you just CBA to get in the shower and soak your hair or when you've annoyingly run out out of the life saving dry shampoo (yes we've all had days) you just need to chuck that barnet in a top bun and try and roll with it. However, I find that when I tie my hair up, it's often very tight and I notice my hair literally comes out in clumps :(. It may even be that some people need to go to the extreme and need to seek medical help from Harley Street Hair Clinic – Take a look at hair restoration procedures.
When it comes to summer and hair, I don't know about you, but I really don't like faffing about doing much with my hair when it's too hot and sticky. It's the worst thing when you do your hair for the day/evening and it gets all sweaty and wet because of the sticky atmosphere! So what I am going to be doing is going for a sleek, natural blowdry look that takes minutes to achieve! I've been achieving this with the Babyliss Sheer Volume Rotating Heated Brush which you can pick up for £80! It really is amazing and creates the nicest finished look and doesn't ruin your hair as much as using straighteners or curlers would do!
So there we have a few options for looking after your hair this summer and getting the best results! Do you have any tips or tricks?
I just realised I forgot to say it makes your hair like beachy waves! ??
I cut my hair into a shattered lob a few months ago and love it. It's going to be so easy in the summer- Not your mothers beach babe texturizing spray keeps me from using heat as it gives effortless waves that look perfect even when your hair gets wet!
My absolute favourite thing to do, especially in this weather, is to squirt my hair with leave in conditioner so it's just slightly damp then put my hair in two plaits before bed. Then in the morning, and I just unplait it and literally that's it! Saves me so much time and no faff with heated appliances! ?


text:
FEMA & FCC authorize 'Presidential Alert' system for national emergencies
September 27, 2018 | by Sofia Cardamone
At 2:18 p.m. on October 3, 2018, cell phone users in the United States will receive an emergency alert text message from the President. Fear not—this message is simply a test pilot for emergency alerts that current and future presidents can use to notify the public about natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other threats to public safety.
According to a 2015 U.S. law, the scenarios listed above are the only occasions during which the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system is authorized to send out mass messages.
An example of what FEMA's IPAWS National Test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) will look like. https://www.fema.gov/emergency-alert-test
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have teamed up to send out the mass message, which will be the first national WEA test. Per the FEMA website, the EAS is a "national public warning system that provides the President with the communications capability to address the nation during a national emergency." Thus far, EAS alerts have only been broadcast via television and radio, so receiving alerts to personal devices is uncharted territory. The website also stated that the objective of the test text is to "assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether improvements are needed."
Some concern about the tools intrusive nature and the potential for presidents to misuse the tool have come to light. This unease can be illustrated through the prime example of the "incoming missile" alert that was issued in Honolulu, Hawaii in January of 2018. Written in all capital letters, the alert read "BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL." The false alert sent a wave of panic through the area for 38 minutes until the local authorities issued alerts to dismiss the threat, such as writing "There is no threat" on highway and traffic signs.
Some emergency management workers, however, have voiced support for the tool.
"I think it is an outstanding tool in the toolbox," Nick Crossley, president of the International Association of Emergency Managers, told NBC. "It is a great way to get notification to anybody who has a cellphone."
The main difference between these new alerts and the AMBER alerts is that they cannot be turned off. Crossley explained that if people are able to turn the alerts off, they will be unprepared in the face of an emergency.
While the concerns of human error and misuse of this tool shed light on its potential shortcomings, if used properly, the alerts could prove useful in the event of a national emergency.
Note: The alert will be sent to all WEA compatible cell phones in the United States that are switched on and within range of an active cell tower. To check whether your phone is WEA-compatible, click here
FEMA to test 'presidential alert' on Oct. 3 – here's what you need to know
FEMA's 'Presidential Alert' test postponed as some Americans want to disconnect
The IPAWS National Test
Hawaii false alarm worker: I was 100% sure it was real
The Latest: Worker who sent missile alert had past issues


Warm summers days and nights call for scrumptious, out of this world ice cream desserts and the Seattle area can easily fill your needs.
Starting in Bellevue a favorite is Vivo53 located in Bellevue Square where you can indulge in layers and layers of sugary goodness topped off with brownies, lollipops and you name they have it. Closer to downtown Seattle is HardWok Cafe where they serve delicious Taiwanese eats but save room for dessert because their Honey Toast Encounter is to die for. Just south of downtown Seattle located in Olde Burien is Medzo Gelato Bar & Travel Cafe featuring world-class gelato and sorbet served with a twist. The Belgium Waffles made with pearl sugar caramelizes during cooking giving a unique sugary crunch, topped with your choice of gelato make for a delicious dessert. They also serve several spirited drinks like affogato, wine, hot chocolate and coffee.


I will continue to delve into the internal features of this product in the next part of my WP LocalBiz Bundle reviewreview. Do not take your eyes!
WP LocalBiz Bundle Review – What Is WP LocalBiz Bundle?
It contains folder themes, video member themes, colourways website, 30 professional design templates and more they are easily customizable so you can edit them as you like.
What did you know about Uddhab Pramanik? As far as I know, he has been a marketer for a long time. With his years of experience, he began releasing digital products to serve users.
In order to launch a product, he always seeks to understand the needs of customers. I was caught up in his products. Please follow the next part of my WP LocalBiz Bundle review to find out why they have such incredible charisma.
If you are new, I guess you will not understand the colourway website yet. I will say the simplest way for you to understand it – the colourway website is a powerhouse for some of the best templates and website designs available in the digital market.
You will be provided with extremely beautiful and totally new themes in the market to create professional and engaging websites.
It helps you control everything that is happening in the most scientific way.
It is an Intensive Module for Businesses, Business Shops Services, allowing application users to Schedule appointments, select employees, select branch locations, choose services and date and time.
Just one download button, you can create multi-functional and multi-functional websites for Doctor, E-Commerce services, Restaurant tables, Design and family furniture catalogue, Book a calendar Spa appointments, Sports coaches, all other businesses.
Note1: Before explaining some main WP LocalBiz Bundle features, I'm going to provide you an overview about this product.
Now I'm going to introduce Colorway Sites + Booking module inside WP LocalBiz Bundle Front-End, for Video Membership Theme + Directory and Classifiled Based WP Themes will be mentioned in price section.
You just hit any templates you want to import it to your website with 1-click. Nothing complicated here.
There is preview interface on the right for you, you can scroll up/down your cursor to check it, and then You just need to hit "Install Plugins" to import this template.
After importing any templates you want, you still can edit it by hitting "Elementor" installed already at the beginning.
Elementor is the drag-n-drop page builder module that allows you to add/remove/change all elements on your template.
You can add/change/remove every elements you want like text, heading, image, video, button, divider, spacer, google maps, image box, alert, soundcloud, social icons, shortcode, etc.
This module helps you to set up a booking form which includes some booking information as name, email, contact number, service, date, time, price.
You also can download all info to your computer under CSV file.
Beside, you can set up some settings for your form like payment, currency, date exceptions, reminder email settings, SMS settings, form styles.
Do you believe if I say it only takes 2 minutes for you to create a website with Wp LocalBiz Bundle? I don't joke with you. This is really true. Please see the video tutorial to know more about how this product works.
WP LocalBiz Bundle Review – Who Should Buy It?
It does not have any problems during work.
With what you will get, I rate this as a reasonable price.
With this package, you will receive 20 topics and video member topics. It is a weapon for developing your website with extended themes and agency licenses. These topics are high performing and updated regularly.
You will have 2 themes on WordPress to build and classify businesses based on lists.
This is a perfect solution for you to create websites based on subscribers or members.
This is the highest package in the OTO. You will get the most modern values and features.
I just talked about these upgrades. For details about them, you can visit their sales page to know more.
I have just reviewed the most detailed WPLocalBiz Bundle. This information is what I have learned very well about it through people who have tried it. I hope this information will make you satisfied.
If you have questions, please leave a message below, I will answer you as soon as possible. Thanks for reading my WP LocalBiz Bundle review. Goodbye and see you again!
Step 1: Order WP LOCALBIZ BUNDLE by Clicking here.


text:
Okayplayer Features New Bel-Ami Album 'Muse(ic)'
by Ayoin News# Bel-Ami, Bel-Ami Album, Bel-Ami Muse(ic), Bel-Ami Muse(ic) Album Okayplayer, Bel-Ami Muse(ic) Album SoulBounce, Bel-Ami Muse(ic) Okayplaer Premiere, Bel-Ami Muse(ic) Okayplayer, Bel-Ami Muse(ic) Premiere, Bel-Ami Okayplayer, Bel-Ami Okayplayer Premiere, Client Services, Digital PR, Muse(ic), Muse(ic) Okayplayer, Muse(ic) Okayplayer Premiere, Music PR, Okayplayer, Okayplayer Bel-Ami, Okayplayer Premiere, Okayplayer Premiere Album Muse(ic), Okayplayer Premiere Bel-Ami Muse(ic), Online PR, PR, PR Services, PR Work, Premiere, Premieres
After fronting the recently released EP from New York collective Herbivores, which was championed by SoulBounce, SingersRoom, Kick Magazine and Soul-Addict, among others, Brooklyn-based Houston neo-soul musician BEL-AMI is proud to unveil his brand new solo album titled MUSE(IC), as featured by OKAYPLAYER.
Written by Bel-Ami and co-produced with Errick Lewis (Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Erykah Badu), the album also features contributions from Miles Robertson (Adele, One Republic, Ashley Tisdale) on keys, Bobby Wesley on guitars, Obed Calvaire (Mary J. Blige, Music Soulchild, Seal) on drums, and Matthew Hartnett (Lauryn Hill, Kirk Franklin, Bilal) on horns.
Speaking about the inspiration behind his Muse(ic) album and how the project came about, Bel- Ami says, "This album is raw and authentic. The sound and the subject matter is as gritty as the basement in Jersey, where the songs were recorded. Looking back, it's almost as if we were living a dream. Everything was so effortless. To reference Malcolm Gladwell, it was definitely an 'outlier' moment, where preparation meets opportunity at the most perfectly divine time. If I could have determined early on what the perfect outcome would have been, it would not have been as good as what now exists.
Without a 'muse', there is no art, there is no 'MUSE(ic)'. Adding the suffix 'ic' typically forms an adjective, which means 'of or pertaining to' and as such, this project is pertaining to and inspired by my many muses. I thought the most authentic way to record this album was to build the stairs as we climbed, so the bones of this project were recorded in a single live take, as we used each moment as a muse for the next. We created freely and fully, prioritizing expression over arbitrary industry rules, while also paying homage to the greats who have planted these seeds of inspiration in me. If you appreciate soul music in its truest form, you'll appreciate this album".
Highly recommended if you like the sounds of neo-soul greats such as D'Angelo, Bilal and Maxwell, self-taught musician Bel-Ami found his rhythm from a very early age, having been born into a family of musicians and singers. He further honed his skills and penchant for harmonies in local school and church choirs in Houston, and then as a member of the prestigious Houston Symphony Chorus. However it wasn't until after a near-fatal car accident that Bel-Ami found a new purpose for his fearless, honest and free music.
Since that accident, the Houston native has been on a mission to affect the world of music as only he can. He burst onto the scene with his debut EP Know U, which has led him on an upward trajectory and journey ever since, and has since seen Bel-Ami headline two indie tours, share the stage with R&B and soul greats including Angie Stone, Dwele, Mint Condition, Tank, Chante Moore, and of his biggest influences Bilal, and garner critical acclaim and support from the likes of Huffington Post, 002 Magazine and Houston Style Magazine.
CONNECT WITH BEL-AMI: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook
Wordplay Magazine Interviews OG The Story About His 'Evolution By Any Means' EPInterview Magazine Interviews Langa Mavuso About His 'LANGA' Album


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text:
See our Saudi Arabia Holidays
Exploring Al Baha's Shada Mountains
Al Ahsa
Al Jouf
Al Ula
Diriyah
Saudi Arabia's wild west
Strikingly contrasting from the rest of the country, Al Baha is a land of rugged mountains, lush forests and abandoned cities.
One of the highest cities in the Kingdom, Al Baha sits at 2,155 metres and is surrounded by lush forests, jagged peaks and ancient marble citadels, a legacy of the Ghamid and Zahran tribespeople who hew their cities out of the region's striking white marble. Proving a wonderful contrast to the red ochre deserts of much of the rest of the country, Al Baha is a must-visit if you want to learn more about Saudi's intriguing history.
Visitors to Al Baha will delight in being able to visit the ancient citadel of Dhee Ayn, built from the local marble and perched on an outcrop overlooking the breathtaking Bidah Valley, just to the south of Al Baha. The buildings here are distinctly cuboid and were built over 400 years ago, before the city was abandoned in the 1980s. Walking through the winding streets is an amazing experience, especially at sunrise and sunset when the golden sun shines down on the white marble. The Sarwat Mountains to the west of the city are home to the Raghadan Forest Park where a series of hiking trails take visitors out above the forest canopy to offer spectacular views across the forest and surrounding valleys. Food and barbecue stalls are found here so dinner at sunset is a great way to round off a day. It is also possible to visit the historic village of Sheda, found on the hike to the peak of Jebel Mussal Ibrahim where the ancient buildings will offer a glimpse back in time as you pass through.
With its many points of difference, stunning views and benevolent climate, Al Baha is a lovely stopping point on any adventure through the west of Saudi. Although not the most popular of places for tourists to visit, it is beloved of locals which is always a great indicator of a wonderful place to visit as you explore the Kingdom.
Speak to us about our newest destination


text:
from django.test import TestCase
from candidator.models import Topic, Position, TakenPosition, Category
from popolo.models import Person

class TopicTestCase(TestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        pass

    def test_instanciate(self):
        '''Instanciate a topic'''
        topic = Topic.objects.create(
            label=u"Should marijuana be legalized?",
            description=u"This is a description of the topic of marijuana")

        self.assertTrue(topic)
        self.assertEquals(topic.label, u"Should marijuana be legalized?")
        self.assertEquals(topic.description, u"This is a description of the topic of marijuana")
        self.assertTrue(topic.slug)

        self.assertEquals(topic.__str__(), u"<Should marijuana be legalized?>")

    def test_get_taken_position(self):
        topic = Topic.objects.create(
            label=u"Should marijuana be legalized?",
            description=u"This is a description of the topic of marijuana")

        position = Position.objects.create(
            topic=topic,
            label=u"Yes",
            description=u"Yes, means that it is considered a good thing for marijuana to be legalized"
        )
        person = Person.objects.create(name=u"Felipe")
        taken_position = TakenPosition.objects.create(
            topic=topic,
            position=position,
            person=person,
        )
        self.assertEquals(topic.get_taken_position_for(person), taken_position)
        taken_position.delete()
        self.assertIsNone(topic.get_taken_position_for(person))

class PositionTestCase(TestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        self.topic = Topic.objects.create(
            label=u"Should marijuana be legalized?",
            description=u"This is a description of the topic of marijuana")

    def test_instanciate_a_position_on_a_given_topic(self):
        '''Instanciate a position on a given topic'''
        position = Position.objects.create(
            topic=self.topic,
            label=u"Yes",
            description=u"Yes, means that it is considered a good thing for marijuana to be legalized"
        )
        self.assertTrue(position)
        self.assertEquals(position.topic, self.topic)
        self.assertEquals(position.label, u"Yes")
        self.assertEquals(position.description, u"Yes, means that it is considered a good thing for marijuana to be legalized")

        self.assertEquals(position.__str__(), u"<Yes> to <Should marijuana be legalized?>")
        # Reverse naming
        self.assertIn(position, self.topic.positions.all())

class TakenPositionTestCase(TestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        self.topic = Topic.objects.create(
            label=u"Should marijuana be legalized?",
            description=u"This is a description of the topic of marijuana")
        self.position = Position.objects.create(
            topic=self.topic,
            label=u"Yes",
            description=u"Yes, means that it is considered a good thing for marijuana to be legalized"
        )
        self.person = Person.objects.create(name=u"Felipe")

    def test_it_can_be_instanciated(self):
        '''A taken position can be instanciated'''
        taken_position = TakenPosition.objects.create(
            topic=self.topic,
            position=self.position,
            person=self.person
        )
        self.assertTrue(taken_position)
        self.assertEquals(taken_position.topic, self.topic)
        self.assertEquals(taken_position.position, self.position)
        self.assertEquals(taken_position.person, self.person)
        self.assertEquals(taken_position.__str__(), "<Felipe> says <Yes> to <Should marijuana be legalized?>")

        self.assertIn(taken_position, self.topic.taken_positions.all())
        self.assertIn(taken_position, self.position.taken_positions.all())
        self.assertIn(taken_position, self.person.taken_positions.all())

    def test_can_be_saved_without_a_position(self):
        '''We can save a TakenPosition without a position'''
        taken_position = TakenPosition.objects.create(
            topic=self.topic,
            person=self.person,
            description=u"This is a total description"
        )
        self.assertIsNone(taken_position.position)
        self.assertEquals(taken_position.__str__(), u"<Felipe> doesn't have an opinion in <Should marijuana be legalized?>")

    def test_str_without_a_person(self):
        '''A taken position can be instantiated withouth a person therefore the __str__ method should be able to handle that'''
        taken_position = TakenPosition(
            topic=self.topic,
            position=self.position,
        )
        self.assertEquals(taken_position.__str__(), "<Unknown> says <Yes> to <Should marijuana be legalized?>")

    def test_issue_243_votainteligente(self):
        '''str TakenPosition with non unicode text'''
        self.person.name = u"Felipe Álvarez"
        self.topic.label = u"Debería ser legalizada?"
        self.position.label = u"Sí, por supuesto!"
        taken_position = TakenPosition.objects.create(
            topic=self.topic,
            position=self.position,
            person=self.person
        )
        self.assertEquals(taken_position.__str__(), "<Felipe Álvarez> says <Sí, por supuesto!> to <Debería ser legalizada?>")

    def test_taken_position_can_have_sources(self):
        '''TakenPositions can have sources'''
        taken_position = TakenPosition.objects.create(
            topic=self.topic,
            position=self.position,
            person=self.person
        )
        taken_position.sources.create(url='http://link.example.org/', note='Note')
        self.assertEqual(taken_position.sources.count(), 1)

class TopicCategoryTestCase(TestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        self.topic1 = Topic.objects.create(
            label=u"Should marijuana be legalized?",
            description=u"This is a description of the topic of marijuana")

        self.topic2 = Topic.objects.create(
            label=u"Should marijuana be grown by the state?",
            description=u"This is a description of the topic of marijuana")

        self.topic3 = Topic.objects.create(
            label=u"Should regligion be taught at schools?",
            description=u"This is a description of the topic of religion")

        self.topic4 = Topic.objects.create(
            label=u"What do you think of morality?",
            description=u"This is a description of the topic of religion")

    def test_it_cant_be_instanciated(self):
        '''I can instanciate a category'''
        category = Category.objects.create(name=u"Marihuana Category")
        category.topics.add(self.topic1)
        category.topics.add(self.topic2)

        self.assertTrue(category)
        self.assertEquals(category.name, u"Marihuana Category")
        self.assertTrue(category.slug)
        self.assertEquals(category.slug, u"marihuana-category")
        self.assertEquals(self.topic1.category, category)
        self.assertEquals(self.topic2.category, category)

        self.assertEquals(category.__str__(), "<Marihuana Category>")


Dimitri B. Papadimitriou is the Minister of Economy and Development of Greece. He was also President of the Levy Economics Institute of Bard College since its inception in 1986 and Executive Vice President and Jerome Levy Professor of Economics at Bard College since 1977.
His academic and professional career includes his appointment as Distinguished Scholar at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Vice Chairman of the Trade Deficit Review Commission of the United States Congress, Adjunct Professor at the Graduate Faculty of the New School for Social Research and Executive Vice-President, as well as Secretary and Treasurer at the William Penn Life Insurance Company of New York. He is also member of the Editorial Boards of the Bulletin of Political Economy, Challenge and Journal of Economic Analysis and regular columnist in American and Greek newspapers. He has also been on the Editorial Boards of the Review of Income and Wealth and the Eastern Economic Journal.
The Minister's professional memberships include the Economic Club of New York, the Bretton Woods Committee, American Economic Association, American Finance Association, Association for Evolutionary Economics, Royal Economic Society (London), Eastern Economic Association, European Economic Association, and Hellenic-American Bankers Association.
Professor Papadimitriou is a graduate of Columbia University and has received a Ph.D. in economics from the New School for Social Research.


"We loved you! Thanks and I look forward to seeing you again."
"Each of these musicians are truly of the virtuoso caliber.
Their spirit was wonderful, on and off stage."
"Bryan and Kevin Matheson are consummate professionals in their approach – and their love of children and desire to share their talents always shines through in their performances. They patiently explained to the children what to listen for and used musical selections that students could easily appreciate and understand. In addition, they allowed students to try instruments with their mini musical 'petting zoo.' For many, it was the highlight of the day. I highly recommend them."