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Member countries
Historical background
Institutional structure
Trade opening programme
Summary of Agreements
Treaty of Asucion
Protocol of Ouro Preto
Comprising Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil, the Southern Common Market - MERCOSUR represents a total population of 190 million individuals, living in an area larger than the total surface of the european continent, covering more than 12 million square kilometers. In 1993, the total Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of these four nations was approximately US$ 715 billion. Brazil has a territory of 8.5 million square kilometers and 155 million inhabitants, as well as the largest economy within MERCOSUR. Argentina, the second largest MERCOSUR nation, has 2.8 million square kilometers in area. The Argentine economy has been one of the fastest growing in the last few years. Paraguay, with 406 thousand square kilometers and a population of 4.6 million, has a growing economy. Uruguay in turn has the smallest population, calculated at some 3.1 million inhabitants, and the smallest territory in MERCOSUR - 177 thousand square kilometers.
A short while after the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (1954) and the European Economic Community (1957), Latin America was already beginning to take its first steps towards regional integration. The treaty that created the Latin American Free Trade Association (ALALC), signed in 1960, provided for the creation of a free-trade zone, by means of periodical and selective negotiations between its member states. This choice-negotiation at the discretion of the member states rather than automatic reduction of import duties--made the ALALC trade opening program develop reasonably well in its first years, lose Impetus as of 1965, and almost come to a complete standstill in the 70's. Thus, despite its having stimulated mutual trading between member states, the distance between its original objectives and the results obtained was very great.
The Latin American Integration Association, created in 1980 to replace ALALC, used other means to attempt member state integration. In place of the free-trade zone established by ALALC, an economic preference zone was established creating conditions favorable to the growth of bilateral initiatives, as a prelude to the institution of plurilateral relationships in Latin America. ALADI thus made possible agreements and Joint actions between countries In the region which until then had only limited previous ties. The establishment of a common market, however, was still the long-term objective.
Under the ALADI system Brazil and Argentina signed in 1986 twelve commercial protocols: their first concrete step towards the bringing of the two countries closer together that had officially been started in 1985 under the Declaration of Iguaçu. To supplement and improve on their former agreements, Brazil and Argentina signed in 1988 a Treaty for Integration, Cooperation and Development that set the stage for a common market between the two countries within ten years, with the gradual elimination of all tariff barriers and harmonization of the macroeconomic policies of both nations. It was further established that this agreement would be open to all other Latin American countries.
After the adhesion of Paraguay and Uruguay a new treaty was signed by all four countries on March 26, 1991 In Asuncion, Paraguay, providing for the creation of a common market among the four participants, to be known as the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR). Bolivia, Chile, Venezuela Colombia and Peru have already evinced interest in joining MERCOSUR. Other Latin American countries interested in joining that are ALADI members can initially do so through association agreements with member nations, which can be extended until full participation in formation and conduct of a common market has been achieved. Negotiations with Chile to gradually reduce its trade tariffs vis-ŕ-vis MERCOSUR nations are well advanced. One of the major problems however with Chile's entry into MERCOSUR is the offshore tariffs that Chile imposes at a flat 11% rate; other MERCOSUR nations have rates ranging from zero to 20%.
The Asuncion Treaty and Ouro Preto Protocol established the basis for the institutional MERCOSUR structure, creating the Common Market Council and the Common Market Group, both of which are to function at the outset of the transition phase. As provided for in this Treaty, before establishing the common market the member nations must call a special meeting in order to determine the definitive institutional structure for the public agencies managing MERCOSUR, as well as define the specific functions of each agency and the decision making process.
Functions: The Council is the highest-level agency of MERCOSUR with authority to conduct its policy, and responsibility for compliance with the objects and time frames set forth in the Asuncion Treaty. Composition: The Council is comprised of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Economy (or the equivalent) of all four countries. Member states preside over the Council in rotating alphabetical order, for 6-month periods. Meetings: Councilmembers shall meet whenever necessary, but at least once a year. The presidents of the member nations shall partake of the annual Common Market Council meeting whenever possible. Decision Making: Council decisions shall be made by consensus, with representation of all member states.
Functions: The Common Market Group is the executive body of MERCOSUR, and is coordinated by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the member states. Its basic duties are to cause compliance with the Asuncion Treaty and to take resolutions required for implementation of the decisions made by the Council. Furthermore, it can initiate practical measures for trade opening, coordination of macroeconomic policies, and negotiation of agreements with nonmember states and international agencies, participating when need be in resolution of controversies under MERCOSUR. It has the authority to organize, coordinate and supervise Work Subgroups and to call special meetings to deal with issues of interest. Composition: The Common Market Group shall be made up of four permanent members and four alternates from each member state, representing the following public agencies: (i) the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; (ii) the Ministry of the Economy, or the equivalent (from industry, foreign affairs and/or economic coordination); and (iii) the Central Bank. The members of the Common Market Group appointed by a given member state will constitute the National Section of the Common Market Group for that particular nation. Meetings: The Common Market Group will meet ordinarily at least once every quarter in the member states, in rotating alphabetical order. Special meetings may be freely called at any time, at any previously scheduled place. The meetings will be coordinated by the Head of the Delegation of the host member state. Decision Making: Common Market Group decisions shall be made by consensus, with the representation of all member states. Language The official MERCOSUR languages will be Portuguese and Spanish, and the official version of all work papers will be prepared in the language of the country hosting the meeting.
The Administrative Office will keep documents and issue the MERCOSUR official bulletin in both Spanish and Portuguese, and will also be charged with communicating the activities of the Common Market Group so as to allow for the maximum disclosure of decisions and the relevant documentation. The Socioeconomic Advisory Forum is consultative by nature, and represents the various socioeconomic sectors of the member nations.
Functions: Directly subordinated to the Common Market Group, the Work Subgroups draw up the minutes of the decisions to be submitted for the consideration of the Council, and conduct studies on specific MERCOSUR concerns. Currently, the Work Subgroups are the following: Commercial Matters; Customs Matters; Technical Standards; Tax and Monetary Policies Relating to Trade; Land Transport; Sea Transport; Industrial and Technology Policies; Agricultural Policy; Energy Policy; Coordination of Macroeconomic Policies; and Labor, Employment and Social Security Matters. Meetings. The meetings of the Work subgroups will be held quarterly, alternating in every member state, in alphabetical order, or at the Common Market Group Administrative Office. Activities will be carried out by the Work Subgroups in two stages: preparatory and conclusive. In the preparatory stage, the members of the Work Subgroups may request the participation of representatives from the private sector of each member state. The decision-making stage is reserved exclusively for official representatives of the member states. Representatives from the Private Sector. The delegations of representatives from the private sector in the preparatory stage of the Work Subgroup activities will have a maximum of three representatives for each member state directly involved in any of the stages of the production, distribution or consumption process for the products that fall within the scope of the subgroup's activities.
Functions: The Committee will have both an advisory and decision-making nature, with powers to submit proposals as well. It will be competent, inter alia, to: Follow up on the integration process and keep the respective Congresses informed; Take the necessary steps for the future instatement of a MERCOSUR parliament; Organize subcommittees to examine matters relating to the integration process; Submit its recommendations to the Common Market Council and Group as to how the integration process should be conducted and MERCOSUR formed; Make the adjustments necessary to harmonize the laws of the different member states and submit them to the respective Congresses; Establish relationships with private entities in each of the member states, as well as international agencies and bureaus so as to obtain information and specialized assistance with matters of interest: Establish relationships targeting cooperation with Congresses of the nonmember nations and entities involved in regional integration schemes; Subscribe to cooperation and technical assistance accords with public and/or private entities whether domestic, supranational or international; and Approve the budget, lobbying vis-ŕ-vis the member states for other financings. Composition: The Committee will be composed of a maximum of 64 acting parliamentary members, 16 per member state, and an equal number of alternates, appointed by the Congress to which they pertain, and with a term of office of at least two years. The meetings shall be conducted by a directors' board consisting of four Presidents (one for each member state). Meetings: The Committee will ordinarily meet twice a year, and extraordinarily whenever summoned by any of its four Presidents. Meetings are to be held in the territory of each member state on a successive and alternating basis. Decision Making: Meetings of the Joint Parliamentary Committee will only be valid when attended by parliamentary delegations from all member states. Decisions by the Joint Parliamentary Committee will be made by consensus vote of the majority of the members accredited by the respective Congresses of each member state. Language: Portuguese and Spanish are the official languages of the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
Functions: The Trade Commission will assist the MERCOSUR executive body, always striving to apply the instruments of common trade policy agreed to by the member states for operation of the customs unification. Additionally, the commission should also follow up on the development of issues and matters related to common trade policies, the intra-MERCOSUR trade and trade with other countries. Composition: The commission will have four actual members and four alternates, with each member nation's indicating a member. Purpose: The Trade Commission shall exert every effort to apply common trade policy instruments such as: Trade agreements with other countries or international entities; Administrative/commercial product lists; Final adaptation system for MERCOSUR customs unification; Origin system; Free-trade zone system, special customs areas and export processing zones; System to discourage unfair trade practices; Elimination and harmonization of tariff restrictions; Nonmember country safeguard systems; Customs coordination and harmonization; Consumer protection systems; and Export incentive harmonization. Furthermore, the trade commission should speak out regarding the issues raised by the member states regarding application and compliance with common offshore tariffs and other common trade policy instruments. Meetings: The commission shall meet at least once a month, as well as whenever asked to by the MERCOSUR executive agency or by a member state. Decision Making: The commission can take decisions entailing administration and application of trade policies adopted under MERCOSUR, and whenever necessary submit proposals to the executive body regarding regulation of the areas under its authority; additionally, it can propose new guidelines or modify those in existence in MERCOSUR trade and customs matters. In this respect, the trade commission can propose a change in the import duty on specific items under common external tariffs, including cases referring to development of new MERCOSUR production activities. In order to better achieve its objectives, the trade commission can create technical committees targeting direction and supervision of the work it engages in. It can also adopt internal operating regulations. Proposals and decisions of the trade commission will be taken by a consensus of the representatives indicated by each member nation. Dispute Resolution: Any disputes ensuing from the application, interpretation or compliance with the acts issued by the trade commission are to be referred to the MERCOSUR executive body, and should be resolved using the directives set forth in the Dispute Resolution System adopted under MERCOSUR.
The trade opening program targeted the end of duty and other nontariff restrictions on trading between Argentina and Brazil by December 31, 1994, and by December 31, 1995 for trade with Uruguay and Paraguay. Duty includes customs rights and any tariffs on foreign trade, whether fiscal, monetary, exchange or otherwise, other than charges and like measures corresponding to the approximate cost of services rendered. Nontariff restrictions are any measures taken unilaterally by a member state to impede or hamper mutual trading. These do not include any measures taken as a result of the situations provided for in article 50 of the 1980 Montevideo Treaty (trading of gold, silver, armaments and radioactive products, and protection of life, health, moral principles, and the historical and artistic heritage).
The lifting of import duty is the object of a progressive, direct and automatic project that will benefit all products subject to tariffs in member states, according to the following schedule:
|%Lifting of Import Duty
|June 30, 1992
|Dec. 31, 1992
|June 30, 1993
|Dec. 31, 1993
|June 30, 1994
|Dec. 31. 1994
The lifting of tariffs was applied to tariffs in effect, and represents an easing of the more favorable tariffs on import of products from countries not participating in ALADI. In the event any of the member states increases the tariffs in force on January 1, 1991 on imports from nonmember countries the schedule will continue to apply to the original tariffs. In the event of common tariff reductions, the reductions will automatically apply to the other member states, on the date such reductions take effect.
This general lifting of duties and other nontariff restrictions in the member state trading does however allow each nation to have a list of exceptions considered ''sensitive''.(l) Products included on these lists are initially excluded from the schedules for trade opening. These exceptions will be reduced at the end of each calendar year. Based on this schedule, Brazil and Argentina will discontinue their exceptions lists by December 31, 1994, and Paraguay and Uruguay will discontinue their lists by December 31 1995.(2) The establishment of exceptions by the Asuncion Treaty signatories seeks to ensure that such nations offer their most important production sectors a longer term as from 1995 for adapting to the new unrestricted trade interchange under MERCOSUR (3). In addition to the exceptions lists, various systems such as the capital goods systems have been established, whereby products must be brought into keeping with TEC as of January 1, 2005, and the computer science and telecommunications goods systems which have until January 1, 2006. Moreover, a 20% charge for interzonal and extrazonal import duties has been established for the sugar cane sector, and it was as well decided that specific import duties for merchandise in the textile and footwear sectors will only take effect until December 31, 1995. A technical committee was also created to prepare a proposed common automotive vehicle system, which should include a total listing of controls on intrazonal trade and TEC, with no incentives whatsoever regarding vehicle import for parts and accessories for terminals and parts producers.
The rules established in the trade opening program will not apply to Partial Agreements for Economic Supplementation Nos. I (signed between Brazil and Argentina), 2 (between Brazil and Uruguay), 13 (Brazil and Venezuela), and 14 (Argentina and Brazil), nor to any agricultural and commercial agreements signed within the scope of ALADI that will be governed exclusively by the provisions thereof. All other partial agreements executed between the member states under the aegis of ALADI will be examined under a special program for the lifting of import duty, the schedule for which also provides for the complete abolishment of all customs taxes by December 31 1994. (1)Products being adapted will be subject to tariffs for domestic imports, and not included in the free-trade zone, whose tariffs are 0% for all member states. This adaptation period will end in four years. (2)The Brazil/Argentina exception lists contain 232 items; Paraguay, 253; and Uruguay, 212. The member nations can supplement their national exception lists until April 30, 1995 (for Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay the limit is 300, and for Paraguay, 399). (3)With implementation of a common external tariff (TEC), it was initially possible to set a 0% TEC for only 20% of the products, within the flat 85% product tariff rate.
Should the import of a certain product damage or seriously threaten the domestic market as a consequence of a substantial increase in the import of this product from other member states during a certain period of time, the importer may exceptionally negotiate an import quota (maximum price or quantity) for the product it wishes to protect. This product will also benefit from the lifting of duty and other conditions established in the program for the opening up of trade. Under the trade opening program, damage or threatened damage will be determined on the basis of examination of a variety of aspects, including production levels and use capacity, employment levels, market share, extent of trade between the nations involved, and the performance of imports/exports in relation to nonmember states.
The abovementioned quota will be negotiated with the member state of origin of the imports within 30 days. Should the parties not reach an agreement within the established time frame, the importer may establish a quota which will be maintained for one year, and may be extended for another like period. The quota unilaterally established by the member state may not be less than the average actually imported in the last three calendar years. The safeguard clauses will only be used once for each product, and in no event will they apply after December 31, 1994.
The member nations can have commercial free-trade zones, industrial free-trade zones, export processing zones, and special customs areas, all of which target providing merchandise marketed or produced in these areas with treatment different from that afforded in their respective customs territories.
The member states can assess merchandise from these areas with the common external tariff used for MERCOSUR merchandise, or, in the case of certain special products, the domestic tariff prevailing in each individual state. In this way, the products from the free-trade zones can have the more favorable tax treatment established under MERCOSUR, given to the merchandise produced in the normal customs zones of each member state or, in the case of certain special products, can have the normal customs treatment prevailing in each nation.
Products produced or marketed in the free-trade zones of each member nation will be eligible for the safeguard system whenever this entails an increase not provided for in imports, but capable of causing damages or threatened damages to the importer country.
In the event of the producing nation's granting special incentives for production from the free-trade zones that are not compatible with the corresponding guidelines established under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade - GATT, the member nation can make any adjustments needed to return the situation to equilibrium.
The member nations agreed that any free-trade zones that in August 1994 were already in operation could operate normally under MERCOSUR, along with any that are set up in light of legal guidelines prevailing or in course in Congress during this same time period. This means that a member nation can no longer create new free-trade zones that are more privileged.
The actual implementation of MERCOSUR will not affect the special Manaus, Brazil, and Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, free-trade zones organized in light of their special geographic situations. These two free-trade zones may continue normal operations until 2013.
In order for a product to benefit from the trade opening program, and to enjoy the program privileges, its country of origin must be one of the member states.
The following products are considered originating from the member states: Any products that are developed in the territory of any member state, with 60% of the materials originating from member states (4) Any products that are developed with materials that do not come from the member states, but that as a result of a transformation process carried out in the territory of any member state are given new characteristics which position them under a different classification from the materials mentioned in ALADI's List of Products. Up to December 31, 1994, any products resulting from packaging or assembly processes carried out in the territory of one member state using materials from other member states and nonparticipant countries, whenever the value of the original materials is more than 40% of the FOB export value of the final product; Any products provided for in the chapters or positions of ALADI's List of Products that are featured in Exhibit I of Resolution No.78 of the ALADI Committee of Representatives, for the simple reason that they are produced in their respective territories; and Any products which, in addition to being produced in their respective territories, fulfill the specific requirements established in Exhibit 2 of Resolution No. 78 of ALADI's Committee of Representatives.
In order that the import of products originating from the member states may be exempted from customs duty and restrictions, as agreed on thereby, the export documentation for said products must state that they have satisfactorily met the requirements necessary to be classified as "original products". This statement will be made by the product's final producer or exporter, and certified by an official authority or private entity especially appointed therefor by the Executive Branch of each member state. The certificate of origin will, at the latest, be issued by the date of shipment of the product under the program, and be valid for 180 days. (4) Products traded by the MERCOSUR nations at 0% tariff must have a nationalization index of 60%, except for capital goods, whose level should be 80%. Uruguay has the benefit of the provenance rule, and a nationalization index of only 50% is permissible until 2001.
Individuals or legal entities that are resident or domiciled in MERCOSUR countries were authorized to invest on Brazilian stock exchanges under CMN Resolution 1968/92. MERCOSUR investors may freely trade on the securities market, without having to operate through an investment fund or portfolio, as is the case of other foreign investors. Likewise, individuals and legal entities that are resident or domiciled in Brazil are authorized to invest on the stock exchanges of the other MERCOSUR member countries.
The only restrictions on transactions under MERCOSUR are the following: Investors must be domiciled or headquartered in the nation where the investment originates; Companies issuing the securities must be located in any of the MERCOSUR member states; Traded shares and other securities may only be issued as registered securities; Transactions can only be carried out on the spot market; The transactions may only be liquidated on the financial markets of the countries involved in the transaction; The total value of guarantees for investor positions on the options and futures markets cannot exceed the respective investments; and Options and futures market transactions cannot be guaranteed by bank surety, credit insurance or the like.
Investments may be made in: United States dollars (US$); Currency of the investment's country of origin; and Currency of the investment recipient's country.
Investments made in currencies other than the real are subject to an exchange contract. Exchange transactions for funds entering into and leaving Brazil will be carried out at floating exchange rates as provided for in Resolution No. 1552 of December 22, 1988 of the Central Bank of Brazil (tourism dollar).
Investments coming in from abroad and Brazilian investments leaving the country will be registered with the Central Bank of Brazil, even if they are made in reais. Financial transfers to overseas cannot be made in a currency other than the currency in which the investment was registered at the Central Bank of Brazil.
In addition to this mechanism, foreign institutional investors headquartered in any member or nonmember MERCOSUR nation that are interested in investing on the Brazilian stock market can avail themselves of another investment mechanism known on the Brazilian capital market as Annex IV Portfolios.
Likewise, despite the agreement under MERCOSUR, Brazilian investors can acquire stocks and bonds traded on the international markets--including the Argentine, Uruguayan and Paraguayan stock exchanges--by international transfers of Brazilian currency (reais) made by banks authorized to deal in exchange.
The Central Bank of Brazil and the Securities Commission authorized in 1993 the trading on the Brazilian stock exchange of CDAs representing stock issued by companies headquartered in the Asuncion Treaty signatory countries. This authorization resulted from the privatization of Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales Sociedad Anonima - YPF, by placement of YPF shares on the Argentine stock market at the same time as placement on the New York, London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Tokyo and Sao Paulo stock markets.
Basic Regulations of Securities Market - MERCOSUR (CMC/DEC 8/93). These transactions can be either put or call, and made on options or futures markets referenced in securities, interest and exchange rates, when kept by stock exchange or commodities and futures exchanges, provided that this is for the exclusive purpose of hedging to protect the respective securities portfolios.
Any controversies during the transition period (until December 31, 1994) between the member states, or between private individuals and member states, arising from construction, applicability or noncompliance with the provisions of the Asuncion Treaty, or from the agreements executed under its scope, or even from decisions made by the Common Market Council and resolutions taken by the Common Market Group during the transition period, were subject to the settlement procedures listed below. After December 31, 1994, the member states will establish a definitive system for the settlement of disputes.
An attempt to settle any disputes between member states will first be made through direct negotiations, which will be limited to 15 days as from the date one of the member states raises the matter, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.
If by means of direct negotiations an agreement is not reached between the member states, or if the controversy is only partially resolved, any of the member states may submit the matter for the examination of the which will hear the parties involved in the conflict, Common Market Group, and request outside advice from specialists, if necessary. The Common Market Group will subsequently make its recommendations to attempt at resolution of the the parties involved in an matter. This than 30 days, as of the date the dispute was submitted procedure may take no longer for the consideration of the Common Market Group.
In the event an agreement is not reached through direct negotiations or with the intervention of the Common Market Group, any of the member states may request that the Administrative office of the Common Market Group institute arbitration. Each member nation will defray the expenses for the arbitrator appointed thereby.
The arbitration proceeding will be handled by an ad hoc court that will establish its headquarters in one of the member states, depending on the case, and will follow its own rules in the proceeding, deciding on the dispute based on the provisions of the Asuncion Treaty and the agreements executed thereunder, on the Common Market Council decisions and Common Market Group resolutions, as well as on such international law principles and provisions as are applicable thereto. Court Composition. Each member state will appoint ten arbitrators to be placed on a list to be filed at the Administrative Office of the Common Market Group. Each arbitration court will be composed of three arbitrators taken from this list. Each member state (or two or more member states maintaining the same stance in the controversy) will designate an arbitrator, with the third arbitrator's being selected by mutual agreement of the other two arbitrators (such arbitrator may not be of the same nationality as either of the parties involved in the controversy). This third arbitrator will be the presiding judge. All arbitrators must be jurists of renown in their particular field of activities and will be appointed within 15 days of the Administrative Office's having informed the member states that it would institute an arbitration proceeding.
The court will render its written decision within two months of the date its presiding judge is appointed, extendable for another 30-day period. The arbitration award will be decided by a majority vote. The voting will be confidential and dissident votes may not be Justified. Effects of the Award. The awards rendered by the Arbitration Court are unappealable, and will inure to the member states involved in the dispute with the force of res judicata. The awards must be effected immediately, unless otherwise established by the Arbitration Court. In the event any member state fails to comply with the arbitration decision within 30 days, the other member states may take temporary compensatory steps to cause compliance therewith. Any member state involved in a dispute has 15 days as from award notification to ask for any clarifications required. The Arbitrator Court will have 15 days to answer, and may stay award performance until a decision on the request is handed down.
Definition. There is a system applying to any claims made by private persons (natural persons or legal entities) as a result of any sanction or application of any legal or administrative steps with restrictive, discriminatory effects, or of unfair competition from any of the member states in violation of the Asuncion Treaty, the agreements executed under the scope thereof, Common Market Council decisions or Common Market Group resolutions. Procedure. Claims will be made before the National Section of the Common Market Group of the member state in which the claimant maintains a regular residence or business headquarters, providing sufficient evidence to permit the National Section to determine the veracity of the violation, threat or loss. After hearing the claimant, the National Section of the Common Market Group of the member state will make direct contact with the National Section of the Common Market Group of the member state charged with having violated the provision, or will forward the claim within 15 days of receipt to the Common Market Group, without further examination. Specialists' Summoning. After receiving the complaint, the Common Market Group will immediately call in a group of specialists that will decide whether there are grounds for the claim; this group will take no more than 30 days after appointment to do so. This group of specialists will be composed of three members designated by the Common Market Group. If an agreement is not reached, the specialists will be elected from a list of 24 specialists registered with the Administrative Office of the Common Market Group, with each member state's being entitled to elect six specialists of recognized competence in the matters under dispute. The expenditures resulting from activities performed by the group of specialists will be proportionally borne by the parties, as determined by the Common Market Group or, should they not reach an agreement, divided equally between the parties involved in the dispute. Specialists' Opinion. The group of specialists will submit their opinion to the Common Market Group. If according to this opinion it is found that there are grounds for the claim against the member state, any other member state may call for the adoption of corrective measures or annulment of the measures in dispute. Should this requirement not be complied with in 15 days, the member state calling for such measures may resort directly to the arbitration proceeding specified in item 4 above.
The rules on litigation jurisdiction over contractual matters will apply to disputes arising from civil or commercial international contracts between private-law legal entities or individuals provided that: They are domiciled or headquartered in different member states: At least one of the parties to the contract is domiciled or headquartered in any member state and, additionally, has made a choice of jurisdiction in favor of a court in one of the member states. In this case, there must be a reasonable connection between the jurisdiction chosen and the controversy. The scope of the application of the international jurisdiction guidelines over contractual matters excludes the following: Legal relationships between bankrupt entities/individuals and their creditors and any other analogous proceedings (especially concordatas composition with creditors); Matters under agreements involving family and succession law; Social security contracts; Administrative contracts; Employment contracts; Consumer sales contracts; Transport contracts; Insurance policies; and Rights in rem.
Courts in member nations to whose jurisdiction the contracted parties have agreed to submit the matter in writing will have jurisdiction to settle controversies stemming from civil or commercial international contracts.
The jurisdiction can be agreed on at the time the contract is signed, during the life of the contract, or even when the dispute actually arises. The validity and effects of the choice of venue will be governed by the law of the member nations that normally have jurisdiction to hear the case, always resorting to the law most favorable to the validity of the contract. Whether or not jurisdiction is chosen, such jurisdiction will be prorogated in favor of the courts of the member state where the proceedings are in fact filed, provided the respondent voluntarily allows this in an affirmative and unfeigned way.
Should the contracted parties not reach an agreement regarding the courts competent to settle disputes, the member state chosen by the plaintiff of the case in point will have jurisdiction: The court of the place where the contract is to be performed; or The court of the domicile of the respondent; or The court of the domicile or headquarters of the claimant when the latter can show that it has done its part. For purposes of item (i) above the place of performance of the contract will be the member state where the obligations on which the claim is based have been or should be performed, taking into consideration the following: For contracts involving certain specific items, the place where they existed at the time of contract signing; For contracts involving specific items according to their type, the place of domicile of the debtor at the time of contract signing; For contracts involving fungible items, the place of domicile of the debtor at the time of conclusion of the contract; and For service rendering contracts: (a) If in regard to items, the place where they were at the time of contract signing;
(b) if effectiveness is related to any special place, the place where they were to produce effects: and
(c) in all other cases, the place of domicile of the debtor at the time of contract signing. For purposes of application of item (ii) above for determination of the domicile of the respondent in a contractual dispute involving individuals, the following will be taken into consideration: The habitual residence: On a subsidiary basis, the central place of business; and In the absence of any such considerations, the place where found, meaning the actual residence. When dealing with a legal entity, the determination of the domicile will be based on where the administrative headquarters have been set up. The claim plaintiff can, as an alternative, file in any of the places where the legal entity has branches, establishments, agencies or any other type of representation. Legal entities headquartered in any member state that have concluded contracts with any other member state can be sued in the courts of this latter state should there be any dispute as to the construction and application of the obligations regulated by contract. In the event there is a codefendant, a suit on contractual matters can be adjudicated with the courts of jurisdiction in the territory of the domicile of any of the parties to the litigation. Additionally, any claims entailing personal collateral rights or intervention of nonmember states in contractual obligations can be filed with the court hearing the main proceeding.
In the event of there being a counterclaim based on any act or fact that served as the basis for the main proceeding, the courts hearing the main proceeding will be competent to hear any counterclaims that may arise.
Based on the premise that education is a fundamental factor in the regional integration process, educational courses at the primary or junior high level--provided that they do not entail technical studies-- will be recognized by member states as being on the same level for all member nations. Likewise, in order to permit continuing education, certificates proving course conclusion issued by an official institution accredited in one of the member states will be valid in all other member states. Nontechnical primary and junior high level studies that have not been completed will be accredited by any member state, thereby allowing course conclusion in another member nation. Studies will be completed using an equivalency table to determine the level achieved.
In order to harmonize the mechanisms favoring accreditation of studies undertaken in any member nation in any other member nation, and to resolve any situations that may not be covered by the equivalency table, a Regional Technical Commission will be created. This Commission will include delegations from the ministries of education of each member nation, and will meet whenever at least two member states think it necessary to convene. The meeting sites will be established on a rotating basis. Any disputes that arise among the member states as a result of application, construction or noncompliance regarding the provisions related to education will be initially resolved by direct diplomatic negotiations. Should the countries not reach an accord or should the dispute be only partially resolved, then the procedures set forth in the Dispute Resolution System will be resorted to. Should the member nations enter into a bilateral convention or accord whose provisions are more favorable to their students, the member states in question can apply whichever provisions they consider most advantageous.
The nations subscribing to the Asuncion Treaty consider that the creation and maintenance of conditions favorable to individual or corporate investments for the jurisdiction of one of the member states in the territory of another state is essential to intensify the economic cooperation targeted so as to accelerate the integration process among all four member states. In this context, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil signed on January 1, 1994 in the city of Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, the Colonia Protocol for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of MERCOSUR Investments (Colonia Protocol). It was established in this protocol that investments under MERCOSUR by investors resident or domiciled in the territory of any member state will be entitled to treatment no less favorable than that accorded by the other member state to national investors or nonmember states.
For purposes of construction of the Colonia Protocol, investors are considered to be: Individuals that are citizens of any of the member nations or that reside there on a permanent basis or are domiciled there, with due regard for legislation prevailing in such territory; Legal entities organized pursuant to the legislation of one of the member nations that are headquartered there; and Legal entities organized in the territory where the investment is made, actually and directly or indirectly controlled by the legal entities or individuals mentioned above.
The term investment includes all types of assets such as: movable or immovable property, such as rights in rem and guarantee in rem rights; Shares, corporate holdings and any other type of corporate participations; Credit instruments and rights that may have an economic value; Intellectual property rights or materials, Including copyrights and industrial property rights such as patents, industrial drawings, trademarks, commercial names, technical procedures, know-how and goodwill; Economic concessions involving public law, such as research, cultivation, extraction or natural resource exploration concessions.
The nation receiving the investment cannot avail itself of unjustified or discriminatory means capable of restricting the investor's freedom to manage, maintain, use, enjoy and dispose of its investments.
The member states are not however obligated to extend to investors in the other nations signatory to the Colonia Protocol the benefits of any treatment, preference or privilege resulting from international accords relating fully or partially to tax matters.
In addition, the member nations can temporarily establish a list of exceptions where the new treatment will not yet prevail. In this way, the various member nations decided to except the following economic sectors: Argentina: ownership of real estate on the frontier strip, air transportation, naval industry, nuclear plants, uranium mining, insurance and fishery; Brazil: mineral prospection and mining; use of hydraulic energy; health care; television and radio broadcasting and telecommunications in general, acquisition or leasing of rural properties; participation in the financial intermediation, insurance, social security and capitalization systems; chartering and cabotage as well as inland navigation; Paraguay: ownership of real property on the frontier strip; communications, including radio and television broadcasting; air, sea and land transportation; electricity, water and telephone services; prospecting for hydrocarbons and strategic minerals; import and refining of petroleum derivates and postal services; and Uruguay: electricity; hydrocarbons; basic petrochemicals, atomic energy; prospecting for strategic minerals; financial intermediation; railways, telecommunications; radio broadcasting; press and audiovisual means.
The member nations undertook to do nothing to nationalize or expropriate investments in their territories that pertain to investors from the signatory countries, unless such measures are taken based on public need. In such case, nothing discriminatory can be done, but everything must be implemented by due legal process. Compensation for the investment holder that is expropriated or nationalized should be both adequate and effective, and made in advance, based on the real investment value determined at the time the decision is publicly announced by the proper authorities. This payment will be updated until actual payment, and the affected investor will receive interest.
The original member state investors will be ensured free transfer of their investments and any earnings thereon. These transfers can be made in freely convertible currency, using the exchange rate prevailing on the market pursuant to the procedures established by the member state receiving the investment. Member nations cannot adopt any exchange measures restricting free transfer of the funds invested or from activities exercised in their respective territories.
Argentina/Brazil Binational Companies (Binational Companies) were created and regulated by the Treaty for Establishment of Bylaws for Argentina/Brazil Binational Companies (Binational Company Bylaws), signed by the governments of both countries on June 6, 1990.
According to the Binational Company Bylaws, in order for a company to be considered binational and to qualify for the advantages attributed thereto, such company must comply with all the following requirements:
The object of these companies can include any of the economic activities permitted under the legislation of the countries where they are headquartered, with due regard for the limitations established by constitutional provisions. Binational Companies can take any of the legal forms admissible under the legislation of the country chosen for the headquarters of the company (either Argentina or Brazil). The corporate objective of the company must mention the words Argentina/Brazil Binational Company or the initials E.B.B.A. or E.B.A.B. When the corporate form chosen is a joint-stock company, the corporate capital must be divided into registered shares that are not transferrable by endorsement. Additionally, transfer of shares and participations or assignment of quotas and other corporate capital changes entailing some modification of the corporate structure of the Binational Companies can only be implemented with the consent of the proper authorities in the country where the corporate headquarters are located. The Binational Companies established in any of the member states can establish in another member state branches or subsidiaries always with due regard for the legislation of the host country as to objectives, corporate types and registration.
The corporate capital of these Binational Companies can be paid up by contributions:
The governments of both countries will take such action as is required for capital transfers by conveyance of capital goods and equipment of Argentine and/or Brazilian origin, without exchange coverage in the host country, to be made without any tariff or nontariff restrictions of any kind. These bylaws target equation of Binational Companies with national companies in each and every member state. Therefore, it provides that companies formed thereunder will be eligible in the country where they operate, regardless of the composition of their capital, for the very same treatment accorded entirely domestic companies in relation to: Internal taxation; Access to internal credit; Access to incentives or advantages regarding national, regional or sectorial industrial promotion; and Access to public sector purchases and contracts.
Additionally, it was established that the goods and services produced by Binational Companies will enjoy priority status, and be tantamount to those of domestic companies with regard to implementation by both governments of bilateral undertakings developed to foster economic integration and cooperation. Another advantage that the bylaws afford is greater flexibility with capital transfers and respective transfers of funds between Argentina and Brazil, as well as entitling investors in these countries with holdings in a Binational Company headquartered in either country to freely transfer after paying any outstanding taxes the profits from their investment, provided that these profits are distributed proportionately among the investors, as well as to repatriate their holdings in the capital of the Binational Company, with due regard for the provisions applicable to each individual country. The branches and subsidiaries of Binational Companies set up in the other country will also have this same entitlement with regard to net profits.
The bylaws provide that, even in the event of exchange difficulties and foreign payments, the governments of both countries will not impose any restrictions on the free transfer of net profits earned in their joint undertakings. Finally, the bylaws provide that the governments of both countries will take such action as is necessary to facilitate international staff transfers for the Binational Companies, mainly with regard to ease of obtainment of authorization for permanent or temporary residency, and reciprocal accreditation of professional certificates and diplomas. The formation of Binational Companies in Brazilian territory requires the obtainment of a provisional certificate, and documentation issued by the Commercial Policy Office (an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism). In order to obtain this, the investors in the Binational Company should submit the following documentation to this office: An agreement stipulating the conditions on which the Binational Companies will be organized and will operate, including obligatory information as to:
Furthermore, whenever a private-law legal entity from either of the two countries participates, its legal representative must also submit a statement saying that the majority of the company capital and votes, as well as the actual administrative and technological control, are directly or indirectly held by private- or public-law legal entities from either of the countries. Subsequent to the issue of the definite certificate, the Commercial Policy Office will notify such issuance to the authorities in the Republic of Argentina designated to act as the investment authorities, and will have the decision published in the Official Gazette of the Federal Executive
The Commercial Policy Office will also be charged with keeping the Binational Company register updated with information on all companies formed in both Argentina and Brazil, monitoring the provisions of the bylaws of the Binational Companies by the companies headquartered in Brazil. Any infractions of these bylaws or Brazilian law committed by a Binational Company headquartered in Brazil could disqualify the company vis-ŕ-vis the Commercial Policy Office, which would entail loss of the prerogatives set forth in the Binational Company Bylaws, without prejudice to any other legal measures that might apply.
Prior to entering into the Asuncion Treaty, Argentina and Brazil signed on May 17, 1980 a treaty intended to avoid a double tax burden with regard to investments made in either country, as well as to avoid tax evasion in income tax matters. This treaty took effect on November 7, 1982 (two years after execution), with an official exchange of the instruments of ratification approved by the governments of both countries.
As a result, since 1982 any income earned by Indviduals investors resident or headquartered in either country as a result of investments in the other country that is taxed in the contry of the investment is will be exempt from income tax in the country of residence of the investor.
Go to the Treaty of Acuncion and Protocol of Ouro Preto
For more information on MERCOSUR visit its home page: http://www.americasnet.com/mauritz/mercosur/english/index.html
or read Inter-American Development Bank's article on MERCOSUR.
Globalization and Workers' Rights
Labour Office


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Live Music Week happens bi-annually at WERS to raise money to keep our station running. We ask if you can pledge your support in order to keep us live on air, bringing you live performances from your favorite musicians. Pledges can be made here.
Sarah Jarosz could almost be considered a wunderkind when you take into account the large body of work the 22-year-old singer-songwriter has already created. In 2009 she released her first album, Song Up in Her Head, moved away from her hometown of Wimberley, Texas, and enrolled at the New England Conservatory of Music. Since then, she has released one more studio album, 2011's Follow Me Down, been featured in publications such as NPR and Rolling Stone, and was nominated for a Grammy in 2010. She even stopped by WERS early last year and performed a solo set with just her octave mandolin. This time she was backed by two musicians: Nat Smith on the cello and Alex Hargreaves on the acoustic guitar; Jarosz assumed her previous role on the octave mandolin. Her latest album, Build Me Up From Bones, was released last September and she treated us to three excellent new cuts off of it.
Jarosz started off with her newest single, "Over The Edge." While the album cut of the song is roughly-hewn thanks to a handful of dirty slide guitars, her version today was sweeter yet still retained some of that initial grit. The song's dusty melody instantly set the scene, sounding a lot like a bleak desert with her siren call of "hanging out, hanging out over the edge" echoing in the background.
Her next song was the album's namesake and featured a much more gorgeous vocal melody and thoughtful additions from Smith on the cello. The song itself was nicely arranged and slowly built up to the lovelorn line: "I made time when time was all but gone. You're the love I've always known." There is a certain sadness to Jarosz's music, but she has a talent of turning that sadness into a beautiful creature.
Her last song was "Mile On The Moon." While the other two songs she played displayed strong leanings towards country and folk, this song was definitely reminiscent of an older style of music; namely the 70's brand of MOR and soft rock. Hargreave's acoustic guitar give this song a nice rhythmic backing while Jarosz laid down another sweet melody. Her songwriting is very subtle; there is a certain beauty to the way her songs slowly unfold and give the listener a vivid sense of scenery.
Jarosz's current tour stretches out across most of the United States. She recently stopped in Cambridge at the Sinclair and her tour reaches most of the east coast as well as a handful of stops in the mid-west including a sold out show at New York's Rockwood Music Hall. Build Me Up From Bones, her newest release, was produced by Gary Paczosa (who worked on Jarosz's last two records) and features much more prominent additions from Hargreaves and Smith. Jarosz said she made it a point to feature her bandmates that she has been touring with for the better half of three years. If her performance at WERS is a sign of things to come, you can expect big things from Jarosz.
If you liked this, check out:
Tristen Live In Studio
Frightened Rabbit Live In Studio

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This kit represents a typical timber derrick. Closely associated with
railroading they were used for general construction, railroad shops, loading coal,
sand and gravel, stone quarry work, bridge building and heavy manufacturing
like boiler making, etc. just to name a few.
Like the prototype this kit can be customized to fit the situation
and space requirements.
Related Kits:
Can be used with the Lifting Magnet


text:
Shop Nebraska Cornhuskers Apparel and Merchandise for Huskers Fans and Alumni
HOME Nebraska Cornhuskers Gear Nebraska Cornhuskers Ladies Nebraska Cornhuskers Ladies Long Sleeve (98 items) Product ID: 801274
Main Content
You are one hardcore chick. Before you head out to game day, you can't help sneaking in a pregame workout – a few sets of pushups, some reps of crunches, and a quick run around the block. Boast that determined spirit with some Nebraska pride when you throw on the Graphic Too tee from adidas. This V-neck tee features the school name and "In the Deed the Glory" lettering screen printed across the front above a school wordmark. It also has ClimaLITE technology to wick away moisture from the body using light, breathable fabrics to enhance your workout. With your Huskers pride clearly printed across the front, this lightweight tee will amplify your game day spirit as you cheer on Nebraska into the night!
- 100% Polyester fabric
- ClimaLITE technology for ultimate comfort
- Imported
- Officially licensed Cornhuskers tee
- Screen print graphics
- Tagless collar
- V-neck
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Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


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Future of Internet Power
While data centers play an important role in the sustainability solutions made possible through computing, they have significant impacts of their own, driving around 1-2 percent of electricity use in the U.S. Many data center operators have responded with strong commitments to energy efficiency.
But when managing the climate impacts of data centers, efficiency has a "twin" that operators must also consider: the source of energy powering them, such as renewables, natural gas, or coal. This energy source can multiply or undermine the climate benefits gained from efficiencies of computing and the efficiencies within the centers themselves. Unlike facility efficiency programs, which face few externally-imposed barriers, company efforts to drive low-carbon sustainable energy sourcing have been met with many challenges.
There are several reasons for this. This first is complexity: For companies to play a meaningful role in advancing low-carbon energy, that energy should be additional (it wouldn't have been generated anyway), accountable (it conforms to standard reporting), and scalable (it is capable of being easily expanded). Second, making these investments requires collaborating with utilities, which often have regulatory disincentives to do so. And, even once the aforementioned issues are resolved, low-carbon energy often comes at a price premium when compared to more traditional sources of energy that have environmental externalities that are not reflected in their costs.
In order to address these obstacles, BSR has established Future of Internet Power, a group of leading technology companies that will share and promote best practices and develop a platform for driving low-carbon, sustainable power for data centers in collaboration with select utilities and policymakers.
- 1: Increase the level of corporate ownership in sustainable, low-carbon power generation that is additional to "business as usual," both on- and off-site.
- 2: Enhance stakeholder understanding about the issues, impacts, constraints, and opportunities for the industry to promote low-carbon sustainable energy sources.
- 3: Collaborate with utilities to create workable, win-win solutions that promote advances in low-carbon power.
Our Activities
- Identification of best practices and opportunities
Developing a common understanding of opportunity areas for data center operators to address obstacles to collaboration with utilities and policymakers in driving new low-carbon, sustainable power in select locations
- Engagement, education, and alignment
Facilitating stakeholder forums to promote greater awareness, understanding, and alignment among internal and external stakeholders on shared opportunities
- Coalition development
Creating a network of experts and advocates to pursue public-policy advocacy initiatives, and the establishment of a buyer's group for developing collaborative investments in sustainable, low-carbon power generation.
Company Partners
- Adobe
- eBay
- salesforce.com
- Symantec
- Report: Intelligent Low-Carbon Power Sourcing for Data Centers
- BSR Insight: The Future of Internet Power
- BSR Insight: Taking Ethics to the Cloud
- BSR Insight: Burning at Both Ends: Understanding Energy's Two Major—and Opposite—Climate Trends
- BSR Insight: Climate 2.0: What Is Expected of Business Now?


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Organize your porn! Create a collection today!
Use the "Add to Collection" icon in the top right corner of any video thumbnail when you're logged in (desktop version of site only) or directly from a video page with the "Add to Collection" button under each video.
- Rating:
- (4 ratings)
- Duration:
- 19min46sec
- Views:
- 12,816
- Date:
- April 7, 2009
- That tall, slim and hung hunk Richard Cynderblock is back. After making his rounds on our other sites, we decided to let Richard get some feminine action.Being the straight guy that he is, he had absolutely no problem with that. Who'd we hook him up with? None other than the beautiful, petite Ruby Knox. Sit back and enjoy as Richard Cynderblock get sucked and then fucks his way to stardom, ending in a HUGE load all over Ruby's slender body. Enjoy!


text:
Dr. Mojgan Tavakoli, MD
Podiatric Medicine, Foot & Ankle Center - Plano Frisco
- 4461 Coit Rd Ste 409
Frisco, TX 75035
- 1 Office Location
- Email a Friend
- (972) 712-7773
Dr. Mojgan Tavakoli is a practicing physician. Dr. Tavakoli practices medicine in Frisco, TX and specializes in Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Tavakoli is affiliated with Centennial Medical Center, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Of Plano, Baylor Medical Center At Frisco and The Medical Center Of Plano. Dr. Tavakoli speaks English, German and Spanish.
Gender: Not Available
Years in Practice: Not Available
Languages Spoken: English, German, Spanish
Medical School: Not Available
Graduation Date: Not Available
Hospital Affiliations: Centennial Medical Center, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Of Plano, Baylor Medical Center At Frisco, The Medical Center Of Plano
Specialties: Podiatric Medicine
©2005-2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.


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Never wear your hair loose. I learned that lesson the painful way while trying to capture photographs of bees gathering pollen from the sweet-smelling almond blossoms in full bloom.
Roasted, coated in chocolate or in popcorn. Almonds are available in every which way.
The month of February is not only known for the matters of the heart on Valentine's Day, it is also dedicated to heart health among men and women. With February being American Heart Month, raising awareness about heart disease and its dangers is essential to help prevention.
Everyone has heard of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, through medical TV shows or from real-life experiences; but not enough know how to perform it during an emergency. The American Heart Association estimates that about 30 percent of the population is able to perform CPR in a critical situation.
WALNUT GROVE - An easy drive and great food.
WALNUT GROVE - Want a romantic Sunday brunch with a touch of Italy?
With Valentine's Day a week away, planning a romantic evening for your loved one can be a daunting task. The traditional dinner and movie can often become tiresome options for couples who have been in a relationship for some time. Think outside the box this Valentine's Day with an unforgettable evening you can both enjoy.
"The best things happen while you're dancing;" or so the old Irving Berlin song goes. To make this Valentine's holiday weekend a trip through the light fantastic, join the Modesto Ballroom Club for a special evening event.
The name exudes romance, Old World charm, tradition, and history – The Victorian Gold Bed and Breakfast. This eight-bedroom inn located in the heart of historic Jamestown in the Sierra Foothills was built in the 1890s, but offers every modern amenity there is to make your visit both memorable and comfortable. These creature comforts include central heating and air conditioning, private baths, plus television and Internet access. Even the rooms are named after different rose varieties which further heighten the romantic ambience of the Victorian Gold. In fact, the inn has been the setting for weddings with complete packages to suit ...
LODI - Wine and Roses in Lodi can easily be described as being luxurious, elegant and intimate as a romantic venue in the Central Valley as well as being a desired location for business meetings.
Culture is alive and booming at California State University Stanislaus this spring with a series of events that community members can enjoy.
STOCKTON – He's the National Basketball Association all-time leading scorer not to mention best-selling author and historian.
STOCKTON – The sound of a symphony playing some of Broadway's biggest hits.
MODESTO - What do George Lucas and Kim Komenich have in common?
MERCED - Just as winter is winding down, Merced College is heating things up with a slew of community events that the general public can enjoy this spring.
"Eat your vegetables!" This is the message that greets diners at the door to the GK Mongolian Barbecue on South Main Street in Manteca.
MODESTO – Alright. We get it. You don't want a steak and you don't want chicken and fresh salmon – covered in lemon and butter and roasted over an open flame in foil – is out as well.
Greek cuisine is ideally suited to vegetarians and vegans.
The Canal Street Grille in Ripon is not without sumptuous non-meat, vegetarian selections in its lengthy menu of more than 60 items including steaks and prime rib.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Onetime 007 Pierce Brosnan embraces a darker take on spycraft in Roger Donaldson's "The November Man," playing a former CIA agent whose autumnal nickname acknowledges his tendency to leave few alive when he passes through a town. A familiar string of dark secrets, shifting allegiances and (wo)man-who-knew-too-much pursuit propels the storyline (adapted from one in a series of Bill Granger novels), giving Brosnan the opportunity to prove his cool remains intact, sans tux and gadgets. "November Man" won't do anything like Bond's box office, but will satisfy the actor's fans and moviegoers ...
LOS ANGELES (AP) - "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here," is the inscription uncovered by a gang of 20-something treasure hunters in the catacomb-hopping horror flick, "As Above, So Below." But the warning could easily apply to viewers checking out this rather hopeless mash-up of "The Descent" and "(Rec)," not to mention a dozen other found-footage movies that have clogged the screens over the last five years.


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Yair Emanuel Challah Cover with Various Symbols of Creation in Raw Silk
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This Yair Emanuel Challah cover adds grace to any Shabbat dinner table with a dynamic depiction of the creation. Read more
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This amazing unique creation has been wonderfully hand-crafted by Yair Emanuel. In a circular fashion each day of Creation has been beautifully colored in bright blues, reds and purples and yellows. The Tree of Life is features at the top surrounded by blue waves, the sun, moon and stars as well as yellow embroidered fish and pink flowers. A lovely rectangular inlay has been sewn and has the words "Shabbat and Yom Tov" written in Hebrew.
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text:
My little brother got into outer space and stuff so my step-mom bought him a place mat with all the planets on it. When I first saw it, I was upset, because it was newer and so Pluto wasn't labeled. I was about to say something when I noticed something…
Pluto is there.
The artist remembered Pluto.
The artist drew Pluto crying.
istari replied to your photoset: Some pictures I took during a storm last night.
istari replied to your photoset: Some pictures I took during a storm last night.
Thanks! It was a good storm. Loud thunder, bright lightning - just the way it should be.
napoleon bonaparte
more like napoleon BORN2PARTY
Clark Gregg on West Wing as an FBI agent.
The man does love his government-issued suits.
Finished the first season of The West Wing. Plus the first two episodes of the second season, because fuck.
This is putting up some fierce competition for my favorite show ever.
May is Mental Health Month
This post from the USA.gov Tumblr reminded me that I wanted to say something quick about mental health.
I've struggled with depression and anxiety disorder for most of my life. During most of that time, I basically had no hope of my life ever improving. But it did. Things absolutely do get better. I'll never be "cured" per se, but I'm at a place where it's all manageable and it doesn't control my life. Feels great, man.
If you're going through some stuff, try to remember that you're not alone.
(Everyone: I encourage you to share your own experiences. It could help somebody.)
There are few effective treatments as universal as talking to somebody.
Sometimes I try to argue with people on the internet, and then I get sad.
Gordon Food Service Working Conditions for Retail Sales Associate
Thank you for the information, GFS. I had not intended on seeing, hearing, or reaching with my hands and arms.
Final 1600 word paper: Done.
Time to start studying for my exam in 7 and a half hours.
idontevenwhat replied to your post: So I just finished rereading Book IV of Plato's…
idontevenwhat replied to your post: So I just finished rereading Book IV of Plato's…
dude, you're allowed to disagree with Plato. That's the point of Socrates, he makes you think about things for himself and doesn't always say what he means. You're allowed to call philosophers out when they say things that don't make sense.
Yeah, I know. It just feels wrong to disagree with the "father of Western philosophy," especially as a college student with exactly two (but really only one) philosophy classes under my belt. But I know that there's nothing actually wrong with it. It's just a bit weird to me.
So I just finished rereading Book IV of Plato's Republic.
I spent a lot of the time thinking, "Wait, what? But… why are you saying that? That doesn't make sense."
And I feel kind of bad about it.
Because he's Plato.
And I'm not.


text:
paperartichokes replied to your post: I love how metastuck is kinda almost sorta canon…
is it definitely?? or are we reading into it? i think i missed something last night..?
I mean, I'm certainly reading into it, but that's why I put all the qualifiers on the statement. It might just be coincidence, for sure.
I know halftruth was aware of metastuck during the hiatus, and now we have the cheerful obscured-gender shipping fanfic-writer UU and the angry impatient wants-Dirk-to-draw-weird-porn uu, so…
- mysterydruids likes this
- c1qfxugcgy0 said: Mother of god.
- c1qfxugcgy0 likes this
- rocketmantis posted this
Short URL for this post: http://tmblr.co/ZIM5twHIOOtr


text: Break-ups are hard enough to handle, but add the technology component, and that gives a jilted ex just the tools he needs to take stalking and harassment to a whole new level. At first the creepy comments on your Facebook page might seem desperate, but then things take a scary turn and he's tracking your every move and posting threats. Your safety (and online presence) depends on maintaining control of your Internet experience and social media tools. Here's how to avoid being cyber-bullied or cyber-stalked by your ex.Read Full Story


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Israeli security forces stand guard in the southern city of Ashkelon... News Photo 162674793Ashkelon,City,Conflict,Fire,Force,Gaza Strip,Guarding,Horizontal,Israel,Israeli,Missile,Security,Strike,Ties,WarPhotographer DAVID BUIMOVITCHCollection: AFP 2013 AFPIsraeli security forces stand guard in the southern city of Ashkelon on February 26, 2013 after a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed near the city in the first such strike since a November truce. The rocket fell near Ashkelon and did some damage to a road, without hurting anyone, police said. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images)


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Word: centrifugar
Added on: 2009-04-25 Listened: 12 timesin: verbos
Pronunciation in Interlingua [ia] Back to Interlingua
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- Random word: planger
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centrifugar = centrifuge
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Along with Go and Chess, Backgammon is reckoned to be one of the oldest games in existence. It was originally thought to have been played about 5,000 years ago and seems to have originated in what today we call Iraq - though it was then known as Mesopotamia. Equally, real-time online backgammon play was just as quick off the mark with the first internet backgammon server coming online being established in 1992. However, the online game has come a long way since those days. BackgammonAce is an exciting, fast and free game application for iOS and Android that turns the ... Read more
Big business has whole departments to follow up on any business leads in order to take them to fruition. They run vast CRM's that are overflowing with features and make sure that they do everything in their power to nurture even the merest hint of a lead and turn it into a business opportunity. That's not so easy if you are a freelancer, an entrepreneur or a small businessperson who might not have the time or the resources to follow things up quite as efficiently. Nectar is an easy-to-use and very manageable lead tracking solution that is designed for those ... Read more
While we rely on the Internet for so many different things, one of its downfalls is, without a doubt, it's inability to show its personal side - especially in the hiring of professionals to do a particular job. This is particularly evident in business where facts and figures may tell one story but fail to take into account the compatibility factor, amongst other things. In truth, no matter how many ways we professionals try to sell ourselves online, there is absolutely nothing that has the effect of a word-of-mouth recommendation. ProfectMarket is a new marketplace for business and individuals that ... Read more
It has always left me totally flummoxed that it costs such a lot to produce true legal documents. Wills are probably the most perplexing. I've never quite worked out why such a small piece of paper can cost so much and, one has to wonder, is this a fiendish plot by lawyers who are trying to hold on to a nice little cash cow for themselves. LawDeal is a new and totally free legal document creator that puts a dent into legal fees by letting you create your own legal forms quickly and easily. Have you ever needed to ... Read more
The introduction of the computer systems has been such a boon to business over the last twenty years or so that it's impossible to envisage life without them. But with them comes other problems - especially now that every man and his dog seems to belong to some form of social network. There is always the temptation for them to log into their Facebook or Twitter account, play online games or, God forbid, watch porn sites and waste the time that you are paying them for. So, how can you monitor what they are doing behind their computer screens and ... Read more
If you are lucky enough to have all your software development team in the one place you are probably in the minority these days. You will find that many will collaborate on projects with other developers that can be based anywhere else in the world. The problem arises for management teams when they are looking for development transparency on work done. Devizan is a cloud-based, software development application that will help when you need to check a project's state (at any point in its history,) changes made during development, maintenance phases or its documentation. Rather than showing screenshots or keyboard ... Read more
Many may have scorned the 3D role playing adventure games that have cropped up over the last few years but i bet there wouldn't be many of those same wowsers and naysayers who would have thought that games like Tomb Raider and Myst would lead us to an app like this 3D event designer. Events Clique's 3D Event Designer is a staggeringly beautiful, extremely fast and very easy to use event design application that lets you create realistic 3D room layouts for everything from weddings and anniversaries to conferences and corporate events. It lets you create, decorate, organize, drag and ... Read more
CloudBase Inventory Management Software is, as is suggested, a way of keeping track of your inventory and knowing how much it s worth but without the need to download any expensive software or keep a detailed database as everything is simplified by keeping the information in the cloud. CloudBase is a ridiculously easy to use, very powerful and user-friendly way of intuitively knowing how much stock you are carrying. It serves as an excellent inventory tracking and management system and also as a Point Of Sale application as it logs your product as it comes in or goes out - ... Read more
One of the main things that prevents some businesses increasing their online presence is the time that it takes to actually put the package together. There are any number of free apps knocking around that give you the ability to create your advertising page together but the problem lies in finding the content to flesh it out and keep your visitors interested. ContentForest is an easy way to solve that problem. This marketing application gives access to some of the best authors and bloggers in their specific industries around the world. Get them to write all the content you need ... Read more
They say that the only way you can really master another language is by conversing with native speakers in a one-on-one situation. This, however, can be an expensive and time consuming business. However, given that so many of us have webcams connected to our computers these days, it seems like a sensible idea to hone your language skills up online. Fluently takes advantage of this by offering 30 minute language learning sessions - with native speakers with a shared interest, no less - at probably the cheapest rates that you will find. Fluentify connects language learners with real native ... Read more


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Five Facts You Need to Know about the Rapture
Sermon shared by Shawn Rose
September 2008
Summary: The rapture of the church is near, and there are some things we should know about it.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:3 (add scripture)
Tags: Rapture, Premillennialism (add tag)
Denomination: Baptist
Audience: Seeker adults
About Sermon Contributor
Shawn Rose
Plum Grove Baptist Church
More Sermons from Shawn
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 � 5:3
� July 4, 1776, United States declares its independence from Great Britain
� October 11, 1492, Columbus discovers America
� September 11, 2001, terrorists attack the US
� August 15, 1945, Japan surrenders, ending WWII
� January 20, 1981, Reagan takes office as 40th president
� All these events are historical facts; they have already happened; we know the date
� One day in our future, Jesus will return and rapture the church; after it happens, that day will be a historical fact as well
� I believe that the rapture could happen in our lifetime, so we should know something about it
� 5 facts you need to know about the rapture
I. Christ will return. (4:16)
� The time is not known.
o Matthew 25:13 �Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.�
� It will be sudden.
o Matthew 24:27 �For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.�
� It can happen at any time.
o Acts 1:11 ��Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.�
� There are no prophecies that must be fulfilled so that the rapture can take place�it�s the next thing on God�s calendar
II. There will be a resurrection of believers. (4:14 � 16)
� �in Christ� � NT saints
� �asleep� because they will live forever
� Paul, Stephen, Peter, Matthew, loved ones that were saved
� Doesn�t matter if beheaded, killed in war, old age, drowning, burned to death, heart attack
� Doesn�t matter if buried, cremated, or lost at sea
� Will be given a new body
III. There will be a catching away of living believers. (4:17)
� �Rapture� means �catching away�
� Not only saints that have passed on, but also those who are alive and saved
� 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 �Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.�
� Farmer takes family to big city for 1st time, drops wife off at department store, and takes his son to bank, tallest building in city, sees doors open, large elderly woman gets in, numbers over door count from one to 20 and back to one, beautiful young woman gets out, �Son wait here, I�m going to go get your mother.�
� Includes children that have not reached accountability and those with a cognitive delay
� Ever lost a child? Imagine all of your children gone without a trace. Your grandkids are gone. Can�t find nieces or nephews. Schools are empty. No children anywhere in the world.
� World normally turns to Christians when they need help�there will be none.
IV. Those that are left behind will suffer the judgment of God. (5:1 � 3)
� Matthew 24:6 � 8, 21, 29, 33 �And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. For then shall be great tribulation,
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News and Articles About Crowdfunding
Avoid These 5 Crowdfunding Mistakes
Don't fall into these traps when organizing and launching your crowdfunding campaign.
What Does a Multibillion-Dollar Corporation Want With Crowdfunding?
Equity crowdfunding company Circle Up announces a partnership with the behemoth Johnson & Johnson.
Staples Wants You to Crowdfund Your Way Onto Its Shelves
Staples and crowdfunding site Fundable have teamed up to launch a contest for entrepreneurs.
A Device to Help You Sleep Better Raises Almost $500K in Two Days on Kickstarter
James Proud, a former Thiel Fellow, has come up with a sleep-tracking system that is getting lots of love from the crowd.
This Hard Rock Hotel Just Raised $1.5 Million Through Crowdfunding
Eighty-five investors can now say they own part of The Hard Rock Hotel in downtown Palm Springs, Calif.
This Faceless Watch Has Raised $400,000 on Indiegogo
The Ritot team set out to raise $50,000 through crowdfunding and has earned it almost eight times over.
Crowdfunding's New Self-Serve Options and Tools
New tech solutions enable companies to launch campaigns on their own portal when raising money.
Kickstarter Wrote a Computer Program For Its 'Lunch Roulette.' And Now It's Sharing the Code.
The crowdfunding platform got organized and made its lunchtime team-building routine into a few lines of computer code.
Why Entrepreneurs Are Jumping on the Drinkable Meal Bandwagon
Entrepreneurs' drive to be on the edge of innovation is leading to a new market for super-food slurries that aim to revolutionize eating as we know it.
4 Kickstarter Campaigns You Won't Believe Actually Succeeded
Zack Danger Browns ludicrous $72,000 potato salad isnt the weirdest and wackiest dud in the crowdfunding bunch to strike gold.
Potential Game Changer for Funding Awaits Final Approval From SEC
Provision of JOBS Act could change how businesses raise capital. But it faces regulations that could make it useless.
The 10 Most Funded Kickstarter Campaigns Ever
A look at the 10 ventures that have raised the most money on the popular crowdfunding website to date.
Reading Rainbow Breaks Record for Most Backers on Kickstarter and the Campaign Isnt Over Yet
A good cause + nostalgia + that song = over 100,000 backers who have raised nearly $5 million dollars for the project on the platform so far.
Here's Why YouTube Video Creators Are About to Make a Lot of Money
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Is 'Crypto-Equity' the Next Big Thing in Raising Money for Your Business?
If the team behind Swarm gets its way, its Bitcoin-based crowdfunding platform will be seen by entrepreneurs as 'Kickstarter on steroids.'
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Why the Wallet Is the Perfect Product for Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platform Kickstarter released a manifesto that explores why campaigns involving wallets, money clips and card holders are so popular on the site.
How to Stay Sane During a Crowdfunding Campaign
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Crowdfunding Can Be Really Effective -- If You Know What You're Doing
This source of raising capital can secure significant cash for a startup as well as publicity and contacts.
Why I Pivoted My Fundraising Strategy
Hint: Its not because I ran out of money.
Crowdfunding Growing at a Startling Rate, New Report Says
An analysis on the relatively new world of crowdfunding provides many answers to common questions.
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Crowdfunding Platform Raises $4 Million to Fund Its Own Growth By -- You Guessed It! -- Crowdfunding.
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A roundup of useful tips and best practices for creating a campaign that meets or exceeds its funding goal.
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Buffalo, NY (WKBW) - Buffalo Police have made an arrest in the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Dominique Maye. Maye was shot and killed in September while working on homework inside her Hewitt Avenue home. Detectives say more than a dozen shots were fired toward the house from an assault rifle. Wednesday, Buffalo Police Detectives arrested 24-year-old Kevin Davis II and charged him with 2nd Degree Murder. Maye was a student at Riverside High School.
"You had a 15-year-old girl doing her homework, bothering no one with a future who's now gone. Totally senseless (murder)," said Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
Buffalo Police say tips from the public and good police work led to the arrest of Davis. He remains behind bars until his next court appearance which is scheduled for next week.


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Palestinian unity government will recognize Israel: Abbas
RAMALLAH, West Bank
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signaled on Saturday that he remains committed to troubled U.S.-backed peace talks, saying that any unity government agreed with the militant group Hamas would recognize Israel.
Abbas's comments appeared aimed at soothing U.S. concerns about the unity deal he reached on Wednesday with Hamas, an Islamist faction sworn to Israel's destruction and designated by the West as a terrorist organization.
Israel suspended peace negotiations with Abbas after the reconciliation pact, and the United States said it would reconsider annual aid to the Palestinians worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
"The government would be under my command and my policy," Abbas told senior leaders of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) at his presidential headquarters in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.
"Its purview will be what happens domestically. I recognize Israel and it would recognize Israel. I reject violence and terrorism," he said.
The deal between Hamas and Abbas's Fatah party envisions agreement on a government of independent technocrats within five weeks and elections at least six months later.
Hamas's opposition to Israel does not necessarily contradict Abbas's position, as both sides have agreed that the unity government will not include Hamas members but be comprised of technocrats.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out talks with such a government.
"That's the oldest trick in the book. It's called the front office-back office gambit," he said, in which "shady organizations" put forward "smooth-talking frontmen - the men in suits," Netanyahu said in an interview with MSNBC on Thursday,
"We will not sit and negotiate with a Palestinian government that is backed by Hamas in which Hamas has effective share of power," Netanyahu said.
Hamas on Saturday said it would not change its stance on Israel. "The recognition of Israel by the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, is not new. What is important is that Hamas did not and will never recognize Israel," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters.
Abbas seeks a Palestinian state in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, lands Israel captured in a 1967 war.
Hamas, which seized control of Gaza from Abbas's secular Fatah in a brief 2007 civil war, retains thousands of fighters and an arsenal of rockets. It has fought repeated battles with Israel since it took control of the enclave.
A senior U.S. official said on Thursday that a unity government formed with Hamas could call into question some $500 million in their annual security and budget aid to Abbas.
A future Palestinian government must "unambiguously and explicitly commit to non-violence, recognition of the state of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations between the parties," the official told Reuters.
Hamas and Fatah have in recent years agreed similar unity deals, that were not eventually implemented. Israeli lawmaker Tzachi Hanegbi, a confidant of Netanyahu, said on Saturday that such a scenario was likely and that it left the door open for talks to resume.
"If the agreement falls through then we come back, the Palestinians know what the Israeli-American proposal is (for restarting negotiations), it can be decided on and talks can be renewed," Hanegbi told Channel Two's Meet the Press.
The Israeli-Palestinian peace talks had shown little sign of progress since they began in July and the United States had been struggling in the past few weeks to extend negotiations beyond an original April 29 deadline for a peace accord.
Abbas said he was open to resuming the talks and pushing on beyond the deadline, as long as Israel met long-standing demands to free prisoners and halt settlement building on occupied land.
"How can we restart the talks? There's no obstacle to us restarting the talks but the 30 prisoners need to be released," Abbas said. "We will present our map ... until the map is agreed upon, all settlement activity must cease completely," he said.
But an Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Abbas was "recycling previous terms he knows Israel has not accepted, after he had, time and again in the past month, refused to move forward in the negotiations."
Talks veered toward collapse after Israel failed to release a final group of Palestinian prisoners it had promised to free in March, and after Abbas signed several international treaties, which Israel said was a unilateral move towards statehood.
The peace talks resumed in July after a three-year deadlock. The two sides were at odds over Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, activity most countries deem illegal, and over Abbas's refusal to accept a demand by Netanyahu that he recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
(Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Stephen Powell)
/so all the settlement freeze hysteria for the last year would have no effect on the boundaryies of a Palestinian nation.
//no whether either side would swap land to try to come up with contiguous borders is another question, but it not about building permits in the settlements.
///so Abbas just what did the negotiations accomplish so far? if you got your map , why did you not just propose this is palestine and be done with it? because you wanted land you will never get and was never owned by palestine.
"(AGI) Ramallah, April 26 – Palestinians will never recognise Israel as the 'Jewish' state, president Mahmud Abbas said on Saturday, when his leadership convened after Israel halted peace talks. Abbas told members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation's Central Council that although they had recognised Israel in 1993, the Palestinians should not be forced to go a step further and recognise Israel's religious identity."
So yesterday Abbas says the opposite, if you claim that he is consistent, then why is Palestine an Islamic Nation under islamic law, check out the Palestinian Charter.
Abu Mazzen Natural Born Hypocrite.
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