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Regarding U/J: we don't see them doing anything anywhere, right? That leaves the question of the FF open too....Need me some more Chateautime!
oops - i meant we see them doing the DETOUR at around 1 35PM
I think the Uchenna & Joyce finish is after the Chas. I am going by the sunlight on the grass left of the Chas as they run in. In the U&J shot of the same area (use the tree branch to confirm) you can see that the sunshine is only on the tree tops and not on the grass. That is what happens as the sun gets right down to the horizon. So U&J's checkin time will be about 3:25 pm.
My bet is it's before since we see C/M doing the road block at around 1 35PM and in every episode this season it's been roadblock -> Detour ... i think
i'm excitedI see you've changed your guess on order of arrival again puddin! :hoppy
Hi guys, I'm newanyways what makes you guys so sure that the Warsaw pitstop is the second one, we haven't seen the Krakow pitstop(if there is one) maybe thats the real pitstop!
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For the Cubango samba school parade for Rio's 2011 Carnaval, several nice young ladies donned painted-on superheroine outfits...which is more or less how they look in the comics. I also love how Elektra's music in this segment is the theme song to Electra Woman and Dyna Girl and Storm's theme is from Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
You can watch more shameless cheesecake — including a body-painted Spiderwoman and She-Ra — over at Globo (sign-in required).
[Spotted on Bleeding Cool]

subset: commoncrawl


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Celts to the Creche: St. Hilda of Whitby
Celts to the Crèche: Day 2 November 17 St. Hilda of Whitby 613/614-November 17, 680 AD On this 2nd day of our pilgrimage with the Celts to the Crèche, we journey with St. HILDA (Hild) OF WHITBY. She was the Abbess of a … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged 40 day Celtic Advent devotional, Advent Devotional, Aethelburga, Anglo Saxon Saints, Anglo-Saxon church history, Barbara Yorke, Bede, Breguswith, Caedmon, Caedmon's Cross, Carla Nayland, Celtic Christianity, Celtic Saints, Celts to the Creche, Community of Aidan and Hilda, Diera, dugdale's monasticon, Ellerburn, Hackness, Hackness Cross, Hartlepool, Hereric, Hereswith, Hieu, Hild, Hilda, Hinderwell, King Edwin, Lindisfarne, Mary Earle, michelle p. brown, nicola griffith, Northumbria, Oedilburga, Old English Martyrology, Online Advent Devotional, ray simpson, Rhun, Sisters of the Holy Paraclete, sneaton castle, son of Urien, St. Aidan, St. Hilda, St. Hilda's Church South Shields, St. Hilda's Priory, St. Hilda's Way, St. HIlda's Well, St. Mary's Church, Strensall, Whitby, York Minster


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gamma-linolenic acid, GLA
Borage oil is mostly made of the essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid. It's needed for many body functions.
Borage oil has no proven medical uses.
There may be benefits that have not yet been proven through research.
The GLA from borage oil and other botanical oils may reduce inflammation. This may aid in arthritis. It may also reduce allergy symptoms. It may also help with atopic dermatitis.
Sources vary on the amount of borage oil you should use. This is likely due to the many issues it may treat. You should follow the directions on the package for the correct dose.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use borage oil.
GLA is said to be relatively safe. However, there are concerns that borage oil may be toxic. Evening primrose oil seems to be a safer source of GLA than borage oil.
Both borage oil and evening primrose oil may lower the seizure threshold. People who take anticonvulsant medicines should not take these oils. Some omega-6 fatty acids, such as GLA, may increase or decrease the effects of certain medicines. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking borage oil.
The combined essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) should make up 1 to 2 percent of your total caloric intake. The recommended ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids is 1:1 or 1:2. Because of the increased use of vegetable oil in the U.S., most American diets are closer to 1:20 to 1:30.
Borage oil contains about 18–26% GLA. Other plant oils also contain GLA. Evening primrose contains between 7–10%. Black currant oil contains 15–20%.
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The Old West went that-a-way
The East Coast editor wants me to tell her something new. Something nobody knows about the West. Something special. Something secret. I rack my brain. And, my ethics. What's left out here that's special needs to stay special. Our secrets need to be kept. Here's the piece I sent her. She turned it down. You be the judge.
You know the cowboy. The raw-boned guy from old western movies. He's staring off in the distance. Looking like a hawk. He's the portrait of the Real West, the place everybody wants to go.
I look at his picture in the Phoenix paper. The man gazes out toward the far horizon. But that horizon is not a bright, elegant line, where saguaro and desert meet big Western sky. Instead, red tile roofs stretch for miles. The desert is scraped raw. No saguaro or cholla anywhere. And the big sky is tinged dirty yellow with car exhaust.
This cowboy doesn't move cows. He is a guide for an Arizona trail-ride company, which has just decided to move its operation a dozen or so miles farther out. Because within the last few years, their customers began to see not blooming desert and clean blue sky, but highways and shopping malls and bulldozers. And there was the tourist who was nearly knocked out of her saddle by a ball from a nearby golf course.
When I was a kid, my dad would drive us on backcountry, upstate New York roads. Every weekend, he'd get lost and more often than not, when he finally gave in and asked for directions, a grinning local would tell him, "You can't get there from here."
The words haunt me when I think of the new Southwest, especially the state in which I live, in which a mountain lion is killed because some mountain lion or other swiped back when an unleashed dog attacked it. This on a trail on which dogs are supposed to be on leads.
And, a Phoenix zillionaire bankrolls a research company $2.3 million to find a way to clone his dog, and the researchers tell us that's ethically OK, because their work might enable them – someday – to clone endangered wild cats.
In my home state, you can find a Scottsdale resort spa that sells $125 facials and ships 26 basalt rocks weekly to Sedona to soak up healing energy from the vortices – and, you can find tens of thousands of kids without health insurance. You can buy an 8,000 square-foot house squatting on what was wildlife habitat and ask a local artist to design you a soft sculpture of native animals for the family room, just to give the place that Southwest feel.
You can watch the downtown of my hometown begin to die, store window after store window going blank, while absentee landlords jack up the rents so high that the only tenants they find are clone-tiques you can find anywhere in America.
You can see little family ranches fight for their lives, while the New Westerners buy thousand-dollar pre-faded denim outfits for the week they spend in their second-home mansions. You can ride your bike down 25 miles of hard dirt road and be side-swiped by a Lexus SUV flying American flags.
Survive that and find a fifth-wheel trailer as big as a two-bedroom bungalow squatted at the trailhead, generator roaring, satellite dish in place, the chill light of a television glowing behind the computerized blinds.
You can eat tasteless Mexican food in a thousand Taco Clones, or chipotle chili sushi and javelina menudo for a hundred bucks a plate. Buy a $600 hand-crafted blackberry beer in a former mining town whose lowest rentals now start at eight hundred bucks for a studio.
And, you can drop your Social Security check in casinos that call gambling gaming, and compulsion fun. Welcome to the New Southwest.
The Real West? The cowboy gazing out over a landscape that is an endless web of real life and real death? The little downtown alive with local business? The tribe living connected with the earth? The lion with more habitat than it needs? The desert clear as the big sky above? Sorry, folks, you can't get there from here anymore. From anywhere. The nearest is that old western on your TV.
Mary Sojourner is a contributor to Writers on the Ranger, a service of High Country News in Paonia, Colo. (hcn.org). She writes in Flagstaff, Ariz.
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MINI Cooper Clubman Expert Review
- Underfloor storage compartment
- Automatic swing-open rear barn doors
- Excellent steering
- Barn doors limit rear visibility
- Side half-door feels clunky
- Road noise
It appears that there's a Mini for just about everyone, and the Clubman is for those who still want the Mini charm, but with extra space to accommodate for their more active lifestyle.
Compared to the base Mini hatch, the Clubman is roughly 9.3 inches longer and a couple hundred pounds heftier. But the extra junk in the trunk translates to 9.2 cu-ft of space in the rear with the seats up and 32.8 cu-ft with the back seats folded flat -- respectable for a brand that prides itself on miniature dimensions. Unlike other Minis, the Clubman also has a handy underfloor storage compartment perfect for stowing valuables you want kept out of sight. Despite its added dimensions, the Clubman retains all the "go-kart-like handling" characteristics that make Minis so enjoyable to drive. Barn doors swing outward to provide access to the rear cargo area, while a hidden half-door on the passenger side makes ingress and egress easier for rear passengers. Like all other Minis, the Clubman is available with a 1.6-liter engine that puts out 121 hp, which is turbocharged on Clubman S models to produce 181 hp. Top-trim John Cooper Works models not only come with visual upgrades, but also more juice from the turbocharged engine, putting out 208 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. All Clubman models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic is optional.
In a late 2012 two-way comparison between the Clubman S and the Hyundai Veloster Turbo, the Clubman S was the favorite. "But the Clubman takes the Veloster to school in the real world. Quicker and more consistent in testing, more adept at communication, and compassionate at the gas pump (30.5 observed mpg to the Hyundai's 25.2), the Mini skillfully handled mountain roads, city streets, and the highway patrol with authority and expert steering." The endless customization options are also a bonus, but beware, because the options can make the Clubman one pricey ride.
Bluetooth is now standard while satellite radio is optional. A new premium package for the Clubman includes a panoramic sunroof, automatic wipers and climate control. JCW models can now be paired with an optional six-speed automatic.
- Hyundai Veloster
- Ford Focus
- Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
- MazdaSpeed3
More practical Mini


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From rafting to swimming, snorkelling and diving, here's a few of our favourite water-based holidays around the world.
Surfing at Raglan, New Zealand
Don't be surprised if you to come to the beach town of Raglan and stay for longer than intended. Many do. Experienced surfers are drawn by the reliable swells and one of the world's longest left-hand breakers, while beginners are seduced by the laid-back Bohemian atmosphere and their first taste of the addictive surfing thrill.
The town hugs the south side of the large and picturesque Raglan Harbour, 48km west of Hamilton in Waikato. Fresh-faced surfers go in search of gentle waves at the rock-free Ngarunui Beach, 5km out of Raglan, while the more experienced boarders head to the long breakers at Manu Bay and Whale Bay, both around 8km out of town.
Surfing lessons are provided by Raglan Surfing School and Solscape, who both rent boards and wet suits and provide a range of deals, from day-long starter lessons to accommodation-inclusive packages. Raglan Surfing School is based at Karioi Lodge in Whale Bay and has all the usual surfing facilities, including hammocks (of course), flat-screen TVs and hot tubs. But if you're after a more back-to-nature experience you're better off staying at Solscape, based at Manu Bay, which has an eclectic mix of accommodation ranging from tipis to recycled railway carriages and self-contained eco-cottages.
For prices, reservations and lessons at Raglan Surfing School see www.raglansurfingschool.co.nz.
Rafting the Franklin River, Tasmania
© Taras Vyshnya/Shutterstock
If there's a textbook method to psych up rafters for a ten-day expedition on one of the wildest white-water rollercoasters on Earth, the sign where you launch into the Franklin River isn't it. "Warning!" it shouts at the handful of adventurers who dare to tackle the west Tasmanian gorge on their own. "Several people have died on this river system." It catalogues the reasons for their aquatic ends before concluding: "Not sure of your abilities? Do not go on."
It's at this point that you should become aware that the safe option is to tackle the rapids as part of a group and turn to the guides of Rafting Tasmania. While solo paddlers may be at risk, they say, all it takes to embark on one of the world's supreme rafting adventures as a team is determination and moderate fitness.
It's not all white-knuckle water rides, though. Beyond the helter-skelter of the upper and middle sections, the tannin-stained Lower Franklin becomes a dark treacly ribbon. It's a chance to absorb surrounding rainforest that's thicker than the Amazon; a pristine pocket of the world where 4,000-year-old Huon pines line riverbanks and company comes from the occasional platypus or glow-worms that stage a lightshow at dusk.
Rafting Tasmania (www.raftingtasmania.com) runs ten-day expeditions down the length of the river, plus shorter trips from the river's lower sections from Nov–March.
Wild swimming in the Scilly Isles
© Stephen Rees/Shutterstock
Like camping, outdoor swimming has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. Urbanites are flocking back to lidos – a halfway house between indoor swimming pools and the great outdoors. There's now an Outdoor Swimming Society, whose founder has recently published a book that lists many of the best places to swim outdoors in the UK.
You can even go on a dedicated swimming holiday with professionals. Swimtrek (www.swimtrek.com) organizes holidays in the Scilly Isles and the Scottish Inner Hebrides as well as overseas, including Croatia and Greece. In each destination you'll swim several kilometres a day across lakes, rivers and sea under the eye of an experienced guide. For a taste of their holidays, try a weekend "short escape" in the Norfolk Broads, the River Wye or the Lake District, where you'll swim the dramatic Western Lakes of Crummock Water and Buttermere, and spend a full day crossing the isolated, picturesque Easedale Tarn.
Snorkelling around Chumbe Island, Zanzibar
In the turquoise waters around Chumbe Island Coral Park, 6km off the west coast of Zanzibar, there are around four hundred species of fish and two hundred species of stone coral. Quite simply, this tropical island nature reserve is home to one of the world's richest coral gardens.
On day-trips to the reserve from Zanzibar, you can follow snorkelling trails along Chumbe Island's shallow reef (fishing and scuba diving are prohibited in the reserve's waters, though you can dive neighbouring reefs). Though there are no beaches as such, it's possible to walk all around it at low tide, when you can poke around rock pools for crabs and starfish.
But the best thing about Chumbe is that you can stay the night on the island in beautifully designed bandas (two-tiered bungalows) with thatched palm roofs. Rainwater is collected and stored in cisterns under the floors of the bandas, where it's heated by solar power to feed the showers and basins. The clever design of the roofs ensures that there's plenty of ventilation – though you can detach a removable side-wall to allow natural sea breezes to waft in.
For prices and bookings see www.chumbeisland.com.
Diving in Mnazi Bay Marine Park, Tanzania
Southern Tanzania is the place to go if you're looking for unspoilt reefs. Marine biologist and conservationist Martin Guard runs a PADI centre in the quiet fishing village of Mikindani in Mtwara, from where he takes divers to the 200-square-kilometre Mnazi Bay Marine Park – a little-visited protected area full of coral and fish species. You're likely to see large turtles and giant groupers as well as channel and patch reefs, spectacular drop-offs and extensive spur and groove formations.
Accommodation is next door to the centre at Ten Degrees South – an English-owned rustic retreat with a bar and seafood restaurant staffed by locals. The dive centre also doubles as a marine research and environmental education centre. A levy of US$1 from every dive goes to a fund for the local Naida community, while US$10 is taken from each diver's daily fee to help the marine park authorities keep this untouched area pristine and ensure the diving remains world-class.
For prices, reservations and details of the research volunteer programme see www.eco2.com.
Surfing at Nihiwatu, Indonesia
Seventy metres from the shoreline the wave breaks, a lone surfer skillfully riding it in. Known as Occy's Left – after the former surfing champion Mark Occhilupo – this particular wave has achieved legendary status; all the more so because so few get to surf it. The reason for this is Nihiwatu, a luxury resort located here on the remote island of Sumba in Bali. Made up of just seven bungalows and three villas, the resort overlooks its own private beach (accessible only to residents), and while it has room for up to twenty guests, it will only allow nine surfers to stay at any one time.
Everything at Nihiwatu has been designed to maximize the feeling of exclusivity and luxury: the 2km beach is hemmed in by cliffs and headlands, while the spa, built in the style of a traditional Sumba spirit-house, offers massages, yoga and Pilates. If you want to intersperse the relaxation with action, the resort also organizes game-fishing, horse-riding and day-trips to meet Sumba's indigenous people.
For accommodation, dining, prices and reservations see nihi.com.
Boating the Bolongs, Senegal
For many years civil war kept outsiders from visiting Basse Casamance, a fertile strip of southwestern Senegal. It's a shame, as despite its recent troubles, and the ongoing presence of the army for reasons of security, the region is a tropical idyll unspoiled by mass tourism. One of the big draws is the bolongs – river tributaries with mangroves growing on small islands, which create a network of green tunnels. Birds build their nests in the mangroves' branches, oysters grow in their roots and fish flourish in this submarine ecosystem.
On the week-long "Villages, Bolongs and Beaches" trip through the region with Help Travel, your journey starts in Ziguinchor, a multicultural harbour town where you can watch stevedores hauling crates of mangoes and bananas onto boats in the port. You'll then head east along the river on a handcrafted canoe, piloted by a local guide, past flocks of flamingos and stands of purple jacaranda. On occasions you'll stop for a visit to rural villages where, thanks to the many community development programmes that Help Travel undertakes, you and your local guides will be greeted like friends.
For details of itineraries, lodging and rates, and to customize your own itinerary, visit www.helptravel.org.
Rafting in Colombia
Colombia has a reputation as the world's cocaine supplier but now another white stuff is also making headlines: water. Rafting and other adventure sports have taken off in places such as the Chicamocha canyon – and now a new venture in the north, near the Caribbean coast, takes you on a joyride down torrents of snowmelt from the world's tallest coastal mountain range, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
After spending several years living with the indigenous Koguis people and poor communities of this area, anthropologist Fernando Tovar encouraged youths of the village of Don Diego, a scruffy roadside settlement, to help themselves out of the poverty trap. They saved up to buy three inflatable kayaks and Tovar organized some professional guiding training. Now tourism plays a key part in the local economy, with visitors coming to be led downriver for a couple of hours and then hiking up through cassava plantations and villages, past areas where coca once grew. The river is most exhilarating from September to November; from December to August there are a few small rapids but it is largely a leisurely float past tree-lined shores, where indigenous Koguis people come to fish and wash clothes.
From the town of Santa Marta, take a bus to Don Diego (1hr) or arrange transport from your posada. Life jackets are provided, though you should have at least basic swimming ability.


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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's
Regular Press Conference on January 8, 2018
Q: It is reported that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed a strong will to improve relations with China in his new year speech delivered in Tokyo on January 5. Yoshihide Suga, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, also said in an interview that as Japan-China ties improve gradually, the year 2018 presents the best opportunity. He hopes that mutual trust could be enhanced through stronger economic ties and people-to-people exchanges. What is China's response to these positive remarks on China-Japan relations?
A: We have noted these positive remarks made by Japanese leaders and senior officials. In the new year, we hope that Japan could work with China, strictly abide by the four political documents between the two sides and the four-point principled agreement, and seize the opportunity presented by the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty to create favorable conditions for all-around exchanges and cooperation and work for the improvement and development of China-Japan relations.
Q: I was wondering if you could give us any more updates on the oil tanker situation off the coast of the East China Sea and the search and rescue efforts? Any more information about people rescued?
A: My colleague already made a response to the accident over the weekend, as you may have all noticed. China's Transportation Ministry has also released relevant information.
The latest development is that at 10:30 this morning, the body of one crew member, whose identity is still pending verification, was found at the scene by the Chinese side.
The Chinese government attaches high importance to this maritime disaster, and has dispatched many vessels to assist in the search and rescue efforts. Despite the harsh sea conditions and poor weather, the Chinese government is going all out to carry out search and rescue work. Some of the crew were rescued, but many remain missing. The Chinese side has also sent specialized cleaning vessels to prevent secondary disasters. The cause of this disaster is still under investigation. We appreciate the assistance offered by the relevant countries. We will keep you updated.
Q: Do you have information about how compensation agreements might be reached? What's sort of processes is to be gone through in order to work out who is compensated and how?
A: As I just said, the cause of the accident is still being investigated. You can only move on to the issue of compensation after the cause of the accident is established. What is imperative at the moment is stepping up efforts for search and rescue,which is exactly what the Chinese government has been doing since the accident happened. At the same time, no time should be wasted in carry out the cleansing work.
Q: According to the UNSC Resolution 2375 and the requirements previously set out by the Chinese government, all DPRK companies in China, either joint ventures or sole investments, must close by January 9. How will China enforce this decision?
A: In the notice put up by China's Commerce Ministry and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce on September 28, 2017, stipulations are made on the closure of the DPRK businesses under the UNSC Resolution 2375. As a permanent member of the Security Council, China always strictly implements the Security Council resolutions and fulfills its due responsibilities. You may take another close look at the notice.
Q: Yesterday, a White House official said China could play a role in convincing Pakistan for dismantling terrorist safe havens. And he also said Washington is seeking to work with Beijing and other regional players to prevail on Islamabad to act on whatever President Trump prompts most recently. China has been defending Pakistan in recent weeks. In light of this, will China be cooperating with America to convince Pakistan to crack down on terrorists in Pakistan?
A: Terrorism is a common enemy for all mankind, and fighting against it needs the collective efforts of the international community. China consistently opposes linking terrorism with any specific country, nor approves shifting the whole responsibility onto one specific country. We have said many times that Pakistan has made important contributions as well as enormous sacrifices to the fight against terrorism. Pakistan deserves full acknowledgement from the international community on its counter-terrorism efforts. All countries shall enhance counter-terrorism cooperation and benefit from synergy while bearing in mind mutual respect and equality, rather than hurling accusations and pressurizing upon each other which works against the international community cooperating effectively against terrorism.
You said that China has been defending Pakistan. The thing is we are rightfully defending all countries that are doing their bit against terrorism, not just Pakistan.
You also asked whether we would cooperate with the US. Like I said, China supports and actively participates in the international counter-terrorism cooperation that is built on mutual respect and equality.
Q: First, French President Macron is in China. What is China's outlook for the China-France relations? Second, the ROK and the DPRK are about to hold a high-level meeting. What is China's comment?
A: On your first question, President Macron is now on his tour in Xi'an. He will arrive in Beijing this afternoon, which is the most important leg of his state visit upon invitation of President Xi Jinping.
As for our take on how China-France relations will develop through President Macron's visit, France was the first major country in the west to establish ambassadorial diplomatic ties with the new China. That important historic decision made by Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle was truly a visionary one. History has proven that the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France has played an important role in making international relations more sound and democratic. Overall, China-France relations have been growing smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic ties. In recent years, the China-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been developing at a high standard and in a sound and steady way, with all-around cooperation yielding one outcome after another.
President Macron is the first foreign head of state China receives in the year 2018, and also the first head of state of a EU member state to visit China after China's 19th CPC Congress. This is also President Macron's first state visit to China after assuming office. We believe that this visit is significant for the China-France and China-Europe relations in the new era. The Chinese leaders are also looking forward to having an in-depth exchange of views with President Macron on the next steps to move forward China-France relations in the new era as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern. We believe that this visit will serve to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two heads of state, enhance political mutual trust and strategic communication between two sides, and further boost bilateral relations and all-around practical cooperation so as to bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples and contribute to the development of China-Europe ties.
Regarding your second question, we've all been following the recent positive evolvement of the Korean Peninsula situation. We keep reiterating our position for quite some time. As a close neighbor to the Peninsula, China welcomes and supports these positive moves made by the DPRK and the ROK towards easing their bilateral relations. We also hope that all relevant parties of the international community could lend their support to sustain such positive momentum and work together to find a good way to ease tension, enhance mutual trust, and resume dialogue and consultation.
China has been working tirelessly and making positive and constructive efforts for the settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue. Keeping a close eye on the Korean Peninsula situation, we will continue with our efforts to promote peace talks.
Q: There've been reports that President Macron has brought a horse as a gift to China. Can you confirm it?
A: President Macron just arrived at Xi'an this morning where he kicked off his visit in China. He will arrive in Beijing this afternoon, which is the most important leg of his state visit.
President Macron's visit to China upon invitation of President Xi Jinping is a significant one. The two sides all attach great importance to it. Our two teams have been working closely together for the same goal, which is to ensure the success of this visit, a visit we believe will further elevate China-France ties.
Your information is correct. President Macron gave a horse to President Xi Jinping as a state gift. We really appreciate this friendly gesture.
Q: Some DPRK companies may continue with their operations in China through equity transfer or other means. How can China make sure that such things will not happen?
A: First, all the DPRK-related resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council and the sanctions mechanisms set up by it were built upon thorough discussions among the Security Council members, with relatively detailed stipulations. The purpose of these stipulations is to ensure that the sanctions mechanisms get implemented effectively.
Second, like I said before, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has been strictly implementing all resolutions adopted by the Security Council, including the one you mentioned. And we also have in place a set of functional mechanisms and practices to ensure that relevant resolutions are carried out effectively.
Third, as is the case with all other countries, if some loopholes in the export control or in the execution of domestic laws and regulations are proven with solid facts to exist, China will strictly deal with them in accordance with law.
This morning, we officially unveiled the WeChat official account of the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Office. Many friends sent their congratulations through the WeChat platform the minute they became followers of our account. We want to thank them for their support. We already put up the account's QR code at the entrance of the Blue Room, and if you are interested, you can scan it and become a follower. We look forward to seeing you in our WeChat family.
We will update to the WeChat offcial account the latest remarks and statements from the Foreign Ministry's Spokespersons on major diplomatic events and foreign policies. As Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in his congratulatory message, this WeChatofficial account serves as a window, enabling people at home and abroad who care about China's diplomacy to keep tabs on China's interactions with the rest of the world and keep informed of the latest development in China's diplomacy. We will do our best to make the WeChat official account a characteristic and efficient one so as to garner more understanding and support for the major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
Due to scheduling reasons, tomorrow's regular press conference (January 9) will start earlier at 14:30 p.m. at the same venue.


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Quentin Bacon
It's very important to use small oysters — such as Kumamoto or Prince Edward Island — in this soup. The oysters themselves (not the shell) should be no more than 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. When we tested the recipe with larger ones, the flavor was much too briny.
- Yield
- Makes 8 servings (about 11 cups)
- For fried leeks
- 2 large leeks (white and pale green parts only), trimmed
- 4 cups vegetable oil
- For soup
- 1 1/2 cups shucked small oysters (6 dozen) with 1 1/2 cups of their liquor (if necessary, add enough bottled clam juice to bring total to 1 1/2 cups)
- 2 medium leeks (white and pale green parts only), chopped
- 2 large russet (baking) potatoes (1 pound total)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup half-and-half
- Pinch of cayenne
- Special Equipment
- a deep-fat thermometer
- Fry leeks:
- Cut leeks crosswise into 2-inch lengths, then cut lengthwise into enough very thin strips to measure 2 cups. Wash leek strips in a bowl of cold water, agitating them, then lift out and pat dry.
- Heat oil in a deep 4-quart heavy saucepan until it registers 360°F on thermometer. Fry leeks in 8 batches, stirring, until golden, about 10 seconds per batch. Transfer as fried with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Cool completely (leeks will crisp as they cool).
- Make soup:
- Pick over oysters, discarding any bits of shell, and rinse well. Wash chopped leeks in a bowl of cold water, agitating them, then lift out and drain well. Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Cook leeks, potatoes, and salt in butter in a 4-quart heavy saucepan, covered, over low heat, stirring occasionally, until leeks are golden and potatoes are beginning to soften, about 15 minutes. Add water and simmer, covered, over moderate heat until potatoes are very tender, about 10 minutes. Purée soup in batches in a blender until very smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids), transferring to a bowl.
- Return soup to saucepan. Add oyster liquor and half-and-half and bring to a simmer over moderate heat, stirring occasionally (do not boil). Add oysters and cayenne and cook, stirring occasionally, just until oysters become plump and edges curl, about 3 minutes. Season with salt.
- Serve soup topped with fried leeks.
Cooks' notes:
·Fried leeks can be made 3 days ahead and kept in a sealed plastic bag at room temperature.
·Soup base (without oyster liquor, half-and-half, oysters, and cayenne) can be made 2 days ahead and cooled, uncovered, then chilled, covered.
·Soup base (without oyster liquor, half-and-half, oysters, and cayenne) can be made 2 days ahead and cooled, uncovered, then chilled, covered.


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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- An Iowa Farm Bureau program designed to teach children about agriculture is opening the process for teachers to apply for grant money.
The Teacher Supplement Grant program was established in 2003 and this year will award $200 to teachers in language arts and science who develop classroom programs that help students learn about agriculture.
Farm Bureau has awarded nearly $100,000 to teachers in the last three years of the grant program.
The organization says with one of six Iowa jobs related, indirectly or directly, to agriculture, there's a great need to bring creative agriculture education to Iowa's elementary students to help them understand how farming is part of their everyday lives.
Teachers are encouraged to incorporate lessons of food safety, seed genetics, and environmental practices in their current curriculum.


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Wall Street Links
Bain Capital was just the beginning. Expect the Obama campaign to drive hard at pointing out Romney's extensive campaign contributions from, and personal associations with, the financial sector. Also, expect such criticisms to largely fall flat.
The Obama campaign's emphasis on Romney's history at Bain did not prevent Romney's poll numbers from rising in late May while the subject was widely discussed. Possibly, the line of attack even worked to Romney's benefit by highlighting his business experience and spurring counterclaims that President Obama is anti-business.
Public displeasure with the financial sector has run high since the 2008 crisis and accompanying bailouts. Such sentiment fed into the Tea Party movement and was central to the Occupy Wall Street movement. Neither of those movements, however, retains the popular enthusiasm of its early phase. Whereas the Tea Party registered a strong impact on the 2010 elections before losing momentum, Occupy has declined without a clear record of tangible political effects.
Romney has far outpaced Obama in raising campaign funds from donors in financial-services industries. Figures through end-April compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics showed Romney had received $8.1 million in campaign donations from the securities and investment industry, compared to $2.7 million for Obama. A broader measure of contributions from the finance, insurance and real estate sector put Romney at $19.1 million compared to Obama's $8.4 million.
Such disparities will provide material for the Obama campaign in depicting Romney as close to Wall Street. Yet such portrayals seem to be already accepted by the public and their significance discounted. In a May ABC News/Washington Post poll, a 56-32% majority said Romney would do more than Obama "to advance the economic interests of financial institutions." The same poll showed Romney edging Obama 47-46% in being trusted to do a better job "handling the economy."
Regulatory Simmering
Formally, Obama and Romney have vastly different positions on financial regulation. For the president, Dodd-Frank was a signature legislative achievement. For the challenger, Dodd-Frank was a bad package and should be repealed. However, arguments between the two campaigns over the regulatory overhaul are likely to be fairly muted.
There are diverse reasons for this. One is that the subject involves many technicalities that would fail to generate public excitement. A discussion of a uniform fiduciary standard, for example, is unlikely to occur during the presidential debates.
Moreover, delving into Dodd-Frank could require awkward side-stepping for both candidates. Obama would have to parry criticisms that the legislation failed to safeguard against future bailouts of too-big-to-fail institutions. Romney would have to provide some specifics as to what he would put in Dodd-Frank's place (or else face complaints that he merely wants to return to the pre-crisis status quo).
Possibly, despite such considerations, financial regulation will indeed be a high-profile topic in the presidential race. In that case, the campaigns may seek to gain the upper hand by presenting major new policy proposals. For instance, Obama might call for a broad restoration of Glass-Steagall restrictions; Romney might opt for a "downsize the banks" strategy of limits or fees on asset size, as has been urged by some conservative analysts such as James Pethokoukis of the American Enterprise Institute.
However, both campaigns seem to be betting that financial rulemaking is not a particularly valuable issue for them (besides any concern that presenting detailed plans would limit future presidential freedom of action in the event of electoral victory). As campaign season heats up, don't expect to hear very much about financial regs.
Elizabeth Who?
The Obama campaign is likely to forego a high-visibility association with Elizabeth Warren's campaign for a U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts. Warren's potential to energize the liberal Democratic base initially would have been attractive to the Obama camp. However, controversy over her past identification as a Native American diminishes the upside of featuring Warren prominently for the president's campaign.
The Romney campaign, too, might be reluctant to engage on Warren-related matters, as Massachusetts seems to rank low in the former governor's strategy, both as a place to devote campaign efforts this year and as an area of his record on which to focus.
The Norquist Factor
Conservative activist Grover Norquist, head of Americans for Tax Reform, has had broad success in getting Republican politicians to sign his group's pledge to oppose any tax hikes (including any closing of loopholes not matched by tax rate reductions). Mitt Romney signed the pledge, as did all the other GOP primary hopefuls except Jon Huntsman. Almost all Republicans in the House, and most in the Senate, have signed it.
The pledge has received some resistance recently, with small but growing numbers of GOP legislative candidates declining to sign it, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush dismissing it as a way to "outsource your principles." Moreover, Norquist may have overreached with statements in recent months suggesting the next GOP president would not set an agenda but rather passively sign bills pushed by the Republican caucus.
Expect Romney to distance himself from Norquist to bolster his appeal to the center. Given Romney's cautious style, this probably will not involve an overt break (or "Sister Souljah moment" as such repudiations have been known since Bill Clinton criticized a controversial activist in 1992). Rather, look for proxy criticisms of Norquist by Romney supporters; Jeb Bush's statement may have been a trial run for this effort.
Ohio Showdown
The Obama and Romney campaigns are both sure to pour resources into the swing state of Ohio. For Romney, winning the election would be extremely difficult without Ohio's 18 electoral votes. Ohio's electoral importance is a factor in growing speculation that Sen. Rob Portman, the state's junior senator, will be Romney's running mate. In early June, the Intrade prediction market ranked Portman the top contender for the veep slot, giving him a 27% chance, while Florida Sen. Marco Rubio came in second at 22%.
Expect the Obama campaign to emphasize signs of economic recovery in Ohio, such as the state's unemployment rate dropping from highs over 10% in mid-2010 to the 7.5% range this year. Expect the Romney camp to riposte that most of that drop occurred after Republican Gov. John Kasich took office in January 2011.
The Key Number
The national unemployment rate, which ticked up to 8.2% in May, will be an extremely closely watched number over the course of the presidential campaign. The October figure will be released on Nov. 2, the Friday before the Tuesday that is Election Day. If that number is 8% or above, and especially if it moves upward, expect the Obama campaign to spend those last few days emphasizing other issues. If that number is below 8%, and especially if it moves downward, expect the Romney campaign to do the same.


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SEATTLE (AP) — Jeff Call knew he was pushing the envelope when he started letting people use marijuana at his rum-and-pizza joint in Tacoma.
But he didn't quite know the extent of what he was in for: the governor's office demanding state regulators do something about it, local authorities revoking his business license, and his insurance company dropping his liability policy — developments that threaten to sink his 3-year-old establishment even as he vows to fight them.
"The screws are coming down from all over," says Call, owner of Stonegate Pizza. "But we're open. Everything is still the same."
Washington and Colorado last fall became the first states to legalize marijuana for adults over 21. Both ban the public use of marijuana — which typically would include bars and restaurants — and most bars are steering clear of allowing pot use at least until officials come up with rules for the new weed industry.
But the Stonegate and a few others have been testing the boundaries in hopes of drumming up business and making a political statement.
Call, 48, allows a medical marijuana dispensary to use space on the second floor of his brick, two-story establishment as a "vape bar," where people can use devices that "vaporize" marijuana, or heat it without burning it. That's a way to get around the state smoking ban.
The upstairs bar is set up as a private club, with a nominal fee for membership — an attempt to get around the ban on public use of pot.
Medical marijuana patients can buy hits of potent marijuana oil, but everyone else has to bring their own pot and then rent a vaporizer — an effort to evade the ban on non-licensed marijuana sales to recreational users.
Soon after an Associated Press story featured Call's bar last month, Gov. Jay Inslee's staff instructed the state's Liquor Control Board, which is devising rules for the new marijuana industry, to do something about it. The board responded by announcing that it would draft rules to require establishments with liquor licenses to ban marijuana use on site. Officials are concerned about people mixing marijuana and alcohol, especially if they're going to be driving home.
Inslee spokesman David Postman also said it's important to crack down on such establishments to demonstrate to other states, as well as the U.S. Justice Department, that Washington is implementing its new law responsibly. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and the DOJ hasn't decided whether to sue in an effort to prevent the legal pot sales from ever happening.
"The law is clear on the prohibition on the consumption of marijuana in public," Postman said. "From what the Liquor Control Board tells us, that's exactly what this is."
The governor wasn't the only one concerned.
Tacoma officials sent a letter on April 9 revoking Call's business license for violating the city's nuisance ordinance, which bans marijuana gardens, dispensaries and "any place other than a private residence where cannabis is smoked or ingested."
Call filed an appeal Thursday, a day before he had been ordered to close his doors. He can continue to operate during the appeal.
His attorneys, Douglas Hiatt and Aaron Pelley, say they plan to challenge the city's nuisance ordinance. They say such local laws are barred by the state and federal Controlled Substances Acts, and cannot ban activity that is legal under state law, as they argue Call's business is.
Call is also in the market for new liability insurance, after Western Heritage Insurance Co. notified him it was canceling his policy effective May 14.
Frankie Schnarr, the owner of Frankie's Sports Bar and Grill in Olympia, another bar that allows marijuana use in a private room, is in the same boat after Western canceled his policy, too.
Call, who says his wife died of cancer 14 years ago and who lost his home to foreclosure as he tried to keep the Stonegate afloat, doesn't know how he'll pay for his legal representation. He plans some fundraisers at the bar.
"I have no idea what the road looks like for me," he said. "But it's not going to be a short road."
Johnson can be reached at https://twitter.com/GeneAPseattle


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The epic battle between the grumpy bunch of flightless birds and the crafty green pigs reaches the next level in this sequel to the hit 2016 film.


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This pamphlet provides a brief description of the medical imaging procedure selective nerve root block (SNRB) including information on who will be performing procedure?, prior to procedure instructions, what happens during procedure?, will it hurt?, how long it will take?, risks or complications, what happens afterwards?, follow-up instructions and information on who to contact if experiencing problems. A selective nerve root block, sometimes called a nerve block, is a procedure used to find out the cause of nerve root pain in the low back, leg, neck, or upper back. It is also used to help relieve pain. (English) Colour
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Fourth Edition
[Incorporating Declaration 44, amendments of Article 74.7.3, with effect from 31 December 1999
and the Amendment on e-publication, amendments to Articles 8, 9, 10, 21 and 78, with effect from 1 January 2012]
adopted by the
International Union of Biological Sciences
The provisions of this Code supersede those of the previous editions with effect from 1 January 2000
The author of this Code is the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
Editorial Committee
W.D.L. Ride, Chairman
H.G. Cogger
C. Dupuis
O. Kraus
A. Minelli
F. C. Thompson
P.K. Tubbs
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise), without the prior written consent of the publisher and copyright holder.
Published by
The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature 1999
c/o The Natural History Museum - Cromwell Road - London SW7 5BD - UK
© International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature 1999


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Wine based Crossover 9.2 now brings Civilization 5 support to the Mac and Linux. Crossover runs flawlessly with Civilization under Snow Leopard and with some minor flaws under Leopard. Prices Crossover Standard (incl. updates for 6mths): 37€ Crossover Professional (incl. updates for 12 mths and incl. Crossover Games) : 64€ Aspyr will release a native […]
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[MacOS] Codeweavers' Crossover Now With Civilization 5 Support
October 22nd, 2010 J. ΞPSTΞÏN


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Texas on the Potomac regularly shares with you the work of some of Hearst Newspapers' best columnists. Today, we are pleased to share with you this commentary by San Antonio Express-News columnist O. Ricardo Pimentel.
First there were the mutant 2011 maps, which stank to high heaven.
Then there were the somewhat improved maps.
A federal court in San Antonio allowed them because there was a pesky 2012 state primary election looming. Moreover, the U.S. Supreme Court had slapped down earlier court maps.
Now, these "new and improved" maps, by my nose, were still redolent with the sour bouquet of discrimination but were actually used in real life elections. Slight variations of these are now known as the 2013 maps because Attorney General Greg Abbott and Gov. Rick Perry rushed the Legislature to enact them in one of its three special sessions this year.
Now we see why. Challenges to the state's maps are meritless, Texas says in a court document, because there was no damage done. Those 2011 maps no longer exist. Look! We have new 2013 maps!
Texas misses the point. The damage is that the state violated the Constitution in enacting those maps in 2011 in the first place. And, as 2011 isn't ancient history, this amounts to a current, intentionally discriminatory act that demands relief because it proves the case that Texas is unreformed and unrepentant of its discriminating ways.
Now, a case could become moot if there is no credible remedy available. But there is here.
The Supreme Court recently ruled that the coverage formula in the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional. But it left intact the section of the act that allowed preclearance.
Preclearance means a jurisdiction, because of past discrimination, has to get its changes to voting laws approved by the Justice Department or a federal court.
The relief here is to "bail in" Texas to preclearance — not under the now unconstitutional Section 4, but the rarely used Section 3.
And that is precisely what the Justice Department and those groups still challenging redistricting seek. They say, and the evidence demonstrates, that Texas cannot be trusted and shouldn't be until it proves it can be.
Again, in my book, the 2013 maps don't shout out trustworthiness, but these groups are not asking for new maps. First they are looking to amend their original complaints to adjust to the Supreme Court's ruling. Then they are seeking preclearance, which will have the effect of the state trying to prove that its 2013 maps — and voter ID, by the way — are not discriminatory.
And Texas is reluctant to go there and not just because of states rights. There's a record.
Another federal court in D.C. said, in the case of the state's 2011 congressional maps, that the court had been "provided more evidence of discriminatory intent than (it had) space, or need, to address." It found the same tomfoolery in the state House maps.
On voter ID, another panel of judges found the law would adversely affect minorities.
Translated: Texas, you knew precisely whom you were shafting.
The state has a different take. It was shafting Democrats not minorities (who just happen to vote disproportionately Democrat). And partisan shafting, it says, is perfectly constitutional.
But if a person knows the consequences of what he's doing… Knows precisely the race, ethnicity and voting habits of the people disproportionately affected… In fact, has to move specific people in and out of districts who don't look, think or vote like the people drawing the lines, then this isn't just a matter of bad luck/happenstance.
It is as coincidental as a boot planted firmly on the neck.


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Bone meal is made from defatted, dried animal bones that are ground to a fine powder. It's a mineral supplement. It's high in calcium and phosphorus. There are many safer and better forms of calcium supplements on the market. Bone meal is used for fertilizer and animal feed.
Bone meal is used as a source of calcium, phosphorus, and trace elements.
Calcium makes up the mineral content of your bones and teeth. You need it for muscle contraction, nerve transmission, blood clotting, making hormones, and many other reasons. Calcium also improves the stability of cell membranes. It also helps nutrients and other substances pass in and out of cells.
You need phosphorus for cell growth. It's also needed to help bones and teeth form. It's also vital for the heart muscle contraction. Bone meal also helps your kidneys work.
There is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for bone meal itself. The RDA for calcium for adults between the ages of 19 and 50 years is 1,000 mg per day. For women over 50 years and men over 70 years, the RDA is 1,200 mg.
The RDA of calcium for children 4 to 8 years is 1,000 mg. The RDA of calcium is 1,300 mg for children ages 9 to 18 years.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may need extra calcium. However, you should talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements.
Some of the trace elements in bone meal can be helpful. However, bone meal is high in lead. It may also have high mercury levels. This raises concerns about using it as a supplement.
The lead content in bone meal is much higher than that in refined calcium carbonate. This is calcium made in a lab.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or "mad cow disease" may also pass through bone meal. Bone meal and other animal byproducts that have been used as animal feed or supplements have been shown to transmit BSE. The type of processing determines if the infectious agent is there. There are no studies that show if bone meal is safe for human consumption.
There are no known significant food or medicine interactions with bone meal.
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Health Risks of Secondhand Smoke
What is secondhand smoke?
Secondhand smoke (SHS) is also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). It's a mixture of 2 forms of smoke that come from burning tobacco:
- Mainstream smoke: The smoke exhaled by a smoker.
- Sidestream smoke: Smoke from the lighted end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, or tobacco burning in a hookah. This type of smoke has higher concentrations of cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) and is more toxic than mainstream smoke. It also has smaller particles than mainstream smoke. These smaller particles make their way into the lungs and the body's cells more easily.
When non-smokers are exposed to SHS it's called involuntary smoking or passive smoking. Non-smokers who breathe in SHS take in nicotine and toxic chemicals the same way smokers do. The more SHS you breathe, the higher the levels of these harmful chemicals in your body.
Why is secondhand smoke a problem?
Secondhand smoke (SHS) has the same harmful chemicals that smokers inhale. There's no safe level of exposure for secondhand smoke (SHS).
Secondhand smoke causes cancer
Secondhand smoke is known to cause cancer. It has more than 7,000 chemicals, including at least 70 that can cause cancer.
SHS causes lung cancer – even in people who have never smoked. There's also some evidence suggesting it might be linked in adults to cancers of the:
It's possibly linked in children to:
Secondhand smoke causes other diseases and death
Secondhand smoke can be harmful in many ways. For instance, it affects the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke in non-smokers. Some studies have linked SHS to mental and emotional changes, too. For instance, some studies have shown that exposure to SHS is linked to symptoms of depression. More research is needed to better understand the link between SHS and mental health.
Secondhand smoke and your children's health
Young children are most affected by SHS and least able to avoid it. Most of their exposure to SHS comes from adults (parents or others) smoking at home. Studies show that children whose parents smoke:
- Get sick more often
- Have more lung infections (like bronchitis and pneumonia)
- Are more likely to cough, wheeze, and have shortness of breath
- Get more ear infections
Secondhand smoke can also trigger asthma attacks, make asthma symptoms worse, and even cause new cases of asthma in kids who didn't have symptoms before.
Some of these problems might seem small, but they can add up quickly. Think of the expenses, doctor visits, medicines, lost school time, and often lost work time for the parent who must stay home with a sick child. And this doesn't include the discomforts that the child goes through.
In very young children, SHS also increases the risk for more serious problems, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Where is secondhand smoke a problem?
You should be especially concerned about exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in these places:
At work
The workplace is a major source of SHS exposure for many adults.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), federal agencies responsible for health and safety in the workplace, recognize there are no known safe levels of SHS and recommend that exposures be reduced to the lowest possible levels.
The Surgeon General has said that smoke-free workplace policies are the only way to prevent SHS exposure at work. Separating smokers from non-smokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating the building cannot prevent exposure if people still smoke inside the building. An extra bonus of workplace smoking restrictions, other than protecting non-smokers, is that they may also encourage smokers to smoke less, or even quit.
In public places
Everyone can be exposed to SHS in public places where smoking is allowed, such as some restaurants, shopping centers, public transportation, parks, and schools. The Surgeon General has suggested people choose smoke-free restaurants and businesses, and let owners of businesses that are not smoke-free know that SHS is harmful to your family's health.
Public places where children go are a special area of concern. Make sure that your children's daycare centers and schools are smoke-free.
Some businesses might be afraid to ban smoking, but there's no strong evidence that going smoke-free is bad for business.
At home
Making your home smoke-free may be one of the most important things you can do for the health of your family. Any family member can develop health problems related to SHS. Children's growing bodies are especially sensitive to the toxins in SHS. And think about it: we spend more time at home than anywhere else. A smoke-free home protects your family, your guests, and even your pets.
Multi-unit housing where smoking is allowed is a special concern and a subject of research. Tobacco smoke can move through air ducts, wall and floor cracks, elevator shafts, and along crawl spaces to contaminate units on other floors, even those that are far from the smoke. SHS cannot be controlled with ventilation, air cleaning, or by separating smokers from non-smokers.
In the car
Americans spend a great deal of time in cars, and if someone smokes there, the toxins can build up quickly – even when the windows are open or the air-conditioner is on. Again, this can be especially harmful to children.
In response to this fact, many medical expert groups have been working to encourage people to make their cars, as well as their homes, smoke-free. Some states and cities even have laws that ban smoking in the car if carrying passengers under a certain age or weight. And many facilities such as city buildings, malls, schools, colleges, and hospitals ban smoking on their grounds, including their parking lots.
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS). Any exposure is harmful.
The only way to fully protect non-smokers from exposure to SHS indoors is to prohibit all smoking in that indoor space or building. Separating smokers from non-smokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot keep non-smokers from being exposed to SHS.
What about lingering smoking odors?
There's no research in the medical literature as of yet showing that lingering tobacco smoke odors or residuals from it cause cancer in people. Research does show that particles from secondhand tobacco smoke can settle in dust and on surfaces and remain there long after the smoke is gone. Some studies suggest the particles can last for months. Even though it's no longer in the form of smoke, researchers often call this thirdhand smoke (THS) or residual tobacco smoke.
Particles that settle out from tobacco smoke have been shown to combine with gases in the air to form cancer-causing compounds that settle onto surfaces. For instance, NNK and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), carcinogens that are known to cause lung cancer, have been found in dust samples taken from the homes of smokers. Research has also shown that thirdhand smoke can damage human DNA in cell cultures and impact blood clotting in lab animals.
Though it's not yet clear if such smoke residue can cause cancer, any effects would probably be small compared with direct exposure to SHS. Still, the compounds may be stirred up and inhaled with other house dust, and may also be accidentally taken in through the mouth. Because of this, any risk the compounds pose is probably greater for babies and children who play on the floor and often put things in their mouths.
No actual cancer risk has been measured at this time, but the health risks of THS are an active area of research.
What can be done about secondhand smoke?
Many US local and state governments, and even federal governments in some other countries, have decided that protecting the health of employees and others in public places is of the utmost importance. Many have passed clean indoor air laws. Although the laws vary from place to place, they are becoming more common. Detailed information on smoking restrictions in each state is available from the American Lung Association.
You don't have to wait for the government to act. Even if you smoke, you can decide to make your home and car smoke-free. This is the safest thing to do for your children, other family members, pets, and guests.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Secondhand Smoke, Kids and Cars. June 2014. Accessed at www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0334.pdf on November 11, 2015.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hookahs. September 14, 2015. Accessed at www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/tobacco_industry/hookahs/index.htm on November 10, 2015.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Current Intelligence Bulletin 54: Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace – Lung Cancer and Other Health Effects. 1991. (Publication No. 91-108) Accessed at www.nasdonline.org/document/1194/d001030/environmental-tobacco-smoke-in-the-workplace-lung-cancer.html on November 11, 2015.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Secondhand Smoke (SHS) Facts. August 20, 2015. Accessed at www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/general_facts/index.htm on November 11, 2015.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs: Disparities in Nonsmokers' Exposure to Secondhand Smoke — United States, 1999–2012. 2015. Accessed at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6404a7.htm?s_cid=mm6404a7_w on November 11, 2015.
Dreyfuss JH. Thirdhand smoke identified as potent, enduring carcinogen. CA Cancer J Clin. 2010;60(4):203-204.
Hang B, Sarker AH, Havel C, et al. Thirdhand smoke causes DNA damage in human cells. Mutagenesis. 2013;28(4):381-391.
Hoh E, Hunt RN, Quintana PJ, et al. Environmental tobacco smoke as a source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in settled household dust. Environ Sci Technol. 2012;46(7):4174-4183.
Jung SJ, Shin A, Kang D. Active smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke and their relationship to depressive symptoms in the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey (KNHANES). BMC Public Health. 2015;15(1):1053.
Karim ZA, Alshbool FZ, Vemana HP, et al. Third-hand smoke: Impact on hemostasis and thrombogenesis. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2015;66(2):177-182.
Matt GE, Quintana PJ, Destaillats H, et al. Thirdhand tobacco smoke: Emerging evidence and arguments for a multidisciplinary research agenda. Environ Health Perspect. 2011;119(9):1218-1226.
Moon KA, Magid H, Torrey C, et al. Secondhand smoke in waterpipe tobacco venues in Istanbul, Moscow, and Cairo. Environ Res. 2015;142:568-574.
National Cancer Institute. Secondhand Smoke and Cancer. January 12, 2011. Accessed at www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/second-hand-smoke-fact-sheet on November 10, 2015.
Raoof SA, Agaku IT, Vardavas CI. A systematic review of secondhand smoke exposure in a car: Attributable changes in atmospheric and biological markers. Chron Respir Dis. 2015;12(2):120-131.
Sleiman M, Gundel LA, Pankow JF, et al. Formation of carcinogens indoors by surface-mediated reactions of nicotine with nitrous acid, leading to potential thirdhand smoke hazards. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2010;107(15):6576-6581.
Thomas JL, Hecht SS, Luo X, et al. Thirdhand tobacco smoke: A tobacco-specific lung carcinogen on surfaces in smokers' homes. Nicotine Tob Res. 2014;16(1):26-32.
US Department of Health & Human Services. How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease: A Report of the Surgeon General. 2010. Accessed at www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/ on November 10, 2015.
US Department of Health and Human Services. Report on Carcinogens, 13th Edition. Public Health Service – National Toxicology Program. "Tobacco-Related Exposures." Accessed at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/tobaccorelatedexposures.pdf#search=tobacco%20smoke on November 10, 2015.
US Department of Health and Human Services. Let's Make the Next Generation Tobacco-free. Your Guide to the 50th Anniversary Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health. Accessed at www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/50-years-of-progress/consumer-guide.pdf on November 10, 2015.
US Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. 2006. Accessed at www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/ on November 11, 2015.
US Environmental Protection Agency. Secondhand Tobacco Smoke and Smoke-free Homes. October 16, 2015. Accessed at www2.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/secondhand-tobacco-smoke-and-smoke-free-homes on November 11, 2015.
World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Smoke-free Policies, IARC Handbook of Cancer Prevention, Volume 13. 2009. "Chapter 2: Health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS)," pgs. 9-58. Accessed at www.iarc.fr/en/publications/pdfs-online/prev/handbook13/handbook13-2.pdf on November 10, 2015.
World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC Strengthens Its Findings on Several Carcinogenic Personal Habits and Household Exposures. November 2, 2009. Accessed at www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2009/pdfs/pr196_E.pdf on November 10, 2015.
Last Revised: November 13, 2015
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.


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The emerging threat of at least 30,000 Illinois state employees striking might seem extreme, but union leaders say they're seriously considering the prospect as contract talks have stalemated amid an overall state government financial picture that is equally extreme.
The emerging threat of at least 30,000 Illinois state employees striking might seem extreme, but union leaders say they're seriously considering the prospect as contract talks have stalemated amid an overall state government financial picture that is equally extreme.
Illinois remains mired in a fiscal quagmire that includes a crushing $96 billion deficit in public-worker pension systems and a festering $9 billion backlog of unpaid bills to service providers.
That's the backdrop for ongoing negotiations between Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and the state's largest union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which often finds itself on the defensive at a time when organized labor across the country has suffered losses. AFSCME has futilely fought against facility closures, appealed to the courts to enforce raises promised in 2011 and has little to show for more than a year of contract talks to replace one that expired eight months ago.
Negotiators are expected to sit for another round of talks this week. But if progress continues to elude them, AFSCME leaders may decide it's time to "call the question" and ask members to vote on authorizing a work stoppage, executive director Henry Bayer says. Union leaders raised the prospect of a strike in a letter to members last week.
"People are getting to the point where they're so angry and so frustrated that they think, what's the use of sitting down with these folks every two or three weeks if nothing's going to change?" Bayer said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Since the 1973 advent of collective bargaining in Illinois, there's never been a state employee strike, Bayer said.
"But we've never had an employer that's been so obstinate and made such extreme demands on our members as this one," he added.
The prospect of a strike can be a classic negotiating tactic to pressure Quinn's administration. How the governor responds may depend on more than the state's financial woes; the Democrat traditionally has been seen as a progressive and a friend of unions, but he may decide that a tough stance is worth the risk if it means taxpayer support during next year's re-election campaign.
The governor would not answer an AP reporter's question last week about his administration's plan in case of a walkout, saying only, "Yeah, you're always prepared."
Quinn, who AFSCME says initially sought significant wage reductions, now wants workers to accept a multiyear wage freeze while swallowing changes in health care coverage that Bayer contends would cost each employee an additional $10,000 over a three-year contract.
"It's important that I push for the taxpayers of Illinois," Quinn told reporters last week in Springfield. "Everyone knows we have a tough financial time in the state of Illinois, so we have to make some adjustments from what may have happened in the past, but I think the union understands that."
AFSCME has offered a one-year wage freeze but wants Quinn to honor pay increases the union agreed to delay in 2011 to save the state money. Quinn has refused to pay 5.25 percent due union employees in the fiscal year that ended June 30. A Cook County judge ordered the state to ante up, but Quinn's office appealed that ruling in January.
Union membership totals 40,000 — four-fifths of the state-employed workforce. Illinois law prohibits strikes by security workers — in AFSCME's case, thousands of prison guards and officers at juvenile detention facilities. But a walkout could include thousands of child-abuse investigators, attendants who care for elderly and infirm military veterans and those who care for the developmentally disabled.
A widespread, state-employee labor action in Illinois — one of fewer than a dozen states where it's legal for public employees to strike — would be unprecedented both here and nationally, said Martin Malin, director of the Institute for Law and the Workplace at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. A private-sector strike is designed to disrupt a company's income, but in government contract disputes, a work stoppage is a political weapon, he said.
"It would be very, very high-risk on both sides," said Malin.
He referred to several bitter issues pending between the Quinn administration and the union: the pay-raise litigation, a bill recently sent to Quinn for approval that restricts collective bargaining rights and Quinn's decision last fall to stop extending the union contract as talks continued — a move that has been mostly symbolic but demoralizing for workers.
"The disputes between the governor's office and AFSCME are far broader than what the next contract's going to look like," Malin said.
In terms of sheer numbers, an AFSCME strike would not be much bigger than the 26,000 strikers from the Chicago Public Schools last fall, said Bob Bruno, director of the Labor Education Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. But a teacher, a highly influential adult in a child's life outside home, might have an easier time explaining why he or she has to stop working than a bureaucrat in a sometimes-amorphous desk job.
"That 8th-grade elementary school teacher, people just love them," Bruno said. "Whereas teachers have this public profile, the nondescript, hardworking people behind counters somewhere, reading a file, addressing a complaint, people never come in contact with them."
On the other hand, Bruno questioned whether any governor would want to campaign for re-election on a government shutdown brought on by a strike, no matter how difficult the state's fiscal picture.
An AFSCME strike wouldn't necessarily be limited to the union's own workers. Bayer believes members of other unions generally have the right to refuse to cross an AFSCME picket line.
AFSCME does not represent any of the approximately 3,700 employees at the secretary of state's office. But the Service Employees International Union covers 2,450 employees, including those who license facilities — a major point of contact for taxpayers.
Contact John O'Connor at https://www.twitter.com/apoconnor
AFSCME Council 31: http://www.afscme31.org


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Dublin (EU HQ)
Collaboration and innovation are the name of the game at our Dublin office, a growth engine for businesses across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Set in booming Silicon Docks (the Irish equivalent of Silicon Valley), our campus is home to a diverse community of Googlers who hail from over 60 different nationalities. Our sales teams play critical roles in supporting over 100 markets, while our engineering team is responsible for our fleet of data centers across Europe—which are among the most energy efficient in the world. Capture a bit of the office's great craic as you fuel your creativity amid graffiti art and murals depicting Irish folklore, or recharge at the wellness center equipped with a pool and a gym. If you're a blue-sky thinker looking to make a global impact, Google Dublin is searching for you.


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Pest Control Services in Leesville, SC
Nobody likes pests – especially those with an infestation that can put their lives on halt. While a few pests are unpleasant enough, dozens or hundreds can be problematic
Termite Control Services in Leesville, SC
At Ledford's, we know how difficult and frustrating a termite infestation can be. Termites are not only hard to detect, but they also can cause a significant amount of damage to any wooden structure.


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UPDATE - Dec. 10, 2012: Public donations have covered the $9,000 cost for the helicopter search.
NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. - A Bernese mountain dog that spent almost two weeks on a frigid mountain near Vancouver has been found alive by search-and-rescue crews.
The dog, named Ohly, disappeared on Nov. 25 while out for a walk with a family friend on Mount Seymour in North Vancouver.
North Shore Search and Rescue have been using a helicopter to look for the dog, after they became concerned that members of the public were putting themselves in danger by searching out in the rough terrain.
Search-and-rescue crews spotted the dog from the helicopter Saturday morning and the animal was found alive a few hours later.
Search-and-rescue team member Tim Jones says his group covered the cost of the helicopter, but they family has asked for donations to help cover the bill.
Jones says the dog appears to be in good condition, but a veterinarian will examine the animal to determine if it suffered any injuries during its time on the mountain.
Also on HuffPost


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This has got to be a record.
Not only two posts in one day, but I think I have created a milestone (for me), in the longest time to eat something past it's used by date.
Tonight I finally finished the salami that was brought over here in the new year.
Click the picture for a closer look at the label. See the date? Yes, that's right, 23rd of February,2008!
So it's almost a month overdue. Going by "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger", if you don't see another post you know what happened to me.
At least it wasn't the chinese gyoza fiasco that the japanese media won't let go of.
While the gf is at a graduation ceremony tonight, I bid a fond farewell to the salami that has served me well the last few months with an olive oil, salami and onion spaghetti dish.
I will miss you my friend. Back to the bacon and brie.
Monday, 17 March 2008
Salami Baby One More Time!
This has got to be a record.
Posted by Jimmy In Japan at 11:18 pm
3 comments:
- avatar said...
Remind me to tell you how to make a caesar salad.
- 18 March 2008 at 07:03
- Jimmy In Japan said...
Thanks.It's the one thing I've been lacking in my japanese diet.
Why not just post your recipe here and share it with all my readers?
- 18 March 2008 at 17:31
- avatar said...
Okay, good idea.
Lettuce, preferably baby cos, but iceberg or cos or probably anything you like will suffice.
Shredded tasty cheese.
Bacon bits, or bacon flavoured chips that you get in, like, masterfood spices. I prefer the latter to real bacon in terms of flavour, and it's vegan too.
Pick your favourite caesar dressing. They all taste different, so if you don't like one, go with another.
Mix. A lot. You'll want a decent amount of dressing in there and you'll want to cut up the lettuce a bit with your spoon.
And enjoy.
- 18 March 2008 at 19:37