The Disi Water Conveyance Project is a water supply project in Jordan. It is designed to pump  of water per year from the Disi aquifer, which lies beneath the desert in southern Jordan and northwestern Saudi Arabia. The water is piped to the capital, Amman, and other cities to meet increased demand. Construction began in 2009 and was mostly completed in July 2013 when the project was inaugurated by King Abdullah of Jordan. Its total cost was US$1.1 billion.

An independent study revealed the water to be radioactive and potentially dangerous to drink, initially surrounding the project with controversy. Jordan's Ministry of Water and Irrigation has stated that the radioactivity is not a problem because the water is to be diluted with an equal amount of water from other sources, although it remains disputed if this would be enough to bring the water up to standards. The Ministry said the independent study was inaccurate, as it did not test water from any of the wells that will be used in the project. The President of the Jordanian Geologists Association Bahjat Al Adwan stated that the radiation is present in the water in the form of radon, and thus dissipates harmlessly when the water is exposed to air on the surface.

Background

The water in the Disi aquifer gathered 30,000 years ago during the Pleistocene era.  It is  long and located  below ground inside of porous sandstone.  The aquifer is classified as a fossil aquifer, meaning that the water is not replenished if it is removed. In fact, the aquifer has a recharge rate of  of water per year. This recharge is dwarfed, however, by the current extraction rate of  for agricultural and domestic needs, including  of water that is supplied to Aqaba, Jordan.  The current extraction rate of , coupled with the future extraction rate of  for the project, is expected to produce a total extraction rate of .  At that rate, the water in the aquifer will last a minimum of 50 years, according to the Disi Water Company.

Only a small portion of the Disi aquifer lies beneath Jordan, while the majority lies beneath Saudi Arabia.  Saudi Arabia also extracts water from the aquifer (called the Saq aquifer in Saudi Arabia).  The aquifer has created controversy between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, with each country demanding the other to use less of the shared water.  There is no formal agreement between the countries regarding the water and the Disi Water Conveyance Project is being constructed without Saudi consultation or involvement.

Non-revenue water is a serious problem in Amman.  Currently, 40% of water in Amman is lost as non-revenue water.  The city rations water, with individual residents averaging 36 hours of water access weekly.  If the non-revenue water problem remains, it is possible that a large portion of the water provided by the Disi Water Conveyance project will also be lost as it is piped through Amman.

The Disi Water Conveyance project was first proposed in the 1990s, but was initially regarded as too expensive. A feasibility study was completed in 1996.  But it was not until 2007 that the Jordanian Government was able to contract a firm to begin construction.

Design

The project proposed by the Jordanian government will pump  of water per year from 55 wells in the aquifer. However, a total of 64 wells will be drilled, the extra wells to be used as piezometers to measure the elevation of the water. Nine of the 55 water producing wells will be used in emergencies only.  The wells producing water will be drilled  deep while the piezometers will be drilled to a depth of . The plan is to pump the piezometer wells for 25 years, according to the project leader.

After being pumped from the wells, water will then be transported to Amman, via a   pipeline, passing through a pumping station, then flowing by gravity and being pumped up again. The reservoirs near Amman are only  higher than the surface area where the pumping field is located. Nevertheless, the total elevation differential over which water needs to be lifted by both pumping stations is about . To pump the water through the proposed pipeline will require 4 kilowatt-hours per cubic meter of water.  The entire project would require approximately 4 percent of Jordan's current electrical production. The project is expected to be completed by January 2017 and to run for 25 years or until the Two Seas Canal is built.

The  of water will be divided between the Abu Alanda reservoir and the Dabouq reservoir.  Approximately  of water will be sent to the Abu Alanda reservoir where it will be diluted with water from the Zara Ma'en desalination plant as well as water from Wala.  The remaining  of water will be sent to the Dabouq reservoir where it will be diluted with water from the Zai Treatment Plant as well as water from Wala. It is estimated that the cost of one cubic meter of water from the project will be 0.74 JOD (US$1.05).

Construction
In June 2009, the Turkish firm GAMA began construction. By February 2011, eight piezometer wells and two water producing wells have been completed.  Twenty-three other wells were to be drilled, and   of pipe were to be installed. By April 2011, 99% of the  of project's piping had arrived from Turkey, an anonymous source told The Jordan Times. This source stated that the project was over 50% completed and that it was ahead of schedule.

Construction was delayed by disgruntled members of a Bedouin tribe living in the area, who allegedly intimidated workers by shooting in the air and at construction equipment. All work was stopped for two weeks after two employees were killed in January 2011 — allegedly murdered by a member of the Bedouin tribe.  The tribe had been upset because GAMA did not rent its water tankers, according to Adnan Zu'b, Assistant Secretary Genera at the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. To satisfy the tribe, GAMA then announced plans to rent tankers from the tribe. However, near the site of the killings, the town of Ma'an had protests against the government's failure to punish the killers. During October and November, 2011 the construction works have been suspended at southern part of the project from Hasa to Mudawwara due to security problems created by tribes, therefore there is delay in this part which will affect the completion date of the project.

By the end of 2013, portion of the production wells were substantially complete and turned over to DIWACO.

Structure and funding
The project is funded on a build-operate-transfer concession contract between the Jordanian government and the Disi Water Company (Diwaco), a subsidiary of the Turkish construction company GAMA Energy. GAMA Energy is a joint venture between the Turkish GAMA Holding and the US firm General Electric Energy Financial Services. Diwaco is responsible to build the project over a 4-year period and to operate it for another 25 years. At the end of the concession period the ownership will transfer to the Jordanian government. Diwaco will retain any profits and will bear the risk of losing its equity. Construction is undertaken by GAMA Power Systems, another subsidiary of GAMA Holding, under a turnkey engineering, procurement and construction contract with Diwaco. Operation will be undertaken by Disi Amman Operation Maintenance LLC, a fully owned subsidiary of the French water company Suez Environnement, under a separate operating contract with Diwaco.

The project is funded through an equity contribution of about US$200M from Diwaco, a $300M grant and a $100M stand-by facility from the Jordanian government, as well as US$475M in foreign loans to Diwaco. The project's total cost is expected to be US$1.1 billion. The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation has lent US$250M to Diwaco to support U.S. foreign investment on the basis that General Electric partially owns GAMA Energy. The state-owned French bank PROPARCO, which is the part of the French Development Agency (AFD) that supports private sector development, and the European Investment Bank (EIB) each lent about US$100M to Diwaco. The loan package has been put together by the Arab Banking Corporation. Much of the government grant supporting the project comes from sovereign soft loans that the government of Jordan has borrowed from the EIB and AFD and passes on as a grant to the project. AFD provided US$50M for the state grant and $48M for the stand-by facility.

Radioactivity concerns
The project became controversial in 2009 when a study performed by Avner Vengosh of Duke University revealed the Disi water to be highly radioactive.  Water was tested from 37 existing wells in the aquifer, and all but one had concentrations of radioactive radium-226 and radium-228 isotopes that exceeded international standards for drinking water.  Some of the water tested exceeded standards by 2,000%. Drinking water with these isotopes has been linked to bone cancer and leukemia. Though expensive, the water could be purified of the radioactive isotopes through ion-exchange purification.

Jordan's Ministry of Water and Irrigation has stated that the radioactivity is not a problem because the water is to be diluted with an equal amount of water from other sources. This dilution would presumably halve the radioactivity of the water which, according to Vengosh's data, would not be enough to bring the water up to standards.  The Ministry of Water and Irrigation, however, has declared Vengosh's data to be inaccurate, as his study did not test water from any of the wells that will be used in the project.  As radiation varies from well to well, it is possible that the data Vengosh collected does not accurately reflect the water sources to be used in the project.

Although testing at the well sites that supply Aqaba reveals high radioactivity, testing performed using water from the tap in Aqaba shows the water to be safe.  There is no confirmed explanation for this phenomenon, although it is hypothesized that the depth of the wells (the ones that supply Aqaba are relatively shallow) may play a role as the radiation varies greatly at shallow depths.
In May, 2011, the President of the Jordanian Geologists Association Bahjat Al Adwan stated that the radiation is present in the water in the form of Radon, and thus dissipates harmlessly when the water is exposed to air on the surface.  This explanation has not been confirmed scientifically,  however.

During the inauguration of the conveyor in July 2013 Minister of Water and Irrigation Hazim El-Nasser said that after mixing Disi water radiation is less than 0.5 millisievert per year. The worldwide average natural dose of human's exposure to radiation is about 2.5-3 millisievert per year. "Disi water is purer than bottled water and I take full responsibility for what I'm saying,"  the Minister said during a press conference.

See also
Red Sea–Dead Sea Water Conveyance

References

Water supply and sanitation in Jordan
Infrastructure in Jordan

Disi Water Conveyance


The Siemens Charger is a family of diesel-electric/dual-mode passenger locomotives designed and manufactured by Siemens Mobility for the North American market.

There are five variants of the Charger, tailored for different operators and types of service: ALC-42 for Amtrak long-distance service, ALC-42E dual mode for Amtrak inter-city and long-distance routes that serve the Northeast Corridor, SC-44 for Amtrak state-supported inter-city service or commuter rail operators, SCB-40 for Brightline inter-city service and SCV-42 for VIA Rail inter-city service in Canada.

The first production Charger, a SC-44, was unveiled on March 26, 2016, and entered revenue service on August 24, 2017. It was followed by the SCB-40, which inaugurated Brightline service on January 13, 2018. The first ALC-42 was delivered to Amtrak on June 17, 2021, and entered revenue service on February 8, 2022, on the Empire Builder.

The Charger is often paired with Venture passenger cars, also built by Siemens, as part of a trainset.

Design
The Charger is powered by a Cummins 16-cylinder QSK95 4-stroke high speed diesel engine, which meets United States Environmental Protection Agency's more stringent Tier 4 emissions standards that took effect in 2015. Power output varies by model: the SCB-40 produces , the SC-44 produces , and both the SCV-42 and ALC-42 produce . The maximum speed in service is .

The locomotive shares much of its overall design with the Siemens Vectron diesel and electric locomotives used in Europe and the Siemens ACS-64 electric locomotive built for Amtrak.

Four Insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) power inverters carry electric current to each of the four AC traction motors. A static inverter off of the main prime mover supplies head-end power (HEP). The locomotive also features dynamic braking with regenerative capability, allowing the locomotive to divert power generated by dynamic braking away from the resistor grids to HEP and onboard locomotive auxiliary power demands.

In response to a 2013 Request for Information from Metro-North Railroad, Siemens said they would be capable of producing a dual-mode variant of the Charger with onboard energy storage for use by Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road, as well as intercity service on Amtrak's Empire Corridor.

California's SC-44s have aerodynamic "spoilers" on the rear of their roofs that match the height of bi-level California and Surfliner cars.

The Charger series competes with other Tier 4 compliant locomotives, such as the EMD F125 and the MPI MPXpress MP54AC. However, unlike the Charger series, both the F125 and MP54AC have struggled to find customers, selling fewer than 50 units each.

Service history

The first production SC-44 unit was unveiled on March 26, 2016. The first two Charger locomotives to leave Siemens' factory in Florin, California were transported to the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colorado in June 2016 and underwent testing of performance metrics such as acceleration and braking. The first Brightline SCB-40 locomotives were delivered in December 2016 to undergo testing in Florida.

In February 2017, Amtrak and the Washington State Department of Transportation began testing one of the Midwest-bound locomotives along the Cascades corridor in the Pacific Northwest for federal certification. Additional test runs were conducted on the Midwest and Northern California routes in April and May. Testing at up to  was conducted at TTC and on the Northeast Corridor in September 2016 which resulted in federal certification for  operations.

Revenue testing on the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquins routes in Northern California began on May 25, 2017. During these tests, the trains operated with a second locomotive in case of failure. The Northern California units were formally accepted and approved for solo service on October 23, 2017. The SC-44 entered revenue testing on the Midwest routes in July 2017, with solo revenue service beginning on a Hiawatha Service train on August 24, 2017. Revenue service on the Cascades route began in November 2017.

Brightline began revenue operations with its SCB-40 locomotives on January 13, 2018. The first Chargers for MARC began testing that month, and revenue service began on April 5, 2018. Pre-revenue testing began on the Pacific Surfliner in October 2018; revenue service began later that year.

The first ALC-42 for Amtrak's long distance trains was put into service on the westbound Empire Builder on February 8, 2022, after extensive testing in the Midwest and on the Empire Builder route. Of the 2 units on the inaugural service, one was Amtrak's "Day One" heritage unit #301.

Customers

Altamont Corridor Express
California regional commuter line Altamont Corridor Express ordered four SC-44 locomotives in April 2018, with deliveries beginning in December 2019. They entered revenue service in 2020.

Amtrak

National network
On December 21, 2018, Amtrak ordered 75 ALC-42 locomotives with options for an additional 100. The first locomotive entered service in February 2022, with the last expected by 2024.

Compared with the SC-44, changes were made to the ALC-42 to make it more suitable for long-distance service: additional positive train control systems for nationwide service, a larger  diesel fuel tank (instead of ), a larger diesel exhaust fluid tank, a larger sandbox, a more powerful 1,000-kilowatt head-end power generator (instead of 600 kW), an extended nose section for easier repair in the event of minor front-end collision, and a prime mover de-rated to  to lengthen maintenance intervals.

Assembly of the first ALC-42 began in March 2020. On August 5, 2020, Amtrak announced that one of the first six locomotives will be painted in a replica of the "Day 1" livery to commemorate 50 years of Amtrak service, while the other five will feature a preliminary "Phase VI" paint scheme. The remainder of the fleet will introduce a new "Phase VII" livery. By February 2021, 12 units had begun production, with the first locomotive, AMTK 300, delivered to Amtrak on June 17. The first ALC-42 locomotives entered revenue service on the Empire Builder on February 8, 2022. On the same day, Amtrak announced that they had ordered an additional 50 ALC-42s, bringing the total number of locomotives ordered to 125.

Northeast Corridor

Amtrak plans to purchase at least 75 intercity trainsets with dual-mode ALC-42E locomotives from Siemens. The trainsets will be used primarily on routes that operate over both electrified and non-electrified track, which currently require costly and lengthy locomotive swaps when transitioning between electrified and non-electrified territory.

In diesel mode, the ALC-42E will work like a typical diesel–electric locomotive, using its diesel engine to generate electricity for its motors. Each ALC-42E will be paired with a special trailer car that will have equipment to support electric mode on the end closest to the locomotive, and a passenger seating area on the other. There are two types of trailer cars:
 An Auxiliary Power Vehicle (APV) will be used on trains that use track with overhead lines. Equipped with a pantograph and transformers, the APV will supply electricity to the ALC-42E as well as additional motors on its own powered truck. The ALC-42E/APV pairing will replace Amtrak's existing Siemens ACS-64 electric locomotives on trains that use the Northeast Corridor for part of their route.
 A battery car will be used on trains that access New York Penn Station via the Empire Connection, which has a third rail instead of overhead lines. The battery car will supply electricity to the ALC-42E in areas where diesel engine use is prohibited. The ALC-42E/battery car pairing will replace Amtrak's existing GE Genesis P32AC-DM dual mode locomotives, which draw electricity from the third rail in electric mode.

State-supported corridors

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), in conjunction with its counterparts in California, Michigan, Missouri and Washington, purchased 32 SC-44 locomotives for state-supported corridor services, operated by Amtrak under contract.

The $225 million order placed in March 2014 included options for an additional 75 corridor-configured locomotives In 2015, IDOT ordered 12 additional units for use on the upgraded Lincoln Service corridor. California ordered 14 additional units in November 2015 for use on the Pacific Surfliner beginning in 2018, plus two more units in 2016 for the Northern California services. Washington state ordered an additional unit to replace the one lost in the 2017 Washington train derailment and two more in connection with its purchase of new Siemens trainsets.

A total of 66 locomotives (32 base and 34 options) were ordered for Amtrak state corridors in this contract: 22 for California, 11 for Washington state, and 33 for the Midwest states. Another 8 options were exercised by MARC, bringing total contract orders to 74.

Brightline

In September 2014, Brightline purchased ten SCB-40 locomotives with options for an additional eleven. The locomotives are used in pairs, bookending four passenger cars (expandable to seven) on Brightline's Miami–West Palm Beach service. The SCB-40s have a streamlined front end that conceals the front coupler behind a removable nose cone and produce a maximum of  instead of the  on the SC-44. Brightline later ordered five additional trainsets and one extra locomotive (eleven locomotives total) for use on the extension to Orlando, with delivery between September 2021 and 2023. These locomotives have been able to reach speeds of up to 130 mph. As of February 19, 2023, all trainsets and the spare locomotive have been delivered to Brightline.

Coaster

In June 2018, the North County Transit District Board of Directors approved the purchase of five SC-44s for its San Diego-area Coaster commuter rail service, replacing five older F40PH locomotives. Deliveries began in August 2020 and are expected to conclude in the spring of 2021. Two additional units were approved in June 2019, and another two in September. These additional locomotives will replace two existing F59PHI locomotives and allow increased service levels. The first five locomotives entered revenue service on February 8, 2021.

Exo
In January 2022, Montreal's Exo ordered 10 Siemens Chargers to update the fleet. They are planned to replace the aging F59PH locomotives.

MARC
MARC announced in August 2015 that it was seeking $58 million to purchase eight locomotives to replace their aging electric-powered AEM-7 units, with deliveries planned for late 2017. The purchase was approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works on September 16, 2015. The MARC order uses part of the Amtrak state-corridor options. The first MARC Charger was shipped from the Siemens factory in early December 2017, and began testing in mid-January 2018.

Metro-North Railroad
In December 2020, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) approved a Federal Transit Administration-funded $335 million contract for 27 dual-mode locomotives based on the Charger design. The new locomotives will replace the 27 existing GE Genesis locomotives used on the Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line, Harlem Line, and Danbury Branch; they will use third rail electric power whenever available, instead of only in Manhattan. The contract had options for 144 additional locomotives: 32 for Metro-North, 66 for the Long Island Rail Road, 20 for the New York State Department of Transportation (for Amtrak Empire Service trains), and 25 for the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT). In June 2023, the MTA board approved purchase of an option order of six additional units on behalf of ConnDOT, which will replace the four existing P32AC-DM locomotives in the Metro-North equipment pool and allow for service increases on the Danbury and Waterbury branches. Delivery of the 33 locomotives is expected to be completed in 2027.

Ontario Northland
In December 2022, the Government of Ontario and Ontario Northland announced a  investment to reinstate the Northlander passenger service between Timmins and Toronto. The government news release mentioned that the three new trainsets (each with three Siemens Venture passenger cars) will be built by Siemens Mobility and paired with Charger locomotives that will meet the latest EPA Tier 4 diesel emission standards.

Via Rail
In December 2018, Via Rail ordered 32 bi-directional trainsets each powered by one SC-44 locomotive for use on the Québec City–Windsor Corridor. As with several other orders, the trainsets will use Siemens Venture passenger cars.

The first of VIA Rail's trainsets were delivered on September 29, 2021, to VIA Rail in Montreal, crossing into Canada via Sarnia, Ontario. When the locomotives' final paint scheme was unveiled by VIA Rail in May 2021, the locomotive was designated as an SC-44, but when delivered the locomotives' designation had been changed to SCV-42. The trainsets entered service in 2022.

See also
 EMD F125 – competing Tier 4 passenger locomotive
 MPI MPXpress MP54AC – competing Tier 4 passenger locomotive

References

Further reading

External links

 Raw Footage of Siemens Charger SC-44 4601 Cummins QSK95 Testing (YouTube)

Siemens locomotives
Bo-Bo locomotives
Passenger locomotives
Diesel-electric locomotives of the United States
Railway locomotives introduced in 2014
EPA Tier 4-compliant locomotives of the United States
Standard gauge locomotives of the United States
Diesel-electric locomotives of Canada

Siemens Charger


The Doak Historic Site (also known as the Doak House) is a Provincial Heritage Site located in Doaktown, New Brunswick, Canada. The farm was purchased in the early 1820s by Robert "Squire" Doak and lived in until 1979 by his family. Today it operates as a working farm with characters in costume offering tours and demonstrations. It is run in partnership with the Atlantic Salmon Museum also located in Doaktown, New Brunswick

The site is open from late June until early September and closed during the winter. During the open months activities and classes are held. These activities include kids craft days, butter making classes, rug hooking classes, cheese making classes, weaving and spinning demonstrations and classes, hand processing of wool and gardening. Admission to the site is by donation.

History
Robert Doak was born in Ayrshire, Scotland on April 4, 1785. Originally on their way to settle in Kentucky, Robert Doak, his wife, Jean Kirkland, and two young children were forced into the harbor in Miramichi, New Brunswick, due to a strong storm on the Atlantic Ocean. The family decided to stay in the Miramichi to settle and begin their new life. Robert Doak and his older brother James Doak moved up the Miramichi River and bought a property from Ephraim Betts where the historic site is now located. At this time Doaktown was named Betts Settlement after the influential Betts family. Once settled he established a water-powered carding mill and Gristmill along with a Sawmill and oat mill. On top of this the family also ran a successful Textile business that consisted of Weaving and spinning yarn and fabrics. They also had a large working farm where they had horses, chickens, sheep, oxen and milking cattle along with cash crops.

In addition to Robert Doak's farming and business pursuits, he also held important positions within the community. These positions included town clerk, clerk of the market, acting coroner, justice of the peace and many other positions throughout his life. His large success not only in this field but with his farm and businesses led him to being known as Squire Doak. In 1852 when the new highway connecting Fredericton to Newcastle was built Betts Settlement was renamed to Doaktown after the large influence that Robert Doak had on the area.

The house and farm was passed through the Doak family for four generations. The property was lived on until 1979 when Robert Doak's great great granddaughter, Margaret Doak passed away and left the property to the New Brunswick Government. In the early 1980s the property was opened to the public as a provincial heritage site.

Infrastructure
The original house is located on the site and is valued for its vernacular architecture and modest classical influence. The house is also a reminder of the farm cottages found in Scotland where Robert Doak originated.

There are character-defining elements that are associated with the house which include:
 The house is a rectangular -story house
 Narrow eaves with returns
 Dormer wholly contained within the roof line
 Clad in wooden clapboards
 Corner Boards
 Central chimney
 6/6 double hung windows
 Shutters inside the house that pull out from the walls
 Wooden shingled roof
 Sandstone foundation
 All artifacts are original to the site
The original barn which inhabited the property for over 100 years was torn down in June 2016. An assessment completed in 2014 deemed the building to be unsafe and the barn was closed to the public due to structural damage and rot. The Government of New Brunswick is in the midst of reconstructing the barn.

A small milk house is located on the property which was used to house the dairy products produced on the farm. Products were kept cool through a tunnel that was dug that brought water from a nearby stream to the milk house. The cold, continuous flow of water kept products cool.

A school house located on the property dates back to 1822. The school was originally located a few miles down the road from the Doak Historic Site but was moved to the property to protect the heritage building.

References

Historic house museums in Canada
Houses in New Brunswick
Buildings and structures in Northumberland County, New Brunswick
Museums in New Brunswick

Doak Historic Site


Mefenamic acid is a member of the anthranilic acid derivatives (or fenamate) class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and is used to treat mild to moderate pain.

Its name derives from its systematic name, dimethylphenylaminobenzoic acid. It was discovered and brought to market by Parke-Davis as Ponstel in the 1960s. It became generic in the 1980s and is available worldwide under many brand names such as Meftal.

Medical uses
Mefenamic acid is used to treat pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, postoperative pain, acute pain including muscle and back pain, toothache and menstrual pain, as well as being prescribed for menorrhagia.

There is evidence that supports the use of mefenamic acid for perimenstrual migraine headache prophylaxis, with treatment starting two days prior to the onset of flow or one day prior to the expected onset of the headache and continuing for the duration of menstruation.

Mefenamic acid is recommended to be taken with food.

Contraindications
Mefenamic acid is contraindicated in people who have shown hypersensitivity reactions such as urticaria and asthma to this drug or to other NSAIDs (e.g. aspirin); those with peptic ulcers or chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract; those with kidney or liver disease; heart failure; after coronary artery bypass surgery; and during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Side effects
Known mild side effects of mefenamic acid include headaches, nervousness, and vomiting. Potentially serious side effects may include diarrhea, gastrointestinal perforation, peptic ulcers, hematemesis (vomiting blood), skin reactions (rashes, itching, swelling; in rare cases toxic epidermal necrolysis) and rarely blood cell disorders such as agranulocytosis. It has been associated with acute liver damage.

In 2008 the US label was updated with a warning concerning a risk of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in pregnancy.

In October 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required the drug label to be updated for all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to describe the risk of kidney problems in unborn babies that result in low amniotic fluid. They recommend avoiding NSAIDs in pregnant women at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy.

Overdose
Symptoms of overdosing include kidney failure, gastrointestinal problems, bleeding, rashes, confusion, hallucinations, vertigo, seizures, and loss of consciousness. It is treated with induction of vomiting, gastric lavage, bone char, and control of electrolytes and vital functions.

Interactions

Interactions are broadly similar to those of other NSAIDs. Mefenamic acid interferes with the anti–blood clotting mechanism of Aspirin. It increases the blood thinning effects of warfarin and phenprocoumon because it displaces them from their plasma protein binding and increases their free concentrations in the bloodstream. It adds to the risk of gastrointestinal ulcera associated with corticosteroids and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It can increase the risk for adverse effects of methotrexate and lithium by lowering their excretion via the kidneys. It can increase the kidney toxicity of ciclosporin and tacrolimus. Combination with antihypertensive drugs such as ACE inhibitors, sartans and diuretics can decrease their effectiveness as well as increase the risk for kidney toxicity.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of action

Like other members of the anthranilic acid derivatives (or fenamate) class of NSAIDs, it inhibits both isoforms of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2). This prevents formation of prostaglandins, which play a role in pain sensitivity, inflammation and fever, but also in hemostasis, kidney function, sustaining of pregnancy, and protection of the gastric mucosa.

Pharmacokinetics

Mefenamic acid is rapidly absorbed from the gut and reaches highest concentrations in the blood plasma after one to four hours. When in the bloodstream, over 90% of the substance are bound to plasma proteins. It probably crosses the placenta, and is found in the breast milk in small amounts.

It is metabolized by the liver enzyme CYP2C9 to the only weakly active 3'-hydroxymethylmefenamic acid. 3'-carboxymefenamic acid has also been identified as a metabolite, as well as carboxy glucuronides of all three substances. Mefenamic acid and its metabolites are excreted via the urine (52–67%) and the faeces (20–25%, or less than 20% following another source). The parent substance has a biological half-life of two hours; the half-life of its metabolites may be longer.

History
Scientists led by Claude Winder from Parke-Davis invented mefenamic acid in 1961, along with fellow members of the class of anthranilic acid derivatives, flufenamic acid in 1963 and meclofenamate sodium in 1964.  U.S. Patent 3,138,636 on the drug was issued in 1964.

It was approved in the UK in 1963 as Ponstan, in West Germany in 1964 as Ponalar and in France as Ponstyl, and the US in 1967 as Ponstel.

Chemistry

Synthesis
Analogous to fenamic acid, this compound may be made from 2-chlorobenzoic acid and 2,3-dimethylaniline.

Conformational flexibility
Mefenamic acid, a member of the fenamate, is a chemical compound derived from anthranilic acid . This derivative is created by substituting one of the hydrogen atoms attached to the nitrogen atom with a 2,3-dimethylphenyl fragment. The result is a structurally complex molecule with fascinating conformational properties.

The mefenamic acid molecule exhibits conformational lability, meaning it can exist in various shapes or conformers. This flexibility arises from changes in the position of the carboxylic acid group and the 2,3-dimethylphenyl fragment about the anthranil moiety. Specifically, the arrangement of the substituted benzene fragments relative to each other plays a crucial role in determining the different polymorphic forms of mefenamic acid.

Recent experimental studies have unveiled two additional hidden conformers of mefenamic acid. These conformers result from alterations in the positions of hydroxyl groups within the molecule. This discovery adds to our understanding of the compound's structural diversity.

External factors, including temperature, pressure, and the surrounding medium, highly influence the conformational state of mefenamic acid. Researchers have conducted extensive investigations into its spatial structure not only in organic solvents but also in supercritical fluids, aerogels, and lipid bilayers. These studies have helped elucidate the impact of different environments on the molecule's conformation.

Society and culture

Availability and pricing
Mefenamic acid is generic and is available worldwide under many brand names.

In the US, wholesale price of a week's supply of generic mefenamic acid has been quoted as $426.90 in 2014. Brand-name Ponstel is $571.70. By contrast, in the UK, a weeks supply is £1.66, or £8.17 for branded Ponstan.

Research
While studies have been conducted to see if mefenamic acid can improve behavior in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease there is little evidence that mefenamic acid or other NSAIDs can treat or prevent Alzheimer's in humans; clinical trials of NSAIDs other than mefenamic acid for treatment of Alzheimer's have found more harm than benefit. A small controlled study of 28 human subjects showed improved cognitive impairment using mefenamic acid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy.

See also
 Niflumic acid

References

Further reading

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Anthranilic acids
GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators

Mefenamic acid


A vibrator is a device that is made to vibrate against the body, thereby stimulating the nerves and giving a pleasurable and possibly erotic feeling.

History

The electrically powered vibrator was invented in the 1880s by doctors, who were treating women for "hysteria" for centuries by performing what today would be considered masturbation. At the time, however, not only did doctors regard the "vulvular stimulation" as having nothing to do with sex, they reportedly found that it took a lot of time to do and it was hard work. The vibrator did it more quickly and easily, and because of this it was very popular with doctors.

Home versions soon started being made and they were also popular, with adverts in places like Needlecraft, Woman's Home Companion, Modern Priscilla and the Sears catalog. These disappeared in the 1920s, as their appearance in pornography made it harder for polite society to avoid the sexual connotations of the devices.
As "body massagers", millions of vibrators have been sold to both men and women.

Some people that buy vibrators only use them for pains. However, many people who purchase vibrators marketed as "body massagers" — and, presumably, most people who purchase vibrators marketed as adult toys — use them to get sexual pleasure, most often in masturbation. Vibrators often allow people to achieve orgasm more quickly and easily, and are often said to give stronger orgasms. They are often recommended by sex therapists for women who have difficulty reaching orgasm by other means. Couples also use them sometimes.

Harper's Magazine notes a Durex survey that says 46% of women have vibrators near 2006. This may have been market research relating to their vibrating condom base product.

The sale of vibrators and similar items was forbidden up until recently in several states in the southern United States. In Texas, the sale of vibrators and dildos is technically illegal, but many stores will sell such items provided that the customer signs a statement that the device will be used only for educational purposes. The law's current status in real life is not certain. The states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Indiana, Virginia, Louisiana and Massachusetts have all had laws that prohibit vibrators, but most of them have been struck down by courts or are not enforced. Only the law in Alabama is generally enforced.

Types of erotic vibrators

An enormous range of vibrators exist, falling into several broad categories:
 Clitoral – Often sold as "back massagers", these are powerful vibrators such as the Hitachi Magic Wand or the Acuvibe.
 Dildo-shaped – Approximately penis-shaped. Can be made of plastic, silicone or latex.
 Waterproof – Can be used wet, such as in the shower. Although marketed as waterproof, most should not be submerged.
 Rabbit, 'Jackrabbit' or 'Rampant Rabbit' – Two pronged for stimulation of both the vagina and the clitoris.
 G-spot – Similar to the usual vibrator, but with a curve and often a soft jelly-like coating. The curve makes it easier to use to stimulate the g-spot or prostate. Male penises or normal traditional vibrators sometimes are unable to reach the g-spot. It is possible to do only in some positions. The shape of a g-spot vibrator makes it easy to touch the g-spot. The size of a g-spot vibrator is usually 5-7 inches.
 Simple g-spot vibrator - straight shaft and curved tip.
 G-spot vibrator with teasers - allows stimulating several erogenous zones at the same time.
 G-spot vibrator with heads - have heads of different types that can be changed at will.
 Exotic g-spot vibrators - do not have the usual shape, but an exotic one; for example, a stick with a curve or semi-ring.
 Egg – Egg shaped vibrator which can be used for stimulation of the clitoris or insertion into the vagina. The egg can be inserted into the vagina or rectum, or it can be used to vibrate against another erogenous zones in men and women. Egg vibrators are normally 2.5 to 5 centimeters long and 2 centimeters in width. They are normally made of metal, rubber, silicon, plastic, chrome, or a mixture of materials. There are several types of egg vibrators:
 Single egg vibrator - includes one vibrating item.
 Double egg vibrator - includes two vibrating items for double stimulation.
 Egg vibrator without wire. Some egg vibrators can be used with a remote control and do not have any wires. They have a cord for pulling out the egg.
 Egg vibrator with sleeves. The sleeves are removable covers, which can be sold separately. They are made of various elastic materials for intensive stimulation.
 Pocket rocket – Shaped like a cylinder, one of its ends has some vibrating bulges. It is meant to stimulate the clitoris or nipples, not for vaginal insertion.
 "Undercover" vibrators – Vibrators shaped as every-day objects, such as lipstick tubes, cell phones, or art pieces.
 Anal vibrators – Vibrators made for anal use have either a flared base or a long handle to grip, to prevent them from slipping inside and getting lost.
Butterfly – vibrator strapped around legs and waist for hands-free clitoral stimulation during sexual intercourse
 Vibrating Cockring – vibrator (usually cordless) inserted in or attached to a cock ring, usually for stimulation of the clitoris

Most vibrators use internal batteries, but some of them have a power cord and must be plugged into an power socket to work.

References

 Joani Blank, with Ann Whidden. Good Vibrations: The New Complete Guide to Vibrators, Down There Press, 2000. .

Other websites

Antique Vibrator and Quack Medical Museum

Sex toys

Vibrator (sensual)


Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan is a 1989 American slasher movie written and directed by Rob Hedden. It stars Jensen Daggett, Scott Reeves, Peter Mark Richman, and Kane Hodder. It is the eighth installment in the Friday the 13th movie series.

It is about Jason Voorhees stalking a group of high school graduates on a ship en route to, and later in, New York City. It was the last movie in the series to be distributed by Paramount Pictures in the United States until 2009 as New Line Cinema bought the rights.

I was released on July 28, 1989, the movie grossed $14.3 million at the U.S. box office, which was the lowest gross of the series at that time, second-lowest U.S. gross in the series to date.

References

Other websites

1989 horror movies
American horror movies
Canadian horror movies
Movies set in New York City
Friday the 13th movies


Henry Roberts was an English engraver, printseller and music publisher operating from London in the 18th century.

In 1739 he published a work called Calliope or English Harmony, which he described as:a collection of the most celebrated English and Scots songs, neatly engrav'd and embelish'd with designs adapted to the subject of each song taken from the compositions of the best masters, in the most correct manner with the thorough bass and transpositions for the flute proper for all teachers, scholars, and lovers of musick; printed on a fine paper, on each side which renders the undertaking more compleat than any thing of the kind ever publish'd

The composer Thomas Arne lodged a Bill of Complaint with the Chancery in 1741, claiming that Henry Roberts and John Johnson had infringed his musical copyright by publishing some of his theatrical songs. The matter was settled out of court, the first known case of a composer asserting intellectual copyright.

Beginning in 1758, and continuing until 1780, John Welcker of London published the three volumes of Clio & Euterpe or British Harmony, a collection of 600 pages of songs from the 18th century adorned with detailed engravings, and sold them in his "Music and Instrument Warehouse" across from the Opera House. Copies are found in the hands of book collectors, in the Library of Congress, in the University of Edinburgh Library, in the Yale University Library and in the Harvard University Library.

The contralto Emma Curtis accompanied by The Frolick produced an album of music from Calliope in 2006.

References

English engravers
British music publishers (people)
Music engravers
Sheet music publishers (people)
Year of death unknown
English printmakers
Year of birth unknown

Henry Roberts (engraver)


Batch processing is when a number of tasks ("jobs") are put together over a set period of time. The jobs are then loaded into a computer system ("job queue") and done all at once, in a "batch."

Process
Once the batch processing starts, the user does not need to do anything else. This type of processing only works when there are timing constraints, i.e. files do not need to be updated immediately or a response from the computer is not needed right away.

Advantage
One advantage of batch processing is that the computer can wait to process the batch until it is less busy. For example, it can do the jobs in the job queue overnight. Fields with batch processing include billing systems (e.g. electricity, gas, water and telephone), payroll systems and processing of bank cheques.

Computer protocols

Batch processing


The Language of Fear is the first book by author and journalist Del James. It has 339 pages and is a collection of short dark fiction stories, released in 1995 by Dell Books, a division of Bantam Doubleday Publishing, part of the "Abyss" line of psychological horror. It features an intro by W. Axl Rose and the short story entitled "Without You," which inspired the Guns N' Roses video "November Rain". The book is long out of print, but copies can sell for a few pounds on online auction sites.

On 4 March 2008, a MySpace bulletin was sent from the Guns N' Roses MySpace page, announcing the re-printing of The Language of Fear.

Contents
Introduction by W. Axl Rose
"A Tale of Two Heroines"
"Adult Nature Material"
"Bloodlust"
"Date Rape"
"High School Memoirs"
"Mama's Boy"
"Mindwarp"
"Saltwater and Blood"
"Skin Deep"
"The Atheist Prayer"
"The Fumes of Friendship"
"The Immortals"
"The Melrose Vampire"
"The Nerve"
"Without You"

References

1995 short story collections
American short story collections
Horror short story collections
Axl Rose

The Language of Fear


Patrick Chukwuka Onyejiaka (born 17 March 2000), professionally known as Patrick Chuka or ArtistChuka, is a Nigerian artist who primarily works with charcoal and ballpoint pen. He also paints with oil, pastel and acrylic, largely focusing his art on realism and some aspect of hyperrealism.

Early life and education
Chuka was born in Victoria Island, Lagos State in a family of four, where he is the first child. He is from Abba, Nwangele, Imo State, Nigeria. Due to family crises while growing up, his family relocated a lot, forcing him to change from one secondary school to another. From 2010 to 2011, he went to Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun State, Nigeria for his secondary school education, he moved to Top Highflyer College, Isolo, Lagos State, from 2012 to 2014, before moving again to Weenoble International School, Ejigbo, Lagos State, where he finally finished in 2015. He started making art at 15, immediately after graduating from secondary school. Chuka later moved to the United States with his family in 2018. He is currently a student of Berkeley City College, Berkeley, California, USA, where he is studying Biology.

Style and philosophy
Chuka works primarily with charcoal and ballpoint pen. He paints with oil, pastel, acrylic and also sculpt. He has drawn attention to trending topics such as feminism, marriage rights for minorites, LGBTQ rights and gender equality with his art.

In 2018, he explained why he gets angry when reading the Bible. He criticized Solomon for asking God for Wisdom.

Features
On 16 January 2018, Chuka had a drawing of his included in  Brittle Paper in "14: An Anthology of Queer Art, Vol. 2: The Inward Gaze."

On October 30, Patrick was featured on BBC.

References

2000 births
Living people
Artists from Lagos
21st-century Nigerian artists
Ballpoint pen art

Patrick Chuka


Mycle Schneider (born 1959 in Cologne) is a German energy consultant, and lead author of The World Nuclear Industry Status Reports. In 1997 he received the Right Livelihood Award.

Life and work
Mycle Schneider is a nuclear energy expert based in Paris who has been adviser to members of the European Parliament on energy issues for more than 20 years. From 1998 to 2003, Schneider advised on energy policy for the French environment minister's office and the Belgian minister for energy and sustainable development. Since 2000 he has been a consultant on nuclear issues to the German environment ministry. He has also provided energy consulting for the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Schneider is a member of the International Panel on Fissile Materials, and the nuclear non-proliferation group Independent Group of Scientific Experts (IGSE), which is based at Hamburg University.  Since 2004 he has overseen the Environment and Energy Strategies lecture series for the Environmental and Energy Engineering Program at the French École des Mines in Nantes.

Award
In 1997, along with Jinzaburo Takagi, Schneider received the Right Livelihood Award "... for serving to alert the world to the unparalleled dangers of plutonium to human life."

Publications
Schneider writes many publications on the safety and economic trends of the nuclear industry. He is co-editor of the 2009 book International Perspectives on Energy Policy and the Role of Nuclear Power. His World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2009 was published by the German government.  Schneider and Antony Froggatt wrote the Systems for Change report for the Heinrich Böll Foundation in 2010. Also in 2010, Schneider wrote a chapter in the book Nuclear Power's Global Expansion: Weighing Its Costs and Risks. He has commented extensively on the implications of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Related pages
Amory Lovins
Christopher Flavin
Energy conservation
Renewable energy commercialization
Joseph Romm
Benjamin K. Sovacool

References

1959 births
Living people
Energy
People from Cologne

Mycle Schneider


Geneviève Calame (30 December 1946 – 8 October 1993) was a Swiss pianist, music educator and composer.

Life
Geneviève Calame was born in Geneva of Greco-Italian ancestry, and studied the piano in Geneva with Lottie Morel and then in Rome with Guido Agosti. She continued her education in Geneva with Louis Hiltbrand and Jacques Guyonnet. She took further courses in composition in London with Pierre Boulez, in Liège with Henri Pousseur and in Paris with Jean-Claude Eloy. She appeared as a piano soloist many times in the Studio de Musique Contenporaine from 1972 to 1983.  She studied electronic and electro-acoustic technology in New York City with Hubert Howe and visual artist Bill Etra.

After completing her education, Geneviève Calame worked as a composer through contemporary music studios in Geneva. In 1971 she and Jacques Guyonnet founded a studio for electronic music, video and information technology under the name A.R.T (Artistic Research Team), and she began to produce audio visual installations, among other works. In 1972 Calame married Jacques Guyonnet and had two children.

Geneviève Calame developed a method for teaching electronic music to children and taught from 1975–1993 at the Geneva's Board of Education and in l'Ecole Supérieure d'Art Visuel in Geneva. In 1976 she served as president of the Geneva section of the International Society of Contemporary Music. She was a leader in Video Art, producing more  than hundred paintings from video still frames. This work was presented in Cannes at the MIP TV and many places around the world, A.R.T. Studios Geneva, Museum of fine ARTS in Lausanne with René Berger, Rio de Janeiro at cecilia Meireles and the Serpentine Gallery in London among others.
She died in Tijuana (Mexique) in 1993.

Works
Calame composes for orchestra, chamber ensemble, voice, ballet, electronic, multimedia performance. Selected works include:
L'Oiseau du matin (1972), electronic ballet
Mantiq-al-Tayr (1973) for flute, contrabass flute and four electronic sources
Différentielle verticale (1974) for soprano and symphonic orchestra
Lude (1975) for harp alone
Iral (1975) for four trumpets and four trombones
Geometry I, II, III (1975–1976) Videotape
Le chant remémoré (1975) Videotape
Alpha futur (1976) for symphonic orchestra and soprano
Labyrinthes Fluides (1976) Videotape
Tableaux video (1976–1977)
Videocosme (1976) for the electronic poem by Edgar Varèse, Videotape
StEpHAnE mAllArmE (1977) or Un coup de dés jamais n'abolira le hasard... for chamber orchestra
Et l'Oeil rêve... (1977) Visual poem
Les Aubes d'Onomadore (1978) for African instruments and symphonic orchestra
Le Son-Qui-Fut-Mille (1978) for four electronic sources and percussion instruments
Mandala (1978) for seven trumpets or seven female voices
L'Homme-Miroir (1979) for wind orchestra, percussion and four electronic sources
Je lui dis... (1980) for chamber orchestra
Oniria (1981) for piano solo and electronic tape
Calligrammes (1983–1984) for harp and chamber orchestra
Océanides (1986) for chamber orchestra
Swing (1986) for piano
Sur la margelle du monde (1987) for chamber orchestra
Le Livre de Tchen (1988) for three percussionists and mime
Vent solaire (1989–1990) for shakuhachi and orchestra
Incantation (1989) for organ
Cantilène (1990) for violin alone
Dragon de lumière (1991) for three wind instruments and five strings
Le chant des sables (1992) for violoncello, harp and gongs
Echo (1992) for flute
Hi Summer (1993) for voice, harp, percussion and synthesiser

References

1946 births
1993 deaths
20th-century classical composers
Swiss music educators
Swiss women classical composers
Swiss classical composers
Women in electronic music
Musicians from Geneva
Swiss women music educators
20th-century women composers
20th-century Swiss composers

Geneviève Calame


Mario Salieri (born November 29, 1957) is an Italian pornographic movie director and producer. He was born in Naples, Italy.

Salieri started his adult movie career with semi-amateur movies shot in Amsterdam for the Italian market. Since the early 1990s, he has directed and written many adult erotic titles. He was known for his movies La Dolce Vita (2003), Faust (2002), Casino (2001), Clinica della vergogna, La (1995), Eros e Tanatos (1995), Dracula (1994), Sceneggiata napoletana (1994), Adolescenza perversa (1993), Arabika (1992), Discesa all'inferno (1991), Napoli - Parigi, linea rovente 1 & 2 (1991), Roma Connection (1991) and Roman Orgies - Italian Perversions.

Other websites

1957 births
Italian movie directors
Italian movie producers
Living people
Movie people from Naples

Mario Salieri


This is a complete list of ice hockey players who have played for the Barys Astana in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). It includes players that have played at least one match, either in the KHL regular season or in the KHL playoffs. Players with names in bold type are current players on the team. Statistics are complete to the beginning of the 2013–14 season.

References

List of Barys Astana players


In 2021 and 2022, a false rumor alleged that certain North American schools were providing litter boxes in bathrooms for students who "identify as cats", or who participate in the furry or otherkin subcultures. Various American conservative and far-right politicians and media personalities promoted the hoax in response to several school districts enacting protections for transgender students. Many news outlets, fact-checking websites, and academic researchers have debunked such claims, and officials from every school named by those promoting the hoax have verified that the accusations are false. The claims have been described as internet trolling, fearmongering, and anti-transgender rhetoric.

The hoax was reported in Prince Edward Island in October 2021 and initially thought to be a joke, but had to be formally disavowed as misinformation circulated on social media. Rumors spread to other Canadian provinces and schools. In the United States, popular media coverage of the hoax originally revolved around a school in Michigan in December 2021, but spread to schools in several other states. Ahead of the 2022 elections, several prominent American politicians and media personalities spread the hoax, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Minnesota Republican gubernatorial nominee Scott Jensen, Colorado Republican gubernatorial nominee Heidi Ganahl, retired brigadier general and New Hampshire Republican US Senate nominee Don Bolduc, podcast host Joe Rogan (who later clarified there was no "proof that they put a litter box" in a particular school), Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok, and Christian talk show host Bill Cunningham. Several parents of school-age children have amplified the hoax on social media websites such as Facebook.

The hoax spread in North America largely as backlash against recognition of gender variance in schools. Some conservative politicians and activists argued that protections for LGBTQ+ students in schools had "gone too far" and that litter box accommodations are what they might lead to next, despite there being no confirmed instances of schools providing litter boxes for students to defecate or urinate in, or planning to do so.

Background

Furries are a subculture interested in anthropomorphic animal characters, with fandom members frequently often interacting with others through online roleplay, art, conventions and cosplay. Although many furries identify closely with an original character (fursona), many view their participation in the fandom solely as a hobby, and do not identify as or perceive themselves to be animals. While the fandom is popularly perceived as such, it is not innately sexual or fetishistic. LGBTQIA+ identity is substantially over-represented among furries compared to the general population.

According to Lynn McNeill, a folklorist at Utah State University, false rumors of furries using litter boxes date back to at least the early 2000s as satire, and became a recurring urban legend. Sharon Roberts, a faculty member at Renison University College and co-founder of a furry research group called Furscience, had not, in a decade of researching furry conventions, encountered any instances of furries using litter boxes.

School boards in the late 2010s and early 2020s saw heightened controversy (described by some as a moral panic or culture war) surrounding accommodations for transgender, non-binary, and otherwise gender-variant students, such as unisex restrooms, and allowing students to use bathrooms and participate on sports teams corresponding to their gender identities. High rates of suicide and suicidal ideation among transgender youth were also cause for concern. In 2022, parents and advocacy groups across the U.S. made a concerted push to ban books from libraries, predominantly those discussing race, sexuality, and gender.

In 2016, American radio show host Michael L. Brown wrote an opinion piece in The Christian Post opposing to transgender accommodations and gender-affirming procedures, stating, "if we don't stop this downward slide, we might soon be required to provide litter boxes for people who identify as cats." Some conservative politicians and alt-right media commentators had used false litter box rumors to generate alarm about what accommodations for LGBTQIA+ students might lead to, and have falsely accused LGBT-inclusive educators of "child grooming".

Throughout 2021 and 2022, online rumors of students dressing and acting like cats circulated, spurred on by prank videos. Rumors sparked public outcry and calls for administrative action from concerned parents, with a school board in Statesville, North Carolina proposing a formal ban on animal costumes. In August 2021, a high school in Meade County, Kentucky said that a small number of students had violated their existing dress code. There was no evidence, however, that any schools had provided litter boxes in restrooms to any students.

The only known official instance of cat litter being placed in school classrooms for potential use by students was in the late 2010s by the Jefferson County Public School District in Colorado, where the 1999 Columbine High School massacre took place. Some teachers were given "go buckets" that contained cat litter to be used as a toilet in an emergency lockdown situation, such as during a school shooting.

Timeline

Canada
Unsubstantiated rumors surfaced in Prince Edward Island in October 2021, possibly as a joke. After the rumors spread widely in schools and on social media, the Public Schools Branch denied claims of litter boxes, with the director of the school district saying "It seemed to me like it was a backlash against some of the progressive things that our schools are doing, and we would have many that would say this is rooted in hate".

As the hoax spread widely in the United States and garnered media attention, online rumors spread to several other Canadian provinces and schools. In September 2022, Durham District School Board in Ontario denied rumors and said they "may be rooted in transphobia and homophobia with the intent to diminish and trivialize gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation and cause harm to students and staff who identify as 2SLGBTQI". In October 2022, in response to a letter that was sent to local media, administrators for the Renfrew County District School Board or Renfrew County Catholic District School Board in Ontario issued statements that their schools "do not have, and have never had, litter boxes in any of our elementary or secondary sites". A school official said there was a request for cat litter in one school, but it was denied by the school board and that they did not recognize animal identities. The same month, the education director of the Lambton-Kent District School Board dispelled litter box rumors.

By November 2022, school officials for several other Canadian provinces released statements refuting rumors that litter boxes were being provided in schools.

United States

In December 2021, conservative activist Lisa Hansen in Michigan gave public testimony before the Midland Public Schools school board as it discussed COVID-19 testing requirements for students, claiming she was informed that litter boxes had been added in bathrooms for students who "identify as cats", along with claiming that it was a "nationwide" issue and that there was an "agenda that is being pushed". The rumors later gained traction in January 2022, after a video of the school board meeting was shared by Meshawn Maddock, the co-chair for the Michigan Republican Party, who promoted the rumors. The video was also shared by Libs of TikTok, a politically influential right-wing Twitter account of Chaya Raichik with several hundred-thousand followers. The superintendent for the school district of Midland Public Schools described the claims as false, stating "There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement [...] There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools".

In January 2022, Michelle Evans, a Texan Republican running for congress, claimed that cafeteria tables were "being lowered in certain Round Rock Independent School District middle and high schools to allow 'furries' to more easily eat without utensils or their hands". The school district denied the claims.

In February 2022, the Carroll Community School District in Iowa was accused of providing litter boxes for those who identified as cats. The district's superintendent denied this claim, stating "Staff members are not encouraging or accommodating anyone behaving or identifying as a cat or any other animal".

In March 2022, a conservative commentator promoted claims that the Waunakee School District in Wisconsin had a "furry protocol" specifying the rules for furries, including being "allowed to dress in their choice of furry costumes" and "choose not to run in gym class but instead sit at the feet of their teacher and lick their paws". Reuters fact-checked the claim, stating there was no evidence for it; the school district also denied the claim. Joe Seiwert, a Kansas state representative, made a false claim during a public forum. In North Dakota, Fargo School Board member Jennifer Benson said litter boxes had been placed in school restrooms, but she declined to present evidence of it when requested by local media, and school officials in Fargo and elsewhere in North Dakota said the claim was the result of false rumors being spread nationally. Despite several rumors in the Midwest being debunked, rumors circulated on internet forums in Cache Valley, Utah, about litter boxes being placed in Sky View High School, which schools officials could not corroborate.

In April 2022, a satirical post of a fake e-mail went viral, claiming that Kokomo High School in Indiana was allowing students identifying as animals to have "special accommodations and certain privileges", including litter boxes in bathrooms. Associated Press reported that the post was shared more than 10,000 times. The school's principal confirmed the post was fake. In New York, administrators for Dansville Central School refuted litter box rumors after an Instagram post received thousands of views. Later in the same month, two Republican lawmakers in the Minnesota House of Representatives, Steve Drazkowski and Tim Miller, repeated debunked stories about schools providing litter boxes in a debate about a statewide student survey. School board candidates in Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Dakota also made unverified claims about litter boxes being provided in schools.

In May 2022, during a televised debate on a bill in the Nebraska legislature, the Republican state senator Bruce Bostelman claimed that "schools are wanting to put litter boxes in the schools" for students who were furries. A few hours after, the state senator retracted his claim and apologized, having gained backlash online. In Iowa, Republican state senator Tim Kraayenbrink said at a public forum that schools were putting litter boxes in schools for furries to use. He later said that he had not verified the claim was true prior to sharing it. By that same month, local school officials in Maine and Vermont had also dispelled litter box rumors.

In June 2022, social media posts in Hannibal, Missouri, falsely claimed that the school district was placing water bowls and cat litter boxes in school restrooms and that the issue would be discussed at an upcoming board meeting. In response, the superintendent of the school board visited every bathroom in the district, and verified at the meeting that the rumors were untrue.

In July 2022, administrators for Meade School District in South Dakota clarified in response to rumors that litter boxes would not be provided to students who self-identify as animals in response to rumors. In Maine, Republican Congressional candidate Ed Thelander repeated the hoax in an interview for a far-right website. When a clip of the interview circulated widely in the media in October, Thelander said, "I don't believe it now", and that he was unable to corroborate the rumors he had heard from others.

In August 2022, rumors of litter boxes were directed at two high schools in South Carolina. Administrators for Horry County Schools said the rumors were part of a nationwide hoax and untrue.

In September 2022, during a rally for former president Donald Trump, congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene promoted the rumors while she was interviewed by RSBN. Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl falsely claimed that schools in the state were recognizing cat identities of students. Ganahl criticized schools that allowed students to dress up as cats, but she did not claim schools were providing litter boxes. One school in Colorado did admit it had placed buckets of cat litter in classrooms several years prior for a backup option in the event of an emergency lock down, but there was no evidence of any accommodations for furries in Colorado schools. In Ohio, State Board of Education member Brendan Shea repeated the litter box rumor in debate about a resolution to restrict protections for LGBTQIA+ students. In Tennessee, state senator Janice Bowling made the litter box claim during a committee meeting and characterized it as "growing crisis" — state and local officials countered that it was false information. In Rhode Island, Mary Brimer, a Republican town council member for North Kingstown, posted on social media that two local students were identifying as cats and were being accommodated with litter boxes in school restrooms — the superintendent of the local school district said the rumors were false. Local education officials in South Carolina and Pennsylvania issued public statements to refute local and national rumors that litter boxes were being provided in schools. In Minnesota, Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen repeated the false rumor in a campaign speech about gender identity issues. Jensen said:
"But what about education? What are we doing to our kids? Why are we telling elementary kids that they get to choose their gender this week? Why do we have litter boxes in some of the school districts so kids can pee in them, because they identify as a furry? We've lost our minds. We've lost our minds." Jensen's campaign declined media requests to substantiate the litter box claim, which the Minnesota Department of Education and several school districts refuted.

In October 2022, Illinois Republican congressional candidate in the 11th district Catalina Lauf reacted to a CNN news story about Jensen's false claim, saying on Twitter, "...this is not a hoax and is happening in schools in Illinois, too". When confronted by local media to validate the claim, Lauf instead criticized a state policy to provide free menstrual hygiene products in schools and teachers who refer to children by their preferred gender pronouns. At a campaign event, congresswoman Lauren Boebert alleged that litter boxes were being provided to students who identify as cats in Durango, Colorado, which administrators for the local school district said were untrue. In North Carolina, Iredell-Statesville Schools considered a ban on students wearing furry costumes, in part due to the burden of staff having to refute unsubstantiated rumors about litter boxes in restrooms. The school district, along with nearby Lincoln County Schools, said there was no evidence of litter boxes being used on campuses. While interviewing Tulsi Gabbard on his Spotify show, Joe Rogan shared a rumor that a school was providing a litter box for a student that identified as a cat. Rogan offered no evidence to support the claim, which was circulated on social media and shared on Instagram by the Libs of TikTok account. Rogan said in an interview with Uproxx several weeks later that "it doesn't seem that there's any proof that they put a litter box in there", but also claimed that "there w[ere] discussions about doing it because there was one particularly wacky mother". During an interview with Ohio Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance, Christian talk show host Bill Cunningham said that schools were providing litter boxes for students to defecate in. During a tele-town hall with U.S. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, a participant shared a rumor that litter boxes were being placed in West Bend schools.

While speaking to supporters at a campaign event, retired brigadier general and United States Senate candidate Don Bolduc alleged schools were providing litter boxes to students who dress up as furries and cats. In November 2022, Bolduc said during a televised debate that the burden was on the school to proof that litter boxes were not being used; the school named by Bolduc confirmed it was a false allegation. Several school officials in San Luis Obispo County, California, had to refute false litter box rumors, which may have emanated from the promulgation of the hoax by radio show host Joe Rogan. Rogan subsequently admitted to spreading misinformation. As he endorsed two local school board candidates, Indiana Republican state representative Robert Morris falsely claimed schools were providing "litter boxes in bathrooms for students identifying as animals". In Oklahoma, Ryan Walters, a candidate for state school superintendent, spread the rumor while speaking at a campaign event.

American football television commentator Tony Dungy posted a statement on Twitter promoting the hoax on January 18, 2023. After facing backlash, he deleted the tweet and later apologized.

In August 2023, Fox News anchor Shannon Bream repeated the hoax, claiming that parents in northern Virginia had told her it was happening in their schools.

Scotland
In January 2023, Aberdeenshire council repudiated claims made on social media that students at Banff Academy had taken part in dirty protests due to the non-provision of litter boxes for "furries".

Fact-checking assessments
Several news media and fact-checking organizations have debunked the claims that schools were providing litter boxes to students to use in restrooms as unsubstantiated.

In early 2022, Snopes rated claims of litter boxes being placed in restrooms in Michigan schools as "false" and the Agence France-Presse said they were "baseless". As rumors spread in April 2022, news fact-checking organization PolitiFact did not find any credible news reports to support the claim that schools were providing litter boxes for students and rated the claim "Pants on Fire!". Two fact-checking assessment by Reuters, in July 2022 and again in October 2022, concluded that there was no evidence that schools were officially recognizing the animal expressions of students participating in the furry fandom trend or accommodating students with litter boxes. According to an NBC News analysis, by mid October 2022, at least 20 conservative candidates and election officials had asserted that elementary and secondary schools were providing litter boxes or other accommodations for students who identify as cats—every school district named in such claims said they were false. A review of the rumors by center-right news website The Bulwark reached a similar conclusion as NBC News and referred to the hoax as "Furrygate".

Reactions

News media columnists
Elizabeth Brown from Reason suggested the litter box rumors became popular due to "lin[ing] up perfectly with conservative fears about transgender and non-binary students". Kelly Weill from The Daily Beast argued that the politicization of furries in classrooms was a proxy for the broader cultural discussion about race and gender issues. Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times argued the rumors were part of a generational conflict over sex and gender identity issues in schools, and compared the rumors to the satanic panic frenzy of the 1980s. Columnist Gene Lyons in a Chicago Sun-Times opinion piece compared the litter box hoax to the moral panics behind the 16th century werewolves tales in Germany and the witch hunts of 17th century New England. Hayes Brown, an MSNBC opinion columnist, said it was unclear if politicians spreading the rumors actually believed them or not, but that either way the act of repeating the rumors was "to the detriment of trans kids".

Ben Cost of the conservative tabloid newspaper New York Post said while explaining the history of the Michigan rumors that, "It's load of kitty litter." Christopher Tremoglie of the conservative website Washington Examiner said that rumors in mid 2022 of litter boxes in Iowa schools were false. He also said regarding a widely circulated story by the Herald Sun tabloid newspaper about an Australian teenager allowed to act as a cat in class that was never verified, and of the broader discussion of gender identity issues, "This is the world we live in today, and this is the danger created by normalizing transgender delusions in young students who may get over it. The enabling of this behavior is helping people with legitimate mental health issues get applause instead of the medical help they truly need."

In an opinion article in the Arizona Daily Star, Judy Doll argued that Republican politicians were using the litter box hoax as a way to call "into question the moral values of everyone associated with public schools". Kathie Obradovich, an opinion editor with the Iowa Capital Dispatch, argued that the litter box hoax served the political purpose of instilling fear in parents of public schools as a way to shift public education dollars towards private and religious schools. Todd Dorman of The Gazette made a similar argument.

LGBTQIA+ activists
Local LGBTQIA+ activists in Prince Edward Island said the October 2021 litter box rumors were a form of internet trolling in an attempt "to make the queer community seem ridiculous, in order to paint all of the community's concerns as absurd". James Factora, a writer with LGBTQIA+ news website Them, compared the litter box hoax to 2020 United States election conspiracy theories, stating, "The tactic of repeating a completely baseless lie until it becomes widely accepted as truth has become perhaps the most emblematic rhetorical strategy of the GOP." Geoff Wetrosky of the Human Rights Campaign, said, "The attention this freakish lie has received on social media illustrates the pernicious influence of disinformation and that anti-LGBTQIA+ politicians will do and say anything to animate the most extreme fringe—no matter the consequence." Leigh Finke, a transgender candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 2022 election, said about the rumors, "It's a really gross thing no one should have to hear. It is not true. And I don't want to waste my time saying trans kids aren't animals."

Teachers
Education Minnesota said that the internet hoax "appears to be an attempt to discredit school policies intended to make schools safe and welcoming for students".

Satire and comedy
Australian satirical website Damascus Dropbear published a new fake story in August 2022 about a school in Melbourne providing litter boxes. Television show host John Oliver debunked litter box claims on the episode of Last Week Tonight that aired on October 24, 2022.

Impact

2022 United States elections
In the months leading up to the 2022 United States elections, mentions online of the litter boxes in schools increased significantly as several Republican candidates repeated the hoax. It was also mentioned by talk show hosts such as Joe Rogan. Attempts by the news media to debunk false rumors were largely unsuccessful in stopping their spread.

Many of the prominent American politicians seeking public office who promoted the hoax were defeated in the 2022 elections. Among those who promoted the hoax who were unsuccessful in seeking public office included New Hampshire candidate for U.S. Senate Don Bolduc, Colorado candidate for governor Heidi Ganahl, Illinois candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives Catalina Lauf, Minnesota candidate for governor Scott Jensen, and Maine candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives Ed Thelander. Those who had promoted the hoax and prevailed in their races included U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance from Ohio and incumbent U.S. Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert.

Virginia Chamlee of People said that Bolduc's repeating of the false claims during his political campaign may have alienated moderate voters and led to his defeat by Maggie Hassan in the race for a New Hampshire United States Senate seat.

Proposed legislation
Several Republican lawmakers in the U.S. state of North Dakota sponsored legislation to prohibit schools from adopting "a policy establishing or providing a place, facility, school program, or accommodation that caters to a student's perception of being any animal species other than human".

See also
 Anti-gender movement
 Bathroom bill

Notes

References

Further reading
 Matthews, Dylan (March 27, 2015). "9 questions about furries you were too embarrassed to ask". Vox Media. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
 Pahwa, Nitish (May 6, 2022). "Fur-mongering: Fake news about children 'identifying' as animals is the latest stunt being pushed by so-called parental rights advocates." Slate. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
 Bushard, Brian (October 4, 2022). "Colorado GOP Governor Candidate Latest To Fall For Student 'Furries' Hoax—Here's How Many Others Have Been Duped". Forbes. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
 Pierce, Charles (October 17, 2022). "The 'Litter Box in Schools' Lie Is a Litmus Test for Idiots". Esquire. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
 Roberts, Sharon E. (November 7, 2022). "What are 'furries?' Debunking myths about kids identifying as animals, and litter boxes in schools". The Conversation. Retrieved November 8, 2022.

2022 controversies in the United States
2021 hoaxes
October 2021 events in Canada
2021 in Prince Edward Island
Alt-right
Conspiracy theories in Canada
Conspiracy theories in the United States
Disinformation operations
Fake news
Furry fandom
Hoaxes in Canada
Hoaxes in the United States
Internet hoaxes
Internet trolling
LGBT-related conspiracy theories
LGBT-related controversies in Canada
LGBT-related controversies in the United States
Moral panic
Right-wing politics in Canada
Right-wing politics in the United States
Transphobia
2020s anti-LGBT movement in the United States
Urban legends

Litter boxes in schools hoax


John Minnion (born  Guildford, 13 August 1949) is an English illustrator.

His distinctive black and white drawings have appeared in publications such as the Financial Times, The Guardian, and The Times, where for six years he illustrated the television criticism column written by Lynne Truss, author of the surprise best-seller about punctuation, Eats, Shoots and Leaves.  Minnion drew politicians for the New Statesman and composers (both jazz and classical) for The Listener.  His skilful caricatures are drawn always from photographs, never from life.

Among Minnion's earliest issued works, which he published himself, are illustrated versions of Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky (1973) and The Hunting of the Snark (1976). He also issued a small folio of illustrations to Samuel Beckett's  Waiting for Godot.

Most recently, Minnion has published several books that bring together drawn and written portraits, under the label of his own publishing company, Checkmate Books. The first of these books was Glued to the Gogglebox, which brought together various British television personalities. His second publication centred on 20th-century composers and was named Uneasy Listening. This was closely followed by Hitler's List, a compendium of those found undesirable by the Third Reich, from Gypsies to Jews, concentrating on the so-called degenerate art.  His most recent publication is Pool of Life: The Story of Liverpool in Caricatures, which has been released as part of the city's year as European Capital of Culture.

He currently lives in Liverpool.

References

External links

Biography of Minnion at British Cartoon Archive site, University of Kent

1949 births
English caricaturists
English cartoonists
English illustrators
English satirists
Living people
Artists from Guildford

John Minnion


The Moor Quarter is one of Sheffield's twelve designated quarters, built around and named for The Moor, a pedestrianised thoroughfare.  It is bound by Furnival Gate in the north-east, Eyre Street in the south-east, St Mary's Gate to the south, and Moore Street and Charter Row to the north-west.

It is primarily a retail location, with the city's main market now located in the quarter and more than 70 shops and restaurants. There are also some offices at Charter Row and Moorfoot.  It benefits from a good location, centrally between the Devonshire Quarter, Cultural Industries Quarter, Heart of the City and London Road and Ecclesall Road shops.

The monolithic Moorfoot Building is at the south-west end of the Moor. It previously housed central British government departments, but is now used by Sheffield City Council.

Location
The Moor is approximately  in length and is located in the southern part of Sheffield City Centre. It begins at Hereford Street at the southern end by the Moorfoot Building. It then runs past Fitzwilliam Gate, Cumberland Street, Holy Green, Earl Street, Rockingham Gate and Matilda Street before terminating at the junction between Furnival Gate and Pinstone Street.

The Moor
The Moor itself is a primary pedestrianised thoroughfare and one of the main shopping streets of Sheffield, England. Along its length lie some of the most popular British and international high street names leading it to become the main focal point for retail in the city centre in recent years. The street was originally named Sheffield Moor, then in the early nineteenth century was renamed "South Street", but was again renamed in order to avoid confusion with a South Street near Hyde Park. The shops along it were rebuilt in the 1950s following damage in the Second World War and pedestrianised in 1979 with market stalls now occupying the former roadway.

The Moor stretches from Furnival Gate, Moorhead to the north to Cumberland Way, Moorfoot to the south, where the former Moorfoot Building blocks the route on to London Road.

The major retailers on The Moor include Next, H&M, New Look, River Island, Sports Direct, Primark, independent department store Atkinsons, JD Sports and Sainsbury's. There are also numerous smaller units as well as open-air market stalls in the middle of the pedestrianised area.

Regeneration

Since development started in the late 2000s after the area became empty and rundown due to shops closing, The Moor has been undergoing a programme of regeneration by Scottish Widows Investment Partnership, who own most of the buildings on The Moor. In July 2011, SWIP submitted a planning application for a 55,000 sq ft retail block at the north end of the street, which will feature a large digital screen and space for two shops and a department store. The new Moor Market opened in November 2013 as Phase One replacing the old Castle Market in the Wicker area of Sheffield, a new gym also opened in 2016 above the market. After years of planning and construction the new flagship Primark store opened on The Moor in October 2016 as part of Phase Two of the regeneration. The second part of phase one includes The Light cinema and a variety of restaurants, in March 2017 it was announced that the new complex would open on 14 April the same year. The third and final phase of The Moor regeneration opened in 2018/2019 and includes a large digital screen and new shops and restaurants. H&M is the new anchor tenant.

Moor Market

The Moor Market opened in November 2013 on the corner of The Moor and Earl Street, replacing Castle Market in the Castlegate area which closed on the same weekend. The scheme cost £18 million and includes 200 market stalls and eight shops.

Sheffield City Council own the market and aim to attract 100,000 shoppers per week. Most stalls have been let rent-free for the first six months and at half-rent for the following six months to encourage businesses to locate in the market.

References

External links

 The Moor official website

Sheffield City Centre (quarters)
Sheffield City Centre
Retail markets in England

The Moor Quarter


Sequence dancing is a form of dance in which there is a preset pattern of movements, to music. The music is usually also preset. Sequence dancing may include dances of many different styles. The term may include ballroom dances, which move round the floor, as well as line, square and circle dances.

Sequence dancing in general is much older than modern ballroom dances. With the exception of the waltz, invented around 1800, all dances in ballrooms were sequence dances until the early 20th century. The quadrille was one example, the minuet another.

After modern ballroom dancing developed, in England, sequence dancing continued. It included so-called 'Old Time' dances and also adapted versions of the new ballroom dances, and then versions of Latin dances. Sequence dancing is a competitive sport as well as a social pastime.

The British Sequence Championships is the most famous annual sequence dance competition and is part of the Blackpool Sequence Dance Festival.  This is held in the Empress Ballroom, Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England, since 1949.

References

Dance types

Sequence dance


Idana Asigri is a Ghanaian politician and member of the first parliament of the second republic of Ghana representing Tempane-Garu Constituency under the membership of the Progress Party (PP).

Politics
He is a Member of the First Parliament of the Second Republic of Ghana representing the Tempane-Garu Constituency in the Western region of Ghana on the ticket of the Progress Party (PP). He was elected in 1969 Ghanaian parliamentary election of the parliamentary term of the 1st Parliament of the 2nd Republic of Ghana. The Parliament started on 1 October 1969 and was suspended following the overthrow of the Busia government on 13 January 1972.

Personal life
He is a Christian. He is a Traditional Ruler. His father Maa Ligu Asigri Luut was the chief of Worikambo a town in Tempane - Garu in the Upper East region of Ghana.

References

Ghanaian MPs 1969–1972
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Progress Party (Ghana) politicians

Idana Asigri


The American IG Chemical Corporation, or American IG for short, was an American holding company incorporated under the Delaware General Corporation Law in April 1929 and headquartered in New York City. It had stakes in General Aniline Works (GAW), Agfa-Ansco Corporation, and Winthrop Chemical Company, among others, and was engaged in manufacture and sale of pharmaceuticals, photographic products, light weight metals, synthetic gasoline, synthetic rubber, dyes, fertilizers, and insecticides. The Moody's industrial manual listed an affiliation between IG Farben and American IG at the time of founding. First, Hermann Schmitz, who was the second after Carl Bosch in IG Farben's hierarchy,  and then his brother, Dietrich A. Schmitz, served as American IG's presidents. It was re-incorporated as General Aniline & Film (GAF) Corp. in 1939 after a merger with General Aniline Works.

Origin
American IG owes its genesis to a German business conglomerate, namely, Interessens-Gemeinschaft Farbenindustrie AG, or IG Farben for short. The business, along with the industrial empire that IG Farben controlled and commanded, has been described as  "a state within a state."

The Farben cartel was created in 1925, when Hermann Schmitz, the master organizer, with Wall Street financial assistance, created the giant chemical corporation, combining six German chemical companies — Badische Anilin- und Sodafabrik Ludwigshafen (BASF), Bayer, Agfa, Hoechst, Weiler-ter-Meer, and Griesheim-Elektron. These six companies were merged into Interessen-Gemeinschaft Farbenindustrie AG, or IG Farben for short.

In the year 1929, the American holdings of IG Farben, namely, the American branches of Bayer Company, General Aniline Works (formerly Grasselli Dyes), Agfa Ansco, 50% interest in Winthrop Chemical Company, and 50% in Alcoa's American Magnesium Corporation  were incorporated under the laws of Delaware under the name American I.G. Chemical Corporation. The certificate of incorporation was filed  with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1929. American IG was controlled by a Swiss holding company in Basel called Internationale Gesellschaft für Chemische Unternehmungen AG (International Corporation for Chemical Engineering) or IG Chemie.

The controlling interest of this entity rested with IG Farben in Germany. In the following decade before the outbreak of the Second World War, the American IG Chemical Corporation, or American IG, played important role in manufacturing of dyes, chemicals, and fertilizers, among others. Among its board of directors members were Edsel Ford and Walter C. Teagle.

In 1933-1939, American IG repeatedly denied its ties with I.G. Farben and reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, first, that it "had no parent", then, that it "did not know if whether it had a parent."

On October 30, 1939, after a merge with General Aniline Works, the stock of American I.G. Chemical Corporation was transferred to General Aniline & Film Corporation. Its assets were valued as $10,880,860 with holdings in Standard Oil ($6,979,946), Sterling Products Inc. ($2,424,320), and du Pont ($899,250).

Legacy
On the eve of World War II, IG Farben, the German chemical conglomerate, was among the largest manufacturing enterprises in the world and exercised extraordinary economic and political clout in Nazi Germany and abroad. During the war it became the principal source for Zyklon B, the pesticide used in German concentration camps to murder their victims. From 1942-1945, the company used slave labor from Nazi concentration camps. After 1945, three former members of the board of governors of American IG were tried and convicted as German war criminals.

In the United States IG Farben's power was broken by the Justice Department even before the war started, and Assistant Attorney General, Thurman Arnold played a prominent role in uncloaking the association of IG Farben's American affiliates with its parent company. After the United States entered the WWII, the Office of Alien Property Custodian starting from March 11, 1942, took control of all Nazi Germany-related assets in the country.

In 1952, IG Farben was split into BASF, Bayer, and Hoechst.

In 1965, the U.S. government sold General Aniline & Film, or GAF stock.

As a result of its 1966 acquisition of Sawyer's,  GAF went on to produce the View-Master, a children's toy, made today by Mattel's Fisher-Price division. GAF today still exists as GAF Materials Corporation, mainly as a manufacturer of asphalt and building materials.

See also
Interhandel

References

Further reading
 Robert J. Baptista and Anthony S. Travis. , History and Technology, Volume 22, 2006.
 Antony C. Sutton. Wall Street and the Rise of Hitler. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House Publishers, 1976.
 Mira Wilkins. The history of foreign investment in the United States, 1914-1945. Cambridge, Mass.:  Harvard University Press,  2004

External links

Companies based in New Jersey

American IG


Charles Robert Ayre (December 22, 1819 – April 12, 1889) was an English-born merchant and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Burin in the Newfoundland House of Assembly from 1873 to 1878 as a Conservative.

He was born in Exeter and came to Newfoundland in 1842 as a clerk. By 1856, he had established his own business, Ayre and Sons, in St. John's with John Steer. Ayre served in the Legislative Council of Newfoundland from 1879 to 1889 and was a minister without portfolio in the Executive Council in 1885. He died in St. John's at the age of 69.

His son John also served in the Newfoundland assembly.

References

Members of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
Newfoundland Colony people
1819 births
1889 deaths
Canadian company founders
Retail company founders
English emigrants to pre-Confederation Newfoundland

Charles R. Ayre