News for today's 2018

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION

1:03 AM Tukiyooo 0

<br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOgQcMIhLUhaIUknnyaCvndyevb-biTWpAaNfNYSr0nw9lGZCjvDqlSe_ORJXQOVAS2E0Up-fhA2pTPneB9o3Zyo23jQkRh70HL-pSHQuoEQwRUrIdBtF9ZITTLfIdPnsBOnr7EjP-e6k/s1600/640x392_27469_154627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOgQcMIhLUhaIUknnyaCvndyevb-biTWpAaNfNYSr0nw9lGZCjvDqlSe_ORJXQOVAS2E0Up-fhA2pTPneB9o3Zyo23jQkRh70HL-pSHQuoEQwRUrIdBtF9ZITTLfIdPnsBOnr7EjP-e6k/s400/640x392_27469_154627.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">MEDITERRANEAN GAS OUTLOOK THREATENED BY ARMED CONFLICT?</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The population in the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN region is expected to increase by as much as 35 percent in the next 20 years. Natural gas deposits in the Levant Basin are expected to keep the energy needs of the growing population satisfied indefinitely. Governments in the region are working quickly to get excess natural gas to the international market.  CYPRUS is already taking preliminary steps to start construction on a liquefied natural gas terminal and energy companies are queuing up in anticipation of an ISRAELI court decision on gas export polices. Ongoing conflict in SYRIA and territorial disputes between ISRAEL and LEBANON, however, may interfere with ambitions for the natural gas deposits in the MEDITERRANEAN SEA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2M6SGsvn47WACeHBP-aiwbaFqSMtwkbOquWC9_b_leI1Yo2VVsVmZanmm9pC7kuJTA_lNUV6BWI0L-i0g6x7z-rFqk10s8H3CmZy4kBi6w5Z6ss5fWZbz9Y7u-C8sst-4Qks7r4PN8mv/s1600/The-East-Med-pipeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2M6SGsvn47WACeHBP-aiwbaFqSMtwkbOquWC9_b_leI1Yo2VVsVmZanmm9pC7kuJTA_lNUV6BWI0L-i0g6x7z-rFqk10s8H3CmZy4kBi6w5Z6ss5fWZbz9Y7u-C8sst-4Qks7r4PN8mv/s320/The-East-Med-pipeline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CYPRUS reported its first offshore natural gas discovery just two years ago and is already laying the groundwork for an export terminal. Construction could start as early as 2015 and LNG exports are planned for 2020. Executives there <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-12/cyprus-studies-lng-export-expansion-beyond-12-billion-terminal.html">said</a>they'd likely have to make accommodations for natural gas from ISRAEL and LEBANON in their future export plans. Last year, one of AUSTRALIA'S biggest energy companies, Woodside Petroleum Ltd., <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-21/woodside-awaits-israel-court-decision-before-completing-gas-deal.html">said</a>it would fork over more than $2 billion for a stake in the Leviathan natural gas field. The company said this week it was waiting patiently for the ISRAELI courts to make a decision affecting gas export policies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the Levant Basin has probable undiscovered natural gas resources of 122 trillion cubic feet. At current rates of consumption, that may be enough to meet domestic natural gas demand almost indefinitely. Leviathan, the biggest of the Levant fields with 18 trillion cubic feet of estimated recoverable reserves, was discovered three years ago and could start production by 2016. Tamar, with an estimated 10 trillion cubic feet of reserves, <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-30/israel-begins-gas-production-at-tamar-field-in-boost-to-economy.html">started</a>production this year, four years after discovery.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TERRITORIAL DISPUTES BETWEEN ISRAEL AND LEBANON COULD LIMIT THE NATURAL GAS POTENTIAL IN THE REGION</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGg4M00ITpVaxCF67PmWgf8hDZ-lI9lrQrHC38cWe1jTtbOxXxKrYwKUwQ34C76zLSaZ8oL42KjChKJu218Uv0gXlaSJ7fMBVTYdbqT-0zlcCshyphenhyphen-rBw3rYaxv6_tyLZAyrI6ojnPNbh9G/s1600/Lebanon-Israel-Maritime-border-dispute.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGg4M00ITpVaxCF67PmWgf8hDZ-lI9lrQrHC38cWe1jTtbOxXxKrYwKUwQ34C76zLSaZ8oL42KjChKJu218Uv0gXlaSJ7fMBVTYdbqT-0zlcCshyphenhyphen-rBw3rYaxv6_tyLZAyrI6ojnPNbh9G/s1600/Lebanon-Israel-Maritime-border-dispute.gif" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The U.S. Energy Department's Energy Information Administration <a href="http://www.eia.gov/countries/regions-topics.cfm?fips=EM">said</a> nearly all of the "significant" natural gas discoveries of natural gas made in the last 10 years or so are in the Levant Basin. Most of the discoveries were made in ISRAELI waters. LEBANON contends some of the natural gas lies within its territorial waters and two years ago, the ISRAELI military launched drones over its gas fields in the Mediterranean, saying it was fearful of a Hezbollah attack. Hezbollah took its 2006 war with ISRAEL as an sign it could take on its adversaries using conventional military means and, in 2011, Hezbollah <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hezbollah-lebanon-will-not-let-israel-seize-its-natural-gas-1.373201">pledged</a>to use whatever means necessary to defend LEBANON'S national interests.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The EIA said armed conflict and territorial disputes could limit the natural gas potential in the region. In terms of oil, the EIA said SYRIA had the largest reserves as of January. Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut were the target of recent bombing campaigns as the Shiite organization faces more threats since acknowledging it was <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/world/middleeast/hezbollah-makes-vow-to-step-up-sunni-fight.html">fighting </a>alongside pro-government forces in SYRIA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SYRIA ALLEGEDLY DISCOVERED LARGE OIL AND NATURAL GAS IN ITS TERRITORIAL WATERS</span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/08/syrian-oil-and-gas-findings-propaganda.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/08/syrian-oil-and-gas-findings-propaganda.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IRAN - IRAQ - SYRIA GAS PIPELINE AGREEMENT SIGNED IN JULY 2012 WORTH US$10 BILLION</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: DE-AT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/05/pipelineistan.html"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/05/pipelineistan.html</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: DE-AT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">TRANS ARABIAN PIPELINE “TAPLINE</span>”</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/12/syria-cause-and-effect.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/12/syria-cause-and-effect.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is no sign the conflict in SYRIA is letting up. The U.N. Security Council <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/hold-emergency-meeting-syria-attack-20024783">said </a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the alleged use of chemical weapons in SYRIA. Pro-Western lawmakers in Beirut, meanwhile, <a href="http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2013/Aug-21/228089-future-raps-hezbollah-militia-like-measures.ashx">said</a>Hezbollah's security crackdown following last week's bombing was "an aggression against the state." The White House said the use of chemical weapons in SYRIA "crossed clear red lines that have existed within the international community for decades." But that was in June, the last time allegations of chemical weapons surfaced. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The population in the Mediterranean region could reach 62 million by 2030.  While representing less than 1 percent of the total proven oil and natural gas reserves, prolific offshore basins could alter the regional markets substantially. Conflict, however, could inhibit much of the regional development in the short-term. With most signs pointing to an escalation of the crisis in SYRIA, the energy sector won't be the only thing redefined in terms of regional dynamics.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Comment by Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Worthwhile to mention is that the SYRIAN conflict will most probably continue for some time, similar to the civil war in LEBANON, which lasted 15 years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">By Daniel J. Graeber via Oilprice.com</span></span></div>

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION

MEDITERRANEAN GAS OUTLOOK THREATENED BY ARMED CONFLICT? The population in the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN region is expected to increase by as mu...

ISRAEL, GREECE, CYPRUS

12:48 AM Tukiyooo 0

<br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9NtwHGHY6wfNNFlbf0zSSIfEr_7q87yqFQaIskXHzm8J6QCqkUU4Zs85U3_jVQZ6xcbK_KKnRtG-OvAOEmIeNol1wsRuroNoeWiAbepD9JUdGuvYWevy1eK8t3kKvWTksZrXjmI1wdGk/s1600/Kipr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9NtwHGHY6wfNNFlbf0zSSIfEr_7q87yqFQaIskXHzm8J6QCqkUU4Zs85U3_jVQZ6xcbK_KKnRtG-OvAOEmIeNol1wsRuroNoeWiAbepD9JUdGuvYWevy1eK8t3kKvWTksZrXjmI1wdGk/s320/Kipr.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SIGN ENERGY AND WATER DEAL</span></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Three-way agreement enhances cooperation over electricity, natural gas and sewage treatment</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAEL signed an agreement with GREECE and CYPRUS that promises to link the three countries’ electricity grids via an underwater cable. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The tripartite energy memorandum of understanding came after nearly a year of negotiations and was signed in Nicosia, CYPRUS, by Energy and Water Resources Minister Silvan Shalom; Nicos Kouyialis, the CYPRIOT minister of agriculture, natural resources and environment; and George Lakkotrypis, the GREEK minister for the environment, energy and climate change. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The underwater, 2,000-mega-watt EUROASIA Interconnector “will lift CYPRUS out of energy isolation, with cheaper electricity which will help our economy become more competitive,” Lakotrypis said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shalom said the “historic” agreement “demonstrates the strong and tightening relations between the countries.” He added that the “electric conduit can easily become a cable that will supply and export electricity to the EUROPEAN energy market, and provide us with energy security.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE AGREEMENT ALSO DEALT WITH NATURAL GAS AND WATER ISSUES</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The three countries will work together to protect natural gas fields, and have launched a project to cooperate with treatment of sewage as well as recycling water for use in farming. TURKEY has challenged CYPRUS’S right to some of the gas fields it claims, and has even threatened military intervention.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information: </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ENERGY RUSH IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN AND ITS POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2011/12/energy-games-in-eastern-mediterranean.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2011/12/energy-games-in-eastern-mediterranean.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHANGING THE GEOPOLITICAL BALANCE OF POWER IN THE MIDDLE EASTERN REGION</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/02/new-mediterranean-oil-and-gas-bonanza.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/02/new-mediterranean-oil-and-gas-bonanza.html</a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUfG96fzH6AU3ItOdNyABbHnpLJUrW_L3sRJC9uQN8McZOasm9SADFFxmIEykaAWch4FsPfCoDRmjLVe187ibdqy_i7BG-9pQWDdeU6K5pEk875ctR1ZzGQvEzAMGEwpW7J1CvLhZQGVf/s1600/Southeastern-Mediterranean-Energy-Developments-300x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUfG96fzH6AU3ItOdNyABbHnpLJUrW_L3sRJC9uQN8McZOasm9SADFFxmIEykaAWch4FsPfCoDRmjLVe187ibdqy_i7BG-9pQWDdeU6K5pEk875ctR1ZzGQvEzAMGEwpW7J1CvLhZQGVf/s320/Southeastern-Mediterranean-Energy-Developments-300x200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kouyialis said that the agreement signed on marks the continuation of an already existing partnership. He noted that ISRAELI companies were involved in the establishment of three of his country’s four permanent desalination plants.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“A new era of cooperation starts today in the field of sewage treatment and waste water reuse that will help CYPRUS improve its water balance, as substantial and constant quantities of recycled water will be utilized in the best possible way,” said Kouyialis.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">REGIONAL WATER SECURITY A NECESSITY </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shalom said that “ISRAEL would like to give any help needed” and added that regional water security was necessary, “even though CYPRUS is not facing the same threats that ISRAEL is facing from terrorists.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">IAF TO BE STATIONED IN CYPRUS</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/02/eastern-mediterranean-sea.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/02/eastern-mediterranean-sea.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CYPRUS AND ISRAEL TO BECOME MAJOR GAS EXPORTERS IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/02/geo-strategic-dynamics-in-eastern.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/02/geo-strategic-dynamics-in-eastern.html</a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAEL’S partnership with CYPRUS on natural gas is seen as a challenge to TURKEY, which has threatened Cyprus over gas fields it claims for itself. Jerusalem upgraded its relationship with CYPRUS and GREECE as its ties with TURKEY, once the Jewish state’s prime regional ally, began to deteriorate following the rise of Islamist President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2007.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="color: blue;"> </span><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Background Information: </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">TURKEY RESUMES NATO TIES WITH ISRAEL</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/israel-and-turkey.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/israel-and-turkey.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE RESOURCES</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/energy-adventures-in-eastern.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/energy-adventures-in-eastern.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CYPRUS: EMERGING GEO-STRATEGIC KEY PLAYER IN THE EASTER MEDITERRANEAN? </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/cyprus-emerging-geo-strategic-key.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/cyprus-emerging-geo-strategic-key.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">By Asher Zeiger </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

ISRAEL, GREECE, CYPRUS

SIGN ENERGY AND WATER DEAL Three-way agreement enhances cooperation over electricity, natural gas and sewage treatment ISRAEL signed an agr...

Webinar recording: Mindmapping with iPads and other devices (by Carolyn Bruton)

11:57 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC5q-AbtwoeSTldBEF5qs2O6Nd9nEBVfQXPWIDnka7CTlme3BhnW0SUtT8rn-GuGptiLtWVmZAe5F3vmO1ETpXKadsEN-aLle1R7uUmLKnI6YSjaxpsUY3ogiYX9LFqRD-fgdvGRWWNg/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="400" /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday we held two SchoolNet webinars presented by Carolyn Bruton, a teacher who is an expert in Mindmapping. The first one took place at 3:30pm and the second one was a repeat that took place at 6:00 pm. Thank you to all who attended the webinars<br /><br /><strong>Presentation</strong>: <br />Carolyn’s presentation is given below – Carolyn has kindly agreed that teachers can download it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><strong>Recording link</strong>:<br />If you wish to listen to the presentation the recording link can be found at  <a href="http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/p9ns17glj1f/">http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/p9ns17glj1f/</a></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="356" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/25508395" style="border-bottom: #ccc 0px solid; border-left: #ccc 1px solid; border-right: #ccc 1px solid; border-top: #ccc 1px solid; margin-bottom: 5px;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="427"> </iframe> <br /><div style="margin-bottom: 5px;"><strong><a href="https://www.slideshare.net/Schoolnetsa11/mind-mapping-on-your-i-pad-and-other-devices-by-carolyn-bruton" target="_blank" title="Mind mapping on your i pad and other devices by Carolyn Bruton">Mind mapping on your i pad and other devices by Carolyn Bruton</a> </strong>from <strong><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/Schoolnetsa11" target="_blank">Schoolnet SA </a></strong></div></div></div></div></div>

webinars Webinar recording: Mindmapping with iPads and other devices (by Carolyn Bruton)

Yesterday we held two SchoolNet webinars presented by Carolyn Bruton, a teacher who is an expert in Mindmapping. The first one took place ...

How to Be a Famous Mommy Blogger

9:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hola all you folks hanging around the slowly dying Bloggerhood to the bitter end. IWS has a very special treat for y’all today. I’m joined by my very good friend, the super smart, funny, sweet, clever, talented and HAWT <b><a href="http://thankgoodnessforthegoodones.blogspot.com/">Gnetch</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dyinetch">AKA</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/uhohgnetchy">Little Miss Sunshine</a>!!!</b>IKR???!!!!  Anyway, we’re here today to give some of you budding Mommy/Daddy Bloggers out there some free advice on making it in the Blogging World. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Gnetch:</b> That’s right Jay and hello to the IWS world! Blogging may be dead but not for mommy blogs. Seems like mommy blogs will stay with us forever, at least until they stop having babies or their babies grow up. Since mommy/daddy blogs are pretty common, I have a few tips on how to be an EXTRAORDINARY mommy/daddy blogger.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jay:</b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> That’s right Gnetch babe! We are freaking EXPERTS on this shit. I mean just look at us, the happy mommy and daddy with our beautiful United Nations looking family which is a HUGE advantage in the mommy blogging world for obvious reasons</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">… <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6dIwQ-dHTVOMI3SNzMD3eagcZuhe2fYIUoE5K9j69OhLbudx4hNfpfglLBO7gLg2WfijlEucqWEJyfRVwlYg29OmkHetmwE2KUuQkKFWXDZN5JT80YspIehP1u4D18TMWtmw2CVgON9u/s1600/Angelina+Gnetch+Brad+Jay+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6dIwQ-dHTVOMI3SNzMD3eagcZuhe2fYIUoE5K9j69OhLbudx4hNfpfglLBO7gLg2WfijlEucqWEJyfRVwlYg29OmkHetmwE2KUuQkKFWXDZN5JT80YspIehP1u4D18TMWtmw2CVgON9u/s1600/Angelina+Gnetch+Brad+Jay+Family.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Anyway, here’s some very good advice for you other mommies and daddies out there. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Gnetch:</b> Giving your readers the impression that your baby is extra smart because they learned how to say "dada" at such an early age is pretty common. Readers have higher standards now. They're not impressed with "dada" anymore. Unless "dada" really means "fuck off", then that's extraordinary. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Jay:</b> You’re absolutely right on that. One of the biggest mistakes I see mommy/daddy bloggers make is they brag about some of the most mundane things their little snowflakes do that really aren’t all that special. Kids do cute shit all the time and they pretty much all do the same cute shit. You gotta make sure your kids stands out! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Gnetch: </b>Darn right! What’s important is for mommies and daddies to make readers think your baby is better than theirs. Do not just rely on them developing naturally. Teach them and let your readers think they're just naturally talented.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Jay:</b> What kinds of things should people be teaching their babies?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Gnetch:</b> In their first month, while your baby is still trying to adjust to this strange new world, teach them how to twerk. Oh, don't use the "they're just babies, their bones are still weak" bullshit. It's a tough world out there. Better train them early. Anyway, teach them how to twerk. This may take time, because one-month babies can't stand by themselves yet BUT it will be worth your effort. By the age of 3 months, they'll probably be twerking their way to you to ask for milk. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Jay:</b> That would be a pretty special baby right there! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Gnetch:</b> Oh, there’s more. In their third month, when your baby is strong enough to hold their head steadier (and can twerk), teach them how to pole dance. Install a pole in their crib and let them figure out what to do with it. They'll figure it out. The kid will reach for the pole, learn how to stand while holding on to the pole, and eventually learn how to dance. You’ll be surprised.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Jay:</b> This when mom and dad need to get the video recorder out and make their kid a star right? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Gnetch:</b> Dude, you are so right. Make sure you document these talents on a video and post it on your blog. OHMYGOD, your baby has natural talent. Of course no one should know that you're the one who taught your baby. Our aim here is to make your baby sound special and be on Ellen before the age of 1.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Jay:</b> Special but not “SPECIAL” right? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Gnetch:</b> Ha! Right, we’re not talking hockey helmet special here. We’re talking Miley Cyrus special talent here. Most importantly though, to stand out as a mommy/daddy blogger, you have to make sure your baby reaches fame and popularity. Add a few drops of alcohol in their milk and have them snort a pinch of coke. You're gonna get hate for this, that's for sure. But what matters is that you and your baby are famous. Bad publicity is still publicity, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Jay:</b> Hell yeah! Rehab at the age 12? That’s gonna get your kid talked about on social media a lot and that’s where fame starts. From there make sure the kid relapses so they can go on Dr. Drew and Celebrity Rehab and then what happens? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Gnetch:</b> Your kids go on Oprah and then they get their very own reality show! And THAT’S how you measure success as a parent! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrFVc5EDz2d12tchPSINwRdTallBjqm2bN2aYj5AqRcJ1txAtK4vKEbyTkzyQCPCF9VV6wdP2RzEnRSBei1fvOteakpEkUHVtfeXYMzdwFp_oDAr7zAyech3lDTgEEvhYGWfXjQTIxdOr/s1600/Hot+Sexy+Asian+Babe+Eating+Pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrFVc5EDz2d12tchPSINwRdTallBjqm2bN2aYj5AqRcJ1txAtK4vKEbyTkzyQCPCF9VV6wdP2RzEnRSBei1fvOteakpEkUHVtfeXYMzdwFp_oDAr7zAyech3lDTgEEvhYGWfXjQTIxdOr/s1600/Hot+Sexy+Asian+Babe+Eating+Pizza.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Jay:</b> Damn right babe! Thanks for sharing all your brilliant insight with us here today. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Gnetch: </b>No, thank you! Anytime dude. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="mailto:jayman3768@gmail.com" target="_blank">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="mailto:jayman3768@gmail.com" target="_blank">  </a>                  <br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/jayman68">Facebook</a>                                             <br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws">@Jayman_IWS</a>                                   <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://thankgoodnessforthegoodones.blogspot.com/">Gnetch’s Blog</a><br /></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="mailto:iblogsowhat@gmail.com">iblogsowhat@gmail.com</a></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dyinetch">Gnetch’s Facebook</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/uhohgnetchy">@UhOhGnetchy</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

How to Be a Famous Mommy Blogger

Hola all you folks hanging around the slowly dying Bloggerhood to the bitter end. IWS has a very special treat for y’all today. I’m joined b...

Canadian doctors to tackle unnecessary medical tests | Toronto Star

7:12 PM Tukiyooo 0

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The Canadian Medical Association has put its stamp of approval on a growing movement of doctors tackling unnecessary, possibly even harmful, over-testing and over-treating.</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Following a <a href="http://www.cma.ca/physicians-lead-appropriateness-of-care" target="_blank" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 114, 188); text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">widely supported resolution at the CMA's general council</a> meeting in Calgary on Tuesday, the organization representing Canada's doctors will form a working group to determine practices "for which benefits have generally not been shown to exceed the risks."</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The CMA has asked societies of medical specialists to come up with lists of five to 10 tests and procedures that may be used too often or even be risky for patients.</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"If we're going to try and improve the efficiency, and reduce errors, in our health-care system, then what we should be doing is only things that we know will be beneficial to patients," said CMA president Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti.</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"The exercise is not to reduce costs; the exercise is to give the patient the best possible care. And what usually ends up happening is that you reduce costs at the end of the day."</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">It mirrors a U.S. campaign <a href="http://www.choosingwisely.org/" target="_blank" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 114, 188); text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">started in 2011, dubbed Choosing Wisely</a>, which now has the support of dozens of medical societies that have identified hundreds of tests and procedures.</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Among the common practices called into question south of the border are routine diagnostic imaging for headaches and short-term lower back pain, prescription of antibiotics for sinusitis, annual electrocardiograms (commonly called EKGs) for low-risk, symptom-free patients and annual Pap tests.</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Antibiotics aren't effective against viruses — the most common cause of illness — and even bacterial ear and sinus infections frequently clear up on their own, avoiding risks of side effects and superbugs.</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">While diagnostic imaging can provide helpful information in some cases, it also exposes patients to radiation, which can itself cause cancer, or leads to invasive tests that carry other risks.</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"An unnecessary test is often worse than no test because it can lead to even more tests and procedures, some of which are invasive and carry their own risks," said Dr. Scott Wooder, president of the <a href="http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2013/08/22/www.oma.org" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 114, 188); text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Ontario Medical Association</a>.</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">And testing opens the doors to false positives, causing anxiety on the part of patients.</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"False positives are a kind of harm. It can be harm psychologically, and physically," said Dr. Wendy Levinson, a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto who worked on the Choosing Wisely campaign in the U.S.</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Levinson, who chairs Choosing Wisely Canada, said society has built an underlying belief that "more is better."</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"But when you talk about not ordering a test . . . Canadians can think this is about rationing," said Levinson. "This is not about cost-cutting. It's about changing the culture and starting to talk about overuse and waste and harm. I don't think patients really appreciate that when they ask for a CT scan or imaging, that's unnecessary X-ray radiation. Or drugs that can cause side effects."</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Levinson hopes to launch the Choosing Wisely Canada campaign next spring, with the first lists of potentially overused or harmful tests and procedures in hand.</p></div><div class="text combinedtext parbase section" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; "><p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2012/11/08/healthcare_checkup_are_ontario_patients_being_overtested.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 114, 188); text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Ontario government has already replaced funding</a> for annual checkups with "<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2012/11/14/annual_physical_exams_scaled_back_under_new_deal_with_ontario_doctors.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 114, 188); text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">periodic health visits</a>" and cut money for what it called "unnecessary" X-rays, MRIs or CT scans of the lower back when there are no suspected or known problems such as tumours or osteoporosis.</p></div></div><a href="http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2013/08/22/canadian_doctors_to_tackle_unnecessary_medical_tests_1.html">http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2013/08/22/canadian_doctors_to_tackle_unnecessary_medical_tests_1.html</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Canadian doctors to tackle unnecessary medical tests | Toronto Star

The Canadian Medical Association has put its stamp of approval on a growing movement of doctors tackling unnecessary, possibly even harmful,...

Quest Protein: White Chocolate Raspberry protein bar review!

6:39 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8SgaD1BU-8/Uha59JeYlhI/AAAAAAAAJXk/VA9zA6BR0CE/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8SgaD1BU-8/Uha59JeYlhI/AAAAAAAAJXk/VA9zA6BR0CE/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></span></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Look who's back for another review on the blog!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.questproteinbar.com/?gclid=CMbZr76ekrkCFSFxQgod_0wAcA">Quest Protein </a>has a new flavor which is white chocolate raspberry and I just had to try it!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You've probably seen my other review of their protein bars and I absolutely love them!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They are full of protein and give me just what my body needs after an intense workout.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's also great for a quick and easy snack that you can just put into your bag to tag along with you.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I like that these bars aren't overload with sugar that we just don't need and also it keeps me energized to get through the day.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I haven't tried any bars of theirs that I didn't like I loved them all and couldn't wait to give their new flavor a try when they sent me a box for review!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">White chocolate raspberry: </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow the taste was so delicious reminded me of an unhealthy cheesecake or something like it but so much better. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I couldn't stop nibbling on it while working today it was just that good!  </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Velvety smooth luscious white chocolate with raspberry swirled all over in every single mouth watering bite!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You need to check them out on their pages below!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Website:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.questproteinbar.com/?gclid=CMbZr76ekrkCFSFxQgod_0wAcA">http://www.questproteinbar.com/?gclid=CMbZr76ekrkCFSFxQgod_0wAcA</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twitter:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/QuestNutrition">https://twitter.com/QuestNutrition</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Instagram:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/questnutrition?ref=badge">http://instagram.com/questnutrition?ref=badge</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Facebook:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/QuestNutrition">https://www.facebook.com/QuestNutrition</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pinterest:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/questnutrition/">http://pinterest.com/questnutrition/</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Google+:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/app/basic/104649305040292523073/posts?source=apppromo">https://plus.google.com/app/basic/104649305040292523073/posts?source=apppromo</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Quest Protein: White Chocolate Raspberry protein bar review!

Look who's back for another review on the blog! Quest Protein has a new flavor which is white chocolate raspberry and I just had to try ...

meme

6:07 PM Tukiyooo 0

meme

Got sick of that last post being on top and had to write something! It's been a whirlwind of busy busy here. One kid in year-round sch...

Quest Protein Peanut Butter Cups Review

5:02 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yj1Uy1S2aQE/Uhah4AcYgRI/AAAAAAAAJWo/Z81KutwIXTA/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yj1Uy1S2aQE/Uhah4AcYgRI/AAAAAAAAJWo/Z81KutwIXTA/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I've done a review before on <a href="http://www.questproteinbar.com/?gclid=CMbZr76ekrkCFSFxQgod_0wAcA">Quest Protein </a>products such as their delicious protein bars which are great for a quick workout snack to nourish your body.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I absolutely love their bars and freaked when I find out that they have peanut butter cups and just knew that I had to give them a try because like hello I love chocolate and what's better with chocolate than nutty peanut butter?!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I was super psyched when they showed up for review and couldn't wait to give them a try to see how they compare to any other brand of peanut butter cups I've tried.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When they showed up they felt squishy like they were a bit melted so I popped them in the fridge.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So when it came time to munching on one I noticed just as I thought they had melted which to me is fine because I like them kept cold to serve it up with a nice cold glass of milk.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Let me just tell you they are so delicious!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>They don't even compare to any other brands I've tried because they are that good!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>They offer a whopping total 20 grams of protein which is great for after a workout to replenish your body or even if you have a craving for something sweet and guilt free!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I loved the chocolate it was creamy and the peanut butter texture was just right it was too powdery as some peanut butters.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Check out their </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>website :</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.questproteinbar.com/?gclid=CMbZr76ekrkCFSFxQgod_0wAcA"><i>http://www.questproteinbar.com/?gclid=CMbZr76ekrkCFSFxQgod_0wAcA</i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Facebook: </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/QuestNutrition"><i>https://www.facebook.com/QuestNutrition</i></a><br /><i><br /></i><i>Twitter:</i><br /><i><br /></i><i><a href="https://twitter.com/QuestNutrition">https://twitter.com/QuestNutrition</a></i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Instagram:</i><br /><i><a href="http://instagram.com/questnutrition?ref=badge">http://instagram.com/questnutrition?ref=badge</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Quest Protein Peanut Butter Cups Review

I've done a review before on Quest Protein products such as their delicious protein bars which are great for a quick workout snack to no...

Teamsters hear from workers: 'Please help us'

2:40 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="tr_bq"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LqyRvctUBVEvg133PAsTI5pdsmEmt56fpyQ5j40sWDf4FBcIDVwfS3_H0b61Hvoj0jDHHKhwuKlKIO5M5DAvXY_C9EHtEnvatgsg-jmUmeKQsgxqxg3lrjIB23wZQHApk7BkV1cBXsQR/s1600/godblessunions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LqyRvctUBVEvg133PAsTI5pdsmEmt56fpyQ5j40sWDf4FBcIDVwfS3_H0b61Hvoj0jDHHKhwuKlKIO5M5DAvXY_C9EHtEnvatgsg-jmUmeKQsgxqxg3lrjIB23wZQHApk7BkV1cBXsQR/s200/godblessunions.jpg" width="200" /></a>The Teamsters Organizing department is <i>deluged</i> with requests for help in forming a union. We expect other unions also hear from workers who very much want to join.<br /><br />We're sharing with you some comments from workers who've contacted our organizers in the hopes we can help them. All comments are anonymous, of course, because companies will fire workers who breathe the word "union":<br /><blockquote>Sorry if I seem a little apprehensive but the conditions we work under are that bad. We are constantly told we are replaceable. This company laid-off long-time workers and replaced them with new hires because the maintenance manager is friends/family with the new hires. We were forced to lie to a workers comp hearing or lose our job. ... We desperately need a union but even talking to you will cost me my job. </blockquote><blockquote>Please Help us Get a Union Vote!!!! </blockquote><blockquote>...I have almost 23 years and have been put into a different job and will lose over $10 per hour while people with 5 years -- and some who refuse to do a good job -- kept their positions? I think I might have been selected for demotion based on past efforts I made to unionize! Or I am being singled out for something else, we have no recourse. Our Ombudsman is our Human Resource rep. How impartial is that when they are the problem? We need some help </blockquote><blockquote>Right now the state ...  is depleting funding from education. Teachers have faced pay cuts, no raises for 7 years, and now they are taking away our job security.  I want The Teamsters, the most powerful union in the country, to help the state ... to begin the fight for workers' rights.  We have a chance to make history if we can organize all the teachers in the state to go on strike.  Please help us. </blockquote><blockquote>We are getting poor pay, about 15% less than other companies, and we are forced to work on Saturday and Sunday.... .I believe we need a union and have reason to believe that my co-workers feel the same way. </blockquote><blockquote>Like to do something about the hours we work and pay we make</blockquote><div class="MsoPlainText"><br /></div></div>

organizing unions Teamsters hear from workers: 'Please help us'

The Teamsters Organizing department is deluged with requests for help in forming a union. We expect other unions also hear from workers who...

European Squash Masters

1:34 PM Tukiyooo 0

European Squash Masters

Ciaran is traveling to the European Squash Masters in Prague next week. The draw has just been put up online. He has found out that in th...

The Fuck Is The Matter With Some People?

1:29 PM Tukiyooo 0

Watch this cute video and then realize some fucking asshole called the Wildlife department on the old guy and they took his pet raccoon away.<br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/h8rnHXV7A8Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><a href="http://boingboing.net/2013/08/21/pet-raccoon-confiscated.html">Fucking jerks</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>Matthew says: "Mark Brown, a self-described Tennessee 'Hillbilly' YouTuber, posts videos of himself and his pet raccoon, Rebekah. After Brown racked up over a million views from his YouTube channel, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency visited his home and seized Rebekah. Brown suspects the agency decided to seize his pet after his video went viral, but a representative from the wildlife agency claims a neighbor's complaint led to Rebekah's removal. Brown is now trying to get Rebekah released."</blockquote><br />He has a bunch of cute videos on Youtube, check 'em out.<br /><br />And YOU, motherfuckers in the Tennessee Wildlife Department, GIVE HIM BACK HIS RACCOON!<br /><br />WTF?<br />Ya got nothin' better to do?

The Fuck Is The Matter With Some People?

Watch this cute video and then realize some fucking asshole called the Wildlife department on the old guy and they took his pet raccoon away...