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Even more mad about Poli!
Poli is a chicken sausage, famous for being youthfully mischievous and using offbeat communication methods. We wanted to transpose Poli brand's special character onto a new, dynamic and interactive website that offers its visitors an unforgettable experience. Mimicking Poli's explosion of flavours, the website is an explosion of colours while utilising copious elements of modern design. The online presentation of the world's craziest sausage is technically adept, uses contemporary design and provides inspiring content. The goal of the website is to awaken a desire for a Poli sandwich.
Fresh, youthful, a bit mad
In designing the website, the original idea was to present Poli as a bright, dynamic and modern brand. The tools we used for achieving this include vibrant and warm colours, solid and modern typefaces and attractive images of the Poli range of products alongside emotional and attractive photos of its ambassadors. The products are presented using 3D imaging technology, allowing the user to view them from all angles. The site also includes many state-of-the-art digital website effects (parallax, colour transitions).
Poli + Luka Dončić = stars²
We kicked-off the website overhaul by organising its rich and extensive contents. We designed a flexible structure that allows content to be interconnected. In addition to Poli products and delicious Poli recipes, the website also prominently features Poli ambassadors, who are presented in an original and relaxing manner. One of the ambassadors is the one and only Luka Dončić and he successfully spread the word about the crazy chicken sausage across the pond. We also made a special page, the Poli Museum, which takes viewers back in time before Poli (BPE) and after Poli (PE) and shows the brand's development from its beginnings to the present.
Technological perfection (website and Poli taste)
The website is built on the technologically advanced and secure Silverstripe 4 platform, which enables easy content management and addition of various types of (interactive) content. During the update we also improved the domain policy, changing the global domain into poli-europe.com and tying all localised versions to it. A global brand with a single core domain and various language versions allows us to rank higher on search engines. The site is responsive and can adapt to different devices and browsers.
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✪ Frank Sinatra may have envisioned waking up in a New York City that made him king of the hill and top of the heap, but those days are long over thanks to Mayor Bill de Blasio's disregard for public safety, neglect of leadership, and utter incompetence…
In just under eight years, de Blasio has managed to turn the city that never sleeps into the city everyone flees. This once thriving and vibrant metropolis has become a crime- and drug-infested jungle, where pedestrians are randomly punched in the face by the mentally ill, who are free to roam the streets; where subway riders are pushed onto the tracks as they wait for a metro that has likely been transformed into a rolling homeless shelter; and where visitors to Washington Square Park are greeted with drug addicts, people urinating in public, and criminals who terrorize citizens with knives.
After de Blasio employed some of the strictest COVID-19 lockdown measures anywhere in the country, the city's unemployment rate currently sits at an abysmal 11.4 percent. Due to de Blasio's mismanagement of the pandemic, about 3.57 million people left New York City last year between Jan. 1 and Dec. 7, resulting in a net loss of 70,000 people and roughly $34 billion in lost income.
It's no wonder that 72 percent of the 1,000 New York City Democrat voters who were recently polled rated de Blasio's performance as "fair" or "poor," while just 26 percent said he was doing a "good" or "excellent" job. It turns out even the liberals in New York City have had enough of de Blasio. When all is said and done, Warren Wilhelm Jr., as he was known at birth, will go down in history as one of the worst mayors that Gotham has ever elected — or perhaps as the worst mayor "in the history of this great country," as New York Democrat Rep. Max Rose said of de Blasio last year.
De Blasio, who was first elected mayor in 2013 and inherited a city with historic lows in crime, garnered 73 percent of the vote in a weak and sparse field, in which only 7 percent of the city's registered voters participated. Even after his blatant disregard for the position became evident, he was reelected in 2017 with another 66 percent of the vote, with only 8.5 percent of the New York City population actually voting for him. And he will be leaving the city in far worse shape than when he entered office.
One wonders where de Blasio went wrong. Perhaps his troubles began during his college days when he toured the Soviet Union in 1983, or when he took a trip to work alongside the Sandinistas in 1988, or when he later honeymooned in Cuba. Or maybe it was during his first term as mayor, when he marched behind Oscar López Rivera, a convicted terrorist, at the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Perhaps it was one of the numerous times he simply overslept, one of which resulted in him showing up 19 minutes late to a memorial service for the families of the victims of a plane crash that occurred in Queens in 2001.
Maybe it was when he tried eliminating the horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, or when he tried to limit the number of Uber cars in the city in favor of the yellow-cab industry, which had donated roughly $550,000 to his mayoral campaign. Maybe it was his insistence on channeling his inner Bernie Sanders in railing against the supposed evils of private property, luxury housing, and income inequality, or uttering stupid remarks such as, "I think there's a socialistic impulse, which I hear every day, in every kind of community, that they would like things to be planned in accordance to their needs. And I would, too."
Maybe it was the time that members of the NYPD turned their backs on de Blasio at a funeral for two murdered officers, and Patrick Lynch, the president of the city's biggest police union, openly blamed the mayor for the tragedy: "There's blood on many hands tonight … That blood on the hands starts at the steps of City Hall in the office of the mayor."
This statement came after de Blasio had said about his biracial son, "I have had to talk to Dante for years about the dangers that he may face," de Blasio said. "A good young man, law-abiding young man, who would never think to do anything wrong. And yet, because of a history that still hangs over us, the dangers he may face, we've had to literally train him — as families have all over this city for decades — in how to take special care in any encounter he has with the police officers who are there to protect him."
Maybe it all went wrong when de Blasio decided to run for president in 2020 and spent just seven hours at City Hall during the first month of his campaign before ultimately dropping out after only 15 people attended a campaign event in Iowa and his polling hovered around 0 percent. Yet even after ending his ill-advised presidential bid, de Blasio still had little interest in repairing his city.
As of May 2, 463 New Yorkers have been victims of shootings, a huge spike from 259 in the same time period of 2020. But de Blasio, who essentially ended stop and frisk and closed Rikers Island, seems content to allow violent criminals to roam the streets while he finishes out his term. Of course, de Blasio does not consider himself responsible for the rising crime rate but has instead blamed the pandemic, high unemployment, the weather, and what he called an unfair court system.
And there's more: de Blasio has allowed the subways to become overrun with the homeless, as train cars are regularly filled with urine, feces, vomit, blood, and more, according to internal MTA documents. In the last month alone, there were 132 reported incidents of soiled or unusable train car interiors compared to 118 reports of dirtied train cars in May 2020. Perhaps the homeless have decided to seek refuge below ground after de Blasio announced last week that he will be moving roughly 8,000 homeless people out of the more than 60 hotels for which New York City taxpayers were on the hook over the past year, at a cost of nearly $300 million, or $120 per night.
Not surprisingly, public safety has become the top concern for New York City residents. With the New York City mayoral primary occurring on Tuesday, Eric Adams, who has made crime his top issue, is currently leading in the polls, at 28 percent, while Andrew Yang is not far behind at 20 percent. Still, other candidates who are very much alive in the race are doubling down on de Blasio's radical agenda. Kathryn Garcia, who is currently polling third at 15 percent, wants the city to be a "true sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants, and Maya Wiley, who was endorsed by AOC, wants to cut $1 billion in funding from the police and establish a civilian police commissioner.
Regardless of the outcome of this race, the next mayor of New York City will have their work cut out for them, thanks to Bill de Blasio's negligence and desecration of the city. Perhaps one day, it will reclaim its place as king of the hill and top of the heap. ✪

subset: commoncrawl


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Linda Lawrence Hunt
About the Author
Linda Lawrence Hunt, an associate professor of English at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, now directs the Krista Foundation for Global Citizenship with her husband, Jim. An engaging speaker and freelance writer, she has published articles in regional and national publications, and has traveled throughout America and Norway. Hunt is the author of Bold Spirit, Pilgrimage through Loss, In the Long Run, and many more.


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No Products in the Cart
Finasteride is one of the only medications which is scientifically proven to treat male pattern hair loss, so doing everything you can to improve its results is crucial. Is your Finasteride not working the way you would like it to? Here are some simple ways to make your journey with Finasteride that bit more successful.
Minoxidil is the number one way to increase Finasteride results. Minoxidil comes in the form of a topical solution applied to the scalp - which increases blood flow oxygen in your blood vessels and revitalises shrunken or damaged hjourlaair follicles in your scalp. This process also helps Finasteride to reach your hair follicles. When used together, Minoxidil and Finasteride, is the most effective hair loss treatment for men.
Like any other medication, Finasteride requires consistent use. It's important that you don't miss any tablets, as consistently missing tablets can have a huge impact on your hair loss treatment. We recommend incorporating Finasteride into your daily routine, i.e. taking them after you brush your teeth, or setting a daily alarm that reminds you to take it.
Biotin supplements
Finasteride and Minoxidil aren't the only things you should consider taking as part of your hair loss treatment. Otherwise known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, Biotin actively promotes healthy, strong hair. Many men who struggle with male pattern baldness are found to have a Biotin deficiency, which can also affect skin and nail growth. If you can combine your Finasteride tablets with Biotin supplements, you give yourself the best chance of growing great-looking hair.
DHT-blocking shampoo
Formulated with saw palmetto, DHT-blocking shampoo is the fourth and final element of your Sons treatment plan. This proven DHT blocker stops (as the name suggests) the hormone DHT from damaging your hair follicles and therefore increases the amount of healthy hair on your head. Used alone, DHT-blocking shampoo can have a modest effect on your hair - when combined with Biotin, Minoxidil and Finasteride, the results are impressive.
Our all-in-one tailored treatment plans are the best way to combine all of the medications you need into one convenient monthly package. Making sure that you back up your Finasteride use with a complete hair loss treatment is the surest way to slow the hair loss process and experience the potential regrowth of thick healthy hair.
View our Finasteride FAQ's here >
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.


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Ashtalakshmi Temple Timings
This temple has Goddess Lakshmi as Ashtalakshmi in all her eight forms. This temple is situated in Vasavi Colony, one of the prime residential localities in Hyderabad. It is one of its kind temple in the state of Andhra Pradesh and also one of the two Ashta Lakshmi temples in India, the other being in Chennai. The temple was constructed in the year 1996 under the Kanchi Kama Koti Peetam. The temple is very famous for its spectacular annual event called Brahmotsavam, when the cultures and traditions of the region are portrayed through great spiritual pomposity.
Temple Timings
Daily Timings: Mornings 6.30a.m to 12 Noon.
Evenings 4.00p.m to 9.00 p.m.


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Insurance and Serious Accident Claims
You are a motorist on the road, a large truck, a semi tractor-trailer, without warning, pulls into your lane hits you and sends you into the guard rail. Your car flips and comes to a rest on its top. You and your family have on seat belts and survive a potential wrongful death, but your family has suffered serious personal injury. Your first concern is getting proper medical attention. In a few days you are assured that everyone will heal, but it will take a lot of therapy and pain. Who is going to pay for it? Well, the law says that the trucker who caused the highway collision , and his employer, are responsible for paying to make up for the harm they cause. You can rest easy knowing that in order for the truck to be on the road it is required to have insurance to pay for the harm caused by the tractor-trailer accident. It's the law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCFR) mandate the following:
387.7 Financial responsibility required.(a) No motor carrier shall operate a motor vehicle until the motor carrier has obtained and has in effect the minimum levels of financial responsibility as set forth in §387.9 of this subpart.(b)(1) Policies of insurance, surety bonds, and endorsements required under this section shall remain in effect continuously until terminated. Cancellation may be effected by the insurer or the insured motor carrier giving 35 days' notice in writing to the other. The 35 days' notice shall commence to run from the date the notice is mailed. Proof of mailing shall be sufficient proof of notice.
The minimum amount of insurance is $750,000.00. Most responsible trucking companies carry more than this minimum amount. They carry more because large truck collisions cause serious personal injury including amputations, paralysis, and wrongful death.
Rest assured Indiana Law also states that all cars on the road are also required to carry liability insurance.
If you are ever on a jury, know that the person who caused the harm has insurance, and that the insurance will pay for the harm done. The driver is not going to have to pay for the harm out of their own pocket.


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LOCAL Pick-up available during checkout
(You will be emailed once it's ready for pickup)
SHIPS in 3-5 Business Days! ONLY MONDAY-WEDNESDAY. Refrigerate upon receiving. Be sure to keep up with the tracking so it does not spoil.
Get the benefits of Elderberry Syrup and Sea Moss at the same time!
Standard dose is ½ - 1 teaspoon for kids and ½ - 1 tablespoon for adults.
Store in the refrigerator 3-4 weeks or up to 6 months in the freezer.
Ages 1+ Ingredients: Organic Dried Elderberries, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Cinnamon and Organic Cloves, Local Honey, Wild Crafted Sea Moss, Spring Water.


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Different businesses have developed out of locksmiths as people make a crucial chain of all the locksmiths all together and mention their businesses online. Whenever people search for locksmith near me, they get a list of people and their businesses to call them and get their things repaired or installed.
There has been an increase in the funding of these businesses as they have a higher payback. It means locksmith has been one of the most successful businesses these days. The lock and key play a critical role in the functioning of any system as it is the safety guard to all the security a person wants to keep.
If a person doesn't have a secure place, he or she might not be able to do things comfortably. Search Whether it is a business place or home, everyone requires a high lock system to protect themselves. If you ever wonder that locksmith work for breaking up the locks, this is undoubtedly true, but this happens when the person forgets the key and calls the locksmith to break the lock.
In these cases, the locksmith carefully goes into the case and sees if opening a lock without a key belongs to a person hiring to do the job. There can be legal implications on the locksmith if he or she doesn't take care of the job as it is a crucial job where you have to be careful of whether the person who is hiring you is genuine.
Training Required
Proper training is required for becoming a locksmith as it involves a combination of classroom and practical learning. Practical learning in these cases is essential as A potential locksmith will only understand the case if he or she is involved in it. There is a crucial responsibility as people may find you after searching locksmith near me.
Theoretical knowledge is essential to an extent, but after some time, the theoretical knowledge comes nowhere if the person doesn't have the practical knowledge of dealing with the situation, such as installing a lock and key, relocking, and many more cases.
Legal Requirements
There are some legal requirements to become a Locksmith as they may have to go with some critical condition Where they have to select and make some decisions. The government permits the locksmiths by giving them a license of working to be approved of becoming a locksmith with some theoretical and practical knowledge come together.
The earning of a locksmith is preferably dependable on where you live. Different companies offer a high salary bracket, but if you want to start your own business, you may have to wait for the right time when your business will flourish, and you will earn a lot of profit. After good reviews, people often contact you after searching locksmith near me.
As a business starter, it is not necessary that you may get the whole sum of money that you are willing at the starting. But after the business is famous and the services are good, people are constantly reviewing it well, and will pay a high sum of money if you have all your services legally approved from the government and are all for people's good deeds.


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Stéphane Beaudoin
Stéphane Beaudoin is a graduate of McGill University in General Agriculture program and a member of l'Ordre des Agronomes du Québec. Over the last 25 years, Stéphane has evolved mainly in the fields of agronomy, animal production, animal health, continuous improvement, corporate affairs and animal welfare. Stephane has both a broad and in-depth knowledge into the livestock production value chain and its related regulatory and marketing systems. He has the ability to distill complex industry regulatory issues and relationships into workable insights and intelligence. He defines himself as a facilitator, even a bridges builder between the various stakeholders with the following ultimate goals: the promotion of the ONE Health principle (health and well-being of animals, humans, ecosystems), food safety and consumers' trust in their agri-food system.
His entrepreneurial journey began with his meeting with Dr. Temple Grandin in 2007. It was for him his epiphany where he understood how he could amalgamate his passions for animal welfare, science, agribusiness and education. In 2013, he founded his own animal welfare company, under the name of Gestbeau Inc.
In order to reach an atypical but growing clientele, he founded Magon Inc in 2020 to offer agronomic and veterinary tele-consultation service to small-scale livestock producers and urban/peri-urban owners of farm animals.


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Executive Protection Training, comes down to the syllabus and the trainers, and ESS has both. Approved by the D.O.E. – Approved by the VA to accept GI Bill Benefits – Trainers with Real World Experience.
Executive Protection Training – A Guide to EP
The very first thing you must ask yourself when looking for executive protection training;
"Am I prepared to enter the world of EP?"
You genuinely need to determine if you are ready, both physically and psychologically, before you begin your search for an Executive Protection Training School (there are very few "schools" most are "facilities" – more on that later)
Additionally, ask yourself these questions:
- Am I willing to take another human being's life to save my own or the life of another?
- Am I capable of defending another, or myself and then render first aid and/or CPR to the very person I just injured?
- Am I ready to face the consequences of my actions and defend those actions in a court of law?
- What about the effects of my actions on my family and my friends, how will the public view my actions?
No other executive protection training facility will tell you to ask yourself these questions, because each of the answers to these questions should actually create new questions to be answered, depending on which direction you have chosen.
The bottom line is there is much more to think about executive protection training, and how best to choose where to train for this type of occupation.
Let's clear the air.
Before we get too far, you should know that Executive Protection is one of many names used to describe what we do here at ESS Global Corp. However, you will frequently see or hear terms like Bodyguarding, Close Protection, Personal Protection and Protective Service used interchangeably with Executive Protection. All these terms mean the same thing.
The one term that we don't use much here at ESS, is "Bodyguarding". We are Executive Protection Agents, Close Protection Agents, Personal Protection Agents or Protective Service Agents. We are never Bodyguards! Unfortunately stereotypes and the media have spoiled that term.
Whether you take the 3-day Executive Protection Training, or the 28 Mega Executive Protection Course at ESS Global, you will clearly understand the difference between a "bodyguard" and an "executive protective specialist".
General Traits That Match Executive Protection
- Common Sense and Quick Thinking
- Never Assumes (Trust but Verify)
- Maintains Low Profile
- Always Aware
- Intelligent
- Punctual
- Works Well With Others
- Clean Cut/ Good Hygiene
- Articulate
- and above all, Honest
The stereotype we have seen in movies and on TV is a 300 lb. guy with enormous muscles and a pea sized brain, who's first instinct is to throw punches (or bodies).
Today's Protective Agent is usually found in a business suit, presenting a discreet and subdued image. They are seen, but not noticed, as they try to maintain a low profile. They are fit, but usually of normal build or stature. This helps them blend into the background of their client's business and activities without drawing any undue attention. They are highly trained and highly skilled professionals. There are some excellent agents that do look like the stereotype, but they have the intelligence to match the stature, and that makes them professional.
The Purpose of Executive Protection
While kidnapping and assassination are rare (at least in the US) they can occur. With Executive Protection the primary focus is to protect the client from any bodily harm. What we find in today's volatile climate, that heckling, menacing, rushing and thrown objects are more prevalent than ever.
Typical Assignments in the World of Executive Protection
What kind of work can you expect?
It varies with each and every client, but here are some generalities.
Home/Office Protection: It's more likely than not that an actual attack will most likely occur at the principal's home or office. Learn to examine and develop strategies to thwart those efforts using threat analysis, safe rooms, technology, barriers, exterior perimeter controls and more. This is often referred to as "Estate Protection"
Domestic and International Travel: Learn the fundamentals of domestic and international travel security including pre-travel planning, coordination, communication, ground travel and hotel/restaurant/venue security employing a street smart attitude. Study pattern of crime against travelers, counter-surveillance and kidnapping prevention.
Venue and Engagement: Meetings, speaking engagements, concerts, and more. Focus on protecting principals and explore up-to-date concepts including embus and debus, motorcade planning and operation, vehicle escort procedures, protect against dignitary/executive/celebrity stalkers.
The simple fact is as we barrel towards 2019, there is no doubt that "personal protection" is a growing field. As you read this guide to EP, there are thousands and thousands of military and government leaders, business executives, religious figures, celebrities and families are being personally protected. And the numbers grow every day.
Executive Protection is the fastest growing segment of the security industry. There is tremendous growth in the corporate world.
Globalization – The increasing globalization that has taken place means that companies can no longer depend on their home market if they want to grow and sustain their competitive advantage. Much of their growth is now taking place in new emerging markets, including developing nations that are often not as safe as more developed countries.
Income Gap – At the same time, income gaps between the very high net-worth and others continue to widen and threats to the wealthy continue to increase. Add in terrorism, whether it's abroad or the homegrown variety, an you'll find a mounting threat to executives, media stars, celebrities, sports figures and the religious that we have not seen before in our lifetime.
Corporate Security – Another trend is that Corporate Security Departments are changing fast and among the diverse and growing range of security services corporations must integrate, executive protection is probably the least integrated of all the corporate security services. Many corporate security directors don't have experience with writing or implementing an EP strategy, and even fewer of them have conducted Risk, Threat and Vulnerability Assessments (RTVAs), which form the foundation of a Quality Executive Protection Program.
The good news for aspiring protection agents is that there are new jobs opening up, working either directly for corporations or for the Executive Protection companies that service them. Same for some small business owners, like jewelers for instance. And nearly every celebrity, VIP and politician has EP agents.
How to Get Started.
So you've read this far and you're thinking "This is for Me".
At this point, you need to know that when choosing an Executive Protection "school" – Do not worry yourself with the fancily named certificates they have waiting for you – but rather investigate the certifications the school has. By doing so, you gain far greater insight into the quality of training.
A Guide to Executive Protection Training
Now let's look at the current state of training.
Perhaps you've heard some horror stories or maybe you have experienced them yourselves. The let down and anger you feel when you pay hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on training courses, only to find out the course material or the instructors themselves were less than mediocre. Unfortunately, this is an all too common experience that many students have and will continue to endure in the Security and Executive Protection industries.
While most states have mandatory courses for Security Guards, even unarmed ones, and these are regulated by the state. But in most states the executive protection training industry is unregulated.
For Executive Protection training, there are a only a handful of states, if that, that have anything resembling a state regulated course. This means that when you attend an Executive Protection school, it's more than likely nobody is regulating what is being taught or who it is being taught by. This means you are basically taking a gamble and hoping that what you are being taught is accurate, and the person teaching it is experienced. To be honest, this is rarely the case with most Executive Protection "facilities".
What you will likely find, is that the school was opened by a retired "law enforcement officer" or "DoD personnel" or an "ex Israeli operative" or somebody that took a course at another school and saw the potential to make money. Regardless, most schools are being taught by those who have spent little to no time actually working in the EP industry. And, since the states don't regulate these courses, this will continue.
This is why it is extremely important when searching for executive protection training, to research your school and your instructors. Make certain that not only have your instructors worked in the Executive Protection industry, but they are active in it now! Remember, the Executive Protection industry is evolving rapidly, especially in the corporate world and EP changes just like any industry. If you are planning on attending a school where the instructor is the same person instructing for the last 20-30 years, you may want to find out how many jobs they have worked in those last 20-30 years. We are willing to bet you will be surprised.
Look for a D.O.E. Approved "School" When Searching for Executive Protection Training
This is why we always recommend that you go through a school that is licensed through the department of education (D.O.E.). Then, you know that both their curriculum and instructors have had to of been reviewed and approved. All instructors have had background checks performed on them and have had to provide credentials that attest to their knowledge and ability to properly instruct. Additionally, the course syllabus is reviewed and approved.
While even this isn't perfect, it's better than there being no check and balance system like it is at the majority of EP "schools".
ESS Global Certifications
- Approved by the D.O.E.
- Approved by the VA to Accept GI Bill Benefits
- Approved by the VA and the D.O.E. for VA Vocational Rehabilitation
Get Certified!
When choosing a facility for executive protection training, be alarmed when you see phrases like;
- "Get your protection specialist credentials from ABC"
- "Earn your certificate in executive protection at XYZ"
- "We are the only school where you can earn 2 certificates in one training"
Or any Executive Protection Training School that talks about the "certifications" and "credentials" they have for you, more than they discuss their own school "certifications" and trainer "credentials".
You have been warned.
Look at the ESS Global Site, and the one thing you won't find anywhere is anything like that. Because it's a piece of paper and nothing more.
That being said, there are some real certifications from organizations such as ASP, Red Cross and others that a few EP courses across the nation offer including ESS.
If you are searching for an executive protection training, and if there is one thing you take away from this EP guide;
- There are no EP "certifications".
- There are EP "credentials".
- There is no EP "residency" program.
- There are no "degrees"
- Online training is a scam (we've never seen someone successfully defend themselves in hand-to-hand combat on a laptop)
There is no "Certified Protection Specialist Certification", but you have to admit that's a neat way to get "certify" into a 4 word phrase twice for good measure. Looks impressive, right?
Why do they do this?
Because "Certifications will only be given to people that complete our course." (we have your money now).
But it's comforting to know they are not printing them off and handing these worthless pieces of paper to folks walking down the street.
You Need to Know
In the protection industry, there is no "license", no testing, and no boards in most states. Executive Protection is usually lumped into the same category as Security Guards or Private Investigation and has little to do with either. Yet we see training to earn your "certified protection specialist credentials" advertised online. Unfortunately, nobody is regulating these schools, training centers and trainers. Meaning, nobody regulates or monitors what is taught and who is teaching it. Anybody off the street could be teaching you false and/or misleading information and you are paying for it. So your "protection credentials" at the end of the day is a piece of paper from the trainer and nothing more.
Trademarks and Other Tricks
No single school owns the basic concepts of executive protection training. We've seen websites where they have trademarks (TM) on common phrases like "certified protection operator" or "certified protection specialist" to make them look even more "official".
While some schools and instructors will try to give you the impression they invented, own or somehow refined EP skills all by themselves.
The simple fact is that everyone in the EP industry has learned from someone before them.
The Bottom Line
At some point, anyone that wants to work in EP will need to attend a credible EP School. Here at ESS Global, we've spoke with ex-law enforcement, security guards, ex-military and more that heartily disagree with that statement. But when they attend our Executive Protection Training they are in agreement, generally saying in unison, "I never knew any of that."
The bottom line is there is no school, no facility, no instructor, that can teach you everything you need to know in 1, 3, 7, 15, 30 or 365 days. It's just not possible.
What you do need to do, to begin a career in EP, is you need to get a solid foundation. That is what matters most. Not a piece of paper. For a building to stand the test of time, it needs a foundation. It's no different for Executive Protection Training. Down the road, you can focus on other specific training to further your career, depending on the path you take. But you need a solid foundation without the fluff.
ESS Global Corp Executive Protection Training
At ESS Global Corp, we are aware that there are competitors who state that they offer similar Executive Protection Training Programs. However, our Executive Protection School in the only protection training facility certified and approved by the Department of Education in the state of Florida. (and one of just a handful that are D.O.E. certified across the country)
ESS is approved by the VA to accept GI benefits.
ESS Global uses proven methodology, derived from protective security operations, security consulting and of course, security training, in over 60 countries around the world. These operations have been conducted in threat environments ranging from "negligible" to "imminent".
In addition to being the only D.O.E Certified Executive Protection School here in Florida, we are the only school offering active shooter training as part of our Bodyguard/Executive Protection training via the only VirTra Simulator here in Tampa Florida and the 1 of only 2 pubic installations in the entire country. It's a close to real as you'll ever get. And ESS Global is currently the only Executive Protection Training in the country utilizing this state of the art tool.
Why do we use it?
One critical component of a quality executive protection training is the 'realism' it provides. Real-world performance is often directly related to the realism and intensity of training. Said another way, the more realistic the training exercise, the more skills are transferable to a real-world situation. Thus, realism is critically important to any close combat tactical trainer. Threats during training – The stress of receiving return fire, can be safely simulated with the Threat-Fire in the VirTra simulator.
Looking for D.O.E Approved – GI Bill Approved Executive Protection Training? Access our calendar of events.
Again, take the time to research your school and its instructors. And while we know there are very few D.O.E licensed Executive Protection schools in the country, we also know it is worth the expense of traveling and lodging to attend a quality school rather than waste your money at a school that gives you below average training (but you will get a certificate you can frame!).
We always say here at ESS Global Corporation: There are two things you never cheap out on, gear and training. These are the two things that may save your clients life, and yours!


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Yogi Selected to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
We are thrilled to celebrate Yogi Berra's selection for the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom. This posthumous honor to our namesake is a fitting tribute to a noble and humble life well lived. We join with all of his fans and friends in congratulating his family, and in thanking President Obama for this award. Yogi received this highest of civilian honors in recognition of his military, civil rights and educational activism. We are proud and honored that his ideals will continue to influence future generations through the educational services and character curriculum of his beloved museum and learning center. Thank you to everyone for supporting his nomination and for sharing the values that he personified. If you would like to further honor his legacy and ensure his continued influence, please consider a gift to the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center.


text: Artist Martin Puryear has been picked to represent the United States at the 2019 Venice Biennale, a reliable source has told ARTnews. The news was echoed publically by Jerry Saltz, who wrote on Twitter: "I glean in the tea-leaves for the next American Pavilion at next Spring's Venice Biennale: American sculptor Martin Puryear will represent the United States. An abundant bloom."Read more at Art News


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We should start this designer profile with a very specific phrase: Scandi-cool. We might be tempted to leave it there, for it sure describes Mini Rodini's vibe. Background goes something like this: In 2006, Cassandra Rhodin, a Swedish artist with a career illustrating for H&M, Anthropologie, and other fast fashion brands, found herself pregnant but frustrated with the fashion production and the lack of organic cotton choice for her coming child. Like most momtrepreneurs she decided to fill the gap and named her company for a great-grandfather's circus performance name. So far, so cool, but it's about to get way cooler.
We profile and applaud many moms who find the market lacking in products that do good, make good, and sell good. So yes, you've read this type of story from us before, but in Mini Rodini's case we are blown-away by the initiative, narrative, and gentle instruction this company takes in their mission of sustainability and fair trade.
The design goal is to make fun children's clothes that are fit for kid life. We're talking quirky, bold, unisex pieces that don't skimp on quality and that meet Mini Rodini's ethical and environmental objectives. To that end, all their cotton and wool is GOTS certified, they upcycle polyester, and use soft Lyocell, Tencel, and vegan leather making their materials 99% sustainable while working to minimize chemical waste.
Charmingly, they share how as parents you too can recycle, resell, and even make patches and other wonders out of much loved kids garb thus including their customers in their story and mission. We are super excited to share with you Mini Rodini's colourful animals and motifs made for adventuring in your turf.


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Our son definitely wakes up earlier than what we would like, plus he is extremely active during these early hours, so we try to keep up and figure out where we can take him and what experiences are available at those hours so we can make the most of it. He does go to bed quite early so it's only natural that he also wakes up quite soon and given that we want him to have as much rest as possible we don't want to change his bed time so there only one thing to do – get used to it and go to bed early as well so we are not dead when he comes calling at sunrise. There are many articles online that address this so we guess this is quite common and that many parents would like to change it, but for us, even though it can be difficult at times we decided that this is his natural sleep cycle and that we need to adjust to it. He sleeps well, takes his nap, goes quite early to bed, he is in a good mood, so there is nothing we feel we need to change.
This time we were in Lisbon so we went to check out wonderland, of course it was still closed, it was too early so we had to wait.
Our other channels:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapethecouch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/escapethecouch/
Website: http://www.escapethecouch.com/
Our gear:
Canon 80d – http://amzn.to/2fLDqd6
gopro – http://amzn.to/2htqkRP
feiyu tech wg2 – http://amzn.to/2jXjR6z
Canon 10mm-18mm – http://amzn.to/2htUPHs
Canon 28mm 2.8 IS – http://amzn.to/2wObb8c
Canon 50mm 1.8 – http://amzn.to/2fLMJKl
Lowepro protactic 350 aw – http://amzn.to/2fLH6eV
K&F Concept ND Fader Variable Neutral Density – http://amzn.to/2xAfUsX


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As tourist season nears peak, UN agency issues tips to avoid travellers' diarrhoea
Waterborne disease is common in all parts of the world where there is poor hygiene and sanitation, and traveller's diarrhoea – whose principal causes are contaminated food and water – is estimated to affect 20 to 50 per cent of travellers, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in the new document – Preventing Travellers' Diarrhoea: How To Make Drinking Water Safe.
It urges that before travelling, people check with their local disease prevention agency or physician for recommended vaccines and medication, seek more detailed advice from WHO's International Travel and Health site at http://www.who.int/ith/en/, and take along a medical kit containing water disinfectant agents such as iodine tablets or solution, chlorinating-flocculating products, and/or chlorine bleach tablets.
Bringing water to a rolling boil is the most effective way to kill all disease-causing pathogens, the document says. If it is not possible to boil water, chemical disinfection of clear, non-turbid water is effective for killing bacteria and viruses and some protozoa.
As for treatment, WHO recommends that as soon as diarrhoea starts, travellers drink more fluids such as boiled, bottled or treated water, sports beverages or any other safe fluids like carbonated drinks. Oral rehydration salts may also be used to help the body retain fluids.
While drinking water of questionable purity is always risky, if a traveller becomes sick with severe diarrhoea and/or vomiting and a safe source of fluids can not be obtained, it is better to drink the best available fluids, even if of questionable purity, than to drink nothing at all.


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My name is Katie and I'm a third year Fashion Design student. Earlier this year (end of year two), I spent four months at OCAD University in Toronto, Canada, studying Material Art and Design. This was my first time in Canada and it's no exaggeration when I say that I fell in love with this city soon after I arrived.
I really want to share my experience of studying in Toronto because I genuinely had the most amazing experience and I hope that I can convince others to choose Toronto as their exchange destination.
If you want to jump to a specific topic, here is a list of things I will cover:
- The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway
- Ontario College of Art and Design – Timetable, Classes, Library, Art Shop, Printing
- Getting Around (Made Easy)
- Food
- Cost of Living
- Sightseeing Highlights
- Personal Challenges
The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway
I. Had. Four. Very. Cold. Months. From January to April, I was wrapped up head to toe with the lowest temperature hitting around -35 degrees. Because I have never really traveled over the winter time, I really underestimated the weather. I arrived in a T-shirt, jacket and sneaks and came back wearing a fur coat, thick socks and boots. I knew Canada would be pretty cold but I didn't expect to be trudging through the snow almost every day to and from uni (but it was fun).
Ontario College of Art and Design
My time at OCAD University was amazing. The course structure was very different to back home with students able to select four or five subjects to add to their timetable. I was able to study a mixture of creative textile-based subjects which related to my fashion and textiles degree but allowed me to study areas I wouldn't necessarily get to study back here in year two.
I liked how I was able to put together a timetable that worked for my specific interests but because I was accepted to the course rather late, many classes that I wanted to do the most were full. Still, they were very accommodating and the classes I attended were fun and interesting all the same.
I found that everything I needed for my course was right on my doorstep. Every other store on Queen's Street, which is around the corner from the university, seemed to be a fabric store. There is a sweet little art shop besides the University but there are also larger art stores in the city. There is a library on campus but with five floors, Toronto Public Library really is the place to go. I spent A LOT of time there. Printing was simple; just like back home, I was able to top up my student account and scan my ID card in order to print. There is also a print store across the street which allows students to print in a variety of formats and on different papers.
Getting Around (Made Easy)
The entire time I was in Toronto, I was using a Presto card to get around on the subway, buses and trams. It's a super easy system to use; it's just a case of loading money onto your card at a subway station and scanning your card at the start and end of your journey, similar to using the London Underground. At the start of each month, I purchased a monthly pass (which can be loaded onto your Presto card) which is definitely worth doing if you're going to be using public transport every day. From my experience, I found public transport in Toronto to be really straightforward and affordable.
Students can purchase a monthly pass at a reduced price.
Six months later, I'm still really missing Canadian food. There was a bunch of Canadian foods that I always wanted to try, including poutine, beavertails and Tim Horton's. I don't remember being disappointed by anything I ate while in Toronto.
Cost of Living in Toronto
The cost of living will be different for everyone but generally I found it to be similar to back home.
Transport – As I said, I found transport around the city to be very affordable with the monthly pass. My trip was for about three months and 20 days, so for me it made sense to purchase a monthly pass at the start of the first three months, then just top up my card for the remaining time.
Food – When it comes to eating out, I would say that there are options for every budget. I found groceries to be similar prices to back in the UK (cheaper if anything) and cooking your own meals is always a cheaper alternative.
Sightseeing – This was the most expensive part of my trip because there were just some amazing experiences I wanted check off my bucket list like going to an ice hockey game, watching a baseball game and going to Niagara Falls. More deats below:
Sightseeing Highlights
Niagara Falls is only a 2 hour coach ride from downtown Toronto so this was definitely on the top of my list. Other highlights from my trip include cheering for the Maple Leafs at an ice hockey game, watching a baseball game, visiting the Distillery District and the CN Tower. There are lots of great museums in Toronto too.
Personal Challenges
Being homesick can be difficult for some people. This wasn't my first solo trip overseas so thankfully I didn't find it too hard to be away for four months.
Making friends can be difficult when you're in a completely new environment. I felt like I stood out as the new girl because I was the only exchange student in most of my classes but everyone was really friendly and interested to get to know me and by the end of my time in Toronto, I had made lifelong friends.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/katie_goblinbabe/


text: "Heidi was such a pleasure to work with. Thanks to her creativity, empathy, and expertise, I gained invaluable knowledge about how to succeed in my post-PhD job search. Because of the strategies she shared with me, I feel confident about how to present myself in my job search documents and interviews. In fact, I have a file of notes I took from our meetings along with resources from Heidi that I look back on for insights and next steps. Because Heidi is an educator as well as an expert, she taught me lessons in resume writing and interviewing that will benefit me throughout my career. I'm so glad I made this investment!"


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Illinois Bucket List: Exploring 300-Year-Old Fort de Chartres
Despite what my kids believe, I was not alive when Fort de Chartres was built in Illinois. But, this 300-year-old fort is now on my Illinois to-do list and you might want to consider it, too.
I saw Only In Your State share a story about this and I have to admit that it was never on my radar...until now. That led me to a YouTube search where one guy shared his visit to Fort de Chartres and also some of the amazing history of this place:
Fort de Chartres was a French fortification first built in 1720 on the east bank of the Mississippi River in present-day Illinois. It was used as an administrative center for the province. Due generally to river floods, the fort was rebuilt twice, the last time in limestone in the 1750s in the era of French colonial control over Louisiana and the Illinois Country.
As you can see, there's a remarkable amount of the structure still in tact.
The official website for Fort de Chartres gives some vital details if you think you'd like to visit this place, too:
Fort de Chartres-Site grounds are open from sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week. The Museum and display buildings are typically open Tuesday thru Sunday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, depending on staff availability, closed all holidays. Site self-guided tours only (unless special arrangements are made through Fort support organizations with proper advance notice for staff to be available).
I wonder if I'd be the first person to visit Fort de Chartres dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow? I'm not sure how many pirates came up the Mississippi back in the 1700's, but it's a fascinating era of history in southwestern Illinois that still maintains remnants you can visit today.


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The Changing Geopolitics of Nuclear Energy: A Look at the United States, Russia, and China
Available Downloads
The nuclear industry of advanced industrialized countries is under significant pressure to remain competitive as the market landscape for new nuclear power opportunities changes. The relative decline of U.S. nuclear export competitiveness comes at a time when Russia is boosting its dominance in new nuclear sales, and China is doubling down on its effort to become a leader in global nuclear commerce. This report illuminates how the changing market competition among the United States, Russia, and China will affect their future relations with nuclear commerce recipient countries, and discusses why Russia and China promote nuclear commerce, as well as which factors may alter their market competitiveness. The report further provides recommendations regarding the U.S. approach to continued commercial competitiveness in nuclear energy.
The key findings include:
- Nuclear power generation projects have never been a purely commercial endeavor in the United States, and civilian nuclear export is difficult to be viable as a purely commercial undertaking.
- Global nuclear market dominance by state-led capitalist economies with limited accountability and governance capacities would endanger the future of global nuclear safety and nonproliferation.
- The U.S. retreat could bifurcate the use of nuclear power generation along with similar political or economic systems.
- Nuclear commerce is geopolitical in nature and creates multi-decadal ties between supplier and recipient countries, but nuclear commerce may not be an effective tool of foreign policy leverage.
This report was made possible by the generous support of the Japan External Trade Organization and ClearPath Foundation.


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The Denver Nuggets suffered a heartbreaking loss in their home opener Saturday night as Damian Lillard and the visiting Portland Trail Blazers stole a game that quite frankly Denver should have won. Poor execution on both ends of the floor, missed free throws and questionable rotations all contributed to a fourth quarter meltdown and ultimately the tough loss on what was an otherwise special night in honoring Dikembe Mutombo.
But as Klay Thompson says, "it's a man's league," and the Nuggets will need to put this loss behind them and do it quickly. Tonight marks the beginning of a spooky (get it? It's Halloween) five-game road trip across the Northern part of the country and the first stop is a contest against the Toronto Raptors. This will be one of the toughest stretches of the year for the Nuggets, one where they will need every win they can get. Simply put, Denver can't afford to come out sluggish on this trip.
The Basics
Who: Denver Nuggets (1-1) vs. Toronto Raptors (1-1)
When: Monday, October 31, 5:30 pm MST
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
How to watch/listen: Altitude, AM 950
Rival Blog: Raptors HQ
Denver | Toronto | Advantage | |
PG | Emmanuel Mudiay | Kyle Lowry | Raptors |
SG | Will Barton | DeMar DeRozan | Raptors |
SF | Danilo Gallinari | DeMarre Carroll | Nuggets |
PF | Nikola Jokic | Pascal Siakam | Nuggets |
C | Jusuf Nurkic | Jonas Valanciunas | Nuggets |
Key Bench Guys | Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, Jamal Murray, Jameer Nelson | Terrence Ross, Patrick Patterson, Cory Joseph, Jakob Poetl | Nuggets |
What to watch for: Michael Malone's rotations
Two games in and one of the most troubling aspects of Denver's coaching strategy has been Michael Malone's rotations, especially regarding the front court late in the game. Interestingly, Malone has been using a small-ball lineup with Kenneth Faried at center instead of fully utilizing actual centers Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic, and has seen mixed results.. Nurkic was having the game of his life in New Orleans and put together another solid performance against Portland but watched from the bench in both games as the Nuggets blew the lead down the stretch. Jokic was the Nuggets best player on Saturday, but after drawing his fourth foul with 4:27 to go Malone pulled him and put Faried in at center instead and Denver gave up an eight point lead and the game.
Much has already been said about this, and of course there were other factors that led to the loss, but there's no questioning that the presence of Nurkic or Jokic would have made a difference in the last few minutes against Portland. Malone's late game front court rotations will certainly be something to monitor throughout this game and the next few games as the Nuggets face big men like Jonas Valanciunas and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Key Matchup: Will Barton vs. DeMar DeRozan
Through two games, the Nuggets defensive strategy has seemed to be to allow the opposing team's best player to get his points while disrupting the rest of the offensive flow. Anthony Davis put up 50 in the first game while Damian Lillard dropped 37 in game two. For the Raptors, that player looks to be DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan has scored 40 and 32 in his first two games this season and will look to continue his hot shooting streak. Assuming Gary Harris doesn't play, Will Barton will have his hands full against the dynamic Raptors shooting guard.
Key Statistic: FTA
Free-throw Attempts. The Nuggets have been doing a great job at getting to the free throw line, and are second in the league in attempts at 36 per game. Historically Danilo Gallinari has been the Nuggets best player at drawing fouls and is doing just that at 7.2 attempts per game. But Jusuf Nurkic is also benefiting from his aggressiveness in the paint and is averaging 6 FTAs per game himself, helping the Nuggets cause foul trouble for opposing bigs.
Nuggets Spotlight: Emmanuel Mudiay
Mudiay has faced his fair share of criticism in the early goings for his poor shooting and knack for turning the ball over, but not all is lost for the 20 year-old player by any means. He struggled in the first half against Portland but came alive in the third quarter, attacking the paint for easy scores and otherwise facilitating the offense to give the Nuggets a sizeable lead. He still has some work to do (how about that awful turnover on the inbounds with just a few seconds left) but the dude can play. Hopefully his performance will be a boost of confidence for the upcoming road trip; the Nuggets will sure need it.
Bonus Spotlight: Jamal Murray is still looking for his first NBA basket, going 0-4 in his first two games. Will he finally get it against the Raptors?
Prediction: Nuggets 105, Raptors 100
The Nuggets will bounce back following the disappointing loss to Portland and win a close game on the road. Mudiay and Jokic will continue their strong play and Jamal Murray will get his first NBA field goal in a homecoming for the rookie. Whoever is in at the end of the game, be it Faried or one of the Balkans, will hold off a balanced attack to seal the victory.


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The world is full of men with porn addiction, and then there's Chad…
As a Librarian by day and Mistress by night, you could say that I lead a double life.
The library patrons I reserve books for wouldn't believe that I peg men at night, and my clients at The Dungeon have no idea that I'm a book nerd.
Just when I think I've heard it all, I meet Chad: a masturbation addict who gives a new meaning to porn addiction.
I'll show him the ways of Female Domination, slowly but surely molding him into the perfect submissive male.
He'll surrender his orgasm to me whether he likes it or not.
Unfortunately for me, however, he's still a flawed human being.
I'm also a woman who has needs that aren't being met in my personal life.
I know what the key to his success is, though.
Some men are locked up for a day or two.
Others, a week or more.
Chad's addiction puts him into the third category: permanent chastity.
I'll try to refrain from going that far, but if he can't refrain from touching himself so much, then what other choice will I have? $2.99 on Kindle.


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In today's environment we are seeing more doctors looking at some sort of incentive based compensation system for their dental practice team members.
We are often asked what the incentive based compensation system should look like to help make it successful. Typically, when we are asked, most doctors just want the details of the system and then they want to put it in place and hope it works. However, before we go to that level we need to address some things that are more important than the details of the numbers and formula.
More important than the formula, for the success of an incentive based system, are the less tangible and peripheral items. What am I talking about? Well let's cover a few of them.
Effective leadership; this is probably the single most important aspect of any effective system. Effective leadership is vital to a well-run dental team. There is no compensation system that can compensate for ineffective leadership. Too often we see that ineffective leaders try to mask or cover for their shortcomings with bonuses or raises. This does not work and causes a number of problems. So if you want to create an effective compensation system; first take a good look at your leadership skills and make sure you first work on your leadership effectiveness.
Employees must fully understand the compensation system. It must be easy to understand, not too complicated and then time must be taken to make sure team members fully understand it. The system will totally lose its effectiveness if employees do not understand it.
Care must be taken to ensure that the system does not reward poor performers. The team members know who the higher performers are and who the poor performers are. If the compensation system ends up rewarding poor performers then the system might act as a disincentive for the entire team.
Finally, doctors, you have to make sure you fully understand the system and understand that it may result in higher compensation for the team members. You have to make sure to remember that if the system is set up correctly and it is working properly, then this higher compensation means that your practice is making more money and is more profitable. You must not sabotage your own system just to save some bonuses paid to staff.
It is exciting to see an effective incentive based compensation system working well in a dental practice; the results can be very impressive. Before implementing a system make sure all of the pieces are in place to ensure it is an effective system and has the highest potential for success.
In part II we will go over more of the details of an incentive based compensation system.
Please make sure to contact us if you have any questions or if you want to discuss effective leadership.


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KD Color Run
Northern Kentucky - Theta Omega
By Jack Stamm Apr 19, 2018
The women of Kappa Delta host their annual philanthropy event, the 5k Color Me KD run. Despite rainy weather, the men from Theta Omega had a wonderful time running with KD in the fight against child abuse. All the proceeds went to the Florence Family Nurturing Center.


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Beta patchnotes are released, Please leave your feedback and suggestions below.
Forged Alliance Forever Forums
Moderator: JaggedAppliance
Notha: It now also shows the bomb radius on the reticle when using groundfire.
Regen Aura: Restoration Field has a larger range and grants additional max hp. Thaams in the field's range will be bumped to 308 hp, requiring an extra shot from enemy ACUs to be killed.
Scathis: The Scathis is a gameender once again. It shoots a volley of 20 shells with a huge AoE every 20 seconds.
T2 Engineer Speed: 1.7 → 1.9; T3 Engineer Speed: 1.5 → 1.9
Torpedo Bombers: Mass cost: 240 → 300; Energy cost: 4800 → 6000
The swiftwind is getting a cost increase. The barrier to entry is low for this fast and powerful fighter.
Mass cost: 200 → 245; Energy cost: 6000 → 6750; Buildtime: 1600 → 1800
Beacon: The torpedo defense of the aeon frigate works more effectively
Siren: The cybran cruiser now shoots its anti-air missiles in a faster and more effective way
Exodus: AoE: 1 → 2
Beacon: The torpedo defense of the aeon frigate works more effectively
I tried it out, and yes, the anti-torpedo is a useful tool now. Sadly, the rest of the unit is still extremely weak compared to any other frig, and I think this needs to be changed. After all it is the most used naval unit and it being so much worse than the other options is bad imo. I would suggest a cost and build time decrease, and maybe even a muzzle velocity increase so it can use its range advantage more effectively against moving targets. I noticed that at the edge of its range most of its shots simply miss even if my opponent doesn't micro his frigs much, effectively removing some of the advantage.
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Vaccine Nationalism appears in multiple forms, it seems. And it is unlikely that popular support for a global perspective will ever expand to counter any of it. At least not for the current pandemic. Here is a personal story – but one that is accompanied by a note about the global context – and a lamentation. It's all about a new bargain – a regional one, not necessarily a global one – for another 1 billion doses of vaccines (good news) – not for just anybody in need but for certain groups of people in need; not for now but for a year and a half or more from now; not for the sake of humanitarian concern but for the sake of shared national interests. Some might speculate that it's all about US versus China, while others might insist that it isn't. But it also has repercussions for global concerns spilling over into economic recovery from the pandemic, climate change, gender equality and even the future of global technology trends.
The Personal Story
The personal dimension starts with the latest in vaccine distribution. I have been one of the fortunate ones – just old enough to qualify for an early phase of Pfizer doses, thanks to the good fortune of an EU initiative that filtered down to the local vicinity in southern France where I live. By further happenstance, I had discovered an Internet site (www.doctolib.fr.covid) where at least one site nearby (not Grasse where I live but some 30 kilometers away in Vallauris) happened to have slots available for late January (first shot) and late February (second shot). Lucky me. It worked!
But then, the challenge was to find a similar booking for my spouse/partner Ralph, whose age had missed the threshold for the first round of eligibility. Each time we went to that same website, we found that the next round for his age range was delayed or blocked or only for the Astra Zeneca vaccine, not the Pfizer vaccine. We didn't mind this alternative vaccine, even though it started receiving a raft of negative publicity, but even then, the website reported that all slots were fully booked.
It was then that there was a spate of critical media coverage of the way that the EU had negotiated its deals with the vaccine makers – aggravated by the vaccine makers themselves reneging on their commitments (unanticipated glitches in manufacturing, etc) by cutting back the quantity that they were able to deliver on the EU advance purchase contracts. The EU even suffered negative publicity for supposedly blocking exports of vaccines manufactured within the EU to other countries, while also criticizing the UK for not allowing AstraZeneca supplies to supplement the EU's limited supply. And all the while criticized for being behind the eight ball as compared to the earlier deals made with Israel or Canada or the US (as well as the UK).
We did read that this AstraZeneca vaccine, though, was to be distributed through local physicians, and not through vaccination centers – and then, because the physicians were reportedly balking, through pharmacies (but with a prescription or at least appropriate documentation of eligibility). So off Ralph went to see his physician, get the prescription and go to his favorite pharmacy to book his turn(s). He confirmed that he was at least on a waiting list, not a certainty but hopefully in late March.
And then what do we read, but that this same AstraZeneca vaccine was experiencing yet another barrier to its distribution in Europe because of export barriers elsewhere! Not specifically mentioned in most reporting, but it would seem that the main export barrier this time around was an excess supply of their vaccines in US manufacturing facilities! That is to say, in a country that had not yet granted emergency use authorization to the AstraZeneca vaccine! One could argue, of course, about who was responsible for that, since one would think that AstraZeneca has to initiate the request. But we also understood from the media reports that this was because the formality of trials in the US itself had not yet been completed. So no authorization pending. And yet doses already manufactured in the US and not allowed to be shipped elsewhere, whether to the EU or, more appropriately, after all, to needier countries in Africa or Latin America or wherever! And the US government's response? The US has its own advance purchase contract with AstraZeneca and has no intention of releasing any quantity of doses that are reserved, even without a date certain, for US consumption! First, said President Joe Biden, all Americans must be vaccinated. And only then will the US release any doses for anyone else!
From a personal point of view, I am dismayed by this variation of "America First" mentality, something that one might have thought was hibernating or more likely sunbathing off somewhere in Mar-a-Lago. But does this mean I am dismayed that Ralph has to wait for his shots? Of course, I would like him to be protected like I have been – making it all the easier for the two of us to venture out of isolation together. But the real dismay is broader than the personal concern. Why is it that the political scene is so parochial that the global nature of the pandemic is not appreciated as requiring a global strategy for bringing the virus under control? What is wrong with the idea that we should be prioritizing high-risk populations everywhere, no matter where they are, and steadily working from that premise to bring the pandemic under control across the globe? Why is the rationale for this as the only way to protect anyone of us when everyone is covered not working?
One could argue that it is the same as with climate change. We know what the catastrophe is forecast to be, but it is not obvious in the here and now. Yes, the variants are worrisome, aren't they? They are spreading from unpredictable places, even with travel controls in place. And they are adding to the argument that global coverage is urgently needed before the variants become so potent that existing vaccines won't protect you, even with upgraded versions of them. Yet another reason for global distribution. From my personal perspective, I can at least be comforted that I live in a country, France, where the leadership is voluntarily offering at least a portion of their stash to share with others in need, in this case targeting African countries, to be sure – but still extending the offer to be channeled through the globally structured COVAX Facility.
Looking beyond the personal, though, I want to comment here on two recent developments and tie them to a third. One development is the first ever heads-of-state meeting (albeit virtual) on 12 March 2021 of the so-called Quad (aka Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) – heads of state or government of India, Japan, Australia and the US. The other is the apparently unrelated but significantly related development of the announced selection of a new Secretary General for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). And the third development to which these are also tied in my mind is a meeting of an important committee at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Quad Announcement on Vaccine Manufacturing in India
First, the Quad meeting (which was not widely publicized in advance) was clearly held after a flurry of bilateral and diplomatic negotiations among the four government's leadership teams in February. One need not delve too deeply into the erratic history of this group to note that it has been around since 2008, mostly as an Indo-Pacific counter to the influence of China in the region but with varying degrees of interest in their various relationships with China. On this particular occasion, i.e. the virtual meeting of President Biden with Prime Ministers Yoshida Suga, Narendra Modi and Scott Morrison, the big news was an agreement to deliver one billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region "and beyond" by the end of 2022! The deal is that the US and Japan will provide the financing, Australia will provide the logistics capacity and India's manufacturing facilities (owned by Biological E. Ltd in Bangalore) will manufacture the vaccines. To implement the commitments, the Quad will launch a Quad Vaccine Experts Group. (P.S. They also established two other working groups, one on climate change and the other on emerging technology.)
A White House brief (available here) and an op ed published in the Washington Post (available here) described this commitment as a supplement to other US commitments to support the WHO and the COVAX Facility. That is, it is in addition to the $2 billion that the US announced for the COVAX Facility in February (and presumably the additional $2 billion that has been pledged). The reference in these sources is to the intent to channel the additional billion doses (at whatever cost) through the COVAX Facility, but a check of the website for the COVAX Facility still did not show any information about this. So one has to speculate that the publicity for this gesture is oriented to highlighting the Quad countries' interests in working together, with or without any formal acknowledgement that it is a move to compete with the Chinese on the generosity of vaccine distribution, specifically targeted to the countries along China's borders. That is to say, it is a collaborative effort (yes, a multilateral one) that serves to advance shared national interests among the four countries involved and that uses the global notion of the COVAX Facility as a conduit for that purpose.
Geopolitics in Selecting a New Head for the OECD
The second event of note here is the announcement at about the same time that the Selection Committee at the OECD had reached agreement to recommend the appointment of the Australian candidate Matthias Cormann as the next Secretary General to succeed the retiring Angel Gurria. Well, well, well! The Australian, is it? What a surprise! He was hardly the most likely of the ten candidates who had started in the competition for this position back in June 2020. The selection process had been a drawn-out culling of the candidates, almost two by two, from 10 to 8 to 6 to 4 down to 2. I was actually surprised that the candidate that I thought had the most gravitas, Philippe Hildebrand from Switzerland, did not make it to this final round – rather it was Mr. Cormann along with the other supposed "favorite", Cecile Malmstrom from Sweden. I was personally but quietly cheering for her, and maybe I should have been more vocal, although I doubt that it would have made a difference. I do understand that the two were both well received and that the final decision was a very close one.
The key point that I have to infer from the choice of Mr. Cormann is that it was related to US strategic interest in reviving an Asia-Pacific orientation to its foreign policy – and that it was part of the Quad deliberations as well. Here is this fellow, a bit of an upstart in Australian politics, from a center-right party, with a very solid record of taking actions against climate change in Australia, and with a record against LGBT rights (and probably more but not well documented on basic gender issues) against a woman who has concentrated on strengthening EU relations with the US, who is a trade policy expert, with strong academic credentials, dedicated to climate change, to feminism, taking action on emerging technology. I have to conclude that it was the US who decided to go with the Australian – in spite of his bad record but maybe even because of it. That is to say, the OECD is a building block kind of organization, the developed and democratic world (without China or Russia), a think tank that plays an instrumental role in G20 deliberations and elsewhere to support things like climate change action or a global digital tax or …….! Oops! Too much, perhaps? To embrace someone like Ms. Malmstrom at the helm at this stage would have been too far out front, too pro-European, perhaps even too ready to accommodate China for the current state of US foreign policy. That is my opinion.
I am saddened by this development. It seems that it was only the climate change activists who actively lobbied against Mr. Cormann, and that seemingly was not enough. After all, he verbally did commit to the idea of helping countries reach zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (wherever feasible). But it would have been nice to see another woman at the helm of an international organization – along with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the WTO, Kristalina Georgieva at the IMF, Christine Lagarde at the European Central Bank, and Odile Renaud-Basso at the EBRD. And then, of course, there's US Vice President Kamala Harris and US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen. Maybe it was just one too many to include Ms. Malmstrom in the mix. I am sure Mr. Cormann will make everyone happy – a safe non-European with European roots (born in Belgium and originally a native German speaker) who migrated to Australia and did well – at a time when we are all wondering how successful the US will be in formulating and conducting a new kind of multilateralism.
As for the effect this has on globalism for pandemic action, it is a pity that the COVAX Facility got manipulated in this way. There is still no deal from the US for a global sharing of vaccines without waiting for full national coverage first. Instead, national interests are dictating foreign policy as opposed to embracing a global framework. Fair enough. Might there be enough understanding of the global scope of pandemics to work more effectively on laying the groundwork for a global framework on the next pandemic? The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, did suggest the idea of negotiating a global pandemic treaty for the future, and maybe the momentum will build for that – as long as it can be phrased as a self-interested kind of idea. Which it is. But it needs more fine-tuning for the future, it seems.
And Dr. Ngozi's Third Way at the WTO
And for that WTO issue of acting on a possible waiver of intellectual property rules? Who knows how Dr. Ngozi is doing behind the scenes on this one? I only mention this here because the WTO group that has been managing this proposal from South Africa and India, the TRIPS Council, did meet last week to discuss the matter. Proponents renewed their support for it and referred to "underutilized manufacturing capacity" in developing countries, while critics renewed their interest in more "concrete examples" that intellectual property rights are operating as a barrier (directly, that is) to vaccine manufacturing and access that could not be addressed by existing TRIPS flexibilities.
The Quad deal seems to be taking advantage of that "underutilized manufacturing capacity" in India – given that the deal is with a different manufacturer, Biological E. Ltd, than the one we have heard so much about, the Serum Institute. Furthermore, it appears that this company, which had recently established a US presence, will be manufacturing mostly American vaccines (i.e. those made by Johnson & Johnson and by Novavax). And the TRIPS Council will supposedly have another special meeting in April, in addition to its regularly scheduled next meeting in June. If the US (and Japan) are succeeding in getting their pharmaceutical companies to contract and/or license their vaccine production through deals like this Quad deal, then we can probably thank Dr. Ngozi for helping to make this happen. April should be a lively month – what with the expectations for a pandemic accounting of sorts on World Health Day (7 April) and a major climate change summit on World Earth Day (23 April).


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