The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, is on a brief visit to Afghanistan, between 26-28 March, during which he has highlighted the world body’s commitment to the country and its people through its elections next week and beyond. While in the capital, Kabul, he has met with a wide range of people and groups. Addressing Afghan journalists at a media encounter (shown here), the UN peacekeeping chief reiterated the organization’s “absolute impartiality” in the Presidential and Provincial Council elections scheduled to be held next week.

Photo: Fardin Waezi / UNAMA

U.S. reliance on oil – primarily for transportation – has many negative impacts. To pay for this oil, American consumers send billions of dollars to other countries including some that are incongruent with U.S. interests. And we are dependent on this fuel from countries rife with political instability. Conflicts there can cause the oil price to spike. In short, oil dependence threatens our economy and national security.

In addition, the combustion of oil and petroleum products – particularly gasoline – threatens our environment. Emissions of greenhouse gases from motor vehicles are the second largest source of U.S. global warming pollution.

Congress began to address these problems with the enactment of the Energy Independence and Security Act. President Bush signed it into law on December 19, 2007. It includes the first increase in fuel economy standards since 1975. It would require cars and light trucks to meet an average fuel economy standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, with interim steps in the early years.

Now that the new law sets a fuel economy destination, auto companies can travel there via various routes. Some companies, such as General Motors, plan to develop "plug in hybrids" that rely on batteries recharged via AC outlets, combined with gasoline. Other companies plan to develop cars that rely on different fuels. Each system has its advantages and drawbacks.

This event will brought together leaders from General Motors and Honda to discuss their various approaches to achievement of the new fuel economy standards. An impartial automotive engineer from the Union of Concerned Scientists provided his perspective as well. The ultimate technology "winner" could affect our transportation system for years to come.

Lot 363 of the Salcedo Auctions "Connoisseur Collection" auction in September 2014. See www.salcedoauctions.com for details.

From the auction catalogue:

José Rizal

Noli Me Tangere

Berlin: Berliner Buchdruckerei-Aktiengesellschaft, 1887

First Edition

Provenance:

Acquired from a descendant of Narcisa Rizal-Lopez, elder sister of the National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal, by the present owner

The Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, completed his most famous novel about the inequities of society, and the abuses of Spanish friars and the ruling colonial government in December 1886. After completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal sought to embark upon a project that would make a contribution to his countrymen. At first, he had planned to publish a book that the Circulo-Hispano-Filipino could contribute to; but disagreements between its members meant that the project fell through. In the end, Rizal decided to set out on his own and write a novel: first in Madrid where he competed half of the manuscript, then in Paris, and finally in Germany. He called it "Noli Me Tangere" (Touch Me Not), a reference, it has been written, to the the medical term for a festering, painful cancerous sore.

The novel was written in Spanish; but as Leon Ma. Guerrero wrote, financial constraints threatened to cast the manuscript into oblivion. In the end, a friend of Rizal, Maximo Viola, came through, lending him the needed funds to print 2,000 copies.

Rizal, himself, describing the nature of the Noli Me Tangere to his friend Blumentritt, wrote, "The Novel is the first impartial and bold account of the life of the tagalogs. The Filipinos will find in it the history of the last ten years…"

The firestorm that followed the publication of Noli Me Tangere was swift, with accusations of heresy, treason, and subversion being levelled against its author. At the end of 1887, Fray Salvador Font, the cura of Tondo and chairman of the Permanent Commission of Censorship ordered that the book be banned from circulation. This was followed by a pronouncement that reading the Noli was tantamount to commiting a mortal sin. The effect, of course, was to be the reverse, with interest being piqued and copies being clandestinely distributed.

In dedicating the Noli to his countrymen, Rizal stirred up a Philippine national consciousness, leading to an awakening sense of self.

This is the first time in a decade that an extremely rare first edition Noli Me Tangere, one of the very few copies that have survived to this day, is being offered at auction.

PHP 300,000-350,000

Given the developments in Côte d'Ivoire, and in particular in Abidjan, France decided last night to reinforce the French military force Licorne.

For several days, the Licorne force patrols densified in Area 4 of the city, home to many foreigners and French threats of looting conducted by rogue groups.

Since March 31, more than 1,650 citizens, which over half are foreign nationals, were welcomed at a French military camp of Port-Bouet, where life is organized for these nationals, many of whom are waiting to join family and home.

Moreover, on the night of April 2 to 3, two companies and command elements were thrown into Abidjan from pre-positioned forces by military transport aircraft Transall C160 and C130 Hercules.

At the same time, the Licorne force has taken control of the airport Houphët Felix Boigny International Airport in Abidjan.

The impartial forces, UNOCI and Licorne, provide security and air traffic control of the airport which should allow back military and civilian flights.

The Licorne force now has about 1500 soldiers. She had already been reinforced for the first time in late January with the grounding of an operational reserve board, established by the BPC Tonnerre who was taking part in Operation highbush in the Gulf of Guinea.

Côte d’Ivoire

Compte-tenu de l’évolution de la situation en Côte d’Ivoire, et en particulier dans la ville d’Abidjan, la France a décidé la nuit dernière de renforcer la force militaire française Licorne.

Depuis plusieurs jours, la force Licorne a densifié ses patrouilles dans la zone 4 de la ville, où résident de nombreux ressortissants étrangers et français, menacés des pillages conduits par des groupes crapuleux.

Depuis le 31 mars, plus de 1 650 ressortissants, dont plus de la moitié sont des ressortissants étrangers, sont accueillis au camp militaire français de Port-Bouët où la vie s’organise pour ces ressortissants, dont beaucoup sont en famille et attendent de rejoindre leur domicile.

Par ailleurs, dans la nuit du 2 au 3 avril, deux compagnies et des éléments de commandement ont été projetés à Abidjan à partir des forces prépositionnées par des avions de transport militaires C160 Transall et C130 Hercules.

Dans le même temps, la force Licorne a pris le contrôle de l’aéroport Félix Houphët Boigny, l’aéroport international d’Abidjan.

Les forces impartiales, de l’ONUCI et de Licorne, assurent la sécurité et le contrôle aérien de l’aéroport. Ce qui doit permettre d’accueillir à nouveau les vols militaires et civils.

La force Licorne compte aujourd’hui environ 1500 militaires. Elle avait déjà été renforcée une première fois fin janvier avec la mise à terre d’une réserve opérationnelle embarquée, mise en place par le BPC Tonnerre qui participait alors à l’opération Corymbe dans le golfe de Guinée.

Praktica Aquapix - review

This is a sample photo taken with the Praktica Aquapix 5mp waterproof dive camera / beach camera. I bought this as a replacement for my ancient Canon waterproof Sureshot film camera that sprang a leak and sank last summer.

As the name suggests, the Praktica is designed for use in places where you would not want to risk your main camera or your mobile phone. I’m posting this mini review as I could find very little impartial info online about this camera before I bought it.

So what’s the verdict? Well, bearing in mind that it’s an alternative to a waterproof disposable, the quality (on dry land) is just fine – very, very far from a DSLR but perhaps comparable to a decent phone cam.

It’s main feature, of course, is that you can take it into the water. For this purpose it comes with a housing that the makers claim to be waterproof down to 10 metres – far beyond the depth to which you can take most non-specialist waterproof cameras and I don’t anticipate taking it to more than 5 metres when snorkelling. If you want it tested to 10 metres, then ask a scuba diver!

In summary, I can’t think of another camera as capable as this for as low a price. I found this online for £35 plus postage, which I estimate to be about the cost of buying and processing three waterproof single-use cameras. Provided it keeps the water out, I don’t think you can go far wrong . You are unlikely to win any photo competitions with it, but it could add a whole extra dimension to your holiday snaps.

I haven’t tested this in water yet, but shall post an update when I have.

One last point: it’s good to see that the makers have included a slip case for when the camera is not in the housing and also two wrist straps: one for the housing and one for the camera itself. In fact, the camera is so small and light without the housing that I shall tempted to carry it around as an alternative to taking photos with my Blackberry – if you own a Blackberry you will understand.

William McKinley (1843-1901), U.S. Representative from Ohio, Governor of Ohio, President of the United States.

Image from "The Parties and The Men, or, Political Issues of 1896 ... The Issues of the Day Impartially Reviewed" (1896).

Contrast digitally enhanced from faded original.

Impartiality-in-action: Katia meets with the commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known as MONUSCO, in Pinga. In the field, Katia and Médard have contacts with a lot of different people including the victims of armed conflict, sexual violence, looting and other abuses, as well as child soldiers, members of the military and armed opposition groups, peacekeepers, and international organisations active in the area. As elsewhere in the world, these meetings provide an essential opportunity to better understand the kinds of dangers people are exposed to, as well as minimize, prevent or put a stop to violations committed against civilians. The discussions also offer a chance to ensure that people's rights are upheld and that the voices of the victims of armed conflict are heard. What's more, these contacts ensure that the mandate of the ICRC – from the role of protection teams, like Katia and Médard, to the work of water and sanitation engineers, farming specialists and doctors – is widely understood and accepted.

© ICRC / YAZDI, Pedram / www.icrc.org

Luciano era un adolescente de 16 años que se encuentra desaparecido desde el 31/01/2009, cuando fue interceptado por policías bonaerenses del destacamente de lomas del mirador ubicado en indart 106.

Testigos y peritajes determinaron que luciano estuvo en este lugar y en la comisaria 8º ubicada en tapalque y quintana.

El destacamento de lomas del mirador depende de esta comisaria 8 esta en tiempos de dictadura fue un centro clandestino de detencion,“el sheraton”, lugar siniestro que desaparecio y sigue aun en democracia desapareciendo seres humanos.

Hasta el ida de hoy los policias que sin justificacion alguna detuvieron a luciano lo golpearon brutalmente hasta quitarle la vida y lo desaparecieron continuan trabajando en diferente comisarias, esto es preocupante, es un problema para todos nosotros, usted se podria cruzar con estos asesinos uniformados.

Luciano es desaparecido y existe un por qué, a él intentaron incluirlo en un grupo de jóvenes que robaban para la policía tras negarse a esta actividad es perseguido sistematicamente siempre bajo amenaza. Imaginese usted con 16 años sufriendo la persecusion de policias mafiosos que intentan por medio del miedo iniciarte en el delito.

El caso de luciano arruga ha sido presentado en Argentina como un ejemplo emblemático de desaparición forzada durante democracia por organizaciones de derechos humanos y el comité de los derechos del niño de las naciones unidas, la cual en su informe del año 2010 exige a las autoridades argentinas de “concluir una investigación exhaustiva e imparcial” e incluirlo en conformidad con la convencion sobre los derechos de todas las personas contra las desapariciones forzadas.

_-----------------

Luciano Arruga (born February 28, 1992) is an Argentine teenager of 16 years who has been missing since January 31, 2009, when he was intercepted by police in Buenos Aires Lomas del Mirador, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. A survey with dogs found that Arruga had been in the police station no 8 of Lomas de Mirador and in one of the police patrols that same night had not made its scheduled route and instead according to the electronic record circulated through a nearby wasteland.[1]

The case has been presented by human rights organisations in Argentina as an emblematic example of enforced disappearance during democracy and organisations such as the Committee on the Rights of the Child of the United Nations which in its report of 2010 requires the Argentine authorities "conclude a thorough and impartial investigation in conformity with the Convention on the Rights of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances."[2] In February 2010, the family requested to classify the investigation as a case of forced disappearance which would pass the case to the federal courts but the petition has so far been declined and the cause remains in Court No. 5 of La Matanza.[3]

Since 1983, 2,826 people have died in Argentina at the hands of trigger-happy police, inside prisons or juvenile institutes. Half of these deaths were of young poor males under 25 years according to the human rights group, Coordinator Against Police Repression (CORREPI

Stabilirea unei relaţii corecte cu Dumnezeu este foarte importantă

Oamenii cred în Dumnezeu, Îl iubesc pe Dumnezeu şi-L mulțumesc pe Dumnezeu atingând cu inima lor Duhul lui Dumnezeu, obţinând astfel mulțumirea Lui; atunci când se dedică cu inima lor cuvintelor lui Dumnezeu, ei sunt ca urmare mişcaţi de Duhul lui Dumnezeu. Dacă doreşti să atingi o viaţă spirituală adecvată şi să stabileşti o relaţie corectă cu Dumnezeu, trebuie mai întâi să-ţi dăruieşti inima Lui şi să-ţi linişteşti inima în faţa Lui. Doar după ce ţi-ai revărsat întreaga inimă întru Dumnezeu poţi treptat să dezvolţi o viaţă spirituală adecvată. Dacă oamenii nu-şi dăruiesc inimile lor către Dumnezeu cu încrederea lor în El, dacă inimile lor nu sunt în El şi dacă dacă ei nu consideră povara Lui ca fiind a lor, atunci tot ceea ce fac este să-L înşele pe Dumnezeu şi (aceasta) este în întregime atitudinea persoanelor religioase – acest lucru nu poate primi lauda lui Dumnezeu. Dumnezeu nu poate obţine nimic de la acest tip de persoană; acest tip de persoană serveşte doar ca un contrast în lucrarea lui Dumnezeu, ca decor în casa lui Dumnezeu, ocupând spaţiu şi nu serveşte la nimic – Dumnezeu nu se foloseşte de acest tip de persoană. La o asemenea persoană, nu doar că nu există nicio şansă pentru lucrarea Duhului Sfânt, dar chiar mai mult, nu este niciun principiu de desăvârșire. Acest tip de persoană este adevăratul „mort umblător”. Aceste persoane nu au elemente ce pot fi folosite de Duhul Sfânt – ele au fost toate însușite de Satana, corupte la extrem de Satana şi fac obiectul eliminării din partea lui Dumnezeu. În prezent, Duhul Sfânt nu doar că foloseşte oamenii prin punerea în valoare a virtuţilor lor, dar îi şi desăvârșește şi le schimbă neajunsurile. Dacă inima ta poate fi dăruită lui Dumnezeu şi poate fi liniştită în faţa Lui, atunci vei avea posibilitatea şi însuşirile de a fi folosit de către Duhul Sfânt, pentru a primi luminarea şi iluminarea Duhului Sfânt şi chiar mai mult, vei avea posibilitatea ca Duhul Sfânt să compenseze neajunsurile tale. Atunci când îţi dăruieşti inima lui Dumnezeu, poţi pătrunde mai profund în aspectul pozitiv şi poţi să fii la un nivel mai înalt de percepţie; iar ca aspect negativ, vei avea o mai mare înţelegere a propriilor tale greşeli şi neajunsuri şi vei fi mai nerăbdător pentru a căuta să satisfaci voia lui Dumnezeu şi nu vei fi pasiv şi vei pătrunde activ. Asta va însemna că eşti o persoană adecvată. Presupunând că inima ta este liniştită în faţa lui Dumnezeu, răspunsul dacă primeşti sau nu lauda Duhului Sfânt şi dacă Îl mulţumeşti sau nu pe Dumnezeu este dacă poţi pătrunde activ. Atunci când Duhul Sfânt luminează o persoană şi foloseşte o persoană, niciodată nu-i face trăsături negative, ci întotdeauna îl face ca în mod activ să progreseze. Chiar dacă el are slăbiciuni, e capabil să nu trăiască influenţat de ele, poate să se abţină a întârzia creşterea sa în viaţă şi este capabil să continue să caute să satisfacă voia lui Dumnezeu. Este o probă ce demonstrează suficient că ai obţinut prezenţa Duhului Sfânt. Dacă o persoană are mereu o tendinţă negativă şi chiar după ce a fost luminat este încă o persoană negativă şi pasivă, incapabilă să se ridice şi să acţioneze în concordanţă cu Dumnezeu, atunci acest tip de persoană primeşte doar harul lui Dumnezeu, dar Duhul Sfânt nu este cu el. Atunci când o persoană e negativă, asta înseamnă că inima lui nu s-a întors spre Dumnezeu şi duhul lui nu a fost atins de Duhul lui Dumnezeu. Acest lucru ar trebui recunoscut de către toţi.

Poate fi sesizat din experienţă că unele dintre cele mai importante chestiuni este liniştirea inimii omului în faţa lui Dumnezeu. Este o problemă care priveşte viaţa spirituală a oamenilor şi creşterea vieţii lor. Doar dacă inima ta este în pace în faţa lui Dumnezeu, căutarea adevărului şi a schimbărilor din firea ta vor da roade. Întrucât vii împovărat în faţa lui Dumnezeu şi mereu simţi că îţi lipsesc atâtea, că există multe adevăruri pe care ai nevoie să le ştii, multe realităţi pe care ai nevoie să le trăieşti şi că trebuie să supui orice grijă voinţei lui Dumnezeu – aceste lucruri sunt mereu în mintea ta şi le simţi ca şi cum te-ar apăsa atât de tare încât nu poţi respira şi deci îţi simţi inima grea (dar nu într-o stare negativă). Doar asemenea persoane sunt calificate să accepte iluminarea cuvintelor lui Dumnezeu şi să fie mișcate de Duhul Sfânt. Acest lucru este datorită poverii lor, pentru că inima lor este grea şi poate fi spus, datorită preţului pe care l-au plătit şi a chinurilor pe care le-au suferit în faţa lui Dumnezeu ei primesc luminarea şi iluminarea Lui, pentru că Dumnezeu nu acordă nimănui un tratament special. Purtarea Lui faţă de oameni este mereu imparţială, dar de asemenea El nu este arbitrar în ce priveşte măsurile Lui la adresa oamenilor şi nu le oferă necondiţionat. Acesta este un aspect al firii Sale neprihănite. În viaţa adevărată, majoritatea persoanelor încă nu au atins această sferă. Cel puţin inimile lor încă trebuie să se întoarcă complet către Dumnezeu şi deci încă nu a existat nicio schimbare majoră în firea fiinţei lor. Asta pentru că ei au trăit doar în mijlocul harului lui Dumnezeu şi încă nu au obţinut lucrarea Duhului Sfânt. Criteriile pentru folosirea oamenilor de către Dumnezeu sunt după cum urmează: inimile lor se întorc către Dumnezeu, ele sunt împovărate de cuvintele lui Dumnezeu, ei au o inimă plină de dorinţi arzătoare şi trebuie să se decidă să caute adevărul. Doar asemenea persoane pot obţine lucrarea Duhului Sfânt şi să obţină frecvent luminarea şi iluminarea. Persoanele pe care Dumnezeu le foloseşte par din afară să fie iraţionale şi par să nu aibă o relaţie corespunzătoare cu alții, deşi se exprimă cuviincios şi nu vorbesc nechibzuit şi pot întotdeauna să-şi păstreze inima calmă în faţa lui Dumnezeu. Dar este exact acel tip de persoană care este suficientă pentru a fi folosită de Duhul Sfânt. Această persoană „iraţională” despre care vorbeşte Dumnezeu pare că nu are o relaţie potrivită cu ceilalţi şi nu are o iubire vizibilă sau practici superficiale, dar atunci când împărtăşeşte lucruri spirituale el poate să-şi deschidă inima şi să asigure altruist celorlalţi iluminarea şi luminarea pe care a obţinut-o din experienţa lui prezentă dinaintea lui Dumnezeu. În acest fel îşi exprimă ei iubirea lor pentru Dumnezeu şi satisfacerea voinţei lui Dumnezeu. Atunci când alţii îi ponegresc şi ridiculizează, ei pot să nu fie controlaţi de persoane, întâmplări sau lucruri din exterior şi totuşi pot fi calmi dinaintea lui Dumnezeu. O asemenea persoană pare să aibă propria înțelegere unică. Indiferent de ceilalţi, inimile lor nu-L părăsesc niciodată pe Dumnezeu. Când ceilalţi conversează voioşi şi cu umor, inimile lor totuşi rămân dinaintea lui Dumnezeu, contemplează cuvântul lui Dumnezeu sau se roagă în linişte în inimile lor la Dumnezeu, căutând voia lui Dumnezeu. Ei niciodată nu fac din păstrarea relaţiilor lor corespunzătoare cu celelalte persoane un scop principal. O asemenea persoană pare că nu are nicio filosofie de viaţă. Pe dinafară, această persoană este plină de viaţă, adorabilă şi inocentă, dar posedă şi un sentiment de linişte. Aceasta este înfăţişarea persoanei pe care Dumnezeu o foloseşte. Lucruri precum filosofia vieţii sau „înţelegere normală” nu există la acest tip de persoană; acest tip de persoană şi-a devotat întreaga inimă cuvântului lui Dumnezeu şi pare să Îl aibă doar pe Dumnezeu în inima lui. Acesta este tipul de persoană la care Dumnezeu se referă ca fiind o persoană „fără înţelegere” şi este exact persoana ce este folosită de Dumnezeu. Semnul unei persoane care este folosită de Dumnezeu este: Indiferent când şi unde, inima lui este mereu dinaintea lui Dumnezeu şi indiferent de cât sunt alţii de desfrânaţi, de cât de mult se lasă în voia dorinţelor trupeşti şi poftelor trupeşti – inima lui nu-L părăseşte niciodată pe Dumnezeu şi nu urmează gloata. Doar acest tip de persoană se potriveşte folosirii lui de către Dumnezeu şi este exact acel tip ce este desăvârșit de Duhul Sfânt. Dacă eşti incapabil să ajungi la acest punct, atunci nu eşti îndreptăţit să fii câştigat de Dumnezeu, să fii desăvârșit de Duhul Sfânt.

Sursa imaginilor ：Biserica lui Dumnezeu Atotputernic

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Writing a Ange Kagame biography for someone is both a great gesture and a great gift. In case the biography writing project is for a family member or friend, and you do not think you don't think you have the necessary writing experience, remember that there are biography writing services out there to help you out. As a biography is an account of another person's life, in a way it is easier to write, because you being the outsider can write Kagame's Daughters impartially without having the emotional attachment.visit our www.hope-mag.com/news.php?option=lnews&ca=1&a=1157 site for more information on Ange Kagame Images

Castle Tyrol (German: Schloss Tirol, Italian: Castel Tirolo) near Merano was the ancestral seat of the counts of Tyrol and gave the region of Tyrol its name. The castle hill has been inhabited since ancient times. Archeologists have excavated a church dating from the early Christian period. The first castle was built before 1100. The second construction phase, including the dungeon, dates to 1139/40. A third phase took place in the second half of the 13th century under Count Meinhard II. The castle was the seat of Tyrol's sovereigns until 1420, when Duke Frederick IV moved the seat to Innsbruck. In the 19th century the castle was restored; the dungeon was rebuilt in 1904.

The frescos of the castle's chapel are of special interest as well as two Romanesque portals with opulent marble sculptures showing legendary creatures, religious themes, and geometric ornaments.

Today, Castle Tyrol houses the South Tyrolean Museum of History, presenting in an honest and fair-minded way the tumultuous history of the South Tyrol region.

Castelul Tirol (în germană: Schloss Tirol, în italiană: Castel Tirolo) de lângă Merano a fost reşedinţa istorică a conţilor de Tirol. De aici provine denumirea regiunii Tirol. Dealul pe care se află castelul a fost locuit încă din antichitate. Arheologii au excavat o biserică datând din epoca creştinismului timpuriu. Primul castel a fost ridicat înainte de anul 1100. A doua fază a construcţiei, care a cuprins şi temniţa, datează din 1139/40. A treia fază s-a desfăşurat în a doua jumătate a secolului al XIII-lea, în timpul domniei Contelui Meinhard al II-lea. In secolul al XIX-lea castelul a fost restaurant după o lungă perioadă de declin, început în 1420, când ducele Frederick al IV-lea a mutat reşedinţa suveranilor de Tirol la Innsbruck. In 1904 a fost reconstruită şi temniţa.

In interior se pot vedea valoroasele fresce din capela castelului, ca şi cele două portale în stil romanic cu sculpturi opulente în marmură reprezentând creature legendare, teme religioase sau ornamente geometrice.

Astăzi, Castelul Tirol adăposteşte Muzeul de Istorie al Tirolului de Sud, care prezintă într-un mod onest şi imparţial istoria agitată a regiunii.

Source: WIKIPEDIA

Given the developments in Côte d'Ivoire, and in particular in Abidjan, France decided last night to reinforce the French military force Licorne.

For several days, the Licorne force patrols densified in Area 4 of the city, home to many foreigners and French threats of looting conducted by rogue groups.

Since March 31, more than 1,650 citizens, which over half are foreign nationals, were welcomed at a French military camp of Port-Bouet, where life is organized for these nationals, many of whom are waiting to join family and home.

Moreover, on the night of April 2 to 3, two companies and command elements were thrown into Abidjan from pre-positioned forces by military transport aircraft Transall C160 and C130 Hercules.

At the same time, the Licorne force has taken control of the airport Houphët Felix Boigny International Airport in Abidjan.

The impartial forces, UNOCI and Licorne, provide security and air traffic control of the airport which should allow back military and civilian flights.

The Licorne force now has about 1500 soldiers. She had already been reinforced for the first time in late January with the grounding of an operational reserve board, established by the BPC Tonnerre who was taking part in Operation highbush in the Gulf of Guinea.

Côte d’Ivoire

Compte-tenu de l’évolution de la situation en Côte d’Ivoire, et en particulier dans la ville d’Abidjan, la France a décidé la nuit dernière de renforcer la force militaire française Licorne.

Depuis plusieurs jours, la force Licorne a densifié ses patrouilles dans la zone 4 de la ville, où résident de nombreux ressortissants étrangers et français, menacés des pillages conduits par des groupes crapuleux.

Depuis le 31 mars, plus de 1 650 ressortissants, dont plus de la moitié sont des ressortissants étrangers, sont accueillis au camp militaire français de Port-Bouët où la vie s’organise pour ces ressortissants, dont beaucoup sont en famille et attendent de rejoindre leur domicile.

Par ailleurs, dans la nuit du 2 au 3 avril, deux compagnies et des éléments de commandement ont été projetés à Abidjan à partir des forces prépositionnées par des avions de transport militaires C160 Transall et C130 Hercules.

Dans le même temps, la force Licorne a pris le contrôle de l’aéroport Félix Houphët Boigny, l’aéroport international d’Abidjan.

Les forces impartiales, de l’ONUCI et de Licorne, assurent la sécurité et le contrôle aérien de l’aéroport. Ce qui doit permettre d’accueillir à nouveau les vols militaires et civils.

La force Licorne compte aujourd’hui environ 1500 militaires. Elle avait déjà été renforcée une première fois fin janvier avec la mise à terre d’une réserve opérationnelle embarquée, mise en place par le BPC Tonnerre qui participait alors à l’opération Corymbe dans le golfe de Guinée.

KABUL, 08 May 2017 - Afghanistan is making progress in fighting corruption in the face of many challenges, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan said at an anti-corruption conference co-hosted by the Afghan government and the European Union held in Kabul today.

“Corruption is one of the greatest challenges to restoring lasting peace and development in Afghanistan,” said Tadamichi Yamamoto, who joined Afghan and international officials, including President Ashraf Ghani and EU Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin, in identifying progress made and the challenges remaining in fighting corruption across the country.

“The justice sector is Afghanistan’s most powerful weapon to fight corruption,” said the UN envoy, noting that the swift establishment of the Anti-Corruption Justice Centre, first announced at the same anticorruption conference one year ago, is an example of the country’s commitment to ending impunity with a strong, trusted and impartial justice sector.

“Demonstrating equal justice for all, including the highest ranking and most powerful, is a stark indication that the Anti-Corruption Justice Centre and other courts are free from political influence,” he said. “The ACJC, for the most serious cases, and the justice sector in all its cases, should communicate its work to the public in a way that is easy to understand.”

Mr Yamamoto, who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), went on to say that transparent work by the justice sector will allow greater scrutiny by the media and will help build public trust.

The UN official described how UNAMA has advocated for and supported the ACJC’s move to publish not only its decisions and sentences, but also the reasons behind those decisions. “This transparency ensures that the public will know the judgement is based on the rule of law alone,” said Mr Yamamoto.

While identifying these positive initiatives, UNAMA’s chief said that administrative reform must continue with more robust implementation of codes of conduct, including specialized ethical norms for prosecutors and judges, and noted that the justice sector’s fight against corruption will be a necessary part of Afghanistan’s commitment to formulate its national anti-corruption strategy under the leadership of the High Council on Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption.

He concluded by pointing to the need to protect the dedicated men and women combating corruption. “We urge the Ministry of Interior to ensure the safety of Afghanistan’s judges, prosecutors and judicial staff, especially those of the ACJC,” he said.

According to independent research, Afghanistan is one of the most corrupt countries in the world, affecting every segment of Afghan society, including business practices, government services, rule of law and justice. A new UNAMA report, released on 25 April, found that Afghan authorities have made progress in this area, but indicated that enormous challenges remain.

“For the sake of the country’s future, corruption in Afghanistan must be addressed and eliminated,” Mr Yamamoto said at the press conference to launching the report called ‘Afghanistan’s Fight Against Corruption: The Other Battlefield.’

The report makes several recommendations, recognizing that the government’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts have yet to impact the lives of most Afghans, and concludes that, notwithstanding the many legal and policy reforms that have been undertaken, corruption remains a substantial obstacle to Afghanistan’s long-term peace and prosperity.

Photo UNAMA / Fardin Waezi.

Powerful Portadown profit from poor performanceby Roger Corbett

A powerful Portadown side gained revenge for their defeat by Bangor in the Junior Cup last season by taking advantage of the home team’s poor performance and deservedly finishing ahead by 24-43.

With a number of changes to the side that did so well against Dromore last week, a young Bangor side got this second round Junior Cup fixture underway. The playing conditions were good, with the breeze blowing across the pitch and not benefiting either side. From the outset, Portadown played the game at a fast pace, and pushed Bangor back into their own half for long periods. Both sides, however, made many unforced errors and as a result promising attacks were halted.

After 10 minutes of play, it was Bangor who got the scoreboard started, when Portadown conceded a penalty for being offside and Mark Thompson converted the kicking opportunity. Portadown then resumed their attacks and it looked like they would score next. However, from a lineout on the Portadown twenty two, the ball was taken by Freddie Black before the rest of the pack formed around him and started to drive for the line. The rolling maul moved slowly forwards and sideways until one final push saw captain Jamie Clegg carried over to score to the right of the Portadown posts. The conversion by Neil Cuthbertson was successful and Bangor were now 10-0 ahead.

Even an impartial observer might have commented that this score was against the run of play, but to Bangor’s credit they took their chances well. Unfortunately, just 5 minutes later Bangor were reduced to 14 men after Black was yellow carded. From the resulting penalty, Portadown kicked for touch, and secured the ball from the lineout. They patiently worked the ball through their forwards until a gap opened up in the Bangor defence, allowing an easy run through to score under the Bangor posts. With the conversion, the score was now 10-7.

With only a few minutes of the first half remaining, Portadown continued to push forward and from a good cross field kick, they took advantage of the reduced Bangor cover and scored in the left hand corner. The tricky kick into the wind was successful, and Portadown were now in front by 10-14. To add to Bangor’s woes, scrum half Danny Diamond had to retire injured with what looks like a broken collar bone, and front row forward Phil Whyte limped off with a bad calf injury – we wish both a full and speedy recovery. Undeterred, Bangor tried to fight back and came very close in the final minute when more good forward play got the ball over the Portadown line, but it wasn’t able to be grounded.

As the teams turned around, Bangor would probably have been the happier with the scoreline, especially given the amount of possession Portadown had enjoyed in the first half. However, over the course of the following 20 odd minutes, and largely as a result of their own mistakes, their task became much harder. It started with another poor Bangor lineout which Portadown won and simply broke through to score in the right hand corner. The kick was good, extending the lead to 10-21. Then Bangor lost the ball in contact in the centre of the pitch, allowing the Portadown backline to quickly move the ball wide to their winger who rounded the Bangor defence to score under the posts.

Finally, from their scrum, Portadown took advantage of some missed tackles to open up a gap and score again under the Bangor posts. The score was now 10-35, and Bangor had a mountain to climb.

If the game looked lost at this point, nobody had obviously told Jamie Clegg. From Mark Thompson’s restart, Clegg ran in pursuit and managed to snatch the ball from the Portadown receiving player. He then had just enough time to pass outside to Neil Cuthbertson who managed to negotiate 3 Portadown defenders to score, and reduce the deficit to 17-35, with 26 minutes gone.

Shortly afterwards, the Portadown hooker was yellow carded. However, instead of capitalising on this advantage, Bangor then conceded another penalty, this time in front of their posts. The Portadown kicker gratefully took the 3 points, making the score 17-38.

It was around this point that it was starting to look like Portadown were paying the price for their furious onslaught in the first half. Bangor sensed the weakness and started to play their best rugby of the game so far. Patient build-ups by the forwards, accompanied by strong runs from the backs, produced the opportunity for full back Davy Charles to dive under his tacklers to score beside the posts. Cuthbertson’s quick kick was good, and the score was now 24-38.

As the final play approached, and the end result no longer in question, yet another lineout mix-up gave Portadown possession again. With the Bangor defence largely flat footed, Portadown cut through and, despite a desperate covering tackle by Charles, touched down for the final score of the game. Although the kick was missed, Portadown’s victory was by an emphatic 24-43 margin.

This young Bangor side can learn much from their older, wiser opponents. While fitness and commitment is not in question, consistency of technique in basic set pieces, and retention of the ball when in contact would need to improve, or at least return to levels seen in earlier games. While the disappointment of an early exit from the Junior Cup cannot be denied, the focus will now be wholly on returning to success in the league, the next fixture being a home meeting with Cooke.

Bangor side: P Whyte (P Dornan), A Jackson, J Harrison, R Meeke, F Black, M Coey, J Clegg (c), C Stewart, D Diamond (P Nicol), M Thompson, M Widdowson, M Aspley, M Weir, N Cuthbertson, D Charles

Subs: P Nicol, P Dornan

Bangor scores: J Clegg (1T), N Cuthbertson (1T), D Charles (1T), M Thompson (1P, 3C)

High in the darkness they wait...and watch...

All of these taken with a tripod-mounted Sony NEX-5 with a Sony 16mm F/2.8 and some also with a Sony VCL-ECU1 ultrawide angle converter mounted.

Please visit the Entropic Remnants website or my Entropic Remnants blog -- THANKS!

Mutantspace.ie held a CUPCAKE competition at the FEASTA food market that took place on Sunday 28th June on Patrick Street, Cork during the Cork Midsummer Festival.

We set up a stall and ran a competition for the tastiest, most crazy, over the top, delicious, silliest cupcake ever made.

A panel of judges was appointed to honestly, impartially and truthfully decide whose cupcake was the best. The winner was be announced at the inaugural Amateur Food Awards later that day and presented with the very first mutantspace.ie cupcake trophy. Congratulations to Liz Slattery the inaugural EAT MY CAKE CHAMPION 2009

Powerful Portadown profit from poor performanceby Roger Corbett

A powerful Portadown side gained revenge for their defeat by Bangor in the Junior Cup last season by taking advantage of the home team’s poor performance and deservedly finishing ahead by 24-43.

With a number of changes to the side that did so well against Dromore last week, a young Bangor side got this second round Junior Cup fixture underway. The playing conditions were good, with the breeze blowing across the pitch and not benefiting either side. From the outset, Portadown played the game at a fast pace, and pushed Bangor back into their own half for long periods. Both sides, however, made many unforced errors and as a result promising attacks were halted.

After 10 minutes of play, it was Bangor who got the scoreboard started, when Portadown conceded a penalty for being offside and Mark Thompson converted the kicking opportunity. Portadown then resumed their attacks and it looked like they would score next. However, from a lineout on the Portadown twenty two, the ball was taken by Freddie Black before the rest of the pack formed around him and started to drive for the line. The rolling maul moved slowly forwards and sideways until one final push saw captain Jamie Clegg carried over to score to the right of the Portadown posts. The conversion by Neil Cuthbertson was successful and Bangor were now 10-0 ahead.

Even an impartial observer might have commented that this score was against the run of play, but to Bangor’s credit they took their chances well. Unfortunately, just 5 minutes later Bangor were reduced to 14 men after Black was yellow carded. From the resulting penalty, Portadown kicked for touch, and secured the ball from the lineout. They patiently worked the ball through their forwards until a gap opened up in the Bangor defence, allowing an easy run through to score under the Bangor posts. With the conversion, the score was now 10-7.

With only a few minutes of the first half remaining, Portadown continued to push forward and from a good cross field kick, they took advantage of the reduced Bangor cover and scored in the left hand corner. The tricky kick into the wind was successful, and Portadown were now in front by 10-14. To add to Bangor’s woes, scrum half Danny Diamond had to retire injured with what looks like a broken collar bone, and front row forward Phil Whyte limped off with a bad calf injury – we wish both a full and speedy recovery. Undeterred, Bangor tried to fight back and came very close in the final minute when more good forward play got the ball over the Portadown line, but it wasn’t able to be grounded.

As the teams turned around, Bangor would probably have been the happier with the scoreline, especially given the amount of possession Portadown had enjoyed in the first half. However, over the course of the following 20 odd minutes, and largely as a result of their own mistakes, their task became much harder. It started with another poor Bangor lineout which Portadown won and simply broke through to score in the right hand corner. The kick was good, extending the lead to 10-21. Then Bangor lost the ball in contact in the centre of the pitch, allowing the Portadown backline to quickly move the ball wide to their winger who rounded the Bangor defence to score under the posts.

Finally, from their scrum, Portadown took advantage of some missed tackles to open up a gap and score again under the Bangor posts. The score was now 10-35, and Bangor had a mountain to climb.

If the game looked lost at this point, nobody had obviously told Jamie Clegg. From Mark Thompson’s restart, Clegg ran in pursuit and managed to snatch the ball from the Portadown receiving player. He then had just enough time to pass outside to Neil Cuthbertson who managed to negotiate 3 Portadown defenders to score, and reduce the deficit to 17-35, with 26 minutes gone.

Shortly afterwards, the Portadown hooker was yellow carded. However, instead of capitalising on this advantage, Bangor then conceded another penalty, this time in front of their posts. The Portadown kicker gratefully took the 3 points, making the score 17-38.

It was around this point that it was starting to look like Portadown were paying the price for their furious onslaught in the first half. Bangor sensed the weakness and started to play their best rugby of the game so far. Patient build-ups by the forwards, accompanied by strong runs from the backs, produced the opportunity for full back Davy Charles to dive under his tacklers to score beside the posts. Cuthbertson’s quick kick was good, and the score was now 24-38.

As the final play approached, and the end result no longer in question, yet another lineout mix-up gave Portadown possession again. With the Bangor defence largely flat footed, Portadown cut through and, despite a desperate covering tackle by Charles, touched down for the final score of the game. Although the kick was missed, Portadown’s victory was by an emphatic 24-43 margin.

This young Bangor side can learn much from their older, wiser opponents. While fitness and commitment is not in question, consistency of technique in basic set pieces, and retention of the ball when in contact would need to improve, or at least return to levels seen in earlier games. While the disappointment of an early exit from the Junior Cup cannot be denied, the focus will now be wholly on returning to success in the league, the next fixture being a home meeting with Cooke.

Bangor side: P Whyte (P Dornan), A Jackson, J Harrison, R Meeke, F Black, M Coey, J Clegg (c), C Stewart, D Diamond (P Nicol), M Thompson, M Widdowson, M Aspley, M Weir, N Cuthbertson, D Charles

Subs: P Nicol, P Dornan

Bangor scores: J Clegg (1T), N Cuthbertson (1T), D Charles (1T), M Thompson (1P, 3C)

Writing a Ange Kagame biography for someone is both a great gesture and a great gift. In case the biography writing project is for a family member or friend, and you do not think you don't think you have the necessary writing experience, remember that there are biography writing services out there to help you out. As a biography is an account of another person's life, in a way it is easier to write, because you being the outsider can write Kagame's Daughters impartially without having the emotional attachment.visit our www.hope-mag.com/news.php?option=lnews&ca=1&a=1157 site for more information on Ange Kagame Images

Composing a Ange Kagame biography for a person is both a great gesture and a fantastic gift. In case the biography composing project is for a family member or guest, and you do not believe you do not believe you have the needed writing experience, bear in mind that there are bio writing services around to aid you out. As a biography is an account of one more person's life, in a way it is less complicated to write, because you being the outsider could write Kagame's Daughters impartially without having the psychological attachment.visit our www.hope-mag.com/news.php?option=lnews&ca=1&a=1157 site for more information on Ange Kagame photos

Get Smart and save money.

True blue toddler Thomas Bannister scored a winner at an event to help people in Knowsley save money on their fuel bills.

The three year old pulled the winning raffle ticket at an Energy Smart event in Kirkby and won a football signed by all the players from his beloved, Everton.

Lucky Thomas was with his aunty Alison McNally at the event in St Chad’s Parade, which dealt with how to cut the cost of heating and lighting your home.

There was information on what heating benefits people might be entitled to and how to use energy savings to stay out of debt. There were also give-aways and goodie bags.

“The warmer weather can be a good time to do the sort of work on your house that might help you save heat in the winter,” said Cllr David Lonergan, Knowsley’s cabinet member for regeneration, economy and skills.

“Many people could be entitled to extra cash help to insulate their homes or they might be eligible to go on to a lower tariff for their bills.

“It’s not just people who are retired or on low incomes that struggle with rising fuel bills - it’s a challenge for everyone and that’s why this event was open to all.

“There are simple things that everyone can do to, such as switching off lights and switching down radiator thermostats, but we also wanted to make people aware of how to eat well when the weather changes and what benefits they can get to help with fuel bills.”

Hundreds of people came along to talk to experts from the council’s Housing team and Health and Wellbeing service, Knowsley’s Unemployed Centre, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern, Merseytravel and pensioners groups.

If you would like to know more about how to reduce your energy bills or to make your finances go further in general call Kate Fisher, the Financial Inclusion Manager in Knowsley’s Financial Inclusion Team on 443 4779.

For specific energy saving advice and helpful hints call Sally Carter in the Energy Team on 443 2216.

You can contact your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre for free and impartial advice on all aspects of saving energy on 0800 512 012.

On Saturday 5 August, activists gathered in central London to protest the ongoing brutal and illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India and its use of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, intimidation and censorship to maintain its control.

Many of those present were also angry at Britain's continued support of India and failure to take action in support of the Kashmiri people's struggle for independence. India has forcibly occupied the region for over 75 years in open defiance of UN resolutions calling for a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices to determine the area's status.

The protest marked four years since the Indian government, on 5 August 2019, revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, previously guaranteed by the constitution, and instead imposed direct rule from Delhi. As Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported, "The government action was accompanied by serious rights violations including arbitrary detention of hundreds of people, a total communications blackout and severe restrictions on freedom of movement and peaceful assembly."

www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/02/india-repression-persists-jam...

In their most recent report on Jammu and Kashmir, HRW noted that "the government's repressive policies and failure to investigate and prosecute alleged security force abuses have increased insecurity among Kashmiris," and added that "journalists in Kashmir face increasing harassment by security forces, including raids and arbitrary arrests on terrorism charges. Authorities in India have shut down the internet more often than anywhere else in the world. A majority of those shutdowns have been in Kashmir, where they are used to curb protests and access to information."

www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/02/india-repression-persists-jam...

Enforced disappearances also continue as freelance journalist Mir Aiyaz reported in Fair Planet (23 February 2023). He interviewed Khera Begum about the arrest of her son, Abdul Rashid Dar, by over forty Indian army soldiers, with no police officer attending as is legally required. An officer reportedly told his older brother, Shabir, that the police had been "informed" and that he would be released the next morning. He was not. When the family and other locals went to enquire at the nearest army base, initially they were asked to return later, and then eventually told that he had "escaped from custody." As Aiyaz notes

'Rashid's family and community members do not believe the army's version of events. "How can a man escape in the presence of ever vigilant army men?" rued Shabir. "He was too meek a person to escape, and there was no possibility of running away in the forest where he was taken."

It seems equally difficult to believe that if the army had openly stated its intention to hold him for just 24 hours, that he would have risked everything on attempting to flee.

Aiyaz observes that 'locals, particularly youths living in Kunan Poshpora have altered their daily habits due to their fear of being abducted,' and he quotes a student who while 'staring at the fenced playground (of a school), which used to be brimming with kids but has recently been mostly desolate,' told him that "boys head home after the maghrib prayers, and time spent in the playground has been slashed down."

www.fairplanet.org/story/whats-behind-the-forced-disappea...

The Indian Army has deployed a huge military force in Jammu and Kashmir which some estimates suggest might be as high as 900,000 troops. One soldier for every eight civilians. According to journalist Munir Akram writing in the Pakistan Observer (6 August 2023), the Indian military has "perpetrated a vicious campaign of repressive actions, including extrajudicial killings of innocent Kashmiris in fake encounters, custodial killings and "cordon-and-search" operations; use of pellet guns to kill, maim and blind peaceful protestors, abduction and enforced disappearances and "collective punishments," with the destruction and burning of entire villages and urban neighborhoods.'

pakobserver.net/whats-going-on-in-kashmir-is-not-normal/

www.eureporter.co/world/pakistan/2023/08/06/seminar-on-hu...

Despite India's ongoing brutal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and despite the continued tension and risk of war with Pakistan, Britain continues to grant licenses for the export of arms to both Pakistan and India.

On 23 February 2023, Politico reported that in the wake of the Ukraine war, 'Britain's defense and aerospace firms now see an opportunity to chip away at Russia's share (of India's military imports)', adding that 'Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems are part of a delegation to Aero India, Asia's biggest airshow which is taking place this week.'

The same report also seemed to suggest that rather than attempt to limit arms exports to maintain some leverage on the shocking human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir and limit the arms race between the two regional nuclear powers - India and her neighbour Pakistan, the British government appears instead intent on promoting arms exports to India. According to Politico, "Last year the UK put India on its defense equipment fast-track - the first such move offered to an Indo-Pacific nation - in a shift that will reduce red tape and shorten delivery times for defense procurement."

www.politico.eu/article/india-pursues-russian-military-bu...

It should also be noted that the United Kingdom is already one of India's largest suppliers of weapons. According to the UK House of Commons Library arms exports update in January 2023, on a "10 year rolling basis the UK is Europe's largest and the world's second largest defence exporter' beaten only by the United States (p10) and the report ranks India as the fourth largest importer of arms from the UK after Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United States, based on arms transfers between 2012 and 2021. (p21).

researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8310/...

Practicing with makeup and trying new outfits while traveling. I arrived at the resort on the weekend before the week-long conference and had the weekend to practice. I took many photos that weekend, and surprisingly most of them turned out very well, so there are 38 (out of 61) photos in this series! (Photo selection was done by two impartial reviewers.)

This is the business outfit. (I was 'into' the color fuchsia at the time.) I did not wear this outfit out at the resort because I thought it was too dressy for a weekend look. Turns out there was a business woman convention at the resort that weekend and I would have fit right in!

The day before midsummer, the queen bee used to fly the enormous distance to a far-off ocean. She plunged to its depths in search of the rare sea flower: Neptune’s Clover. No other bee in all history could accomplish such a feat. For two thousand years, this same queen had gathered the rejuvenating and curative pollen from Neptune’s Clover.

As the days rolled on, the queen still had not returned. The colony was besides itself in worry and set forth to find her. They all latched their feet onto the hive, which was as large as a hill, and flapped their wings for lift off. When finally, they arrived to what they believed to be the area of Neptune’s Clover, their exhausted wings failed. The queen bee was nowhere to be seen. The hive, heavy with honey, and all its pilots fell into the sea. The two-thousand-year-old colony perished on a beautiful, calm afternoon, beneath the impartial waves.

Nowadays, bees might construct their hives in the nooks and crannies of human architecture. Unbeknownst to the people, their floating civilization is built right over the site of the sunken hive. Perhaps the bees of this century instinctively feel its presence, and so we find them in profusion adding their honeycombs to the present architecture.

Sunken Honey is the Arts & Entertainment Region

Sponsored by Misfit Dance

Sunken Honey by Lilia Artis and Haveit Neox

The only thing that is anywhere near as cute as babies and baby feet, is their clothes! As soon as I seen these (especially the Totoro pair) I knew I had to have them for my daughter! when they arrived, they came in a little pouch that was clear and had a zipper across the top. I instantly fell in love with them! They are true to their color and they look EXACTLY how they are advertised to look. I put them on my daughter and at first she was not sure about them. She was actually mesmerized by the fact that they had ears and faces on her knees and she was playing and talking with them. After she realized they weren't coming off though she was crawling and walking around while playing. She likes them and their little faces as much I do! I love the fact that they protect her knees while she is crawling around. We do have baby knee protectors, but I much prefer using these socks to protect from carpet burn. We with with the Animal A design, but I do plan on coming back and buying both the Animal B and Weather C packs. I love the way these guys feel. The feel 100% cotton, even though they are only 75% cotton, 20% polyester, and 5% spandex. They are super soft to the touch and after going through our washer machine a few times they are still the same size they were the first time I put them on out of the pack. Zero shrinkage is a major plus for this mama! I also really appreciate the fact that they fit from ages one to three, most of her other socks that we have bought are labeled 12-18 months.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All opinions expressed are genuine, truthful and impartial.

The only thing that is anywhere near as cute as babies and baby feet, is their clothes! As soon as I seen these (especially the Totoro pair) I knew I had to have them for my daughter! when they arrived, they came in a little pouch that was clear and had a zipper across the top. I instantly fell in love with them! They are true to their color and they look EXACTLY how they are advertised to look. I put them on my daughter and at first she was not sure about them. She was actually mesmerized by the fact that they had ears and faces on her knees and she was playing and talking with them. After she realized they weren't coming off though she was crawling and walking around while playing. She likes them and their little faces as much I do! I love the fact that they protect her knees while she is crawling around. We do have baby knee protectors, but I much prefer using these socks to protect from carpet burn. We with with the Animal A design, but I do plan on coming back and buying both the Animal B and Weather C packs. I love the way these guys feel. The feel 100% cotton, even though they are only 75% cotton, 20% polyester, and 5% spandex. They are super soft to the touch and after going through our washer machine a few times they are still the same size they were the first time I put them on out of the pack. Zero shrinkage is a major plus for this mama! I also really appreciate the fact that they fit from ages one to three, most of her other socks that we have bought are labeled 12-18 months.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All opinions expressed are genuine, truthful and impartial.

In Llanelli, a few people mentioned that there was a lack of impartial information available in the run up to the referendum in the media and most news items were leaning towards one outcome. One gentleman said that he felt that as the media was the only way some people could access information having only one view promoted meant that it was difficult for people to make an informed decision. He also said that it is up to individuals to seek out information and so having the bus out and about is a good thing. One woman said that many television programmes about the referendum were broadcast too late at night, which meant she wasn't able to see as much coverage as she may have liked. Health was an important issue for one visitor, who was unhappy that the people of Llanelli had to travel further afield to receive treatment for particular needs. One woman was concerned about the reduction in public funding and its effects on community partnership work. Another member of the public said that it would be good to see processes simplified to allow for people to engage in Assembly committee consultations; he was particularly interested in raising issues via the Committee on Standards of Conduct.

Roedd y refferendwm yn bwnc poblogaidd ymysg pobl ardal Llanelli pan aeth bws y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol i’w tref hwy ddechrau’r wythnos. Barn y mwyafrif oedd y diffyg gwybodaeth ddiduedd oedd ar gael yn ystod yr ymgyrch. Nododd ambell un bod gwneud penderfyniad un ffordd neu’r llall yn dasg gymharol anodd i lawer gan mai un ochr yn unig oedd y cyfryngau yn tueddu i bortreadu. Soniodd un dyn mai cyfrifoldeb yr unigolyn ydi dod o hyd i’r wybodaeth angenrheidiol a bod bws y Cynulliad yn syniad da yn hyn o beth. Barn ymwelydd arall oedd bod llawer o’r rhaglenni teledu oedd yn canolbwyntio ar y refferendwm yn cael eu darlledu’n rhy hwyr ac nad oedd modd iddi wylio cymaint ohonynt o ganlyniad. Iechyd oedd prif bryder un dyn lleol oedd yn anhapus bod rhaid i bobl yr ardal deithio ymhell i dderbyn triniaeth arbenigol mewn ysbytai. Soniodd un ddynes ei bod yn poeni’n arw am y toriadau mewn gwariant cyhoeddus a sut y byddai hynny’n effeithio gwaith rhai cymdeithasau a phartneriaethau yn y gymuned. Dymuniad un ymwelydd oedd galluogi aelodau o’r cyhoedd i ymwneud mwy mewn ymgynghoriadau pwyllgorau’r Cynulliad, yn enwedig gyda Phwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad.

www.assemblywales.org / www.cynulliadcymru.orgwww.assemblywales.org / www.cynulliadcymru.org

Powerful Portadown profit from poor performanceby Roger Corbett

A powerful Portadown side gained revenge for their defeat by Bangor in the Junior Cup last season by taking advantage of the home team’s poor performance and deservedly finishing ahead by 24-43.

With a number of changes to the side that did so well against Dromore last week, a young Bangor side got this second round Junior Cup fixture underway. The playing conditions were good, with the breeze blowing across the pitch and not benefiting either side. From the outset, Portadown played the game at a fast pace, and pushed Bangor back into their own half for long periods. Both sides, however, made many unforced errors and as a result promising attacks were halted.

After 10 minutes of play, it was Bangor who got the scoreboard started, when Portadown conceded a penalty for being offside and Mark Thompson converted the kicking opportunity. Portadown then resumed their attacks and it looked like they would score next. However, from a lineout on the Portadown twenty two, the ball was taken by Freddie Black before the rest of the pack formed around him and started to drive for the line. The rolling maul moved slowly forwards and sideways until one final push saw captain Jamie Clegg carried over to score to the right of the Portadown posts. The conversion by Neil Cuthbertson was successful and Bangor were now 10-0 ahead.

Even an impartial observer might have commented that this score was against the run of play, but to Bangor’s credit they took their chances well. Unfortunately, just 5 minutes later Bangor were reduced to 14 men after Black was yellow carded. From the resulting penalty, Portadown kicked for touch, and secured the ball from the lineout. They patiently worked the ball through their forwards until a gap opened up in the Bangor defence, allowing an easy run through to score under the Bangor posts. With the conversion, the score was now 10-7.

With only a few minutes of the first half remaining, Portadown continued to push forward and from a good cross field kick, they took advantage of the reduced Bangor cover and scored in the left hand corner. The tricky kick into the wind was successful, and Portadown were now in front by 10-14. To add to Bangor’s woes, scrum half Danny Diamond had to retire injured with what looks like a broken collar bone, and front row forward Phil Whyte limped off with a bad calf injury – we wish both a full and speedy recovery. Undeterred, Bangor tried to fight back and came very close in the final minute when more good forward play got the ball over the Portadown line, but it wasn’t able to be grounded.

As the teams turned around, Bangor would probably have been the happier with the scoreline, especially given the amount of possession Portadown had enjoyed in the first half. However, over the course of the following 20 odd minutes, and largely as a result of their own mistakes, their task became much harder. It started with another poor Bangor lineout which Portadown won and simply broke through to score in the right hand corner. The kick was good, extending the lead to 10-21. Then Bangor lost the ball in contact in the centre of the pitch, allowing the Portadown backline to quickly move the ball wide to their winger who rounded the Bangor defence to score under the posts.

Finally, from their scrum, Portadown took advantage of some missed tackles to open up a gap and score again under the Bangor posts. The score was now 10-35, and Bangor had a mountain to climb.

If the game looked lost at this point, nobody had obviously told Jamie Clegg. From Mark Thompson’s restart, Clegg ran in pursuit and managed to snatch the ball from the Portadown receiving player. He then had just enough time to pass outside to Neil Cuthbertson who managed to negotiate 3 Portadown defenders to score, and reduce the deficit to 17-35, with 26 minutes gone.

Shortly afterwards, the Portadown hooker was yellow carded. However, instead of capitalising on this advantage, Bangor then conceded another penalty, this time in front of their posts. The Portadown kicker gratefully took the 3 points, making the score 17-38.

It was around this point that it was starting to look like Portadown were paying the price for their furious onslaught in the first half. Bangor sensed the weakness and started to play their best rugby of the game so far. Patient build-ups by the forwards, accompanied by strong runs from the backs, produced the opportunity for full back Davy Charles to dive under his tacklers to score beside the posts. Cuthbertson’s quick kick was good, and the score was now 24-38.

As the final play approached, and the end result no longer in question, yet another lineout mix-up gave Portadown possession again. With the Bangor defence largely flat footed, Portadown cut through and, despite a desperate covering tackle by Charles, touched down for the final score of the game. Although the kick was missed, Portadown’s victory was by an emphatic 24-43 margin.

This young Bangor side can learn much from their older, wiser opponents. While fitness and commitment is not in question, consistency of technique in basic set pieces, and retention of the ball when in contact would need to improve, or at least return to levels seen in earlier games. While the disappointment of an early exit from the Junior Cup cannot be denied, the focus will now be wholly on returning to success in the league, the next fixture being a home meeting with Cooke.

Bangor side: P Whyte (P Dornan), A Jackson, J Harrison, R Meeke, F Black, M Coey, J Clegg (c), C Stewart, D Diamond (P Nicol), M Thompson, M Widdowson, M Aspley, M Weir, N Cuthbertson, D Charles

Subs: P Nicol, P Dornan

Bangor scores: J Clegg (1T), N Cuthbertson (1T), D Charles (1T), M Thompson (1P, 3C)

UNMISS aviation assets transport SPLM/A-IO returning to Juba from Pagak via Malakal.

UNMISS will continue to support the implementation of the Peace Agreement in an impartial manner and provide logistical support with the available resource capacities of the Mission.

Maker: William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877)

Born: UK

Active: UK

Medium: salted paper print from a calotype negative

Size: 8 5/16" x 6 1/4"

Location:

Object No. 2017.231

Shelf: B-28

Publication: H. Fox Talbot, F.R.S., The Pencil of Nature, Plate 2, Part 1, Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, London, published June 24, 1844

Josef Maria Eder, Geschicte der Photographie, Verlag von Wilhelm Knapp, 1932, pg 442

Other Collections:

Provenance: Collection of James B Parks, Swann Galleries Sale 2340, February 27, 2014, Lot 7 via Nigel Maister

Rank: 1524

Notes: Schaaf No. 128. This view was taken from one of the upper windows of the Hotel de Douvres, situated at the corner of the Rue de la Paix. The spectator is looking to the Northeast. The time is the afternoon. The sun is just quitting the range of buildings adorned with columns: its fac¸ade is already in the shade, but a single shutter standing open projects far enough forward to catch a gleam of sunshine. The weather is hot and dusty, and they have just been watering the road, which has produced two broad bands of shade upon it, which unite in the foreground because, the road being partially under repair (as is seen from the two wheelbarrows, &c. &c.), the watering machines have been compelled to cross to the other side. By the roadside a row of cittadines and cabriolets are waiting, and a single carriage stands at a distance a long way to the right. A whole forest of chimneys borders the horizon: for, the instrument chronicles whatever it sees, and certainly would delineate a chimney-pot or a chimney sweeper with the same impartiality as it would the Apollo of Belvedere.

To view our archive organized by Collections, visit: OUR COLLECTIONS

For information about reproducing this image, visit: THE HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY ARCHIVE

Writing a Ange Kagame biography for someone is both a great gesture and a great gift. In case the biography writing project is for a family member or friend, and you do not think you don't think you have the necessary writing experience, remember that there are biography writing services out there to help you out. As a biography is an account of another person's life, in a way it is easier to write, because you being the outsider can write Kagame's Daughters impartially without having the emotional attachment.visit our www.hope-mag.com/news.php?option=lnews&ca=1&a=1157 site for more information on Ange Kagame Images

BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

Brandon Marsh

Got Sachi sporting some premium Yusuke Urameshi fashion. ;P Who do you think wears it better? xD

Character Ramblings:

In the case of my stories/RPs with Sachi, she is the eldest daughter of Hiei and my other (and likely oldest/still actively used) OC, Riyo Sokai. If it isn’t obvious already, they’re all based in the Yu Yu Hakusho universe. xD

Sachi is also the person that takes over Spirit Detective duties after Yusuke (whom is her main mentor, though she learns a lot from the whole crew as she grows up, so she’s got a pretty well-rounded “jack of all trades, master of none” type of power set). She’s also only one quarter human (Hiei is obviously a fullblown demon, and Riyo is half-human with a demon mother and human/psychic father).

King Yama is no longer leading Spirit World (thanks to all the horrific bullshit he has pulled) by the time Sachi is chosen to work for them, and instead Koenma is the head honcho. While she was chosen partly because of the relationships she has with the previous detective and the friends that helped him out, and thus knows a lot about the shit that a spirit detective can get into, she was also chosen because of her strength, level-headedness, and impartial attitude regarding supernatural beings vs humans. Sachi grew up around both humans and demons and even spent chunks of her childhood in Demon World (and goes to visit it throughout her life), so she’s pretty knowledgable about the lifestyles and general attitudes of those that live in either world. Definitely one of the most qualified peacekeepers Spirit World has picked out. xD

In her case, things are generally pretty peaceful compared to Yusuke’s days. She usually acts as a mediator more often than not, though she is fully trained and prepared to deal with full blown battles.

In the past I’ve shipped her with Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach, but now-a-days he’s simply an ex-boyfriend from her high school days (break-up was sad, but amicable—they wanted different things from their adult lives and all that). Into her adulthood, she ends up meeting sweaty man extraordinaire Reigen Arataka from Mob Psycho 100, and at this point I feel like they’re definitely endgame. c:

She ends up playing a teaching role to Shigeo (similar to how Yusuke was that for her). Not so much to make him stronger since he’s already plenty strong, but moreso to steadily gain better control of his psychic abilities. He still calls Reigen “Master”, but he calls Sachi “Teacher”. IT’S GREAT AND I LOVE IT.

and yeah idk i just felt like talking about sachi don’t at me.

Been tempted to make Reigen into a doll since I’m a hoe for doll couples, but I’m currently taking a break from adding new dolls to the crew. There IS one sculpt I found that’s kinda Reigen-y, but it’s not particularly popular so I can’t find any owner images of him…plus I’m not terribly into the Souldoll Kid bodies…hmmmmmmm.

Statue of James Meehan, Department of Lands building, Bridge St, Sydney.

Each facade has 12 niches whose sculpted occupants include explorers and legislators who made a major contribution to the opening up and settlement of the nation. Although 48 men were nominated by the architect, Barnet, as being suitable subjects, most were rejected as being 'hunters or excursionists'. Only 23 statues were commissioned, the last being added in 1901 leaving 25 niches unfilled (Devine, 2011). In Nov 2010 - a new statue of colonial surveyor James Meehan (1774-1826) was created and placed in an empty niche on cnr. Loftus/Bent Streets.

Meehan, James (1774–1826)

by T. M. Perry

This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 2, (MUP), 1967

James Meehan (1774-1826), surveyor, explorer and settler, was born in Ireland and sentenced to transportation for a part in the Irish rebellion of 1798; Commissioner John Thomas Bigge later remarked that his offence was not serious. He arrived in Sydney in the Friendship on 16 February 1800 and in April was assigned as a servant to Charles Grimes, the acting surveyor-general. In 1801 he accompanied Grimes and Francis Barrallier on an exploration of the Hunter River and in 1802-03 went with Grimes and Fleming to King Island and Port Phillip.

While Grimes was on leave in 1803-06 George Evans was appointed acting surveyor general but most of the departmental duties were performed by Meehan, now conditionally pardoned; Grimes considered Meehan capable of carrying out the duties and commended his faithfulness and impartiality on his return. During this time Meehan measured farms to grantees and explored part of the Derwent (1803-04) and Shoalhaven (1805) Rivers. In 1806 he received an absolute pardon and in 1806-07 was again working in Van Diemen's Land.

After Governor William Bligh's deposition in 1808 Colonel George Johnston sent Grimes to England with dispatches and the work of the Surveyor-General's Department again devolved upon Meehan, who was appointed acting surveyor of lands with a salary of £182 10s. Because of his part in overthrowing Bligh Grimes was not permitted to return to New South Wales and Meehan's appointment was confirmed by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. After John Oxley assumed the office of surveyor-general in 1812 Macquarie appointed Meehan deputy-surveyor of lands, and in 1814 he became collector of quitrents and superintendent of roads, bridges and streets as well.

Since a great part of Oxley's time was taken up with exploration, much of the routine work of his department, particularly the measuring of grants, was undertaken by Meehan who told Bigge, 'I have measured every farm that has been measured' since August 1803. Macquarie held a high opinion of Meehan's knowledge of the country and included him in the parties which accompanied him on most of his tours of inspection in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land. In 1812-13 Meehan was in Van Diemen's Land resurveying land and correcting previous mistakes there and in 1818 Macquarie sent him with Charles Throsby to seek a route from the Sutton Forest district to Jervis Bay. After parting from Throsby, who went downstream, Meehan followed the Shoalhaven gorge upstream; he failed to find a crossing place, but discovered Lake Bathurst and the Goulburn plains. Apart from fixing the boundaries of land grants Meehan made several contributions to the mapping of the colony, most notably a map of Sydney drawn in 1807, and he surveyed the townships of Richmond, Castlereagh, Windsor, Pitt Town, Wilberforce, Liverpool and Bathurst in New South Wales, as well as Hobart Town in Van Diemen's Land.

In 1803 Meehan was granted 100 acres (40 ha) in the Field of Mars (near Ryde). This he sold five years later when Lieutenant-Governor Joseph Foveaux granted him 130 acres (53 ha) at Bankstown for 'His services and attention to his duty as Acting Surveyor in the Colony'; later he was granted 1140 acres (461 ha) at Ingleburn. These grants, like others made by the insurrectionary governors, were cancelled and reissued by Macquarie. Meehan named his Ingleburn farm Macquarie Field and there built a house which the governor referred to as Meehan's Castle.

In 1821 as a result of the 'Hardships, privations and Difficulties' endured during his early years in the colony and of his declining health he tendered his resignation and sought a pension. Acceptance of his resignation was delayed while he completed writing descriptions of the farms that had been measured, and collected the quitrents that were due, none of which had been collected since 1815 because Meehan had been wholly occupied with other tasks. His request for a pension was sent to England with glowing testimonies to his character and service from both Macquarie and Oxley, and in 1823 Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane was authorized to grant him a pension not exceeding £100 when accounts were tendered for the outstanding quitrents, which he had by this time supplied. He retired to Macquarie Field where he died on 21 April 1826. His property passed to his son Thomas (b.1809).

Meehan was one of that small group of emancipists who played an important part in the affairs of the colony during Macquarie's governorship and whose energy and ability justified Macquarie's belief that good conduct and reformation should enable a man to regain the place in society which he had lost when sentenced to transportation. He was one of those whom Macquarie invited to Government House, and in his Letter to … Viscount Sidmouth (London, 1821) Macquarie paid him this tribute: 'I have … had an opportunity of witnessing his indefatigable assiduity in the fulfilment of his arduous duties. I believe that no man has suffered so much privation and fatigue in the service of this Colony as Mr Meehan has done … His integrity has never, to my knowledge, been impeached; and I certainly consider him to be, both on account of his professional skill, and the faithfull and laborious discharge of his duty, a valuable man'.

From:

adb.anu.edu.au/biography/meehan-james-2443

UNMISS aviation assets transport SPLM/A-IO returning to Juba from Pagak via Malakal.

UNMISS will continue to support the implementation of the Peace Agreement in an impartial manner and provide logistical support with the available resource capacities of the Mission.

#ICC Prosecutor: ICC is independent & impartial - can play constructive role in #MENA by acting as deterrent #BIS2015

©ICC-CPI

Thomsun & Reference Laboratory present

WORKSHOP: "Improving your sound on stage and in studio"

conducted by Angelo Tordini (CEO, Reference Laboratory)

and Paolo Martignon (Senior R&D worker, Peecker Sound)

Seminar Topics:

LIVE BAND SETUP - ‘STAGE PLOTTING’

How the mic and wiring affect the outcome of the overall sound of a live performance.

FOCUS ON THE AUDIO CHARACTERISTICS OF A TYPICAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE LINEUP

Guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals.

THE NEW BRICASTI DESIGN M7 REVERB UNIT

Testing the newest and highest level technology in stereo digital reverb processing for studio or live applications.

PEECKER SOUND “UPTURNED-T” SERIES LOUDSPEAKERS

Portable array system with over 15m long throw and dedicated subs for small-medium scale live events.

EVALUATE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SIGNAL IN AN AUDIO CHAIN

Analysis of specific audio signal pathways and setup examples best suited to different instruments and rigs, with A / B testing.

SELECT THE RIGHT MICROPHONE

Miking up Vocals, Instruments and guitar amp cabinets.

FAST , EASY & SAFE CONCERT STAGING

The innovative modular stage and riser systems by Sixtema.

PLEASE NOTE: During the workshop we will run comparative tests on audio cables and microphones for guitars and cabs, drums, keyboards and vocals. To achieve the most impartial and productive result, we invite all participants to bring their own instrument and cable.

25th November 2012 - ABU DHABI

Venue: Thomsun, Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Ph: +971 02 6624703

Time: 5.00pm to 9.00pm

26th November 2012 - DUBAI

Special Guests: KAMAL MUSALLAM and RACHAEL CALLADINE.

Venue: Thomsun, Ibn Battuta Mall, China Court, Dubai (UAE).

Ph: +971 04 3669385

Time: 5.00pm to 9.00pm

FREE EVENT - Please confirm your attendance to: info@thomsun.ae

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www.thomsunmusiconline.com/

www.referencelaboratory.com

Powerful Portadown profit from poor performanceby Roger Corbett

A powerful Portadown side gained revenge for their defeat by Bangor in the Junior Cup last season by taking advantage of the home team’s poor performance and deservedly finishing ahead by 24-43.

With a number of changes to the side that did so well against Dromore last week, a young Bangor side got this second round Junior Cup fixture underway. The playing conditions were good, with the breeze blowing across the pitch and not benefiting either side. From the outset, Portadown played the game at a fast pace, and pushed Bangor back into their own half for long periods. Both sides, however, made many unforced errors and as a result promising attacks were halted.

After 10 minutes of play, it was Bangor who got the scoreboard started, when Portadown conceded a penalty for being offside and Mark Thompson converted the kicking opportunity. Portadown then resumed their attacks and it looked like they would score next. However, from a lineout on the Portadown twenty two, the ball was taken by Freddie Black before the rest of the pack formed around him and started to drive for the line. The rolling maul moved slowly forwards and sideways until one final push saw captain Jamie Clegg carried over to score to the right of the Portadown posts. The conversion by Neil Cuthbertson was successful and Bangor were now 10-0 ahead.

Even an impartial observer might have commented that this score was against the run of play, but to Bangor’s credit they took their chances well. Unfortunately, just 5 minutes later Bangor were reduced to 14 men after Black was yellow carded. From the resulting penalty, Portadown kicked for touch, and secured the ball from the lineout. They patiently worked the ball through their forwards until a gap opened up in the Bangor defence, allowing an easy run through to score under the Bangor posts. With the conversion, the score was now 10-7.

With only a few minutes of the first half remaining, Portadown continued to push forward and from a good cross field kick, they took advantage of the reduced Bangor cover and scored in the left hand corner. The tricky kick into the wind was successful, and Portadown were now in front by 10-14. To add to Bangor’s woes, scrum half Danny Diamond had to retire injured with what looks like a broken collar bone, and front row forward Phil Whyte limped off with a bad calf injury – we wish both a full and speedy recovery. Undeterred, Bangor tried to fight back and came very close in the final minute when more good forward play got the ball over the Portadown line, but it wasn’t able to be grounded.

As the teams turned around, Bangor would probably have been the happier with the scoreline, especially given the amount of possession Portadown had enjoyed in the first half. However, over the course of the following 20 odd minutes, and largely as a result of their own mistakes, their task became much harder. It started with another poor Bangor lineout which Portadown won and simply broke through to score in the right hand corner. The kick was good, extending the lead to 10-21. Then Bangor lost the ball in contact in the centre of the pitch, allowing the Portadown backline to quickly move the ball wide to their winger who rounded the Bangor defence to score under the posts.

Finally, from their scrum, Portadown took advantage of some missed tackles to open up a gap and score again under the Bangor posts. The score was now 10-35, and Bangor had a mountain to climb.

If the game looked lost at this point, nobody had obviously told Jamie Clegg. From Mark Thompson’s restart, Clegg ran in pursuit and managed to snatch the ball from the Portadown receiving player. He then had just enough time to pass outside to Neil Cuthbertson who managed to negotiate 3 Portadown defenders to score, and reduce the deficit to 17-35, with 26 minutes gone.

Shortly afterwards, the Portadown hooker was yellow carded. However, instead of capitalising on this advantage, Bangor then conceded another penalty, this time in front of their posts. The Portadown kicker gratefully took the 3 points, making the score 17-38.

It was around this point that it was starting to look like Portadown were paying the price for their furious onslaught in the first half. Bangor sensed the weakness and started to play their best rugby of the game so far. Patient build-ups by the forwards, accompanied by strong runs from the backs, produced the opportunity for full back Davy Charles to dive under his tacklers to score beside the posts. Cuthbertson’s quick kick was good, and the score was now 24-38.

As the final play approached, and the end result no longer in question, yet another lineout mix-up gave Portadown possession again. With the Bangor defence largely flat footed, Portadown cut through and, despite a desperate covering tackle by Charles, touched down for the final score of the game. Although the kick was missed, Portadown’s victory was by an emphatic 24-43 margin.

This young Bangor side can learn much from their older, wiser opponents. While fitness and commitment is not in question, consistency of technique in basic set pieces, and retention of the ball when in contact would need to improve, or at least return to levels seen in earlier games. While the disappointment of an early exit from the Junior Cup cannot be denied, the focus will now be wholly on returning to success in the league, the next fixture being a home meeting with Cooke.

Bangor side: P Whyte (P Dornan), A Jackson, J Harrison, R Meeke, F Black, M Coey, J Clegg (c), C Stewart, D Diamond (P Nicol), M Thompson, M Widdowson, M Aspley, M Weir, N Cuthbertson, D Charles

Subs: P Nicol, P Dornan

Bangor scores: J Clegg (1T), N Cuthbertson (1T), D Charles (1T), M Thompson (1P, 3C)

On Saturday 5 August, activists gathered in central London to protest the ongoing brutal and illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India and its use of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, intimidation and censorship to maintain its control.

Many of those present were also angry at Britain's continued support of India and failure to take action in support of the Kashmiri people's struggle for independence. India has forcibly occupied the region for over 75 years in open defiance of UN resolutions calling for a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices to determine the area's status.

The protest marked four years since the Indian government, on 5 August 2019, revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, previously guaranteed by the constitution, and instead imposed direct rule from Delhi. As Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported, "The government action was accompanied by serious rights violations including arbitrary detention of hundreds of people, a total communications blackout and severe restrictions on freedom of movement and peaceful assembly."

www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/02/india-repression-persists-jam...

In their most recent report on Jammu and Kashmir, HRW noted that "the government's repressive policies and failure to investigate and prosecute alleged security force abuses have increased insecurity among Kashmiris," and added that "journalists in Kashmir face increasing harassment by security forces, including raids and arbitrary arrests on terrorism charges. Authorities in India have shut down the internet more often than anywhere else in the world. A majority of those shutdowns have been in Kashmir, where they are used to curb protests and access to information."

www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/02/india-repression-persists-jam...

Enforced disappearances also continue as freelance journalist Mir Aiyaz reported in Fair Planet (23 February 2023). He interviewed Khera Begum about the arrest of her son, Abdul Rashid Dar, by over forty Indian army soldiers, with no police officer attending as is legally required. An officer reportedly told his older brother, Shabir, that the police had been "informed" and that he would be released the next morning. He was not. When the family and other locals went to enquire at the nearest army base, initially they were asked to return later, and then eventually told that he had "escaped from custody." As Aiyaz notes

'Rashid's family and community members do not believe the army's version of events. "How can a man escape in the presence of ever vigilant army men?" rued Shabir. "He was too meek a person to escape, and there was no possibility of running away in the forest where he was taken."

It seems equally difficult to believe that if the army had openly stated its intention to hold him for just 24 hours, that he would have risked everything on attempting to flee.

Aiyaz observes that 'locals, particularly youths living in Kunan Poshpora have altered their daily habits due to their fear of being abducted,' and he quotes a student who while 'staring at the fenced playground (of a school), which used to be brimming with kids but has recently been mostly desolate,' told him that "boys head home after the maghrib prayers, and time spent in the playground has been slashed down."

www.fairplanet.org/story/whats-behind-the-forced-disappea...

The Indian Army has deployed a huge military force in Jammu and Kashmir which some estimates suggest might be as high as 900,000 troops. One soldier for every eight civilians. According to journalist Munir Akram writing in the Pakistan Observer (6 August 2023), the Indian military has "perpetrated a vicious campaign of repressive actions, including extrajudicial killings of innocent Kashmiris in fake encounters, custodial killings and "cordon-and-search" operations; use of pellet guns to kill, maim and blind peaceful protestors, abduction and enforced disappearances and "collective punishments," with the destruction and burning of entire villages and urban neighborhoods.'

pakobserver.net/whats-going-on-in-kashmir-is-not-normal/

www.eureporter.co/world/pakistan/2023/08/06/seminar-on-hu...

Despite India's ongoing brutal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and despite the continued tension and risk of war with Pakistan, Britain continues to grant licenses for the export of arms to both Pakistan and India.

On 23 February 2023, Politico reported that in the wake of the Ukraine war, 'Britain's defense and aerospace firms now see an opportunity to chip away at Russia's share (of India's military imports)', adding that 'Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems are part of a delegation to Aero India, Asia's biggest airshow which is taking place this week.'

The same report also seemed to suggest that rather than attempt to limit arms exports to maintain some leverage on the shocking human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir and limit the arms race between the two regional nuclear powers - India and her neighbour Pakistan, the British government appears instead intent on promoting arms exports to India. According to Politico, "Last year the UK put India on its defense equipment fast-track - the first such move offered to an Indo-Pacific nation - in a shift that will reduce red tape and shorten delivery times for defense procurement."

www.politico.eu/article/india-pursues-russian-military-bu...

It should also be noted that the United Kingdom is already one of India's largest suppliers of weapons. According to the UK House of Commons Library arms exports update in January 2023, on a "10 year rolling basis the UK is Europe's largest and the world's second largest defence exporter' beaten only by the United States (p10) and the report ranks India as the fourth largest importer of arms from the UK after Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United States, based on arms transfers between 2012 and 2021. (p21).

researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8310/...

The day before midsummer, the queen bee used to fly the enormous distance to a far-off ocean. She plunged to its depths in search of the rare sea flower: Neptune’s Clover. No other bee in all history could accomplish such a feat. For two thousand years, this same queen had gathered the rejuvenating and curative pollen from Neptune’s Clover.

As the days rolled on, the queen still had not returned. The colony was besides itself in worry and set forth to find her. They all latched their feet onto the hive, which was as large as a hill, and flapped their wings for lift off. When finally, they arrived to what they believed to be the area of Neptune’s Clover, their exhausted wings failed. The queen bee was nowhere to be seen. The hive, heavy with honey, and all its pilots fell into the sea. The two-thousand-year-old colony perished on a beautiful, calm afternoon, beneath the impartial waves.

Nowadays, bees might construct their hives in the nooks and crannies of human architecture. Unbeknownst to the people, their floating civilization is built right over the site of the sunken hive. Perhaps the bees of this century instinctively feel its presence, and so we find them in profusion adding their honeycombs to the present architecture.

Sunken Honey is the Arts & Entertainment Region

Sponsored by Misfit Dance

Sunken Honey by Lilia Artis and Haveit Neox

In Llanelli, a few people mentioned that there was a lack of impartial information available in the run up to the referendum in the media and most news items were leaning towards one outcome. One gentleman said that he felt that as the media was the only way some people could access information having only one view promoted meant that it was difficult for people to make an informed decision. He also said that it is up to individuals to seek out information and so having the bus out and about is a good thing. One woman said that many television programmes about the referendum were broadcast too late at night, which meant she wasn't able to see as much coverage as she may have liked. Health was an important issue for one visitor, who was unhappy that the people of Llanelli had to travel further afield to receive treatment for particular needs. One woman was concerned about the reduction in public funding and its effects on community partnership work. Another member of the public said that it would be good to see processes simplified to allow for people to engage in Assembly committee consultations; he was particularly interested in raising issues via the Committee on Standards of Conduct.

Roedd y refferendwm yn bwnc poblogaidd ymysg pobl ardal Llanelli pan aeth bws y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol i’w tref hwy ddechrau’r wythnos. Barn y mwyafrif oedd y diffyg gwybodaeth ddiduedd oedd ar gael yn ystod yr ymgyrch. Nododd ambell un bod gwneud penderfyniad un ffordd neu’r llall yn dasg gymharol anodd i lawer gan mai un ochr yn unig oedd y cyfryngau yn tueddu i bortreadu. Soniodd un dyn mai cyfrifoldeb yr unigolyn ydi dod o hyd i’r wybodaeth angenrheidiol a bod bws y Cynulliad yn syniad da yn hyn o beth. Barn ymwelydd arall oedd bod llawer o’r rhaglenni teledu oedd yn canolbwyntio ar y refferendwm yn cael eu darlledu’n rhy hwyr ac nad oedd modd iddi wylio cymaint ohonynt o ganlyniad. Iechyd oedd prif bryder un dyn lleol oedd yn anhapus bod rhaid i bobl yr ardal deithio ymhell i dderbyn triniaeth arbenigol mewn ysbytai. Soniodd un ddynes ei bod yn poeni’n arw am y toriadau mewn gwariant cyhoeddus a sut y byddai hynny’n effeithio gwaith rhai cymdeithasau a phartneriaethau yn y gymuned. Dymuniad un ymwelydd oedd galluogi aelodau o’r cyhoedd i ymwneud mwy mewn ymgynghoriadau pwyllgorau’r Cynulliad, yn enwedig gyda Phwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad.

This guy , his son and his now defunct newspaper "News of the World" have been in the headlines a lot due to a phone hacking scandal in the UK which continues to threaten to spread overseas to the grand old U.S of A.

Not his biggest fan but thought he had an interesting face to draw.

It's important to remain impartial at all times when illustrating these characters. every responsible illustrator knows that.

Still, He does have a kind of weather beaten look about him which I can only assume is due to him having a rough night after collapsing in the street due to a sudden attack of Botulism poisoning which would have clearly led him to have to crawl around in a back alley while racked with fits of projectile vomiting, grabbed by vicious cops and whipped on the shins with night sticks, then locked in the a drunken cell of the local jail where he was abused all night by intoxicated wino's.

Shame.

Greater Manchester Police proudly welcomed 140 new officers to the force at an attestation ceremony at Bolton Town Hall on the evening of Wednesday 8 January 2020.

In the presence of family and friends, the new officers took the Police Oath in front of magistrate Stephen Paine. In the oath they swore to uphold the office of constable with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality.

The ceremony marks the official commencement of their police duties.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins welcomed each new recruit to the force.

Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Hilary Fairclough, was in attendance as was Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

For more information about Policing in Greater Manchester please visit our website. www.gmp.police.uk

To contact Greater Manchester Police for a less urgent matter or make a report online you can also visit www.gmp.police.uk.

You should call 101, the national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.

Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.

You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give evidence.

Get Smart and save money.

True blue toddler Thomas Bannister scored a winner at an event to help people in Knowsley save money on their fuel bills.

The three year old pulled the winning raffle ticket at an Energy Smart event in Kirkby and won a football signed by all the players from his beloved, Everton.

Lucky Thomas was with his aunty Alison McNally at the event in St Chad’s Parade, which dealt with how to cut the cost of heating and lighting your home.

There was information on what heating benefits people might be entitled to and how to use energy savings to stay out of debt. There were also give-aways and goodie bags.

“The warmer weather can be a good time to do the sort of work on your house that might help you save heat in the winter,” said Cllr David Lonergan, Knowsley’s cabinet member for regeneration, economy and skills.

“Many people could be entitled to extra cash help to insulate their homes or they might be eligible to go on to a lower tariff for their bills.

“It’s not just people who are retired or on low incomes that struggle with rising fuel bills - it’s a challenge for everyone and that’s why this event was open to all.

“There are simple things that everyone can do to, such as switching off lights and switching down radiator thermostats, but we also wanted to make people aware of how to eat well when the weather changes and what benefits they can get to help with fuel bills.”

Hundreds of people came along to talk to experts from the council’s Housing team and Health and Wellbeing service, Knowsley’s Unemployed Centre, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern, Merseytravel and pensioners groups.

If you would like to know more about how to reduce your energy bills or to make your finances go further in general call Kate Fisher, the Financial Inclusion Manager in Knowsley’s Financial Inclusion Team on 443 4779.

For specific energy saving advice and helpful hints call Sally Carter in the Energy Team on 443 2216.

You can contact your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre for free and impartial advice on all aspects of saving energy on 0800 512 012.

Get Smart and save money.

True blue toddler Thomas Bannister scored a winner at an event to help people in Knowsley save money on their fuel bills.

The three year old pulled the winning raffle ticket at an Energy Smart event in Kirkby and won a football signed by all the players from his beloved, Everton.

Lucky Thomas was with his aunty Alison McNally at the event in St Chad’s Parade, which dealt with how to cut the cost of heating and lighting your home.

There was information on what heating benefits people might be entitled to and how to use energy savings to stay out of debt. There were also give-aways and goodie bags.

“The warmer weather can be a good time to do the sort of work on your house that might help you save heat in the winter,” said Cllr David Lonergan, Knowsley’s cabinet member for regeneration, economy and skills.

“Many people could be entitled to extra cash help to insulate their homes or they might be eligible to go on to a lower tariff for their bills.

“It’s not just people who are retired or on low incomes that struggle with rising fuel bills - it’s a challenge for everyone and that’s why this event was open to all.

“There are simple things that everyone can do to, such as switching off lights and switching down radiator thermostats, but we also wanted to make people aware of how to eat well when the weather changes and what benefits they can get to help with fuel bills.”

Hundreds of people came along to talk to experts from the council’s Housing team and Health and Wellbeing service, Knowsley’s Unemployed Centre, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern, Merseytravel and pensioners groups.

If you would like to know more about how to reduce your energy bills or to make your finances go further in general call Kate Fisher, the Financial Inclusion Manager in Knowsley’s Financial Inclusion Team on 443 4779.

For specific energy saving advice and helpful hints call Sally Carter in the Energy Team on 443 2216.

You can contact your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre for free and impartial advice on all aspects of saving energy on 0800 512 012.

UNMISS aviation assets transport SPLM/A-IO returning to Juba from Pagak via Malakal.

UNMISS will continue to support the implementation of the Peace Agreement in an impartial manner and provide logistical support with the available resource capacities of the Mission.

U.S. reliance on oil – primarily for transportation – has many negative impacts. To pay for this oil, American consumers send billions of dollars to other countries including some that are incongruent with U.S. interests. And we are dependent on this fuel from countries rife with political instability. Conflicts there can cause the oil price to spike. In short, oil dependence threatens our economy and national security.

In addition, the combustion of oil and petroleum products – particularly gasoline – threatens our environment. Emissions of greenhouse gases from motor vehicles are the second largest source of U.S. global warming pollution.

Congress began to address these problems with the enactment of the Energy Independence and Security Act. President Bush signed it into law on December 19, 2007. It includes the first increase in fuel economy standards since 1975. It would require cars and light trucks to meet an average fuel economy standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, with interim steps in the early years.

Now that the new law sets a fuel economy destination, auto companies can travel there via various routes. Some companies, such as General Motors, plan to develop "plug in hybrids" that rely on batteries recharged via AC outlets, combined with gasoline. Other companies plan to develop cars that rely on different fuels. Each system has its advantages and drawbacks.

This event will brought together leaders from General Motors and Honda to discuss their various approaches to achievement of the new fuel economy standards. An impartial automotive engineer from the Union of Concerned Scientists provided his perspective as well. The ultimate technology "winner" could affect our transportation system for years to come.

The only thing that is anywhere near as cute as babies and baby feet, is their clothes! As soon as I seen these (especially the Totoro pair) I knew I had to have them for my daughter! when they arrived, they came in a little pouch that was clear and had a zipper across the top. I instantly fell in love with them! They are true to their color and they look EXACTLY how they are advertised to look. I put them on my daughter and at first she was not sure about them. She was actually mesmerized by the fact that they had ears and faces on her knees and she was playing and talking with them. After she realized they weren't coming off though she was crawling and walking around while playing. She likes them and their little faces as much I do! I love the fact that they protect her knees while she is crawling around. We do have baby knee protectors, but I much prefer using these socks to protect from carpet burn. We with with the Animal A design, but I do plan on coming back and buying both the Animal B and Weather C packs. I love the way these guys feel. The feel 100% cotton, even though they are only 75% cotton, 20% polyester, and 5% spandex. They are super soft to the touch and after going through our washer machine a few times they are still the same size they were the first time I put them on out of the pack. Zero shrinkage is a major plus for this mama! I also really appreciate the fact that they fit from ages one to three, most of her other socks that we have bought are labeled 12-18 months.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All opinions expressed are genuine, truthful and impartial.