Rabat Holds Conference on Ways to Stop Political Corruption in Africa
Rabat – ‘The fight against corruption in public services in Africa’ is the theme of the 13th Forum of African Ministers of Civil Service, held in Rabat on July 5 and 6.Delegation heads of the African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD) countries will join African ministers of civil service reform “to examine and debate the mediums that should be put in place to design and develop strategies to fight against corruption and promote public governance and development of the African countries.”Topics to be discussed include: the socio-economic impacts of corruption, national strategies for the early detection and prevention of public wealth violation, and the emergence of a civic culture of responsibility for preventing and combating corruption. Mohamed Ben Abdelkader, president of CAFRAD’s executive committee, will chair the forum, where the working languages are French, Arabic, Portuguese, and English.The board of directors met on Monday to approve the budget for 2017-18 and preselect the candidates for the second ever Pan-African Civil Service Pride.CAFRAD was established in Tangier in 1964 and counts 36 nations as members, even though membership is open to all of countries in Africa.
Watch: Dolphin Leaps Feet Away From Unsuspecting SurferNASA Says 2 Asteroids Will Safely Fly By Earth This Weekend “We want to be serious and scientific about this. The quality of the drawing, both to the naked eye and under imaging analysis” shows it was the work of an exceptional hand,” Deldicque told AFP. “But, experts cannot be “absolutely certain (it was by Leonardo) and we may never be.” A charcoal sketch that resembles the Mona Lisa has puzzled art experts for decades. Now, a new analysis of the mysterious artwork suggests that it might be one of Leonardo da Vinci’s historic drawings.Experts at the Louvre, an art museum in Paris, have been studying a charcoal drawing known as the Monna Vanna, which was thought to be connected to the Renaissance painter’s studio. But, the strange charcoal sketch, which is held at the Conde Museum in Chantilly, France, might have to be reclassified due to this examination, Agence France-Presse reported.(Photo Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Christophel Fine Art/UIG via Getty Images)“There is a very strong possibility that Leonardo did most of the drawing,” Mathieu Deldicque, a curator at the Paris museum, told AFP. “It is a work of very great quality done by a great artist,” added Deldicque, who initiated an investigation at the C2RMF laboratory under the Louvre.The large drawing has been held at the Conde Museum since 1862. According to Deldicque, it could have been the, “preparatory work for an oil painting,” and the drawing’s hands and body bear a striking resemblance to the Mona Lisa, one of da Vinci’s most famous pieces on display at the Louvre.The Mona Lisa (Photo Credit: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)The lab’s microscopic examinations showed that the sketch was drawn from the top left towards the bottom right, which showed the movements of a left-handed artist. Even though da Vinci passed away in 1519, he’s one of the most memorable left-handed painters of all time.Studying the piece wasn’t easy: Bruno Mottin, a Louvre conservation expert who previously confirmed that the sketch was from da Vinci’s lifetime, was thrown off by the area at the top of the nude woman’s head, which showed right-handed movements. However, new elements have been found since then, and there were left-handed charcoal marks spotted throughout the drawing.More tests will need to be done though to determine if this strange semi-nude sketch is actually the work of da Vinci. Stay on target More on Geek.com:Watch: Man Transforms Ice Rink Into Snowy ‘Mona Lisa’ MasterpieceThe Mona Lisa Isn’t Staring At You (But Other Portraits Are)Comic Artist Jen Bartel Reveals ‘Captain Marvel’ Adidas Shoe
BUDGET AND DIVIDENDThe version of the state operating budget passed by the House and the one the Senate is working on reject the level of cuts proposed by Dunleavy. The House-passed budget did not include a permanent fund dividend amount, with House leadership saying that issue would be debated separately, later.Debate over the dividend snarled the House’s deliberations on the budget last year. The $1,600 check that was politically agreeable on that side is what ultimately was settled upon. Debate this year, too, is politically fraught.When lawmakers last year decided to use permanent fund earnings, the pot used to pay dividends, to help cover government costs amid an ongoing budget deficit, the dividend began competing with other programs for funding.Sen. Lyman Hoffman, a Bethel Democrat, said Tuesday that having government “take the first bite of the apple puts the dividend potentially at risk.” He said the split between what goes to government and what goes to dividends should be settled.Dunleavy campaigned on following the formula in state law for a full dividend payout after three years of reduced payouts. He has not said specifically what he would do if lawmakers deliver a smaller dividend.But he has said he won’t be afraid to flex any of his constitutional powers, which include veto authorities. The Legislature can override vetoes if it musters sufficient support. While voters years ago approved a 90-day legislative session, that mark came and went with little acknowledgment earlier this month. Legislative leaders early on cast doubt on whether their work could be completed in 90 days, with Dunleavy releasing his budget a month into session and the House failing to organize until around that time. The constitution permits 121-day regular sessions, with an option to extend for another 10. The 121-day mark would be hit May 15. Facebook0TwitterEmailPrintFriendly分享JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The biggest issues heading into this year’s legislative session remain unresolved in the session’s final weeks, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy facing resistance to pieces of his agenda. CRIME BILLSDunleavy said Monday he was “imploring” lawmakers to move his crime bills, which deal with sex offenses, sentencing, pretrial and probation and parole. He said he wants to deal with “the criminal element” versus trying to address issues such as recidivism, preparing inmates for release and substance abuse. Those will be worked on, he said.“But the people of Alaska, I believe right now, demand that we get these bills that we filed moving and out before the session is over,” he said.Rep. Matt Claman, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said each of Dunleavy’s bills is “massive.” Claman, an Anchorage Democrat, favors prioritizing, finding areas that broadly can be agreed upon and working longer-term on other areas.Senate President Cathy Giessel said the Senate, which has been vetting the bills, and the House “have to reach agreement, and that’s what the next few weeks is about,” she said.The Anchorage Republican expects lawmakers to act on crime bills of some kind.Dunleavy said he would not rule out a special session if lawmakers don’t act on his bills. Lawmakers have yet to finalize a budget. The size of the check residents will get this year from the state’s oil-wealth fund, the Alaska Permanent Fund, is unsettled, as is the debate over the program’s future. The Republican governor wants lawmakers to pass his package of bills related to crime and act on proposed constitutional amendments pitched as part of his fiscal plan. But he faces pushback, with a key House member wanting to focus initially on issues related to public safety with the broadest level of support and other lawmakers arguing that the push for constitutional changes may not be realistic. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTSDunleavy wants action on proposed constitutional amendments addressing taxes, the dividend and spending. Two-thirds support in each chamber is needed to send such proposals to voters.Response so far has been tepid, though some, notably in the Senate, have shown interest in replacing in law an existing spending limit.Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman said constitutional amendments are difficult to deliver, “otherwise we’d have the constitution changed every four years.”
Randall-Reilly, an 83-year-old publishing company, has evolved beyond print media in the last decade, and now views itself as a leader in “data-as-a-service” and data-driven marketing solutions for industrial markets including heavy duty trucking, driver recruiting, construction equipment, agricultural equipment and machine tools, according to the statement. “Aurora’s operating resources and experience with companies in the software and information services sector make them an ideal partner for Randall-Reilly as we continue to evolve our business model and add new capabilities for our clients,” said Brent Reilly, CEO of Randall-Reilly, in the statement. “We are tremendously proud of our team’s track record of innovation and believe the company is at the cutting edge of data and data-driven marketing services in our industries. We look forward to working with Aurora to invest further in technology, talent and processes to generate best-in-class insights and outcomes for our clients.” B2B media company Randall-Reilly announced Monday that it’s been acquired by the Los Angeles-based private-equity firm Aurora Capital. Randall-Reilly, which serves the trucking, construction and agricultural markets, among others, and is based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, had been owned by another private-equity firm, Investcorp, the Bahrain-based former owner of SourceMedia.
Key company leadership, including CEO Brent Reilly and COO Shane Elmore, will remain in their respective roles, Aurora said in a statement. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “Randall-Reilly’s proprietary data and data-centric approach to creating value for clients position it to benefit as more companies embrace data and analytics to drive business performance,” added Josh Klinefelter, a partner at Aurora in Monday’s announcement. “The company’s market leadership, strong culture and reputation for delivering innovative solutions to its partners have fueled impressive growth and client loyalty.”
HYDERABAD: On June 23 after Rain slashed in many parts of Hyderabad. West Zone of Hyderabad was the most badly affected Within just a few hours of rain derailing the free flow of traffic in many areas in the IT hub of West zone, The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Monday decided to deploy Instant Repairs Team and Motors to pump out inundated water from waterlogged areas. Also Read – Opposition leaders exhort farmers to step up agitation Advertise With Us Serilingampally, Khajaguda received 8.28 cm rainfall till 8:30 am followed by Raidurg which received 7.63 cm and Madhpur recorded 7.6 cm. In all, 28 water stagnation points and 15 trees uprooted were reported from different areas and the GHMC EVDM teams have rushed to clear all the locations. said the officials. All the nalas and manholes were cleared off the plastic and other trash to ensure a free flow of water. GHMC Commissioner Dana Kishore said additional sanitary workers and bobcats were being deployed to clear the accumulated slit in Madhapur, Hitec city and surrounding areas. He also said sweeping machines will be introduced to maintain road sanitation.
Ananya PandayInstagramLatest Bollywood sensation Ananya Panday impressed all with her performance in Student of the Year 2. Now the diva is prepping for her next film Pati Patni Aur Who, which also features Kartik Aaryan and Bhumi Pednekar.In an exclusive interview with International Business Times India, Ananya spoke about her role in her next film, the experience of working with her ‘crush’ Kartik, her role model from the industry and a lot more.Here are excerpts from the interview:IBT: You have made an impressive debut with SOTY 2. How much has your life changed now and in what ways?Ananya: I think me as a person, I am still the same. Even now when I go out to meet people, I get the feeling that my film is going to be released while it has actually already been watched. It is an extremely surreal feeling for me. Earlier, a few people used to know me, but now people know me more, and they talk about my performance that is even more precious.IBT: A lot about nepotism is said every time a star kid makes a debut. How did you handle it and is that an added pressure?Ananya: It was obviously a pressure, and I was always aware of my privilege. I have always told people that nepotism exists, not just in Bollywood but in every industry. But it is your work that speaks at the end of the day. So I believe, instead of making a comment on this, we should keep working hard and I am sure people will like you. Ananya PandayPR HandoutIBT: Tell us something about your role in Pati Patni Aur Woh.Ananya: It’s a very different film. I am playing a slightly older character in it, and she is a very different character Shreya (her character in Student of the Year 2). The film, in general, is not exactly a remake, but a premise is the same. It’s a modernised version of the original film. I think it has a very relatable story, and people will enjoy watching it.IBT: So now you are working with your crush Kartik Aaryan with whom you share a close bonding. Is it anyway easier to work with Kartik for the friendship than how it was with Tiger in SOTY 2?Ananya: Actually, I am more familiar with Tiger than what I am with Kartik. Tiger and my family know each other very well. In fact, when Heropanti had just released, my mom had sent me to meet Tiger and seek some advice. So I had met him long before I was an actor. People say he is shy, but with me, he is very open, and it was wonderful working with him. And for Kartik, we both are very similar minded, we like making people laugh. With him, it is a very comfortable equation, and as an actor, he is extremely selfless because he always tries to make a scene look better than just his own character.IBT: Who is your role model from the industry?Ananya: I really look up to Alia (Bhatt). She has been my favourite since the start of her career. Her career graph is so impressive. She started so raw, and then people just kept seeing her grow. She is definitely a role model for me. Ananya Panday and Alia BhattInstagramIBT: Apart from you, a number of other actresses like Janhvi, Sara and Tara made their debuts around the same time. How do you see this competition?Ananya: I love competition, especially when it’s healthy competition. When I see all of them do such good work, I feel inspired to do good work myself. There is space for everyone as there are many roles and scripts being written. I feel it is really a good time to be in the industryIBT: If not an actress, what would Ananya want to be?Ananya: I would be wanting to be an actress if I wasn’t one (laughs). I don’t think I know anything else. I always wanted to be an actor.IBT: Where do you see yourself five years down the line?Ananya: Five years down the line, I see myself acting in a lot of movies with good directors and actors that I always wanted to work with. I just want to do more and more films.IBT: Do you have a bucket list of directors that you want to work with?Ananya: I would love to work with Zoya Akhtar, she is my favourite director, and working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali will be a dream come true. Also, I want Karan Johar to direct something, and I would want to be part of that as well. Even David Dhawan is in my list. I have a long list.IBT: And who are the actors you are keen to work with?Ananya: I really want to work with Varun Dhawan and Ranveer Singh. I am waiting to work with them.
More than 10 girls have accused the Principal of a Bangladeshi Madrassa of rape and sexual harassment since 2018.Representative ImageBangladeshi police have arrested the principal of Baitul Huda Cadet Madrasa for raping at least a dozen girls since 2018 at Fatulla region outside Dhaka. The accused claimed he was ‘possessed by Satan’, and said he was innocent.Al Amin was arrested on Thursday by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) for sexually assaulting children studying in his institution. His criminal acts came to light after the mother of a 10-year-old girl victim filed a case of rape against him.Chief of RAB Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Samser Uddin said the mother came to know about his acts after the child watched a TV show that depicted sexual assault and told her that the principal “did the same to her,” reported AFP.Uddin also said the investigation revealed that the principal raped 10 to 12 girls since 2018 and tried to violate many others. They also found videos of forced sexual intercourse in his cellphone and his personal computer.Officials said that when his wife wouldn’t be at their house or after the Madrassa would be ‘closed,’ the teacher used to threaten girls of beating, giving poor marks in exams and failing them in exams to force the girls into his house, reported The Daily Star.Amin who is also an imam of a local mosque, later confessed that he forcibly raped several of his students. He is reportedly charged under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and the Digital Security Act.The incident sparked protests across the town as demonstrators demanded justice and punishment for the heinous acts by the religious figure.In April, a 19-year-old-girl, Nusrat Jahan Rafi, was burnt to death by attackers under the orders of a Madrassa principal after she refused to withdraw a sexual assault case against him. The incident received widespread media attention. Police probe found 16 men guilty and are facing the death penalty. Their case is presently on trial. Data reveal, in Bangladesh, rape against minors increased 41 per cent in 2019 as compared to 2018, according to a recent report by Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF).
Video Playerhttps://cdn.hpm.io/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/04052322/Baytown-PD-OIS-case-17-19862.mp400:0000:0000:35Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.The Baytown Police Department released a video clip featuring a suspect vehicle as they continued to search for the person who fatally shot a Harris County deputy on Monday.Harris County Precinct 3 Assistant Chief Deputy Clinton Greenwood was shot just after 7 a.m. as he arrived for work at the Baytown Courthouse Annex, located in the 700 block of West Baker Road, Baytown police said.Dave McDermand | Houston Public MediaPolice and emergency responders were investigating the killing of Harris County Precinct 3 Assistant Chief Deputy Clinton Greenwood in Baytown on April 3rd, 2017.“Whether or not he was specifically targeted, or whether this was because of the uniform he was wearing or the place he pulled up to in the morning, we just don’t know that right now,” Baytown police Lt. Steve Dorris told the Associated Press.Greenwood suffered a single gunshot wound, police said. A Life Flight helicopter transported him to Hermann Hospital where he died Monday morning.Baytown Police Department Screen grab of video clip of a suspect vehicle in the murder of Assistant Chief Deputy Clinton Greenwood.Baytown police released a brief suspect description as they released video of the vehicle late Monday evening.“Along with the vehicle in this video we are also currently looking for a white or Hispanic male, approximately 6’0 to 6’3 tall, short hair and medium to stocky build. This person was possibly wearing a dark jacket with some type of patch on the sleeve and was seen in the area around the time of the shooting,” Baytown police said.KBTV Fox 4 twitter accountHarris Deputy Constable Clint Greenwood died from gunshot wounds on April 3rd, 2017, in Baytown.Greenwood, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, was also a seasoned trial attorney who graduated from Rice University and served two stints at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. He also had his own law office in the downtown area. Greenwood had also worked for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering a reward of up to $50,000, while Baytown Crime Stoppers says it will pay up to $15,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the suspect in this case.Anyone with information is asked to contact the Baytown Police Department at 281-422-8371, Baytown Crime Stoppers at 281-422-TIPS (8477) or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). Share
Which Carrier Has The Fastest Mobile Network?T-Mobile CEO John Legere Pens Cookbook/Business Manual Lennon and McCartney. Batman and Robin. Peanut butter and jelly. Thelma and Louise. Bacon and eggs. Rocky and Bullwinkle. T-Mobile and Taco Bell?An unlikely pair, the mobile brand and fast-food chain have teamed up to bring smartphones and tacos to everyone.Following their successful “free taco every week” giveaway with T-Mobile Tuesdays during this year’s Super Bowl, the companies are back together with new co-branded stores.Promising food, freezes, and freebies (as well as on-location DJs), T-MoBell pop-ups will open at T-Mobile Signature Stores in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily on July 23 through 25.Each location will also serve up “celebrity” meet-and-greets to celebrate the opening; you’ll have a chance to snap a selfie with surprise special guests (including The Bachelor‘s Colton Underwood at the Chicago T-MoBell).Arrive early for your pick of exclusive merchandise, like taco-themed socks and a stick-on phone wallet. Then stick around for a chance to win “fun swag” (think sunglasses and taco-shaped foam hat).“People love tacos. And they love their phones,” T-Mobile CEO John Legere said in a statement. “T-MoBell is the ultimate fusion of those two loves, and we can’t wait to show everyone what we’ve cooked up.”You don’t have to be a T-Mobile customer—or even in a T-MoBell launch city—to take advantage of the handouts.Just follow T-Mobile on Twitter starting July 23 (and stopping July 26) for your chance to win a year of free tacos (i.e. a $500 Taco Bell gift card), Powerbeats Pro wireless headphones, an Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 speaker, and more.More on Geek.com:Taco Bell Gives Sneak Peek of Its Insta-Worthy Palm Springs HotelT-Mobile CEO John Legere Pens Cookbook/Business ManualT-Mobile and 20th Century Fox Announce Deal for Cheap Movie Tickets Stay on target
Mets infielder Wilmer Flores is recovering after suffering a painful self inflicted wound, suffered during an at-bat against the Astros.Flores managed to break his own nose when he fouled a ball off his own face after a hack in the 4th inning. There’s a first time for everything, and that’s not always a good thing. In this case, it’s painful as hell.Good lord this must have hurt.
A DNA sequence. The first cell with a working artificial addition to its DNA has been created. (Credit: Gio.tto/Shutterstock)Scientists have taken another step towards putting two additional letters in the dictionary of life to work.Researchers at the Scripps Institute have engineered cells to successfully transcribe a brand new artificial DNA base pair and make a never-before-seen protein with it. The breakthrough is part of an effort to expand the library of amino acids that animal cells can work with, potentially leading to the creation of compounds entirely different from those life can produce now.The work was led by Floyd Romesberg, an associate professor of chemistry at Scripps, and adds to his 20-year effort to create synthetic DNA “letters.” DNA is currently comprised of four nucleotides, or letters: C, G, A and T—C binds to G, A binds to T. These couplings, or base pairs, comprise DNA as we know it. Romesberg and colleagues created two completely new letters, he calls them X and Y, and inserted them into a cell’s genome. Instead of four base pairs, the “semi-synthetic” cell now has six.This drastically increases the number of codons — you can think of them as genetic “words” — and therefore, the number of things cells can make. Currently, there are 64 different triplet combinations of C-G and A-T possible. Three of those are stop codons, and many combinations are redundant, leaving our bodies with just 20 codons, or words, to make compounds with. Add in another base pair, and the number of potential words increases to 216. That more than triples the total, and the potential applications are vast.“We will never need more codons,” he says. “We can now write more information in cells than we’d ever want to use.”Expanding VocabularyIn 2014, Romesberg successfully coaxed a cell to incorporate his custom X and Y base pair to its DNA, and found that it would remain there as long as he kept supplying the nucleotides. He’s now shown, in a Nature paper published Wednesday, that cells can not only hold on to the new base pairs, but they can use custom RNA sequences to transcribe codons with these new base pairs into something tangible.Transcription is the process by which RNA copies bits of DNA and uses them to make things our bodies need. With new base pairs, the cells could make new codons, and those new genetic words held the blueprints for compounds that were previously impossible for cells to make. What’s more, the cells transcribed the new codons just as efficiently as the natural ones.Adding the base pair to DNA demonstrated that storage was possible, he says, his latest work shows that the information can be retrieved works, and now he must show that cells can actually use the new compounds they make to do something interesting.The first semi-synthetic organism, an E. coli bacteria expressing proteins made from “unnatural base pairs.” (Credit: William B. Kiosses)Romesberg provides a demonstration of this by adding in two new amino acids to a common fluorescent protein called GFP using E. coli bacteria. Bacterial cells with the extra base pair were able to produce amino acids that showed up in the flowing cells, proving that a new compound could make it from DNA to reality in a cell. The potential applications go far beyond glowing proteins, of course. Animal cells are currently only able to produce a finite set of things, limited by the number of genetic words they have to work with.“We are making amino acids that are not normally made, cells are not capable of storing the information to make them,” Romesberg says.This could mean new medicines, new nanomaterials, new reagents for chemical reactions. It could also eventually mean cells that can carry out functions no cell today can.Don’t PanicWith the mention of new types of cells, thoughts of nightmare science-fiction scenarios are inevitable. Romesberg says that there are significant barriers to these cells ever making it outside the lab, however.“One thing that’s really important to keep in mind is that we have a fail-safe built into this,” he says. “X and Y are unnatural nucleotides, [they] are not made by the cell. And this is not a “Jurassic Park” situation because these are man-made things.”In his previous work getting cells to add the X and Y nucleotides into their DNA, he found that the cells immediately purged the base pair from the DNA as soon as he stopped giving it to them. Because these nucleotides aren’t natural, animal cells can’t manufacture them. The only way to keep them in a cell’s DNA is to keep them in the lab where they can be constantly supplied with new materials.“They are not trivial molecules, they’re unlike anything a cell already makes,” Romesberg says. “It would have to assemble two complete new pathways out of something from which it has nothing similar to.”For applications like creating new drugs, this would work fine because researchers could just keep giving them the supplies they need. If they escaped, however, the synthetic nucleotide would disappear from their genome.“For a long time, people thought that the molecules of life were somehow different and privileged relative to the molecules of things that weren’t alive,” Romesberg says. “Maybe the molecules of life aren’t as special as we thought. And maybe a chemist can come in and design things that function alongside them. Maybe life is not the perfect solution, maybe life is a solution.”
<< Previous PostNext Post >> Iceland Fly & Drive packages new with Air Canada Vacations Posted by Tags: Air Canada Vacations, Iceland Thursday, March 23, 2017 
Share Travelweek Group MONTREAL — Air Canada Vacations’ new Europe and Cruise brochure, set for release next week, includes Fly & Drive packages to Iceland complementing Air Canada Rouge’s new service to Reykjavik this June.Featured itineraries include ‘Around Iceland’ and ‘Classic Iceland’ centering on the country’s natural wonders and formations including glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes and hot springs.‘Around Iceland’ focuses on Reykjavik, Akureyri, Egilsstadir, Hofn and Vik. Suggested stops include Lake Myvatn, Skaftafell National Park, the Hverfjall crater, the fishing village of Husavik, the East Fjords and the Gullfoss waterfall. Featured sights for ‘Classic Iceland’ include UNESCO World Heritage Site Thingvellir National Park and the Icelandic parliament – established in 930 AD – in Reykjavik.Other highlights include a drive across the black sand plain of Myrdalssandur and the black lava pearl beach of Djupalonssandur; a hike through Skaftafell National Park and the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon; and an optional boat trip for an up-close experience of the country’s glaciers.More news: Honolulu authorities investigate arsons at 3 Waikiki hotels; no injuries reportedAir Canada Rouge’s summer seasonal service to Reykjavik is scheduled to operate four times weekly from Toronto and three times weekly from Montreal.Accompanying the launch of its new Europe collection, ACV is offering savings of $300 per couple; a reduced deposit; free seat selection; and 4,000 bonus Aeroplan Miles (10,000 extra miles on Ireland packages). This promotion is applicable on all pre-bundled air-inclusive packages.ACV is also offering a discount coupon of an additional $100 off when clients book a European package with a travel agent. Both offers are valid until March 31 for travel April 1 – Oct. 31.Europe cruise promotions include:ACV’s CruiseAir BOGO sale: 50% off airfare for second passengers on all air and cruise bookingsNorwegian’s Canada at Par: Applies to select 2017 European cruises onboard Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian StarMSC’s 2-for-1: Rates include a 50% discount for the first two passengers plus a reduced deposits of $70 per person. Kids also sail free on select sailings.Royal Caribbean International: 30% off all Europe cruisesMore news: Apply now for AQSC’s agent cruise ratesAll of the above offers are valid until March 31. Agents earn 8% commission on the flight portion of all air and cruise bookings.
Monday, June 26, 2017 << Previous PostNext Post >> Executive shake-up at The Travel Corporation Canada TORONTO — Effective today Cris David has taken over as President of Lion World Travel, while Brad Ford is now President of Insight Vacations. Both brands are part of The Travel Corporation Canada.The company said it “continues to innovate and shifts gears” with the executive appointments in one of its most successful and strong booking years ever.“One of TTC’s greatest strengths is our team members’ talents, strong skill sets and the ability to adapt, as our business continues to grow year over year. We are very committed to promoting from within, whenever possible,” said Jeff Element, President of The Travel Corporation Canada. “Cris David and Brad Ford are proven, strong leaders who were both previously Contiki Canada’s President, and these lateral appointments perfectly compliment their respective, extensive industry experience. We heartily congratulate them both in their new roles.”David was most recently President of Insight Vacations Canada.Element further adds: “Cris’ family roots are South African and he has admired and worked with Lion World Travel’s CEO, Lucile Sive for the past 15 years who is also a fellow South African and he has first-hand experience and knowledge of the African continent and its growing tourism economy. His eight years of leadership at Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold is the perfect segue to promote Lion World’s affordable luxury safaris.”More news: Sunwing offers ultimate package deal ahead of YXU flights to SNU, PUJFord was Contiki Canada’s President for six years. Ford “has effectively enhanced our relationships with our valued industry partners,” says Element. “Also, his in-depth expertise in promoting Europe, The Americas, Down Under and Asia will enable him to strategically highlight Insight Vacations’ ever expanding premium and luxury product portfolio across six continents. It is truly exciting times ahead for our organization and they have our full support.” Travelweek Group 
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This is the story of Nicaraguan-based French artist Jean Marc Calvet – a man whose complex life and misfortunes overwhelmed him while he was living in Costa Rica in 2001. This is also the story of a man who saw the light after many years of suffering by discovering his love of painting in Costa Rica, which changed the course of his life into a positive, healthy and successful one through art. Here is the story of Jean Marc Calvet. Part I of III.It’s 1979. Young Jean Marc stumbles, lonely, through the streets of Nice, France, the place where he was born. These are the streets that saw him grow while watching his parents get a divorce. These are the streets he has called home since leaving his house at an early age.Jean Marc is only twelve years old and has experienced what no one his age, or any age, should have to live through: he was violently assaulted and raped in a public bathroom.“Afterwards I went to a public garden and stayed there, dirty, for three days. I was sick, covered with blood because it was a very violent thing. I was a child,” Jean Marc Calvet recalled during his conversation with The Tico Times at Cala Luna during his visit to this year’s Tamarindo Art Wave Festival. René Valenzuela / Upgrade ComunicaciónAfter those three days, Calvet reacted to the trauma by creating Marco, an imaginary character who would protect him from any danger that might come his way.“Marco had to be violent,” Calvet explained. “He shouldn’t be afraid of anything. It’s not me, but I needed him. After three days he came out saying: never again will an adult hurt me. It was not a good reaction.”Marco slowly and steadily began building an imaginary but unbreakable wall around Calvet, taking over the child’s personality. As the artist explains it today, Marco did not allow people to get to know Calvet on an emotional level, and denied Calvet the capacity to give to others.“I got into a gang and everything changed. [I] was always violent with myself because I thought it was my fault. Many times you blame yourself. Why was I there in that moment?” he said. Via calvetmovie.comThe young man began to use drugs and alcohol as well.“I always needed to feel dirty: my soul, my body. I needed to punish myself. Why? Because I had never spoken [about the rape],” said Calvet.In 1986, he realized living on the streets was simply too dangerous.“There was a moment in life on the streets where I told myself: if I don’t get out of the streets, I’ll either die or I’ll end up in jail. So I signed up for the special forces in my country, the French Foreign Legion, and I was a sniper for years,” he explained. However, the imaginary Marco and the substances he abused were still very much in the picture. Via calvetmovie.com“I started going around with bad people. I was a bodyguard in Nice, France. I found a person who was hiding for a lot of money… and started working with him in Miami and Las Vegas. He trusted no one. The FBI was looking for him. He’s dead now,” Calvet told The Tico Times.The event caused Calvet to seek a drastic change.“It’s enough. This is over. I wanted beautiful things. I didn’t want dark things,” he said. He left the United States in a taxi, crossing the border between Laredo and New Laredo. Via calvetmovie.com“I arrived and told myself I had to catch a plane to disappear. I went to a travel agency and there was a plane to Costa Rica. I got onto the plane. I needed a calm country, not a country where there was war. No war. No violence,” Jean Marc said.It was 2001 when Jean Marc Calvet finally reached his destination: Costa Rica. But more than ever, Marco was alive within him. Costa Rica, the paradise of pura vida, was no paradise for Jean Marc once Marco took over. Costa Rica was the place were both Marco and Jean Marc would create their own hell.Stay tuned for Part II. Jean Marc Calvet’s artistic career has taken him to the United States, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zeland, England, and France. He has spoken at the National Fine Arts School in Nicaragua. In Costa Rica, his work can be found at the Klaus Steinmetz Contemporary Art Gallery in Escazú; an exhibit of his work is opening there today, Saturday, April 14. Facebook Comments Related posts:Jean Marc Calvet, part II: Fighting against Marco Jean Marc Calvet, part III: Leaving Marco behind The 12 best Costa Rican-made holiday gifts from the Mercado Tropical 5 questions for a Costa Rican fashion designer
<a href=”http://www.etbtravelnews.global/click/24813/” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://adsvr.travelads.biz/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=132&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE&n=ada84479″ border=”0″ alt=””></a> Source = e-Travel Blackboard: C.F PacificFlier, a new Palau based carrier, is scheduled to take to the skies for first time on January 7, 2010.PacificFlier will offer services from The Republic of Palau to Manila (Clark Field), The Philippines, Guam, Tokyo (Narita), Japan and Brisbane, Australia.* The flying time to the popular tourism destination of Micronesia, namely Palau and Guam, is approximately six hours and it is in the same time zone as Australia’s east coast.PacificFlier is offering a number of competitively priced, introductory passenger fares, freight fares and holiday packages to both Palau and Guam for all bookings make until January 7. Travel bookings can be made through PacificFlier’s online agent system WorldTicket once agents have been given a log in or through the airlines call centre. Travel agents will receive a 7% commission on air, 12% on land and 10% of tactical land specials. Published fares for Brisbane to Palau start from $995.00 return including taxes and for Brisbane to Guam $915.00 return including taxes. For all enquiries visit www.pacificflier.com or call 1300 220 757 *Flight schedule subject to government approval 
The country of Ecuador is located in north west of South America, with a Pacific Ocean coastline, lying on the Equator between Colombia, to the northeast, and Peru, to the south and east. Ecuador is the most biodiverse country in the world and has over one hundred different types of hummingbirds and thousands of orchid varieties.Source: World Travel Guides
July 2, 2008 This continues the report from 6/30/08. On the zig-zag ramp under construction, Landscaping coordinator Ron Chandler expertly maneuvers the largest rocks with help of a backhoe. [Photo & text: sa] After the backhoe work, Director Tomiaki Tamura and Ron survey the terrain once more. [Photo & text: sa] Tomiaki and Ron determined the exact gradation of the path and layed guide lines for the construction crew. Repord continues on 7/4/08. [Photo & text: sa]