text:
One good thing about internet dating

09-Sep-2020 16:25

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A variety of artists have recorded versions of the song, usually calling it "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl""I Overlooked an Orchid" is a song written by Carl Smith, Carl Story and Shirly Lyn, and recorded by American country music artist Mickey Gilley.

One Of The Great Novelty Style Fun Tunes From The 60's, Recorded By The Fendermen On Their 1960 Album: "Muleskinner Blues" That Was A 60's Take Off From The Original"Blue Yodel No.

8" Written By Jimmie Rodgers In 1931Thomas Richard Paxton (born October 31, 1937) is an American folk singer-songwriter who has had a music career spanning more than fifty years.

Try to give a quick summary of Shelley’s Adonais: “Well there’s this guy, and he’s dead, and now this other guy is really sad.” One worries something has been lost.

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E.G. (elainegrey) wrote,

Yesterday the discomfort i had kept me home from Meeting for Worship. The blessing was that i was home and could talk to my sister when she called, distressed about the dynamics of living with our parents (our mother, really). She let me know when she & her spouse were planning to talk to our parents about their plans, and i gave her much support and a little advice. The advice was to trust her spouse's judgements about the family dynamics: we are too enmeshed in the dysfunction, too susceptible to my mother's manipulations.

I showed up for Meeting for Business and the room was too hot. I gave the Nominating report, there was some consternation, and sweat dripped down my back and along the backs of my knees. Someone had a concern (that i think was essentially a pointed lecture to me about mispronouncing their name) and i was in tears. I don't know how much was the heat, the discomfort from the morning, knowing my sister was confronting my mother.... I sobbed in the car as i left meeting and stopped at a fast food place for an icy slushy.

I think the heat got to me.

And this is surprise heat: ten degrees warmer than what was predicted. Last night the weather service was predicting today to be "much cooler," but just now, "Today is forecast to be NEARLY THE SAME temperature as yesterday." I'm not sure why the weather service has failed in these predictions when on Friday the power company knew to call Monday as a power flex day. (We agree to reduce our power load 2-7 pm on called days in exchange for lower rates during the rest of the year.)

No one has identified my DYC for me on Flickr or iNaturalist: i feel indignant. What is it!?! I will email a botanist who lives where i found it at the end of the week: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/725036

All afternoon Christine and i watched When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions, because it had become too hot (and we hadn't done the appropriate cool and shut down to keep the place cool). (The outside blinds are down for the painting.) When the sun headed down it was cooler outside, so we sat by the pool and i got the laundry started. Oh, i miss sitting on the deck!

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Thursday, November 20, 2014

  • Thursday, November 20, 2014
  • Elder of Ziyon
Iran's FARS News agency is semi-official and reportedly has ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guards. It is not going to report anything that the Iranian government does not approve.

Today it published a classic antisemitic conspiracy theory about how Israel controls America through "dual citizens" (really meaning Jews.)  But it brings this up by referring to the victims of the Jerusalem synagogue shooting.

The headline tells you all you need to know:

Yes, that's right - the rabbis who were murdered by terrorists are described as "Nazis" by Iranian news.

It says "the way Israeli security forces have been attacking and destroying Palestinian homes and towns in recent days does indeed reveal that they are but a bunch of Nazis with beards, pigtails and black hats."

Funny - I haven't seen too many Haredi police in Israel. But the four praying murder victims were dual nationals, and did have beards and black hats, and that is the hook that FARS uses to spew its hate. (Notice the deliberate choice of the word "pigtails" for sidelocks.)

There is nothing "anti-Zionist" about this article. It is pure bigotry. You know, the kind that Roger Cohen insists doesn't exist in Iran.

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Wisconsin, a state that currently gets most of its electricity (42%) from coal, is quickly moving to adopt solar. The state currently has 20 solar farms under active development that will generate more than 2.2 gigawatts of power.

Wisconsin’s solar future

Michael Vickerman, policy director for nonprofit green energy promoter RENEW Wisconsin, says that’s enough capacity to account for roughly 7% of the state’s annual electricity use, according to Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR).

Vickerman said:

So there will have to be another wave — several waves in fact — of solar coming down the pike after the first 20 projects have been built.

The state’s largest solar farm, Two Creeks (150 MW, pictured above), came online in November 2020, doubling Wisconsin’s solar capacity. Two Creeks, a 500,000-panel, 800-acre solar farm, can provide enough electricity for more than 33,000 homes.

Further, the Public Service Commission approved the 149 MW Jefferson County Badger State Solar Farm in January 2020 and the 200 MW Kenosha County Paris Solar Farm in December 2020.

On the residential front, Focus on Energy, a statewide program that offers information, services, and financial incentives and works for 107 Wisconsin utilities, accepted over 2,000 reservations for home solar projects in 2020.

Why not coal?

Coal is being ditched because of cost. Utility-scale solar is simply becoming cheaper. Solar costs have dropped more than 80% in the last 10 years.

Further, solar has been spurred by “customer demand, tax incentives, relative ease of permitting, and willing landowners,” according to WPR.

Madison-based Alliant Energy announced in May that it intends to add 1 gigawatt of solar power in Wisconsin by the end of 2023, and also that it would phase out coal from its electricity generation by 2040 and reach net zero by 2050.

WPR continues:

WEC Energy Group, which owns We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service, also pledged to go carbon neutral in the next three decades. In November, the utility company announced it was retiring 1,800 megawatts of fossil fuel generation and investing $2 billion in renewable energy that includes 800 megawatts of new solar power.

Brendan Conway, spokesperson for WEC Energy Group, said:

Things like this would not have been possible in the past because, obviously, anytime we’re looking at a project, it has to make sense fiscally because that’s what our customers expect.

Further, the recent federal two-year extension to rooftop solar tax incentives is only going to help expand the adoption of that renewable energy.

Photo: Curtis Waltz, WEC Energy Group

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text:
Electri Blog http://electriblog.com/ Thu, 06 May 2021 08:55:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.1 https://electriblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/electri-blog-icon-150x150.png Electri Blog http://electriblog.com/ 32 32 Warren Buffett’s warning and the return of the “ inflation freaks ” https://electriblog.com/warren-buffetts-warning-and-the-return-of-the-inflation-freaks/ Thu, 06 May 2021 08:21:10 +0000 https://electriblog.com/warren-buffetts-warning-and-the-return-of-the-inflation-freaks/

ervyn King, the baron king of Lothbury for you, used to despair of a small group of gobby, fairly influential economists whom he nicknamed the “inflation junkies”.

Because the Governor of the Financial institution of England from 2003 to 2013 – an period, on reflection of extraordinary stability that was completely missing in drama – King recognized individuals who frightened about inflation with exclusion of all the things else.

If unemployment regarded prefer it was about to blow up, they complained about inflation. If a debt tsunami threatened to overwhelm public funds, they complained about inflation.

If a tsunami hit simply off the coast of Essex… you see the image.

The Financial institution of England is meant to handle financial coverage in order that inflation reaches 2%. It is thought of wholesome, an indication that persons are assured sufficient to spend, however value will increase aren’t uncontrolled.

Lord Merv used to overlook that focus on on a regular basis, move and have to elucidate himself to the Chancellor. And weirdos.

Did this overshoot result in the collapse of the financial system? No, it helped save him, which sapped the rich financial savings alongside the best way.

(For those who’re questioning which societal group the weirdos represented, now you can cease. Inflation hurts the poor too, after all, they simply do not rent a PR company to foyer on their behalf. .)

Currently the issue has been under-hit. Inflation stays under 1%, therefore the Financial institution’s efforts to inject cash into the financial system to extend inflation.

It may be bizarre then that the weirdos are again. And in some fascinating varieties.

At least Warren Buffett says his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway is experiencing “very substantial inflation,” one thing in all honesty that he deemed “fascinating” slightly than essentially catastrophic.

Inflation in the US climbed to 2.6% in March, suggesting it may change into an issue there lengthy earlier than it is there.

Buffett will not be alone. On Sky Information Tuesday, Sir Martin Sorrell frightened about “overheating” – the financial system immediately taking off.

For each gurus, authorities spending is a little bit of a priority – the sensation that the state cannot simply invent cash and splash it out with out consequence runs deep (it is a affordable concern, though maybe untimely fear at this level).

Sane economists – not wacky – agree inflation must be watched, however consider {that a} charge hike to deliver it down now would solely delay the restoration.

The Financial institution of England is prone to say precisely that – in Financial institution lingo – at its Financial Coverage Committee assembly tomorrow (Thursday).

Capital Economics believes inflation will quickly attain 1.5% and exceed 2% by December. He doubts it’s going to keep there for lengthy, so markets are incorrect to imagine any charge hikes anytime quickly.

One of many causes that inflation would possibly seem to leap is the rise in gasoline costs.

However they collapsed underneath lock and key as a result of nobody was driving. Any enhance on the pump now that persons are again on the highway makes inflation look excessive, however that simply means persons are filling up their vehicles to go and do productive issues, like being profitable or spending it.

Paul Dales of Capital Economics stated: “We consider the circumstances for larger inflation will likely be in place, particularly a robust financial restoration whereas financial and financial coverage stays ultra-flexible.

“However we do not suppose that may occur for just a few years. And even then we’re speaking about an inflation charge of 2-3% slightly than one thing greater as a result of the disinflation forces of the previous three a long time (globalization, declining bargaining energy of labor, and technological innovation ) haven’t disappeared.

If inflation turns into an issue, governments are higher skilled to manage it.

Extra Dales: “On the finish of the day, the secret is the perspective of policymakers to inflation. In the event that they need to hold it low, they’ll accomplish that by elevating rates of interest and / or unwinding QE.

“But when they see the advantage of having inflation a bit larger than earlier than (to decrease actual rates of interest and stimulate the financial system, to inflate public debt, and so on.), then inflation will in all probability be a bit larger.

“You can argue that shifting the Fed to a mean inflation goal is step one in the direction of policymakers turning into extra tolerant of a bit extra inflation.”

What about weirdos? A view right here of a senior metropolis official who did not need to be named, in all probability as a result of loads of his colleagues are qualifying.

“A lot of the inflation warnings come from individuals who realized about their economics within the Nineteen Eighties and have been incorrect since.

“Value / wage spirals occurred when unionized employees made up a 3rd of the UK workforce – and native markets had pricing energy. The fixed erosion of employees’ rights and Amazon has made it a distant reminiscence – except some gray-haired economists.

“There may be additionally the troublesome fact that if inflation will get too sizzling, governments and central banks aren’t in need of instruments to dissipate the warmth from the financial system.

“This computerized shock absorber assures Janet Yellen and Rishi Sunak that they’re on the correct aspect of historical past.”

If the weirdos get all of it incorrect once more, they will shut up, proper?

Supply hyperlink

3 banks that give you a financial savings curiosity of as much as 7% https://electriblog.com/3-banks-that-give-you-a-financial-savings-curiosity-of-as-much-as-7/ Thu, 06 May 2021 03:23:06 +0000 https://electriblog.com/3-banks-that-offer-you-a-savings-interest-of-up-to-7/

Equitas Small Finance Financial institution with 7%

Equitas Small Finance Financial institution provides 7% curiosity on balances above Rs 1 lakh. It’s most likely the best of all of the banks within the nation. The financial institution provides a selfeSavings, a digital checking account that may be opened with an interactive web-based video type by registering utilizing Aadhaar & PAN. Curiosity as much as Rs 10,000 on financial savings checking account is exempt from earnings tax in India.

Equitas Small Finance Financial institution, because the identify suggests, is a small monetary financial institution. These banks, like full-fledged industrial banks, are regulated by the Reserve Financial institution of India. By way of safety, we all know that sums of as much as Rs 5 lakhs in financial savings accounts and deposits profit from insurance coverage protection, through the Deposit Insurance coverage and Credit score Assure Company, a subsidiary of the RBI.

IndusInd Bank

IndusInd Financial institution

IndusInd Financial institution, not like Equitas Small Finance Financial institution, is a fully-fledged industrial financial institution. The Financial institution provides an rate of interest of 6% on financial savings account balances over Rs 10 lakhs.

The one drawback we now have with financial savings account rates of interest is that the banks maintain altering the charges, so you can lose. In contrast to an FD, the place you’ll be able to tie up cash for a specified size of time, with a financial savings account, you will get caught if rates of interest drop. For instance you may have Rs 10 lakhs and you’ve got the selection of inserting it in a FD with an rate of interest of 6.75%. Nonetheless, you select to maintain the financial savings account with 7% curiosity and if the financial institution decides to cut back the curiosity to five% and the FD charges additionally drop, you lose. IDFC First Financial institution provided a financial savings account rate of interest of seven% just a few months in the past. He has now decreased the identical to five%.

Jana Small Finance Bank

Jana Small Finance Financial institution

Jana Small Finance Financial institution provides an rate of interest of 6% on balances between Rs 1 lakh and as much as 10 Lakhs. For balances over Rs 10 lakhs as much as Rs 50 crores, the curiosity provided is Rs 6.50%. You probably have a steadiness higher than Rs 50 crores, the curiosity provided is 6.75%.

Jana Small Finance Financial institution, because the identify suggests, is a small monetary financial institution and traders usually surprise about their security. We can’t predict the protection, all we will do is provide you with some data, letting you already know that there’s an insurance coverage assure for sums as much as Rs 5 lakhs. The rates of interest provided on the financial savings checking account are nearly as good because the time period deposits.

About the Author

Concerning the Creator

Sunil Fernandes has spent 26 years protecting enterprise and finance in India and overseas. Sunil has labored with frontline dailies together with Hindustan Occasions, Deccan Herald and Gulf Occasions. He has additionally labored with funding magazines equivalent to Dalal Road Funding Journal and Oman Financial Evaluation. His robust level stays shares, mutual funds and tax planning.

Supply hyperlink

Taos County Commissioners Vote 4-1 To Withdraw From Regional Coalition Of LANL Communities – Los Alamos Reporter https://electriblog.com/taos-county-commissioners-vote-4-1-to-withdraw-from-regional-coalition-of-lanl-communities-los-alamos-reporter/ Thu, 06 May 2021 02:41:46 +0000 https://electriblog.com/taos-county-commissioners-vote-4-1-to-withdraw-from-regional-coalition-of-lanl-communities-los-alamos-reporter/

Taos County Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday morning to withdraw from the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities. Commissioner Candyce O’Donnell, Darlene Vigil, AnJenette Brush and Jim Fanbro voted in favor of the withdrawal and Commissioner Mark Gallegos voted towards.

Taos Metropolis Councilor and recently-elected RCLC Chairman addresses the Fee forward of his vote

“I simply need to say that over the previous two years now we have labored very onerous to place in place stronger accounting practices and be very inclusive of the completely different views of voters from all of our member communities. I absolutely acknowledge that a lot of the work of the (Los Alamos Nationwide) Lab is contested by many, and I personally oppose the manufacturing of the pit as properly, however the RCLC works on a consensual foundation to advocate. communities and there are some points that we agree on just like the diversification of the lab’s mission and there are different missions that member communities won’t ever absolutely agree on, ”mentioned Fernandez.

He mentioned that many constituents in Los Alamos pushing for extra properly manufacturing work, for instance, within the lab, and naturally in our communities and in Santa Fe, we in our commissions and councils have handed resolutions. opposing the manufacturing of wells, ”he mentioned. mentionned. “I’ve met many constituents time and time once more and perceive their considerations and take a look at to make sure that their considerations are heard extra cohesively and in numerous locations on the RCLC agenda. We invited them to our retreats and actually tried to succeed in out and let folks know their voices are being heard as we proceed to champion the lab’s mission.

Fernandez mentioned the lab will not be leaving anytime quickly.

“What we’re listening to from the lab director is that there’s going to be an enlargement of many alternative actions on the lab and we see that with the federal price range we see that from the federal delegation and the problem stays, the lab goes to be right here, what sort of seat can we need to proceed to have on the desk. And if there’s a higher technique to symbolize all of New Mexico’s pursuits within the lab’s operations, then I am all for it, ”he mentioned.

Fernandez mentioned if the Fee’s determination was to withdraw from the RCLC, “then that is comprehensible.”

“I feel each group that is concerned on this ought to actually check out what future involvement means and hopefully make a dedication to remain concerned for an additional yr as we work to recoup our grants and return the cash. related group and a stronger voice for residents of northern New Mexico. If the Fee decides to withdraw right now I perceive that may be a chance and we hope the county would stay concerned if the county determined to withdraw and be a part of at one other time, that is additionally acceptable ”, a Fernandez mentioned.

Commissioner Fanbro proposed “to approve and ship a discover of withdrawal from membership within the RCLC Joint Jurisdiction Settlement with the addition of if issues change and there’s a actual profit to the RCLC. Taos County finally, that we’d revisit the matter ”. He mentioned he did not need a timeline.

“Let’s simply watch it. I consider in Darien (Fernandez). He is somebody I belief. Perhaps it will likely be in a number of months. It might be in a number of years. I am undecided, ”Fanbro mentioned.

Vice-Chair Darlene Vigil agreed that the Fee ought to proceed to watch the RCLC.

“I belief our President Fernandez, however let’s watch him,” she mentioned.

Surprisingly, Commissioner Mark Gallegos disagreed. Gallegos was the county consultant to the RCLC, however on April 27, 2018, he immediately stopped attending conferences of the RCLC. The truth is, Taos County was solely represented for 2 or three conferences by Appearing Commissioner Tom Blankenhorn from when Gallegos stopped attending till Commissioner Darlene Vigil took over in January. 2021.

“Respectfully, Mr. Fernandez, it appears to me that we anticipate you to hold the burden of the complete county in your shoulders to realign or align what the RCLC mission can be. I used to be a county member for a number of years and at the moment the mission was to proceed supporting the cleanup across the affected communities, whether or not it was the pueblo communities or if it was going to have an effect on the decrease a part of the hill. I feel possibly there weren’t as many applications that benefited Taos County as a complete or Taos Metropolis as a complete, or any of the opposite small surrounding communities, ”Gallegos mentioned. . “However I feel for there to be a change there must be a dedication, and for us as a county to be disengaged there is no such thing as a motive to return again when the whole lot is settled and able to go.” perform and that every one cylinders are working ”.

He mentioned if the county consultant had been to proceed to be part of that council, “you make these adjustments inside, do not wait for somebody to make the adjustments, then get on the bus and get on board.” It bothers me a bit that we carry ahead a movement to maneuver away from that, respectfully, to all commissioners, I perceive the place you are from, however for those who’re on the board for these few years.

Commissioner Brush mentioned she knew that sure pursuits didn’t at all times align between communities.

“However I do know that right here in our group and within the south of us as properly, there are some critical considerations and points that we wish to see influenced as as to whether this influences the Division of Power or the LANL itself. even like the intense water points, the cleanup points, the concept of doing (the site-wide environmental influence evaluation) earlier than the enlargement occurs, she mentioned. . “Over time, have we obtained any studies of progress, outcomes or advantages in these broad areas that had been of actual concern to constituents?”

Fernandez responded that the lab cleansing contractor (N3B) reported to the Coalition on the cleanup actions and “the state of some areas and particularly in relation to the water monitoring wells which can be inspecting the hexavalent chromium plume affecting the water going in direction of San Ildefonso. Pueblo ”.

Fernandez talked about a report by UNM’s Workplace of Financial and Commerce Analysis, generally referred to by members of the RCLC board of administrators the BBER report. He mentioned the report confirmed “the hole when it comes to tax assortment in comparison with what communities must put in place to assist Lab staff and the disparity that reveals Los Alamos is the one county to learn economically. and that Taos and Rio Arriba will not be ”.

Fernandez mentioned this examine was really funded by the RCLC.

“This examine was really funded by the Coalition. It has been contracted by the Coalition in order that we will higher perceive the gaps and the problems, in order that we will work to repair them. We can not clear up an issue until we first know what it’s and if the Coalition has carried out one stable factor over the previous two years, it was the commissioning of this report that confirmed us the place exactly the member communities should be extra engaged when it comes to a fairer tax coverage across the lab, ”he mentioned. (It was later identified that the Los Alamos Nationwide Laboratory commissioned the report which analyzes the financial and monetary impacts of LANL on the area.

“It definitely takes a couple of particular person to face up for the group and push for extra of those ancillary lab alternatives to be introduced right here. One factor the Coalition has carried out to contribute to that is in unity that these communities attain out to laboratory administrators, outreach companions and demand that extra of those contracts be reviewed in our communities and likewise shows on them. fundamental contractors right here to allow them to higher perceive. the procurement course of, ”Fernandez mentioned.

Commissioner Brush requested Fernandez if the RCLC had taken any particular positions or actions primarily based on any updates or public feedback obtained on the conferences.

“The RCLC has not at all times been a really lively group to be frank – considered one of its shortcomings over the previous two years. Writing the brand new JPA was a technique to begin addressing this problem and shifting price range administration extra from Los Alamos County alone, which clearly advantages it, and extra to among the member counties to allow them to play a extra position. vital within the group. Fernandez mentioned. “On prime of that, we have heard from lab reps who need to reply lots of questions posed by members of the general public, however sadly these lab reps should undergo a course of and make clear the whole lot that is going to be. mentioned with their superiors within the Lab hierarchy and in Washington. What we’re dedicated to doing as a corporation is to work with constituents, elevating their considerations to the suitable members of the lab in order that they’ve time to get questions answered and produce them to the desk. the Coalition in order that extra of our voters’ considerations might be answered. “

Requested by Commissioner Brush if he had any thought why the Metropolis of Santa Fe and Jemez Pueblo didn’t signal the amended APP, Fernandez replied, “Politics?”

When it was identified that the BBER examine was the truth is funded by LANL, Fernandez mentioned it was corrected.

“It was largely funded largely by LANL and the place the RCLC stepped in was at one level, LANL representatives tried to change the examine to take away the point out of the discrepancies that LANL (sic) advantages to the detriment of different communities and this info is at all times obtainable. Due to the RCLC advocacy, we all know there’s a hole and that member communities want to think about a fairer tax coverage across the lab, ”he mentioned.

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Do not look now, however mortgage charges are falling once more https://electriblog.com/do-not-look-now-however-mortgage-charges-are-falling-once-more/ Wed, 05 May 2021 22:30:07 +0000 https://electriblog.com/dont-look-now-but-mortgage-rates-are-falling-again/

The each day beast

American troops in Iraq had been crushed by 3 assaults in 3 days. Will Biden counterattack?

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE For the third day in a row, US bases in Iraq have been the goal of rocket assaults; nobody has claimed accountability for the most recent wave of assaults, which has not been confirmed murderous thus far, however the US has persistently blamed Iran. The query now – because the assaults escalate – is what President Joe Biden goes to do about it? The Biden administration faces a Herculean process to deal with these incidents, partly as a result of it was left with a plan from the final administration that referred to as for retaliation every time U.S. servicemen had been killed. was killed in a 2019 rocket assault focusing on a Okay-1 base – which the US blamed on Kataib Hezbollah – US forces carried out retaliatory airstrikes towards Iran – militants supported in December, triggering a cycle of consecutive violent clashes. Inside days, the U.S. Embassy was hit by protests, U.S. forces killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Pressure commander Qasem Soleimani, and Iran fired ballistic missiles on the base. Al-Asad, the place US troops had been stationed, in January 2020 the Biden administration needs to keep away from. And whereas Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin has insisted that the US will defend its forces in Iraq, its troops are stranded in a nook in weeks like this when rocket assaults hit three. American positions. Rockets had been fired at Ayn al Asad air base in western Iraq on Tuesday, there was an assault on Balad air base north of Baghdad, which is dwelling to US contractors on Monday, and a one other on the American base at Baghdad airport on Sunday. would not wish to rush right into a violent response, however he would not wish to appear like he is doing nothing. That is why State Division and Pentagon officers usually dodge questions concerning the particular teams accountable for a given assault and the way they intend to reply. If they don’t identify the offender, they don’t have any accountability to reply. In February, the US launched airstrikes towards Iranian-backed militias in Syria in response to a earlier assault on the forces. American. steadiness that the US is desperately attempting to good: reply with out escalating. By attacking Iranian-backed forces in Syria, the US has not violated Iraqi sovereignty, which is a delicate problem in Iraq and has led to requires the US to go away. US forces are in Iraq on the invitation of Baghdad to assist battle Daesh. When the Trump administration hinted in December 2018 that the US might pull out of Syria and use Iraq to “watch” Iran, many Iraqi politicians had been shocked by the proposal. , a tough truce existed between the US and Iran. When the take care of Iran was being labored out in 2015, US-led coalition forces got here to Iraq to assist practice, equip, advise and assist Iraqis repel ISIS. . However in 2017, with Trump in energy and ISIS largely defeated in Iraq, tensions started to escalate between American and pro-Iranian politicians in Iraq. The Badr Group, whose chief Hadi al-Amiri served alongside the Iranians within the Iran-Iraq struggle. within the Nineteen Eighties, referred to as on the US to go away. Qais Khazali, a militia chief who had beforehand been detained by the US at Camp Cropper, amplified threats towards the USBy Could 2019, rocket assaults – usually utilizing 107mm rockets linked to Iran – focused the American Embassy in Baghdad, an American set up in Baghdad. The worldwide airport and US forces at Camp Taji and different bases. In July 2020, the assaults grew to become weekly incidents, and the US despatched air protection, together with patriots, to Iraq to guard towards ballistic missile threats from Iran, which might imply the teams Professional-Iranians in Iraq are searching for some kind of most strain marketing campaign towards the US, much like the utmost strain the Trump administration exerts on Iran, which places the Biden administration in a precarious place. In contrast to Afghanistan – the place the US is withdrawing – it needs to protect a presence in Iraq, and right now, American troops have been withdrawn and consolidated in locations simpler to defend, partly due to the frequent assaults. . Consolidation means fewer potential targets and forces have left Okay-1, Q-West, Camp Taji and a variety of different positions in 2020. But latest assaults over the previous three months present simply how susceptible US forces are. , whatever the consolidation. ways they undertake. The message seems to be that Iranian-backed forces will proceed to strike wherever US forces are positioned, whether or not it is on the large sprawling Assad base or in Erbil. He can maintain Iran instantly accountable, however that might result in navy escalation. He also can use the assaults as leverage to strike a brand new regional take care of Iran, forcing them to stop as a part of the deal. Alternatively, he might demand that these teams be held accountable by Iraqi authorities, however the observe file of such investigations is grim. No militia have ever been charged with these assaults by the federal government, which is usually reluctant to prosecute these teams due to their ties to highly effective political events which have threatened the Iraqi president and prime minister up to now. in Syria to punish teams linked to Iran, or to do nothing in any respect. Doing nothing means letting pro-Iranian teams dictate the tempo and escalation of the battle. Extra airstrikes are prone to seem to behave with out sending a severe message to Iran. Small tit-for-tat assaults won’t trigger Iran to rethink its coverage of harassing US forces in Iraq. The Trump administration has tried to lift the bar by retaliating in response to attainable losses, which led to dozens of militia assaults. Earlier than Trump, different American administrations most popular to err on the aspect of doing nothing, put the US on its again and provides pro-Iran teams the higher hand. The White Home faces two loaded questions right here. Are the assaults in Iraq a purely Iraqi downside, with a neighborhood answer? Or is the objective to cease the assaults in Tehran, requiring a regional method that may resolve tensions from Yemen to Syria, from Lebanon to Israel? Both path presents the administration with challenges that three earlier administrations haven’t been capable of resolve. For extra, go to The Every day Beast. Get our greatest objects delivered to your inbox every single day. Register now! Every day Beast Membership: Beast Inside delves deeper into the tales that matter to you. Study extra.

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Brazil’s Central Financial institution Raises Curiosity Charges, Guarantees June Hike | Enterprise and financial information https://electriblog.com/brazils-central-financial-institution-raises-curiosity-charges-guarantees-june-hike-enterprise-and-financial-information/ Wed, 05 May 2021 22:10:37 +0000 https://electriblog.com/brazils-central-bank-raises-interest-rates-promises-june-hike-business-and-economic-news/

The financial institution is performing to comprise inflation which has handed the goal cap to a four-year excessive as meals and gas costs climb.

By way of Bloomberg

Brazil’s central financial institution raised its benchmark rate of interest by 75 foundation factors and promised one other hike of the identical magnitude in June to convey inflation expectations again heading in the right direction.

The central financial institution on Wednesday voted unanimously to extend the Selic by 75 foundation factors to three.5%, in step with estimates by 39 economists in a Bloomberg survey and steerage given by policymakers at their earlier assembly in March.

“For the subsequent assembly, the Committee expects the continuation of the partial normalization course of with one other adjustment of the identical magnitude within the diploma of financial stimulus,” the financial institution’s board mentioned in a press release accompanying the choice.

The financial institution, led by its chairman Roberto Campos Neto, is performing to comprise inflation which has exceeded the goal ceiling to succeed in a four-year excessive. Meals and gas prices have jumped in current months and the federal government lately relaunched emergency support which can strengthen demand. Collectively, analysts see shopper costs above goal this yr and subsequent regardless of an early restoration.

“That is the precise transfer as a result of there are nonetheless dangers to the outlook for inflation,” David Beker, Brazil’s chief economist at Financial institution of America Corp, mentioned forward of the financial institution’s announcement, pointing to power. and wholesale merchandise as the principle drivers of inflation.

Serving to coverage makers battle inflation is an actual plus. The Brazilian foreign money jumped 5.5% final month, the most important acquire amongst rising market currencies, making imports cheaper.

Nonetheless, shopper costs rose 6.17% through the yr by means of mid-April, and plenty of economists see that studying approaching 8% in Could. The central financial institution is concentrating on annual inflation of three.75% this yr, with a margin of tolerance of plus or minus 1.5 proportion factors.

Final month, President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration started paying out one other spherical of month-to-month stipends at a complete value of 44 billion reais ($ 8.2 billion). Lawmakers lately indicated they’d search an extension of that support if the federal government doesn’t velocity up plans for a brand new social program because the coronavirus continues to unfold throughout the nation.

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The professionals and cons of authorized loans https://electriblog.com/the-professionals-and-cons-of-authorized-loans/ Wed, 05 May 2021 22:03:29 +0000 https://electriblog.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-legal-loans/

The authorized lending trade lends plaintiffs over $ 100 million yearly in america, however at what price to the injured and their family members?

One of these funding is also called authorized money advance, lawsuit funding, settlement funding, and pre-settlement funding. It doesn’t matter what you name it, being able to take out a money advance towards a pending settlement has helped 1000’s of individuals cowl their prices throughout the litigation course of. That does not imply it is danger free.

Authorized loans are often funded by hedge funds, personal buyers, or banks which can be prepared to lend cash to plaintiffs with the promise of a big return on their funding. Critics of loans in courtroom have identified that the authorized requirements that different kinds of lenders are required to not apply to the sort of mortgage, as it’s largely unregulated in most states.

The plaintiff lending enterprise has sprung up over the previous decade, as a part of a pattern by which banks, hedge funds and personal buyers make investments cash within the lawsuits of others. However the trade, which now lends plaintiffs greater than $ 100 million a yr, stays unregulated in most states, free to disregard legal guidelines that shield individuals who borrow from most different kinds of lenders.

Why do folks take out loans for lawsuits?

In line with a 2019 survey by Charles Schwab, 59% of Individuals are one paycheck away from roaming. This example has definitely not improved now that the nation has been within the grip of a pandemic for a yr. Many individuals are already struggling to make ends meet, and an accident may shortly put the common individual in dire monetary straits.

When somebody is injured in an accident brought on by the negligence of one other social gathering, they might lose their capacity to work, briefly or completely. It will probably shortly push a barely rising household over the underside of the underside line and right into a endless cycle of overdue notices, assortment appeals and eviction notices.

Earlier than discussing whether or not or not the professionals of a lawsuit are definitely worth the cons, we have to take into account that this isn’t only a theoretical dialogue of whether or not sure kinds of loans are predatory in nature or whether or not or not there are any. sufficient regulation. The professionals and cons of courtroom loans should be weighed towards the precise monetary penalties {that a} explicit plaintiff might face throughout their trial earlier than a judgment might be rendered.

The benefits of authorized loans

There are lots of advantages to benefiting from pre-settlement financing, particularly if you’re an applicant who’s in dire monetary straits. The most important of these perks, in fact, is having the ability to have meals in your fridge, working utilities, and a roof over your head when you’re out of labor and struggling to recover from it. an accident. However the advantages transcend fundamental survival wants.

Insurance coverage firms usually strain private harm victims to accept an unfair quantity as a result of they know they’re in a nasty scenario and are searching for a direct answer. They might delay the settlement course of, hoping that the claimant will give in out of economic necessity. On high of that, private harm attorneys might also really feel pressured to cowl their purchasers’ bills throughout the claims course of. It may be an enormous expense.

One of many advantages of litigation loans that plaintiffs take pleasure in essentially the most is definite kinds of financing, similar to pre-settlement financing, you will not be compelled to repay the loans in case your case fails to settle or fails. receive a courtroom determination. This, in fact, is barely a profit if you’re sure that the kind of financing you buy doesn’t require compensation. It’s important that any applicant clearly understands the phrases of the funding earlier than signing an settlement.

The disadvantages of authorized loans

The primary drawback of courtroom loans is the associated fee. Whereas it’s true {that a} lawyer could possibly get a a lot bigger settlement if the plaintiff can afford to remain there all through the negotiations, many accident victims and their households are nonetheless in shock. when the ultimate bill arrives.

That is solely a drawback if you’re not properly knowledgeable about what the rate of interest shall be and what that quantity may appear like in relation to your estimated settlement. It will probably additionally change into a drawback in the event you take out a bigger mortgage than you want. Nevertheless, in the event you take solely what is critical and are reasonable about what your settlement will appear like after paying the curiosity, settlement funding can hold you afloat throughout this tough time.

One other draw back to courtroom loans is the truth that chances are you’ll not qualify, particularly if the lender doesn’t require you to repay the mortgage in case your case fails. These lenders take an enormous danger, so with a view to qualify for settlement financing, your case should be prone to attain a good conclusion for the injured social gathering.

What debtors and their attorneys must know

Authorized loans can imply the distinction between seeing justice completed and being additional victimized by insurance coverage firms that put earnings earlier than human lives. They’ll additionally ship a complainant in shock and depart them feeling indignant if they do not do their homework and perceive what they’re entering into earlier than signing on the dotted line.

When searching for a lender, both for your self or for a consumer, make sure you select a authorized mortgage supplier who believes in full transparency all through the method. If a lender is not working with you on a private degree to just remember to clearly perceive the mortgage phrases, it is best to take your online business elsewhere.

So, are the professionals of authorized loans definitely worth the cons? The reply is… it will depend on the complainant’s scenario. When you or your consumer can survive the trial with out accepting funding, that is in all probability your only option to take action. Nevertheless, if you’re struggling and there’s no finish in sight, chances are you’ll discover that the downsides of settlement funding are properly price the advantages.

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Charges are rising, however ought to bond traders be nervous? https://electriblog.com/charges-are-rising-however-ought-to-bond-traders-be-nervous/ Wed, 05 May 2021 20:39:51 +0000 https://electriblog.com/rates-are-rising-but-should-bond-investors-be-worried/

What would you wish to know

  • Kathy Jones of the Schwab Middle for Monetary Analysis and Kevin Flanagan of WisdomTree talk about their views.
  • They count on bond yields to proceed rising because the economic system recovers.
  • They’re awaiting the primary signal of the Fed’s planning to chop asset purchases.

Rates of interest are on the rise, and though the trajectory is risky, the 10-year US Treasury word is predicted to finish the yr with a yield of two% to 2.5%, based on bond strategists.

Its present yield is round 1.60%, up from 0.92% on the finish of final yr however down from 1.74% on the finish of March.

“The vaccine rollout has been sooner and extra profitable than anticipated, and the fiscal stimulus has been greater than double what we thought… and we’re anticipating much more,” mentioned Kathy Jones, chief fastened revenue strategist for the Schwab Middle for Monetary Analysis, explaining the worldwide rise in rates of interest.

Within the wake of the stimulus, which put 1000’s of {dollars} within the pockets of most American households, and the rollout of the vaccine, the U.S. economic system rebounded, rising 6.4 % yearly within the first trimester. The second quarter might be even stronger.

President Joe Biden’s U.S. Plan for Jobs and American Households would add much more stimulus – almost $ 4 trillion over eight to 10 years after the almost $ 5 trillion in emergency support handed by means of administrations Trump and Biden. However these plans are more likely to be downsized to make sure their passage, even when achieved by means of reconciliation, which might solely require Democratic votes.

A stronger economic system, rising inflation expectations

“The US economic system is on the transfer,” wrote Mark Zandi in his latest financial replace. “Actual GDP grew at an annualized fee of 6.4% much like a primary quarter growth, and a double-digit achieve is greater than seemingly within the present quarter. Shoppers led the cost within the first quarter, however enterprise funding and residential building had been additionally sturdy. “

This development, coupled with rising inflation expectations and actual inflation, ought to result in even greater charges.

“Inflation is accelerating,” Zandi wrote. “The core client spending deflator, the measure of inflation utilized by the Federal Reserve to find out financial coverage, jumped in March and is again near the Fed’s 2% through-cycle goal. financial.”

A part of the rise is because of what the Fed calls the bottom impact, evaluating present inflation ranges to extraordinarily depressed ranges a yr in the past, however this impact will reasonable over time, together with the surge. commodity and industrial costs as provides rebound and pandemic-induced provide chain points are resolved, based on Zandi.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has repeatedly mentioned that the worth hike is transient and that the Fed will briefly tolerate inflation above 2% in order that inflation averages its goal of two%.

However Kevin Flanagan, head of bond technique at WisdomTree, notes that the breakeven level is between 10-Yr Treasury Inflation-Protected Safety (TIPS) and 10-year Treasury word suggests in any other case, standing at 243 factors. base, its broadest degree. since 2013. “On the finish of the day, the yield on the 10-year Treasury would not cease at 2% and doubtless exceeds,” Flanagan mentioned.

Bond funding methods

Given these expectations of upper returns, Flanagan and Jones each advocate investing in bonds with shorter durations (that are much less delicate to rising charges) than their common benchmarks.

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Buyers see danger of Fed’s ‘important overshoot’ of Fed inflation goal for first time in years, says BofA https://electriblog.com/buyers-see-danger-of-feds-important-overshoot-of-fed-inflation-goal-for-first-time-in-years-says-bofa/ Wed, 05 May 2021 20:20:00 +0000 https://electriblog.com/investors-see-risk-of-feds-significant-overshoot-of-fed-inflation-target-for-first-time-in-years-says-bofa/

Buyers are assessing for the primary time in a number of years the dangers of a “important overshoot” of the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation goal, based on economists at Financial institution of America Corp.

That is primarily based on an evaluation of the so-called equilibrium inflation price – or the distinction between nominal and actual Treasury yields – which has been rising steadily because the collapse firstly of the pandemic, have economists stated Wednesday within the BofA World Analysis report. “The ten-year breakeven inflation price is now at its highest stage since earlier than the tantrum hit of 2013, after resisting the bond market rebound final month,” the economists stated of their be aware.

Buyers are paying shut consideration to inflation, fearing that an excessive amount of stress might push the Fed to lift rates of interest or reduce on asset purchases sooner than anticipated, which might harm their portfolios. Whereas attempting to discern whether or not a spike in inflation will solely be transitory within the financial restoration, some traders are contemplating reorienting their positions to arrange for the danger of persistence.

BofA World Analysis has decomposed the breakeven inflation level into an inflation “danger premium” and a risk-adjusted measure of “actual” inflation expectations. The “danger premium” has exceeded pre-pandemic ranges, economists stated, reflecting the “unprecedented nature” of the pandemic in addition to fiscal and financial policymakers “making an attempt to heat the economic system at a file price” .

In response to JPMorgan Chase & Co. strategists Marko Kolanovic and Bram Kaplan, asset managers are more likely to shift allocations as a consequence of an elevated chance of extra persistent inflation, whatever the period of inflation.

“The portfolio managers are unlikely to take dangers and reposition the portfolios,” they stated in a worldwide markets technique be aware. Buyers bracing for the danger of persistent inflation ought to “shorten period and reallocate bonds to commodities and equities,” analysts prompt. “In equities, traders can buy worth and purchase quick type with low volatility.”

At KKR & Co., Henry McVey, head of worldwide macro allocation and asset allocation, stated in a report Wednesday that he and his group anticipated “a better danger urge for food. excessive ”within the markets is supported by“ a powerful demand for housing and pent-up demand, traditionally. excessive financial savings and a Fed that has dedicated to exceeding its inflation goal by 2% ”.

“We’re bettering each our earnings forecast and our year-end goal for the S&P 500,” McVey stated. “We’re elevating our 2021 truthful worth forecast to 4,320 from 4,050, primarily based on S&P 500 earnings per share of $ 185, from $ 174 beforehand and present consensus of $ 181.”

The S&P 500 SPX,
+ 0.07%
closed 0.1% increased Wednesday afternoon, close to 4,168.

Learn: Hedge funds had develop into “excessive” sellers of shares even earlier than Yellen’s remarks on rates of interest. This is why.

On the bond facet, McVey raised his forecast for the US 10-year rate of interest this yr to 1.75%, from 1.5%. The yield on the 10-year Treasury invoice was buying and selling near 1.59% on Wednesday afternoon.

Nevertheless, “the big spike in inflation that we’re seeing is more likely to develop into transient,” McVey stated. “Treasury markets have traditionally overestimated the persistence of early cycle inflation, as 10-year yields and the break-even level of inflation truly elevated probably the most within the early components of the final two rallies.”

Financial institution of America economists have described a pickup in inflation expectations as “excellent news” for the Fed underneath its versatile medium inflation focusing on regime. The central financial institution has lengthy been focusing on 2% inflation.

At the moment, many funding managers have “by no means skilled a big rise in yields, commodities, worth shares, or inflation”, solely deflationary (long-running) trades which have labored for greater than ‘a decade, JPMorgan strategists stated of their memo.

“Given continued excessive unemployment and a decade of underinflation, central banks are more likely to tolerate increased inflation and look at it as momentary,” they stated. The strategists added that “their highest conviction is the rotation in direction of reflation, inflation, increased yields and reopening of themes.”

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Blackstone switches to everlasting capital to stimulate insurance coverage contracts https://electriblog.com/blackstone-switches-to-everlasting-capital-to-stimulate-insurance-coverage-contracts/ Wed, 05 May 2021 19:50:17 +0000 https://electriblog.com/blackstone-switches-to-permanent-capital-to-stimulate-insurance-contracts/

Everlasting capital autos are a mature funding technique for giant monetary sponsors, black stoneof (NYSE: BX) current revenues clearly present this. Will center market personal fairness companies search for their very own sources? If that’s the case, insurance coverage corporations could possibly be the logical first step on the trail to a purchase and construct technique.

Signage is displayed outdoors the headquarters of Blackstone Group Inc. in New York, USA Photographer: Mark Abramson / Bloomberg

Buried within the earnings buzz of main personal fairness companies over the previous week is the rising shift to everlasting capital. The business is already embracing the idea of fundraising for deployment in acquisitions of ‘indefinite’ length: funds save on the prices of elevating, closing and disposing of belongings of their portfolios, whereas incomes prices (if any). ) greater on commitments they maintain for longer horizons.

The concept isn’t new, however the adoption fee is. And Swiss credit score analysts say it’s accelerating. We’re approaching a tipping level the place the composition of fee earnings (FRE) of the biggest personal fairness gamers from perpetual capital autos is so vital that it may possibly compensate for periodic drops in FRE between fundraisers. headlights. Analysts be aware that Blackstone’s rising share of ongoing capital-derived price earnings has a number of benefits: “excessive administration charges (which additionally include appreciation), greater extra working margins, no danger of web redemption and powerful buyer demand given [Blackstone]robust model status / status. ”

Mid-market personal fairness may take be aware. Many of those funds come from direct commitments from restricted companions, however acquisitions provide an alternate route. What if seasoned various managers may faucet into giant quantities of capital at the moment producing low returns?

Enter the insurance coverage business. Life insurers dealing with a sluggish rebound in low rates of interest might stay sellers, says Deloitte Evaluation. The memo additionally states that curiosity from monetary sponsors is anticipated to be robust all year long as PE seeks to deploy capital.

Annuities and different suppliers of life insurance coverage merchandise are a significant supply of everlasting capital amongst main publicly traded monetary sponsors. Blackstone managed $ 100 billion in belongings for insurance coverage shoppers on the finish of the primary quarter. Whereas the expansion in fundraising for everlasting capital has come from excessive web price and really excessive web price people, the corporate’s insurance coverage enterprise is one other potential pool. Apollo International administrationof (NYSE: APO) Athena and KKR’s (NYSE: KKR) International Atlantic already present captive swimming pools of everlasting capital.

And the kind of smaller belongings extra available to mid-market PEs could possibly be on the block extra usually. Enterprise exclusions are anticipated to proceed at a sustained tempo within the insurance coverage sectors as corporations resize their portfolios, the Deloitte be aware stated.

The everlasting capital mannequin tried and examined by business heavyweights may see a wave of adoption with smaller funds drawn by the profitable charges. As insurance coverage portfolios proceed to hit the market this yr, search for mid-market PEs to play an extended funding horizon to entry the development.

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The way forward for regional airports https://electriblog.com/the-way-forward-for-regional-airports/ Sun, 25 Apr 2021 06:30:18 +0000 https://electriblog.com/the-future-of-regional-airports/

With intra-European air visitors down 54% in 2020 in comparison with 2019 because of the pandemic, many regional airports discovered themselves in severe financial difficulties.

The significance of regional airports can’t be overstated, as European residents rely on regional airports for a large number of causes, starting from employment and their livelihoods to connectivity with different areas. Connectivity additionally performs a serious position within the opinion on the EU’s good mobility technique, which goals to put the foundations for the achievement of the EU’s inexperienced and digital transformation objectives within the European transport sector.

The Fee for Territorial Cohesion Coverage and the EU Price range (COTER) of the European Committee of the Area (CoR) has been adopted two draft opinions at its April 23 assembly.

Opinions cowl the alternatives and challenges dealing with regional airports and the EU good mobility technique. COTER members additionally appointed rapporteurs for 3 own-initiative opinions and the assembly ended with the presentation of a research on the applying of the precept of partnership within the programming of cohesion coverage.

The primary draft opinion adopted by the committee is entitled The way forward for regional airports – alternatives and challenges. The rapporteur, Wladyslaw Ortyl (PL / ECR), President of the Podkarpackie area, mentioned: “Regional airports play an important position for the EU’s territorial and financial cohesion – they supply connectivity for the areas they serve and are important for financial development. With out their presence, many corporations don’t ‘wouldn’t spend money on non-capital areas. The tourism sector can be very depending on it. We’d like a extra versatile state support system to assist the restoration of regional airports throughout and after the pandemic. that I’ve ready, I additionally underline that almost all of European regional airports want assist in order to have the ability to survive within the mild of the present disaster. “

The second draft opinion adopted considerations the EU good and sustainable mobility technique. Robert van Asten (NL / Renew Europe), metropolis councilor of The Hague and rapporteur of the draft opinion, mentioned: “Native and regional authorities play an important position within the mobility transition linking the EU Inexperienced Deal and the digital transition for extra sustainable and smarter mobility. Social and inclusive elements are key components of my report, as a result of the transition to mobility additionally requires it.a conduct change by which the person is on the coronary heart. The EU might help us to raised hyperlink connectivity, accessibility and well being, not solely by funding, but additionally guaranteeing the standardization and harmonization of EU guidelines.We should additionally undertake the European Fee’s sustainable city mobility plans, which could be an efficient instrument of cooperation between totally different ranges of presidency, however provided that they’re sufficiently versatile and correspond to the challenges dealing with cities and areas. “

The 2 draft opinions shall be submitted for last dialogue and adoption on the CoR plenary session from June 30 to July 2 of this yr.

A research – commissioned by the CoR and introduced on the committee assembly – analyzed the applying of the ideas of partnership and governance at a number of ranges within the programming of cohesion coverage 2021-2027. These two ideas are key components within the programming and implementation of cohesion coverage, as they enhance the implementation of cohesion coverage packages by guaranteeing possession and making place-based investments. .

The outcomes of the research confirmed:

  • that the participation of companions, which embody public authorities at nationwide, native and regional ranges, financial and social companions in addition to organizations representing civil society, is barely slowly bettering in comparison with the 2014-2020 programming interval;
  • that the potential of partnerships is just not totally utilized and that mobilizing related stakeholders stays a serious problem;
  • that digital options applied as a result of COVID-19 restrictions could have optimistic results on stakeholder engagement and that elevated use of digital options for stakeholder engagement might assist guarantee partnerships are efficient. stay as much as their potential.

The outcomes of the research will feed into an own-initiative opinion on the involvement of native and regional authorities within the preparation of partnership agreements and operational packages through the interval 2021-2027, for which Juraj Droba (SK / ECR), President of the Autonomous Area of Bratislava, was appointed rapporteur on the assembly.

COTER members additionally appointed Agnes Rampal (FR / PPE), Vice-President of the Good-Côte d’Azur Metropolis and Vice-Mayor of Good, as rapporteur for the opinion entitled “In direction of a macro-regional technique within the Mediterranean” and Donatella Porzi (IT / PSE), Regional Councilor of the Umbria area, for an opinion on the gender dimension of structural and cohesion funds 2021-2027, with an emphasis on the preparation of operational packages.

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Romantic Luxury Travel at European Castles

Today royal families are few and far between, but there remains a romantic lore and mystique surrounding the lifestyle of kings and queens, lords and ladies who lived hundreds of years ago, and rightfully so. These wealthy and prominent individuals vied with each other for power and prestige and built lavish homes to showcase their wealth. Since most royal descendants cannot afford to maintain a castle as their private home, adventuresome travelers who are looking for the best in luxury travel can experience the romance of the days of yore by planning a luxury vacation getaway at a castle that has been restored to 5-star expectations and beyond.

And true castles these are, huge rambling buildings adorned with gargoyles, towers, turrets and steeply sloped roofs. The old castles, built in the centuries before electric lighting, feature expansive windows that give unparalleled views of carefully manicured lawns and ornate gardens fit for a modern king and queen. For those who are seeking a vacation that provides royal treatment, what better place to find such luxury than at an authentic castle retreat?

The ultimate in romantic travel, luxury castle vacation venues are available throughout Europe. The best feature the latest in modern amenities such as on-site spas while offering traditional royal amusements like horseback riding and custom hunting and fishing excursions. Typically, on-site dining is of gourmet quality served in elegant surroundings of the ancient formal dining room. Travelers who vacation at these luxurious imperial residences should understand that they are also contributing to the preservation of these magnificent historic treasures for future generations.

Castle hotels in Ireland offer world-class accommodations and five-star service. These castles, surrounded by hundreds of acres of private grounds, are ideal for those who are seeking a quiet luxury vacation. Spend time in the formal gardens or wander the private grounds for peace and solitude. Irish castle vacations have particular appeal for golf enthusiasts. Top rated golf courses abound in Ireland plus some castle resorts offer a private golf course as well.

For those who desire the ultimate in privacy, smaller Scottish castles may provide the perfect luxury vacation experience. Nestled in scenic locations, fully restored estates dating back to the 1500’s that have been renovated to five-star standards are available for rent by the week or the month. Although smaller than the castle hotels, these estates boast a dedicated full-time staff to cater to the guest’s every need and provide a perfect hideaway in a historically romantic setting.

Germany is the ideal location for travelers looking for a romantic locale. The famed Romantic Road that winds its way through southern Germany from Wurzburg to Fussen through historic architectural districts is one of the world’s most popular tourist routes, especially in summer. Instead of joining the throngs of tourists on the Romantic Road, experience romantic German castles firsthand on the German Castles Road, which extends from Mannheim on the Rhine River to Neckarzimmern in the Neckar River Valley. Here luxury-minded travelers can choose from dozens of elegant five-star castle hotels.

Southern Germany is, of course, famous for mountain views. There are elegant castle hotels nestled in picturesque Alpine locations that will take a visitor’s breath away each and every day. For those who are wine enthusiasts, look for a castle hotel in the Rhine River wine country.

No matter the setting, expect the best in discriminating personal service and the finest gourmet dining fit for royalty at these luxury German establishments. Experience the feeling of history that is embodied in the surrounding castle walls that is available nowhere else in the world. Whether you are seeking a quiet retreat or a bustling continental hotel environment, there is a luxury German castle hotel to meet your needs.

“A man’s home is his castle” is a phrase that’s been around for a long time. When you are ready to leave your castle for a vacation at a European royal castle, the best advice is to consult a travel company that specializes in luxury travel to help you find the exact location that meets all of your needs and desires.


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Elevate Rapid City Launches EPIC New Market Research Tool Available for Businesses

September 24, 2020

Posted In: Press Releases

Operating a business is not easy. Making decisions can sometimes feel like a gamble. The desire to grow and innovate brings tough questions such as:

  • Should you offer a new service or product?
  • Should you hire more staff?
  • How do you find the right customers?
  • Who is my competition?
  • Where is my industry going?

Sometimes the struggle isn’t as much deciding whether or not to hire. It is finding the right people to recruit and hire to a specialized industry.

The price of taking such a gamble is often too high. It forces business owners to continue doing business as usual, limiting their growth.

This is exactly why Elevate Rapid City created the Elevate Prosperity Insight Center (E.P.I.C.). While not a crystal ball that can foresee the future, EPIC is the next best thing.

Startups and existing businesses will be able to work with Elevate staff to get answers on markets, trends, competitors, and the trade area, which can then be turned into a custom report.  This will help businesses make better decisions about markets and in conjunction with their advisors and develop a plan for business growth.

“Our mission is to elevate the region for all,” says Tom Johnson, President & CEO of Elevate Rapid City. “When we help businesses make informed, data-based decisions, their businesses will grow, more jobs will be created, and that helps the entire region.”

To get started working with EPIC to solve a problem and grow your business, call 343-1744.

*Depending on the situation and business, there may be an expense for reports.

Elevate Rapid City is a public-private partnership organization leading the economic development and small business efforts in the Black Hills region. We work to elevate the Rapid City region for all with the strong vision of making Rapid City and the Black Hills region the place people want to be. Elevate is committed to promoting business and personal advancement in western South Dakota through a targeted spotlight on jobs, infrastructure, and overall quality of life in and around the Black Hills region and Rapid City metro area. Together, we strive to embrace the heart and soul of our community through diversified growth and strong professional opportunities advocating the strengths of the Black Hills. For more information on Elevate Rapid City visit elevaterapidcity.com


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At Glacier Park July 2020 Photo by Adam Ruff: Unspunnewz

From the labyrinths of

All I wanted to do was cash a check. I approached a lady who’s name plate said “Teller”. The name plate did not indicate whether she was married or single, so I decided to call her “Ms. Teller”. She was an outstanding product of the finest training conjurable by the modern banking industry, so she naturally had little extra for me by way of cordials as I stood there before her with my little piece of paper. She looked past me as she asked, “May I help you?”

I spoke right up and explained that a fellow had given me this piece of paper and had told me that if I brought it into this bank someone would exchange it for some money. I apologized for interrupting her day for a trivial request. She looked past my shoulder and mouthed a really good question in my direction.

“You got any I. D. ?”

I looked at her for a moment, then asked, “Can you say that again please?” I wanted to be sure she had not asked if I had VD, or any CDs.

“I.D.; you know; identification.” Her tolerance was thinning. My nervousness was becoming self-conscious. Somehow I felt like this was all my fault. But it finally did dawn on me that she wanted me to declare who I was. “Oh” I said, “I am Elias Krater, beatnik at large. Pleased to meet you, Ms. Teller.” And I tried to shoot a little smile at her. I was willing to do what we had to do to conclude. When I extended my hand to her, expecting to shake properly, she drew back like maybe she thought I had a gun in it or something. I yanked my hand back fast, sorry I had scared her. I was beginning to notice that this check cashing business could be a little sticky for beginners, so I tensed up a little more, took a breath and resolved to control myself better.

I have always wondered why one would want to go to all this trouble. Why not just pay or give with real money? Now I’m not really bright, you must understand. But knowing that myself, I am always willing to wait and see during situations which I feel might include more than I can readily see at first. It’s just my way of being me, which is not against anybody’s law yet, `far as I know. And beside being just an average dude, I have always been a “cash and carry” sort of person. I seldom have money enough to trouble a banker about what to do with it. I do odd gigs helping my musician friends with their shows and sets around town in Memphis. They usually pay me something for helping, but it has never been much. Fortunately, I enjoy my work, and I get to catch a lot of good acts for free. That’s kewel, you know?

But I have given some thought to the money thang, which led to the banking thang. Now I ain’t no authority on the matter, but if I’m not mistaken, things sort of came around to what we have today from the simpler basics of economics. I think you can trace exchanges all the way back to the caves, you know? Like, when a hairy old dude had a couple of kewel clubs for weapons, and another dude had an extra woman at his cave, like, it was only natural that both parties might come up with a satisfactory trade; one good chick for one good stick. Back in those days, there wasn’t any money. That hadn’t been thought-up yet, you know? But soon enough, somebody did come up with the idea of money.

It was like magic, I’ll bet. The king could stamp some coins from his gold stocks and he could tell everybody what one of those coins was worth; say, like one gold coin might be worth three chicks and two sticks, or whatever. And then everybody bought into the idea. Then everybody wanted gold coins, wanted money. They would sit around the fire at their hooches and daydream about everything they’d do if they had a sack full of gold coins. No limit to what they could dream up. Money became popular in the population.

And kings found out that they could convince people to work for them in exchange for gold coins, and then tax them to get the coins back; an improvement over the slavery thang insofar as the king no longer had to house, clothe and feed his workforce. Nosir, by payin’ his workforce with money, he could leave it up to the individual worker to pay for his own housing and sustenance. Pretty kewel idea, kings thought, because after the workers paid for everything they needed to be healthy and regular workers, the king could tax `em for what money they had left over, and put that money back into his treasure room.

We’ve had money for many centuries now. I don’t know when the first bank was thought-up, but I’m sure it was a long time ago. Maybe it happened back in the times of the Knights Templar. But since then, there must have been millions of the things opened up around the world. And here in America I noticed, when I was a truck driver runnin’ coast to coast, that in every big city across our land there are huge skyscrapers which were put there by bankers. They crown skylines across America, they do! It’s like they are bragging about how much wealth they have accumulated off the work of American citizens, you know?

But this much we can know, that money was here before banks, and money was here before checking. I think that somebody probably just invented the idea of writing checks. I think it had something to do with protecting one’s money from theft or robbery or other types of loss. The banker would hold your money, and give you some little booklets of papers which signified that your banker had your money and would fork it over to anyone who presented him with one of your little pieces of paper.

Even I can see how this opens up an entire realm of possibilities, such as the banker deciding to charge you a tiny fee for the privilege and thereby profiting his organization in some insignificant way. That, by the way, led him to think about convincing more and more people to do the same thing, until he had lots and lots of people giving him their money in exchange for little booklets of papers. Bankers love to do this. They compete with each other for people’s cash, and the right to take a tiny part of that cash every month and keep it. They call it: service charges. For using the little booklets of papers which they traded to people for their money, the bankers get to charge a fee.

Let’s see. If half the people in America, say about a hundred and thirty million people, give their banker one lousy buck a month for the thrill of using his little booklets of paper, that should produce a cash flow basis for the banks in America of, let’s see, uhmm, about a hundred and thirty million dollars a month. I’ll bet the guy who thought up the idea of trading little books of papers for people’s cash was amazed when he saw how well his idea took root in American society! He probably ran a printing company, ya think?

But as I was saying, all I wanted to do was cash a check. To do that, I learned that I had to play a little game with Ms.Teller.

Ms. Teller’s face seemed contrived to hide her initial disapproval for my beard, which I haven’t cut in some number of years. I’m used to nice ladies looking somewhat miffed the first time they see it. It probably has to do with the cockleburs and dust bunnies which are sometimes found within the stringy auburn strands of untrained, cigarette-singed wildness which trails downward from my weathered old face like a wind-blown advertisement which says graphically: “I am the president of the Hair Club for Chin.”

It could have been the fact that I was barefooted, but I doubt that she could have seen my feet from behind her barrier, which was so high that I had felt compelled to tip-toe up and lean over the ledge to take a peek at all the money I imagined she might have back there at any given time.

I.D. puleaeez.” she said, forcefully. I backed down to flat-foot height and replied, “I just told you who I am, Ms. Teller. Elias Krater, beatnik at large. At your service.” But this time when I told her, I couldn’t quite get the smile up. I could feel my shoulders scrunching up. I looked left and right to see if I was disturbing anyone but her. Everybody looked fairly busy, normal, except an armed guard who stood under a shiny-billed hat like a statue and stared over my head at a clock. I could tell he was noticing me, and that made me want to hurry and finish my dealings with Ms. Teller. Like, ya know what I mean?

“Ok; sir! Would you like to speak with one of the Bank’s managers?” she blurted.

“I don’t think I know any of the bank managers, ma’am. I do know a few band managers, but none of `em work here. Actually, with my apologies, I’m kinda in a hurry. Blind John Tangerine is waiting outside for me, and our car is so low on gas it might run out just idling in your parking lot. So I’d rather visit with one of the bank managers some other time, if that’s ok?”

Ms. Teller then had an idea. She asked, “Do you have a driver’s license?”

“Yes, ma’am, I do.”

“May I see it please?”

“Yes ma’am.”

She looked at it closely, then looked up at me and exclaimed, “This license is expired!” Her body language and her tone really made me feel self-conscious then.

“Yes ma’am. Sometimes I have lapses. Guess it’s been a while since I looked at it.”

“Well, I can’t use this for identification! You must get this straightened out immediately. Understand?”

“Yes ma’am, but if you would just look at that picture right there on the thing you can see that it’s me. And the state of Tennessee gave me that picture on my license, so I can’t see why that won’t work for you to use to identify me, right?” This was beginning to concern me.

“Sorry, sir! I have to have legal identification or I simply cannot cash your check. It’s the rules.”

Have you ever noticed that you ain’t *Sir!* until you piss somebody off?

Now I was desperate. I hated to do this, but the check really was mine to cash, and I really was who I was claiming to be, and I could tell she knew it too. But apparently she was gonna make me enlighten her more than I feel is proper when dealing with strangers. I stretched a little taller in my resolve, then joined the battle.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry to have to ask you, but aren’t you being paid by this bank? I mean, don’t you work for this here bank?”

“Obviously I work here! Sir!

“So then you must only work for the Tennessee highway patrol during the evenings, right, like as a part-time moonlighting job, right?”

“I do not work for the highway patrol! Whatever makes you think that?”

“What makes me wonder about that is you’re sittin’ here acting like a damn cop. Checking people’s driver’s licenses is what cops do, you know. Countin’ out money is what bankers do, right? So where do you come off trying to act like a highway patrol officer and giving me some crap about lettin’ my license run out? All you wanted to see it for was to see if I was really me, which it certainly does say. So if the state of Tennessee ain’t  payin‘ you to set here in your box surrounded by money and help them enforce their license laws, I mean, if they ain’t  paying you a state trooper’s wages, then you must be just trying to be difficult to me, and I’ll promise you, Ms. Teller, I ain’t exactly the first dude you might want to get difficult with. Now just give me my damn money and let me get the hell out of here, if that ain’t askin’ too much! OK?”

That did the trick. She rose up off her stool with the beginnings of a sneer trying to jump out of the corners of her pursed mouth. “Thirty-seven dollars and sixteen cents. Sheesh! This is not worth it! Here is your money. Get that license renewed today. And,” (with a fabulous scowl,) “have a nice day!”

She forgot to say “thank you for banking with us”, but I wasn’t going to remind her of that oversight with that guard standing near and me with a handful of cash which I had already had to work for twice. Instead I just turned and walked out with my money. I got into the car with Blind John Tangerine, who’s unwarranted query went like this: “What was you tryin’ to do in there, get one of them girls to lay ya? What took you so long?”  He took off, pulled out of the bank’s parking lot like an escape artist, and went west on Poplar.

“Aw, hell; my license was expired and she had to make a case out of it. I hate it when people put rules ahead of common sense. That roboticized woman as much as told me that since my license was expired, so was my rights to cash a check. Y’ think that don’t spell it out for you as to who’s in cahoots in this country? I mean, where does a danged bank come off gettin’ into the law enforcement business, anyway?”

“Oh, since the cops got into the behavior-enforcing business to help out the insurance lobby, I suppose.”

“What does that mean?”

“You see that seat belt you forgot to put on when we left the bank parking lot? If you get caught ridin’ in a car without a seat belt, it’s a fine. The insurance companies pay the government to make us wear `em, and the government pays the cops to catch us when we don’t wear `em. Think about it. You go out and buy a car, and you drive it on roads your tax dollars built, and here comes john law screwing with you for not wearing your damn seatbelt. I mean, like, what authority does an insurance company have, really, to reach right inside your car and screw with you for not wearing a seat belt? I mean, they don’t buy the car for you, do they? Ain’t it your damned car, on streets your tax dollars put there? So where do they come off trying to regulate what you do in the danged thang, huh?”

“Well, how do they get away with it, Blind John?”

“The bastards! Same way special interests did it back during Prohibition! How did the goody-goodies talk the federal government into making a law against drinkin’ during prohibition? They went up to Washington DC and told the congress that alcohol was bad for people, and that it hurt society `cause of all the bums and winos that washed up on the streets of cities, and this whole string of sad stories about how irresponsible people were who could not control themselves if anybody nearby popped a cork. Then the congressmen called the press and told them to make an item out of the social problem of alcohol, which the press did. Then all the goody-goods ran around campaigning across the country, saying that we should let the government have enough control over our personal lives to save us from ourselves.

“Finally, the politicians thought they had enough votes to get it through, and lo and behold, it worked. Prohibition became a law and was enforced.

Insurance companies are doing the same thing today. Who else gives a hoot about seat belts? The only people who want the damn government to look out for them are people on welfare and the banks and insurance companies. And maybe you can throw in the pharmaceuticals and the oil comp’nies, and some others. Them big corporations hold tight purse strings over the government’s head, kinda like a noose, if you get my drift.

“Just look at the insurance companies! Their bean counters told them one day that they could save millions in payouts if people in cars all wore their seatbelts. So the insurance brains announced to the public that it would save the insurance companies millions of dollars if everybody would wear seatbelts. But the people didn’t give a hoot, and they kept right on driving without their seatbelts. So then the insurance companies tried to bribe the public, telling them that if they would wear the bothersome things, the companies would lower their rates. Well, that worked on a few of the public, but not enough to let the savings roll in as fast as the insurance companies wanted. So they started a national “education” campaign, trying to show that seat belts save lives. Well, anytime you mention saving lives, the damn do-gooders will climb on board your wagon. It’s like people are an endangered species, ya know? Gotta save every life we can! Enough people bought into the scheme that the insurance lobbies could soon show the politicians where their bread was buttered. And to help congressmen push the seatbelt laws through, the companies slipped them each a nice little campaign contribution. Next thing you know, it’s a law. And, no matter how stupid and intrusive the government acts, most people just blindly worship the law. They don’t care if the law got on the books by the back door, or if a law is constitutional or not. No-sir, if there is a law, just keep it! That’s what the public thinks. They forget that the fools who make the laws are supposed to be representing us; instead, they wanna act like every damn law on the books came directly off the tablets of Moses.”

“Well, that’s for sure what that danged teller back there thinks! I think I’m gonna call my congressman.”

“Yeah, and you might as well plan on having dinner with the governor’s daughter, dumbass. I’ve been trying to tell you for years that the banks and the insurance companies are all part of the conspiracy to take over free Americans. Don’t you see it? They scratch each other’s backs, and we are supposed to pay for it. And not only that; they want the right to insult us in the bargain.”

I thought on it, and the ring of it sounded true to me. Ms Teller had not been very friendly, had actually been ready to insult me vocally on top of the insult she implied in doubting my word on who I really was. “Yeah,” I said, “you’d think that it was banks and governments that crawled out of the sea and grew legs, instead of it being human beings. They think they made us, alright, and that we belong to their little system. Well, they ain’t got a brand on my ass, and as far as I’m concerned, when they get any more power-hungry and greedy than they already are they might be surprised at the little tea party the people who live across this country might just up and throw for `em.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Elias. That was back in the times when Americans had to work for what they had, and had morals and ethics. But corporate America has bought out their souls now. You ain’t gonna find too many citizens caring what the damn government does nowadays, so long as it let’s them keep their tv sets and their cars and swimming pools and such. We’ve mostly gone soft and lazy as a country. The pity is there’s a whole generation being educated under their guidelines for how to think, and they’re buying into the brainwash. Shades of Brave New World meets 1984. It pisses me off just to think about it. Where do you want to go after we buy gas?”

“Let’s get out of town. Let’s go to the fishin’ camp and get out on the water.” I said. “I’m sure we both got our fishin’ licenses in order, right?” I poked Blind John on the shoulder for punctuation.

“You’re on. We can get some beer at the gas station. To hell with `em, anyway – next thing you know, the bastards will be wanting our fingerprints on our driver’s licenses.”

“Yeah, and then on our fishing licenses !”

“Yeah, and next thing you know, the law will be having the banks call `em up every time a dude comes into a little money, right? Like, you know, they’ll want the banks to turn into snitches.”

“That’s right, and after that they’ll do away with money all together, ya know? They’ll just use numbers. Believe me, they’d do it right now, but they ain’t got all the kinks worked out of their plan yet. I’m guessing it will take them a full generation to get the people to go for it. Maybe that’s why the national government is so keen on taking over the education of our kids, you know, so they can train `em to think that money is where crime comes from, and raise `em up thinking there is something wrong with money. All it will take is one generation of Americans believing what the government says to wipe out everything America used to stand for. And it will happen, too. There goes freedom, right out the window like a tweety bird that thought he was an eagle, and flipped out when he found out what he really was!”

“Hee-he, ya got it, dude!” Blind John Tangerine said as he pulled into an Amoco station, grinning. “Too bad ain’t nothing gonna wake the people up to it before it’s too late. But they won’t wake up. Government already has their souls all locked up in a cell, with bars made of creature comforts, convenience, and constitutional concessions.”

“Right on, dude!” I said as he got out of the car to pump the gasoline. I waited at the car, and wondered how much longer he and I could exist before the government found out that our way of thinking, you know, the way of being individual about how you live your life, was a danger to the welfare of society. Not long, I figured. Things were changing fast. The gold and silver have been missing from our money for a long time now. The government keeps a list of all our guns. The CIA has taken over the smuggling of most of the dope. And the government and the banks are in bed together with the insurance companies, having an orgy over unified law enforcement. And if Americans ever do wake up to it, they’ll have to give up their jobs to fight against it, and that won’t happen, `cause then they wouldn’t be able to feed their kids. They’ll just take it.

And me?  I’ll probably be dead of heart trouble.

© Elias Alias ™ 1999

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text: TY - JOUR TI - Semi-intact ex vivo approach to investigate spinal somatosensory circuits AU - Hachisuka, Junichi AU - Baumbauer, Kyle M AU - Omori, Yu AU - Snyder, Lindsey M AU - Koerber, H Richard AU - Ross, Sarah E A2 - Marder, Eve VL - 5 PY - 2016 DA - 2016/12/19 SP - e22866 C1 - eLife 2016;5:e22866 DO - 10.7554/eLife.22866 UR - https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22866 AB - The somatosensory input that gives rise to the perceptions of pain, itch, cold and heat are initially integrated in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Here, we describe a new approach to investigate these neural circuits in mouse. This semi-intact somatosensory preparation enables recording from spinal output neurons, while precisely controlling somatosensory input, and simultaneously manipulating specific populations of spinal interneurons. Our findings suggest that spinal interneurons show distinct temporal and spatial tuning properties. We also show that modality selectivity — mechanical, heat and cold — can be assessed in both retrogradely labeled spinoparabrachial projection neurons and genetically labeled spinal interneurons. Finally, we demonstrate that interneuron connectivity can be determined via optogenetic activation of specific interneuron subtypes. This new approach may facilitate key conceptual advances in our understanding of the spinal somatosensory circuits in health and disease. KW - optogenetics KW - spinal cord KW - dorsal horn KW - pain KW - itch KW - somatosensation JF - eLife SN - 2050-084X PB - eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd ER -