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Consulate of Portugal in Turin
Portuguese Diplomatic mission in Italy. On this page you will find info on specific details such as consulate contact information, web presence, consular office hours and directions to the consulate. The consulate in Turin is not the only diplomatic representation of Portugal in Italy. On this page you can also find all other Portuguese consulates located in Italy.
Portuguese Honorary Consulate in Turin, Italy - Via Perrone, 16 - 10122 Torino - Italy
(+39) 011/5613934
(+39) 011/541468
Mr Alberto Baldini Confalonieri - Honorary Consul
Office Hours:
By appointment
Consulate Appointment
For an appointment at the Portuguese consulate in Italy, please check in first instance the consulate website roma.embaixadaportugal.mne.pt.
In the case that you are not able to arrange an appointment through the website you can contact the consulate in Turin by telephone (+39) 011/5613934 or email email@example.com
Visa and Passports
The consulate of Portugal in Turin can inform you about the scope of services they offer.
Always contact the Portuguese consulate before a visit since not every consulate in Italy offers visa and/or passport services.
Travel Insurance for Italy
A valid travel insurance is very important when you visit Italy. Check for details on our Travel page
Opening Hours
Please note: Consulate opening hours can vary. Always contact the Consulate before a visit.


text: This simple Balloon Darice Embossing Folder is perfect for any invitation or handmade card for birthday or other celebrations. Darice embossing folders can be used in a variety of embossing machines including the Cuttlebug and the Sizzix Big Shot, just to name a few. Approx. 4.25" x 5.75" in size.

subset: commoncrawl


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By Crispin Blunt
Britain's role in betraying the Palestinians means we have a duty to help solve the crisis. To do so, we must be able to talk to all stakeholders – and that includes the political wing of Hamas.
The UK parliament's feeble examination of the case for the proscription of the whole of Hamas – the majority party in the Palestinian Legislative Council, and the de facto administration of nearly two million people in the besieged enclave of Gaza – was a personal and institutional nadir in the cause of justice for the Palestinian people.
The Palestinian people have been on the wrong end of history for over a century, and the accumulated case of injustice to them, both individually and collectively, is now morally and legally overwhelming.
Contrast the action against Hamas with our approach to Israel. The laws of armed conflict are governed by the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the fourth of which affords protection to civilians, including in occupied territories. Israel ratified the conventions in 1951, and after the Six-Day War of 1967 found itself in occupation of new territory by conquest. You are simply not allowed to occupy someone else's territory, then expel civilians from it, and then settle it with your own people. The reasons that this is universally forbidden are obvious, with their roots in the post-Second World War settlement.
The UN's founding charter "reaffirms the legitimacy of the struggle of peoples for independence, territorial integrity, national unity and liberation from colonial domination, apartheid and foreign occupation by all available means, including armed struggle".
Painfully compromised
Whatever case you can make for it, and despite any potential legitimacy under international law, lethal violence hurts and corrupts the instigator as well as the victim – as all will condemn the killing of innocent people. However lofty you believe your principles, they are likely to be painfully compromised.
Hamas's use of violence as a political tool has been both short-sighted and counter-productive. It has reinforced the narrative used by Israel since its founding about the threat Israel, Israelis and Jews face globally. It also weakens sympathies for the Palestinian cause. The violence also leads to the Palestinian people paying a very high price for the moral and legal undermining of their cause, with no advance in their position.
Both sides have paid in civilian deaths, but it's far from equal. According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 38 Israeli citizens have been killed by Hamas's indiscriminate and unguided rocket attacks since 2000. On the other hand, the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that 5,983 Palestinian civilians have been killed between 2008-2020 as a result of Israeli air strikes, with an additional 131,000 injured.
With an annual military budget of $17.95bn in 2021, and an additional $3.8bn given by the US in military aid annually, Israel has one of the world's most advanced armed forces, with widespread access to sophisticated targeting systems. Yet the Palestinian civilian casualty figures confirm that even with Israel's much greater capacity than its opponents to target armed fighters, its actions are far from proportionate – another law of conflict ignored.
We have not proscribed the Israeli army – nor have we held to account any Israeli official involved in the indiscriminate use of artillery. The UK has voted for numerous UN resolutions but, along with much of the rest of the world, has done nothing as a consequence.
As a serious war crime by an accountable state (Israel) has drawn no effective sanction in over half a century, it's not difficult to put oneself in the position of an occupied or displaced Palestinian, or peoples inclined to be sympathetic to them – such as fellow Arabic speakers or co-religionists – and understand why they see the most egregious case of international double standards.
Hamas ban a 'smokescreen'
This also helps explain the widespread sympathy for the plight of the Palestinian people in western liberal nations seen as those most responsible for the double standards. And despite the centuries of oppression by their host countries culminating in the greatest crime in human history, many in Jewish communities around the world share this concern about the relative injustice, not least in Israel itself.
The official reason for the total proscription of Hamas – an inability to differentiate between the political and military parts of the movement – is a smokescreen. In the UK, for example, we accommodated the shading between Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Irish republican movement, while we were in open conflict with the IRA, its paramilitary wing, as this enabled popular support for the republican position to be expressed at the ballot box.
Such an accommodation helped undermine the case that violent resistance was the only option, and eventually led to a negotiated settlement that brought along most of those actively engaged in or supporting violent resistance.
So in Israel, while the state remains unsanctioned for an occupation in grave violation of international law, the proscription of the whole of Hamas can only make the prospect of any negotiated peace settlement more remote.
In its governance of Gaza, Hamas is responsible for the security of its population of two million. If it had no military wing, the security vacuum would quickly be filled by even less scrupulous organisations, such as Islamic Jihad or Islamic State.
Oslo Accords
So, how to understand the UK's move to ban Hamas in its entirety?
Along with the US, the UK has become incapable of judging Israel's actions using independent evidence and set against the values we claim to hold. The part of the Israeli polity that now holds control does not want to face up to addressing a century and more of injustice between Israelis and Palestinians.
If the prospect of a negotiated settlement can be put off, so much the better for Israel. Disrupting the creation of a unified Palestinian negotiating position has become a central feature of Israeli policy.
The Oslo Accords of 1993 and 1995, signed by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, brought the prospect of peace closer than ever. But the 1995 assassination of Rabin by an Israeli ultranationalist, the bus bombings carried out in Israel by Hamas, the separation barrier and the ensuing economic failure of Oslo have all played their part in the collapse of the agreement.
Putting Hamas beyond the pale keeps the prospect of a negotiated settlement unlikely, if not impossible. Keeping Palestinian representation in disputatious flux was, after all, part of the purpose in the support given by Israel to the creation of Hamas in the first place. This proscription is all of a piece.
Broken promises
Just over 100 years ago, in 1917, the UK government issued the Balfour Declaration, which, while aligning the UK with the objective of a safe homeland for Jews, recognised the rights of people already in Palestine.
We have delivered on the first half of that declaration, yet the second half is undelivered and largely forgotten: "It being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country."
It is evident that those existing non-Jewish communities have been prejudiced. Palestinian citizens of Israel face discrimination and racist abuse. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip live in what has frequently been described as the world's "largest open-air prison". Palestinians in the occupied West Bank face life under a modern apartheid – tried for civil crimes in Israeli military courts, where the rights of defendants are minimal, with a 99.74 per cent conviction rate.
The injustices that continue to exist as a result of broken British promises place a special onus on us to help solve this crisis. However, in order to assist, we must be able to talk to all stakeholders – and that includes the political wing of Hamas. If we are to dissuade them from the further use of force, we must engage them in dialogue and provide them with other recourses through which to resist the egregious breaches of international law that they face.
The proscription of Hamas will only hurt more innocents. It will limit the ability and willingness of British nationals and NGOs to conduct humanitarian work in the Gaza Strip. It will constrain our ability to engage with Hamas's political leaders to help find a route away from violence driven by despair. It will make the case to turn to self-defeating violence stronger among those vulnerable to the siren voices calling them there, as the injustice grows and gross western liberal double standards get worse, not better.
We must uphold the law and make it the vehicle by which we address this terrible imbalance of justice. The legal rights of Palestinians are just as important as the legal rights of Israelis or Britons.
Earlier this year, I helped found the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, in an effort to better coordinate legal work in jurisdictions around the world to promote and protect Palestinian rights through the law. We can demonstrate to Palestinians that there are other ways to resist, that do not involve killing and maiming the innocent, but grow the legal and moral strength of the Palestinian position.
If the UK doesn't wake up to the threat our double standards pose to the rules-based system we fought so hard to create, we will rue the day we abandoned our principles. What will global Britain be for then?
(Source / 11.12.2021)


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SINGAPORE - According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Singapore is "Criminally shiok".
The board has taken on the perceived negative portrayal of Singapore in a recent Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders episode, which drew much flak from netizens for its inaccurate depiction of the little red dot.
In answer, the board posted picturesque shots of Singapore on its Facebook page and quipped: "Is this what the 'dark side of paradise' looks like?"
STB's VisitSingapore Facebook page made the tongue-in-cheek post on Thursday (April 20) night.
The photographs show scenic views of Singapore's Marina Bay skyline, as well as accurate photos of Changi Airport and Makansutra Gluttons Bay.
The television episode, titled Cinderella And The Dragon and released on April 12, was Singapore-themed and contained references to the country that netizens slammed as stereotypical and inaccurate.
The show opened with a non-existent "Singapore proverb", written in Chinese, that says: "Where there is a sea, there are pirates."
VisitSingapore wrote its own slogan: "Visit Singapore: 'Criminally' Shiok". It added: "This is the real Singaporean 'proverb'. For the uninitiated, 'shiok' denotes an expression of extreme pleasure."
A special agent in the show referred to Geylang as "the dark side of paradise", calling it "an overcrowded slum with a thriving underworld", where the Ministry of Manpower sends foreign workers to stay.
STB countered with a photo of Geylang, adding: "Not quite the 'overcrowded slum' - Geylang's intricatey designed shophouses paint a pretty picture."
The post, which has garnered almost 700 likes and more than 170 shares, was praised by Facebook users.
A Ms Eleanor Oh wrote: "Well done guys! A classy response!"
Others simply gave the page a thumbs up.
The Singapore Police Force also cheekily referenced the episode in a post on their Facebook page on Friday.
It showed statistics showing crimes in Singapore that registered a 30-year low in 2016.
"Singapore was ranked first in Gallup's Law and Order 2016 report," said SPF. "Remember, our statistics show that we are not like what TV shows say! #CriminalMindsBeyondBorders".


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The Best Moisturizing Socks for Dry and Cracked Feet
Your humble pair of socks has gone a long way. Thanks to the combination of technological and medical advances, the socks of the 21st century are more than just something that you slip on before finally wearing your favorite pair of shoes. The socks of today have additional benefits apart from covering and protecting your feet. They even pamper your feet as you go along!
Our feet do not exactly get to have an off-season, because they keep on working for us all the time, all throughout the year. Our feet often get squeezed inside heavy boots during frigid winters; while they wear nothing but sandals under the punishing summer heat. Weather changes, together with our lifestyles and wearing inappropriate footwear, have led to a plethora of foot ailments such as dry and cracked feet.
Dry and cracked feet are a common problem among a lot of us. But we may not have the time to go a foot spa or to podiatrist to have our feet treated. Fortunately, these moisturizing socks are there to hydrate dry and cracked feet even as go about with our own daily routine. These moisturizing socks are beneficial especially to busy bees who may not have the time to treat themselves to a foot spa for the meantime.
These moisturizing socks basically have gel formulation in their lining, that's why they are sometimes called "moisturizing gel socks." They are designed to address your dry and cracked feet. One of the nice things about these socks is that you do not have to pause and take off your shoes to apply foot creams, oils or balms. These socks work by reducing dryness on your feet and restoring their natural softness and suppleness as you go along with your daily routine. You can also wear these moisturizing socks before going to bed (and we'd like to think that this is the best way to take advantage of these socks' benefits).
Due to the increasing conusmer demand as well as growing competition among manufacturers, these moisturizing socks have become more affordable than ever.
The following are some of the best moisturizing sock brands that are highly recommended by satisfied users themselves:
1. BelleSha Moisturizing Gel Socks
These socks are often advertised as "spa treatment in the comfort of your own home," and this claim could not be any truer! Like many other moisturizing socks, BelleSha Moisturizing Gel Socks feature specially formulated gel lining. They are guaranteed not to slip, slide or get out of place from your feet as these socks have "grippers" at the bottoms, making them comfortable to your feet. These socks also contain jojoba oil and vitamin which help in softening dry and coarse skin.
For best results, apply a moisturizing cream or lotion after taking a bath, then slip on these socks and let them remain on your feet for 30 to 60 minutes. Or, wear them before going to bed – you will see the big difference to your feet after you wake up!
2. ZenToes Moisturizing Heel Socks
These open-toed socks specifically target dry and cracked heels. ZenToes moisturizing socks help in healing and repairing ugly cracked toes while you do your daily routine or while you sleep. Once you remove these heel socks, you will see the big difference – your heels will feel soft and supple, and the cracks will become less visible too.
Like with many other moisturizing socks, ZenToes' effect on your heels will be better if you also use your favorite moisturizing lotion, cream or balm. Just apply your foot lotion, cream or balm onto your heels before wearing ZenToes moisturizing socks.
3. NatraCure Vented Gel Heel Sleeves
Most of the moisturizing socks on the market are made from thick cotton, which means they do not have a lot of breathability. However, NatraCure Vented Gel Heel Sleeves are made of breathable fabric that makes them perfect for people who lead active lifestyles, such as athletes. These open-toed socks specifically targets dry and cracked heels, helping to restore its natural softness and suppleness. These sleeves are formulated with vitamin E, shea butter and aloe vera which replenish lost suppleness, sooth and then soften the skin on your heels. One of the best things about these heel sleeves is that it can comfortably fit a variety of shoe sizes, including very large ones; they can also accommodate wide feet.
4. NatraCure 5-Toe Moisturizing Socks
These socks are something you need to moisturize the entirety of your foot, including between the toes and the cuticles. These gel socks are formulated with a variety of good stuff – vitamin E, a blend of high-grade botanical oils and aloe vera, among others. Wearing these socks feel like you're in a professional foot spa treatment but in the comfort of your own home. These socks are also hypoallergenic and washable so they are recommended for daily use. Wear them during the day or before going to bed.
5. Bememo Soft Ventilate Gel Heel Socks
If dry and cracked heels are especially an issue to you, get rid of them with Bememo Soft Ventilate Gel Heel Socks! Its open-toed design and light and soft fabric ensure breathability around your feet, while offering treatment to your dry, cracked and flaky heels. These socks are perfect for people whose active lifestyles tend to make their feet feeling hot, stifling and sweaty. These socks will make the feet and heels cool all day long. They are perfect for a variety of shoe sizes owing to their elasticity.
How to take care of moisturizing socks
Taking care of moisturizing socks will ensure them a longer useful life.
Most of these socks go by with simple hand washing, so do not ever wash them in the washing machine. Also, apply only mild detergent to clean and wash these socks. Do not use bleach or any other caustic detergent. Do not also dry-clean them.
As for drying moisturizing socks, they prefer to be air-dried under the shade. Do no put them to dry under direct sunlight.


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|– Italy's Veneto banking meltdown destroyed 200,000 savers and 40,000 businesses
– EU bail-in rules have wiped out billions for savers and and businesses, with more at risk
– Bail-ins are not unique to Italy, all Western savers are at risk of seeing savings disappear
– Counterparty-free, physical gold bullion is best defence against bail-ins
|One of Italy's twenty regions is calling for more autonomy from the state following a nonbonding referendum. Why? Because a government supported 'rescue package' caused the lifesavings of 200,000 savers to be wiped out during the implosions of Popolare di Vicenza and Veneto Banca.
Since then the banks have been rescued in one way or another yet the impact of the collapse on individuals and small businesses is only just becoming clear.
As in Spain's Catalonia the region of Veneto is wealthier than the average Italian region, with its own industries and language yet it has been left with a pile of ash when it comes to its banking sector.
The region is proud to be the home of successful brands such as Benetton, De'Longhi, Geox and Luxottica. But it is the 40,000 small businesses that are in a state of limbo unable to pay workers, find credit or operate on a day-to-day basis.
Sadly the case of Veneto is one of a growing list of regions of banking customers that have been destroyed due to the incompetence of national authorities and the overbearing powers of the EU.
Profitable businesses take the hit
What is seen is as surprising to many reading about the story of Veneto is that profitable, stable businesses are also suffering as a result of a banking collapse.
When someone's savings are wiped out, that isn't the end of the nightmare. Many businesses were exposed to those banks both through credit and shares.
Many businesses operate on credit. This happens in companies of all scales and levels of success. The businesses that borrowed from the two Veneto banks are now in a state of limbo. They have no line of credit due to their exposure to the collapsed banks.
This is despite a government-led body stepping into help manage the fallout and finances of the ruined institutions. Bloomberg explains:
Bail-in of the first resort
Italians are in very deep financially when it comes to their banking system. The 2015 IMF report states:
That is all money that will just disappear overnight in the case of bank failure. In some cases, it already has.
In Italy a common problem has been that savers and businesses were persuaded to invest in subordinated (junior) bonds by their bank managers.
By 2015 over €31 billion of retail sub bonds had been sold to retail investors. Retail investors are ordinary savers and small businesses.
Italy Structure of Bank Bonds, Q2 2015
|These bondholders are seen as creditors. The same type of creditor that EU rules state must take responsibility for a bank's financial failure, rather than the taxpayer. This is a bail-in scenario.
In a bail-in scenario the type of junior bonds held by the retail investors in the street is the first to take the hit. When the world's oldest bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena collapsed ordinary people (who also happen to be taxpayers) owned €5 billion ($5.5 billion) of subordinated debt. It vanished.
A 2015 IMF study found that the majority of Italy's 15 largest banks a bank rescue would 'imply bail-in of retail investors of subordinated debt'. Only two-thirds of potential bail-ins would affect senior bond-holders.
Nothing will respect you like gold does
People Trust in Banks
Why put so much faith in the bank? Because, despite many financial crises in the last 100 years, savers and businesses still believe their money will be safe.
The graph above shows just how much we still trust our banks. The least trusting country is Italy yet their exposure has been so great, imagine what damage will be done when the likes of the UK, US or Germany face a bail-in situation.
In Italy where banks have been around for literally hundreds of years, many family business owners are still dealing with bank accounts, investments and loans their ancestors organised a century ago.
This kind of relationship can lead to an almost Stockholm Syndrome situation. Despite receiving consistency bad treatment from your bank you want to support it and help it out. You still trust it. So when the bank suggests you hold shares then you take their advice.
Of course what everyone forgets is that banks are not there to look after you. They are there to make money. They do this almost instantly the second you deposit funds, it's their money. The second you take out a loan, they own you. The second you buy shares, they have a license to be reckless.
Naively treating anything other than gold like gold is the first step in financial mismanagement. Nothing is like physical, allocated and segregated gold. For a start it is all yours.
Is your government or the EU there for you? Don't bet on it
A bail-in forces creditors of a bank to shoulder losses when the firm fails. The term covers cover every case of creditor loss-sharing when a bank goes belly-up.
This is different to events we saw during the 2008 financial crisis when taxpayers tended to bail-out banks. Since 2016 European Union rules have stated there must be a bail-in before a government bailout is allowed.
Governments would clearly like to prevent savings of hardworking individuals and businesses from being wiped out. However they are fearful of the EU, trying to skirt their bail-in rules would no doubt sour relations with a body that is keen to stick to rules it only recently passed.
There is a conflict of interest it seems between pleasing the EU and doing the right thing by voters.
Given Brexit and now Catalonia the EU is unlikely to be in the mood to bend its rules for another troublesome country. This is despite it costing the EU's own citizens billions of euros in lost savings and investments.
This is a risk for the EU, especially in Italy where there is already strong anti-EU sentiment. The case of Veneto, where 75% require more power and 15% would like to see total autonomous rule is another Catalonia again. A further sign of increased populism thanks to an overbearing and indifferent EU.
|Invest in gold, or prepare to fail
Depositors and investors should be aware of their country's requirements when it comes to keeping their money safe in the banks. Whilst bail-ins will at present only hurt those who hold deposits above EUR 100,000, there is little stopping the protected amount being decreased, or ignored altogether.
For those living in the EU, the European Commission has forced all 28 countries to implement bail-in legislation. This means depositors must be more vigilant than ever about the health of a particular bank, and the risk exposure of their portfolio. This means diversifying your invesments and decreasing the level of counterparty exposure.
One area of portfolio diversification that is growing due to concerns over the safety of bank accounts, is gold investment which saw a 15% climb in Q2 of 2016. Europe, in 2015, showed the largest regional demand for gold bars and coins (an increase of 12% year on year).
Key Considerations
|Unallocated gold is as much at risk as any other asset exposed to counterparties. Savers and businesses can protect their wealth by investing in allocated gold, in segregated accounts. This gives your outright legal ownership. There are no counterparties who can pop along after going bust and take what is legally theirs. It cannot be made to disappear overnight.
Gold is the financial insurance against bail-ins, political mismanagement and overreaching government bodies.
Oil Monthly Gain, Oct 2016 - 2017
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Tags: Daily Market Update,newslettersent


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AP: They are the shock troops of Iran's Islamic Revolution, the men who helped seize the U.S. embassy a generation ago
and bore the brunt of their country's eight-year war with Iraq.
The vast and well-funded Revolutionary Guards are still the most potent force available to the regime. The Associated Press
By BRIAN MURPHY
TEHRAN, Iran They are the shock troops of Iran's Islamic Revolution, the men who helped seize the U.S. embassy a generation ago and bore the brunt of their country's eight-year war with Iraq.
The vast and well-funded Revolutionary Guards are still the most potent force available to the regime. And their network of soldiers and vigilantes may be hungry for even more clout as Iran faces new pressures over its nuclear ambitions, the war in Iraq and the approach of Iran's critical presidential election next year, analysts say.
A vivid example is Tehran's new international airport. It was supposed to showcase a new, more outward-looking Iran. Flights should have begun months ago. Instead, it's empty and controlled by the Revolutionary Guards, who shut it down because they suspected the company hired to help operate it could have business ties to their archenemy, Israel.
Those terminals gathering dust on Tehran's desert outskirts may be a sign that Iran's theocracy is loosening the reins on the guards at a sensitive time, some analysts think. This could mean a retrenching of hard-line positions rather than a move toward compromise with the West on pivotal issues such as Iran's nuclear program.
"The climate is ready for the Revolutionary Guards to play a bigger role," said Tehran-based political analyst Saeed Ale Agha.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his inner circle feel buffeted from many directions.
The United States is warning Iran to keep its distance from Shiite Muslim brethren in neighboring Iraq. Iran also is facing an uphill struggle to convince the West its nuclear programs are for energy, not arms. Presidential elections next year to replace the exhausted reformist camp of Mohammad Khatami could again bring political feuds to a boil.
The more than 200,000-member corps of Revolutionary Guards which is independent of the ordinary armed forces have a direct pipeline to the leadership and a broad mandate to confront "dangers" to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The guards carry considerable prestige for their front-line role during the 1980-88 war with Iraq and direct the volunteer militia known as the "basij," which some estimates say includes 15 percent of the population, or about 10 million people.
But it doesn't stop there. The Revolutionary Guards oversee such vital and lucrative interests as oil platforms, pipelines and dams, and the airport affair suggests they are reaching into new areas of politics and the economy.
"It's no surprise that Iran's leaders could be turning to institutions such as the Revolutionary Guards," said Gary Samore, a senior researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. "This is a period of many uncertainties for Iran, and the Revolutionary Guards represent a reliable fallback position for the establishment."
The airport seizure was a lesson in how far they will go and how little anyone can do about it.
The guards shut down the $200 million airfield on the first day of scheduled flights in May, citing security risks. They feared possible business links between Israel and a Turkish company with the contract to co-manage the airport.
The government and liberal lawmakers protested, but in vain. The conservative-dominated parliament, which includes former officers and sympathizers of the guards, voted Oct. 4 to impeach the transport minister over complaints topped by the airport deal.
There's suspicion although unproven that the Revolutionary Guards are actively supporting militant Shiite factions in Iraq. But no one questions the Guards' deep influence over Iran's most hard-line policies, including opposition to any political thaw with Washington.
These days, heightened anxiety is evident. Iranian Web sites, Friday prayer leaders and political commentators all are chewing over scenarios of a U.S. or Israeli strike, and the Revolutionary Guards do nothing to discourage the nail-biting.
"[President"> Bush won't hesitate to attack Iran if he wins the elections," a senior Revolutionary Guards commander, Hojatoleslam Mojtaba Zolnour, told a gathering last month.
Ehsan Ahrari, an international-affairs commentator based in Norfolk, Va., traced the guards' resurgence to the U.S.-led attacks that toppled the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan.
"Iran has been nervous that they could be next. Iraq only made it worse," he said. "The Revolutionary Guards are borderline paranoid. This is why they could be seeking as much control as possible."


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Background: A causal relationship between occlusal discrepancies and periodontal disease has been postulated in the past. However, animal studies and clinical studies have not been able to clearly demonstrate or rule out this potential relationship. Methods: The records from a private practice limited to periodontics were reviewed to find patients who had complete periodontal examination records, including occlusal analysis, that were recorded at least 1 year apart. Patients who fit these criteria were divided into a group who had none of the recommended treatment (untreated n = 30), those that had only nonsurgical treatment (partially treated n = 18), and a control group that had complete all recommended treatment (surgically treated n = 41). The data for each tooth of each patient, including occlusal status, were placed in a database and analyzed using the generalized estimating equations (GEE) method to test for associations between initial occlusal discrepancies and various initial clinical parameters while adjusting for significant confounders. Results: Teeth with initial occlusal discrepancies were found to have significantly deeper initial probing depths (P
|Original language
|English (US)
|Pages (from-to)
|Number of pages
|Journal of periodontology
|Issue number
|Published - Apr 2001
|Externally published
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Periodontics


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Hey Gorgeous People!
So I decided that I would do a quick video just to show my love any support to some lovely ladies that I love to watch :)
Each of these girls are just soo different and unique! They all have different styles and looks and thats what I LOVE watching!
Defo check out the girls I mentioned.... links below to each lady!!


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Cydia Impactor is adaptable programming, accessible on Windows, Linux, and Mac working frameworks, which can play out various undertakings for both iOS and Android stage. Today we'll know how we can utilize Cydia Impactor to introduce diverse iOS IPA applications and records without requiring a jailbroken gadget.
Initially, when this product was created by Saurik in 2013, it was a gadget administration apparatus to escape android telephones utilizing the "Ace Key" endeavor.
Later on, Saurik discharged a Cydia change with a similar name for iPhone and iPad gadgets to evacuate the escape without reestablishing the gadget to the crisp firmware.
Keeping in mind the end goal to maintain a strategic distance from the perplexity between these two bundles, the engineer renamed the device as Cydia Eraser for iOS gadgets.
Table Of Contents
What Is Cydia Impactor?
The first Cydia Impactor was re-coded then to present new components for both Android and iOS stages. Its most imperative component is to sign and introduce the IPA on iOS and APK records on Android. It is one of the most loved applications for some engineers to sideload the applications for testing reasons.
With 86% of clients as of now refreshed to some variant of iOS 10, it would appear that the vast majority of us here are not jailbroken. This implies we need to live with the confinements on our iOS gadgets. Fortunately, an escape for iOS 10.2 has as of now been discharged. Actually, one of the prerequisites to escape your iOS 10.2 is to utilize Cydia Impactor. Now that you're here, perused along to discover what this device does.
Apple just allows applications to go live to the general population in the event that they take after the App Store rules. That being stated, emulators and screen recorders are a BIG no. While they do no damage to our gadget, it's difficult to obtain one from the authority App Store.
Be that as it may, with the assistance of Cydia Impactor, you can without much of a stretch introduce any applications as.IPA document to your iPhone. We investigated a considerable measure of these applications on our site and furthermore gave you devoted IPA documents also. That is most likely one reason why you arrived on this page, to download and discover how to utilize the device.
What Are The Features Of Cydia Impactor?
Here below are some best Cydia Impactor Features & Benefits:
- You can Root Android Device Using Cydia Impactor.
- You can Install USB Driver with the use of a Cydia Impactor.
- Fastboot and Bootloader Unlock
- Package Installation
- Install Jailbreak Applications
- Inbuild Driver
- Bridging Connection
What are the Uses of Cydia Impactor?
For iOS:
- Works on all non-jailbroken devices
- 100% secure and easy to use.
- You can Install Tweaked Apps and Hacked Games on iPhone
- Cydia Impactor Help in Installing different applications from 3rd party sources by using IPA Extension.
For Android:
- Install Custom recoveries, Root Packages, and ROMs.
- Install Modded Games which is not available in Google Play Store.
- Unlimited Download of themes for Android.
- Download Different Application that is not allowed in the Google Play Store.
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text:
The tensions between North Korea and U.S are escalating day by day; daily, there's news about North Korea issuing warnings to U.S due to its aggressive behavior. If such things continue, no one would be able to avoid World War 3.
Now, North Korea has issued one more warning & has said that it will wipe U.S "Off the face of the Earth". The country has accused U.S of planning some chemical weapons attack, which it believes will destroy Kim Jong-Un.
As per a new report that was published, North Korea blamed U.S of planning "Unprecedented disaster" on the country.
Even North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un stated that instead of silently bearing the attack, they would destroy U.S by retaliating in an equally dangerous manner.
Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea had a report that read,
"The DPRK will never remain a passive onlooker to the moves of the US to provoke a biochemical war against it but will conclude the standoff with the US, the empire of evils, by wiping it off the face of the Earth."
The state newspaper added that there was enough evidence that US is ready for this chemical attack; it has reportedly transported weapons to Busan, a South Korean city. According to reports, U.S has the ambition of dominating the world and hence, it is leaving no stone unturned to prepare for this war.
Further, Kim Jong-Un also said that U.S shouldn't take this warning lightly as the consequences would be unfavorable. After North Korea's failed missile launch, everyone is making fun of this country.
Don't you think this enmity will destroy both the nations? Share your views in our comments section below.
Share Your Views In Comments Below


text:
Investment trends: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) briefing
Trade, Industry and Competition
14 August 2015
Chairperson: Ms J Fubbs (ANC)
Meeting Summary
The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) gave a presentation to the Committee on investment trends in South Africa. Investment formed an important pillar of the President's nine-point plan to grow the economy. Investment trends provided a very reliable predictor of future growth in an economy, along with statistics on the proportion of gross domestic fixed investment, as seen in strong economies like Japan and America. The proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) for strong economies was around 30%, but South Africa was currently at around 20%, with 30% targeted for 2030. To date, investments had been driven by profit or returns, the cost structure in the economy and the domestic demand. Each investment must be assessed for its profitability. Dti also had to ensure a reduction of red tape and promotion of greater regulatory efficiencies for matters such as work permits, electricity connections and licensing, and dti had set up a special unit to deal with this.
Slides were tabled on the investment trends, showing figures and trends both prior to and after 2008. There had been an upward trend in GDFI in 2013, and 2014, with R620 billion invested overall, and R140 billion of direct foreign investment. Most foreign investors were investing in plant and machinery, and operating in the manufacturing sector, and although there was 42% foreign ownership overall, many of those foreign firms had been in the country for hundreds of years and were expanding. At the moment, about 60% of GDP was derived from the private sector, and it was important to drive private sector investment in order to boost GDFI, as well as investment by the State-owned companies. It was necessary to distinguish the different sectors of the economy and to target growth in agriculture and agro-industries. Over-reliance on the mining sector meant that other sectors, such as steel industries that supplied to mines, were also seeing problems. Government had been spending in a positive way on public infrastructure and renewables, but this was still only at 10% of GDP investment. An analysis was tabled for increases in general government expenditure, and the rate of growth of the private sector investment, which was expected to slow by 0.9% for future years.
The analysis of the FDI flows into South Africa was tabled. South Africa was a major investment destination on the Continent, and the top destination for FDI projects, and some of the reasons were outlined, as well as the split in USA, UK, German, Japanese, French and Indian companies, and a description of some of their investments. South Africa had 116 FDI projects at the moment. It was noted that a big driver of investment was the six industrial development zones (IDZs) that had attracted R10 billion. In the special economic zones (SEZs) foreigners were still the biggest investors.
The dti described its one-stop shops or investment clearing houses that would be established to assist in fast-tracking the FDIs, and it was emphasised that whilst the operations would be centralised in the dti, there would be strong linkages with several other departments, to help to speed up, for instance, environmental certificates, visas, work permits and licences. South Africa had a high value proposition and was ranked highly on various aspects of efficiency.
Comments and questions raised by MPs revolved around the importance of private sector investment since it constituted 60% of the GDFI and the fall out of South Africa noted in a 2015 survey conducted by AT Kearney, due to lack of regulatory clarity and lack of willingness to engage in economic reform. Members questioned whether mergers and acquisition numbers were not skewing the results, and wanted different figures excluding these. They asked about the projected negative impact of having a higher FDI rate and a lower domestic investment rate on the economy. They felt that the dti should be actively communicating the positive stories of the South African economy, and asked what the dti planned to strengthen state owned companies, and how it intended to achieve coordination of approach and implementation with the provinces and municipalities. More questions addressed how dti was attempting to deal with skills needed for economic growth; the possibility of achieving NDP targets, the standards used to measure Japanese investment in the country, expectations from the SEZs in the near future; and the possibility of job creation on low, medium or large scale.
Meeting report
Up-scaling private-sector investment: Department of Trade and Industry briefing
Mr Lionel October, Director General, Department of Trade and Industry, said that the presentation by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti or the Department) would address one element of the President's Nine Point Plan to grow the economy.
He noted that watching the investment trends of an economy was the most reliable predictor of future growth in an economy. Other important statistics to consider were the proportion of gross domestic fixed investment (GDFI) as seen in strong economies like Japan and America. The proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) for strong economies had to be in the region of 30%. South Africa was currently at 20% and the national development plan (NDP) had proposed that the 30% target should be reached by 2030. South Africa was doing reasonably well but it had to reach a 25% mark in the next few years and then meet the 30% mark, in order to become a prosperous economy.
It was important to identify the fundamental forces that drove investments. So far, investments had been driven by the amount of profit or returns, the cost structure in the economy and the domestic demand. It was therefore important to consider if an investment was profitable in a country's economy. The dti must also ensure that all 'red tape' with regard to investment was cut out and regulatory efficiencies were put in place to assist with the turn-around times for issuing of work permits, electricity connections and water licenses. A system had been put in place, as a clearing house, with heads of unit to attend to this.
Mr October tabled slides on the investment trends. His first graph showed the GDFI (see attached document). The post-financial crisis period showed a steady growth, depicting a 20% growth. The statistics showed an upward trend in the GDFI for 2013 and 2014. The GDFI showed that R620 billion had been invested. The second graph (see attached document) showed the foreign direct investment (FDI). South Africa had showed an impressive growth in FDI. R140 billion worth of investments was attracted into the country in 2013 and 2014. There was a slight fall between 2013 and 2014, but the investments recorded in 2014 were still double the figures of 2012. Foreign investors in the country were investing in plant and machinery, and South African firms were mostly in the manufacturing sector. South Africa's FDI stock was at 42%, which meant that 42% of the economy was owned by foreign investors. This was a high figure, even by international standards, as the average in the world was about 25%. However, many of the multi-nationals in South Africa had been in the country for hundreds of years or more. For instance, Unilever built its first factory in Port Elizabeth in the 1920s. Many of these companies were currently expanding. Another reason for the high proportion of FDI stock was because South Africa had a highly sophisticated and deep financial market which made it very easy for investors to raise capital, even domestically, for investments.
South Africa had a mixed-market economy but was fundamentally a private-sector driven economy with over 60% of its GDP derived from the private sector. In order to increase the GDFI to 30%, it was important to principally drive private sector investment, as well as investment by the State-owned companies(SOCs). It was also important to distinguish between the different sub-sectors of the economy. He noted that the economy was currently facing a massive decline in mining investment because of the drop in demand from China and the fall in commodity prices. A graph showing the three different sectors of mining, agriculture and manufacturing was tabled. Not much was expected from mining because the commodity's super-cycle was over, and the previously high prices achieved for coal and iron ore would not continue after the post-financial crisis. The fall in the mining industry was a global trend. The economy's growth therefore had to come from two other sectors – agriculture and agro-industries, as well as manufacturing. dti was mainly targeting an FDI growth in those two sectors. The over-reliance on the mining sector led to linkages with other sectors of the economy. For instance, a large part of the construction industry and the manufacturing industry supported and supplied the mining industry. This was a reason for the current crisis in the steel industry, because new mines were no longer built and manufacturing equipment were not being purchased. A positive trend, however, was that the manufacturing investment had become relatively strong. More work had to be done in the agricultural sector, because of the demand for food.
There was growth in the private sector but it was not yet at the desired level (30%). As mentioned earlier, the GDP was 20.3% as at 2014, which was still insufficient. Government spending had been strong because government had been spending on schools, hospitals, clinics and other public infrastructure. General government spending was positive, but it only amounted to about 10% of the GDP investment. It had also been positive because of spending on renewable energy, which had been strong, but on the other hand investment levels for finance in the system were still low.
Mr October moved to consider the future investment trends. He firstly tabled the analysis for the expected increase in general government expenditure (see slide 8). A slowing down by public corporations, by 0.9%, was projected for future years. Private sector investment had been forecast to grow at 6.3%. The private sector was indeed growing, but not growing fast enough. Graphs showing a further breakdown of the sub-components of findings from the private sector into the sub-sectors of the economy was highlighted (see slide 9).
The analysis of the FDI flows into South Africa showed that from 2003, there was a massive and consistent increase, with a pick-up on flows noticed from 2008. South Africa had been known to be the new investment destination in the African continent. It was the largest recipient of FDI on the continent, and was still being used as the basis for expansion and principal gateway on to the continent.
A survey conducted by Ernst and Young released earlier this year made reference to a fall in FDI project numbers, but a surge in capital investment and job creation surge. This meant that Africa was still attracting investment demands. South Africa remained the top destination for FDI projects in 2014, having received twice as many FDI projects as any other African country, due to its diverse economy. South Africa was the only economy on the continent that offered a diverse agricultural, agro-processing, manufacturing, mining, financial services and tourism industry mix. South Africa also had the best infrastructure on the continent, and its ease of doing business was an added advantage. The survey showed that Africa was a growing continent but South Africa was leading in investments on the continent.
The companies that had come to invest in South Africa were highlighted and it was noted that many of these companies had been in South Africa since 1994 and had continued to expand since then. The United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Japan, France, and India had 700, 600, 600, 280, 185 and 120 companies respectively who were doing business in South Africa. A very strong Japanese, Indian and Chinese investment had also been recorded as these countries were expanding their investments in South Africa.
The investment pipeline for 2014 was R43 billion. A division in the Department of Trade and Industry was responsible for monitoring every investment that came into the country and helping the investors with all the needed regulatory processes. One of the biggest investors was Unilever who had invested R4 billion and had expanded four new plants in the country over the past three years. Gestamp was a company in the renewable energy field, situated in the Western Cape, that had invested R220 million. Toyota had just completed the building of a new taxi and mini vehicle plant by which it had added over 10 000 employees to its staff. Samsung had set out roots in its first ever direct investment in the country. Big investments had also been noted in the Call Centre Industry (CCI). Other companies like Vodafone, showing substantial foreign investment in advanced manufacturing and growing services sectors, were highlighted. A breakdown of the figures and the investment trends were highlighted in graphs (see slide 13 and 14 of the attached document). A financial crisis took place in 2008 but it was noted that the investments began to pick up in the 2000s. Prior to that time, the last time the country had experienced serious investment growth was in the 1970s and early 1980s, after which there was a decline before the investment growth picked up again in the 2000s. This was mainly driven by the commodity cycle as well as by debt and consumption spending in 2000s.
Another graph showing the top ten FDI stocks in Africa was highlighted (see slide 15 of the attached document). South Africa was leading other countries by far in FDI stocks. It was noted that UK was still the biggest and oldest investor in South Africa, investing 32% in the economy. One of UK's biggest investments was Vodafone. Unilever was originally a Dutch company but now had a majority British shareholding. USA was also a big investor at 23% through Procter and Gamble, investments in the IT and pharmaceutical sectors in USA. It was noted that these investment trends were likely to continue. In 2014, South Africa had 116 projects while the next biggest African country (Nigeria) had 43 projects.
Dti was working vigorously to implement the National Development Plan (NDP) which spoke a lot about diversification, and reaching the 30% goal of GDP. There were some legacy challenges facing dti in raising the levels of foreign investment and domestic investment. The biggest obstacle was the under-investment in energy, roads, rails, and ports, and these were the main bottlenecks to expansion. Many companies had to transport their goods by trucks instead of by rail, due to these challenges. Dealing with the infrastructural constraints would help in meeting the NDP target.
One of the biggest drivers for raising the level of FDI was the creation of industrial development zones (IDZs). South Africa currently had six IDZs and 59 investors on site producing goods and services. These investors had attracted R10 billion. The sub-sectors were also highlighted. For instance, the IDZ in Coega in the Eastern Cape had a diversified range, from business processing and call centres, to automotive works built by the Chinese, agro-processing and steel by the Indians. East London focused mainly on automotive while Saldahna majored in oil and gas services.
The profile of investment in the special economic zones (SEZs) were highlighted. The biggest investors were still the foreign investors, as they made up 50% in Coega and 37% in East London.
Progress was being made in finalising all the regulations. A board had been established for the SEZs and a supporting secretariat had been approved. Dti was close to completing the feasibility studies for the new eight SEZs. The one in Free State had gone to Cabinet and had been approved. It should be launched very soon by the President. There was also good progress noticed in the investment in Musina, as well as in Atlantis in the Western Cape zone, and in Upington. There were two big investments that had been confirmed - the Toyota expansion and the production of anti-retroviral tablets. Dti was busy with the paperwork on these.
It was decided, as part of the nine-point plan in fast-tracking the FDIs, to establish the one-stop shops or investment clearing house. A new division was created in dti to work solely on investments. This central module operation would be located in the Department but it would have very strong links to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to help with the easy processing of visas and work permit applications. It would also have a nodule point with the Department of Environment (DoE) to help with the speeding up of environmental certificates, as well as another nodule point with the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) to assist with the issuance of water licenses. Plans were under way to take all these processes online in order to have an e-governance system for issuing of licenses. The key point was to create regulatory efficiencies and one-stop shops, part of which would be located in the Presidency to help with getting the full cooperation of all departments. Dti also had plans to establish clear standards for investment best practices. The one-stop shops would also be working with the one-stop shops in the IDZs, and would also work with the provinces to ensure a smooth window for investors when they came into the country. There was already a Gauteng investment centre.
Mr October highlighted the value proposition that South Africa had for foreign investors. On the rankings of the World Economic Investors' Forum, South Africa was ranked number 1 in the world for its auditing and reporting standards, number 1 in the efficacy of its corporate boards and strong corporate governance structures, number 1 in terms of the Companies Act revisions that were passed recently for the protection of minority shareholders, number 1 in the regulation of its stock exchange; and number 1 in the legal rights index. South Africa ranked number 2 for the availability of financial services; number 3 for the soundness of its banks; number 10 for the strength of investor protection; and number 11 for the quality of air transport infrastructure. Dti would be going on a reinvigorated marketing drive. As was indicated at the launch of the SEZs and the new SEZ Act, dti would be combining the marketing operations of all economic zones in order to present one value proposition for the country.
One of the biggest challenges facing the Department in reaching the 30% target was that regulatory inefficiencies cut across many provinces, and differing time scales applied in different provinces for things like getting electricity connections. Dti had plans to standardise these regulatory issues across the country in order to have one compelling regulation across the board for all investors. Another challenge was the need to stabilise the demand conditions for companies to sell their products in the country. The other biggest challenge was the infrastructure constraint. There was a need to get a strong plan for rail, like the one already in existence for energy. The upgrading of the ports had started in Saldahna and Richard's Bay. It was also important to increase the localisation opportunities. Mr October used the automobile industry as an example, simply because many of the automobile companies were already in the country because of the South African development, and said it would be important to ensure that, by way of crafting incentives carefully, these companies localised not just the assembly of these cars but the making of the components as well. It was, however, important to first attract foreign investors that may start with basic assembly, before expanding the investment to component manufacturing.
Dti was working with businesses in areas such as regulations, education and skills, and in stabilising the laboring relations environment.
Mr N Koornhof (ANC) said that the Institute for Security Studies Africa (ISSA) recently had a seminar and produced an interesting paper on South Africa that said that the perennial source of crisis in the media was not supported by the deeper analysis of the economy. The presentation did show that the private sector was far more important, since 60% of the GDFI came from the private sector, which would thus be the most important partner for growth and employment in South Africa. The ISSA paper also noted that without a new revolution in policy coherence and efficiency, South Africa would face a lot of problems. The one-stop shop was a good idea, but it would be good to see the Department focus on getting out of the silo mentality, and to establish policy coherence that would cut across all departments. It was suggested that ISSA be invited to engage with the Committee.
Mr G Hill-Lewis (DA) appreciated the honesty of the presentation, in terms of identifying the challenges or obstacles to investment in South Africa, as well as its assessment of the value of private sector investment. He recommended that this presentation be made at the next Cabinet meeting. It was noted that South Africa had dropped off completely, from the 2015 survey conducted by AT Kearney on the top 25 most attractive investment destinations in the world, although it had been ranked thirteenth in 2014. This was a point of serious concern and the reasons for the fallout should be closely examined. The AT Kearney report referred to a lack of regulatory clarity as one of the reasons for South Africa's fallout. This was an area that was known to the Department, and mentioned in the presentation as one of the areas that needed more work. The report also mentioned the lack of willingness to engage in economic reform. The concerns raised in that report should be examined, carefully considered and responded to appropriately.
The Chairperson asked that details of the report be circulated to the dti and Members.
Mr Koornhof took issue with some of the numbers quoted, saying that the GDFI numbers included the mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and these were not job creating investments. The Department was asked to produce investment numbers that excluded M&A activities in order to get a sense of the real investment numbers in the country.
Mr B Mkongi (ANC) wanted to know what future negative implication could arise from having an FDI rate of 42% while the domestic investment of the country was 20%. He asked if there was an aggressive plan within the Department to establish a dedicated unit that would communicate the positive stories of the country's economy to the public, since it often seemed that dti was "under siege" from the media, which mostly published negative news about the Department. He asked what dti aimed to do to encourage small and medium scale enterprises and cooperatives in South Africa's mixed-market economy dominated by private sector investment; and what the inherent challenge was to the development of strong State-Owned Companies that could also drive economic growth.
Mr M Kalako (ANC) wanted to know if there was proper coordination between the programmes set up by dti and government policies, to ensure that they were also implemented and followed by provinces and if the appropriate time had come for the ANC Council to begin to consider a centralized programme for all provinces to ensure uniformity in projects. This might lead to a constitutional issue due to the splitting of powers between municipalities and provinces. However, the trends in the programmes of the Department showed that the programmes were geared towards attracting the private sector, which made the private sector benefit more from dti's programmes and incentives. The element of coordination and centralisation was important in dealing with red-tape, efficiency of regulations, making prompt investment decisions, and implementing policies. He also wanted to know how the relevant unit in dti would invest in skills needed by the economy. He called for comment on the comparison between the good state of the economy as highlighted in the presentation, and the current level of unemployment.
Mr J Esterhuizen (IFP) wanted to know if the NDP targets would materialise. He highlighted the challenges facing government investment as traceable to the fiscal consolidation path that government was following. He noted that this would mean limited spending, reduction of budget spending, and setting a ceiling for the next financial year at about R101.1 trillion, while the inflation rate was 7% for the 20 million public servants. He questioned what money would go back to support new initiatives and how policies would be diverted to job creation, as well as the implementation of FDI.
The Chairperson wanted to know about the new unit that was set up in dti. She asked what base was being used by dti to measure Japanese investment in South Africa and what the Japanese invested in. She wanted comment on the effect of the instability of the economy on job losses. She asked what the SEZs were expected to achieve, especially since the primary purpose of SEZs was not job creation. She asked when it could be expected that a significant number of jobs would be created and if these jobs would be created on a low scale, medium scale or across the board.
Mr October said that the importance of the ISSA paper was the distinction that was drawn between the structural factors in the economy and the political opinions. The study also concurred with the view that the fundamental forces were in favour of the country, and it gave two reasons for that. One was that South Africa was part of a growing continent and South Africa could be the major supplier of agro-processed products and manufacturing products in the continent, which was the source of the economic growth. The second reason was the favourable demography of the country, in terms of its population, and the size of its business class. This could be seen from South Africa's substantial foreign investment and strong domestic private sector, which no other country on the continent showed so strongly.
The Department was focusing on the red-tape and the one-stop shop. The Minister of Trade and Industry had made a presentation on the one-stop shops to the Cabinet. The reason for creating the one-stop shops was necessitated by a need to move away from a silo-approach. It did not mean that the activities would be centralised, but it did require an increase in coordination, as well as setting common norms and standards for provinces.
Mr October said that the issues raised by Mr Hill-Lewis further showed the gap between perception and reality. There was a common perception about the fundamental weakness of South Africa's economy. This perception gap could be linked to surveys conducted on people who had already invested on the African continent and those who had not. For instance, one survey showed that 30% of non-investors believed that things would not improve on the African continent, while 81% of foreign investors on the continent strongly believed that things would improve. Those investors who were already on the continent could tell for themselves that the consumer market was growing, but the media would not project this. The perception gap and the change in methodology were reasons for the drop in world ranking.
It was important to note that any FDI in the productive sectors of the economy was positive. There could be no bad FDI in the manufacturing, agriculture and mining industry of a country. The FDI could only go bad if there was a greater use of the local supply chain, and if companies wanted to make use of the intellectual property alone. All the FDIs in South Africa had been positive, including the positive role played by Walmart in the supply and development, by taking black suppliers into its supply chain and exporting South African wines to stores in the US. There had also been access to global supply chain. 60% of world trade was amongst multi-nationals. South Africa's 42% FDI rate was therefore a positive one.
There was a need for South Africans to deal with the perceptions they had about their own economy, especially through the media publications. A common message should be adopted and projected on the state of the economy. The fundamental structure of the economy should not be confused with debates on the macroeconomic policies.
Mr October asserted that South Africa had a 25% unemployment rate that was not changing. Six million jobs had been created since 1994, but the workforce had expanded to about seven or eight million. More people were coming into the labour market and creating jobs. It was pointed out that the problem of unemployment could not be fully solved in a few years. If focus was placed on changing the structure of the economy, and a shift was made into the consistent growth of the agriculture and manufacturing sectors over the next 10 or 20 years, the unemployment rate would reduce. It was therefore important that a common message was passed across on the state of the economy.
He confirmed that a new division had been set up in dti since the adoption of the nine-point plan. A lot of the work had been done by the Chief Director for Investment Promotion, who was now working on behalf of the economic cluster.
The SEZs were currently moving at a faster pace. In the past two years, there had been the Saldahna, Dube and the Harry-Smith investments. Plans were under way to visit two or three other IDZs in the next six months.
The meeting was adjourned.
Fubbs, Ms JL
Esterhuizen, Mr JA
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG
Kalako, Mr MU
Koornhof, Mr NC
Mkongi, Mr B
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Gummy Smiles
Contrary to root exposure, excessive gum tissue can also impair smile aesthetics. The excessive tissue may be the result of gingival overgrowth or a failure of the teeth to erupt completely from the jaw bone.
The length and width of the teeth need to have designated proportions in order to possess aesthetic appeal. However, patients with excessive gum tissue have to compromise on the length of their teeth, which results in the appearance of "short teeth" or "stubby teeth."
Figure A: "Gummy smiles" are present in a few patients due to teeth being excessively covered by gum tissue.
Figure B: Excessive gingiva can be adjusted to achieve a more aesthetic tooth-to-gum ratio presentation.
過度的牙齦組織也可以影響的微笑。過多牙齦組織可能是因為牙齦增生顎骨或是牙齒沒有完全從顎骨爆發。 美麗的牙齒需要有指定長度和寬度的比例。 然而,牙齦組織過多的患者使牙齒外觀看起來"短齒"或"矮胖牙齒"。


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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is ordering Australias ISP's to block 11 online gambling sites that are illegally servicing Australian players. ACMA said it received over 60 complaints about the online gambling sites. During an investigation the ACMA found that they were operating in breach of the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act. The sites affected are Happy Hugo, Mucho Vegas Casino, Kahuna Casino, Rich Casino, Box 24 Casino, Bondi Bet, JokaRoom, Omni Slots, Fruits 4 Real, XPokies and Slottica.
"Website blocking provides a valuable opportunity to alert the public to illegal gambling services though the messaging that appears when there is an attempt to access the site,"
ACMA told Australian customers to withdraw any money in accounts held with the sites immediately, before they are blocked for good and all money will be lost. AMCA noted that it gained the power to order ISPs to block access to unlicensed gambling sites in November 2019, since then it has taken action against 66 gambling websites in total. The first blocking orders saw Emu Casino and Fair Go Casino become the first domains targeted.
In May of 2020 the ACMA attacked the following 10 sites:
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"Consumers are directed to information about online gambling on the ACMA's website including a register of licensed interactive wagering services for consumers to check legal services in Australia." It claims that more than 100 illegal operators have pulled out of the Australian market since it began taking stricter action against unlicensed providers in 2017.
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Today Microsoft announced the partnership with the startup Truffle for Azure Cloud services. Truffle is the world-class development environment, testing framework and asset pipeline for blockchains using the Ether Virtual Machine(EVM).
Marc Mercuri, the program manager at Azure Blockchain Engineering, says, "We really believe in the power of blockchain. This is not some arbitrary thing that we're going to do because customers are forcing us,"
Tim Coulter, the CEO and founder of Truffle, said, "We wanted to open that up and make access to the blockchain more available to a large swath developers,". He also added, "What we're doing with this partnership is extremely exciting, because it opens up all of those developers to Truffle and it opens Truffle up to all of the services that Microsoft provides."
Microsoft has been working on blockchain technology from a long time and now it has moved ahead with this partnership with Truffle. This is an enterprise service that will help businesses, coders and non-coders to build the enterprise applications on top of the blockchain technology.
Truffle is one of the first projects at the Brooklyn-based Etherum incubator ConsenSys. Truffle seems to have been available to the Microsoft since May 2, 2019. Truffle has been working on dApp development and is famous for its tools which are downloaded by more than around 2.7 million times. Now the partnership with Microsoft will help it to get into the mainstream. Apart from Microsoft Truffle has its alliance with Quorum, Axoni's AxCore. And now it will have its services open for all the Azure customers like HP, Adobe, International Hotel Groups etc. as well.


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Author Lindsay Barrett George read her book, "Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse," to the children of the Children's Learning Center at Penn College on Tuesday morning in the Professional Development Center.
The reading is part of the "One Book, Every Young Child" program, Pennsylvania's first-ever collaborative project using the vehicle of a "One Book, One State" program to highlight the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers (ages 3-6 years).
Written by George, a Pennsylvania children's author and illustrator, "Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse" is a story of two mice who live in two different worlds. Story times featuring this book also are being held at area libraries, schools and other public places.
While on campus, the author also spent an hours with students in Penn College's early childhood education and children's literature courses. She talked about how she became an author ofchildren'spicture books and described the "three hats" she wears throughout the process of producing one.
More information on the "One Book, Every Young Child" project, as well as the author, may be obtained here.
Photos by Phillip C. Warner, student writer/photographer
Subscribe to PCToday Daily Email.


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CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, as well as his producer and cameraman, were arrested by Minnesota state police on Friday morning as they were reporting live on scene of the protests over the death of George Floyd.
He and the crew were released about an hour later, with Minnesota governor Tim Walz apologizing to CNN president Jeff Zucker for the arrest.
Jimenez handled the entire incident with professionalism, reporting just after his release and getting right back to reporting soon after.
That has gotten him praise and support from all corners of social media, including from his alma mater, Northwestern University, where he played for the Wildcats from 2011 to 2013 after walking on to the team.
For more on the story, head over to USA TODAY.[jwplayer aabLudiI-q2aasYxh]


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'Deer Little Forest' heads to theme parks across Asia, Bangkok park to open in June 2019
Reading Time: 2 minutes Post Views: 2,564 Koko Rose Media announced a deal that will see its arts and lifestyle property 'Deer Little Forest' developing five indoor activity theme parks across Thailand, Japan, Malay, Asia and Singapore. Currently, under construction, the first park is scheduled to open in Bangkok in June 2019. The agreement was brokered by Tokyo-based Honmoku File, headed by Nobutaka Nagai, the former agent for Disney's park attractions in Japan, DisneySea and Disneyland Japan. The deal is Deer Little Forest's first in Asia and is a testament to the strength of…Read More


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Louisville nonprofit awarded grant to help youth dealing with violence, addiction
JAMESTOWN, Ky. (AP) — The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is funding a program in Russell County and nine surrounding counties to help children and youth dealing with violence, addiction and other trauma.
According to a news release, the foundation awarded $200,000 to the Louisville-based Bounce Coalition.
Read this:JCPS mom says daughter's punishment for pocketknife in bag was unfair
The group is already showing progress with a similar program in Jefferson County Public Schools. Accomplishments include fewer out of school suspensions, an improved school climate and increased parent engagement.
The foundation and Bounce hope similar results can be achieved in a rural setting. Bounce will work with Russell County Schools and the Lake Cumberland District Health Department.
Ben Chandler is president and CEO of the Foundation. He says the program will help children build resilience to "toxic stressors" that keep them from thriving throughout their lives.


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When I was a child, Berlin and Tokyo were the center of all evil, since I was a child of World War II. (As an adult Inow know more about the subtleties of life.)
I suppose that is why, when we signed up for a recent trip, it was a bit difficult to admit, even to myself, that I was going to visit the German capital.
However, my natural curiosity got the better of me. I was anxious to see the metamorphosis of this formerly stark, divided city. The travel magazines had lately been full of the changes in Berlin in the decade since the Wall came down.
Berlin does not disappoint. I found it vital, and on the move. It is, as they say, a "happening place." There is a lot more work to be done, but it appears that Berlin will continue to be a vibrant important city.
We stayed in (formerly) East Berlin, at the Westin Grand Hotel at the confluence of Friedrichstrasse and Unter den Linden. The area is called Mitte, meaning, they say, that it is in the middle of the city. After four days, I concluded that it was a great location. (When I go back I might stay several days here and several days in West Berlin's Ku'damm area, there is so much to see.)
We were in the best part of the former East Berlin: between the Brandenburg Gate and the Gendarmenmarkt, in a Hotel built by the Japanese and enjoyed by the communists in their last days.
Now, however, this same area is studded with the brand names of capitalism: Hermes, Galeries Lafayette, the Gap, the Guggenheim, and the Four Seasons Hotel, to name only a few.
Out for a short stroll on our first evening, we found ourselves near the Reichstag. It was about 6 P.M., and we had heard that the crowds (lined up to see the new roof)thinned out at the end of the day. We decided to race right over, before dinner, to get a first hand look at the much-touted glass canopy covering the building. Designed by the renowned English architect, Sir Norman Foster, it is a huge glass dome (called a kuppel, which I think must be the German for cupola) covering the center of the Reichstag. Inside this dome are two circular ramps by which one can walk to the top of the cupola. As you can imagine, the views of Berlin from this vantage point are staggering, especially as the evening lights begin to come on all over the city. Also up top is a very smart looking restaurant, which I would recommend for the views alone, but I hear the food is very good. One MUST book way ahead, I gather.
Since architecture is so very popular these days, this glass dome has been touted in all the travel magazines from the moment it was installed, and the lines to get in are long. We waited 20 minutes, using the time to discuss whether the new rage for architecture is obscuring what buildings actually contain. We were not disappointed, except for the fact that we didn't have enough time to fully experience the phenomenon, due to hunger pangs and a dinner date. The center of the cupola, and what seems to hold it up, is a sort of reverse pyramid of mirrored planes. I was told that the sun shines on the desk of each parliamentarian at least once a day from these mirrors. I was also told that the mirrors are meant to shed light on parliamentary deliberations. Either way, it's a good thought.
There is a plethora of new architecture in Berlin, not all of which is universally applauded. Nevertheless, the Potsdamer Platz is well worth investigation. It is the modern showplace, and if nothing else, the strange buildings are vastly entertaining. (Some critic called it a life-size computer simulation impersonal, soulless.)
We enjoyed classical music concerts three out of the four evenings we were in Berlin, but during the day we were free to explore this restored city, and newly re-designated as the capital of Germany. It seems to me I spent all those days at museums, but we never did get to see all of them, or even some of the greats.
There is a whole island of museums, not far from the hotel where we stayed. Here one can see the great Pergamon Museum, with its marvelous Hellenistic altar. Several other museums here hold various German collections, and are definitely on our list for another trip.
I concentrated on a couple of out of the way museums, not quite so well known, but well worth the journey. The first was the Museum for the Present, housed in the Hamburger Bahnhof, a former train station, which had previously been used as a museum of Transportation. The current use is ever so much better. Although this space is not on a par with the elegant Musee d'Orsay in Paris (another former train station) it holds a wonderful collection of AnselmKiefer, Joseph Beuys, Andy Warhol, Donald Judd, Robert Rauschenberg, Dan Flavin, Cy Twombly, etc. There is a lot of space and light here, and the journey is fun. We took a taxi to a part of town where we might not otherwise go, unless we got sick. There is a huge hospital complex not far from the museum, so we got a look at Berlin hospital architecture, which like most of ours, is not great.
After our visit, we hot-footed down to the K de W, which is the shortcut way of saying the name of the Harrod's of Berlin, a huge department store, the food halls of which put Harrod's to shame. I really mean it. I could have stayed all day just checking out various kinds of food from all over the world. In fact I went back the next day, and had lunch again. There are more than 20 different little cafes offering different kinds of ethnic food. One day we had crepes, the next I had sushi. I know, not very German, but who likes sausages and potatoes for lunch?
I've run out of space, but there is so much to tell about Berlin, that I must ask you to stay tuned for a sequel.
Betsy Shequine just realized that Berlin is a huge city sowhy shouldn't it take at least two columns to describe its attractions?


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Rubio: Cuba deal makes Obama 'worst negotiator' since Jimmy Carter
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) harshly criticized President Obama for agreeing to exchange Cuban spies for an American imprisoned in Cuba, calling his foreign policy "naïve" and "truly counterproductive for the future of democracy in the region."
"All of these tyrants around the world know that the U.S. can be had, that it's a pretty easy deal," he said on Fox News Channel's "America's Newsroom."
"At minimum, Barack Obama is the worst negotiator that we've had as president since at least Jimmy Carter, and maybe in the modern history of the country."
Those sentiments came on top of a statement released by Rubio's office in which he asserted that "America will be less safe as a result of the president's change in policy."
{mosads}Rubio's parents fled Cuba in the 1950s, as Fidel Castro rose to power and started clamping down on political opponents. The senator said that, while he's happy American aid worker Alan Gross will return to his family, he believes that the move "puts a price on every American abroad."
"Governments now know that, if they can take an American hostage, they can get very significant concessions from the United States," he said.
"It's par for the course with an administration that is constantly giving away unilateral concessions, whether it's Iran or, in this case Cuba, in exchange for nothing."
The Cuban government freed American aid worker Alan Gross Wednesday morning in an exchange involving three Cuban prisoners held in the United States.
Those prisoners were part of the "Cuban Five," a group of Cuban spies who have been serving time in American prisons since their conviction in 2001.
On top of the exchange, the president is expected to announce steps to normalize full diplomatic relations with Cuba. Rubio said he expects those steps to include opening trade and travel between the countries, as well as increasing diplomatic communications, as the administration hopes to inspire democracy.
American-Cuban relations have been tense since the U.S. instituted an embargo in 1960, as Cold War tensions with Communist countries heightened.
"Nothing the president will announce today will further that goal," Rubio said on the possibility of Cuba becoming more democratic.
"They are creating no economic openings, no concessions on freedom of speech, no concessions on elections."
In the statement released by his office, Rubio added that as incoming chairman of a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee, he will "make every effort to block this dangerous and desperate attempt by the president to burnish his legacy at the Cuban people's expense."
Rubio said later Wednesday morning on CNN's "This Hour" that the current embargo can be leverage for the United States to help influence democratic changes in a new government after current President Raúl Castro, who is 83-years-old, passes away. He added that easing restrictions on Cuba now hurts that long-term strategy.
"When has tourism ever brought about democracy?" he said on CNN. "This government controls every aspect of life in Cuba. Every single policy change the U.S. has ever made towards Cuba, whether it's more travel, more person to person contact, more remittances, they have manipulated every single one of them and they will manipulate this as well."
"They will use all of these changes to their advantage, they will never allow any of these changes to undermine their grip on the island."
This story was updated at 12:10 p.m.


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Skip to comments.Feast of the Guardian Angels
Posted on 10/02/2012 12:25:36 PM PDT by koinonia
Excellent read from Fr. Dean's website:
"Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." St. Basil the Great
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Guardian Angels. Angels, as we know, are creatures endowed with intellect and will; they can, therefore, as personal creatures, know and love God. They already possess the Beatific Vision of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in glory and are faithful, humble servants of Christ the King and Mary the Queen.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Jesus Christ is the center of the entire angelic world. They were created through Him and for Him - the Alpha and Omega of all creation. It is the Franciscan tradition that the test of the Angels where they freely chose to love and serve God forever in Heaven was a vision or infused knowledge of the Incarnation of the Word in the womb of the ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God. At this knowledge they had an immediate, but eternal choice: humbly serve Jesus and Mary or reject God's plan. We know the response of Satan and his minions: Non serviam! Whereas the Holy Angels, like St. Michael, marvelled at God's designs to elevate all of creation to Himself through the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and said: "Who is like God!?!"
What a privilege, then, for us to know that day and night that our glorious Guardian Angels "in Heaven always behold the face of My Father in Heaven" (Mt 18:10). Why is it that the Angels render such service to us when beholding the face of God unveiled? The answer lies in the fact that they exist for Christ. Their role as Guardians can be seen in two ways: they serve Christ in us; they serve us in Christ.
Serving Christ in us: We are made in Christ's image. As St. Francis of Assisi states in his Admonitions to the Friars: "Consider, O man, how great the excellence in which the Lord has placed you because He has created and formed you to the image of His beloved Son according to the body and to His own likeness according to the spirit." When God created us, He created us in view of Christ (Col 1:16) and with Him as our Head. And in our Baptism we were incorporated into Christ's Mystical Body. Hence the Holy Angels are sent to serve Christ which they see in us. While they never abandon us, one thing is for sure, their service of Christ in us becomes more powerful the more we resemble Christ. They want us to grow in union with Christ, to arrive at the full stature of Christ - in mensuram aetatis plenitudinis Christi (Eph 4:13), and the more they see Christ in us the more complete their service to us, especially in our tempations (Jesus in the desert - Mt 4:11), agonies and death (Jesus in Gethsemani - Lk 22:43), and finally in rising to glory (Jesus Risen from the tomb - Mt 28:5).
Serving us in Christ: Since they are forever united to God through, with and in Christ, they serve us in Him. In a particular way, while they cannot imitate Christ in the flesh, they can and do imitate Him in being sent by God. Christ was sent by God the Father; the Angels, in joyful imitation of the humility and obedience of Christ, rejoice to be sent in our service in imitation of Him who came to serve, and not to be served (cfr. Mt. 20:28).
May these, our precious companions, find us docile to their guidance and inspiration. May we, like them, seek to serve Christ in others and be Christ for others so that Jesus may be "all in all" (Col 3:11).
to whom God's love commits me here.
Ever this day be at my side,
to light, to guard, to rule and guide.Amen.
ping ;-)
(angels) ....."are faithful, humble servants of Christ the King and Mary the Queen."
There is no "Queen" Mary or any other. In this sentence they are equating Jesus with Mary. Blasphemy! Jesus is GOD, Mary is a human sinner.
Don't start rioting, ok?
Catholic ping!
Where are you getting this faulty information? Perhaps some comic book or pamplet that someone gave you?
Do you have any idea how many times angels are mentioned in the Bible?
Haven't you read the first chapter of Luke where Gabriel, the archangel, visits Mary?
The True Role of Guardian Angels
Touched by Padre Pio's guardian angels [Catholic Caucus]
Celebrating Guardian Angels - October 2 - Feast of the Guardian Angels [Ecumenical]
Guardian Angels
OF GUARDIAN ANGELS AND THE ROLE THEY PLAY NOT JUST ON EARTH BUT IN PURGATORY [Catholic Caucus]
Our Guardian Angels [Ecumenical]
Her unborn 'guardian angels' inspire pro-life work
Question: Are there really such things as guardian angels?
Guardian angels caught on film?
Early Christians Representations of Angels[Feast day Guardian Angels]
I love my guardian angel.
At any rate, there is no "equating" Jesus and Mary here on the part of Fr. Dean (or the Catholic Church), but true honor is being given to the Queen of Heaven and earth, exalted by God Himself above all Angels and the rest of men to be His Mother.
Regarding Mary being a sinner: Could Jesus have preserved His Mother from sin by the foreseen merits of His Passion? Was it fitting that He do so ("Honor your father and mother")? Well, that's what He did and that's why the Angel could call her the "fully graced one" κεχαριτωμένη, (kecharitōménē). If she were a big sinner (like me) the Angel would have had to say, "Hail, not so fully graced one".
May the Lord Jesus bless you!
How you go from "full of grace/full of favor/etc." ... to ... "sinless" is beyond me.
Since Mary was sinless, and already full of grace ... does that mean she never partook of the Lords Table in communion?
Hi. I appreciate your comment, but I'm not sure what you're getting at in your question. Do you hold that communion is only for sinners? Or am I missing something here? No sarcasm intended; just an honest question.
At any rate, the constant tradition both in the East and the West (long before Calvin, Luther and King Henry VIII) is that Mary was sinless when she conceived Jesus. So it's not I who am making up this interpretation of "fully graced one" κεχαριτωμένη, (kecharitōménē) (Lk 1:28), but, like St. Paul, "I delivered to you first of all, what I also received...", namely, that Mary was "all holy" Παναγία, (Panagia) so as to be the worthy Mother of God Θεοτόκος ("Theotokos").
What I don't understand, and perhaps you can help me on this one, is why anyone would insist on calling the Mother of Jesus a sinner if the Lord could have preserved His own chosen Mother from all stain of sin by the foreseen merits of His Passion, Death and Resurrection?
God bless you! And praised be the Lord Jesus Christ!!!
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Three local Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders have been held captive allegedly by Naxals in Visakhapatnam district, police said today.
Naxals through their network had asked the three TDP leaders to meet them at Dharkonda in the district yesterday afternoon and accordingly they went, Visakhapatnam district
Superintendent of Police K Praveen told PTI over phone.
"Only on the assurance by the Naxals that the leaders won't be harmed, TDP's G K Veedhi Mandal President M Balaiah and two other local leaders -- M Mahesh and V Balaiah -- went to meet them. Now, they have been held captive," the SP said.
Police received information regarding it last night.
"We have verified (the information). The only possibility is the Maoists will take them in the deep interior forest area towards the border of East Godavari district...we are waiting
for Maoists to put forth their demands (for release of TDP leaders)," Praveen added.
It is suspected that the Naxals resorted to hold them hostage to protest the mining of Bauxite in the area.