text:
We are pleased to introduce Mildred “Millie” Clara Frketich.
She is awesome, her brothers are absolutely in love and Matt and I are totally exhausted…oh yes, and also in love with this new addition to our crazy Frk house! She got here on March 22, 2018. Weighing 7 lbs, 9 oz and 19 inches long.
That says “Frketich GIRL” on her wristband….gosh I still can’t believe we had a girl!!!
Farming has been chugging along like crazy. The weather cooperated and rained the whole time we were getting to know Millie those first few days in the hospital. Then we headed home, the sun came out, and farming ramped right back up.
I’ve been home recovering from a C-section, while Matt (and many days Hoot) and the rest of our very dedicated workers started to work ground, plant, fertilize and spray all the crops. It’s been a hectic start to Millie’s life but I “think” I wouldn’t have it any other way…or maybe I just don’t know any better! I’ve had a village of helpers here at the house. Jobs as simple as picking up Auggie, who doesn’t quite understand why mama has such an “ouchie wah wah”, making us dinners, holding Millie so I can shower, and wrestling with the boys because Mom really has become totally boring since having a baby! I’ll be back boys don’t you worry!!!
So all is well here on the farm, hectic, totally insane and some days really really freaking hard to have three kids under four. The word “teamwork” comes up a lot and we are continually thankful for all the help!!
For those who wonder where we got the name, Mildred “Millie” is after my great Aunt Millie on my mom’s side of the family. She was one feisty, loving, incredible lady. She passed away before meeting Hoot our oldest son, but I was able to let her know that if we did have a girl during this whole adventure, she would have to be named Millie. She was so excited and I just know she’s smiling down on us right now. The middle name, Clara, is after my grandma on my dad’s side. A dedicated farm wife, wonderful mom, and loving grandma to all us kids. She died when I was fairly young, but left s all with a lifetime of memories that we talk about often. So our little Mildred Clara has some big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt she will do just that in her own time.
So with that we would like to welcome little Miss Millie, seems as though the world has been waiting for you!

lowercased:
we are pleased to introduce mildred “millie” clara frketich.
she is awesome, her brothers are absolutely in love and matt and i are totally exhausted…oh yes, and also in love with this new addition to our crazy frk house! she got here on march 22, 2018. weighing 7 lbs, 9 oz and 19 inches long.
that says “frketich girl” on her wristband….gosh i still can’t believe we had a girl!!!
farming has been chugging along like crazy. the weather cooperated and rained the whole time we were getting to know millie those first few days in the hospital. then we headed home, the sun came out, and farming ramped right back up.
i’ve been home recovering from a c-section, while matt (and many days hoot) and the rest of our very dedicated workers started to work ground, plant, fertilize and spray all the crops. it’s been a hectic start to millie’s life but i “think” i wouldn’t have it any other way…or maybe i just don’t know any better! i’ve had a village of helpers here at the house. jobs as simple as picking up auggie, who doesn’t quite understand why mama has such an “ouchie wah wah”, making us dinners, holding millie so i can shower, and wrestling with the boys because mom really has become totally boring since having a baby! i’ll be back boys don’t you worry!!!
so all is well here on the farm, hectic, totally insane and some days really really freaking hard to have three kids under four. the word “teamwork” comes up a lot and we are continually thankful for all the help!!
for those who wonder where we got the name, mildred “millie” is after my great aunt millie on my mom’s side of the family. she was one feisty, loving, incredible lady. she passed away before meeting hoot our oldest son, but i was able to let her know that if we did have a girl during this whole adventure, she would have to be named millie. she was so excited and i just know she’s smiling down on us right now. the middle name, clara, is after my grandma on my dad’s side. a dedicated farm wife, wonderful mom, and loving grandma to all us kids. she died when i was fairly young, but left s all with a lifetime of memories that we talk about often. so our little mildred clara has some big shoes to fill, but i have no doubt she will do just that in her own time.
so with that we would like to welcome little miss millie, seems as though the world has been waiting for you!


text:
Item: CRV327 - Type: Rubber Stamps.
"Both sun and rain help flowers bloom". Flowers need both sun and rain. A reminder that adversity can make us stronger. Image measures approximately 1-7/8" X 2-3/4".

lowercased:
item: crv327 - type: rubber stamps.
"both sun and rain help flowers bloom". flowers need both sun and rain. a reminder that adversity can make us stronger. image measures approximately 1-7/8" x 2-3/4".


text:
SUSTEIN will focus on localized translations of transnational sustainability standards in Kenya, United Arab Emirates and corporate headquarters in Europe to advance our understanding of the global value chain of certified tea. Our theoretical aim is to go beyond the idea of global value chain by way of deploying the novel concept of infrastructure. This will allow us to better comprehend the recursive loops and contingent causes and effects in global value chains.
A) How does certification shape agrarian production in the form of cultivation and factory processing? Who benefits from which sustainability standards?
B) How does certification influence the valuation of tea, assessed in terms of taste, grade and price? How is the value of certification performed and capitalized?
C) How do corporate professionals and independent auditors distinguish between "sustainable/unsustainable"? What lines of evidence are recognized?

lowercased:
sustein will focus on localized translations of transnational sustainability standards in kenya, united arab emirates and corporate headquarters in europe to advance our understanding of the global value chain of certified tea. our theoretical aim is to go beyond the idea of global value chain by way of deploying the novel concept of infrastructure. this will allow us to better comprehend the recursive loops and contingent causes and effects in global value chains.
a) how does certification shape agrarian production in the form of cultivation and factory processing? who benefits from which sustainability standards?
b) how does certification influence the valuation of tea, assessed in terms of taste, grade and price? how is the value of certification performed and capitalized?
c) how do corporate professionals and independent auditors distinguish between "sustainable/unsustainable"? what lines of evidence are recognized?


text:
Yes, our house is ruled by cats.
This is Griffin. He’s my own personal sweetie-pie cat. Look at that face, isn’t he adorable? He sheds like a maniac and galumphs around the house like a nitwit.
This is Mickey, short for McGregor. He’s J’s special cat, all the way. His specialties are squeaking pathetically, thundering around upstairs like a herd of elephants, and stomping on our throats at 4 am. He had the honor of appearing on the Infinite Cat Project!
And Stella. She’s a sweet-faced, tiny-footed plush little sausage who never seems to be warm enough. She likes to sit on stools and swat the boys as they walk by.

lowercased:
yes, our house is ruled by cats.
this is griffin. he’s my own personal sweetie-pie cat. look at that face, isn’t he adorable? he sheds like a maniac and galumphs around the house like a nitwit.
this is mickey, short for mcgregor. he’s j’s special cat, all the way. his specialties are squeaking pathetically, thundering around upstairs like a herd of elephants, and stomping on our throats at 4 am. he had the honor of appearing on the infinite cat project!
and stella. she’s a sweet-faced, tiny-footed plush little sausage who never seems to be warm enough. she likes to sit on stools and swat the boys as they walk by.


text:
The requested URL /oryza/oryza44/toono.htm was not found on this server.
2019/01/10 21:32:01 はてなアンテナ - 遠野アンテナ!?
Copyright©2005-2019 Japan Registry Services Co., Ltd.
Copyright(c) Iwate Broadcasting Co.,Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
The requested URL /routepress21st/022/story/12-01-01.html was not found on this server.
You don’t have permission to access /~narcissu/tono.htm on this server.
Copyright c 2012 GMO Internet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright(C) 1995-2011, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The requested URL /takarazuka/tk51202a.htm was not found on this server.
(C) 1997 TOSANDO CORPORATION All rights reserved.

lowercased:
the requested url /oryza/oryza44/toono.htm was not found on this server.
2019/01/10 21:32:01 はてなアンテナ - 遠野アンテナ!?
copyright©2005-2019 japan registry services co., ltd.
copyright(c) iwate broadcasting co.,ltd. all rights reserved.
the requested url /routepress21st/022/story/12-01-01.html was not found on this server.
you don’t have permission to access /~narcissu/tono.htm on this server.
copyright c 2012 gmo internet, inc. all rights reserved.
copyright(c) 1995-2011, tokyo broadcasting system television, inc. all rights reserved.
the requested url /takarazuka/tk51202a.htm was not found on this server.
(c) 1997 tosando corporation all rights reserved.


text:
Experience formidable mountains, some of the world’s highest passes and a magical landscape that changes like every second.
If you love Bollywood, these are your go to places in Kashmir!
Find amazing deals on the Budget hotels in Kargil here at Yatra.com. Read reviews of Kargil Budget hotels near Chanchick and book your stay online in hotel of your choice in Kargil.

lowercased:
experience formidable mountains, some of the world’s highest passes and a magical landscape that changes like every second.
if you love bollywood, these are your go to places in kashmir!
find amazing deals on the budget hotels in kargil here at yatra.com. read reviews of kargil budget hotels near chanchick and book your stay online in hotel of your choice in kargil.


text:
Are Christians Living up to Biblical Standards?
Are Islamic Ideals Slowing Modernization?
Are the Gospels Historically Accurate?
Arranged Marriages - Good or Bad?
Christianity shares many beliefs and practices with other religions such as Jews and Muslems. All three believe that there us only one God who created the Universe and everything around them. All three of these religions are called “Ethical Monotheism”. This is because it means the belief in one God, and following this God makes people also follow certain rules or ways of life. Christianity first was a part of Judaism. Jesus was a Jew.

lowercased:
are christians living up to biblical standards?
are islamic ideals slowing modernization?
are the gospels historically accurate?
arranged marriages - good or bad?
christianity shares many beliefs and practices with other religions such as jews and muslems. all three believe that there us only one god who created the universe and everything around them. all three of these religions are called “ethical monotheism”. this is because it means the belief in one god, and following this god makes people also follow certain rules or ways of life. christianity first was a part of judaism. jesus was a jew.


text:
Relationship Science aggregates deep and verified information on over 9 million influential decision makers and the over 1.7 million organizations with which they are associated. From this data, we create a "business social graph" that highlights who knows whom. Here are Michael S. Mathews's strongest connections.
This web site is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, maintained, authorized, or sponsored by Michael S. Mathews. The use of any trade name or trademark is for identification and reference purposes only and does not imply any association with the trademark holder. The Presence of Michael S. Mathews's profile does not indicate a business or promotional relationship of any kind between RelSci and Michael S. Mathews.

lowercased:
relationship science aggregates deep and verified information on over 9 million influential decision makers and the over 1.7 million organizations with which they are associated. from this data, we create a "business social graph" that highlights who knows whom. here are michael s. mathews's strongest connections.
this web site is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, maintained, authorized, or sponsored by michael s. mathews. the use of any trade name or trademark is for identification and reference purposes only and does not imply any association with the trademark holder. the presence of michael s. mathews's profile does not indicate a business or promotional relationship of any kind between relsci and michael s. mathews.


text:
Featuring task-based workflows, customizable views and a touch screen interface designed to optimize workflow, Trimble Field Link extends field layout capabilities while simplifying tasks for crews in the field. In addition to the advancements made in performing layout, as built assessment and QA/QC tasks, Trimble Field link adds reporting routines to record and track productivity as well as the ability to document existing site conditions.
Designed to simplify layout for construction professionals, Trimble Field Link makes short-work of layout projects for fast results with the your Robotic Total Station, Rapid Positioning System or GNSS solution.
Whether you need to create points and a plan on the job, or work directly from a 3D model or 2D drawing, Trimble Field Link fits your business and layout style. The software was designed specifically to reduce complexity, so you can feel confident entrusting crews with varying skills to perform automated layout successfully. With proven performance gains of 200% over traditional workflows, Trimble Field Link is transforming the work of construction layout.
Quality assurance routines and as-built data collection is as fast as it is precise. With Trimble Field Link you can produce Layout Deviations, Daily Layout Summaries, and Field Reports. Document daily production as well as existing conditions for RFIs and job reporting. With Trimble VISION available in the Trimble RTS Series total stations, you can control the instrument from the tablet and provide photos directly from the tripod.
Once the points are laid out or collected on the job site, you and your teams can round trip the as-built point data back to the office to compare completed work with the intended design when adjustments are needed.
Trimble Field Link is the one field software for all your construction site needs.
By using CAD based field point creation solutions as part of your detailing process, you can easily export a design file to import into the Trimble Field Link software. This allows your field crews the ability to easily stake-out points, reducing error and maximizing productivity.
Simplify your field data preparation and review of results. Trimble Field Link Office provides you with a simple tool to create data from a plan, or import 2D and 3D models to then prepare data for field layout. An easy layer management tool helps you manage and visualize the information that is important to you. Once you have prepared data for you field crews you can easily share the common Field Link file either by direct transfer or upload to Trimble Connect for easy access from the job site. After the field crew has laid out or captured data on the jobsite they can then easily share this information with you to the review against the original information. The simplified, common interface between the office and field versions of Trimble Field Link will help you increase both productivity and accuracy of information prepared and captured on your projects.
Big project coming up? See if it's worth investing in new layout tech.
View and execute field stakeout routines within 3D models created in popular BIM detailing packages.
View point attributes created in the office that define various data points such as: manufacturer, component type and size, etc.
Collect deviations within the stakeout routines and export for use in BIM detailing solutions back in the office.
Create design locations from CAD such as endpoint, midpoint, arc/ circle, node, insertion, and intersection.
Easily visualize and then stake-out field points such as wall penetrations, hanger locations, cable tray attachments and stub-up locations within a 3D environment.
Within the Model Viewer feature, easily toggle layer and background controls for increased visibility into problem areas.
By importing a design file into the Trimble Field Link software, field crews can create points on-top of the design file for stakeout.
Trimble Field Link version 4.0 is now available! This exciting new release for our field layout software provides you with a fresh approach both in appearance and updates to the way construction layout is done.
Interface updates: Combining the best of Trimble Field Link for Structures and 2D to provide an efficient, task-based workflow.
Pano-search: By clicking on a Panoramic Image generated by the field instrument you are able to quickly time lock onto the prism at your location thus eliminating lengthy aiming of the instrument. The Pano-image can also be used for quick aiming in DR measurement mode.
Delete Jobs: Added the ability to delete jobs from the jobs menu.
Import and Export of Control Points: Added the ability to import and export control points.
Standardizing Point Capture: Eliminating the need to select design or measured points. All capture points can now be used at a later date. Check box selection for capture of Control points.
Improved GNSS Layout: Improved of layout using GNSS, with the indication of precision in all modes and the sharing of site calibration between jobs.
No Data Setup: Position yourself on the jobsite via a No Data Setup by measuring two points and selecting a north/base orientation.
Connection to Trimble Total Stations: Utilize your entire fleet of Trimble robotic total stations by connecting to RTS series, SPS series and S-series.
Clearing Layout Flags: Re-use your current job for QA/QC by Clearing Layout Flags within the jobs settings.
Point List for layout - To increase productivity in field layout you can create a point layout list by selecting points from the screen one at a time, multi points by area select method or automatically by a notation of the point name, layer or description.
Reporting - Provide field activity updates with the addition of Daily Layout Summary Report and Field Report with Image Capture.
3D Perspective Model View in Layout - Enhancing the use of the 3D model in the field the 3D Perspective view of the model provides a real-world reference to the data being positioned on the job site.

lowercased:
featuring task-based workflows, customizable views and a touch screen interface designed to optimize workflow, trimble field link extends field layout capabilities while simplifying tasks for crews in the field. in addition to the advancements made in performing layout, as built assessment and qa/qc tasks, trimble field link adds reporting routines to record and track productivity as well as the ability to document existing site conditions.
designed to simplify layout for construction professionals, trimble field link makes short-work of layout projects for fast results with the your robotic total station, rapid positioning system or gnss solution.
whether you need to create points and a plan on the job, or work directly from a 3d model or 2d drawing, trimble field link fits your business and layout style. the software was designed specifically to reduce complexity, so you can feel confident entrusting crews with varying skills to perform automated layout successfully. with proven performance gains of 200% over traditional workflows, trimble field link is transforming the work of construction layout.
quality assurance routines and as-built data collection is as fast as it is precise. with trimble field link you can produce layout deviations, daily layout summaries, and field reports. document daily production as well as existing conditions for rfis and job reporting. with trimble vision available in the trimble rts series total stations, you can control the instrument from the tablet and provide photos directly from the tripod.
once the points are laid out or collected on the job site, you and your teams can round trip the as-built point data back to the office to compare completed work with the intended design when adjustments are needed.
trimble field link is the one field software for all your construction site needs.
by using cad based field point creation solutions as part of your detailing process, you can easily export a design file to import into the trimble field link software. this allows your field crews the ability to easily stake-out points, reducing error and maximizing productivity.
simplify your field data preparation and review of results. trimble field link office provides you with a simple tool to create data from a plan, or import 2d and 3d models to then prepare data for field layout. an easy layer management tool helps you manage and visualize the information that is important to you. once you have prepared data for you field crews you can easily share the common field link file either by direct transfer or upload to trimble connect for easy access from the job site. after the field crew has laid out or captured data on the jobsite they can then easily share this information with you to the review against the original information. the simplified, common interface between the office and field versions of trimble field link will help you increase both productivity and accuracy of information prepared and captured on your projects.
big project coming up? see if it's worth investing in new layout tech.
view and execute field stakeout routines within 3d models created in popular bim detailing packages.
view point attributes created in the office that define various data points such as: manufacturer, component type and size, etc.
collect deviations within the stakeout routines and export for use in bim detailing solutions back in the office.
create design locations from cad such as endpoint, midpoint, arc/ circle, node, insertion, and intersection.
easily visualize and then stake-out field points such as wall penetrations, hanger locations, cable tray attachments and stub-up locations within a 3d environment.
within the model viewer feature, easily toggle layer and background controls for increased visibility into problem areas.
by importing a design file into the trimble field link software, field crews can create points on-top of the design file for stakeout.
trimble field link version 4.0 is now available! this exciting new release for our field layout software provides you with a fresh approach both in appearance and updates to the way construction layout is done.
interface updates: combining the best of trimble field link for structures and 2d to provide an efficient, task-based workflow.
pano-search: by clicking on a panoramic image generated by the field instrument you are able to quickly time lock onto the prism at your location thus eliminating lengthy aiming of the instrument. the pano-image can also be used for quick aiming in dr measurement mode.
delete jobs: added the ability to delete jobs from the jobs menu.
import and export of control points: added the ability to import and export control points.
standardizing point capture: eliminating the need to select design or measured points. all capture points can now be used at a later date. check box selection for capture of control points.
improved gnss layout: improved of layout using gnss, with the indication of precision in all modes and the sharing of site calibration between jobs.
no data setup: position yourself on the jobsite via a no data setup by measuring two points and selecting a north/base orientation.
connection to trimble total stations: utilize your entire fleet of trimble robotic total stations by connecting to rts series, sps series and s-series.
clearing layout flags: re-use your current job for qa/qc by clearing layout flags within the jobs settings.
point list for layout - to increase productivity in field layout you can create a point layout list by selecting points from the screen one at a time, multi points by area select method or automatically by a notation of the point name, layer or description.
reporting - provide field activity updates with the addition of daily layout summary report and field report with image capture.
3d perspective model view in layout - enhancing the use of the 3d model in the field the 3d perspective view of the model provides a real-world reference to the data being positioned on the job site.


text:
Cloudland is one of Brisbane’s most iconic and popular venues, providing unique function, wedding and nightlife experiences. We jumped at the chance to work with such a well-known brand, and immediately saw the potential in working with a place so visually striking.
The biggest challange we faced early on was deciding how exactly to bring Cloudland’s unique vibe of imagination, excitement and class to life in their website. In the end, we took advantage of beautiful photography and created elegant layouts tied together with smooth, custom animations to create a truly memorable web experience.

lowercased:
cloudland is one of brisbane’s most iconic and popular venues, providing unique function, wedding and nightlife experiences. we jumped at the chance to work with such a well-known brand, and immediately saw the potential in working with a place so visually striking.
the biggest challange we faced early on was deciding how exactly to bring cloudland’s unique vibe of imagination, excitement and class to life in their website. in the end, we took advantage of beautiful photography and created elegant layouts tied together with smooth, custom animations to create a truly memorable web experience.


text:
Three reason to protect our sovereign southern border.
Here is EVIDENCE of reason number 2.
Did we miss one? 💬 Let us know!!!
NEW🔥 :Predictive factors for MDR G- bacteria among hospitalised patients with complicated UTI.
NEW 🔥 in @BSACandJAC By Dr. David livermore. A must read article!
Algorithm-Based Therapy vs Usual Care on Clinical Success and Serious Adverse Events in Patients With Staphylococcal Bacteremia.
Interesting new paper on TB infection resisters.
Pts with SSI in spinal surgery treated w IV Abx for 10 days only then when possible switch to PO Abx for reminder for a total of 6 weeks.
followed by penicillins and macrolides.
Telehealth Proves Valuable for Promoting Safe Antibiotic Prescribing Practices in Remote Healthcare Settings.

lowercased:
three reason to protect our sovereign southern border.
here is evidence of reason number 2.
did we miss one? 💬 let us know!!!
new🔥 :predictive factors for mdr g- bacteria among hospitalised patients with complicated uti.
new 🔥 in @bsacandjac by dr. david livermore. a must read article!
algorithm-based therapy vs usual care on clinical success and serious adverse events in patients with staphylococcal bacteremia.
interesting new paper on tb infection resisters.
pts with ssi in spinal surgery treated w iv abx for 10 days only then when possible switch to po abx for reminder for a total of 6 weeks.
followed by penicillins and macrolides.
telehealth proves valuable for promoting safe antibiotic prescribing practices in remote healthcare settings.


text:
▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Jane M. Orient, M.D.; 1601 Tucson Boulevard, Suite 9; Tucson, AZ 85716.
Establishing a national disaster medical system requires considering the goals and appropriate expenditure levels for emergency preparedness. The United States has placed a relatively low priority on national programs for disaster response. Such programs have been controversial because of their relationship to civil defense against nuclear attack. Switzerland and the Soviet Union have long-established, elaborate medical response systems that should be studied.
Tornado disaster—North Carolina, South Carolina, March 23, 1984.
Disaster plan launches training, site selection.
Second International Congress on Disaster Preparedness and Relief: Emergency 84.
Bhopal death toll, survivor problems still being debated.
Averting a Bhopal legal disaster.
Attacks in Europe seem coordinated.
Patrick Henry updated, with missiles.
Flexibility emphasized in medical preparations for possible disasters.
Triage Decision Trees and Triage Protocols; Changing Strategies for Medical Rescue in Civilian Mass Casualty Situations.
The Evolution of Programs and Policies: American Civil Defense 1945-1975.
Medical care in modern warfare: a look at the Pentagon plan for the civilian sector.
Natural disasters, yes! Wars, no!
Medical responsibility and thermonuclear war.
Civil Defence in Switzerland and its Role within the Framework of Security Policy and General Defense.
World military expenditures and arms transfers by the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
Seven assertions and answers on the subject of civil protection.
Protection of children latest facet of Soviet civil defense build-up.
Press Reports on Soviet Affairs.
Civil Defense: A Soviet View.
The Soviet Civil Defense Medical Preparedness Program.
Soviet Post-Strike Civil Defense Rescue, Damage-Limiting, Repair and Restoration Operations.
Quadrangle/The New Times Book Co.
The prompt and delayed effects of nuclear war.
Between an unfree world and none: increasing our choices.
The Effects of Nuclear War.
The Final Epidemic: Physicians and Scientists on Nuclear War.
Survival and Peace in the Nuclear Age.
Civil defense program of the USSR.
Nuclear winter: global consequences of multiple nuclear explosions.
Fire Emissions and Some of Their Uncertainties.
The medical consequences of nuclear war: a curriculum for medical students at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
Medical education and nuclear war.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Focus 1985-1989.
The disparity between the amount of emergency preparedness for nuclear vs other rare catastrophic events.
The Counterfeit Ark: Crisis Relocation for Nuclear War.
Minimizing excess radiogenic cancer deaths after a nuclear attack.
Defense against nuclear weapons: a decision analysis.
Thinking About the Unthinkable in the 1980s.
Published: Ann Intern Med. 1985;103(6_Part_1):937-940.

lowercased:
▸requests for reprints should be addressed to jane m. orient, m.d.; 1601 tucson boulevard, suite 9; tucson, az 85716.
establishing a national disaster medical system requires considering the goals and appropriate expenditure levels for emergency preparedness. the united states has placed a relatively low priority on national programs for disaster response. such programs have been controversial because of their relationship to civil defense against nuclear attack. switzerland and the soviet union have long-established, elaborate medical response systems that should be studied.
tornado disaster—north carolina, south carolina, march 23, 1984.
disaster plan launches training, site selection.
second international congress on disaster preparedness and relief: emergency 84.
bhopal death toll, survivor problems still being debated.
averting a bhopal legal disaster.
attacks in europe seem coordinated.
patrick henry updated, with missiles.
flexibility emphasized in medical preparations for possible disasters.
triage decision trees and triage protocols; changing strategies for medical rescue in civilian mass casualty situations.
the evolution of programs and policies: american civil defense 1945-1975.
medical care in modern warfare: a look at the pentagon plan for the civilian sector.
natural disasters, yes! wars, no!
medical responsibility and thermonuclear war.
civil defence in switzerland and its role within the framework of security policy and general defense.
world military expenditures and arms transfers by the arms control and disarmament agency.
seven assertions and answers on the subject of civil protection.
protection of children latest facet of soviet civil defense build-up.
press reports on soviet affairs.
civil defense: a soviet view.
the soviet civil defense medical preparedness program.
soviet post-strike civil defense rescue, damage-limiting, repair and restoration operations.
quadrangle/the new times book co.
the prompt and delayed effects of nuclear war.
between an unfree world and none: increasing our choices.
the effects of nuclear war.
the final epidemic: physicians and scientists on nuclear war.
survival and peace in the nuclear age.
civil defense program of the ussr.
nuclear winter: global consequences of multiple nuclear explosions.
fire emissions and some of their uncertainties.
the medical consequences of nuclear war: a curriculum for medical students at the university of arizona college of medicine.
medical education and nuclear war.
federal emergency management agency focus 1985-1989.
the disparity between the amount of emergency preparedness for nuclear vs other rare catastrophic events.
the counterfeit ark: crisis relocation for nuclear war.
minimizing excess radiogenic cancer deaths after a nuclear attack.
defense against nuclear weapons: a decision analysis.
thinking about the unthinkable in the 1980s.
published: ann intern med. 1985;103(6_part_1):937-940.


text:
I will publish your SEO optimized article of 600-750 words and post it on one of my newspaper columns which include Chicago Tribune, and LA Times based on requirement.
LA Times has a readership of over 6million. It is considered the fourth most-read newspaper in the United States.
Chicago Tribune has a readership of 4M+.
Our articles are permanent. We have more columns and can be contacted for a custom offer.

lowercased:
i will publish your seo optimized article of 600-750 words and post it on one of my newspaper columns which include chicago tribune, and la times based on requirement.
la times has a readership of over 6million. it is considered the fourth most-read newspaper in the united states.
chicago tribune has a readership of 4m+.
our articles are permanent. we have more columns and can be contacted for a custom offer.


text:
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Chairman of Jamaica’s Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Review Commission and former prime minister, Bruce Golding, says CARICOM is not a failure, having achieved successes in several areas.
“I think we have done very well in terms of functional cooperation. If every country in CARICOM had to set up their own examination system, instead of having the Caribbean Examinations Council, it would be difficult for much of the smaller islands that have fewer resources than we do,” Golding said.
He was speaking at a youth forum hosted by the CARICOM Review Commission at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters, on Thursday, September 22.
The CARICOM Review Commission is the brainchild of Prime Minister Andrew Holness. It has been tasked to examine Jamaica’s role in the regional bloc and how it has impacted the country’s development.
Golding also cited institutions such as the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) as successful areas of cooperation.
“We are all subject to natural disasters, and the response to natural disasters when they occur requires institutional building, capabilities, and it requires management. If every country had to set up (one) for itself, then you see the difficulties that many countries would have,” Golding said.
The former prime minister also argued that CARICOM is important for foreign policy coordination.
“There is strength in numbers. We have, in fact, been able to exert a significant amount of influence in some of the major councils of the world, simply because when we go there we have 14 votes,” the chairman said.
“I know of some occasions where there are some contentious issues in the Organization of American States and the United Nations, where balance is so close that 14 votes can make a difference, and that’s when the biggest of the big come knocking on our doors,” Golding added.
For his part, minister of state in the ministry of education, youth and information, Floyd Green, encouraged the youth to submit suggestions to the CARICOM Review Commission.
On the issue of integration, Green said this is being undermined “by the fact that it is so expensive for us to travel among our CARICOM states”.
He also mentioned that the University of the West Indies is becoming less integrated based on the make-up of the population on the campuses.
At the forum, the youth shared on issues such as regional integration and immigration.
CARICOM is a grouping of 20 countries: 15 member states and five associate members. It is home to approximately 16 million citizens, 60 percent of whom are under the age of 30, and from the main ethnic groups of indigenous peoples, Africans, Indians, Europeans, Chinese and Portuguese.
Topical issues such as trade practices, the treatment of Jamaicans travelling to other CARICOM countries, contrasts emerging between CARICOM’s strategies and goals and those of individual countries and how these can be reconciled are also to be explored by the Commission.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Senior officials from CARIFORUM and the European Union (EU) will meet on 26 September 2016 in Bridgetown, Barbados in an effort to take forward dialogue on potential cooperation opportunities in the Caribbean Region in the area of intellectual property (IP).
The one-day forum, entitled CARIFORUM-EU Workshop on Intellectual Property (IP) Tools, Networks and Cooperation Opportunities, is jointly organized by the CARIFORUM Directorate of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM.
This Workshop is made possible with support from EUIPO and the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP). The EUIPO is responsible for managing the EU trade mark and the registered Community design. The Office also works with the IP offices of the EU Member States and international partners to offer a similar registration experience for trade marks and designs across Europe and the world.
The Director-General of the CARIFORUM Directorate, Mr. Percival Marie, stated "the expectation is that the Workshop will foster exchange of knowledge and experience." Mr. Marie applauded the joint initiative and expressed the hope that, in so far as the forum is designed to bring together a cross-section of stakeholders, it will ultimately contribute to enhanced cooperation.
This cooperation is especially pertinent in the context of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which was signed in 2008. The Agreement includes a chapter on Innovation and Intellectual Property. The objectives of the chapter in question are set out in Article 132. Broadly, the intent of this chapter is to foster the development of CARIFORUM innovation systems so as to enhance the competitiveness of CARIFORUM firms, and there is recognition that the protection and enforcement of IP contributes to fostering creativity, innovation and competitiveness. In this regard, the provisions of the chapter also delve into the legislative and administrative environments which are required in order to provide protection of IP. Of note are the references in the chapter to cooperation between the Parties, for instance, support to be extended to CARIFORUM so that States may develop and enforce the protection of IP.
In this context, the Workshop will gather representatives drawn from CARIFORUM States' IP Offices, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, the Caribbean Export Development Agency, the Caribbean Development Bank, EU Delegation offices and EU Member States' missions in the Region, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Caribbean Unit of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Resource persons from the CARICOM Secretariat and the EUIPO will also be on hand.
In a planned panel discussion, representatives of CARIFORUM States' IP Offices will be afforded the opportunity to highlight their needs. Moreover, the EUIPO will call attention to its experience with respect to international cooperation, networks and tools, complemented by an overview thereafter—by the EU Delegation Office in Barbados—of EU priorities for the Caribbean Region.
A joint brainstorming session is slated to take emerging perspectives into consideration, with a view to identifying potential areas of cooperation in IP, such as Geographical Indications. In this connection, the expectation is that the Workshop will culminate in an examination of next steps to further strengthen cooperation.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Wednesday September 21, 2016 – President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Dr Warren Smith has sounded a stern warning that Barbados was not yet out of the proverbial economic woods by a long shot. In fact, so worried is he about the country’s worsening debt situation that he suggested “front end adjustments” were urgently needed to correct the economic slide.
In a frank interview with Barbados TODAY, Smith also described the island’s overall fiscal position as “unsustainable”, while cautioning that if left unchecked, it would do untold damage to the Barbados dollar.
With that said Smith did not shy away from the dreaded “p” word – privatization –, naming Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) and the Bridgetown Port as “naturals” for divestment.
“Long gone are the days when Governments need to be involved in things such as airports and seaports,” Smith argued.
“We do not believe that these types of investments need to continue to be in the hands of Government,” he added.
While acknowledging there would be political consequences arising out of the sale of these perceived crown jewels, he said Barbados was not unique in that regard.
In fact, the Jamaican-born CDB president gave the example of that country’s divestment of its Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, saying, “foreign investors have come in, they have pumped money into the expansion of the airport, which is now promoting the growth of their tourism industry”.
Smith also made reference to the recently privatized Port of Kingston, which he said was now attracting large investments, while stressing that air and seaports were “a means towards an end”.
In Barbados’ case, he emphasized that there was room for both domestic and foreign investment in GAIA and the Bridgetown Port, while pressing home his argument that “these are opportunities to relieve the fiscal burden that the Governments face, so that you can put your priority on other things”.
The CDB head insisted that Government would not be adversely impacted if the Port’s ownership and operation were in private hands, adding that in Barbados’ case the situation was urgent, since it placed the country’s fixed exchange rate under threat.
In addition to both ports, Smith suggested other state-held assets could be sold off, including the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. He argued that Government could find other mechanisms for getting its message out.
In response to Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler’s suggestion that many state entities were highly indebted and therefore would not be attractive for divestment, the regional banker zeroed in on the Transport Board, saying it would have to undergo a process of reform to reduce the current burden on the state.
However, Smith was adamant that privatization was among a raft of options that could be pursued, even though he acknowledged that the decision was not his to take.
By Andrea M. Ewart, Esq.
U.S. foreign and trade policy could look very different in 2017. Whether this is the case depends, of course, on who wins the Presidential elections on November 8th, 2016. At the same time, there is little reason to expect that any change will have a major impact on the current status of US-Caribbean relations.
Hillary Clinton as President will continue the general course of President Obama’s foreign and trade policy. With respect to the Caribbean, this policy has created some increased engagement with the region, notably in President Obama’s second term. President Obama’s 2015 meeting with CARICOM Heads of State in Jamaica is the highlight – not to be taken lightly given the countries/regions desirous of a visit from the U.S. President. The groundwork had already been laid by Vice President Biden’s meeting with CARICOM in Trinidad & Tobago, and the signature of the Trade & Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in 2013. Since then, the U.S. and CARICOM meet bi-annually through the Trade & Investment Council (TIC) created by the TIFA.
Energy has received particular focus. After increasing levels of engagement in this area, President Obama initiated the Task Force for Caribbean and Central American Energy Security in 2015. Its goal is to diminish the vulnerability of small energy markets in the region to fluctuations in global energy markets.
The region can expect these key initiatives to continue under a President Clinton. Secretary of State Clinton was very focused on women and gender issues so this is one possible area of increased attention under her presidency.
The unknowns lie with a Trump presidency. Will the U.S. return to the “benign” neglect of the Caribbean, and indeed of any country or region that does not pose an immediate security or economic threat to the United States?
• Strengthen trade enforcement against countries that his Administration would label as “cheats” – this would include unilaterally raising tariffs and duties on the goods from some countries.
Some of these commitments, if implemented, would trigger a trade war. Economists have said this eventuality would push the U.S. and the world back into economic recession. Even if this worst case scenario did not occur, the region is unlikely to see heightened engagement under a Trump presidency.
A very good basis has been laid, nevertheless, that could allow the current status of US-Caribbean foreign and trade relations to continue under either candidate. There may not be a US-Caribbean Energy Summit under a President Trump. However, the important work takes place after and in-between such high-level events. Progress comes from the work of professional foreign policy officials and engaged civil society. The key deciding factor for the future of US-Caribbean relations continues to be the extent to which the region responds while proactively and consistently engaging the U.S. with its own agenda.
US-Cuba foreign and trade relations are considered separately by US policymakers. The topic is also of particular interest to the rest of the Caribbean.
Ms. Clinton and Mr. Trump have taken opposing positions on the US opening of Cuba. Ms. Clinton supports the current opening and lifting of the US embargo. Mr. Trump perhaps appreciates the business opportunities but has said he would be prepared to return the restrictions if Cuba does not give more religious and political freedoms to its citizens.
Andrea Ewart is a Jamaican national and US-trained customs and international trade attorney with her own firm, DevelopTradeLaw, LLC, which works with businesses, governments, and individuals to facilitate the successful movement of goods and services across national borders. Ms Ewart also consults for Caribbean businesses and governments on World Trade Organization (WTO), CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), US-Caribbean trade relations, trade negotiations, and other trade issues.
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- At a recent regional workshop convened by the UN Environment - Caribbean Environment Programme, (UNEP CEP) in Jamaica from August 15-17, over 30 national and regional experts committed their support to the continued development of the region’s first state of marine environment report for the Caribbean Sea.
The development of the report will be financed by two regional projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) – the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems Project (UNDP/GEF CLME+) and the Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystem Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (GEF IWEco). The contributions from these two projects are expected to be in excess of US$100,000.
Addressing the experts during the workshop, Christopher Corbin, UNEP CEP’s programme officer with responsibility for its pollution sub-programme, explained that many countries in the wider Caribbean region have “limited data on the levels of pollution of their marine environments and that this was being compounded by inadequate national monitoring capacity”.
Corbin further highlighted that the lack of pollution data hindered the ability of governments to identify “pollution hot spots” and focus their Interventions in areas with the highest environmental and human health risks. According to recent UNEP reports, pollution continues to be one of the most significant threats to coastal and marine ecosystems and to public health in the wider Caribbean region.
This assessment report is expected to support harmonized regional approaches for managing transboundary pollution and to protect fragile coastal and marine resources.
(3) Gaining access to existing pollution-related information.
Improving knowledge about the state of the marine environment including identifying the major sources and impacts of pollution is one of the objectives of the Land Based Sources and Activities (LBS).
The LBS Protocol, which was adopted in 1999 and became law in 2010, requires countries in the wider Caribbean region to: “take all measures to prevent reduce and control pollution” of the Caribbean Sea.
The development of the region’s first state of environment report is just one of many ongoing activities by UNEP CEP and partners to provide capacity-building support that will enable regional governments to better assess the quantities, types, sources and impacts of land-based sources of marine pollution.
The first draft of the report is expected to be presented at the third conference of parties to the LBS Protocol to be held in early 2017.
MARGARITA ISLAND, Venezuela -- Only four Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders were among the kings, presidents and prime ministers of the 120-member Non Aligned Movement (NAM), which started its two-day summit in Margarita Island, Venezuela on Saturday -- and only two were expected to be present when the final declaration is adopted Sunday.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- Regional tourism development agency, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and regional hospitality agency, the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) have signed a letter of agreement (LoA) to join other regional agencies and institutions representing climate sensitive sectors as joint tourism partners on the consortium of regional sectoral early warning information systems across climate timescales (EWISACTs) coordination partners currently being spearheaded by the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH).
David Farrell, principal of the CIMH, which functions as the secretariat for the EWISACTs consortium, presented the LoA for signing to Hugh Riley, CTO secretary-general, and Karolin Troubetzkoy, CHTA president, during the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Bridgetown, Barbados.
"The CTO recognizes that there is an urgent need to develop initiatives to enhance tourism sector resilience to climate variability and extremes utilising a very holistic and proactive approach. Through this partnership, we will seek to develop climate information tools and services which can be used by the tourism industry, particularly public and private sector decision-makers to direct marketing efforts, inform policy formulation and guide decision-making," said Riley.
In the coming months, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Caribbean Agricultural Research & Development Institute (CARDI), the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA), and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) will follow the lead of the CTO and the CHTA and sign the LoA to formalize their participation in the consortium.
Farrell noted, "The signing of this letter of agreement by the representatives of the regional tourism sector places the region at the leading edge of research and development activities geared at identifying, designing and delivering climate services solutions to advance the regional tourism sector. The CIMH looks forward to a long and successful partnership working with the CTO, CHTA and other climate sensitive sectors through the EWISACTs Consortium."
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- For many countries in the Caribbean, a successful tourism industry is critical to social and economic growth and development. However, an increasingly competitive global tourism market has meant that Caribbean countries must find ways to differentiate themselves, in order to continue to attract visitors.
One way to do this is to improve the level of service delivery that is provided by tourism-related micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). The international Hospitality Assured Certification (HAC), which was developed specifically for tourism and tourism-related businesses, promotes a culture of service and business excellence. Businesses that have attained the HAC have signaled their commitment to service delivery, business excellence and continuous improvement.
The HAC process is supported by trained business advisors, who provide technical assistance to MSMEs seeking to become certified. As such, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has partnered with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) to host a workshop for business advisors from the region. The workshop seeks to equip 16 participants with the necessary skills to advise on HAC processes for Caribbean MSMEs.
The workshop is taking place from September 5-9, at the CTO offices in Barbados. Speaking at the opening ceremony on September 5, Bonita Morgan, director, resource mobilization and development at the CTO, reminded participants that they are a critical part of the HAC process.
“You are the ones who help us to promote the programme, but also, you provide the technical assistance to the businesses to help them to meet the criteria to be able to strengthen their businesses and their processes and structures, to engage their employees and do the things that are really geared towards making the business experience a wonderful one, and so, you are a critical component of this process,” Morgan said.
CDB has provided funding in the amount of US$61,000 towards the workshop, through the bank’s Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS) network.
“The CTCS network is the bank’s principal technical assistance programme, which seeks to enhance the managerial and operational capacities of micro, small and medium sized enterprises in the Bank’s borrowing member countries. This workshop is in keeping with interventions in that regard, where training is conducted to build the capacity of resource persons who are then required to provide technical assistance to MSMEs in their countries,” said Michel Thomas, operations officer (CTCS), CDB.
Workshop participants are from ten Caribbean countries: Anguilla, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Monserrat, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Friday September 2, 2016 – Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Karl Samuda has called on commercial banks to lower interest rates on loans to single digit, to boost production and growth within the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.
He cited agriculture as one sector which cannot grow with an interest rate that currently exceeds four per cent.
Minister Samuda noted that 97 per cent of registered taxpayers are found within the MSME sector, “but the sector cannot hope to thrive at the pace necessary to get this economy rolling, unless we get to low single-digit interest charges”.
He made the comments at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Scotiabank Vision Achiever Programme on Wednesday.
Minister Samuda said the greatest challenge for the small-business sector is the inability to provide the level of collateral needed to access loans.
“If you don’t have it (collateral), your negotiating skills are diminished. With big collateral you can bargain and get the best rates. I think for Jamaica to really go forward, the philosophy of banking has to be altered somewhat, whereby the focus is more on the viability of the project than on the level of collateral that is offered,” he contended.
Meanwhile, Samuda commended Scotiabank on its Vision Achiever Programme. Under that initiative, 25 small and medium enterprise operators benefited from an intensive three-month coaching programme designed to achieve core competencies for running a successful business.
Caribbean countries are not alone in worrying about how de-risking is threatening their financial stability. The Commonwealth is not only noticing it but trying to come up with solutions.

lowercased:
kingston, jamaica (jis) -- chairman of jamaica’s caribbean community (caricom) review commission and former prime minister, bruce golding, says caricom is not a failure, having achieved successes in several areas.
“i think we have done very well in terms of functional cooperation. if every country in caricom had to set up their own examination system, instead of having the caribbean examinations council, it would be difficult for much of the smaller islands that have fewer resources than we do,” golding said.
he was speaking at a youth forum hosted by the caricom review commission at the university of the west indies regional headquarters, on thursday, september 22.
the caricom review commission is the brainchild of prime minister andrew holness. it has been tasked to examine jamaica’s role in the regional bloc and how it has impacted the country’s development.
golding also cited institutions such as the caribbean agricultural research and development institute (cardi) and the caribbean disaster emergency management agency (cdema) as successful areas of cooperation.
“we are all subject to natural disasters, and the response to natural disasters when they occur requires institutional building, capabilities, and it requires management. if every country had to set up (one) for itself, then you see the difficulties that many countries would have,” golding said.
the former prime minister also argued that caricom is important for foreign policy coordination.
“there is strength in numbers. we have, in fact, been able to exert a significant amount of influence in some of the major councils of the world, simply because when we go there we have 14 votes,” the chairman said.
“i know of some occasions where there are some contentious issues in the organization of american states and the united nations, where balance is so close that 14 votes can make a difference, and that’s when the biggest of the big come knocking on our doors,” golding added.
for his part, minister of state in the ministry of education, youth and information, floyd green, encouraged the youth to submit suggestions to the caricom review commission.
on the issue of integration, green said this is being undermined “by the fact that it is so expensive for us to travel among our caricom states”.
he also mentioned that the university of the west indies is becoming less integrated based on the make-up of the population on the campuses.
at the forum, the youth shared on issues such as regional integration and immigration.
caricom is a grouping of 20 countries: 15 member states and five associate members. it is home to approximately 16 million citizens, 60 percent of whom are under the age of 30, and from the main ethnic groups of indigenous peoples, africans, indians, europeans, chinese and portuguese.
topical issues such as trade practices, the treatment of jamaicans travelling to other caricom countries, contrasts emerging between caricom’s strategies and goals and those of individual countries and how these can be reconciled are also to be explored by the commission.
(caricom secretariat, turkeyen, greater georgetown, guyana) senior officials from cariforum and the european union (eu) will meet on 26 september 2016 in bridgetown, barbados in an effort to take forward dialogue on potential cooperation opportunities in the caribbean region in the area of intellectual property (ip).
the one-day forum, entitled cariforum-eu workshop on intellectual property (ip) tools, networks and cooperation opportunities, is jointly organized by the cariforum directorate of the caribbean community (caricom) secretariat and the european union intellectual property office (euipo), in partnership with the delegation of the european union to barbados, the eastern caribbean states, oecs and caricom/cariforum.
this workshop is made possible with support from euipo and the 10th european development fund (edf) caribbean regional indicative programme (crip). the euipo is responsible for managing the eu trade mark and the registered community design. the office also works with the ip offices of the eu member states and international partners to offer a similar registration experience for trade marks and designs across europe and the world.
the director-general of the cariforum directorate, mr. percival marie, stated "the expectation is that the workshop will foster exchange of knowledge and experience." mr. marie applauded the joint initiative and expressed the hope that, in so far as the forum is designed to bring together a cross-section of stakeholders, it will ultimately contribute to enhanced cooperation.
this cooperation is especially pertinent in the context of the cariforum-eu economic partnership agreement (epa), which was signed in 2008. the agreement includes a chapter on innovation and intellectual property. the objectives of the chapter in question are set out in article 132. broadly, the intent of this chapter is to foster the development of cariforum innovation systems so as to enhance the competitiveness of cariforum firms, and there is recognition that the protection and enforcement of ip contributes to fostering creativity, innovation and competitiveness. in this regard, the provisions of the chapter also delve into the legislative and administrative environments which are required in order to provide protection of ip. of note are the references in the chapter to cooperation between the parties, for instance, support to be extended to cariforum so that states may develop and enforce the protection of ip.
in this context, the workshop will gather representatives drawn from cariforum states' ip offices, the organisation of eastern caribbean states (oecs) commission, the caribbean export development agency, the caribbean development bank, eu delegation offices and eu member states' missions in the region, the inter-american development bank, and the caribbean unit of the world intellectual property organization (wipo). resource persons from the caricom secretariat and the euipo will also be on hand.
in a planned panel discussion, representatives of cariforum states' ip offices will be afforded the opportunity to highlight their needs. moreover, the euipo will call attention to its experience with respect to international cooperation, networks and tools, complemented by an overview thereafter—by the eu delegation office in barbados—of eu priorities for the caribbean region.
a joint brainstorming session is slated to take emerging perspectives into consideration, with a view to identifying potential areas of cooperation in ip, such as geographical indications. in this connection, the expectation is that the workshop will culminate in an examination of next steps to further strengthen cooperation.
bridgetown, barbados, wednesday september 21, 2016 – president of the caribbean development bank (cdb) dr warren smith has sounded a stern warning that barbados was not yet out of the proverbial economic woods by a long shot. in fact, so worried is he about the country’s worsening debt situation that he suggested “front end adjustments” were urgently needed to correct the economic slide.
in a frank interview with barbados today, smith also described the island’s overall fiscal position as “unsustainable”, while cautioning that if left unchecked, it would do untold damage to the barbados dollar.
with that said smith did not shy away from the dreaded “p” word – privatization –, naming grantley adams international airport (gaia) and the bridgetown port as “naturals” for divestment.
“long gone are the days when governments need to be involved in things such as airports and seaports,” smith argued.
“we do not believe that these types of investments need to continue to be in the hands of government,” he added.
while acknowledging there would be political consequences arising out of the sale of these perceived crown jewels, he said barbados was not unique in that regard.
in fact, the jamaican-born cdb president gave the example of that country’s divestment of its sangster international airport in montego bay, saying, “foreign investors have come in, they have pumped money into the expansion of the airport, which is now promoting the growth of their tourism industry”.
smith also made reference to the recently privatized port of kingston, which he said was now attracting large investments, while stressing that air and seaports were “a means towards an end”.
in barbados’ case, he emphasized that there was room for both domestic and foreign investment in gaia and the bridgetown port, while pressing home his argument that “these are opportunities to relieve the fiscal burden that the governments face, so that you can put your priority on other things”.
the cdb head insisted that government would not be adversely impacted if the port’s ownership and operation were in private hands, adding that in barbados’ case the situation was urgent, since it placed the country’s fixed exchange rate under threat.
in addition to both ports, smith suggested other state-held assets could be sold off, including the caribbean broadcasting corporation. he argued that government could find other mechanisms for getting its message out.
in response to minister of finance chris sinckler’s suggestion that many state entities were highly indebted and therefore would not be attractive for divestment, the regional banker zeroed in on the transport board, saying it would have to undergo a process of reform to reduce the current burden on the state.
however, smith was adamant that privatization was among a raft of options that could be pursued, even though he acknowledged that the decision was not his to take.
by andrea m. ewart, esq.
u.s. foreign and trade policy could look very different in 2017. whether this is the case depends, of course, on who wins the presidential elections on november 8th, 2016. at the same time, there is little reason to expect that any change will have a major impact on the current status of us-caribbean relations.
hillary clinton as president will continue the general course of president obama’s foreign and trade policy. with respect to the caribbean, this policy has created some increased engagement with the region, notably in president obama’s second term. president obama’s 2015 meeting with caricom heads of state in jamaica is the highlight – not to be taken lightly given the countries/regions desirous of a visit from the u.s. president. the groundwork had already been laid by vice president biden’s meeting with caricom in trinidad & tobago, and the signature of the trade & investment framework agreement (tifa) in 2013. since then, the u.s. and caricom meet bi-annually through the trade & investment council (tic) created by the tifa.
energy has received particular focus. after increasing levels of engagement in this area, president obama initiated the task force for caribbean and central american energy security in 2015. its goal is to diminish the vulnerability of small energy markets in the region to fluctuations in global energy markets.
the region can expect these key initiatives to continue under a president clinton. secretary of state clinton was very focused on women and gender issues so this is one possible area of increased attention under her presidency.
the unknowns lie with a trump presidency. will the u.s. return to the “benign” neglect of the caribbean, and indeed of any country or region that does not pose an immediate security or economic threat to the united states?
• strengthen trade enforcement against countries that his administration would label as “cheats” – this would include unilaterally raising tariffs and duties on the goods from some countries.
some of these commitments, if implemented, would trigger a trade war. economists have said this eventuality would push the u.s. and the world back into economic recession. even if this worst case scenario did not occur, the region is unlikely to see heightened engagement under a trump presidency.
a very good basis has been laid, nevertheless, that could allow the current status of us-caribbean foreign and trade relations to continue under either candidate. there may not be a us-caribbean energy summit under a president trump. however, the important work takes place after and in-between such high-level events. progress comes from the work of professional foreign policy officials and engaged civil society. the key deciding factor for the future of us-caribbean relations continues to be the extent to which the region responds while proactively and consistently engaging the u.s. with its own agenda.
us-cuba foreign and trade relations are considered separately by us policymakers. the topic is also of particular interest to the rest of the caribbean.
ms. clinton and mr. trump have taken opposing positions on the us opening of cuba. ms. clinton supports the current opening and lifting of the us embargo. mr. trump perhaps appreciates the business opportunities but has said he would be prepared to return the restrictions if cuba does not give more religious and political freedoms to its citizens.
andrea ewart is a jamaican national and us-trained customs and international trade attorney with her own firm, developtradelaw, llc, which works with businesses, governments, and individuals to facilitate the successful movement of goods and services across national borders. ms ewart also consults for caribbean businesses and governments on world trade organization (wto), caricom single market and economy (csme), us-caribbean trade relations, trade negotiations, and other trade issues.
kingston, jamaica -- at a recent regional workshop convened by the un environment - caribbean environment programme, (unep cep) in jamaica from august 15-17, over 30 national and regional experts committed their support to the continued development of the region’s first state of marine environment report for the caribbean sea.
the development of the report will be financed by two regional projects funded by the global environment facility (gef) – the caribbean and north brazil shelf large marine ecosystems project (undp/gef clme+) and the integrating water, land and ecosystem management in caribbean small island developing states (gef iweco). the contributions from these two projects are expected to be in excess of us$100,000.
addressing the experts during the workshop, christopher corbin, unep cep’s programme officer with responsibility for its pollution sub-programme, explained that many countries in the wider caribbean region have “limited data on the levels of pollution of their marine environments and that this was being compounded by inadequate national monitoring capacity”.
corbin further highlighted that the lack of pollution data hindered the ability of governments to identify “pollution hot spots” and focus their interventions in areas with the highest environmental and human health risks. according to recent unep reports, pollution continues to be one of the most significant threats to coastal and marine ecosystems and to public health in the wider caribbean region.
this assessment report is expected to support harmonized regional approaches for managing transboundary pollution and to protect fragile coastal and marine resources.
(3) gaining access to existing pollution-related information.
improving knowledge about the state of the marine environment including identifying the major sources and impacts of pollution is one of the objectives of the land based sources and activities (lbs).
the lbs protocol, which was adopted in 1999 and became law in 2010, requires countries in the wider caribbean region to: “take all measures to prevent reduce and control pollution” of the caribbean sea.
the development of the region’s first state of environment report is just one of many ongoing activities by unep cep and partners to provide capacity-building support that will enable regional governments to better assess the quantities, types, sources and impacts of land-based sources of marine pollution.
the first draft of the report is expected to be presented at the third conference of parties to the lbs protocol to be held in early 2017.
margarita island, venezuela -- only four caribbean community (caricom) leaders were among the kings, presidents and prime ministers of the 120-member non aligned movement (nam), which started its two-day summit in margarita island, venezuela on saturday -- and only two were expected to be present when the final declaration is adopted sunday.
bridgetown, barbados -- regional tourism development agency, the caribbean tourism organization (cto) and regional hospitality agency, the caribbean hotel & tourism association (chta) have signed a letter of agreement (loa) to join other regional agencies and institutions representing climate sensitive sectors as joint tourism partners on the consortium of regional sectoral early warning information systems across climate timescales (ewisacts) coordination partners currently being spearheaded by the caribbean institute for meteorology and hydrology (cimh).
david farrell, principal of the cimh, which functions as the secretariat for the ewisacts consortium, presented the loa for signing to hugh riley, cto secretary-general, and karolin troubetzkoy, chta president, during the state of the tourism industry conference (sotic) in bridgetown, barbados.
"the cto recognizes that there is an urgent need to develop initiatives to enhance tourism sector resilience to climate variability and extremes utilising a very holistic and proactive approach. through this partnership, we will seek to develop climate information tools and services which can be used by the tourism industry, particularly public and private sector decision-makers to direct marketing efforts, inform policy formulation and guide decision-making," said riley.
in the coming months, the caribbean disaster emergency management agency (cdema), the caribbean agricultural research & development institute (cardi), the caribbean water and wastewater association (cwwa), and the caribbean public health agency (carpha) will follow the lead of the cto and the chta and sign the loa to formalize their participation in the consortium.
farrell noted, "the signing of this letter of agreement by the representatives of the regional tourism sector places the region at the leading edge of research and development activities geared at identifying, designing and delivering climate services solutions to advance the regional tourism sector. the cimh looks forward to a long and successful partnership working with the cto, chta and other climate sensitive sectors through the ewisacts consortium."
bridgetown, barbados -- for many countries in the caribbean, a successful tourism industry is critical to social and economic growth and development. however, an increasingly competitive global tourism market has meant that caribbean countries must find ways to differentiate themselves, in order to continue to attract visitors.
one way to do this is to improve the level of service delivery that is provided by tourism-related micro, small and medium sized enterprises (msmes). the international hospitality assured certification (hac), which was developed specifically for tourism and tourism-related businesses, promotes a culture of service and business excellence. businesses that have attained the hac have signaled their commitment to service delivery, business excellence and continuous improvement.
the hac process is supported by trained business advisors, who provide technical assistance to msmes seeking to become certified. as such, the caribbean development bank (cdb) has partnered with the caribbean tourism organisation (cto) to host a workshop for business advisors from the region. the workshop seeks to equip 16 participants with the necessary skills to advise on hac processes for caribbean msmes.
the workshop is taking place from september 5-9, at the cto offices in barbados. speaking at the opening ceremony on september 5, bonita morgan, director, resource mobilization and development at the cto, reminded participants that they are a critical part of the hac process.
“you are the ones who help us to promote the programme, but also, you provide the technical assistance to the businesses to help them to meet the criteria to be able to strengthen their businesses and their processes and structures, to engage their employees and do the things that are really geared towards making the business experience a wonderful one, and so, you are a critical component of this process,” morgan said.
cdb has provided funding in the amount of us$61,000 towards the workshop, through the bank’s caribbean technological consultancy services (ctcs) network.
“the ctcs network is the bank’s principal technical assistance programme, which seeks to enhance the managerial and operational capacities of micro, small and medium sized enterprises in the bank’s borrowing member countries. this workshop is in keeping with interventions in that regard, where training is conducted to build the capacity of resource persons who are then required to provide technical assistance to msmes in their countries,” said michel thomas, operations officer (ctcs), cdb.
workshop participants are from ten caribbean countries: anguilla, belize, british virgin islands, guyana, jamaica, monserrat, saint lucia, st kitts and nevis, st vincent and the grenadines and the turks and caicos islands.
kingston, jamaica, friday september 2, 2016 – minister of industry, commerce, agriculture and fisheries karl samuda has called on commercial banks to lower interest rates on loans to single digit, to boost production and growth within the micro, small and medium enterprise (msme) sector.
he cited agriculture as one sector which cannot grow with an interest rate that currently exceeds four per cent.
minister samuda noted that 97 per cent of registered taxpayers are found within the msme sector, “but the sector cannot hope to thrive at the pace necessary to get this economy rolling, unless we get to low single-digit interest charges”.
he made the comments at the closing ceremony of the 2016 scotiabank vision achiever programme on wednesday.
minister samuda said the greatest challenge for the small-business sector is the inability to provide the level of collateral needed to access loans.
“if you don’t have it (collateral), your negotiating skills are diminished. with big collateral you can bargain and get the best rates. i think for jamaica to really go forward, the philosophy of banking has to be altered somewhat, whereby the focus is more on the viability of the project than on the level of collateral that is offered,” he contended.
meanwhile, samuda commended scotiabank on its vision achiever programme. under that initiative, 25 small and medium enterprise operators benefited from an intensive three-month coaching programme designed to achieve core competencies for running a successful business.
caribbean countries are not alone in worrying about how de-risking is threatening their financial stability. the commonwealth is not only noticing it but trying to come up with solutions.


text: The great Mississippi river shares its bank with the city of Davenport. This city is located in the state of Iowa and has the third largest population size in the state. Davenport is known for its vast transportation system and is recreational activities. This city won the “city livability award” in 2007. There are four main Universities in Davenport, all of which have gained a solid reputation in educational services. A large number of students enroll in medical Degree Programs in Davenport due to the quality education provided in these fields. The city is known for its first class college state system, and is serving many students in the city.

lowercased: the great mississippi river shares its bank with the city of davenport. this city is located in the state of iowa and has the third largest population size in the state. davenport is known for its vast transportation system and is recreational activities. this city won the “city livability award” in 2007. there are four main universities in davenport, all of which have gained a solid reputation in educational services. a large number of students enroll in medical degree programs in davenport due to the quality education provided in these fields. the city is known for its first class college state system, and is serving many students in the city.


text:
Tectus is a classic Naef construction toy for the classic geometry fan. It consists of 23 white rectangular shapes, in several varying sizes, each of which is divided into the dimensions of the golden ratio. They are assembled in in black rectangular plates. The can be arranged to form many different structures that draw on the harmonic principles of the golden ratio (see Technical Specs).
to the larger of the two quantities.

lowercased:
tectus is a classic naef construction toy for the classic geometry fan. it consists of 23 white rectangular shapes, in several varying sizes, each of which is divided into the dimensions of the golden ratio. they are assembled in in black rectangular plates. the can be arranged to form many different structures that draw on the harmonic principles of the golden ratio (see technical specs).
to the larger of the two quantities.