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Should The Debt Collections Industry Stop All Collections In Times Of Crisis?posted on 2020-04-23 by Jeffrey Hartman
With the massive amount of layoffs occurring during the present pandemic — the Federal Reserve estimates unemployment could reach 32% nationwide — debt collectors are going to need to make hard choices over the next few months. Our industry should consider whether continuing collections is both a positive moral and a positive business decision, particularly in regard to using aggressive collection methods. The morality stems from the fact that many debtors with charge-off debt in collections are likely to have lost their jobs, making it much more difficult to pay for basic necessities despite government assistance. Kicking debtors while they are down and forcing them to pay during times when they can barely afford food and rent may not be a good moral choice. It would also put debt industry employees in difficult positions regarding work ethics and could lead to losing good collectors. Aggressive collections would not only have moral problems, but would also have a high chance of being financially counterproductive. Even unpaying debtors would more likely be hesitant to deal with aggressive collectors, in my opinion, and less able to provide payment if they were out of a job. Collectors would be pressing harder and harder and making less and less. Collection groups could make just as much net money if they slowed down collections and focused on bringing in the easier money without aggressive methods and full staff. Also, aggressive tactics could lead to legal action, even under a favorable government administration. Aggressive collections during national financial instability have tended to also increase laws written against debt collections. For example, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, was birthed in the late 1970s in response to heavy-handed tactics used by collection agencies, practices that even modern aggressive collectors may consider overbearing. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was also born in 2011 out of similar circumstances, when rogue collection agencies were failing to adhere to the standards of the FDCPA and enforcement was lax. Agencies need to think long-term and make sure they have a business model that will be able to survive in the long run. Collection groups would also be well advised to reduce call volume, but there may be a solution to assist in the short term. Agencies may find some holdover business in offering a substantial discount for a lump-sum payment for debtors who can do so with their stimulus funds. The time-value of money comes in at a great benefit here, as taking a short settlement now would be a similar deal to the time-consuming effort of pressing for a larger payment later down the road. Organizations should also utilize omnichannel options for debtors to provide payments, and consider possibly even providing discounts for doing so. Mobile and online payment options via smartphone and PC should be standard procedures for collection businesses. When customers can easily make payments, they are more inclined to do so, in my experience. Collection groups need to take a step back and consider their methodologies over the next few months. Using aggressive tactics could turn out to be a poor business decision down the road. All business methods and practices should be examined for best usage, cost-effectiveness and true profit.
An Inconvenient Truth About Convenience Feesposted on 2019-03-03 by Rozanne Andersen
The typical convenience fee conversation between a third-party collection agency client and its legal counsel usually begins like this: Third-party agency client: Can I legally charge a convenience fee or not? Attorney: It's complicated. Third-party agency client: I'm not paying you to tell me it's complicated. Attorney: Let's talk. The terms convenience fee, processing fee, administrative fee and payment fee all refer to a charge to the consumer for making a certain type of payment. Such a fee is most commonly associated with a debit card or credit card payment but can also be used to describe a bank account transfer or even a paper pay-by-phone check. For purposes of this article, the term "convenience fee" will be used in connection with a charge to the consumer for initiating or authorizing a credit card or debit card payment transaction. This article does not address state surcharge or cash discount laws. The ability to charge fees associated with credit card and debit card transactions is regulated by VISA MasterCard Rules and the specific rules of each card company as outlined in the merchant agreement. The ability for third-party debt collectors to charge fees associated with credit card and debit card transactions is regulated by state laws, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and consent orders and Guidance Bulletins published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This workflow analysis focuses on the charging of convenience fees in connection of the collection of debt as that term is defined in the FDCPA. There are two important provisions in the FDCPA governing convenience fees. The first explains the types of debts that trigger convenience fee issues and the second explains the prohibited convenience fee practice. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act 15 U.S. Code § 1692a – Definitions Debt. As used in this subchapter … (5) The term "debt" means any obligation or alleged obligation of a consumer to pay money arising out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or services which are the subject of the transaction are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, whether or not such obligation has been reduced to judgment. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act 15 U.S. Code § 1692f – Definitions Unfair practices. As used in this subchapter … A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section: (1) The collection of any amount (including any interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation) unless such amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law. At this point, the convenience fee conversation between a third-party collection agency client and its legal counsel can go south: Third-party agency client: How am I supposed to know whether the agreement between the consumer and my clients permits convenience fees? Attorney: It's your job to know if you want to charge a convenience fee. Third-party agency client: What about that state law thing you mentioned, "if permitted by state law?" Which states permit convenience fees? Attorney: It's complicated. Not surprisingly, agencies that charge consumers convenience fees for paying by credit card or debt card are engaging in one of the most high-risk practices associated with debt collection. The law is murky. Mistakes give rise to huge class action lawsuits. Most states prohibit them, a few are silent, and fewer still, permit them. Worse yet, consumer attorneys actively troll for such law violations. So, what is the easy answer? Agencies lacking a clear legal basis to charge consumers a convenience fee should not charge consumers a convenience fee. But wait, there's more. What if another party charged the consumers a convenience fee? The following scenarios drive home the difference between the workflow triggered when the third-party debt collector charges the convenience fee to the consumer, and the workflow triggered when an independent payment processor charges the convenience fee to the consumer. Scenario I – Workflow for Direct Charge Third-Party Debt Collector Charges the Convenience Fee: Determine if the card rules governing the use of the card, permit, restrict or prohibit the charging of convenience fees for any reason and identify whether such reasons apply to the collection agency. Determine if the original credit agreement between the creditor and the consumer permits the collection agency to charge the consumer a convenience fee directly. If the collection agency is permitted to charge the convenience fee directly, determine if any state law prohibits the collection agency from charging the consumer a convenience fee directly. If state law does not prohibit the collection agency from charging the consumer a convenience fee directly, present the consumer with an option to pay that does not include any sort of convenience fee charge. Present this option before the consumer agrees to any other form of payment having a convenience fee charge associated with it. The requirement to present the free option must be addressed regardless of the form of interaction with the consumer. This means the free option and the requirement to present the free option before the consumer agrees to any other form of payment having a convenience fee associated with it, applies to web sites, payment portals, IVR scripts, live interaction, text messages, emails and all other forms of written and verbal communications. The amount of the payment and the amount of the convenience fee should both appear on the consumer's monthly credit card or debit card statement as separate items charged to the collection agency.* Disclose the convenience to the consumer prior to completing the transaction so they can cancel the transaction. Charge only a flat fee regardless of the transaction amount. The fee cannot be a percentage of the transaction [apart from government debt and approved government merchants]. Be aware, many card agreements prohibit anyone from charging a fee on recurring payments. Charge the same convenience fee for all card brands and payment types that have a convenience fee associated with their use. When processing the payment, the collection agency will advise the processor of both charges. Be sure to retain a copy, or access to a copy, of the consumer agreement and any voice, web or digital record should the convenience fee charge be challenged and retain the copy according to the agency's document retention policy. *Please note: Some card agreements require the convenience fee and the payment amount to appear as a single charge by the collection agency. For this reason, a general statement cannot be made which applies to all card agreements.
5 tips for startups looking to work with debt collectorsposted on 2018-12-13 by Ohad Samet
As the owner of a startup, you know a non-paying customer can have a serious impact on your cash flow. Getting the money owed can be a tricky task, which is where debt collectors could be beneficial to you.But if you have never used a collection agency before, you may not know where to start. To help you in your search, here are 5 tips for startups looking to work with debt collectors… 1. Exhaust your options first No business owner wants to get debt collectors involved. In an ideal world, all your customers would pay on time without the need for calls and reminders. Unfortunately, that's just not realistic. Customers come up with all manner of excuses as to why they can't pay and, as a startup, you need to break through those. But before you get a third party involved, it's important you exhaust all of your options. Dealing with the situation on your own could be the most cost-effective method of retrieving your money. Develop a structured escalation process for your business as a way to oil the debt collection process. Of course, no matter how hard you push, some clients will continue to push back, which is when you need the help of a debt collection service. 2. Check their reputation Your startup's branding and reputation is one of the most important factors when it comes to determining future success. So, when you're hiring a debt collection service, think of them as an extension of your company. The way they behave is going to reflect positively or negatively on your business. Do extensive research on the reputation of any debt collector you are thinking of using. If you get the decision wrong, you could end up with an agency that repels customers, damages your brand, and possibly lands you in legal hot water. However, using a trusted third party such as TrueAccord can actually help to increase client retention and improve brand perception. Don't let a second-rate debt collection agency ruin it with poor service. 3. Understand your client As an entrepreneur, you will probably understand your client deeply. It's important that the collection agency you choose understands them too. Many collection services deal with the process in a one-size-fits-all manner. However, you will see more return when you choose a firm that understands how your clients work. TrueAccord uses innovative machine learn to analyze consumer behavior, leading to a fuller understanding of clients' quirks and preferences. From there, we know the optimal way of communicating with each debtor and which repayment packages they are most likely to accept. That's why we have anywhere between a 50% to 500% better collection performance than our competition. 4. Know the process Before you hire a debt collection agency, you should have a good understanding of their processes. You need to know what will be expected of you and what information you need to provide. Typically this will include information on the debtor, so make sure you keep all this information well-organized and easy to find. You should also understand how the company will behave during the collection process. Ensure the agency you are going to work with will be able to provide you with full control and visibility over client interactions. If they are unwilling to show you their client interactions then this should serve as a red flag and you should stay well clear. 5. Review the costs For any startup, cash flow is going to be integral to success. You should make sure to optimize the debt collection process to increase the amount of money that comes in from your debtors. The key to maximizing your returns is choosing a collection agency that is both successful and cost effective. Speak to any agency you are working with and make sure you understand their charges. Different agencies work with different contracts so it's important you get to grips with the fees before handing over your business. Lowering your costs and increasing the money coming in is the best way to turn this tricky time into something positive. Bottom line: Tips for startups looking to work with debt collectors Hiring a debt collection agency can be a daunting task for a startup business. You are effectively trusting a third party with your reputation during a highly delicate period. Get the wrong agency and it could end up damaging your business. However, get the right one and your startup could receive the cash it is owed with its reputation as good as ever.
Should You Loan Money to a Friend or Family Member?posted on 2018-07-10 by Jeff Gitlen
It is a well-established rule that lending money to family members or friends should not be done. Shakespeare admonishes us with his immortal words, "Neither a borrower nor a lender be." However, it is the words that follow that inform us of the consequences, "For loan oft loses itself and friend." This is just as true today as it was in the time of Hamlet -- if you loan money to a friend or family member, you can expect to lose both the money and the relationship. In a money-etiquette survey it was found that 57% of people have seen a relationship ruined because the borrower didn't repay the loan. Still, many people who are in a position to do so feel compelled to help a close friend or family member in their time of need; and that doesn't have to be a bad thing as long as you go about it with your eyes wide open. Here are some things to consider when your friends asking for money: What's More Important – Repayment or the Relationship? If someone approaches you for a loan, chances are they aren't creditworthy enough to qualify for a loan from a lender. So, you know going into it you are taking on the risk of not seeing all or some of the money again. The question becomes whether repayment of the loan or the relationship is more important to you. You should know in advance how you might handle a situation in which the borrower gets behind on payments or no longer returns your calls. You can expect things to get very awkward, especially if see the person at family events or around town. Alternatively, if you truly value the relationship, you can treat the loan like a gift. With a better than 50% chance the loan won't be fully repaid, earmarking it as a gift frees you of any stress. The person will likely try to repay you as if it was a loan, but the pressure is off the relationship. Are You Helping or Enabling? While you may have the right intent, you may be hurting the very person you are trying help. If the person needs money to cover basic living needs or to pay off credit card debt, loaning them money may only exacerbate their financial problems. What they might really need is financial counseling or help with finding alternative sources of income. If you do loan them money, do so under the condition they seek the help (or offer it yourself) they need to turn things around. Don't Make it Open-Ended The problem with loaning money to a friend is they are often open-ended based on a handshake with no specific terms for repayment. That leaves both parties in a state of limbo with no expectations as to when the loan is to be repaid. It also creates a false notion in the mind of the borrower that there is no sense of urgency to repay the loan, especially when other things come up that relegate loan payments to low priority status. Without clear expectations or specific loan terms, it becomes difficult to approach the borrower about payments. If you are going to loan money, put it in writing with specific terms. Is the Loan IRS Compliant? Lending money to family or friends is often interest free, which is not a good idea. First, it diminishes the value you place on the money you loan someone; secondly, it could put you at odds with the IRS. Charging interest is not unreasonable, especially when it is done at below-market rates. The IRS expects you to charge interest on a family loan if you don't want it to be treated as a gift for tax purposes. The IRS doesn't care about small loans made to children. Loans of $10,000 or less are not subject to gift tax rules if they are not used for investments. However, larger loans could show up on the IRS radar if appropriate interest is not charged. To avoid treatment as a taxable gift, the loan needs to be in writing with the amount, terms, and rate of interest clearly defined. The IRS requires a minimum interest rate to be charged which is reported as income by the lender. If the loan is made for a down payment on a house, the borrower may deduct interest charges, but the loan must be secured by a lien on the home. What are the Alternatives? One alternative is to just say "no." That may be hard to do, but, in many cases, it could be the right thing to do. Or, you can say "yes," but with conditions. First, is that they at least try to obtain a personal loan on their own. While you don't want them to get stuck with a "payday" type loan, there are alternative lending sources which can offer reasonably priced personal loans for people with less than good credit. https://lendedu.com/blog/should-you-loan-money-to-friends-or-family-members
I was on the CFPB's Consumer Advisory Board. Until Mulvaney fired meposted on 2018-06-12 by Arjan Schütte
Editor's note: A version of this first appeared on Medium. I was fired from the Consumer Financial Protection Board's Consumer Advisory Board last week, along with all of its other members. Why? Because the acting head of the bureau, Mick Mulvaney, appears intent on running the consumer protection bureau into the ground while claiming a lack of "global perspective" and wanting a "fresh start." Never mind that this board has been the most diverse it has ever been — split about evenly between consumer advocates and business people (with some academics thrown in for good measurement). If Mr. Mulvaney was concerned the board was only wild-eyed consumer protection activists, he didn't appear to notice executives from industry giants Citi, Discover, FICO, Mastercard and PNC. Or if he really cared about private sector innovation, as he claims, he missed the presence of fintech legend Max Levchin, TrueAccord's Ohad Samet, NerdWallet's Tim Chen, Oportun's Raul Vazquez (both of the latter being Core portfolio companies, for disclosure) and myself. This mass firing is the latest in a string of actions meant to kill a regulatory body that was formed in response to the most devastating consumer financial abuse in nearly a century. Mr. Mulvaney, famous for having called the bureau a "sick, sad joke" before taking its helm, was installed as a cynical gesture by a president who knew the bureau was too popular to dismantle. Mr. Mulvaney has all but kicked the life out of the bureau through a series of navel gazing exercises and a moratorium on all (but Wells Fargo's) enforcement of legal consumer protections. Acting Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Mick Mulvaney's decision to fire the bureau's consumer advisory board is just the latest example that underscores his desire to kill an important regulatory body. Bloomberg News "Good riddance," you say? I'd ask you to think again. Yes, our financial regulatory system is a messy patchwork of state and federal agencies. Yes, the industry is spending way too much on compliance, shuffling way too much paperwork. Yes, I think the CFPB overused its stick relative to its carrots in the past. Instead, we should make a long-term, concerted effort to modernize our regulatory infrastructure (taking inspiration from the United Kingdom and Singapore). But consider the alternative: every rule in place today is a response to incredible harm done to hardworking Americans by greedy, unscrupulous, short-sighted and sometimes outright criminal actors in finance. The CFPB, in several short years, has collected more than $12 billion in penalties for 29 million Americans who were sold misleading products or services. As a profit seeking capitalist who invests in high-growth fintech startups (like Ripple, Mosaic, Oportun and more than 30 others), I believe in guard rails, in rules, in regulation. And I believe the prudential regulators' primary responsibility of safety and soundness of our financial system does not adequately protect consumers. And I believe financial products are sufficiently complex and materially impactful on people's lives and livelihoods that having a consumer watchdog is entirely warranted — even if it is a pain the ass, a cost to the system, and a drag on innovation. The stakes are just too damn high, for each household and for our country. So, yeah, I'm sad we were fired for no good reason. It was a genuine honor to serve on the Consumer Advisory Board for more than a year. But that's completely immaterial to the systemic irresponsibility I believe Mr. Mulvaney is exhibiting to his duty to protect everyday Americans from harm. Further, wildly oscillating regulatory entities cost the industry by introducing even greater uncertainty. And what is perhaps to me the most annoying: Even a conservative, limited-regulation leadership can express itself in smart governance and shifting priorities; it does not need to resort to spreading organizational cancer. Arjan Schütte Arjan Schütte is the founder and a managing partner of Core Innovation Capital, a leading venture capital fund investing in financial services companies that empower everyday Americans.
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Tonight on 360°
Airstrikes continue in Gaza as Israel amasses troops and artillery at the border.
A ground assault could begin at any moment. We'll have a live report from Nic Robertson in Israel.
And tragedy strikes John Travolta and his family. His sixteen year old son dies while the family is on vacation.
We're blogging throughout the hour, and we hope you will join us.
Just follow our rules. Here are some of them:
1) Keep it short (we don't have time to read a "book)
2) Don't write in ALL CAPS (we don't like screaming)
3) Use your real name
Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer
Tonight our deepest sympathies go out to actor John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston.
Their 16-year-old son, Jett, died today during a family vacation in the Bahamas. He reportedly suffered a seizure and couldn't be revived. His parents are said to be devastated. It's a heartbreaking story.
The Travoltas have said Jett suffered from Kawasaki disease, an inflammatory disorder of the artery walls that most often strikes young children and can lead to heart disease. We're digging deeper with Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Meantime, we're bracing for an escalation in Gaza.
All day, speculation has been building that an Israeli ground invasion may be imminent. After seven days of airstrikes, the United Nations says much of Gaza's infrastructure is in ruins. But even so, independent reports indicate that Hamas has as firm a grip on Gaza as ever. Nic Robertson is on the ground with the latest.
Ready for today's Beat 360°?
Everyday we post a picture – and you provide the caption and our staff will join in too.
Tune in tonight at 10pm to see if you are our favorite!
Here is the 'Beat 360°' pic:
Japanese monkeys gather to soak in a hot spring at a snow-covered valley in Yamanouchi town, central Japan January 2, 2009.
Have fun with it. We're looking forward to your captions!
Make sure to include your name, city, state (or country) so we can post your comment.
But wait!… There's more!
When you win 'Beat 360°' not only do you get on-air prime-time name recognition (complete with bragging rights over all your friends, family, and jealous competitors), but you get a "I Won the Beat 360° Challenge" T-shirt!
April 3, 2009
Reporter's Note:
John Demjanjuk's birthday today – his 89th – likely will be his last in the United States. Demjanjuk will be removed from his home in suburban Cleveland this weekend and flown to Munich, where Monday he will be turned to German authorities.
The German government plans to try the Ukrainian immigrant as an accessory to the murder of 29,000 people while working as a guard at the Sobibor death camp from March-September 1943. Demjanjuk denies having been a camp guard, saying instead he fought in the Soviet army and later was a prisoner of war held by the Germans.
Experts believe that as many as 250,000 Jews – mostly women, children and the elderly – may have been killed at Sobibor, in Nazi-occupied Poland. Women were shorn of their hair and victims were marched naked into gas chambers, where the Nazi SS employed methods developed in "Operation Euthanasia." Bodies then were dumped into pits and burned, but not before gold fillings were removed from the mouths of the dead.
Demjanjuk's family says that he suffers from chronic kidney disease and has difficulty walking. He will be kept in a prison or a clinic until trial.
Nazi hunter Efraim Zuroff of the Simon Wiesenthal Center told CNN that he was "thrilled" at the news of Demjanjuk's deportation, which has long been dependent on which country was prepared to accept him.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum welcomed the news, saying in a statement it "applauds Germany's efforts to hold the perpetrators of Nazi crimes accountable."
"Almost 65 years after the Holocaust, this act sends an important message about the enduring need to make the perpetrators of genocide, wherever they are, answer for their crimes," the statement said.
Two weeks ago, a former Nazi SS guard was freed by Austria a day after being deported from the U.S. Josias Kumpf, 83, of Racine, Wis., served as a SS "Death's Head" guard at the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp in Germany and at the Trawniki Labor Camp in Poland. The Austrian justice ministry said that it told U.S. authorities before the deportation that Kumpf, who had emigrated to the U.S. from Austria, would be freed since he was younger than 20 at the time of the crimes and because he was never an Austrian citizen, nor were the crimes committed in Austria.
Dave Schechter
CNN Senior National Editor
What would you do about a small number of men, the youngest in their 80s and generally not in the greatest of health, who immigrated to the United States after World War II and have been living working-class American lives for decades. They have wives, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They also stand accused of participating in the extermination of 6 million Jews and countless others in Nazi concentration camps.
While exact numbers are hard to come by, an estimated 90,000 to 125,000 Holocaust survivors live in the United States, the youngest in their late 60s and early 70s. They remember grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles and siblings beaten or shot to death, starved in forced labor camps or gassed and their bodies burned in the crematoria of death camps whose names remain infamous.
Some forgive; many don't. They want justice, no matter how many years have passed.
What do you do about these old men, let nature take its course or find them, prosecute them and deport them?
James Carville
CNN Contributor
You know, people will insist that 2008 had 366 days. I don't believe it. I think it had 36,066 days.
It certainly felt much longer than any year that I've ever experienced. Only time will tell what's in store for us in 2009, but first I have a few predictions.
Internationally, I believe there will be a peace agreement between Israel and Syria in the next 18 months. It is something that will be a priority for the incoming Obama administration.
In domestic politics, my first prediction is one that pains me to make, but I'll make it anyway.
Andrew Torgan
CNN Financial News Producer
Wall Street officially welcomed 2009 today with a big rally, and investors are hoping it will be a heck of a lot better than 2008. Traders are looking for a fresh start after one of the worst years in Wall Street's history. Last year, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 34%, the S&P 500 lost 39% and the Nasdaq slid 41%.
A key index of the nation's manufacturing activity fell to a 28-year low in December. The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index was 32.4 for December. That's the lowest reading since June 1980, when it stood at 30.3. Economists say a reading this low indicates a deep recession.
Brianna Keilar | Bio
CNN Congressional Correspondent
President-elect Obama will meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Monday to discuss his proposal for the new economic stimulus plan, which leaders are now referring to as an "economy recovery plan", a Senate Democratic leadership aide said Friday. Obama, Pelosi and Reid are then hoping to meet with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader John Boehner, the aide told CNN.
The President-elect's staff contacted McConnell's office about meeting on Monday but the time and location has not been buttoned down, said a Senate Republican leadership aide. "It's likely to happen but the details still need to be worked out," said the aide. Asked if Republicans are satisfied with what appears to be an effort by Obama to include them in discussions about the new economic stimulus package the GOP aide said, " It depends on what the meeting is - if it's just a photo opp or if they're really reaching out."
Editor's Note: Tune in tonight for more on Blagojevich's controversial Senate appointment. AC360° at 10 pm ET.
E. J. Dionne Jr.
The Washington Post
Political circuses just don't get any better than this - unless you happen to care about a new administration taking power in the midst of national and international catastrophes.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich knows how to make life hell for his enemies, who now encompass almost everyone in the Democratic Party, including President-elect Barack Obama. Yet "almost everyone" is the operative phrase. Roland Burris, the veteran African American politician, discovered an affection for the embattled governor after Blagojevich appointed him to Obama's Senate seat Tuesday.
James Doran
The Guardian
The US government has seized control of Citigroup's staff Christmas party budget and set tight restrictions on the use of its corporate jet in exchange for its $45bn (£28bn) bail-out.
The measures are among a raft of restrictions on expenses detailed in the small print of filing made by Citi on New Year's Eve with the US financial regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The filing was made to formalise restrictions on executive pay and bonuses that Citi's chief executive, Vikram Pandit, was forced to adopt in exchange for the US government bail-out, which includes guarantees on $306bn of troubled assets on top of $45bn of loans.


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This was Lilah's first Boxcar Children mystery, and she really enjoyed it. It was a fun nostalgia trip for me, and it was fun to share it with her. The dog, Watch, is being trained as a Search and Rescue dog, and on one of his outings, he finds a backpack with jewelry in it! The Alden children must return the jewels and find out who the real thief is to clear their friend's name.
Honestly, these are all the same. This is #132, and I'm not sure much distinguishes it from the others. These are cute, easy mysteries for the middle-grade set, and they're just as fun as they were when I was a kid. I always enjoy the way the siblings work together and rely on each other.
Source disclosure: I received an e-galley of this title courtesy of the publisher.


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UPDATE: According to the Walt Disney Co. investor call, the company is also expecting to release Episodes 8 and 9 of Star Wars following the new film. No timeline was given.
The Associated Press is reporting on a deal struck between The Walt Disney Co. and Lucasfilm Ltd that would see the entertainment giant purchase the production company for a colossal $4.05 billion dollars in cash and stock from founder George Lucas. Disney also promises a new Star Wars movie to be released in 2015.
The Walt Disney Co. announced the purchase which would bring the iconic film company under their umbrella with other brands such as Pixar, ESPN and ABC. Kathleen Kennedy, co-chairman of Lucasfilm, will serve as the company's President and report to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Lucas himself will serve as a creative consultant for the new Star Wars film, leaving the Directorial and writing chairs open for other filmmakers.
In a statement, Lucas said "It's now time for me to pass 'Star Wars' on to a new generation of filmmakers."


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White Solitary Earrings Gold
Essentials Collection
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- White Solitary Earrings Gold
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- Hoop diameter: 10 mm
- Weight: 0.96 g
Timeless, essential and everything in between. Those are the ultimate jewelry staples: loyal and versatile designs, always glowing and ready to build up every look. Studs, hoops, necklaces, rings and bracelets infused with simplicity and grace. Crowned by colorful zirconias and diverse shapes, each piece is made of carefully polished 925 Sterling Silver plated in 18k Gold. For your day to day (and every day after).
We design and craft hand-finished prêt-à-porter jewellery, a genuine collection of handcrafted pieces using premium materials and semi-precious stones.


text: Do you live here in Mallorca and find coping with endless paperwork or the Spanish language difficult? Do you find yourself queuing for hours and getting nowhere? Perhaps you need help. Whether you need help obtaining a Social Security number, Health Cards, or Child Benefits, we at mallorcasolutions.com can help! Likewise should you need to set up utility bill payments, exchange your EU driving licence, interpreter assistance the mallorcasolutions.com team is on hand to offer you the vital, practical support that you will no doubt need. Remember, there is nothing beyond our reach, so please do give us a call, we are here to help!READ MORE


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A successful New York bed bug exterminator shared with me these useful tips for applying diatomaceous earth.* Delta Dust is intended for application with a hand duster (Bellow duster, Centrobuld duster) with a paint brush or by other suitable means, for hiding and runaway areas and other places where insects are found.When applying, the duster […]
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Archive | September, 2010
Dr. Oz: Beating the Bed Bug Epidemic
By no bites on September 16, 2010 in Uncategorized
We've started a new bed bug forum for you.
By no bites on September 12, 2010 in Uncategorized
The old forum came down in the spring and we've now moved to Google Groups. We think spam messages will be greatly reduced and moderation will be be much easier. Just register for the group, pick a nick-name and post your bed bug story. It's that simple and dare I say it, cathartic. Who better […]


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Copper Canyon is in northwest Mexico and is a well-known destination that is made up of 20 canyons, lush forests and meadows. The Chihuahua al Pacifico railroad, a 400-mile train route that traverses through 86 tunnels and 37 bridges, is an integral part of any adventure trip to Copper Canyon.
Rail Tour
Take a rail tour of the Copper Canyon and ride the Chihuahua al Pacifico railway. The rail trail allows visitors to comfortably ride through canyons and see numerous sights and attractions en route, such as pecan tree orchards and the Sonora Desert, while making a number of stops along the way for more explorations. Caravan Tours offers an all-inclusive nine-day Copper Canyon train tour. The trip package includes knowledgeable tour guides, all meals and lodging, airport transfers and round-trip transportation. Activities include a visit to the Yaqui Indian Museum, El Fuerte River float trip and a scenic tour of the Sierra Madre canyons. Caravan Tours 401 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 312-321-9800 caravan.com
Take a hiking expedition through Copper Canyon to experience the landscape on foot. Allowing you to commune with nature, hiking tours of the canyon are most ideal for active travelers. You can combine a rail tour with hiking excursions to see remote Copper Canyon trails in the setting of rugged and pristine wilderness. This will also allow you to view wildlife and visit local villages off the beaten track. EcoColors Tours provide hiking tour packages that include lodging, hiking tour guides, airport transfers, rail trip and meals. Hiking adventure consists of navigating around the Guitayvo mesa, descending through a river bed and climbing up sides of canyons. EcoColors Tours Smz.27 Calle camaron No.32 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico 866-376-5056 ecotravelmexico.com
Mountain Biking
Explore the canyons by mountain biking through its single-tracks with varied Chihuahuan terrain and sights like highlands, forested areas and meadows. Cycling through a variety of oak and pine species, rivers and subtropical canyon floors is an exciting way to tour the canyons. Remolino Adventure Works offers an eight-day mountain biking tour that departs from El Paso, Texas. The package includes round trip transportation, all lodging and meals, bike repair service and an experienced tour guide. Bike rentals are also available. Bicycling allows you to travel to hard-to-reach areas, such as lush forests and valleys. Points of interest include the Visa Viverachi stone pillars, Recohuata hot springs and the Cusarare waterfall and Lake Arareco. Remolino Adventure Works 4921 Highway 28 La Union, NM 88021 575-882-1156 remolino.com
Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.
Photo Credits
- sierra madre image by thierry planche from Fotolia.com
- Attribution: Smallchief; License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license
- Attribution: Smallchief; License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license
- Attribution: No machine-readable author provided. JensUhlenbrock~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims).; License: public domain


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The World Youth & Children Choral Artists' Association (WYCCAA) held two Choral Conducting Charity Workshops in Nanjing and Chengdu, in association with Nanjing City Education Committee and Xihua University respectively, on 25 – 27 and 28 – 30 November 2016.
Presented by three international choral experts, Prof. Leon Shiu-wai Tong, President of WYCCAA, Dr. Zoltan Pad from Hungary and Prof. Jin-ming Zhu, the Workshop covered topics including techniques for pitch training, conducting skills and the organization & arrangements of show choir. They also conducted demonstrations during the Workshop so audience can comprehend the complicated theories more easily.
WYCCAA congratulates Prof. Leon Shiu-wai Tong on the appointment as Distinguished Professor by Xihua University during the visit.


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Necklace Capri
- Description
Shiny ceramics in sinuous shapes embellish this Capri necklace, rendering its Mediterranean inspiration clear.
Necklace in 18K rose gold and 10 white ceramics. Length: cm 60
Ref. C.B805/O7/CB/60
$ 4,200
This item is available for purchase in our Boutiques.
The name comes from the Ancient Greek, kéramos, meaning clay: the primordial expression of prehistoric ceramics. Today, modern ceramics show great potential and require a high degree of technology and precision in order to be molded into different shapes and colors. Their hardness, resistance to high temperatures and environmental agents make them suitable for the production of high quality components, which is why they are gaining increasing popularity in the jewelry industry.


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Wall Street's biggest CEOs weighed in to the nation's debt ceiling debate Thursday, firing off a letter to every member of Congress and the president of the United States urging compromise in the debt ceiling debate and action "this week."
The letter, signed by Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs , Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase and a slew of other financial heavyweights, did not endorse a specific proposal to raise the debt ceiling, but said, "We write to you today to urge you to act this week to reach an agreement that will ensure that our Nation continues to meet all of its financial obligations, and that will entail meaningful and concrete steps to put our Nation on a sound fiscal footing."
"The consequences of inaction—for our economy, the already struggling job market, the financial circumstances of American businesses and families, and for America's global economic leadership—would be very grave."
The letter, which was sent early Thursday and obtained by CNBC, represented the first time the biggest banking CEOs had spoken with one voice in the debt-ceiling debate.
"Our economic recovery remains very fragile," the CEOs wrote. "A default on our Nation's obligations, or a downgrade of America's credit rating, would be a tremendous blow to business and investor confidence—raising interest rates for everyone who borrows, undermining the value of the Dollar, and roiling stock and bond markets—and, therefore, dramatically worsening our Nation's already difficult economic circumstances."


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|Project by JimH
|posted 03-15-2014 11:45 PM
|1382 views
|2 times favorited
|2 comments
This is a small turned Jewelry Box that is similar to one posted on YouTube by Tiroler Drechsler. It was interesting and a challenge to try to turn. The wood is spalted oak that I've had around for some time for another project that I've given up on. I like it better here anyway.
-- Jim no longer in far west TX
2 comments so far
#1 posted 03-16-2014 12:49 AM
Nice turning Jim. Beautiful piece of oak.
-- Dave, Downers Grove, Il. -------- When you run out of ideas, start building your dreams.
#2 posted 03-16-2014 11:52 AM
Very nice! I like the nested design.
-- "Keep thy airspeed up, lest the earth come from below and smite thee." - William Kershner
Have your say...
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Veito Heating Element for CH1200/1800, Blade, and Aero Models
This product comes with 1 year warranty. This warranty doesn't cover other elements that may develop a fault outside the product warranty after purchase.
Note: Changing the heating element could be tricky therefore we would recommend that you send your heater to our office where we can replace the heating element and test it before being sent back to you. If you however decide to do it yourself then please always use antistatic gloves.


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From the event organizer:
Celebrate the joy and magic of the holiday season at the 12th annual St. Johns Town Center Holiday Spectacula rwith an action-packed day of free, family fun and musical performances!
Throughout the day, guests will enjoy festivities including oversized games, an interactive hot chocolate station, jugglers, caricature artists, letters to Santa, ornament decorating, a festive photo booth and a silent DJ experience. The holiday fun will continue with great giveaways, costume characters, holiday entertainment and more.
Main stage entertainment begins at 2 p.m. with dynamic holiday performances and a show-stopping finale by headliner, Parmalee. The Main Stage is located in the Town Green in front of Maggiano's Little Italy on Midtown Parkway.
For Holiday Spectacular's grand finale, Santa will lead the crowd in an official countdown to light the dazzling 32-foot tree and kick off an energetic fireworks finale at 8 p.m. Santa will then be available at the Santa House in the Phase III wing near Nordstrom to hear holiday wish lists.
Additionally, St. Johns Town Center retailers will offer holiday shopping opportunities, in-store promotions and specials throughout the weekend.
You must be logged in to post a comment.


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The RAFALD GDR sets up support for participation in the RAFALD workshop to be held in Marseille in November 2020.
Financial aid of 200 euros is available for PhD students. Applications will be evaluated by the GDR Bureau and awarded primarily to PhD students:
- belonging to a laboratory whose first participation is at a RAFALD workshop,
- having submitted an abstract to the conference.
To apply, the following document must be completed and sent
to the directors of the GDR (email@example.com)
* before 01 September 2020 *.
An answer will be given to applicants by September 15th.


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OTTAWA — As conservative premiers wage war against the federal Liberals' agenda, Elections Canada reconfirmed Tuesday that the provinces will be able to spend unlimited amounts of money campaigning against Justin Trudeau's team in the lead-up to the general election this October.
The independent non-partisan agency that runs federal contests and is charged with applying and interpreting the election law said third-party rules don't apply to provincial governments.
"It is Elections Canada's view that if Parliament intended to restrict the advertising and other activities of provincial governments, it would have stated so explicitly in the Canada Elections Act," agency spokeswoman Natasha Gauthier told HuffPost Canada.
Watch: Trudeau targets Doug Ford in campaign-style speech to mayors
Third parties are considered any person or group that isn't a candidate, a riding association, or a registered political party. These individuals, organizations or corporations are legally allowed to participate in the election by trying to sway voters to one side or another, but many of their activities are regulated and their spending is capped.
Some groups are already active. Canadians watching Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the Toronto Raptors would have noticed a series of ads by a group calling itself "Engage Canada." The TV spots warned of Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer's "weakness" and his desire to "follow" Ontario Premier Doug Ford's cuts to health care and education.
Another group, calling itself "Shaping Canada's Future," ran an anti-Trudeau ad, with actors listing the prime minister's purported failings. It echoed the Conservatives' own ads against Trudeau before the 2015 campaign in which a panel reviewed the Liberal leader's qualifications to hold the country's top job.
Right now, it's a free-for-all. Third party groups don't have to declare who is funding them, and there are no spending limits. On June 13, however, new legislation kicks in, creating a pre-writ period during which some third-party activities will be more closely scrutinized.
But provincial premiers, who have made no secret of their plans to campaign actively against Trudeau, won't face any federal caps.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who plans to campaign in the Greater Toronto Area for the Tories, told CTV in April that he'll fight Liberal legislation he disagrees with, and then "I will do what I can to elect a federal Conservative government.
"I make no apologies for that."
In Ontario, Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford's government is going to force gas station owners to display prominently anti-carbon tax stickers that take aim at federal Liberal policy. Ontario taxpayers are also paying for anti-federal carbon tax advertisements on the airwaves.
According to Ontario's proposed regulation, the mandatory pump stickers would have to be displayed as of Aug. 30, just before the federal writ drops. Gas station operators who don't comply would face fines of up to $10,000 a day.
In the House of Commons Tuesday, Conservative deputy leader Lisa Raitt invoked a letter sent by conservative provincial premiers (Kenney, Saskatchewan's Scott Moe, Manitoba's Brian Pallister, Ontario's Doug Ford and New Brunswick's Blaine Higgs) together with Northwest Territories' independent premier Bob McLeod to Trudeau in which they outlined their opposition to bills C-69 and C-48.
Those bills make good on federal Liberal promises from the last election and are intended to streamline natural resources project approvals and to protect British Columbia's northern coast from crude tanker traffic. As the premiers outlined, however, many feel the proposed legislation will make it impossible to develop the infrastructure needed to move their resources to B.C.'s coast.
Watch: 'National unity' threats fuel question period barbs
In their letter, obtained by Global News, they warned the prime minister that the bills should be refined or abandoned "to avoid further alienating provinces and their citizens and focus on uniting the country in support of Canada's economic prosperity."
Trudeau responded that conservative premiers' "threatening national unity if they do not get their way is completely irresponsible" and said the threats need to be condemned by anyone who aspires to be prime minister.
Raitt noted that the premiers represent 59 per cent of the Canadian population and 63 per cent of Canada's GDP.
Tuesday, Elections Canada released its political financing handbook for third parties.
Between June 30 and whenever the election is called in September, third parties will be able to spend a maximum of $1,023,400 across the country to campaign either in favour of or in opposition to a party or candidate. That's cash for phone banks, to send text messages, to create or send organic social media content, for canvassing, for election surveys, and for advertising.
It notes that issue-based advertising, ads that effectively campaign against one party or candidate by focusing on an issue, for example pipelines or Bill C-69 or C-48, is not covered under spending rules during the pre-writ period.
It is only when the writ drops that issue-based advertising is included in third-party election spending caps. Once the election is formally called, third parties will be able to spend only $511,700.
Election Canada warns that third parties are prohibited from circumventing, or attempting to circumvent, spending limits by splitting into two or more third parties, or by acting in collusion with another third party, so that their combined regulated expenses exceed the limit.
It also notes that a third party must not collude with a registered party, candidate, potential candidate or person associated with a candidate's or potential candidate's campaign. That third parties must be careful to act independently, to not be influenced by a party or candidate, or be seen as consulting them on activities.
Partisan activities or election surveys conducted by provincial political parties are not regulated activities under the Canada Elections Act.
When Newfoundland and Labrador premier Danny Williams actively campaigned against the Conservatives in 2008 with an "Anything But Conservative" campaign, Elections Canada said Williams registered as a third party and used his own funds.
Liberal Party spokesman Braeden Caley suggested conservative premiers should not be using "public funds for partisan political campaigns."
What's especially concerning for Caley, however, are reports that Scheer and his campaign team are having "secret closed-door strategy sessions with oil industry executives and interest groups about how they can 'silence environmental critics,' make pollution free again, and use oil-industry front groups to influence the election," he said.
The Globe and Mail reported in April that Scheer and two senior members of his team had met with a pro-oil advocacy group to discuss strategies for defeating the Liberals and silencing environmental critics.
"We expect everyone in our democracy to follow these important rules," Caley told HuffPost.
Some Conservatives suggest that the rules are actually too loose.
Ontario MP Marilyn Gladu worries about the impact of foreign funding.
The new rules, brought in as a result of changes made by the Liberal government, do not prevent foreign groups or funds from engaging in issue-based advertising that attacks or promotes one party this summer during the pre-writ period.
"If you have third-party foreign-funded organizations, it is clearly wrong," she told HuffPost.
During the writ period, third-party groups won't be able to use foreign funds for advertising campaigns that support or oppose a party or candidate by taking a position on an issue with which that party or person is associated.
Fair Vote Canada to promote electoral reform, again
Still foreign funds could be used on unregulated activities, such as advertising on a general issue that is not associated with any one party, such as protecting the environment.
"I don't think it's levelled, because we've clearly established there are more left-leaning groups, and many of them foreign funded," Gladu said.
On Wednesday, Fair Vote Canada signalled its intention to act once again as a third party promoting electoral reform.
Calling the Liberals' broken electoral reform promise in the last "a betrayal," the group's president, Réal Lavergne, said Fair Vote Canada will try to help elect a minority government by supporting friendly NDP, Bloc Québécois, and Green candidates in swing ridings.


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110th International Conference on Mining, Material, and Metallurgical Engineering (ICMMME) Munich , Germany Abstracts/Proposals deadline: 24 March 2017 Organizer: Academic World About Event The Academics World 110th International Conference on Mining, Material, and Metallurgical Engineering (ICMMME) aims to bring together… Read More ›
acadConferences Europe
List of conferences (Humanities) in May 2017 – Germany
The 65th International Conference on Language, Literature and Culture (ICLLC) – Munich, Germany … Read More ›
International Multidisciplinary Conference (Venice 2017) 20 – 23 June 2017 Venice, Italy Deadline for abstracts/proposals: 25 March 2017
The conference provides opportunities for academics from a range of disciplines and countries to share their research both through the conference podium and IJAS' double-blind refereed publications. All IJAS conferences are inter- and multi-disciplinary. Secondly, the conference provides opportunities for academics to receive… Read More ›
2nd International Conference on Structural Integrity, 2017: 4 – 7 September 2017. Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
The International Conference on Structural Integrity, organized by the European Structural Integrity Society. The conference will be a forum for discussion of current trends of research in structural integrity, in aeronautics and space, but also in other sectors of engineering… Read More ›
European Advanced Materials Congress (EAMC 2017): 22-24 August 2017 Viking Line Cruise, Stockholm, Sweden Deadline registration 31 March 2017 Deadline Call for Abstracts 30 January 2017
European Advanced Materials Congress (EAMC) is a three-day annual international event organised by International Association of Advanced Materials, Linkoping University and VBRI Press AB. The goal of EAMC 2017 is to provide a global platform for researchers and engineers coming from… Read More ›
1st International Conference on Energy Research and Social Science 2-5 April 2017 | Spain
With the recent adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations, it is clear that in order to achieve Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all), the interaction between energy and society… Read More ›
ICERE 2017 International Conference on Environment and Renewable Energy 2-4 May 2017 in Venice, Italy
It will be held on 2-4 May in Venice, Italy at the Best Western Hotel Bologna. It is the fourth ICERE conference. Previous conferences took place in München, Paris, Vienna. ICERE 2017, is to bring together innovative academics and industrial… Read More ›
All Energy Conference, 10 – 11 May 2017 in Glasgow, UK
The UK's premier event for renewable energy and sustainable technologies. All-Energy, the UK's largest renewable energy event, is taking place on 10th & 11th May 2017 in Glasgow. Since its launch in 2001, All-Energy has provided the industry suppliers, experts… Read More ›


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The Alpha Heir (Kingdom of Askara #2) by Victoria Sue
Published September 4, 2017
Available from
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Victoria Sue with her new release The Alpha Heir (Kingdom of Askara #2). Welcome, Victoria Sue!
Man and wolf. Sworn enemies in the battle for Askara. Can hate and betrayal ever lead to love?
Caleb Harken has spent six years wrongfully imprisoned for his father's treachery. Tortured and reviled by the very wolf pack he should have been leading as Alpha, he is not surprised to learn he's finally to meet his death at the hands of the human rebel leader, Taegan Callan.
Taegan gave up his dreams of a life-mate and a family after seeing too many humans butchered at the hands of the wolves—even if Caleb doesn't seem to be the bloodthirsty savage he expects, and even if he starts to long for a different kind of future with the wolf.
Can Caleb become the Alpha he was always meant to be and lead his pack, or will he finally realize that winning his freedom means nothing when he has already lost his heart?
Exclusive Excerpt
Silas looked at Taegan "What do you intend to do?"
A beat went by and Caleb turned to look at him. Taegan's eyes were dark, stormy, and he took a breath. "According to the slave, the children are heavily guarded in the cellars under the pack house and freeing them from there is impossible."
"You intend to take them when they are first released," Caleb said instantly. It wasn't a question.
"Exactly. The wolves will give the children some time before they shift or it would be over in seconds. They will be over-confident even when drunk, but two small children will still have no possible chance. My problem is how to get them away without the wolves having time to chase." He paused. "And we would need some diversion."
"Horses," Silas mused. "But even then you will have to be quick. I can arrange for a special gift of wine to be sent. Dashel makes a blend that is so potent humans would be lucky to be standing after one glass, but it will take a while for the wolves, and there will be many gammas not drinking, even as over confident as they all are."
"We still need another diversion though to give us time," Taegan mused.
"Me," Caleb said softly.
"Absolutely not," Taegan retorted quickly and Caleb stared in confusion.
"Why? I wouldn't need to fight them." Mason would be overjoyed to get his chew toy back.
"We wouldn't be able to get you out. I don't know if or when we would get the chance."
Caleb shrugged. He felt numb. He wouldn't live long enough to worry about that.
Taegan carried on as if Caleb hadn't spoken. "We need to be able to come up with a distraction to buy as much time before the wolves shift as we can possibly get. Do you have any idea what your aunt will do?"
Caleb shook his head miserably. "She visited me occasionally while I was being held. S-sometimes the gammas would hold me down and draw blood."
"Blood?" Taegan repeated woodenly, and Silas's head shot up.
"Blood?" he repeated.
Caleb nodded miserably. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and bared his forearms. They were ugly, crisscrossed with a myriad of scars. "The inside of my thighs are worse." He didn't want to look at Taegan. He was sick of seeing the looks of horror on people's faces when they saw him. He glanced over at Silas. The wolf looked worried.
"Did she collect your blood or simply spill it?"
"Collect," Caleb whispered. "Sometimes I wished she would just take it all."
Taegan made a noise in the back of his throat and Caleb looked at him, realizing what he had said. He hadn't meant to speak that last thought out loud. He sounded pathetic and needy even to his own ears and he was ashamed. He might not have a wolf but he was still his father's son and he felt a faint glimmer of something resembling pride. And again, the feeling of something stirring inside of him. He had a chance to help — for the first time he had the chance to be his father's son, and while the thought of being Alpha was nothing but a fairytale there must be something he could do.
They all looked up as Renee came back in carrying a bowl of something that smelled wonderful. She smiled at all three of them and placed the bowl in Taegan's hands. "I want him to drink every drop," she admonished and before either of them could respond Silas stood.
"I need to see if there are any mentions of blood-letting in the books I have." He smiled at Caleb and followed Renee out. Suddenly the silence was uncomfortable.
"I don't know whose bed I am in, but I understand if you need to tie me up." Caleb glanced into Taegan's blue eyes. "I know I am a prisoner." Caleb waited and watched the blue eyes soften with amusement. He stiffened. Taegan was laughing at him. Caleb drew away from Taegan even though he hated doing so. It was a mistake to grow dependent on the man, and he didn't understand his compulsion to be near the human.
"You need to eat," Taegan said and Caleb looked at the bowl he held without interest. Taegan's eyes narrowed. "I don't understand why you don't seem to want to eat. Why you're not hungry when you're obviously starving."
Caleb didn't answer. In the last few months he had lost all interest. Eating only kept him alive and prolonged his suffering. Completely stopping had led to slaves being beaten, while gradually eating less and less was never noticed. It had been his last desperate plan.
Taegan shifted closer to Caleb. "How about you try a few mouthfuls so I don't get shouted at by my mom?"
Caleb stared in surprise at the teasing smile on Taegan's face. He didn't think he was laughing at him this time. He obediently opened his mouth as Taegan spooned some stew. "I can do it," Caleb offered, but it was a token protest.
"Humor me," Taegan replied.
• • •
Twenty minutes later Taegan rested the spoon in the almost empty dish and stared at the sleeping man. Caleb had struggled to keep awake after the first few mouthfuls and Taegan had no idea what to make of any of it. Six years. The horror of that was more than Taegan could imagine. His life was simple. He had a rebellion to run, people depended on him, and he didn't have time to be a nursemaid.
That isn't fair.
It wasn't. He knew it wasn't. Caleb could have fed himself. Whether he would have was a different matter. He had never heard anyone speak so matter of factly about death, as if that was all the future Caleb expected. Maybe that was why it had been so satisfying to see him eat. He sat and let his eyes rove over Caleb's face. His greatest enemy? Taegan nearly laughed, but this time because the joke was on him. Even in one day he could see Caleb looked better, impossibly weak but his face wasn't as gray.
Bonded? Were they, and what did that even mean? Silas had seemed so certain but he had said it was rare. He understood the compulsion in the wolf to be near others, but Caleb wasn't all wolf and Taegan wasn't any. Pack was a powerful force. All humans knew that pack was so much more than a family. Maybe when Caleb was physically better, he might be able to break or weaken this bond. Maybe they might be able to get him to Caedra. If what Mari said was true it sounded like things might be improving for the territory, then there might be a wolf that Caleb could bond with. He thought Silas was being a bit dramatic when he said the bond would only break with one of their deaths. And whatever the case, Taegan refused to be responsible for another person. He had enough to do.
Taegan repeated that to himself slowly because he had an awful feeling it was an empty promise and somewhere he was sure — if the goddesses ever did as a lot of people believed, interfere with mortal lives — they were laughing at him.
About Victoria Sue
Wrote her first book on a dare from her hubby three years ago. Loves writing about gorgeous boys loving each other the best, and especially with either a paranormal or a historical twist. Had a try at writing contemporary but failed spectacularly when it grew four legs and a tail.
Is an English northern lass but is currently serving twenty to life in Florida – unfortunately, she spends more time chained at her computer than on a beach.
Loves to hear from her readers and can be found most days lurking on facebook.
The Alpha Heir – exclusive Amazon KU link https://goo.gl/b1s1Bf
https://www.facebook.com/victoriasueauthor/– sign up for my newsletter and download a free story The Wrong Alpha


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The title of this product makes no secret that it's looking back a few decades: Sagaform have named this the retro tea cup and saucer, part of several pieces in a new 'retro' range. Lotta Odelius has looked to the 1950s to produce this attractive pattern, featuring naturally-inspired blue and green shapes on a white base.
This tea cup and saucer costs £14.50 while a storage jar featuring the same pattern is available for £12.50.
Buy it from the Illustrated Living website


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Last autumn, www.ilsussidiario.net, an internet news portal edited by the Foundation of Subsidiarity directed by Giorgio Vittadini, sponsored a special "On the Spot" section with articles from US-based writers on aspects of the presidential election. This was a start for what will now be a new regular English-language section of the site.
The editors are happy to announce the birth of the English section of the daily "Il Sussidiario" divided in three sections: Politics & Society, Economy & Finance, Culture, Religion & Science.
Add this link to your favorites:
The "On the Spot" section will feature news and opinion pieces on all aspects of life in the
Looking for writers. There is a need to produce at least two or three original articles weekly of about 450-650 words. In addition, some of the articles would be translated into Italian for a daily audience of 3000 people.
If you would like to join us in this venture, please write to firstname.lastname@example.com.


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In British Red Plastic!
Armies In Plastic 1/32nd French And Indian War British Light Infantry. Includes 16 soldiers in 8 assorted poses, nicely detailed. Great set for Revolutionary War era figures!
British Light InfantryBox ArtBritish Light InfantryFigure Poses (in red plastic)
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British Light InfantryFigure Poses (in red plastic)
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Lending money to a European Investment Banks who form a Special Purpose Vehicle who issues bonds guaranteed by broke countries to use as collateral to borrow more money to buy more bad debt? That's their plan? No thank you; I'm still buying gold.
The financial markets are not their usual jovial selves, aggravated by the inconsiderate nature of fiat currency. Gold, long touted as the antibody to central banks and political brinkmanship, has failed to hold up its end of the bargain. (Track Gold & All the Metals Here)
Everybody likes a winner, unless they consistently picked them to lose badly. As the price of gold dropped from a high of over $1,900 an ounce to sub $1,600 territory, the run seemed beleaguered, if not altogether dated. But unlike most things that involve money and emotion, this isn't all that complicated.
Last quarter's fixation with the obvious, that developed nations have underwhelming economies and mature obligations, has awakened the bears from hibernation. The European debt crisis, known for being easy to look at and hard to watch, motivated the US money market funds to reduce their exposure to Europe by $700 billion.
The European banks, however, must not only repay previous short term financing received from American institutions, but account for 25 percentof all commercial and industrial loans in the United States. Starved for dollar denominated assets intended to fulfill transactions, they likely pawned the precious metal to manufacture liquidity the way once wealthy families part with remnants of a more prosperous time.
It seems that roller coaster rides to nowhere impact sophisticated investors as well. Given the recent volatility, margin callswhere triggered, prompting traders to sell assets with double digit year to date returns as liquidity needs trumped long-term concerns about the health of sovereign debt. The exchange operator CME also raised the margin requirements on gold by21 percent, forcing speculators to put more skin in the game.
Despite the rotation of balance sheets and bandwagons, Greece still teeters precariously on the brink of default, and with it, the prospects that Italy and Spain will soon find themselves on the coattails of excess. A bailout of Italy alone would cost€2 trillionand Apple is worth more than the combined. Gold may have dropped from its peak, but Europe is still broke.
One of the proposed solutions is to increase the European Stabilization Fund and create a European Investment Bank that in turn forms a Special Purpose Vehicle to issue bonds and purchase suspect debt, which would of course be guaranteed by nations who may need a bailout themselves.
Investors must wonder when shell games replaced affluence and gimmicks became the kissing cousin of opulence. It should be obvious that fiat currency is the silhouette of a free market economy that hasn't existed for some time, the body long ravaged by thirty years of debt.
As one reviews the reasons why gold recently dropped, the case for owning the hard asset becomes stronger than originally thought. Greece's economy will contract by over five percentthis year, which causes tax revenue to drop by 10 percent. Austerity measures originally meant to solve the problem are now the hoe that digs a deeper hole.
Gold has seen price declines like this before, although the global economy has little experience unwinding this much debt. The need for liquidity may have been temporarily solved, but paper money still isn't backed by anything of value. It should strike as ominous that when a real asset was in demand, gold was held in the highest regard.
Ivory Johnson, CFP, ChFC, is the director of financial planning at Scarborough Capital Management, Inc. and has over 20 years of investment experience. Mr. Johnson attended Penn State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. He can be followed on


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The Secret to Accomplishing Lasting Results
Funny how life's lessons, will pop right in front of you in the most unlikely ways and places.
Here's what I mean:
Last week, as I was driving my car, the dashboard lit up, indicating that one of my tires was suddenly low. Thank God, I was around the corner from the store where I had just purchased the tires—so I could whip in and find out if I was headed for a "flat".
In the middle of an outdoor service bay, pungent with the vile smell of hot rubber—-profound wisdom—a quote for the day—written on a chalkboard was standing right in front of me.
So true. So simple.
If all you ever focus on is…….results
You will never really change.
If, however, your focus is on the change
You will achieve results that last forever.
When I think of how many of us go on diets that are focused on getting into that dress in time for an upcoming event, it's all about getting to that result. We squeeze in. Phew!
Then we go back to the same old habits.
But if we focus on the changes that need to be made and incorporate them into our lives, those changes have the chance to become a new way of life—-creating results that last……forever.
My nearly flat tire turned out to be my good fortune. Whodda thunk?


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This is an unusual book. It is part scholarly inquiry, part cheap polemic. Its subject is the history of the European Union; and it is explicitly revisionist in nature. Booker and North present themselves as pioneers who are unearthing a story which has been untold or misrepresented. As the title indicates, it is a story characterised by conspiracy, concealment and deceit. The authors write of their work - making no concessions to false modesty - that "there is almost no episode of the European Union's history which does not emerge looking radically different from the version which has been generally presented". An impressive claim; but is it true?
Saturday, 23 July 2016
Wednesday, 20 July 2016
The key part of the Chilcot Report
Chilcot confirmed one essential point that we probably already knew: that the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 was not the option of last resort. The invasion happened then because of the military timetable that the Bush administration had committed itself to, not because it was at that point that the options for dealing with Saddam had run out. Tony Blair chose to stay with the US, and he did so for two reasons. First, because he and others were concerned about the consequences of not supporting the Americans. Second, because he felt that he would have influence with the Americans from a position of support which would not be available from a position of opposition.
Posted by Admin at 12:26
Labels: America, Britain, history, human error, politics, Tony Blair
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text: Glenn Beck's GBTV Set to Launch Reality Show 'Independence U.S.A.' 9:34 AM PST 12/13/2011 by Lacey Rose FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME Alex Wong/Getty Images Beck's Internet-only network is diving into reality with a series about a family preparing for life "off the grid." Mere weeks after announcing it would be venturing into animation, Glenn Beck's Internet-only network will now enter the reality space as well. GBTV, which the conservative firebrand launched as he was exiting Fox News this past spring, is prepping its first reality show, Independence U.S.A. PHOTOS: The Most Talked-About TV News Faces The series, which will airs on Wednesdays beginning Jan. 18, centers on Frank Belcastro and his family as they try to become completely independent and prepare for life "off the grid." He will do such things as build a car that runs on wood in the event that gasoline supplies are interrupted; become an expert hunter in case grocery stores are no longer in existence; and make his own alcohol for barter on the off chance the dollar collapses. "Independence U.S.A. is the perfect way for GBTV to enter the reality genre and promises to be an entertaining and informative look at how one family tries to grapple with their concerns for America," says GBTV programming president Joel Cheatwood of the series, which will be jointly produced GBTV and The WorkShop. PHOTOS: Keith Olbermann's Famous Feuds Adds Belcastro: "This show, for me, is a fun and sometimes funny way to get people to open their eyes and see what's going on. Americans are so reliant on the infrastructure around them but when you can create something with your own hands and everybody works as a team, everybody does a part, you can focus on the positive of this." The reality entry will join a slate of original programming that includes Liberty Tree House, Mercury Theater and the comedy news show The B.S. of A, along with Beck's two-hour show, which is broadcast live weekdays from 5 to 7 PM. A source close to the company said that GBTV is in conversations with several companies about licensing content to air on the network as well. Email: email@example.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME Lacey Rose email@example.com @thr


text: Tectorius provides a wide range of pre-applied thread adhesives, lockers, and anti-vibration products to suit your specific needs. Our products compete directly with most other grades and brands available in the marketplace. Additionally, Tectorius offers many unique formulas demonstrating the foremost in water-based technology, green alternatives, and non-hazardous products for easy transport and enhanced performance capability. Allow our technicians to assist you in selecting the best material for whatever your special assembly requirements may be.


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This season there is nothing like accessorizing. Think back at some of your favorite outfits that you have worn or have seen- most of them stand out to you because of an ornate necklace, a sexy pair of pumps, or a chic belt. These are the items that complete the look and really make the outfit. Incorporate this mind-set into your holiday outfits this season. Incorporate any of my holiday must-haves this season and the look of a simple black dress, skirt, or pants will instantly look glamorous and festive.
Simple and Glamorous- Items that will complete your holiday look this season!
Dressing during the holiday season can be so much fun- it's a chance for women of all ages to deck themselves in rich colors, and pretty patterns, but it can also be stressful. With the endless amounts of cocktail parties, neighborhood gatherings, and festive dinners that take over our calendars, it can be overwhelming trying to think about what to wear without duplicating the same look at each party, what is appropriate, and most importantly what is most budget friendly. With the array of gifts that each of us have to buy, purchasing a new outfit for each event is not even an option- and really is quit silly.
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National wetland park on Roscommon/Longford border now even more important
Local TD, Denis Naughten has welcomed reports by Centre Parcs UK that it is to develop a tourism project in Ballymahon, Co. Longford which has huge potential to boost tourism in County Roscommon.
"Centre Parcs is a major tourism operator and its plan for the site in Ballymahon, will see over 100,000 visitors come to the region annually. This equivalent to the number of tourists that visit Killarney, Co. Kerry each year".
"A key project to ensure that County Roscommon benefits from this announcement is the establishment of a national wetlands park on the Mount Dillon cutaway bogs between Sliabh Ban and the River Shannon".
"Presently, Bord na Mona is in the process of pulling out of peat extraction on 18,000 acres of bogland just north of Lough Ree in both Counties Roscommon & Longford and this provides County Roscommon with potential to capitalise on the Ballymahon announcement.
"The wetland park project has huge potential to attract tourists, particularly those who will visit Ballymahon, as the project is directly linked to the Mount Dillon bog complex, by the new cycleway along the Royal Canal, which comes as far as Termonbarry on the River Shannon".
"A feasibility study on the wetland park project has already been conducted in conjunction with the local community and UCD and there is now an opportunity to extend the current cycleway via the Mount Dillon bogs, from Termonbarry to Silabh Ban and on to the towns of Strokestown and Lanesborough/Ballyleague".
"It is important to note that at the moment 700,000 tourists participate in hiking and cross country walking in this country, something that Roscommon has in abundance. The Ballymahon development in conjunction with the Mount Dillon cutaway bog project, have the potential to bring tens of thousands of tourists to all parts of County Roscommon"
"A similar project at Lough Boora in County Offaly has already proving to be a great success and it is now imperative that we keep the Ballymahon tourists in the local area and not just see this as a base for tourists to visit costal attractions"
"I have already received the endorsement of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment for this bog project and the local committee have presented the proposal to the Department of Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht.
"Opening up these 18,000 acres just north of Lough Ree as a wetland park would not only be a major international draw for both eco and recreational tourism but would also have an added benefit of being able to extend the flood plain of the River Shannon during the winter period to provide enhanced water storage between Lough Allen and Lough Ree, thereby alleviating the extent of flooding on the River Shannon" concluded Denis Naughten.