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12 x 10 - Vintage Shabby Chic Distressed Frame - White
- Buy 6 for £14.39 each and save 15%
|Frame Colour
|Frame Size
|12" x 10"
|Frame Size (Internal - Metric)
|305mm x 254mm
|Can Frame Stand?
|Can Frame Hang on Wall?
|Frame Type
|Wooden Frame
|Glass (Perspex Safety Glass Available)
Vintage Shabby Chic Style Frames in White measuring 12" x 10"
- Buy 6 for £14.39 each and save 15%
High Quality Wooden Ready Made Photo Frames
The latest addition to our range of wooden frames. These vintage looking 'Shabby Chic' style of photo frames are hugely popular this year. We've been trialling them in our retail shop and these slightly distressed frames are fast becoming our best sellers. They're made from a beautiful Italian moulding and are finished to a very high standard enabling you to have the latest in fashionable frames at affordable prices.
Manufactured by ourselves in our Gloucestershire based factory, these frames are made to our own very high standards. Each frame comes complete with 2mm glass, paper infill and MDF backing board. Each frame is indivually shrinkwrapped (or has cardboard corner protectors) and comes complete with hanging fixings. Ideal for photographers, artists, companies or individuals.
All of our photo frames are hand made by ourselves here in the UK. We only use real wood for all of our picture frames, not inferior plastic or MDF Like some frame manufacturers use. Each and every photo frame we manufacture is inspected by ourselves to ensure they meet our own high levels of quality.
- This item is usually delivered within 2-3 working days.
- You will get an email on the day we despatch so you know your frames are on their way.
- For deliveries made by Interlink Express, they will contact you on the morning of delivery detailing a 1 hour delivery window.
- Delivery costs £4.95 for most of England and Wales and most of Scotland (except Scottish Highlands).

subset: commoncrawl


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Awards &
Of all our accomplishments, we take pride in the excellence of our work, the opportunities for personal growth we provide to our people, and the contributions we make to our communities. We are delighted and honored to be recognized by respected organizations for our success.
Fortune World's most admired companies
Most admired: A major authority on corporate reputations compiled each year through a survey of top executives, directors, experts and financial analysts
Fortune 500 - #179
Fortune 500: Ranks the 500 largest U.S.-based companies by total revenue for their respective fiscal years
Best Property Consultancy
Recognized JLL for design, quality, service, innovation, originality and commitment to sustainability
LinkedIn Top Companies:
Where the world wants to work now
List of 50 companies based on the billions of actions taken by LinkedIn's 540+ million members
Drucker WSJ Management Top 250
Analyzes and compares the performance of major US companies on customer satisfaction, employee engagement and development, innovation, social responsibility and financial strength
Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index
Recognizes public companies committed to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation and transparency
World's most ethical company
Recognizes the strong principles of business and professional ethics inherent in JLL's values, culture and strategy as well as its interactions with clients, customers, vendors and employees
IAOP Global Outsourcing 100 2019
Recognized JLL for sustained excellence and as an All Star Company for its leading innovation and CSR programs
CR Magazine's 100 Best Corporate Citizens
Recognizes the standout corporate responsibility and sustainability performance of public companies across the United States
Given to companies and other organizations demonstrating continued leadership in energy efficiency and commitment to the ENERGY STAR program
Recognizes the strong principles of business and professional ethics inherent in JLL's values, culture and strategy as well as its interactions with clients, customers, vendors and employees


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PRICE PROMISE - Find another tailored seat cover with the same product features for less and we will refund the difference.
NOT Suitable for vehicles with seat mounted airbags
Single + Double Seat Configuration (Front Row)
Seat Covers produced from 600 denier PU coated cotton backed polyester, giving complete protection and providing an ultra smart look.
Screen Wrap made from an extremely durable 600 denier fabric which is waterproof and lightweight.
All of our screen wraps come with a free storage bag and because they are lightweight they are small enough to store in your glove box.
These are our luxury screen wraps, they slightly larger ensuring complete blackout and total frost protection, velcro tabs fasten around the wing mirrors and the cover is secured over the doors for extra security and preventing any movement in windy conditions.
Please click here to download the instruction PDF - Seat Covers
Please click here to download the instruction PDF. - Screen Wrap


text:
Thoughts, opinions? I'm curious about what you guys think of them. I use them with Opera's built-in reader to get tech info and updates from some of the major sites I visit. Actually, the RSS feed pretty much eliminates the need to go to the site in some cases (slashdot).
I've even added one to one of my personal sites: http://lanparty.whproductions.com


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AZAD focuses on molecules that are complex to synthesize both from a process as well as patents points of view. The process development is managed under the supervision of AZAD's own chemists based in Schaffhausen Switzerland. The route of synthesis is developed at a contract developer notably one that can also do the upscaling and the commercial production. Most of the contract developers are in Europe. Furthermore AZAD runs own chemical labs in Armenia for process research. The commercial producers are in India, China, Taiwan, Czech Republic and Italy. AZAD is the owner of the IP and typically files process- and polymorph patents under AZAD's name.
The DMF is filed by the contract manufacturer under its name or alternatively under the name of AZAD but the IP belongs to AZAD. In addition to its own development AZAD also partners with Chinese manufacturers in order to offer additional API to additionally service its customers. In this latter case AZAD assumes responsibility for GMP and Regulatory and markets the products under the AZAD company name.


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I am absolutely horrible at asking for what I want.
I am equally bad at going after what I want.
Such glaring personality traits, now that The Coach is home. When my heart is like "OMG, come over come over please please please come over and stay for a while and then come back over tomorrow and I want to bake you many cookies to show my affection" and my head is like "girl, you will sit here quietly until he is ready to see you because you know you'll hear from him the minute he wants to see you and you will NOT go begging for his attention."
I do not know how to find the balance between my head and my heart. So my head wins. Because it's safer that way, you know? Even though I'm pretty sure nobody ever gained all that much by regularly refusing to put themselves out there for fear of pain and rejection. This ship likes the safety of the harbor. It's comfortable here. And I'm so good at being lame.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Asking, Getting
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text: Our permanent residence is in Panama but we spend 5-6 months a year in the US then 3-4 months in Canada and 3-4 months in Panama. Does that mean we will be uninsured for a period of time with your program ? or are we adequately protected since we do not exceed six months in any one country


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sa.global Adds Microsoft Cloud CRM Competency to their ERP, Microsoft Cloud and Development Related Competencies
sa.global adds fourth competency to reflect their leadership in delivery of enterprise Business Solutions.
sa.global, the winner of the 2017 Microsoft Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Worldwide Partner of the Year Award, has been awarded with the Microsoft Silver Cloud Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Competency, bringing the firm's total number of competencies from Microsoft to four. This award is the result of sa.global's consistent delivery of CRM services to their clients. From a focus on primarily ERP four years ago, sa.global has been expanding their delivery capabilities and experience to include CRM which is in line with Microsoft's cloud strategy of bringing together Finance & Operations along with CRM in their Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise edition solution which was released in late 2016.
The Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Competency recognizes sa.global for their experience, commitment, and proven success in delivering Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM solutions to their customers. sa.global has shown advanced expertise and a proven skill set in the area of Microsoft Dynamics 365. To be eligible for this certification, Microsoft partners such as sa.global must:
- Pass a series of exams, designed to show knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Dynamics CRM software
- Submit customer references of work carried out
- Employ a specific number of Microsoft certified professionals.
Meeting all these criteria ensures that a Microsoft Partner such as sa.global can deliver the high-quality level of service Microsoft expect them to.
In achieving the Silver competency for Cloud CRM, sa.global has demonstrated its ability to complete some of the most prestigious accreditation's and meet industry requirements to attain its 4th certification from Microsoft, in addition to the three Gold certifications: Gold Application Development competency, Gold Cloud Platform competency and Gold ERP competencies.


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DeKALB – In less than 24 hours, Anbritt Stengele saw the price of a late December, round-trip flight jump from $500 to more than $700, even with her company's discount.
Stengele, owner of the Chicago-based travel agency Sports Traveler, said the drastic increase in price is an unusual occurrence, but Orange Bowl fever is spreading across the region. Stengele, who books travel packages for the marquee college bowl games, said the Orange Bowl has historically brought the least amount of interest, but Northern Illinois University fans have made it the second hottest ticket behind the national championship game.
"This is an exciting opportunity and the most interest we've had for an Orange Bowl in many years," she said. "I really encourage people to go. There is warm weather [and] great tailgate parties, and it's just a really great area for fans."
Time is running out for Huskie fans looking to book flights because many are full and available seats are selling at premium prices. As of Tuesday afternoon, an Orbitz search produced the cheapest options for a Dec. 31 through Jan. 2 round-trip ticket at $508 out of O'Hare and $563 out of Midway.
Kim Launer, a travel agent with the DeKalb branch of Royal Travel and Tours, said one way to reduce prices is by departing earlier than Dec. 31 and returning after Jan. 2 to avoid the holiday rush. But specialty packages that some travel agencies and organizations offer for bowl games have filled up already or have a Friday deadline.
The veteran travel agent said it is the most frenzy she has seen for an NIU bowl game or sporting event.
"There is a lot more interest than I have ever seen before, and I've been doing this 29 years," she said. "It can still be booked, but it's very limited."
One fan who hopes to score a plane ticket is NIU law student Brandon Ayers. He said he would try to keep costs down, but the extra money he might spend on airfare could be saved by staying with a friend who lives in Miami.
"I haven't figured out how I'm getting there, but I hope to find the cheapest flight," Ayers said. "I'll find my way down."
For those who want a cheaper alternative, a roughly 1,450-mile drive from DeKalb to Miami would cost about $190 for a vehicle that averages 27 mpg, according to Mapquest's fuel calculator. The round-trip fuel cost would be roughly $380. A group with multiple drivers could make the estimated 22-hour round trip in one day.
NIU softball players Emily Norton and Madison Murphy said most of their team plan on making the trek to Miami. They are traveling by car with two of their teammates. They estimated each person will spend a little more than $250 after splitting fuel, food and lodging costs.
"Some (teammates) are flying in from California and driving down with the team," Murphy said. "I think there is going to be a lot of people going."
The demand has been strong from alumni, requiring the NIU Alumni Association to book two premium charter flights associated with packages priced from $1,829 to $2,699 a person. The association also has nonflight packages starting at $769 a person.
Joseph Matty, executive director of the association, said it is the most demand he has seen for any bowl game.
"We're thrilled with the number of people wanting to buy tickets and support the team," he said. "It's great to see people in the Chicago area rallying behind their college football team."
Estimated costs
Flying (rates for Dec. 31 to Jan. 2, based on Orbitz estimates)
• O'Hare: $508
• Midway: $563
Driving (based on 27 mpg)
• 2,900 miles round trip costing roughly $380 in fuel.
• Estimated to take just more than 22 hours each way.
Bus (Greyhound rates for Dec. 30 to Jan. 2)
• $345 a person


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Michael Bay explains just what's going on with the umpteenth Ninja Turtles controversy. Tom Hiddleston discusses Loki's future. Jack Gleeson reveals what's ahead for Joffrey on Game of Thrones. Plus Prometheus, Lockout, Awake, Once Upon a Time, Grimm, and more!
Spoilers from here on out!
Top image from The Amazing Spider-Man.
The Amazing Spider-Man
Director Marc Webb discusses the particular elements from the comic that he drew on to make his Spider-Man movie unique:
There's this story about Peter's parents and where he came from, and I thought that it was really interesting to explore the emotional consequence of someone whose parents had left them at a very young age. I like that Peter Parker has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder. In 'The Amazing Spider-Man #8' there's this moment where Flash (Thompson) and Peter are sort of going at each other. They're at a boxing match and you sort of hear what Peter is saying and he's a little surly and I like that, but there's this attitude, this sort of punk rock humor and trickster quality that I think probably comes from somebody who is a little distrustful of the world at times. In order for someone like that to become a hero, I think it's a really interesting story and that was something fun. It was really fun to explore, and then of course there's the Gwen Stacy saga, The Lizard. But I think what we tried to do was find something very emotionally grounded and that felt very real. That's a challenge when there's big lizards and soaring through the air, but that's what was really fun about it.
He also discusses — at length — just what they hope to bring out in the character of Gwen Stacy, as played by Emma Stone:
The way that Peter Parker eventually learns about sacrifice through Gwen Stacy, but in order to adequately learn that lesson you have to feel that really strong bond. Something for me I think in terms of what we set out to do with this relationship, specifically between Peter and Gwen, I mean, you remember, like, the first time that you meet a girl in high school and that you get to share things with that person that you might not have shared with any other people, that creates a bond and an intensity that I think has a lot of currency. When you get that opportunity to be honest and open with somebody for the first time and share things about yourself that you haven't been able to share things that you haven't been able to before, things that you might be scared of or ashamed about, that's really exhilarating, and I think that's something that people will really identify with. That was something that was fun about the relationship, and then in terms of Gwen as a character, she's really smart. She's got this scientific quality, and maybe you can speak more to this, but she's in sort of a weird position, stuck between the different men in her life.
And Emma Stone herself weighs in on the character with an equally lengthy answer:
Yeah, her duty to her father and her duty to her boyfriend, because she's a real confidant for him. Their intimacy is such an incredible element, and I think that Gwen has been in control her whole life. She's the oldest daughter of a police chief, who is constantly terrified that her father is going to die everyday. She has to have an element of being smart because she has to be. She's a valedictorian because she has to be. She has to take care of things and be responsible for her family and I think that being able to let go and trust somebody who puts themselves in the face of death of everyday, too, that's like, great, now she's drawn to another person that could die at any moment and she has to keep his secret and pick and choose between her first love which is her father, of course, like every girl. That's the first man in your life and then her first boyfriend. So, it's a pretty complex situation for Gwen, and there's a lot of, I think, sadness and fear in her life combined with the fact that she's outwardly confident and strong and smart and takes no bullshit. She's soft and 17 underneath it all. There's a great source of drama, and Gwen is at the center of this in a lot of ways – there's competing ideas of what's good. These people, everybody's heart is in the right place, but they execute their plans in different ways and that goes for The Lizard and Curt Connors as well. Gwen in particular is stuck between [her father] the Captain and Peter Parker and Spider-Man who have different ways about going about finding justice in their lives. I think that's a really fun thing to explore in the movie.
Believe it or not, there's still more at the link. [Popcorn Biz]
The Avengers
We already know that Loki will survive, considering Tom Hiddleston has discussed his role in Thor 2, and his latest take on the character suggests he could well become the Marvel Universe equivalent of a recurring nemesis:
"We're responding to what people make of it, there's such a depth of layering in comics to his character. Loki goes on forever, it's a mythology, it goes deep. If we were allowed to make six films we could, we'll just have to see."
Here's a new TV spot.
This new cover of Empire shows star Noomi Rapace in her full spacesuit, complete with the just asking to be misinterpreted declaration that she is "The New Ripley!" Just in case there's any uncertainty at this late stage, Rapace's Elizabeth Shaw is just fulfilling the Ripley role in the movie but not actually reprising Sigourney Weaver's character. Check out the link for the photo. [Shock Till You Drop]
Here's a new TV spot for the movie in which loose cannon federal agent Guy Pierce saves the President's daughter (Lost's Maggie Grace) from rioting inmates on an outer space prison. [Coming Soon]
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Here are some photos for the pre-apocalyptic comedy starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley as two neighbors taking a road trip in the final weeks before a giant asteroid obliterates life on Earth. [MTV Movies Blog]
Snow White and the Huntsman
Here's an actually decent quality version of one of the TV spots we showed yesterday. [Coming Soon]
Ninja Turtles
Continuing his recent streak of, if not exactly being the voice of reason, at least being the voice of "let's all just chill out, bros," executive producer Michael Bay took to his official website to confirm and explain the rumored decision to drop "Teenage Mutant" from the title:
Paramount marketing changed the name. They made the title simple. The characters you all remember are exactly the same, and yes they still act like teenagers. Everything you remember, why you liked the characters, is in the movie. This script is being developed by two very smart writers, with one of the original creators of Ninja Turtles. They care VERY MUCH about making this film for the fans. Everyone on this team cares about the fans. Just give them a chance. Jonathan [Liebesman] the director, is a major fan of the whole franchise. HE'S NOT GOING TO LET YOU DOWN.
Hugo and Let Me In star Chloe Moretz has reportedly been offered the title role in Boys Don't Cry director Kimberly Peirce's new adaptation of the Stephen King story. However, Moretz hasn't actually accepted the part yet. [Deadline]
Doctor Who
Newly announced companion Jenna-Louise Colman reveals just how little she knows about her character, so don't bother pestering her about it:
"I have an idea of the story, of the character and of a few surprises, but I don't know her name or where she's from. I just told Steven [Moffat] and [producer] Caroline Skinner, 'Don't tell me anything until I need to know it.'"
Here are a few promo photos for this week's episode, "Nothing As It Seems." [Fringe Files]
Here's a short description for episode eighteen, "The Consultant", which airs April 13:
Walter travels to the Alternate Universe to assist in the investigation of a Fringe event with ties to both worlds. Meanwhile, David Robert Jones reveals his next target.
The titles for episodes twenty through twenty-two, the season's final three episodes, are reportedly "World Apart" and then "End Game" parts one and two. [SpoilerTV]
Game of Thrones
Joffrey actor Jack Gleeson — who I feel it's worth pointing out is by all accounts one of the nicest guys in the world, even though he's phenomenally good at playing an utter creep — reveals what's ahead for the teenage king this season:
"With his coronation, his malicious deeds amplify tenfold. He thinks everyone should say yes to him 'cause he has the right to be where he is, so he doesn't take no for an answer. There are scenes where I just do malicious things for no reason. I kind of rebel against [my mother Cersei]. I'm changing up the design of the Throne Room and kind of throw my toys all over the floor.
Here's a teaser for this week's episode, "Oregon":
Michael has done his best to keep his double life a private matter between himself and his therapists, but after he becomes a suspect in a murder investigation, the secret gets out... and into the wrong hands. Let's just say this is a case that won't be wrapped up with just one episode, and it puts Michael's whole delicately balanced existence into serious jeopardy.
Here's a brief description for episode eight, "Nightswimming", which is set to air April 19:
Detective Britten helps reunite and prepare a couple for a new life in the witness protection program; an introduction between Detective Vega and Britten's longtime informant doesn't go smoothly.
Once Upon a Time
Captain America actor Sebastian Stan will reportedly make two more appearances this season as the Mad Hatter. [E! Online]
Here's a teaser for this week's episode, "Island of Dreams":
[It] marks the return of the elusive, persistent Hexenbeast (played by Claire Coffee), as well as the introduction of a new recurring character named Rosalee (Bree Turner), a Fuschbau (fox-like creature) who poses a threat to Nick by forming a close relationship with someone in his inner circle. Elsewhere, Monroe continues helping Nick by going undercover to a Wesen crack den!
[TV Line]
Here's a short description for episode eighteen, "Cat and Mouse", which is due to air April 20:
Nick discovers that Monroe and Rosalee are harboring a murder suspect (Neil Hopkins) whose crime spree began overseas.
Jericho actor Kevin Mitchell will reportedly appear in episode twenty-one as a Wildermann, described as a Sasquatch-like creature whose alter ego Larry "struggles with self control issues, which causes him to be stuck between his human self and his creature self. Not helping matters is the pain from the device inserted into his neck that leads to his mental breakdown." [TV Line]
Joining him in the episode will reportedly be Revenge actor Roger Bart, described as a fellow Wildermann who looks like Grizzly Adams.
Here's a sneak peek for this Thursday's episode, "Safety in Numbers."
Here are some promo photos for episode five, "Entanglement", which is due to air April 12. [SpoilerTV]
And here's the official description for the episode:
Martin gets his laptop stolen on the day Jake is scheduled for an important evaluation. As a result, he becomes ensnared in a young Salvadoran woman's quest to avenge the death of her family. Meanwhile, Teller (guest star Danny Glover) tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Also, a spirited Saudi Arabian girl tries to break free of the societal constraints imposed on her and a Montreal doctor attempts to meet a stranger on a train
David Lyons, who I don't have to tell any of you was The Cape on The Cape, will reportedly take time out from getting the show those remaining five seasons and a movie to star in J.J. Abrams and Supernatural creator Eric Kripke's show set in a world where all forms of energy have mysteriously vanished. He will reportedly play Bass, a role originally meant for Twilight's Billy Burke before Burke was given the lead role instead. I should point out that the show is actually no longer called Revolution, but it's as good a placeholder as any until we get a new title. [TV Line]
Terra Nova
Looks like we can officially retire the Terra Nova tag, as Netflix has passed on the opportunity to pick up the show, probably because there was not a single conceivable logical reason why they would ever want to do that. Actually, judging by Netflix's recent decision-making, logic probably had nothing to do with it. Still the right call though. [Den of Geek]
American Horror Story
An inside source says the second season will not be set in a prison, as has been rumored. Actually, I thought the main rumor was some sort of mental institution, and I don't think this report even rules that possibility out. [TV Line]
Being Human (UK)
Series creator Toby Whithouse has revealed a couple more details for the show's recently announced fifth season — first, it will be only six episodes long as opposed to eight, and second, Lenora Crichlow will indeed not be returning as Annie. [Digital Spy; thanks to Spoogy for the tip!]
Falling Skies
Here are some cast photos for the second season of TNT's alien invasion show. [SpoilerTV]
And here's a video with the cast running down all the big unanswered questions for season two.
The Vampire Diaries
Here's a sneak peek for this week's episode, "The Murder of One."
And here's a promo photo. [SpoilerTV]
Sara Canning will reportedly return as the deceased Aunt Jenna in the third season finale, albeit only in pre-demise flashbacks. [Zap2It]
The Secret Circle
Here's a sneak peek for tomorrow night's episode, "Sacrifice."
Bold and the Beautiful actress Jacqueline MacInnes Wood has reportedly been cast as Dinah Laurel Lance's sister Sarah in the CW's Green Arrow pilot. It sounds like the character will mostly just appear in flashback sequences and, reading between the lines, will probably be dead before the end of the episode, though that's just supposition on my part. Feel free to judge for yourself at the link. [KSiteTV]
Lost Girl
Emily Andras, who has written six episodes over the first two seasons, has reportedly been promoted to showrunner for the third season, and it is currently unclear if creator Michele Lovretta will return. Season two head writer Steve Corchane is reportedly expected to return for season three. [SpoilerTV]
Additional reporting by Jennifer Griffith-Delgado and Charlie Jane Anders.


text:
United Kingdom
United States
World English Go to Usborne.com
Usborne Quicklinks
Quicklinks for internet-linked books
Hardback with ribbon marker
Click on a topic to see the recommended websites.
Websites to visit
Website 1
Find out about the festival of Diwali, India's most important holiday.
Website 2
Watch a video clip about how Diwali is celebrated in India.
Website 3
See Diwali celebrations at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India.
Website 4
Photographs of Diwali celebrations around the world. (Click on "Next" to see the next photo.)
Website 5
Watch schoolchildren in India making rangoli designs for a competition.
Website 6
See how little clay lamps are made for Diwali.
Website 7
Fascinating facts about Diwali.
Websites to visit
Website 1
Learn how to draw traditional rangoli patterns. (Scroll down to find three different grid patterns.)
Website 2
Print out and make rangoli patterns. (Scroll down and click on the PDF links under "Rangoli Designs for You to Draw".)
Website 3
Listen to the story of Rama and Sita. (Click on the book "Stories from Hinduism" then "Rama and Sita". NB This site uses Flash and may not work on all browsers.)
Website 4
Print out characters from the story of Rama and put on a shadow puppet play. (Scroll down for the Rama puppet and to find Sita, Ravana and other characters, click on "Next".)
Children, make sure you follow these three simple rules when using the internet:
For more tips, see Internet safety for children.
Adults - we recommend that children are supervised while on the internet. The content of a website may change at any time and Usborne Publishing is not responsible for content on sites other than its own.
For more on internet safety, see Internet advice for adults.
Websites with interactive content may not work on your tablet or smartphone, but you can view them on a computer. Find out more…
Young Reading Series 2
The story of Diwali
Every year, bright lights, family gatherings and street parades mark the spectacular festival of Diwali. But how did the festival begin? And who celebrates it today?
Katie Daynes has written oodles of books for Usborne, from lifting the flaps on germs and poo, through things to spot in the sea and at school, to the life stories of Nelson Mandela and Marie Antoinette. She wrote My First Chess Book after being taught by her son, Joe Birks, who became the British Under 9 Chess Champion in 2017. She now lives in Yorkshire with her architect husband, two inquisitive children and a hamster called Toffee. When she's not writing books, Katie likes walking on the blustery moors, meeting friends for coffee and playing competitive board games.
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text:
All the scroll texts accessible from the main menu are scrolled with a finger swipe (instinctive on iOS) and exit with a button, however the (more important) 'how to play' scroll text exits immediately on a screen tap and so potentially the new user misses out on important info.
I understand the reason being that the how to play is in the attract mode but this means there are two functionally inconsistent methods used in the same app and this might cause confusion.
Might be better to either include the 'menu' button method to quit the instructions text or at least include it as a prominent 'how to play' link from the main menu too with the same swipe to scroll interface used in every other scrolltext?
Difference in text scrolling styles.
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text:
CSI: NY alum AJ Buckley has joined the cast of FX's Justified.
He joins the season's supporting cast that also includes Michael Rapaport.Buckley will play the recurring character of Danny Crowe, the romantic sociopath of the "white-trash Florida" Crowe family, led by Dale Crowe Jr. (Rapaport).
Fall TV popularity contest: Which new shows won you over?
They're relatives of Dewey Crowe, a friend of Boyd's (Walton Goggins). Danny is a good man with a knife, and the Crowe family will cause major problems for Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) in the upcoming fifth season season.
Justified will return in early 2014. Are you looking forward to meeting the new members of the Crowe family?


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Ben Meadows:
- Price:
- $43.25
- Description
- Specifications
- Reviews
Fly-front "hook and loop" closure and tri-cushion suspension that can't bind or slip off your shoulders. A built-in cooling system allows perspiration to evaporate right through clothing! Fabric is 200 denier nylon, oxford weave coated with polyurethane on interior side. No metal parts to conduct electricity. All seams are sealed to prevent leakage. Mildew-resistant fabric resists tearing, snagging, and abrasions, plus it won't run if punctured. Requires only ordinary washing and drip drying. Waterproof coating won't wash off. Meets Anti-Static Properties Test, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC 76-1975). Exceeds military specifications for waterproof fabrics. Made in the USA.
We encourage our customers to let us know what experiences they have had with our products, whether good or bad. By submitting a review, you can share your experiences with others and also provide valuable feedback to us as well. With just a few simple steps, you can add your review of this product.
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This first paragraph is going to be tough reading but, trust me, you will need to know it to understand the results. Electrical activity in nerve cells is primarily a matter of ions moving in and out of the cells. The flow of these ions is largely controlled by specialized pore proteins, called ion channels, that dot the surface of the nerve cells. The controlled opening and closing of these ion channels is what allows electrical signals to propagate along nerves. Most of that control is exerted over whether a signal gets started or not, which determines whether the cell will respond to cues from the environment or signals from its fellow nerve cells. Here, the frequency of signals can play a role in regulating future activity. Following repeated signals, a cell can modulate its response, making it more or less likely to respond to the same signal in the future. This modulation process is thought to be the key to processes such as memory, in which a signal permanently changes the way the nervous system responds.
With all that background out of the way, we can finally get to the actual results. Although the larval stage of the fruit fly Drosophila (translation: the maggot) has a very simplified nervous system, it's capable of undergoing conditioning, the same process by which Pavlov's dogs learned to associate sound with food. You can actually train a maggot to associate an aroma with food. In a recently released paper, however, a group in Germany managed to train the maggot without ever having exposed it to food. In short, they manufactured a memory.
How did they perform this trick? They took advantage of an ion channel from a single-celled organism that can be opened by exposure to blue light. Put it in a nerve cell and, in theory, the cell will fire a signal when exposed to light of the right wavelength. They confirmed that, when this channel is expressed in the nerves that control muscles, exposure to blue light would cause the maggot to twitch—the light served as a substitute for the normal signal that activated these nerve cells. But could simply activating these cells artificially trigger learning? To test this, the researchers expressed the channel in neurons that use dopamine, which is known to be associated with aversion behaviors. After several rounds of coordinated exposure to light and an aroma, the maggots learned to associate the smell with discomfort, even though they had never been exposed to any uncomfortable situations. The same thing worked for feeding: express the channel in a different set of neurons, and the maggots could be trained to associate smell with food, even though they'd never been fed.
The research group suggests that the light activated channel provides a powerful tool when combined with the ability to express it in specific populations of neurons. They hope to continue on and examine the role that different types of neurons play in behavior and learning in flies, and suggest that there might be some way to adapt the system to work in larger (and less transparent) organisms.


text: Sijun Forums :: View topic - Character Illustrations Sketches WIP2 Log in to check your private messages Sijun Forums Forum Index >> Work in Progress View previous topic :: View next topic Author Topic : "Character Illustrations Sketches WIP2" neil_w2junior memberMember #Joined: 10 May 2012Posts: 4 Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 10:21 am [/img] Back to top newtabjunior memberMember #Joined: 30 May 2012Posts: 9 Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 1:43 pm I like it. What are you looking to use these in? I can't tell which of the characters on the left is holding the umbrella. newtab Back to top neil_w2junior memberMember #Joined: 10 May 2012Posts: 4 Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 3:20 am initially i wanted it to be like a portfolio piece, but i don't like how it turned out T_T. man i post on so many different forums, its sometimes hard to keep up or keep track of them all (aw, i don't seem to have another version of this available sorry T_T; Back to top aaron2junior memberMember #Joined: 21 Oct 2012Posts: 12 Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 9:50 am Hahahah...... looks amazing seriouslly funny but good animation...use of colouring and effects is admirable Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Sijun Forums Forum Index -> Work in Progress All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Digital Art----------------Digital Art DiscussionWork in ProgressGallery/Finished Work Miscellaneous----------------Random MusingsArchive : Sep99 - Dec00 You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum Powered by phpBB © 2005 phpBB Group


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Samsung has today announced the launch of its latest full touchscreen Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 mobile phone which is equipped with world's first 12 MP digital camera with fast shutter speed and features 3.1 inch wide 16M colors MOLED display and host of advanced features.
The quad-band GSM 850 / GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900 network ready along with 3G HSDPA 900/2100 MHz network ready Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone is equipped with large 3.1-inch (8.1-cm) wide 16 Million colors capable, AMOLED touchscreen display having 480 x 800 pixels screen resolution with incredible 10,000:1 contrast ratio for ultra-sharp picture quality.
The new Samsung Pixon 12 Touchscreen mobile phone sports touch sensitive screen that allows access to all the features of the handset in easy and effortless manner. This sleek phone is the quite slim at just 13.8 mm.
All inputs in Samsung Pixon 12 phone are done using the full-screen touch-sensitive display, powered by the Capacitive Touch Screen Technology which unlike more conventional touch-screens, has no sensors and rather is equipped with a special oxide layer on top of its screen, which reacts to touches of fingers. A stylus or any sharp pointed objects as data input would not work on this type of screen. All this means that typing up a short message would really be tough exercise on this.
The Samsung Pixon M8910 Pixon 12 Touchscreen mobile phone comes with 150-MB of internal shared memory and it supports microSD memory card (upto 16-GB) with hot-swap functionality for external memory with virtually limitless storage capacity.
TouchWIZ and Widgets
The Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 phone comes with TouchWIZ technology which has a Widgets feature that enables users to have a selection of widget style mini applications open on its home screen. It comes with 18 Widgets built-in.
A whole variety of widgets are available, which users can activate by swiping of a finger, which displays information from the phone, accessing images, music and other content and provide a quick way to access various functions in the handset.
Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone offers a full touch navigation experience allowing widgets with 'drag and drop' technology which makes the experience of using the phone highly interactive and easy.
Widgets with drag-and-drop: The simple 'drag-and-drop' technology similar to Samsung Touchwiz F480 touchscreen phone and Samsung Pixon M8800 phone allows selecting multiple widgets from the left panel of the screen which can simply be dropped anywhere on the main screen. A widgets is small portable chunk of code that can be executed without requring any additional programming etc. Widgets in Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone are made up of widely used applications like calendar, clock and alarms, music player functions, FM radio functions, games etc. The Widget with 'drag-and-drop' feature is quick and simple technique which allows the user to set hotkeys for all desired functions on the touch menu.
World's first phone with 12.0 MP Camera: Weighting just about 121 gms, the Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone features world's first 12.0 Megapixels CMOS digital camera with based 28mm wide angle lens offering 4000 x 3000 pixels image resolution and it offers tracking touch autofocus, 16X digital zoom, and built-in LED flash light, and Xenon flash, along with Image Stabilizer for blur-free camera experience.
The Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone allows very fast image storage of 2 seconds and picture storage in standard JPEG format in handset memory or in extended memory. In addition, the digital camera also offers Photo effects and option for Photo quality settings while shooting still pictures. The camera is also equipped with Geotagging, face detection function, autodetect smile and blick detection, and panaroma shot. Additionally the camera is equipped with some more advanced features like image stabilizer (still and video capture) and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR).
The Stylish Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone is also capable of recording up to an hour of video with sound in QCIF resolution at 120 fps offers quality images or in WVGA resolution @ 30 fps and in HD quality in 720 x 480 pixels @ 30 fps. Video recording and decoding formats supported include DivX, XviD, WMV, H.263, 3GPP and MPEG4 video formats.
Samsung Pixon 12 also sports a secondary VGA resolution camera for videocall.
The Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile handset is armed with mobile tracker feature that helps users track their phone in case they happen to lose it. In an event of being lost, stolen or misplaced, the Mobile Tracker feature sends an SMS prompt to a pre-determined number whenever the SIM card is changed thus improving chances of recovering the handset.
In addition, the Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobilephone has a powerful internal speakerphone is included to give users a hands-free comfort. The handset also sports SRS Surround Sound System with virtual 5.1 channel support.
Media Player: The Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone also sports a built-in MP3 media player which which supports MP3, ACC, ACC+, eAAC+, WAV, MIDI, XMF, SMAF, and WMA music formats. Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) Bluetooth for stereo sound allows listening to music on bluetooth compatible headset absolutely wire-free.
FM radio: The new Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone also features integrated FM stereo radio with Visual Radio feature and is capable of playing streaming video (3GPP). The FM radio allows 87.5 – 108 MHz frequency range and handset is also equipped with 2.5 mm AV connector supporting custom Samsung headphones.
The Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 mobile phone allows downloading JAVA-enabled games, pictures, ringtones and other sounds, as well as text files using WAP 2.0 browse over GPRS internet connection.
Connectivity: The Touch Sensitive screen equipped Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone offers range of connectivity including GPRS Class 10 – with upto 48 kbps speed, EDGE Class 10 – with upto 236.8 kbps speed and 3G HSDPA functionality with upto 7.2 Mbps data speed.
With 7.2 Mpbs High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) connectivity in Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone, users can enjoy super-fast Internet access and share high-resolution images and even heavy video taken with the mobile phone. The 7.2 Mpbs HSDPA connection also allows downloading songs at a faster speed in comparison to standard 3G networks.
In addition, Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 mobile phone also offers built-in Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP connection. The wireless Bluetooth v2.1 connection with Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) feature allows listening to music on bluetooth compatible headset absolutely wire-free and in full stereo.
EDGE network connection allows ultra fast data transmissions, and faster downloads and file transfers. Bluetooth technology enables communication with other Bluetooth compatible devices and gadgets such as color printers, PDAs and laptops for instant sync-ups, data transfer and print jobs in a flash.
For wired access, Samsung M8910 Pixon 12 mobile phone handset offers USB v2.0/v1.1 for conventional hook-ups. MMS and EMS is a breeze with JAVA technology and WAP 2.0 providing easy access to a wide range of content and applications. The user can send & receive emails using built-in email client which supports POP3, SMTP & IMAP4 email protocols.
Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 phone comes preloaded with a host of popular games like Brain Challenge, Diamond Twister and Millionaire3. In addition to these, users can also enjoy the motion-sensor based game Tumbling Dice which is included in the handset.
Available in black color, the Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone is equipped with offers range of applications including Microsoft Document Viewers for word, excel and powerpoint, Calendar, Scheduler, To do list, Clock, World time, Alarms, Currency Converter, Calculator, Memo Book, Stop Watch, and Count Down Timer. It also sports TV-Out port for direct connection to home TV.
The Samsung Pixon 12 comes with Standard Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery which allows upto 250 hours of stand-by time and incredible 3 hours of talk time on full charge.
Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen Phone Features
- Quad-band: GSM 850 / GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900
- 3G HSDPA 900/2100 MHz
- 16M Colors, 480 x 800 pixels, 3.1-inch AMOLED Touchscreen display, 10,000:1 contrast ratio
- 150-MB internal memory (shared)
- microSD memory card (upto 16-GB), hot-swap functionality
- 1000 entries phonebook with Photo call
- 500 SMS Memory
- 30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls records
- 12.0 Megapixel camera, 4000 x 3000 pixels resolution, 4x digital zoom, Tracking touch Autofocus, Geo Tagging, Image Stabilizer, Xenon Flash, Power LED flash, Face, Smile, and Blink Detection, Beauty Shot, Photo Effects
- Video recording, QVGA @ 30 fps, QVGA @ 120 fps, MPEG4, D1 (720 x 480), 3GPP, H.263 Video Formats
- Secondary VGA resolution videocall camera
- Video Player, Supports DivX, XviD, H.264, MPEG4, 3GPP and H.263 Video Formats
- Media Player supporting MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WAV, MIDI, XMF, SMAF, and WMA audio file formats
- Polyphonic (72 channels) ringtones / MP3 ringtones
- FM Radio with RDS
- GPRS Class 10, 32 – 48 kbps speed
- EDGE Class 10, 236.8 kbps speed
- 3G, HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps speed
- Bluetooth v2.1 + A2DP
- USB v2.0 port
- WAP 2.0, HTML (PocketIE)
- SMS, MMS, EMS, Messenger, Email, RSS Feed Reader
- WAP 2.0 Browser
- Built-in handsfree speakphone
- Java MIDP 2.0
- Voice Memo
- Surround Sound System, 5.1 Channel (virtual)
- TV-Out port
- Applications – Calendar, Scheduler, To do list, Clock, World time, Alarms, Currency Converter, Calculator, Memo Book, Stop Watch, Count Down Timer
- Document Viewers – MS Office, MS Power Point
- Li-Ion 1000 mAh standard battery
Stand-by: Up to 250 hours
Talk time: Up to 3 hours
- Dimension: 107.9 x 53 x 13.8 mm
- Weight: 121 gms
The Samsung Pixon 12 M8910 Touchscreen mobile phone with 12.0 MP camera, MP3 player along with Bluetooth v2.1+A2DP wireless connectivity is available for the price of Rs. 29,499 plus local taxes. Visit www.samsung.com/in for more details.


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Could you please let me know what your position is on women teaching in the local church? Any info you could give would be helpful, as I seek to understand the true teaching of the Scripture concerning this. Thanks for your time.
In accordance with the Word of God, the OPC ordains only males to the offices of minister, evangelist, teacher, ruling elder and deacon. The Bible teaches:
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Tim. 2:11-12)
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (1 Cor. 14:34-35)
Here are the relevant sections from the OPC Form of Government. Concerning the minister of the Word, chapter VI, section 3 states:
3. He who fills this office shall be sound in the faith, possess competency in human learning, and be able to teach and rule others. He should exhibit holiness of life becoming to the gospel. He should be a man of wisdom and discretion. He should rule his own house well. He should have a good report of them that are outside the church.
Chapter XXV states the process for electing, ordaining, and installing ruling elders and deacons:
1. Every congregation shall elect ruling elders and deacons, except in extraordinary circumstances. Those elected must be male communicant members in good and regular standing in the church in which they are to exercise their office.
In his infinite wisdom our Lord Jesus Christ chose only males as his 12 apostles, commissioning them to go into all the word, preaching and teaching his gospel. Those who represent the Lord Jesus Christ in teaching and ruling his church must be men of good character and understanding. Women may teach other women or children but they may not teach men in any official capacity in the church. This has nothing to do with giftedness or worthiness but with obedience and headship. Though it may be unpopular in our egalitarian age, the OPC has chosen to be faithful to the Word of God in this matter.
Christ is the only king and head of his church, ruling it by his Word and Spirit. The church is not permitted to practice anything contrary to Scripture. The Word of Christ forbids women to teach, or to usurp authority over the man (1 Tim. 2:12). This necessarily forbids women from holding church office.
Now I would add something to what you asked. If anyone, man or woman, teaches as a part of the program of a church, the elders of that church have oversight to be sure that their teaching is according to the doctrinal standards of their church. Even pastors are under the oversight of their ruling elders. If, on the other hand, their teaching is in the home, it's a different matter: the church does not have oversight of teaching outside the church, though the elders of her church would be disturbed if she was teaching false doctrine. But, of course, the Bible is our standard for all teaching. And whoever teaches Bible classes needs to be sure he/she is able to expound the Word of God accurately. But I hasten to say women are not inferior to men in their ability to be knowledgeable in Scripture.
"Questions and Answers" is a weekly feature of the OPC website. The answers come from individual ministers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expressing their own convictions and do not necessarily represent an "official" position of the Church, especially in areas where the Standards of the Church (the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms) are silent.
The questions come from individuals like yourself. If you have questions about biblical and theological matters, you are invited to send them by e-mail by using the "Pose a Question" link on the OPC home page or by clicking here.
At least one new question is posted each week, so there should always be something new here for you to read. (For those people who would like to look at previous questions and answers, they will continue to be available as well.)
The purpose of the OPC website's "Questions and Answers" is to respond to biblical and theological questions. Matters of church discipline, disputes, or debates go beyond the scope of our work. We recommend that you present your concerns in these areas to the appropriate judicatory. In most cases this will be to a local pastor, elder, or session. We do not want the website to replace personal involvement in, or commitment to, the local, visible church.
While we will respond to every serious questioner, we are not bound to give a substantive answer to every question, should we deem the question to be beyond the scope of our purpose or our own ability to answer.
You will receive an answer by e-mail. Please be patient as many of our respondents are busy pastors. The response to your question may take up to two (2) weeks. Some of the questions submitted will be chosen to be posted here, along with the corresponding answers.
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Chaplains and Military Personnel


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SURF: Wax Research re-signs Bethany Hamilton
April 29, 2013
Wax Research re-signs Bethany Hamilton
Sticky Bumps Surf Wax, a division of Wax Research Inc., is proud to announce that Bethany Hamilton renewed her contract with their Elite World Team that includes Alana Blanchard, Leila Hurst, Coco Nogales, Sebastian Williams, Dave Rastovich, Neco Padaratz, Yuri Gonçalves, Marco Giorgi and Fellipe Ximenes.
Bethany, born February 8, 1990 on Kauai, HI, is known in the industry for her powerful surfing, barrel riding and passion for big-waves.
"Glad to be re-signing with Sticky Bumps! Love their gear! Thankful to have great grip while surfing!" exclaimed Bethany.
"Fearless and powerful, that's Bethany Hamilton," added Wax Research President John Dahl. "She fits the most important criteria for a Sticky Bumps team rider, not only is she an amazing athlete she cares about the people at Wax Research and the products we make."
About Wax Research
Wax Research celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2012, and is recognized by the international surfing community as one of the original action sport accessory companies. It was founded in 1972 by John Dahl with the purpose of manufacturing surf and ski waxes and accessories, and continues as a family owned and operated global business today. Wax Research brands include Sticky Bumps, Ransom and WEND, and are sold by reps and distributors worldwide. Its headquarters are located in Carlsbad, California, USA.


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KHARTOUM, Sudan — The Bernard Madoff of Darfur, predictably, doesn't live there anymore.
Adam Ismael, a former police officer who didn't finish secondary school, resides at a villa in Khartoum.
At a time when hundreds of students, journalists, and pro-democracy activists have languished in prisons and "black site" jails as the unwilling and sometimes tortured guests of Sudan's vast security apparatus, Ismael spends his days under comfortable house arrest, with access to servants, satellite television, and his mobile phone.
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He is the leading figure in a Ponzi scheme that helped Sudan's ruling party retain power in Darfur and whose collapse last year pauperized much of the region's middle class, provoked unrest that left 10 people dead, and led to the lengthy abduction of a U.N. peacekeeper.
Ismael, not surprisingly, couldn't be reached for comment. Two potential intermediaries demurred, citing risks to their health and liberty.
"He will never suffer for this," said a person familiar with the scheme, known as the Mawasir Market. (Mawasir is Arabic for pipes, denoting in Sudan a scam in which your money flows away from you, never to return.) "He will not go to prison, but he has to keep the secrets."
Money in Darfur?
It may come as a surprise to some that there's any money to be found in Darfur, much less the $180 million said to have been invested in Mawasir. Sudan's Texas-sized western region is eight years into a complex insurgency whose primary achievement has been the deaths of 300,000 of the rebellion's intended beneficiaries and the displacement of 3.5 million others in a retaliatory campaign of rape and ethnic cleansing by the government.
Despite this, the region still produces grains, tobacco, and livestock and is host to a $1.7 billion peacekeeping operation that hasn't kept much peace but does provide a lot of local employment.
If you want to get a sense of just how far the Darfur crisis is from being resolved, feast your mind on this: In the last year, more than 1,000 Darfur Arab tribesmen have died in battles with rival Arabs, often for control of fertile land plundered from members of the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa tribes.
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This has been the deadliest aspect of the Darfur conflict for several years now: Landless nomads fighting landless nomads for land stolen from others.
If this makes a poor fit with the "Arab vs. African" meme that's for so long dominated popular perceptions of the Darfur conflict, neither should it obfuscate the crimes that preceded it.
Rather, it is a grim reminder that, even after Sudan's southern region becomes independent later this year, the country will remain a deeply complicated and conflict-ridden charity case—one ruled by men whose power is guaranteed by perpetuating the chaos in Darfur.
Economic front in the war
Sudan's government has retained the upper hand through a recent upsurge of attacks on rebel strongholds (40,000 people were displaced in December 2010 alone, and 31,000 last month), a divide-and-rule approach to Darfur's restive Arab tribes, and an intensifying campaign of obstruction against U.N. agencies.
The Mawasir Market scheme, which ensnared nearly 50,000 victims, can be seen as an economic front in Khartoum's war on Darfur.
Two people familiar with the scam (including one speculator who lost $30,000) described it this way:
The pyramid scheme began in early 2009 when Ismael, then a police officer who sold used cars on the side, opened an investment fund in Rahma Souk, or Mercy Market, not far from the state police headquarters in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. The fund promised alarming returns. Investors would make in-kind payments of real estate or vehicles and receive, four to six weeks later, a check with a value of 150 percent of their initial investment.
These clumsy transactions were an attempt to evade Islamic law, which officially governs Sudan and prohibits both charging interest and taking profit from interest-bearing accounts.
Indeed, at first, some businessmen and preachers spoke out against the scheme as both risky and un-Islamic. But they and other skeptics, who acidly renamed Rahma Market as Mawasir Market, were quickly intimidated into silence.
The fund's accountant, a police captain (since promoted to major) who also serves as imam of the El Fasher police mosque, said from the pulpit that anyone using the term mawasir deserved to be mutilated. Investigators dispatched from the central bank in Khartoum were sent packing by national security agents.
With the blessing of imams linked to the government, Ismael started accepting cash investments, on which investors invariably received a 50 percent return.
No one with real authority asked where a few policemen would get the capital to start a multimillion-dollar investment fund—perhaps because they already knew.
New branches pop up
In a short time, the market opened new branches across El Fasher, a dusty city of 265,000 that is currently off-limits to foreign journalists.
By March 2010, the number of branches in Darfur had grown to 170. All but a few of the branch managers were non-Arabs; most were Zaghawa, who have a reputation for business acumen and whose members form the backbone of two important rebel groups, the Justice and Equality Movement and a once-feared faction of the Sudan Liberation Army. (Ismael comes from a small non-Arab tribe known as the Berti.)
As more people became rich, Ismael was transformed from a lowly patrolman into a benevolent public figure. He was given the customary title sheik after donating $80,000 to local schools in a televised ceremony hosted by the North Darfur governor (and fellow Berti tribesman), Osman Kibir. He began moving with a detail of national security bodyguards.
The fund had just a few thousand bold investors until February 2010, when campaign season began for Sudan's April general election. Ismael and one of his partners, a police officer named Musa Siddig, became candidates for the North Darfur state assembly on the ticket of the ruling National Congress Party. Their faces appeared on giant banners alongside those of the governor and of President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Darfur.
This implied presidential endorsement set off a frenzy. People across Darfur, in Khartoum, and from as far away as the United Kingdom began liquidating their assets and investing the proceeds in Mawasir. By March 2010, the fund's capital reached 500 billion Sudanese pounds, about $180 million, the vast majority of it from new investors—this in a country with a yearly per-capita income of $2,200.
Everyone wanted a piece. Rebels from a leading faction of the Sudan Liberation Army "neglected the struggle and came to make money," as one Darfuri put it. These dozens of Zaghawa fighters became agents for the fund, working off commission to collect cars, cows, camels, sheep, and even chickens in lieu of cash from would-be investors. "Even women were selling their dishes."
The collapse comes
Then the balloon burst. For reasons that aren't clear, regulators froze Ismael's and Siddig's bank accounts, leaving them unable to pay the tens of thousands at the bottom of their pyramid.
The fund was finished, but Ismael didn't appear to know it. At a meeting in El Fasher, he promised investors they would get their money back. One person who was there told me, "It was clear he believed what he was saying."
Quickly, though, political conditions were attached to the investors' survival.
The governor, speaking at a campaign rally for Ismael, told the crowd, "I know people are anxious to know about what they call Mawasir Market—though it's better you call it the Mercy Market. Adam Ismael and Musa Siddig are sons of the National Congress Party who are clean and honest. We support them, and I want to ensure you that everyone will receive his entitlements and that this market will continue—just give the tree water."
It just so happens that the symbol of Bashir's ruling party is a tree. The message couldn't have been clearer. Osman Kibir was re-elected governor, and both Ismael and Siddig were elected to the state assembly in landslides. Tension grew in the weeks after the election as investors waited for their payouts. Ismael and Siddig holed up at the governor's residence, out of public view.
In April, a protest march on the governor's house was broken up by police. In early May, a mob of 1,500 people, some of them apparently armed, tried again and police opened fire. Four officers and six demonstrators were killed.
Perhaps spurred by the bloodshed, Ismael issued a statement that investors' money would be returned on May 27. On that day, however, the governor announced the closure of the fund, the arrest of its managers, and the establishment of an asset-recovery program. As more than 50,000 people signed up for compensation, Kibir said he was shocked to learn of the fund's unregulated and un-Islamic practices.
Sudan's long-embattled media erupted. During a contentious interview on Blue Nile TV, journalist Saddig AlRizegi called Gov. Kibir a liar. "You were not only aware of this market but you were part of it and everything in it," AlRizegi said. Soon after that, the justice ministry banned all reporting on the Mawasir affair.
An attempt at 'recovery'
The government started recovery efforts not dissimilar to those U.S. authorities are using to compensate Bernard Madoff's victims, but with a dictatorial twist. They ordered investors to turn over their earnings; a few were jailed as examples, and that convinced at least some others to come forward. But there's been no compensation, and the biggest winners, who are said to be close to the governor, have little to fear.
Given the fund's connections with the government, state security, and Sudan's ruling party, few believe that many victims will get their money back. Indeed, one insider told me it appeared no more than 15 percent of the principle will be recovered. Those wiped out include thousands of people living in displaced-person camps.
"This is another form of persecution by the government of Sudan and the National Congress Party to deepen the poverty of the people," Ahmed Adam, a spokesman for the rebel Justice and Equality Movement, told me.
The Mawasir fund, and its collapse, benefited al-Bashir's government in several ways. It impoverished members of the Zaghawa tribe, including supporters of the Sudan Liberation Army in Darfur's displaced-person camps. At the same time, it enriched a small group of elites linked with the central government. It ensured the ruling party would win elections in a state where it is deeply unpopular, and it helped the government map the centers of economic power in Darfur.
The Arab Janjaweed tribes who committed so much of the mayhem in Darfur were burned, as well. "Everything they got from the government—the money and the cars—they put it in there, and it collapsed," one Sudanese economist told me.
The implosion sparked a few vigilante incidents in which fund managers were kidnapped and assaulted. In October, a Hungarian disarmament specialist with the United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur, known as UNAMID, was abducted and taken to an armed camp that was home to hundreds of Arab gunmen.
"In North Darfur there was some scandal, some pyramid game," István Papp told Radio Dabanga from his captivity. "They lost their money, and they want their money back, and it looks like ... I am now the solution." Papp was released unharmed three months later.
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On Jan. 6, 2011, nearly 10 months after promising swift action to unravel the pyramid scheme, Hamid Al Faki, chairman of the justice ministry's committee on Mawasir, made a new public appeal for its beneficiaries to come forward.
If he really wants to get to the bottom of this Darfur disaster, his first stop might be a well-guarded villa in Khartoum.
This article, Meet the Bernie Madoff of Sudan, first appeared in Slate.
© 2013 Slate.com


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When Ellen Feldman's 5-year-old son started school for last fall, one of the biggest adjustments for the single mother of two was having to adhere to a schedule.
"All of a sudden we went from being able to do things on our own time frame to having to wake up and be at a certain place at a certain time," said Feldman. "Sending my son off to school for the first time was exciting, but also difficult."
From purchasing school supplies and new clothes to reuniting with friends and leaving home for the first time, the start of a new school year can bring about emotions that range from delight to anxiety.
'But I Don't Want to Go to School'
Separation Anxiety and Other Resistances to School
"Separation anxiety is a natural and healthy emotion," said Linda Gulyn, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Marymount University in Arlington. "Developmental theory will say when children have separation anxiety, it is a sign that they are attached to the parent. That is a good sign."
"Back to school, which is a positive experience, has stress built into it," said Linda Gulyn, a professor of psychology at Marymount University in Arlington. "Any change is stressful, even a positive change. But kids will adapt quickly." The transition, said experts, is more manageable when parents develop a plan before the first day of classes.
"The more structure parents can give their kids before school starts, the better," said professional organizer Cecilia Anderson, a former teacher and the owner of Splendidly Organized, Inc. in Vienna. "If kids are given total free rein during the summer, they are not going to be in the right mindset for school."
"The more structure parents can give their kids before school starts, the better."
—Cecilia Anderson
Michele Claeys, associate head and middle school principal at the Norwood School in Potomac, Md., believes that final days of summer break can be an ideal time for an academic brush-up: "There are often skills that aren't used throughout the summer, but are important as school starts. Having children of all ages read as much as possible for pleasure throughout the summer, but also in the days leading up to the start of school, is a good idea because it is a sustained experience where they are focused on something for a long period time." Claeys also recommended giving children an opportunity to discuss their reading with friends.
EXPERTS ALSO SUGGEST establishing a sleep routine with a consistent bedtime. "If parents get started a full week ahead of time trying to get children into the routine of being awake and alert for the morning, it gives them a chance to get their bodies adjusted to the schedule that they will have to maintain for the whole year," said Claeys.
Reintroducing a back-to-school morning ritual can be an anxiety-inducing exercise for some, especially after two months without a rigid agenda. According to professional organizers, a tactical plan can make the daybreak drill more pleasant.
"Do as much a you can the night before. For parents who pack their kids lunches, it is important to have things ready to go and put in bags," said Anderson. For children who want the freedom of packing their own lunches, Anderson recommended dividing lunch options into food group and allowing children to select one item from each group.
"You want to give your child a balanced meal," she said. "One day there might be tuna sandwiches, and turkey sandwiches on another day, and whatever snack goes along with it like cut-up vegetables. Have those ready to go and in bins and let children choose one thing from each bin. That way kids will have more ownership over their lunches and there will be few complaints."
Don't underestimate the importance of breakfast either: "A child won't have all faculties for learning if they haven't eaten well," said Anderson. "Some kids don't have lunch until 1 o'clock, so to go from 6 a.m. until 1 o'clock without food is tough. They need something that has protein. It doesn't have to be home-cooked eggs. It can be turkey sausages or lunchmeat, but a bag of chips and a monster drink is not a good breakfast."
TO AVOID a last-minute morning search for errant permission slips or stray report cards, Vienna-based professional organizer Susan Unger of ClutterSOS urges parents to create a command center, a central location where all papers that must be signed and retuned to school are kept. She adds that a chart outlining the morning tasks is another useful tool: "If children have a check list to look at, they can ask themselves, 'Have I brushed my teeth?' or 'Have I combed my hair?' The night before, choose clothes and put the backpack by the door."
Use a family calendar. "Another important thing is having a calendar that lists activities and sporting events and putting it in a place where everybody can see it and everybody knows the schedule," said Unger. "It also helps to color-code the calendar, so have one color for each child."
Before heading out to purchase new supplies or clothes for school, organizers suggest taking inventory. "You can see what you already have and what you need and make a shopping list from that," said Unger.
One of the most important components of creating a good start to a new school year is attitude, education experts agree. "Generally, it is helpful if parents help children see school as a fun, happy place where they can be stimulated and learn," said Claeys.


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Why should being a first team regular or a teams focal point aged 16 matter?Its not like other players arent still playing football at that age - in reserves, u21 etc. You could even argue that its of benefit to rooney to be playing earlier as there will have been far more focus on him doing things like not playing too much football, having the right amount of recovery time after games, more care from physios, nutritionists etc.
No a drug dealer told me. True story.
Because players who start playing for the first team at such an early age have a history of declining a lot earlier than players who break through at the age of 20. By the time he was 18 he was playing for Manchester United in the champions league whilst also playing for England, being the main focal point of both teams.
You're chatting shit here I'm afraid.
Do they? I'm sure there are some, but there's plenty of examples of that not being the case. Looking at other United stars, Beckham, Butt, Giggs, and Gary Neville all made their debut aged 17. None of them were going off the boil in their late 20s and none had declined anything like Rooney has. Giggs was playing to an incredible standard into his late 30s.Some pretty massive revisionism going on here to pretend that Rooney couldn't have taken better care of himself or that's had nothing to do with his decline.
Nicky butt? Don't even know what he was doing in his 30sBeckham was in America Neville massively declined and admits he should've retired sooner.Majority of players out there decline when they hit their 30s, especially players who have been playing at the highest level for as long as Rooney has.I personally find it a bit mad how anyone can question his dedication to the game considering all he has achieved. Even now, at 32 he's probably the best player for one of the biggest clubs in the country.
I'm not sure using what Rooney's coke dealer said is a great way to backup your argument tbf 😂😂😂*Not really suggesting Rooney takes drugs
Butt was playing at Newcastle to a high standard still
I cant remember what study it was but Im sure someone looked at champions leagues finals and found the majority of players who make it to cl finals (peak of club football surely) have been playing first team since 17 years old.All that probably says is that elite talent breaks through earlier like, but I thought it was interesting.
Yes could see this being true. But would be interesting to see what level - eg playing at 17 in Holland isnt as hard as here. And does it just mean made their debut at 17, or starting most weeks?
Brian Marwood, the Managing Director of City Football Services, agreed.We did some research last year and discovered that in the last 10 years 83% of players who featured in the quarter-final stage of the Champions League had all played first team football at 17, he said.
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The February Elle 'Modern Love' issue has been out for two weeks, but we just couldn't bring ourselves to read it until now. What did we discover?
'Modern Love' looks a lot like recycled love—-pages and pages of expensive, ballerina-pink lingerie. How many underwire-free lace bras and bloomers can one woman own? There's also the obligatory but "shocking" relationship articles, one of which beseeches readers not to pity or chastise the wives of men who cheat. Another piece concerns "healthy" couples who don't have sex. The piece on JLo seems familiar too: JLo in "holy sh#t size emerald cut diamond earrings" takes care of her children. JLo is only talking to us because she has a new movie and album out at the same time just like 2001 without Ben Affleck. Or was that PDiddy? Anyway, the album's called 'Love?' and how appropriate is that for Valentine's Day? Ugh. More inanities in the issue, below.


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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In today's episode, Rachel Russo, Dating, Relationship & Image Coach and Marriage Educator, interviews three specialists who work with brides – a nutritionist, a hairstylist, and a makeup artist. They share their insight to help women deal with their need to look perfect on their wedding day. The advice provided is not just for brides-to-be, but also for their fiancés, many of whom just don't understand a partner's strong need for dieting, exercising, grooming, or the endless search for "the" dress. Both sexes are aware of shows like Say Yes To The Dress, Shedding For The Wedding, and Bridezillas that reinforce the idea of the importance of the wedding day, but do they recognize the pressure around maintaining appearances and how it can put serious strain on a relationship?


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History That Never Was
A little flashback on MLB Network on the late lamented 1964 Pholding Philadelphia Phillies made me think of a couple of items in my collection, the ones that pertain to baseball history that never was. Let's start with the obvious:
22 Comments
My equivalent item would be a 1975 World Championship Boston Red Sox pennant, which were on sale outside Fenway before the end of game seven. I had been watching the game with friends at the Pizza Pad in Kenmore Square with the plan of going up to the park in the 9th inning when they'd open the gate for people to leave. After Bill Lee threw that stupid blooper pitch to Tony Perez, we started up Brookline Avenue, but there was a police barricade stopping pedestrians from walking up to the park, so we hailed a cab to take us the three blocks up to the park, where I bought one of the pennants from a vendor outside Fenway, before we went in via the Jersey Street entrance and go in just in time to watch Yaz fly out to center field. The group of us met, as planned, on pitcher's mound. Alas, there was no waving of the Red Sox World Series Championship pennant that evening …
Wait–while the actual Topps Reggie Jackson '77 card does have him sporting a seemingly airbrushed helmet, he's also apparently wearing a pinstripe uniform in the same photo; was that airbrushed, too?
Don Zimmer's 1962 Topps card says Cincinnati Reds but he's clearly wearing a Mets cap and uniform…I'm sure you know of plenty more examples. Mas, por favor.
I really love that Jackson card. I went to school with a lot of O's fans in the late '70's and early '80's who absolutely hated Reggie and could be sent into near hysterics at the sight of him in that uniform (especially the SI cover.)
Keith, have you seen the original photo they used as the template for the airbrushing? I've seen similar, but not identical, poses of him in the Orioles orange jersey and variant cap. I had always assumed that was what they used. I've always been curious to see the unaltered original.
It's a bit of a shame, really, that he had such a lame regular set card. The Burger King variant is far superior.
That was the year of his phenominal Series accomplishment. It should have been accompanied by an epic card (which his cards usually were…the '70 and '76 comes to mind.)
History That Never Was –
"Congratulations Boston Red Sox, 1986 World Champions," flashed on the Shea Stadium scoreboard during Game 6 of the World Series.
I couldn't find the photograph that captured that very brief moment, but I saw that a photograph does exist, taken by George Kalinsky.
After reading this story I turned around and looked at my framed copy of the 1964
Phillies World Series ticket.
They were sold for charity by John Wannamaker department store.
What a season. As an old Phillies fan who remembers all the years of hard-ache I am certainly enjoying the current team.
A couple of notes about the above:
–Note that the cigarette is never in Perry Como's mouth. I recall that Ronald Reagan did cigarette ads with the cigarette in his mouth.
–The list of umpires includes "John" Reardon. Nobody called him that. They called him Beans, since he hailed from Massachusetts. 1946 was the last World Series in which only four umpires worked the game. For years there had been two alternates in case of illness and Judge Landis saw no reason or need for extra umpires. But in 1947, all six worked the field, but the two "alternates" worked only the foul lines and usually were younger umpires working their first World Series.
Oh man, do I ever covet that Reggie Jackson card!
I remember seeing Mr. Jackson play for the O's. As the commenter above mentioned, I was not a fan at the time. (Though I couldn't for the life of me tell you why today. Who knows what motivated me at 12 years of age?) Today, I'd love nothing more than to have a card with him wearing the goofy bird.
Congratulations on the acquisition and thank you for taking the time to share it with us.
Hi Keith .. – Just wanted to comment that your recent posts about old baseball cards has inspired me to start collecting again. I dig the Jackson proof and I had honestly forgotten until you mentioned it that he played for Baltimore. … – Be well.
How long were preprinted lineups in scorecards?
The road sees rough a roar, and the roar and walked on.
I remember seeing Mr. Jackson play for the O's. As the commenter above mentioned, I was not a fan at the time. (Though I couldn't for the life of me tell you why today. Who knows what motivated me at 12 years of age?) Today, I'd love nothing more than to have a card with him wearing the goofy bird.
Congratulations on the acquisition and thank you for taking the time to share it with us.
In 1976 Reggie was traded by the A's to the Orioles for Don Baylor. Interesting that in the 1977 Topps set Don Baylor is in an Angels cap that maybe airbrushed, since in 1976 Baylor played for the A's. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=don+baylor+1977+topps&_sacat=0&_from=R40
So, is there a 1977 Topps Don Baylor card in an A's uniform?
TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS, CHEATED US,Players like Sandy Koufax last card,etc., etc., etc. For example Derek Jeter last card would this year be his last year,be cheated next year! Topps don't produce players last year card! Topps should change their policy!! Sincerely email@example.com
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Had to clear out some storage crates at my parents house this weekend. What do you think? Part of a sheet of 10 1/2 player cards (some damage to the cards on edge of sheet of 12) Coca-cola & Crown petroleum sponsored card. #217
^^^^This attached to above post. IMG_20160424_224445.jpg
IMG_20160424_224445 (1).jpg
As a kid I had the good fortune to pull the Reggie proof card from a "triple whammy" clear pack that I bought at a High's convenience store in the Twinbrook shopping center in Rockville, Maryland.
At the time I had no idea what it was. And showed it to my card collecting expert next door neighbor who was 2 years older than me. There were no stats on the back. He flipped out when he saw it. And promptly ran out of my house with it to show to his card collecting Dad. So, in a way, I guess I gave it to him.
Anyway I was very upset when I found out it was valuable as Reggie Jackson was my favorite player back then and the Orioles were my favorite team. Never saw much of my "friend" after all that. Anyway – always thought it was the best looking Reggie Jackson card ever made – he looks happy in it and the colors are great.


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In a bid to improve its marketing strategy, HTC has decided to retire its "Quietly Brilliant" tag line and instead shift to a "bolder" approach and tagline.
HTC's latest Marketing Officer, Benjamin Ho, says that the company has "a lot of innovations but we haven't been loud enough." Benjamin Ho is HTC's third Chief Marketing Officer inside two years, and has a lot of work laid out in front of him especially now that the Galaxy S4 and HTC One are going to hit the United States in around the same time.
Ho aims to increase HTC's digital marketing budget by a whopping 250%, while increasing the traditional marketing budget by 100%.
Regarding the delay of the HTC One, he said that "there is some shortage, because the phone's camera was designed specifically for us, and production cannot be ramped up so quickly."
HTC has had a rough two years, and the company is betting all its hope on its latest flagship — the HTC One — to change its fortunes this year.


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Posts Tagged 'Toshiba'
Bristol, Britain's Flagship 'Smart City' (UK)
Thursday, June 9th, 2016
"We're creating an environment where in a year or two, not five, the whole world will look at Bristol for the future of smart cities."
– Dimitra Simeonidou, High Performance Networks Lab, Bristol University
The city of Bristol, south west U.K., has begun a multi-million pound experiment to create the 'smart-city' of the future, which would cement Bristol as a global leader in the telecommunications world. The wider area of Avon (mainly the 'post-industrial' estates of Bristol and Bath) already hosts the largest digital technology sector in the British Isles outside of London, and receives funding from the government as such.
City authorities and allied technological entrepreneurs are working to kit out Bristol with a city-wide 'digital fabric' of the very latest in sensor and connectivity technology, to make it the world's first open 'programmable city'. A high-speed fibre-optic network (making use of disused cable ducting owned by the council) is being combined with a new 'city operating system' that will power an experimental network. In the coming spring of 2016, 1,500 sensor-equipped lampposts are being launched around the city; the vast majority of Bristol will be covered in a Radio Frequency (RF) mesh. This is predicted to revolutionise the way that emergency response, traffic management and other municipal services are handled, and track certain vehicle locations, with eventual alleged trickle-down 'benefits' such as informing residents of parking spaces and air pollution (ahem, from those parking spaces) in an increasingly mechanised and technified environment. (more…)
Tags: Analysis, Anti-technology, Bristol, Bristol Is Open, Bristol University, CityOS, Dimitra Simeonidou, High Performance Networks Lab, IBM, Internet of Things, NEC, Paul Wilson (MD Bristol Is Open), Return Fire, Smart Cities, Technological Singularity, Toshiba, UK
Posted in Social Control


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The recent Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), considered and eventually abandoned by the US Congress after rancorous debate earlier this year, proposed giving judges the power to cut off American access to particular websites. Under the initial version of the bill, judges would have been able order Internet service providers to use only crude tools like DNS blocking to make piratical websites harder to access. The proposal was criticized strongly on grounds of practicality, due process, and free speech, but major rightsholders want such approaches implemented worldwide. In India, they have succeeded.
A Kolkata court has ordered all 387 Internet providers in the country to block a list of 104 websites after the Indian Music Industry (IMI) filed suit against them. Indian Music Industry officials filed information with the court showing that each of the 104 sites hosted at least some infringing material; the judges ruled that site blocking was a proper way of dealing with the issue. Four injunctions—on January 27, February 6, March 1, and March 2—implemented the blacklist.
Every one of the sites targeted by the music industry was ordered blocked. IMI officials have insisted to local media that they are targeting only the worst offenders, saying that they began their process with 300 websites and eventually narrowed it down to 104 of the most flagrant infringers.
As for how the blocks will be implemented, the court has allowed Internet providers three options: blocking by DNS name ("arstechnica.com"), blocking by IP address ("188.8.131.52"), or URL blocking by deep packet inspection (which can do things like block specific links like "arstechnica.com/bollywood").
But site blocking on the Internet, though it sounds so seductively easy, comes with its own set of problems. Blocking by DNS can be circumvented simply by entering a site's actual IP address instead of its name. Blocking by IP address can be bypassed by moving a site to a new server that carries a new IP address. URL blocking has little effect when an existing site simply changes its name.
These are hardly esoteric technical secrets. One of the first sites to be blocked, "songs.pk," has rebranded itself "songspk.pk." Confused users who turn to a Google search for answers will already find that link number one for "songs.pk" directs them to the new site.
Truly blocking sites from the Internet in this fashion remains difficult, though as usual the goal is more about making infringement more difficult than curtailing all illegal activity. European courts have on occasion required specific sites to be blocked, but those rulings have tended to target one site at a time, and have often been applied only to a single Internet provider. The Indian approach is far broader, and Internet companies like Facebook and Google are coming under legal pressure to censor far more material, including obscene images of gods and goddesses.
The first list of 104 sites largely focuses on regional music; it includes sites like apunkabollywood.com, bollywoodmp4.com, and lovepaki.com. IMI promises that its next targets will include more general-purpose file-sharing sites, however.
IFPI, the international music trade group, welcomed the ruling—but insisted that even such measures did not go far enough. "The court ruled that blocking is a proportionate and effective way to tackle website piracy," said IFPI chief executive Frances Moore. "The Indian government should build on this progress by moving forward legislation to effectively tackle all forms of digital piracy to enable the country's digital music market to reach its full potential."


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