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Your web site is your shop window and it is open 24/7. It needs to be eye catching and transmit your message in a few seconds. It needs to have enough content that explains your message and what you do. It needs to load fast, be reliable and look professional. The impression your web site should give is that of a company or professional who knows what they want to sell, or the message they want to send.
Having a web site is not just a commodity for businesses nowadays, but a must. A company or a professional without a web site is like a salesman without his business card. The web site needs to be your profile and what’s good about it is that there is limitless information you can put on it. Another good thing is that static content on your site can be changed very easily. Even better, you can opt to go for a dynamic site which will automatically change your content based on changes to your business, like stock items, prices, articles, services and more.
Promoting your web site is the next step after having designed and developed one. The best way to do this on the web is by using the search engines. After all, the people you want to visit your site have no other choice to find you except from the search engines, unless they already know of your site. This is normally done through a search engine optimization process directly on your site. Other forms of promoting a site are; paid advertising with the search engines and inbound links from other related or non-related sites.
Your web site is your identity, make sure you have one!
In 2004 Ajay Vadhvani, founded ajayvadhvani.com; which has blossomed today in to Ajay Vadhvani Solutions; An integrated Marketing Agency. Handling just one client and no support staff, today the company boasts of a core team of more than 50 members across India. Based out in New Delhi, the commercial hub for Indian as well as International market. The Company keeps a constant vigil on the pulse of the industry. The company stands true to its motto of Integrating Ideas and transforming them into productive actions.
Ajay Vadhvani Solutions, is the marketing agency, in India with 50+ team members in 3 cities. The agency services HABIBS, JAWED HABIB, AMZADD HABIBB, Shaimak Davar, Saroj International, NewLife India, Nida Mahmood, Aparna & Norden Wangdi, Swati Modo, Sanjana Jon, Sarah Wu, Different Strokes, Disha Bharti Media, Triveni Events, v3red, YES Foundation, Victory Arts Foundation, Aleph Band, Kamal Sabri, Bally Sagoo & others.


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The Elizabeth Allardice Team - dedicated to providing first class real estate service throughout Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham, NC. While our focus is often marketing the “niche” luxury, relocation, and golf course markets we also enjoy helping families when it is time to up-size, down size, or just move to a home across town.
Elizabeth is committed, not only to her profession, but to her community. She was one of eight top producers in the country to serve on the charter advisory council for RE/MAX Internationals luxury brand (2003 then RE/MAX Renowned Properties) where she served for 3 years. She was asked again last year to join the advisory council for the new branding statement Collections. She is a founding member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and led the triangle area with one of the first CLHMS designations. One of the first in the region to advertise in luxury publications Unique Homes and Wall Street Journal she has maintained excellent first name relationships with publishers and is often called upon and quoted regarding upper tier properties.
Because of her reputation, Elizabeth has been asked to serve the industry in many capacities, which is a testimony to who she is and what she stands for. She is a true professional who, with vision, leadership, passion, and energy, has built a thriving business around serving others and putting her clients first.

industry_corpus2: Real Estate & Construction


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Is plastic surgery the way to go?
Are you happy with the way you look? Perhaps your neck is sagging? Or you’ve been regularly exercising and just can’t get rid of that bulge at your waistline. Perhaps you have a choice.
Dr. Walton says that it’s becoming more commonplace for people — men and women – to seek assistance to improve their appearance.
As for plastic surgery, there are many options, including full and partial facelifts, rhinoplasty/nose surgery, neck lifts, breast reductions, tummy tucks, removing loose arm skin or reducing thighs.
The first step in seeking plastic surgery is to set up a consultation with a plastic surgeon. He or she will discuss your options, costs, how the procedure works and typical recovery time.

industry_corpus2: Health & Medicine


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iZOTOPE has announced the acquisition of the Exponential Audio product line.
These reverbs, designed and engineered by renowned industry veteran Michael Carnes, are world-class plug-ins relied upon by audio professionals in music production, post-production, and sound design.
For more information, visit the iZOTOPE site.

industry_corpus2: Computing & Telecommunications


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(l-r): Galen Le Cheminant, Richard Millman, Hope Prockop, Will Carlin, Bert Kornyei.
The 2018 Karakal British Open Masters begin Wednesday, June 6, outside of London.
The event dates back to 1952. This year’s tournament is again being hosted by Colets, the club in Thames Ditton on the southwestern edge of London.
Six Americans are entered in the tournament: Ed Burlingame in the men’s 80+, Bert Kornyei in the men’s 70+, Will Carlin and Richard Millman in the men’s 55+, Hope Prockop in the women’s 50+, Galen Le Cheminant in the men’s 45+. Prockop won the women’s 45+ draw the last three years; she is the one seed in the 50+.
All six players will represent Team USA later this summer at the World Masters in Charlottesville, July 29-August 4.
For results and more information visit the British Open Masters tournament page.

industry_corpus2: Sports


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I discovered the Running from Camera blog while poking around Reddit. The premise is simple: set your camera for 2 seconds, run like hell and post the picture.
Very interesting! Reminds me of Harvey Kitel is “Smoke,” taking the same photo from the same angle, at the same time, every day for decades.

industry_corpus2: Others


text: The original D.I.Y. extension pole allows the user to easily access out-of-reach areas without the use of a ladder. Quality, lightweight anodized aluminum construction. Nylar threaded end fits all universal threaded tools. Twist-Lok mechanism easily locks pole at intermediate lengths. Proudly Made in U.S.A. 3" - 6".

industry_corpus2: Manufacturing


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Hello! HasGeek creates discussion spaces for geeks. Come to our events to meet like-minded people, learn new things and discover new opportunities.
Critiques of Aadhar: what critics see and oversee.


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Most users of Facebook and Google had fundamental gaps in understanding, even after reading privacy policies, about how the websites handled their information and how other Web users could discover it, according to a study released by the digital branding firm Siegel+Gale.
Users understood the privacy policies less well than they did government documents or bank card agreements, the study said. They earned comprehension scores between 35 and 40 out of 100 for both policies. The survey asked just over 400 people to read the companies' policies and then answer questions about them online.
"We forced users to pay attention to this, but even through forcing them to pay attention, they still couldn’t understand what was in these privacy policies and were failing to grasp the basic information that was supposed to be communicated," said Brian Rafferty [cq], global director of insight at Siegel+Gale.
After reading the policies, just 23 percent understood that their Google+ profile is visible to anyone online. Just 30 percent knew that even with the strictest privacy settings activated, their Facebook user names remain public.
A Google spokesman called the company's user education campaign "the most extensive notification effort in Google’s history."
The study suggests that informing users within the app or website how their information is being shared is a better way to safeguard privacy.
Justin Brookman, director of the Project on Consumer Privacy at the Center for Democracy and Technology, agreed.
"Privacy policies are not a great way to inform users," he said.
Brookman pointed out that both Google and Facebook have begun including more intuitive notification methods.
A Google spokesman pointed to those features, and said its "privacy center, published FAQs, Help Center articles, Good to Know website and in-product notifications help explain what data we collect, how we use it and how people can manage their information."
Facebook has also moved toward including more information about how users' information can be accessed. The company did not respond to a request for comment.


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Wiltshire is now on course to deliver fairer fares across the county thanks to the work of Wiltshire's Lib Dems.
At Council on the 29th July councillors backed a Lib Dem motion to begin developing a smartcard scheme for the county. The development of the smartcard, proposed by Wiltshire Lib Dems' spokesperson for transport and highways Cllr Magnus Macdonald, will soon begin with the hope it will pay for parking, public transport and a number of other services across the county.
Cllr Magnus Macdonald has hailed this as a step into the 21st century of transport.
"Wiltshire is really set to benefit from this," said Cllr Magnus Macdonald, "this Lib Dem success will help deliver fairer fares in our council car parks and giving new opportunities for us in public transport." and a great success for the people of Wiltshire.
"It rights the wrong of our council taking hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of change out of the pockets of Wiltshire residents as it will give people the opportunity to pay for the amount they use when they use it."
"Finally the Conservative administration have got that our county needs joined up thinking," said Cllr Jon Hubbard, leader of Wiltshire's Lib Dems "Lib Dems have been calling for this approach for years and 'one card for Wiltshire' is the first step towards this."
"I hope they will continue to follow our lead and think of what can benefit Wiltshire residents in the long term and not move from short term fix to short term fix."
"I am proud of the work of done by Lib Dems in Wiltshire to deliver for our county and that the council can see a good idea when it is presented to it. We are a party of grown-up politics and working all year round to build a stronger economy and a fairer society right here in Wiltshire."
"I'm just sorry to see that Conservative tactics denied Council the right to demonstrate its support for our motion and debate it"

industry_corpus2: Transportation


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During the spring and summer months, many families choose to make what is known as an “early Shabbos,” especially in chutz l’Aretz, due to the late arrival of Shabbos. The most common practice is to daven Minchah and Maariv at shul on Friday afternoon, then return home to make Kiddush and begin the meal even before night arrives. In the following pages, we touch upon some of the halachic considerations of which one must be aware when following this widespread practice.
The custom of being mekabel Shabbos early is not a new one. The Gemara (Brachos 27a) tells us that Rav would daven a “tefillas Shabbos” on Erev Shabbos, meaning that he would daven Maariv of Leil Shabbos before sunset on Friday. According to most commentators, this means that Rav was mekabel Shabbos through his davening. Terumas HaDeshen (ch. 1) writes that a great sage related that in the city of Krems, the entire community would daven early on Friday afternoon, eat the Shabbos meal, then gather together once again for a walk alongside the river, accompanied by their rav and the community elders, with everyone returning home before nightfall.
The widespread practice in prewar Europe was not to make an early Shabbos, but Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein in Aruch HaShulchan (Orach Chayim 267:4) urges communities to institute the practice of ushering in Shabbos early all year round in order to prevent the chillul Shabbos that can occur after last-minute Shabbos preparations. In the United States and England, the practice has become more popular in recent years, because it enables the Friday evening meal to take place at a time when people are accustomed to eating.
The specific motivation that one has in making an early Shabbos has halachic ramifications regarding a community-wide kabbalas Shabbos, as we will discuss below. It is also interesting to note that most chassidic communities specifically do not make an early Shabbos, even in areas where the summertime Shabbos arrives at a very late hour, such as in Northern England and Belgium.


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The engineering staff at Steinmetz is eager to assist customers with a complete range of services, from problem-solving and part conception, through material selection, prototyping, testing and production.
Steinmetz Engineers utilize the latest technology when aiding customers with new product development and mold design. We work with the latest Solidworks solid modeling for both production and mold design. Stereo lithography (SLA) models can be made directly from the electronic files within days. This allows for rapid production of both prototype parts and casting mold patterns. Electronic files can also be downloaded to machine centers for automated tool path generation for making prototypes, patterns and molds. Steinmetz has the capability to design and build test equipment in order to evaluate new product designs.
Accepted file types: igs, sldprt, x_t, dxf, dwg.


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Announced this week during the 2018 Singapore Airshow at the Changi Exhibition Centre, Embry-Riddle’s new Flight Minor will allow students to fulfill academic requirements for their Bachelor’s in Aeronautics (BSA) degree at the Embry-Riddle Asia Campus in Singapore and then spend their final year in the United States at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach, Fla., campus as part of an accelerated flight training program to earn the required flight time, instrument rating and certification.
Upon successful completion of the flight training and possession of a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL) with instrument and multi-engine ratings, they will return to Singapore to complete the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) licensing requirements and be ready for potential employment with Singapore Airlines.
“We are delighted to support this exciting new Flight Minor by leveraging our world-class flight training program with the superb academic experience the students receive in Singapore. We are confident that students prepared through our combined resources will be in high demand in Asia’s commercial aviation industry,” said Dr. Alan Stolzer, Dean of the College of Aviation at the Daytona Beach Campus.
According to Boeing’s “Pilot Outlook 2017-2036,” commercial and regional airlines across the globe are expanding their fleets and flight schedules to satisfy demand generated by global economic expansion. In turn, this has spawned an immediate need for qualified, skilled, and experienced pilots internationally. Over the next 20 years, the Asia Pacific region will lead the worldwide growth in demand for pilots, with a requirement for 253,000 new pilots. North America will follow with a required 117,000, Europe 106,000, the Middle East 63,000, Latin America 52,000, Africa 24,000 and CIS/Russia 22,000.
Embry-Riddle Asia, based in Singapore and launched in January 2011, offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as online programs through academic and business partnerships in Asia. As a part of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Worldwide Campus and in association with the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), Embry-Riddle Asia offers part-time, blended-delivery graduate programs specifically for working professionals as well as part-time and full-time undergraduate and graduate degrees for students looking to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degree while working or before entering the workforce through a partnership with ERC Institute. Degrees conferred in Singapore carry the same accreditation and industry recognition as Embry-Riddle’s residential campuses in the United States, and locally are approved by the Committee for Private Education (a division of the Ministry of Education) for delivery through ERC Institute. For more information, go to asia.erau.edu or follow on Twitter (@ERAUasia) and Facebook at facebook.com/EmbryRiddleAsia.
Embry-Riddle Worldwide serves more than 23,000 students online and at 125 campuses in the United States and globally including 17,000 active-duty and student veterans. The university’s tradition of educating service members began in 1970 at Fort Rucker in Alabama and has grown to include base locations in Europe, the Middle East, Singapore, Japan and South Korea.

industry_corpus2: Aerospace


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While children attend Argyle schools from kindergarten through eighth grade, they may choose between Denton and Northwest ISDs for secondary education.
since. Newer developments take advantage of stunning views of Lake Lewisville to the west. The Colony also has one of the lowest crime rates in the metroplex. The Colony residents enjoy outstanding recreation opportunities, award-winning schools, and a family-oriented community, all within easy access of major commercial centers.
This area of towering oak and hickory trees showcases new residential subdivisions under development. Many homes include acreage to provide more of a country estate lifestyle. Although young, Argyle’s school system has been ranked as a four star school — among the top public elementary schools—in the state.
The Colony Five Star Complex is an 81-acre facility that features 7 baseball fields, 6 soccer fields, 2 football fields, 1. 3 miles of hike-and-bike trails, restroom and concession facilities, pavilions and playgrounds. The complex is just one reason why The Colony was selected as the Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Sportstown for the state of Texas.

industry_corpus2: Subject Education


text: We know too well the care with which Nintendo makes their games, and the new Kirby is no exception. If you recently saw how nice Yoshi traveling to a world made of wool now it is the pink balloon big “N” to go to a world of clay. And the result is very interesting because it is much closer to stop motion.

industry_corpus2: Gaming


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So yes, there’s going to be plenty of momentous occasions and life-changing events taking place this year – it’s all exciting stuff!! With that in mind, and as part of my new years resolutions (which is a long list this year!) I’ve finally decided to enter the whimsical world of bloggers! I must admit, this all seems a bit foreign to me right now but I am determined to get my head round all the techy little details and master the art of blogging!!! Well, here’s me hoping!
Right, sooooooo….before this waffle of mine starts to take the form of an essay, I shall bring this post to a close! I really do hope that this is the start of many fabulous things this year and that it progresses into something I can be proud of!
PS. how I can write with such ease on here, in emails or on FB than I can on my research papers STILL baffles me!!!!!!


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To find the contact information, visit the Directory of Educational Institutions in Canada.
Can't find an international office?
If you are unable to locate information on an international office at your chosen institution, communicate with the registrar or admissions office.


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Do you want to learn more about how 100 Percent Financed can work with you on business credit, multifamily investing, and much more?
Submit your email address, and you will be directed to our team calendar to schedule a consultation at a time that works best for you.
In addition, you can also subscribe to receive regular tips about creative financing, real estate strategies, and Financial Freedom from the team at 100 Percent Financed!

industry_corpus2: Finance & Economics


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Please complete the form below. Fields noted with * are mandatory.
Please tick if the main applicant is the person to be set up with access to the BCA system. Otherwise please complete the following.


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(Plane 0).  Plane 0 contains most of the world's modern writing scripts.
This font looks best at 12pt.
Mongolian, which is written vertically) will not render perfectly.
is better than an empty box for a unknown glyph.


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We’re so excited that Santa is coming to visit again this year! Its super exciting to have a low pressure, uncrowded space to have your holiday memories and we are happy to provide a space for that at Pinxit. The session is $20 will come with a printed image from the session and the option to purchase additional low cost prints online.
Book your space below and we expect all spaces to fill and then we’ll open additional spots depending on demand.
St. Louis has a few black Santa opportunities and we are excited to be one for the 2nd year in a row!
Check out our newest social media posts, leave us a comment and follow along!


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My kid has the winter blues hard. She’s desperate to be outdoors, running free through any weather. If it’s above 40 degrees (which is my tolerance level, not hers) I take her outside. Unfortunately, we’re in the thick of winter where we are lucky to get above freezing. I am NOT about to hit the playground or go for a walk.
You can purchase indoor bowling kits, but it’s easy enough to craft your own. My child is having way too much fun with some empty drink containers and one of her own balls. I showed her how to line them up at one end of the hallway and roll the ball down to knock them over, and she was occupied for at least an hour. Once she got bored with bowling, her imagination allowed the containers to further her indoor play.
Stay with me here. I actually read this one some sort of teacher site, but it’s genius. I stretched some packing tape across a doorway and handed my toddler some cotton balls to throw at it. This kept her entertained for DAYS. It’s the simple things that bring the most joy.
This is good for both you and your kids. Get them involved in a daily workout that everyone can participate in. It gives them an excuse to jump around like maniacs indoors (gasp) but with a purpose. My daughter looks forward to our workouts every day now, and it keeps me motivated to stay on the fitness wagon.
One of my favorite winter activities is eating, and my child enjoys it as well. When we are really bored and in need of something to do, we break out the recipe book. Anything in your cupboard can become a snack activity. Make a mix of different cereals and raisins or build shapes and houses with pretzels and peanut butter. Toss some cinnamon and sugar on some apples. Bake cookies if you’re feeling adventurous, because that also means the oven is on. Extra toasty.


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Karelian bear dog 'Orca' is hot on the heels of a roughly 140-pound, 2-year-old male black bear during a release earlier this year off Kingsbury Grade.
• Use bear resistant containers (BRCs) and place them outside at least 30 feet from the house so bears do not learn to associate the smells and food rewards with your home.
• Use removable bird feeders (including hummingbird feeders) for temporary placement, or better yet, scatter bird seed on the ground, not in a container or in a pile. This way, bears and other animals like deer won’t be able to easily get it.
• Keep pet food cleaned up or indoors. Place horse grain and chicken feed inside lockable metal containers and keep them outside so bears do not break into your shed or barn.
• Use electric fencing to keep bears out of gardens, apiaries and orchards. You should also remove any fruit as soon as it ripens.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — For the second year in a row, Gov. Brian Sandoval has declared July as “BEAR Logic Month” in Nevada.
“BEAR” stands for Bear Education, Aversion and Research, and BEAR Logic Month is an opportunity to help educate the public about living in bear country.
To meet the goal of BEAR Logic Month, the Nevada Department of Wildlife has put together a series of public service announcements, videos, infographics and a resource page on the NDOW website.
Bear and human-wildlife conflicts often become more common with Northern Nevadans during the summer months, and living in bear country requires that residents take extra precautions.
Bear complaints have risen sharply in the last 10 years, due in part to the increase in people living in bear habitat.
With Nevada in its fourth year of drought and the population of black bears in the state increasing, the problem will only continue to grow unless people start taking steps to remove the food sources that are attracting the bears.
Bears are opportunistic and will eat anything that becomes available. The bear’s powerful sense of smell allows it to find food that humans consider out of reach. By removing these attractants, bear and humans are less likely to have unpleasant encounters.
When people are irresponsible with their food and garbage, bears can wind up in trouble. The Nevada Department of Wildlife reports that nearly 95 percent of all human-bear conflicts are associated with trash.
Bears naturally fear humans, but if they have access to human food sources they may become addicted, lose their natural fear of humans, and even become aggressive.
“As always the main issue is people living in bear habitat and allowing bear’s access to their trash,” said Lackey. “We’ve proven that by stopping access to human sources of food the wildlife conflicts almost totally disappear.” NDOW believes that by following a few simple steps, you can help avoid human-bear conflicts.
Visit ndow.org/Nevada_Wildlife/Bear_Logic to learn more.

industry_corpus2: Agriculture & Fisheries


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Everyday foods and drinks can linger in your mouth after meals, leaving you with bad breath. You might not realize it, but the people around you probably will. Listerine PocketPaks are perfect for refreshing your mouth when there’s no time to brush. They dissolve instantly, freshening your breath by killing 99% of bad breath bacteria. Side effects may include people getting closer to you more than usual.
Oral care strips. Kills bacteria for a clean mouth feeling.


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From left, seniors Talia Koren and Brennan Banta, and freshman Kate Zasowski rehearse for “Internal Struggle,” a sketch-comedy written and directed by Koren, on Dec. 3 in Friends 307.
Internships have become almost a rite of passage for many college students looking to break into a career. They are supposed to serve as a window to the professional world, but some interns complain the experience is reduced to running errands.
“Internal Struggle,” a sketch-comedy written and directed by senior Talia Koren, explores the more unsavory side of interning. The show will be performed at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 in Klingenstein Lounge in the Campus Center.
Koren, who herself has had six different internships, decided to write the show last May during an independent study, hoping to comment on the growing controversy surrounding internships. She said the sketches are more based on her own anxieties about internships than her actual experiences.
She held auditions in October to cast 13 actors in the six sketches, and since then has had eight rehearsals. There is no overarching narrative or story, but Koren hoped to give a critique of interning in each sketch.
In addition to writing and directing the show, Koren is in four out of the six sketches, where she plays an eager-to-please intern. Junior Meredith Clarke plays the “boss lady” in most of the sketches and serves as a foil to Koren’s chipper character.
Though Koren wrote the show, most of the rehearsals involved the actors giving feedback and suggestions to the script. Koren said the cast members were very enthusiastic about giving their input to revise the show.
As an actor, Clarke said she had never experienced such workshop-like rehearsals, but she enjoyed being able to give her suggestions and feel like she was contributing more to the show.
Though the show is largely comedic, co-director sophomore Rebecca Caplan saw a large amount of realism in the sketches.
Koren chose to write the show in sketches because she said the longer comedic format makes it easier to give a deeper point of view while still maintaining humor.


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Fancy an Ariana Grande bag?
You can now own a limited-edition Kiti Swagger designer bag that US accessory brand Coach has specially created for the US pop singer.
The petite Coach Swagger 20 was customised for the 22-year-old, designed to capture her charm, creativity and playful spirit. The bag also comes with a soft kitty charm inspired by Grande's signature cat ears.
Priced at $750, the Kiti Swagger is available for pre-order on Oct 29 at Coach Takashimaya Level 1.

industry_corpus2: Film & Entertainment


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Firstly you will notice that the workout summery has a total of 8km, where as the distance is actually 7.83km (on Garmin Connect and the watch it self) and 7.8km on Strava. I know this could simply be rounding and it is really a small difference, but you will also notice that the intervals is somewhat odd. On RH there is 9 intervals (notice the last 2 intervals). On Garmin, Strava and on the watch it is 8 intervals (with the last interval a fraction of a KM).
Maybe it is OCD, but could you please have a look.
I use a Garmin FR 620.
I have this problem too! I use a Garmin 310 XT (Browser Firefox).
I think this is the same problem others have reported. See this thread. Eric is looking in to it.
My blog is JT Running DC. It's awesome. Guide to the New York City Marathon. Guide to the Boston Marathon. Guide to Running Gear. Guide to Running Clothes.


text: Ah, the holidays. A time when my whole large and extended family gather around my table for a big meal. For some odd reason, the tradition of gathering at my house for holidays is a long-standing one. So I've had more experience cooking for the holidays than I intend to admit. But, I've learned more than a few tricks to make things easier. Share along for some fun times for those holiday meals.

industry_corpus2: Hospitality & Catering


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Dear Readers, please visit the Gather Content blog, where I have just published a guest post: Your Software Needs a Content Strategy Too!
Link | This entry was posted in Recommendations and tagged Content Strategy, Information Architecture, interaction model, Software, usability, UX, web sites. Bookmark the permalink.


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(3 panels digisleeve) OUT NOW ! Limited to 500 copies.
Get yours to Crush The Desert Records for 10 EUROS + postage.


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While a few simple alterations and ingredient swaps could have this Spinach, White Cheddar, Apple Salad showing up in it’s Fall Sunday best, this version still says Spring to me– so that’s what I’m rolling with. Crisp, sliced apples, walnuts, berries, and shredded sharp white cheddar on a bed of fresh baby spinach. A homemade honey vinaigrette is drizzled over top and it’s all lovingly tossed together at the supper table into a complete meal in your salad bowl.
Easy. Peasy. And, yes, cheesy. (Sorry, had to go there. The rhyme was just too tempting.) This 3 Cheese Gnocchi Mac & Cheese is straight-up comfort food at it’s best.
Between the salty feta, tangy olives, juicy, sun dried tomatoes, marinated artichoke, and the traditionally Greek seasoning palette- this Greek Quiche is a Mediterranean flavor fest in every bite. Hearty & wholesome, it’s perfect for a crowd making it ideal for both brunch and dinner.
Do you ever find yourself perusing Pinterest, or Facebook, or even sitting in a lobby flipping through a copy of Taste of Home only to see yet another salad ‘meal’ recipe and just keep flipping (or scrolling) because you just know either you’ll be the only one who likes it or it’s got a 50/50 shot at best? I can’t tell you how many times this has been me. If it’s been you too, then this is the salad recipe for you. This salad and dressing are packing the protein and the dressing is so yummy they’re not even gonna guess it’s got a good for em base.
Let the little bit of spice give ’em a kick in the pants. After all hasn’t Mom always told you to eat your greens? They’re good for you. Geez! Sorry. Seriously, sorry. Sometimes the mom in me just comes waltzing right on out and into my conversations. There’s really no stopping it. But back to topic. Healthy AND tasty.
This is a salad for the people. The people who love salad. The people who suffer through salad. And especially the people who take one look at a salad and stick there nose up in the air because a salad can’t possibly be a satisfying meal.
Give it a try, and tell me if it doesn’t leave em asking for more 🙂 Top it with tortilla strips or a few crushed tortilla chips for that crunchy piese de résistance. And then try to hide the smirk while you politely refrain from telling them ‘I told you so’. Nope, scratch that. You can totally smirk.
1. Add all of the Creamy Avocado Salad Dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth, scraping the sides down as needed. If using it, add in the cayenne pepper before adding additional salt and pepper to taste. If your dressing is too thick, then add in a little extra milk and stir until you’re reached the desired consistency. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
2. Add salad ingredients to a large bowl, except for the tortilla strips/chips, and toss to combine.
3. Toss the salad with the desired amount of dressing or drizzle dressing over individual servings, especially if you’re not planning to polish off the entire salad in one meal.
4. Garnish the salad, or servings, with tortilla strips, or tortilla chips and freshly cracked salt and pepper.
Are your hungry, hungry omnivores still looking for more protein and/or a denser dish? Serve it topped with grilled chicken strips and they’ll love it.
I’ve been seeing pictures of stuffed squash blossoms in the foodie world for a few years now, and I’ve been intrigued. I love squash, but really had no idea what in the world they might taste like. It got me thinking though. Then a year or two ago, my Pinterest feed got flooded with tons of pictures and recipe ideas for stuffing zucchini. Now the wheels were really turning. So this summer when my mother-in-law planted a ton of squash, I kept my fingers crossed that I could beg persuade her to let me have A LOT of the crop. And she did!
Beautiful, fresh yellow squash stuffed with creamy pimento cheese and topped with crispy panko bread crumbs and parsley.
It’s one of the best ways to enjoy squash, well in our opinion at least. This dish works well as a side or even as a vegetarian main meal. Not a fan of yellow squash? Try using zucchini instead.
While this dish is a no-brainer for us in the summer with the influx of dirt cheap, and/or free, squash, it’s also become a holiday staple. It’s rich, it’s indulgent, and the combination is perfectly Southern.
If you were on the fence about what to make, or scrambling to find a last minute recipe for your familys’ Thanksgiving meal, this one’s sure to be a hit.
1. Cut squash in half horizontally. Place squash in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam about 6 to 8 minutes, just until tender. Let cool and then use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp.
2. Place squash, cut side up on a baking sheet.
3. Salt and pepper the squash.
4. Fill each squash cavity with pimento cheese.
5. In a small bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, butter, and parsley.
6. Sprinkle the crumb mixture on top of the ‘stuffed’ squash.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees, or until cheese is warm and melted.
8. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes to lightly brown the panko crumbs.


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The European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA) is a specialized network of 210 educational institutions in 26 European and in 6 extra-European countries; textile & fashion departments figure under "design"
Abundant link collection of textiles & fashion related websites, arts, crafts, design, heritage, education etc.
Network of fashion and textile historians, designers etc.
More Bread and Circuses: Who does what for the arts in Europe?
More funders on international and national level, with complete addresses and additional notes, are included in the new Internet database of ETN.


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As the Ottoman Empire entered the mid-19th Century, the world around it had changed much from what it used to be in the classic Muslim era of the last several centuries when Muslims had been nurturing the seedlings of all sorts of new sciences and advancing the old ones to new levels. All this had been possible within the reliefs of a strong Empire having access to all sorts of resources and protected by armies advanced in chivalry. But to their demise the cards of sciences, resources and chivalry were being shifted to some European nations for the last few centuries.
When Selim 1 ‘the grim’ proclaimed Caliphate over the Arab world, in 1512, this was about the same time that Spain, Portugal and a little later Britain had discovered the Americas and established colonies there. When Europe was inventing the steam engine (1769), the railway (1804), the telephone (1876), the bulb (1879) and the electric motor (1888), it seems that the latter Ottoman Kings had forsaken their patronage for learning and invention unlike their predecessors. This does not mean to ignore the immense slavery humanity was subjected to in Europe’s trade and colonialism nor does it say that science and technology in Europe brought only good to humanity and no harm. Yet this overall laydown in the Empire had rendered the Ottomans and the whole Arab World, under their rule, backwards in regards to economy, standard of living, education and military strength compared to some European progressive states. So much so, that finding themselves less developed and poorer many resourceful families in the Empire looked towards the west for a better education for their children, for trade and for answers to some of their unresolvable issues.
With the Ottoman’s gradual declined from being able to portray their show of power in many fronts, gradually its subjects started turning against it. Algeria had been lost to the French in 1830, Greece had broken away in 1832 and Romania in 1862 and the Russian defeated them in Bulgaria in 1878. In reaction the Arab majority started feeling that the Turks were responsible for all their misery and several movements of Arab identity and Arab nationalism started rising underground from time to time. These movements were led by several intellectuals who had been educated in the west and were impressed by the liberal and progressive way of life and the parliamentary form of government that would decentralize the power from the Ottomans, redistributing it among the Arab majority.
At the same time the Ottomans faced another internal scuffle; many west-influenced Turks were also of the idea that throwing down the age-ridden caliphate that had failed to compete with modern progressiveness was the only way to bring the Turks back to strength in the global arena. The Young Turks Movement did exactly that, it forced the Ottomans to form the parliament in 1908 and as the Arab populace entwined with the nationalistic spirit eventuating in the Arab Revolt, worked to break the Turk hegemony over the Arabs, the Young Turks made sure to break the Ottomans away from power from the inside.
Palestine, with its mixed communities of Muslims, Christians, Jews and the Druze, was also an Arab entity. The people of Palestine like those of the other Arab lands under the caliphate were equally inspired by the Arab Nationalist Movement; they too wanted more autonomy and progress for their region. But the Palestinians were to face two struggles instead of one – the struggle against Zionism was to run parallel to the struggle for Arab identity for them.
From 1882 to 1903, the First Aliyah brought 25,000 to 35,000 Jews into the land of Palestine. These immigrations were made possible by many factors. It is reported that in 1840, British cabinet member Palmerstone, under the leadership of Lord Shaftsbury, attempted to convince the Ottoman Sultan to open the door to Palestine for the return and settlement of Jews. The rationale behind his stand lay in the fact that both the Ottoman Empire and Palestine would benefit from the wealth that the Jewish capitalists would bring with them, and also in the fact that a Jewish presence in Palestine would block any attempt by Mohammed Ali of Egypt to threaten the Ottoman Empire once again.
Nevertheless only the presence of Palmerstone in the Ottoman courts is an attestation of how deep was the influence of the British machinery in the Empire. Similarly the facts that Emmanuel Carasso of the prominent Jewish Carasso family of Ottoman Salonica (Greece) was the founder of the Young Turks Movement’s secret society in Salonica – and that the editor of the newspaper ‘The Young Turks’ was Russian Zionist leader Vladimir Jabotinsky – Henry Morgenthau, a Jew, was the American ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during the First World War – and that Alexander Helphand, a Marxist theoretician, revolutionary, and a controversial activist in the Social Democratic Party of Germany, in his five year stay in Istanbul was financial and political advisor of the Young Turks and editor of Turk Yurdu, their daily newspaper – are all questions upon Jewish conspiracies and foreign influences inside the Empire.
On the other hand the Syrian Scientific Society, which upheld Arab Nationalism, penetrated its bases from Iraq to Egypt - it was also patronized by the British offices in Egypt. One pioneer of the Syrian Scientific Society was Butrus al-Bustani, an employee and later close affiliate of the American Protestant Mission in Beirut. Among others was also Abdul Rahim Al-Kawakibi, editor of Ash-Shabba. Al- Kawakibi’s popularized the thought of instating an Arab Caliphate in Mecca. Likewise Christian Arab Najib Azuri founded the Ligue de la Patrie Arabe in Paris, he published a book in French called ‘The Awakening of the Arab Nation’ and supported the French occupation of Algeria and called upon the French to increase their influence and role in Syria and Palestine. So! Did Europe conspire against the Empire? – Maybe yes – but the responsibility of the well-being, progress and security of their people was upon the Ottomans not on Europe. Likewise being unable to recognize the dissatisfied sections of their society or providing solutions was a grave weakness of the Ottomans that opened their people to all sorts of alternatives.
The Palestinians faced double jeopardy with their Arab-identity and the Zionist-initiated Jewish immigrations to the Holy Land. And in spite their issues with the Ottoman central power, they knew that the Jews entering their land were too powerful and well-linked inside and outside their land, and that they would not be able to resist them or prevent their coming and occupying their land, on their own. So from the beginning the resistance of the Palestinian people comprised of writing to the Ottomans office and pressurizing them to halt the immigrations, ban the selling of land to the Jews and make law preventing them from becoming Palestine nationals. The Ottomans did make such a law as to prevent Jews from gaining permanent residence of Palestine, however such laws proved to be short-lived. The Aliyah kept coming from 1882 onwards right up to 1948, in smaller and larger groups, legally and illegally.
The Palestinians showed high political awareness and the awareness of their identity; besides pleading to the center for help the Palestinians kept resisting the Jews physically too, with demonstrations, riots and attacks. The Jews were not just settlers in their land, they were better trained farmers and artisans, they were wealthy traders and had defense mechanism far superior to what the poor farmers had, whom they had come to displace from their homes and lands. But instead of coming to the rescue of the Palestinians, in 1908, the Sultan gave permission to the Jews to form their own security forces –strengthening them further against the poor peasants whom they had ousted from their farmlands.
When several Arab nationalist leaders arranged to meet in Paris under the First Arab Congress in 1913 – the agenda was to demand better conditions for the Arabs and to make Arabic an official language. In spite of many reminders and letters from Palestine to this meeting, their issue was marginalized and ignored.
These and similar events led the Palestinian Arabs to eventually believe that they were to fight the struggle for their rights and survival alone. Though they were rightly a part of the larger Arab community and hitherto willful subjects of the Ottomans but it seemed that they were being played as the expendable card every now and then on the negotiation tables. For this fact, it is imperative to understand the deeper Arab political background to be able to assimilate how the Arabs surrounding Palestine shaped the Palestinian conscience and the circumstances of their political and social fields.
With WW1, what was once identified as a single unit under the Ottoman, was soon to be disintegrated into un-unifiable distinct centers of interests. Both internal and external factors laid the basis of this irreversible disunity. But as soon as the Ottoman Empire was broken away and dished out between the British and the French as mandates legitimizes through the League of Nations, movements for freedom started sprouting everywhere. One reason for this was that all these people who took part in the Arab Revolt had harbored the dream of Arab independence from the yoke of Turk hegemony and a greater autonomy, not a further downfall into the pit of subjugation to their longstanding imperial rivals – the Christian nations.
Likewise the Hashemite king of Mecca had not bargained the Arab Revolt with the Allied Powers for just a small strip of land to the west of the Arabian Peninsula, rather what was in his mind was the whole of the Ottoman land minus the Ottomans themselves – though it proved rather naïve of him to trust the Allied Powers on this. Lebanon and Syria were mandated to the French by the League of Nations, whereas Iraq, Transjordan and Palestine were put in the British pocket. A short case-study of Syria is useful to understand the time.
At one end, the Arab troops led by Emir Feisal, in understanding with and support of the British forces, capture Damascus, in Oct. 1918, the Syrian majority Sunni population welcomes him and he is proclaimed the King of Syria in June 1919, by the Syrian National Congress that had been politically created by the people of Syria. This Syria of Emir Feisal extended from the Taurus Mountains in Turkey to the Sinai desert in Egypt. On the other end the French having their mandate approved in June 1920 – attacked Syria afresh and drove the Emir out of his empire. The French in their bid to divide-and-rule Syria further, divided it into five sections which practically made an Alawi state in the north, a Sunni state at the center, and a Druze state in the south. The three were eventually to be incorporated into a federal Syria, while Lebanon was mapped to make a Christian state around the area of Mount Lebanon. Hence Syria and Lebanon that were previously part of one harmonious state had now been subdivided on religio-ethnic lines. The minorities were now placed in new socio-economic parameters that encouraged them to stand behind the new masters for advantages they could never gain in a unified Syria – advantages that could possibly make the minorities masters over the majority.
Yet the divided people of Syria kept revolting against French control all the same. Shaykh Salih ibn Ali led revolt by the Alawis, Shaykh Ismail Harir rebelled in Hawran, Sultan Pasha al Atrash in the Jabal Druze and Mulhim Qasim in the mountains around Baalbek – eventuating in the Great Arab Revolt of 1925. Arab Nationalism in the Sunni majority was reignited by these revolts. They followed the path of political struggle and pressed the French not to obstruct the framing of a constitution for Syria that was to provide for the eventual sovereignty that the League of Nations mandate had ordered. To subside the revolts the French permitted the formation of a National Bloc. Ibrahim Hannanu wrote a constitution that provided for the reunification of Syria and a long and arduous struggle of the Syrian people for regaining independence from the French went on till 1946.
Meanwhile Emir Feisal had not been forsaken, he was too valuable to be wasted, for he was one among Arabs capable of signing the likes of the Faisal -Weizmann Agreement, in which Faisal conditionally accepted the Balfour Declaration that promised a Jewish homeland in Palestine. So the Emir was made king of Iraq in August 1921, over a people who hardly knew him before that time. Perhaps this was the reason for an earlier independence of Iraq, in 1932. And perhaps Feisal signed that treaty to gain cheap advantages that might help in the pursuit of his greater agenda of Pan-Arabism – he wanted to join Syria and Iraq as one state.
All the same, the Palestinians were being betrayed again, at least on the face of it.
Between 1882 and 1948 from the Jewish population in the territory that was to be occupied grew from 24,000 to 716,000 – in approximately 66 years or in about three generations. Whereas, the creation of the state of Israel has resulted in 6,600,000 Palestinians have being thrown out of their homeland, living as refugees in neighboring states and 427,000 are internally displaced.
Did Palestine have no farms or farmers, when the first ones to resist the Jew settlers were the farmers that had been expelled by the Jews who had bought their lands, the lands they had tilled for generations; was there no man to be seen in a land that had been the pivot of trade between the East, the West and Africa since the time of the first Pharaohs; were there no olives in the land that had beheld the holy shrines of Judaism, Christianity and Islam for millennia?
After their experience in the First Arab Congress in 1913, perhaps the Palestinians felt that their voice has been deliberately ignored. The Muslim-Christian Association, a nationwide platform of the Palestinians decided to create a Palestine Arab Congress that would gather writers, traders and religious representative from around Palestine to put forward the consensual will of the Palestinian people and present it not only to those in power but to the larger world as well. The Congress held 7 consecutive meetings from 1919 to 1928 in Jerusalem, Jaffa, Haifa and Nablus. The agenda of all these congresses turned out to be – rejection of foreign influences and occupation; rejection of the Belfour Declaration, rejection of the Zionist ideal and Jewish immigrations; rejection of any foreign occupation of Syria; and demand that the Palestinian Territory be joined with the aspired United Arab Syria. Later when Syria had been assigned as mandate to France the Congress shifted its demand to annexation of Palestine with any other independent Muslim state, as Jordan was expected to be.
The British simply did not officially recognize the Arab Palestine Congress, claiming that they were unrepresentative. In March 1921, Musa Kazem, leader of the Congress led a delegation to meet the British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill, at the Cairo Conference, where the British policy for the Middle East was being discussed. Churchill refused to discuss any issues with Musa Kazem until after the conference. On his way back, Churchill met the delegates in Jerusalem, where he told them that them they had to accept the Balfour Declaration as an immutable part of British policy. Stonewalled from all sides, sidestepped by the Arabs and compromised upon by the Ottomans – the Palestinian people were being shaken into political awareness.
Placed at the heart of the civilized world, being the well wherefrom sprung belief and godliness and being the crossroad of several civilizations –was there to come this day when Palestine could not be recognized as a state, or part of a state but just as a territory! The Iraqis, the Syrians and the Turks were all entities but the Palestinians were not! The Druze, the Armenians and the Kurds all needed recognitions but the Palestinians did not! Everybody could fight their wars of independence, voice their rights, force occupiers out of their lands but the Palestinians could not! Why did the French carve out Lebanon as an independent state but Palestine was to be treated as a no-man’s land?
Apart from the Arab Palestine Congress several political, educational, social and charitable clubs and societies worked throughout the Arab communities in Palestine. Political organizations and their branches such as the Muslim-Christian Society (al-Jam’iyah al-Islamiyah al-Masihiya), the Arab Club (al-Nadi al-Arabi), the Literary Society (al-Muntada al-Adabi) and the literary publication, al-Nafa’is al-Asriyah, edited by Khalil Baydas voiced the aspirations of the people. But all these civilized voices and democratic methods to gain their legitimate right of self-determination were continuously given to deaf ears – so much so that the patience of the resolute people of Palestine was checked again and again forcing them to come out to the streets and express their anger and frustration in the arms way.
In June 1919 in accordance with President Wilson’s self-determination concept a commission known as the King-Crane Commission, under the leadership of Dr. Henry Churchill King, reached Jerusalem after its tour of Turkey. Its purpose was to inquire about the desires of the local population on the future of the country. It conducted several conferences and interviews with individuals and groups and received petitions submitted to the commissioners. On June 17, the commission tentatively described the results as “in that old biblical city all the delegations showed very careful organization. They were in general agreement concerning the unity of Syria and Palestine, wanted complete independence, and were opposed to Zionism and Jewish immigration”. But the American government did not officially publish the result until 1947. The report also disclosed that the Jews planned a “practically complete dispossession of the present non-Jewish inhabitants… by various forms of purchase”.
Along with this democratic struggle, riots against the Jewish settlers were recorded during 1920, 1921, 1929, 1933, eventuating in the open revolt against the British in 1935 to 1939.
By 1935, several political parties had come up in Palestine, like the Istiqlal (1932), National Defence Party (1934), Arab Reform Party (1935), National Bloc Party (1935), the Palestine Arab Party (1935) and the Palestine Youth Party (1932). Haj Amin al-Husseini, who was like many Arabs pro-British until the Balfour Declaration, rose as a national leader when violent riots against the British and the Jews broke out on the annual Nabi Musa procession. He was elected Mufti of Jerusalem in 1921, this gave al-Husseini total control over the secret society of Al-Fida’iyya (The Self-Sacrificers) and al-Ikha’ wal-‘Afaf (Brotherhood and Purity) that performed clandestine anti-British and anti-Zionist activities. In 1931, al-Husseini founded the World Islamic Congress. In 1930 Izz ad-Din al-Qassam created the Black Hand Group (al kaff al-aswad), al-Qassam was known to cooperate with al- Husseni. By 1935 al-Husseini controlled the group 'Holy Struggle' (al-jihad al-muqaddas) created by Musa Kazem’s son. In 1936 al-Husseni made the Arab Higher Committee, for a civil disobedience movement. All this power made al-Husseini the leading figure of the 1936-39 Arab Revolt of Palestine. The Revolt left an estimate of 5,032 Palestinians dead and 14,760 wounded – while the Jews death count was between a hundred to several hundreds. The British violently suppressed the revolt forcing most political figures to flee the country; al-Husseini fled to Lebanon. Al- Husseini’s struggle for the cause of Palestine continued as he shifted from country to country, Iraq, Iran, Italy, France and lastly Egypt where he tried to encourage Egypt into entering the Arab-Israel war (1948-49) and tried to organize Palestinian Field Commands and commanders.
Fearing that King Abdullah of Transjordan was reopening the bilateral negotiations with Israel, the Arab League – led by Egypt – made the ‘All-Palestine Government’ in Gaza on 8 September 1948, under the leadership of al-Husseini. In retaliation King Abdullah organized a Palestinian congress as his show of power in the West Bank. This was a divide within Palestine, a divide that would cause Gaza and the West Bank to be occupied or annexed by two different countries at the end of the war – Gaza by Egypt and the West Bank by Jordan – while the middle of Palestine was to become Israel!
In 1956 Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrew the monarchy of the Muhammad Ali dynasty in Egypt. Gamal wanted to form a United Arab Republic comprising of Syria, Egypt and Palestine, for this reason he abolished the All-Palestine Government in 1959. Al-Husseini moved to Lebanon. After the Suez Canal Crisis of 1956, Gamal allowed the United Nations Emergency Force to establish itself in the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip, this led to the expulsion of all "fedayeen" forces from the Sinai. Al-Husseini died in Beirut in 1974, he had refused to join the emerging PLO.
Yaser Arafat was one of the Fedayeens who fled from the Sinai in 1956, immigrating to Kuwait where he laid the foundations of Fatah.


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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- Sri Lanka's government and Tamil Tiger rebels agreed Friday to meet in coming weeks to review a cease-fire that has been threatened by a rash of killings, including the assassination of the foreign minister. The meetings will be the first formal sessions between the sides in more than two years. Peace negotiations remain stalled, and the prospects for reviving them as uncertain after the Aug. 12 assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar by suspected rebels. Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen said Friday the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam had agreed to hold the talks in the coming weeks. The exact timing and venue were still being worked out.
BEIJING -- China has detained an American on suspicion of spying for Beijing's archrival, Taiwan, the U.S. Embassy said Friday. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Xie Chunren -- a Chinese-born American citizen -- has been under house arrest since May 31, suspected of "activities harmful to state security." The ministry did not elaborate. A U.S. Embassy spokeswoman said Xie had been detained "under suspicion of espionage for Taiwan."
NAIROBI, Kenya -- A Kenyan priest and five other people were charged Friday with murdering a Roman Catholic bishop in a plot to control church funds. Luigi Locati, the Italian-born bishop of the Isiolo Diocese, was gunned down July 14 while walking with a guard to his house in an impoverished area of central Kenya where he had worked for decades. Court documents allege that the Rev. Guyo Wako Malley wanted to kill the 77-year-old Locati to ensure that funds coming to the diocese passed through his office rather than the bishop's. Senior State Counsel Jacob Ondari charged Malley and the others with murder. All six pleaded not guilty.
COLOGNE, Germany -- German-born Pope Benedict XVI on Friday became the second pope to visit a synagogue, entering to the haunting tones of a ram's horn, praying before a Holocaust memorial and lamenting a rise in anti-Semitism. The hourlong stop, for which Cologne's Jews stood and applauded, was filled with significance for the 78-year-old Benedict, who grew up in Nazi Germany. He called those times "the darkest period of German and European history." He made no mention of his own trials, when he was enrolled in the Hitler Youth as a teenager and later deserted from the German army near the end of the war.
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran does not intend to build nuclear weapons, but it will continue to enrich uranium because it does not want to be dependent on others for its nuclear fuel needs, the country's supreme ruler said Friday. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told tens of thousands of worshippers at Tehran University that Western allegations his country is secretly trying to make weapons are "a propaganda trick to deceive their own public opinion." Tehran wants to enrich uranium to low levels to use in reactors that will generate electricity, he said.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- A U.S. Marine and an Afghan soldier were killed during battles with militants in eastern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Friday. Four other Afghan soldiers were wounded in Thursday's clash in Kunar province. The forces were conducting operations ahead of next month's legislative elections, which Taliban militants have vowed to disrupt. Two U.S. soldiers also were killed Thursday when a homemade bomb hit an American convoy supporting crews improving a road from the main southern city of Kandahar to outlying mountains. Two other soldiers were wounded, the military said in a statement.

industry_corpus2: Politics & Administration


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Summer road trips can be fun, but they can also cost you in fuel. Fortunately, you can take steps to improve your gas mileage and save on fuel. Here are 10 tips to help you get started.
Heavier vehicles use more fuel, so inspect your load and remove any non-essential items. Removing 100 pounds of excess weight from your vehicle can improve your fuel economy by around two percent.
Only use roof racks and boxes when you need them. Removing a roof rack or box reduces aerodynamic drag on your vehicle and thus improves your fuel economy by up to five percent.
Check your tire pressure and inflate your tires to the recommended pressure listed in your vehicle handbook, if necessary. Maintaining proper tire pressure can increase your fuel economy by up to three percent.
Change your air filters at the recommended intervals listed in your vehicle handbook. Replacing your air filters can increase your fuel efficiency by up to ten percent.
Only use your air conditioning when you need it. Running the air conditioning can increase your fuel use, particularly when you’re driving at slow speeds.
Instruct one of our qualified automotive technicians to perform periodic preventative maintenance and service work on your vehicle. Scheduling regular services can help you ensure that your vehicle remains in good working order and thus uses fuel efficiently.
Choose low rolling-resistance tires over other types of tires to minimize energy use as your tires roll. Reducing rolling-resistance can save you up to 4.5 percent on fuel consumption.
Switch off your engine whenever your vehicle is stationary for more than a minute. You should also plan your route and timing carefully to avoid idling in heavy traffic.
Check the color and consistency of your oil. If the oil has turned thick and black, instruct one of our automotive technicians to change the oil. Changing the oil helps improve the efficiency of your engine and thus improves your fuel economy.
Observe the speed limit, and use cruise control to keep a consistent speed when you’re driving on the highway. Maintaining a steady speed is more fuel efficient than heavy braking and acceleration.
Improving your gas mileage is easy with the right know-how. By following these 10 simple tips, you can increase your fuel economy and save money on your next road trip.

industry_corpus2: Automobiles


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Bollywood's dancing diva Madhuri Dixit Nene will take Bollywood fans on a nostalgic trip as she pays tribute to her contemporary of the 1980s, the late Sridevi, at the third edition of Lux Golden Rose Awards.
"When I was approached to do this performance, it left me both overwhelmed and excited. Given that the Awards are supporting the HeforShe movement, I thought it was also time for the women, especially in Bollywood, to celebrate each other and express solidarity with each other."
Sridevi's daughter Janhvi Kapoor and her DHADAK co-star Ishaan Khatter will put on an act inspired by their film at the event, to be co-hosted by Shah Rukh Khan and Varun Dhawan.
Janhvi said: "This stage is special to me because my mother was a Lux superstar. I am glad to be performing for my first ever awards night with my favourite co-actor and friend Ishaan, since he has always supported me up to this stage in my career."
of his legacy, I will call myself fortunate."


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text: First time on the market in 40 years. This well maintained home located on a cul-de-sac in sunny Park Pacifica shouldn't be missed! The home features a Master Suite and two additional bedrooms and bathroom as well as the living space on the top level with new contemporary floors and fresh paint. On the lower level you will find a family room with a fireplace, additional full bathroom and a bedroom which opens up to a patio and a large grassy area. The backyard has a deck off of the kitchen that leads to a Certified organic farm which has a state nursery license. Includes over 50 various varieties of plum trees, an apple tree, avocado tree and many exotic plants. There is an automatic sprinkler system throughout the yard. You will find a tiered side yard with a built-in fire pit at the top with views of the Montara mountain. Walking distance to San Pedro Park, shopping and dining. Close to beautiful Pacifica beaches. Perfect place to call home!


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Research interests lie in the general field of aqueous geochemistry and center on: 1) the transport of water and dissolved material in groundwater, surface waters, and the coastal ocean; 2) how flow patterns affect water quality; 3) gas exchange across the air-water interface; 4) climate change during the last 30,000 years. These questions are examined using experiments conducted by introducing chemical tracers into the water bodies, plus analysis of flow patterns, residence times, and mixing rates inferred from the distribution of natural and anthropogenic tracers.
• Impact of natural marine hydrocarbon seeps on the regional environment and global methane cycle. For more on seeps, surf to the Seeps website.
• Groundwater flow near Aquifer Storage and Recovery sites.
• Chemical evolution of the shallow groundwater.
Stieglitz, T. C., J. F. Clark, and G. Hancock (2013) The Mangrove Pump: rapid tidal Flushing of Animal Burrows in Mangrove Forests, a major driver of Land-Ocean Solute Fluxes in the Tropics. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 102, 12-22, doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2012.10.033.
Manning, A. H., J. F. Clark, S. H. Diaz*, L. K. Rademacher, S. Earman, L. N Plummer (2012) Evolution of groundwater age in a mountain watershed over a period of thirteen years. Journal of Hydrology, 460, 13-28, doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.06.030.
Fisher, A. T., J. Cowen, C. G. Wheat, and J. F. Clark (2011), Preparation and injection of fluid tracers during IODP Expedition 327, eastern flank of Juan de Fuca Ridge in Proc. IODP 327, edited by A. T. Fisher, T. Tsuji and K. Petronotis. doi:10.2204/iodp.proc.327.108.2011, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International, Inc., Tokyo.
Kline*, K. R., D. M. Mackay, L. Rastegarzadeh*, Y. M. Nelson, J. F. Clark (2011) In-Situ Rates of Ethanol Biodegradation in a Sulfate-Reducing Aquifer Determined using Single Well Push-Pull Tests.Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, 31, 103-110 doi:10.1111/j1745-6592.2011.01347.x.
Morrissey*, S. K., J. F. Clark, M Bennett, E. Richardson, and M. Stute (2010) Groundwater reorganization in the Floridan aquifer following Holocene sea-level rise. Nature Geoscience, 3, 683-687, doi:10.1038/NGEO956.
Clark, J. F., L. Washburn, and K. Schwager* (2010) Variability of gas composition and flux intensity in natural marine hydrocarbon seeps. Geo-Marine Letters, 30, 379-388, doi:10.1007/s00367-009-0167-1.
MacIntyre, S., J. F. Clark, R. Jellison (2009) Turbulent mixing induced by nonlinear waves in Mono Lake. Limnology and Oceanography, 54, 2255-2272.
Rueda, F. J, S. G. Schladow and J. F. Clark (2008) Mechanisms of contaminant transport in a multi-basin lake. Ecological Applications. 18 Supplement, A72-A87.
Schladow, S. G. and J. F. Clark (2008) Use of Tracers to Quantify Subsurface Flow Through a Mining Pit. Ecological Applications, 18 Supplement, A55-A71.
Schmieder*, P. J., D. T. Ho, P. Schlosser, J. F. Clark, and S. G. Schladow (2008) An SF6 tracer study of the flow dynamics in the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel: Implications for dissolved oxygen dynamics. Estuaries and Coasts, 31, 1038-1051, doi:10.1007/s12237-008-9093-0.
Meillier*, L. H. Loáiciga, and J. F. Clark (2008) Ground water dating and flow-model calibration in the Kern Water Bank, California. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, ASCE, 13, 1029-1038.
McDermott*, J. A., D. Avisar, T. Johnson, and J. F. Clark (2008) Groundwater travel times near spreading ponds: Inferences from geochemical and physical approaches. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, ASCE, 13, 1021-1028.
Blumhagen*, E. D. and J. F. Clark (2008) Carbon sources and signals through time in an alpine groundwater basin, Sagehen California. Applied Geochemistry, 23, 2284-2291, doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2008.03.010.
Duffy*, M., F. S. Kinnaman*, D. L. Valentine, E. A. Keller, and J. F. Clark (2007) Gaseous Hydrocarbon Fluxes from Natural Seeps in the Upper Ojai Valley, CA. Environmental Geosciences, 14, 197-207.
Mau, S., D. L. Valentine, J. F. Clark, J. Reed, R. Camilli, and L. Washburn (2007) Dissolved methane distributions and air-sea flux in the plume of a massive seep field, Coal Oil Point, California.Geophysical Research Letter, 34, L22603, doi:10.1029/2007GL031344.
Clark, J. F. (2007) Tracing Recharge Water from Spreading Ponds: A Decade of Studies. In:Management of Aquifer Recharge for Sustainability, ed. Fox, P., Acacia, Phoenix, p. 285-295.
Clark, J. F. and T. Stieglitz (2007) 2.2.2 Isotope and Tracer Techniques. In: Submarine Groundwater, ed. Zektser, I., L. G. Everett, and R. G. Dzhamalov, CRC Press, p. 110-117.

industry_corpus2: Water Resources & Marine


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Adam MacDonald and Patrik Eriksson began their company, Liquid Engineers, in their Oslo lounge room back in 2008. Both having solid credentials in the bar industry and both being former World Champions in Bartending, the two embarked on serving private parties and creating cocktails courses for companies and private groups. Years later, Liquid Engineers is strong and well and is currently operating its event business out of Brick Lane Cafe, in Oslo.
What are the needs of regular people gathering to make drinks at home on a Saturday night? This question has been explored to the finest detail.
Pouring all of their experience and creative passion into the project, Drink In A Box has become a reality. Helping people drink better at home is the daily motivator that keeps Adam and Patrik fired up to create a positive future with fantastic drinks.


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Reccommend.ly have released some interesting data around usage on Facebook Pages. If you're not already familiar, Pages is a service Facebook provide for business and brands to communicate with their customers online.It opens up new ways for business to build relationships and, create sales opportunities and gain return business. Simply by keeping their customer base informed. Did you know that 56% of Facebook Pages have under 256 likes? Or that 82% of pages make less than 5% per month? If you're doing this already, then you're ahead of the rest! Though are you working to a results based strategy? Are you seeing a return in your investment of time and money? A social media strategy needs to be results based with a clear outline of your expectations around your online business goals. It's easy for business' to view social media planning and implementation as a waste of time, but when it's done correctly, there's noticeable differences in customer traffic and hopefully sales. Can everyone use Facebook? Of course. Though what most people don't know is how they can leverage social media for their business using services like Facebook Places or Ads.
If you need some advice on your social media venture, don't hesitate to get in touch with the team at Optimising.
Compliments to All Facebook.com to providing the infographics for us.


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Best Answer: I would like to get out in nature , maybe a lake or canoe down a river, walk threw the woods. Being out like that always makes me feel better and at peace.
I would like to meet with all the leaders of the world, and tell them to get their sh*t together, or when I die, I will return to haunt their every sleeping moments.
That would be the absolute worst thing to know.
Problems with health insurance not covering big medical bills?
This may sound foolish but how many people have ever lived on this planet? just how old is mankind?
What is stage managing like in college?
We ALL know Jesus didn't "really" die. He knew in ADVANCE that His body would be alive and well shortly, and also living in heaven.?
Anyone know any truly 100% free adult dating or hookup sites?


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Poor Shooting Sees UCSB Drop Home Season-Opener to Oregon St.
The Gauchos finished just 33.8 percent from the field and 18.2 percent from three on their way to a loss to Oregon St. on Saturday.
Despite 23 points from senior guard Michael Bryson, the UCSB men's basketball team was unable to contain the dynamic offense of No. 15 Cal in its 85-67 loss on Monday.
Playing in their first Big West final since 2011, the Gauchos fell 1-0 to Cal State Fullerton despite a 22-6 advantage in shots.
Playing without senior Michael Bryson, the Gauchos finish the game on a 9-1 run to come away with a close win in their first game of the season.
After defeating UC Davis for the third time in 2015, the Gauchos will play in their first Big West Tournament Championship since 2011 this Saturday against Cal State Fullerton.
The Gauchos haven't won a postseason game since 2011, but will have a great shot tomorrow at home against a UC Davis team they went 2-0 against in the regular season.
Senior guards John Green and Michael Bryson both hit the 20-point mark as they led UCSB to a season-opening exhibition victory.
Nick DePuy, the nation's leading goalscorer, recorded his third brace of the season in the Gauchos' big win over Sac St. on Wednesday.
No. 18 UCSB Seeks Revenge in Home Finale Against Sac St.
Still just a point in front of No. 22 Cal Poly for first place, the Gauchos need a win against a team that beat them 5-2 earlier this month.
Instant classic. The Gauchos hosted the Mustangs on Saturday in front of the second largest campus crowd in NCAA history.
One down, three to go before the conclusion of the 2015 regular season. The Gauchos picked up a big win over UC Davis and will now prepare to face No. 20 Cal Poly this Saturday.


text: Petrus, Emily et al "Vision Loss Shifts the Balance of Feedforward and Intracortical Circuits in Opposite Directions in Mouse Primary Auditory and Visual Cortices." Journal of Neuroscience 35.23 (2015): 8790-8801. Web. 23 April. 2019.


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Barney's New York turns the spotlight on 17 transgender men and women and their extraordinary personal stories.
If you wear yoga clothes as much as we do, you probably don't pay much attention to high fashion catalogues. And even if you did notice Barney's New York's spring campaign, its imagery—beautiful people in beautiful clothes against a beautiful background—wouldn't have surprised you at first glance.
But look a little closer, and you'll find a resoundingly body-positive message. The Brothers, Sisters, Sons & Daughters campaign featured 17 transgender models alongside their friends and family. In yoga terms, you might say it acted with intention, celebrating its subjects with clarity and respect.
As part of our conversations about The Practice of Leadership, we chatted with Chris Edwards, a 20-year advertising veteran who is currently writing a memoir about his own transition from female to male, about the campaign.
YogaJournal.com: We've been discussing "aspirational" imagery in the yoga world and beyond. As an ad exec, what's your take on creating images that "sell" vs. those that represent a wider array of human experience?
Chris Edwards: Ah, “aspirational.” Yes that is a major buzzword in the ad biz and is always one of the first adjectives listed in casting specs. I can’t speak for everyone in the industry, but what I’d always try to do is find people who are both aspirational and real. By that I mean not perfect or “modely” looking — a regular person. Someone who could be standing next to you in line at Starbucks. And while there’s no magic body type we go for, I will say that in advertising we do tend to avoid extremes.
YJ.com:What was your first response when you heard that Barney's was featuring all transgender models in their spring campaign?
CE: I think I actually cringed. I was worried they were gonna go over the top with it and sensationalize what it’s like being transgender to draw more attention to the ads. I pictured trans women all glammed up like drag queens because that’s the stereotype the media tends to promote.
YJ.com: What about when you saw the campaign itself?
YJ.com: What did you appreciate most about it as an "ad guy"? And as a transgender person?
CE: Hmmm, it’s hard to separate the two … the ad guy in me appreciated that by launching with an eight-page spread they were able to create an impact and show the range of different types of people who are transgender. Bruce Weber as the photographer was huge. I also loved that they used “real people” as the models. The tasteful black-and-white photography and copy gave the piece a certain gravitas, which was the right tone when trying to raise awareness.
As someone who transitioned, I appreciated the way Barney’s portrayed transgender men and women as regular human beings, highlighted the role of supportive people in our lives and allowed our stories to be told respectfully in our own words.
YJ.com: Do you think the campaign had any kind of impact for the transgender community, the fashion world, ad agencies, or beyond?
CE: Well, over the past few months the transgender topic has been in the news and infiltrated pop culture quite a bit—in an increasingly positive way. I wouldn’t say that the Barney's campaign itself was responsible, but it certainly helped. There seems to be a groundswell of positivity and acceptance both in the media and society as a whole. Philippine fashion model Geena Rocero’s “coming out” Ted Talk has garnered over 2 million views and she will be featured in the September issue of Glamour. Trans actress Laverne Cox, who’s performance in Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black won her an Emmy nomination, has also done a great job paving the way. And with the success of Netflix’s series, others have followed suit: Amazon’s series Transparent premieres in September and VH-1 and MTV are both developing their own transgender docu-series.
State by state, laws are changing in favor of transgender rights with regard to insurance coverage and anti-discrimination legislation. There’s still a long way to go but things are moving in the right direction. I think widespread understanding will lead to widespread acceptance, which is why I decided to write BALLS.
ChrisEdwards is an award-winning copywriter/creative director and blogger for The Huffington Post. He transitioned openly at the top ad agency in Boston in 1995 and writes about his experience in his upcoming memoir, BALLS. Find out more at chrisedwardsballs.com.
Presented By lululemon: "Congratulations, You Have a Yoga Body"


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Modafinil detox is a challenge for any addict. Going through Modafinil withdrawal is never an easy task, due to the strong symptoms experienced and the cravings for the drug. While going through withdrawal from Modafinil, both physical and psychological symptoms will be present, which is why it is important to have help with treatment and know what to expect. This will ensure that your Modafinil detox goes as smoothly as possible.
According to The US National Library Of Medicine, Modafinil is a drug used primarily to treat narcolepsy and keep the user awake and alert. However, the drug is often mistreated by those who wish to stay awake longer, perhaps to study or do several jobs in a day. This mistreatment of Modafinil often leads to addiction.
Addiction to Modafinil can be dangerous both physically and psychologically, so it is vital to get treatment and detox as soon as possible. Many people use the medication to get high on Provigil. Despite this, Modafinil withdrawal itself isn’t without its dangers. The Provigil detox process may be an arduous one, due to the severe Modafinil withdrawal symptoms you will go through. Withdrawal brings both physical and psychological symptoms of its own which can plague the individual with pains and mental challenges, that are difficult to overcome alone. This is why it is so important to get the most suitable treatment plan for you, where you may get the support you need.
Modafinil withdrawal symptoms can be both physical and psychological. However, both sets of withdrawal symptoms are equally difficult to deal with alone so you should always ensure you have the support you need.
Lack of concentration – The drug enhances concentration so when no longer taking it, it may become a challenge to keep focus.
Mood lows – This a standard feature in drugs that alter your brains chemicals.
Shortness of breath – Often down to the effect on your bodies heart rate, this is one of the more dangerous Provigil withdrawal symptoms.
Extreme Fatigue – Entirely down to a relapse. The drug is used to stay awake, and suddenly the body doesn’t have the drugs assistance to do that.
Depression – This is due to the drug providing specific antidepressive effects, and the sudden lack of them triggers a relapse.
Anxiety – Similar to depression, the extreme focus the drug provides permanently prohibits general fears and, the loss of the drug causes a relapse in this area.
Lack of energy – The body has adjusted to the effects of the drug and without it, you may suffer from a lack of energy as well as motivation.
Dreariness – This loss of the drug in your system can mean you steadily lose focus.
Constant desire to sleep – The original sleepiness may gradually return, not just because of relapse but down to the narcolepsy itself.
Modafinil detox is a tough process so many people like to know, how long does Modafinil withdrawal last? Modafinil withdrawal duration does vary slightly from person to person. However, there is a reasonable range to help gage how long a user will have to suffer withdrawal symptoms.
Most Modafinil withdrawal symptoms will show themselves within the first week of withdrawal, with most users being extremely fatigued during that period. Other users will merely return to their old symptoms of narcolepsy. The main issues with Modafinil withdrawal, is many of the symptoms are blurred in with a users reaction to no longer functioning with cognitive enhancement. This means it is difficult to understand when the withdrawal symptoms end. Despite this, it is believed that symptoms will begin to weaken after the first week and physical symptoms will continue no longer than four weeks. On the other hand, psychological symptoms may last a little while longer, especially if the user doesn’t receive any counseling or psychotherapy.
Withdrawal from Modafinil is often easier if the user decides to taper off from their usage. This means they gradually reduce their dosage to lessen the withdrawal symptoms. This is also a much safer way of withdrawing than going cold turkey, despite it taking longer in duration.
Starting treatment as soon as possible is vital in any drug recovery. Modafinil withdrawal treatment is no different. There are some drug treatment programs ready to treat you most suitably and effectively, from inpatient to outpatient treatment, as well as counseling and psychotherapy.
Treatment for Provigil withdrawal, whether it is completed as an inpatient or as an outpatient, will help you to stay clean and find effective ways of dealing with cravings and Modafinil side effects. Whether you benefit from supervision or freedom, there is an ideal program to efficiently detox and overcome Modafinil.
Once detox from Modafinil is completed, it is essential to stay on track with your recovery. For many Modafinil addicts, cravings for the drug will continue to a lesser degree and therefore still be an issue. This is why it is important to have techniques for dealing with cravings, as well as still attending therapy sessions. These sessions and techniques will help an individual to stay on track after their detox is complete, giving them for of a chance of staying sober. It is vital that you keep attending these sessions. If you do, life after Modafinil addiction will continue to improve, and you will feel the health benefits, especially neurologically.
If you are experiencing Modafinil withdrawal symptoms and you do not have the medical help you need then call our hotline at (888)-459-5511. We will aim to help you find a treatment center and program that is suited to your needs, to give you the care you desire.


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Computop, an international payment service provider has joined forces with ACI Worldwide, enabling merchants to accept online payments safely and securely.
The agreement enables the two firms to create an integrated online payments and fraud prevention solution.
Computop will be able to take advantage of ACI’s technology, including the ReD Shield, a card-not-present (CNP) fraud detection and prevention solution for ecommerce merchants.
The solution will allow retailers to see whether they are at risk against payment fraud, as well as analysing their online customer activity, helping them to combat fraud and increase conversion rates.
Computop is no stranger to forming partnerships. In July the payments provider entered into a partnership with Bitnet, a bitcoin payments processor, which will allow merchants to offer bitcoin as a payment method to customers.


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Future growth may be unsustainable without increased investment in skills and training at every level.
New research released today by Creative Skillset, the industry skills body for the screen-based creative industries, reveals the impact on the UK’s High-end television (HETV) production sector from the recent growth in FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google) and increased homegrown production activity.
The research shows that the UK production sector is enjoying a boom - driven by recent SVOD demand as well as increased high-end drama commissions from traditional broadcasters - fuelled by the government’s tax credit. However, there is widespread industry concern that future growth is unsustainable without increased investment in skills and training at every level, from trainees up to professional development for heads of department, writers, producers and directors.
Based on a survey of senior HETV production roles across the UK, the research backs Creative Skillset’s experience and activities over the last two years. It reveals a shortage in talent and skills across the whole of the UK, with some respondents saying infrastructure and crew levels in London are becoming unsustainable while the nations and regions are suffering from a perceived or actual lack of available talent.
The growth in HETV production, including international commissioning and investment from FAANG companies, has been driven in part by the government’s UK High-end Television Tax Relief for productions located in the UK. In return for receiving this tax credit, HETV producers pay a voluntary levy, administered by Creative Skillset, which funds skills training and professional development at all levels within the industry to enable sustainable growth.
Through its HETV Council and industry led working groups Creative Skillset has been working closely for the last two years with more than 50 senior members of the HETV production community - from freelancers to companies and guilds - to ensure the levy continues to be used to meet the demand for more skilled workers.
A new Skills Passport scheme being launched in 2018 offering a host of industry quality-stamped short courses suitable for freelancers, to enable those moving up quickly in their careers to acquire the required training and skills.
Widespread skills and talent shortages leading to delays in crewing up and much longer start up times for productions. 90% of those interviewed named at least one role in short supply. Roles mentioned the most were: production accountant, production co-ordinator, location manager, line producer, grip, script supervisor and trainees. As a result of these shortages, respondents said it is now more common to bring in crew from other areas, which can impact negatively on budgets; that they are increasingly compromising on skills and experience, for example taking the second or third best option. Half of all respondents said that people are stepping up into more senior roles earlier than their experience should allow, which can impact on health and safety.
Head of production: “If it remains this busy then everybody's going to continue to struggle until the next wave of people can come up through."
Line producer: “Whereas before it would have taken two weeks to pull everyone together, now it takes about five."
Crew are now much more readily jumping off productions early, and sometimes accepting a job and then leaving even before it’s started shooting. This seems to be nearly always a result of the chance of higher pay or longer contracts. Where in the past it happened less often and only in particular trades, it is now happening across departments and up to Head of Department level.
Line producer: “I’d say it’s happening more now – it never used to be like that, you’d never ever, ever, ever do that."
Production manager: “My last job -the whole costume team stayed, the make-up team stayed, the locations team stayed but by the end of the shoot there was only one member of an 8-person camera team left, none of the original grips – replacement grips got replaced and they got replaced again... they all went onto other jobs which were presumably either better paid or were longer contracts."
US productions (notably Netflix and Amazon work) are pushing up the level of expectations around rates of pay and crew are less inclined to drop back down. Some respondents suggest the increased use of budget needed for crew pay affects the money on screen.
Pact and BECTU’s agreement on pay and conditions is supported by Creative Skillset but it requires further engagement and action by the industry to train and skill up the next wave of talent and bring a more inclusive and wide-ranging pool of people into the business.
Line producer: “We are going to come to a point in this country where we price ourselves out of the market and that’s when I think things will fall over. We are rapidly approaching that."
It is fairly accepted by interviewees that crew shortages and skills gaps means considerations around diversity take more of a backseat at the moment.
Head of production: “You sort of have to end up throwing that [diversity] out of the window because you’re so desperate to get your crew."
Download Creative Skillsets' Skills Research Report (PDF).


text: By clicking the button, you will be raising Kielly to the first position on the main page for 60 seconds. During this time the model's chat room will become much more visible and incredibly popular! A notification about your action will appear in the chat, visible to the model and the other chat users. Kielly will be sure to appreciate this gesture and be immeasurably grateful to you!