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The international beauty sector: which export markets should cosmetic brands target?
By Ludivine Chotard Posted on 12/02/2019
From natural beauty in Asia and men's grooming in Latin America to organic products in the United States and custom fragrances in the Middle East, each region of the world has its own beauty demands and cultural sensibilities. Where and how should cosmetic brands export? Should they systematically adapt or capitalise on the unique know-how of their country? Will they find a market on the continent they choose? Our analysis.
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Asia: quality above all else
China is the second- biggest cosmetics market in the world and even ranks as the word's biggest market for skincare. Foreign brands dominate with 80% of the market. And because Chinese consumers demand quality products across all product categories, the average transaction continues to rise steadily. Japan is not far behind: as the third--largest cosmetics market in the world, it is inspiring all of Asia and, gradually, the rest of the planet. What about Japanese consumers? They are beyond fond of beauty products: some women use up to 15 per day!
They are looking for…
– Skin lightening products
– Creams with minimal fragrance for Hong Kong women
– Innovative products such as fabric masks which are blowing up in Northern Asia
– The new trend for cosmetic food supplements, as in France with the small, but growing brand, Aime.
– Extremely subtle make-up colours because Japanese women prefer to set themselves apart discreetly, which explains the success of Uka base coats, which are not even varnishes, but extremely nuanced, tinted bases.
– The reputation of French cosmetics and chemists: Asian customers demand sophisticated products and pore over their ingredients before buying.
Follow the example of…
– Avène: on 12 July 2017, the French cosmetic brand welcomed with much fanfare a group of Hong Kong's key influencers to its namesake village in Languedoc-Roussillon. In particular, Cecilia So, an actress and model, shared with her 66,000 Instagram followers a picture of the brand's thermal water spray that garnered over 2,000 likes.
– Galeries Lafayette: eager to fulfil every last wish of Asian tourists, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann opened a section devoted entirely to health and beauty in the annex created for these tourists.
But keep in mind…
– The legislative framework, which is changing fast in China
– It can take up to 2 years to obtain product approval: for example, if you want to export your product in 4 shades, you will have to get approval 4 times — while hoping that no new regulations are passed in the meantime. Otherwise, you will have to start from scratch.
– Start with Hong Kong to gain access to the Chinese market a bit more easily
Latin America: the rise of men's grooming
In its 2017 study, 'Men's Grooming in Latin America: Key Trends & Opportunities', Euromonitor International shed light on an imminent trend in emerging countries: men's grooming. Latin America will be the cornerstone of this burgeoning market, estimated at 10 billion dollars in 2016 and projected to grow by more than 27% by 2021 — the highest growth rate in the world.
Brazil is also a key market for beauty: the third-biggest in the world after the United States and Japan. Brazilians love top-of-range products which they buy locally and when travelling, accounting for over 1 billion Euro in the world trade balance. In Colombia, the Bogota metropolitan area is becoming one of the main centres for the production and developing of cosmetics and personal care products in Latin America. For proof, look no further than Air Liquide's decision to open a Seppic facility in the capital city. By all accounts, a promising market…
– Beauty products for men
– Products which target specific beauty problems, especially on a continent of such startling physical diversity: there are no fewer than 8 hair types in Brazil alone
– Biodiversity with the use of local ingredients like the babassu nuts used in hair products formulated in Brazil. This is a key point, especially given that women in the region have a strong preference for long hair in a country with hot, humid weather and abundant sunshine.
– More modern distribution channels that offer new consumer experiences
-Vichy or La Roche Posay: skincare products developed specifically for the Brazilian market which are formulated with local products.
–L'Oréal: seeking to modernise its distribution in Brazil, the group launched 'kiosks' for its Maybelline make-up brand: these small, stand-alone points of sale in shopping malls and arcades in large cities. It also set up dermacenters that offer skin treatments at druggists' with a dedicated customer adviser.
– In 2010, Sephora (LVMH Group) bought Sack's, the leading Brazilian online retailer of cosmetic and beauty products.
– Most cosmetic ingredients do not have to be registered with the ANVISA (Brazilian National Agency for Safety Monitoring).
– However, finished cosmetic products are subject to more rigid and restrictive legislation.
– For manufacturers of raw materials, the In-Cosmetics Brasil trade show is a must: it features more than 200 exhibitors presenting raw materials, fragrances, lab equipment and testing and regulation solutions, plus nearly 3,000 cosmetic manufacturers from all of Latin America.
North America: the organic goldmine
This is THE most dynamic market in the world Imports continue to rise with a total value that flirted with 12 bilion dollars in 2015. France is positioned as its number 1 supplier with a 22% market share in 2014 and growth of around 135% over 2013. In 2017, French fragrance and cosmetic exports amounted to 136 billion Euro. Germany and the United States are the two countries to which France sends the vast majority of its beauty exports.
– Natural and organic ranges: the arrival of new brands like Glossier has changed the game and set the bar for more natural beauty as part of the 'healthy' lifestyle that is the gold standard of brands such as Whole Foods, the organic hypermarket that also sells green beauty products, superfoods and food supplements. Because in the United States, everything one eats should serve one's beauty or wellness.
– Natural products designed for specific applications
– Ethical certifications: the Non-GMO Project Verified seal is already well established in the food industry and is now spreading to natural cosmetics. Fair trade, vegan and gluten-free certifications, along with the usual natural and organic designations, are also increasingly common on cosmetics.
– Creative, alternative distribution channels
– The brand Good For You Girls which connected with a highly targeted segment in the natural space: teen girls and the health-conscious.
– Tata Harper and REN which have launched several anti-pollution products to protect and soothe skin exposed to atmospheric pollutants.
– The Canadian company Novia Scotia Fisherman which has developed natural products for extreme weather conditions.
– Andalou Naturals, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps and EO Products labelled 'Non-GMO Project Verified' to guarantee to their customers that their products contain no genetically modified ingredients.
– NYX, whose advertising is implemented exclusively through its influencers and consumer-influencers, who are not even paid so as to remain credible within their communities (no contracts with a brand); or Tarte, Too Faced, E.L.F. and It Cosmetics which focus on influencers who have lower profiles, but are close to their targets.
– The Cosmoprof North America trade show which attracts more than 30,000 industry attendees each year and is considered the most important cosmetics event in North America. It is an essential destination to discover new brands, product innovations, packaging types and distribution channels. With more than 1,000 exhibitors from 40 different countries, it's an excellent networking opportunity.
– The new California law in force since last September which prohibits animal testing, meaning deodorant, make-up, shampoo and their ingredients can no longer be sold if they were tested on animals.
The Middle East and Africa: natural reigns
In 2017 alone, the beauty sector in the Middle East and Africa is estimated at 30 billion dollars, or 6% of the international market. More specifically, the United Arab Emirates is the country with the highest per-capita spending, putting it in ninth place at the worldwide level.
– Natural consumers are constantly in search of unprocessed, chemical-free products that are eco-friendly. Even when it comes to colour, natural matters: the most popular lipstick and eye shadow shades are the softest and most natural hues.
– The men's market: the amount this new target spends on cosmetics is on a continuous upward trend in the Middle East.
– Colour: this is one of the areas that is growing the most
– Skin and haircare product ranges
– Fragrance customisation, a market worth more than 5.5 billion dollars per year.
– Ecovillage: its Tunisian founder Hassen Kaabachi decided to found Ecovillage to sell beauty products made from olive oil, an ancestral remedy to care for sun-exposed hair and skin. Tunisia, the world's fourth exporter of olive oil, sold 70,000 tonnes between 2016 and 2017. The Ecovillage magic potion: a blend of crushed almonds, sesame oil, argan oil and dried plants crafted into organic soaps, beauty masks and creams. The entrepreneur next plans to focus on the African market.
Beauty World, the biggest cosmetics show in the United Arab Emirates, is the world's third largest. More than 1,500 distributors attend to sell their products and check out the latest trends.
In this cosmetic landscape, Africa is the last frontier to be fully explored by beauty professionals. And yet it is a high-growth market with an enormous potential of over 1 billion consumers. Major groups have already made their initial forays, including Unilever, which created Motions, a special haircare range for the African market. The biggest challenges brands will face is diversity: 50 different countries means a plethory of different decision-making and purchase factors.
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13 Things I Found on the Internet Today (Vol. XXXIX)
1. The Shattered Remains of Afghanistan's Versailles
Photo: Bruce MacRae
Darul Aman Palace (meaning "abode of peace") is a European-style palace located about 16 kilometers from the center of Kabul. The palace was built during the 1920's as part of the reformist King Amanullah Khan's modernization drive.
Photo: Carl Montgomery
Darul Aman Palace was to be the center of government of a new, progressive Afghanistan. A wide boulevard would link this symbol of the future to the old city. New pluralistic schools appeared all over the country and the strict dress codes for women were overturned. A new constitution was to promote equal rights and freedoms for individuals. Yet the pace of his modernization proved to be too fast for many of his people. They started a rebellion.
Photo: Allen Brewer
King Amanullah Khan also ordered a palace to be built for his wife, Soraya, where the family would live and conduct their family affairs much along the lines of their royal European counterparts. Less than a mile from Darul Aman, Tajbeg Palace (above) is now also a shattered wreck but was designed to be one of the most impressive landmarks of Afghanistan's Versailles.
Photo: StepnOut
The palace was gutted by fire in 1969. It was restored, first to house the Kabul Museum and later the Defence Ministry during the 1970's and 1980's.
During the Communist coup of 1978, Darul Aman Palace was set on fire. It was destroyed again by heavy shelling as rival Mujahideen factions fought for control of Kabul during the early 1990's, leaving the building the shell that you see here.
Photo: Magnus Traveller
The nearby Tajbeg Palace served as the headquarters of the Soviet 40th Army during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. The palace has been severely damaged due to the quarter century of violence that has gripped the country.
Read the full story on Kuriositas
Photo: Canada in Afghanistan
2. Jay-Z circa 1939?
A gentleman who bears more than a passing resemblance to Jay Z hangs about in New York in 1939. Found on the Oddment Emporium
3. A Wes Anderson Japanese commercial starring Brad Pitt
In 2008, Wes Anderson teamed up with Brad Pitt for a commercial for Japanese cell phones. The commercial takes inspiration from Jacques Tati's Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot. Anderson filmed Pitt in one continuous shot at a French seaside town.
4. Wait, a book about what?
Found on Imgur
5. How to do the Moonwalk: Easily explained in a GIF
6. DIY tip: Ombre Stairs
Found on Door Sixteen
7. Prince Charles waterskiing on a chair in 1970.
Found on the Oddment Emporium
8. A Moonrise Kingdom inspired fashion show by Orla Kiely
(Yeah that's the second Wes Anderson-related item on this list. I dig his movies). Photos found on VOGUE
9. The Brooklyn Farmacy
An ice cream store renovated and restyled from the remnants of an old pharmacy, but keeping the classic charm and style from the 1920's apothecary. Brooklyn Farmacy blog here found via Trendhunter.
10. The Bateman: Halloween 2013
A fool-proof last-minute Halloween costume this year for guys, courtesy of American Psycho. Found on Of Rogues and Gentlemen
11. Tiny paintings discovered hidden on 19th century Books
Colleen Theisen, a librarian at University of Iowa's Special Collections and University Archives, recently found these awesome fore-edge paintings on a series of books from the 19th century.
The books are a four volume series by Robert Mudie, one volume for each season of the year, and the paintings reflect each of those seasons. The artist of these mini paintings is unknown.
The books were donated to Iowa's collection by Charlotte Smith.
Found on Huffington Post Books
12. A Miniature garden with real tiny plants
All of the replica plants are made of living material – the leeks are blades of grass, the cauliflowers are tiny flower buds and the beetroots are browning conifer leaves. Mrs Rotherham from South Yorkshire Mrs Taylor, made her creation to mimick the full-size plot she has tended to for over 10 years.
Found on the DailyMail
13. A Cave Church
Tucked away in the Mokattam mountain in southeastern Cairo, Egypt, is the stunning Monastery of Saint Simon (also known as the Cave Church). Originally built in 1976 on a 1,000 square meter plot, the building is believed to be one of the largest engraved monasteries in the world and boasts a seating capacity of up to 20,000. Found on HUH Magazine
All Aboard the Streetcar Party, 1942
New York Crime Scenes: Then and Now
My Desert Rock Tub: Weekend in a Mojave Mirage

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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World Consumer Rights Day: Digital safety is a fundamental right, says UCC boss
byJAVIRA SSEBWAMI | PML Daily Staff Writer
L-R ( Ag.ED UCC, Director National Payment Systems BoU, Director National Personal Data Protection – NITA Uganda, Team Leader – Consumer Education Trust – CONSENT) Participating in a Panel session, on how to build a safe and inclusive digital economy for all (PHOTO /Courtesy)
KAMPALA – Digital safety is a fundamental right for consumers, and all stakeholders should join hands to enforce it, the Uganda Communications Commission Ag. Executive Director Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo has said.
"The Commission recognises that digital safety is a fundamental right for all consumers; it is not a privilege, and guaranteeing it is a concerted effort of all stakeholders," she explained.
In remarks made at the commemoration of World Consumer Rights Day, at UCC House in Bugolobi on Tuesday, Ms. Kaggwa Sewankambo observed that as the uptake of digital services continues to rise steadily, especially with COVID-19, there is a concomitant increase in digital space abuse.
"It is, therefore, of paramount importance to raise awareness about the overt and concealed dangers and risks associated with online activity," she said. "This is the first line of defence in as far as consumer protection is concerned."
World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every March 15 to raise awareness about consumer rights, needs, and interests. First observed in 1983, the occasion has over the years become a rallying point for activists demanding justice and fairness for consumers.
In Uganda, the Commission is at the forefront of championing this event because its mandate, as enshrined in Section 5(k) of the Uganda Communications Act 2013, obliges UCC "to promote and safeguard the interests of consumers and operators as regards the quality of communications services and equipment."
Accordingly, the Commission has mainstreamed consumer protection in the execution of its regulatory duties, including the establishment of a fully-fledged Consumer Protection Department, redress processes, the passing of the Consumer Protection Regulations of 2019, and engagement with external stakeholders such as consumer advocacy groups.
At the Commission's head office on Tuesday, invited representatives of Government agencies, consumer advocacy organisations and service providers converged to discuss consumer empowerment for digital safety in line with the day's theme, "Digital Safety for All."
A panel discussion on the subject was one of the highlights, with the UCC Ag. Executive Director, the National Director Personal Data Protection Office, Stella Alibateese, the Bank of Uganda Executive Director for National Payment Systems, Mackay Aomu, and the Team Leader Consumer Education Trust, Kimera Henry Richard, leading the conversation.
Another highlight was the launch of the Tonfera campaign, a mass media initiative that seeks to combat digital fraud by drawing consumers' attention to the fraudsters' predictable tricks through relatable skits.
Panelists concurred that consumers need to be vigilant and informed to avoid being taken advantage of. They similarly agreed on the need for stakeholder collaboration in the quest for consumer empowerment to safeguard digital spaces.
Ms. Alibateese called on consumers to watch out what they share online, and with who, noting that digital risk starts with a stranger accessing your private information.
On his part, Mr. Aomu observed that mobile money transactions in Uganda had reached Shs 400 billion monthly, making it even more significant to protect such critical data.
Veteran consumer rights advocate Mr. Kimera called on consumers to be informed, saying that digital safety is at the core of every aspect of people's lives.
Emphasizing the obligations and responsibilities of the consumer, the Ag. Executive Director observed that users of digital spaces must be conscious of the fact that "not everything in these spaces is noble."
She added that notwithstanding ongoing efforts such as "the right to be forgotten", the internet doesn't forget, so beware what you share!
The Executive Director also called on parents, guardians, policy makers and implementers to create a safer digital environment for children who are targeted for obvious reasons.
"Developing digital intelligence, harnessing social and emotional skills such as respect, empathy, critical thinking, and responsible behaviour remains a responsibility to all of us," she said.
Tags: 2014 World CupIrene Kaggwa SsewankabotopuccUCC celebrates world Consumer Rights DayUganda communications commissionWorld consumer rights day


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Police appeal for information on teenage girl missing since Feb 26
Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of 16-year-old Jolin Ho May Ying. (Photo: SPF)
Davina Tham
09 Mar 2021 03:21PM (Updated: 19 Mar 2021 06:48AM)
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 16-year-old girl who has been missing since Feb 26.
Jolin Ho May Ying was last seen around Block 633A, Senja Road in Bukit Panjang at about 8.30pm that day, said SPF in a news release on Tuesday (Mar 9).
She was wearing a blue top and black pants when she went missing, a separate appeal by the police said on Mar 3.
SPF has requested anyone with information to call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online.
All information will be kept strictly confidential, said SPF.
Update: On Mar 19, the police said that Jolin had "been traced".
Source: CNA/dv(aj)
SPF police


- In: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Nuclear Reaction Mechamisms : Varenna, June 13-18, 1988 / ed. by E. Gadioli. - Milano : Universita di Milano, 1988, - (Ricerca scientifica ed educazione permanente. Suppl. ; n. 66).
High-resolution study of /alpha+/28/Si elastic scattering / P. Manngård...et al .
- In: Biennal report 1989-1990 / utg. av Åbo Akademi. Department of Physics ; ed. by Tom Lönnroth. - Åbo : Åbo Akademi. Department of physics, 1991, s. 19. - (IFAA ; 00191/200).
Predictions of the /alpha/-/32,34/S potential scaling / P. Manngård...et al.
Elastic [alpha]+ [sup 28]Si scattering : thick target measurement and results / P. Manngård.
- In: Zeitschrift für Physik : A: hadrons and nuclei, ISSN 0939-7922, 349 (1994) s. 335-336.


Looking to improve your social media marketing skills? Sign up for Strategic Social Media Marketing on edX, which starts on August 28, 2018. The course is free to audit, or you can pay $200 to edX to enroll in the Verified Track and get the opportunity to pursue a certificate.
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In this course, you will learn what it means to approach social media marketing strategically. You'll also learn about building communities, working with influencers, creating content that attracts and maintains attention, calculating ROI, leveraging open innovation, and managing social at the organizational level, among other topics.
This is not a "Social Media 101" course in the sense that you will not learn how to use Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram at a technical level. This is a strategic course, meaning you should come with a basic knowledge of how social media works, but you will learn how to optimize its use strategically for achieving business or personal goals. Some readings provide anthropological, business management, and practitioner perspectives.
You will also gain access to several video interviews with experts who talk about how they use social media to meet their goals. These include academics, digital media managers, and social media influencers.
What kinds of people take this course?
Whether you are a business owner, a CMO, a marketing manager, a social media specialist, or are running social media for your own personal groups and projects, this course helps you uncover new perspectives on what it means to use social media marketing strategically. We have had learners from several industries, business types, educational levels, ages, and countries. This course is for anyone who is interested in learning about social media marketing.
This is the third run of the course; for the first two runs (November 2017 and April 2018), more than 30,000 learners enrolled. When you enroll, you'll also get access to the course Facebook group, which currently consists of over 3,000 members, where you can learn more about social media marketing, ask for feedback and help, and offer your ideas to others.
If you enroll in the Verified Track, you will gain additional benefits, such as extra resources and units in the course that are visible only to Verified learners, discounts on select products, and a Verified Certificate as well as the opportunity to pursue a Digital Product Management MicroMaster, which comprises a series of credit-eligible courses. If you are enrolled, that's awesome! Comment here and let us know you'll be taking the course (or that you took the course in a previous run). See you on edX!


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New Huron Valley Council for the Arts Director Brings Creativity and Listening
(Lara Mossa, Oct. 9. 2019)
HIGHLAND TWP, MI – Sioux Trujillo's vision for the arts is that of the community. The new executive director of the Huron Valley Council for the Arts has spent the first few weeks of her job listening, she said.
"I don't go into an area and put my vision on it," said Trujillo of Brighton. "I try to listen to what is needed in that area and the people we already serve."
Appointed by the board in September, Trujillo has a wide range of experience that ranges from working as the Community Impact Manager for Creative Many of Michigan to Curator of Fine and Performing Arts at the Detroit Zoological Society. Among other accolades, she is the organizer of Ice Scrapers for Detroit's annual Noel Night and sat on the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network Council for six years. She has won awards such as the 2009 Joyce Foundation Emerging Leaders of Color Fellowship and a Michigan Educational Grant.
Based in Highland Township, Huron Valley Council for the Arts supports activities in Oakland and Livingston counties. The 21-year-old nonprofit group organizes music programs within local schools as well as events such as Arts and Greens, which is a holiday art bazaar in White Lake Township that features local artists' work and children's projects. Another major activity hosted by the Council is the Our Heroes concert, which features veterans' artwork and music.
In addition, the organization has an art shop that sells jewelry, paintings, photography and books among other gifts. Artists who pay a membership fee can sell their wares there and also volunteer at the store. Located at the Council offices at 205 W. Livingston Road, the shop is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Membership fees range from $35 a year up to $1,000.
Trujillo is the only paid staff member for the Council that relies heavily on volunteers. The group has about a dozen core volunteers and many others who contribute to events. Right now, there are 11 board members, but the organization is currently looking for more.
"I've worked for larger arts organizations in the past," she said. "It's a breath of fresh air to work for a smaller organization because of the commitment of people bringing arts to this region. It's all volunteers. No one is getting paid, and it's hours and hours of their time to run an organization that does a lot of things."
Trujillo likes art because it brings people together, she said, adding that it boosts students' academic performance as well as leadership qualities among professionals.
"It doesn't matter what language you speak or where you're from art and music are bridge builders," she said.
An artist herself, she paints and does textiles from the Pioneer Building in downtown Detroit as well as a home studio. She is married with two children and earned her bachelor's degree in fine arts with honors and a minor in art history from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.
Some of her goals are to grow the group and also meet with other arts organizations and artists in the area.
"I want people to feel like they can come and talk to me," she said.
For more information, go to the Council website at www.huronvalleyarts.org.
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Historic Shaw
Clean and Safe Team
Shaw is a vibrant commercial district offering something for everyone.
Check out our growing list of businesses in the Shaw neighborhood!
Download the FREE DineinShaw and ShopinShaw mobile apps from the App Store or Google Play Store to see over 300 current businesses in the Shaw Main Streets service area. A new online business directory using the mobile app database is COMING SOON.
Tweets by shawmainstreets
Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel Bowser, Mayor.
2016 Great American Main Street Award Winner
Shaw Main Streets is the winner of the 2016 Great American Main Street Award and the 2015 Innovation on Main Street Award, both conferred by the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, Shaw Main Streets is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by the National Main Street Center.
875 N Street, NW
Phone: (202) 265-SHAW
Copyright © Shaw Main Streets 2020. All rights reserved.


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Trade: Panthers acquire Pirri from Chicago for two picks
By James O'BrienMar 2, 2014, 8:48 PM EDT
The Florida Panthers traded for Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Pirri on Sunday, sending a third-rounder in 2014 and fifth-round pick in 2016 back in the deal.
Pirri, 22, was drafted 59th overall by Chicago in the 2009 NHL Draft. He has 13 points in 35 NHL games spread over three seasons, including 11 in 28 games in 2013-14. He's been more or less a point-per-game player in the AHL, as well, as he scored 26 points in 26 games for the Rockford IceHogs this season after generating 75 in 76 games in 2012-13.
CSNChicago.com's Tracey Myers believes that this move could open up space for hot Blackhawks prospect Teuvo Teravainen to make a late-season impact.
For those who thought Pirri was #Blackhawks' future second-line center, two words: Teuvo Teravainen (if he keeps going at this rate).
— Tracey Myers (@TramyersCSN) March 3, 2014
Tallon loves to load up on 'Hawks
It's pretty much impossible to avoid mentioning that Panthers GM Dale Tallon once served as Chicago's general manager.
He's clearly not adverse to making moves with his former team, as he also sent Kris Versteeg to Chicago (after once acquiring the former 'Hawks winger from Toronto) in a deal that netted Florida prospects Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olsen in November. Going further, key current Panthers who rank as former Blackhawks include Tomas Kopecky and Brian Campbell.
The Panthers aren't the only team with a significant part of its foundation taken from Chicago; the Winnipeg Jets feature Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd while their GM Kevin Cheveldayoff also worked for the Blackhawks organization.
Pirri likely has a better chance to reach his ceiling in Florida than with Chicago, so the deal makes sense for both sides.
Follow James O'Brien @cyclelikesedins
Tags: Andrew Ladd, Brian Campbell, Chicago Blackhawks, Dustin Byfuglien, Florida Panthers, Jimmy Hayes, Kris Versteeg, Tomas Kopecky, Winnipeg Jets


[adj] immaculately clean and unused; "handed her his pristine white handkerchief"
[adj] completely free from dirt or contamination; "pristine mountain snow"
PRISTINE is a 8 letter word that starts with P.
\Pris"tine\, a. [L. pristinus, akin to prior: cf. F.
pristine manners of a people; pristine vigor.


My artwork commissions are a great way to get the design you need. I work closely with clients to ensure the best possible results. This client driven art direction give you the opportunity to be involved with the development of your artwork, proof of concept is an important part of my production process, I produce initial ideas followed by draft designs to better develop your ideas. Once you are happy with the draft I can produce your final artwork commission.
Artwork commissions need not cost the earth, if you know the direction you want the artwork to go I can produce your commission with a quick turn-around. Different levels of design will take different times to produce and as such will incur different costs. As such I do not offer set prices for artwork commissions, but rather I prefer to discuss your needs and we can agree upon a price and time scale for the commission.
Below you'll find al list of all the major commissioned art projects I produce. If you have an idea in mind that is not on the list feel free to get in touch and we can discuss the project. If you want to see some of my work before considering commissioning your own artwork you can do so by visiting my portfolio.
Thumbnails Multiple small scale images designed to capture the mood of a scene and find camera angles for later artwork.
Speedpaint Fast and brushy style of artwork designed to bring ideas to life quickly and cost effectively.
Full Render Fully rendered artwork designed to capture your imagined scene in as much detail as needed.
Character Sketch Simple character poses, face design or clothing choice roughed out ready for future development.
Full Character Fully designed character with every element of their look realised in the artwork.
Text Logo A contemporary logo type based on creative use of fonts in varying sizes, weights and colours accented with minimal design elements.
Graphic Logo A modern graphical logo featuring more visual elements and tradition icon design, built bespoke and in keeping with current branding trends.
Illustrated Logo A modern logo with a hand drawn look is great for grass roots companies or companies targeting a niche customer base.
Letterhead A4 branded letter paper ready for print including guidance for Microsoft Word and Open Office set up.
Business Card 1 Side Single sided business card designed to match company branding. Can be created in-line with many print companies printing requirements. Standard UK card size with bespoke sizes available on request.
Business Card 2 Sides Double sided card, designed to client needs but usually features company branding on the front and contact information on the reverse.
Tri-fold Traditional A4 3 fold brochure designed to clients need and customisable to printing requirements.
Half-fold A5 brochure with single central fold, larger page spacing is great for image heavy promotion.
Multipage Brochure booklet available in any sizing (traditionally A5 or A4) build to client requirements.
Small Small advertisement design ready for newspaper or magazine print.
Medium Half page advertisement for print.
Large Full page or double page advertisement common in magazines.
Web Banner Advertisement Website advertisement banner available in traditional web sizes or bespoke banner sizes. Images can be optimised for faster load times.
Tradeshow Banner/Display Pullout and free-standing banner art built to the needs of the client and in keeping with the dimensions of the banner stands.
A5 (148.5 x 210mm) Small A5 leaflet design great for large scale leaflet posting or newspaper advertisement inserts. Available in single or double sided, in black & white or full colour.
A4 (210mm x 297mm) A4 leaflet or poster available in single or double sided, in black & white or full colour.
A3 (297mm x 420mm) Large A3 advertisement in black & white or full colour.
A5 (148.5 x 210mm) Small magazine includes covers, advertisement placement and content design.
A4 (210mm x 297mm) Traditional magazine sizing designed and edited cover to cover to make the most of your content and advertisement space.
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The BWRA has had a unique & active avalanche cycle this week. We have been observing new avalanches all week with a variety of forms including: Loose Wet, Wind Slab, Cornice Fall, & Wet Slab. Many of the avalanches have released naturally but some have been initiated by skiers & snowmobilers, with very little information provided. Photo 1 is of a Wind Slab avalanche, in Koenig Bowl, which can be seen from a great distance away & was not there on Saturday. It is unclear if the tracks underneath the debris are associated with the release mechanism of the slide. Photo 2 is in the Deadman Crk drainage on a NE aspect with two snowboard tracks through the avalanche starting zone. These two avalanches have the same Wind Slab problem that slid on a density change within the most recent snow, roughly 15cm (6") deep. Photo 3 is in the Leavitt Cirque on its West wall, & was a large Cornice failure. Lingering pockets of Wind Slab & large growing Cornices are still scattered across the alpine & could prove reactive to triggers. The lack of a substantial overnight refreeze will allow for continuous melting & loosening of snow grains.
Sunny skies with fast moving patches of clouds. Temperatures in the sun were around 40F. West to Northwest winds were strong to moderate & blowing snow was observed. Surface snow was either being transported by wind or baked by the sun.


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← Completion process of leasehold conveyancing transaction
The parcels clause and description of the premises in leasehold conveyancing →
Important easements in lease agreements
Access and services
The lease should also discuss the ancillary rights pertinent to the property. When leasing a flat (or similar such unit where only a part of the property is let) the tenant should be allowed the necessary easements that allow him to enjoy his property. Thus easements such as right of way on foot over the entrance lobby, hallways, stairways, lifts, inside the block, and by car, and on foot from the street over the surrounding ground shall be granted.
Easements for essential services to reach the flat or office should also be discussed. Such services include electricity, water, gas, drains, telephone services etc. And when the lease is for commercial property, it should also include the right to use computer. To carry this out, the landlord may have to provide cabling through other parts of the building.
The tenant may also want to install a television. For this purpose, the landlord may have to arrange for an aerial or similar such facilities. Does the property include a community aerial and if so will he be given a right to run a cable? Can the tenant be allowed to install his own satellite dish antenna or will there be community dish antennae? Is there an easement that allows the tenant to fix his own aerial?
Access for repair
A mere easement to use the pipes and cables is not enough. The easement should also include a right to allow these cables to be inspected and undertake repairs, and even replace them whenever necessary. The buyer's solicitor should check for these rights.
New rights
In the case of long-term leases, it is not unusual for the situation to change during the course of the lease. It is important that the lease makes provisions for incorporation of new rights. Thus, the terms should include rights to install new cables and facilities besides those that are already there on the lease.
Use of toilets
In the case of office blocks, it is not unusual for communal toilets to be installed. These could be located elsewhere in the block. When there arises such a situation, the lease should explain about easements that guarantee the use of these facilities. Of course, the cost of maintaining and cleaning the toilet would form a part of service charges.
The problem of disposing rubbish will also have to be discussed. The lease should mention if there shall be a communal bin, or if every individual unit shall have access to a separate bin. Either way, these rights should be clearly mentioned.
Easements to be reserved
Even when the easements are made in favour of the tenant, it is important that these are reserved in favour of the landlord and other tenants in the block. Usually, an easement of a tenant becomes a restriction to the other. Every unit that is let shall be subject to rights similar to those granted to it. When such rights are not expressly mentioned, it is likely that the right granted shall not be reserved over the rest of the block and could be ineffective.
Photo courtesy: Rebecca Searle


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Q: Transferring 87000+ files from one debian server to another efficiently? I have two servers and need to copy 87000+ files from old server (Debian 9) to the new server (Debian 10), tried using sftp but the connection keeps getting dropped midway and it is taking too much time to transfer files (average file-size ~ 10MB). Archiving files is not an option as we have no space on source device to save the archive file. I also need to copy only a specific file-extension for this job. Have tried rsync but it transferred only ~ 22000 in 20 hours time.

A: You can use tar without storing it to the disk, just sending stream over the network and untarring there. This can be done with netcat either raw or through encrypted ssh tunnel (-L or -R option). I described the process in this answer, you can easily adapt that to your case.
However, I doubt this will be much faster than rsync. Also note, you can run rsync several times, it'll only send changes, not the whole data set.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Sex abuse survivors accuse Taoiseach over redress
Updated / Wednesday, 9 Sep 2020 20:21
Minister for Education Norma Foley speaks to some of the men (Pic: RollingNews.ie)
By Emma O Kelly
Education Correspondent
A group of men who were sexually abused as children in their primary school in the 1960s have accused the Taoiseach of having used their story in the lead-up to the last election "for political gain".
The men, who were abused by their teacher in the 1960s at Creagh Lane school in Limerick, have been seeking redress from the State for the past 10 years.
They say that while successive governments, Taoisigh, Ministers for Education and Opposition leaders have promised to resolve their case, nothing has happened.
Today the men protested outside the Department of Education and Leinster House, calling on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to take personal responsibility for addressing their grievance.
Speaking outside Leinster House, Tom Hogan sad that Mr Martin had "used our issue in pre-election campaigning and used it passionately and yet since he was elected we have had no communication from him. He seems to be ignoring us completely".
Minister for Education Norma Foley came out to meet the men as they stood outside.
Dave Phayer told her they were "begging" her to resolve their long-running grievance.
"You can't keep putting us through this. You are turning a blind eye. All we want is for you to stop this and allow us enter the redress scheme and get on with our lives," an emotional Mr Phayer told the minister.
The minister thanked the men for coming. She said she was awaiting the outcome of a review and that it would be premature of her to say anything before that review had concluded. She declined to give a commitment to resolve the issue by the end of this year.
Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Willie O'Dea said that he "bitterly regretted" that the matter was still not resolved.
Asked about commitments that Micheál Martin had given the men when he was in opposition that he would address their problems when in government, Mr O'Dea said it was "not good enough".
"I'm urging the Government to get on with resolving it now," the Government backbencher said.
Today is the fifth time in recent years that the 'Creagh Lane men', as they are known, have travelled from Limerick to Dublin to try to draw attention to their situation through protest.
A State redress scheme was established for survivors of abuse in national schools, after the European Court of Human Rights ruled in the Louise O'Keeffe case that the State did share liability for their abuse.
But the Creagh Lane men are among what is believed to be hundreds excluded by the scheme's narrow interpretation of the European court ruling.
A year ago, the Government accepted a former judge's finding that that the conditions of that scheme were "inherently illogical", "fundamentally unfair" to applicants, and should be changed.
Iarfhlaith O'Neill made his findings after conducting a review commissioned by the Government.
Responding to the judge's conclusions in the Dáil last year, the then minister for education Joe McHugh promised "action not words". He established a second review.
Since then, the scheme has made offers of compensation to 16 survivors, and the Department of Education said that 15 have been accepted.
But there has been no offer made to the Creagh Lane men and others.
The Department of Education was due this month to update Europe's Council of Ministers on progress in implementing the O'Keeffe ruling. However, it sought, and was granted, an extension to December.
In a statement, it said: "Because of the complexity and sensitivity of the issues involved, the matter requires careful deliberation and this is still in process."
The men are all now aged in their 60s. They say the issue has "taken over" their lives.
"There is no logical explanation behind the delay," John Boland told RTÉ News.
"Micheál Martin was very vocal in supporting us when he was in opposition, and we are calling on him now to stick to his word.
"He told us that when he got into government we would receive our redress."
Mr Boland is among 19 men who secured convictions in 2009 against Sean Drummond for abuse they suffered when he was their teacher at the Limerick city school in the 1960s.
Speaking in the Dáil in May of last year, Micheál Martin was strongly critical of the State redress scheme that had been established and the limitations it set on applicants.
He said victims had been "shamefully, cynically and cruelly treated by Government over the last number of years".
The Creagh Lane men are calling on Mr Martin, as Taoiseach now, to take direct responsibility for ensuring that their claims are accepted by the scheme and that they are offered compensation.
Creagh Lane
Emma O Kelly
Call for early decision on plans for Leaving Cert exams
7 attend Mayo school amid Covid response concerns
GMIT apologises for lecturer Zoom comments
Mayo primary school will reopen on Monday


A leader in the television and entertainment industries, CBS approached [x]cube to build a unique game to celebrate Star Trek's 50th anniversary.
For people who grew up watching the popular series Star Trek through its various generations and movies, CBS is a household name. Understanding the impact of mobile and gaming on its audience, the media giant has decided to give the new generation of fans a gaming app to keep them hooked on to the Star Trek cult.
With its futuristic thinking and experience of creating a make-believe virtual world, CBS was looking for a partner to help them celebrate Star Trek's 50th anniversary with elan. They approached [x]cubeLABS to leverage its expertise in developing brilliant gaming apps, and the result was Trexels.
To enjoy an authentic Star Trek experience, and the pleasure of building and commanding a spaceship while leading the team through crisis after crisis, and conquering aliens using new combat styles is like a dream come true for gamers.
Through Trexels, CBS wanted to take avid fans of Star Trek back to the era when the Original Series was telecast. True to the spirit of the 1960s, we used the vintage style and pixel art in developing this game. In a way, the game celebrates the Original Series' style and era, and also becomes an ode to the retro days of game design - and that's what makes it unique.
In terms of gameplay, it balances resource management, spaceship construction, and exploration quite well. Keeping in mind the main storyline, the users are given an entire starship - albeit incomplete - to build, take command of, and explore the galaxies. Users need to construct various rooms, make them profitable and use those resources to buy more rooms. The game is true to the Star Trek theme, the crew and the language. The character art, the game art, George Takei's voiceover narration, original music from the Original Series are other value-additions that make the game stand apart.
CBS has left the entire game design and the balancing part to us. They were happy with our pitch and wanted to see our prototype to check if it was suitable. When we incorporated the suggestions they made, they knew we were on the right track and didn't get too involved in the development or the design except to make sure the game is true to the spirit of the original series/movies.
As they were a bit apprehensive initially about the depth of our knowledge on Star Trek series, CBS assigned us a full-time a person to review our work in terms of storylines, characters, setting, theme, language, etc., and suggest changes, wherever necessary. Our collaborative effort ensured that the look & feel, storyline and content were authentic.
Our designers watched all episodes of the Original Series and spent about 2-1/2 months to research and completely understand the concept called Star Trek - storylines, characters, how they spoke, the jargons used - which helped us immensely. When a game is based on a popular show, thousands of fans invariably start using it. Even a minor mistake in terms of design, characterization, or storyline makes them unhappy as they are attached to the show and wouldn't settle for anything less than authentic.
Build Your Ship: Take command of the starship, make it complete by adding rooms, arrange them and decorate the ship as you like.
Handpick Your Crew: Purchase famous characters like Captain James Kirk and Spock to progress faster and reach the next level. Train your crew and assign them exciting tasks.
Lead Your Team: As captain of your spaceship, lead your team through various combat and diplomacy challenges to defend your ship. Win numerous prizes and with each new level, take up more interesting challenges.
Mini Game & Collection: Collect your most favorite characters from the show, and play the mini game if you want to do something else within the game.
Go Exploring: The crux of Star Trek is to explore distant galaxies. So, keep exploring galaxies, planets, new life, and new civilizations.
VIP Collection: Who can forget VIP officers like Lwaxana Troi, Q or Chapel? Bring these VIPs on board and make them part of your crew to win unique challenges.
Customize Your Ship: Collect officers & special officers across generations, buy uniforms from various eras, decide on how you want your ship & crew to look.
Upgrade: Purchase and build a new spaceship, and get new uniforms for your crew to upgrade to the next generation.
As the game has many elements, planning the entire architecture for the backend setup was our biggest challenge. We brainstormed to figure out how things will fill into one another, what are the elements we need and how to set them up. It took us a while to set up the Social Kinesis architecture.
The game was complex and it was a big challenge for us to make it simple and easy-to-use. After the soft launch in Netherlands, New Zealand and Australia, we realized that it is too cumbersome and it generates a lot of info. So, parallelly we were working on streamlining the Social Kinesis design into this by getting rid of unnecessary fields and object modes.
We had a bunch of dummy server setups and when we landed the game on them, we noticed the mistakes we made and rectified those, besides changing our original architecture design and updating the resolution.
We revised the entire Social Kinesis architecture. The initial prototype of the game was quite different from what we have built right now. There were a few unused things in the initial belt and we removed those specific defunct elements/fields from the backend. The developers had to make sure that the code supports these changes.
We streamlined the pricing elements and instead of handling multiple tables, we aggregated them into a single table.
It took us around 9 months to release the first version. But now, we make a new release almost every month where we fix bugs, introduce a new element, or update content.
The scope is so huge and we've not even reached the halfway mark. We've so far covered only 2-1/2 of the shows. In our game, the Original Series and the Next Generation are well represented. We're currently working on the Voyager series. Then there is DS Nine, followed by Wrath of Khan (Part I & II), and the three latest movies.
We've a road map planned for the exciting next releases - characters from new shows, ship designs and sectors (planets, galaxies and stars) you can explore, aliens you can encounter.
Parallelly, we're working on reducing/removing elements not required in the game.
With this retrospective game, CBS not only benefited in terms of branding but also succeeded in celebrating Star Trek's 50th anniversary in style. Trexels is like a chronicle of the journey of CBS - from the days of Star Trek's inception to where it is headed. It tells their story as well as the story of Star Trek characters.
TV interviews with US news channels and CBS' promotional content helped promote the game in multiple ways. George Takei's voiceover was a huge draw which got us a lot of users. It was the biggest game we've done and in terms of revenue too, it achieved great success.


"Compassionate, funny, and tremendously satisfying... Ephron's comic timing is flawless... Hanging Up is full of life and, ultimately... love."
"Delia Ephron is blessed with the driest of wits, the tenderest of hearts, and an uncanny ear for the way people really talk. Do yourself a favor and curl up with Hanging Up -- but unplug the phone first."
An electrifying novel about marriage and deceit from bestselling author Delia Ephron that follows two couples on vacation in Siracusa, a town on the coast of Sicily, where the secrets they have hidden from each other are exposed and relationships are unraveled.
New Yorkers Michael, a famous writer, and Lizzie, a journalist, travel to Italy with their friends from Maine - Finn, his wife Taylor, and their daughter Snow. "From the beginning," says Taylor, "it was a conspiracy for Lizzie and Finn to be together." Told Rashomon-style in alternating points of view, the characters expose and stumble upon lies and infidelities past and present. Snow, ten years old and precociously drawn into a far more adult drama, becomes the catalyst for catastrophe as the novel explores collusion and betrayal in marriage. With her inimitable psychological astuteness, and uncanny understanding of the human heart, Ephron delivers a powerful meditation on marriage, friendship, and the meaning of travel. Set on the sun-drenched coast of the Ionian Sea, Siracusa unfolds with the pacing of a psychological thriller and delivers an unexpected final act that none can see coming.
SIRACUSA is an Italian aria, a Greek tragedy and a modern American masterpiece written by Delia Ephron at the height of her powers. This is a story of two complicated marriages, one vulnerable child and a trip to Italy that changes each of their lives forever. Secrets, lies, love raging, love dying and the shame of unrealized potential are exposed in detail under the Sicilian sun. And, like the Moro blood oranges that grow there with abandon, the taste is both sour and sweet at once, but the bitterness that remains is not only haunting but unforgettable.
Delia Ephron's Siracusa is a stunning portrait of two marriages coming unraveled during the stress of travel abroad. Insightful and engaging. A must read!
This book happened because of an anxiety attack.
I was worried about something… something that I knew wasn't going to be resolved for a while, and I thought how can I ever get through this? And that night when I went to sleep, I had a dream.
A most vivid dream about three women and a lion. I knew exactly how the women were dressed probably because I had been thinking about nothing but women and clothes because of our playLove Loss and What I Wore.
Lana was wearing ripped jeans, a t-shirt and those flat plastic shoes called Jellies. Tracee was in a wedding dress and veil. I knew Lana and Tracee were in their twenties, best friends from childhood, and there was an older women with them, who, when I woke up, I named Rita. Lana, Tracee and Rita were in a strange place—a roadhouse, perhaps a seedy nightclub, built of all different construction materials hammered every which way. Living inside this odd looking roadhouse by the side of a rural highway in North Carolina (a state I had never visited in my life) was the bar's mascot—Marcel, the lion.
When I woke up, I wondered for a second if what I dreamed was real. Then I knew it was my next novel. For the two years I lived inside this world -- three women on the run, each with secrets, each with transgressions, real and imagined -- and the lion who would change their lives.
When I write, I can block out anything, well, almost everything—and writing this, living in this world, got me calmly through that anxiety attack, a situation resolved in a month, and several more actually. It took two years to write the book.


c.1600, from French férocité, from Latin ferocitatem (nominative ferocitas) "fierceness," from ferocis, oblique case of ferox "wild, bold, courageous, warlike, fierce," literally "wild-looking," a derivative of ferus "wild" (see fierce) + -ox, -ocem (genitive -ocis), a suffix meaning "looking or appearing" (cognate with Greek ops "eye, sight").
All ferocity must be misinterpretation of the divine law of harmony and mutual help.
They have the ferocity of a chained dog, and are proud of it.
The struggle was deadly, but the numbers and ferocity of the pirates prevailed.
But her eyes remained very keen, sharpened as it were by ferocity.
His countenance was a mask of ferocity restrained by intelligence, cold and calculating.
His eyes glowered upon her with a ferocity that was hardly dissembled.
Otrepiev was shaken by the Tsar's manner, by the ferocity of his mien.
Terrible as the wound was, Davis sprang upon him with the ferocity of a tiger.


For a considerable length of time, there was no such thing as digital preparing. At that point, when there was, it was too enormous and cumbersome to be possible to be utilized. Notwithstanding when it ended up conceivable to utilize, regardless it wasn't functional until the point when the innovation tagged along to make the circuits minor like they are today. BTE digital hearing aids are one kind of hearing aid that utilizes this innovation.
BTE digital hearing aids can treat persistent clamor contrastingly that they procedure brief term commotions. It just bodes well that, for example, you would be more keen on the sound of the doorbell than in the sound of the forced air system running. They likewise limit criticism by both their hardware and by the manner in which the ear shape fits into the ear. On a side note, you would definitely have to invest in hearing aid batteries too as this is very important.
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Passing a driving license will become more expensive next year, the Central Office for Driving Licenses (CBR) has announced. The rates will rise by an average of 5 percent.
The practical exam for the passenger car will be 6 euros more expensive and will cost 108 euros in 2019. A health certificate will increase by 3 euros to 37.80 euros and theory examinations will be 1.5 euros more expensive. Next year, 33 euros must be paid for this.
The rates at CCV increase on average by 2 percent. In the case of receivables, the rates rise by an average of 4.1 percent.
The price increases are caused by, among other things, the new market-based collective agreement, the higher pension premium, the increased number of health assessments to be assessed and the inflation correction.


Wakelee celebrated it's annual Walk-a-thon this afternoon. Students got plenty of exercise by walking around the building, dancing to music, and attempting to avoid the limbo stick. The fundraiser was a success, raising over $4,000 for the Wakelee PTO.


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Michigan i-Gaming Hearing Heads in Right Direction
By Jennifer Newell
September 13th, 2017 | Last updated on July 27th, 2018
Home » Poker News » Michigan i-Gaming Hearing Heads in Right Direction
Michigan legislators hear online gaming testimony
One day after a new bill to legalize and regulate online gaming appears in the Michigan House of Representatives, an information committee hearing shows support for the measure. With positive testimony from the Poker Players Alliance and former Attorney General Mike Cox, there is potential for movement forward in the coming weeks.
Of course, all parties are not on board the online gambling train. Indian gaming interests are not pleased with the current wording of the bill, and no particular support has been vocalized by any of the land-based casinos or even the Michigan Gaming Control Board. This indicates that the House bill may need revisions, similar to what is happening to its companion Senate bill at the moment, so hoping for a 2017 vote on internet poker and gambling may be too optimistic. But 2018 is a real and significant possibility, if the actions this year are any indication.
House Hearing Holds No Vote
State Representative Brandt Iden introduced HB.4926 on Tuesday, and it was placed quickly on the agenda for the following day's Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee hearing.
The hearing agenda was set to start with items, such as law enforcement, fireworks, and liquor laws, with internet gambling near the bottom of the schedule. But when the meeting was called to order, online gaming became the first topic to be discussed.
Well nevermind the published agenda. They have jumped right into #iGaming. https://t.co/ESImhh7g2n
— PokerPlayersAlliance (@ppapoker) September 13, 2017
Over the course of the hearing, there were several speakers on both sides of the online gaming issue. The Poker Players Alliance, of course, was represented by Executive Director John Pappas, who testified to the benefits of regulating online gaming, including revenue for the state and protections for consumers, as well as the dangers of an unregulated industry. Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox also spoke in support of the bill, who also spoke of consumer protections and increased revenue from licensing fees and taxes on regulated poker and casino game sites. He also referred to the three states already operating online gaming in some form – Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey – all of which have regulated the games in a way that sets a high standard and example for Michigan to follow.
Leaving #Michigan where I testified about #iGaming. Was forced to move away from script & use my time to refute claims made by opponents.-JP
On the other side of the coin, representatives from the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling (formed and financed by Sheldon Adelson) and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi spoke against the bill. The tribal representative, however, noted the willingness to discuss the bill with the possibility of making it agreeable to the tribe.
David Cookson who has testified against #iGaming on behalf of Sands in other places is here today to spread his rhetoric and fear. -jp
Michigan Gaming Control Board Deputy Director Dave Murley was more concerned than anything else about the bill. While Cox said he believed the bill was in line with the state's constitution, Murley questioned that notion and noted that he is unsure how the courts would rule on the issue of online gaming, considering the current state law requires people be physically present in a casino when wagering money on any form of gaming. Though the board is officially neutral on the bill, Murley also expressed worry about the complications of tribal contracts with the nearly two dozen entities affected by the proposal.
Same ?s which have hung over #MI Senate #iGaming bill—constitutional compliance, etc.—will assuredly hang over new House iGaming bill.
— Chris Krafcik (@CKrafcik) September 12, 2017
The bill's author had the most forceful statements on the bill. Iden, who is also the chairman of the committee, said, "If I were a betting man, and I am, i-gaming will become law at some www." He also noted that the committee and state legislature is responsible for protecting citizens of the state from unregulated sites. While he said the process might take time and not be completed this year, he expressed much confidence that the bill will pass.
Status of House and Senate Bills
At this point, HB.4926 will need a committee vote to move on to the House floor. However, the hearing indicated that the Michigan Gaming Control Board may need more information and legal advice before supporting it, and affected tribal interests want changes to the bill.
Meanwhile, SB.203 from State Senator Mike Kowall remains in the revision phase, as talks that began over the summer with various interested parties to devise a better piece of legislation for all involved. Since that revised or new bill has not yet been presented to the Senate, it is unclear if agreements have been reached to satisfy land-based casinos and/or Native American tribes.
Both bills may experience the same type of hesitant response from lawmakers if tribes, casinos, and the gaming board are not supportive.
About Jennifer Newell
Jennifer began writing about poker while working at the World Poker Tour in the mid-2000s. Since then, her freelance writing career has taken her from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back to her hometown of St. Louis, where she now lives with her two dogs. She continues to follow the poker world as she also launches a new subscription box company and finishes her first novel. Jennifer has written for numerous publications including PokerStars.com and has followed the US poker and gaming market closely for the last 15 years. Follow Jen on Twitter
Disclaimer: The information on this site is my interpretation of the laws as made available online. It is in no way meant to serve as legal advice or instruction. We recommend that you seek legal advice from a licensed attorney for further or official guidance.
View all posts by Jennifer Newell
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Online Poker Supporter Iden Wins Again in Michigan
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Lawful Internet Gaming Act Passes Michigan House
Tribal Concern Dominates Michigan Online Gaming Talks


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Q: Removing vertices and their attributes from a BufferGeometry in Three.js I have a large Three.js Points (formerly PointCloud) object. It's essentially many different point cloud forms all put into a single Points object so I can render it efficiently with a single BufferGeometry in a WebGLRenderer.
My program is interactive, and a user can select a point cloud form, which disappears, to be replaced by a new point cloud. To do this, I loop through the ID number I've assigned to each vertex, looking for the vertices associated with the form the viewer selected. I then log the startIndex and endIndex for the form's vertices and slice that span of elements from each of the attribute arrays in the BufferGeometry. I then tag the attributes for an update to the graphics card.
I've validated that the index values are correct by first performing a simple color change before then proceeding to edit the arrays. Unfortunately, once I edit the arrays, the behavior is really erratic and the forms, which are arranged in a grid, appear to recede from the screen from left to right in a patchy manner. What I want to happen is that each form disappears as it is selected. Is the array of positions a fixed length once it is uploaded to the graphics card? Or is it dynamic? I've been puzzling over solutions to this for several days now.
The program is rather complex, so I've excerpted what I think are the problem areas below:
function extractFormFromTypedArray( startIndex, endIndex, itemSize, typedArray ) {
    // The startIndex and endIndex are the range of points to remove in order to delete the form the viewer has selected
    // startIndex is inclusive, end index in non-inclusive
    var deleteCount = (endIndex * itemSize) - (startIndex * itemSize);
    var regularArray = Array.from( typedArray );
    regularArray.splice( startIndex, deleteCount ); // regular array now contains only the unselected motifs' values
    var newEditedTypedArray =  new Float32Array( regularArray );
    return newEditedTypedArray;
}

function swapForm( formID ) {

    var targetFormIndexes = findForm( formID );

    var positionArray = gridOfForms.geometry.getAttribute( 'position' );
    positionArray.array = extractFormFromTypedArray( targetMotifIndexes.startIndex, targetMotifIndexes.endIndex, 3, positionArray.array );

    var attribute1Array = gridOfForms.geometry.getAttribute( 'attribute1' );
    attribute1Array.array = extractFormFromTypedArray( targetMotifIndexes.startIndex, targetMotifIndexes.endIndex, 1, attribute1Array.array );

    var attribute2Array = gridOfForms.geometry.getAttribute( 'attribute2' );
    attribute2Array.array = extractMotifFromTypedArray( targetMotifIndexes.startIndex, targetMotifIndexes.endIndex, 1, attribute2Array.array );

    gridOfForms.geometry.attributes.position.needsUpdate = true;
    gridOfForms.geometry.attributes.attribute1.needsUpdate = true;
    gridOfForms.geometry.attributes.attribute2.needsUpdate = true;
}

Three.js v74

A: Thanks to @WestLangley's comment I now know what's going on. The buffers are a fixed length once they are implemented, which means they can be updated with new values, but no more values can be added or deleted. According to the link he offered I do have an option to emulate buffer editing, which is likely what I will do:

You can only update content of buffers, you cannot resize buffers
  (this is very costly, basically equivalent to creating new geometry).
You can emulate resizing by pre-allocating larger buffer and then
  keeping unneeded vertices collapsed / hidden.
Set flags only for attributes that you need to update, updates are
  costly. Once buffers change, these flags reset automatically back to
  false. You need to keep setting them to true if you wanna keep
  updating buffers.

Thanks!!


Our mission is about making things healthier, but not to compromise on taste. This recipe is about substitution rather than omission, therefore we've kept the golden syrup (what is an ANZAC biscuits without that distinctive flavour!), but have reduced the amount by half, replaced less than half the amount of caster sugar with brown sugar (again, for taste reasons), and used oil instead of butter. Adding ground walnuts helped with flavour and keeping them together, and the result is very more-ish!!
1. Mix the wholemeal flour, coconut, walnut, oats and salt in a bowl.
2. Place the oil, sugar, golden syrup and vanilla essence in a pan and warm through, stirring as you go.
3. Add the boiling water to the baking soda in a separate container to dissolve.
4. Pour the baking soda mix into the oil and sugar mixture, it will froth up so mix and pour quickly into the dry ingredients, combine.
5. The mixture will appear quite crumbly, so use your hands to squeeze small balls together before placing on an oven tray.
6. Flatten the balls with your hand, and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown in a 160C oven.
7. Leave on the tray for a few minutes then cool on a rack and place into an airtight container.


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Pinterest Quotes
An awesome thing about starting your own business? There's no one there to tell you what to do! But that, you might quickly discover, is a double-edged sword. If you're not careful, you won't shower for four days straight, and you'll spend half your time researching 'girly, stylish office' on Pinterest instead of getting any real work done.
Work Business You Time
I think what's happening for me, it's fun to see other things besides Facebook and Twitter take hold. The maturity of Tumblr as a real player is exciting. I think Pinterest has proved to be a major player. It's fun to see Instagram become a major player. It's fun to watch things like SnapChat, and Vine, try to vie to be the next thing.
Me Maturity Think Fun
We need to accept that the commandments of God aren't just a long list of good ideas. They aren't 'life hacks' from an Internet blog or motivational quotes from a Pinterest board.
Motivational Life Good God
I love Pinterest! Pinterest is absolutely phenomenal when you're trying to come up with a costume design.
Love You Design Trying
If smart phones had been around for women in the 1950s, 'The Feminine Mystique' might never have been written. The depression and ennui of housewives would have been blunted by Pinterest and Facebook.
Rachel Simmons
Women Depression Smart Never
The most habit-forming products are intra-day behaviors. We take out Snapchat or Instagram or Pinterest multiple times a day.
Nir Eyal
Day Out Instagram Snapchat
You can go to Pinterest, and they'll get to know who your friends are, but they don't get to know very much about what you've done in the past. They're starting with little information about you, and they have to do this personalization.
Adam D'Angelo
You Past Friends Go
I'm visually stimulated, so I watch TV, movies, even Pinterest. A song could come from something as simple as being words splashed across a billboard or changing everyday turns of phrases.
Simple Song Words Movies
We're trying to do something so that when the average person uses Pinterest, it has to make the service better.
Ben Silbermann
Service Better Person Something
We want the average person to use it and think that it makes the experience of using Pinterest better.
Experience Better Think Person
I use Pinterest for everything. Book collections, trips, hobbies. It's all there. I planned my wedding on it. When I had a kid, I planned all his stuff on it. So it was nice to discover that I wasn't the only one.
Book Wedding Nice Only
When Pinterest works well, it helps you find things that are meaningful to you. We want to build a system that helps you do that.
You Things Want Find
I want Pinterest to be human. The Internet's still so abstract... To me, boards are a very human way of looking at the world.
Me World Internet Looking
I used to wake up and look at our analytics and think, 'What if yesterday was the last day anyone used Pinterest?' Like, everyone collectively decided, 'We're done!' Over time I got more confidence.
Confidence Day Time Look
So March 2010, we launched Pinterest, and we were at 3,000 accounts. And that wouldn't be so bad if we hadn't started building Pinterest actually in November 2009. And that alone wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't left my job to start a company in May 2008.
Alone Job Start Bad
I always describe Facebook and Twitter to some extent as 'them time': it's time about the world and what's outside of you. Pinterest, for a lot of users, is 'me time.' What do I want my future to be? Who am I? What are the things I want to do?
Me Future You Time
I hope Pinterest is my last job.
Hope Job Last
The biggest thing about Pinterest is that people are there saving ideas for their personal lives. Not to rile up other people or make a big statement.
People Ideas Big Personal
When you open up Pinterest, you should feel like you've walked into a building full of stuff that only you are interested in. Everything should feel handpicked for you.
You Feel Building Only
The whole reason Pinterest exists is to help people discover the things that they love and then go take action on them, and a lot of the things they take action on are tied to commercial intent.
Love People Action Go
The No. 1 challenge is getting people to understand that Pinterest isn't a social network.
People Challenge Understand Social
I really think that even though Pinterest isn't a lot of people's idea of hard technology, it helps make everyday things a little bit better. And I believe that for most people, everyday things, those are everything.
Technology People Believe Better
I think there are a lot more people that don't use Pinterest in the world than do use it, so for most people, that first experience is really, really important. I think feeling really close and in touch with that first user experience is pretty basic to making it better every day.
Day People Experience World
It's fantastic to be known as a company that responds quickly to users, shares great resources and friendly banter with them over Twitter, and forges relationships on Pinterest, Facebook, and every other social media site out there.
Kathryn Minshew
Great Social Media Media Company
Pinterest has been helpful to my business. Making inspiration boards is really key to developing products. When I was getting married, I literally cut out tear sheets and put my own boards together. Had I known about Pinterest, I would have been able to do it so much more easily.
Dylan Lauren
Business Together My Own More
I have to remind myself when I'm on a job and I'm feeling a lull in attitude or confidence or whatever, I'm there for a reason. I have to constantly remind myself of these almost corny Pinterest mantras, like 'You are worthy.'
Attitude Myself Confidence You


text:
"It's Like Winning The Lotto"
JIS radio
Sharing the Love January 10 2021
Sharing the Love | Presented by: Andrae Palmer
Jamaica House Weekly January 10 2021
Jamaica House Weekly | Presented by: Vanessa Silvera
Sunday News Recap January 10 2021
JIS News | Presented by: Anjuii James Sawyers
JIS Features
Written by: Garfield L. Angus
Twelve-year old Rhoanna Burnett will be attending the St. Andrew-based Immaculate Conception High School in September.
Photo: Contributed
Since the results of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) were announced in June, a permanent smile has been etched on the face of Allison Nevers, knowing that her daughter, Rhoanna Burnett, will be attending the prestigious Immaculate Conception High School in St. Andrew come September.
Miss Nevers, a single mother of five, who works as a janitor and part-time security guard at the St. Catherine-based St. John's Primary School that her daughter attended, tells JIS News that Rhoanna's accomplishment "is like wining the Lotto".
"All now mi can't stop smiling. It is like my happiest moment; like winning the Lotto – that is how I feel.
"It lifts my spirit. Every morning I wake up happy and give God thanks and keep smiling. I worked hard with her and what I didn't understand, I went and found a teacher who could help and I kept pushing her," she shares.
She expresses gratitude to the teachers at St. John's Primary for working with her daughter.
Miss Nevers, who has struggled financially to raise her children, says the success of her last child has been "the reward of my life".
"God helped us through, and Him a guh help us through the next level," she says.
Twelve-year-old Rhoanna, whose ambition is to become a medical doctor, tells JIS News that she is "happy and excited" to earn a place at Immaculate, which was her first-choice school.
She says her mother was the driving force behind her success.
Twelve-year old Rhoanna Burnett (left), and her mother, Allison Nevers, at the recent graduation ceremony of the St. John's Primary School in St. Catherine.
"No matter how many times I made mistakes, she was always there pushing me and reminding me of values and things that I have to work towards," she tells JIS News.
Meanwhile, Principal of St. John's Primary School, Louise Clarke, tells JIS News that Rhoanna, who is the outgoing deputy head girl, has always been a high academic performer, who is disciplined and respectful to others.
She says the Rhoanna balanced her studies with extracurricular activities, and was a member of the junior school's challenge quiz team.
Miss Clarke says Rhoanna is well known to all members of staff, as she spent a lot of time at school while her mother worked.
"She always had her books, always reading or watching educational programmes on her device," she notes.
Rhoanna Burnett (left), is being pinned as deputy head girl for the 2019/2020 school year, by Principal of St. John's Primary School in St. Catherine, Louise Clarke (right). Looking on in the background are: Senior Vice Principal of the school, Cynthia Dawkins (left); and Vice Principal, Rosena Slater.
Miss Clarke says she admires Rhoanna's deportment, noting that she carries herself with "such dignity" and she commands the respect and admiration of other students.
"Rhoanna has been an inspiration, even before these results. She lives and carries herself in a way that commanded respect, without asking for it," she notes.
The Principal says Rhoanna's mother has been a tower of strength in her daughter's academic life, "ensuring that she questions everything, including reaching out to the vice principals and principal, until she got it right".
"It is because of her interest in her child that this mother would 'bother' her teachers until she got a response to a project that she or the child did not understand," Miss Clarke adds.
The Principal notes that while Rhoanna is one of many students who have brought glory to the school as a result of PEP, she is the only one to earn a place at Immaculate.
She says the entire school community shares in the achievement and "we are praying so that she can make it through. We know that the only thing that can hinder Rhoanna's success is finances," she says.
PEP involves a series of assessments, starting from grade four and culminating in grade 6. The three categories of assessment are Performance Task, Ability Test and a Curriculum-Based Test.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, grade-six students were not able to sit all components of PEP this year.
Students were place in high school based on the results of the grade-four literacy and numeracy exams done in 2018, the grade-five PEP Performance Task in 2019, and the grade-six Ability Test done in February of this year.
We Could Be On Our Way Back – David Wan
Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) President, David Wan, is optimistic about the prospects of an economic rebound this year, telling JIS News that several promising indicators …
Manufacturers And Exporters Optimistic About Economic Recovery By September
Stakeholders in the manufacturing and export sectors are optimistic that the economy will begin to rebound by September and are ready to invest in expanding …


text:
Legal services for education providers
We have significant experience of delivering legal services for the education sector, helping you understand this complex area and providing a range of services to help you secure the best outcomes, both for your pupils and for your organisation.
Our experienced North Yorkshire legal team has the knowledge and experience to support all education providers, from early years settings, community, voluntary aided and maintained schools to academies, independent schools and higher education providers.
For more information about our work in the education sector, or to find out how we can help you, contact us.
As well as providing an established schools' legal advice helpline, we offer specialist legal services for the education sector in relation to:
Special educational needs: including advising, negotiating, mediating and defending appeals against refusal to assess or issue Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). We also provide representation at Tribunal hearings for appeals against EHCPs and Statements of SEN
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Safeguarding in schools
School collaboration/federations
Assistance with complaints handling, including clerking
Judicial Reviews
Access to information, including advising in relation to requests received from the Police for information, and the screening of pupil's educational files
Parental responsibility for education, the rights of separated parents and disputes surrounding their child's education
Misuse of social media
Aggressive parents/restriction of access
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Support on school governance
We offer a schools' legal advice helpline, with a team of dedicated education law specialists on hand to deal with a broad range of enquiries. We understand the legal duties and challenges faced by schools and we are familiar and well-practiced in handling and advising on them. The helpline has been in operation for over 15 years, therefore you can rest assured that the information and support you receive will be second to none.
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We can also advise you in areas of commercial decision making, including:
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