View allAll Photos Tagged progress.
This is an old barn off of Parrish Avenue in Cedar Lake, Indiana that's in the process of being dismantled to make way for a new subdivision. It always saddens me to see old buildings torn down, especially barns. Think of all the history that happened there--the people who hauled the lumber to build it to the farm with horses back in the 1800s, the generations of farmers who maintained it over the years, and the family who said goodbye to it when it was sold to the company who will soon be removing it. Probably less than five years from now, no traces of it will remain and the people who live in the houses in the new subdivision will be clueless as to what was there not that long ago.
August 21, 2010.
Manusia yang lahir dari perempuan, singkat umurnya dan penuh kegelisahan. Seperti bunga ia berkembang, lalu layu, seperti bayang-bayang ia hilang lenyap dan tidak dapat bertahan. (Ayub 14 :1-2)
The Progress of Rivers
"The progress of rivers to the ocean is not so rapid as that of man to error."
Voltaire
cargo
IMO : 9371828
MMSI : 246303000
Indicatif d’Appel : PBPK
pavillon : Hollande
Longueur : 118.4 m
largeur : 13.35 m
Tirant d'eau : 6.6 m
Vitesse : 17 nds
Jauge brute: 4106 t
Port en lourd: 6510 t
Cap. GRN. 7 928 m3 (2 cales) 256 evp
puissance : 1 980 kW
moteur . 4 temps- 6 cylindres MaK-Caterpillar 6M25
hélice à pas variable
Prop. d'étrave (250 kW)
Générat. aux. 1x 348 kW / 2x140 kW / 1 x 65 kW
Année de Construction: 2009
chantier : Peters BV , Kampen , Pays-Bas
Maintenance worker Doug H. led the project. He was a great leader, and really helped the YCC to understand what they needed to be doing.
Photo Credit: BRMBR YCC
Works in Progress area at the World Economic Forum - Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, People's Republic of China 2016. Copyright by World Economic Forum / Greg Beadle
Another Progress spacecraft (If it weren't for the Russians, no one would be there) docked to the ISS, with an aurora behind it.
(I originally said it was a Soyuz but was in error (thanks Alexander!) - it's a Progress spacecraft - so I changed the caption.)
Pandora has had the whole house available to her for a week now. My goal? To have her gain confidence interacting with humans, dogs, and cats. I've asked Kevin to give her treats intermittently. Kevin's not having as much success as I am. . . yet. Yesterday, I sat in a recliner in the cat room. Pandora hopped up on my lap to get a few treats. This morning she greeted me as I left the bedroom, obviously interested in more treats. She loved all over Gumbo (what's it with all the ladies being attracted to Gumbo?), purring up a storm asking for treats. I gave her a treat, pet her, gave her a treat, pet her, gave her a treat, pet her. Finally I lured her onto my lap again. She laid down purring, and I scritched around the ears. Ahhhhhhhh. . . then, of course, Pandora received another treat. Yep, progress. We'll have a setback next week when I have to take her in for booster vaccinations, but the retirement home is patient. However long it takes me to get her comfortable, they really want her. (Although I admit I have secretly wondered about Diamond going to the retirement home. . .)
[SOOC, f/1.6, ISO 1000, shutter speed 1/400, -2/3 EV]
An absolute masterpiece of motor car preservation is this 1901 four seater, made by The Progress Cycle Co. of Coventry and registered M 115.
This priceless example of the 500 made by the company is believed to be one of only two remaining today.
The car made a brief appearance at Beamish Museum as part of their "Power from the Past" event in April 2012.
Copyright © 2020 Terry Pinnegar Photography. All Rights Reserved. THIS IMAGE IS NOT TO BE USED WITHOUT MY EXPRESS PERMISSION!
Thrifted the Homestead 503, traded for the Homestead 502, the Butterfly Gold 502, and one Snowflake Garland 501 to join my lonely other one!
I hardly ever study the churches I am about to visit. Rather, rely on my first impressions, and how the multitude of elements hang together.
This does mean, sometimes, I have missed obvious details. But for the most part, I notice what is unusual at the time.
And then upon returning home, I research the building and the history of the parish, and my main two resources are posted below.
Also, churchcrawling can be a lonely hobby, spending hours and hours pouring over details with hardly anyone to share it with. Sometimes, on a Saturday morning, we weekly church clean is in progress, and one or two wardens might ask you questions.Even fewer of them might be interested.
So, in Wormshill, talking to the ringers, I was told that there was a coffee morning on at Frinsted, and a warden might be present.
This was after I lamented that the church was locked again.
So, drive back the two miles and call in the village hall. And ask about the key.
So, this is what we did.
This resulted in a lady taking me back to her house to meet her husband, Malcolm.
Can I see inside the church?
Why do you want to do that?
I explain the Kent church project.
Are you interested in the building or fittings?
And thinking that this was because of thefts, I said if needed I would not snap the fittings if needed.
But Malcolm backtracked. Oh no, you can photograph what you want to.
Meet me at the porch in ten minutes.
So, we did.
The church was dark inside, and Malcolm told us about his church. Very proud he was too.
And it became clear why.
The chancel and north chapel were decorated.
Decorated in the English Gothic Revival, by Hussey and then, later, Scott. These have been recently renovated, using the original stencils.
It was incredible. Like The Grange transported to the countryside. I think Pugin would have liked it.
Sadly, in the north chapel, a plaster panel had dropped off, so the pews were covered and access restricted, but Malcolm unlocked the door and let us in.
I walked round with a huge smile on my face, waxing lyrical about the church, and Malcolm enjoyed telling us the story of his church.
Without doubt, the best church visit this, or any other year.
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Not for those wishing to find a medieval church, although there is evidence of an old building here in the form of a Norman window and crownpost roof. It is of interest that the nineteenth-century work carried out first by Hussey (1856) and then by Scott (1870) for the Pemberton Leigh family is in complete contrast to the work commissioned at nearby Kingsdown by the family at the same time (see separate entry). The second phase of work included the wonderful stencilling of the church, recently restored to the designs of G.G. Scott Jr. The majority of the furnishings are also Victorian and show the quality that only a fortune could buy in post-industrialised England
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Frinsted
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FRINSTED
LIES the next parish north westward from Wichling. It is written in Domesday, Fredenestede; in antient deeds, Freyhanestede; and in later ones, most usually, Frensted, alias Wronsted.
That part of this parish northward of the church is in the division of East Kent, but the church itself, and the remaining part of it is in that of West Kent.
THE PARISH extends on both sides of the valley, called Syndall, or Newnham-bottom, through which the high road leads from Ospringe, through Doddington and Newnham, to Hollingborne hill, on each side of which the hills rise very steep, the summits of them being in general covered with wood grounds. On the east side of this valley, on the hill close to the woods, is Rinsted-court; and on the hill on the west, Yokes court, and Madams-court; and still further westward, the village and church. The soil of it is poor, and covered with flints, much like that of Wichling, before described; but the rising hills on each side of the valley are mostly chalk.
There is a district in this parish, consisting of about fifty acres of land, called Minis-hill, over which the manor of Whornes-place, near Rochester, claims jurisdiction.
This parish was part of those possessions which William the Conqueror gave his half-brother Odo, bishop of Baieux, under the general title of whose lands it is thus entered in the book of Domesday, taken about the year 1080:
Hugh, the grandson of Herbert, and Adelold the chamberlain, holds of the bishop (of Baieux) Fredenestede. It was taxed at one suling. The arable land is three carucates. In demesne . . . . Three villeins having seven oxen. There is a church, and two acres of meadow and an half, and wood for the pannage of two hogs. It is, and was worth, separately, twenty shillings. Leunin held it of king Edward.
About four years after taking the above survey, the bishop was disgraced, and the king his brother seized on this estate, among the rest of his possessions, which were all consiscated to the crown. After which, this manor came into the possession of Jeffry de Peverel, and with other lands, made up the barony of Peverel, as it was then called, being assigned to him for the desence of Dover-castle, of which it was held by him in capite by barony.
Nicholas de Gerund afterwards held this manor, with the advowson of the church, of which he died possessed in the 52d year of Henry III. holding it of the king in capite, as one knight's see. After which, the family of Crombwell became possessed of it; one of whom, Richard de Crombwell, was owner of it in the 8th year of Edward II. being younger brother of Sir John de Crombwell, knight-banneret. Ralph de Crombwell, his successor, next year, obtained a charter of free warren for his lands in this parish, and at his seat here, since called Meriam-court, and now commonly, Madams-court.
In the next reign of king Edward III. this estate was again come into the possession of the family of Gerund, in which, however, it did not remain long, for Richard le Gerund leaving an only daughter and heir Maud, she carried this manor and seat in marriage to Sir Henry de Chalshunt, who in the 20th year of that reign, paid aid for the manor of Wrensted, alias Frensted, with its appurtenances, holding it by the like service, as did his descendant Henry de Chalfhunt, at his death, in the 9th year of Richard II. when it was found, that John Bedeford, Roger Tournour, Sibill Jarconville, and Agnes, daughter of Walter at Style, were his heirs and next of kin; at which time it was likewise found, that this manor was held of the manor of Ospringe.
Soon after which, this manor, with the mansionhouse, called Wrensted, and now most usually Rinstedcourt, with Meriam, or Madams-court, and the advowson of the church of Wrensted, was conveyed by sale to Robert le Hadde, who was resident here in the reign of Henry IV. being descended from ancestors who had been resident at Chart Sutton, in this county, for many generations, Rob. Hadde being of that parish in the reign of Henry III. In his descendants this estate continued down to Henry Hadde, esq. of Frinsted, who died possessed of this manor, with the advowson of the church, and the other estates above-mentioned, in the 23d year of queen Elizabeth, leaving two sons, Arnold and Matthew, who was counsellor-at-law, of Lincoln's-inn, of which he was rector, the former of whom succeeded him here, and two years afterwards, anno 25 Elizabeth, alienated this manor, with its appurtenances, together with the rest of his estates in this parish, to Edward and George Hills. Arnold Hadde, esq. after the sale of this estate, resided in St. Alphage parish, in Canterbury, as his descendants did for several generations afterwards, till the end of the last century, and several of them lie buried in that church. They bore for their arms, Gules, three bucks heads caboshed, or, borned argent, between the borns of each a cross patee fitchee, argent. (fn. 1)
Edward and George Hills joined in the sale of the manor of Frinsted, with Rinsted, alias Wrensted-court, and the lands belonging to it, to Edward Jackman, esq. of Hornchurch, in Essex, and he, in the 5th year of James I. passed it away to Oliver Style, esq. of Watringbury, who died in 1622. Upon the death of whose descendant, Sir Thomas Style, bart. who died in 1702, an agreement was entered into by his heirs for a partition of his estates among them, which was confirmed by an act, passed anno 2 and 3 of queen Anne. In this partition, the manor of Frinsted, with Rinstedcourt, was allotted to Margaret, his only daughter by his second wife, who in 1716 sold it to Mr. Abraham Tilghman, descended from those of Snodland. He was a commissioner of the navy, and of the victuallingoffice, and dying in 1729, was buried in the south isle of this church, where there is a monument erected to his memory. He bore for his arms, Per fess, sable, and argent, a lion rampant, counterchanged, crowned, or. He was succeeded here by his son Abraham Tilghman, esq. who resided here till his death in 1779. He left by Olivia his wife, one of the two daughters and coheirs of Charles Finch, esq. of Chatham, one daughter Elizabeth, who married the Rev. Pierrepont Crompe, of Newnham, in Gloucestershire, son and heir of Thomas Cromp, esq. of Newnham, in that county, by Rebecca, the other daughter and coheir of Charles Finch, esq. He bore for his arms, Or, a chevron, voided gules, on a chief of the second, three escallops of the first. He afterwards resided here, and died in 1797, leaving his widow surviving, who now resides here, and one son Robert-Thomas, and a daughter, Henrietta Maria, the former of whom is now entitled to the see of this estate.
MADAMS-COURT, formerly called Meriams-court, as has been already mentioned, passed from Arnold Hadde in the 25th year of queen Elizabeth, with the rest of his estates in this parish, to Edward and George Hills, and they joined in the sale of Meriam, or Madams-court, to Archer, from which name it passed, in the reign of Charles I. to Thatcher, by a female heir of which family it passed in marriage to Batcheler, some of whose descendants lie buried in this church, one of whom, Mr. William Batcheler, at length alienated it to James Chapman, gent. of Milton, whose son Ed ward Chapman, esq. of Otterden, died in 1765, leaving by his wife, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Dennis, of Leyborne, one son, James Chapman, esq. now of Faversham, who is the present owner of it.
YOKES-COURT is a manor in this parish, which in the reign of Henry III. was part of the possessions of Fulk de Peyforer, whose descendant William de Peyforer, in the 20th year of Edward III. paid aid for it as half a knight's fee, which he then held at le Yoke, in this parish, of the honor of Ledes.
He soon afterwards alienated this manor to Roger Northwood, who died in the 35th year of that reign possessed of this manor of Yoke, held of the king in capite, by the service of making his suit at the gate of the castle of Leeds, from month to month, in lieu of all other service whatsoever. His descendant, John Northwood, esq. died possessed of it anno 4 Henry V. leaving his two sisters his coheirs, who entitled their husbands, John Barley, esq. of Hertfordshire, and Sir John Norton, of this county, to their respective shares of their brother's estates.
From one of them this manor was alienated to John Dyggs, esq. of Barham, whose descendant James Dyggs, esq. of Barham, died in the 27th year of Henry VIII. then holding this manor in capite by knight's service. He left two sons, John, who was of Barham, and Leonard, whose descendants were of Chilham-castle. His son John Dyggs, the eldest, succeeded him in this manor, and died in his life-time, leaving a son William, whose son Christopher Diggs, esq. of Barham, having levied fines of all his lands anno 15 and 17 Elizabeth, quickly afterwards alienated this manor to Archer, from which name, in the reign of Charles I. it passed by sale to Thatcher, of which name there were inhabitants of the adjoining parish of Wormsell, as appears by the parish register there, as early as king Henry the VIIIth's reign. These of Frinsted bore for their arms, Gules, a cross moline, argent, on a chief, or, three grasshoppers proper. In the name of Thatcher this manor continued, till by a female heir Mary, daughter of Thomas Thatcher, it went in marriage to Mr. Henry Bing, of Wickhambreux, on whose death, his son Mr. John Bing, became possessed of it. He died in 1766, and was buried in the north chancel of this church, leaving one son Henry, and two daughters; Mr. Henry Bing, the son, succeeded his father in the possession of this manor, of which he is the present owner. A court baron is held for it.
Charities.
JOHN WIATT, of Milsted, by will in 1722, gave the moiety of several pieces of land in Milsted, Frinsted, and Wormsell, containing about twenty acres, for sending four poor children yearly to school, to learn to read, vested in the minister and churchwardens, and of the annual value of 2l. 4s.
The number of poor constantly relieved are about sixteen; casually twelve.
FRINSTED is, within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese of Canterbury, and deanry of Sutton.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Dunstan, is situated westward from the village, but in the northern part of the parish; it consists of two isles and two chancels, the northern one belonging to the estate of Yokes-court, in it are several memorials for the Thatchers and the Bings. In the south isle is a monument for Abraham Tilghman, esq. who died in 1729. Against the north wall in this chancel, in a recess, is an antient tomb, with an engrailed arch over it. It has a square beacon tower at the west end of it, in which hang four bells. In the church yard is an altar tomb; under it, in a vault, lie buried A. Tilghman, esq. who died in 1779, and Olivia his wife; and the Rev. Mr. Crompe, and Henrietta-Maria, his daughter.
¶This church was formerly appendant to the manor of Frinsted, as has already been mentioned, and seems to have passed with it from Arnold Hadde, esq. toge ther with the rest of his estates in this parish, to Edward and George Hills, who alienated the manor of Frinsted, with Rinsted-court, to Edward Jackman, esq. and Meriam-court, or Madams-court, as it is now called, together with the advowson of the rectory of Frinsted, to Archer, from which name it passed with it, to Thatcher, in whose descendants it continued till Mary, daughter of Thomas Thatcher, carried it in marriage to Mr. Henry Bing, whose descendant, Mr. Henry Bing, gent. of this parish, is the present possessor of it.
In Strype's Stow's Survey, it is said, that in the reign of Edward III. the church of Frethensted, in the diocese of Canterbury, belonged to St. Catherine's hospital, near the Tower; and Tanner in his Monasticon, says, in patent 3 Edward III. p. 2, m. 2, is a licence for appropriating that church to the above-mentioned hospital, which cannot be reconciled to the records above-quoted, in which the advowson of the church of Frinsted is found to have been vested in the several owners of the manor of Frinsted.
This rectory is valued in the king's books at 9l. 11s. 8d. and the yearly tenths at 19s. 2d. and is of the yearly certified value of 71l. 7s. 4d.
In 1640 it was valued at sixty pounds. Communicants fifty.
Synopsis: Directed by Diego Luna, "Cesar Chávez" chronicles the birth of a modern American movement led by famed civil rights leader and labor organizer, Cesar Chavez. Torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to bringing dignity and justice to others, Chavez embraced non-violence as he battled greed and prejudice in his struggle for the rights of farm workers. His triumphant journey is a remarkable testament to the power of one individual's ability to change the system.
Credits:
Director: Diego Luna
Executive Producer: Emilio Azcárraga Jean, Haim Saban, Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith, Gael García Bernal, Julián Levin, Rebecca O'Brien
Producer: Diego Luna, Lawrence Meli, Keir Pearson, Pablo Cruz
Screenwriter: Keir Pearson, Timothy J. Sexton
Cinematographer: Enrique Chediak
Editor: Miguel Schverdfinger, Douglas Crise
Production Designer: Ivonne Fuentes
Sound Designer: Frank Gaeta
Music: Michael Brook
Principal Cast: Michael Peña, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, Jacob Vargas, Yancey Arias, Wes Bentley, John Ortiz, and John Malkovich
SXSW Page: schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_FS14952
Main message to Rwanda is that “Good policies pay off.” Let me set this in a broader context by saying that I am very happy to have the opportunity to visit Rwanda at such a pivotal moment in its history. The horrific events that occurred 20 years ago tore the social and economic fabric of the country, and it is uplifting to see the progress in rebuilding, in peace efforts, and in improving the welfare of all Rwandans.
This truly is an example in terms of social and economic transformation. It proves that effective policies and inclusive growth can be transformational.
The economic performance has been remarkable, with strong annual growth for the past 15 years. This has helped Rwanda make progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The poorest have benefited from a focus on inclusive growth, with the poverty rate falling to 45 per cent of the population in 2011 from 60 per cent in 2000.
Of course, this rate is still high, but it is definite progress and we see the trend continuing. So, while there has not been a magic bullet or a single trigger, a holistic approach, that also included a focus on the agricultural sector, employment, and gender equality, has been instrumental in sharing the fruits of high growth more widely.
What is the status of IMF relations in Rwanda at present?
We have a very close economic policy dialogue and the IMF is currently supporting the government with a Policy Support Instrument (PSI) – designed for low-income countries that have graduated from financial support but still seek to maintain a close policy dialogue.
The PSI signals the strength of a country’s policies to donors, multilateral development banks, and markets. We also provide technical assistance as part of the Fund’s efforts to increase local capacity and know-how. We have an office in Kigali, where a resident representative, currently Mitra Farahbaksh, ensures our presence in the field.
Rwanda’s PSI, which is in its second year, supports Rwanda’s own policy priorities for strong and inclusive growth, with an emphasis on domestic resource mobilization, private sector development, export diversification, regional integration, and financial sector development.
We recently reviewed this programme and welcomed the country’s continued strong performance. We also agreed with the government that more work needs to be done to further reduce Rwanda’s reliance on aid and increase its resilience to external shocks.
What is your economic outlook for the country between now and 2020?
Our outlook for Rwanda is positive. The economy is recovering from a weak performance in agriculture and delays in related project implementation in recent years. Growth rebounded last year and inflation remains well contained. We expect GDP growth rates to rise gradually towards 7-7.5 per cent in the medium term, while inflation remains within the medium-term target of 5 per cent.
I am particularly impressed with the government’s continued commitment to poverty reduction.
As part of my stay here, I will be visiting the Agaseke Handicraft Cooperative and the ICT hub (knowledge Lab) in Kigali to see firsthand how the government has managed to improve the welfare of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups such as women and youth.
As your readers are aware, the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy for 2013–18 focuses on economic transformation, rural development, and youth employment. The strategy is rightly aimed at further reducing poverty.
I think that the continued rollout of planned measures and the successful inclusion of the private sector in leading economic development will help make sizeable inroads in making growth even more inclusive and in reducing inequality.
In a recent advisory by the IMF Board, they encouraged Rwanda to widen its tax base and put emphasis on domestic revenue sourcing. What is your advice on this?
We are devoting a significant portion of our technical assistance to support Rwanda’s efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign aid. The focus is appropriately on widening the tax base – not higher taxes, but all paying a fair share.
The government has already made significant progress in the areas of revenue administration.
The push to increase the number of registered VAT payers through the introduction of electronic billing machines, and the switch in the collection of local taxes and fees from the local governments to the revenue authority, should be useful in bringing more businesses under the tax system.
The introduction of tax regimes for agriculture and mining, and improvements in property taxation, should also help achieve the goal of providing budgetary resources for key expenditures, particularly those aimed at scaling up social spending and infrastructure in a context where donor resources are likely to be limited.
Lately, Rwanda has taken to raising money through bonds, do you think this is viable?
Rwanda’s successful Euro-bond issuance in 2013 demonstrated that market financing can play a complementary role in financing investment plans. Several other African countries have followed suit over the past year.
The key is to ensure that Rwanda’s debt remains sustainable. I welcome the government’s commitment to fully explore concessional financing options and private sector participation before considering the use of non-concessional resources.
At the same time, the government’s decision to begin issuing domestic currency bonds in 2014 was an important step in the process of developing and deepening local capital markets.
www.newtimes.co.rw/section/article/2015-01-26/185319/
Creating jobs remains a high priority for this country, but as you know the private sector is also still young. What should Rwanda do to address these two issues?
On private sector development, Rwanda’s potential depends critically on full implementation of ongoing reforms to attract foreign investment and boost exports. These include reducing the cost of doing business; improving infrastructure; supporting skills development; and tapping into regional markets.
The increased provision of lower-cost electricity and improved transportation should help facilitate diversification and business development.
On creating jobs, the government has identified three key priorities: skills development, the fostering of entrepreneurship for small- and medium-sized enterprises, and supporting household enterprises. We at the Fund share this emphasis on building the capacity of Africa’s greatest resource–its people. Increased investment in infrastructure can help put people to work.
The IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa projects regional GDP growth to pick up from about 5 per cent in 2013/14 to 5.75 per cent in 2015. That isn’t a big leap, is it? Can you elaborate on this?
Sub-Saharan Africa has made impressive progress over the past two decades, with growth averaging around 5 per cent. We expect that to continue in 2015, despite the impact of lower oil prices on some of Africa’s major oil exporting economies.
So there has been real progress, as growth has allowed for reducing poverty and improving living conditions.
For example, the number of people living on less than $1.25 a day in Africa has fallen significantly since 1990. But extreme poverty remains unacceptably high and not all countries are making progress. Some countries are still facing internal conflict and/or fragility.
Looking ahead, there are a number of longer-term demographic, technological and environmental challenges that need to be addressed in order to realise the ‘big leap’ that you refer to.
For instance, how can we tap into the productive capacity of Africa’s youth? How can Africa take advantage of technological innovation?
And how can we address the implications of climate change? Three broad policy priorities are crucial: building infrastructure, building institutions, and building people. Africa must also strengthen its institutional and governance frameworks to better manage its vast resources.
But the focus must be on people—with programmes aimed at boosting health and education and other essential social services. In fact, Rwanda is one of the countries that are effectively implementing policies in many of these areas.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has dealt a major blow to several African economies in the region. Can the effects of this blow spread to other parts of the continent?
The Ebola outbreak is a severe human, social and economic crisis that requires a resolute response. And the focus must be on isolating the virus, not the countries.
Strong efforts are underway in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, but it is unlikely to be brought under control before the second half of 2015.
The economic outlook for these countries has already worsened since September, when the IMF disbursed $130 million to the (three) countries to boost their response to the outbreak.
If the outbreak remains limited to the three countries, the economic outlook for the rest of sub-Saharan Africa remains favourable. Some neighbouring countries like The Gambia have seen an impact on tourism.
We are working with the governments of the three affected countries to provide additional interest-free financing of about $160 million, and expect our Board to make a decision in the next few days.
Following the endorsement by the G-20 leaders in Australia, we are also looking at further options to provide additional support to the Ebola-hit countries, including through the provision of donor-supported debt relief.
International oil prices have been tumbling, is this good for Rwanda and the other members of the EAC?
Indeed, oil prices have fallen recently, affecting both oil producers and consumers. Overall, we see the price decline as positive for the global economy. As an oil importer, Rwanda and indeed the East Africa region should benefit given that lower prices will most likely have a positive impact on growth whilst also easing inflation.
Countries can make use of this window of opportunity to reduce universal energy subsidies and use the savings toward more targeted transfers that benefit the poor.
Recently, the East African Community, a regional bloc to which Rwanda subscribes, reached a landmark Economic Partnership agreement (Epa) with Europe. Do you think that these countries need such agreements?
The EPA is designed to enhance commercial and economic relations, supporting a new trading dynamic in the region and deepening cooperation in trade and investment. It can serve as an important instrument of development in many respects.
It can promote sustained growth, increase the productive capacity of EAC economies, foster diversification and competitiveness, and, of course, boost trade, investment and employment. Rwanda is a key member of the EAC that has worked hard to create a conducive and transparent business environment. So it should benefit from this agreement.
All Photos: Jack Yakubu ( Jack Nkinzingabo)
An update on the light rail work on Hunter Street, Newcastle, from a different viewpoint.
The buildings from left to right are Town Hall Clock Tower, Civic Theatre, and NEX, the new Newcastle University building.
I've managed to make a bit more progress on the side table project I've been having some fun with. There was an additional loom arm assembly that was part of this abandoned structure that can now be seem as the lowest shelf now being added to the table. There are a series of 1/2" dowel holes on the main frame side rails and that was to accommodate other weaving combs to be injected into the designer's weaving pattern, as each additional combed loom harness represents variable options as to the complexity of the finished effort.
But really, I know I'm probably going into pretty murky waters in attempting to describe a mechanism to which I have zero practical experience at ever using. So I'm no doubt butchering the appropriate shop talk language for this craft which goes back pretty much as far as our own species goes...at least in more traditional terms related to how we have recorded our collective civilizations via pictograms and writings in the ancient languages of several thousand years ago.
Anyway...The table now seems to sit with greater stability having the added keel weight of this arm, which I also stripped down to match the raw wood finish of the rest of it thus far.
One last interesting side note related to some manufacturer's info on this piece, the metal comb assembly of this had some writing on the outer rails of it which spelled out the following:
MMONS loom harness co. with the listing off of their two business facilities. One of them in Charlotte South Carolina, the heart of America's textile industry for a great many years. The second location was listed as being more up north in Lawrence Mass.
Sadly, I was not able to find a single decent piece of information on the company, in order to perhaps gain more insight as to its age. But of the hundreds of pictures of table top sized weaving looms I shuttle boated my eyeballs back and forth over, my loom would appear to be one of the better made ones, with the thickest, sturdiest timbers and with very strong fasteners that have a feeling of confidence that it will stay that way for a long, long time. All while enduring the stresses put on it by the weaving process itself which calls for fairly robust tensioning of the materials being used as the yarn. But it doesn't fold up or go as wide as most of the larger floor mount, free standing looms. So that probably devalued it down to garbage status, as far as its last owners were concerned. I think it has value as a table frame and saves it from the landfill. That's a win-win situation in my books.
Cheers! :)