Looking out for lifesavers
By JEAN HELLER, Times Staff Writer
Trooper Deborah Hawkins stopped along the Howard Frankland Bridge in 1997 and got out of her car to divert traffic around a motorist changing a tire.
A 19-year-old driver in a Ford Bronco slammed into the trooper's car, pinning Hawkins against the bridge's concrete wall. For weeks, she didn't know whether she would walk again. Eventually, she returned to work for the Florida Highway Patrol, but not to patrol duty.
On Monday, more than five years later, a new state law aimed at protecting emergency workers took effect. It's called the Move Over Law.
When any emergency vehicle -- police car, ambulance, fire equipment -- is parked on or beside a road with its visible signals active, all traffic must vacate the lane next to those vehicles. For example, you must move over if you approach a police car that has pulled over a speeder, or if you approach any emergency vehicle at an accident scene.
Also, you must drive 20 mph below the posted limit if the limit is 25 mph or higher.
If the speed limit is 20 mph or less, or if the emergency situation is on a two-lane road with no spare lane to use, traffic must slow to 5 mph unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer.
Obeying the new law is going to take some effort by motorists. Not obeying it will cost a minimum of $30.
Police and fire-rescue personnel say it's about time for such a law.
"It should have happened years ago," said Sgt. Greg Tita, spokesman for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
The International Association of Firefighters estimates that dozens of fire-rescue personnel are killed or seriously injured each year in this country when they are hit by passing vehicles.
"Easily, it happens dozens of times a year, and that's probably being conservative," said association spokesman George Burke. "It doesn't even begin to cover the number of times our people have to dive out of the way. Our response to the new law is, "Bravo."'
A fatal accident involving emergency personnel occurred just this past month in Florida.
On June 8, Oviedo firefighter Shane Kelly, 26, and N. Donald Diebel Jr., a Winter Park obstetrician, were working in the median of Florida's Turnpike near Wildwood to free a couple from an overturned pickup truck.
The group was struck by a semitrailer truck. Kelly and Diebel were killed, and four other rescue workers were injured.
Capt. Bill Wade of Tampa Fire-Rescue said he hopes motorists understand that the new law isn't meant to hassle them.
"We hope drivers understand the spirit of the law," Wade said. "If you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with its emergency lights on, it means there is activity there: firefighters, police officers, paramedics, walking in the area. It's their goal to help people and go home at the end of their shifts alive and well."
The law takes into consideration that there will be occasions, even on interstates, when traffic conditions make it impossible to leave a vacant lane between traffic and an accident.
"I'm sure law enforcement people will be looking for people who overtly keep up their speed or don't move over when they can," Wade said.
The principal sponsor of the legislation that became the Move Over Law was state Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
"I got tired of reading over the years about all the mishaps involving good people just trying to help others and getting killed for their efforts," Crist said. "I started looking at what to do about it."
Crist thought he was developing "an innocent little law."
"But it took three tries to get the Legislature to pass it," he said.
"It's a shame that we have to do this, that people don't use common sense and courtesy. But 20 years ago we had to do this to get people to quit passing stopped school buses, and 30 or 40 years ago, we had to put penalties on people caught speeding through school crossings during school hours."
The Move Over Law does not contain any additional penalties for injuring or killing an emergency worker, but other laws cover that area, including vehicular homicide, Crist said.
-- Times researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report.
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This week Anna Fishbeyn came to Pushkin House with a performance that rocked the rafters of our 1703 abode: My Stubborn Tongue. Through acting and singing, with a piano accompaniment, Anna recounts the experience of moving to the U.S. as a 9 year-old child as part of the Jackson-Vanick agreement between the U.S. and Russia, when Russian Jews were, effectively, traded for grain. As she says: “America wanted the Russian Jews to demonstrate to the world how oppressive the Soviet Union was, and Russia needed grain, Russia was starving.” Against this bleak backdrop of human trading, Anna with great humour and insight recounts the ups and downs of being a Russian immigrant with an accent in the US at a time when people with accents were treated as second class citizens (as is still the case in some places). Anna watched her mother continue to be mistreated in department stores and restaurants simply because of her accent, and her family was repeatedly told to go back to Russia during their early years in the U.S.
Anna decided to train her accent out of her tongue and to become as American as possible. She changed her name to Annie and spoke flawless English. But her roots were betrayed when her friends would come to her house to be fed Salat Olivye and encouraged to participate in the family’s regular after-dinner performances as her father played the balalaika and her mother sang opera. Her mother and grandmother had drummed into her head that kissing led to sex and sex could lead to only one thing - marriage. So when Anna started to date, she didn’t simply open up about her origins - she “forced her culture” on her dates: she would turn the subject to Anti-Semitism and Stalin before the bra could be removed, and perhaps sing some Russian laments. This was in order to check whether the boy in question was willing to take this stuff on.
As an immigrant, Anna needed to convey to the person she may be about to become intimate with, something of herself, what she had escaped, her background - that even if her family chose to leave that culture, part of it stayed with them. She does an impression of the guy’s response upon hearing about her Russian childhood, ‘Um I can understand that’ he says, desperately trying and desperately keen to get her bra off, ‘Actually I can’t understand that because I grew up in California, and it was pretty sunny, you know like the S.U.N,” pointing at the sky, “and Vitamin D gives you endorphins.” Touchingly, at Thanksgiving, the toasts are all to America; and the family attempts to feed Anna’s American friend the delicacy of cow’s brains as well as the turkey.
I identified with this behaviour with boys - even though I never emigrated to Russia, I immersed myself in Russia over the years when most of my friends were rooting their lives and careers in the UK. It was hard for me to reconcile these parts of myself when visiting home from Russia, or even for the first years after my return when I was still traveling there a lot. On dates with ‘suitable’ English boys, I would rabbit on about Russia and use Russian words when nervous - I wanted to see if they would take it on, but also, for me, it was a safety mechanism to hide behind. And anyway, deep, dark intense subjects are a good precursor to sex, aren’t they?
|Anna Fishbeyn performing in 'My Stubborn Tongue'|
Having passed entirely convincingly as an American for many years, Anna decided to embrace her Russianness. She reverted to Anna (the Russian pronounced more like Honor) and began having to explain herself at parties. She was stunned by how little people knew about Russia. She said she originally wrote the play for her grandmother who came to the U.S., and never learned English. “My grandmother used to say, ‘We suffered in Russia and we suffered in America, what is the point of life?’” says Anna, “I wrote the play as an ode to my grandmother, an attempt to make sense of her suffering, of immigrant suffering.” But Anna also concedes that she wrote it for herself, to reconcile the disparate parts of personality. She does this literally also - this is a one-woman show and she plays several parts: her mother, grandmother, aunt, father, several non-plussed American boys, an Estee-Lauder saleslady, her ex-fiancé and his mother, and herself.
Her director is an American-Romanian, Adrian Roman, who saw his own story in Anna’s when he first saw the performance. In this sense, hers is a story anyone who has emigrated or lived abroad and embedded themselves deep into another culture, can identify with. Many people who come through the doors of Pushkin House - whether it is Russians now living in London, or other foreign nationals who have lived a long time in Russia - have a misplaced or split identity syndrome, confused cultural references and a desire to piece it all together. Anna Fishbeyn performs this reconciliation in her play: watching her perform was healing and exhilarating.


The signs of summer are everywhere. From beautiful flowering foliage to families strolling, ice cream in hand, along the promenade, we’re all just happy to finally feel some sun that actually warms our bones!
However, when the winter coats are packed away, the SPF should come out to play, because the sun’s intense rays mean business, especially when it comes to our skin. If you aren’t protecting your skin then you’re going to put it at risk for anything from accelerated aging to an increased risk of skin cancer.
In this article we’ll talk about all the ways the sun can affect your skin and exactly what you can do about it so you can get out there and enjoy all this happy, bright season has to offer!
Factors that can influence your skin during summer
During the warmer months, when the temperatures begin to soar, you’ll find yourself sweating a lot more than usual.
While sweating is a completely natural process and excellent for detoxifying the body, it can also contribute to clogged pores, which then results in acne breakouts. Whether it’s one pesky pimple or a whole bunch of them, no one really wants to deal with acne, especially during this fun season when you may find yourself going out more often than during the chilly months.
However, and this may come as a surprise, sweating can also be a good thing for your acne! Sweating helps to detoxify the system, flushing toxins out of the body that may lead to blemishes. You have to be sure to keep your skin clean though after a sweat fest, so always be sure to cleanse or spritzsome of our toner to keep your skin clean and your pores open after an intense gym sesh or day out at the beach.
Of course, many people do suffer from acne when it starts to heat up and while the reason isn’t totally clear, it seems to be due to an increase in sebum production in the summertime. Our sebum also takes on a slightly different compositionduring summer to help keep our bodies cool. Sebum is what contributes to that gorgeous, dewy glow and can be a godsend for ladies suffering from dry skin, however too much sebum can throw the balance off and tip the scale in the other direction, meaning breakouts.
While there’s no denying that soaking up the rays feels like pure bliss, especially when you have a sparkling pool or shimmering ocean to cool off in as you please, it’s important to remember that overexposure to the sun may quickly change the bronzed goddess glow you were going for to that of a freshly cooked lobster, never a good look!
Too much sun exposure will not only result in a painful, blistering sunburn, it also significantly increases your risk of extrinsic aging in the skin. In fact, uv rays are responsible for a scary 80% of extrinsic skin aging. This results in a loss of skin elasticity meaning saggier skin with more lines and wrinkles. So while your sunkissed glow is sexy in your twenties, 15-20 years from now any damage that occurred will manifest as uv skin damage. What’s really alarming is that the sun will continue to damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer hours after you head indoors!
Uv rays break down collagen and elastin, two structural proteins responsible for keeping the skin firm, taut and plump.
UV rays also reduce the amount of Vitamin A in the skin, a vitamin that is absolutely essential for skin health. Vitamin A helps to encourage healthy cell production and plays a role in keeping the skin’s barrier function strong. A damaged barrier function means more pollutants can sneak their way into your skin and really speed up the aging process. Vitamin A helps to lock moisture into the skin cells, however uv rays deplete this vitamin, which in turn means more water may be lost through the pores, resulting a dry complexion that, once again, ages much faster than a healthy one.


How to Manage Videos in Your DAM
How to Manage Videos in a Digital Asset Management System
It’s no secret that video is taking a more prominent place in the marketing mix. For social media or even on websites and internal comms, it’s simply a more engaging and effective way to tell a story. (See video below). While it’s been easier than ever to create video assets and the cost of production is coming down, putting in place content governance around your video files is a job for your digital asset management system. Also known as a media asset management library.
Video asset uploads into a DAM system
Video files are generally bigger than images, audio files or word documents. That’s why having bulk upload is important (so you can upload a bunch of video files with drag and drop from your desktop into your DAM) and open another tab while they are processing.
Video metadata, facial recognition and keyword tagging
When uploading video content into your DAM, you will need to tag the video asset with metadata. You can do this manually, and automatically some camera and date data will automatically populate in the metadata fields. You also may choose to add custom metadata such as product, geography or even brand name. With AI video tagging, this can be used as well but depending on the content of the video this can be less useful than AI on images as typically it’s what is said in the transcription vs what is seen frame by frame that is the crux of the communication.
Video proofing and annotations
When you manage creative video production from within your DAM, you can cut your time to market in half – literally. With video proofing, side-by-side comparisons, @mentions and video markups and annotations, you can collaborate on video creative during the production process faster than ever before.
Video closed captions and transcriptions
When a video is uploaded to your DAM, automatically you can add closed captions to the video, edit them by time code and download a transcription into an SRT file. This not only helps you comply to WCAG 2 – Ac1.2.2 accessibility standards, but having closed captions is invaluable for social media marketing.
Video cropping, transformations and presets
Most video editing software is hard to use by people who don’t use it every day. That’s why at IntelligenceBank, you can easily shorten videos by time code (ie just download the sections you want), download different formats and sizes on the fly such as automatically convert a large .mov or a smaller .mp4. Or do this in bulk according to a preset you define for a certain ad type.
Headless dam video streaming
DAM is going headless and so are videos. Instead of storing videos once in your digital asset management software, downloading them, and then re-uploading them on your website or other platforms, from your DAM system, you can embed links that essentially serves the video via a CDN (content delivery network) from your DAM into third-party platforms which means when you add a new version, it will update everywhere; it will download quickly when people from around the world try to access it; and you can track impressions of the file regardless of where it is hosted to see how it’s performing for a better ROI.


Iraq War 2003: Background & Lessons
Return to Iraq War index page
April 14, 2003
Threat of Emplaced WMD Detonation Not Yet Ruled Out in Iraq; Prospect of Attack on Israel Also Not Yet Totally Negated
Exclusive. Analysis. By Gregory R. Copley, GIS Editor. The threat continues to exist of the triggered explosion of some kind of mass weapon — possibly even including a nuclear weapon — in a major Iraqi city, with the greatest probability that it could occur in Baghdad. GIS analysts believe that the plans made by the Administration of Iraqi Pres. Saddam Hussein in the latter part of 2002 to come forward with a “surprise weapon” to use against advancing Coalition forces in Iraq were not yet to be considered infeasible or to have been overtaken by events.
As well, the possibility of an Iraqi strike against Israeli targets could equally not yet be seen to have been totally obviated by Coalition military successes against Iraqi forces inside Iraq. Iraqi strategic weapons assets remained outside the purview of Coalition forces by continuing to be based inside Syrian territory.
[See Defense & Foreign Affairs Daily, March 31, 2003: Iraq Signifies Readiness to Engage Israel; Tests SSM Deployments in Western Desert.]
Iraqi officials had delivered messages to key Persian Gulf leaders during late October and early November 2002, attempting to coerce regional support in the face of a then-possible US-led military attack on Iraq. In these messages, Pres. Saddam had stated that Iraq would use a “surprise weapon” against Israel, reducing such a threat. Senior Arab officials who dealt with the Iraqi emissaries, as well as Arab leaders, considered these ultimatums to be very credible and serious.
[See Defense & Foreign Affairs Daily, November 8, 2002: Iraqi War Planning and Strategy Show Detailed Preparations for a Geographically Wide and Multi-Layered Conflict.]
The November 8, 2002, report noted:
With the confrontation with the US imminent, the Iraqis have developed two master contingency plans:
1. Assertive or offensive strategy intended to flare-up a regional, anti-Israel jihad in cooperation with PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat, as well as Syria, Iran, and ultimately all Arab states, thus making it impossible for the US to concentrate on Iraq alone; and
2. An enduring or defensive strategy aimed to ensure Saddam Hussein’s survival while ensnaring the US in heavy attrition and killing of Iraqi Arab civilians to the point of making the war futile and unpopular to the US public as well as the entire Muslim world. The intentional demonstration of heavy carnage to the Iraqi civilian population is an integral part of Saddam’s contingency plans.
That report continued:
Some time before mid-September 2002, an Iraqi brigadier-general at the General Staff warned Arab colleagues about Iraq’s military posture and preparations for the forthcoming war with the US and Israel. He noted “Iraq’s tremendous supply of surface-to-surface missile warheads” filled with weapons of mass destruction. “Inspection teams destroyed only a small number of them,” he gloated. Iraq’s ballistic missiles and warheads “are controlled by the Surface-to-Surface Missile Command based in al-Taji, north of Baghdad,” the General explained. Since there was no effective Western or Israeli attempt to destroy Special Unit 223 since mid-July 2002, in mid-September 2002 Iraq activated and deployed all four missile units: Special Units 222, 223, 224, and 225. The General stated: “They are deployed in various locations in Iraq, permitting them to hit predetermined targets and carry out direct orders from Saddam himself.” This strategic effort is supervised and coordinated by Abd-al-Tawwab al-Mulla Huwaysh — Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Military Industrialization — who gets his instructions directly from Saddam Hussein in person.
The events of the night of March 27-28, 2003 — in which Iraqi Scud-level SSM forces moved out of safe-haven in Syria, back into Iraq, and set up and and tested firing positions against Israel — demonstrated that the Iraqi SSM forces had remained intact, along with the Iraqi WMD resources, out of the reach of Coalition forces. It also demonstrated that there was a sufficient coterie of Iraqi technicians capable of deploying and firing the systems at that time. Clearly, with each passing day, the levels of loyalty which could be commanded by Pres. Saddam are declining, as rank-and-file forces desert their posts and blend back into civil society in Iraq.
Even this was foreseen by Pres. Saddam, who made his position “clear” when he delivered an Æsopean message to Iraqis and Islamists on Islamic New Year.
[See Defense & Foreign Affairs Daily, March 11, 2003: Saddam Delivers Islamist Message to Prepare for His Possible Disappearance During Conflict.]
In the March 11, 2003, report by Senior GIS Analyst Yossef Bodansky, it was noted:
Iraqi Pres. Saddam Hussein, in his Islamic New Year message, appeared to set the stage for his “disappearance” at the onset of the anticipated US-led war against Iraq, by setting the message in a parallel with the Hejira of the Prophet.
On March 5, 2003, Saddam Hussein delivered a message to the Iraqi people on the advent of the Islamic New Year. Significantly, the speech was read on Iraqi TV and radio by an announcer, and not Saddam himself as has been customary for such speeches. His latest message was an Islamist speech of the kind Osama bin Laden would have delivered. Therefore, the key to understanding Saddam’s message is in the Islamic metaphors which Saddam used.
The timing and occasion of Pres. Saddam’s speech were not accidental. The Islamic New Year is celebrated on the anniversary (by lunar calendar) of Prophet Mohammed’s forced migration — the Hejira — from Mecca to Medina. It was in Medina that Mohammed built his forces and consolidated his base, and then returned triumphantly to Mecca, thus starting the ascent of Islam.
In the first part of his March 5, 2003, message, Pres. Saddam delved on the relevance of the lessons to be learned from Mohammed's experience. He emphasized that present-day Iraqis “also feel the determination of early believers ... not to relinquish their faith” not only in word but also in action, for, like their historic predecessors, “they had rejected despotism and pruned the path of faith as their own course”. Mohammed’s original followers, Saddam declared, “fixed landmarks for all coming generation until faith and Islam have assumed their current status”. Saddam stressed that this legacy is “what early believers wished for us and aspired for so that we can be on the right infallible path, the path of faith with all the implying sincerity, zeal and the requirements of jihad”.
Saddam then went to great length articulating the lessons of Mohammed's Hejira. Prophet Mohammed and his followers “left behind their homes, families and possessions”. They were forced into leaving Mecca “haunted by the devil and tyranny”, which included the people of Mecca who had succumbed to “the influential tyrants and those who were driven away by their superiority in number”. Mohammed elected to migrate not only in order to save his followers, Saddam stressed, but primarily in order to “to establish a capital for true Muslims and a center for their faith”. He found this refuge in Medina.
In that same message on March 5, 2003, Pres. Saddam inextricably bound the Iraqi cause with the Palestinian cause.
There is no compelling reason why Saddam — having so clearly identified the course of the war, his need to go into hiding, and the need to link his actions with those of the Prophet Mohammed and Palestine — would have changed his action when all that he had foreseen had come to pass. Indeed, the clearly-foreseen Coalition short-term success literally adds to the prospect that Saddam Hussein would continue, with some urgency, to pursue the options open to him if he was to fulfill his own perception of his historic destiny, which was to be seen historically as a modern version of Salah ud-Din (Saladin), who successfully defeated the medieval Crusaders.
Given that background, Saddam’s options are strongly suggested to include, as a priority:
1. A major “spectacular” and cataclysmic event, inside Iraq, designed to make the Coalition’s task of reconstruction and control of the country as difficult as possible. Virtually the only option reliably available would be the detonation of a pre-emplaced weapon of mass destruction (WMD) device, and ideally a nuclear weapon but possibly another improvised device which would destroy the bulk of a major city, causing major casualties among the local and invading populace alike.
2. A major strike at Israel, using the Scud-level weapons currently still just inside Syrian territory. These weapons remain intact, and their deployment was tested, as noted above, on March 27-28, 2003.
The second option requires the active consent and possible support of Syria. The US military leadership has already acknowledged the Syrian involvement in supporting Iraq in the war, and in facilitating the exist of Iraqi leaders. The US was also aware of the March 27-28, 2003, SSM deployments. Australian, British and US special forces deployments in the Iraqi western desert — the Syrian Desert of Iraq’s al-Anbar region — have thus far succeeded in suppressing any strategic SSM firings against Israel. Nonetheless, if Saddam is to achieve the historic status he has sought, it would be necessary for him to attempt the Syrian-linked action against Israel.
In line with this, despite US warnings to the Syrian leadership, the Syrian Administration of Pres. Bashar al-Asad seems prepared to risk active engagement in the conflict, and this could signify a willingness to work with the remaining Iraqi SSM elements to start the war against Israel. Pres. Bashar has been constantly advised by his senior staff that it would be necessary for him to get into a war with Israel if he was to consolidate his control over Syria. Such a joint action with Iraq and Israel would possibly start such a war. However, this eventuality was also clearly foreseen by the US Bush Administration, which was why it took such strong efforts to utilize special forces units in the Iraqi west to prevent such firings, well outside the area of view of the “embedded journalists” who have been covering the rest of the war.
It is possible, then, that US/Coalition forces would engage the Iraqi SSM assets inside Syria, if there was evidence that they were on the move, back into Iraq, to start firings against Israel. This would significantly widen the scope of the conflict, actively embracing Syria. It was possible that the United Kingdom Government of Prime Minister Tony Blair would opt out of this phase of the war, given the ruling British Labour Party’s support for Syria and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasir Arafat, but the US and Australian special forces, backed by US and Australian airpower (the Royal Australian Air Force has a squadron of F/A-18 Hornet fighters in the conflict) would be able to handle the task, possibly preventing Saddam and Bashar from widening the war to include Israel.
At that point, the question of Iranian actions would arise. Already, the Iranian clerical leadership is sufficiently concerned about the rapid and clear Coalition military success that it has attempted to “muddy the waters” by assassinating a key Iraqi Shi’a cleric, Hojjat ol-Islam Abdul Majid al-Khoei, inside the famous and venerated Imam Ali Mosque in an-Najaf on April 10, 2003.
[See Defense & Foreign Affairs Daily, April 11, 2003: Leading Iraqi Hojjat ol-Islam Hacked to Death in Najaf, Reportedly by Iranian Agents.]
Iran’s options now center — as they do for the Iranian client-state, Syria, as well as for Iraq — around widening the war to include Israel. Given any semblance of success — from a perceptional standpoint — by Iraqi and Syrian forces in widening the war by missile attacks on Israel, Iranian surrogate forces in Lebanon, the HizbAllah forces and those, possibly, of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC: Pasdaran) could well be tasked with initiating their own missile strikes against Israel.
The US willingness to expand the war to include Syria has now become evident from statements and attitudes ascribed to senior Bush Administration officials. However, it was not clear, as of April 13, 2003, that the Syrian leadership had “taken aboard” that prospect, possibly because of the belief that such an action would in some respects split the Coalition, because of the British ruling Labour Party’s ongoing friendship with the Bashar al-Asad Administration and the Palestinian cause. However, the movement of a Libyan Air Force Il-76 transport aircraft from Libya to Syria and return on April 9-10, 2003, has been noted with concern by Washington officials.
[See Defense & Foreign Affairs Daily, April 11, 2003: Libyan Aircraft Collects “VIP Group” From Syria; Flies Back to Libya.]
GIS/Defense & Foreign Affairs Daily sources, who first noted the movement of the aircraft from Okba bin Nafa [formerly Wheelus Field], just outside of Tripoli, now report that the aircraft had gone to the main Damascus airfield in Syria to collect the Iraqi cargo of vehicles and people.
Syria’s high level of complicity with Iraq in preparing for the current conflict with the US-led Coalition goes back, in direct physical terms, to the second half of 2002. GIS/Defense & Foreign Affairs Daily noted the movement of Iraqi WMD, laboratories, matériel, national treasures and gold reserves to Syria in a special report, Iraq Moves WMD Matériel to Syrian Safe-Havens, dated October 28, 2002. That report noted:
[T]he Iraqi Government and Armed Forces have moved substantial caches of chemical weapons and related materials to safe-havens across the border into Syria, to avoid any chance of discovery by United Nations (UN) inspectors.
Iraq moved stockpiles of chemical weapons and nuclear matériel as well as key production machinery and key experts to the Hsishi compound near Kamishli [al-Qamishli], in Syria, along with strategic weapons, ammunition, military fuels and other defense matériel, gold reserves, national archival records and national art treasures. It is believed that the moves took place in late August and early September 2002.
It is also understood that some of the matériel, production machinery and experts moved into Hsishi compound were from the al-Qaim facility, which had been based near the H-3 base area in Western Iraq. The al-Qaim facility had been involved, before 1991, almost exclusively in uranium enrichment for nuclear weapons, but since it was reconstituted after the bombings of the 1991 Gulf War it was engaged in chemical and biological weapons development work, along with some nuclear-related activity. It is believed that some of the warhead materials for the chemical and biological weapons were at the al-Qaim facility, and that this is now in Hsishi.
The move reflects the earlier breakthroughs in strategic relations between Iraq and Syria, given the fact that Syria is strategically dependent on Iran, which has traditional rivalries and hostility with Iraq. The movement of Iraqi strategic combat matériel into Syria is the first tangible evidence of the accords which have been struck between Baghdad, Tehran and Damascus in the escalation of the war against Israel and the US. The evidence provided a pointed reminder to those US White House security policy officials who had decried suggestions by some other White House staffers that Iran could be persuaded to help the US in its war against Iraqi Pres. Saddam Hussein.
The evidence of long-term planning by Iraqi and Syrian officials for the way in which the current war has played out points to the fact that Saddam Hussein will, if at all possible, attempt to play the two large gestures open to him: the instigation of highly-symbolic attacks on Israel, and the creation of a massive catastrophe inside Iraq. If either or both of these were to be prosecuted with any degree of success — or success as perceived by the Arab “street” — he would then almost certainly begin the process of attempting a guerilla campaign of long duration inside Iraq. It remains to be seen whether he has missed his window to achieve either of these gestures.


I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna, Juliet Grames’ debut novel published by Ecco Press. It’s a beautifully written novel, with well developed characters and a lively, lilting narrative voice reminiscent of Louis de Bernieres. It’s a story about truth and memory – and about the truth (or lack thereof) in memory; a family saga, a story about sisters. Early on in the novel, Grames observes that “Modernity has stripped some of the magic out of the ways we live and die” – with this debut novel, she has brought some of the magic back.
Last week, I was interviewed by the fabulous Louise Claire Johnson on The Word Weaver Podcast! We had a long conversation about everything literary, including my time writing at the University of St. Andrews and my work-in-progress, People Like Us. Check it out here!


It’s official: British actor Sam Heughan star of Emulsion has been tapped to star in Ron Moore’s upcoming Starz drama series Outlander.
The premium cable network confirmed the casting, which leaked via Twitter over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Heughan will star as Jamie Fraser in the network’s adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s internationally best-selling books. Starz greenlit the drama series earlier this year for a 2014 premiere. Production will begin in the fall in Scotland.


The FDA has the authority to regulate all tobacco merchandise, together with e-cigarettes. The FDA is engaged on a number of choices to stop youth entry to e-cigarettes, similar to current laws to raise the minimal age for the sale of tobacco merchandise. On May 15, 2019 a federal judge sided with the American Lung Association and our partners on this lawsuit. The choose concluded that FDA acted unlawfully by delaying requiring e-cigarettes and different newly deemed tobacco products to go through a pre-market review process. The judge subsequently dominated that the submitting deadline for all premarket evaluate functions is May 12, 2020.
The FDA deeming regulation established a federal minimum age of 18 for the sale of all tobacco products, together with e-cigarettes. Retailers must check photograph IDs of everybody under age 27 who makes an attempt to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.Pennsylvania is the only state that does not have a legislation proscribing youth entry to e-cigarettes. States have the flexibility to control the time, place and method of tobacco advertising, together with e-cigarettes. For instance, California and Delaware prohibit web sites and on-line and mobile functions directed at minors from advertising or promoting e-cigarettes. California also prohibits ads of tobacco merchandise, including e-cigarettes, on any outdoor billboard positioned inside 1,000 feet of a faculty or public playground.
Lawyers count on folks to file extra Juul lawsuits within the litigation as time passes. Electronic cigarettes are extra popularly known as e-cigarettes, e-cigs or vape pens. They embody vape pens, vaporizers, e-pens, e-pipes, e-hookahs and e-cigars, that are all categorized as electronic nicotine supply techniques, or ENDS. Although e-cigarettes don’t give off smoke like tobacco cigarettes, they do expose individuals to secondhand aerosol or “vapor” which will contain dangerous substances. Scientists are still studying concerning the health results of being uncovered to secondhand e-cigarette aerosol.
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The potential public well being influence of e-cigarettes is a topic of scorching debate. Despite inconclusiveness about their quick- and long-term well being results, e-cigarettes remain largely unregulated and their recognition amongst youth and young adults continues to rapidly escalate. At the identical time, severe illness and deaths have been linked to their use and recent analysis could not conclusively decide that they posed fewer health risks than flamable cigarettes. Among adult users, this is a troubling pattern as a result of it suggests that some e-cigarette use could also be supplementing smoking as an alternative of replacing it. Some individuals using e-cigarettes to quit might experience a interval of twin use as they transition between merchandise, complicating the problem.
E-cigarette use has increased lately, particularly among youth and young adults, who use e-cigarettes greater than Vape Pen any other age group. In 2018, the fast rise of tobacco products led the U.S. surgeon basic to issue an advisory about youth e-cigarette use, calling it an “epidemic.” In 2019, youth e-cigarette use increased to even larger levels. While the most recent studies show a lower in youth use in 2020, the rate continues to be alarmingly high.
Consumers have to consistently know what they are getting and whether it is secure — significantly from a product designed to ship chemical compounds by frequent inhalation. The growing proof of potential well being risks and lung accidents related to e-cigarette use has led researchers to question whether e-cigarettes are safer than flamable cigarettes. Our e-cig cartridges , superior kits and are designed to offer the last word vaping experience that you deserve without the needless hassle. Our gadgets have been voted finest e cigarette vaporizer by multiple vaporizers evaluate organizations. Browse our choice and purchase the perfect e-cig for you or your family members. In October 2019, a total of 40 e-cigarette lawsuits filed against Juul Labs had been mixed in a mass litigation in a San Francisco federal courtroom. The lawsuits claim the company marketed nicotine merchandise to minors and Juul gadgets led to critical health issues.
- Wells Fargo estimated that VTMs accounted for fifty seven% of the three.5 billion dollar market within the US for vapor products in 2015.
- In 2014, dollar gross sales of customizable e-cigarettes and e-liquid surpassed sales of cigalikes within the US, although, overall, customizables are a inexpensive vaping choice.
- Wells Fargo analyst Bonnie Herzog attributes this decline to a shift in shoppers’ behavior, shopping for more specialised gadgets or what she calls “vapors-tanks-mods ” that aren’t tracked by Nielsen.
Since 2016 the US Food and Drug Administration regulated e-cigarettes underneath the classification of tobacco products and labeled them as electronic nicotine supply systems. A 2018 report commissioned by the US FDA decided to make use of the time period e-cigarettes, indicating that for some use e-liquids containing no nicotine. BLOW began promoting e-hookahs, an electronic model of the hookah, in 2014.
E-cigarettes, vapes, vape or hookah pens, e-pipes, and different vaping products are battery-powered gadgets that enable users to inhale, or vape, aerosolized liquid (e-juice). Beginning August 1, 2019, Minnesota legislation prohibits the usage of these products indoors where cigarette use is prohibited, together with bars and restaurants.
Any product that does not submit an software by this deadline have to be faraway from the market, which if correctly enforced, could lead a considerably smaller marketplace. Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, embrace e-pens, e-pipes, e-hookah, and e-cigars are known collectively as ENDS— electronic nicotine delivery methods. According to the FDA, e-cigarettes are gadgets that permit users to inhale an aerosol containing nicotine or other substances.


Pakistan in Sri Lanka One Day International - ODI Series Live Coverage
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Fourth ODI: Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 7 August 2009
Sri Lanka skittled in Colombo (SRL 3:1|5)
Aug 7, 2009Umar Akmal hit a maiden century and Rao Iftikhar Anjum took his first five-wicket haul Friday to lead Pakistan to it's first win on tour after losing 2-0 in the three-Test series and now trailing 3-1 in the five-match ODI series.Umar Akmal's 102 came off just 72 deliveries and carried the tourists to a challenging total of 321 for five in their 50 overs. Captain Younus Khan scored 89 and Umar's brother Kamran Akmal made 57.
In reply, Sri Lanka came up 146 runs short. Tharanga top scored with 80 while 7 batsmen failed to reach double figures.
Pakistan 321 for 5 (Umar 102*, Younis 89, Kamran 57) beat Sri Lanka 175 (Tharanga 80, Anjum 5-31) by 146 runs.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Third ODI: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka, 3 August 2009
Sri Lanka take unbeatable lead in one dayers (SRL 3:0|5)
Aug 3, 2009Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene hit his first one-day century (123) in two years to give his team an unbeatable 3-nil lead in their 5-match series against Pakistan.
Jayawardene and Upul Tharanga (76) put on an opening stand of 202, a first-wicket record for ODIs between the countries.Sri Lanka won the third match by six wickets with 21 balls to spare after Pakistan had scored 288/8. Captain Younis Khan made 44 and Kamran Akmal added 45, while Shahid Afridi smashed 32. Umar Akmal was the leading scorer with 66.
Sri Lanka 289/4 (Jayawardene 123, Tharanga 76) beat Pakistan 288/8 (Umar Akmal 66, Kamran Akmal 45) by six wickets
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Second ODI: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka, 1 August 2009
Sri Lanka take 2-0 lead (SRL 2:0|5)
Aug 1, 2009Sri Lanka have taken a 2-0 lead in the one-day series with Pakistan after a six-wicket victory. An unbeaten 95-run partnership between Chamara Kapugedera and Thilan Samaraweera took Sri Lanka to victory with more than six overs to spare.
Earlier, put into bat by the Sri Lankans, Pakistan were dismissed for 168 in 47 overs. Number 10 Mohammad Aamer was the top scorer with 24 not out. Thilan Thushara took 3 wickets for 33.
Sri Lanka 169/4 (Kapugedera 67*, Samaraweera 38*) beat Pakistan 168 (Aamer 24, Thushara 3-33, Muralitharan 2-41) by six wickets
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka First ODI: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka, 30 July 2009
Sri Lanka down Pakistan in first ODI (SRL 1:0|5)
July 30, 2009Left-armer Thushara (3-29) and Kulasekera (2-30) made Pakistan struggle against Sri Lanka's 232/9 and bowled them out for 196 in 44.4 overs in the first ODI at Dambulla.
Gul top-scored for Pakistan with 33 off 21 balls. Earlier, the hosts had collapsed to 131/6 by the 34th over before a late surge led by all-rounder Angelo Mathews (43). The last four Sri Lankan wickets added 101 runs. Pakistan captain Younus Khan had won the toss and elected to field in overcast conditions.
Sri Lanka 232/9 (Mathews 43, Murali 32, Aamer 3-45) beat Pakistan 196 (Gul 33, Thushara 3-29) by 36 runs
Pakistan v Sri Lanka Cricket ODI Series 2009
Cricket series schedule
Pakistan Tour of Sri Lanka, 2009
June 24, 2009Pakistan Cricket Team will tour to Sri Lanka in June after the World Twenty20 2009 to play three match Test Series, five ODI (One Day Internationals) and one Twenty20 international.


In just a few decades, Major League Soccer (MLS) has transformed from a fledgling league to a thriving hub of soccer enthusiasm in North America. But what truly stands out, beyond the incredible athletes and nail-biting matches, is the blossoming fan culture that has given the league its heart and soul. Supporters' sections echoing with rhythmic chants, seas of scarves waved in unison, and citywide celebrations – these are the hallmarks of a league that's found its voice. Dive into the world of MLS fandom, as we explore how its unique culture came to be and why it continues to captivate the continent.
The Early Days
When MLS first started, fan culture in North American soccer was still in its infancy. With the sport struggling to gain mainstream recognition and a lack of top-flight teams, soccer fans in the US and Canada didn't have the same level of attachment to a specific club as fans of other sports. This meant that MLS teams had to focus on providing affordable family entertainment rather than creating a deep connection with their fan base.
The Power of Supporters Groups
However, as the years went by, dedicated supporters groups began to emerge across the league. These groups, such as the Empire Supporters Club in New York and the Screaming Eagles in D.C. United, played a crucial role in cultivating a passionate fan culture. They brought their own traditions, songs, and rituals to the stadiums, creating a sense of belonging and unity among fans.
These supporters groups became the heartbeat of MLS fan culture, driving the atmosphere at matches and creating an experience that was unique to soccer. They chanted, sang, and waved flags for 90 minutes straight, turning the stands into a sea of color and noise. The energy and passion they brought to the games were infectious, and other fans couldn't help but be drawn into the excitement.
A Cultural Connection
One of the key reasons for the rise of fan culture in MLS is the league's focus on connecting with the local community and culture. Unlike some European leagues, where clubs have deep historical roots, MLS teams are relatively new and have had to work harder to establish themselves as an integral part of their respective cities. This has led to a greater emphasis on community engagement and creating a cultural connection with fans.
Teams like Atlanta United, LAFC, and Minnesota United have embraced this approach, positioning themselves as more than just sports teams. They have become symbols of their cities, representing the values, traditions, and creative spirit of the local culture. By plugging into the community and aligning themselves with the local lifestyle, these clubs have been able to build a strong and loyal fan base.
The Power of the Matchday Experience
Another factor that has contributed to the growth of fan culture in MLS is the unique matchday experience. While MLS may not have the same level of talent as some of the top European leagues, it makes up for it with an electrifying atmosphere in the stadiums. From the coordinated choreographies to the passionate chants and the constant drumming, the matchday experience in MLS is like no other.
Fans are encouraged to stand, sing, and cheer for the full 90 minutes, creating a wall of sound that engulfs the stadium. Tifos, large banners, and smoke bombs add a visual spectacle to the games, further enhancing the fan experience. The supporters groups lead the way, setting the tone for the entire stadium and creating an environment that is both intimidating for the opposition and exhilarating for the home team.
The Influence of Social Media
In today's digital age, social media has played a significant role in the growth of fan culture in MLS. Supporters groups and individual fans now have a platform to share their passion and connect with like-minded individuals. They can organize meetups, plan tifo displays, and coordinate chants through online forums and social media groups.
Social media has also allowed MLS teams to engage with their fans on a more personal level. They can share behind-the-scenes content, interact with fans, and provide updates on upcoming events and matches. This level of accessibility and interaction has helped to strengthen the bond between fans and their clubs, further fueling the growth of fan culture in MLS.
The Impact on MLS
The rise of fan culture in MLS has had a profound impact on the league. It has created a unique and vibrant atmosphere at matches, making MLS games a must-see experience for both hardcore fans and casual spectators. The passionate support from the stands has also had a positive effect on the players, motivating them to perform at their best and creating a home-field advantage for the home team.
Moreover, fan culture has helped to establish a sense of identity and pride for MLS clubs. Supporters groups create a sense of community and belonging among fans, allowing them to connect with something larger than themselves. This has led to increased loyalty and dedication among fans, with many considering their MLS team to be an integral part of their lives.
From a marketing perspective, fan culture has provided MLS teams with a unique selling point. The passionate and dedicated fan base has attracted sponsors and partners, who recognize the value of aligning their brand with the excitement and energy of MLS matches. This has led to increased revenue and investment in the league, allowing for further growth and development.
Fan culture in MLS has come a long way since the early days of the league. Through the dedication and passion of supporters groups, the focus on community engagement, and the creation of a unique matchday experience, MLS has cultivated a fan culture that is unrivaled in North American sports. The impact of fan culture can be seen in the electrifying atmosphere at matches, the sense of identity and pride among fans, and the increased interest and investment in the league. As MLS continues to grow, fan culture will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of the league and further establishing soccer as a major sport in North America.


Standing on a hill in khaki pants and a button down seersucker shirt amid a thick haze of smoke and punk regalia, I realized just how out of place I was. I had a grand total of zero experience shooting concert photography, very little music photography experience, and only the most fleeting of experiences with the punk scene. How had I even gotten in the door?
Some of my Aftershock, 2014 photos reflect that inexperience. In retrospect, there are some things (certain focal lengths and apertures, various shooting angles and locales) that I wish I had done differently. But the best of my images from this event – rough edges and all – capture a degree of action and drama that I feel reflects well of the work and the subjects captured.


In an age where information is abundant but trust is scarce, finding a reliable source of news and insights becomes paramount. ORDO News (ordonews.com) emerges as a beacon of credibility, integrity, and comprehensive reporting in the ever-evolving digital news landscape. Let’s embark on a journey to explore what sets ORDO News apart and why it’s your go-to destination for quality journalism.
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At the core of ORDO News lies an unwavering dedication to quality journalism. In a world where the news cycle moves rapidly, we understand the profound impact that well-researched, unbiased reporting can have on individuals and society as a whole. Our team of seasoned journalists and dedicated contributors is committed to delivering news that you can trust.
What Makes ORDO News Stand Out?
- In-Depth Analysis: ORDO News goes beyond the surface, offering in-depth coverage and analysis of the stories that matter most. We believe that understanding the nuances of complex issues is essential for making informed decisions.
- Diverse Perspectives: We recognize the value of diverse viewpoints and voices. ORDO News features a wide array of contributors from various backgrounds, ensuring that you receive a well-rounded perspective on the issues of our time.
- Factual Accuracy: In a world plagued by misinformation, we uphold the highest standards of accuracy and fact-checking. You can trust ORDO News to provide you with verified, fact-based reporting.
- Timeliness: Stay ahead of the curve with our timely updates on breaking news, global events, scientific discoveries, health trends, and much more. We understand the importance of keeping you informed in real-time.
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Atlantic City: Are New Jersey Online Casinos Legal?
The web sites hosted by casinos in Atlantic City have become increasingly popular. However, there have been in the past a number of debates and laws that have sought to prohibit the activities of these sites.
A Potential Spanner in the Works
The Federal Wire Act could be seen as a law that would potentially affect the online casinos in New Jersey. However in 2011 the US Justice Department determined that it only prohibited sports betting online. It would therefore not affect online casino games. This is great news for those who were worried about the potential for these games to be outlawed. However, there are still several legal debates that could contradict this.
Questions of Legality
Jennifer Beck, a state senator has given an argument for why New Jersey voters cannot approve the legalization of online gambling. According to her there are a number of court decisions that have potentially unfortunate consequences for those who enjoy the online casinos that Atlantic City has to offer. These decisions have stated that when online betting does occur it is taking place both at the location that is hosting the website and the location where the gambler is accessing the site. If these decisions were held up in court then it could mean that casino sites in their current form are breaking the law.
However in contrast to this, John Wefing, a constitutional scholar has offered a counterargument to Beck’s opinion. He has stated that a constitutional amendment will not be needed for the authorization of online casino games. The reason for this is that when a game is played the wager is treated as a contract. This contract is recognized by the law. Therefore when a player starts a bet they are entering into a legal agreement with the casino that is hosting the website. No matter which side of the argument it is clear that this kind of online betting is becoming more and more popular.
New legislation was drafted in 2013 in response to these debates. It was approved overwhelmingly that year and has a number of implications that have now become law. No business other than that of Atlantic City located casinos can facilitate or advertise online gambling. The legislature legalizes gambling from online casino sites for 10 years. This is a trial period. The revenue from these sites are subject to the imposition of a 15% tax. This is higher than the usual 8% that is imposed on casinos.
It remains to be seen what the future will bring for this form of betting. In the year 2023 the 10 year trial run of the casino sites will run out and will need to be renewed. Whether this renewal will take place remains to be seen. The New Jersey Casino Expansion Amendment of 2016 could have expanded the number of N.J. Casinos outside of Atlantic City. However, this could also have potentially bankrupted many of the casinos within this city. If the bill had passed it seems certain that were would be many more gambling sites operating within Jersey.


Photo credit: port ofsandiego.org
The team behind the revitalization of Seaport Village has received an award from the Downtown San Diego Partnership, according to a Thursday news release.
The Port of San Diego received the Economic Prosperity Award as part of the Partnership’s “Create the Future” honors program, during a recent ceremony at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.
Development/design partners Protea Properties and SLP Urban Planning also were honored.
According to a Port news release, “the successful repositioning and revitalization of Seaport Village is a result of the shared vision and collaboration efforts among the Port, Protea and SLP Urban Planning.”
Located on Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego, the popular shopping and sight-seeing spot first opened in 1980.
Officials said that the Port, which took ownership of Seaport Village in 2018, has made almost $8 million in operational and financial investments to transform the waterfront attraction.
“Thanks to our revitalization efforts at Seaport Village, San Diegans are rediscovering our waterfront hub and taking notice of its forward evolution – it’s always been beloved by tourists, and now it’s becoming a San Diego hotspot as well,” said Dan Malcolm, chair of the Port’s board. “It’s also attracting the attention of major regional players in the food and beverage space.”
According to Port officials, Seaport Village has gone from 20 vacancies to just four – achieved in coordination with a leasing broker, Retail Insite – and is operating at 94% occupancy.
Stacey Pennington, president of SLP Urban Planning, said her company was “delighted” to be recognized by the Downtown San Diego Partnership, adding that “we couldn’t have asked for better partners in the conceptualization and execution of a vision and strategic plan …”
Jeffrey Essakow, president and CEO of Protea Property Management, said with Seaport Village, “We aim to tell the story of a great public space that serves visitors and is also built around the needs and desires of a community.”


In California, housing affordability and homelessness were already in crisis despite robust economic times. Today, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic recession are primed to make these problems much worse.
Homelessness has been increasing in Los Angeles at a disturbing pace. 66,000 people are homeless in L.A. County, according to pre-pandemic data. In both 2019 and 2020, the number of our unhoused neighborhoods increased 12%. Despite historic funding for supportive housing through Measures H and HHH, upstream factors pushed more and more people into homelessness, faster than they could be housed.
Sadly, we are on a trajectory for this crisis to get much worse. The economy is in a deep recession due to the pandemic, causing high unemployment (over 20% in L.A. County) and income uncertainty. Meanwhile, renters’ protections are beginning to expire, and stimulus money from the federal government is barely keeping people afloat. To make matters worse, local governments are facing severe budget deficits and are cutting funding for affordable housing. In Santa Monica, the housing trust fund was completely gutted to address the budget deficit.
These factors are likely to make our region’s already-serious problems with housing costs, housing insecurity, displacement, and homelessness far worse.
A different approach is needed in order to solve this historic problem. California needs a substantial commitment to funding affordable housing, not only with the current housing affordability crisis, but also to protect and house California residents through into the future. L.A. County alone has an affordable housing shortage of over 700,000 homes, and producing each unit can cost upwards of $500,000.
Abundant Housing LA is calling for California and the federal government to jointly provide $100 billion in annual funding to address housing needs. The state can generate up to $25 billion in new funding sources, including mortgage income tax deduction reform, repealing Proposition 13, and congestion pricing. Additionally, expanded federal aid for affordable housing can support California’s ambitious efforts to permanently solve its housing crisis. Federal spending of $10-20 billion per year would provide another major funding source necessary to achieving enough affordable housing for our state.
Additionally, California could charter a public bank, as proposed in Assembly Bill 310. This bank would have the ability to lend to municipalities and housing nonprofits, as well as to purchase municipal debt. The state holds over $100 billion in cash deposits, which could be leveraged for hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of public investments. This could act as a supplementary source of funding for a large-scale investment in housing.
This November, voters will have the opportunity to support two ballot measures that will generate significant new funding for affordable housing. Proposition 15 would create a “split roll” system for property taxation, in which commercial properties are taxed at their fair market value. Measure J would amend the Los Angeles County Charter to permanently allocate 10% of the county budget (roughly $1 billion) to fund alternatives to incarceration and community investment (including capital funding for affordable housing and housing vouchers). Abundant Housing LA strongly supports both Proposition 15 and Measure J.
Together, these state and federal public investments would support the production and preservation of millions of units of affordable housing, including community land trusts and mixed-income cooperative housing (a successful model in much of Europe). These investments could also fully fund Housing Choice Vouchers, a crucial tool for ensuring housing stability and access for lower-income households.
This extraordinary and worthwhile public investment, would not fully meet housing needs at all income levels. Market-rate housing produced by the private sector will still, therefore, play an important role in fully addressing California’s need for housing. Market-rate housing production will increase the total number of available homes, which will address housing scarcity, increase housing choice, and reduce rents overall.
Additionally, an ambitious commitment to affordable housing investment must be paired with zoning and land use reforms, especially in major metropolitan areas. No amount of funding for housing will be adequate if our society doesn’t legalize new, denser homes by ending exclusionary zoning, which would also address the racist history of land use in our region which perpetuates de facto segregation to this day.
With a transformative and bold effort, it is possible to permanently solve our state’s housing crisis. Will we have the courage and ambition to make it a reality?


CORRECTION: OK, so this was a false alarm. We were told by a reliable source and by employees at the Hallmark store that a real Apple store was coming. Here’s what’s really coming: PeachMac. We apologize for the frenzy that we may have caused Darn.
We’ve been hearing rumors for a few days that an Apple Store is coming to Charlottesville and we confirmed this today. Though the timeframe hasn’t been confirmed, Apple will be opening its first Charlottesville store in Barracks Road Shopping Center in the space where Hallmark currently resides.
This is pretty big news for Charlottesville. As recently as just a few years ago, one of the biggest complaints about Charlottesville from residents was the lack of shopping options. Locals would have to trek to Tyson’s Corner or Short Pump to get their shopping fix. But how things have changed in the past year.
The Shops at Stonefield has been the biggest change to the Charlottesville shopping landscape of late. Trader Joe’s and the Regal Stadium 14 cinemas have been the most popular additions to open to date. However, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and Brooks Brothers are slated to open their doors in 2013. Just up Route 29, Stein Mart and Homegoods are the new additions to the newly-revamped Shopper’s World.
We also have an impending influx of grocery stores that will make Charlottesville a very competitive market. The addition of Trader Joe’s was much needed. The Fresh Market is planning to open in Albemarle Square Shopping Center in 2013 (in the space of the old Circuit City). Wegman’s is still also planning to open a Charlottesville along 5th Street.
So, what does all of this mean? It probably means a lot more than just improved shopping options. The fact that these national retailers have decided to invest in Charlottesville is a great thing. As residents, we know this is a great place to live. Not only does Charlottesville offer amazing natural beauty and culture, but it does have a nice, thriving economy. These recent announcements and additions will help the economic strength of Charlottesville.
We can only hope that this influx of investments will eventually lead to more employers relocating or expanding their businesses to Charlottesville. In the mean time, let’s rejoice that you’ll be able to get your hair cut at Staples Barbershop, grab a coffee at Greenberry’s, and walk around the corner to grab your new iMac. (Now figuring out where to park is another issue, but we’ll worry about that later).
One final note: Apple has done some spectacular things with its stores. For example, their New York stores on Fifth Avenue and Grand Central Station are both pretty amazing. It will be interesting to see if they someone integrate a bit of Charlottesville history into this store. We’ll see…


By Barbara Booth
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, thousands of companies across the U.S. are announcing layoffs and hiring freezes.
But Bank of America claims they hired more than 2,000 new employees in March alone and raised their U.S. minimum hourly wage to $20.
The company’s vice chairman, Anne Finucane, says, “we won’t be doing any layoffs or job reductions in 2020.”
Companies right now are facing unprecedented challenges in responding to the novel coronavirus outbreak. While many across the U.S. are announcing layoffs and hiring freezes, Bank of America claims they hired more than 2,000 new employees in March alone and will not be doing any layoffs or job reductions in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. They also raised their U.S. minimum hourly wage to $20.
CNBC spoke with Bank of America vice chairman Anne Finucane this week on how the company protects the well-being of its more than 200,000 employees while also maintaining business continuity and protecting the bottom line.
What is the bank doing to help employees get through this difficult time? Our 208,000 teammates around the world are our No. 1 priority and are critical to our path forward. It’s because of their continued focus to making financial lives better that we can keep the wheels turning and be there for our millions of clients. That’s why we won’t be doing any layoffs or job reductions in 2020 as a result of coronavirus. In fact, during March alone, we welcomed more than 2,000 new teammates to our company in the U.S. in consumer and operations functions.
We are also protecting critical benefits, like 40-hour workweeks, paid sick leave and paid time off, and providing access and special allowances for child- and elder care. At our financial centers across the U.S., eligible employees will continue to be paid for their regular, full weekly schedule, even if their hours are reduced. They will also receive a special supplemental payment of $200 per pay period [every two weeks]. And at our U.S. call centers and operations centers nationwide, those teammates who continue going into the office and working overtime will receive double the hourly base pay rate when they work more than 40 hours a week. This quarter we also raised our U.S. minimum hourly wage to $20.
We also recognize that with school closures, work-from-home mandates and other added strains, supporting the emotional wellness and mental health of our teammates and their families is critical. That’s why all our teammates and members of their households have access to confidential counseling services to help navigate through this period of uncertainty. As our CEO Brian Moynihan has said: “This is a health and humanitarian crisis. We need to take care of our people, customers and clients.”
The coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the markets is causing fear and anxiety across the world. What is Bank of America doing to calm clients’ fears? For us, people always come first – whether that’s our employees, community members or our clients. So for clients, that means providing access to the important services they use every day and being there to help those who are impacted by coronavirus.
Last week, for example, we announced additional support for our 66 million consumer and small business clients to help mitigate hardships during this time. From deferring payments on small business or auto loans, mortgages and home equity to pausing all foreclosure sales, evictions and repossessions. Now that the new legislation has passed, once the rules are written, we will also work to implement the small business lending program.
For example, we have announced a $100 million commitment to help address the extraordinary challenges communities around the world are facing from the coronavirus pandemic. Recognizing that we serve and are a member of a broader global community, we need to work together — both public and private sectors — to devote the necessary resources and support to help clients and small businesses experiencing financial hardship during this unprecedented time.
To add to the solutions across our company and help communities during these times, last week we committed $250 million in capital and $10 million in philanthropic grants to community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which will expand access to capital to more small businesses and not-for-profits.
Bank of America has always been very community-minded. Are you currently introducing any programs to help communities or small businesses that are straining under the impact of COVID-19?
We committed $100 million to help increase medical response capacity, address food insecurity and provide assistance to the world’s most vulnerable populations. The majority of these funds will be distributed on the ground in local communities, focused on both immediate needs facing communities and providing ongoing support in the months ahead. Our in-market teams across the U.S. and internationally, are currently assessing local needs and deploying the funds to our partner organizations to maximize the impact of our support. We’re also increasing funding to several national and global organizations who are on the front lines, tackling the most pressing issues in neighborhoods around the world.
The Financier materials and security issues:
About The Financier: https://thefinanciermagazine.com/


You’ve worked really hard to come up with a blog topic you’re passionate about, spent a lot of time doing research and crafting high quality content, only to discover that only 11 people read your post. What gives?
It’s one thing to write in-depth content to share your ideas and opinions about a topic, and a totally different thing to write a blog post that engages your readers and keeps them coming back for more.
Here are 7 steps to write a blog post that people will love reading:
1. Pick a topic your audience cares about
Originally, people used blogging as a platform to express their personal thoughts and opinions.
Today, if you want to attract readers, you need to write about topics that they care about, not only what you’re interested in.
The first step is to clearly understand your audience. Ask yourself:
- Who they are (gender, age, demographic, industry)
- What they do for a living
- What problems do they face?
If you’re having trouble finding out the above information, you can add a chat widget like Zopim or Olark on your blog and chat with visitors to know them better and understand what interests them the most.
Once you know your audience, you can easily come up with topics that engages them. It will enable you to write in-depth articles about specific topics that are important to your readers, instead of settling for generic stuff.
Position your blog as the solution to your readers’ problems.
2. Write a killer headline
Did you know that sites like Upworthy write 25 different headlines for each blog post, before deciding which one to publish.
Headlines are the most important aspect of your blog post. They appear as the page title as well H1 heading on your blog that make it easy for readers to understand the blog topic.
They also help Google understand what your post is about and rank it for many relevant keywords.
Headlines are also the most prominently visible part of your blog post. They appear as titles in search engine results as well as social media posts, and entice readers to click-through to your blog.
An interesting headline can drive tons of readers to your blog. So spend a lot of time writing a variety of headlines. You can also use blog title generators like Portent or one by Hubspot to generate post titles based on your blog topic.
Use a free tool like Google Analytics to monitor the traffic (from search, social media, email) to each blog post. This will help you quickly find out which headlines are click-worthy so you can create more such blog titles.
3. Nail the intro
Once you’ve attracted visitors to your blog, you need to make them stay and read your post. The first few lines of your article are essential in persuading people to read your post and get them interested. It should engage them immediately and make them curious to find out more.
Typically, what I do, is make the reader aware of the problem (like I’ve done in this post)
Here are some of the things you can do to create an interesting intro for your blog post:
- Start with a story that’s relevant to your post topic
- Provide a single ‘wow’ fact (e.g With 2 billion users, Facebook is the …). Don’t overwhelm your readers with too many numbers
- Describe the problem your readers face, one that your blog post solves
You can start with a simple intro that gets you going with the rest of the post. Once you finish writing, you can revisit and refine your intro to make it more engaging. You can also write your post first, and then write an introduction that suites your content.
Read your intro and ask yourself, “Will this compel my readers to go further?”
4. Find your voice
Every person has a unique writing style and that’s what creates a truly memorable reading experience. Discover your writing style. Do you like to write short and crisp posts or long-form in-depth articles? Do you like to write personal opinions or strictly fact-based articles? Do you like to use flowery sentences or prefer business language?
There’s no right answer here. The key is to be yourself. I like writing crisp articles with a conversational tone and pepper them with examples & personal experiences. Once, I tried writing like business leaders, with lots of stats and figures, and it became dull and boring, because it wasn’t natural.
Write your own way, one that feels easy and right, and you’ll watch the words flow. No matter how you write, here are some ways to make it more consumable:
- Use quotes in between paragraphs, to break the monotony and inspire readers
- Use bullet points. This makes it easy for your readers to take away actionable learnings from your post
- Use sub headings. No matter how compelling your content, most people won’t read your article completely. They’ll simply scan it and pick up a few key ideas before moving on, or sharing it.
Sub headings divide your text into easily digestible elements and make it easy for readers to scan the key points. They also work great for SEO, you can use relevant keywords in your subheadings so that your post ranks well for more search terms.
- Use short paragraphs of 2-3 sentences. They’re easy to read and understand.
5. Leave your readers wanting for more
Just like every great novel, make sure your blog posts leave your readers wanting more.
It’s not really helpful to flood your readers with all your knowledge about the topic. They are less likely to retain the information you provided and will have no reason to return to your blog.
You can cover a topic over a series of articles, and invite readers for the next week’s post. At the end of every post, you can also give a brief hint of what they can look forward to in your next article.
You can also provide links to related content throughout your posts. There are many WordPress plugins that you can use to automatically display related posts at the end of your articles.
Either way, ensure that you add a newsletter subscription form with a call-to-action, at the end of your articles, that invites readers to sign up for your latest blog posts. This will enable you to stay in touch with your readers and be on top of their minds.
With so many new blogs being launched everyday, it’s essential to make yours stand apart from the crowd, entice people to read your content and return for more. However, it’s not about writing in-depth content or having a fabulous writing style. The key is to package your blog posts in an easy-to-consume format that enable readers to quickly see the value in your content.


Simon Keith is the first person in the world to play a professional sport after undergoing a heart transplant, having received the heart of 17-year-old welsh boy in 1986. Their story has been well chronicled including an ESPN E:60 feature, “A Change of Heart”.
Simon Keith is not just a former professional soccer player and one of the longest-living organ transplant recipients in the world, Simon is world renown speaker, having shared his remarkable story at the Whitehouse, as well as the British and Canadian Parliaments, and with audiences around the world. Captivating audiences with his incredible story, Simon challenges people to find their “moments of truth” and dares them to live.
After receiving the gift of life at just age 21, and in the middle of a remarkable soccer career, Simon resumed his soccer career at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), playing two seasons with the Rebels and garnering many honors, including being named Student-Athlete of Year for the Conference as well as being voted as the USA’s Most Courageous Athlete. After his senior season, Simon was named the Most Valuable Player at the Senior Bowl and was drafted #1 overall into the Major Indoor Soccer League. Simon was drafted #1 overall into the USA’s Major Indoor Soccer League just three years after his surgery.
In 2011, he founded The Simon Keith Foundation, an organization dedicated to increasing organ donor awareness and supporting and educating transplant recipients. In 2018 The Simon Keith Foundation sponsored every child in the USA and Canada to attend the Transplant Games in their country.
His autobiography, Heart for the Game, details his unique life-journey, and he directs the proceeds from his book sales toward providing athletic training for other transplant recipients who undertake an active and healthy lifestyle.
In addition to his philanthropic efforts and professional soccer career, Simon is a successful entrepreneur who successfully built and sold 4 different companies over a span of 15 years. Most recently Simon served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Nevada Donor Network, a federally designated not-for-profit Organ Procurement Organization, leading the organization from a ranking of 53rd (out of 58) in the USA in 2011 to #1 in the USA from 2015-2019 (and the world) in terms of number of organ donors & organs recovered for transplant per capita.
Now one of the longest living organ transplant recipients in history, Simon has signed a major movie deal about his life with Kennedy Marshall Entertainment and the legendary movie producer Frank Marshall (Jurassic World, Jurassic World; The Fallen Kingdom, The Jason Bourne movies: Identity, Supremacy, Ultimatum, Legacy, Jason Bourne, Sully, Back to the Future 1, 2 and 3 , Raider of the Lost Ark, and many, many more).
In 2018 Simon fell ill, as his heart and kidneys began to fail. (Heart transplants average longevity is just 10 years). In an astounding twist of fate, in March 2019, Simon underwent a second heart transplant, as well as kidney transplant. Against all odds, due to a complicated immune system, Simon stood less than a 1.75% chance of ever receiving the critical lifesaving gifts needed to save his life and continue this already, remarkable, story.
Simon belongs to the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2015 was named Canada’s Humanitarian of the Year.
In addition to Simon sharing his incredible story, Simon is considered an expert in leadership development, organizational culture, and entrepreneurship.


In a significant move, the College Board has unveiled a series of changes to the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) that aim to provide a more equitable and relevant assessment for high school students across the United States. The revisions, set to take effect in the 2024-2025 academic year, come after extensive research and feedback from educators, students, and college admission officers. Here's a breakdown of the key changes:
One of the most notable changes is the elimination of the optional essay section. While the essay portion had been a component of the SAT for years, its relevance to college admissions has been questioned. This decision comes as part of an effort to streamline the exam and focus on areas that more accurately reflect a student's readiness for college-level coursework.
The revised SAT will feature content that aligns more closely with what students are learning in high school. This shift intends to emphasize the mastery of core concepts and skills that are essential for success in college and beyond. The changes will also ensure that the test remains a relevant and accurate measure of a student's academic abilities.
To adapt to the evolving technological landscape, the College Board is working toward offering a digital version of the SAT in addition to the traditional paper-and-pencil format. This digital option aims to provide a more interactive and efficient testing experience for students, complete with tools such as highlighting and on-screen calculators.
Access and Equity Enhancements
Recognizing the importance of equitable access to standardized testing, the College Board is planning to expand fee waivers for eligible students, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their ability to take the SAT. Additionally, efforts will be made to offer the digital version of the test in schools that might not have the necessary technological resources.
Score Reporting Changes
The new SAT score reporting system will provide colleges with a more comprehensive view of an applicant's performance. Instead of the current format that displays individual test scores, the revised report will present an overall "College Readiness Indicator" that encompasses a student's academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and other relevant factors.
Implications for Students and Colleges
These changes reflect the College Board's commitment to continually improve the SAT to meet the evolving needs of students and colleges. As students prepare for these revisions, educators and test preparation services are expected to adjust their strategies to align with the new content and format. Colleges, on the other hand, will need to adapt their admission criteria to accommodate the adjusted score reporting system.
Overall, the updated SAT aims to provide a more accurate representation of a student's preparedness for higher education while addressing concerns about access and equity. As the changes roll out, students and educators will undoubtedly be closely monitoring the impact of these revisions on the college admissions landscape.


Freefilmers is a collective of filmmakers and artists, originally from Mariupol, Ukraine. For the past five years, we have been working with topics of urban transformations in East Ukraine and its multicultural vibes. We have also researched the working-class creativity and industrial past and present of post-socialist cities.
Our current projects focus on memories and archives beyond official historical narratives and gender violence in patriarchal capitalist society. We have always stuck to an anti-capitalist agenda and intersectional feminism, and our goal was to create a different form of filmmaking, based on cooperation and an ethical approach.
On 24 February, Russia started a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Many cities where we used to work have been destroyed by ruscist shelling and air raids. Mariupol, Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Nova Kakhovka are all occupied as of December, 16th. Many of us have lost our homes and tools of work. Many of us have lost our friends and relatives. It is true that the loss of human life is enormous, and thousands of civilian deaths have been confirmed.
So currently the most important sequence on our timeline is not about movies, but about building a network of solidarity and support for Ukrainians who are suffering from and fighting against Russian imperialist aggression.
Now the Freefilmers are based in different parts of the world, but we are working together on recreating our home and making the whole planet a place free of violence and aggression. This should be the last imperialist colonial war. Ukraine happens to be at its centre, but it concerns every single person on the planet whose values are freedom and equality.
We don’t need producers and directors from the Global North to come to Ukraine now and hire us as fixers for their revealing feature-length movies about the war. We don’t want our stories to be re-told to the whole world while we are struggling to protect our basic rights.
Help us to survive, and we will make our own films about what we have had to live through.


Audience members were delighted as the Susquehanna Valley Chorale rang in the holiday season with the annual “Candlelight Christmas” performance. Rich voices filled the Zion Lutheran Church as the audience joined the Chorale in heartwarming carols. Candles creating a serene atmosphere were juxtaposed with bells ringing loud and clear through the sanctuary.
When asked for reactions to the concert, several audience members readily provided their input.”The concert was absolutely beautiful. Loved the brass with the choir, and, of course, the bells and harp. Lovely beginning for Christmas.”
A first-time attendee said, “This was our first SVC event. We heard about it from a family member of one of the choir members. We want to make it a yearly event to attend. My wife and I wanted to tell you how much we thoroughly enjoyed yesterday’s concert. It is by far and away the most dramatic experience one can ever imagine. ABSOLUTELY GLORIOUS!”
Another sampling of the many positive comments heard about the concert was, “I just wanted to express how much I enjoyed the SVC concert Saturday evening. It really put me in the holiday spirit. I can only imagine how much work you all put into preparing such an outstanding performance.”
And, high praise continued as an audience member singled out the conductor of the Chorale by saying,”The SVC concert was spectacular on Sunday. Please tell Bill [Payn] it was better than any Broadway show or TV special I’ve ever seen. What talent!”
For this concert, as with every one, the Chorale and conductor spend numerous hours of diligent work to practice and perfect each musical piece. For “Candlelight Christmas”, the Chorale then joined the Commonwealth Brass Ensemble, harpist Elizabeth Asmus, flutist Amy Kenny, and organist David Cover, to play the entire performance together, synchronizing and polishing all aspects of the music, before presenting it to audiences. The culmination of this detailed preparation results in appreciative audience comments as “This must be what Heaven sounds like at Christmas!”
The SVC would like to thank the sponsors, underwriters, subscribers, audience members and volunteers for making this year’s “Candlelight Christmas” performance possible. Please join us at our next performance in March. The SVC will present Voices of Light, a combination of music and film featuring the 1928 silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc with a score by composer Richard Einhorn, on Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 12 at 2 p.m. at the Campus Theatre in downtown Lewisburg. Tickets may be ordered online, www.svcmusic.org, or by phone, 570-547-0455. Order early to reserve your place as seating is limited.


Doors to WellBeing Webinar with the Copeland Center
October 31, 2023
CLICK for required preregistration
Fighting for Recovery reveals how grassroots activists challenged medical authority and popular opinion to insist upon recovery for people managing a mental illness. Since the middle of the last century, people with a lived experience have upended conventional beliefs that deterioration was inevitable. With an abiding pursuit of choice, they opposed the use of force and built a movement with innovative service options.They focused on person-centered needs, the development of skills with respect for strengths, and situated their work within broad-based fights for equity and social justice.
Readers will meet leaders from California to Maine who campaigned for peer services, who designed non-coercive crisis programs, and who sought respite rather than institutionalization while decrying the injustice of criminalizing mental illnesses. They will discover the charisma of leaders such as Howie the Harp, Judi Chamberlin, Sally Zinman, and dozens more, who insisted on humane services while fighting for recovery.
Fighting for Recovery is available for pre-order.
What READERS are saying
"a ground up rather than a top down approach. . an important contribution to the historial literature."
--Matthew Rozsa, Salon
"In this essential history, Phyllis Vine recounts the long movement for liberation and recovery of people with mental illness and those who've led this imperative and incredible work."
--Karla J. Strand, Ms. Magazine
"Borne out of love for a brother, executived with storytelling flair, and featuring a parade of inpassioned individuals, FIGHTING FOR RECOVERY introducded me to waves of brilliant reforms - and reminded me of the villains who thwarted them. . .Armed with that sense of solidarity and this illuminating history, I feel newly resolved to keep fighting."
--Rachel Simon, author of Riding The Bus WIth My Sister and The story of Beautiful Girl
"an astonishing narrative . . . written in a crisp and clear fashion. . .This is a one-of-a-kind guide for understanding the complex fight to create healing and caring environments, and a clarion call for the next generations to finish the job."
—Dr. Courtenay Harding, former director, Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery at the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies.
"You may have wondered why 'psychiatry has been slow to adopt recovery programs.' That verdict (coming after more than three hundred pages of painstakingly documented history) will be less mysterious—but not one iota less sad—to any reader of what came before it."
—Kim J. Hopper, author of Reckoning with Homelessness
"must-reading for anyone who wants to understand how the mental health field has developed and where it must go in the future."
—Ron Manderscheid, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
"a long-overdue history of the mental health rights movement in America that is both poignant and scholarly. . . a singular accomplishment."
—Steve Coe, former CEO of Community Access
"As the daughter of a father who suffered from schizophrenia. . .Vine's book finally gives me hope."
—Arlene Notoro Morgan, assistant dean, Klein College of Media and Communications at Temple University, and advisory member, Rosalynn Carter Journalism Fellowship on Mental Health.
"Its historic sweep details the development of our movement over decades and provides a vivid reminder that the fight for recovery and rights requires us to stay vigilant."
—Harvey Rosenthal, CEO, New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
"with compelling examples, the impact that former consumers of mental health services have had and continue to have on destigmatizing mental illness. . . She takes us behind the scenes to explore the possibility of recovery."
—Risdon N. Slate, author of The Criminalization of Mental Illness


Unmitigated Global Warming Could Make Some Regions Uninhabitable
Extreme temperatures and humidity around the Persian Gulf are likely to approach and exceed a threshold of human tolerance within this century if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase on their current trajectory, according to new research released online today by the journal Nature Climate Change.
These findings, by Jeremy Pal of Loyola Marymount University, and Elfatih Eltahir of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, suggest that human habitability of major cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Dhahran and Bandar Abbas may be severely impacted by extreme weather events in the future.
The human body can shed heat through evaporative cooling of perspiration provided that the wet-bulb temperature — a combined measure of temperature and humidity — remains below 95 F (35 C), which the scientists say converts to a heat index or feels like a temperature of 170 F.
Pal and Eltahir used a number of high-resolution regional climate model simulations to project the incidence of extremes of wet-bulb temperature around the Persian Gulf toward the end of the 21st century (2071–2100).
“These extreme temperatures are likely to become a normal summertime heat wave event by the end of the century, if no progress on climate change is made,” said Pal. “On a more positive note, we show that greenhouse gas mitigation efforts would greatly reduce the probability of occurrence of these extremes in temperature.”


While it’s hard to anticipate the future bearing of the different web-based media stages, it tends to be fascinating to note what methodologies advertisers are really intending to execute, which, in enormous part, will reflect where they see things headed, in view of their true encounters.
So where will advertisers spend a greater amount of their online media time and cash in 2020?
In a new survey series, we requested individuals from the SMT people group this careful inquiry. More than 1000 individuals reacted, telling us where they intend to center their promoting time and energy in 2020.
This is what they said:
Which online media stages will advertisers invest the greater part of their energy in 2020?
In spite of the fact that we just remembered four significant stages for this study, our survey shows that Instagram will be the principle focal point of most promoting systems in the coming year, with Facebook arriving in a nearby second.
Other social stages — like Pinterest, Youtube, Snapchat and TikTok —were excluded, so its even more an overall outline in this regard. This isn’t to imply that that these different stages will not assume a significant part for certain organizations, however to keep the survey concentrate more broad, we just incorporated the key part here.
Realizing that numerous advertisers are intending to invest the majority of their energy and cash on Instagram one year from now probably shows a couple of things:
Instagram has demonstrated to be an effective stage for advertisers to fabricate their image and arrive at other promoting and deals objectives
Advertisements and promoting content on Instagram will just expansion in 2020
Contest will be higher on Instagram
Alternately, rivalry might be to a lesser extent a battle on different stages
On the off chance that you intend to showcase on Instagram in 2020, regardless of whether through promotions or natural substance, ensure that you invest the energy to make something genuinely effective. You would prefer not to slack on imaginative substance here, or you’ll probably miss out to the opposition.
What kind of content will advertisers use in 2020 to meet their objectives?
We as a whole have one of a kind promoting objectives that decide the sorts of content we decide to make. What we were generally inquisitive about here is whether any of these substance types could wind up overwhelming the web-based media scene in 2020.
Our survey results show that social promotions and in-house (natural) content to be the principle center for most of advertisers, however different types of content, (for example, force to be reckoned with posts and UGC) will be nearly as significant. No type of content came out as an unmistakable champ accordingly.
On the off chance that we join social advertisements and powerhouse posts into a gathering of “paid substance” versus UGC, and in-house content as “natural substance,” the outcomes at split 50/50. The two types of promoting will be utilized intensely in the coming year; neither sort of content will overwhelm advertising systems.
As the year finds some conclusion, it merits utilizing this calmer opportunity to ponder what more established systems you’ll bring into the new decade, and what more current ones it could be an ideal opportunity to execute.