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Mercedes-AMG has announced a replacement for the 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine is being developed in collaboration with the F1 team.
Mercedes-AMG has announced a replacement for the 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine is being developed in collaboration with the F1 team.
In an interview with Motoring, Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers said there's no more room for upgrades as far as the turbo-four is concerned since the engineers have "squeezed everything" and the "turbocharging technology is at its very limit." As a reminder, the revised A45 AMG (and CLA45, GLA45) now offers 381 PS (280 kW) and 475 Nm (351 lb-ft) of torque and this seems to be the motor's limit.
A replacement is already in the works and it is being developed with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains, the same team who was in charge of creating the hybrid 1.6-liter V6 turbo engine powering the highly successful Formula 1 car. One of the most important reasons why these engineers were asked to work on the new engine is because they mastered ERS and KERS technologies which in some form might end up in the next-gen A-Class AMG models that could get a downsized 1.6-liter unit.
Moers went on to specify there are slim changes of seeing e-turbo technology in these models, because it requires more power than the standard 12V electrical system can handle which means they would have to add more batteries. Mercedes-AMG experimented by adding an electric fan to the turbo and they obtained some advantages, but Moers says these weren't enough to justify the changes.
As to when we will get the next-gen A-Class AMG models, most likely these will be out before the end of the decade.


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Client Login
Site Map
About Us
Firm Profile
Partner Comments
Quality Commitment
Our Services
Senior Managers
Career Progression
Contact Us
Partner Comments
Gregory M. Bradley:
"I believe our firm is distinguished from the competition through our exclusive focus on the healthcare industry. We concentrate our services in one field and one field alone – from physician groups to hospitals to every size and type of healthcare entity in between. It's all we do, and our level of expertise in the industry is unchallenged."
"Additionally, what increases our firm's unique ability to service our clients' needs is our people. We bring the best people we can find into Bradley Associates: creative people, people devoted to their careers and their clients."
"Some time ago, the partners of Bradley Associates decided that we didn't necessarily want to be the biggest accounting and consulting firm around – just the best. To this end, we invest in the finest technology available – and it's proven to be an investment that enhances our efficiency and helps us do the best job for our clients. We utilize a variety of high-end software, and if we can't find what we need to get the job done, we write the program ourselves."
Tracy R. Mitchell:
"We don't just add up the numbers for our clients, we also explain precisely what the numbers mean and how they apply to a client's particular circumstance. All the knowledge in the world doesn't mean a thing if you can't use it to benefit the client."
"Staying abreast of new regulations and other changes in the healthcare field demands commitment from everyone at Bradley Associates. The healthcare industry is exceedingly technical and becomes more so each day. Our firm is structured in a manner that enables us to react to the new regulations and numerous changes rapidly and efficiently."
"Clients frequently regard change as something to fear. We think it's part of our job to help them understand that change should be embraced as opportunity."
Skander Nasser, III:
"We have a philosophy about client service here at Bradley Associates, and that philosophy influences everything we do and how we do it. For example, we think it's important to be accessible to our clients. We return calls promptly. We'll rearrange our own schedules in order to address a client's needs and meet their schedule."
"It's very important for our partners to become personally involved in every account. We don't just show up for the pitch in order to get the business, then disappear. Our partners are involved in every project that comes into our firm. The partners make it their job to check a project for accuracy, to check the detail, to check the logic, to provide an objective view before that project leaves our office. And always to ask the question, 'Are there any other options here?'"
"We take pride in providing timely, accurate, professional service to the healthcare industry. And it's a level of service we provide to every client, regardless of size. If you don't approach your business like that, you shouldn't be in business. This is our commitment and approach toward your business."
Daniel S. Gaafar:
"Our firm is committed to providing the best services for our clients. This begins with each and every member of the firm. We recognize that our firm's reputation evolves from our staffs' performance and abilities. Therefore, we have an extensive recruiting process of potential staff members to ensure that our clients will continue to receive outstanding services. Other firms may view this practice to be excessive; however, we believe the strength of the firm is anchored by our staff."
"Additionally, the experience and knowledge that we bring to the table is a crucial element of our firm. We require each staff member to receive a minimum of 40 hours of continuing professional education every year. On top of that, we keep up-to-date on changes in the healthcare industry through weekly newsletters, periodicals, governmental updates and meeting with trade associations. These practices ensure we consider every aspect of an engagement prior to issuance to our client."
"Our firm has thrived in an ever-changing environment. This is a testimony to our management and our staff."
Wade E. Hill:
"We are about options, timely responses and appropriate feedback. To use an old cliché, we continually think outside of the box. Any CPA can prepare a report or put some numbers on a ledger sheet. We provide options to those reports and feedback as to what those numbers say and don't say about your business."
"Responding timely to our clients concerns is of significant importance to the partners of Bradley Associates. We now live in a world where overnight mail has become too slow. As such, we have ensured our entire firm is equipped with the best technologies available to make certain we are always accessible and meet our client's needs."
"The two greatest assets we have are our clients and our employees. We cannot survive and prosper without the best of both. We hold both in the highest regard and treat with equal respect and we are dedicated to ensuring they prosper with us."
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Commercial for a new healthy fast food company in Cape Town.
TVC [Middle-East]
Campaign to help raise money for water to give to Syrian refugee camps.
Director: Christopher Bisset
DOP: Ross Hillier
Creative Director: James Bisset (Ogilvy Dubai)
Rush is changing the courier industry in South Africa by empowering customers to choose their delivery solutions by comparing couriers, their prices and courier services in real-time, through the use of a smart phone or personal computer.
Set mainly in Maputo, A Procura de Pancho (Looking for Pancho) is an experimental mix of animation, illustration and live action that follows the journey of a solitary student who has come to the city to explore the vibrant work of architect and artist Pancho Guedes.
Director & Editor: Christopher Bisset
Cinematographer: Ross Hillier
Starring: Stephen Hitchcock
Music: Bateleur


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Our last ever Semillon – the 2009 – has just been awarded 5 stars in Winestate Magazine's Semillon and Blends Tasting in Australia.
Oz excels at making serious example of this varietal; so we are delighted with this assessment as our wine was the oldest wine in its class in the tasting and also the sole Kiwi wine!
Most often blended with Sauvignon Blanc, 100% Semillon is an under-appreciated varietal. As it ages it can be more like chardonnay. Why not try it matched with seared salmon in a creamy sauce or seafood risotto – although rich, aged Semillon retains its acidity.
Click on the link below for winemaking/tasting notes and to order to your door – $25/bottle.


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Flying Bursaries
The flying bursary progamme offers 3-5 hours of advanced flying training to current Private Pilot's Licence (PPL) holders.
The bursaries again are funded by industry and by private individuals. In order to apply, you must be a permanent resident of the UK and either be or become a member of The Air League.
Application forms are available in December with a closing date in February for receipt of completed applications.
Flying Scholarships
12 hours of Powered Flight training towards the award of an National Private Pilot's Licence (NPPL). The intention of this award is to enable a person to enjoy the responsibility and achievement of solo flight. Scholars are encouraged to undertake their training as a residential course over the course of week to ensure consistency in their learning and to allow training as a small group with other scholars so that ideas and a fun, open learning environment can develop.
In order to apply you must be between 18-26 years old, an Air League member and a permanent UK resident.
Training can be undertaken at one of our three training providers:
- South Warwickshire Flying School
- Booker Aviation
- Tayside Aviation


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Red Horseshoe Leather Bracelet
Silver Animal Jewellery Home > other Horse pieces --or-- see our Sterling Silver Horse Jewellery
Please note: as of today - Wednesday 19th of September 2018 this item is IN STOCK and will be dispatched to you within 24 HOURS
Red Horseshoe Leather Bracelet
Red Horseshoe Leather Bracelet
A multistrand black leather bracelet featuring a silver plated horseshoe studded with red sparkly Rhinestones.
The bracelet is finished with silver plated ends and fastens with a silver plated hook and eye closure.
Available in any size.
If the size you want is not in the drop down list please select Custom Size and then add a note to your PayPal order, or email us, with the size you want.
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Items similar to Red Horseshoe Leather Bracelet
Pink Horseshoe Leather Bracelet
Pink Horseshoe Leather Bracelet: black leather multistrand bracelet with a pink rhinestone studded horseshoe bead.
Tags: horseshoe,bracelet,leather,multistrand,red,black,silver


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Back to: Discover Things To Do in Fresno California
Fresno California River Tubing
Find Fresno California River Tubing. Fresno California River Tubing Tours are excited to get you floating and having fun. River Tubing will captivate & amaze the whole family. Fresno California River Tubing are an excellent example of the great things to discover in Fresno California. "Fresno California" offers a whole bunch of things to discover like exciting activities and cool entertainment that is thrilling for everyone in Madera CA, Clovis CA, McLane CA, Roosevelt CA and Malaga CA.
Place Your Business AD Here. Learn How
Fresno California River Tubing:
Take a Fresno California River Tubing tour that you will remember for the rest of your life! An exciting tour with breathtaking views and excellent photo opportunities. So reward yourself and get an incredible new perspective.
Fresno California River Tubing Tips:
- Find a Fresno California River Tubing Tour company that operates in your area of interest. Do some research to makes sure that you (and your family) are comfortable with the company you choose.
- Schedule as early as possible. Unexpected weather conditions happen often. Make sure that your fun is stress-free, so plan ahead.
- Wear a life jacket if you are unsure of your swimming skills or if you plan on going through rapids. Life vests are always recommended for children.
- Try to stay hydrated a few days in advance of your Amusement Theme Park trip. You'll be surprised at the amount of water you may need to make up for all that sweating outside.
- Don't bring glass containers.
- Protect yourself and family members from sunburn, rashes, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
- Be certain to apply waterproof sunscreen before you go River Tubing & throughout the day. Hats are good for additional sun protection too.
- Notify staff if you are prone to motion or sea sickness or have any other condition that could cause nausea or dizziness.
- Does the Boat rental dealer have any extra fees?
- Does the Boat rental dealer have a cancelation policy?
On this page you will find a directory of Fresno California River Tubing Tours, Fresno California Rafting with kids, Fresno California Inner Tubing River Tours.
- Fresno California River Tubing Tours
- Fresno California Rafting with Kids
- Fresno California Inner Tubing River Tours
- Madera CA River Tubing Tours
- Clovis CA River Tubing Tours
- McLane CA River Tubing Tours
- Roosevelt CA River Tubing Tours
- Malaga CA River Tubing Tours
Discoverwhattodo.com is always on the look out for new, fun and different things to do in Fresno California.From creative 'Event entertainment or Artistic classes' for the family and adults, to wonderful 'nightlife and shopping' for the big kids and couples.
Discoverwhattodo.com is devoted to bring you the very best that Fresno California has to offer. DiscoverWhatToDo.com offers business owners a FREE way to advertise their business directly to the people who are already searching for the services they offer. So we encourage businesses to list their businesses on our website so we can provide you with the best 'Things to do' when you are wondering 'What To Do' in Fresno California'. Find Fresno California Nightclubs and Bars, Fresno California Restaurants, Fresno California Shopping, Fresno California Bed and Breakfasts and much much more!
The 'Discover What To Do' website is organized in an easy to read format. You can discover wonderful activities as quickly as possible in Madera CA, Clovis CA, McLane CA, Roosevelt CA and Malaga CA. Our #1 goal here at 'Discover What To Do' is to be your main guide for cool, fun things to do in Fresno California.
We are always happy to list businesses in the following California towns and nearby areas: Fresno California, Madera CA, Clovis CA, McLane CA, Roosevelt CA, Malaga CA, Edison CA, West Fresno CA, Sanger CA, Monmouth CA, Kerman CA, Selma CA, Kingsburg CA, Chowchilla CA, Maders Acres CA, Dinuba CA, Visalia CA, Tulsre CA, Hanford CA, Merced CA, Coalinga CA, Porterville CA,


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Website Game On Sports Training
Dedication + Motivation = Success!
We are currently looking for coaches, trainers , and tutors, to become a part of our wonderful establishment. Only serious candidates apply. Please click on the "Apply For Job" button bellow and fill out the information bellow, don't forget to attach your resume.
Things you should not forget to mention in your resume:
- Your work experience
- Your Coaching or playing experience
- Your education major
- Your Sport (Soccer, Basketball, Football, Baseball/Softball)
- Your awards or certifications
We look forward to hearing from you!


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Curriculum Statement of the Governing Body
Whilst supporting the policies and aims of the School, the Governing Body of Sladefield Infant School aims to ensure an all round education of the highest quality through the provision of a stimulating, happy and safe environment where each child can develop a love of learning.
The School Curriculum
The School follows the 2014 National Curriculum, which consists of the core areas – Spoken Language, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary development and Mathematics. These core areas run through and support learning in all subjects. These subjects include Science, Computing, PE, History, Geography, Design & Technology, Art, Music, PSHE/Citizenship. In addition the school provides Religious Education and Collective Worship. These subjects grow out of the core areas.
The Early Years Foundation Curriculum
At Sladefield Infant School we aim to give children a happy and confident start by welcoming both children and parents to our Induction Programme; this includes a varied range of activities in the summer term, to prepare the children for the big and exciting event of starting school. In September, the Reception children begin school on a part-time basis initially, to settle them quickly and to develop good relationships.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum comprises of three prime areas:
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
And four specific areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Each of these areas is implemented through planned and purposeful play, a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities. The children experience this exciting curriculum, both indoors and outdoors, and it is designed to meet the needs of young children. This is fun, creative and play based and challenges each child to achieve his/her individual potential. Whilst in reception the children are encouraged to become independent and active learners through effective teaching and learning opportunities, this is delivered through play and exploration. Active learning and creative thinking are critical to each child's development. We ensure that there is a balance of creative adult initiated activities, opportunities and resources for your child to initiate their own learning both indoors and outdoors. This inspires them to gain a curiosity of the world around them, develop their social skills and be motivated to try new activities.
A great emphasis is placed on the notion of play as it is through this means that children find stimulation, well-being and happiness. To ensure that children are continually stimulated and interested we plan and provide suitably challenging and motivating activities, responding to children's individual interests and support them in these through careful and sensitive adult interactions.
Assessment is an integral part of the learning and development process at our school. It supports our understanding of level of achievement, interests and learning styles of children. It is an ongoing daily process and is used to plan future learning opportunities. Children in reception are assessed continually throughout the year and their progress in each area of learning and 'next steps' are shared with parents termly. At the end of the Reception year the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) will be completed for every child and will assess levels of development against the 17 Early Learning Goals and will indicate whether children are meeting expected levels, exceeding levels or not yet reaching expected levels (emerging).
Parents are regularly welcomed into school and their contribution to their child's experiences is highly valued. Throughout the year a range of activities are planned to support parents to help their children's learning development. These will include Inspire workshops, Music sessions, weekly book change and ongoing informal discussions.
English is taught daily in Literacy lessons. During these sessions the important skills of reading, writing and speaking & listening are taught.
Children will be taught reading, spelling, handwriting and vocabulary skills within KRM sessions. KRM is a system of teaching reading which has been very successful in other Local Authorities. We have been using this approach for the past few years at Sladefield and we are very pleased with the results.
The children are taught synthesis, segmentation letter sounds, blending and high frequency words in a whole class teaching approach of 2 to 3 sessions of 15 minutes per day, 5 days a week. Although the children are taught in whole class situations the work is differentiated. The children are also taught guided reading in different ability groups very frequently throughout the units of work.
Maths is taught in a fun and practical way at Sladefield in daily maths lessons. This focuses on giving children confidence with numbers and measures. Children will be given an understanding of the number system and will be taught the skills to enable them to solve problems in a variety of contexts. They will also learn how to gather information by counting and measuring and how to present this in the form of graphs, diagrams and charts etc. In Reception children will learn mathematical skills through focused group activities.
Science is taught by a cross-curricular topic approach. We aim to encourage the children to become inquisitive and curious and to ask questions. A great deal of emphasis is put on investigative work using first hand experience. The children are encouraged to use scientific vocabulary and practical equipment safely to carry out these investigations.
It is Sladefield School's vision that the children's learning is enhanced with the use of ICT. As a result children have access to a wide range of ICT and audio-visual resources, which are used as a cross-curricular approach to develop their ICT skills. Some of the key skills involve handling data, communicating using text and pictures, modelling, controlling programmable toys and using media software.
Design & Technology
Children will learn how to think imaginatively and talk about what they like and dislike when designing and making. They will build on their early experience of investigating objects around them by exploring how familiar things work, and talk about, draw and model their ideas. They will learn how to design and make things safely using appropriate tools.
History and Geography
These two subjects are taught mainly through creative project work. In Geography the children's studies include – the local area in comparison to other localities, some aspects of the environment of the wider world and the relationship between people and their environment. In History, the children will be helped to develop a sense of the passage of time and an understanding of the past. They will study local and family history and look back at events in their own lives and the lives of important people.
Children will be provided with a range of musical experiences, involving listening, composing and performing. Children will be taught to sing and enjoy learning new songs. They will learn how to use percussion instruments to accompany their singing and enjoy working with a musician every week.
Most Art lessons are cross-curricular. Children will be provided with opportunities to learn how to handle a wide range of tools and materials skilfully and creatively. They will be encouraged to observe, imagine and evaluate their work and the work of others. Children will be given the chance to see, talk about, and appreciate the work of great artists from many cultures.
Children will be able to develop co-ordination, agility, confidence, fitness and enjoyment in P.E. They will use the large apparatus facilities which we have available as well as the small apparatus like balls, bats and skipping ropes to develop these skills. They will also develop simple game skills. In Year 2 the children go swimming at the local swimming pool for just over half a term. In the Summer Term the whole school participates in a Sports day, and, whenever possible Year 1 & Year 2 enter multi-skills sports events with other schools.
R.E. is taught through the Birmingham Agreed syllabus. Teaching is focused on what we can learn from different religions and cultures. In particular, the children learn and respect other people's lives. Much of our teaching is based on the moral and social aspects of our lives, how we can appreciate each other and be tolerant of each other, regardless of what our own beliefs are. We hope that this will build a firm foundation for the future of our children to become good citizens.
PSHE & Citizenship
PSHE and Citizenship encompasses all aspects of the school's planned provision to promote children's personal and social development, including health and well-being. At Sladefield this is addressed through our Circle time and School Council programmes, Collective Workshop assemblies, Health Week, Community and fund-raising events. Our Learning Mentor supports children's well being in school.


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Johns Hopkins Diabetes Guide →Clinical Tests →Bone
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a topic covered in the Johns Hopkins Diabetes Guide.
To view the entire topic, please sign in or purchase a subscription.
Official website of the Johns Hopkins Antibiotic (ABX), HIV, Diabetes, and Psychiatry Guides, powered by Unbound Medicine. Johns Hopkins Guide App for iOS, iPhone, iPad, and Android included. Explore these free sample topics:
-- The first section of this topic is shown below --
- Estimated that over 1 billion people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency[7].
- Frank vitamin D deficiency in children (rickets) or adults (osteomalacia) remains rare in developed countries.
- Studies ongoing to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM); preliminary data suggests prevalence may be as high as 30% in T2DM[13].
- Vitamin D optimizes intestinal calcium and phosphorus absorption to maintain skeletal mineral content.
- Sources of vitamin D include sunlight exposure, dietary intake, dietary supplements.
- Vitamin D derived from sunlight or dietary sources metabolized in the liver to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)
- 25-hydroxyvitamin D metabolized by 1-alpha-hydroxylase in kidneys to active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D)
- Vitamin D deficiency in adults can lead to development of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and/or osteomalacia; muscle weakness; and increased risk of fractures and falls.
- Vitamin D may have other roles in human health including modulation of immune function and reduction of inflammation, though studies are ongoing.
- Interaction between vitamin D status and other conditions including cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy outcomes amd neuromuscular/neuropsychiatric function is not yet well elucidated.
-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please sign in or purchase a subscription --
Last updated: January 5, 2017
TY - ELEC T1 - Vitamin D ID - 547149 A1 - Moseley,Kendall,M.D. AU - Brown,Todd,M.D., Ph.D. Y1 - 2017/01/05/ PB - Johns Hopkins Diabetes Guide UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/view/Johns_Hopkins_Diabetes_Guide/547149/all/Vitamin_D ER -


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Check it Out! Zombie Head Cookie Jar
Add one more to your zombie head collection. Oh you don't collect zombie heads yet? You should start now.
We go around the web looking for new cool geeky items to surprise you. Today we've found Zombie Head Cookie Jar and we think it's awesome. So go ahead and check it out, and leave your comments and share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Google+. If you do get this geeky gadget for yourself or as a present for someone else, tell us how you liked it, that would be awesome! :)
Categories: $1 to $25, All, All Prices, Food & Drinks, For Her, For Him, Popular Product


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MEMORY ETERNAL for those we have lost!
On September 11th, 2001, I discovered that life can change on a dime and that I was more vulnerable than I'd known. On 9/11 I was living on Embassy row in Washington, DC, about three houses from the Vice President's home. As that day began, before the world turned upside down and inside out, the day was perfect. The sky was a clear, deep blue, the temperature was exquisite, and all felt right with the world. Someone alerted me to events transpiring in New York City and in stupefied horror I watched at the second plane slammed into the tower. Only once before in my life had I watched something in stunned incomprehension, and that was the day that Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald on live TV.
Once the third plane slammed into the Pentagon, in my own backyard so to speak, life in DC changed in…
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Order Hotline: 0116 251 0051 Call us today until 6pm
Vado is a brand under the Narcros Group, established in 1999 as a private company. The group began as a manufacturer of home products and acquired Vado in 2013. The British venture is one of the top most names in the field of taps, showers, pumps and macerators, bathroom accessories and valves. In 2012, the brand received the prestigious the Queen's Award for enterprise in recognition of its continuous growth and export. The company has an exacting manufacturing process that is accredited to the ISO 9001 certification. It uses WRAS approved materials and is part of the TMV and BSI certifications. The company ensures a strict machination for quality in material and assembling, with its own dedicated team of engineers.
Designs are created keeping modern trends in mind. Brassware from this brand undergo moulding, gravity casting, turning bar, stamping, machine polishing, planting, assembly and water pressure testing. All this process makes brassware from this company the best. The company has a vast distribution network spread across 60 countries and a highly efficient sales and service team. Dedicated to environment issues, the brand has a special range for water conservation. The company also owns Plumbex, which provides the PEX brand of high quality valves and fittings. With 20 years of experience in the bathroom industry, the brand has built its reputation in exceeding customer expectations by manufacturing high quality taps. The company continues to grow internationally by selling their brassware's to more than sixty countries world-wide. Taps from this brand can be found in some of the most prestigious hotels and residential developments throughout the world. We are an authorised retailer of Vado, and their products can be purchased at low prices from our on-line store.
Vado Level Open Toilet Paper Holder LEV-180-C/P
The product, designed in contemporary style, is part of the brands Level range. Made without compromising on the quality of the materials used, it will last long and is also quite strong. The open model in chrome finish can be easily mounted on your bathroom wall. It is guaranteed against all manufacturing defects for 12 years. Contact your nearest online store to avail a good discount.
Vado Life Open Toilet Paper Holder LIF-180-C/P
Easy to use and excellent quality - that is what this Toilet Paper Holder offers you. The chrome finish product, part of the brands Life range, has been designed in contemporary style. It features an upward curve that will ensure that the paper roll does not slide off. Crafted from high quality material, it is strong and durable. The model, which is extremely easy to install, is backed by 12 years guarantee against all manufacturing defects.
Vado Victoriana Wall Mounted Bath Shower Mixer Tap With Kit Chrome
Apart from your bath and enclosure fittings, the only way you can glam up your bathroom is by installing the Victoriana Wall Mounted Bath Shower Mixer. Truly Edwardian and Victorian styled this shower mixer tap gives a vintage appeal to your bathroom setting. Evoking a pure sense of comfort coupled with massive efficiency, this shower mixer is suitable with 0.2 bar pressure system. The manufacturer provides 12 years guarantee on this ravishing product.
Vado Victoriana Basin Pillar Taps Pair - VIC-106/CD-C/P
Gorgeous looking Basin Pillar Tap from Victoriana range gives a luxurious entice and feel when installed on the basin. This basin pillar tap will be an ideal show piece on the basin and will look pleasingly attractive. With its curvy spout and cross head the basin pillar tap blends with any existing setting. The eco-friendly basin pillar tap helps in conservation of water and comes in antique gold finish as well. The manufacturer supports this basin pillar tap with a guarantee of 12 long years.
Vado Level Double Robe Hook LEV-186-C/P
It is an example of Vados craftsmanship, this Robe Hook from Vado. The product, which comes to you from the brands impressive Level range, features two hooks. Made using best quality materials, it is, of course, high on strength and durability. The model has been designed in contemporary style, with chrome finish adding to its attraction. It is guaranteed against all manufacturing defects for 12 years. Count on your favourite online store for quick delivery.
Vado Synergie Bath Filler Waste And Overflow WG-81552-C/P
Vado Studfast Concealed Wall Bracket For Shower Valve WG-STUDFAST-C-S/S
Vado Zoo Single Lever Mono Basin Mixer Tap ZOO-100/SB-C/P
Vado Life Mono Basin Mixer Tap LIF-100/SB-C/P
Vado Zoo Single Function Deck Mounted Shower Kit ZOO-DECKKIT-C/P
Vado Elements Fixed Head Ceiling Mounting Shower Arm ELE-CMA/4IN-C/P
Vado Life Double Robe Hook LIF-186-C/P
Vado Life Wall Mounted Towel Ring LIF-181-C/P
Vado Rectangular Wall Mounted Medium Basket - BAS-2016M-C/P
Vado Extension Elbow For Bath Shower Mixer WG-130ELBOW-C/P
Vado Level Wall Mounted Towel Ring LEV-181-C/P
Vado Medium Triangular Corner Basket BAS-2015M-C/P


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In 2007, French game developer Ubisoft took a leap of faith with a new game IP called Assassin's Creed. It followed the exploits of one Altaïr ibn-La'Ahad, a member of the brotherhood known only as the Assassins. 10 years later, Assassin's Creed the film has arrived, and much like its namesake, Ubisoft have once again taken a massive leap of faith, flying in the face of history, and have reached for the seemingly unreachable… a great film based on video game property.
Ok so Silent Hill was 'decent' and Prince of Persia was 'average', but before we get that ever-elusive Holy Grail of gamerdom, let's start with the obvious.
Now, you would think that the first film adaptation of a hugely marketable videogame global property, one that bursts with all the tasty trappings of an Epic, Historical, Action Adventure Sci-Fi Blockbuster… would be offered to a seasoned Hollywood Director. Someone that could handle the daunting $130 million-dollar budget. Who could juggle complex action with big-scale digital fx and spectacle. Someone who can tell a good story. Unfortunately for fans and audiences in general, we got Australian Justin Kurzel. Known mostly for his bold, opulent ($15 million) Macbeth adaptation. Well, this ain't Shakespeare and this ain't an art house film – this is Assassin's Creed, and not only does his lack of experience in this size of film show, the filmmaker and writers show a distinct lack of basic storytelling technique that just boggled my mind.
Story is King
In the first few minutes, Kurzels film begins with a crawl of expository text that explains the events of the period. We're in 1492 during the Spanish Inquisition where a hooded man cuts off his own finger as part of the initiation into of the Brotherhood of Assassins. He's given an assignment to protect a Prince, but before we get to know this new character (don't worry, we won't) it fasts forward 500 years into our past. It's now 1986 and Callum, a young boy finds his mother dead and his father – in a hood – stands over her with a hidden blade. We fast forward – again – 30 years to the boy (now a man) about to be executed for murder. Our protagonist survives his execution to be imprisoned by Abstergo – a mysterious organisation who wield the Animus, a machine that allows you to see through the eyes of your ancient ancestors via your DNA… Confused? Unless you've played the games, I would expect so. So much of the set-up is rushed through to get to the action. But telling a multi-tiered story with a sci-fi hook works when it takes the time to explain everything in a succinct and clear manner; a way that doesn't detract from the plot or the action. When outside of the action/animus, the dialogue scenes grind the film to a screeching halt. At least you can skip boring cut-scenes in a game, here – no such luck. Again, it all comes back to the writing. If we're on board with a character, understand their motivations, even like them, we'll be there for those expository scenes. In this case, that's a big "if."
The Zero's Journey
When you have not one, but TWO protagonists, and both are being played by one of the most captivating lead actors on the planet – and both are boring characters – you KNOW the writers have shat the bed (pardon my Spanish).
Callum is merely a passive guide to the Animus aka 'virtual reality plot device', and that is for getting us to that character's ancestor… So SURELY (surely) that ancestor must be a character worth visiting, right? Someone with his own story? His own motivations for dedicating his life to a cause that insists upon him removing his middle finger and becoming a trained killer for a higher purpose? No? No. In fact, our assassin friend is the least developed character in the film. He's a henchman. A parkour stunt man. He's Darth Maul – he looks great on a poster and will sell some cool toys, but he's a hollow shell. I'm sure there's a novel or comic book that explains who this man really is and explores what makes him tick – but not here. They say the book is usually better anyway…
Fix it in post….
After all this rushing through backstory, exposition and jumping back and forth through the movie, the middle section arrived and I found myself perking up. Two assassins are being pursued by soldiers from above and below, and they expertly parkour their way through streets, over walkways and across rooftops, while being fired upon with arrows. It's the kind of sequence that would have been written into the first draft of the film, and it's a thrilling chase. For fans of the game it is classic Assassin's Creed through and through (and for fans of staying awake it's a nice jolt). Sadly, a lot of the impressive stunt work, fight choreography and swordplay gets a little lost in the staccato editing. I don't know why directors and editors like to cut up modern action films so quickly, but when editing is used as a substitute for excitement, you know your director just covered it with a few different cameras to go over later in the edit suite. And that's a shame, because an adventure film like this should be allowed to breathe visually, to allow the audience to enjoy all of the beats of the action. There aren't many directors working today that actually understand how action can be shot as spectacle, it has to be said.
Leap of Fail
Assassin's Creed is not a terrible film (if it was terrible, this review would be a lot more entertaining and fun) but I can't say it's any good, either. There's a lack of focus on what's important. Our heroes – yes, even our anti-heroes – need to be interesting in some way. We need to be able to if not empathise, then at least relate to them in some way. The audience needs characters that can speak to them on some level. If I'm rooting for nobody, then you've lost me, and I'm only in it for the action and the spectacle. And when those aren't even up to the expected standards of a massive blockbuster, you wonder just what the hell they were thinking in the first place.
Thanks to lacklustre box office and poor reviews across the board, the curse of the subpar game adaptation is alive and well. Perhaps next time – if there is one – Ubisoft should look to more experienced storytellers to help breathe life into their new cinematic franchise, and not rely solely on a stellar (but wasted) cast and a massive (and misspent) budget.
ASSASSINS CREED – The Review


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Current projects
Here are some of our projects which we have currently running. If you would like to know more about any of these click on the heading to be taken to the individual page for that Project, or alternatively feel free to Contact Us or join our Transition Gawler Chat Group on Facebook
Gawler Garden and Produce Share
The Gawler Garden and Produce Share is a fortnightly gathering at Apex Park, where people bring excess garden and produce "things" to share with others, the focus is on home grown and home made with a preference for organic and chemical free methods being used.
Anyone is welcome, even if they don't have anything to share, or are just starting out in preserving. Check out the Transition Gawler Calendar for the next Gawler Garden and Produce Share.
"First Fridays" Catch up @ the PA Hotel
The "First Fridays" Catch up @ the PA Hotel, is an informal gathering where anyone who is interested in Transition Gawler can come along and meet, mingle and share ideas with like minded individuals.
It occurs on the "First Friday" of the month, at the PA Hotel 109 Murray St, Gawler) from around 7:30pm, with some arriving early to indulge a meal made from locally sourced produce.
Gawler Transition to Solar
Local Gawler based, family run, company Down to Earth Sustainable Solutions has offered their services to provide customised design and installation of solar panels, at a discounted price for residents of Gawler and the Surrounding area. Their services include taking into consideration the individuals households energy requirements, the current market for electricity including Feed In Tarrifs (or lack thereof) and advances in technology available ensuring the system provided is the most suitable for that individual houshold.
For further info contact Down To Earth Sustainable Solutions – Rachel: 0407 775 868 or Tom: 0411 403 257 or check out this post.
Get On your Bike Gawler
Get on Your Bike Gawler (or GOYBG) was initially started as a Transition Gawler initiative with the ultimate aim to encourage people to choose cycling as a preferred mode of transport over fossil fueled modes of transport, leading to the even greater over-arching goal of Transition Gawler to create a Sustainable future for Gawler.
To date there has been a number of social rides organised through the Get On Your Bike, Gawler (GOYBG) Chat Group (Facebook group) with others getting involved with bigger picture ideas such as:
- starting a Bicycle Hospital where people can do minor repairs to their bikes and learn basic bicycle maintenance, and also the possibility of re-cycling/re-gifting unwanted bicycles.
- increasing bicycle parking around destinations (like schools, supermarkets, cafes etc)
- changing people attitudes towards cycling and "cyclists"
- working with councils, parents and schools to get more students cycling to and from school
- working with council and DPTI to get more cycling infrastructure installed in and around Gawler
If you would like to know more about Get On Your Bike Gawler check out this post, join the GOYBG Facebook Group, like the GOYBG Facebook Page, or contact Kathryn on 0457 720 281


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The iPad is (at least for now) the perfect device for consuming media (on the go) and for casual browsing and news consumption. In my point of view there's no reason for most apps to live in the App Store, the majority would work equally well (if not better) as websites or web apps with the benefit that they would be accessible on all platforms, be free from Apple censorship and are easier to develop (just count the number of HTML vs. Objective C developers). There are a few instances were the speed and processing ability is needed (such as games and media players) but most apps are basically information presenters and the web is more than adequate of handling that.
However, there are some optimizations that can be done to most websites for optimal display and a few other issues that needs to be adressed to allow websites to feel as native apps on the iPad (and other mobile touch devices).
Viewport and Native Size
Left to its own imagination the iPad thinks that all websites are 980px wide, add horizontal scrolling if the page is wider and scale up smaller sites to 980px even though the native resolution (in portrait mode) is 780px. When flipping to landscape the page is zoomed in to the same 980px.
To keep the iPad at the native resolution in both portrait and landscape a meta tag has to be added. It defines the resolution and keeps the user from zooming in.
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1,user-scalable=no" />
Running the App in Standalone Mode
The lines below will open the web site as a full-screen app on the device when accessed from an icon at the Homescreen (after the user has chosen "Add to Homescreen" from the bookmark option in Safari), this means that it'll be run in its own thread, won't mess up the Safari tabs and hide the URL and status bar. Whether or not the user runs the app in standalone mode can be found by accessing the window.navigator.standalone property. It's a nice touch and produces a more focused user experience if the site is opened using a homescreen icon while the exact same website is also available on the open web.
<meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-status-bar-style" content="black" />
Orientation Change and Design for Mobile
There are two ways to change the layout depending on device orientation (or viewport size ratio), either by checking the resolution in css or by binding the orientationChange-event.
The easiest (but most blunt method) is to check the viewport size using a media query in the css and provide different classes for different resolutions. This would work for the iPad and desktop browsers that would get a suitable layout depending on the browser window width. However, this locks the design to the current iPad and desktop displays, new and emerging display technologies using much higher pixel densities would not work well and confuse our stylesheets into believing that the screen is much larger than it really is. If the content-width has not been set to the device width (see above) the cutoff resolution would have to be 980 pixels for the iPad. Anyway, to do it is quite simple
@media all and (max-width: 768px) { body { /* extra styles for mobile or portrait*/ } } @media all and (min-width: 769px) { body { /* extra styles for desktop or landscape*/ } }
Just remember to define a set of defaults first since Internet Explorer doesn't understand CSS media queries.
Better control can be devised by checking user agent strings and assigning classes using JavaScript and then set the specific styling using those classes. To check the initial orientation of the device we can use window.orientation, and check the viewport resolution if that isn't available
if (!isNaN(window.orientation)) { var orientation = (window.orientation == 0 || window.orientation == 180) ? "portrait" : "landscape"; $("body").addClass(orientation); } else { // Choose layout depending on viewport width var orientation = ($(window).width() < 980) ? "portrait" : "landscape"; $("body").addClass(orientation); }
It's also easy to bind a class-change to the orentationChange-event so that the layout switches when the device is rotated
window.onorientationchange = function() { var orientation = (window.orientation == 0 || window.orientation == 180) ? "portrait" : "landscape"; $("body").attr("class", orientation); }
Android phones should also support both window.orientation and window.orientationchange, but I haven't tried it.
iPad Webapp Skeleton
I've put together a small and very basic iPad Optimized WordPress Skeleton using the previously mentioned techniques, download it and contact me if you want to add or comment something. For clarity I've peeled away almost all styling so it's ugly as hell but the main point is for it to show the concepts above.
Stay tuned for part 2 where I'll show how to set the icon for the Homescreen, use local storage, touches and swipes and more.


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Meghan Trainor Reveals She Secretly Had Second Vocal Surgery (Video)
Meghan Trainor just confessed that she secretly had vocal surgery done late last year!
The 23-year-old singer opened up during her interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Friday (April 7), where she performed her song "I'm a Lady" from the Smurfs: The Lost Village soundtrack – her first time singing in months!
"I really couldn't talk since December," Meghan told host Ellen. "It was like three months of vocal rest and then we decided, 'Let's get the surgery before Ellen.'"
"It was tough," Meghan added, holding back tears. She first had surgery to repair a hemorrhaged vocal cord back in August 2015, causing her to cancel her tour.
"The real trooper was my boyfriend [Daryl Sabara] because he learned sign language for me," she explained. "I would spell out words for him and I'd get really frustrated. And I'd be like, ['No, wrong.'] And he would learn and he just stuck with me through it. He was great … He's better than whatever I wished for."
Watch below!
Meghan Trainor – The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Click inside to watch the performance…
Meghan Trainor Performs "I'm a Lady" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show


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This week on Lucha Underground The Reptile Tribe faces the Worldwide Underground, another Lucha Underground competitor is sacrificed, and more. (more…)
Tag Archives | Paul London
Lucha Underground Season 4, Episode 6: Break The Machine Review
Pentagon Dark vs. Cage for the Lucha Underground Championship, the debut of Dezmond X, a Battle Royal, and more on this week's Lucha Underground. (more…)
Throwback Review: Brian Kendrick's King Of Flight Tournament
Taking a look at Brian Kendrick's King Of Flight tournament from March 24th, 2013 featuring Ricochet, the Young Bucks, Samuray Del Sol (Kalisto), and more. (more…)
SoCal Pro "10th Anniversary Show" April 15, 2017 – review
SoCal Pro held their tenth anniversary show on April 15th; in what was not only the biggest show in the promotion's history, but the biggest independent wrestling show in the San Diego area in nearly a year. With a really stacked show featuring Rey Mysterio Jr. in the main event they managed to draw over […]
SoCal Pro 10th Anniversary Show – 15 April 2017 – Quick Results
Rey Mysterio Jr. and Lil' Cholo defeated the team of SoCal Crazy and Rocky Romero in the main event of SoCal Pro's 10th anniversary show in Oceanside, CA. Also on the show Anthony Idol won the SoCal Pro Heavyweight title when he defeated Ju Dizz who had won it moments before. Click for full results. […]
SoCal Pro Wrestling 10 Year Anniversary Event in Oceanside, CA
SoCal Pro Wrestling will be holding their 10 Year Anniversary event on April 15th, 2017 at the Oceanside Boys & Girls Club in Oceanside, CA at 7PM.
Rey Mysterio & Lil' Cholo vs. Rocky Romero & SoCal Crazy
Paul London vs. Ricky Mandel
SCP Heavyweight Championship Match
Mike Camden (c) vs. Ju Dizz
SCP Golden State Championship Match
Ryan Kidd (c) vs. Bestia 666
SCP Tag Team Championship Match
P.B.R. (c) vs. The Ballard Brothers
Over The Top Battle Royal
Participants to be announced.
The Oceanside Boys & Girls Club is located at 401 Country Club Ln, Oceanside, California, 92054.
For more information, visit www.SoCalProWrestling.com.
Lineup announced for SoCal Pro's 10 Year Anniversary Event
SoCal Pro will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary with an event at the Boys & Girls Club of Oceanside on April 15th, 2017 featuring Rey Mysterio Jr., Paul London, Rocky Romero, several championship matches, and more. (more…)
VWE in Imperial, CA
Venue Wrestling Entertainment will be running on January 28, 2017 in Imperial, CA at 7:00 pm.
Paul London vs. Ryan Kidd
VWE Lightning Championship Match
Black Danger (c) vs. Blackboy
Street Fight
Efeckto vs. Nightmare Azteca
Jake Atlas vs. Darwin Finch
Koto Hiro vs. Veinom
Guy Cool vs. Motors Jungle
Exodus vs. Cholo De Valle Imperial
Plus more to be announced.
The Ricochet Rec. Center is located at 450 W Aten Rd, Imperial, California 92251.
Movie City Wrestling in East Los Angeles, CA
Movie City Wrestling will be running at the Underground Auditorium in East Los Angeles, CA on January 21st, 2017 at 8PM.
Hudson Envy vs. Ashley Grace
MCW Championship Qualification Match
Airon Skye vs. Ricky Mandel
MCW Championship Qualification Match
Damien Smith vs. Jake Atlas
FeeLyons vs. The Party Patrol
Plus an appearance by Paul London and more.
The Underground Auditorium is located at 926 Clela Avenue, East Los Angeles, CA.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for kids.
Movie City Wrestling in East Los Angeles, CA
Movie City Wrestling will be running their debut show at the Underground Arena in East Los Angeles, CA on December 10th, 2016 at 7PM.
Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Paul London
Hudson Envy vs. Heather Monroe
Desi De Rata vs. Ashley Grace
Airon Skye vs. Dmarco Wilson vs Koto Hiro
Osiris Mittens & El Quetzal vs. Ruben Iglesias & Anderson Cruz
Card subject to change
Tickets are $20 for General Admission, $10 for kids 12 years old and under. The Underground Auditorium is located at 926 Clela Ave., East Los Angeles, CA.
SoCal Pro – 17 September 2016 – Quick Results
Dirty Doug won a five-mam ladder match to win the SoCal Pro Golden State title in the main event of September 17th's SoCal Pro "Super Clash" in Oceanside. Also on the show Paul London defeated SoCal Crazy. Click for complete results. (more…)
SoCal Pro presents "Super Clash" in Oceanside, CA
SoCal Pro Wrestling presents "Super Clash" at the Oceanside Boys & Girls Club in Oceanside, CA on September 17th, 2016.
SoCal Pro Wrestling Golden State Championship – Ladder Match
Ju Dizz (c) vs. Destro vs. Dirty Doug vs. Andy Brown vs. Adrian Quest
SoCal Pro Heavyweight Championship – Falls Count Anywhere Match
Mike Camden (c) vs. Sasha Darevko
Paul London vs. SoCal Crazy
"The Mirror Image" Ricky Mandel vs. Jorel Nelson
Details to be announced. Visit the official SoCal Pro website for more details.
#ThankYouDanielBryan: A special look at "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson's career in SoCal
Before he was known as Daniel Bryan in the WWE, the independent wrestling world knew him as "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson. In this article, we take a special look at Bryan Danielson's career in Southern California with various matches, promos and moments from Youtube. To read about Bryan Danielson's debut in Southern California, click […]


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Get a FREE Oil Change for Supporting a Great Cause!
We care about helping you keep your new or used vehicle running at optimal levels, and we also want to continue to help support those in need. That's why we are proud to announce that we will once again be holding our "Experience Reliable Chevrolet Food Drive," just in time for the holidays.


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Views: 180, Replies: 3 » Jump to the end
Oct 14, 2015 11:03 AM CST
|What a beautiful time of year and beautiful scenery to enjoy some wonderful walks.
Oct 16, 2015 4:46 PM CST
|Hi Larry,..its always sad that summer is over but the colors of Autumn can be beautiful enough to ease the way into winter.
Oct 17, 2015 7:42 AM CST
|Well, when I was younger it was always sad to see summer over, but now I am so happy when summer is over. Now I look forward to spring and fall and even winter more and more, but dread the hot muggy days of summer.
Oct 17, 2015 5:53 PM CST
|Those hot muggy days can drain a person of energy and gardening becomes an overheated chore,..in winter i have lots of indoor jobs to try and keep my idle hands busy alas never enough then cabin fever sets in lol.
|« Garden.org Homepage
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Waterford Podiatry & Chiropody Clinic
As part of the Spectrum Health Group, Spectrum Foot Clinics are widely recognised as Ireland's premier Chiropody & Podiatry clinic network. With an excellent team of Podiatrists & Chiropodists we are committed to providing the best possible clinical services for our patients in our relaxed & friendly clinics. We use the most up-to-date assessment methods to accurately diagnose your foot pain or problem to develop the most effective treatment plan for a wide range of injuries & conditions - "We treat the cause of your problem, not just the symptoms".
Our Fees
30 Minute Consultation (Initial / Follow Up) - €55
15 Minute Consultation (Follow Up) - €35*
Discount for Student/Medical Card Holders - €10 Off*
Clinic Opening Hours*
|Monday - Friday
|8am to 8pm
|9am to 5pm
*Please note, opening times can vary between clinics
Patient Services Team
Our patient services team are available Monday – Friday 8am – 7pm, Saturday 8:30am – 4:30pm. If your enquiry is urgent please call our team at 01-6111740 and we can assist you
Request An Appointment
Please use the form below to request an appointment and a member of our team will respond to you as soon as possible.
Clinic Location
Our Waterford clinic is located within Waterford Health Park - an enhanced Primary Care Centre which prides itself on being 'Your Complete Primary Health Care Service'. The health park is located on Slievekeale Road, Waterford City.
Clinic Address:
Waterford Health Park,
Slievekeale Road,
Our Podiatrists
Fiona Mullins
Fiona completed her BSc (Hons) in Podiatry at the National University of Ireland, Galway and holds current membership to the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists of Ireland and the Society of Chiropodists & Podiatrists UK. Fiona has worked in both the private and HSE sector and has experience in various specialist clinics.


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- Justin's Honey Peanut Butter: I know that everyone raves about the Justin's Nut butters, but to be honest I had actually never had any of their peanut butters before – just almond butters. Besides earning major points with this dietitian for being portion controlled and portable (airplane travel approved), they are also seriously delicious.
- Go Macro Macrobar: At a filling 250 kcals this bar came in handy very quickly on my trip out to Colorado. With my 1st flight delayed I had to sprint to catch my connection to Denver which meant no time to grab the lunch I had planned out at the Charlotte airport. Thankfully I had some snacks stashed into my bag – including a Macrobar to hold me over until I landed in the Mountain Time Zone!
- Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Singles – Powders that when mixed with water form uniquely delicious sports beverages. Flavors include raspberries, lemons and limes, and more. However my favorite Skratch Labs product in the mix – the Apples and Cinnamon, designed to be mixed with hot water to mimic hot apple cider! Now, I am a lover of winter. Snow, skiing, and even winter running are enjoyable to me. But…sometimes even my cutest cold weather running apparel isn't enough encouragement to make me truly want to trade a warm bed for some frigid miles. The promise of a cup of get me going carbohydrates in the form of a cinnamon and apple tea however, did just the trick. Seriously…if the cold weather is causing you to hit the snooze button one too many times, get yourself some of these Skratch Lab drink mixes and get out there! 🙂
- Leave a comment right here telling me your #1 go-to sports nutrition product (mandatory)
- On Twitter? Tweet out the following (or similar) with a link to the giveaway for an extra entry!: " Did you know: @TheFEEDMe is giving a way a box of @NutritionNerd's favorite goods! http://wp.me/1BMNm #SportsNutritionDelivered"
Contest closes Sunday, February 16th at 5pm. Winner announced on Monday, February 17th! Now, if you'll excuse me…I must get back to day dreaming about my time in Colorado…
{View of Breckenridge from the condo}


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Andean villager, Ecuador
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Keywords: adult, andean, andes, around the world in 80 diets, barley, breakfast, central andes, cooking hut, crop, ecuador, ecuadorean, felt hat, female, food, foodstuff, grain, grains, human, mountain region, mountains, nutrition, people, person, porridge, preparation, preparing, south america, south american, tingo, traditional, village, villager, what i eat, woman
Licence fees: A licence fee will be charged for any media (low or high resolution) used in your project.


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Garlic Parmesan Croutons
6 cloves garlic – pressed OR crushed OR minced
3 Tbls. butter OR margarine
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 cups cubed day-old bread
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbls. chopped fresh thyme OR 1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
In a small skillet, sauté garlic in butter until golden; remove from heat; stir in oil.
Place the bread in a large bowl, pour garlic mixture evenly over all, cover, and toss to coat.
Sprinkle Parmesan, thyme, salt, and pepper over bread, cover, and toss to coat.
Spread croutons evenly on a baking sheet and bake in a 250 degree oven for 30-45 minutes, until crisp and golden.


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Matilda Ls Oversize Cardi 10933
40% off Markdowns
Or 4 payments of $9.00 with
*Afterpay available on orders over $75.00
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The oversized look is right in and the Matilda is right on time, featuring long slouchy but fitted sleeves and draping style that extends to a long line making it an incredibly comfortable and trending style - featuring wool blend fabrication that wicks dampness away from the body so it will hold up on miserable days! We can't get enough of the Matilda cardi. Made from 90% acrylic 10% wool.


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Leading Online Gaming Developer and Publisher of the Twelve Sky series, Alt1, announced that its Martial Arts Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game titled Twelve Sky 2 is launching its commercial services in Thailand.
Twelve Sky 2 is a remarkable online game which won the Best Game in Korea from the Korean Game Awards in 2008. Twelve Sky 2 reached 80,000 "Concurrent Users" milestones.
The game offers a unique and addictive faction versus faction based gameplay system filled with huge battles and action.
Twelve Sky 2 entered global markets in locations outside of Korea, like Taiwan, China, Japan, Europe, North America, Vietnam, Turkey, The Philippines, and Malaysia.
Thailand is the tenth country that the game was introduced in. Twelve Sky 2 under Asia Soft's operation has gained its momentum by adding six more servers and accommodating eleven thousand CCUs since its Open-Beta Test in 15th January.
Twelve Sky 2 has recently reached 350,000 registered users and 15,000 CCUs.
For more information visit asiasoft.co.th


text: welcome to the Boards Shaamaan, while there are alot of members in the US, there are still dozens of members not in the US, & even going beyond that, many players are willing to try & work out a day for everyone to be able to work together to play. If that doesn't work out there is also the Play by Post options that allow a few days for everyone to post their actions. What systems are you interested in trying out? The boards have a vast list of games to choose from.


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Avengers: Complete Collection: By Geoff Johns: Volume 1
Superstar writer Geoff Johns takes on the Avengers!
- More Below…
Product Description
- Artists
- Gary Frank
- Alan Davis
- Ivan Reis
- Kieron Dwyer
- Author
- Geoff Johns
- Binding
- Trade Paperback
- Cat No.
- 2808536
- 9780785184331
- 9780785184331
- Previews
- Previews March 2013
- Publisher
- Marvel Comics
- Series
- Avengers
- Marvel
- Type
- Graphic Novels
- Universe
- Marvel
- Volume
- 1
Superstar writer Geoff Johns takes on the Avengers!
They can defeat any super villain but can the Avengers govern the world? When the capital cities of every country on Earth vanish, the floundering nations turn to the only organization capable of helping them: the Avengers! Then: Thor ascends to Asgard's throne and decides to start answering his worshippers' pleas for help. But not everyone's in favor of divine intervention, and it's Secretary of Defense Iron Man's job to stop the Thunder God's interference leaving Captain America to play referee between two of the world's biggest super powers! Plus: His memories stolen, an amnesiac Vision must seek help from his creator's reluctant granddaughter to defeat a technological terror left over from WWII!
Collecting Avengers (1998) #57-63, Vision (2002) #1-4, Thor (1998) #58 and Iron Man (1998) #64.
Customer Reviews
There aren't any reviews published for this product yet, why not be the first to write one?Write your own review.


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Now that we've covered all the learning tools in Moodle, we'll look at some of the administrative functions that are necessary to keep your course and students organized. This chapter will detail the interfaces for adding and deleting users, creating user groups, creating backups, and managing other course settings. Most of these functions can be accessed from the Administration block. Student groups and the student roster are the only exceptions, and you can manage these from the People block at the top left of the screen.
Before we can create student groups, we need to make sure the right students are enrolled in the course.


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Donate now!
Donating to CASA weekly, monthly, or annually is a huge support and helps us continue to grow and reach those in need. If you want to empower thousands, empower CASA.
All donations are tax-deductible. To receive a tax receipt, please use the methods below for your donation.
Physical checks can be made out to "San Miguel CASA, Inc" and mailed to:
San Miguel – CASA, Inc.
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Taken from: Interweave Crochet Sping 2018 "Vined Vest" - Combine back-bar half double crochet and double crochet stitches worked two rows below to create the vine-like patterning on this unique hooded vest. Add a zipper and tassels to make this one-of-a-kind piece even more special.
We provide endless possibilities for you including yarn, knitting gifts, needles, kits, sale yarn, free knitting patterns, and more!Jimmy Beans Wool is Your Local Yarn Store... Online!


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1. A video posted on YouTube shows Kai Lewis of Britain's Football Road Trips sitting on a bus with some friends and running through a dozen accents. In just over two minutes, Lewis manages to hit Irish, Northern Irish, Welsh, Scottish, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, South African, Italian, New York and Australian accents. He's good at this.
Read: Watch This Guy Do 12 Flawless Accents In Just 2 Minutes
2. Scared of clowns? Well, a scary fact has gone viral again, but "IT" might be creepier than you thought. HuffPost interviewed "It" actor Finn Wolfhard earlier this year, and he told us the bizarre coincidence wasn't even supposed to happen.
Read: Yikes! Scary Revelation About New 'It' Movie Gets Even Creepier
The actor went on to tell us that the movie is "beautiful and funny and real," but you "might want to wear a diaper to the theater. "Say no more, dude. We're on Pampers.com right now.
3. A pair of white giraffes has been caught on camera by conservationists in the Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy in Kenya's Garissa province, completing a four-month search across Kenya for the rarely seen specimens.
Read: WATCH: Rare White Giraffes Spotted In Kenya
The video was shared by Greenpeace Africa on social media yesterday, and within minutes was trending around the world.
4. What a little cutie pie! South Africa's very own DJ Arch Jnr, real name Oratilwe AJ Hlongwane, has made it to the Guinness World Records as the youngest club DJ in the world, after spinning the tunes for an hour.
Read: What A Cutie! 5 Year Old Oratilwe Makes It Into Guinness World Records As Youngest Club DJ
5. This is the coolest thing you'll see today.
Read: WATCH: Eminem's 'Lose Yourself' Mashup Using Movie And TV Quotes


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Verbal Gold Blog is back to tell us about her new go-to shoes, the Emery wedges!
I love summertime! Hot summer days when the sun is shining are my favorite. There are so many things to outside! Being barefoot in the grass, taking walks in the park, picking strawberries, and visiting sunflower fields are some weekend musts. Just enjoying being outside soaking up the sun puts a smile on my face. It makes going back to work during the week pretty hard. Lucky for me I get to take my lunch breaks outside and stroll around the pretty flowers. Work day essentials in the summer include a cute sundress and my Oka-B wedges. Usually wedges and work shoes start giving me blisters and hurting the soles of my feet during the day, but Oka-B shoes are so easy to walk in, and the soles feel like cushions, allowing me to walk in them for hours on end. Plus the peep toe allows your feet to breathe in the hot weather.
Not only can I walk in them all day, but with walking in the grass and dirt, I can easily clean my Oka-Bs. The jelly material make them so easy to wipe off, clean, and go back to work. You can even run them under some water and they're like new!
My favorite are The Emery in color Licorice because I can wear them during the day as casual wedges, then through the evening sine they look great dressy as well. Going from day to night is so easy when you only have to bring one pair of shoes to go from work to happy hour. These are definitely my new favorite shoes!


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Imagine needing a drug that could save your life and then being told you can't have it unless you have an unnecessary surgery? Neither can we.
Many young, pre-menopausal women with hormone positive stage IV breast cancer take medication that suppresses ovarian function, stopping their bodies from producing estrogen. This medication is needed in order for them to access cancer treatments such as palbociclib, which requires them to be post-menopausal to receive treatment. But women living in British Columbia are being told that in order to receive this cancer treatment they need to have an oophorectomy. An oophorectomy, the surgical removal of both ovaries, is an invasive surgery that can easily be replaced with ovarian-suppression medication.
It's important that women have the option to choose the ovarian suppression option that is right for them. Women shouldn't be forced to have surgery that they don't want if there is an alternative option.
This needs to change.
Step 1: ADD YOUR VOICE
Tell the government of British Columbia that women should not be forced to have a surgery they don't want or need so they can access a drug that could save their life.
It's really easy. Sign your name to this letter telling the governments to change their policies. Your letter will automatically be sent to the Ministry of Health in British Columbia.
Step 2: SPREAD THE WORD
Once you've sent your letter, share this campaign with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter!
Share the image and message below using our hashtag #SenselessSurgery to let everyone know that you are fighting to change this policy.
I'm stopping #SenselessSurgery, are you? Tell the government in BC that young metastatic women shouldn't be forced to have surgery they don't need or want. www.cbcn.ca/senselesssurgery
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with the conversation.
Step 3: DONATE TODAY
Support CBCN so that we can continue to give a voice to women living with breast cancer in Canada. Your donation will help us ensure the best quality of life for all women affected by this disease.


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CGI selected by European data services provider Bisnode as "one-stop" provider of technology management services in Sweden
Outsourcing partnership will drive efficiencies, tighter security and new digital services
CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) has signed a new agreement with Bisnode, a leading European provider of business data and data analytic services, to assume responsibility for managing the company's technology services in Sweden. By outsourcing these services to CGI, Bisnode will gain advanced digital expertise to improve efficiencies, enhance security, and drive the launch of new digital customer services. It also will benefit from increased end user satisfaction through a guaranteed level of service quality. The agreement extends over five and a half years, with an estimated value of 215 million Swedish crowns (approx. CAD $35 million).
To streamline its IT operations and strengthen its competitive position within the growing data and data analytics market, Bisnode made a strategic decision to consolidate its IT services in Sweden from a handful of suppliers into a single, "one-stop" provider. After conducting an external audit, the company selected CGI based on its ability to meet the company's strict requirements for a one-stop provider, particularly in the areas of quality and security, which are key focus areas for Bisnode. CGI will assume full responsibility for Bisnode's technology services in Sweden based on a flexible, demand-driven and cloud-based delivery model.
"CGI has been one of our suppliers for about a decade and understands the challenges we face," said Robert Burén, CIO at Bisnode. "CGI's team is also very proactive in providing suggestions for improvement. To ensure our partnership maintains this level of proactivity and drives innovation, one of CGI's lead IT architects will be based onsite to keep us well informed of issues and recommend innovative solutions for driving our IT performance."
Mr. Burén added: "By outsourcing our technology management services to CGI, we gain a number of operational benefits that we would never be able to achieve by keeping operations in-house. Streamlining our IT function is in line with our objective to simplify our business, so that we can devote more energy and resources to developing our digital data services."
"We are excited about expanding our partnership with Bisnode to serve as its sole provider of technology management services in Sweden," said Pär Fors, who leads CGI's operations in Sweden. "Through our local data center, we will deliver around-the-clock support, tight security and high quality, along with digital expertise and solutions for driving Bisnode's performance and growth. We look forward to eventually expanding our partnership to support Bisnode's global business. CGI not only has a presence in the same countries in which Bisnode operates, but also the global resources required for managing and transforming the company's international operations."
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 68,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services, including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, and infrastructure management, as well as 150 IP-based services and solutions. With annual revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog exceeding C$20 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: www.cgi.com.
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Future of the Internet
The Internet Governance Forum enters its second decadeThe 10-year extension of the IGF mandate is a testament to the IGF's significant evolution over the past decade as the leading global forum for dialogue on Internet governance issues. What's next? As the Internet continues to evolve at breakneck speed, [read more]
The 10-year extension of the IGF mandate is a testament to the IGF's significant evolution over the past decade as the leading global forum for dialogue on Internet governance issues. What's next?
As the Internet continues to evolve at breakneck speed, many critical issues still need to be addressed. A major area is Internet governance. This broad realm encompasses both governance of the Internet (essentially the business of ICANN and other technical organizations) and governance on the Internet (a range of issues affecting services and content, such as privacy and cybersecurity).
Last year, the U.N. General Assembly approved the renewal of the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) for another 10 years. Born in Tunis at the end of the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the IGF has evolved to serve as the leading global forum for dialogue on Internet governance issues. Since the first forum in 2016, the IGF has been an annual event.
The IGF now gathers a growing number of experts from academia, civil society, governments, industry and the technical community. Traditional topics of Internet governance involve setting rules, standards, policies and providing technical support so that the world can be connected on the global Internet. Going beyond the technical issues, the IGF also deals with complex social, economic and transnational issues related to the use of the Internet.
Getting to where we are today has been both a challenging and rewarding journey that is still in progress.
The IGF has gone through times of skepticism about both its continued existence and its ability to fulfill its mandate. Over time, the IGF has gradually expanded beyond its narrow circle as a "discussion only" forum to include processes that can produce tangible and useful outcomes, seen in the Best Practices Forums (BPF) and the Dynamic Coalitions. The 10-year extension of the IGF mandate is a testament to the IGF's significant evolution over the past decade.
Earlier this month, over 2000 participants from 83 countries came together in Guadalajara, Mexico, with hundreds more participating remotely, to attend the 11th IGF meeting, the first since the mandate's renewal.
As in previous years, ICANN's Board directors, community leaders and senior staff attended the IGF. But unlike past years, the role of ICANN and the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions did not take center stage in Guadalajara.
This is thanks to the Internet community that worked hard over the past few years to finalize the transition of the U.S. Government's stewardship of the IANA functions to the global multistakeholder community. Instead, this year's debate was focused on lessons learned from the IANA transition as a recent and successful example of a multistakeholder process in action.
With over 200 sessions, the 2016 IGF agenda covered the standard topics of Internet governance such as access, diversity, privacy and cybersecurity; plus more current issues related to online trade, the Internet of Things (IoT) and the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Links between SDGs, Internet governance and the IGF figured strongly on the agenda, with a main session and several other workshops organized on this topic. A common sentiment this year was that the IGF should focus more on the SDGs; a stance that was conveyed clearly during the "Taking Stock" session on the last day.
ICANN's participation at IGF 2016 was led by CEO Göran Marby and Board Chair Stephen Crocker. Primary objectives were to emphasize the successful IANA stewardship transition as an example of how ICANN's multistakeholder processes work, and to encourage participation in the ongoing work of ICANN's Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees.
ICANN's goals are to continue supporting the multistakeholder model in Internet governance and contributing to global policy discourse with all interested parties – activities that are within ICANN's mission and scope.
On the day before the event, ICANN organized a town hall session to reflect on the evolution of ICANN's multistakeholder processes using the IANA stewardship transition as a case study. Presenters sought views from participants on their experiences with ICANN and how they envisage the challenges ahead.
In addition, ICANN community and organization staff planned and conducted workshops and roundtable discussions on a variety of topics such as the IANA transition, the new generic top-level domain (gTLD) Program, the role of noncommercial users in ICANN, law enforcement in the online world, and Asia and the next billion Internet users.
So, what's next?
Geneva will host the 2017 IGF next December, and already discussions about strategic focus are underway. Holding the event in Geneva, the second home of the U.N. and to 192 government missions, may boost the participation of governments from developing countries and of non-U.S. businesses, both issues at Guadalajara.
The IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) will meet early in the new year to determine the focus for the 2017 IGF. At the top of the agenda will be how to deal with the call made by many in Guadalajara for more attention to meeting the targets of the SDGs. No doubt, the MAG may want to concentrate on other issues like human rights and global trade accords.
After all, the U.N. Human Rights Council meets in Geneva, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) is based there. Once the focus is set, preparatory work can begin for the Geneva IGF.
All in all, 2017 will be an interesting year in furthering key goals in Internet governance.
Picture credits: kvitlauk
Future of the Internet
The battle to oversee the WebWill large emerging countries manage to reshape internet governance around their national interests? One thing is sure: tomorrow's internet will not resemble today's. In recent years, global issues connected to the internet and its uses have vaulted into [read more]
Will large emerging countries manage to reshape internet governance around their national interests? One thing is sure: tomorrow's internet will not resemble today's.
In recent years, global issues connected to the internet and its uses have vaulted into the highest realm of high politics. Among these issues internet governance is now one of the most lively and important topics in international relations.
It has long been ignored and restricted to small silos of experts; however, the leaks disclosed by Edward Snowden on large-scale electronic surveillance implemented by US intelligence agencies triggered a massive response to the historical "stewardship" of the internet by the United States.
Not surprisingly, the stakes are high: today 2.5 billion people are connected to the internet, and by 2030, the digital economy is likely to represent 20% of the world's GDP. In emerging countries, the digital economy is growing from 15% to 25% every year.
Studies evoke 50 even 80 billion connected "things" by 2020. Beyond mere figures, internet governance sharpens everyone's appetite – from big corporations to governments – for the internet has taken up such a place in our lives and touches on so many issues, such as freedom of expression to privacy, intellectual property rights, and national security.
It is worth underlining that the issue is particularly complex. For some, the governance of the internet should respect free market rules – a deregulated vision carried by the Clinton-Gore administration in the 1990s –, or remain self-regulated by techno-scientist communities as conceived of by libertarian internet pioneers.
For others, the advent of the internet in the area of law-making implies a return to the old rules and instruments, but this would mean putting aside the mutations produced by its practices, most importantly the expansion of expression and participation. For others, again, the ultimate legitimization would consist in adopting a Constitution or a Treaty of the internet which would elevate its governance to the global level.
De-Westernizing the internet?
A number of countries have criticized American "hegemony" over the internet (infrastructure, "critical resources" such as protocols, the domain names system, normative influence, etc.). To a large extent, the internet is the ambivalent product of American culture and the expression of its universalist and expansionist ideology.
As U.S. policymakers emphasized the importance of winning the battle of ideas both during the Cold War and in the post-2001 period, the ability to transmit America's soft power via communications networks has been perceived as vital.
Consequently, in recent years, particularly since the Arab uprisings, governments around the world have become more alert to the disruptive potential of access to digital communications. Demographic factors are also behind calls for change: over the next decade, the internet's centre of gravity will have moved eastwards.
Already in 2012, 66% of the world's internet users lived in the non-Western world. However, the reasons for questioning the U.S.'s supremacy also lie in these countries' defiance of the current internet governance system, which is accused of favoring the sole interests of the U.S.
While critical of the status quo, large emerging countries do not constitute a homogeneous block. Back in December 2012 in Dubai, when the Treaty to revise the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) was closely negotiated, some countries such as India, the Philippines and Kenya had rallied behind the U.S.
The Dubai negotiations nevertheless showed that these "swing states" – countries that have not decided which vision for the future of the internet they will support – are increasingly asserting their vision in order to get things moving.
Placed under the auspices of the United Nations-led International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the Dubai meeting therefore served as a powerful tribune to both contest American preeminence and call for multilateral internet governance.
More fundamentally, these tensions reflect another conception of the internet, which lays on a double foundation: on the national level, the claim that states have sovereign power over the management of the internet; and on the international level, the preeminence of states over other stakeholders, and the notion of intergovernmental cooperation to debate internet governance.
To this end, the arguments developed fit into a geostrategic context which has been reshaped by the emergence of new poles of influence. They are aimed at making the internet an instrument of both the domestic and foreign policies of one country. The preservation of state order, the fight against cybercrime, and the defense of commercial interests are several illustrations of elements that can be used to justify and advance the questioning of the current system.
China, given its demographic, economic and technological weight, is emblematic of the current "game". Overall, China has sought to adopt a pragmatic approach: if Beijing does not agree with the concept of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) – the so-called "multi-stakeholder" principle would not guarantee an equal representation between the different stakeholders and regions of the world. It nevertheless integrated ICANN's Governments Advisory Committee in 2009, and is now very active in promoting its own standards within the organizations where technical norms are negotiated.
Russia, for its part, has put forward several initiatives at the U.N. over the last fifteen years – all of which have built upon a firm opposition to the U.S. and have defended a neo-Hobbesian vision in which security considerations and the legitimacy of states to ensure their digital/information sovereignty play a critical role. Moscow has thus been active within U.N. intergovernmental agencies such as ITU, and regional ones such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS forum.
And then came Snowden
The stances taken by emerging countries unsurprisingly found favorable echoes after Edward Snowden's revelations in June 2013. If Russia opportunely stood out by granting asylum to Snowden, Brazil promptly expressed its dissatisfaction.
President Dilma Rousseff, herself a victim of NSA wiretapping, took the lead of a virtuous crusade against the status quo: with the loss of the U.S.'s moral leadership, their stewardship over the agencies which manage the Internet is less tolerated. At the U.N. General Assembly, Rousseff somewhat aggressively criticized Washington, as such showing a will to federate emancipation towards the U.S. dependency.
Brasilia then intensified its diplomatic offensive by announcing an international summit on Internet governance – called NETmundial – to take place in April 2014 in Sao Paulo. In the meantime, Brazilian authorities promulgated the Marco Civil bill, a sort of Internet Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression, protection of privacy and net neutrality. Is the Brazilian stance in a post-Snowden context purely opportunistic?
Interestingly, Brazil appears to be taking the middle ground between the two governance "models" that have been under discussion so far – the multi-stakeholders and the multilateral – in a context where the Europeans have stepped aside.
Since the first World Summit for Information Society (WSIS) in 2005 Brasilia has been promoting free software and advancing a global internet governance model based on its own domestic model. Rousseff's words fit into a long-term perspective, which sees in the opening of a new international scene – the Web – an opportunity to take the international lead, after the relative failures of former President Lula to position Brazil on international security issues.
The world is not flat
Will large emerging countries manage to reshape internet governance around their national interests? In the shift that was the last ITU's WCIT meeting in Dubai in December 2012, the excessively polarized debates between self-proclaimed partisans of an "open and free" internet and the supporters of a governance resting on territorial sovereignty sparked off a strained discourse over a "digital Cold War" preceding an "internet Yalta".
Since Snowden's revelations emerged, the American reaction has particularly focused on storytelling: since states around the world question the U.S. oversight over the internet, it is because they want to fragment and "balkanize" the global internet – a discourse largely passed on by U.S. Net giants.
Well, the commercial strategies of the major internet companies themselves tend to intensify the fragmentation of online public spaces by creating distortions in internet users' access to information and content sharing, that is to say by reducing both the openness and pluralism that have made the internet a great social value.
Here lies a powerful engine for contest, as it has been recently the case in Western Europe. Borders do reappear where they were not necessarily expected: Google, Apple or Amazon are building their own ecosystem, from which it is becoming hard to get out.
One thing is sure: tomorrow's internet will not resemble today's. Already the power of search engines diminishes the importance of the domain names system; cloud computing, the Internet of things and the spread of mobile internet are starting to radically transform practices and produce new complexities with regards to the internet's outline and governance.
It is also certain that the situation will remain at a dead end if the two broad and opposed conceptions of the internet persist: a new space of freedom or a new instrument of control.
Photo credit: Paul Downey
A conversation with
Marietje Schaake: EU needs a more coherent agenda on Internet GovernanceThere is a need for leadership on the highest political levels to curb a worrying trend towards limiting the open internet, seeking to use internet for intelligence gathering, or for repressing dissent, argues Dutch MEP Marietje Schaake 2015 seems to [read more]
There is a need for leadership on the highest political levels to curb a worrying trend towards limiting the open internet, seeking to use internet for intelligence gathering, or for repressing dissent, argues Dutch MEP Marietje Schaake
2015 seems to be a key year for a long-awaited (and long discussed) "reform" of Internet Governance. What are your predictions?
Indeed it will be an important year for internet governance. However, for me internet governance is more than just the scope of responsibilities and procedures in international organizations such as ICANN, WCIT and the IGF.
The broad goals of ensuring the internet remains open and that people´s human rights and fundamental freedoms apply also online, is influenced by decisions made by states and companies every day.
I see a worrying trend towards limiting the open internet, seeking to use internet for intelligence gathering, or for repressing dissent. There is a need for leadership on the highest political levels to curb this trend.
What should be the role of the EU?
[Tweet "The EU should develop a more coherent agenda with regard to internet governance."]
This means diplomats from the European External Action Service, and Ministers and diplomats from Member States to better understand technology and how it works, and most importantly to push an ambitious agenda.
Civil society organizations and experts can help ensure there is sufficient knowledge, and connection to the various stakeholders.
Is Europe contributing enough to the global debate on Internet Governance?
I believe the EU can and should do more in showing leadership. After the credibility of the United States was hurt by the NSA revelations, the internet freedom agenda should be adopted by the EU, and given more meaning.
We have a historic sense of protecting people from an over reaching state, and need to show leadership in human rights online globally, as we have done with a human rights agenda in the past.
We should work with the US to restore trust and to work along a shared agenda. There are plenty of developing economies that we may consider as ´swing states´ in terms of seeking to pursue top-down governance, or to choose a forward looking internet governance agenda that puts human rights online in the centre.
What initiatives do you expect from the new European Commission?
I will continue to push for better coordination between different Commissioners, and with Member States, in developing a future proof en ambitious internet governance agenda.
Do you think the way ICANN is adjusting its governance is responding to current concerns about Internet Governance?
We have to give it a fair chance. It would be a real improvement if the multi-stakeholder model actually succeeds and further develops. Dominance of any one significant player should be avoided, and that included the United States.
At the same time, fundamental principles and values must be ensured. I will observe and evaluate the impact with great interest, also as a member of the Global Commission on Internet Governance.
How to reconcile the tension between current IG, led by nongovernmental players, and increasing demands for a stronger role for governments? How big is the risk that governments, notably from non-liberal (or undemocratic) countries, could use the current transition to take over more powers over the Internet?
Actually, governments do not depend on internet governance platforms. They can adopt laws without input from multiple stakeholders, while impacting many of them. We see this happening every day. What some of these governments with repressive agenda´s seek, is legitimacy to do what they are already doing.
The transition to more global governance was needed, and should be considered an opportunity to create a more shared responsibility globally. Given the strong interlinkage between economic interests and the open internet, we must seek…
[Tweet "…to convince as many people as possible that repression and fragmentation is a boomerang."]
I also worry about the role of major companies and significant market players, that put commercial interests above all else, and at the expense of the open internet and its users.
We must ensure that as the internet is to a large extent dependent on private actors, that there is sufficient oversight. I would ideally like to see an internet governance system based on democratic values globally.