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A Federal Grand Jury sitting in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Harrisonburg has indicted dozens of individuals for conspiring to traffic in contraband cigarettes, money laundering and a variety of related charges.The defendants were charged by the grand jury in four separate indictments returned under seal on February 17, 2011, August 3, 2011 and October 6, 2011. Those indictments were unsealed earlier this week following the arrest and initial court appearances by the defendants.The charges are the result of a three-year investigation by the United...
Amy Olson-Yarbrough was tired of being a prisoner to tobacco."I decided I didn't want cigarettes to control my life any more," Olson-Yarbrough said. "When you're a smoker you have to figure out where you're going to be able to smoke cigarettes next, how long until my next cigarette, how am I going to hide it from my kids . . ."So, on Nov. 23, 2010, Olson-Yarbrough - a pack-a-day smoker who had been at it for close to two decades - quit smoking cigarettes.Now, Olson-Yarbrough can't stand anything about it."The smell of buy cigarettes really nauseates me," she said. "I'll never go back to...
Should smokers who want to work for the county be forced to sign a pledge they will quit smoking cigarettes — and then be required to follow through before starting work?Should they pay more for their health-care coverage if they don't keep the pledge, or decline to sign it?Is it discrimination for government not to consider smokers to fill open positions?The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors decided to have the county's Health and Safety Committee study the issue, which was brought up by Sheriff Dave White at the Board's regular meeting Monday.White told the Board he's heard...
A state appeals court upheld $13.8 million in punitive damages against Philip Morris on Wednesday for the addiction and death of a 45-year cigarette smoker, saying the company's decades of concealment and lies about the dangers of its products were "extremely reprehensible."In a 2-1 ruling, the Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles affirmed a verdict by a Los Angeles County jury in the case of Betty Bullock of Newport Beach (Orange County). Bullock had started smoking cigarettes Marlboros in 1956, at age 17, and quit in 2001 after she was diagnosed with lung cancer, two years...
Corporate America has pushed hard for years to hold the line on punitive damages, with some successThe Supreme Court has ruled that excessively high punitive damage awards, designed to punish defendants for particularly egregious behavior, can violate the Due Process clause. And the California Supreme Court had held that punitive damages typically should not be more than nine to ten times the size of damages awarded to compensate injured parties.But in a smoking cigarettes case against Philip Morris, a California appellate court yesterday signed off on punitive damages that were 16 times...
Discount-Cigarettes.US is the premium store for American smokers seeking to buy discount L&M cigarettes online. Order L&M cigarettes with us and you'll receive promotional coupon code (6% OFF) for the next purchase of your favorite cigarette brands. Enjoy L&M cigarettes shopping and save money for the next order. L&M cigarettes coupons expire after 30 days once payment transaction is completed.
Created by the company Liggett & Myers in 1953, discount L&M cigarettes are a brand of cigarettes produced by Altria Group, Inc.
L&M cigarette is one of the earliest, perhaps the earliest brand to have a filter that was not a one sided filter. When the L&M cigarette brand was launched, their motto was American cigarettes of the highest quality with the best filter. When their success in the American market was solidified, Liggett Group made a proposal to take the L&M cigarette international. The brand is popular in Latin America, central and northern Europe, the Arab World and the far east and south Asia. They were not very common in the continental US until a new roll out made them available in October 2007. According to the information of the independent agency of field investigation "Business Analytics", the second quarter of 2007, Phillip Morris brands took the first place in 25 Russian cities with a market share of 29.92%.
During the press conference, it was reported that discount L&M cigarettes takes third place in the world by sales volume. Also, the L&M cigarette brand second place among other cigarette brands produced by Philip Morris International.
L&M cigarettes volumes have grown from 8 billion in 1990 to 69 billion in 1995, making it the world's second largest and fastest growing International brand. An average annual growth rate of more than 50% from 1990-1995 is unrivalled in the IB segment which grew on average by just 7% per annum (although value IB's grew by 17%). Even Marlboro has only managed a 6% average growth rate during this period.
The main reason for this phenomenal growth is the successful launch across the developing Central/Eastern European and Central Asian markets, which now account for just over 70% of total volumes (from 0% in 1990). L&M cigarettes is a key element of Philip Morris marketing strategy for these regions; the objective being to deliver to the consumer an international brand at an accessible price point which will be a "stepping stone" to premium priced brands. Within just 2/3 years L&M cigarettes has become a leading brand in many of these markets.
In Western Europe, L&M cigarettes has also proved that it is an appealing consumer proposition for price sensitive but value conscious consumers downtrading from premium brands, following a series of high real price increases. In providing this value/quality alternative, Philip Morris aims both to keep existing Philip Morris consumers and capture new consumers downtrading from other premium brands. The intention being to ensure that when these smokers eventually trade back up, it will be to Marlboro.
Sales outside the European/Central Asian markets account for just 14% of the total, mostly generated in Brazil and Argentina, where the brand is in decline due to irrelevant consumer positioning or its price position being better occupied by an alternative brand (normally a local one). L&M cigarettes coupons continues to grow and current performance indicates that volumes could reach 85 billion (+20%) in 1996.
Brand earnings (before marketing spend) are estimated at US$220-280 million or $3-$4 per mille - therefore making a meaningful contribution to Philip Morris tobacco profitability. A key factor in this profitability is low cost sourcing (increasing use of Brazil and local factories in Eastern/Central Europe to replace US/Westem European exports to the new lower margin markets). Despite the high volumes, L&M cigarettes profitability is undermined to a large extent by the significant margins offered to the distributive and retail trade in key developing markets (e.g. in the region of 40-60% in Russia).
By implementing regular price increases, L&M cigarettes should begin to achieve profitability more in line with its brand positioning and volumes while maintaining attractive margins for the trade. In managing its future pricing, P.M. will focus upon the price gaps between L&M cigarettes and Marlboro cigarettes and between L&M and local brands.
There are differences in packaging from market to market to meet local consumer preferences. However, in all markets the visual aspect of the discount L&M cigarettes pack is very consistent. The simple, clean and impactful design serves to enhance the brand's core values (good value, accessible and modem) which are applicable to all L&M cigarettes key markets. Moreover, any inconsistency does not appear to diminish L&M cigarettes association with Philip Morris and Marlboro. The ongoing role of Communications is less clear. Consumer feedback in this area appears to indicate that whilst the brand's advertising does seem to communicate positive values/imagery, it has relatively low recall (both spontaneous and prompted). There is also little overall consistency in ATL creative with 3/4 different campaigns.
The "Route 66" ATL campaign is the core image campaign used in most markets (Eastern Europe and the Middle East) with strong YAUS / American themes, but other ATL creative used in Spain and Belgium/Germany has a more tactical feel with price/value as the central message. An entirely different campaign has been used in Argentina with a different positioning - aspirational, romantic, upmarket and sophisticated - reflected by an older consumer profile. L&M cigarettes has no major direct marketing or sponsorship activities (other than local sponsorships). Pack redemption based competition promotions are used widely to build volumes. The different ATL approaches reflect the different positioning of discount L&M cigarettes across the world (uptrading or downtrading) plus the relative freedom given to end markets to develop a market specific communications execution.
The flexible approach to communications activity is backed up by an apparently tactical spend strategy. Not only is spend relatively low, estimated at US$ 50-60 million (bearing in mind the size of the brand), with low share of voice in many markets, but there is also evidence that this is restricted to burst activity to support launch/price initiatives as necessary. This is in sharp contrast to Marlboro - continuous and progressively increasing spend to build and reinforce high quality brand values. However, spend for L&M cigarettes in many of its key markets remains higher than that for competing BAT brands. Moreover, in specific instances (e.g. Russia and Belgium), L&M cigarettes has benefited from limited advertising restrictions which allowed up to two years of uncontrolled communications exposure free of effective competition. (The L&M cigarettes brand mix is analysed fully in Section 3 of this report).
Philip Morris is happy for L&M cigarettes to evolve into a strong brand for the long term, but its overall objective is to grow premium brands. This therefore implies that Philip Morris sees L&M cigarettes role primarily as one of support - to facilitate uptrading to Marlboro over the long term in both emerging and mature markets. In price sensitive markets such as Finland and Belgium, we believe it is Philip Morris objective to catch and keep consumers who are downtrading from Marlboro but will eventually return to Marlboro when the pricing environment is more favourable.
The evidence for this support role strategy for discount L&M cigarettes is:
Considerable flexibility with L&M cigarettes prices ranging between 50% and 97% of Marlboro's price with the objective of building volumes over the short term. Initial product analysis suggests blend similarities between Marlboro cigarettes and other Philip Morris brands (Chesterfield cigarettes and Bond Street cigarettes) which may promote smooth consumer transfer between these brands. Philip Morris may be using the brand portfolio to move smokers up to Marlboro, with Bond Street as the brand closest to the local taste requirement, L&M cigarettes tending more towards USIB, and with Marlboro being the eventual destination brand for consumers as they trade up; the common link being "all products from Philip Morris". This hypothesis will, however, need further analysis. These blend similarities also allow for production/cost efficiencies. Relatively low key communications activities with a brand world/personality which does not challenge the strong image characteristics of the Marlboro campaign.
Discount L&M cigarette is the affordable US blended international brand or put another way, the "poor man's" Marlboro. To smokers in the emerging markets it is "Little Marlboro" (literally the "alternative Marlboro") - the brand that they can afford which most closely reflects the values of the most aspirational brand in the world, Marlboro. This therefore implies that when economies improve and spending power rises, these smokers will trade up to Marlboro. In the mature markets, a large proportion of L&M cigarette smokers are former Marlboro (or other premium price USIB) smokers who have become sensitive to price following high real price increases in recent years. Switching data shows a strong association between Marlboro and L&M cigarettes suggesting that it is Philip Morris objective to ensure that over the longer term these smokers eventually return to Marlboro. In this context, L&M cigarettes performs a defensive and sourcing role, providing the value/quality alternative to Marlboro.
L&M cigarettes will remain a Philip Morris brand priority - L&M cigarettes are already a large and well established brand both in mature and emerging arkets. It will benefit from further growth potential in the emerging markets of Eastern/Central Europe and Central Asia. Philip Morris will also look to better exploit the brand in Latin America as part of its objective to grow regional share. Furthermore, there is significant potential to launch/exploit the brand in other regions of the world. L&M cigarettes has significantly moved Philip Mom's into the lower price segment in many markets, thereby attacking the significant BAT business with both local and regional brands or occupying the ground that such brands normally occupy.
The challenge for BAT is to respond with a flexible but clear brand portfolio strategy on a regional or market specific basis for this mid-price segment This strategy should address whether we are in an uptrading or downtrading market context what the role of local and international brands is, and which IB is most appropriate e.g. Pall Mall.
The roles of distribution, point of purchase communication, media advertising, trade margins and the product synergy with our higher priced brands are all critical elements within our strategy for this segment Above all; this is a mass volume segment opportunity where significant sales and market share should remain the main objective.
Philip Morris will continue to support L&M cigarettes and launch it into new markets where Marlboro remains too large a price jump for local brand smokers. Its role will primarily be that of an intermediary stepping stone to Marlboro. In some markets, there may be a second intermediary step at a price point between L&M cigarettes and Marlboro cigarettes with Chesterfield cigarettes performing this role. The implication for BAT is to quickly establish a global, regional and market specific price segmented brand strategy with clear brand roles for both local and international brands (many markets already have this strategy).
Discount L&M cigarettes has experienced significant volume growth, particularly over the last 3 years, growing at a much higher rate than both the total International and the value sub segment Bond Street, Philip Morris low price regional brand in Central/Eastern Europe has grown at a similar rate to L&M cigarettes. BATs Viceroy, JPGL, Hollywood and Pall Mall have all grown more slowly than the overall value IFB segment
Most of the brand's growth is as a result of launch from 1992 onwards into Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In Russia, L&M cigarettes is now the largest International Brand following launch in 1993 (volumes appear to be stabilising and are expected to plateau at around 25 to 26 billion sticks in 1996). The launch in Turkey in October 1994 has been particularly successful with volumes reaching over 3 billion in 1995. The size and potential of other markets in this region means that L&M cigarettes still has significant growth opportunities in the short to medium term.
Philip Morris was also forced to pull a new ATL campaign in 1995 because of similarities to Souza Cruz' Free campaign. In Argentina, the brand is in decline in a pricing environment (prices fixed since 1991) which favours uptrading to higher priced brands. L&M cigarettes current relative weakness in Latin America will not prevent Philip Morris from using the brand in the future as one of its weapons for attacking BAT stronghold markets. Whilst it currently has a very small presence in the Asia Pacific/America Pacific region, Philip Morris will look to exploit the L&M cigarettes trademark where appropriate in these markets.
Available GCS data suggests that L&M cigarettes has found consumer support with smokers from a wide range of age categories, but all with the same value conscious characteristic. Depending on the positioning of the brand and pricing structure of the market, L&M cigarettes profile is stronger for different age groups; it is clearly YAUS in Russia and Belgium; slightly older in Spain, although retaining a reasonable YAUS share, and appealing to all age groups in Finland.
Identical cigarette design (filter pressure drop, tip, ventilation, paper permeability, citrate levels in the cigarette paper) tend to be used for both L&M and Marlboro with possibly one or two exceptions (Saudi Arabia and Spain).
R&D product analysis has demonstrated consistency of product across markets and in some cases with other Philip Morris brands. In most markets the blend chemistry suggests that L&M cigarettes tends to have a slightly more flue-cured bias than the equivalent Marlboro - the exception being Saudi Arabia where it is believed that L&M cigarettes and Marlboro cigarettes use a common blend. In Russia, the shift away from Marlboro was greater (L&M cigarettes closer to Bond Street).
Product similarity with Marlboro could be deliberate to facilitate switching between Philip Morris brands and particularly switching up to Marlboro (the ultimate objective) - thus preventing switching out to competitor brands. Product cost/manufacturing source synergies are also more likely in this scenario.
Blind testing and consumer research (but limited data) indicate that the L&M cigarettes product benefits from the same high quality characteristics as Marlboro. Sourcing - main sources appear to be US, Brazil and Western Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). But two trends are emerging - a shift towards lower cost production sources where possible (e.g. Brazil) and increased local sourcing in Eastern/Central Europe as production technology/processes improve (L&M cigarettes and Bond Street cigarettes production has started in Turkey, Lithuania, Czech Republic and Hungary and most recently in Kazakstan).
Availability - one of the key elements behind L&M cigarettes success, particularly in Central/Eastern Europe where wide distribution has been secured in a very short time scale. This has given Philip Morris a critical competitive advantage - allowing it to establish a mid price/value international brand before the competition. TM&D activities include:
• Using the power of Marlboro to get trade support (Marlboro supply guaranteed if L&M cigarettes is stocked, plus joint trade promotions).
• POS space management, positioning L&M cigarettes with Marlboro cigarettes.
• Trade hot-line for emergency ordering.
• Free gifts/product supply if POS material is taken.
• Favourable discounts, credit terms and bonus points systems.
• High call frequency to ensure no stock outs.
Market data indicates that 1995 L&M cigarettes spend was at a level of US $43 million as can be seen on the chart. However, given that some markets were unable to supply complete data, we estimate that spend was actually higher at between US$ 50-60 million. Many markets expect spend to increase in 1996. However, bearing in mind the size of the brand this is still relatively low, although it is Philip Morris second spend priority brand behind Marlboro in Central/Eastern Europe. Contrast this with estimated spend for Marlboro (outside the US) of approximately US$ 650 million. L&M cigarettes spend is also typically higher than tor competing BAT brands.
Share of voice in most markets is also low and often heavily focused on the launch period or at times of significant pricing activity (a good example of this was the relaunch in 1994/5 in Spain where spend hit US$7 million). Spend reflects the brand's regional focus, although within regions it is well spread and is concentrated in ATL and promotional activities.
An analysis of CIF prices in Russia shows that L&M cigarettes gives significantly greater margin to the trade than BATs comparable brands, such as Pall Mall. This makes it difficult to compete with L&M cigarettes while maintaining profitability. Portfolio Pricing Strategy - the two key determinants are the Marlboro price and the price of Local Brands. In a downtrading context, L&M cigarettes is positioned either at the same price point as local brands or between these and Marlboro, the exact positioning being determined by the size of the gap. In an uptrading context, L&M cigarettes is positioned between local and Marlboro. Absolute prices and price gaps are highly market specific, which supports the view that pricing decisions are taken on a market specific basis with a high degree of flexibility.
Reactive versus proactive pricing - in markets where Philip Morris has a dominant position, it will rarely initiate price wars (e.g. Western Europe), but will respond quickly and effectively to competitor activity. In markets, where it wishes to build share quickly or challenge the competition (e.g. Eastern or Central Europe), it will use price more aggressively to achieve its objectives. This is most clearly demonstrated by its pricing strategy in Hungary last year.
Discount L&M cigarettes represents exceptional value to the consumer, a good quality international offer at a reasonable price. It therefore has universal appeal in a broad range of markets, benefiting from Philip Morris excellent distribution and a strong association with Marlboro. Given the brand mix, Philip Morris is able to adopt a flexible marketing strategy for L&M cigarettes to meet the differing needs of specific markets.
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and Receive Complimentary E-Books of Previous Editions
As the importance of XML usage for storing and transferring data via the World Wide Web becomes increasingly clear, there is a corresponding need to compress the size of XML documents, dealing with them in their compressed mode so as to make them accessible to devices with limited resources. When these compressed documents are used by simple users, in a situation where there is absence of schema, or if such a user has no exact idea of what s/he is looking for, there should be a special technique available to adequately deal with these types of queries. The questions had been raised by this research and their answers are as follows:
Is it possible to design a new compression technique that has the ability to compress the XML documents and achieve better compression ratio without the need to the document's Schema or its DTD?
The answer to this question is XCVQ compressor. The design of the model showed the best average compression ratio (78.45) among the other XML queriable compressors without the need to the XML schema to be available. This was due to several reasons, such as: (1) limiting the storage of each element and attribute name in the document to only one number, which represents the order of that element or attribute in the XML document, instead of being two numbers, and (2) increase the granularity of the data to be compressed in order to perform better compression ratio. Although this design issue increased the compression ratio, but it affects the time required to compress the document by increasing this time to be higher than the time require to compress these documents using other techniques. However, the compression process usually made only once, while the querying process can be done hundreds of times to retrieve information from the compressed files.
What is the influence of the structure redundancy on the overall size of the XML document?
To answer this question, XCVQ Structure Compressor was designed. In the compression process of the XML documents, the research found the strong affect of the redundancy in the structure of the document on its overall size. By succinctly storing the structure part of the XML document and keeping the data part as it is, the experiments showed good compression ratios which were up to 85.43 and averaged 49.47 for the tested XML corpus. This shows the big redundancy in the structure part of the document, apart which is considered to be very important for several purposes and retrieving information is one of them.
What are the main types of vague queries and when they can be occur? Have the existing XPath query language the ability to answer vague queries? If no, what is the required expansion that should be made on XPath to give it this ability?
Vague queries are one of the important types of queries. They occur in different situations and require special ways to be processed since the existing query languages do not have the ability to answer these queries. The XCVQ-QP can deal with simple and complex queries by forcing each query to pass by two decomposition stages in order to make it easier to retrieve information from the relevant document(s) and then combine the sub-results to be decompressed and submitted to the user. This process required the expansion of XPath query language in different sides: the path expansion, the data value expansion, and the set of functions expansion. The time required to process the queries are very competitive especially when dealing with structure-based queries, since the compressed structure of the document helps in accelerating the retrieving process.
How to determine the relevant XML document(s) from thousands of documents without the need to scan them completely for time saving purposes? And is it possible to retrieve information from more than one XML document without the pre-specification of these documents using one XPath query?

subset: commoncrawl


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Academic Experience:
2011-2016 PhD student in Fluid Mechanics University of Science and Technology of China.
2015-2016 Visiting PhD candidate Department of Environment and Geoscience, institution of earth surface (IDYST), University of Lausanne.
2007-2011 Bachelor of Science, Theory and Application Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China.
Research Interests:
Fluid mechanics,Computational Fluid Dynamic,Statistical Simulation,Transport.
1. Li, X., G. Mariethoz, D.T. Lu, and N. Linde (2016), Patch-based iterative conditional geostatistical simulation using graph cuts, Water Resour. Res., 52, 6297–6320, doi:10.1002/2015WR018378.
2. Li X, Huang T, Lu D T, Niu C. Accelerating experimental high-order spatial statistics calculations using GPUs [J]. Computers & Geosciences, 2014, 70: 128-137.
3. Li X, Maruethoz G, Stochastic modeling of patterns using graph cuts, Petroleum Geostatistics 2015,France.
4. Li X, Huang T, Peng W, Lu D, variogram-based template selection for multiple-point geostatistics, the 10th conference on geostatistics for environmental applications, geoENV 2014,France.


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I have another wonderful interview to share with you. This one is from the lovely Karen, she's the founder of an amazing website called Conscious Crafties which features and sells crafts made by chronically ill people. The site has some lovely stuff which you should check out.
What craft(/s) do you do?
I make meditation benches with my partner out of recycled furniture. Jamie carefully sands down the furniture to make into the bench and I upholster the seat or brand the wood with symbols or words. I also love making unique hand crafted silver charms using Silver Art Clay. I paint, sketch, decoupage, make clay sculptures, shabby chic furniture and all sorts of things. I just can't knit or crochet to save my life!
What illness/es do you have?
In 2011 I was perfectly healthy going about my workaholic lifestyle when BOOM! – I started fainting up to 10 times a day and my bed became my best friend. A year later I was diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) a rare condition affecting the blood vessels and heart rate. There's no cure, but reaching out to others with the same condition has been a huge help in learning to live with it. 3 years later I was told my POTS was caused by EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) a connective tissue disorder affecting the skin, cartilage, ligaments and blood vessels – everything that holds us together! I also have some bonus conditions: Fibromyalgia, Raynaud's Disease, Chronic Pain Syndrome, Migraines and Asthma. Life has been tough, but I've met some wonderfully strong friends who also live with chronic illnesses which gave me the idea to set up ConsciousCrafties – craft selling site and community for people living with Chronic Illness, Disability or Caring for a loved one.
What are your favourite pieces of craft equipment?
Since setting up ConsciousCrafties my craft has been web site building, so all my time is sat in front of my pretty pink laptop!
Why did you start crafting?
I started crafting again after realising that I no longer fitted into the constraints of being a reliable and ambitious employee. Who wants someone that can only be awake and conscious for a few hours?? I was practically bed ridden for about 10 months before I was finally diagnosed and helped with drugs. I then started making my own meditation benches out of old furniture that was lying around my home. I joined lots of support groups for my various illnesses and met other Spoonies who also loved to craft and we became great friends.
What adaptations or changes have you had to make to craft because of your illness(es)?
Certain things aren't 'Karen friendly', I can't stand for long without passing out so my previous love of shabby chic'ing furniture is off the cards. Instead I up-cycle children's furniture as I can do this whilst seated because they are so tiny! I've always thought there was something magical about old children furniture so I'm not sad about the things I can't do and instead focus on what I can.
Favourite project:
Making a cushion and upholstering a meditation bench using a customer's old baby's blanket. I love creating something beautiful out of old materials!
How expensive is your craft/ how much do you spend on crafting?
I dread to think how much I have spent over the years creating shiny new things!
My silver jewellery has probably cost me the most as the art silver clay is so expensive and can only be bought from Japan.
I've not been able to make any lately as I'm struggling to survive on sick pay. I'm hoping in time I can start creating again, but I'm using every last spoon running our Conscious Crafties community – and loving it!
Advice for someone with a chronic illness starting off in your craft(/s)?
Always think about the things you can do, rather than upsetting yourself over the things you can't. Buy everything second hand! Quite often people take up crafts but find they don't have time or patience to carry on crafting so will sell all their tools/raw materials as kits on Ebay etc. Or borrow friends equipment first to see if it's something you want to invest in. YouTube and Pinterest are craft havens and you can teach yourself literally anything! Some of our Crafties are about to start making video tutorials too!
Additional info – where the ConsciousCrafties.com idea cam from….
After becoming sick in 2011 almost overnight, I found my way to various support networks. I noticed that many of us turn to crafts to help distract from our illnesses and to feel useful again. Seeing so much untapped talent, the idea was born to create a community for everyone to showcase their work, in one place and give people a way of creating their own business. It was also a way for me to feel useful again, by using my skills to help others. ConsciousCrafties is about empowering us all to be successful through our crafts, tell our stories and meet new like minded friends who understand our struggles. I'm also hoping it plays a key part in changing the way disabled/sick people are viewed by the world. We can still contribute and are incredibly talented!! ConsciousCrafties has been built in honour of Sam, my beautiful friend I met through sickness and our love of crafts. Her strong fight with Gastroparethis and POTS sadly ended in Oct 14. Heartbroken, I knew then, after years of thinking about it, the idea for us all to sell our crafts within a supportive community needed to be launched, so it could help people now and give them hope for the future.
If you would like to take part in a crafter interview for my blog please do get in touch, I would love to hear from you.
Bloglovin / Twitter / Pinterest / Goodreads / Ravelry / Tumblr / Google


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Max J. Fischer started Max's Body Shop Inc. in 1962. From this one man/two bay repair shop, our business has grown to be an industry leader.
Max's Body Shop Inc. now a 18,500 square foot facility, specializing in truck repair, refinish, and reconditioning. We now have sixteen full-time employees, each with no less than ten years experience. Our hours are 7:00am to 5:00pm, Monday thru Friday, and Saturdays from 8:00am until Noon.
Our Body Shop is located in Southwest Omaha at 13909 "L" Street (follow 144th South to L Street). You can reach us at (402) 895-9100.
Carrying on Max's Dream and Vision, Timothy M. (Max) Fischer took over operations as president of Max's Body Shop, Inc. in 1994.
In 2000 we opened Max's Truck Service and Alignment. This 10,500 square foot facility is equipped with state-of-the-art truck frame correction and truck front and rear alignment equipment. Four full-time highly skilled technicians perform a wide variety of mechanical services. Max's Truck Service and Alignment is open Monday thru Friday from 7:00am until 5:00pm. Our Alignment and Frame Service Shop is located (next door) at 13915 "L" Street in Omaha, Nebraska. Please call (402) 895-4847 to schedule your next service.
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Entries Tagged as 'marky mark'
you're a winner!
January 21st, 2013 No Comments
Tags: "You've Got the Touch" · boogie nights · jimmy kimmel · Mark Wahlberg · marky mark
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June 23rd, 2011 No Comments
"Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Talk about a tease! Now I know why I pay $o much for HBO every mth, I still can't wait—starts Sunday, July 24th! Long Lead Tease Like the song? It's "High For This" by The Weeknd. Hear it below: The Weeknd – High For This by The_Weeknd
Tags: entourage · HBO · High For This · Mark Wahlberg · marky mark · Season 8 · The Weeknd


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It doesn't take more than common sense to gauge the importance of packaging bags. If you are a marketer, then you will need to make frequent use of these bags and packaging materials. Similarly, consumers, users, logistic engineers, regulators, and recyclers are found to be making regular use of the products for wrapping. The needs for packaging are different, and while investing in a packaging product of a particular kind, you will need to bear the needs and requisitions in your mind.
Beneficial uses of plastic packaging
Nowadays, it has become common to use the polymer-based packaging bags. Such bags are of different types and these come in a diverse array of shapes, sizes, colors and weight. You can also have the bags colorfully printed and suitably laminated.
- The most beneficial fact in the polymer-based packaging product is its adaptability and versatility
- You can equip it with the food grade protection, and the necessary safety standards. After this, you can use the material for storing food, cattle feed, drugs, pharmaceuticals and other such things
- Packaging has crucial purposes to serve. It should safeguard the product that it is storing. Secondly, it should ensure a safe delivery so that when the product crosses the hand of the manufacturer and reaches the respective user, the object that has been packaged remains safe and sound. Again, the polymer packaging of different types serves your purpose.
- In this context, it is worth noting that there is the plastic polymer of six different kinds. Both as a user, as well as, a manufacturer you should know the respective usage and specifications of the different kinds of polymers
- The fact that the polymer packaging is safe and recyclable also proves to be advantageous.
What you should remember
You may be using plastic made packaging bags, or you may be using those made of paper. It is important to find out if the material meant for packing conforms to the regulatory standards. There are separate confirmatory norms to follow. For instance, the material used for wrapping food and drugs are different from the ones used for wrapping cloth and textile based products. The packaging should be as follows
- It should prevent the contents from getting damaged. It is also necessary to safeguard the environment. So, your focus should be on using polymer or paper-based packaging products
- Both the products can be recycled and reused, in different ways. Plastic packaging that doesn't include polymer may be injurious to the environment. But the similar is not true of paper-based packaging materials
- You can safeguard the content that you need to wrap, and at the same time, you can show your commitment to the cause of the environment. Paper-based packaging is recyclable, as well as renewable. Just think of it in this way. You can replant, as well as replenish trees, on a frequent basis.
Another beneficial aspect
You may discard the paper-made packaging bags. In spite, of discarding, you know that you are not causing harm to the environment in any way. The discarded wrapping paper will break down and decompose in a way that it returns to the Mother Earth. So, even if you don't let the paper packaging to undergo the methodical process of recycling, still it will not lead to waste generation.
Consider the beneficial aspects
When it comes to selecting the packaging bags, you need to make it a point to remember the beneficial features. It is important that you bear in mind the positive aspects of the paper, as well as polymer-based packaging supplies. It is equally important to remember that plastic packaging or that based on Styrofoam leads to environmental contamination. Also, make sure that the packaging supply that you have chosen conforms to the regulatory parameters.
I hope you like it and found some information stuff which you want. If you still want information or have any query then go into detail about packaging bags.


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Religion and Magic in Ancient Egypt
Penguin UK, Oct 3, 2002 - Religion - 512 pages
The ancient Egyptians believed that the Nile - their life source - was a divine gift. Religion and magic permeated their civilization, and this book provides a unique insight into their religious beliefs and practices, from 5000 BC to the 4th century AD, when Egyptian Christianity replaced the earlier customs. Arranged chronologically, this book provides a fascinating introduction to the world of half-human/ half-animal gods and goddesses; death rituals, the afterlife and mummification; the cult of sacred animals, pyramids, magic and medicine. An appendix contains translations of Ancient Eygtian spells.
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The Emergence of Religion
The Rise of the SunCult
Osiris the Peoples God
The Return to Orthodoxy
The Final Conflict
Conflict and Cooperation in GraecoRoman Egypt
Selected Passages from Egyptian Religious Texts
A Selective List of Major Religious Sites in Egypt and Nubia
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Abydos Akhenaten Amarna Amen-Re Amenemhet Amenhotep Amenhotep III Amun Ancient Egypt animal archaeological associated Aten became beliefs body building built burial chamber capital cemeteries centre century ACE coffins creation cult-centre Dahshur dead death deceased decorated Deir el-Medina deity Delta depicted developed divine Dynasty 18 Egyptian Egyptian religion ensure evidence excavated funerary god's goddess gods Graeco-Roman Period Greek Hathor Heliopolis Horus Hyksos hymns important included inscribed inscriptions Intermediate Period jewellery Karnak king's kings of Dynasty land later magic mastaba Memphis Middle Kingdom monuments mummy Naqada necropolis Nekhen Nile offerings Old Kingdom original Osiris owner papyrus pharaoh placed Predynastic priests probably Ptah Ptolemaic pyramid complex Pyramid Texts queen Ramesses Ramesses II Ramesside reign religious represented rites rituals role rulers of Dynasty sacred Saqqara Senusret Senusret II Sethos shrines Smenkhkare statue stelae stone symbolized temple Theban Thebes tomb scene shows traditional Tutankhamun wall wall-scenes worshipped


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Charles Henry have been providing wedding cars for over 25 years throughout East Hampshire, East and West Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
All of our wedding cars date back to a bygone era and offer a touch of class and possibly nostalgia to your very special day.
With many thousands of weddings and events behind us we do know "a little bit" about weddings, and with a Charles Henry vehicle the Bride does not just arrive
she makes an ENTRANCE!


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Working herself out of a job: Understanding Cathy Heying's leadership style
The mission of St. Stephen's is clear and concise: ending homelessness. Cathy Heying, the organization's Director of the Human Rights Program, believes firmly that it's possible and looks forward to the day they achieve this goal, though she often jokes that it may not be the wisest strategy to work herself out of a job. Those who know Heying have no trouble believing the truth behind her joke; she would happily compromise her own job security or income to achieve safety and security for the nearly 13,000 individuals without housing in Minnesota.
Heying is a mentor and a coach, pushing those around her to achieve more than they might otherwise expect from themselves. She has a warm laugh, approachable demeanor, and is positive despite the draining, often thankless work of advocating for those living without stable housing. Her charisma extends beyond these attributes, including her ability to elevate her team's efforts by encouraging them to innovate. Heying is also wise to connect the work of her staff to the larger goal of improving lives through advocacy and education surrounding the problem of homelessness. She does all of this without losing sight of the needs of her staff, including those that extend beyond the workplace, recognizing that taking care of her team holistically can lead to improved results in a high-stress, burnout-prone industry.
Heying is seen by those in her network as a visionary leader, but she is also ready and willing to contribute to day-to-day tasks that sustain the efforts of her small team. As is often the case in small nonprofits, she is expected to wear many hats, balancing operational and strategic work, and Heying does so effectively. Her ability to problem-solve and the knowledge she has gained through decades of work experience in the public sector are two of the strongest assets of her leadership. What's more, Heying's ability to understand people is exceptional; she has honed skills related to empathizing with others, understanding their needs, and deciding the best ways to engage with others to maximize outcomes. This process does not include manipulation or coercion, but instead celebrates the value of all individuals, from those living in homelessness to legislators. Heying utilizes these skills to communicate persuasively and to motivate others to get involved with the important work she's doing.
Heying is a powerful, effective leader. Though working herself out of a job may not be the wisest strategy, there is little doubt that she will continue to be a transformational force for the nonprofit community in whatever she does next, finding new ways to apply her values-driven leadership style and utilizing the many skills she brings to her current work.


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CHEMUNG, NY – A packed house of racers, car owners and other supporters of racing at Chemung Speedrome met on Sunday to hear the ambitious plans put together by Ray and Ellen Hodge, the new lease-holders at the track. Ray had served for the past five seasons as Race Director. …Read More »
Ray and Ellen Hodge Leasing Chemung Speedrome, Reverting to Friday Nights
By CAROL HOUSSOUCK CHEMUNG, NY – Chemung's offseason brought with it a plethora of rumors about 2019. This week the rumor mill shut down when longtime Race Director, Ray Hodge, and his wife, Ellen, entered into an agreement with track owner, John White, to lease Chemung for the 2019 season. …Read More »
TJ Potrzebowski Gets 2nd Chemung Sunoco Modified Win This Year
CHEMUNG, NY – Everyone wanted to beat the heat Saturday night at Chemung Speedrome, especially the racers who made sure everything was over and done in less than three hours. It was night when veteran drivers shone, despite the extreme conditions. Winners included TJ Potrzebowski (Sunoco Modifieds), Frank Chapman (Super …Read More »
Connor Sellars Let 'Er Fly at Chemung – Grabs 2nd Sunoco Modified Win in 3 Weeks
By CAROL HOSSOUCK CHEMUNG, NY – Sometimes everything just falls into place. Such was the case Saturday night at Chemung Speedrome. With just five cautions in 115 feature laps, plus an extended intermission for a driver meet and greet during intermission, the final checkered flag came out at 9:16 PM. …Read More »
TJ Potrzebowski's Slick Move Earns Him Chemung's Sunoco Modified Win
By CAROL HOUSSOCK CHEMUNG, NY – Super Stock and Bandolero racers at Chemung Speedrome are in search of a vaccine for the yellow fever outbreak that hit the facility on Saturday night. Despite all that, winners on week two of the 2018 season included TJ Potrzebowski (Sunoco Modifieds), Cody Frantz …Read More »
Connor Sellars Outduels TJ Potrzebowski for Chemung's Sunoco Mod Season Opener
CHEMUNG, NY – The long wait for the season opener at Chemung Speedrome is over, and the nice opening night crowd was treated to some great racing as well as some wild finishes. Connor Sellars claimed the Sunoco Modified win after holding off TJ Potrzebowski, whose father (Terry) had won the …Read More »
Chemung Speedrome 2018
CHEMUNG, NY – With the 2018 season coming fast, Chemung Speedrome will be set up at the Oakdale Mall for the Southern Tier Speedworld show March 2nd through March 4th 2018. We are looking for Chemung cars to have on display during the show. There is a fee of $40.00 …Read More »
2018 Chemung Speedrome Schedule Revealed
CHEMUNG, NY – Chemung Speedrome officials have revealed the track's 2018 schedule at ChemungSpeedrome.net. You can view it in full below. 2018 Chemung Speedrome Schedule TENTATIVE General Admission Gate Opens @ 5:30pm Weekly Pit Gate Opens @ 4:00pm Practice @ 5:00pm – Racing @ 6:00pm (unless otherwise noted) Date …Read More »
Chemung Finale Falls to Rain; INEX Champions Announced
By CAROL HOUSSOCK CHEMUNG, NY – The anticipated season finale wasn't to be due to a very rainy forecast for Sunday afternoon. Race fans were denied the opportunity of watching the New York Super Stocks, GRIT Dirt Sportsman, and INEX divisions to cap off the 2017 season. There is no …Read More »
Connor Sellars, Jimmy Zacharias Split Chemung Twin-20's, Zacharias Claims 6th Championship
By CAROL HOUSSOCK CHEMUNG, NY – The three NASCAR home track divisions at Chemung Speedrome settled the season-long championship chases on a night paying double points across the board. Normally 67 points are available for a driver who can win a heat (5), lead a lap (1), lead the most …Read More »
Jimmy Zacharias Capitalizes on Brother's Bad Luck at Chemung, Wins 5th Sunoco Mod Feature
By CAROL HOUSSOCK CHEMUNG, NY – It was a night of elation over career-first wins and heartbreak over one, possibly two, disqualifications. Throw is a couple doses of bad racing luck for feature leaders, and some were in search of the voodoo doll that had to be somewhere on the …Read More »
Jimmy Zacharias Wins Chemung's 51-Lap Sunoco Modified Race Honoring Ed McGuir
By RAY HODGE CHEMUNG, NY – It was a night of 'thanks for the memories' in honor of Ed McGuire, a racing fixture as a racer and car owner for many years in the twin tiers of PA and NY. Nearly 40 businesses and individuals donated money to boost the …Read More »
Jimmy Zacharias Dominant in 3rd Consecutive Chemung Sunoco Modified Win
By CAROL HOUSSOCK CHEMUNG, NY – Saturday night's program at Chemung Speedrome rolled off rather quickly thanks to very few caution flags in qualifying and feature events for the five regular divisions. Winners on a hot and buggy night included Jimmy Zacharias (Sunoco Modifieds), Mike Nichols (Super Stocks), Monica Green …Read More »
Jimmy Zacharias – Take 2 in Chemung's Sunoco Modifieds
CHEMUNG, NY – Anyone who shook hands or chatted with Jimmy Zacharias (Sunoco Modifieds), Nick Robinson (Super Stocks), Zack Bennett (4 Cylinders), Kevin Youngs (INEX Legends), or Garrett Zacharias (Bowen Racecars Bandoleros) did so with the eventual winners during the annual Meet & Greet at Chemung Speedrome. Saturday proved to …Read More »
Connor Sellars Parks Buzzie Reutimann Lookalike in Chemung's Victory Lane
By CAROL HOUSSOCK CHEMUNG, NY – It was one of those nights at Chemung Speedrome – yellow fever, outcome-changing late race cautions, and some first-time winners. Victory lane celebrations were had by Connor Sellars (Sunoco Modifieds), Jacob Gustafson (4 Cylinders), Kevin Youngs (INEX Legends), and Seth Zacharias (Bowen Racecars Bandoleros). …Read More »
TJ Potrzebowski Back in Chemung's Victory Lane; Gullo Takes Marshall SS Memorial
By CAROL HOSSOUCK On a night dedicated to the memory of the late Gary Marshall, many new memories were made as Chemung Speedrome finally held its 2017 season opener. Heavy rains had wiped out the first two shows, but this one offered up great weather, a nice crowd, and some …Read More »
Chemung Speedrome Welcomes RoC Mods and NYSS for Season Opener
CHEMUNG, NY – All systems are go for the 2017 season opener at Chemung Speedrome. The track hosts two touring series events along with two of its regular divisions for the Saturday, May 6th lid-lifter. Sunday, May 7th is the track's rain date. Next weekend kicks off with 5/5 at …Read More »


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Ordinary inkjet printers can be converted into 3D printers that layer material, usually plastic or metal, to build up a 3D object from a blueprint. 3D printers were born in the 80s, but the last couple of years have seen huge improvements in available technology and there has been a 3D printing boom. Now you can 3D print almost anything: jewellery, construction materials, slightly creepy face masks, even food.
3D printers can also produce biological implants custom made to fit perfectly into your body. A titanium cheekbone, jaw and pelvis have all been successfully implanted into adult patients, and a plastic trachea has replaced a baby's defective windpipe.
Once we develop new flexible materials that synergise well with our bodies – using ingredients like the squid protein reflectin – these implants will become even better. Especially if they are made to break down over time and be replaced with our own tissues.
3D printing becomes a whole other level of cool when you start to directly print living tissues. This is being done right now by several scientists. They start with a gel matrix, then the 3D printer lays down living cells into this matrix. This can be done in multiple subsequent layers to build up an organ.
At the moment this is still very much in the trial stage. But pretty soon these tailor made organs will replace organ transplants and metal implants. Tissues and organs specifically designed for each person will fit perfectly and will be less likely to be rejected. So it will actually be cheaper in the long run than current treatment options.
3D printed organs, albeit made from powder not living cells, are already being used in an Australian medical school to teach students human anatomy.


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Editorial Preface
The suitability and adaptability of Islam to changed contexts and environments through the instrument of ijtihād have long been discussed. In essence, those who argue for the renewal of Islamic thought (including its conceptions of law) point to the fact that Islam originated in seventh-century Arabia in an environment far different and unique from contemporary societies. At the same time, Muslim scripture and tradition claim relevance for all time and place with the immutable principles and core set of teachings of Islam. Yet, relevance is not possible without a response and solution to issues and challenges of the day. The principle of ijtihād encourages a reasoned engagement with texts and recognises that a change in environment and context affects the laws of Islam. It therefore prevents the teachings of Islam from being ossified and frozen in time which hinders progress and development. Accordingly, individuals trained in the interpretation of sources are permitted to offer new readings in the substantive matters (furū') of religion as part of seeking solutions.
This process, as evidenced in classical Islamic jurisprudence (around the 9th to 14th century CE) in which later jurists built on earlier texts by way of providing new examples and case studies, ensured a continuous stream of growth and dynamism in the Islamic legal tradition. As a contemporary scholar of fiqh explains, such works are
…..less the achievement of a particular author than the shared effort of a whole school of research and interpretation in explaining rules of divine origin. The cooperative nature of this effort may be seen in the multilayered character of its texts, whose primary authors often merely state the ruling of an act, lawful or unlawful, leaving matters of definition, conditions, and scriptural evidence for the commentator to supply, who in turn leaves important details for both writers of marginal notes and for living sheikhs to definitively interpret when teaching the work to their students. [1]
The process is recorded in many resources that discuss Islamic law. For example, the book ʿUmdat al-sālik wa 'uddat al-nāsik (The reliance of the traveller and tools of the worshipper) authored by the influential 14th century jurist Aḥmad Ibn Naqīb Al-Miṣrī (d. 1368CE), has been the subject of various commentaries. Under the topic of "marriage" (bāb al-nikāḥ), the author explains the conditions of custody of a child, one of which was that if a child is a Muslim, then the person with custody must also be a Muslim. In his rather peculiar commentary on this point, a 20th century jurist Sheikh 'Abd al-Wakil Durubi extends this condition to day-care service, education and schooling. In the specific context in which values contradictory to Islam were feared to have an impact on young children, he was of the view that it was prohibited for parents of Muslim children to send them to Christian schools.[2] This view, like many other views on the issue that is set in a particular context, would require a more thorough and comprehensive discussion. Whether a ruling is suitable for particular community or in a particular era, it nonetheless contributes to the development of Islamic law and its intellectual heritage by supplementing new cases and examples. As mentioned by a 20th century Moroccan jurist, Muḥammad ʿAllāl al-Fāsī in his book Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿa al-Islāmiyyah wa Makārimuhā:
The small circle of innovative scholars of jurisprudence, small though their numbers may be, constitutes a guarantee that Islamic jurisprudence will go on progressing to the point at which it becomes linked anew with the objectives of Islamic Law and their supporting evidence, and comes to be applied in Muslim courts and lands. [3]
Although it is a very important instrument of Islamic jurisprudence, ijtihād as interpreted and exercised in classical Islam is probably less adequate as a holistic solution in contemporary times and in modern and secular contexts. For example, scholars often adhere to a specific juristic tradition and tend to adopt the principles of that tradition. This also means they will be more likely to adopt the principles of the tradition without revisiting the core assumptions and ways of interpreting the principles. This practice could hinder a path to reforms required in particular situations as rulings are still bound by the conditions imposed by the classical fiqh legal tradition. An important fact that needs to be considered is that the operative environment of the classical ʿulamā is different from the world today, especially after the emergence of a nation-state system that gives rights and freedom to all citizens in various aspects of life, regardless of their background. Muslim communities today also live in very diverse situations; some as majorities but many others as minorities, and under different types of political and legal systems. The task, therefore, of finding solutions that can truly work, given the complexity of certain issues or problems, as well as its novelty and unprecedentedness warrants a more radical approach towards rethinking former and classical approaches to fatwa making.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Muslim scholars begun addressing this challenge under the broad category of reform in Islamic thought. Some scholars have also looked at the interaction between religion and political systems with a serious implication on the broader conception of the Sharī'a (which covers, among others, fatwas). The crux of the debate is where the line should be drawn between two realms and spheres of influence – religion and the secular. An earlier form of this debate had taken place in classical Islam, when scholars differed as to the source of an Islamic political system; whether obligated by reason or revelation.[4] If the Sharī'a is to dominate in all spheres of Muslim life, would this mean an a priori rejection of all other forms of political and legal order? In early 20th century Cairo, an Azhari jurist and judge 'Alī 'Abd al-Rāziq argued that the Prophet Muhammad's authority was religious/spiritual and not political. The logical conclusion of his argument is that Islam is ambivalent about political systems and orders and is not prescriptive in this regard. Rather, Islam provides a spiritual and ethical paradigm that seek to help Muslims navigate through various systems which may be foreign to the religion. Such a view inspires much confidence to Muslim communities living in a modern and pluralistic society like Singapore that they can continue to function successfully and contribute to the development of society and the state without compromising religious duties. Yet this opinion requires renewed interpretation and critical undertaking in examining the religious texts, as they form the heritage of Islamic law and support the pillars of religious life for Muslims.
In looking for new solutions, several modalities have been suggested towards finding new approaches. An influential approach promulgated in recent times is to go beyond the written law and look at the higher objectives and intent of law (maqāṣid) and its spirit (ruh al-Sharī'a). This approach has its antecedents in the works of early Muslim scholars, such as the 14th century jurist Ibn al-Qayyim who writes in his famous work Iʿlām al-Muwaqqiʿīn:
Islamic Law is based on wisdom and achieving people's welfare in this life and the afterlife. Islamic Law is all about justice, mercy, wisdom, and good. Thus, any ruling that replaces justice with injustice, mercy with its opposite, common good with mischief, or wisdom with nonsense, is a ruling that does not belong to Islamic Law, even if it is claimed to be so according to some interpretation. [5]
Ibn Qayyim's explanation sums up the importance for Islamic law to achieve the purpose of the Sharī'a itself. Widely referred to today by ijtihād maqāṣidi and now internationally adopted by various groups of scholars who issue fatwas in Islamic countries and in Europe, this approach affords greater flexibility in terms of finding new ways at looking at issues and questions. As the scholar 'Allal al-Fāsī notes, these objectives "[ensure] that people conduct themselves justly, with moral probity and with integrity in thought and action, and that they reform that which needs reform on earth, tap its resources, and plan for the good of all."[6] This contributes to the critical assessment of the text in light of different contexts. Among other things, it distinguishes between 'means' and 'end'. An example of this concerns the sighting of the (hilāl) moon as the start of the month, in which the visual sighting is a means, like any other legitimate but far more accurate ways (such as astronomical calculations). In this case, the end is to determine the beginning of lunar months with a high degree of accuracy. Here, the purpose and goal of the Sharī'a is the determination of the new month, and the means include precise calculation.[7]
Another contemporary aspect to note is the diversity of Muslim communities worldwide. The issues faced by the Muslim community in Singapore differ, and sometimes, in significant and fundamental ways, from the issues and fatwa evaluations in other parts of the world. For those who live in developed countries and face rapid scientific and technological advances, the considerations on the method of calculation, or generally, the value of scientific knowledge in daily life, will be influenced by the reigning local scientific trends. Further to this, religious questions faced by the Muslim community in Singapore are expected to become more complex. This is not only because of new issues which are not found in religious texts, but because each issue is often multi-dimentional and concerns matters that require specialised knowledge and covers various disciplines, such as science, sociology, humanities, history, politics and others.
In this regard, an important first step is a deep and accurate understanding of the extent of the problem or issue at hand. This requirement cannot be overstated and is not easily achieved, especially in today's era of specialisation, as each individual has limitations in mastering multiple disciplines. For this reason, although in most Muslim communities today a qualified jurist (mufti) performs this function, in Singapore, a committee of jurists deliberate on such matters in order to tap on collective wisdom. This is not to say that all fatwas are similar in terms of the function they serve. Whilst the majority of fatwas may simply take the form of juristic responsa to a question posed by a questioner (mustafti) with the purpose of helping specific individuals with their religious queries, some others may involve more complex issues that concern the entire community and have implications on public policies. Fatwas in Singapore usually take the form of the latter, as demonstrated in the fatwas published in this volume.
This volume seeks to capture how juristic reasoning and interpretation interacts with the broader factors that surround the issue, which include socio-historical contexts, contemporary needs, and relevant scientific advancements and knowledge. As such, the approach taken here is to discuss fatwas in light of the relevant background and particular contexts. This interaction highlights the flexibility of Islamic law to provide relevant guidelines to society, underlining its dynamic feature. Muis has previously published three fatwa compilations that recorded all fatwas issued by Muis until 1998. However, there is thus far no publication that discusses the broader contexts of these fatwas.
To this end, the Office of Mufti in Muis set up a research team to study the development of fatwas in Singapore. The team examined records of fatwa meetings in order to identify the background to the fatwa queries. Unlike the text of a fatwa that simply states a ruling and its arguments, the Fatwa Committee discussions as recorded in the minutes of meeting reflect the arguments and considerations expressed by the Fatwa Committee members, as well as any differences of opinion. In addition, the team researched on broader developments relevant to the issue at hand. This could include some historical and socio-religious analysis. In the case of fatwa on organ donation (chapter 3 of this publication), whilst the text of the fatwa itself does not detail the reason and context of the particular issue, a study of the historical development of organ donation through reports in local newspapers and relevant international coverage and the trends and interests in organ donation locally provide a more holistic assessment of the fatwas. This allows readers to better comprehend why certain issues were of a concern to the community, and what the Fatwa Committee's considerations were in coming up with its decisions.
With these objectives in mind, this publication seeks to be a reference for asatizah, students of Islamic jurisprudence and fatwa, as well as researchers of the socio-history and religious institutions of Islam, and any interested member of the public who wishes to explore the development and management of fatwas in general. The group of researchers and writers hope that by examining the development of fatwa in this book, the reader will be able to appreciate the importance of interpreting religious laws according to contexts, and how this is done without compromising religious principles. In fact, the discussions here seek to provide examples of how contextualisation can be observed if proper attention is given to the purpose and spirit of the Sharī'a and when capabilities to grasp new and complex issues are developed.
Muis has issued a total of 577 fatwas from the inception of the Fatwa Committee until 2016. These fatwas cover diverse aspects of the religious life of the Singapore Muslim community. This volume is devoted to fatwas related to science, medicine and health.
The old yet pertinent adage that change is a constant rings true in all areas of life, not least in science. Scientific progress and research continue to push boundaries and force us to rethink our religious and ethical positions. This challenge is not peculiar to Muslims, but also applies to other religious traditions, especially those with clear scriptural injunctions and moral guidelines on life's philosophical questions, such as on human suffering. The march of science, relentless as it may be, often comes face to face with profound ethical questions. Religious communities are, of course, not expected to hinder scientific progress, but this is not to say that one should conveniently move moral boundaries to fit in the conclusions of science and technology. Rather, given a set of principles established in religious texts, how could these principles be read and built upon, with the aim of guiding religious communities to navigate through the unchartered realms of science and ethics.
Whilst an ethical framework inspired by religion does and should not shift much, its principles require continuous reflection. In fact, it is in the application of such principles in new areas and issues that the relevance of these principles are tested. This is an intricate process that involves examining new questions with an open mind. The fatwas in this volume are examples of this process. As is often the case, scholars find their first recourse to established principles to shed guidance on new issues. However, certain matters are simply unprecedented and demand a critical review of classical doctrines and principles. As the Fatwa Committee deliberates and considers the merits and disadvantages of certain propositions, new principles of fatwa begin to emerge. Over time, one could entertain the possibility of a fiqh that is particularised to the context of Singapore. This is one of the purposes of this volume, namely to document and express the thought process behind such fatwas.
To further explain this unique process, the first chapter discusses fatwa management in Singapore and the principles observed by Muis in issuing fatwas. Among these, the Fatwa Committee of Singapore observes the proactive approach and concept of taysīr (simplifying instead of complicating). The chapter also presents a historical background to the establishment of the Fatwa Committee and the collective thinking (jamā'ī) approach as adopted in Singapore.
The second chapter discusses fatwas on family planning and reproductive science. This chapter looks at the use of contraceptives and how this developed historically in Singapore, in the context of the population needs of the country post-independence and the novelty of some approaches in family planning. Questions on permanent forms of contraception (such as sterilisation) and abortion were also asked. In general, the fatwas recognise that this is an area in which both contextual considerations as well as scientific developments affect the way religious rulings are conceived. Some theological principles remain applicable, such as the determination of what constitutes the will of God and the freewill of human beings. The gift of a child remains considered as a divine gift that cannot be annulled by a human act such as abortion. It is only in the instance of established harm to the living, such as imminent danger to the mother bearing the child, that abortion is permitted. As Singapore moved towards more sophisticated reproductive technologies, questions on assisted reproduction such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and sperm banks were also asked.
Organ donation, as discussed in the third chapter, looks at the evolution of Islamic juristic thought in tandem with advancements in therapeutic and biomedical science. In particular, it examines how the ruling on organ donation has changed from prohibition in the first fatwa issued in 1973 to the permissibility of presumed consent in the most recent fatwa issued in 2007. There are two particularly important aspects in this chapter. First is that the fatwas on organ donation incorporate a unique aspect concerning relations between state and religion, as public policy and legislative positions take into account the religious beliefs of the Muslim community as expressed in certain fatwas. Thus, up until the issuance of the fatwa in 2007, Muslims were excluded from the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA). Second is that the fatwa deliberations focussed on universal values such as compassion and kindness (as key injunctions in the Qur'an). The increasing plight of those who suffer from organ failure thus shaped the discussions and shifted the discourse away from juridical considerations in classical Islam.
The fourth chapter discusses fatwas on biomedical research, comprising responses by the Fatwa Committee to the consultation papers of the Bioethics Advisory Committee Singapore. The issues presented in this chapter range from the use of human stem cells to cloning and genetic testing. Accordingly, these fatwas enter the domain of bioethical thought, away from discussions on points of Muslim law. In general, the fatwas have been supportive of biomedical research so long as it does not cause a clear harm and can secure the common good for society and humankind.
The fifth and final chapter discusses fatwas on therapeutic science and medication. A key issue is the status of ingredients in medical products, especially in medication (such as tablets) and vaccination. Because this involves consumption, the issue of purity and defilement becomes paramount. In many recent pharmaceutical advancements, the use of porcine sources has increased. Because Islamic law has clear rules on the consumption of pork and derivatives of pig, Muslims have raised questions on the permissibility of medical treatments that use products with porcine elements. The fatwas discuss several classical positions on the subject, but recognise a key difference in the nature of the material that is at the center of the debate. Whilst all classical positions discuss the use of pig or its derivatives in unprocessed forms, modern technology has enabled complex chemical processes that alter the nature of the substance. To what extent, therefore, should classical positions prevail? In this regard, the chapter proposes six principles on medication from the perspective of Islamic law and ethics. These include the avoidance of harm, the specific situation of ḍarura (exceptionalism), and securing good (maṣlaḥa). With particular reference to the nature of pig derivatives in medicine, the fatwas consider two classical concepts with contemporary relevance: istiḥāla and istihlāk. Several other medical- and health-related issues are also discussed, including Advanced Medical Directive (AMD), dialysis and smoking.
This first volume is the first in the fatwa compilation series to be published by Muis. The editorial and writing team hope to be able to publish subsequent volumes on other themes such as theology, acts of worship, and finance and inheritance. These subsequent volumes will adopt a similar approach, but with improvements and refinements based on feedback from readers of this volume. We hope that these efforts receive the blessings of Allah s.w.t. and further enhance the Muslim community's understanding and practice of Islam, especially in its appreciation of an Islamic intellectual tradition: one that is founded on immutable principles but display courage and audacity to seek new solutions and chart new pathways for a better future.
- Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri, Reliance of the Traveller, ed. and trans. Nuh Ha Mim Keller (Beltsville, Maryland: Amana Publications, 1994), viii. ↵
- Ibid., 552. ↵
- Quoted in Al-Raysuni, Ahmad, Imam al-Shatibi's Theory of the Higher Objectives and Intents of Islamic Law (Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Book Trust, 2006), xviii. ↵
- The jurist al-Mawardi discusses this in his influential work al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyya. See p.3-4. ↵
- Quoted in Jasser Auda, Maqasid al-Shari'ah as Philosophy of Islamic Law (Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Book Trust, 2010), 186. ↵
- Al-Raysuni, Ahmad, Imam al-Shatibi's Theory of the Higher Objectives and Intents of Islamic Law, xxiii. ↵
- This is an approach accepted by many contemporary scholars such as Faisal Mawlawi and Yusuf al-Qaradawi. See Jasser Auda, Maqasid al-Sharī'a as Philosophy of Islamic Law (Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Book Trust, 2010), 187. ↵


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November 20, 2018, 6:00 PM @ Caucus will be held at 5:45 at the Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor.
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When we launched the Bells Restoration Appeal in January 2016, the target of £150,000 seemed so huge, it was hard to believe we'd ever get there. As we enter 2018 we have come a long way. We now have a date for Andrew Nicholson Engineering, the bell hangers, to start work – July 2nd 2018. If we can keep to this schedule, we anticipate that the bells and frame will be returned to the tower in October this year.So far we have raised or had promises of just over £105,000. The remaining £50,000 is still a significant hill to climb, but we are convinced it is achievable. There are at least half a dozen fundraising events in the pipeline thanks to your generous enthusiasm. We have submitted two more grant applications to major trusts and we have another three in the pipeline. We have also been invited by two of the organisations who've already given us a grant to reapply for more. In addition to all this, Andrew Nicholson has offered to reduce his bill by over £16,500 if we provide volunteers to help his workmen in the belfry. Several people have already put their names forward. If you are interested in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on a part of Newnham's heritage please talk to Andy Vivian – 516528.
There is still an opportunity to have one of the three new bells dedicated to the memory of a loved one or a special anniversary. The memorial words will be cast into the bell and the message displayed in the nave of the church. A bell is a memorial you can hear every day of your life and which could last a thousand years, much longer than a grave stone or a park bench. The cost is £10,000 and you will be invited to see the bell being installed and to strike the first blow. The Trotter family has already come forward to sponsor one bell, in memory of Rev'd Barry Trotter. Please talk to the appeal chair, Cam Dickie, if you would like to enquire about sponsoring one of the others – 516332.
The contractors: Andrew Nicholson, who is based in Bridport, is highly respected in the West Country. Not only was his quote the best we had but he has brought his considerable experience to the table as we sought ways to overcome the unexpected discovery that the bell frame is unstable. Once we know his exact schedule, we'll announce the dates when the bells will be on show at the foot of the tower, a sight that is rarely seen.
Fieldhouse Builders has won the contract to install the new ringing platform. They have worked in St Peter's before – installing the kitchen and toilet.
Photo credit: Mike Penny


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Don' t Let Mobility Difficulties Get In The Way Of Your Independence
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I have noticed this too. President Bush is always talking to the press. When you are telling the truth you have nothing to hide.
"CBS White House correspondent Major Garrett doesn't buy the portrayal of President Trump as an enemy of the media and a chief executive who has eliminated access for journalists.
"He loves us, and he hates us, and he loves us," he said with a laugh.
"There is more access to this president than there was to Obama. We see him all the time. He takes questions a lot," Garrett said. "We see him and interact with him and punch in questions with far more frequency than with Obama. Probably more so than for W. Bush," he added.
Much more a student of the White House than a critic, Garrett however said that having access doesn't make it easier to cover the president's White House.
"It wears me out," he told Secrets in an interview to talk about his latest insightful book, Mr. Trump's Wild Ride .
While other presidents were more methodical and followed a standard path to making policy, Garrett said that Trump is sometimes impatient, and pushes for change with his morning tweets that forces his bureaucracy to catch up.
In other cases, policy will be developed through the normal channels, but then Trump will junk it when it reaches his desk.
As a result, Garrett said that he now is far more cautious than others before reporting on Trump decisions.
"I'm so careful about what's proposed, what's considered, what's talked about. You get a lot of loose descriptions of things that are under discussion, or moving toward," he said."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com
CBS' Garrett: More access to Trump than Obama, Bush, 'we see him all the time'
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High Valley Ranch
You will find the gated community of High Valley Ranch in Prescott, Arizona, tucked away in one of the most beautiful settings around, tall ponderosa pine trees and paved streets that are lined with natural rock stackings. High Valley Ranch is located off Copper Basin Road and offers large home sites and million dollar homes that are make this subdivision unique and highly sought after. National forest borders the 2 acre plus home sites and is just minutes from downtown Prescott.
Below are just a few of the homes currently for sale in High Valley Ranch
Contact John Gorden for more information (928) 308-0101
- Click here to see all of the homes for sale in High Valley Ranch
- Click here to see all of the homes for sale in Prescott
- Click here to see all sold homes in High Valley Ranch
The multiple listing information is provided by the Prescott Area Association of REALTORS® from a copyrighted compilation of listings. The compilation of listings and each individual listing are ©2019 Prescott Area Association of REALTORS®. All Rights Reserved. The information provided is for consumers, personal, noncommercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. All properties are subject to prior sale or withdrawal. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate, and should be independently verified.


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Download Film Confinement Time (2015) UNCUT Full Movie
Film Confinement Time (2015) UNCUT Full Movie
Your body will remember me! A man and a woman's fatal love that starts with confinement. A street hooker named Hyeon-ah (Jeon Yoo-jin) is locked up topless in the pension of a man named Jeong-ho (Heo Dong-won) who saved her from her pimp's abuse and beatings. She was locked up for no reason and every time she struggles against him, he hits her