text:
- Let Us Join Forces
- The Shared Values
- A Call to Peace
- The People of the Book in Islam
- Alliance in the Intellectual Struggle
- Islam for Beginners
Pictures from the meeting of Mr. Adnan Oktar and the Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau - Istanbul(October 18, 2011) >>>
Joint press conference of Mr. Adnan Oktar with Israeli Delegation (May 12, 2011) >>>
Photos from Adnan Oktar's Press Conference together with the delegation from Israel on May 12, 2011 >>>
Views of religious freemasons while performing prayer in the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque
(October 24, 2010) >>>
Rabbi Ben Abrahamson is explaining how Judaism sees devout Muslims as perfect monotheists >>>
Adnan Oktar's live interview with Jewish Guests from Derusha Publishing (USA) (April 14, 2010) >>>
Watch Press Conference held by Adnan Oktar & Israeli Delegation (January 20, 2010) >>>
Transcript of the Press Conference held by Adnan Oktar and the Israeli Delegation (January 20, 2010) >>>
Watch Interview with Adnan Oktar and Religious Leaders from Israel (January 19, 2010) >>>
Photos of Adnan Oktar & Israeli Delegation from the Press Conference >>>
Photos of Adnan Oktar & Israeli Delegation after live TV show >>>
- Devout Jews must excitedly await the coming of the King Messiah and follow the portents of his coming >>>
- Love and Justice towards the People of the Book during the Ottoman Empire >>>
- Signs of the End Times from the story of the Prophet Moses (PBUH) >>>
- There was only war of self-defence in the time of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) >>>
- Atheist masons have tried to describe Muslims as the army of the antiChrist to certain Evangelicals. But Muslims are an army of love and affection >>>
- "Not taking the People of the Book as friends" means not making members of the people of the book our rulers >>>
- Policies applied to Jews and Christians in the time of our Prophet (SAAS) and the Four Caliphs >>>
- Love and justice towards the people of the book during the Ottoman Empire >>>
- The time of the Mahdi is one in which Muslims, Jews and Christians will live together in peace >>>
- The very first in the Islamic World: Adnan Oktar establishes brotherwood between Jews and Muslims >>>
- Muslims, Christians and Jews believe in the same Allah >>>
- The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) is not Allah, but a manifestation of Allah >>>
- Beware the false accounts that evangelical atheist masons are trying to base on the Gospel >>>
- Those Evangelicals exposed to atheist masonic influence must not become part of the antichrist's stratagem >>>
- Unaware of the unpleasant face of atheist freemasonry, many devout people unwittingly serve the atheist masonic system. >>>
- The mindset that seeks to ascribe terrorism to Islam is the darwinist mindset that represents the true source of terrorism. >>>
- There is daily prayer (salat) in Judaism also >>>
- The physical appearance of Jesus Messiah (as) in the hadiths >>>
- All demolished masjids must be rebuilt as soon as the Turksih-Islamic union is established >>>
- Jews will live in extreme tranquility, be in peace and security within the Turks >>>
- Some Christians are in error; there will be love and peace all the time during the time of Hazrat Mahdi (as) >>>
- Once the Turkish-Islamic union is established, the Prophet Solomon's (as) masjid will be rebuilt as well as other sacred places >>>
- Our jewish brothers should not personalize the critics and take offence >>>
- Verses in the Qur'an about justice >>>
- Verses in the Qur'an about forgiveness >>>
- Sincerity means wholehearted belief in Allah (God) and devotion to Him >>>
- The plan to slaughter one-third of the world's population belongs to the antichrist (dajjal) >>>
- Not a drop of blood will be shed in the time of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) and there will be peace and love everywhere >>>
- Islam is the religion of peace and love. The time of the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be one of peace and security >>>
- Hazrat Mahdi (a.s.) will posses a hitherto unseet conception of justice >>>
- The Environment of peace in the time of Hazrat mahdi (as) as related in the Hadith >>>
- Peace and tranquiltiy during the time of Hazrat Mahdi (a.s.) according to the Torah >>>
Those who are kafir are the friends and protectors of
one another. If you do not act in this way there will be
turmoil in the land and great corruption. (Surat al-Anfal:
Those who are kafir are the friends and protectors of
one another. If you do not act in this way there will be
turmoil in the land and great corruption. (Surat al-Anfal:
Mr. Adnan Oktar's remarks on the incident of killing
Christians leaving the church in Egypt.
Jewish kids singing for the coming of the Mashiach (Messiah)
Say: 'Have iman in it or do not have iman in it.' Certainly, when it is recited to them, those who were given knowledge before it fall on their faces in prostration, saying, 'Glory be to our Lord! The promise of our Lord is truly fulfilled!'
Weeping, they fall to the ground in prostration, and it increases them in humility.
Say: 'Call on Allah or call on the All-Merciful, whichever you call upon, the Most Beautiful Names are His.' Do not be too loud in your salat or too quiet in it, but try to find a way between the two.
And say: 'Praise be to Allah Who has had no son and Who has no partner in His Kingdom and Who needs no one to protect Him from abasement.' And proclaim His Greatness repeatedly!
(Quran, Al-Isra, 107-111)
Freemasons and Templars are performing prayers 1 >>
Freemasons and Templars are performing prayers 2 >>
(April 23, 2008)
Adnan Oktar: I have always felt love and affection for Christians and Jews. One can go and dine with them, visit their homes and always enjoy close, friendly relations with those of them who are genuine, with sincere Christians and Jews.
Jesus will return to the world for a second
time. He will unite all believers in God and bring peace to
mankind, as proclaimed by the Prophet Mohammad and revealed
in the Qur'an. The Qur'an acquaints us with some events from
the life of Jesus (as) which have not yet happened. Thus,
his second coming to earth is a prerequisite for these events
to happen. Furthermore, the Prophet Mohammed and those great
figures of Islam who interpreted his words have given an account
of the signs that will precede the coming of Jesus and have
indicated a specific period of time for that coming. Nearly
all of the signs have come to pass. The indicated time period
is the first half of the 21st century in which we are now
(Sent by our Jewish reader Hazan)
Mr. Adnan Oktar's live conversation with the Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau (A9 TV, October 18th, 2011) >>>
Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau's Meeting with Mr. Adnan Oktar, in Mishpacha Magazine - Israel/Mishpacha Magazine (October 26, 2011) >>>
Interview with Mr. Adnan Oktar by American Public TV
(December 24, 2009)
Other Links
Love Can Defeat Terrorism
Home | Let
Us Join Forces | Shared Values | Invitation
to Peace
People of the Book in Islam | Alliance in the Intellectual Struggle |
Prophet Abraham and Prophet Lot | Prophet
Yusuf | Prophet Musa| Prophet Solomon | Maryam
Prophet Jesus (pbuh): A prophet, Not A Son of God | Jesus Did Not Die | Jesus (pbuh) Will Return | Prophet Muhammad
About the Author | Contact
Us | Related Sites


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Nearly 16 million girls between 15 and 19 give birth annually, almost all of them in developing countries. Pregnancy and childbirth-related complications are the leading cause of death among adolescent girls, contributing to maternal and child mortality rates and to the vicious cycle of poverty and poor health.
After a systematic review of the evidence, WHO has developed guidelines on Preventing early pregnancy and poor reproductive outcomes among adolescents in developing countries, which focus on key actions that aim to reduce the number of adolescent pregnancies in developing countries. The first set of actions seeks to prevent early pregnancy by preventing marriage before 18 years of age, increasing knowledge and understanding the importance of pregnancy prevention, increasing the use of contraception and preventing coerced sex. The second set of actions seeks to prevent poor reproductive outcomes by reducing unsafe abortions and by increasing the use of skilled antenatal, childbirth and postnatal care.
In 2012, in collaboration with WHO and UNFPA, FCI developed this advocacy toolkit, available in English, French, and Spanish, to promote the dissemination of the guidelines' recommendations to policy makers and program planners globally. Designed for advocates, the toolkit encourages and enables evidence-based action among decision-makers, opinion leaders, medical personnel, researchers, and affected communities to prevent early pregnancy and poor reproductive outcomes among adolescent girls. The toolkit includes a guide to using these tools to develop a step-by-step process to effect policy change, a policy brief summarizing the recommendations in the guidelines, and a slide presentation.
More information, including the full guidelines document, is available at the WHO website.
Introduction: From Evidence To Action: How To Use This Toolkit (81 KB)
Policy brief for policy makers (389 KB)
Policy brief for advocates (1.5 MB)
Slide presentation (1.3 MB)
Guidelines (WHO website)
Introduction: Des faits à l'action: Comment utiliser ce guide pratique (96 KB)
Note d'orientation (1 MB)
Présentation (1.2 MB)
Directives (bientôt disponible sur le site Web de l'OMS)
Introducción: De la evidencia a la acción: Cómo utilizar esta caja de herramientas (90 KB)
Nota de orientación sobre políticas (0.8 MB)
Presentación (1.4 MB)
This publication is only available for download at this time.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you determine whether an attorney has violated the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct?
Do State Bar of Texas lawyers do pro bono work? Is it required by law?
How was the State Bar of Texas formed, and why is membership mandatory?
Can you help me find a lawyer?
Yes, we can. Search our online directory of all Texas attorneys by location, practice area, specialty certification, and more.
Lawyer Referral Service: Get the details on our Lawyer Referral Information Service program and let us help you find a lawyer.
What does the State Bar of Texas do for lawyers?
For Lawyers: This website section covers the services, information, and programs we offer to all members of the State Bar of Texas.
What does the State Bar of Texas do for the public?
For the Public: This website section covers the community services, education, and information the State Bar of Texas offers all Texans.
Do my taxes pay for the State Bar of Texas?
No. The State Bar is completely self-funded. The State Bar receives no tax dollars and is not a part of the state appropriations process.
The State Bar of Texas is funded through membership dues, continuing legal education fees, sales of books and legal forms, advertising income from the Texas Bar Journal, advertising income from our website, texasbar.com, and more.
How many lawyers are State Bar of Texas members?
There are 98,671 active members of the State Bar of Texas, including 87,957 practicing in-state, according to the 2015-2016 Attorney Statistical Profile.
The State Bar of Texas is the second largest active-member state bar in the United States.
How do you determine whether an attorney has violated the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct?
The State Bar of Texas, the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, the Supreme Court of Texas, the Commission for Lawyer Discipline, and the Board of Disciplinary Appeals jointly administer the attorney discipline process.
Filing a Grievance: Find out how it works and what to do if you want to file a grievance against your lawyer.
This process is designed to ensure that members of the legal profession comply with ethical standards prescribed by the Supreme Court of Texas.
Do State Bar of Texas lawyers do pro bono work? Is it required by law?
State Bar of Texas attorneys averaged 54.6 pro bono hours each in 2013.
And State Bar of Texas attorneys provided 2.37 million hours of free legal services to low-income people in 2013.
The State Bar of Texas lawyers engage voluntarily in pro bono work. It is not required by law.
How was the State Bar of Texas formed, and why is membership mandatory?
Attorneys created the Texas Bar Association in 1882 to uphold important ethical standards: Every Texas lawyer is an officer of the court and is responsible for keeping the public faith.
The Texas Bar Association was a voluntary membership organization until legislation was passed in 1939 making membership mandatory.
The State Bar of Texas was then created as an administrative agency of the state's judicial branch.
Who manages the State Bar of Texas?
The State Bar of Texas is administered by a board of directors elected to represent geographical districts throughout the state of Texas.
All members of the board serve voluntarily and receive no monetary compensation.
A president is elected by the membership each year, and an executive director oversees day-to-day operations.
Approximately 270 employees comprise the State Bar staff.
What does "Bar" mean?
"Bar" means "whole body of lawyers ... the legal profession."
It also means the place where the business of court is done. Bar in this sense had become synonymous with "court" by 1330.
In 1559, "bar" literally meant the railing that separated people on the bench from those conducting law on the other side.
After 1600, "bar" was popularly assumed to mean the bar in a courtroom, which was the wooden railing marking off the area around the judge's seat and where a barrister stood to plead his prisoner's case.


text:
To the EDN
Cherish Center exists in large part because of the generosity of hundreds of volunteers over the past 11 years. So, we once again say "thank you" to these energetic and caring people during National Volunteer Week, April 15-22.
We at Cherish Center have been able to continue our mission of "Changing Lives and Strengthening Families" because of our volunteers.
They've said "yes" to helping at Thee Garage Sale and the Plants to Cherish Sale, working at Cherish House, laboring in the construction and painting and buildings, moving to our new locations, assisting in our office for assembly and mailings, and helping young parents and kids in our parenting classes and mentoring programs. All of our volunteers have been an integral part of this organization. Without them, we would not exist, and needs in this community would not have been met.
Our volunteers give without expecting anything in return. This is true giving. We celebrate you, our volunteers, both this week and all year long!
With appreciation,
Jan Turner, Executive Director, and the Staff and Board of Directors of Cherish Center


text:
no news in this list.
Category: Station News
Signing Up for Easy Pay
Listeners from around the country have signed up for the Positive Life Radio Easy Pay Program because it's so convenient. Easy Pay automatic withdrawals allow you to make your donation each month.
"I'm not good about meeting deadlines and paying things in a timely manner," says Karen, an Easy Pay participant. "It was easy for me to do this and great to know I'm making a donation every month. I really felt led by the Lord to do this."
"It's important to us to support Positive Life Radio," says Carolyn, another participant in the program. "Easy Pay makes it easier. You don't have to remember to send in your donation. When everyone gives a little bit, it turns into a huge gift."
Your donations continue until you tell us to stop or change the amount or account number. No hassles for you-- no check writing, no reminder post-it notes. And it helps the ministry of Positive Life Radio because we can count on that monthly donation to arrive each month like clockwork.
You can start your Easy Pay donation at any time. To receive your Easy Pay sign-up form, call us at 1-800-355-4757. Then, just fill out the form, attach a voided deposit slip or check, and send it in. You can also sign-up using your credit card on our website-- www.plr.org. We'll take care of the rest!


text:
U.S. Secretary Of State John Kerry appeared on all five major news talk shows Sunday, detailing the "build-up of extraordinary circumstantial evidence" pointing to Russia as the source of the antiaircraft missile that shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over rebel-held territory in Ukraine, killing 298 passengers and crew members.
"It is clear that Russia supports the separatists, supplies the separatists, encourages the separatists, trains the separatists," Kerry said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "Russia needs to step up and make a difference here." Kerry said the U.S. has observed major supplies, including rocket launchers, artillery, and tanks, moving into the separatist region in the past month and said there was an SA-11 missile system in the vicinity just hours before the shoot-down. He said there were also social-media records pointing to separatists bragging about the shoot-down of a plane at the same time.
He said the pro-Russia separatists' self appointed defense minster Igor Strelkov even bragged about shooting down a transport on social media and only removed the posting after it became clear it was a civilian plane. Kerry said the U.S. also picked up the imagery of the missile launch and the trajectory with all indicators showing it took place at exactly the same time that the Malaysia Airlines flight disappeared from the radar.
"We are not drawing the final conclusion here, but there's a lot that points at the need for Russia to be responsible," Kerry said.
Kerry also said the U.S., which already has "taken tough sanctions" against Russia, also hopes "this is a profound wake-up call for those countries in Europe that have wanted to kind of, you know, go slow and soft-pedal this." He also criticized the scene at the the crash site and faulted the separatists and Russia for not meeting their promise of "unfettered access."
"What's happening is really grotesque," Kerry said. "It is contrary to everything that President Putin and Russia said that they would do. There are reports of drunken separatist soldiers unceremoniously piling bodies into trucks, removing both bodies, as well as evidence, from the site."
Lawmakers also weighed in on the issue:
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham on "Meet the Press:" Kerry "didn't call Putin the thug that he is. He didn't call for arming the Ukraine so they can defend themselves against rebel separatists supported by Russia. How about sanctions that would hit (Russia President) Putin as an individual? Their energy sector, their banking sector. The Europeans are never going to lead on this issue. It is indispensable that America lead. President Obama is trying to be deliberative. It comes off as indecisive. He's trying to be thoughtful. It comes off as weakness."
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez, chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on "Fox News Sunday:" "Before the shoot down, I was an advocate of further reaching sanctions to stop Russia's aggression and let Putin know the consequences of continuing that form of aggression. The West, including the United States, has to have a far more significant response than we've seen to date. It's what I thought before the shoot down and certainly this is a despicable act that needs to be resolved by the West."
Michigan Republican Rep. Mike Rogers on ABC's "This Week:" "The evidence is mounting that this had Russian hands at least at some point on this piece of equipment that led to the massacre of those individuals on that airplane. This certainly eliminates Putin's plausible deniability. This is an opportunity to get our European allies really engaged. It's time to end Putin's gamesmanship in Ukraine. It means that the United States needs to end its tepid response to this whole operation by increasing intelligence cooperation, logistics, training opportunities. And we need our European allies to step up its opportunity to put really tough sanctions."
New York Republican Rep. Peter King on CBS's "Face the Nation:" "Kerry laid out the case against Russia. There can be no reasonable doubt that Russia was involved, that Putin was involved by providing the type of weaponry. U.S. and its Western allies have to make it clear to Putin that the rules of the game have changed that he's violated civilized norms. I've been so disappointed in so many European nations. We have to take very severe economic sanctions and once that are symbolic. For instance, we should talk about cancelling the World Cup. Why should countries be going to World Cup in Moscow? So long as Putin is not allowing access to the crash site and so long is the crime scene is being polluted, this man has shown he's totally incapable of functioning in a civilized world. (What Putin is doing) is what a mafia guy does, not what a world leader does."
California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein on CNN's "State of the Union:" "Putin, you have to man up. You should talk to the world. You should say if this was a mistake, which I hope it was, say it. Even if it was a mistake, it's a horrendous mistake to make. And I think it points out the futility of what's happening in the Ukraine, because there will be repercussions from this. The world has to rise up and say we've had enough of this. I think Europe has to come together. I think Germany in particular has to lead. I think we have to continue with sanctions. This is where ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), where the United Nations has to step in. There have to be some penalties for this kind of a shoot-down, in this day and age, with the amazingly technical piece of equipment, which should only go to people who have some ethical compass. Now we find out it's being given to separatists who are, in many respects, thugs."
-- Andria Cheng
More from MarketWatch:
Malaysia Airlines crash triggers risk-off reaction
Ukraine fears may hold up market


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DAC Collection Artist Information
Thomas Couture
French painter and teacher
Brief biography, in most instances from the Union List of Artist Names® Online:
Often remembered for "The Romans of the Decadence," the sensation of the 1847 Salon that is now often cited as a classic example of bombastic academic painting. His informal works are more lively and he encouraged his students to directly study from landscape.
Artist ID number in the Union List of Artist Names®: ULAN 500115403.
The ULAN link above leads to a cataloging authority record at the Getty Research Institute.
Objects related to Thomas Couture:
|Henry Wolf after Thomas Couture
|Day Dreams, 1908
|Wood engraving on tissue paper mounted down on board
ULAN biographical content is displayed with permission of the Getty Research Institute. Some ULAN content in some DAC artist records has been lightly edited. Content from the Getty Research Institute is © 2019 The J. Paul Getty Trust. All rights reserved.


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- Latest Industry Standards
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It is important to be informed on the subject of Fireplace Installation in Kewaunee, WI. We won't let you make unwise judgments, as we know what we're working at, and we make sure you know what to expect with the task. That's why we make every effort to make sure you are aware of the strategy and are not confronted with any kind of unexpected surprises. Step one will be to contact us today at 844-244-6166 to arrange your work. With this phone call, you're going to get all your questions answered, and we will establish a time to initiate work. We work with you through the whole project, and our crew will appear on time and ready.
For Fireplace Installation in Kewaunee, Wyoming, choose Fireplace Installation Guys
Plenty of good reasons exist to pick Fireplace Installation Guys when it comes to Fireplace Installation in Kewaunee, WI. We've got the best customer satisfaction scores, the very best quality equipment, and the most useful and successful cash saving strategies. Our company has the experience you will want to meet all your goals. If you need Fireplace Installation in Kewaunee, call Fireplace Installation Guys by dialing 844-244-6166, and we'll be beyond pleased to help you.


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|Overview |Enrolling |Responsibility & Rights |Academic Policies |Academic Programs |Opportunities |Support & Services
| Academic Programs / Liberal Arts
Academic Policies and Regulations
University policies and regulations generally apply to all undergraduate students and provide a framework within which schools and colleges may specify further conditions or variations appropriate to students in their courses or programs.
Academic Residency Requirements
Students who transfer into the College of Liberal Arts must complete at least 30 semester hours of course work as a student registered through the College and at least half of the courses required in the major at Temple.
Course Eligibility
All College of Liberal Arts undergraduate courses are divided into three kinds:
●Preparatory courses numbered 0001-0049: open to all students, full-time, part-time, matriculated, and non-matriculated.
Courses Taken Elsewhere by Liberal Arts Students
Matriculated Temple students must always petition for the prior approval of their Dean or Dean's designee to take courses at another institution. (See Permission to Take Courses at Another Institution under Academic Policies and Regulations.) Petitions are available in the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center.
Dean's List
Each semester, undergraduate students who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or above for the semester with 12 or more graded credits toward the degree and with no grade of Incomplete or "R" are selected for the Dean's List. Letters of congratulation are sent to each of these students.
Declaration of Major
Students in the College of Liberal Arts must declare their major before completing 60 credits, which includes credits transferred from other institutions. Undeclared students with 45 or more credits are required to meet with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center before registering. Students who wish to Intra-University Transfer (IUT) into the College of Liberal Arts from other colleges and schools at Temple must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA, as well as a 2.0 overall in the colleges of CLA/CST and in their anticipated major. Students who have not yet completed a course in their intended major will not be eligible to IUT until they do so. Also, students will not be permitted to IUT as undeclared majors if they have completed, or are in the process of completing, 60 or more semester hours.
Graduation Procedures
Upon completion of 80 semester hours, all students are required to review with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center a summary sheet indicating the degree requirements that remain to be completed. Students can schedule this review in the Academic Advising Center. Students who miss or arrive late to this appointment will not be granted a second appointment and must make alternate arrangements to discuss their remaining requirements.
Graduating students are responsible for confirming their final semesters registrations with an academic advisor prior to the start of that semester. Graduating students who in any way change their final semesters registrations after previously confirming their registrations with an advisor are responsible for ensuring the changes will fulfill all degree requirements. Graduation is contingent upon completion of all Core, College, Major, and grade point average degree requirements.
Notice of Anticipation of Graduation
Early in the semester in which students will complete their degree requirements, they must apply for graduation by completing an application titled Application for Graduation, available at the reception desk of the Advising Center.
Placement Tests
All incoming freshmen must take diagnostic English and mathematics placement tests. Transfer students who have not completed English C050 or a college level math course are also required to take placement examinations. The results of these tests determine if students are required to enroll in preparatory composition and mathematics courses. Students assigned to English 0040/0041 must register each semester for that course until the requirement is completed. Only upon successful completion of English 0040/0041 can such students enroll in English C050/C051. Students assigned to courses designed to remedy deficiencies in mathematics are required to complete those courses before enrolling in the mathematics component of the University Core. Incoming students must also take a foreign language placement examination if they plan to continue a language previously studied or if they wish to place out of the foreign language requirement.
Plagiarism and Academic Cheating
Plagiarism and academic cheating are unacceptable in College of Liberal Arts courses. The development of independent thought and a respect for the thoughts of others is essential to intellectual growth. The penalty for plagiarism or cheating as a first offense is normally an F in the course in which the offense is committed. In such cases, the instructor will write a report to the Dean. The CLA Grievance Committee will adjudicate appeals made by students and serious cases, or repeat offenses, referred to the Committee by an instructor or the Dean. The Dean may recommend suspension or expulsion from the University when warranted. Instructors may also refer the offense to the University Disciplinary Committee (UDC) for adjudication.
The prohibition against plagiarism and cheating is intended to foster this independence and respect. For more information, see Academic Honesty: Student Responsibilities.
Academic Warning, Probation, Dismissal, and Reinstatement
To remain in Academic Good Standing in the University, a matriculated or non-matriculated undergraduate student must achieve a semester Grade Point Average of at least a 2.0 for each semester.
The academic actions of Warning, Probation, Dismissal from Degree Candidacy, and Reinstatement to Degree Candidacy are guided by a number called the grade-point deficiency, which is standard across all schools and colleges. Grade-point deficiency points identify students who are achieving cumulative grade point averages below 2.0, establish the point at which students will be warned that they are in academic difficulty, define the limit at which students are dismissed from degree candidacy, and define their eligibility for reinstatement. See the University Policy on Academic Warning, Probation, Dismissal, and Reinstatement.
Withdrawal from Classes
During the first two weeks of the fall or spring semesters, students may withdraw from a course with no record of the class appearing on the transcript. In weeks three through nine of the fall or spring semester, or during weeks three and four of the summer sessions, students may withdraw with the permission of the Academic Advising Center. Instructors' signatures are not required to withdraw. The course will be recorded on the transcript with the instructors notation of W, indicating that the student withdrew. After week nine of the fall or spring semester, or week four of summer sessions, students may not withdraw from courses.
Students may not withdraw from more than five courses during the duration of their studies to earn a bachelors degree effective as of fall 2003, and students may not withdraw from the same course more than once.
|Copyright 2005, Temple University. All rights reserved
Site developed by Temple University, Computer Services


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Near panic ensued for almost two weeks as intense media attention about a global rice shortage and the decision by some Sam's Club and Costco stores to limit rice purchases for their customers caused shoppers in some areas in the United States to clear the shelves of rice. American consumers have no cause for alarm.
Unlike many nations that import the majority of their rice, U.S. rice farmers grow nearly 90 percent of the rice consumed by Americans each year. They do that with half their crop and export the other half to consumers around the world.
Media attention was driven by news of increasingly tight supplies and rapidly escalating prices in many rice-producing countries, particularly in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The price increases began in the fall of 2007 following several years of strong global demand. Rising fuel and fertilizer costs and recent full or partial export bans by major export markets prompted a one- two-punch of high costs and reduced supplies. Despite the media coverage and high prices, global supplies are adequate.
Recent news reports notwithstanding, American farmers continue to provide a safe, affordable and abundant food supply for U.S. consumers. For the 98 percent of U.S. farms owned by families, U.S. farm programs have served to protect those families and help ensure an adequate U.S. food supply.
In fact, the club stores limited purchases to four 20-pound bags per person per visit — nearly four times the amount of rice the average American eats in one year. The limit was an effort by those retailers to ensure that their business customers would have an equal opportunity to buy rice, in light of some hoarding that started on the West Coast. The bigger story should have been how we ensure the domestic food supply, which will require continued support for the American farmer.
Like other U.S. farmers, U.S. rice producers are faced with high fuel and fertilizer costs and are experiencing the same budget concerns of average Americans.
Enacting a strong farm bill benefits not only American farmers, but at a time of increasing global demand for rice, has implications beyond U.S. borders.
Global situation
Only 7 percent of global rice production is traded internationally, which means any government interference in export or import markets can have a dramatic impact on rice supplies and prices. Government restrictions in countries such as India, China, Egypt and Vietnam have contributed to supply concerns in an already tight export market. These embargos by major exporters pushed prices up rapidly, and currently over 30 percent of global trade in rice is under restriction.
As the fourth largest exporter of rice, the United States has always been a supporter of free and open trade. With Asia accounting for nearly 90 percent of global rice consumption, government rice export bans are designed to ensure an adequate domestic supply while controlling prices in those countries where rice is a staple of the local diet. But such bans make the supply and price situation worse for importing countries and threaten the stability of the global rice trading system.
Supply and demand are cyclical over time. Supply will catch up to demand. In the short term, harvesting of the spring crop in Southeast Asia is about to begin. Harvesting of the U.S. crop begins in July and ends in September. The availability of rice from those crops will ease some of the pressure driven by world demand.
More importantly, it is essential for the agricultural stability and security of American farmers and consumers that Congress pass, and the president sign into law, a farm bill that continues to provide farmers with the necessary tools to maintain a stable and affordable food supply for Americans and the foreign markets we supply. Then American rice farmers can continue to grow and abundant affordable grain that so many consumers now enjoy here and abroad.


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Supreme Bamboo 3/8" x 3-15/16" Ruo Horizontal Distressed
Supreme Bamboo- 3/8" x 3-15/16" Ruo Stained Horizontal Distressed Natural Bamboo Flooring- 30 Year Warranty
Length: 38-9/16"
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About Bamboo:
Bamboo floors' popularity has increased over the past few years as people have become more aware of the fragile state of the environment.
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New growth, which springs out of the ground and can mature up to 24" in 24 hours and unlike trees, bamboo will regenerate quickly, making it a renewable resource.
A birthday cake without frosting?
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- Brand: Supreme Bamboo
- Limited Warranty: 30 years
- Trade Name: Bamboo
- Marketing Name: Bamboo
- Janka Rating: 1380
- AC Rating: N/A
- Color Shade: Dark
- Width: 3 15/16"
- Thickness: 3/8"
- Construction: Bamboo
- Installation Type: Glue, Nail
- Sq. Ft. Per Box: 37.97
- Hardness Rating: 6% harder than Red Oak
- Waste: 5%
- Weight per box/unit: 56.49
- Installation Details: Installation Guide


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For historical purposes, this is the original text of the law, without any subsequent amendments. For the current texts of the laws we enforce, as amended, see Laws Enforced by the EEOC.
Reorganization Plans
On February 23, President Carter submitted to Congress Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 which would consolidate Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Activities. The text of the President's message and the terms of the plan follow. 124 Congressional Record H 1457 (H.Doc.No.95-295).
To the Congress of the United States:
I am submitting to you today Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978. This Plan makes the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission the principal Federal agency in fair employment enforcement. Together with actions I shall take by Executive Order, it consolidates Federal equal employment opportunity activities and lays, for the first time, the foundation of a unified, coherent Federal structure to combat job discrimination in all its forms.
In 1940 President Roosevelt issued the first Executive Order forbidding discrimination in employment by the Federal government. Since that time the Congress, the courts and the Executive Branch-spurred by the courage and sacrifice of many people and organizations--have taken historic steps to extend equal employment opportunity protection throughout the private as well as the public sector. But each new prohibition against discrimination unfortunately has brought with it a further dispersal of Federal equal employment opportunity responsibility. This fragmentation of authority among a number of Federal agencies has meant confusion and ineffective enforcement for employees, regulatory duplication and needless expense for employers.
Fair employment is too vital for haphazard enforcement. My Administration will aggressively enforce our civil rights laws. Although discrimination in any area has severe consequences, limiting economic opportunity affects access to education, housing and health care. I, therefore, ask you to join with me to reorganize administration of the civil rights laws and to begin that effort by reorganizing the enforcement of those laws which ensure an equal opportunity to a job.
Eighteen government units now exercise important responsibilities under statutes, Executive Orders and regulations relating to equal employment opportunity.
-The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans employment discrimination based on race, national origin, sex or religion. The EEOC acts on individual complaints and also initiates private sector cases involving a "pattern or practice" of discrimination.
-The Department of Labor and 11 other agencies enforce Executive Order 11246. This prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, national origin, sex, or religion and requires affirmative action by governmental contractors. While the Department now coordinates enforcement of this "contract compliance" program, it is actually administered by eleven other departments and agencies. The Department also administers those statutes requiring contractors to take affirmative action to employ handicapped people, disabled veterans and Vietnam veterans.
In addition, the Labor Department enforces the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which prohibits employers from paying unequal wages based on sex, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, which forbids age discrimination against persons between the ages of 40 and 65.
-The Department of Justice litigates Title VII cases involving public sector employers - State and local governments. The Department also represents the Federal government in lawsuits against Federal contractors and grant recipients who are in violation of Federal nondiscrimination prohibitions.
-The Civil Service Commission (CSC) enforces Title VII and all other nondiscrimination and affirmative action requirements for Federal employment. The CSC rules on complaints filed by individuals and monitors affirmative action plans submitted annually by other Federal agencies.
-The Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinating Council includes representatives from EEOC, Labor, Justice, CSC and the Civil Rights Commission. It is charged with coordinating the Federal equal employment opportunity enforcement effort and with eliminating overlap and inconsistent standards.
-In addition to these major government units, other agencies enforce various equal employment opportunity requirements which apply to specific grant programs. The Department of Treasury, for example, administers the anti-discrimination prohibitions applicable to recipients of revenue sharing funds.
These programs have had only limited success. Some of the past deficiencies include:
- inconsistent standards of compliance;
- duplicative, inconsistent paperwork requirements and investigative efforts;
- conflicts within agencies between their program responsibilities and their responsibility to enforce the civil rights laws;
- confusion on the part of workers about how and where to seek redress;
- lack of accountability.
I am proposing today a series of steps to bring coherence to the equal employment enforcement effort. These steps, to be accomplished by the Reorganization Plan and Executive Orders, constitute an important step toward consolidation of equal employment opportunity enforcement. They will be implemented over the next years, so that the agencies involved may continue their internal reform.
Its experience and broad scope make the EEOC suitable for the role of principal Federal agency in fair employment enforcement. Located in the Executive Branch and responsible to the President, the EEOC has developed considerable expertise in the field of employment discrimination since Congress created it by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Commission has played a pioneer role in defining both employment discrimination and its appropriate remedies.
While it has had management problems in past administrations, the EEOC's new leadership is making substantial progress in correcting them. In the last seven months the Commission has redesigned its internal structures and adopted proven management techniques. Early experience with these procedures indicates a high degree of success in reducing and expediting new cases. At my direction, the Office of Management and Budget is actively assisting the EEOC to ensure that these reforms continue.
The Reorganization Plan I am submitting will accomplish the following:
-On July 1, 1978, abolish the Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinating Council (42 U.S.C. 2000e-14) and transfer its duties to the EEOC (no positions or funds shifted).
-On October 1, 1978, shift enforcement of equal employment opportunity for Federal employees from the CSC to the EEOC (100 positions and $6.5 million shifted).
-On July 1, 1979, shift responsibility for enforcing both the Equal Pay Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act from the Labor Department to the EEOC (198 positions and $5.3 million shifted for Equal Pay; 119 positions and $3.5 million for Age Discrimination).
-Clarify the Attorney General's authority to initiate "pattern or practice" suits under Title VII in the public sector.
In addition, I will issue an Executive Order on October 1, 1978, to consolidate the contract compliance program-now the responsibility of Labor and eleven "compliance agencies" into the Labor Department (1,517 positions and $33.1 million shifted).
These proposed transfers and consolidation reduce from fifteen to three the number of Federal agencies having important equal employment opportunity responsibilities under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Federal contract compliance provisions.
Each element of my Plan is important to the success of the entire proposal.
By abolishing the Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinating Council and transferring its responsibilities to the EEOC, this plan places the Commission at the center of equal employment opportunity enforcement. With these new responsibilities, the EEOC can give coherence and direction to the government's efforts by developing strong uniform enforcement standards to apply throughout the government: standardized data collection procedures, joint training programs, programs to ensure the sharing of enforcement related data among agencies, and methods and priorities for complaint and compliance reviews. Such direction has been absent in the Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinating Council.
It should be stressed, however, that affected agencies will be consulted before EEOC takes any action. When the Plan has been approved, I intend to issue an Executive Order which will provide for consultation, as well as a procedure for reviewing major disputed issues within the Executive Office of the President. The Attorney General's responsibility to advise the Executive Branch on legal issues will also be preserved.
Transfer of the Civil Service Commission's equal employment opportunity responsibilities to EEOC is needed to ensure that: (1) Federal employees have the same rights and remedies as those in the private sector and in State and local government; (2) Federal agencies meet the same standards as are required of other employers; and (3) potential conflicts between an agency's equal employment opportunity and personnel management functions are minimized. The Federal government must not fall below the standard of performance it expects of private employers.
The Civil Service Commission has in the past been lethargic in enforcing fair employment requirements within the Federal government. While the Chairman and other Commissioners I have appointed have already demonstrated their personal commitment to expanding equal employment opportunity, responsibility for ensuring fair employment for Federal employees should rest ultimately with the EEOC.
We must ensure that the transfer in no way undermines the important objectives of the comprehensive civil service reorganization which will be submitted to Congress in the near future. When the two plans take effect, I will direct the EEOC and CSC to coordinate their procedures to prevent any duplication and overlap.
The Equal Pay Act, now administered by the Labor Department, prohibits employers from paying unequal wages based on sex. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which is enforced by EEOC, contains a broader ban on sex discrimination. The transfer of Equal Pay responsibility from the Labor Department to the EEOC will minimize overlap and centralize enforcement of statutory prohibitions against sex discrimination in employment.
The transfer will strengthen efforts to combat sex discrimination. Such efforts would be enhanced still further by passage of the legislation pending before you, which I support, that would prohibit employers from excluding women disabled by pregnancy from participating in disability programs.
There is now virtually complete overlap in the employers, labor organizations, and employment agencies covered by Title VII and by the Age and Discrimination in Employment Act. This overlap is burdensome to employers and confusing to victims of discrimination. The proposed transfer of the age discrimination program from the Labor Department to the EEOC will eliminate the duplication.
The Plan I am proposing will not affect the Attorney General's responsibility to enforce Title VII against State or local governments or to represent the Federal government in suits against Federal contractors and grant recipients. In 1972, the Congress determined that the Attorney General should be involved in suits against State and local governments. This proposal reinforces that judgment and clarifies the Attorney General's authority to initiate litigation against State or local governments engaged in a "pattern or practice" of discrimination. This in no way diminishes the EEOC's existing authority to investigate complaints filed against State or local governments and, where appropriate, to refer them to the Attorney General. The Justice Department and the EEOC will cooperate so that the Department sues on valid referrals, as well as on its own "pattern or practice" cases.
A critical element of my proposals will be accomplished by Executive Order rather than by the Reorganization Plan. This involves consolidation in the Labor Department of the responsibility to ensure that Federal contractors comply with Executive Order 11246. Consolidation will achieve the following: promote consistent standards, procedures, and reporting requirements; remove contractors from the jurisdiction of multiple agencies; prevent an agency's equal employment objectives from being outweighted by its procurement and construction objectives; and produce more effective law enforcement through unification of planning, training and sanctions. By 1981, after I have had an opportunity to review the manner in which both the EEOC and the Labor Department are exercising their new responsibilities, I will determine whether further action is appropriate.
Finally, the responsibility for enforcing grant-related equal employment provisions will remain with the agencies administering the grant programs. With the EEOC acting as coordinator of Federal equal employment programs, we will be able to bring overlap and duplication to a minimum. We will be able, for example, to see that a university's employment practices are not subject to duplicative investigations under both Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the contract compliance program. Because of the similarities between the Executive Order program and those statutes requiring Federal contractors to take affirmative action to employ handicapped individuals and disabled and Vietnam veterans, I have determined that enforcement of these statutes should remain in the Labor Department.
Each of the changes set forth in the Reorganization Plan accompanying this message is necessary to accomplish one or more of the purposes set forth in Section 901(a) of Title 5 of the United States Code. I have taken care to determine that all functions abolished by the Plan are done only under the statutory authority provided by Section 903(b) of Title 5 of the United States Code.
I do not anticipate that the reorganizations contained in this Plan will result in any significant change in expenditures. They will result in a more efficient and manageable enforcement program.
The Plan I am submitting is moderate and measured. It gives the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission an agency dedicated solely to this purpose the primary Federal responsibility in the area of job discrimination, but it is designed to give this agency sufficient time to absorb its new responsibilities. This reorganization will produce consistent agency standards, as well as increased accountability. Combined with the intense commitment of those charged with these responsibilities. It will become possible for us to accelerate this nation's progress in ensuring equal job opportunity for all our people.
Prepared by the President and transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled, February 23, 1978, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 9 of Title 5 of the United States Code.
Section 1. Transfer of Equal Pay Enforcement Functions
All functions related to enforcing or administering Section 6(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended, (29 U.S.C. 206 "(d)" are hereby transferred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Such functions include, but shall not be limited to, the functions relating to equal pay administration and enforcement now vested in the Secretary of Labor, the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor, and the Civil Service Commission pursuant to Sections 4(d) (1); 4(f); 9; 11 (a), (b) and (c); 16 (b) and (c) and 17 of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended, (29 U.S.C. 204 (d) (1); 204 (f); 209; 211(a), (b) and (c); 216 (b) and (c) and 217) and Section 10(b) (1) of the Portal-to-Portal Act of 1947, as amended, (29 U.S.C. 259).
Section 2. Transfer of Age Discrimination Enforcement Functions
All functions vested in the Secretary of Labor or in the Civil Service Commission pursuant to Sections 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, (29 U.S.C. 621, 623, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, and 633a) are hereby transferred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. All functions related to age discrimination administration and enforcement pursuant to Section 6 and 16 of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, (29 U.S.C. 625 and 634) are hereby transferred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Section 3. Transfer of Equal Opportunity in Federal Employment Enforcement Functions
(a) All equal opportunity in Federal employment enforcement and related functions vested in the Civil Service Commission pursuant to Section 717(b) and (c) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 2000e-16(b) and (c)), are hereby, transferred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
(b) The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission may delegate to the Civil Service Commission or its successor the function of making a preliminary determination on the issue of discrimination whenever, as a part of a complaint or appeal before the Civil Service Commission on other grounds, a Federal employee alleges a violation of Section 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 2000e-16) provided that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission retains the function of making the final determination concerning such issue of discrimination.
Section 4. Transfer of Federal Employment of Handicapped Individuals Enforcement Functions
All Federal employment of handicapped individuals enforcement functions and related functions vested in the Civil Service Commission pursuant to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of l973 (29 U.S.C. 791) are hereby transferred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The function of being co-chairman of the Interagency Committee on Handicapped Employees now vested in the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission pursuant to Section 501 is hereby transferred to the Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Section 5. Transfer of Public Section 707 Functions
Any function of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission concerning initiation of litigation with respect to State or local government, or political subdivisions under Section 707 of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 2000e-6) and all necessary functions related thereto, including investigation, findings, notice and an opportunity to resolve the matter without contested litigation, are hereby transferred to the Attorney General, to be exercised by him in accordance with procedures consistent with said Title VII. The Attorney General is authorized to delegate any function under Section 707 of said Title VII to any officer or employee of the Department of Justice.
Section 6. Transfer of Functions and Abolition of the Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinating Council
All functions of the Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinating Council, which was established pursuant to Section 715 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 2000e-14), are hereby transferred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinating Council is hereby abolished.
Section 7. Savings Provision
Administrative proceedings including administrative appeals from the acts of an executive agency (as defined by Section 105 of Title 5 of the United States Code) commenced or being conducted by or against such executive agency will not abate by reason of the taking effect of this Plan. Consistent with the provisions of this Plan, all such proceedings shall continue before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission otherwise unaffected by the transfers provided by this Plan. Consistent with the provisions of this Plan, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shall accept appeals from those executive agency actions which occurred prior to the effective date of this Plan in accordance with law and regulations in effect on such effective date. Nothing herein shall affect any right of any person to judicial review under applicable law.
Section 8. Incidental Transfers
So much of the personnel, property, records and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations and other funds employed, used, held, available, or to be made available in connection with the functions transferred under this Plan, as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall determine, shall be transferred to the appropriate department, agency, or component at such time or times as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall provide, except that no such unexpended balances transferred shall be used for purposes other than those for which the appropriation was originally made. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall provide for terminating the affairs of the Council abolished herein and for such further measures and dispositions as such Director deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Reorganization Plan.
Section 9. Effective Date
This Reorganization Plan shall become effective at such time or times, on or before October 1, 1979, as the President shall specify, but not sooner than the earliest time allowable under Section 906 of Title 5 of the United States Code.


text: Hi there, I am moving stuff from my private homerserver to a new HW. The setup is: ADSL Router --> Physical server (Homeserver) --> Virtualbox (Webserver) On the router default server is set to virtualbox (Webserver - fixed IP) - works. On the Webserver is a Ubuntu 11.10 server with ISPconfig3 and webmin Webserver is setup with failtoban On the ISPconfig 4 virtual sites are enabled - all accessable from the internet. They all use Fast-CGI and Suexec enabled. On each site I need to have Joomla installed. I have installed baseversions of Joomla 1.7 - and set necessary directory permissions - all working - except ... trying to install plugins in Joomla leads to error 500 - in the apache2 log file named: script '/var/www/index.php' not found /var/www is in apache config the default server. In this directory there is no index.php file installed. Could anyone give a hint on where to look?


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We will run a Kangoo mile or two and then do a 30 minute TRX Suspension Training Session in the sunshine. Kangoos Jumps are an amazing non-impact shoe which saves the back and knees 80 percent of the impact from the ground and boasts of a 25 percent increase in calorie burn over regular running. TRX Suspension training uses your bodyweight to train. Every exercise will engage you core and a variety of muscles. Train your entire body in this athletic style non- complicated workout
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: October 14ChickFit Bootcamp
Later Event: October 15ChickFit Bootcamp


text:
Gopal Subramanium, a member of the Justice JS Verma Commission, said the maximum sentence for gang-rape should be raised to a full life term, meaning convicts must spend the the rest of their lives behind bars.
"In gang-rape cases, life imprisonment should mean the rest of the person's life," he told a press conference.
Mr Subramanium also read out recommendations suggesting maximum sentences of seven years for stripping a woman, three years for stalking, four years for groping and seven years for voyeurism, or spying on women.
"We did not recommend the death penalty because we received overwhelming suggestions against it," said Justice Verma, a former chief justice named by the government on December 24 to head the commission.
India's 153-year-old penal code currently stipulates rapists should serve a minimum of seven years in prison and a maximum life term - normally commuted to 10-14 years in practice.
Gang-rape convicts face a minimum 10 years and a life term.
The panel was set up amid violent protests and demands for greater protection for women after the fatal assault on a 23-year-old student by six rapists on a moving bus in New Delhi on December 16.
She died of horrific internal injuries caused by her attackers 13 days later, leading to widespread public demands for India to introduce the death penalty for rapists.
Five of her alleged attackers went on trial Monday for gang-rape, murder and other offences and could face the death penalty if convicted of murder.
Source: AFP


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NYC – Save The Date: "Under The Influence" Art Show
Photo courtesy of Royce Bannon.
New York! Save the date for an art show that is going to be epic. "Under The Influence" is the first curated art event to be held in conjunction with the 2011 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. Opening Tuesday, July 12th as part of the Festival's week-long programming at The powerHouse Arena (located at 37 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY) The exhibit will celebrate the influence Hip-Hop has had for multiple generations within the artistic community. "Under the Influence" will be curated by street art legend Royce Bannon and Alex Emmart of Mighty Tanaka Gallery.
The artists featured are: 212 Magazine, 907 Crew (UFO, SADU, DROID, Tony Bones, OZE 108 and GEN II), Ader, Ak5, Alice Mizrachi, Avoid, Cash4, Darkclouds, Destroy & Rebuild, Don Morris, Endless Love Crew (Royce Bannon,Matt Siren, Celso, Infinity, Abe Lincoln Jr), Ellis G, Eric Jordan, Jesus Saves, Joe Conzo, John Brenner, KA, Keely, Kosbe, Martha Cooper, Miguel Ovalle, Mike Screiber, Moody, Pesu, Robots Will Kill, Rodeo, The Me Nobody Knows, Toofly, Tuxedo, URNewYork and Vanessa Chew + more TBA.
The opening night reception will be on July 12, from 6 – 10 PM and the exhibit will run through August 7, 2011.
The powerHouse Arena is located at 37 Main Street in Brooklyn, NY.


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1980 – 1989
In 1981, we changed our name to that by which we are known today – TransAlta. The new name better reflected our now province-wide operations. During this decade we advanced in leaps and bounds, growing to the point where we were supplying 81 per cent of Alberta's electrical requirements.
Early in the decade we also commissioned Sundance Unit Six. It came online in 1980, and incorporated the latest advances in generation technology.
Office technology was also changing. As we began to use electronic mail, word processing and other computer applications, work became faster and more efficient. Our application to build our Keephills Plant was the first we made using computerized technologies.
In 1982, we helped move the hamlet of Keephills further from our mining activities. The work was a model of public participation as we worked closely with the newly formed Committee on Keephills Environment, a community organization that still meets today.
The Keephills Plant was commissioned in 1983 and in service in 1984.
In the '80s, Calgary Power became TransAlta.


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Israel News - Stay Informed, Pray Informed
Israel's Ministerial Committee for Legislation last week rejected a bill calling for the annexation of Judea and Samaria, the so-called "West Bank."
The bill was proposed by Member of Knesset Miri Regev (pictured), who argued that Israel needed to have legislation prepared in the event that the Palestinian Authority unilaterally declared an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank, in which case Israel should immediately annex the Jewish communities located there.
"It is fitting that Israel remove itself of responsibility and control of the Palestinian communities in Judea and Samaria, and yet not abandon communities in these areas where there is a Jewish majority," Regev stated in the explanatory notes accompanying the bill.
The motion was supported by two ministers from the Jewish Home party, but rejected by the other 11 members of the committee.
Despite the defeat, Regev told reporters that she would "continue to fight for the wholeness of the land and the wholeness of the people of Israel."
As debate over the bill raged, Prof. Moshe Negbi, a lecturer at Hebrew University and the legal analyst for Israel Radio, noted that already in 1967 the Knesset had passed a law enabling the government to annex any part of the Land of Israel.
Media analyst Dr. Aaron Lerner of Independent Media Review Analysis (IMRA) asked Prof. Negbi to clarify. In response, the professor pointed out that the law in question was in fact invoked the very day after it was passed, when Israel officially annexed the eastern half of Jerusalem.
The government "can also do so for any other part of the Land of Israel" as it deems necessary, explained Prof. Negbi, suggesting that Regev's bill would actually be redundant, as Israel can already respond with immediate annexation should the Palestinian leadership abandon its promise to reach a bilateral agreement.
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text:
- "Harren the Black thought this castle would be his legacy. The greatest fortress ever built: the tallest towers, the strongest walls. The Great Hall had thirty five hearths. Thirty five, can you imagine? Look at it now... a blasted ruin."
- ―Tywin Lannister to Arya Stark, referring to Harrenhal
King Harren Hoare, better known as Harren the Black and Black Harren, was an ironborn King who ruled over the Iron Islands and the Riverlands from his castle, Harrenhal.
Harren the Black was an ironborn King who ruled over the Iron Islands and the Riverlands from his castle, Harrenhal. Harrenhal was the biggest castle in the entire history of the Seven Kingdoms and was built to be invulnerable to any attack by land.[1]
However, when Aegon Targaryen invaded the Seven Kingdoms, King Harren's vassals from the Riverlands, led by Edmyn Tully, revolted against him, while Aegon the Conqueror unleashed his dragon, Balerion the Black Dread against the massive stronghold.[2] The King of the Iron Isles and the Riverlands and his sons perished as dragonflame consumed Harrenhal, leaving behind blackened and melted ruins.[1] With his armies destroyed, he was replaced with House Greyjoy.
In the books
In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Harren the Black was the last King of the Iron Islands and the Riverlands, grandson of Harwyn Hardhand, a King of the Iron Islands who took the Trident from Arrec, the Storm King (grandfather of Argilac the Arrogant). Harren's father extended their domains further east by conquering even more territory from the Kingdom of the Stormlands, advancing east from the Gods Eye to the Narrow Sea and south to the Blackwater Rush (more or less the area of the later Crownlands).
Harren the Black was a vain, bloody tyrant hated by his vassals. His cruelty became legendary across Westeros. Harren had a very long reign: he had been king for forty years by the time of the War of Conquest. Argilac Durrandon was a strong king and managed to stem the tide of ironborn expansion, starting when he became king 20-30 years before the War of Conquest. Even so, Harren focused on strengthening his hold on the large territories that House Hoare already held, pouring massive resources into finishing Harrenhal (breaking the backs of thousands of enthralled Rivermen).
Harren's growing strength and expansionist mindset indirectly led to the War of Conquest, or at least its immediate cause. After so many years Argilac was starting to grow old, and with only one daughter as an heir, he feared that Harren would sense weakness and mount another major invasion against the Stormlands. Argilac therefore proposed a marriage-alliance to Aegon Targaryen, whose dragons could stop Harren. Aegon declined the offer, however, pointing that he already had two wives - and that the vast lands that Argilac promised as dowry (from Gods Eye to the Blackwater) were in fact still held by Harren (and Aegon would only gain them if they succeeded). Aegon did give a counter-offer, that Argilac's daughter could marry his best friend (and rumored bastard brother) Orys Baratheon. Argilac was incensed at giving his daughter's hand in marriage to a bastard, so he cut off the hands of Aegon's envoy and mailed them back to Dragonstone in a box, saying they were the only hands he would ever receive from him. Aegon responded by calling his bannermen, and announcing that he intended to conquer not merely the Stormlands or the ironborn, but all of the Seven Kingdoms.
See also
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "A Man Without Honor"
- ↑ "The Complete Guide to Westeros: The Field of Fire" featurettes confirm Aegon used his three dragons only in the Field of Fire.
Kings of the independent Seven Kingdoms
|Kings in the North
Bran the Builder · Brandon the Breaker · Jon · Rickard, The Laughing Wolf · Dorren · Rodrik · Theon, The Hungry Wolf · Torrhen, the King Who Knelt · Robb, the Young Wolf · Jon, the White Wolf
|Kings of the Rock
|Kings of the Iron Islands
Grey King · Qhored I, the Cruel · Qhorwyn the Cunning · Harwyn Hardhand · Harren the Black · Balon, Invader of the North · Euron
|Kings of the Reach
| Kings of the
Mountain and the Vale
|Storm Kings
|Princes of Dorne
Mors · Nymeria · Daughter of Mors · Meria, the Yellow Toad · Nymor · Maron
|River Kings


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European Commission - Press release
Commission welcomes Desertec and Medgrid cooperation on solar energy in North Africa and the Middle East
Brussels, 24 November 2011 - Today, in the margins of the Energy Council, Energy Commissioner Oettinger welcomed the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Desertec Industry Initiative (Dii) and Medgrid. The MoU establishes closer cooperation between the two private industry initiatives, which are key to the promotion of a renewable energy partnership between the EU and countries in the Southern Mediterranean. Areas of cooperation will include exchange of information, update on progress, joint evaluation of potential synergies, and joint efforts on the EU and Middle-East and North Africa level to obtain a more favourable regulatory framework for renewable energy markets.
Energy Commissioner Oettinger stated that: "By joining efforts and coordinating their approaches, the two initiatives take a truly European dimension. There is now a concrete perspective of solar and wind energy being produced for the joint benefit of European and Northern African and Middle Eastern citizens, as well for the benefit of both markets."
Dii is a private industry joint venture, founded in October 2009 in Munich. It aims to produce power from the sun and wind in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East for local and European demand. The long-term goal is to meet about 15% of Europe's electricity demand by 2050.
Shareholders include among others: ABB, Siemens, Deutsche Bank, EON.
Medgrid, created at the end of 2010 in Paris, is promoting new high capacity electricity links around the Mediterranean, studying their feasibility from the technical, economic and institutional standpoints. This infrastructure would link the Southern, Eastern and Northern shores of the Mediterranean and transport electricity generated primarily from renewable resources. Founders are among others: AFD, Alstom grid, Areva renouvelables, EDF, RTE.
Desertec and Medgrid are complementary and mutually reinforcing, the first focusing on energy generation and the second on energy transmission. Given that both initiatives' long term objective is the development of renewable energy in the Eastern and Southern countries, and its transport to the local and EU markets, their increased collaboration will create strong synergies and have a positive impact on market integration.
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text:
A Little Haven for Baby
Name: Baby Girl
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
Here in Iceland it's traditional for babies to sleep in their parents' bedrooms, at least for the first few months. So when a good friend of mine asked me for help to create a haven for their little girl, I jumped at the chance.
We decided on a pretty neutral color scheme and simply enjoyed the beauty of things. We bought a few old, gold frames at the local Goodwill and replaced the back with cork. We used small pins to fasten the itsy bitsy teeny weeny cute clothes in the frame. The frames were kept their original gold color, which adds warmth and character.
They already had the chair, and I think it came from Pier 1. The canopy was created using Alvine curtains from IKEA and hung on a rod that is supposed to be used outdoors for flower pots. The lacy, flowery bookshelves on the wall are Liksidig napkin holders from IKEA, simply drilled into the wall. At just $3.95, you can't beat that price.
Thanks, Soffia! You can see more of Soffia at her blog, Skreytum hus.
(Images: Soffia G./Skreytum hus)


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To hear Hollywood tell it, movie piracy is rampant. But while a lot of people do illegally download copyrighted content from the Internet, there are plenty of barriers to doing so.
Using BitTorrent or some other peer-to-peer tool requires some technical knowledge. There are below-the-radar websites that trade in illegal downloads, and these are easier to use – but they're often laced with malware.
Movie piracy would likely be even more rampant if grabbing illicit content was as easy and painless as, say, watching Netflix on your home computer.
Now, it is.
Popcorn Time is an open-source project from a programmer and designer in Buenos Aires, Argentina, who goes by the name of Sebastian. According to TorrentFreak, the program is now being co-developed by 20 collaborators who are adding features at a rapid pace.
The app – available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux computers – taps into torrents for movies and streams them, just as if you were watching a film via iTunes or Netflix. It's remarkably easy to use – just browse a list of film genres or search for a title, then click the one you want. There's a brief pause while Popcorn Time connects, finds the movie and buffers. If you like, you can even watch with subtitles.
In a test, I was able to start watching "American Hustle" on Popcorn Time in less than two minutes. At this writing, "American Hustle" is available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon Instant Video. Officially, it's not yet released for streaming.
Clearly, using Popcorn Time in this way is not legit. Indeed, when you first launch the app, you're warned that watching movies using it may not be legal in "your country."
Naively, Sebastian tells TorrentFreak that he doesn't think there will be any legal repercussions from Popcorn Time:
Since Popcorn Time links to a lot of copyrighted movies, Hollywood is not going to be happy, but according to Sebastian the developers don't expect any legal issues. They inform users that sharing copyrighted material is not allowed everywhere, and other than that they are just repackaging existing content, without a commercial angle.
"We don't expect legal issues. We don't host anything, and none of the developers makes any money. There are no ads, no premium accounts, and no subscription fees or anything like that. It's an experiment to learn and share," Sebastian notes.
Good luck with that line of logic when the attorneys from the Motion Picture Association of America come calling, Sebastian.
And indeed, something like this is bound to alarm the industry. The streaming of movies and TV shows is taking off because it's very easy to do and fairly affordable. But Popcorn Time makes it just as easy to watch content without paying for it. The movie business won't take kindly to something this simple and disruptive.


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Honda Research Institute is sponsoring the development of 3D technologies for driver-assistance systems in PCL.
For a complete list of all the present and past PCL code sprints please visit http://www.pointclouds.org/blog.
Click on any of the links below to find out more about our team of PCL developers that are participating in the sprint:
The Honda Research Institute code sprint was finished. All code was commited, the final report is attached below.
We've implemented almost everything, what was planned, and now we want to present our results.
First of all please watch this video with results on the whole Castro dataset. Road is marked with red, left and right road borders are indicated by green and blue lines respectively.
The main problem is the presence of holes in the road surface. This is caused by the holes in the input disparity maps. We decided not to inpaint them, because we have no information about scene in those points. But we will compute the quality of the labeling only in points with known disparity. It allows to estimate the results of our method independently of the quality of the method for generating disparity maps.
Our method has a significant advantage in situations with one or both curbs are clearly visible (with corresponding sidewalks). You can compare the result of the previous sprint's method (left) with the result of our method (right) on the same frame (which has two clearly visible sidewalks).
Next, I'm going to show you the numerical results. Precision is a ratio of right detected road's points to all detected pixels, recall is a percent of detected road's points. Only points with known disparity are taken into account.
We have implemented an algorithm which processes frames independently (i.e. without the connection to the previous frame). Also, now we make an assumption that both of the curbs (left and right) are presented in the scene.
Below you can see a projection of the labeled DEM to the left image. Green points correspond to the left sidewalk, blue - to the right one. Red points mark the road surface. The algorithm couldn't find the right curb on this image, so right side of the road was labeled uncorrectly. The good news is that the left curb was detected correctly.
However our goal is to label a road on the image, not on the DEM. So, if we mark each pixel with label corresponding to the DEM's cell we get the following labeling of the road surface:
You can see a lot of holes in the road area. They caused by holes in the disparity map. We decided not to fill them, because someone/something can be situated there (we have no information).
A disparity map of this frame is shown below. Points without disparity are marked with red.
Hello everybody. Last few weeks I was trying to train an SVM for car recognition. For this purpose I was using some clouds that I had. These were the clouds of the city of Enschede, Netherlands, that I had manually labeled earlier. Training set consists of 401 clouds of cars and 401 cloud of the other objects (people, trees, signs etc.). As for the classifier, I was using Support Vector Machine from the libSVM library.
During the training I was using 5-fold cross validation and the grid search in order to get the best values of gamma and soft margin C (parameters of the Gaussian kernel). The best accuracy achived during cross validation was 91.2718% with Gamma and C equal and respectively.
The model obtained after training was then used for recognition. The set for recognition consists of the 401 cars and 401 other objects. Training and testing sets were taken randomly from different scanned streets. The best accuracy achived this far when trying to reconize test set is 90.7731% (728 correctly recognized objects of 802).
As for descriptors, I was using combination of RoPS feature and some global features such as height and width of the oriented bounding box. RoPS feature was calculated for the center of mass of the cloud with the support radius big enough to include all the points of the given cloud.
Since RoPS is better fits for the purpose of local feature extraction, I believe that using it with ISM and Hough Transform voting will result in higher accuracy.
Hello everybody. I'd like to thank Yulan Guo, one of the authors of the RoPS feature, for his help. I've tested my implementation against his and got the same results. I have also tested my implementation for memory leaks with the VLD and it works fine, no memory leaks were detected. Right now the code is ready for commit. And as always I have wrote a tutorial about using the code. Right now all is left is to discuss where to place the implemented code.
Hello everybody. I have finished implenting the ROPS feature. Next step I am going to do is to write to the authors and ask them about some samples of data and precomputed features, so that I could compare the result. After that I am planning to test ROPS feature for object recognition. For this purpose I am going to use Implicit Shape Model algorithm from PCL.
We are pleased to report, that labeling of the Castro dataset (6440 frames) is finished. Here are some examples of labeled images:
We also tested an algorithm, developed by Alex Trevor in the previous HRI code sprint. This algorithm segments points using their normal distribution, this makes it very sensitive to noise.
Basically, this algorithm computes a disparity for a stereo pair using its own dense matching method, implemented by Federico Tombari. But I additionally tested it using disparity maps precomputed by HRI. Here are the typical results (left - disparity is computed with Federico Tombari's method, right - precomputed by HRI):
You can see that Federico Tombari's method is friendlier to the normal-based algorithm. But it is not good enough for describing a scene, there are a lot of false positives.
Some noise is presented at the HRI's disparity maps, even a lot of pixels have no valid disparity, sometimes there are no segments that are similar to road and there are a lot frames in which road was not found.
This algorithm has thresholds for disparity and doesn't mark as "road" any point which doesn't satisfy these thresholds. I didn't take it to account because it would make these results not completely correct. Therefore, 50% recall would be a very good result.
The goal is find all pixels, that belong to the road. Total results are on the image below (precision is a ratio of right detected road's points to all detected pixels, recall is a percent of detected road's points):
Hello everybody. I finally finished the code for simple features. I've implemented a pcl::MomentOfInertiaEstimation class which allows to obtain descriptors based on eccentricity and moment of inertia. This class also allows to extract axis aligned and oriented bounding boxes of the cloud. But keep in mind that extracted OBB is not the minimal possible bounding box.
The idea of the feature extraction method is as follows. First of all the covariance matrix of the point cloud is calculated and its eigen values and vectors are extracted. You can consider that the resultant eigen vectors are normalized and always form the right-handed coordinate system (major eigen vector represents X-axis and the minor vector represents Z-axis). On the next step the iteration process takes place. On each iteration major eigen vector is rotated. Rotation order is always the same and is performed around the other eigen vectors, this provides the invariance to rotation of the point cloud. Henceforth, we will refer to this rotated major vector as current axis.
For every current axis moment of inertia is calculated. Moreover, current axis is also used for eccentricity calculation. For this reason current vector is treated as normal vector of the plane and the input cloud is projected onto it. After that eccentricity is calculated for the obtained projection.
Implemented class also provides methods for getting AABB and OBB. Oriented bounding box is computed as AABB along eigen vectors.
At first, we decided to implement some simple features such as:
I've already started implementing them. After this step I will implement some more complex descriptors (e.g. 3D SURF, RoPS - Rotational Projection Statistics). And finally I'm going to use machine learning methods for the object recognition.
For evaluation of the developed algorithm we need ground truth so we decided to outsource manual labelling. For this purpose a highly efficient tool was developed. A person could easily solve this task however there are some difficulties.
First of all, what to do, if there are several separated roads in the scene? The solution is to mark as "road" only the pixels of the road, on which the vehicle is. Below is an example of such frame (left) and the labeling for it (right).
How to label an image if two different roads on the previous frames are merging in the current frame? We decided to mark pixels of the first road and the second road pixels lying above the horizontal line, drawn through the end of the curb that separates the roads. Here an example for explanation:
We optimize manual labelling time in 10 times in contrast to our initial version and now we could obtain enough labelled data in reasonable time. All results will be publicly available later.
The project "Fast 3D cluster recognition of pedestrians and cars in uncluttered scenes" has been started!
The project "Part-based 3D recognition of pedestrians and cars in cluttered scenes" has been started!
A few words about the project: the goal is to detect a drivable area (continuously flat area, segmented by a height gap such as curb). As an input we have two rectified images from the cameras on the car's roof and a disparity map. An example of such images is below.
The point cloud, that was computed from them:
The point cloud is converted into the Digital Elevation Map (DEM) format to simplify the task. DEM is a grid in column-disparity space with heights associated to each node. A projection of DEM onto the left image is illustrated below.
On the following image you can see that despite of a low resolution of the DEM it is still possible to distinguish the road from the sidewalk.
A front view of the DEM in 3D space (nodes without corresponding points, i.e. the disparity map had no points, that should be projected onto this node, are marked with red):
DEM as a point cloud:
As a starting point we are going to implement an algorithm: J. Siegemund, U. Franke, and W. Forstner, "A temporal filter approach for detection and reconstruction of curbs and road surfaces based on conditional random fields," in Proc. IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symp., 2011, pp. 637-642.
All source code related to the project can be found here.
The Honda Research Code Sprint for ground segmentation from stereo has been completed. PCL now includes tools for generating disparity images and point clouds from stereo data courtesy of Federico Tombari, as well as tools for segmenting a ground surface from such point clouds from myself. Attached is a report detailing the additions to PCL and the results, as well as a video overview of the project. There is a demo available in trunk apps, as pcl_stereo_ground_segmentation.