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Earlier this year, I reported on the Google Lunar XPRIZE, the $20 million challenge to land a spacecraft on the Moon, travel at least 500 meters, and transmit HD images and video back to Earth. The original deadline required launch before the end of 2017. Now, Google has stated that the mission needs to be completed by March 31, 2018.
Whether this new deadline is an extension or a clarification is open to interpretation. Previous language required teams to launch by December 31, 2017. Some propulsion systems are slow enough that even if the spacecraft was launched in 2017, it could take years to make it to the lunar surface. By requiring mission completion no later than March 31, 2018 a clear end date to the challenge has been set. The good news is that this might buy the teams some more time, with the phrase, “regardless of initiation date” being included. Launches could be conducted into March and still potentially take the prize, so long as they complete the other objectives (land, travel a minimum of 500 meters, and transmit HD images and video back to Earth) before April.
According to the latest info, the five teams competing are still: TeamIndus (India), SpaceIL (Israel), Moon Express (USA), Synergy Moon (International) and HAKUTO (Japan).
The amount of information each team is revealing about their progress varies. TeamIndus appears to be one of the most promotional about their progress with regular updates to their social media pages, YouTube channel and their Medium blog. They even created an anthem for their mission.
The Lunar XPRIZE panel was recently invited to take a tour of the TeamIndus facilities and check their progress. John Zernecki, one of the XPRIZE judges, had the following to say about what the panel saw from TeamIndus:
“They’ve created this very vibrant, dynamic and now very professional organization that really has a chance of doing something really crazy…. Now they are, I would say, within striking distance… They have a very believable, credible mission.
Good luck to TeamIndus and the rest of the teams.
Personally, I’ll be excited if any team wins but I do have a bit of a soft spot for TeamIndus solely because their rover is the most adorable:
Early this morning, SpaceX launched a rocket from space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The payload was 10 Iridium satellites. The video below is set to begin seconds before launch.
Shortly after 7 minutes after launch (29:12 on the video below), the Falcon 9 first stage made a perfect landing on the “Just Read The Instructions” droneship in the Pacific Ocean.
The first Iridium satellite deployed at just over 57 minutes following take-off (skip to 1:19:00 in the video to watch), with the following nine being deployed every 100 seconds after.
I really appreciate the embedded timeline in the SpaceX launch videos. They’re very convenient to navigate to important points of interest during the mission.
If you had a really, really, really good telescope and took a peep at the International Space Station (which would be quite a feat for as quickly as it moves across the sky), you might notice what looks like a make-up kit or a watercolor palette dangling from the side of the station.
MISSE-3 just prior to retrieval during an STS-118 spacewalk. – Credit: NASA
While some astronauts have taken their makeup into space, and some have found time to create art in orbit, they don’t tend to leave their supplies attached to the outside of the ISS. Ruling those out, instead what you’d probably be looking at is a Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE).
MISSE project specimens are placed onto trays and inserted into Passive Experiment Containers (PECs). – Credit: NASA
MISSE projects serve as a laboratory to test and study various material samples as they’re exposed to a space environment. Attached on the outside of the ISS, the specimens are simultaneously exposed to a variety of conditions that would be very difficult, if even possible, to mimic on Earth, including exposure to: atomic oxygen, various levels of radiation, vacuum, extreme temperatures, and zero gravity. While MISSE wasn’t the first project of this type–similar experiments had been carried out on Skylab, Mir, and NASA’s Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF)–it was the most formal and programmatic.
The first two MISSE projects were deployed in 2001, carried to the ISS via the Discovery crew of STS-105. They were originally planned to only be deployed for one year, but as a result of the grounding of the Shuttle program following the STS-107 Columbia disaster, they ended up staying in orbit for 3 years. There were a total of 8 MISSE experiments conducted by NASA, sometimes deployed in multiples and sometimes singly.
NASA astronaut Andrew Feustel swaps the MISSE PEC7A & 7B with PEC8 – Credit: NASA
The samples are loaded into trays and installed inside suitcase-like Passive Experiment Containers (PECs). When ready to be deployed, the PECs are carried outside the station during an EVA (extra vehicular activity), and fastened to the station’s exterior. The mounting location has changed throughout the program’s history.
Samples from MISSE 3 and 4 carried 8 million basil seeds that were then provided “to children for science experiments to stimulate interest in space science”. Other samples included paints, lubricants, fabrics, and solar cell technologies. In total, more than 4,000 samples have been tested through MISSE.
As part of NASA’s efforts to privatize routine space projects, MISSE was recently transferred to the private corporation Alpha Space:
MISSE is now a privatized, commercial facility owned and operated by Alpha Space with a permanent placement on the ISS. The facility and its first set of experiments have been manifested to fly to the International Space Station in September of 2017 on the SpaceX Dragon resupply vehicle’s flight SpaceX-13.
Now dubbed MISSE-FF (Material International Space Station Experiment Flight Facility), Alpha Space’s contract is good through at least June 30, 2024 (currently the authorized remaining lifetime of the station). Alpha Space’s plans call for a permanently-mounted tower that will hold multiple PECs at once. If the customers are there (some have already signed contracts), Alpha Space is ready to provide routine testing in the unparalleled environment of space. They expect to begin operations this year (2017).
Animation of Alpha Space’s PEC deployment – Source: Alpha Space
SpaceX is no stranger to making commercial spaceflight history. They were the first private corporation to launch a liquid-fueled rocket into orbit, send a re-supply spacecraft to the International Space Station, and to land their first-stage rockets back on Earth (for potential re-use), among other milestones. They’re also on the cusp of providing transportation services for International Space Station crew members.
SpaceX Falcon 9 moments before landing on February 19, 2017 – Source: SpaceX
On February 19, 2017, SpaceX accomplished another major feat: They became the first private company to launch from the historic Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
Launch Pad 39A
SpaceX became the first commercial corporation to lease space and operate out of Kennedy Space Center when, in 2014, they signed a 20-year lease for the historic Launch Pad 39A. It was from this launch pad that Apollo 11 blasted off for the Moon, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to step foot on our lunar neighbor. It also hosted the first Space Shuttle mission, as well as some 90 others. Now, and for at least the next two decades, it’s in the hands of SpaceX, further cementing the foothold that the private sector has made in the space program.
SpaceX and NASA CRS-10 mission patches – Source: Public Domain and SpaceX
Launch and Landing
At 9:39am EST, on February 19, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket ignited and thundered into the clouds. The rocket was topped with the Dragon capsule, carrying more than 5,000 pounds (2,267 kg) worth of cargo destined for the International Space Station. Dragon arrived and successfully docked with the ISS a couple of days following launch.
Dr. Michelle Thaller, NASA astrophysicist and contributor to myriad space documentary programs, was at Sunday’s launch and graciously shared her experience with me. “Launches are always wonderfully, viscerally exciting,” she said. “The Falcon 9 has a wonderful, big, booming sound, similar to an Atlas, and it puts on a great fireworks show.”
But that wasn’t the only show in store for the lucky spectators in Florida that day. After shoving Dragon into orbit, the Falcon first stage began its 100-kilometer return trip back to Earth. In fewer than 10 minutes following lift-off, the first stage rocket re-emerged through the clouds and landed at Landing Zone 1, just a few miles away from the launch pad. Thaller described the period of suspense in between the launch and the Falcon landing, and said that in some ways there was more anticipation for the landing than there was for the launch.
[N]othing quite prepares you for what happens 7 minutes later, just as the adrenaline is wearing off. Silently, at first, this 230-foot first stage turns around and comes down out of the sky. Smoothly, surreally, a tower the size of a 15 story building just comes and sets itself down. Only once it’s down do you hear the double pop of a sonic boom. It sort of turns your stomach. Things that big are not supposed to just come out of the sky and land. It’s awesome.
Awesome, indeed. See for yourself:
As a kid, I remember watching cartoons that showed rockets landing on various planets. The rockets would turn themselves around and gently land engine-side down. I would always exclaim, “That’s not how rockets work! They burn up, or have parachutes attached and they land in the ocean! How silly.”
Yet, here we are.
I’ve often been jealous about being born too late to experience the race to the Moon. I’ve been somewhat depressed since watching the last Shuttle mission touch down in 2011. But when I take a step back and look at what is occurring today and what we have to look forward to, I can’t help but recognize what a wonderful time it is to be alive.
You can watch the full webcast of the launch on SpaceX’s YouTube channel.
Be the first team to land a spacecraft on the Moon, travel at least 500 meters, transmit HD images and video back to Earth, and you’ve won yourself $20 million. Oh, and you also have to do this 90%-funded by private investment and do it by the end of 2017. That’s the mission for the Google Lunar XPRIZE.
The XPRIZE is the name of various competitions organized by the non-profit XPRIZE Foundation.
The XPRIZE mission is to bring about “radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity” through incentivized competition. We foster high‐profile competitions that motivate individuals, companies and organizations across all disciplines to develop innovative ideas and technologies that help solve the grand challenges that restrict humanity’s progress.
One of the most famous XPRIZE competitions was the Ansari XPrize. In 2004, Mojave Aerospace Ventures took that $10 million prize with their SpaceShipOne, after they became the first team to “build a reliable, reusable, privately financed, manned spaceship capable of carrying three people to 100 kilometers above the Earth’s surface twice within two weeks”. The prize was a major step forward for the development of a private space industry. A few other XPRIZEs have included developing super-efficient automobiles, solutions for cleaning the ocean after oil spills, improving sensor systems for health care services, and to improve our understanding of ocean acidification.
SpaceIL was the first team to secure a launch contract. They plan to land their “hopper” craft on the Moon, then fly–in a single ‘hop’–the required 500 meters and land again to secure the prize.
Moon Express (United States)
Moon Express was the first country to secure their government’s authorization to operate on the lunar surface. They intend to launch their “hopper” craft from New Zealand in late 2017.
Synergy Moon (International)
Synergy Moon isn’t contracting with a launch provider for their launch, they’re doing it themselves thanks to Interorbital Systems being a part of the team. Their launch is expected to take place from the Pacific Ocean, off of the coast of California, in the second half of 2017.
Team Indus (India)
Team Indus is planning on launching their adorable 5kg rover, ECA, on December 28 of this year. ECA will include science instruments and cameras from the French national space agency: CNES.
Hakuto’s rover is hitching a ride on the same lander as Team Indus, and boasts some big “partnerships, including au by KDDI, Suzuki, rock band Sakanaction, and a longterm Moon-resources-exploration plan with the Japanese space agency JAXA“.
The first team to pull this amazing feat off will earn themselves the $20 million grand prize. In addition to the grand prize, the second place finisher will receive a respectable $5 million. Also, Google has handed out over $5 million in Milestone Prizes for teams (former and current) that have accomplished various important steps to make the mission possible.
Thanks to the Google Lunar XPRIZE, 2017 is set to be an exciting year for private space exploration–The New Space Race is on.
If you’d like to learn more about the Google Lunar XPRIZE, check out the excellent documentary series: Moonshot.
As I mentioned yesterday, the private corporation SpaceX successfully launched its Dragon capsule en route to the International Space Station, on the first Commercial Resupply Services contract ever. I watched the video live and didn’t immediately notice any issues but, come to find out, the Falcon launch vehicle lost one of its engines on the way to orbit. Not to worry, however, as the other engines stepped up and compensated for the failure.
Check out this video of the catastrophic engine failure:
The Dragon spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station this morning and is performing nominally following the launch of the SpaceX CRS-1 official cargo resupply mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 8:35PM ET Sunday, October 7, 2012.
Approximately one minute and 19 seconds into last night’s launch, the Falcon 9 rocket detected an anomaly on one first stage engine. Initial data suggests that one of the rocket’s nine Merlin engines, Engine 1, lost pressure suddenly and an engine shutdown command was issued. We know the engine did not explode, because we continued to receive data from it. Panels designed to relieve pressure within the engine bay were ejected to protect the stage and other engines. Our review of flight data indicates that neither the rocket stage nor any of the other eight engines were negatively affected by this event.
As designed, the flight computer then recomputed a new ascent profile in real time to ensure Dragon’s entry into orbit for subsequent rendezvous and berthing with the ISS. This was achieved, and there was no effect on Dragon or the cargo resupply mission.
Falcon 9 did exactly what it was designed to do. Like the Saturn V (which experienced engine loss on two flights) and modern airliners, Falcon 9 is designed to handle an engine out situation and still complete its mission. No other rocket currently flying has this ability.
It is worth noting that Falcon 9 shuts down two of its engines to limit acceleration to 5 g’s even on a fully nominal flight. The rocket could therefore have lost another engine and still completed its mission.
Dragon is expected to dock with the ISS on Wednesday.
Back in May, SpaceX launched it’s Dragon capsule on top of their Falcon 9 rocket, on an intercept course with the International Space Station. This was a test to prove that SpaceX could take over the resupply of the ISS, as space becomes a commercial frontier. The test went perfectly and SpaceX was green-lighted as a contractor to deliver cargo to the ISS.
Tonight, the Dragon capsule screamed into the sky as part of the first of these Commercial Resupply Contract deliveries. Launch occurred right on schedule, and from the best I could tell watching the live webstream everything went flawlessly. A few minutes after launch, the Dragon capsule separated and reached orbit. Shortly after that, it deployed its solar arrays and will now cruise its way to the ISS.
This mission carries a full load of supplies for the station, but won’t be leaving empty; Dragon will be returning nearly 2,000 pounds (approximately twice the payload going up!) of equipment, astronaut blood and urine samples, and other items.
Dragon is set to dock with the ISS on Wednesday, again through the use of the station’s massive robotic arm as it was during the May trip.
Early Tuesday (5/22) morning, commercial spaceflight took an important step forward which, if everything goes as planned, will result in a historic bookmark in world history tomorrow morning. On May 22nd, 2012, at 3:44am (EST), the private aerospace company, SpaceX, became the first private organization to launch a space capsule filled with supplies on an intercept-course with the International Space Station. If everything checks out, NASA will give SpaceX the go-ahead to dock with the ISS. This first docking maneuver will be accomplished with the aid of the ISS’s robotic arm, which will grab a hold of the Dragon capsule and precisely mate it with the ISS. Subsequent missions will dock solely under Dragon’s power.
Based on my timezone and preferences, the launch was too early to wake up for, yet too late to stay up for. I set an alarm and woke up to watch the show. I watched the final couple of minutes of countdown before seeing that Falcon rocket gracefully take flight towards the stars. The launch feed was quite unlike the typical ones you’ll see coming out of NASA’s mission control. Where NASA’s controllers and announcers stoically announce data and rarely deviate from “strictly-business”, joy was ubiquitous following the Falcon launch and that emotion turned into sheer jubilation when the Dragon capsule separated from the Falcon and deployed its solar arrays.
“People have really given it their all. We had most of the company gathered around SpaceX Mission Control. They are seeing the fruits of their labor and wondering if it is going to work. There is so much hope riding on that rocket. When it worked, and Dragon worked, and the solar arrays deployed, people saw their handiwork in space operating as it should. There was tremendous elation. For us it is like winning the Super Bowl.”
Regardless of the fact that I was too excited to fall asleep right away after turning off the NASA feed, I’m very glad I sacrificed some of my sleep to watch that historic scene unfold.
Early this morning, the Dragon capsule conducted a “fly-under” of the ISS, bringing it within 2.4 km of the station. A number of maneuvers and tests were conducted to ensure that the Dragon capsule was operating properly and could be completely controlled, in anticipation of tomorrow’s docking. Everything went flawlessly.
I’ll likely be sacrificing some more sleep to catch all the action. You can too: Live coverage begins at 7:30am ET (3:30am Pacific), and the feed can be found at SpaceX’s website.
Image and text related to asteroid mining, from the children's educational book "11 Planets" by David A. Aguilar
Exciting (and historic!) news came to the world via the space-front yesterday. A major announcement was made by Bellevue, Washington-based, entrepreneurial start-up, Planetary Resources. Yesterday morning, at Seattle’s Museum of Flight, they unveiled their plans — plans which up until now had existed primarily in the realm of science fiction: they intend to commercially explore and mine asteroids robotically.
So who are Planetary Resources, and do they have the… well, planetary resources to pull off such a feat?
Planetary Resources emerged from the cocoon of an organization, Arkyd Astronautics, which was founded in late-2010 by Dr. Peter Diamandis (spaceflight entrepreneur, founder of the X Prize Foundation) and Eric Anderson (founder of the commercial spaceflight/space tourism corporation, Space Adventures). If not there at the start-up, Chris Lewicki (a former NASA Mars Phoenix Lander mission manager) quickly came on board as president and chief engineer. They began very quietly, offering employment for engineers and other professionals and presenting themselves as devoted to developing “disruptive technologies for the commercial robotic exploration of space”.
Google’s Larry Page & Eric Schmidt, Ph.D.; film maker & explorer James Cameron; Chairman of Intentional Software Corporation and Microsoft’s former Chief Software Architect Charles Simonyi, Ph.D.; Founder of Sherpalo and Google Board of Directors founding member K. Ram Shriram; and Chairman of Hillwood and The Perot Group Ross Perot, Jr.
If there is a group of people with the potential, background, and resources to make this venture a reality, I think we’re looking at it.
So what’s the plan here; plop some robotic miners on an asteroid, bring home a lode of precious metals, and sell it for profit? Yes and no. They claim their primary purpose is based on their vision, not a return on investment. That said, the potential return on investment is huge, even if it takes one heck of an initial investment to get to that point. If that claimed motivation is truly the case, I have extremely high hopes for Planetary Resources. The greatest breakthroughs and advancements, those technological leaps that change our world, generally don’t emerge out of a profit-plan. They bloom from inspiration and a yearning to do big things, to follow one’s passions wherever they might take them, no matter the cost. This venture can afford to follow those dreams. And while they will face many challenges along the way, as long as they stay motivated by their vision I don’t foresee them limited into accomplishing it.
Here’s a quick run-down of their initial plan:
They will begin by launching and deploying a number of small space telescopes — already developed under the Arkyd name — that will find, observe, and characterize near-Earth asteroids (NEOs, Near Earth Objects). The first of these is slated to go up within the next 24 months. Once asteroid targets have been selected, probes will be sent to them to begin mining operations.
Interestingly, their first mining goal won’t be to see what precious metals they can extract; their first targeted material will be water and other materials that can be used as supplies in space operations (oxygen, nitrogen, etc.). When you consider the costs of launching supplies from Earth into space, it’s overwhelming. During the historic press conference, former NASA astronaut and Planetary Resources adviser, Tom Jones, pointed out that carrying a single liter of water to the International Space Station costs approximately $20,000 USD! With such tremendous shipping costs, there’s little difference in the cost of putting a kilogram of gold or a liter of water into space — virtually all of the cost is fuel to get into orbit. So with that idea, turning asteroids into supply depots would be extremely valuable, and drastically reduce the cost of space programs.
This will also allow Planetary Resources, and other companies that might emerge between now and then, the opportunity to extract other natural resources to return to Earth. Asteroids hold the potential to make some of Earth’s rarest materials abundant, and acquiring them for use on Earth could rapidly transform our technology and infrastructure.
Again, I feel highly inspired by all of this. I feel extremely lucky to live in a time when exciting things like this begin to grow legs (I hope things move quickly enough that I will live to see humans exist as a true space-faring species). The challenges will be immense, and I don’t even want to consider the up-front economics involved, but I believe now is the time to take this step forward — and whatever Planetary Resources undertakes and no matter how far they go, we’re headed in the right direction.
The Star Splitter is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

domain: aerospace


CIO of CYA
Conservative MPs have rejected a public debate about which bureaucrats and military officers will appear in front of parliamentarians to discuss the F-35 controversy, including allegations that some of them misled cabinet ministers and Canadians.
Conservatives block debate over who will testify in F-35 investigation
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Cabinet had to know about procurement rules government departments broke in the decision to buy F-35 stealth fighter jets and likely were 'complicit' in the shortcuts and failings, says a prominent military expert who the New Democrats want to call as a witness at a Commons inquiry into the F-35 controversy that began Thursday.
Harper, MacKay must have known $25-billion costs of F-35 fighter jets, and procurement rules, it’s ‘inconceivable,’ says expert


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There are two main primary advantages of online dating. Some may be that you get to meet a lot more people, which helps in reducing down your search by providing you even more choices. Another benefit would be that the process of check this communicating with an individual abroad is significantly easier. If you are dating off-line then you will probably be limited to individuals who are close to you. Yet , when you are online you can search for folks from worldwide and start a relationship without the problems.
When it comes to getting online dating companies, there are so many offered. However , this can be a good idea to work with the Internet or if you search engine for top level online dating providers. It is possible to find a couple of websites at no cost, and a paid one could cost you some money. You can even locate international online dating sites websites which in turn allow paid members to be able to hunt for partners from all over the world.

domain: relationship


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The One Direction star recently posed for Vogue where he modeled a ton of fancy ensembles, including a couple of fabulous gowns. Harry told the outlet, "There’s so much joy to be had in playing with clothes. I’ve never thought too much about what it means—it just becomes this extended part of creating something."
The photo spread sent Candace Owens into a tizzy. She unsurprisingly railed against Harry wearing dresses.

domain: entertainment


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Whilst our rooms will be closed during this time of nationwide lockdown, in keeping with the directive of our President and in support of the effort to stop the further spread of Covid-19, we will still be available to assist with emergencies regarding your hearing as we understand that being further cut off from your world by not being able to hear, particularly at this time, is a frightening situation.
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domain: medical


Highlands Natural Resources (LON:HNR) shares ticked up on Wednesday morning, after the company updated the market on its successful results from recent DT Ultravert deployment in a well in the Permian Basin.
According to the company statement, Highlands’ parent well protection technology, DT Ultravert, was utilised in a one-mile horizontal well operated by a private upstream oil and gas company.
Specifically, the operations used membrane and cryogenic Nitrogen gas injections ‘to pressurize the parent well during the fracking of an offsetting child well’.
The company revealed that the operations were executed both safely and efficiently, which affirmed expectations that DT Ultravert technology will prove able to maintain protective reservoir pressures in a horizontal wellbore.
The aforementioned technology is patented by Highlands National Resources.
Highlands’ Chairman and CEO Robert Price said, “The result of our Permian Basin operation marks a milestone for Highlands as it reaffirms our belief in DT Ultravert’s ability to transform the shale industry.
Explaining the successful round of results, Price noted:
“Successful parent well protection by DT Ultravert in a horizontal well in the highly active Permian Basin is a major step forward in the technology’s commercialization process. This news should draw attention from many operators currently concerned by the threat of bashing. Horizontal wells represent the bulk of today’s development activity in North America and therefore constitute the primary market for DT Ultravert.
Looking ahead, he added:
“Highlands looks forward to arming the broader shale industry with our patented DT Ultravert technology as a way to protect existing production and enhance child well performance in shale plays. DT Ultravert will be prominently displayed at NAPE, and I look forward to personally sharing these test results with our industry colleagues at the conference in Houston this week.”
“Beyond DT Ultravert, Highlands recently crossed the 100,000 barrels of cumulative production milestone at our East Denver Niobrara project, and also recently completed a promising gas production test at our 220,000-acre Helios Two project in Montana. All in all, 2018 is off to a fast start, and I look forward to updating the market with additional news in due course.”
Highlands Natural Resources has been operating since November 2014, with a listing on the London Stock Exchange as of March 2015.
Back in November, the natural resource exploration company revealed progress at its East Denver Well, causing shares to bounce.
Shares in Highlands are currently trading up 16.73 percent as of 11.43AM (GMT).


Families in Musaddar village in central Gaza have found a place to relax ever since their new public park was inaugurated in August.
The nicely landscaped green space boasts a fountain at the entrance, a playground, benches, gazebos and picnic areas.
It is the only public recreation facility in the area that provides a safe, clean place for kids. When electricity goes out, people flock to the park to relax and get some relief from the burdens of Gaza living conditions.
Om Rami Abu Shabaan and her neighbor enjoy sitting and talking while their children play nearby. “Our children come here to play and have a good time,” she smiles. “We also can have parties in the park since it’s easy for everyone to gather here.”
Her neighbor agrees. “When the electricity goes out, we can come this peaceful and green place, far from dangerous and noisy streets,” explains Om Mahmoud, mother of six. “It is important to have these kinds of spaces, but they are rare in Gaza. This is the only public park in the area.”
Musaddar Municipality provides the most vital services to the area’s 9,000 residents but it does not have extra funds to provide other services. Anera built the 2,700 square meter park with USAID funding under the EWAS program. The park includes a new playground equipment, a cafeteria, store rooms, sunshades, tiled paths, as well as lush plantings.
Seventh-grader Wael Abu Zayed waits his turn to play his favorite soccer games. The 12-year-old lives in Zawayda, Middle Gaza. He says it’s not so far away and he likes coming to the park to enjoy fresh air and a calm environment.
38-year-old Yasser Al Mosader is charged with keeping the park clean. He says he’s proud of his work and delighted by the transformation in his village. He remembers that before the park, the site was just an abandoned area for trash dumping. He estimates that 50 people, young and old, enjoy the park every day. “There’s a place for everyone.”


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- 【WHAT WILL YOU GET】You will get an exquisite queen boho duvet cover set, which includes 1 duvet cover (90"x 90") and 2 pillowcases (20" x 26") This Aztec striped duvet cover set doesn't include comforter. If you have any complaints about the WARMDERN boho striped duvet cover, please contact us immediately, we will solve your problem within 24 hours, and guarantee 100 % refund or replacement according to your requirements
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Health researchers may puzzle over why COVID-19 rates are lower in Africa than many other parts of the world, but the day-to-day routine of social worker Abebe Ayana in Ethiopia demonstrates how much hard work is going into keeping things that way.
Abebe works with refugees from South Sudan in the huge Jewi camp in the Gambella region, each day providing handwashing demonstrations and working with the refugee community to spread messages about infection control. Miraculously, there is not yet a single case of COVID-19 among the 60,000 inhabitants of the camp. It’s all about preparation and prevention.
“We are preparing for remote case management and psychological first aid support, and supporting refugees using helpline phones,” says Abebe. “We are working especially on engaging the community through working closely with community leaders in the camp.”
There’s no doubt, he says, that the experiences of the rest of the world have informed Ethiopia’s co-ordinated response, as have African countries’ community-based responses to the Ebola outbreak in 2014-16.
Six months into the global pandemic, Africa’s community-based response is one of many positive examples of social work’s impact, with workers helping build systems of informal education and support within communities where there is little in the way of state social or health services.
Elsewhere in the world, cultural factors, previous experiences of national crises, and the varied approaches of national governments, have all influenced social work responses. The result is that, although there are positive examples of achievement everywhere, the end of the first stage of the pandemic means very different things to social workers in different countries.
While the emphasis for social workers in African and Latin American countries is still to minimise the impact of a first wave of COVID-19, others in Asia and Europe are trying to stabilise services as cases peak or drop, while also confronting the real possibility of a second wave. What is becoming clearer to social workers everywhere is that the greatest threat now may not be the virus itself, but its wider and longer consequences on individuals, families, communities and societies.
In an earlier global overview, I outlined the first four phases of the social work response to COVID-19:
- Making governments recognise that a social response is imperative;
- Advocating for social services to remain open during lockdown;
- Adapting social services to a new world and managing ethical dilemmas;
- Integrating transformative practice.
One month later, and six months into the pandemic, IFSW’s global overview suggests that the next phase is one of service re-organisation as social workers – wherever they are – look to the challenges ahead.
Gayle, a social worker in New Zealand, explained: “Now nearly all homeless people have been supported into motels. But what happens next? With the economic challenges will they be dumped back into the streets?”
Another social worker in central Africa who works within a Ministry of Social Affairs explained to me that that his country’s budget had been set when the price of oil was $65 per barrel. Since the pandemic that price has slipped below $40, resulting in significant government and overseas funding being diverted away from social development.
Abebe from Ethiopia too sees the wider challenge: the threat of COVID-19 has led to panic and stress, a decrease in maternal health follow up, a rise in malaria cases and a 50% decrease in ART treatments for HIV. Of particular concern to Abebe, a senior gender-based violence programme officer for International Medical Corps, is a reported rise in child abuse, rape and domestic violence against women and girls. He calls this “the shadow pandemic”.
In countries that experienced an earlier first wave, urgent discussion about emergency measures has turned to looking to the longer-term social work implications. In Italy, the first phase was all about rapid innovation. Luigi Colaianni, a social worker from Milan, has likened this to the way that the Apollo 13 astronauts addressed the potential catastrophe of an oxygen tank exploding on the way to the moon.
“Faced with an unexpected crisis, they overcame it creatively using basic skills and materials which were already available, but which had not previously been considered,” says Luigi. “Likewise, social workers have strategies that are effective during crises. We have treasured this and generated scientifically sound practices.”
At Milan Central Station, a drop-in centre for homeless and vulnerable people was closed by authorities on 11th March despite physical distancing measures after one visitor entered with a fever and spat blood on the floor. The risk was too great. This led to a complete re-organisation of services. Social workers based themselves in hostels for the homeless, staying with vulnerable people who now had to be quarantined, providing them with supplies and supporting known contacts via phone and Skype.
Barbara Scotti, a social worker who helped lead the reorganisation, has been supporting clients and social workers remotely from home. “It’s true we have found different ways of working to meet existing demands,” she says. “But the situation is always changing and the demands are increasing. The numbers of people in trouble – having lost work or money – will increase. So how can we cope with all these requests that are arriving at the phone centre? The future will be worse, with more demand and fewer resources.”
Her concern is echoed by Claudio Pedrelli, a social worker working with older people in Emilia Romagna, Italy. In some parts of the region, half of elderly people in hospitals have died as a result of COVID-19.
It hasn’t been easy responding to the needs of older people and their families, says Claudio – partly because managers haven’t always understood that keeping services going isn’t simply a matter of logistics. Social work starts with counselling and connection – even if it’s behind a mask, he says. Many social workers have found it difficult to implement emergency rationing decisions, denying support to some so that others can receive it.
“We have had many different kinds of crisis in the past,” he says. “We’ve had earthquakes and floods. But organisations never learn how to prepare to face these situations. We’ve adjusted to a health crisis but now we have to adjust a social and economic crisis.”
Iceland has its own experience of national crisis to draw on – the financial crash of 2008-2011. Vilborg Oddsdóttir, a social worker who supports vulnerable groups under the charity Icelandic Church Aid, was doing the same job when the banking system collapsed in 2008 and sees many of the same issues arising as the economic implications of the pandemic take hold. Although many people have received government support for several months, financial assistance is dropping off as time goes by.
Around 50% more people are seeking help from her organisation compared with last year, she says. And she has noticed a subtle difference in the way that the COVID crisis is affecting vulnerable people compared to 2008.
“It has changed how they feel inside themselves,” she says. “They are frail and vulnerable, and they don’t know what to do. The difference is that in the financial crisis, people were really angry – but angry together and empowering each other. They had someone to blame. But they don’t now. They are often isolated, worrying about being sick and the future.”
This poses a real problem for social workers. “It is more difficult to work with people who are afraid all the time and very lonely. You can have a dialogue with people who are angry, talk about what they’re angry about. But if people are simply afraid they either don’t want to talk or don’t want to get in touch. They have closed themselves down.”
Outside Europe, in Asian countries where the pandemic first took a foothold, relief at the gradual opening up of social infrastructure is now accompanied by concerns about new outbreaks. Three months after COVID-19 cases peaked in South Korea, local upsurges have meant everyone, including social workers, is remaining vigilant.
Sug Pyo Kim, President of Daegu Association of Social Workers, reports that although schools are beginning to open, community centres for elderly and low-income people and other social facilities are closed until the government sees no evidence of spread from school opening. Meanwhile, social workers are working harder than ever. “We provide mobile services all day long to support daily necessities and to check the safety of clients, as well as preparing for the opening of the facilities,” he says.
Throughout the world, increasing strain on the profession is inevitable as demand increases, and financial and internal resources decline. But social workers are also saying they will find a way, because that is what social workers do.
For Claudio Pedrelli, the approach that clearly buffers the social effects of COVID-19 best is at the core of social work. It is the same community-centred approach that is showing its worth across the world. “The local networks social workers have helped create during the pandemic to counter isolation and provide services are continuing,” he says.
“Over recent years, the emphasis on individual need has forced many social workers to abandon community work. But what has happened in recent months has shown the importance of working more at the community level. Now these networks have been created, we need to work to sustain them and focus more on the village, the locality, and maintain these relationships.”
These kinds of community-wide interventions were once the hallmark of the profession globally. From the 1980s onwards we have encountered the rise of government policies that drive social services to a short-term focus on individuals or case management as opposed to supporting relationships within families and communities for their immediate and long-term development. This has meant that, in some countries, social work’s roots in community development has been almost forgotten.
Yet the conversations above show that social workers around the world are reclaiming their community development heritage and proving that this approach is necessary – not just in reducing the effects of the pandemic but also in facing future challenges.
The profession at the global level has also changed. From a pre-pandemic culture of arranging face-to-face meetings, which created cost and travel barriers for many, we have rapidly and successfully moved to online ways of working far more consistent with our professional value of inclusiveness. Global and regional webinars have become mainstream and the forthcoming online IFSW General Meeting and World Conference have significantly higher registrations than any previous occasions – including the founding conference for the international profession in Paris in 1928 which had 5000 participants. We have moved forward.
Yet there is no room for complacency at all levels. As Claudio the frontline social worker in Italy pointed out, it is all too easy to let services and arrangements slip back to the way they were: focused on the individual, case management and non-inclusive professional decision making.
The social work “lived experience” examples in this article show how social workers are setting a strong base for the challenges ahead. This current phase of the social work response to COVID-19 will involve many of us, like them, championing change in our work environments. We will be working towards policy engagement with communities, active community responses that support the wellbeing of all and social services becoming platforms for communities to thrive and avert catastrophe, not agencies for picking-up the pieces.
Acknowledgments: My greatest thanks to Simon Crompton, a journalist currently working with IFSW, for interviewing a number of the people mentioned in this article and to all the frontline social workers for taking the time to share their experiences and wisdom.
1st July 2020

domain: sociology


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22 December 2023
DivaBelleMe Medical Esthetic Spa Introduces PDO Threads for Non-Surgical Face-Lifting and Skin Smoothing
In the ever-evolving world of beauty and skincare, advancements in technology and treatments continue to emerge. One such innovation is the use of PDO threads, a non-surgical option for face-lifting and skin rejuvenation. DivaBelleMe, a leading Medical Esthetic Spa in Charlotte, has embraced this cutting-edge technique to offer safe, effective, and affordable treatments for both men and women. With FDA approval and immediate results, PDO threads are revolutionizing the beauty industry.
1: Understanding PDO Threads and Their Benefits
PDO threads, short for Polydioxanone threads, are thin, dissolvable sutures made from a biocompatible material. These threads are inserted into the skin using a fine needle, stimulating the body’s natural collagen and elastin production. This process helps tighten the skin, improve texture, and enhance blood flow, resulting in a more youthful appearance. DivaBelleMe’s founder, Divia Smith, emphasizes the natural-looking and long-lasting results achieved through the body’s own healing process.
2: The Advantages of PDO Threads over Dermal Fillers
While dermal fillers have been a popular choice for skin rejuvenation, PDO threads offer several advantages. Firstly, the risk of vascular occlusion, a potential complication with fillers, is minimal with PDO threads. This makes them a safer option for clients seeking facial enhancements. Additionally, when placed in the subcutaneous layers of the skin, PDO threads can help eliminate fat cells, further enhancing the contour and definition of the treated area. Moreover, PDO threads can be used on various parts of the face, neck, and body, providing a versatile solution for different aesthetic concerns.
3: Immediate Results and Longevity
One of the key benefits of PDO threads is the immediate visible results they offer. Unlike some other treatments that require multiple sessions or weeks to see changes, the effects of PDO threads can be noticed right after the procedure. The skin appears tighter, smoother, and more youthful. These results can last anywhere from 1 to 2 years, making PDO threads a long-lasting solution for those seeking a non-surgical facelift or skin rejuvenation.
4: DivaBelleMe: A Leader in PDO Thread Treatments
DivaBelleMe, the esteemed Medical Esthetic Spa in Charlotte, has quickly gained recognition for its expertise in PDO thread treatments. Divia Smith, the founder, has personally experienced the benefits of PDO threads and believes in their ability to enhance one’s natural beauty. DivaBelleMe offers a range of services, including Botox, hyaluronic fillers, and PDO threads. With a focus on safety, efficacy, and affordability, DivaBelleMe aims to make aesthetic treatments accessible to individuals of all skin types.
As the beauty industry continues to evolve, PDO threads have emerged as a game-changer in non-surgical face-lifting and skin rejuvenation. DivaBelleMe, a leading Medical Esthetic Spa in Charlotte, has embraced this innovative treatment to provide safe and effective solutions for its clients. With immediate results, minimal risks, and long-lasting effects, PDO threads offer a compelling alternative to traditional dermal fillers. As more individuals seek non-invasive options for enhancing their natural beauty, PDO threads are poised to become a prominent player in the world of skincare.

domain: beauty


Filtercrete by Ozinga: Pervious Concrete
Concrete is often thought of as a great green material, but one thing it’s not great as is a paved surface. It’s almost entirely impermeable and contributes to unwanted water runoff. Filtercrete is on the scene to solve that problem – it’s a unique porous material that allows air and water to pass through…
Filtercrete’s material contains tiny holes that allow air and water to pass through and filter into the soil. As water drains through Filtercrete it is cleansed of pollutants, and then evaporates or is absorbed into the soil below. Because of its porous nature and light color, Filtercrete reduces the urban island heating effect, which helps keep the ambient air temperature cool unlike typical black asphalt. Additionally, while water and ice typically cause concrete to crack over time, Filtercrete maintains that the voids in the material will help it remain intact. This in turn will cut down on future repairs that commonly occur with standard concrete and asphalt during freeze-thaw cycles.
Filtercrete is a great paving and driveway alternative – for more information visit the Ozinga Green Building website.
(Images via Ozinga)


In November 2018, following an in-depth Phase 2 investigation, the European Commission (“Commission”) unconditionally approved the acquisition of Tele2 NL by T-Mobile NL, respectively the fourth and third largest players in the Dutch retail mobile telecoms market. The merged entity remains the third largest player in this market after KPN and VodafoneZiggo. This transaction is the first “four-to-three” telecom merger approved without remedies under Commissioner Vestager’s term, following earlier Commission decisions on four-to-three mergers in (i) H3G/Wind, where approval of a joint venture was conditional on the divestment of sufficient assets to allow a new MNO to enter the market; and (ii) Three/O2, an acquisition that was blocked by the Commission. It shows that there is no “magic number” for players in the telecoms market and that much will depend on the specifics of the merger.
T-Mobile NL and Tele2 NL are both mobile network operators (“MNOs”) active in the Netherlands. T-Mobile owns a mobile network with nationwide coverage over which it provides 2G, 3G, 4G and NarrowBand-Internet of Things mobile communication services. It also provides fixed broadband, TV and telephony services based on wholesale access to other operators’ fixed network. Tele2 NL has operated a 4G-only mobile network since 2015, and also offers fixed broadband services. In December 2017, the parties announced that T-Mobile would acquire 75% of Tele2’s shares for EUR 190 million.
In June 2018 the Commission launched an in-depth investigation “to ensure that the proposed transaction between T-Mobile NL and Tele2 NL will not lead to higher prices or less choice in mobile services for Dutch consumers“. The Commission outlined the following preliminary concerns:
- The reduction in the number of MNOs and the limited incentives of the merged entity to compete with KPN and VodafoneZiggo, could lead to higher prices and less investment in mobile telecommunications networks.
- The lessening of competitive pressure in the Dutch retail mobile market, could increase the potential for the coordination of competitive behaviour between the three remaining MNOs.
- Prospective and existing mobile virtual network operators (“MVNOs”), who rely on wholesale access to MNOs’ networks to offer their retail mobile services, could potentially face greater difficulties in obtaining favourable wholesale access terms from MNOs.


JERUSALEM (JTA) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel cannot do a "damn thing" to stop his country’s nuclear program.
Ahmadinejad made the statement Wednesday in a televised speech, Reuters reported.
He called the International Atomic Energy Agency’s resolution approved last week censuring the country’s nuclear activity "illegal" and said it came "under pressure of a few superficially powerful countries."
The IAEA resolution called on Iran to halt construction of a recently disclosed underground nuclear enrichment facility. In response, Iran’s parliament on Sunday approved the construction of 10 new uranium enrichment sites.


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(2021)This book focuses on difficulties and opportunities in revitalization of old, derelict or abandoned buildings into a library and investigates the transformation of buildings which originally had a different purpose. The ...


The beautiful climbing rose from David Austin, Rosa
Tess of the D'Urberville (Ausmove), named after Thomas Hardy's heroine, has large, bright crimson flowers and a delightful Old Rose fragrance. It is a repeat flowerer, flowering freely from early in the season, and the blooms are a lovely addition to flower arrangements. A bushy, robust rose, with large, dark green leaves and stems that arch elegantly under the weight of the flowers. Perfectly positioned towards the rear of the border, it can also be trained up a trellis to cover a wall or fence.
Pot Size: 6L
Height and Spread: 250cm x 175cm over 5 years
Preferred Soil Type: Any free-draining soil
Position: Open sunny position / Very light shade
Flowering Period: June – September
Care: Remove faded flowers; prune in March
Please note, in the autumn this rose is supplied as a potted plant, and will not produce any new roots until spring so it is usual for the soil to fall away from the roots when you remove it from the pot. It is best to plant it immediately.


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Lucy Mission Launches To Study Ancient Trojan Asteroids
~ By Htoo Myat Noe
A 12 year mission with a coverage of nearly 4 billion miles, an exploration of some of the solar system’s oldest celestial objects that are speculated to be as old as the solar system itself, a $981 million study of the Trojan asteroids within Jupiter’s orbit -- here’s everything you need to know about NASA’s Lucy. On 16 October 2021 at 5.34am ET, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to claim the title of the first NASA mission ever to explore the Trojan asteroids. Located within Jupiter’s orbit, the asteroids are believed to hold clues to the early solar system, and maybe even the origin of life itself since many scientists have ascertained that the mission will help the community better understand the processes that brought organic matter and water, the essential, primary building blocks of life, to Earth. The uncrewed spacecraft sat atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 rocket, as the science community worldwide crossed their fingers and eagerly awaited the commencement of this unprecedented mission. The spacecraft will make 2 slingshot trips, also known as passes, around the Earth before it enters Jupiter’s orbit, one pass in 2022 and the other in 2024, for the additional gravitational thrust. This is known as the gravitational slingshot effect where the spacecraft will utilise the gravitational attraction of the planet to obtain some of the momentum of the planet to transfer it to itself. (Quora, 2017) The outline of the slingshot trips, as well as the 2 distinguishable clusters of the Trojan asteroids within Jupiter’s orbit at the 2 Lagrange points can be observed below.
Many have the misconception that Lucy is going near Jupiter, which is, as suggested, a misconception as Lucy will not be going anywhere near Jupiter! The Jupiter Trojan asteroids orbit the Sun in two loose but discernible clumps, one in front of Jupiter’s orbital path and the other behind, as seen in the diagram below.
These asteroids are packed together at two Lagrange points, in which the distance to Jupiter and the Sun are approximately equal. The Trojan asteroids are trapped in stable orbits and have actually been that way for billions of years! As explained by NASA, the Lucy spacecraft was named after the famous Australopithecine fossil found in 1974, an ancient fossil that “provided unique insight into humanity’s evolution,” and likewise, “the Lucy mission will revolutionize our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system.” Paleontologists had named the Lucy fossil after the Beatles’ song, “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” making the spacecraft’s name even more fitting. Many may be wondering what the timeline of the mission will be like. Firstly, the spacecraft will go by a small asteroid named “Donald Johanson” in 2025. Donald Johanson discovered the Lucy Australopithecus fossil, and when an MIT graduate student discovered this unnamed asteroid on Lucy’s flight path, MIT was able to get the asteroid named after him. Then, after the spacecraft passes by Donald Johanson in the main belt, it will finally reach one of the clouds of Trojan asteroid in August 2027. There are 2 groups of Trojan asteroids (refer to previous 2 diagrams), both of which are in orbit, 60 degrees in front, and 60 degrees in the back of Jupiter. The spacecraft will be in the leading group of Trojan asteroids, called the L4 Lagrange point, in 2027. And then in 2030, the spacecraft will swing back around to the Earth, to go to the other side of Jupiter to get to the second cloud of Trojan asteroids on the other side of Jupiter in 2033.
Lucy will study three different types of asteroids: C, P, and D. C-type asteroids are common in the outer realms of the Main Belt between Mars and Jupiter, while P-type and D-type asteroids are similar to the icy Kuiper Belt objects from beyond the orbit of Neptune. All Trojans are believed to contain high levels of dark carbon compounds and even volumes of water and other volatile compounds. C-type asteroids are chondrite, common ancient asteroids made of clay and silicate, D-type asteroids are asteroids with low albedos (meaning low percentage of reflected radiation, or reflectivity) and may be rich in organic molecules. Lastly, P-type asteroids are asteroids that also have low albedos and have generally featureless reddish spectra. (Howell, 2021) Lucy is equipped with several instruments, such as a color visible imager to determine composition, a Lucy’s LOng-range reconnaissance imager (L'LORRI) thought to pick up high-resolution images of small details on each asteroid's surface even at expected distances of 1000km, a thermal emission spectrometer to examine how the Trojans retain heat, a terminal-tracking camera to obtain wide-field images of the asteroids to learn more about their shapes and a high-gain antenna to determine the masses of each of these mysterious small worlds. (Dvorsky, 2021) The mission’s principal investigator is Hal Levison from the SouthWest Research Institute (SWRI) whose principal research interests lie in the area of the long-term dynamics of astronomical objects. Dr. Levison's work includes studies of the formation of both giant and terrestrial planets, the long-term dynamical behavior of comets, the dynamics of objects in the Kuiper belt, the origin and stability of Trojan asteroids, and the formation of satellites. In 1997 he aided in the prediction of the existence of the Scattered Comet Disk. He is perhaps best known, however, for his work on the early dynamical evolution of the outer Solar System, and is an author of the most comprehensive model to date. (Harold F. Levison, n.d.) The mission’s second-in-command as the deputy principal investigator is none other than Cathy Olkin, who received her bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts’ Institute of Technology (MIT) Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AeroAstro) and her doctorate degree from the MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS). She is a planetary scientist with interests in icy outer solar system worlds and she uses near-infrared spectroscopy to study icy surfaces and stellar occultations to investigate tenuous atmospheres. What’s more, she is also the lead for the Ralph instrument on NASA’s New Horizons mission to Pluto! (Cathy Olkin, n.d.) A project scientist Richard Binzel, professor of planetary sciences in MIT EAPS with a joint appointment in MIT AeroAstro even mentioned that the first paper he published on Trojan asteroids was with an MIT Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (MIT UROP) student, and that it was a truly surreal experience to put his learnings to practice and make new breakthroughs in the community -- an inspiring story indeed. (Q&A: Lucy Mission Launches to Study Ancient Trojan Asteroids, n.d.) (The picture below is that of Levison and Olkin)
The last fact about Lucy is one that many may not be aware about, and it is one that I think is a rather endearing addition to the features of the Lucy spacecraft -- a special plaque is coming along for the 12 year ride.The Lucy Mission is carrying a message for our own descendants! After the mission is over, the Lucy spacecraft will remain on a stable orbit, travelling between the Earth and the Trojan asteroids for hundreds of thousands of years, so it is not completely out of the question and our imagination that some day in the distant future, our descendants may retrieve the Lucy spacecraft as a relic of the early days of humanity’s exploration of the Solar System. In addition to a diagram of our solar system’s planets, the plaque contains messages from key 20th century thinkers, including Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and Carl Sagan, just to name a few. (The Lucy Plaque, n.d.)
There have been many missions that have been sent out to space, beyond Earth’s orbit and even beyond the Solar System over the decades, and the Lucy mission is just one of them. There is no doubt that we are still at the first steps of space exploration and we have a vast, endless journey ahead of us, worlds upon worlds of celestial objects that we may be all-knowledgeable about one day, or (in a much less fortunate future) we may miss out on. Nevertheless, missions like Lucy that bring hope to the community, from the principal researchers of the mission itself, to other professionals working in the field, to youths like us with a dream to grasp onto a future not quite far away, all the way to the little ones in the audience with the curious spark in their eyes cheering the spacecraft on as it lifted off, should be celebrated, if not for the mysteries of the universe they aim to solve, then for the hope they provide for the space nerds on our Blue Marble who just want a brighter future for us.


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Following overwhelming success with sold-out shows in Miami, Portland, Seattle, Chicago and Austin, Bad Bunny brings back the X100PRE Tour Presented by Corona Estéreo Beach.
Bad Bunny, originally from Puerto Rico, is most recognized for his explosive and infectious trap songs. Rolling Stone magazine has named him "The Four-Billion-Stream Man leading the Latin Trap Explosion." This talented artist has demonstrated his already overwhelming power, influence and demand with completely sold-out concerts for his "La Nueva Religión Tour" (The New Religion Tour) all over Europe, Latin America and the U.S. His unmistakable voice and rhythm have led him to transition to the general market, where he is already creating waves of revolution with his participation in "I Like It" alongside Cardi B and J Balvin, which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and has continued to dominate the chart in the top three position. He has been nominated to the iHeart Radio Music Award, MTV VMA's, Latin AMAs, Latin GRAMMYs, and E! People Choice Awards.


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domain: gamble


Immigration News, 9/14/19
Dear Friends at UUCC,
The UU Legislative Ministry of Maryland Immigration Task Force needs your help.
We Need You to Contact Your Legislators Now to Vote YES on Immigration Bills & to Attend the Hearings on Tuesday, February 25th, Wednesday, February 26th, and Thursday, February 27th
Opposition groups are organizing to pack the committee room to influence the delegates to vote against these measures. We need to have more people in the committee room to demonstrate our support for these bills. If you are able, please plan to attend the hearings:
SB0903 Safe Locations
On Tuesday, February 26, SB0903 will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill prohibits local law enforcement from asking about immigration status among other things and requires the MD Attorney General to establish guidelines for schools, hospitals and courthouses to limit civil immigration activities on their premises. February 26, 2020, 1:00 PM, House Judiciary Committee.
This bill prohibits certain governmental entities in MD from entering into agreements facilitating immigration-related detention by private entities; prohibiting governmental entities from entering into certain agreements to house immigration-related detainees; requiring governmental entities to terminate existing contracts for the detention of immigration-related detainees not later than October 1, 2021. The hearing is scheduled in the House Judiciary Committee, February 25, 1:00 PM. In the Senate, the companion bill, SB0850 will be heard by the Judicial Proceedings Committee, February 26, 12:00 PM.
SB0649/HB0892: Public Information Act – Motor Vehicle Administration – Warrant for Personal Information and Reporting.
The bill requires U.S. ICE to provide a valid judicial warrant or subpoena to the MVA to obtain personal information in MVA records. Hearing is scheduled in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, February 27, 12:00 PM. In the House, the companion bill, HB0892 will be heard by the Environment and Transportation Committee, February 27, 1:00 PM.
This bill, the Trust Act indemnifies state and local officials who refuse to provide information to the Federal Government regarding Federal immigration enforcement efforts and establishes the parameters of state and local participation in Federal immigration enforcement efforts such as detention beyond release date, transferring individuals to Federal authorities, and so on, without a judicial warrant. The hearing is scheduled in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, February 26, 12:00 PM.
Please email your delegates to support these bills! To find their contact information type in your address at MDelect.net
Yours in Faith and Action, Jim Caldiero & Tammy Spengler, co-chairs, UU Legislative Ministry of Maryland, Immigration Task Force


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Consulatet is a cooperative of local cultural actors in Stavanger/Norway.
Consulatet enables artists and cultural workers from various disciplines (14 at the moment) to rent affordable spaces to work in a stimulating, explorative artistic community in central Stavanger, and to build a supportive and inclusive production environment. With an outward-looking profile that invites more people in through collaborations, events, concerts, workshops and affordable and accessible common spaces for external projects and initiatives.
Consulatet embraces a broad range spanning from experimental, interdisciplinary and cross-aesthetic voices via cultural criticism and exploration of community models, about sustainable entrepreneurship, to specialised services that contribute to the breadth of the local cultural scene. Collaborating with each other and with each other’s networks is essential for all members of Consulatet.
Consulatet and its members are contributing in many areas of Stavanger’s cultural community. At the same time, we also have a national and international impact with the artistic practice of our members in art, music, design and film, being a collective of independent actors with a broad network within a number of disciplines.


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Search through more than 50,000 user-created Webmixes to add to your account. You can get all updates from the original creator or you can claim the Webmix as your own!
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domain: mathematics


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Oolong (in Chinese: 烏龍) tea originally came from the Chinese name (烏龍茶) which means “black dragon tea” and is a traditional Chinese tea (from the Camellia sinensis species of evergreen shrub). It is obtained from this same plant used to make green tea and black tea but is processed differently. It is partially fermented (green tea is not fermented and black tea is fully fermented) while the plant withers under the sun and oxidated before twisting and curling. It is very popular in the South and Fujian regions of China. Read on for these Top 5 Health Benefits of Oolong Tea!
1. Mental performance and alertness
Regularly drinking caffeine-rich Oolong tea improves mental alertness and performance throughout the day.
2. Helps prevent ovarian cancer
Women who drink (green or black) Oolong tea appear to have a significantly lowered risk of developing ovarian cancer. According to a study, drinking two or more cups of the tea lowers the risk of ovarian cancer by almost half!
3. Helps improve symptoms of eczema
Research seems to show that drinking three to four cups of Oolong tea throughout the day improves eczema symptoms that may not have responded to other treatments. Beneficial results can usually be noted after one to two weeks’ of treatment. A study in 2001 showed that 54% of participants showed long-lasting results in their skin conditions after consuming Oolong tea daily for six months.
4. Diabetes control
Oolong tea can be used in addition to other medication for treating type-2 diabetes. Research has shown that drinking it can help balance insulin and blood sugar levels as well as prevent sudden blood glucose crashes in most test participants.
5. Bone health
Powerful antioxidants in Oolong tea are thought to help prevent bone weakening (osteoporosis), teeth decay and also actually strengthen and increase your bones’ mineral density. Evidence from research shows that people who have been drinking Oolong (or black) tea for more than ten years were less likely to experience loss of bone density; it is believed that Oolong tea stimulates mineral retention from the food you eat.
There are several varieties of Oolong tea and they can vary widely in taste, strength and price! Dan Cong tea, for example, is known as the “champagne of Oolong”. Originally from Chao Zhou (in Guangdong, China), it makes for an orange-brown tea that explodes with an intense taste of honey and apricot in the mouth. Definitely one to put on your Oolong sampling list, it’s certainly on mine! Tried Oolong? Tell us how it satisfies by commenting below, joining in the conversation on Facebook and following us on Twitter & Instagram. (Tea addict? Then sample these other great tea articles and here are more Top 5’s to switch YOUR Fit ON!)

domain: biology


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7:27 a.m. Officer Asmus took a two-vehicle, non-injury accident report from the 700 block of 12th Avenue.
7:57 a.m. Officer Jurrens responded to a two-vehicle collision in the 100 block of Second Street South.
11:13 a.m. Officer Asmus responded to a two-vehicle, non-injury accident in the 900 block of 25th Avenue.
5:03 p.m. Officer Asmus responded to a two-vehicle, non-injury accident at the intersection of Fourth Street and Ninth Avenue.
6:05 p.m. Officer Page was dispatched to a non-injury, two-vehicle accident at 17th Avenue South and Blair Hill Circle.
12:27 a.m. Officer Page conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding in the 1200 block of Medary Avenue South. The driver was arrested for DUI, and the vehicle was towed.
1:39 a.m. Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Main Avenue for a weapons law violation. A male suspect was arrested for possession of a firearm while intoxicated.
2:08 a.m. Officer Pollman conducted a traffic stop in the 2500 block of Main Avenue South for a lane driving violation. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
9:56 a.m. School Resource Officer Schneider made a report on a parent who has not been sending their child to school. Charges are pending.
12:46 p.m. Officer McCaskill was requested to the intersection of Ninth Avenue and Fifth Street for the report of a non-injury accident between two motor vehicles. A city accident report was completed.
12:53 p.m. Officers responded to the intersection of 22nd Avenue and Eastbrook Drive in reference to a two-vehicle crash. A report was filed.
1:54 p.m. Officers responded to the intersection of Fourth Street and Ninth Avenue for a two-vehicle, non-injury crash. A state accident report was completed.
8:23 p.m. Officer Weinrich was dispatched to the 2200 block of Sixth Street for a report of picking up property. An investigation is pending.

domain: law


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New Delhi: The pace of improvement in school standards related to the right to education, such as toilet, drinking water, mid-day meal, library, computer, and electricity connection in schools in the country is very modest and still a quarter (23.9 percent) of schools do not have access to drinking water. Even water is not available. Also, in about a quarter of the schools (23.6 percent), students need help to use the toilet facilities.
This information has been revealed in the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2022 released regarding the condition of schools. According to the report, there has been a slight improvement in the school standards related to the right to education at the national level. For example, usable toilets were available in 74.2 percent of schools in 2018, which increased to 76.4 in 2022.
Similarly, in 2018, 74.8 percent of schools had drinking water facilities, which increased to 76 percent in 2022. In the same period, the number of schools where students use books other than textbooks rose from 36.9 percent to 44 percent.
It is clear from the report that in 2022, 12.5 percent of schools did not have drinking water facilities, and 11.4 percent of schools had drinking water facilities, but drinking water was not available. Suppose both are combined, then in the year 2022 also, such as in schools where drinking water is not available for the students. In that case, their figure is 23.9 percent (about a quarter).
It has been said in the report that 2.9 percent of schools in the country did not have toilet facilities, while 21 percent of schools had toilet facilities, but they were not usable. In about 23.9 percent of schools, students need toilet facilities.
According to the report, 10.8 percent of schools did not have separate toilet facilities for girls, and 8.7 percent of schools had locked toilets.
According to the Education Report, 21.7 percent of schools do not have a library, and 77.3 percent do not have computers available for children’s use.
The report states that electricity connection is available in 93 percent of the schools. Kitchen facilities are available for mid-day meals in 89.4 percent of schools.
According to the report, 68.1 percent of primary schools were given uniforms for all classes, while 51.1 percent of upper primary schools were given uniforms. In 22.5 percent of primary schools and 32.7 percent of upper primary schools, the dress was not given in any class, or it is not known.
In the Annual Status of Education Report, in the year 2022, a survey of 19,060 villages and 3,74,554 houses has been done covering 616 districts. During this, 6,99,597 children in the age group of 3 to 16 years were contacted. 27,536 volunteers from 591 organizations participated in this work.
The proportion of government schools with fewer than 60 students has increased every year over the past decade.
According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), the number of government schools in the country where the number of students studying is less than 60 has increased yearly for over a decade.
According to the report, in the year 2022, Himachal Pradesh (81.4 percent) and Uttarakhand (74 percent) have got the maximum number of such small schools.
At the national level, the number of such small schools was 17.3 percent in 2010, 24 percent in 2014, 29.4 percent in 2018, and 29.9 percent in 2022.
The Annual Status of Education Report is a nationwide, citizen-led household survey that provides a picture of the schooling and learning of children in rural India. The first ASER survey was conducted in 2005 and repeated annually for 10 years.
ASER 2022 is the first field-based ‘baseline’ survey after a gap of four years. This also comes at a time when children have returned to school after a long period of closure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the report, a decline in the number of small schools has been registered in some states. Among these, such small schools in Uttar Pradesh were 10.4 percent in 2010, which has come down to 7.9 percent in 2022. On the other hand, such small schools in Kerala were 24.1 percent in 2010, which remained at 16.2 percent in 2022.
It has been said that no significant change was observed in the attendance of students and teachers at the national level. Average teacher attendance was recorded at 85.4 percent in 2018, which marginally increased to 87.1 percent in 2022.
At the same time, the average student attendance remained around 72 percent in the last few years.


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domain: game


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(MENAFN- Live Mint) "As a number of states are reverting to old pension schemes, an RBI article has called the move to be a 'major step backwards' in managing fiscal deficit. It also said that OPS may take the fiscal stress of states to“unsustainable levels” in the medium to long term.The article, written by Rachit Solanki, Somnath Sharma, R K Sinha, S R Behera and Atri Mukherjee, highlighted that the cumulative fiscal burden in the case of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) could be as high as 4.5 times that of the New Pension Scheme, which was implemented over a decade ago as part of pension reforms.The research underlined how a few states are opting for OPS because of their short term benefits. However, it also contains repercussions in long term. Even after getting rid of the NPS contribution, state governments are expected to witness“severe pressure” on their finance because of unfunded OPS, underlined the RBI article.States that have opted for OPSRecently, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab and Himachal PRadesh have announced reversal to the OPS from NPS.\"... short run reduction in states' pension outgo which may be driving decisions to restore OPS, would be eclipsed by the huge rise in future unfunded pension liabilities in the long run,\" it said.\"States' reverting to the OPS would be a major step backwards and can increase their fiscal stress to unsustainable levels in the medium to long term,\" the article warned.One one side, the OPS has Defined Benefits (DB), whereas, the NPS has defined contributions. By opting for OPS, states will save only 0.1% of GDP in yearly pension outgo till 2040. The amount saved with OPS, is likely to fall short against the increase in expenditure in the scheme. These states would be required to incur an average additional increase in pension expenditure by 0.5 per cent of yearly GDP post 2040.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

domain: topicality