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Marble, on the wall of a church, (outside), in Chiavari, ( Genova).
It was under a glass . so the photo is not very clear
All rights reserved, no use without license
++++++ From Wikipedia +++++++
Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is an autonomous territory south to Mainland China and east to Macao in East Asia. With around 7.2 million Hong Kongers of various nationalities[note 2] in a territory of 1,104 km2, Hong Kong is the world's fourth most densely populated country or territory.
Hong Kong used to be a British colony with the perpetual cession of Hong Kong Island from the Qing Empire after the First Opium War (1839–42). The colony expanded to the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 and acquired a 99-year lease of the New Territories from 1898. Hong Kong was later occupied by Japan during the Second World War until British control resumed in 1945. The Sino-British Joint Declaration signed between the United Kingdom and China in 1984 paved way for the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong in 1997, when it became a special administrative region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China with a high degree of autonomy.[15]
Under the principle of "one country, two systems",[16][17] Hong Kong maintains a separate political and economic system from China. Except in military defence and foreign affairs, Hong Kong maintains its independent executive, legislative and judiciary powers.[18] In addition, Hong Kong develops relations directly with foreign states and international organisations in a broad range of "appropriate fields".[19] Hong Kong involves in international organizations, such as the WTO[20] and the APEC [21], actively and independently.
Hong Kong is one of the world's most significant financial centres, with the highest Financial Development Index score and consistently ranks as the world's most competitive and freest economic entity.[22][23] As the world's 8th largest trading entity,[24] its legal tender, the Hong Kong dollar, is the world's 13th most traded currency.[25] As the world's most visited city,[26][27] Hong Kong's tertiary sector dominated economy is characterised by competitive simple taxation and supported by its independent judiciary system.[28] Even with one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, it suffers from severe income inequality.[29]
Nicknamed "Pearl of the Orient", Hong Kong is renowned for its deep natural harbour, which boasts the world's fifth busiest port with ready access by cargo ships, and its impressive skyline, with the most skyscrapers in the world.[30][31] It has a very high Human Development Index ranking and the world's longest life expectancy.[32][33] Over 90% of the population makes use of well-developed public transportation.[34][35] Seasonal air pollution with origins from neighbouring industrial areas of Mainland China, which adopts loose emissions standards, has resulted in a high level of atmospheric particulates in winter.
Etymology
Hong Kong was officially recorded in the 1842 Treaty of Nanking to encompass the entirety of the island.[39]
The source of the romanised name "Hong Kong" is not known, but it is generally believed to be an early imprecise phonetic rendering of the pronunciation in spoken Cantonese 香港 (Cantonese Yale: Hēung Góng), which means "Fragrant Harbour" or "Incense Harbour".[13][14][40] Before 1842, the name referred to a small inlet—now Aberdeen Harbour (Chinese: 香港仔; Cantonese Yale: Hēunggóng jái), literally means "Little Hong Kong"—between Aberdeen Island and the southern coast of Hong Kong Island. Aberdeen was an initial point of contact between British sailors and local fishermen.[41]
Another theory is that the name would have been taken from Hong Kong's early inhabitants, the Tankas (水上人); it is equally probable that romanisation was done with a faithful execution of their speeches, i.e. hōng, not hēung in Cantonese.[42] Detailed and accurate romanisation systems for Cantonese were available and in use at the time.[43]
Fragrance may refer to the sweet taste of the harbour's fresh water estuarine influx of the Pearl River or to the incense from factories lining the coast of northern Kowloon. The incense was stored near Aberdeen Harbour for export before Hong Kong developed Victoria Harbour.[40]
The name had often been written as the single word Hongkong until the government adopted the current form in 1926.[44] Nevertheless, a number of century-old institutions still retain the single-word form, such as the Hongkong Post, Hongkong Electric and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.
As of 1997, its official name is the "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China". This is the official title as mentioned in the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Hong Kong Government's website;[45] however, "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" and "Hong Kong" are widely accepted.
Hong Kong has carried many nicknames. The most famous among those is the "Pearl of the Orient", which reflected the impressive nightscape of the city's light decorations on the skyscrapers along both sides of the Victoria Harbour. The territory is also known as "Asia's World City".
History
Main articles: History of Hong Kong and History of China
Prehistory
Main article: Prehistoric Hong Kong
Archaeological studies support human presence in the Chek Lap Kok area (now Hong Kong International Airport) from 35,000 to 39,000 years ago and on Sai Kung Peninsula from 6,000 years ago.[46][47][48]
Wong Tei Tung and Three Fathoms Cove are the earliest sites of human habitation in Hong Kong during the Paleolithic Period. It is believed that the Three Fathom Cove was a river-valley settlement and Wong Tei Tung was a lithic manufacturing site. Excavated Neolithic artefacts suggested cultural differences from the Longshan culture of northern China and settlement by the Che people, prior to the migration of the Baiyue to Hong Kong.[49][50] Eight petroglyphs, which dated to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC – 1066 BC) in China, were discovered on the surrounding islands.[51]
Imperial China
Main article: History of Hong Kong under Imperial China
In 214 BC, Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a centralised China, conquered the Baiyue tribes in Jiaozhi (modern-day Liangguang region and Vietnam) and incorporated the area of Hong Kong into his imperial China for the first time. Hong Kong proper was assigned to the Nanhai commandery (modern-day Nanhai District), near the commandery's capital city Panyu.[52][53][54]
After a brief period of centralisation and collapse of the Qin dynasty, the area of Hong Kong was consolidated under the Kingdom of Nanyue, founded by general Zhao Tuo in 204 BC.[55] When Nanyue lost the Han-Nanyue War in 111 BC, Hong Kong came under the Jiaozhi commandery of the Han dynasty. Archaeological evidence indicates an increase of population and flourish of salt production. The Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb on the Kowloon Peninsula is believed to have been built as a burial site during the Han dynasty.[56]
From the Han dynasty to the early Tang dynasty, Hong Kong was a part of Bao'an County. In the Tang dynasty, modern-day Guangzhou (Canton) flourished as an international trading centre. In 736, the Emperor Xuanzong of Tang established a military stronghold in Tuen Mun to strengthen defence of the coastal area.[57] The nearby Lantau Island was a salt production centre and salt smuggler riots occasionally broke out against the government. In c. 1075, The first village school, Li Ying College, was established around 1075 AD in modern-day New Territories by the Northern Song dynasty.[58] During their war against the Mongols, the imperial court of Southern Song was briefly stationed at modern-day Kowloon City (the Sung Wong Toi site) before their ultimate defeat by the Mongols at the Battle of Yamen in 1279.[59] The Mongols then established their dynastic court and governed Hong Kong for 97 years.
From the mid-Tang dynasty to the early Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Hong Kong was a part of Dongguan County. During the Ming dynasty, the area was transferred to Xin'an County. The indigenous inhabitants at that time consisted of several ethnicities such as Punti, Hakka, Tanka and Hoklo.
European discovery
The earliest European visitor on record was Jorge Álvares, a Portuguese explorer, who arrived in 1513.[60][61] Having established a trading post in a site they called "Tamão" in Hong Kong waters, Portuguese merchants commenced with regular trading in southern China. Subsequent military clashes between China and Portugal, however, led to the expulsion of all Portuguese merchants from southern China.
Since the 14th century, the Ming court had enforced the maritime prohibition laws that strictly forbade all private maritime activities in order to prevent contact with foreigners by sea.[62] When the Manchu Qing dynasty took over China, Hong Kong was directly affected by the Great Clearance decree of the Kangxi Emperor, who ordered the evacuation of coastal areas of Guangdong from 1661 to 1669. Over 16,000 inhabitants of Xin'an County including those in Hong Kong were forced to migrate inland; only 1,648 of those who had evacuated subsequently returned.[63][64]
British Crown Colony: 1842–1941
A painter at work. John Thomson. Hong Kong, 1871. The Wellcome Collection, London
Main articles: British Hong Kong and History of Hong Kong (1800s–1930s)
In 1839, threats by the imperial court of Qing to sanction opium imports caused diplomatic friction with the British Empire. Tensions escalated into the First Opium War. The Qing admitted defeat when British forces captured Hong Kong Island on 20 January 1841. The island was initially ceded under the Convention of Chuenpi as part of a ceasefire agreement between Captain Charles Elliot and Governor Qishan. A dispute between high-ranking officials of both countries, however, led to the failure of the treaty's ratification. On 29 August 1842, Hong Kong Island was formally ceded in perpetuity to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland under the Treaty of Nanking.[65] The British officially established a Crown colony and founded the City of Victoria in the following year.[66]
The population of Hong Kong Island was 7,450 when the Union Flag raised over Possession Point on 26 January 1841. It mostly consisted of Tanka fishermen and Hakka charcoal burners, whose settlements scattered along several coastal hamlets. In the 1850s, a large number of Chinese immigrants crossed the then-free border to escape from the Taiping Rebellion. Other natural disasters, such as flooding, typhoons and famine in mainland China would play a role in establishing Hong Kong as a place for safe shelter.[67][68]
Further conflicts over the opium trade between Britain and Qing quickly escalated into the Second Opium War. Following the Anglo-French victory, the Crown Colony was expanded to include Kowloon Peninsula (south of Boundary Street) and Stonecutter's Island, both of which were ceded to the British in perpetuity under the Convention of Beijing in 1860.
In 1898, Britain obtained a 99-year lease from Qing under the Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory, in which Hong Kong obtained a 99-year lease of Lantau Island, the area north of Boundary Street in Kowloon up to Shenzhen River and over 200 other outlying islands.[69][70][71]
Hong Kong soon became a major entrepôt thanks to its free port status, attracting new immigrants to settle from both China and Europe. The society, however, remained racially segregated and polarised under early British colonial policies. Despite the rise of a British-educated Chinese upper-class by the late-19th century, race laws such as the Peak Reservation Ordinance prevented ethnic Chinese in Hong Kong from acquiring houses in reserved areas such as Victoria Peak. At this time, the majority of the Chinese population in Hong Kong had no political representation in the British colonial government. The British governors did rely, however, on a small number of Chinese elites, including Sir Kai Ho and Robert Hotung, who served as ambassadors and mediators between the government and local population.
File:1937 Hong Kong VP8.webmPlay media
Hong Kong filmed in 1937
In 1904, the United Kingdom established the world's first border and immigration control; all residents of Hong Kong were given citizenship as Citizens of United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC).
Hong Kong continued to experience modest growth during the first half of the 20th century. The University of Hong Kong was established in 1911 as the territory's first higher education institute. While there had been an exodus of 60,000 residents for fear of a German attack on the British colony during the First World War, Hong Kong remained unscathed. Its population increased from 530,000 in 1916 to 725,000 in 1925 and reached 1.6 million by 1941.[72]
In 1925, Cecil Clementi became the 17th Governor of Hong Kong. Fluent in Cantonese and without a need for translator, Clementi introduced the first ethnic Chinese, Shouson Chow, into the Executive Council as an unofficial member. Under Clementi's tenure, Kai Tak Airport entered operation as RAF Kai Tak and several aviation clubs. In 1937, the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out when the Japanese Empire expanded its territories from northeastern China into the mainland proper. To safeguard Hong Kong as a freeport, Governor Geoffry Northcote declared the Crown Colony as a neutral zone.
Japanese occupation: 1941–45
Main article: Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
The Cenotaph in Hong Kong commemorates those who died in service in the First World War and the Second World War.[73]
As part of its military campaign in Southeast Asia during Second World War, the Japanese army moved south from Guangzhou of mainland China and attacked Hong Kong in on 8 December 1941.[74] Crossing the border at Shenzhen River on 8 December, the Battle of Hong Kong lasted for 18 days when British and Canadian forces held onto Hong Kong Island. Unable to defend against intensifying Japanese air and land bombardments, they eventually surrendered control of Hong Kong on 25 December 1941. The Governor of Hong Kong was captured and taken as a prisoner of war. This day is regarded by the locals as "Black Christmas".[75]
During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, the Japanese army committed atrocities against civilians and POWs, such as the St. Stephen's College massacre. Local residents also suffered widespread food shortages, limited rationing and hyper-inflation arising from the forced exchange of currency from Hong Kong dollars to Japanese military banknotes. The initial ratio of 2:1 was gradually devalued to 4:1 and ownership of Hong Kong dollars was declared illegal and punishable by harsh torture. Due to starvation and forced deportation for slave labour to mainland China, the population of Hong Kong had dwindled from 1.6 million in 1941 to 600,000 in 1945, when the United Kingdom resumed control of the colony on 2 September 1945.[76]
Resumption of British rule and industrialisation: 1945–97
Main articles: British Hong Kong, 1950s in Hong Kong, 1960s in Hong Kong, 1970s in Hong Kong, 1980s in Hong Kong, and 1990s in Hong Kong
Flag of British Hong Kong from 1959 to 1997
Hong Kong's population recovered quickly after the war, as a wave of skilled migrants from the Republic of China moved in to seek refuge from the Chinese Civil War. When the Communist Party eventually took full control of mainland China in 1949, even more skilled migrants fled across the open border for fear of persecution.[69] Many newcomers, especially those who had been based in the major port cities of Shanghai and Guangzhou, established corporations and small- to medium-sized businesses and shifted their base operations to British Hong Kong.[69] The establishment of a socialist state in China (People's Republic of China) on 1 October 1949 caused the British colonial government to reconsider Hong Kong's open border to mainland China. In 1951, a boundary zone was demarked as a buffer zone against potential military attacks from communist China. Border posts along the north of Hong Kong began operation in 1953 to regulate the movement of people and goods into and out of the territory.
Stamp with portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, 1953
In the 1950s, Hong Kong became the first of the Four Asian Tiger economies under rapid industrialisation driven by textile exports, manufacturing industries and re-exports of goods to China. As the population grew, with labour costs remaining low, living standards began to rise steadily.[77] The construction of the Shek Kip Mei Estate in 1953 marked the beginning of the public housing estate programme to provide shelter for the less privileged and to cope with the influx of immigrants.
Under Sir Murray MacLehose, 25th Governor of Hong Kong (1971–82), a series of reforms improved the public services, environment, housing, welfare, education and infrastructure of Hong Kong. MacLehose was British Hong Kong's longest-serving governor and, by the end of his tenure, had become one of the most popular and well-known figures in the Crown Colony. MacLehose laid the foundation for Hong Kong to establish itself as a key global city in the 1980s and early 1990s.
A sky view of Hong Kong Island
An aerial view of the northern shore of Hong Kong Island in 1986
To resolve traffic congestion and to provide a more reliable means of crossing the Victoria Harbour, a rapid transit railway system (metro), the MTR, was planned from the 1970s onwards. The Island Line (Hong Kong Island), Kwun Tong Line (Kowloon Peninsula and East Kowloon) and Tsuen Wan Line (Kowloon and urban New Territories) opened in the early 1980s.[78]
In 1983, the Hong Kong dollar left its 16:1 peg with the Pound sterling and switched to the current US-HK Dollar peg. Hong Kong's competitiveness in manufacturing gradually declined due to rising labour and property costs, as well as new development in southern China under the Open Door Policy introduced in 1978 which opened up China to foreign business. Nevertheless, towards the early 1990s, Hong Kong had established itself as a global financial centre along with London and New York City, a regional hub for logistics and freight, one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia and the world's exemplar of Laissez-faire market policy.[79]
The Hong Kong question
In 1971, the Republic of China (Taiwan)'s permanent seat on the United Nations was transferred to the People's Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong's status as a recognised colony became terminated in 1972 under the request of PRC. Facing the uncertain future of Hong Kong and expiry of land lease of New Territories beyond 1997, Governor MacLehose raised the question in the late 1970s.
The British Nationality Act 1981 reclassified Hong Kong into a British Dependent Territory amid the reorganisation of global territories of the British Empire. All residents of Hong Kong became British Dependent Territory Citizens (BDTC). Diplomatic negotiations began with China and eventually concluded with the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. Both countries agreed to transfer Hong Kong's sovereignty to China on 1 July 1997, when Hong Kong would remain autonomous as a special administrative region and be able to retain its free-market economy, British common law through the Hong Kong Basic Law, independent representation in international organisations (e.g. WTO and WHO), treaty arrangements and policy-making except foreign diplomacy and military defence.
It stipulated that Hong Kong would retain its laws and be guaranteed a high degree of autonomy for at least 50 years after the transfer. The Hong Kong Basic Law, based on English law, would serve as the constitutional document after the transfer. It was ratified in 1990.[69] The expiry of the 1898 lease on the New Territories in 1997 created problems for business contracts, property leases and confidence among foreign investors.
Handover and Special Administrative Region status
Main articles: Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong and 2000s in Hong Kong
Transfer of sovereignty
Golden Bauhinia Square
On 1 July 1997, the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China took place, officially marking the end of Hong Kong's 156 years under British colonial governance. As the largest remaining colony of the United Kingdom, the loss of Hong Kong effectively represented the end of the British Empire. This transfer of sovereignty made Hong Kong the first special administrative region of China. Tung Chee-Hwa, a pro-Beijing business tycoon, was elected Hong Kong's first Chief Executive by a selected electorate of 800 in a televised programme.
Structure of government
Hong Kong's current structure of governance inherits from the British model of colonial administration set up in the 1850s. The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration states that "Hong Kong should enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all areas except defence and foreign affairs" with reference to the underlying principle of one country, two systems.[note 3] This Declaration stipulates that Hong Kong maintains her capitalist economic system and guarantees the rights and freedoms of her people for at least 50 years after the 1997 handover. [note 4] Such guarantees are enshrined in the Hong Kong's Basic Law, the territory's constitutional document, which outlines the system of governance after 1997, albeit subject to interpretation by China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC).[95][96]
Hong Kong's most senior leader, Chief Executive, is elected by a committee of 1,200 selected members (600 in 1997) and nominally appointed by the Government of China. The primary pillars of government are the Executive Council, Legislative Council, civil service and Judiciary.
Policy-making is initially discussed in the Executive Council, presided by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, before passing to the Legislative Council for bill adoption. The Executive Council consists of 30 official/unofficial members appointed by the Chief Executive and one member among them acts as the convenor.[97][98]
The Legislative Council, set up in 1843, debates policies and motions before voting to adopt or rejecting bills. It has 70 members (originally 60) and 40 (originally 30) among them are directly elected by universal suffrage; the other 30 members are "functional constituencies" (indirectly) elected by a smaller electorate of corporate bodies or representatives of stipulated economic sectors as defined by the government. The Legislative Council is chaired by a president who acts as the speaker.[99][100]
In 1997, seating of the Legislative Council (also public services and election franchises) of Hong Kong modelled on the British system: Urban Council (Hong Kong and Kowloon) and District Council (New Territories and Outlying Islands). In 1999, this system has been reformed into 18 directly elected District Offices across 5 Legislative Council constituencies: Hong Kong Island (East/West), Kowloon and New Territories (East/West); the remaining outlying islands are divided across the aforementioned regions.
Hong Kong's Civil Service, created by the British colonial government, is a politically neutral body that implements government policies and provides public services. Senior civil servants are appointed based on meritocracy. The territory's police, firefighting and customs forces, as well as clerical officers across various government departments, make up the civil service.[101][102]
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. It was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the US Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s. The bomber is capable of carrying up to 32,000 kg of weapons, and has a typical combat range of more than 14,000 km without aerial refueling.
Beginning with the successful contract bid in June 1946, the B-52 design evolved from a straight-wing aircraft powered by six turboprop engines to the final prototype YB-52 with eight turbojet engines and swept wings. The B-52 took its maiden flight in April 1952. Built to carry nuclear weapons for Cold War-era deterrence missions, the B-52 Stratofortress is a veteran of several wars, but has only dropped conventional munitions in combat. The B-52's official name Stratofortress is rarely used; informally, the aircraft has become commonly referred to as the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fucker).
The B-52 has been in active service with the USAF since 1955. As of 2012, 85 were in active service with nine in reserve. The bombers flew under the Strategic Air Command (SAC) until it was disestablished in 1992 and its aircraft absorbed into the Air Combat Command (ACC); in 2010 all B-52 Stratofortresses were transferred from the ACC to the newly-created Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC).
Superior performance at high subsonic speeds and relatively low operating costs have kept the B-52 in service despite the advent of later, more advanced aircraft, including the variable-geometry B-1 Lancer, and the stealth B-2 Spirit. The B-52 completed 60 years of continuous service with its original operator in 2015. After being upgraded between 2013 and 2015, it is expected to serve into the 2040s.
The B-52G was proposed to extend the B-52's service life during delays in the B-58 Hustler programme. At first, a radical redesign was envisioned with a completely new wing and Pratt & Whitney J75 engines. This was rejected to avoid slowdowns in production, although a large number of changes were implemented. The most significant of these was the brand-new "wet" wing with integral fuel tanks which considerably increased the fuel capacity; gross aircraft weight went up by 17,235 kg compared with prior variants. In addition, a pair of 2,650 litre external fuel tanks were fitted under the wings. In this model, the traditional ailerons were eliminated. Instead, spoilers provided roll control. The tail fin was shortened by 2.4m, water injection system capacity was increased to 4,540 itres and the nose radome was enlarged. The tail gunner manning the four .50 calibre machine-guns (quad mounted in a remote-controlled tail turret) was relocated to the main cockpit and was provided with an ejection seat. Dubbed the "Battle Station" concept, the offensive crew (pilot and co-pilot on the upper deck and the two bombing navigation system operators on the lower deck) faced forward, while the defensive crew (tail gunner and ECM operator) on the upper deck faced aft.
The B-52G entered service on 13 February 1959 (a day earlier, the last B-36 was retired, making SAC an all-jet bomber force). 193 B-52Gs were produced, making this the most produced B-52 variant. Most B-52Gs were destroyed in compliance with the 1992 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty; the last B-52G was dismantled under New START treaty requirements in December 2013. A few examples remain on display for museums.
This example, 59-2601, was seen at the what was then simply the International Air Tattoo (no Royal appellation in those days!) at RAF Greenham Common in 1983. It avoided dismantlement and is now part of the Tactical Air Command's Memorial Park at Langley AFB, Virginia.
Without a GE engine anywhere in sight, CSX marches the ethanol cans across the Hoosier State, ironically, through the cut cornfields.
Seen here, train B841 (Decatur, IL, DREI run-through to Sewaren, NJ, ethanol loads) does the honors near Cromwell, Indiana on CSX's former B&O Garrett Sub.
PGB Photographer & Creative - © 2022 Philip Romeyn - Phillostar Gone Ballistic 2021 - Photo may not be edited from its original form. Commercial use is prohibited without contacting me.
A pair of Class 153s seen passing through Llansamlet with the 1W62. 11.05 hrs Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly (Photo By Steve Powell)
I've been without my pc for awhile and now that I have a new one finally, I have to catch up on Flickr! Everything available now at the main store. More to come!
... is like a day without alcohol!
Ahoi, captain obvious...
Oi mate, that's Captain Hook for you!
I mean, you need to compare it to something else, be it good or bad or funny.
Say what?
Like... is a lost day.
Ha, I don't remember how many days I've lost to alcohol.
Don't you ever drink anything else?
Like what?
What about water?
But that's unhygienic! There's sharks and ships in it!
Yeah, right.
Skål, ye landlubbers!
Cheers!
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A rare occasion of having unaltered collectable minifigures from three series (22,14,8) in one picture. This is the same background I used on the red King's Guard. Didn't bother yet to make it a real build, because it's easier to take pictures on an open stage.
Toy Project Day 3249
ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved
Do not use without permission.
The entrance to Kalmar castle. The castle (Kalmar slott) is Sweden's most well kept Renaissance castle - but it was founded already at the end of the 12th century. The medieval castle was renovated quite vigorously in the 16th century and much of today's castle stems from this period. Erik XIV lived here for several years and his brother Johan III continued on the building program when he became king. This was a royal castle up till the end of the 17th century - and after that there were a couple of centuries of decline, when the castle functioned as a prison (among other things). But from the 1850's the interest in the castle was revived and the castle restored.
"Generally, i spend my day with my mother at our quiet room;
without too much noise or people around.
(father leaves early in the morning, and returns late;
i hardly know him.)
Today, already from the morning i sensed something was very different--
mother was very excited.
I could not understand why.
Then she tied me on her back, and we got out.
It was night; we wandered along narrow dark lanes,
with many people around us.
They also seemed excited.
It was very crowded, strange and a bit frightening.
Then we reached a square, where many, many people sang and danced.
My mother was even more excited, laughed very often, talked to many people,
and was much less attuned to me than when we are at home.
Then we entered some big building, and suddenly, mom laid down,
cried, and seemed even more moved.
It's really difficult for me to understand all this.
I am a bit worried"
❤Sponsor Grasshopper Street, UNA, ANTAYA, {Fantasy world}, MILKBATH, Raven Bell and Ruxy store.❤
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In game: 2199b42c-463d-44df-83e1-1c9f99213d5a MιƖкƜєєɗ Vση Ɗαєηαι. (milkbath.xoxo)
➡Raven Bell
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------------😿GIRL WITHOUT A CAT😿:
HEAD:
Hair: .EscalateD. Robyn
Creator: 562b1bf6-d7d1-4629-817e-b787e464f1db Dolphin Ayres www.flickr.com/photos/145948990@N02/
❗Hat: Grasshopper Street Tudor Cap
www.flickr.com/photos/grasshopper-st/53660872663/in/datep...
BODY:
❗Dress: {Fantasy world} Candy (Size for: Legacy, Legacy Perky, reborn, Maitreya) Shown on Maitreya. www.flickr.com/photos/184714631@N02/53166689484/in/datepo...
Tights BoM: EstyssEon -Eon- White (100%) gift
Creator: cf464ab9-d0a2-4601-b6aa-1ef001385318 EonSL (estysseon)
Gloves: *OAL* Gem (Size for: Maitreya, Slink) Shown on Maitreya. www.flickr.com/photos/127853456@N06/50135342377/in/pool-2...
Creator: cef49b41-efd0-4345-99fc-615a6cb16d94 Lark (discovering.destiny) www.flickr.com/groups/2804477@N22/pool/
==============
------------🎩GENTLEMAN WITH A PIPE🎩:
HEAD:
Hat: BONDI . The Gentleman Top Hat www.flickr.com/photos/141375325@N05/49494347851/in/datepo...
Creator: aefeb35b-5266-41b1-ae2e-7ca3144274de Manu Wrydan www.flickr.com/photos/141375325@N05/
BODY:
Gloves: [ContraptioN] Dapper Dandy's www.flickr.com/photos/waltonwainwright/49178027427/
Creator: 93b985da-06bd-43de-885e-65ad75e68eee Walton F. Wainwright (walton.wainwright) www.flickr.com/photos/waltonwainwright/
❗Tailcoat/Breeches: Grasshopper St Incroyable (Size for: Legacy, Belleza Jake, Anatomy) Shown on Legacy m. www.flickr.com/photos/grasshopper-st/53770090448/in/datep...
(❗❗❗ATTENTION❗❗❗You can find this set on Vintage Fair event in June 7th-17th ❗❗❗)
❗Tights BoM: from Grasshopper St Poulaines & Pattens - Male pack. - GHS Full Foot Joined Hose White color www.flickr.com/photos/grasshopper-st/53307131166/in/datep...
==============
------------👥LADY IN BLACK👥:
HEAD:
❗️Hair: Raven Bell - Theodora Hair
www.flickr.com/photos/71086839@N02/51091586445/in/datepos...
❗Hat: Raven Bell - Theodora www.flickr.com/photos/71086839@N02/51076641917/in/datepos...
BODY:
❗Lace gloves - Bom: :: ANTAYA :: www.flickr.com/photos/antaya/53520721258/in/dateposted/
❗Lace cuffs: :: ANTAYA :: "Elise" (Size for: Legacy, Maitreya) Shown on Legacy. www.flickr.com/photos/antaya/51950485106/in/dateposted/
❗Neck decoration: Raven Bell - Lorien Jewelry [Set] www.flickr.com/photos/71086839@N02/52923540570/in/datepos...
❗Dress: Ruxy - Alessandra (Size for: Maitreya, Maitreya Domina, Legacy, Legacy Perky, Legacy Perky Nerido) shown on Legacy. www.flickr.com/photos/36849167@N07/52833204902/in/datepos...
❗Shoulders: [:MILKBATH:] Cupid Sleeves (Size for: Belleza Jake, Legacy f/m, Reborn) Shown on Legacy F. www.flickr.com/photos/185448095@N04/53544380233/in/datepo...
BOM top: ::FLO:: Aedos undershirt with lace collar EvoX
Creator: 1a4ee9f2-e2db-464f-9387-7f3491727c23 Florence (flo.udimo) www.flickr.com/photos/146615922@N06/
==============
------------🙋JUST ME🙋:
HEAD:
❗Hat: Raven Bell - Theodora Veiled (P.S i tint hat in emerald color, in build mode) www.flickr.com/photos/71086839@N02/51137429495/in/datepos...
Hair: TRUTH Poetry flickr.com/photos/truthhawks/49992608087/in/dateposted/
Creator: b0c7db7d-1804-414d-abbb-f61e4c491db0 Truth Hawks flickr.com/photos/truthhawks/
BODY:
Short Gloves: On A Lark *OAL* Bento (Size for: Maitreya, Slink, Fitted) For legacy i use fitted size and off hands in alpha HUD) www.flickr.com/photos/127853456@N06/50060006343/in/pool-2...
Creator: cef49b41-efd0-4345-99fc-615a6cb16d94 Lark (discovering.destiny) www.flickr.com/groups/2804477@N22/pool/
❗Neck decoration: [:MILKBATH:] Draped Pearls 1 (Size for: LegacyF/M, Legacy Vtech, Belleza Jake, Reborn, Reborn Vtech, Reborn Waifu, Reborn Mounds, Reborn Teacups) Shown on Legacy F. www.flickr.com/photos/185448095@N04/53609664226/in/datepo...
BOM Shirt: from -foolish- Set (Shirt3) (P.S tint inemerald color)
Creator: 3f4c62a9-3705-4ce5-bcac-0ca484715f50 MarieMcBeth
❗Dress: UNA. Eloise (Size for: Legacy, Legacy Perky Nerido, Legacy Nerido, Legacy Perky, LaraX, Ebody Reborn, Ebody Juicy) Shown on Legacy. www.flickr.com/photos/unadaxterfantasyurban/53756114074/i...
(❗❗❗ATTENTION❗❗❗You can find this dress at FaMESHed event 1 st till the 27th each month. Opens at 12pm SLT❗❗❗)
==============
------------------------📜LITTLE STORY📜
🎩A gentleman with a pipe🎩: - Have you heard what the papers are saying? The Titanic that everyone had such high hopes for has sunk. The whole thing went under when it collided with a block of ice. I was going to buy us tickets to the Titanic, it's like God took me away.
=
👥Lady in Black👥: - God had nothing to do with it. I told you from the beginning that a huge object like that was dangerous. Imagine how many noble families have been affected? I wonder what will happen in the world now that most of the corporations are without their owners?
=
🎩A gentleman with a pipe🎩: - I heard even before the Titanic was built and all the noble families headed for the voyage on it, a lot of the shares in their companies were bought up by the Rockefellers and the like.
=
👥Lady in Black👥: - I think it was a set-up too, but let's not talk about it in the train restaurant in front of everyone. Honey, what are you standing there for? There's a seat, sit down, have a nice cake and tea with us. We've got a long way to go.
=
🎩A gentleman with a pipe🎩: - One can only hope that the new train we're travelling on doesn't suddenly collide with some moose on the way too and we don't die, haha.
=
👥Lady in Black👥: - Oh my God, stop making jokes like that! Bone jokes don't make me happy.
=
😿Girl without a cat😿: - I don't want to sit with you all! I wanted to be with my cat... I have a grudge against you all!
=
🙋Snow Elf🙋: - So, what, a lot of the food and technology famous industries will now go to the Rockefellers?
=
🎩A gentleman with a pipe🎩: - It appears so. Now they will decide which nations will have the right to a cup of coffee and which ones will drink just dung. I feel we're not going to an industrialised world, but a world of slavery and Satanism.
=
👥Lady in Black👥: - I'm asking you all to stop this conversation! Let's talk about something light and positive.
=
😿Girl without a cat😿: - What's positive without that ginger lump?
=
*Everyone switched to everyday conversations occasionally drinking hot tea and eating a tasty cake, and only the red-haired girl looked out of the train window into the distance, remembering the warmth and softness of the sleepy cat.*
Nauru island has been destroyed – do you know Nauru? one of the smallest island in the world. And once the richest and wealthiest countries in the world. maybe you are wondering where the country is located, is close to the country australia.
Nauru lay on the land area of 8000 hectares in the western Pacific ocean. The extent of only about one tenth of the oil palm plantation Astra, Eka Cipta Wijaya, Prabowo, Cargill, DL Sitorus, and tycoons Crude Palm Oil (CPO) in Sumatra there. Only about a quarter of its 50 spacious logged forests conglomerates concessionaires in Borneo there. Precisely, the area of the Republic of Nauru is almost equivalent to the Lake Toba.
21km square berarea country for 30 years been listed as one of the richest countries in the world. Income per capita in 1981 reached 17,000 dollars, compared with Indonesia, which is only 530 dollars per capita in the same year. With such a high income and a population of only 13 thousand inhabitants (still more spectators Indonesian league opponents Saudi Arabia the other day, which reached 90,000) Nauru transformed into a very rich country. They build tall buildings. Buy cars and luxury commercial aircraft. There are no poor people in there, let alone bum. State subsidizes the lives of all citizens. More than 80% of the workforce was appointed as civil servants. These employees are not tied to office hours. They may come and go as they pleased. The unemployed also subsidized by the state. In short, was so rich Nauru, without any of the working population can live in luxury. People are not taxed. Education and free health care, subsidized food, who want to study abroad were given scholarships. Even so spoiled, so reluctant to Nauru population of mobile workers. His government was forced to import labor from Australia, China, Kiribati and Tuvalu.
What makes Nauru be all that rich? not because of bird droppings. More than 70% of the land consists of sediment Nauru Guano bird droppings that had accumulated over hundreds and even thousands of years ago. This is because once Nauru is a place for large colonies of birds Guano. This bird droppings into phosphate, which serves as fertilizer for crops.
Phosphate was found in 1899 and began to be explored in 1907. At that Nauru is still a part of the country Australia. Once granted independence on January 31, 1968, phosphate mining areas controlled by men. Estimated that the number of high-quality phosphate across Nauru 41 million tons. This huge amount. Compare with Indonesia, which consists of thousands of islands, the total number of phospatnya estimated at only 2.5 million tonnes. Because it is only natural that the country would fall into the list of the world’s smallest country touted as the country’s phosphate, and targeted by many countries.
After the massive phosphate exploration for decades, Nauru is now reaping the consequences. According to Greenpeace’s investigation, 90% of Nauru was severely damaged and need to be rehabilitated. That means that only about 2 square km area Nauru only habitable. Greenpeace also found spreading poison of its mining activities in three places. Toxic substances that the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, Polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC) and metal.
Tremendous damage this requires a very long rehabilitation period and cost prohibitive. Nauru should import fertilizer, humus, and other essential nutrients to rebuild the ecosystem. It costs about 200 million dollars, and the process took 30 years. The most crucial thing to do is reclaiming back the area of agriculture, clean water sources, livestock and plantasi trees. If this step is not performed, then the entire population of Nauru have to migrate to other areas. When kept in Nauru they will suffer from various diseases due to mining, hunger and lack of water. Migration area selection is empty islands in the Pacific Islands region.
Nauru government intends reclaiming back its territory. For the year 1989, they filed a lawsuit against Australia in the International Court. Nauru demanded Australia to pay compensation for the environmental damage done mining company. The company itself is actually a consortium of three countries, namely Australia, England and New Zealand. Australia circumvent these demands and accused Nauru as a party that should be responsible. Because the country gained independence from Australia in 1968. And since then, phosphate mining Nauru managed native son, no longer by the consortium companies.
In 1992, the International Court of Justice in favor of Nauru. According to them Australia and two other countries (the United Kingdom and New Zealand) must take responsibility for environmental damage Nauru, as they participate explore this mine before.
In 1993 the three countries were required to pay compensation. Australia have to pay compensation of 107 million Australian dollars, while the United Kingdom and New Zealand, respectively 12 million dollars.
So how? Are you curious about this country? if you want to visit to see it? it’s up to you. I hope what happened to Nauru could be a lesson to us all that exploit something excessively without any action about the future it will be bad. so do not get used to always live with a tasty and versatile plush yes, learn to appreciate life and learn to start thinking about the future.
by New Hotel Travel in ift.tt/1XHPf3p
The Douglas C-47 Dakota is without doubt one of the most successful aircraft designs in history. It became one of the world's most famous military transport aircraft and saw widespread use by the Allies during World War Two and subsequently by Air Forces and civilian operators worldwide.
DAKOTA ZA947
The aircraft was adopted by Strike Command and issued to the BBMF in March 1993. In 2004, an original and authentic floor and interior was re-fitted to the Dakota, returning the cabin to the original, wartime specification. As there are now no other multi-engine tail wheel aircraft in RAF service outside the BBMF, the Dakota is an important training asset used for initial training of aircrew for the BBMF multi-engine aircraft and for renewing the currency of the Flight’s Lancaster pilots each year. In addition to this role though, the Dakota is a sought-after display aircraft in her own right and, as such, she appears regularly on the air show circuit either on her own or as part of a BBMF formation. She continues to be capable of para-dropping and is used in that role for special commemorative events.
ZA947 is now painted to represent Dakota FZ692 of No 233 Squadron, around the D-Day period in 1944. This aircraft, which was named ‘Kwicherbichen’ by her crews, was involved in Para-dropping operations on the eve of D-Day and subsequently in re-supply and casualty evacuation missions into and out of forward airfields in the combat areas.
(Foto de hace más de una semana.. Vale muchísimo más la pena verla en grande. En la segunda foto del tríptico del comentario, el hombre vio que le haciamos una foto y se digno a saludar ^^)
*Se acabaron los exámenes por esta semana, ahora solo queda preparar la exposición oral de inglés! Mañana a Barcelona al teatro.
PGB Photographer & Creative - © Philip Romeyn - Phillostar Gone Ballistic 2021 - Photo may not be edited from its original form. Commercial use is prohibited without contacting me.
Divers 2021 - December
Photos of December 2021
Photos de decembre 2021
( Divers albums de photos prisent en 2021 sans sujet reel.
Various albums of pictures taken in 2021 without real subject. )
Went out to Jonsrud Point to catch the sunset and was going to head up to Lolo Pass for the moon but the clouds were uncooperative for both.
We did run into a bunch of other flickr buddies and even a shitty day looking at a good view with friends is always good.
So after, Troy and I headed back thinking that we'd shoot in PDX… but on the way to downtown the moonlight was looking so cool going through the trees that we decided to shoot at Tryon Creek State Park.
That said… I really didn't get much stuff. But as we were leaving we decided to shoot a few cars going by. this was shot around midnight.
© 2012 Bruce Couch & Bodie Group inc | all rights reserved | don't be a dick, do not use or blog, without asking me first. I register my images AND this awesome copyright notice with the US Copyright Office and I can be a real asshole about people or companies stealing my images. That said: I ask you not to download any products (primarily Android apps) created by Swiss Codemonkeys and/or AppBrain. They took my images and other flickr user's images (taken through flickr's API) and used them without permission in their wall paper app which was distributed to millions of android users. Tell your friends, tell your flickr contacts, and complain to flickr. force them out of business. Thanks.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission
© All Rights Reserved
© All rights reserved. Use without permission is illegal.
La zona, posta a metà strada tra la montagna e la pianura e punto di passaggio per raggiungere il Friuli, fu da sempre un sito strategico. Attorno al X secolo fu eretta una fortezza controllata dai vescovi di Belluno, ma di probabili origini romane. Lo stesso toponimo sembra derivare dal latino cuniculus indicante i passaggi sotterranei del castello[6].
Conegliano "nacque" però nel XII secolo, quando un gruppo di famiglie nobili si organizzò creando un governo di tipo comunale attorno alla bastia, con la conseguente formazione di un borgo. Il Castello di Conegliano rimase sempre il centro del potere, sia civile (con la sede della podesteria) che religioso (con la collegiata di San Leonardo). Le attività artigianali ed agricole furono incentivate dalla fondazione di numerosi monasteri: Santa Maria in Mater Domini (1231), il convento dei Padri Umiliati di San Polo (1316), Sant'Antonio, San Francesco dei Frati Minori (1231), per non parlare degli ospizi e delle congregazioni di laici.
Con il sanguinoso assalto del 1153, Conegliano fu però subito sottomessa al comune di Treviso che ne potenziò le difese, ricostruendo il castello, vista la posizione chiave verso il Friuli con i domini del Patriarcato di Aquileia. La cittadina seguì le sorti della Marca e passò agli Ezzelini e agli Scaligeri, che la munirono di nuove fortificazioni. Anche con la Repubblica di Venezia, a cui Treviso passò nel 1337, e la breve parentesi dei Carraresi (1384-1388) l'opera fu continuata e venne innalzata una cinta muraria che racchiudesse il borgo. I lavori di fortificazione e di ampliamento si protrassero anche nei secoli successivi, nonostante il rovinoso attacco degli Ungari del 1411. Il paese si abbellì anche di palazzi signorili e istituzionali ma la decadenza si fece sentire già dopo la guerra della Lega di Cambrai.
Nel Settecento il castello, già da tempo in rovina, fu in gran parte demolito per fornire materiale di recupero utile alle nuove costruzioni, tra cui il Palazzo Comunale (1744).
Come tutto il Veneto, la città passò a Napoleone e infine agli Austriaci che ne svilupparono l'economia e le infrastrutture. Con la costruzione della Strada Maestra d'Italia e della ferrovia (1858) il centro vitale del paese si spostò più a sud, attorno alla stazione. Nel 1866 passò con tutto il Veneto al Regno d'Italia. Nel 1917, dopo la Disfatta di Caporetto, Conegliano fu occupata dagli Imperi Centrali e subì notevoli danni. La città riuscì successivamente a risollevarsi grazie alle ferventi attività economiche (prodotti caseari, vinicoli, officine meccaniche ecc.).
it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conegliano
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without breaking a stride, she went from delight to doubt...her brisk pace allowed me just 5 frames...
Photographer © Leon Sidik
© All rights reserved. Use without permission is illegal. Please do not use this image for any purpose (such as; do not use the image on your website, blog, or other media) without my express written permission. Contact me via my web site for permission or licensing information.
Can face masks help slow the spread of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19? Yes. Face masks combined with other preventive measures, such as getting vaccinated, frequent hand-washing and physical distancing, can help slow the spread of the virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends fabric masks for the general public. People who haven’t been fully vaccinated should continue to wear face masks in indoor public places and outdoors where there is a high risk of COVID-19 transmission, such as crowded events or large gatherings. The CDC says that N95 masks should be reserved for health care providers. How do the different types of masks work? Medical masks Also called surgical masks, these are loosefitting disposable masks. They're meant to protect the wearer from contact with droplets and sprays that may contain germs. A medical mask also filters out large particles in the air when the wearer breathes in. To make medical masks more form-fitting, knot the ear loops where they attach to the mask. Then fold and tuck the unneeded material under the edges.
An N95 mask is a type of respirator. It offers more protection than a medical mask does because it filters out both large and small particles when the wearer inhales. Because N95 masks have been in short supply, the CDC has said they should be reserved for health care providers. Health care providers must be trained and pass a fit test before using an N95 mask. Like surgical masks, N95 masks are intended to be disposable. However, researchers are testing ways to disinfect and reuse them. Some N95 masks, and even some cloth masks, have valves that make them easier to breathe through. Unfortunately, these masks don't filter the air the wearer breathes out. For this reason, they've been banned in some places. A cloth mask is intended to trap respiratory droplets that are released when the wearer talks, coughs or sneezes. It also acts as a barrier to protect the wearer from inhaling droplets released by others.
The most effective cloths masks are made of multiple layers of tightly woven fabric like cotton. A mask with layers will stop more droplets from getting through your mask or escaping from it. How to get the most from your mask; The effectiveness of cloth and medical masks can be improved by ensuring that the masks are well fitted to the contours of your face to prevent leakage of air around the masks' edges. Masks should be snug over the nose, mouth and chin, with no gaps. You should feel warm air coming through the front of the mask when you breathe out. You shouldn't feel air coming out under the edges of the mask. Masks that have a bendable nose strip help prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask. Some people choose to wear a disposable mask under their cloth mask. In that case, the cloth mask should press the edges of the disposable mask against the face. Don't add layers if they make it hard to breathe or obstruct your vision. Proper use, storage and cleaning of masks also affects how well they protect you. Follow these steps for putting on and taking off your mask: Wash or sanitize your hands before and after putting on your mask. Place your mask over your mouth and nose and chin. Tie it behind your head or use ear loops. Make sure it's snug.,Don't touch your mask while wearing it. If you accidentally touch your mask, wash or sanitize your hands. If your mask becomes wet or dirty, switch to a clean one. Put the used mask in a sealable bag until you can get rid of it or wash it. Remove the mask by untying it or lifting off the ear loops without touching the front of the mask or your face.
Wash your hands immediately after removing your mask.
Regularly wash cloth masks in the washing machine or by hand. (They can be washed along with other laundry.)
And don't forget these precautions: Don't put masks on anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious or otherwise unable to remove the mask without help. Don't put masks on children under 2 years of age. Don't use face masks as a substitute for physical distancing. What about face shields? The CDC doesn't recommend using face shields instead of masks because it's unclear how much protection shields provide. However, wearing a face mask may not be possible in every situation. If you must use a face shield instead of a mask, choose one that wraps around the sides of your face and extends below your chin.
Do you still need to wear a facemask after you’re fully vaccinated? After you're fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends that it's ok not to wear a mask except where required by a rule or law. However, if you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases in the last week, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public and outdoors in crowded areas or when you are in close contact with unvaccinated people. If you are fully vaccinated and have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may need to keep wearing a mask. You're considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after you get a second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or 2 weeks after you get a single dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. In the U.S., everyone also needs to wear a mask while on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends medical masks for health care workers as well as for anyone who has or may have COVID-19 or who is caring for someone who has or may have COVID-19.``
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-dep...
The Covid-19 pandemic seems to have sorted us into three types based on our attitudes toward masking: Call them nervous maskers, never-maskers and uncertain maskers. The first feel guilty or nervous about unmasking, so they tend to default to wearing masks; the second feel angry and resentful about being told to mask, so they often refuse entirely. And the third group is just trying to do the right thing without a lot of certainty one way or another. Winter is coming, with its continued battles against delta or mu or another variant. We have better protections now (vaccinations, natural antibodies) but also are returning to higher-risk environments (nightclubs, offices, schools). To complicate matters, there are additional factors to consider such as waning immunity from vaccines and the potential of a bad flu season.
Fortunately, there have been a number of important studies on the efficacy of masking over the past 18 months. The good news is that the research suggests most of us can actually de-mask without guilt or worry in many instances — and not just outdoors. It tells us, for example, that plexiglass dividers are in most cases useless or worse. But relaxed refuseniks need a rethink, too — we shouldn’t be ditching masks entirely. On the contrary, the more people adopt a policy of tactical masking, taking situational factors into account, the lower the infection risk and the more freedoms we can enjoy again. As the probability of infection increases, mask wearers lower the risk of catching the virus compared with no masking. For N95 or FFP2 masks, the protection is far greater. Note: Relative reduction in risk-of-infection figures are for an infection probability of 4%.
It’s no wonder we’re either nervous, angry or confused about masks when you consider how masking guidance and conventions have been all over the map. It seems amazing now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and various governments had warned against using masks in the early days of the pandemic. When Thomas Nitzsche, mayor of Jena, Germany, made the decision to require masks in public in early April 2020, his city became one of the first to do so. Infections dropped by up to 75% over the next few weeks. In May, the CDC said fully vaccinated people no longer needed to wear masks in most public settings. Two months later, as delta variant cases rose, the CDC revised that guidance. Now seven U.S. states — Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington — require most people to wear masks indoors in public places. Some states, including Texas and Florida, bar local authorities from imposing Covid-19 restrictions, including mask-wearing. In places that view masking as an affront to liberty, university professors can’t even ask students to wear masks during office hours without putting their jobs at risk. In England, there was a general lifting of restrictions in July, though U.K. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said last week that masking may become mandatory again in some indoor settings this winter, depending mainly on whether hospitalizations from Covid spike. While masks are required on public transport, I’d say about half or fewer comply during my journeys. Many offices require workers to mask while walking around, but few Tory lawmakers are wearing them in the House of Commons. Scotland still requires masks to be worn in shops and restaurants while not seated, as well as on public transport. Berlin requires the medical-grade FFP2 masks on public transport. Certain regions of France also have masking requirements in place. But if you care about what the evidence says (and some people don’t), the jury is in: Masks help a lot. Take, for example, the study that shows most U.S. states that had high mask usage in one month avoided high Covid rates in the subsequent month, even after adjusting for masking policy, social-distancing policy and demographic factors. The majority of states with low mask usage ended up with high Covid case rates. Note: Low mask adherence means states that fall below the 25th percentile; high adherence are those states above the 75th percentile. Study analyzed data from April to October 2020.
The largest study yet on the effectiveness of masking, posted online in pre-print earlier this month, was a randomize trial conducted in 600 villages across Bangladesh covering a population of more than 340,000 adults. It offered strong evidence that masks, and surgical masks in particular, reduce virus transmission. Researchers found that a 29 percentage-point increase in mask adoption led to an 11% reduction in symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, where surgical masks were distributed; and a 35% reduction in people over 60. Symptom reductions using surgical masks were not statistically significant in younger age groups. While vaccines have largely broken the link between infections and hospitalizations (and death), they haven’t eliminated the need for mask-wearing. Data released last week showed that two doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine were 67% effective against delta-variant infections (compared with 80% for two doses of Pfizer/BioNTech’s). Infections can still be nasty; long Covid remains another reason for vigilance. Not only can fully vaccinated people catch and transmit the virus, but it is unvaccinated adults who are more mask-resistant. Since it’s estimated that around half of all transmissions come from asymptomatic persons, masks are still key to preventing infections. But masking shouldn’t be performative, as it often is with those uncertain maskers who just want to show they are being thoughtful. Which masks we wear, and especially how they fit, is important. Mind the Gap . While N95s offer a higher level of protection, a well-fitted surgical mask blocks most particles.
More particles get through mask; Of course, not all masks are created equal, as a recent study published in the journal Nature highlighted. The authors measured the thermal behavior of face masks in real time during inhalation and exhalation to determine the relationship between the fabric structure of the masks and their performance. Their experiment helped shed light on how aerosol-containing bacteria and coronaviruses penetrate three different kinds of masks — reusable face masks, disposable surgical masks and the N95 — and how we can evaluate air filtration performance.Reusable masks have longer, thicker fibers with a larger average pore diameter. Unsurprisingly, they have
higher levels of permeability, with the surgical mask coming second, followed by the F95 (similar to the FFP2 in Europe). Those findings should even help manufacturers create a new generation of masks that offer more breathability while also improving filtration. The CDC doesn’t recommend scarves and other headwear because they tend to be made from loosely woven fabrics. Loosely Denser fabrics such as cotton with a 600 thread count compared with cotton that is woven with 80 threads per inch, are much more effective. Mixed fabrics also tend to have better results. A study on masks with and without gaps shows that leaks can significantly reduce their effectiveness. In addition to materials, layering them can also improve efficacy. New lab evidence on different kinds of masks showed that a three-ply surgical mask blocked 42% of particles from a simulated cough; a three-ply cloth mask was pretty similar. But the protection jumped to 92% when a cloth mask was worn over a surgical mask. Comfort is important to being able to wear a mask for long periods of time. In addition to metal nose-bridge strips that can help a mask stay on better, straps that tie behind the head and mask extenders can help reduce soreness around the ears. Insertable filters can be replaced when masks get wet.
Masks will also help prevent more vaccine-resistant variants from emerging as well as higher rates of flu infections, which can also cause serious illness and even death. Even so, the research strips away some of the mask myths and can help all categories of maskers — nervous, nevers and uncertains — be more tactical and aware. To know whether a mask is a must-have, a good idea or entirely superfluous, check the risk factors the way you might a weather report in the mountains: How densely packed and how well-ventilated is the space you are entering? Will you be moving around or stationary? It’s certainly good to mask up in an elevator or on public transport where people are pretty close together. It’s probably not necessary in an open-planned, well-ventilated office, provided people observe a measure of social distancing. Then be mindful of the infection and vaccination rates where you are. If you are in Broward County, Florida, where 70% of over-18s are vaccinated, you’d be justified in having a more relaxed approach; drive next door to Glades County, where only 31% are vaccinated and infection rates are high, and you’ll want to be more vigilant. Similarly only 16% of over-65s in King County, Texas, are vaccinated compared with 70% next door in Knox County, where the CDC recommends even vaccinated people mask. By moving beyond the “hygiene theater” of practices that don’t offer much benefit while also accepting that there are many different levels of risk tolerance and factors that increase or lower situational risk, we can treat masking a little like checking the weather forecast. Some days require a little more covering up than others.
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-opinion-how-to-wear-face-...
I love the blurriness of this photo, it keeps drawing me in.
Edit: My first photo in Explore, on January 8 - and it got to #14!!!! Thank you everyone SO MUCH for all your comments, favorites, and visits!!! This absolutely made my day!!!!!
It seems like I'm posting only photos of the sky lately, which is annoying me personally very much. I don't have the time right now to take any special photos. But I intend to do some photos at the weekend and I really really hope that I'll find the right time and the right lighting to do so.
Hope to see you soon back here at my stream. :D
The Grade II* Listed Anglican church of St Botolph which survived the Great Fire of 1666 and was rebuilt in 1724.
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Portuguese
O Parque do Retiro de Madrid ou os Jardins do Bom Retiro é um parque da cidade de Madrid, na Espanha. Foi criado entre 1630 e 1640 e tem uma área de 118 hectares.
Os jardins foram concebidos entre 1630 e 1640, quando o Conde-Duque de Olivares, vassalo atencioso do rei Filipe IV (1621 - 1665), ofereceu ao monarca alguns terrenos para o lazer da Corte em redor do Covento de San Jerónimo el Real. Quando se começou a adaptar esse complexo, conhecido Palácio do Bom Retiro, a área de 145 hectares que o envolvia foi toda ajardinada. Esses jardins foram concebidos pelo cenógrafo italiano Cosme Lotti.
Ao longo dos anos foram feitas muitas modificações, nem sempre planeadas, que alteraram os jardins, como por exemplo a Real Fábrica de Porcelana do Bom Retiro, durante o reinado de Carlos III (1759 - 1788), ou o Observatório Astronómico, durante o reinado de Carlos IV (1788 - 1808). O rei D. Carlos III foi o primeiro monarca a permitir que os cidadãos tivessem acesso ao recinto, desde que estivessem "bem vestidos e lavados".
Durante a invasão francesa, em 1808, os jardins ficaram parcialmente destruídos devido ao facto do complexo ter sido utilizado como quartel das tropas de Napoleão; o palácio foi igualmente destruído. Depois da Guerra Peninsular, Fernando VII) (1814 - 1833) iniciou a reconstrução do jardim e abriu-o ao público. O monarca reservou uma zona onde construíu uma série de edifícios para fins lúdicos característicos da época. No reinado de Isabel II (1833 - 1868) parte dos jardins foi vendido para aí se construirem habitações particulares. Após a revolução de 1868, a Gloriosa, os jardins passaram a propriedade municipal e as suas portas abriram-se para todos os cidadãos. Foram feitas as fontes das Galápagos, da Alcachofra e ainda a Fonte do Anjo Caído, obra de Ricardo Bellver. No Campo Grande foram construídos o Palácio de Cristal e o Palácio de Velázquez, obra de Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.
Spanish
El Parque del Retiro (no confundir con los Jardines del Buen Retiro), popularmente conocido como El Retiro, es un parque de 118 hectáreas (1 180 000 m²) situado en Madrid. Es uno de los lugares más significativos de la capital española.
Los jardines tienen su origen entre los años 1630 y 1640, cuando el Conde-Duque de Olivares (Gaspar de Guzmán y Pimentel), valido de Felipe IV (1621–1665), le regaló al Rey unos terrenos que le habían sido cedidos por el duque de Fernán Núñez para el recreo de la Corte en torno al Monasterio de los Jerónimos de Madrid. Así, con la reforma del Cuarto Real que había junto al monasterio, se inició la construcción del Palacio del Buen Retiro. Contaba entonces con unas 145 hectáreas. Aunque esta segunda residencia real iba a estar en lo que en aquellos tiempos eran las afueras de la villa de Madrid, no estaba excesivamente lejos del Real Alcázar y resultó ser un lugar muy agradable, por estar en una zona muy boscosa y fresca.
Bajo la dirección de los arquitectos Giovanni Battista Crescenzi y Alonso Carbonell se construyeron diversos edificios, entre ellos el Teatro del Buen Retiro, que acogió representaciones de los dramaturgos españoles del Siglo de Oro, entre ellos Calderón de la Barca y Lope de Vega. Perduran aún el Casón del Buen Retiro, antiguo Salón de Baile con frescos de Lucas Jordán, y el llamado Salón de Reinos, un ala del Palacio del Buen Retiro decorado antaño con pinturas de Velázquez y Zurbarán, entre otros; y los jardines de la posesión real.
Éstos se formaron al mismo tiempo que el palacio, trabajando en ellos, entre otros, Cosme Lotti, escenógrafo del Gran Duque de Toscana, y edificándose una leonera para la exhibición de animales salvajes y una pajarera de aves exóticas. El Estanque grande, escenario de naumaquias y espectáculos acuáticos, el Estanque ochavado o de las campanillas y la Ría chica pertenecen a este período inicial.
A lo largo de la historia, el conjunto sufrió modificaciones, no siempre planificadas, que cambiaron la fisonomía del jardín, como el Parterre, diseñado durante el reinado de Felipe V (1700–1746), la Real Fábrica de Porcelana del Buen Retiro en tiempos de Carlos III (1759–1788) o el Observatorio Astronómico, obra de Juan de Villanueva, reinando Carlos IV (1788–1808). El rey Carlos III fue el primero en permitir el acceso de los ciudadanos al recinto, siempre que cumpliesen con la condición de ir bien aseados y vestidos.
Durante la invasión francesa, en 1808, los jardines quedaron parcialmente destruidos al ser utilizados como fortificación por las tropas de Napoleón. El palacio fue casi totalmente destruido.
Tras la contienda, Fernando VII (1814–1833) inició su reconstrucción y abrió una parte del jardín al pueblo, como ya hiciera Carlos III. El monarca se reservó una zona, entre las calles de O'Donnell y Menéndez Pelayo, donde construyó una serie de edificios de recreo, siguiendo la moda paisajística de la época, que aún se conservan, como la Casita del Pescador, la Casa del Contrabandista y la Montaña artificial.
Reinando Isabel II (1833–1868) se abrió la calle de Granada, que más tarde se llamaría de Alfonso XII, vendiéndose al estado los terrenos comprendidos entre ésta y el Paseo del Prado que fueron urbanizados por particulares.
Tras la revolución de 1868, (la Gloriosa), los jardines pasan a ser propiedad municipal y sus puertas se abrieron a todos los ciudadanos, comenzando una época en la cual, la Ría grande y el Estanque de san Antonio de los Portugueses se transformaron en Paseo de Coches. Se colocaron las fuentes de los Galápagos y de la Alcachofa, erigiéndose también la fuente del Ángel Caído en lo que fueron terrenos de la Fábrica de Porcelanas, obra de Ricardo Bellver. En el Campo Grande se edificaron el Palacio de Cristal y el Palacio de Velázquez, obra de Ricardo Velázquez Bosco. En esta época, concretamente a finales del siglo XIX, transcurre la novela que Pío Baroja tituló Los Jardines del Buen Retiro, en la que se narra la vida de la capital en torno a este enclave.
Las últimas obras de ajardinamiento fueron las ejecutadas por el jardinero mayor Cecilio Rodríguez, que diseñó la rosaleda y los jardines que llevan su nombre.
El maestro Manuel Lillo compuso el pasodoble «Quiosco del Retiro» dedicado al lugar de conciertos matutinos en el que la Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Madrid actúa durante el verano.
El alcalde Enrique Tierno Galván designó a Antonio Mingote como Alcalde Honorario del Parque de El Retiro.
English
The Buen Retiro Park (Spanish: Parque del Buen Retiro, literally "Park of the Pleasant Retreat", or simply El Retiro) is the one of the largest parks of the city of Madrid, Spain. The park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century, when it became a public park.
The Buen Retiro Park is a large and popular 1.4 km2 (350 acres) park at the edge of the city center, very close to the Puerta de Alcalá and not far from the Prado Museum. A magnificent park, filled with beautiful sculpture and monuments, galleries, a peaceful lake and host to a variety of events, it is one of Madrid's premier attractions. The park is entirely surrounded by the present-day city.
Wikipedia
I want to wish everyone on flickr a Merry Christmas... since I've been doing everything from my android. I seem to leave my account without maintaining it much. hopefully that will change in the upcoming year... I do occasionally fly thru here & visit your sites. I definite appreciate your coming around here from time to time.
Best wishes for a very happy 2014. :)