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REFERENCES Regional and World Maps Flags of the World Gallery of Covers Definitions and Notes Guide to Country Profiles Guide to Country Comparisons The World Factbook Users Guide APPENDICES A: abbreviations B: international organizations and groups C: selected international environmental agreements D: cross-reference list of country data codes E: cross-reference list of hydrographic data codes F: cross-reference list of geographic names G: weights and measures FAQs CONTACT East & Southeast Asia :: Japan Page last updated on April 26, 2016 view 19 photos of Japan Introduction :: JAPAN Background: In 1603, after decades of civil warfare, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military-led, dynastic government) ushered in a long period of relative political stability and isolation from foreign influence. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture. Japan opened its ports after signing the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power. Following three decades of unprecedented growth, Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s, but the country remains an economic power. In March 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake, and an accompanying tsunami, devastated the northeast part of Honshu island, killed thousands, and damaged several nuclear power plants. The catastrophe hobbled the country's economy and its energy infrastructure, and tested its ability to deal with humanitarian disasters. Prime Minister Shinzo ABE was reelected to office in December 2012, and has since embarked on ambitious economic and security reforms to improve Japan's economy and bolster the country's international standing. Geography :: JAPAN Location: Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula Geographic coordinates: 36 00 N, 138 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 377,915 sq km land: 364,485 sq km water: 13,430 sq km note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) country comparison to the world: 62 Area - comparative: slightly smaller than California Area comparison map: Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29,751 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous Elevation: mean elevation: 438 m elevation extremes: lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish note: with virtually no natural energy resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil Land use: agricultural land: 12.5% arable land 11.7%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 0% forest: 68.5% other: 19% (2011 est.) Irrigated land: 24,690 sq km (2012) Total renewable water resources: 430 cu km (2011) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 90.04 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%) per capita: 714.3 cu m/yr (2007) Natural hazards: many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every year; tsunamis; typhoons volcanism: both Unzen (elev. 1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (elev. 1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama, Honshu Island's most active volcano, Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu Environment - current issues: air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere; following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan now seeks to make itself nuclear free by the 2030s Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location in northeast Asia People and Society :: JAPAN Nationality: noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese Ethnic groups: Japanese 98.5%, Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6% note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil (2004) Languages: Japanese Religions: Shintoism 79.2%, Buddhism 66.8%, Christianity 1.5%, other 7.1% note: total adherents exceeds 100% because many people practice both Shintoism and Buddhism (2012 est.) Population: 126,919,659 (July 2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.11% (male 8,582,648/female 8,051,706) 15-24 years: 9.68% (male 6,436,948/female 5,846,808) 25-54 years: 37.87% (male 23,764,421/female 24,297,773) 55-64 years: 12.76% (male 8,104,835/female 8,084,317) 65 years and over: 26.59% (male 14,693,811/female 19,056,392) (2015 est.) population pyramid: Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 64.5% youth dependency ratio: 21.1% elderly dependency ratio: 43.3% potential support ratio: 2.3% (2015 est.) Median age: total: 46.5 years male: 45.2 years female: 47.9 years (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Population growth rate: -0.16% (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 Birth rate: 7.93 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 Death rate: 9.51 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 Urbanization: urban population: 93.5% of total population (2015) rate of urbanization: 0.56% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.) Major urban areas - population: TOKYO (capital) 38.001 million; Osaka-Kobe 20.238 million; Nagoya 9.406 million; Kitakyushu-Fukuoka 5.51 million; Shizuoka-Hamamatsu 3.369 million; Sapporo 2.571 million (2015) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2015 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 30.3 (2012 est.) Maternal mortality rate: 5 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 Infant mortality rate: total: 2.08 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 Life expectancy at birth: total population: 84.74 years male: 81.4 years female: 88.26 years (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 Contraceptive prevalence rate: 54.3% note: percent of women aged 20-49 (2005) Health expenditures: 10.3% of GDP (2013) country comparison to the world: 22 Physicians density: 2.3 physicians/1,000 population (2010) Hospital bed density: 13.7 beds/1,000 population (2009) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 3.5% (2014) country comparison to the world: 157 Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 115 School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2012) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 6.9% male: 7.6% female: 6.2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 Government :: JAPAN Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku local short form: Nihon/Nippon etymology: the English word for Japan comes via the Chinese name for the country "Cipangu"; both Nihon and Nippon mean "where the sun originates" and are frequently translated as "Land of the rising sun" Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Tokyo geographic coordinates: 35 41 N, 139 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi Independence: 3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution); notable earlier dates: 660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy) National holiday: Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933) Constitution: previous 1890; latest approved 6 October 1946, adopted 3 November 1946, effective 3 May 1947 ; note - the constitution has not been amended since its enactment in 1947 (2016) Legal system: civil law system based on German model; system also reflects Anglo-American influence and Japanese traditions; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Japan dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Shinzo ABE (since 26 December 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Taro ASO (since 26 December 2012) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister Legislative branch: description: bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats; 146 members directly elected by majority vote and 96 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (475 seats; 295 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 180 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve maximum 4-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 2 years) elections: House of Councillors - last held on 21 July 2013 (next to be held in July 2016); House of Representatives - last held on 14 December 2014 (next to be held by 15 December 2016) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPD 115, DPJ 59, New Komeito 20, Your Party 18, JCP 11, JRP 9, SDP 3, others 4, independents 3 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LDP 61.26%, DPJ 15.37%, JIP 8.63%, New Komeito 7.37%, JCP 4.42%, PFG .42%, SDP .42%, PLP .42%, independents 1.68%; seats by party - LDP 291, DPJ 73, JIP 41, New Komeito 35, JCP 21, PFG 2, SDP 2, PLP 2, independents 8 note: the 2013 amended electoral law - effective for the December 2016 election - reduced to 475 the number of seats in the House of Representatives Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court or Saiko saibansho (consists of the chief justice and 14 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in constitutional issues judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice designated by the Cabinet and appointed by the monarch; associate justices appointed by the Cabinet and confirmed by the monarch; all justices are reviewed in a popular referendum at the first general election of the House of Representatives following each judge's appointment and every 10 years afterward subordinate courts: 8 High Courts (Koto-saiban-sho), each with a Family Court (Katei-saiban-sho); 50 District Courts (Chiho saibansho), with 203 additional branches; 438 Summary Courts (Kani saibansho) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Banri KAIEDA] Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII] Japan Innovation Party or JIP [Kenji EDA] Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Shinzo ABE] New Komeito or NK [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI] Party for Future Generations or PFG [Shintaro ISHIHARA] People's Life Party or PLP [Ichiro OZAWA] Social Democratic Party or SDP [Tadatomo YOSHIDA] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: business groups; trade unions International organization participation: ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, CPLP (associate), EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kenichiro SASAE (since 19 November 2012) chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 consulate(s) general: Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver (CO), Detroit (MI), Honolulu (HI), Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville (TN), New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City (OK), Orlando (FL), Philadelphia (PA), Phoenix (AZ), Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle, Saipan (Puerto Rico), Tamuning (Guam) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Caroline Bouvier KENNEDY (since 19 November 2013) embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862 consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya Flag description: white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center National symbol(s): red sun disc, chrysanthemum; national colors: red, white National anthem: name: "Kimigayo" (The Emperor"s Reign) lyrics/music: unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI note: adopted 1999; unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; there is some opposition to the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor Economy :: JAPAN Economy - overview: Over the past 70 years, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) have helped Japan develop an advanced economy. Two notable characteristics of the post-World War II economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change. Scarce in many natural resources, Japan has long been dependent on imported raw materials. Since the complete shutdown of Japan's nuclear reactors after the earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011, Japan's industrial sector has become even more dependent than it was previously on imported fossil fuels. A small agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. While self-sufficient in rice production, Japan imports about 60% of its food on a caloric basis. For three decades, overall real economic growth had been impressive - a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the aftereffects of inefficient investment and an asset price bubble in the late 1980s, after which it took a considerable time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. Modest economic growth continued after 2000, but the economy has fallen into recession four times since 2008. Government stimulus spending helped the economy recover in late 2009 and 2010, but the economy contracted again in 2011 as the massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake and the ensuing tsunami in March of that year disrupted economic activity. The economy has largely recovered in the five years since the disaster, although output in the affected areas continues to lag behind the national average. Japan enjoyed a sharp uptick in growth in 2013 on the basis of Prime Minister Shinzo ABE's "Three Arrows" economic revitalization agenda - dubbed "Abenomics" - of monetary easing, "flexible" fiscal policy, and structural reform. In 2015, ABE revised his "Three Arrows" to: raise nominal GDP by 20% to 600 trillion yen by 2020, stem population decline by raising the fertility rate, and provide more support for workers with children and aging relatives. ABE's government has replaced the preceding administration's plan to phase out nuclear power with a new policy of seeking to restart nuclear power plants that meet strict new safety standards, and emphasizing nuclear energy's importance as a base-load electricity source. Japan successfully restarted two nuclear reactors at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima prefecture. In October 2015, Japan and 11 trading partners reached agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a pact that promises to open Japan's economy to increased foreign competition and create new export opportunities for Japanese businesses. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, Japan in 2015 stood as the fourth-largest economy in the world after first-place China, which surpassed Japan in 2001, and third-place India, which edged out Japan in 2012. While seeking to stimulate and reform the economy, the government must also devise a strategy for reining in Japan's huge government debt, which amounts to more than 230% of GDP. To help raise government revenue, Japan adopted legislation in 2012 to gradually raise the consumption tax rate to 10% by 2015, beginning with a hike from 5% to 8% implemented in April 2014. That increase had a contractionary effect on GDP, however, so PM ABE in late 2014 decided to postpone the final phase of the increase until April 2017 to give the economy more time to recover. Led by the Bank of Japan's aggressive monetary easing, Japan is making progress in ending deflation, but demographic decline – a low birthrate and an aging, shrinking population – poses a major long-term challenge for the economy. GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.658 trillion (2015 est.) $4.631 trillion (2014 est.) $4.613 trillion (2013 est.) note: data are in 2015 US dollars country comparison to the world: 5 GDP (official exchange rate): $4.127 trillion (2015 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 0.6% (2015 est.) 1.6% (2014 est.) 0.8% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 GDP - per capita (PPP): $38,200 (2015 est.) $36,400 (2014 est.) $36,200 (2013 est.) note: data are in 2015 US dollars country comparison to the world: 42 Gross national saving: 24.8% of GDP (2015 est.) 22.4% of GDP (2014 est.) 22% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 59.6% government consumption: 20.4% investment in fixed capital: 21.2% investment in inventories: -0.3% exports of goods and services: 18.5% imports of goods and services: -19.4% (2015 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.2% industry: 26.6% services: 72.2% (2015 est.) Agriculture - products: vegetables, rice, fish, poultry, fruit, dairy products, pork, beef, flowers, potatoes/taros/yams, sugar cane, tea, legumes, wheat and barley Industries: among world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods Industrial production growth rate: 0.7% (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 Labor force: 64.32 million (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.9% industry: 26.2% services: 70.9% (February 2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.3% (2015 est.) 3.6% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Population below poverty line: 16.1% (2013 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 24.8% (2008) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 37.9 (2011) 24.9 (1993) country comparison to the world: 74 Budget: revenues: $1.439 trillion expenditures: $1.705 trillion (2015 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 35% of GDP (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -6.5% of GDP (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 Public debt: 227.9% of GDP (2015 est.) 226% of GDP (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.7% (2015 est.) 2.7% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 Central bank discount rate: 0.3% (31 December 2014) 0.3% (31 December 2013) country comparison to the world: 131 Commercial bank prime lending rate: 1.48% (31 December 2015 est.) 1.48% (31 December 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 Stock of narrow money: $4.902 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $4.896 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 Stock of broad money: $8.073 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $8.035 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Stock of domestic credit: $10.81 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $10.9 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Market value of publicly traded shares: $4.782 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $4.584 trillion (31 December 2013) $3.715 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Current account balance: $124.3 billion (2015 est.) $24.4 billion (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Exports: $624 billion (2015 est.) $699.5 billion (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Exports - commodities: motor vehicles 14.9%; iron and steel products 5.4%; semiconductors 5%; auto parts 4.8%; power generating machinery 3.5%; plastic materials 3.3% (2014 est.) Exports - partners: US 20.1%, China 17.5%, South Korea 7%, Taiwan 5.9%, Hong Kong 5.6%, Thailand 4.5% (2015) Imports: $625.4 billion (2015 est.) $798.6 billion (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Imports - commodities: petroleum 16.1%; liquid natural gas 9.1%; clothing 3.8%; semiconductors 3.3%; coal 2.4%; audio and visual apparatus 1.4% (2014 est.) Imports - partners: China 24.8%, US 10.3%, Australia 5.4%, South Korea 4.1%, Saudi Arabia 3.9% (2014) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.261 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $1.267 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Debt - external: $5.18 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) $4.026 trillion (31 December 2012) country comparison to the world: 6 Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $217.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $193.5 billion (31 December 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.313 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.193 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Exchange rates: yen (JPY) per US dollar - 122.1 (2015 est.) 105.86 (2014 est.) 97.44 (2013 est.) 79.79 (2012 est.) 79.81 (2011 est.) Energy :: JAPAN Electricity - production: 966.4 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Electricity - consumption: 921 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 Electricity - installed generating capacity: 293.3 million kW (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Electricity - from fossil fuels: 64.4% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 15.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 7.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Electricity - from other renewable sources: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 Crude oil - production: 4,666 bbl/day (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 Crude oil - imports: 3.441 million bbl/day (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Crude oil - proved reserves: 541.6 million bbl (March, 2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Refined petroleum products - production: 3.294 million bbl/day (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Refined petroleum products - consumption: 4.297 million bbl/day (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Refined petroleum products - exports: 324,400 bbl/day (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 Refined petroleum products - imports: 1.103 million bbl/day (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Natural gas - production: 4.728 billion cu m (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Natural gas - consumption: 134.3 billion cu m (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 Natural gas - imports: 128.3 billion cu m (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Natural gas - proved reserves: 20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy: 1.276 billion Mt (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Communications :: JAPAN Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 63.61 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 50 (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 Telephones - mobile cellular: total: 152.7 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 120 (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind international: country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 7 Intelsat (Pacific and Indian Oceans), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), 2 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions), and 8 SkyPerfect JSAT (2012) Broadcast media: a mixture of public and commercial broadcast TV and radio stations; 6 national terrestrial TV networks including 1 public broadcaster; the large number of radio and TV stations available provide a wide range of choices; satellite and cable services provide access to international channels (2012) Radio broadcast stations: AM 215 (plus 370 repeaters), FM 89 (plus 485 repeaters), shortwave 21 (2001) Television broadcast stations: 211; note - in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999) Internet country code: .jp Internet hosts: 64.453 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 2 Internet users: total: 109.3 million percent of population: 86.0% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 Transportation :: JAPAN Airports: 175 (2013) country comparison to the world: 33 Airports - with paved runways: total: 142 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 38 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 25 (2013) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 33 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 28 (2013) Heliports: 16 (2013) Pipelines: gas 4,456 km; oil 174 km; oil/gas/water 104 km (2013) Railways: total: 27,311 km standard gauge: 4,800 km 1.435-m gauge (4,800 km electrified) dual gauge: 132 km 1.435-1.067-m gauge (132 km electrified) narrow gauge: 124 km 1.372-m gauge (124 km electrified); 22,207 km 1.067-m gauge (15,430 km electrified); 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified) (2015) country comparison to the world: 12 Roadways: total: 1,218,772 km paved: 992,835 km (includes 8,428 km of expressways) unpaved: 225,937 km (2015) country comparison to the world: 6 Waterways: 1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2010) country comparison to the world: 44 Merchant marine: total: 684 by type: bulk carrier 168, cargo 34, carrier 3, chemical tanker 29, container 2, liquefied gas 58, passenger 11, passenger/cargo 117, petroleum tanker 152, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 52, vehicle carrier 54 registered in other countries: 3,122 (Bahamas 88, Bermuda 2, Burma 1, Cambodia 1, Cayman Islands 23, China 2, Cyprus 16, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 79, Indonesia 8, Isle of Man 19, Liberia 110, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 2, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 59, Mongolia 2, Netherlands 1, Panama 2372, Philippines 77, Portugal 9, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Sierra Leone 4, Singapore 164, South Korea 14, Tanzania 1, UK 5, Vanuatu 39, unknown 7) (2010) country comparison to the world: 16 Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Tomakomai, Yokohama container port(s) (TEUs): Kobe (2,725,304), Nagoya (2,471,821), Osaka (2,172,797), Tokyo (4,416,119), Yokohama (2,992,517) LNG terminal(s) (import): Chita, Fukwoke, Futtsu, Hachinone, Hakodate, Hatsukaichi, Higashi Ohgishima, Higashi Niigata, Himeiji, Joetsu, Kagoshima, Kawagoe, Kita Kyushu, Mizushima, Nagasaki, Naoetsu, Negishi, Ohgishima, Oita, Sakai, Sakaide, Senboku, Shimizu, Shin Minato, Sodegaura, Tobata, Yanai, Yokkaichi; Okinawa - Nakagusuku Military and Security :: JAPAN Military branches: Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF) (2011) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; mandatory retirement at age 53 for senior enlisted personnel and at 62 years for senior service officers (2012) Military expenditures: 0.97% of GDP (2012) 1.01% of GDP (2011) 0.99% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 102 Transnational Issues :: JAPAN Disputes - international: the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) occupied by South Korea since 1954; the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwan Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 635 (2014)


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Customize your own box of 64 Count Crayola Crayons, 8 Count Crayola Crayons or Crayola Art Case in just a few quick steps. It's easy and fun!
Everything you need to unleash kids' imaginations
Triple your fun by drawing with three markers rubber-banded together.
Capture the action with this 3-D soccer display. Show your team's colors! Go for the goal!
Tell someone special how you feel with a lovely gift! This wall plaque will warm someone's heart.
Say aloha to Polynesian culture with a tapa rug modeled after Hawaiian bark fabric. Tap into your natural quest for craf
Have a barrel of laughs making a barrel of leaves to hang around the house.
Celebrate a favorite story by making a bookmark!
Does Dad like baseball? Make him the perfect Father's Day gift to display at work or home.
With a friend, draw your "insides" in a life-size chalk portrait.
Plan a pretend pickled egg picnic! Fill a colorful container with decorated eggs. Crayola® Color Wonder™ Markers color o
Making friends is an important social skill. Children can celebrate the joys of friendship with a homemade gift.
Create a cheery bouquet in a simple basket with no-mess Color Wonder™ Paint and Markers. These handcrafted flowers make
From loveable lions to cute cows, children enjoy creating friendly animals. Writing a story further develops kids' imagi
Surprise a friend with a fun bracelet or necklace complete with a silly saying—just like those on Valentine hearts!
When the new moon is rising, your kids will notice. Drawing the phases of the moon will bring an out-of-this-world exper
Calling all bird-lovers to create these chirpy, cheerful, animated beak cards. Surprise friends with messages that pop u
Build kids' confidence by marking major milestones in their lives, such as learning to ride a bike or scooter, with keep
Fairy tales are filled with delights. Explore Jack and the Beanstalk beyond "Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum" and sprout your ow
Are your fish getting tired of the same old thing? Dress up the outside of their fish tank with fun, colorful designs.
Top off your unique sense of style with this bright, beautiful bonnet! Blend, twist and swirl your favorite Model Magic®
Hockey is an international passion! Draw an action shot to show your favorite moves and players.
Your room is a place to dream and kick back. Get to know a famous painting to inspire your imagination!
Make your own raft! While you are sailing, learn about famous explorers like Thor Heyerdahl and Ernest Shackleton.
Craft a picture frame that will cause a buzz! Make this bee-themed frame to hold your favorite picture.
Carved wooden cuckoo clocks from the Black Forest region of Germany are timely gifts. Kids create their own replica cloc

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- It features simplehuman's® lid shox technology which uses air suspension shocks to control the butterfly split lid for a slow, quiet close.
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Skill Shop #12: Roast Beef Tenderloin (with Mushroom Quinoa Risotto)
So last time i taught you how to cook a steak. Today i will teach you one other technique i like to use with good quality meat. It is important that you use a whole slab of tenderloin for this to work properly and the best way to eat it is to bring up to a perfect rare to medium.
I could eat meat just alone but alot of people are not as weird as i am, so i paired with another fake-ish risotto, using quinoa instead of rice. Simple and Healthy.
Click more for recipe
For the meat: Take it out and bring it to room temperature, roll it in a mix of spices, here i used onion powder, hot paprika, cumin, five spice, pepper and salt. It really has to go everywhere. Now in a hot pan brushed with vegetable/canola oil, sear all side of the steak until nice and caramelized. Once well coloured, wrap in foil and rest 15mins. Preheat your oven to about 175c. Put the meat on the grill, an cook until internal temp is at about 135-140 farenheit. Wrap in foil and rest an additional 10-15 mins.
For the quinoa: Cook out 400 grams of button mushrooms sliced with olive oil, butter and 3 cloves of garlic crushed and chopped. Add in 1/3 cup of white wine (dry) and cook until the taste of alcohol is gone and reduced. Add in 2 1/2 cups of cooked quinoa (should be a little watery and not dry). Mix well. Add in 1/3 cup of shreeded cheddar and 1/3 cup shredded parmesan, mix, add some chicken stock, just enough to make it look and feel creamy. Last minute throw in a big handful of chopped parsley and a knob of buter. Taste and Season. Serve. You have been Skill Shopped.


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text: logging in or signing up Celestial Navigation Estelle Download Post to : URL : Related Presentations : Let's Connect Share Add to Flag Embed Email Add to Channel Copy embed code: Embed: Flash iPad Dynamic Copy Does not support media & animations Automatically changes to Flash or non-Flash embed WordPress Embed Customize Embed Use HTTPS URL: Copy Thumbnail: Copy The presentation is successfully added In Your Favorites. Views: 2110 Category: Entertainment License: All Rights Reserved Like it (2) Dislike it (0) Added: November 14, 2007 This Presentation is Public Favorites: 1 Presentation Description No description available. Comments Posting comment... Premium member Presentation Transcript Celestial Navigation: Celestial Navigation By David MackieWhat is Celestial Navigation?: What is Celestial Navigation? It is the art and science of finding one's geographic position by means of astronomical observations, particularly by measuring altitudes of celestial objects – sun, moon, planets, or stars.Why?: Why? For sailors to voyage away from land they needed some way so not to get lost Sea is featureless and has no 'land'marks or signs for directions to be given by Even though they had compasses… they needed an accurate way of locating their position The Phoenicians : The Phoenicians By day: The location of sunrise and sunset divided sky into 2 areas East & West called Asu (sunrise) and Ereb (sunset) [Asia & Europe] By night: At any 1 time in the year & place, stars where a certain "height" above see, measurable by finger widthsLittle Bear: Little Bear Philosopher Thales of Miletos taught Ionian sailors to navigate by the Little Bear constellation fully 600 years before the birth of Christ.Position on Earth: Position on Earth Latitude: The lines that run east and west, parallel to the equator. Longitude: The lines that run north and south. The line that passes through Greenwich, England is called the Prime Meridian. You need both of these to give your position on the face of the earth.Direction - The Compass: Direction - The Compass Chinese knew about the powers of magnetism as early as the 3rd millennium B.C Only seen early present millennium for sea navigation Took a long time to come into wide use, as many seamen thought it operated by black magic Determining Latitude: Determining Latitude A vessel's latitude was easily found by observing the height of the noon sun In the northern hemisphere, navigators can used the North Star as a way to determine their latitude. The angle that the North Star is above the horizon is equal to the latitude of the observer.Devices for determining Latitude: Devices for determining LatitudeDetermining Latitude - Sextant: Determining Latitude - Sextant Invented in 1731 It was the most advanced of these devices Determine their latitude to within a sea mile even from a swaying deck. Determining Longitude: Determining Longitude Finding longitude remained a mystery for a long time Early part of 17-hundreds a Royal Committee offered a prize of £20,000 to the person who could determine longitude at sea. $$$ Earth rotates 15 degrees every hour (360/24) If you know the precise time at the prime meridian of longitude, the difference between that time and the navigator's local time (measured at high noon) will give him his longitude.Some ideas put forward: Some ideas put forward Magnetic Variation Time Signals massive fleet of vessels luminous cannon shot at a predetermined time each day Cost & Impracticality Moons Of Jupiter Galileo suggestion to determine precise time idea actually worked but pitching vessel made observations impractical. Lunar Distance Measured the angle between the moon and other celestial bodies to determine precise time. calculations were difficult and awkward, taking up to 4 hoursWounded Dogsto determine Longitude: Wounded Dogs to determine Longitude mysterious substance called "powder of sympathy" if rubbed on a bandage taken from a wounded dog would cause the dog to howl in pain Even if the dog were hundreds of miles away from the bandage. If done in England at a predetermined time every day, then the dog's howling would give the navigator a daily time signal. extended journeys - dog would have to be re-injured to keep the wound fresh. Luckily for the dogs, this scheme didn't pan out. The idea that worked : The idea that worked Chronometer John Harrison - British clockmaker in 1728 a clock which was consistently accurate at sea. At last the mariner had the ability to easily and consistently determine his exact position. Finding the South Celestial Pole using the Southern Cross: Finding the South Celestial Pole using the Southern CrossQuestions?: Questions? You do not have the permission to view this presentation. In order to view it, please contact the author of the presentation.


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Breeding Electric Blue Cichlids
I am new to this forum, so I am going to start with my story. Question to come....
I have a 150 gal tank, that I started up about one year ago. I originally started with 4 oscars. Sadly the water in my area was harder to treat than I thought and I lost all but one. After getting the water chemistry to a safe level, I thought I would start with smaller (cheaper fish), and ended up with two blue cichlids. When they got bigger I found my self with a male and a female. About a month ago I thought I lost the female (jumped and cat/dog eat her). But to my surprise when I was cleaning my tank last weekend I found her under a rock, with one baby fish.
Now for my question. Now that I know my fish are breeding, and I would like more fish (three fish in a 150 gal tank is lonely). What can I do to help the process? And can anyone tell me more about their breeding time frame (how often to they breed, how long does gestation take)?
I have picture of my fish and tank in my profile if it helps.
Thank you
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This time, we got the following crossword puzzle clue: "It's scanned in a store, for short". Next we will look for a few extra hints for "It's scanned in a store, 3 letters entry". Finally, using all gathered information, we will solve It's scanned in a store, for short crossword definition and get the final answer.
Similar crossword puzzle definitions:
Scanner target;
Series of bars, for short;
Lines at a store, for short;
Try this 3 letters answer: UPC
Please note! There may be multiple solutions to a specific crossword puzzle definition. We apologize in advance, if there is another solution. Please send it to us and we will add it too, ASAP!


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Well... last Friday my wardrobe and I had a stand off – me looking at it in exasperation thinking I had absolutely nothing to wear and it starring right back at me saying "Are you kidding I am full to bursting of perfectly suitable clothes". Besides the fact I was a bit behind on my washing therefore further limiting wardrobe choices, the problem was the weather.
It was not hot but also not cold, it was raining, but still too warm to wear my trusty trench, plus I knew that I was going to go out after work... Aghhhh! Night. Mare. (Is there such a thing as a 'morning-mare' because that's probably more like what it actually was!).
In retail speak this in-between kind of weather is known as "transeasonal", when summer starts to get cooler or winter starts to get warmer (more commonly known as Autumn and Spring… unless you live in Melbourne where it could potentially be any day of the year).
As I made my way to the tram stop, dodging puddles and shivering slightly, I of course thought of about five better variations of outfit, so I vowed to myself then and there that I would come up with a few potential combos so this wouldn't happen again.
Now, I know you're all probably screaming " layer, layer, layer" – and yes, this is the ideal way to combat this weather, what happens though when you don't really feel like layering (or cant be bothered with the extra washing and ironing it will create!)??
First things first – you need some basics:
A cool white shirt:
Country Road
This is great for wearing either open or closed with a skirt, tailored pants or jeans – it covers your arms but is still lightweight
Some lightweight pants:
Country Road
Not quite a jean, not quite a trouser, these can be dressed up or down and are super stylish.
A shift dress:
Country Road
Paired with some light black tights and ankle boots, is simple and fun.
Something a bit funky:
A nice little bum coverer that looks super cool over pencil pants!
Secondly, invest in a big handbag!
(i.e. - so that you can take a change of clothes/ extra layer with you!!)
Third – Wrap it up!
Don't forget that a scarf can make instant warmness and can add a splash of colour or point of interest to any outfit!
Problem, solved!
Thanks to today's fabulous guest writer, Henrietta Hannemann


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Hindu Press International (HPI) is a daily summery of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike. Sign up to receive to HPI by email
NEW DELHI, INDIA, January 16, 2002: Indian scientists have made an archaeological find dating back to 7500 bce suggesting the world's oldest cities came up about 4,000 years earlier than is currently believed, a top government official said on Wednesday. The scientists found pieces of wood, remains of pots, fossil bones and what appeared like construction material just off the coast of Surat, Science and Technology Minister Murli Manohar Joshi told a news conference. "Some of these artifacts recovered by the National Institute of Ocean Technology from the site, such as the log of wood date back to 7500 bce, which is indicative of a very ancient culture in the present Gulf of Cambay, that got submerged subsequently," Joshi said. Current belief is that the first cities appeared around 3500 bce in the valley of Sumer, where Iraq now stands, a statement issued by the government said. "We can safely say from the antiquities and the acoustic images of the geometric structures that there was human activity in the region more than 9,500 years ago (7500 BC)," S.N. Rajguru, an independent archaeologist, said. It is not clear from the article why the scientists considered the findings evidence of a "city."
PATNA, INDIA, January 16, 2002: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, who was taken ill on Tuesday due to gastro-enteritis and low blood pressure, is feeling better and his condition is stable, doctors attending on him said on Wednesday. The Dalai Lama is feeling much better on Wednesday and his condition improving fast, Patna civil surgeon Dr A K Mishra heading the team of doctors which examined him in the morning said. The 67-year-old Dalai Lama, also suffering from hypertension, has also been advised to stop taking blood pressure lowering medicines.
Source: Times of India
ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 14, 2002: According to Professor Theo Damsteegt of Leiden University in the Netherlands, the dialect of Bhojpuri spoken by the country's immigrants from Suriname should be considered a distinct language, "Sarnami." The immigrants from Suriname originally came from the "Bhojpuri Belt" in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Western Bihar in India. Bhojpuri is a regional dialect of Hindi. Sarnami, explains the professor, has many features in common with Bhojpuri but also contains many words from Dutch. It has now stabilized into a distinct language with its own literature. Many Indians came to the Netherlands from Suriname when the latter was granted independence in 1975.
UGANDA, AFRICA, January 15, 2002: The music of India is one of the oldest unbroken musical traditions in the world with origins in the Vedas, the ancient scripts of the Hindus. Shekhar Chakravarty, General Manager Crane Microfinance, who plays the Indian instrument sitar, says that his major interest is to ensure that second and third Indian generations living in Uganda and Ugandans who have an interest in Indian classical music become familiar with this Indian music. "There are many Indian families here who for generations are settled in Uganda. That group has never known or been exposed to our traditional Indian music." Chakravarty says. He adds that there is need for the Indian High Commissioner and other Indian associations to come together and start affordable, convenient classes for Indian music for interested Indians and Ugandans.
SABARIMALA, KERALA, INDIA, January 14, 2002: The Travancore Devaswom Board, which administers the hill shrine of Ayyappa at Sabarimala, will offer food free of cost to all devotees arriving for darshan from the next Mandalam-Makaravilakku season onwards, board president N. Babu said here on Monday. He said an estimated 21,700,000 devotees, mostly from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, besides Kerala, had darshan (worship before the Deity) at the temple during the two-month pilgrim season this year.
Source: The Hindu
HYDERABAD, INDIA, January 12, 2002: As Afghanistan continues to be in spotlight, an eminent scholar of ancient Indian astronomy, B. G. Sidharth, Director-General of the B. M. Birla Planetarium and Science Centre, has contended that there is sufficient astronomical and other evidence to suggest that the battle and many of the events of the Mahabharata took place in the regions around that beleaguered country, around 1350 bce. Delivering a lecture on "Dating the Vedas and later literature with the help of astronomy," he said there were a number of astronomical symbols to strengthen this proposition and added that this view of history from "archeao-astronomy scenario" appears very different from the textbooks.
JAMMU, INDIA, January 2, 2002: Despite falling temperatures at the holy cave shrine, over 123,000 lakh pilgrims from the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India visited the abode dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi during the last week of December 2001. On December 31 alone, around 33,000 pilgrims paid their respects to the Goddess. Facilities for devotees at the base camp of Katra have vastly improved since the formation of a shrine board. Pilgrims now have access to accommodations, transportation, banking and medical aid. Launching a detailed campaign, the department of tourism in Katra has organized several programs during the year. In 2001, 5,556,000 pilgrims visited the cave shrine.
KERALA, INDIA, January 2, 2002: Tamil minority Brahmins in the state recently organized a march and protest against the State Government's Malabar Hindu Religions and Charitable Institutions and Endowments Bill, 2001. Hundreds of women and even the elderly who normally do not leave their homes, walked down the main streets of Palakkad town. Belonging primarily to an organization called the Brahmin Sabha, the protesters feel that the bill has targeted over 96 temples and settlements run by its members. Apparently, endowments and trusts have already been set up to run these temples. The new bill will provide for a meagre government annuity and take over of the temples and their endowments. Mr. N.N. Ramachandram, the action committee chairman said, "the Kerala High Court order was meant for ensuring wages and welfare measures for the temple employees of Malabar." However, the government has used the provisions of the bill to take over temples already run by various Hindu religious groups. Currently the Charitable Societies and Trusts Act provides for the welfare measures of its temple employees. Any breach of this act would result in action against the institution failing to dispense its duties.
BANGALORE, INDIA, Jan 11, 2002: Bangalore, India's high-tech capital and one of the world's leading technology hubs, tops the nation in the number of suicides. A team of researchers headed by Dr. G. Gururaj and Dr. Mohan Isaac from the Bangalore-based National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences found that the city's suicide rate is 35 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 11 per 100,000. Their study, Epidemiology of Suicides In Bangalore, also found that the cases of attempted suicides were 10 times that of actual suicides. The five major causes of suicide in Bangalore are chronic physical illness, conflicts and disturbances within the family, alcohol-related problems, financial problems and unemployment. Underlying all these causes, Dr Gururaj points out, is the phenomenal change that the city has undergone in the past ten years. Just a little over a decade back, Bangalore, with a population of less than four million, had a laid-back lifestyle. But today, it is one of the world's most dynamic technology hubs with a population of over six million. Indeed, it is the only city in India to have undergone such a tremendous transformation during the last decade. This change, says Dr. Gururaj, has been accompanied by a high degree of migration, resulting in cultural alienation and a lack of social support network. There have also been tremendous changes in lifestyle and values. These have led to conflicts within people that are manifested in different ways such as illness, alcoholism and financial problems. The availability of alcohol is a significant contributory factor to the high suicide rate. Also known as the Pub City, Bangalore is estimated to have 3,500 outlets selling alcohol. Dr Gururaj says that 27 per cent of suicide attempts are made under the influence of alcohol. According to a recent report from the World Health Organization, the suicide rate in the US is 19.3 per hundred thousand, 11 per hundred thousand in the UK and 8.2 per hundred thousand in Israel.
GANGA SAGAR, INDIA, January 13, 2002: Security precautions are unprecedented here where the Ganga River enters the Bay of Bengal during the annual Ganga Sagar festival. Already 50,000 pilgrims have arrived and hundreds of thousands more are expected for the main bathing day on the January 14. The state government has requested help from the nation's Coast Guard in light of the December 13 attack on India's Parliament. The Shankaracharya of Puri also arrived on Saturday evening and went round the mela. Residents of this island venue have complained about getting charged pilgrim's rate for the ferry service -- US$1.50 compared to the normal nine cents.
UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA, January 12, 2001: The Uttaranchal police on Tuesday claimed to have busted an international smuggling racket by arresting two persons and recovering a 500-year-old icon of the Jain saint, Lord Mahavir, from them. The duo, members of a gang, were arrested with the 2.75 kg icon, made of ashta dhatu (an alloy of eight metals) and worth US$128,000 in the international market, from Khatima area in Udhamsingh Nagar on Monday, police said.
WASHINGTON, USA, January 12, 2001: Four Buddhist monks, exiled from Tibet by Chinese rule, belonging to a 20-man team from a branch in Atlanta of their monastery, began to lay out a seven-foot work of symbolic art in 20 colors of sand a "healing mandala" for the pain of the attack on the Pentagon. "For at least 13 centuries," said Lobsang Tenzin, leader of the monks' group, "the Tibetans relied highly on spiritual practices, spiritual rituals as a way to bring a certain resolution to conflicts and it is our legacy that in these difficult times we can offer to America." The artists will work in relays through January 27, depositing the sand from little funnels and holding ceremonial chants twice daily. The mandala symbolizes the whole universe, and also a palace where deities live.
LONDON, ENGLAND, January 12, 2002: London yogis, according to this report, are concerned that nontraditional forms of yoga developed in America may be harmful to some people. Jill Boag-Munroe of the UK's governing body of yoga, the British Wheel, has studied and taught yoga for 20 years. "I've heard and read of American variations, which use machines to push the body into position, but we would not recommend it," she told this paper. "Powerflow" yoga, which is popular with Thurman and Turlington, is of particular concern. Experienced London yoga teachers have already gone on record to describe the physical injuries they sustained during the vigorous "taster" workouts recently provided by two of American yogis. Boag-Munroe insists yoga has to outlive its status as a Western fad to return to Patanjali's exhortation that it must still the vibrations of the mind.
Source: Religion News Service
UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA, January 9, 2002: A Hindu militant accused of killing an Australian missionary and his two young sons said today he might be a candidate for the Indian parliament from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Dara Singh is one of 17 men accused of setting fire to a jeep in which missionary Graham Staines was sleeping with his two sons, Philip, 10, and Timothy, 8. Staines, who ran a leper colony and lived in India for 30 years, died with his sons in the 1999 attack, according to Reuters news agency. Under Indian law, Singh could seek the office while on trial, but would have to resign if convicted.
NEW DELHI, INDIA, January 10, 2002: After years of debate and petitions from Indians living overseas, the government is to allow dual citizenship. The move is intended to maintain links with the Indian diaspora. The government has been seeking ways to create synergy between the Indian diaspora and its rapid economic reform and globalization agenda. Critics say it may weaken the loyalty of Indians to their adopted countries. Government officials estimate the Indian diaspora numbers 20 million worldwide. Ten countries have more than half a million people of Indian origin, and the diaspora covers 53 countries. Some estimates say the Indian diaspora, comprising a mix of professionals and businessmen, has an annual income of US$300 billion, comparable to India's gross domestic product. It will also apply to people of Indian origin who have already become foreign citizens. The new rule will initially apply only to Indians who are residents of Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.


text: On sale today, Battlefront: Twilight Company is a good, solid novel for the military sci-fi reader. The world of Star Wars is no stranger to video game tie-in fiction, and has done so quite well with the X-Wing series and Republic Commando series, both now Legends. First time novelist Alexander Freed hits the mark by pulling the reader in for a trip with the men and women of Twilight Company, formally the Sixty-First Mobile Infantry, one of the Rebel Alliance's toughest units, during the original trilogy era.


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Breast MRI
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Breast)En Español (Spanish Version)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) involves the use of magnetic waves to make pictures of the inside of the body. An MRI uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to produce two-dimensional and three-dimensional pictures. MRI of the breast is used to work with a mammography to detect breast cancer and other abnormalities of the breast. There is evidence that breast MRI can detect some lesions that may be missed by mammography.
Reasons for Procedure
Breast MRI can be used to:
- Evaluate breast abnormalities seen on mammography
- Identify breast abnormalities in women (and in some cases, men) with dense breast tissue, implants, or scar tissue
- Examine breast implants
- Examine scar tissue
- Evaluate the progress of breast cancer treatment
- Identify cysts, enlarged ducts, hematomas, or leaking or ruptured breast implants
- Distinguish between benign and malignant abnormalities
- Examine lymph nodes near the breast
Breast Cysts
© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
Risk Factors for Complications During the Procedure
You may not be able to have a breast MRI if you have any of the following in your body:
- Pacemaker
- Neurostimulator
- Ear implant
- Metal clips in your eyes
- Implanted port device
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
- Metal plate, pins, screws, or surgical staples
- Metal clips from aneurysm repair
- Retained bullets
- Any other large metal objects
In addition, you should tell your doctor or the MRI technician if your job involves working with metal filings or particles.
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
Your doctor will likely do the following:
- Physical exam and medical history
- Pregnancy test
- Determine if you have any allergies
- Prescribe a mild sedative if you have anxiety or a fear of enclosed spaces
In the days leading up to your procedure:
- You may be asked to avoid using hair gel, spray, lotions, powders, and cosmetics before your MRI.
If your doctor prescribes a sedative:
- Arrange to have someone drive you to and from the procedure, and for help at home after your procedure.
- Take your sedative before the exam as directed by your doctor.
Once at the MRI center:
- You will be asked to remove any metal objects, such as jewelry, hairpins, hearing aids, glasses, wigs, and/or nonpermanent dentures.
No anesthesia is required. You may receive a mild sedative for anxiety or fear of enclosed spaces.
Description of the Procedure
You will lie face down on your stomach in a moveable bed that slides into a large, cylindrical-shaped magnet. Your breasts will hang into cushioned openings. You may be hooked up to monitors to track your pulse, heart rate, and breathing.
If the MRI will require contrasting dye (eg, Gadolinium), you will receive an intravenous line in your hand or arm through which a saline solution and contrasting dye will be injected during the exam.
The MRI technician will leave the room and give you any necessary directions via an intercom. A magnetic field will be produced to generate three-dimensional images of your breast tissue. If contrast material is used, a tumor, if present, will show up on the MRI scan.
After the Procedure
You will be asked to wait until the MRI images are examined to make sure no additional images are needed.
How Long Will It Take?
The procedure takes about 1½ hours.
Will It Hurt?
There is no pain reported with this procedure.
Possible Complications
- Allergic reaction to contrast material, if it is injected
- Risks of sedation, if a sedative is used
Average Hospital Stay
You will be able to go home after the MRI examination.
Postoperative Care
- If you took a sedative, do not drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions until the sedative wears off completely.
- For those who are breast-feedings, if you received contrast dye, wait at least 24 hours after the exam to resume breast-feeding. Talk to your doctor about this.
The MRI images will be sent to a radiologist who will analyze them and report the results back to you and/or your primary physician.
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Canadian Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute of Canada
Heywang-Kobrunner SH, Viehweg P, Heinig A, Kuchler C. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast: accuracy, value, controversies, solutions. Eur J Radiol. 1997;24:94-108.
MR imaging (MRI)—breast. RadiologyInfo website. Available at: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastmr&bhcp=1. Accessed May 21, 2007.
Shinil K, Shah BS, Shiwan K, Shah BS, Greatrex KV. J Am Board Fam Med. 2005;18(6):478-490.
What is Breast MRI? University of California at San Francisco website. Available at:
http://www.mrsc.ucsf.edu/breast/what_is_breast_mri.html. Accessed June 6, 2007.
Last reviewed April 2008 by Jill Landis, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2011 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.


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Written by Tom Cwynar on Feb 2, 1999
Read more
Written by Tracy Crede on Feb 2, 1999
Written by Harold Kerns on Feb 2, 1999
Written by Rochelle Renken on Feb 2, 1999
February 1999 - Volume 60, Issue 2
Editor - Tom Cwynar
Assistant Editor - Charlotte Overby
Managing Editor - Jim Auckley
Art Editor - Dickson Stauffer
Designer - Tracy Ritter
Artist - Dave Besenger
Artist - Mark Raithel
Photographer - Jim Rathert
Photographer - Cliff White
Staff Writer - Jim Low
Staff Writer - Joan McKee
Composition - Libby Bode Block
Circulation - Bertha Bainer
MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources. We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature. Read more about our mission.


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This is a programming enable pin for the SPI Serial Programming mode. By holding this pin lowduring a Power-on Reset, the device will enter the SPI Serial Programming mode. PEN is internallypulled high. The pullup is shown in Figure 22 on page 52 and its value is given in SectionDC Characteristics on page 325. PEN has no function during normal operation.
So, is it safe to leave it disconnected? Or connect it to the programmer header?


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Recitals (March 25 through May 31)
Wednesday, April 10
- 8:00 PM Faculty Recital, Lynn Eustis
Event Calendar
Event Topics
- Alumni
- Application Deadline
- Arts
- BU Central
- Careers
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- Global
- Keyword Initiative
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- Meetings
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- Religious Services & Activities
- Special Interest to Women
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BU Today: Latest Headlines
- CAS, SED Staffers Honored for Service to the University May 4, 2016A general theme played out in this year's John S. Perkins Distinguished Service Award winners' nomination letters: each was cited not only for long-term commitment to the University but for ability to creatively troubleshoot, often in ways that go well above and beyond their job descriptions. The awards are bestowed annually on BU nonfaculty members […]
- An Act of Discovery: 2016 BFA Thesis Work at 808 Gallery May 4, 2016Stop by the 808 Gallery this week and you'll be greeted by an arresting sight: two human-like statues in the act of spewing glittered technicolor "vomit" onto a woven rug. The dynamic duo comprise the playful Vomcanoes installation by Jill Rosati (CFA'16), created to depict humans "as the animals they are." See Rosati at work in the […]
- One Class, One Day: Luxury Brands May 4, 2016Class by class, lecture by lecture, question asked by question answered, an education is built. This is one of a series of visits to one class, on one day, in search of those building blocks at BU. Although Hermès Birkin handbags can cost the equivalent of four years of college tuition, consumers have long gone to […]
- BU Police Probe Inflammatory Posters May 3, 2016The BU Police Department is investigating the placement of large posters with racist and neo-Nazi messages at several locations on campus after a student reported spotting the posters Saturday night, April 30, at the entry of the Yawkey Center for Student Services. The 8½-by-11-inch posters, with messages that include "Black Lives Don't Matter," "Atomwaffen Division […]
- Jump-Start Your Job Search: Refresh Skin Therapy Founder May 3, 2016In our series "Jump-start Your Job Search," BU Today brings you short interviews with BU alums who are leaders in their field, such as banking, advertising, tech start-ups, journalism, or nonprofit organizations. They talk about how they got to be where they are, mistakes they've made, and what they've taken away from those mistakes. They […]


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Tuesday Oct 07 2008
There's still time to register, and a lot to vote for
By: Susan Belknap, Editor
The right to vote is an important one and there's just a few weeks left until the Nov. 4 election. Placer County voters have their work cut out, making a decision who will receive their vote for the highest office in the land and trying to decipher all 12 propositions and various measures on this year's ballot. But, in addition to national and state competitions, this year's ballot features the names of several local candidates hoping for your vote for school and fire district boards as well as city council for those who live in Roseville. In order to make intelligent decisions about who to vote for, one must understand the candidates, what each one stands for and what they want to accomplish if elected to office. For the last few months The Press-Tribune has been publishing several articles regarding all the local races in an effort to educate readers. We hope you've been able to catch the stories we've had on Roseville City Council candidates as well as the articles we've published profiling Roseville City, Dry Creek and Sierra College district school board candidates. In addition there are local fire district board races we've also published to help our readers make the best choice for all positions. In the race for Roseville City Council voters must select three of the six candidates running for office. In an effort to inform voters about this race a number of candidate forums have been scheduled, including one that takes place today at 7 p.m. at the Martha Riley Community Library. The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Placer County, the Roseville Coalition of Neighborhood Associations and The Press-Tribune. What an opportunity to witness first hand the candidates voice their opinions about the city and what they would like to see accomplished. No matter what your party affiliation, I hope you will take the time to study your sample ballot and cast your vote for your favorite candidates. According to the Americagov.com Web site, new technology and procedures were set in place in 2006 to encourage more eligible voters to cast their ballots. These include Web sites or online portals that voters can use to check if they are registered to vote, and, if so, where they can vote. Telephone hotlines are also being used by local election officials to respond to voters' Election Day questions. Here in Placer County as of Sept. 29, 188,103 people have registered to vote. This number includes 93,238 Republicans, 55,668 Democrats and 33,153 "decline to state" voters among a few other affiliations. Officials at The Elections Division office in Auburn have a wealth of information about all issues related to the voting procedures and can help answer any questions voters might have concerning their ballot and place of voting. They can be reached at (530) 886-5650. In addition, the Web site www.placer.ca.gov/elections provides further information about candidates in all the local races. If you've recently moved to Placer County and haven't had a chance to register there's good news since the deadline to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 20. For those who wish to vote by mail, the last day to request that ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 28. I hope you will take the time Tuesday, Nov. 4, to exercise your right to cast your vote for your choice of candidates. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.


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April 30, 2016
Atlanta, GA (AP) - Georgia parents soon may have the option of
forcing school districts to adopt drastic reforms to turn around troubled schools.
A bill introduced in the Georgia Legislature this week would mirror the so-called "parent trigger" law passed in California last year. It would allow parents to petition local districts to overhaul schools that consistently fall below federal benchmarks.
Parents can choose among converting the school to a charter,
replacing all the staff or even closing it.
The California law is already under legal challenge by families who say district officials have tried to thwart a move to convert a failing Compton elementary school into a charter school.
The Georgia bill is being sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers.
Senate Bill 68: http://www.legis.state.ga.us
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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|Area Program to be offered on Native Iowa Plants and Trees
|News Releases - Environment, Weather & Nature
|Written by Amanda Heitz
|Thursday, 09 May 2013 15:00
If you have ever wanted to learn more about Iowa's native trees, grasses and wildflowers, you'll have a chance to do so in a series of classes being offered in the area this spring and summer. Trees Forever will be offering its popular Stewards of the Beautiful Land program in Scott County this year.
In addition, class members will also help plan and plant a small local project using native plants.
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©1996 Jodi Picoult; (P)2006 Recorded Books,LLC
"What could have been a competent, topical novel about a mercy killing becomes, in Picoult's hands, an inspired meditation on love." (Publishers Weekly)
I LOVE books. And dogs & quilting & beading & volunteering.
"Picoult meet Gabeldon whilst searchin' the heather"
Yep..Diana Gabeldon ran across Jodi Picould one day while they were a'roamin ye auld highlands and they agreed to write a book together..or many they didn't but it just seems that way from this book.I think Nora Roberts might have joined in on this mess of a book too....theres a lot of her in it, including her key phrase of "He fisted her hair and drew her to the floor"
Theres a lot more uncensored lovemaking in Gabeldons books-plenty of sex, but none of it ticked me off as much as the cheating sheriff does in Mercy,
Wheelock Mass was settled 200 years ago by McDonalds mostly,along with a few other scotish surnames after the battle at Culoden and the Laird of the Clan McDnals has been the top cop in the little town ever since. Todays Chief of Police, one Cameron McDonald really wants to be a tourist writer but he had to return home because his father had died and it was his turn to become chief of police. He came back and maid the town librarian not the cheerleader that everyone thought he'd end up with-shes a writer and has returned to town for a opening preview and reading from her newest book.
The plot is trite tripe. So corny that I had a hard time not rolling my eyes and saying "OH Really"????? to some dumb turn of events. And to the way the female protagonist has chosen to not stand up for herself during her entire marriage. You know thats gotta go!
Combine it with a wandering woman who just shows up in town and charms the chief, a distant cousin who murders his wife in Wheelock because he knew The Laird would give him a fair judgment..after all, the wife requested she be murdered to get her out of all the pain she was in. I had so many "Why didn't they" questions about this act, as it is supposed to take place in this day and age-primarily why didn't they get this desire to be let go due to unmitigating cancer pain on the books first-get some group behind it-or even move here to Oregon where Mercy Killing is legal!
I was disappointed in the book..what might have been a good Picoult novel turned out to be an average listen with some unrealistic characters, a flat plot and a wish I hadn't downloaded it to start with. This goes in my returns file!
"What is Mercy?"
The story revolves around Cameron and Allie MacDonald, in the small village of Wheelock, Massachusetts in the Berkshire. It is a town rich in Scottish history where the majority of residents are Scottish descendants, where weddings are ended with the Scottish tradition of a blood vow, where Cameron MacDonald is not only the chief of police but also the clan chief – all of which were expected of him to do. On what seemed to be a most ordinary day turns out to be a most extraordinary day for Cam and his wife of eight years; events on the day will lead them down a shaky path of questions, desires and wants. The 1st turn of events is when Jamie MacDonald, a cousin of Cameron's, commits an act of mercy by smoothing his cancer-ravaged wife Maggie in the Wheelock Inn. The 2nd turn of event is when Allie, the local florist, hires Mia, a blue-eyed exotic beauty with a knack for flower arranging. As Allie becomes involved with Jamie's case, Cam begins a love affair with Mia that is destine to bring his marriage to almost a point of destruction. Jamie tells Allie that a marriage is never "never fifty-fifty" and like him, Allie is the one the loves more.
At points in the book I hated Cam for what he was doing to his wife yet at times so wanted him to find happiness with Mia – Cameron loved her for her free spirit to go places at a whim and Mia love Cam for stability and a place to call home. The love story of Jamie and Maggie is heart breaking. How do you kill the person that is your whole being? How do you ask that person to perform such an act, an act of mercy?
Picoult's writing is like poetry for me and this book is no exception, especially her attention to the development of her central characters. The title of this book "Mercy" has dual meaning. The most obvious is the mercy killing of Maggie. But what is mercy? It is compassion or benevolence. I think this would apply to Allie towards Cam.
I have read many reviews on this book I see a lot of people did not rate it well – maybe the fact that I listen to this book painted it differently for me but I loved the book. Jodi Picoult rarely disappoints me and never writes about subjects that are easy to swallow - and Mercy was no different.
"An Interesting Read"
I could listen to Mercy again in a few years. The story line was very different and really made you think.
In some regards, yes, the plot did have some surprising twists. You can read the book jacket and find out that Jamie McDonald shows up in the town of Weelock (not sure of spelling here) and notifies his cousin, Cameron McDonald, the town's police chief, that his wife is dead and he killer her.He then adds she asked him to do so but its actually the coroner who reveals the suffering her body had undergone during cancer treatments. People are divided and Cameron's wife, Allie, is fully in Jamie's corner. Secretly, I believe Cameron was, too, since he hired Jamie an attorney. The book has two story lines because at the same time Jamie appears with his bombshell, a strange woman, Mia, shows up in town and is hired by Allie to work in her flower shop. An attraction blossoms almost immediately between Cameron and Mia and I felt dislike for Cameron for pursuing this attraction while I also was sympathetic towards him for trying to help Jamie, though not publicly.
I have listened to books by this narrator before and she brings the characters to life, I really felt more in tune to them by listening to the story rather than reading it. Its one of the things I love the most about audible books.
I had various emotions throughout the book; shock as Jamie recounted he and Maggie's last days together, even though I knew a mercy killing was the basic plot of the book. I felt frustration for Allie as she tried so hard to make things so calm and peaceful and smooth for Cameron that she kind of faded into the background. I was thoroughly at odds when Cameron and Mia began their affair and I felt Cameron's shame and Allie's fury when both his mother and Allie discovered the affair. The book ended the way I wanted with Jamie's trial. I think mercy killing is a hard issue but Picoult shared it in such intense detail that I could see how you could do something like this because you loved someone so much you didn't want them to suffer anymore.
This was not a typical Jodi Picoult book. It took some time to get into, but it was a very good book. I would like to have had a little more detail to the ending though.
Yes. I really enjoy Jodi's writing style.
Too many characters to keep up with and well into Chapter 10-11 before the subplots began to make sense.
Allie's garage sale and the trial.
No, not really.
As a Jodi Picoult fan...this, in my opinion, was not her best work. First of her books that I was not completely thrilled with. 😔
"Not her best book"
Love Jodi Picoult, read almost all her books and this one was not her best work not one of my favourite.
"Very hard to like"
Definitely not my favorite Jodi Picoult story. I found it very difficult to sympathize with, or even like, Cam and Mia- in any way, but it felt like the author wanted them to be lovable, likable, sympathetic characters. This subplot overshadowed the "big question" main plot, and caused it to be mired down in melodrama. Probably wouldn't have finished the book, but didn't have anything else.
"Pretty Good!"
They celebrated Valentine's Day two days earlier, January 12th. Hmmmmm. Typo or read incorrectly? Big mistake somewhere. I haven't seen the printed version and I wonder what it says.
I can't compare because this book is written differently than the rest of her books. It's interesting how she combines her story with letters written.
She does a very good job.
Valentine's day in January?
Maybe later
"Multiple Storylines"
I did not enjoy the way the author switched between the storylines and would have preferred better transitioning among them.
For the most part the love triangle portion of the book was fairly predictable but I was very interested in the developing storyline regarding the mercy killing and the jury verdict.
She did an adequate job with the accent but I prefer more definition between the male and female characters.
No, I'm not that interested in the characters involved.
I will try another Picoult book and hope this book does not reflect her usual writing style.
Jodi is deservedly well-respected and novels such as this continue to show why.
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|Front Page
Speedier Access to NIH Network Now Available in Montgomery
By Scott Collins
Cable television, which revolutionized a generation's viewing habits with music videos and pay-per-view, is now changing the way some NIH employees get to work. The Center for Information Technology recently teamed up with Cable TV Montgomery to offer cable modem access to the NIH network. The new service means that authorized staff who reside in Montgomery County and subscribe to the cable provider can now access their office networks from home at speeds 20 times faster than conventional dial-up connections.
Cable modems tap into the immense bandwidth available through cable television networks, so files can be downloaded at up to 700 Kbps (kilobits per second) blink-of-an-eye speed compared to the rates possible over traditional phone lines. That's good news for employees who telecommute to their workplace anyone on flexiplace, or staff who work online for extended time periods or have other special system access requirements.
To take advantage of cable access, you still need a dial-up modem connection for logging on and uploading files, i.e., transferring data from the home computer to the network. You also need a network interface card, and of course, the cable modem itself, which is included with Cable TV Mont-gomery's installation plan. Do-it-yourself types can obtain a self-install kit for $10. As with other services, staff must register through their NIH account sponsors via Web Sponsor.
Technical support is provided by CIT and Cable TV Montgomery, which offers unlimited service to NIH'ers at a discount price of $39.95 per month. That price is in addition to basic cable costs.
Most users appear happy with the service. "You can't beat the speed," said the Clinical Center's Mark Miller, who uses remote access to administer networks. He helped iron out the connection process for the Macintosh platform and looks forward to improved Mac support. Cable modem access appears to be a great solution both in terms of bandwidth and price for many users.
Many other high-speed access options exist for NIH staff, including 56K modems, ISDN or DSL technologies. A helpful comparison chart, along with detailed explanations about the availability, affordability and supported network protocols for a wide variety of services, can be found at CIT's Remote Access Solutions Web page, http://remoteaccess.nih.gov.
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May 5, 2016
By Julie Montanaro
March 20, 4pm
A Tallahassee man is accused of beating up his mother and setting her house on fire. It happened on Berklie Drive Monday night.
Deputies say 31-year-old Jeremy Cargile severely beat his mother during an argument, then poured gasoline in the house and set it on fire with a match. The brick exterior shows some scorch marks, but firefighters say the inside is gutted with damages topping $70,000.
"According to reports, he wanted to show his mother how it felt to be homeless," said Leon County Sheriff's Office spokesman Chris Chase.
Family members say Cargile is schizophrenic. Arrest papers say he told deputies he was angry because his mother keeps institutionalizing him. Now Cargile is in the Leon County Jail facing arson and domestic battery charges.
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I've had three terrific mothers (I guess ol' dad, kept trying for perfection) and, along the way, an amazing mother-in-law. During my youth the time spent with them was an adventure of learning (sometimes survival) and most remembered, loving.
Number three, Gloria, was originally a Busca. I'm not quite sure how this dark-haired Italian beauty and my father met. Possibly dad, being German, had thought another European alliance was in order. However, through the years of their marriage they sometimes fought like two countries trying to see who would rule my world.
That didn't bother me. But, having been an only child into my teens, my independence was shattered when, POOF, there suddenly appeared, along with my new mom, two step-sisters; Lynnda, my own age, and Debbie, slightly younger. I shuddered to think I could be hauling this pair to and from high school every day in my '58 Ford convertible.
This mom, as the one before, could really cook. She had undoubtedly learned her culinary skills from her own mother, Tillie, who had owned a deli and restaurant downtown. I had to stay active to keep from gaining weight from her fine food, so on weekends I would take off for the coast to risk body and surfboard in the waters of the Pacific — and to escape my siblings...


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Clerical/Administrative, FT Employee
Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph (Kansas City, MO)
General Responsibilities: While the person who holds this position is supervised by the Director of the Office of Family Life, he or she also receives work assignments directly from the other directors. This person must be able to keep confidential information secure.
Regular tasks include:
1) Sort and distributes incoming mail
2) Determine priorities for completing assigned work requests in cooperation with directors
3) Handle telephone and e-mail inquiries and messages
4) Reserve and schedule space and calendar dates for meetings
5) Arrange for meeting and event space at the chancery and other locations
6) Hospitality for onsite (and some off-site) meetings or events (signage, food/drink, etcetera)
7) Greet visitors
8) Use word processing and graphic design technology to produce letters, program materials, and newsletters; proofreads and edits
9) Operate office equipment including: computers fax machine, printers, scanner, copier, calculator and digital projectors.
10) Prepare outgoing mail
11) Maintain stock of materials (books, flyers, etcetera) for IGM offices
12) Fulfill orders for Marriage Preparation materials from parishes
13) Maintain online registration and data entry for regular and occasional events
14) Maintain and assist in coordinating scheduling, registration and record keeping for the God's Plan program
15) Attend regular Intergenerational Ministry meetings
16) Handle record keeping for Intergenerational Ministry accounts payable and receivable
17) Make purchases by telephone, online or in person to replenish office supplies
18) Completes other duties and assignments as determined by the immediate supervisor.
Basic Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
-Proficient on PC computer systems and software: Windows, Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Publisher, and Outlook, Online website updating, etcetera
-Ability to collaborate with staff.
– Fluency (both written and oral) in English and Spanish (preferred)
-Ability to respect others.
-Proven accuracy in written communications.
-Demonstrated telephone operation and courtesy.
-Familiarity with a Catholic understanding of ministry is a vocational asset.
-Ability to maintain a safe environment for vulnerable members of our community (children, youth, the aged,) by following mandated conduct standards and complying with mandated reporter requirements.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
The position normally works an 8 hour day, forty hours per week with occasional evening or weekend responsibilities a few times per year. Most work activities are conducted within an individual office setting, complete with standard height chair, desk, and appropriate lighting. Occasional driving to shop for supplies or to assist at offsite events will be needed.
The person holding this position has sufficient stamina and physical abilities for:
-Sitting at the computer to complete word processing and graphic design tasks;
-Standing and or walking to package, mail, photocopy, and or fax material;
-Lifting packages or boxes not in excess of 30 lbs.;
-Seeing and hearing to attend to written and oral work (0)
Incoming search terms:
- diocese of kansas city st joseph
- duties of a youth secretary
- st joseph olongapo city baptism archives


text:
function [D] = DEnergyDist_DMMD_estimation(Y1,Y2,co)
%Estimates the energy distance (D) according to the relation: D(f_1,f_2;rho) = 2 [MMD(f_1,f_2;k)]^2, where MMD denotes maximum mean discrepancy and k is a kernel that generates rho, a semimetric of negative type.
% 1)We use the naming convention 'D<name>_estimation' to ease embedding new divergence estimation methods.
% 2)This is a meta method: the MMD estimator can be arbitrary.
% Y1: Y1(:,t) is the t^th sample from the first distribution.
% Y2: Y2(:,t) is the t^th sample from the second distribution.
% co: divergence estimator object.
% Dino Sejdinovic, Arthur Gretton, Bharath Sriperumbudur, and Kenji Fukumizu. Hypothesis testing using pairwise distances and associated kernels. International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML), pages 1111-1118, 2012. (semimetric space; energy distance <=> MMD, with a suitable kernel)
% Russell Lyons. Distance Covariance in metric spaces. Technical report, Indiana University, 2011. http://arxiv.org/abs/1106.5758. (energy distance, metric space of negative type; pre-equivalence to MMD)
% Gabor J. Szekely and Maria L. Rizzo. A new test for multivariate normality. Journal of Multivariate Analysis, 93:58-80, 2005. (energy distance; metric space of negative type)
% Gabor J. Szekely and Maria L. Rizzo. Testing for equal distributions in high dimension. InterStat, 5, 2004. (energy distance; R^d)
%Copyright (C) 2012 Zoltan Szabo ("http://nipg.inf.elte.hu/szzoli", "szzoli (at) cs (dot) elte (dot) hu")
%This file is part of the ITE (Information Theoretical Estimators) Matlab/Octave toolbox.
%ITE is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
%the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
%This software is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
%MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
%You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with ITE. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
D = 2 * ( D_estimation(Y1,Y2,co.member_co) )^2;