text:
Is it one minute to midnight in Europe?
We fear that the German government's policy of doing "too little too late" risks a repeat of precisely the crisis of the mid-20th century that European integration was designed to avoid.
We find it extraordinary that it should be Germany, of all countries, that is failing to learn from history. Fixated on the non-threat of inflation, today's Germans appear to attach more importance to 1923 (the year of hyperinflation) than to 1933 (the year democracy died). They would do well to remember how a European banking crisis two years before 1933 contributed directly to the breakdown of democracy not just in their own country but right across the European continent.
We have warned for more than three years that continental Europe needs to clean up its banks' woeful balance sheets. Next to nothing has been done. In the meantime, a silent run on the banks of the eurozone periphery has been under way for two years now: cross-border, interbank and wholesale funding has rolled off and been substituted with European Central Bank financing; and "smart money" – large uninsured deposits of wealthy individuals – has quietly departed Greek and other "Club Med" banks.
But now the public is finally losing faith and the silent run may spread to smaller insured deposits. Indeed, if Greece were to leave the eurozone, a deposit freeze would occur and euro deposits would be converted into new drachmas: so a euro in a Greek bank really is not equivalent to a euro in a German bank. Greeks have withdrawn more than €700m from their banks in the past month.
More worryingly, there was also a surge in withdrawals from some Spanish banks last month. The government's bungled bailout of Bankia has only heightened public anxiety. On a recent visit to Barcelona, one of us was repeatedly asked if it was safe to leave money in a Spanish bank. This kind of process is potentially explosive. What today is a leisurely "bank jog" could easily become a sprint for the exits. In the event of a Greek exit, rational people would ask: who is next?
The way out of this crisis seems clear. First, there needs to be a programme of direct recapitalisation – via preferred non-voting shares – of eurozone banks, in the periphery and the core, by the European Financial Stability Facility and its successor, the European Stability Mechanism.
The current approach of recapitalising the banks by the sovereigns borrowing from domestic bond markets – and/or the EFSF – has been a disaster in Ireland and Greece: it has led to a surge of public debt and made the sovereign even more insolvent while making banks more risky as an increasing amount of the debt is in their hands.
Second, to avoid a run on eurozone banks – a certainty in the case of a Greek exit and likely in any case – an EU-wide system of deposit insurance needs to be created.
To reduce moral hazard (and the equity and credit risk taken by eurozone taxpayers), several additional measures should also be implemented.
The deposit insurance scheme has to be funded by appropriate bank levies: this could be a financial transaction tax or, better, a charge on all bank liabilities.
There needs to be a bank resolution scheme in which unsecured creditors of banks – both junior and senior – would take a hit before taxpayer money is used.
Measures to limit the size of banks to avoid the too-big-to-fail problem need to be taken.
We also favour an EU-wide system of supervision and regulation.
It is true that European-wide deposit insurance will not work if there is a continued risk of a country leaving the eurozone.
Guaranteeing deposits in euros would be expensive as the departing country would need to convert all euro claims into a national currency, which would swiftly depreciate against the euro. On the other hand, a deposit insurance scheme that holds only if a country doesn't leave will be incapable of stopping a bank run. So, more needs to be done to reduce the probability of eurozone exits.
Structural reforms that boost productivity growth should be accelerated. And economic growth needs to be jump-started. The policies to achieve this include further monetary easing by the ECB, a weaker euro, some fiscal stimulus in the core, more bottleneck-reducing and supply-stimulating infrastructure spending in the periphery (preferably with some kind of "golden rule" for public investment), and wage increases above productivity in the core to boost income and consumption.
Finally, given the unsustainably high public debts and borrowing costs of certain member states, we see no alternative to some kind of debt mutualisation.
There are currently a number of different proposals for eurozone bonds. Among them, the German Council of Economic Advisers' proposal for a European redemption fund is to be preferred – not because it is optimal but because it is the only one that can assuage German concerns about taking on too much credit risk.
The ERF is a temporary programme that does not lead to permanent eurozone bonds. It is supported by appropriate collateral and seniority for the fund and has strong conditionality. The main risk is that any proposal acceptable to Germany would imply such a loss of sovereignty over fiscal policy that it would be unacceptable to the periphery, particularly Italy and Spain. Giving up some sovereignty is inevitable. However, there is a difference between federalism and "neo-colonialism" – as a senior figure put it to us at a meeting of the Nicolas Berggruen Institute in Rome.
Until recently, the German position has been relentlessly negative on all such proposals. We understand German concerns about moral hazard. Putting German taxpayers' money on the line will be hard to justify if meaningful reforms do not materialise on the periphery. But such reforms are bound to take time. Structural reform of the German labour market was hardly an overnight success. By contrast, the European banking crisis is a real hazard that could escalate in days.
Germans must understand that bank recapitalisation, European deposit insurance and debt mutualisation are not optional; they are essential to avoid an irreversible disintegration of Europe's monetary union. If they are still not convinced, they must understand that the costs of a eurozone break-up would be astronomically high – for themselves as much as anyone.
After all, Germany's prosperity is in large measure a consequence of monetary union. The euro has given German exporters a far more competitive exchange rate than the old Deutschmark would have. And the rest of the eurozone remains the destination for 42 per cent of German exports. Plunging half of that market into a new Depression can hardly be good for Germany.
Ultimately, as Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, herself acknowledged last week, monetary union always implied further integration into a fiscal and political union. But before Europe gets anywhere near taking this historical step, it must first of all show it has learnt the lessons of the past. The EU was created to avoid repeating the disasters of the 1930s. It is time Europe's leaders – and especially Germany's – understood how perilously close they are to doing just that.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2012
See online: Berlin is ignoring the lessons of the 1930s


text: This is exactly the steps I followed from another past email in this list. But it didn't work for me. Which is why I wondered if something was different about this particular version of OpenSSH or SUSE. Suvendra On Wed, 8 Dec 2004, Sean Dilda wrote: > Suvendra Nath Dutta wrote: >> On this note, I know this has been rehashed many times before, but using >> OpenSSH 3.8 on SUSE 9.1, I couldn't get host authentication to work. I >> followed all the instructions out in the web but everything failed. I ended >> up copying the root's dsa key to every user's ssh directory and using >> public-key authentication. Has someone successfully implemented host >> authentication using SSH (hopefully v2) > > Yes > > and has written it up in a >> nice How To? > > No :) > > Some stuff that might be useful: > > in ssh_config: > > HostbasedAuthentication yes > EnableSSHKeysign yes # This may not be needed, depending on your version of > ssh > > and the 'HostbasedAuthentication' flag needs to be set in sshd_config as > well. > > You also need to make sure all the appropriate keys are in > /etc/ssh/ssh_known_hosts > > And /etc/ssh/shosts.equiv needs to be setup. I did mine with netgroups. > > And if you want root to be able to ssh in with host based, you need to setup > /root/.shosts as well. > > I did this on RHL9 and RHEL3. >

subset: commoncrawl


text:
William Styron
Date Of Birth:
11 June 1925
Date Of Death:
1 November 2006
Place Of Birth:
Newport News, Virginia
Best Known As:
Author of Sophie's Choice
William Styron was an American novelist known for the Pulitzer-winning The Confessions of Nat Turner (1967) and the best-selling Sophie's Choice (1979). Styron served in the U.S. Marines during World War II and was educated at Duke University. In New York he worked for McGraw-Hill Publishing and in 1951 launched his career as a novelist with Lie Down in Darkness. He spent time in Europe and became an advisor for the early years of The Paris Review, then published The Long March (1957) and Set This House on Fire (1960). His fictional account of the Nat Turner slave rebellion won him the Pulitzer Prize, but it also brought condemnation from those who bristled at the idea of a white southerner writing from the perspective of a black slave. Several years later Styron was again in the spotlight because of Sophie's Choice, a bestseller that became a successful movie (1982, starring Meryl Streep). Among his other works are a non-fiction memoir of depression, Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness (1990) and a story collection, A Tidewater Morning: Three Tales from Youth (1993).
Copyright © 1998-2017 by Who2?, LLC. All rights reserved.
See also:


text:
2011 AC Schnitzer BMW 550i ACS5 Saloon Concept
Price |
-- |
Production |
-- | ||
Engine |
Weight |
-- | ||
Aspiration |
twin turbochargers |
Torque |
-- | ||
540 hp |
HP/Weight |
-- | ||
HP/Liter |
-- |
1/4 mile |
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0-62 mph |
4.5 seconds |
Top Speed |
199 mph |
(from AC Schnitzer
Press Release) Superb, powerful and individual: the AC
Schnitzer ACS5 Sport S Saloon reveals new and unusual aspects of
driving pleasure
With the new BMW 5-series saloon and the new BMW 5-series Touring,
in 2011 two new 5-series models have been awarded the prestigious iF
Award for outstanding product design. Equally prizeworthy is the AC
Schnitzer ACS5 Sport S Saloon based on the BMW 5-series saloon,
which celebrates its premiere at the Geneva Motor Show from 3rd to
13th March.
With this concept vehicle, the Aachen-based tuning specialist AC
Schnitzer is demonstrating new and unusual aspects of driving
pleasure. With a performance upgrade from 407 to 540 HP, the AC
Schnitzer engineers are pushing the boundaries of the possible - for
greater dynamics and efficiency. The driving performance is at
thoroughbred sportscar level: the sprint from 0 - 100 kph takes just
4.5 seconds, and the top speed is around 320 kph. A glance under the
bonnet with the AC Schnitzer engine and engine bay styling shows
just who is responsible for the revolutionary refinement. The AC
Schnitzer limited slip differential with up to 75% effect ensures
that the tremendous power reaches the point where it is needed.The
AC Schnitzer twin sports rear silencer with chromed "Sports Trim"
tail pipe trims left and right combines exciting appearance and
What does the sophisticated driver expect from perfect brakes?
Perfect braking of course! With the AC Schnitzer high performance
brake system with 8-piston fixed calipers left and right, and an
8-piece kit of brake pads and caliper holders for the front axle,
all expectations of optimum deceleration and maximum stability are
amply fulfilled. And the driving dynamics leave nothing to be
desired. The AC Schnitzer racing suspension guides the saloon
perfectly through the corners.
The AC Schnitzer tuning specialists will be focussing on the
reactions to the new aerodynamic components for the body of the
5-series saloon. As well as the familiar AC Schnitzer front spoiler
and chromed front grille, a new carbon front spoiler centre part
gives the ACS5 Sport S Saloon an even more striking aspect. The
carbon air ducts for the brakes left and right ensure adequate
ventilation for the high performance brake system, and the new AC
Schnitzer carbon side skirts clearly enhance the side view of the
concept vehicle. The engine bay is ventilated by the bonnet vents
from the current AC Schnitzer range. Together with further
accessories already available, such as the AC Schnitzer rear roof
spoiler, the rear spoiler and the rear skirt extension, new elements
such as the AC Schnitzer sports wings left and right with Chromline
Set and the carbon rear diffusor contribute to the great appearance.
The AC Schnitzer loading sill protection film and the BiColor film
trim harmoniously complete the sporting elegance of the body
conversion. Possible and probable reactions to such a well-equipped
vehicle are envious glances, which the proud driver seated behind
the AC Schnitzer sports airbag steering wheel with painted spokes
can enjoy in the new AC Schnitzer sports mirror.
The AC Schnitzer ACS5 Sport S saloon appears at the Geneva Motor
Show with full leather trim in BiColor, painted interior trim strips
and racing bucket seats with AC Schnitzer logo, which form part of
the overall concept for the interior. The AC Schnitzer range already
contains the AC Schnitzer "Black Line" aluminium cover for the i-Drive
system controller, the aluminium foot rests and pedal set, velours
boot mat and foot mats.
For the BMW 5-series saloon, AC Schnitzer also provides an unusual
range of custom wheel/tyre combinations in both 20 and 21 inch
diameter. The largest variants are the racing forged rim in BiColor
and the new forged alloy wheel in BiColor in sizes 9Jx21" front and
10Jx21". Alternatives are the AC Schnitzer Type IV BiColor wheel and
Type V BiColor forged alloy rim.
The AC Schnitzer ACS5 Sport S Saloon - an extraordinary concept
vehicle which embodies the state of the art of technical achievement
in more than just power. The AC Schnitzer definition of
"Performance" will certainly inspire BMW tuning fans throughout the


text:
When Stakwell Yurenimo, a Samburu in northern Kenya, did well on his eighthgrade exams, the Kenyan government informed him that he had qualified to go to a high school that they would choose. They also chose his roommate, a young man named Paul, who was a member of the enemy tribe, the Turkana. Stakwell determined in his mind that there was no way he would room with a Turkana. In fact, part of his culture demanded that in order to be respected as a man, he needed to kill a Turkana.
Stakwell poured water on Paul's bed every night, so that his roommate was forced to sleep somewhere else. Paul did not react in anger, but slept on the ground without complaint. This went on for several months. Meanwhile, there was friction on the soccer field as well. Stakwell was an excellent midfielder. Paul was the team's star forward, a striker with considerable skill. But the team kept losing because Stakwell would not pass the ball to his roommate. The coach finally confronted Stakwell, who told the coach that there was nothing he could do. "You will just have to put one of us on another team," he said. That's what the coach did, and the first time the two teams played each other, Stakwell threw himself into Paul, trying his best to kill him. He broke Paul's leg and knocked out several teeth. Because it was an intentional penalty, Stakwell was expelled from school and sent home a hero to his fellow Samburu tribesmen for injuring a hated Turkana. He did not care about being expelled, but then the school told Stakwell that he would have to repay Paul for all of his medical expenses. Stakwell, a Samburu shepherd, faced an insurmountable debt. That's when his life changed. Paul came to Stakwell offering forgiveness. He did not want to be paid back. Paul explained that all the time his roommate was persecuting him, he did not retaliate, "not because I am weak, but because I am a Christian. When you were pouring water on my bed and forcing me to sleep on the ground, I was praying for you," Paul said. Stakwell's heart was broken by this demonstration of the Gospel. He became a Christian, and after finishing high school and attending Bible School, he began to work to bring reconciliation between the two warring tribes, the Samburu and the Turkana. With the help of New Directions International, Stakwell opened a sports camp in the Kurungu, Kenya, region. He brings hundreds of young people together three times a year for friendly competition. More than a dozen tribes are represented at the camps, and the ministry is changing the climate of the region. Stakwell told us as we visited with him, "There has not been one killing in the past two years between the Samburu and the Turkana." There is even a Turkana village now in the Samburu region, something that would have been unheard of just a few years ago." Being at the camp with Stakwell and his family (including seven children they rescued from abandonment) gave our mission team a picture in living color of what is only possible through the power of God. For he "has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." Stakwell Yurenimo, the Samburu warrior once committed to destroy the Turkana, was broken by the forgiveness shown to him by a Turkana follower of Jesus Christ. Now, he lives to help others find that forgiveness as well. by Mark Fox Leave a Reply. |
July 2022
Categories |


text:
Huge reconstruction projects in Afghanistan are in danger of shutting down because President Hamid Karzai's government refuses to rescind an order banning the use of private security guards, according to media reports.
U.S.-funded development firms are already starting to shut down projects, the Washington Post reported on Thursday.
More than a billion dollars worth of aid projects will have to be cancelled by the end of the month, the U.K.'s Guardian said.
Unless Karzai relinquishes his demand to have all private security guards disbanded by Dec. 17, NATO's strategy to counter the Taliban insurgency could also be threatened, the papers report.
The U.S.-funded aid projects that aim to help farmers and improve local governments are seen as crucial to the war effort, officials told the Washington Post.
An estimate by the Overseas Security Advisory Council suggests 18 projects worth $1.4 billion would have to be shuttered starting at the end of October, the Guardian reported.
Contractors in Afghanistan insist private security companies are needed to protect their staff.
"If these projects grind to a halt, we might as well go home," one official told the Washington Post. "They are essential to the counterinsurgency strategy."
The ban on private contractors, ordered by Karzai in August, goes into effect on Dec. 17. It applies to all development companies and non-governmental organizations.
Diplomats, and the representatives of development companies continue to maintain the private guards are essential. They say workers face real threats from insurgent attacks and criminal activity. Afghan officials say the contractors operate with too little oversight and are beyond the control of local police and the army.
The Afghan government say the workers and their projects must be guarded by local police officers and soldiers, but officials told the newspapers that goal is unrealistic. Local government security forces are corrupt, poorly trained and too few to do the job, they said.
"If we don't have private security, we cannot operate in Afghanistan," an unidentified development executive told the Post. "It's not open to negotiation."


text:
Creole Seasoning
1 1/2 cups paprika
3/4 cup ground black pepper
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/3 cup granulated garlic
1/3 cup dried thyme
1/3 cup dried oregano
1/3 cup dried basil
1/4 cup granulated onion
1/4 cup cayenne
In a bowl combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container.
4 cups
New Orleans Barbequed Shrimp
16 jumbo shrimp (about 11/2 pounds) with head and unpeeled
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
2 teaspoons Creole seasoning (recipe above)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
French bread as accompaniment
In a large skillet combine all ingredients except butter and bread, and cook over moderately high heat until shrimp turn pink – about 1 minute on each side. Reduce heat to moderate and stir in butter, a few cubes at a time, until melted. Remove skillet from heat. Place shrimp in a bowl and pour sauce over top. Serve with French bread for dipping.
4 appetizers or 2 entrées
Mr. B's Bistro
201 Royal St.


text:
Singapore's oldest museum is a progressive showcase of the country's history and culture.
If you have time to visit only one place to learn about the history and culture of Singapore, this is probably it. The National Museum of Singapore tells you the intriguing story of this country in a manner that is both fun and rewarding.
Imagine standing in the midst of a vast darkened space surrounded by a massive video montage showing everyday life in Singapore while a rousing symphony plays in the background. That's just a taste of the immersive experience you can expect here.
With its history dating back to 1887, the National Museum of Singapore is the nation's oldest, and one of the city's architectural icons. Its permanent offerings, the Singapore Gallery and Life in Singapore: The Past 100 Years galleries, piece together the past and present in a compelling narrative.
The building itself is a wondrous structure that has seamlessly fused the old with the new, enhancing the elegant neo-classical building with a new modernist extension of glass and metal.
The museum hosts a dynamic range of events through the year—from art installations and festivals to performances and film screenings—in addition to presenting exhibitions involving historically and culturally important collections of artefacts. One of the latest immersive art installations – Story of the Forest by teamLab allows visitors to experience the treasured collections of the Museum being brought to life through a spectacular digital presentation.
A selection of cafes and restaurants, as well as a retail space to pick up some souvenirs, round off a spectacular cultural offering.


text:
It seems obvious that I could not have written my impressions of this book before reading it, but to astrophysicist Sean Carroll, of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, there's something profoundly strange about that. Why, he asks, can we move in any direction in space, whereas time only shuttles us from the past into the future? The key to understanding time's one-way arrow, according to Carroll, is the second law of thermodynamics, which insists that entropy, a measure of disorder in a complex system of objects, inexorably increases with time. Put more succinctly: you can't unscramble an egg, even though there's no law of physics prohibiting each atom in the scramble from spontaneously returning to its proper place in the shell. It's just supremely unlikely.
Paradoxically, when you look at a single particle, time actually is reversible, for all intents and purposes. Imagine a billiard ball caroming off the side of a pool table: you couldn't tell whether a film of the collision is playing forward or backward. Clearly, the same is not true for complex systems. A film of a cue ball breaking a formation of fifteen colored balls is readily distinguishable from the reverse: fifteen colored balls assembling into a perfect triangle and spitting a single white one out of their apex. While the latter scenario is physically possible, it is vanishingly improbable—there are a gazillion ways a cue could break the colored balls, but only one arrangement of the velocities of the colored balls that could bring them to a stop in triangle formation. Time, in other words, flows in the direction of maximum statistical likelihood.
Recognizing the second law in action, however, is just the beginning of understanding time, which is why Carroll has written more than 400 pages on the subject. Since the entropy of the universe has been increasing for more than 14 billion years, it must have been in an exquisitely uniform—some astrophysicists would say "orderly"—state at the time of the big bang. But how could that be, Carroll asks, if, at the atomic level at least, time can roll backward just as easily as it can roll forward? And where is all the entropy leading? Will the universe continue to become more and more diffuse and disordered until the stars all burn out, the galaxies dissipate, and the whole thing becomes cold and lifeless?
The simple answer to all those questions is that we don't know for sure. But Carroll is not one for simple answers. He examines his subject from a variety of viewpoints, writing clearly and expressively about the temporal implications of black holes, time machines, and theories of the expanding universe. He quotes liberally from such literary lights as Marcel Proust, T.S. Eliot, and the playwright Tom Stoppard. But despite its avoidance of equations, From Eternity to Here is not a book for the mathematically faint of heart. It presupposes a patient reader who is willing and able to follow some pretty complex logical and philosophical arguments. Still, it is one of the most lucid popular overviews of modern theoretical cosmology that I have read in recent years. And though you may not come away from it knowing exactly why you read the book from start to finish rather than the other way around, you will doubtless regard the experience as time well spent.


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Laura is now classified as film noir but when new was considered a cultured thriller that mixed obsessive love with a strong sense of violent menace. Enormously popular, it was superceded over the years by its own score, David Raksin's haunting title melody. The film put stage director and previously unpromising film director Otto Preminger on the map - it's assembled for the most part like a fine watch. There's nary a wasted gesture and some scenes are visualized with an expressive precision rare in films from 1944. Laura is still a gem. The title character is repeatedly described as a head-turning, inspirational beauty and the phenomenally attractive Gene Tierney fits the bill to a tee. One can easily imagine any of the male characters killing to possess her, but who could possibly kill such a vision? Laura is a favorite that can be re-experienced every few years or so because there's little to it other than detective interviews and dialogue scenes; exact plot details are easy to forget. Its unforgettable mood is a dreamy romantic spell cast by David Raksin's music from the very first scene. The perfectly confected story presents Laura Hunt only in the past tense, in flashbacks filtered through the egotistical mind of the insufferable Waldo Lydecker. Tough/gentle detective Mark McPherson falls in love with the illusion anyway. Otto Preminger's direction makes use of long takes and a prowling camera to offset what is actually a very simple screenplay, most of which would work as a radio show. The three or four suspects deflect suspicion or try to implicate each other. We share the detective's point of view as he regards the pricey art objects in Lydecker's apartment (a shot of him poking into a glass cabinet is ribbed in Minnelli's The Band Wagon) and glides back and forth in Laura's flat, always circling back to her portrait. Vincent Price's portrayal of the ethically-challenged Shelby Carpenter is more amusing today because of his association with horror roles -- we just don't expect him to play a suave ladies' man. Judith Anderson didn't fare as well in Hollywood pix as she did on stage and makes a pretty pathetic contrast with Ms. Tierney, even if she realizes that she'll only be able to hook Shelby on the rebound. The rest of the supporting cast mostly stays out of the way, except for Laura's devoted maid Bessie (Dorothy Adams). She rearranges the crime scene and falsifies evidence but is still indulged by detective Mark McPherson. Most of Laura's social details haven't dated too badly but modern audiences always laugh when McPherson scares Bessie half to death with a revelation in Laura's kitchen. The poor woman is ready to have a heart attack, and officially doesn't even work there any more, but just a couple of seconds later McPherson suggests she whip up some breakfast for them and lamely walks away! Just as George Sanders' Addison DeWitt is a main attraction in All About Eve, Clifton Webb's Waldo Lydecker grabs all the attention with his contemptuous attitude. He's the one with the zinger lines, as when he claims to be a sensitive man because he'd be deeply troubled if his neighbor's children were devoured by wolves. His ardor for Laura notwithstanding, he also seems to be 'coded' as gay, and the film flirts with scenes such as the one where he receives McPherson in a bathtub rigged with a typewriter, and even asks him for a towel. His small talk is dominated by frequent allusions to violent behavior, threatening Shelby and offering to crack the skull of a copyboy who crowds his style. Even if he's funny, average audiences are surely meant to dislike Lydecker. He's a pompous egghead and uses his advantages in unfair ways; it's always those snooty city folk like Lydecker and Carpenter who get the classy women like Laura. So we're automatically rooting for the quiet and amused McPherson, who knows just how to rile Lydecker with his silly handheld baseball puzzle. McPherson never loses control under provocation, and as the Alpha male, puts both lotharios in their place. The only exception is when Mark purposely provokes Shelby so as to be able to sucker-punch him. Laura shows a clear preference for two-fisted he-men over intellectual dandies and creampuff gigolos. (spoilers begin. If you haven't seen Laura and don't want a great surprise ruined, skip down to the disc evaluation section) Laura does imply that Mark McPherson is himself a borderline sick personality, and that's what makes this classic a film noir instead of a garden-variety whodunnit. We see Mark becoming more and more despondent about the female murder victim until the film's most famous scene shows him falling apart in worship of her portrait. The wordless sequence works beautifully and would be even better if its intent weren't already telegraphed by Lydecker's insinuation that Mark is turning into a necrophile. McPherson is a prototype for the intensely guilty Scotty Ferguson of Hitchcocks's Vertigo. 1 Yes, Laura shows up alive, throwing McPherson into a regular fit of joy -- there's a slight crook at the edge of his mouth where a smile should be. But we've been watching Andrews' expressive face very closely, and it is more than enough of a reaction. From then on in Mark pursues the real killer (after learning who the real victim is) with a different objective -- he has to win Laura as well. Little smiles flash across his face every time he thinks an obstacle between them has been lifted. Laura's remarkable return from the dead is somewhat similar to the later Vertigo, or perhaps an inversion of the story structure of Psycho. The film has lulled us into the finality of her death (unless we've seen the trailer, which shows Laura alive and kicking with her three male suitors) and she suddenly pops up to mark the beginning of the final act. Gene Tierney does a fine job in Laura even though the part is rigged to be playable by any pretty face. The living Laura turns out to be every bit as ideal as the phantom charmer described by Waldo Lydecker. Laura is indeed an innocent sweetheart even though she accepted and encouraged Waldo's career-enhancing help in all of those flashbacks. Lydecker claims that Laura's own talent and charm is what got her promotions and success, but one would think a savvy 40s noir would expect us to be at least a little suspicious. Preminger's ending is the expositional equal of Hitchcock's North by NorthWest, resolving several plot threads in just a couple of shots. It's worth watching more than once. The villain is dispatched, the lovers are united, the heroine expresses her sorrow for the villain and the villain his love for the heroine. The camera pushes in on the shattered antique clock, which, like the villain, appears genteel (and sexless) but hides a double-barreled shotgun as a guilty secret. Otto Preminger later became a master of mature, ambiguous dramas that held scenes in wide takes that appeared to allow 'reality' to determine what happened next. But his later work can't touch the stylized economy of this ending. Laura was nominated for a number of Oscars but won only for best Cinematography, as 1944 was the year of (yawn) Going My Way. The title song wasn't even nominated, I imagine because its lyrics were not heard on-screen. There were twenty nominees for best dramatic scoring but Laura wasn't among them. Somebody at Fox must have been asleep at the switch. Fox's DVD of Laura is the first in their Fox Film Noir line and comes with more extras than one would expect to see on a Studio Classics release. Rudy Behlmer wrote an excellent account of how Laura came to be that forms the basis of his commentary. He certainly knows the subject. David Raksin and Jeanine Basinger are heard on a second commentary track. Apparently Fox was nervous about the movie showing rich New Yorkers eating fine meals and wooing available babes in the middle of wartime rationing. A short montage of high living was clipped from most release prints. This disc presents it as a separate extra and also allows one to watch the film with it restored. There seems to be an entire second encoding, because the commentary only plays on the standard version. The package text lists this extended version as having an alternate opening. I looked at it, and someone will have to correct me if it's different. There are also two full-length Biography docus, one on the chaotic life and career of Gene Tierney and a second that looks at Vincent Price, the King of Horror who was also a true Rennaisance man. A trailer for Laura is included as well.
On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor,
Laura rates:
1. Believe it or not, this was
one of the scenes frequently dropped when the movie was snipped to fit into 90-minute TV slots with commercials.
We come out of a station break to see Laura opening the door and entering the apartment, with Mark's entire
miserable restlessness cut out. I believe Behlmer explains that Fox originally wanted the scene cut for the
same reason that the TV editors found they could excise it - it doesn't advance the murder mystery. The old Hollywood
rarely seemed to understand the importance of character development.
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I have to warn you. My family likes food. And we like going out to eat when we are together. It is fun for us and so we did a lot of that yesterday.
For lunch my mom told me to choose any restaurant I wanted for lunch. It literally didn't even take me 5 seconds to decide on Pluto's. The salad may not look delicious but the steak, broccoli, bleu cheese, sweet potatoes and balsamic vinaigrette hit the spot.
After lunch we drove up to Palo Alto to my aunt's house and then on over to Stanford campus to see Memorial Church. It was incredible. All of the art that you see is mosaic and the inside made me feel like I was in Europe (or what I would imagine a church in Europe would look like since I have never been there. PS my mom is going to Europe this fall and I am trying very hard to convince her that she should bring me and Brooke because it would be so educational for Brooke).
Hanging out with the art class looking at statues.
It actually runs in the family to love ice cream more than any other food so my aunt had a place in mind that she really wanted to take us to. It is called the Tin Pot (in Palo Alto) and don't the flavor names alone make you want to jump on an airplane to come and get some?!?
EVERYTHING is made there (the cones, toppings, ice cream etc) and it is all organic and made with local ingredients. I had the one on the right, cinnamon snickerdoodle (actually the best ice cream I have ever had, it had little chunks of cookies in there) and roasted banana fudge ripple on the bottom (good but 1/8th as good as the cinnamon snickerdoodle).
Fast forward to a nap in the car…Brooke fell asleep in the car and I wanted her to get a good nap so my mom and my aunt went inside and Brooke and I hung out in the shade with the windows down and napped in the car… I have a permanent kink in my neck from doing this.
Dinner time came around and my mom and I decided that for lunch we like salads but for dinner we like burgers. It just sounds so good at night. So do parmesan fries. Actually those fries sound good at any time of the day.
This is the place where you choose all of your toppings. I had coleslaw, cheese, onions, avocado and pineapple on my burger with bbq sauce. I was not proud of my mom's decision for toppings: olives, carrots, pineapple and lettuce?
Finished the night by watching 5 episodes of Till' Death on Netflix.
There is something that is making me very excited for my run this morning. I'll show you in a few hours.
Which meal of the day is usually the biggest for you?
Who has been to Europe? Where? When? For how long?
If someone told you that they would take you anywhere in your city for lunch, where would you go?


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Portman Seeks Path to Break Impasse on Cordray Nomination
Sen. Rob Portman has been conferring with Richard Cordray, head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as part of an effort to clear the way for his Senate confirmation and avert a Democratic threat to use the "nuclear option" to curb filibusters.
A senior GOP aide said Tuesday that the Ohio Republican had talks with Cordray in recent weeks and had brought together some Democratic and Republican senators to seek common ground on changes within the CFPB that could address GOP concerns about the independent financial regulatory agency.
For example, the aide said, Portman suggested the idea of creating an inspector general within the CFPB.
It's unclear whether such changes would satisfy broader concerns among Republicans about the agency created under the Dodd-Frank regulatory overhaul (PL 111-203). GOP senators filibustered against Cordray's confirmation in 2011 and are opposing him again after President Barack Obama installed him under a recess appointment in January 2012 and then renominated him this year.
Cordray visited the Senate on May 23 and snagged Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, a senior Banking Committee member, just off the Senate floor. Shelby made clear to Cordray his concerns about whether Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada would engineer a mid-session Senate rule change to impasse on Obama's renomination of Cordray.
"I hope he wouldn't use it," Shelby said. "But if he does, that changes the whole Senate."
In a brief interview while meeting on Capitol Hill with Republicans skeptical about his confirmation, Cordray made clear that he had no information on the timing of a Senate vote or any efforts to clear the way. A CFPB spokesman declined comment on the meetings or his stance on changes sought by Portman.
Shelby's query to Cordray underscored the tensions on both sides of the aisle as top party leaders spar over Reid's threat to use tough parliamentary tactics to break a GOP blockade and nominations. Reid has made clear that he is taking a hard look at the nuclear option — allowing a simple majority vote, rather than the usual 67-vote threshold — to change Senate rules by sustaining or overturning a parliamentary ruling by the presiding officer.
"The Republicans have obstructed the president's nominees," Reid said last week. "This has created an unworkable standard where minor issues are raised to block major nominees or require a 60-vote supermajority for nomination. I hope things work out in the Senate [so] that we don't have to go through any more procedural battles here, but things are not working well."
Reid cited Cordray and several other contentious nominations as examples of alleged GOP obstruction. They include Thomas Perez for Labor secretary, Gina McCarthy for Environmental Protection Agency administrator and three recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board.
Cordray and the three NLRB members sit below Cabinet secretary rank, but they have emerged as major figures in the confirmation standoff between Republicans and Democrats.
Whatever Cordray tells Republicans in his rounds in the Senate about his performance, however, is unlikely to sway any GOP senators. Opposition to his confirmation isn't really about Cordray himself or the job he has done in the year he has held the position under a recess appointment. In fact, Cordray has won praise from the banking industry for thoughtful, evenhanded rule-making, and some industry lobbyists worry that they could do worse with a replacement. The GOP is united in opposition to Cordray because the party opposes the structure of the independent agency, formed to represent consumer interests in financial regulation. Republicans want it rebuilt as a multimember commission that is funded through regular congressional appropriations.
Long Time Coming
Cordray's presence atop CFPB has been controversial since he received a recess appointment along with three members of the NLRB last year. The naming of the four officials was Obama's challenge to the use of pro forma sessions to block recess appointments when lawmakers are away from Washington.
A federal court has held that the NLRB appointments were not legal. Although Cordray does not face his own court test, some GOP lawmakers have challenged his standing to manage the CFPB while the NLRB case awaits a Supreme Court appeal.
Reid attacked the blocking tactics for targeting political goals, not qualifications.
"Richard Cordray is a perfect example. He was nominated by the president of the United States almost two years ago, 23 months ago. The Republicans aren't concerned about his ability to do the job. They're afraid, I guess, he can do his job too well," Reid said.
"If he received an up-or-down vote here today, he would be approved in a millisecond."
A senior Democrat said Reid and his team were weighing whether to try to limit filibusters. The lawmaker said procedural changes could be on the table after the Senate finishes work on immigration legislation, possibly by July.
"There could be fireworks in July," the lawmaker said. Such pyrotechnics likely would precede the most contentious nominees, such as Cordray, Perez and McCarthy.


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Note: This is not a current version of the policy. View current version. »
Group life insurance coverage is available for regular full-time staff employees and others as designated by the University Administrative Regulations.
The terms of the group life insurance policy issued by the current insurance carrier, selected by the University, are binding on all participants.
1) The University group life insurance is term insurance and no cash value accumulates. The policy provides for payment of a principal sum to a designated beneficiary(ies) upon the death of the employee.
2) The University provides a basic life insurance policy equal to one times the employee's salary at no cost for eligible employees. Coverage under this basic plan takes effect on the first day of work and terminates on the last day of the month in which employment is terminated.
Employees with annual salaries in excess of $750,000 are eligible for coverage equal to one times their annual salary, but must meet insurability requirements as established by the provider. If an employee does not meet insurability requirements, or does not provide evidence of insurability, he/she will receive basic coverage equal to $750,000 only.
3) Optional amounts of term life insurance may be purchased by the employee in addition to the basic coverage. Coverage for new optional life insurance shall be effective on the first day of the month consecutive with or following the date of hire with appropriate enrollment election.
- Optional insurance can be purchased up to a maximum of $1,000,000 in increments of one, two, three, four or five times an employee's annual salary with medical evidence of insurability . The amount of the optional insurance shall be raised to the next higher increment of $1,000 in cases where the amount selected is not an even multiple of $1,000.
- Enrollment in optional life insurance shall occur within the first 30 days of employment, or during open enrollment.
- Evidence of insurability is not required if the employee signs up during the first 30 days of employment if the employee is electing one, two or three times annual salary with a maximum of $375,000.
- Evidence of insurability is required to sign up for an increase in coverage beyond $375,000 or in coverage level above three times annual salary. Medical evidence is also required when increasing coverage by more than one increment.
- The cost of optional life insurance is impacted as an employee's salary and age change.
- The effective date of a salary change will be the first day of the month following the month of the salary change.
- The effective date of an age change is the first day of the birth month.
4) An employee may convert, without evidence of insurability, all or part of the coverage to an individual, non-term type policy within 31 days following termination of employment or retirement.
- In the event death should occur during the 31 day period, the amount of insurance which an employee would be eligible to convert shall be paid to the beneficiary(ies) regardless of whether or not application for conversion has been made.
- If an employee does not convert, coverage ends on the last day of the month of termination, retirement or at the end of eligibility for Long Term Disability benefits.
5) The University will not permit an employee to assign the life insurance plan or any portion thereof.
6) Employees hired prior to August 1, 1965 and who were covered by the old Prudential Life Insurance Plan shall continue to have the basic amount of coverage (up to a maximum of $5,000) after retirement. The University pays the premium cost for these individuals.
7) Individuals receiving benefits through the University's Long Term Disability Plan continue to receive basic coverage and are eligible to participate at the same or decreased level of optional coverage (if any) in effect on the date of disability, until retirement.
Administration of the group life insurance plan is a function of the Human Resources Office of Employee Benefits (Employee Benefits).
1) Information about life insurance is available in Employee Benefits or at the Employee Benefits web site at:https://hr.uky.edu/benefits.
- Enrollment forms are processed by Employee Benefits.
- Booklets on life insurance coverage may be obtained from Employee Benefits.
2) Premium payments for employees enrolled in the optional part of the plan are made through payroll deductions.
3) An employee going on an approved leave without pay shall make arrangements with Employee Benefits to pay the cost of optional life coverage, or the benefit will terminate.
4) An employee may cancel or change to a lower optional amount by completing a new enrollment form and submitting the form to Employee Benefits. This change will be effective the first day of the month following receipt of the request.


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Crystal Catheral Bid Raised to $53.6M
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange has raised its bid for Crystal Cathedral to $53.6 million.
The church recently submitted a revised non-contingent offer to purchase the Garden Grove, Calif., church and offered to pay in cash, according to the church's website.
In July, the church's original offer totaled $50 million in cash within 30 days of the bankruptcy court's approval of the reorganization plans. The diocese was also willing to help Crystal Cathedral Ministries by offering a three-year leaseback plan for some of the buildings on campus as well as worship space.
The offer also included an "alternative worship space of at least 50,000 square feet to allow CCM to continue its ministry for up to 15 years, with rent to be equal to 90 percent of fair market value. The lease would also include a right to purchase such space at 90 percent of fair market value during the first 5 years of the lease."
The extended offer continues to follow the same purpose: "To see creditors satisfied, adequately provide for all constituents and stakeholders, and accommodate the Diocese of Orange's need for a new cathedral, while respecting the CCM ministry and its legacy," the diocese reported.
According to Bishop Tod Brown, he and other officials had already planned to build a cathedral for their 1.2 million congregants but by purchasing Crystal Cathedral it would cut the cost in half, said diocese spokesman Stephen Bohannon.
However, on Monday, August 1, Crystal Cathedral leaders announced that they were no longer putting the 31-year-old church up for sale and instead they began looking to God for a "miracle" to solve the bankruptcy.
The announcement came with a banner on their webpage linking it to a donation option in the hopes to raise $50 million in 120 days. There have been no reports as to how much has been raised since the announcement.
CCM is scheduled to appear at a court hearing on Sept. 14 in Santa Ana.


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If you liked Andy Murray sporting tight-fitting Fred Perry at this year's US Open and you enjoy Novak Djokovic in his always-colorful adidas ensembles, this may not be the best piece of news for you. Or perhaps it might be?!
While I'll leave all the fashion opinionating to my trusted boss, Erwin, I will announce that there are reports that Djokovic may be ditching the Big a and signing with K-Swiss, while Murray might be taking his place at adidas.
Musical outfits, oh my! What do you think?
Open minded: Kim Clijsters might be the clearest thinker in women's tennis right now. She announced yesterday she'll play a 13-tournament schedule in 2010 (motherhood and Slams still come before ranking, she says). And, today, announced a partnership with Thomas Cook, the Euro airline that you may find Kim, Jada and Brian on a flight on in the near future. But just remember, when you see them sitting in first class, they def didn't pay!
Puppy love: That's Mardy Fish with one of the Bryan brothers (can you tell which?!) presenting his new pup, Charlie. Mards, we love the pup, but please oh please, get a haircut boy! Good grooming skills are a must, even after the Open!
(photo via twitpic)


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*LAST CHANCE Dazzling Wax Melt Snap Bar XL
*LAST CHANCE Dazzling Wax Melt Snap Bar XL
Dazzling Wax Melt Snap Bar XL
A New Reformulation for 2024 but still the Same Great Scent. A fresh zingy lemongrass fragrance with shades of zingy lemon and sparkling verbena.
- Highly scented wax melts for the home
- Loved by tens of thousands across the UK
- High performance wax and professional-grade perfume oils
- Large 100g weight - double the average wax melt, with an 80hr melt time
- Manufactured in Derbyshire, UK by Nuscents Ltd
- Around 35% cheaper than the average price per gram of wax melts
- Suitable for both tealight and electric wax warmers
We have 160+ other Wax Melt Snap Bars scents in stock. If you're looking for a smaller size, you may like our Classic 50g Wax Melts. Or sample our Wax Melts by purchasing our 25g Wax Melt Samples.
We take every precaution to ensure our products arrive in one piece and our team of staff aren't encouraged to scrimp on packaging. However from time to time you may find a break or two in our XL Wax Melt Snap Bars, due to their intrinsic, delicate design. We hold no responsibility or liability for this as they are designed to be broken and melted. If purchasing as gifts, we strongly recommend purchasing our 50g Wax Melts.
Find out how to store your wax melts.
So how do you use a Nuscents Wax Melt?
Simply snap off desired amount of your wax melt and add to the top of your Wax Warmer. If using a Tealight Warmer, place an unscented tealight in the bottom tray and enjoy. Because our wax melts are highly fragranced, you can continue to melt them until you can no longer smell the scent.
Due to our wax being firmer than some waxes, we recommend a tealight wax warmer or higher wattage wax melter. Our wax has been selected for its performance qualities and the higher melting point aids a slower release of fragrance, ensuring longer melting times.
Please only use a Wax Melt Warmer and not an oil burner. Oil burners release scent in any wax melt too fast, causing a quick scent release and are potentially dangerous. Never leave a Wax Melter in operation unattended and never operate a tealight burner for more than four hours at a time. Check equipment for hairline cracks before use.
About Nuscents and our wax melts
We've been producing our Wax & Home Fragrance products since 2018. We use a highly refined paraffin wax manufactured in the United Kingdom. There is a lot of misinformation about different wax types, so if you have any concerns about paraffin, we've linked to the largest independent ever peer-reviewed study from the European Candle Manufacturers Association and the National Candle Association;
"For the unscented candles it can be determined that the fuels palm, paraffin, soy and stearin behave very similarly in terms of emissions (see Table 4, Table 5). No individual wax was shown to have a consistently better emission profile than the others."
All of our wax melts and product ranges are handmade in Derbyshire. Each scent is tested thoroughly in a range of electric and tealight wax warmers. To maintain the highest possible quality, we test in different room and temperature settings.
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Whilst we ensure all orders are beautifully packaged and don't scrimp on packaging materials, we do not recommend purchasing our XL Snap Bars as gifts.


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I've always cringed at the notion of being a housewife. However, lately I've been faced with possibly having to become one—not exactly by choice.
My husband got recruited for a job in a different city shortly after I got laid off in March. Leaving New York City wasn't something we planned to do but my layoff was probably the universe's way of letting us know that we needed a change. The new job was significantly more lucrative than where he had been, which helped lead us to the decision to uproot our lives. Plus, my plan was to freelance since I could do it from anywhere.
This is my third go-round the freelancing track and there's a significant difference for me financially this time around than when I did it a few years ago. These days, the struggle to actually get paid as a writer isn't worth the stress or the energy put out for the work done considering the measly return. The ebbs and flows were more tolerable when I was younger but nowadays my patience is on 'E', so it would make sense to quit….but I also want to keep working and bringing in something.
I'm stressed out about what to do. Most people—the hubby included—wonder why the notion of not working bothers me so much since he makes enough to carry us. Mr. Rocque even suggested that I "relax and do the housewife thing," but just typing that made me shudder.
I've always felt that financial independence was one of the most important things a woman could have, even with a husband, and it's an ideal that I can't let go of. There are perks to housewifedom, like not having to deal with the stress of working with other people, and being able to focus more on various hobbies, like that darn novel I haven't made a dent in, or a possible career change (I often entertain going back to school). It's not like I'd be like Peggy Bundy but I can't get over my pride. Before getting married, Mr. Rocque and I decided to have a joint account in addition to our own separate accounts so we didn't have to always check in with each other whenever we wanted to buy something, but as a "housewife" I'd pretty much be getting an allowance, a notion I've always hated even when I was a kid and legally couldn't work.
We took vows of support for better or for worse and while my situation isn't really the worst, it makes me feel sad, helpless and stuck because aside from no financial freedom I think he'd eventually resent me. I'm probably exaggerating this much more than it should be but just can't get over myself at the moment. I could always take a brief hiatus until I figure out what's next but the allure of pulling my own weight and contributing to my personal rainy day fund won't let me let me jump. I'm close to being forced into the direction I don't want to go, which is an even worse thought, but I digress.
This story is still developing.
What would you do in my situation? Do "housewives" get a bad rep?
Mr. and Mrs. Rocque are the couple formerly known as Anslem Samuel and Starrene Rhett, New York-based journalists who found love in between bylines. Follow the newlyweds' musings of a marriage in progress here, on Twitter and via their joint blog.


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BEIJING (Reuters) - China has welcomed Vietnam's decision to compensate the victims of the anti-China protests in May, a move aimed at removing a thorn that has hurt relations between the two countries for months.
Thousands of people attacked businesses and factories in Vietnam in May, targeting Chinese workers and Chinese-owned businesses after Beijing parked an oil rig in a part of the South China Sea claimed by Hanoi.
Fighting between Vietnamese and Chinese workers broke out in central Ha Tinh province, killing at least four people and wounding at least 100. About 4,000 Chinese workers subsequently left Vietnam.
In a statement on China's Foreign Ministry's website on Monday, spokesman Hong Lei said Vietnam has "expressed regret" for the riots in May that targeted Chinese workers and companies, and that it "was pained by the casualties and fatalities that were suffered by Chinese workers". He cited Vietnam as saying that Chinese workers who were victims would receive "some form of humanitarian compensation", adding that Hanoi would send missions to China to express condolences to the representatives of the victims' families.
"China affirms the work and attitude by the Vietnamese side and hopes that Vietnam can earnestly implement the relevant measures," Mr Hong said.
China claims about 90 per cent of the South China Sea, displaying its reach on official maps with a so-called nine-dash line that stretches deep into the maritime heart of Southeast Asia. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have claims to parts of the potentially energy-rich waters.
Anger is still simmering in Vietnam and experts say the conflict is likely to have sharpened the debate within the country's leadership about its long term foreign relations strategy and the need to build stronger trade and diplomatic ties as alternatives to China.


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Last modified: 2023-01-28 by martin karner
Keywords: ma'alot-tarshiha | iriyat ma'alot-tarshiha | tarshiha | coat of arms (landscape: proper) |
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Ma'alot-Tarshiha is in Western Galilee, 20 km east of Nahariya. This municipality was
established by joining the Jewish settlement of Ma'alot with the
Arabic settlement of Tarshiha (pronounced Tarshikha). Pop.
There is no official flag, not even a particular colour. The
municipality use a variety of colours. The municipal emblem
appears not to have been published in the official gazette (Rashumot,
Yalkut HaPirsumim).
Sources: author's own observation, 1999; municipal website..
Dov Gutterman, 10 September 2001
I spotted three variants of the municipal flag: light blue
flag with blue emblem, yellow flag with black emblem and orange
flag with black emblem. No inscription.
Sources: author's own observation, 19 September 2001.
Dov Gutterman, 3 October 2001
In my visit a week ago, same flags are still use in variety of
Ma'alot-Tarshiha is the only local authority in Israel which was
established by uniting a Jewish and an Arab communities into one.
Ma'alot was established in 1957 on Har HaRakafot
(Cyclamens Mt. [in Arabic - Bab Al-Hauwa - Gate of the
Winds]) on the north side of road 89.
Tarshiha is known from the Crusaders era as: Terschia, Torsia and
Terslgha. It is situated on the South side of road 89.
In 1963 it was decided to unite them into one Local Council
(Municipality since 1994) with population of 21,000 inh. (2003 -
80% Jews, 10% Christians, 9% Moslems and 1% Druze).
Ma'alot became known after being the sitefor the first major
terrorist attack on Israel. On May 1974, a group of Terrorist
from Lebanon took over a school and in the following battle 21
school children, 3 adults and a soldier were killed by them with
68 others wounded.
The lake which is seen in the center of the emblem is
"Monfort Lake" situated east to Ma'alot (and not at all
near the Monfort Castle as the name may suggest), now a tourism
attraction. The official name of this man-made lake is
"Ma'alot Lake" and previously it was used as water
reservoir named "Hosen Reservoir".
Source: municipal
Dov Gutterman, 27 April 2005
image by Dov Gutterman | 2:3 |
The flags in the city have outlined emblem only. The natural
colours on white appear on the desk flag only.
Dov Gutterman, 29 April 2003


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Pressure Washers Columbia
Experienced & affordable
Pressure Washers Columbia cleans all around your house or office using pressure washing and soft washing techniques. Full home exterior, driveways, roofs, sidings, windows, decks, patios, fences & more. We serve all of Richland County and Lexington County, including: Columbia, Lexington and Irmo.
Columbia is the capital of the U.S. state of South Carolina. With a population of 136,632 as of the 2020 U.S. Census, it is the second-largest city in South Carolina. The city serves as the county seat of Richland County, and a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. It is the center of the Columbia metropolitan statistical area, which had a population of 829,470 and is the 72nd-largest metropolitan statistical area in the nation. The name Columbia is a poetic term used for the United States, derived from the name of Christopher Columbus, who explored for the Spanish Crown.
Arsenal Hill, Barony, Bellevue Historic District, Booker Washington Heights, Brookhaven, Coatesworth, Colonial Heights, Columbia Council of Neighborhoods, Communities Seek Revitalization through Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, Congaree Bluff Neighborhood


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Heart and Stroke Statistics
Each year, the American Heart Association, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and other government agencies, compiles up-to-date statistics on heart disease, stroke and other vascular diseases in the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update. This is a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, healthcare policy makers, media professionals, the public, and others who seek the best national data available on disease morbidity, mortality, and risks; quality of care; medical procedures and operations; and costs associated with the management of these diseases. The Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update is a major source for monitoring cardiovascular health and disease in the population.
Supporting Materials
Heart Disease & Stroke News
- AHA News: To curb high rates of heart disease and stroke, experts urge prevention and innovation
- News Release: More than half of U.S. adults don't know heart disease is leading cause of death, despite 100-year reign
AHA Science News for Professionals
2024 Statistics At-a-Glance and Slide Set
2019–2024 CIRCULATION Articles
New! 2024 Heart & Stroke Statistical Update Toolkit
The 2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update Toolkit represents a critical resource for health care professionals, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions. Cardiovascular disease produces immense health and economic burdens in the United States and globally. The toolkit includes At-a-Glance and Fact Sheets (in 7 language translations), and decks containing What is New and Updated in 2024 and Select Charts from the 2024 Update.
Heart & Stroke Statistics FAQs
What is Prevalence?
Prevalence is an estimate of how many people have a specific disease, condition, or risk factor at a given point in time. Government agencies periodically conduct health examination surveys. Rates for specific diseases are calculated from those surveys. These rates are applied as the population changes for several years, until a new health examination survey is done, and new rates are established. It's important to realize that the prevalence rates do not change from year to year until there is a new survey. The annual changes in prevalence as reported in Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update only reflect changes in the population. It isn't possible to develop a prevalence "trend" by comparing numbers from yearly issues of the publication or its precursors.
What is Incidence?
Incidence is an estimate of how many new cases of a disease develop in a population in a given time period. For some diseases, new and recurrent attacks or cases are combined. The incidence of a cardiovascular disease in the United States is estimated by multiplying the incidence rates reported in community- or hospital-based studies by the U.S. population. The rates are not computed annually; they change only when new data are available. The estimates were revised to reflect the 2000 U.S. Census. Neither the incidence nor the rates should be compared with those in past issues of the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update.
What is Mortality?
Mortality figures are the most accurate data available for assessing the impact of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. These data are compiled from death certificates and are sent by state health agencies to the National Center for Health Statistics. There the information is verified and tabulated by cause of death, age, sex, and race/ethnicity, for the United States and each state. This process is time-consuming. That's why there's about a two-year delay in the mortality statistics found in the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update. Because mortality is considered "hard" data, it's possible to do time-trend analysis and compute percent changes over time.
What are Death Rates?
A death rate is a ratio between mortality and population. National death rates are computed per 100,000 population. Dividing the mortality by the population results in a crude death rate. When summarizing death rates over time or among populations, we compute age-adjusted death rates. These remove the effects from differences in the age distribution of the population over time and among population groups. The year 2000 is the standard year used for age-adjustment.
What about race and Hispanic origin?
Race and Hispanic origin are reported separately on death certificates. This means that mortality data for each race can include persons of Hispanic origin, and mortality data for Hispanic origin can include persons of any race. In Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, unless otherwise specified, deaths of Hispanic origin are included in the totals for whites, blacks, American Indians/Alaska Natives and Asian/Pacific Islanders. Data for Hispanic persons include all persons of Hispanic origin of any race. Data in Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update are as reported by government agencies or as reported by specific epidemiological studies. In many cases, data for Hispanics are not available. Data for Mexican Americans is more likely to be reported because data is harder to find for all Hispanics.
What are "Major CVD" and "Total CVD"?
"Major Cardiovascular Diseases," commonly reported by the NCHS, represents ICD codes I00-I78. "Total Cardiovascular Disease" comprises all "Diseases of the Circulatory System" codes (I00-I99). When data are available, we add congenital cardiovascular defects codes (Q20-Q28) to "Total Cardiovascular Disease."
What are "Diseases of the Heart"?
The National Center for Health Statistics tabulated mortality of "Diseases of the Heart." The term is commonly used in its statistical publications and its compilation of the leading causes of death. This category groups diseases containing words referring to the "heart" and includes:
- Acute Rheumatic Fever/Chronic Rheumatic Heart Diseases (I00-I09)
- Hypertensive Heart Disease (I11) and Hypertensive Heart and Renal Disease (I13)
- Coronary Heart Disease (I20-I25)
- Other Heart Diseases (I26-I51) – includes heart failure
"Diseases of the Heart" is not equivalent to "Total Cardiovascular Disease," which the American Heart Association prefers to use to describe the leading causes of death. "Diseases of the Heart" represents about three-fourths of "Total Cardiovascular Disease" mortality.
Interactive Library
Visit our Interactive Cardiovascular Library for animations that help explain high blood pressure and many other cardiovascular diseases.


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Your Start menu and Applications folder are growing larger and harder to navigate every day, but with a solid application launcher at your side, you'll never notice. On Tuesday we put a call out for your favorite application launchers, and over 400 spirited comments later, we've pulled out the five most popular. Take a look at the time-saving app launchers that made the list, and then cast your vote for the one app launcher to rule them all.
Launchy (Windows)
Launchy is best known for its lightning-fast indexing and searching. In its youth it was an application and document launcher only, but it now sports more interesting features and plug-ins, integrating with your bookmarks, the command line, and more. Some users still prefer Launchy 1.25's lighter footprint, but it doesn't seem to throw off their love of Launchy. If you're a dedicated Launchy fan but you're only using it for app launching, check out how you can take Launchy beyond application launching.
Quicksilver (Mac OS X)
Mac OS X-only Quicksilver is the original application launcher and-then-some, with a huge repository of plug-ins designed to take Quicksilver well beyond traditional launching. Its impressive feature-set has inspired numerous features on this site along with a handful of wannabes. Although Quicksilver's future may be bleak, countless users are still keeping their hands firmly planted on the keyboard with Quicksilver every day.
Find and Run Robot (Windows)
Despite a very small memory footprint, the Windows-only Find and Run Robot (aka FARR) is probably the most customizable Windows app launcher available. FARR features a fast, responsive live search and is extensible through a handful of open-source plug-ins (including a clipboard monitor, live calculator, and application manager by default and many others available). Some first-time users may find FARR's more advanced features difficult to grasp, but finding and launching files and applications with FARR is a breeze. (read more)
GNOME Do (Linux)
Inspired by Quicksilver (as you can tell from its looks), GNOME Do brings application launching to Linux like none other. GNOME Do can launch apps, manipulate text, integrate with your music player, and oh so much more. It's relatively young, but GNOME Do has quickly developed a robust set of features and found an integral place in many a Linux toolbox. (original post)
RocketDock (Windows)
The Windows-only RocketDock is the only non-keyboard-based application launcher to make this Hive Five. In essence RocketDock is very much like the Mac OS X Dock; you can minimize applications as thumbnails, launch or close apps, and entirely replace your traditional Start menu and taskbar workflow. What you see above is the out-of-the-box configuration, but RocketDock has pages of user-submitted skins and add-ons. (original post)
Honorable mention goes out to Spotlight in Leopard and the new Vista Start menu. Improved search speed has many users abandoning Quicksilver in favor of Spotlight, while Vista's Instant Search finally integrates desktop search directly into Windows.
Whether or not your favorite app made the list, let's hear more about the launcher you love in the comments.