Thursday, August 27, 2020

Sustainable Management Futures Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Practical Management Futures - Assignment Example It had been clear that since numerous years analysts just as organizers have been battling hard to characterize the idea of reasonable turn of events. Be that as it may, the definition has been excessively broad. It tends to be said that the objectives should be very explicit and this may fluctuate so as to reflect various conditions and national advancement arrangements across nations. The nation’s objective for the ecologically economical advancement assumes a fundamental job in this respects (Hoole and Et. Al., 1995). Thinking about the meaning of maintainability, there are three key viewpoints specifically business and salary age, individuals cooperation and strengthening and preservation of condition and common assets. The needs set might be unique while actualizing every one of these viewpoints and will in general express various mentalities towards nature, society and moral choices included (Mansvelt and Mulder, 2002).â â It can be assessed that the difficulties of t he supportable improvement for the arrangement are very extraordinary in contrast with other approach issues. The distinctions will in general emerge from complete nature of maintainable turn of events and accentuation that is laid upon the government assistance of things to come age. Contrasts may likewise emerge from the accentuation gave to the manageable improvement considering it as a procedure of progress where the use of the assets, the pattern of the mechanical turn of events and alter just as the course of the venture are made consistent.... Be that as it may, the definition has been excessively broad. It tends to be said that the objectives should be very explicit and this may shift so as to reflect various conditions and national improvement approaches across nations. The nation’s objective for the earth economical improvement assumes an imperative job in this respects (Hoole and Et. Al., 1995). Thinking about the meaning of supportability, there are three key angles in particular work and salary age, individuals cooperation and strengthening and protection of condition and normal assets. The needs set might be extraordinary while executing every one of these viewpoints and will in general express various mentalities towards nature, society and moral choices included (Mansvelt and Mulder, 2002). It very well may be assessed that the difficulties of the maintainable advancement for the approach are very extraordinary in contrast with other strategy issues. The distinctions will in general emerge from thorough nat ure of supportable turn of events and accentuation that is laid upon the government assistance of things to come age. Contrasts may likewise emerge from the accentuation gave to the economical advancement considering it as a procedure of progress where the use of the assets, the pattern of the mechanical turn of events and alter just as the course of the venture are made reliable with the necessities of things to come and the present. It can additionally be uncovered that the practical improvement strategy should be founded on establishments and dynamic structures prompting feasible results. Another significant basis for the practical improvement is that the decision of the arrangement should be guided by monetary productivity. The explanation for this is if the standard

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Comparison between Electoral Systems and Movement Organising Essay

Correlation between Electoral Systems and Movement Organizing - Essay Example This paper talks about thatâ using people’s power has constructive perspectives, for example, the intrigue of having the majority on the side of the change they need. At the point when the majority are in solidarity in requesting for a specific activity from the administration, there is significantly more universal consideration focussed on the circumstance that powers the concerned gatherings in power to take proper activities to address the circumstance. Also, when the individuals demonstration in solidarity to request change, they have substantially more quality and inspiration to see it done.This paper proclaims that the antagonistic parts of peoples’ power are that it can prompt savagery bringing about wounds or even loss of lives. Now and again, it prompts a drawn out shakiness in the locale or nation influenced. A case of the situation where the peoples’ power took control was in the Arab transformation in Egypt when the Egyptians rose against the then sy stem of President Hosni Mubarak. The Egyptian fights fundamentally concerned policy driven issues and lawful issues that they professed to treat them inadequately. After they had prevailing to over through President Hosni, there were political changes, despite the fact that flimsiness stays a major test to date. The number of enlisted voters who vote as a rule decreases under any ordinary condition. Development building can be utilized to enhance the voter turnout more advantageously than the appointive framework. Normally when the majority take an interest in exhibits, for example, the peoples’ power, the battling networks take an enormous part in the cooperation.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Three Must-Know Facts - Steering Clear of Title Loans (1 of 3)

Three Must-Know Facts - Steering Clear of Title Loans (1 of 3) Steering Clear of Title Loans (1 of 3): Three Must-Know Facts Steering Clear of Title Loans (1 of 3): Three Must-Know FactsTitle Loans are a real clunker of a deal. Here are the facts you should know before risking your ride.If you’ve driven through any dicey area, you’ve seen the Car Title Lender’s storefronts. These are the shops offering “Fast Cash” and “Kwik Money Today!” If you’re in a jam, it can seem appealing to walk into a store, sign some papers, and walk out with money in your pocket. But what’s the real cost?Let’s break it down with the 3 Must-Know Facts about Car Title Loans.Fact 1: They’re predatoryWhat is a Car Title loan in the first place? It works likes this: A borrower takes out a short term, small dollar loan from a title lender in exchange for signing over the title to their car (or boat, or motorcycle, or hot air balloon, any vehicle with value). The loan itself comes with an extremely high-interest rate (usually around 300% APR!).1 With interest rates like that, the loans are designed to be difficult to repay. That’s called predatory lending. It means that the lender has effectively sold you on a loan you can’t afford, trapping borrowers in debt cycles, and then ultimately being able to take (or “repossess”) the borrower’s car. These lenders aren’t out to give borrowers a financial boost, they’re out to boost your car!Fact 2: They short you on the value of your vehicleIn a Car Title Loan transaction, you are using your vehicle as collateral. Essentially, you’re securing the loan for the lender by empowering them to take your car if you fail to repay (which is what they want, of course). The lender says the loan is based on the value of your car, but that’s almost never the case. A typical car title loan is for only 40-60% of the value of your vehicle.2 So now the borrower isn’t getting a loan for the full value of their car, but rather a small dollar loan attached to a grossly inflated interest rate and set of additional fees. Read more in Title Loans: Risk, Rollover, and Repo.Fact 3: Those short terms and high interest rates are by designThe average Car Title Loan is for a period of only 30 days. When you’re in a financial emergency, it can seem like a good short term solution, but the truth is that the consequences are often far worse than if you had skipped the loan in the first place.Yes, interest rates are high to begin with, but many title lenders charge you a flat fee just to use their “service”. This destructive combination of short terms, high interest, and arbitrary fees, means that you’re very likely to pay the value of the loan many times over, lose your car, or both.3 Read more in 5 Need-to-Know About Title LoansCar Title Loans are dangerous and predatory but the good news is that they are totally avoidable. Keep your finances (and car) safe by driving past these dangerous, predatory lenders.A safe alternative to Car Title Loans are personal installment loans from OppLoans. We offer fixed interest loans that range from $1,000-$4,000 and have repayment periods of 6-36 months. We offer better personal loans and top notch customer service â€" our customers rate us 5 out of 5 stars. Click below to get started today.References1. “5 Shocking Facts About Car Title Loans” Cheatsheet.com. https://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-finance/5-shocking-facts-about-car-title-loans.html/?a=viewall Accessed 3.1.20162. “Be Aware of a Cash Loan for Your Car Title: 5 Facts for Avoiding a Bad Loan.” Carsdirect.com. https://www.carsdirect.com/auto-loans/be-aware-of-a-cash-loan-for-your-car-title-5-facts-for-avoiding-a-bad-loan Accessed 3.1.163. “Car Title Loans” About.com https://banking.about.com/od/loans/a/cartitleloans.htm Accessed 5.6.2016Blog Series: Steering Clear of Title LoansPart 1: Three Must-Know FactsPart 2: Dont Risk Your RidePart 3: What to do if Youre Already Trapped

Monday, May 25, 2020

Verizon Communications Inc. Corporate Social Responsibility

Verizon Communications Inc. Corporate Social Responsibility As corporations and businesses evolve, they must adapt to the changing landscape of societal, environmental, and corporate-success needs. To achieve such responsibility, Verizon Communications Inc. has, and continues to, meticulously plant its feet into the web of the triple-bottom line. While maintaining their credo which is â€Å"a blueprint that directs us to live up to the highest standards when serving our customers, shareowners, communities, and each other†, Verizon aligns their overall goal to â€Å"design, build, and operate global networks, information systems and mobile technologies that connect people, grow businesses and economies, and improve communities† (Verizon.com). The†¦show more content†¦The company has provided an excellent infographics titled â€Å"2014 Corporate Responsibility Supplement: Performance Dashboard† detailing the program’s success. The other educational program is the Verizon Innovative App Challenge, which allows middle school and high school students to submit their application ideas that will help communities or schools. So far, the challenge has been a success and they are currently in their fourth year. $20,000 will be granted to the school or organization of the winning group for the national winner, and $5,000 will be granted to state winners. Both programs are shaping the success of our youth by providing channels of opportunities to be part of the greater good for communities. According to Verizon’s 2014 annual report: â€Å"We invested more than $380 million in training, development and tuition assistance in 2014 to hone our employees’ skills and equip them to deliver great service to customers. In turn, they invest back into our communities with more than 300,000 hours of volunteer service and more than $9.5 million in donations to thousands of nonprofits around the world. In addition the Verizon Foundation made $66.5 million in contributions, which include $11 million in matching gifts.† Another factor to Verizon giving back is through their dedicated and caring employees. Verizon has several charity programs which include volunteer grants, matching gifts, team fundraisers, collection drives,Show MoreRelatedVerizon Wireless Companys Business Analysis1950 Words   |  8 Pages1. Mission, vision, and primary stakeholders Verizons corporate mission statement is published in the introduction to the 2010 report, to enable people and businesses to communicate with each other. We are als o committed to providing full and open communication with our customers, employees and investors (Verizon, 2011a, p. i.). This conveniently outlines the primary stakeholders, with customers owning the service delivered through contracts they commit to, employees obviously having a stake inRead MoreAnalysis Of Verizon Communications Inc.1494 Words   |  6 PagesResearch, Analysis and Interpretation Organizations history: As a technology company, Verizon Communications Inc. has gained national recognition as being the #1 telecommunications network in America. This company has truly flourished, and expanded its services throughout the country, putting them in the lead of the telecommunications industry. Verizon started its true foundation in New York, but became incorporated in Delaware. The company was formed on June 30, 2000 by the merger of Bell AtlanticRead MoreStrategic Audit on T-Mobile Essay1694 Words   |  7 PagesStrategy of T-Mobile 4 Business Model Used by T-mobile 4 Company’s Ethics and Social Responsibility 5 Porter’s Five Forces Model 5 Driving Forces 6 Industry Rivals Positioned 6 Key Factors for Being a Success in the Market 6 References 8 Company Profile T-Mobile US, Inc., which was earlier MetroPCS Communications, Inc., became corporate on March 10, 2004. T-Mobile is a carrier of wireless communication, and it also provides services with wireless broadband mobile mainly in the metropolitanRead MoreSprint Swot Analysis1187 Words   |  5 Pagesconstantly seeking to improve their network and expand their customer base in order to be â€Å"the standard against which others are measured† (Corporate Policy). Mission Statement and Goals Sprint’s mission statement is not stated explicitly on their website, but their corporate policy page states that their â€Å"vision (is) to be a world class company† (Corporate Policy). They are committed to becoming and remaining an inclusive company that provides coverage to minority and disadvantaged groups suchRead MoreAtT Swot Analysis Essay1216 Words   |  5 Pagesstrategies for the organization and help define a growth plan. ATT is a corporate business, their global headquarters is located in Dallas Texas, and the current chief executive officer (CEO) is Randall L. Stephenson. For more than a century they have consistently provided innovative, reliable high quality products and services and excellent customer care. They are recognized as the leading provider of IP-based communications services and businesses. They’re also the top U.S. provider of wirelessRead MoreCurrent and Future Market Trends2167 Words   |  9 Pagescompany that probably comes to m ind is Verizon Wireless. Verizon officially became a force to be reckoned with in the wireless market in 2000 when Verizon communications and Vodafone merged. Verizon states, â€Å"Verizon Communications Inc., headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wire line communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.† Since entering the market in 2000, Verizon has made itself popular by offeringRead MoreCompany s Mission, Vision, And Primary Stakeholders On Its Overall Success2788 Words   |  12 Pagesâ€Å"Today, our mission is to connect people with their world, everywhere they live and work, and do it better than anyone else. We re fulfilling this vision by creating new solutions for consumers and businesses and by driving innovation in the communications and entertainment industry† (Farfan, n.d.). A vision statement focuses on where a firms intends to be in the future ahead and what it intends to become. It is a written statement of its services and attributes that will continue to be providedRead MoreApple History and Development3725 Words   |  15 PagesApple has been so successful in these last years thanks to his fresh, imaginative way to think and do its business: a winning combination of exceptional products, great style and design, great strategy, innovative marketing, sleek and enticing communications. *Elaboration On The Swot Analysis: 3- INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS: * Core Competencies: Apples core competency is innovative design and technology. Thats the spirit behind its famous Think Different ad campaign. Apple introduces productsRead MoreAtT Strategic Plan6665 Words   |  27 PagesATT will use its brand name, global reach, innovative power and leadership to continue to maintain competitive position. Company Background ATT Inc. is a premier communications holding company in the United States and worldwide. Operating globally under the ATT brand, ATT is recognized as the leading worldwide provider of IP-based communications services to businesses and the leading U.S. provider of wireless, high speed Internet access, local and long distance voice, and directory publishingRead MoreCompetitive Forces for the Iphone5604 Words   |  23 PagesINTRODUCTION Apple Inc. has manufactured some of the most recognizable products in America today. From the commercial success of the Apple II in the early 80’s to the worldwide embrace of the iPod as a cultural icon, Apple Inc. has established itself as one of the leaders in innovative household technologies. Apple Inc. introduced and attempted to sell its first product, the Apple I, in 1976. The Apple I was not as successful as its creators, Steven Jobs and Steven Wozniak, had hoped. As a

Thursday, May 14, 2020

The Economic System of The Vikings

Over the 300 years of the Viking Age, and with the expansion of the Norse landnà ¡m (new land settlements), the economic structure of the communities changed. In 800 AD, a well-off farmstead in Norway would have been primarily pastoral, based on the raising of cattle, pigs, and goats. The combination worked well in the homelands, and for a time in southern Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Livestock as Trade Goods In Greenland, pigs and then cattle were soon outnumbered by goats as conditions changed and the weather became harsher. Local birds, fish, and mammals became supplemental to the Viking subsistence, but also to the production of trade goods, on which the Greenlanders survived. Commodities to Currency By the 12th-13th centuries AD, cod fishing, falconry, sea mammal oil, soapstone and walrus ivory had become intense commercial efforts, driven by the need to pay taxes to kings and tithes to the church and traded throughout northern Europe. A centralized government in the Scandinavian countries increased the development of trading places and towns, and these commodities became a currency which could be converted into cash for armies, art, and architecture. Greenlands Norse in particular traded heavily on its walrus ivory resources, in the northern hunting grounds until the bottom fell out of the market, which may have led to the demise of the colony. Sources Barrett, James, et al. 2008 Detecting the medieval cod trade: a new method and first results. Journal of Archaeological Science 35(4):850-861. Commisso, R. G. and D. E. Nelson 2008 Correlation between modern plant d15N values and activity areas of Medieval Norse farms. Journal of Archaeological Science 35(2):492-504. Goodacre, S., et al. 2005 Genetic evidence for a family-based Scandinavian settlement of Shetland and Orkney during the Viking periods. Heredity 95:129–135. Kosiba, Steven B., Robert H. Tykot, and Dan Carlsson 2007 Stable isotopes as indicators of change in the food procurement and food preference of Viking Age and Early Christian populations on Gotland (Sweden). Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 26:394–411. Linderholm, Anna, Charlotte Hedenstiema Jonson, Olle Svensk, and Kerstin Lidà ©n 2008 Diet and status in Birka: stable isotopes and grave goods compared. Antiquity 82:446-461. McGovern, Thomas H., Sophia Perdikaris, Arni Einarsson, and Jane Sidell 2006 Coastal connections, local fishing, and sustainable egg harvesting: patterns of Viking Age inland wild resource use in Myvatn district, Northern Iceland. Environmental Archaeology 11(2):187-205. Milner, Nicky, James Barrett, and Jon Welsh 2007 Marine resource intensification in Viking Age Europe: the molluscan evidence from Quoygrew, Orkney. Journal of Archaeological Science 34:1461-1472. Perdikaris, Sophia and Thomas H. McGovern 2006 Cod Fish, Walrus, and Chieftains: Economic intensification in the Norse North Atlantic. Pp. 193-216 in Seeking a Richer Harvest: The Archaeology of Subsistence Intensification, Innovation, and Change, Tina L. Thurston and Christopher T. Fisher, editors. Studies in Human Ecology and Adaptation, volume 3. Springer US: New York. Thurborg, Marit 1988 Regional Economic Structures: An Analysis of the Viking Age Silver Hoards from Oland, Sweden. World Archaeology 20(2):302-324.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Should Guns Help The Victims Of Crime Or Deter Crime

In the American criminal justice system, guns have always been a hot topic. The argument on whether guns help the victims of crime or deter crime is ongoing. There is plenty of research that illustrates a strong argument that guns have virtually no effect on crime. The second amendment and American history is a leading cause for an individual to want to own a gun. Guns, Crime, and Past Research A study was done in 1993 by Gary Kleck and Marc Gertz. A self-survey of civilian defensive gun use was conducted. â€Å"In 1993, Kleck began publicizing the estimate that civilians use guns in self-defense against offenders up to 2.5 million times each year.† Hemenway showed there were several flaws in the surveying Kleck did. Kleck conducted†¦show more content†¦This research is worth mentioning because it shows how hard it can be to draw conclusions about private gun use. He stated, â€Å"There are no published data on the number of defensive gun uses in burglary. The best that can be done is to estimate the number of opportunities for victim gun use† (Kleck, 1988). In the case of burglary the National Crime Survey (NCS) states that is only around 12%. It is hard to say how prevalent a roll guns are in deterring crimes like burglary when not much is known about the nature of a large percentage of offences. Something positive Kl eck did find â€Å"When victims use guns to resist crimes, the crimes usually are disrupted and the victims are not injured† (Kleck, 1988). This meant that even if a victim is weaker or smaller the moment a gun is presented they tend to gain the upper hand and deter the attacker from further attacking. In 1993 Kleck and Patterson, made a new publication called The Impact of Gun Control and Gun Ownership Levels on Violence Rates in the Journal of Quantitative Criminology. This publication reviewed the various effects there could be in which gun availability could affect violent crime rates. They stated, â€Å"If a gun is available, it could encourage attacks, especially by weaker attackers on stronger victims, and could facilitate attacks from a distance or attacks by persons too squeamish to attack with messier weapons such as knives or too timid to attack at close quarters. Similarly, guns may enable someShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Gun Control953 Words   |  4 Page sThe second amendment states, â€Å"The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed†, and gun control is the set of laws and policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians. Gun control is infringing upon the right of the people to own firearms. Therefore gun control is unconstitutional, and should not be stood for by the people of the United States. This country was founded to make all people free, and the second amendmentRead MoreThe Problem Of Crime And Gun Violence1718 Words   |  7 Pagesproblem of crime and gun violence is never approached or discussed, there are leaders within America tirelessly working to find a solution to help decrease crime. Alex Yablon puts it like this in his article on The Trace, saying â€Å"the lack of progress on the federal level should not be confused with a lack of proposed solutions to America s gun violence epidemic – there are plenty of tho se, on both sides of the table.† Yablon means there are some bills that would limit the access to guns as well asRead MoreThe Death Penalty Does Not Deter Criminals From Committing Crime1477 Words   |  6 PagesThe death penalty does not deter criminals from committing crime. Most criminals who commit crimes do not have intentions of being caught and believe that they are invincible from the repercussions of their actions. Because of this, the death penalty really does not deter criminals from committing a crime. In fact, the death penalty could be considered an â€Å"easy way out† because the criminal does not have to spend several months, years, or even the rest of his or her life behind bars with little contactRead More Legalizing Concealed Weapons May Deter Crime Essay796 Words   |  4 PagesLegalizing Concealed Weapons May Deter Crime A concealed weapon is a firearm hidden on a person. Thomas Jefferson once wrote that laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man(Lee 147). In Florida, 315,000 permitsRead MoreThe Processing Of Possessing A Gun1383 Words   |  6 PagesThe processing of possessing a gun is pretty easy and it goes by the steps. Processing depends on state because each state has different ways of possessing gun. At first, Many states require a few days to pass between the time a person purchases a gun and the time when they can take possession of the gun. A background check of criminal records is mandatory in some states before one can assume ownership of a gun. Gun permit is required to own a gun or use a firearm, more likely, people are requiredRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control Laws875 Words   |  4 Pagestoday about whether gun control should be taken further in the US. Whenever there is a mass shooting, democrats and liberals jump on it and use it for their own agendas, which in my opinion, is not right. They seize the opportunity to try to force gun control laws upon we the people. Thankfully, there are enough conservatives and others who value the constitution to stop these blatant attempts. Gun control laws are a waste of time and resources because they do not deter crime, they do not preventRead MoreArgument Against Gun Control1340 Words   |  6 PagesAgainst Gun Control The argument on firearm regulation has been a heated discussion for many years. On one side of the debate, we have people in favor placing restrictions on guns, while, on the opposite end of the spectrum, we have people fighting the regulation of guns. People in favor gun restrictions believe gun control can reduce crime ,while, the people against gun control believe having the right to bear arms is an effective crime deterrentRead MoreShould The Right And Bear Arms Be Controlled? Essay1572 Words   |  7 PagesAmericans love of guns was established from the Second Amendment of the Constitution, they are granted an inalienable right, which is the right to keep and bear arms. Many believe that gun represents the heart of the nation’s foundation and identity, a symbol of freedom. However, there are ongoing controversial gun issues. Should the right to bear arms be controlled? What is the extent it should go? Is gun control not infringing the right to bear arms? Few public polic y debates are products of misinformationRead MoreThe Solution For Gun Violence951 Words   |  4 PagesFareed Zakaria: The solution to gun violence is clear Guns in the hands of prospective victims of violence can deter criminal attempts or disrupt crimes once they are attempted, thereby exerting a violence-reducing effect. Oddly enough, guns in the hands of aggressors also have certain violence-reducing effects, along with the more obvious violence-increasing effects. The power which weaponry confers has conventionally been treated as exclusively violence-enhancing - it has commonly been assumedRead MoreGuns, Kill Or Protect, What s Your Choice? Essay1717 Words   |  7 PagesGuns, Kill or Protect, What s Your Choice? Christy Donley Columbia College Foundations of Communications Abstract It’s becoming a daily news event; another mass shooting where innocent lives are taken by a crazed gunman. It occurs so often that these news stories seem to just be part of the nightly news programs we are used to seeing. Yet, the repeating theme in all these stories is none of the victims had the means to defend themselves by way of a firearm. There is never mention of any of

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Online Business Forums and Communications

Question: Discuss about theOnline Business Forums and Communications. Answer: Introduction Participating in the online forums and communications makes an individual both a creator and user of information. Conventional education developed just information consumers (Lunz, 2015). Most sources used were from well advanced professionals who had vested several years in their careers. Students and entry level researchers had a limited access to content development and production. The creation and development of information has had drastic changes in the recent years. These changes have in turn made a difference in the today learning environment. The internet has come out strong as the main source of research work for every content writer. The purpose of this paper is to show how my 21st century work skills have developed as a major aspect of my experiences in this unit as a consumer, producer and shaper of online sources of information. Topic 1: Future Workspace Skills For centuries literacy has been referred to the ability to read and write. According to a research undertaken by the University of Phoenix Research Institute, New-media literacy is referred as the ability to critically evaluate and develop content that uses new media forms, and to influence these media for persuasive communication. This skill requires one to be able to infiltrate media technology in our workplace as it is in our social life. According to the oxford dictionary the definition of collaboration is the action of working with someone or a group to produce something. The virtual collaboration skill is the ability to produce a work, drive engagement and be present as part of a virtual team. I have worked on presentations such as PowerPoint in the past. It has proved to be very efficient and more beneficial to the viewers. In this unit I have learnt something new which is Prezi presentation. This is so engaging and we could present our work in a clear and simple way. If ever I have to do a presentation with some other co-workers and it needs to be done through the internet due to lack of time, I will definitely use Prezi to do so. It is so easy for everyone to insert their part without having to go through the email and downloading the file and then email it again. Although Prezi have some disadvantages like limited internet access, overall it is a great tool for the future workforce. Virtual collaboration was all new to me. I had to work with a virtual team to set up a Prezi presentation. Although we never met face to face we could get the presentation done and we were all happy with it. I have learnt how to work together as a team, virtually. Through this process I hav e also developed a sense of responsibility and respect. In the future I would be able to use the skill that I have gained to save time. Topic 2: Evaluation of Credibility of Online Sources Through the informational development I have learnt a lot to do with credibility evaluation. As information consumer, I there in need to be keen when selecting a source of information. There are key aspects that have to be met to consider a source as credible or not. Among the aspects that have to be met include: - The Background Study on the Author A background study reveals a lot about an author. It reveals if the author has written any article or book before. It also reveals his or her credentials and academic background. The length of experience he or she has. According to a research done by Knoll Workplace (2013), from the background check one will be able to tell if they have ever been cited by other researchers or content developers. If it is a web based source, I have learnt that I need to do an analysis on the URL to ascertain ownership. For instance, a website published on a research organizations domain e.g. www.csiro.au indicates that it has been well researched and therefore of a high quality. A source published on a personal domain e.g. www.stevesblogs.com may not have been well research meaning it is of a lower source quality. A domain with other journals and research papers published on them also stands out stronger as compared with a domain with no other journals or research publications. A deep scrutiny of the author gives a clear indication whether the source can be relied upon or not. Scanty information on an author may be a clear indication that he or she has not developed well in the subject matter. Source Accuracy and Quality Information quality and accuracy has a massive impact in any work. The information need to be specific. A source should not be full of speculations (McGrath, J., 1984). They need to have their research or article based on data from analysis and observations. Even on an art based work where imaginations rule, the sources used has to follow a specific guideline for originality. The conclusion and method of study need to be based on the research conducted. Additionally, one needs to assess the reliability of the cited sources for each source they use. Other means through which this can be achieved is through consideration of the sentence structure, information flow and grammar used in an article. Source Objectivity Confirming the reason behind a publication gives a deep insight into the credibility of a source. Biased representation may be documented for a paper developed for a donation or solicitation purpose. A highly financed research on the other hand may imply a widely sourced and backed research. Source Time Relevance (Currency) An outdated sourced may not be recommended for a fast paced research topic. A 30-year age gap in the source may imply the findings at that time are not the same as the current situation. According to Haller et.al, (2010), it might impact on judgment. The timelines may have an impact on credibility while in some instances it might not have. For online media information on creation date and update dates come in handy. Source Coverage Assess the source coverage of the subject matter. Adequacy in coverage is a great indicator of relevance. The source need to be deep to be relevant. It needs to address all the research questions. The introduction section of a source provides much information for this. Collaborative spaces have a way of overcoming the differentials in terms of time and space. The platforms and communication channels enhance this (Cameron et. al. 2006). As I learned through my participations in my group, there is always a common mentality, understanding and information shared within the spaces. Collaborative Spaces Collaborative spaces have a way of overcoming the differentials in terms of time and space. The platforms and communication channels enhance this (Cameron et. al. 2006). Within the spaces there is always a common mentality, understanding and information shared. The following are some of the factors enhancing collaboration within the spaces. Seeing Value in Work When individuals are involved in a collaborative space, they tend to see more value in the work they do. When other students make positive comments on mine or if they approve my ideas, I feel valued. The diversity makes them feel unique and informative. They develop a stronger identity. The diversity brings up a "help each other" environment where the participants give the best in their specialties. We interact very frequently thus learning new concepts and getting more motivated. We also exchange ideas regarding our future assignments. Topic 3: Develops Job and Learning Control The collaborative spaces create an "always available" environment for the participants. Accessibility is highly enhanced as they are not geographically constrained. Working and learning conditions are highly enhanced. Communication is not as confined as it is in the conventional methods. I could still study while I was away for 2 weeks. I was also able to reach out to my group members for discussions and follow ups on pending work. As users and members participate in these collaborative spaces, I felt as part of the team. The interactions within these spaces make the units tied together on attributes (Mittleman, D., 2009). In my team, we would help each other and I felt like I has to do my best for my team. I spent more time on the team work that any because of the closeness we had. There are a number of factors that make the collaborating within these spaces a challenge. The concept leads to a change in the roles. All the learning materials are developed by the students themselves. The teachers only facilitate, as cited by Simmons (2015) and web (2014). Additional group work implies delivery time has to be extended. Revision of the materials also takes a longer time as the chain is longer. Time management for personal activities and roles may also be interfered with due to the indecisiveness within the spaces. Conclusion For centuries both communication and literacy skills were used be it at work or in education. The following points have focused on the two 21st century skills which are new-media literacy and virtual collaboration respectively. Through informational sources and blackboard collaboration, we can achieve great things and share ideas broadly. We are now able to detect if a source is reliable or not by studying the background of the author, the source accuracy and quality, the source objectivity, the source coverage and the currency of the article. Despite that We have also come across some negative aspects that this can bring up, we have also gained plenty of knowledge regarding blackboard collaboration and how this can enhance group work. References Cameron, K., Quinn, R., DeGraff, J., Thakor, A., (2006). Competing values leadership: Creating value in organizations. Massachusetts: Edward Elgar Publishing. Haller M., Leitner J., Seifried J., Wallace J. R., Scott S. D., Richter C., Brandl P., Gokcezade A., Hunter S., (2010). Integrating Paper and Digital Media to Support Co-Located Group Meetings. The NiCE Discussion Room: Knoll Workplace Research. (2013). Creating Collaborative Spaces that Work: A Performance-based Approach to Successful Planning. Lunz, B., (2015). Collaborative spaces creating synergy in the workplace. Lunz.com. McGrath, J. (1984). Groups: interaction and performance. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Mittleman, D. (2009). Planning and design considerations for computer supported collaboration spaces. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 10(3). pertinent research and recent developments. In C.M. Carswell (Ed.), Reviews of human factors and ergonomics, 4. (pp. 245-281). Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Romano, N. Nunamaker, J. (2010). Meeting analysis: findings from research and practice. Proceedings of the 34th Hawaii International Conference on Systems Science; Maui, Hawaii, January 3-6, 2010. Simmons J., (2015). Architecture: 10 Reasons to Consider Curved Walls Inside and Out. Houzz.co.uk. Competing Values. The competing values assessment overview. GPDA highlights wellbeing role of gypsum products. (2014). Spec Finish magazine. Retrieved September 25, 2016 Sykes D. M., (2014). Productivity: How Acoustics Affect Workers Performance in Offices Open Area.

Friday, April 10, 2020

10 Tips to Make Sure Your Website Stays on the Right Side of the Law

When you have a website, there are certain rules and regulations that you need to follow if you want to ensure your website is legally compliant and mitigate the risk of any legal issues. From copyright to duties towards avoiding plagiarism, there are some basic website legal requirements one should know before making the website go live.This is a guest contribution by Sanjeev Pandey.This post will delve into some of the elements you should include and rules that you should follow. Well also share tools to help make compliance easier for you, like a  WordPress privacy policy plugin or a site to help you generate a Terms Conditions page.Lets get started, beginning with the new topic that everyone is talking about.Editors note   we are not lawyers and this is not legal advice. When in doubt, talk to a real lawyer. European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you havent heard of this regulation that was launched in early 2018, though, you need to familiarize yourse lf with it if you have any connection to the European Union.This regulation is huge, so we cannot cover it all in this post. But to help you learn more, here are some of the in-depth guides weve written on the subject.First, you should review our general guide to WordPress and the GDPR. Then, you can consider these actionable tips for GDPR compliance.With that out of the way, lets get to the tips!1. Make sure you can legally use all content (like images)Depending on what you are going to publish on your website, you might have to apply for specific licenses to use that content. This is quite important when it comes to preventing plagiarism, recognizing others’ talent, and appreciating their work.For example, for some images, you must request permission before using them (though you can also find free stock photo sites). Even if you get the license, you must keep in mind that you aren’t the only one with it and you might not be able to use that image however you want.Wh ile Unsplash lets you use its images for free, many stock photo sites are not so generousBefore you can obtain the license, you may even have to sign an agreement. In such a scenario, make sure you are reading the print cautiously and know how you can use the image and what are the terms to use it.2. Include a Privacy Policy that explains how you handle users dataMoving forward, a privacy policy is one of the most important legal requirements for any website. This policy clearly defines how you are going to use your visitors’ data. Not only is it a significant part of legal requirements in several countries, but a privacy policy also helps establish trust with your visitors.If you have no idea of how to put a privacy policy on your website, you can always use a  WordPress privacy policy plugin to make the procedure easier, like WP Legal Pages: WP Legal Pages: Simple WordPress Privacy Policy Generator Plugin Author(s): WPEka ClubCurrent Version: 2.3.0Last Updated: October 16, 2019wplegalpages.2.3.0.zip 80%Ratings 152,801Downloads WP 5.0+Requires Heres a complete guide on how to create a privacy policy for your site and what to include in it.3. Include a Terms Conditions page, tooUndeniably, Terms Conditions page seems to be the unhappiest page on the entire website, however, it holds importance as well. Although it might not be a necessity by the law in some countries, to be on the safe side, you must add it to your website.This page turns out to be beneficial when it comes to limiting your responsibility in case a customer has dragged you to the court. In such a situation, having a Terms Conditions page on the website also secures your right to the content that you have published on your website.If youre not sure what to include, you can use TermsFeed to help you generate a Terms Conditions page.4. Maintain a strict security policy to avoid negligenceAny sort of lapse in your sites security can increase the chances of damages done to your whole company. These days, security cracks are becoming quite common.In July 2018, there were more than 145 million leaked records because of cyber-attacks. Shocking, isn’t it? Apparently, in a year, the damage done to the information technology because of a security breach is more than $1.5 trillion.Since the security breach types vary depending on your domain and niche market, you must cautiously create such plans for security that match the requirements of your website and strengthen its vulnerabilities. Create a strict security policy, as well as a plan for what happens if there is a breach. It will give your visitors confidence that their information is safe with you.For WordPress users, a security plugin can provide a good baseline level of security.5. Include any relevant disclaimers to keep users informedSometimes, problems occur because websites knowingly compel someone to be certain about something that may end up causing them an extreme loss.If your website is caus ing them damage, then you, as the owner, can be held responsible for the entire situation. Therefore, you should put disclaimers on the website in case there are omissions or errors, or you are using any third-party’s links.6. Pay attention to rules about transactions (e.g. an eCommerce store)If your website includes online transactions, you need to pay special attention to security and regulations.A recent report published in Trustwave states that approximately 90% of data breaches impact small-scale merchants. So if your website deals in an online transaction, its essential to consider the security of your customers’ data.Make sure that you encrypt all the data passing between your site and your visitors computers  with HTTPS. Also, make sure that you are only using a reliable payment gateway to prevent unnecessary problems in the future.Also, look into terminology like PCI compliance.7. Properly inform visitors about how you use cookiesIf you want to stay on the g ood side of the Electronic Privacy Communications Regulation, you need to inform users if you use any type of tracking cookie (which is most sites).If you fail to notify your users about this activity, you may have to pay a large amount as a fine payment.Learn how to create a cookie consent notice here.8. Maintain consistent information across your siteTo maintain consistency, make sure to post the same information on your website as you’ve posted on other platforms. This information includes your registered address, email ID, contact number, etc.Not only does this ensure that visitors know exactly who theyre dealing with, but it also helps you build trust with them.9. Make your site accessible to all usersIf you want to make your website accessible to all visitors, youll need to put some special attention into following good web accessibility practices. Although many sites ignore accessibility, this legal requirement is quite a necessity if your intention is to treat everyo ne equally and stay on the good side of regulation like the ADA.10. Avoid intentionally (or unintentionally) taking others contentIf you want your website to thrive, you need to regularly share new content.While you may think of publishing content written by others as a way to do this, know that it might generate several issues for you in the future. What if the content isn’t original and you are taking it from another site that has copied it from another?Although it might be difficult to prevent taking up content from other sites altogether, avoid it as much as you can. You can hire creative and professional content writers who can either generate authentic content or rewrite the existing content to make it unique.Final thoughtsWhile you may consider the fact that you are going to gain a lot of advantages from a business website, there are several website legal requirements as well that you must keep in mind, as mentioned above. Therefore, you can either use tools, such as a   WordPress privacy policy plugin or can even go to a next level and hire a lawyer to craft unique documents.All in all, make sure that you are protecting yourself and your business from legal problems. That’s all that matters.If you have any questions on how to make sure your site stays on the light side of the force, ask away in the comments. About the author: Sanjeev Pandey loves everything about WordPress. Working with WPeka, a constant search for new tools and Plugins keeps him hungry all the time.

Monday, March 9, 2020

How to Create and Use DLLs in Delphi

How to Create and Use DLLs in Delphi A Dynamic Link Library (DLL) is a collection of routines (small programs) that that can be called by applications and other DLLs. Like units, they contain code or resources that can be shared between multiple applications. The concept of DLLs is the core of the Windows architectural design, and for the most part, Windows is simply a collection of DLLs. With Delphi, you can write and use your own DLLs and even call functions regardless of whether or not they were developed with other systems or developers, like Visual Basic, or C/C. Creating a Dynamic Link Library The following few lines will demonstrate how to create a simple DLL using Delphi. For the beginning start Delphi and navigate to File New DLL to build a new DLL template. Select the default text and replace it with this: library TestLibrary;uses SysUtils, Classes, Dialogs;procedure DllMessage; export;begin ShowMessage(Hello world from a Delphi DLL) ; end;exports DllMessage;beginend. If you look at the project file of any Delphi application, you’ll see that it starts with the reserved word program. By contrast, DLLs always start with library and then a uses clause for any units. In this example, the DllMessage procedure follows, which doesnt do anything but show a simple message. At the end of the source code is an exports statement which lists the routines that are actually exported from the DLL in a way that they can be called by another application. What this means is that you can have, say, five procedures in a DLL and only two of them (listed in the exports section) can be called from an external program (the remaining three are sub procedures). In order to use this DLL, we have to compile it by pressing CtrlF9. This should create a DLL called SimpleMessageDLL.DLL in your projects folder. Finally, lets take a look at how to call the DllMessage procedure from a statically loaded DLL. To import a procedure contained in a DLL, you can use the keyword external in the procedure declaration. For example, given the DllMessage procedure shown above, the declaration in the calling application would look like this: procedure DllMessage; external SimpleMessageDLL.dll The actual call to a procedure is nothing more than: DllMessage; The entire code for a Delphi form (name: Form1), with a TButton (named Button1) that calls the DLLMessage function, looks something like this: unit Unit1;interface uses Windows, Messages, SysUtils, Variants, Classes, Graphics, Controls, Forms, Dialogs, StdCtrls; type TForm1 class(TForm) Button1: TButton; procedure Button1Click(Sender: TObject) ;private{ Private declarations }public{ Public declarations }end;var Form1: TForm1; procedure DllMessage; external SimpleMessageDLL.dllimplementation {$R *.dfm} procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject) ;begin DllMessage; end;end.

Saturday, February 22, 2020

Discuss the Collapse of the Barings Bank. The solution that led after Research Paper

Discuss the Collapse of the Barings Bank. The solution that led after the collapse - Research Paper Example His superiors had approved his purchases on the Singapore markets, and immediate sales on the Japanese markets, whereby he could secure a small profit. On the contrary, he bought from the Singapore markets and held on to the stocks as a gamble on the future treads in the Japanese markets. Based on the existing literature (Bair 2015), it is apparent that Barings bank was bought by the Dutch bank called ING, at a total of  £1 and assumed all of the bank’s liabilities (Bair 2015). As a result, a subsidiary ING Barings, was formed. Huon’s (2015) study further revealed that ING sold its operations based in the USA to ABN Amro for $275 million. The rest of ING Barings, was integrated with its European banking division. By the year 2001, Barings Bank had only been left with Asset Management after selling operations stated above, and the rest being absorbed by ING Barings. ING went a step to split BAM and sold it to Mass Mutual and Northern Trust. Mass Mutual acquired BAM’s investment management activities, as well as the patent rights to use the Baring Asset Management name, whereas Northern Trust acquired BAMs financial services group. In response to the conflicting question on whether they managed to fix the financial problem or not, recent research (Anon 2015) proved that Barings bank never regained its stability as a complete investment corporation. However, Barings name still lives on as the Mass Mutual Subsidiary; Barings Asset Management. Further results (Glyn 2015) showed that the Bank’s private equity international, which included investment teams in India, Asia, and Latin America, was acquired by its respective management teams. These teams in the present days are Baring Vostock Capital Partners in Russia, GP investments in Brazil,Baring private equity in Asia and Baring Private Equity Partners in India. In regard to Leeson; the man

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Identify and explain the historical significance of Benjamin Rush, Research Paper - 1

Identify and explain the historical significance of Benjamin Rush, particularly as he relates to the transformation of the medical profession in early America - Research Paper Example At this time he was under Rodman he attended many lectures which later helped him in his future life. He later began venturing into politics though not his own career. In all his education life he was been provided for by his mother since his father died when he was six years of age. He grew up as a strong man who later did great things which even to date is serving the whole world. He was really a man to be proud of. He wrote some books and he was well remembered for he wrote the first chemistry book in America. 2Benjamin Rush returned to Philadelphia from Europe in 1769 and he began practicing medicine when he got home. It was at this time that Philadelphia had begun entering a revolutionary period which ultimately played a key role in the American Revolution. This city was wealthy and it had many resources and also a high population. At twenty three years he was elected as a professor of Chemistry in Philadelphia College. This was just one year after he had come from Europe. He is the one who made the name of this school change to what is currently referred as ‘medical school of the University of Philadelphia.’ This man contributed greatly to mental medicine and physical medicine. He was interested in animals and this made him to do some contributions that are even important in the current society. Bloodletting was the main medical practice that Rush was associated with during his career. This method had been used since long by physicians but this time Rush was doing it with more improvements. He used it widely during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 which was making lives of many to be in danger in Philadelphia. This disease broke out in Water Street in the same town. According to Rush he believed that diseases and particularly yellow fever were caused by excessive accumulation of poison in the body of a human being which was toxic to the body and affected the small blood vessels. In his treatment therefore he aimed at removing the poison and let the

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

The Historical background and current situation of the UAE-Iran dispute over three islands Essay Example for Free

The Historical background and current situation of the UAE-Iran dispute over three islands Essay The United Arab Emirates (UAE) dispute with Iran over the three islands is a historical conflict which relates to the ownership and sovereignty over of the islands. These three islands are the Abu Musa,the Greater Tunbs and the Lesser Tunbs . The islands are located in the Persian Gulf hence their strategic position in the Gulf can be very vital for a country that has sovereignty over them. For instance, the strategic importance of the three islands enables them to be used as a toll booth through which the passage of important regional commodities and oil can be controlled. Lack of adequate historical sources that point out clearly territorial boundaries in the Arabian Gulf has contributed to sovereignty conflicts, a good example being the UAE-Iran dispute. Although some recorded documents and historical events support UAE’s rightful ownership of the three Islands, Iran has constantly rejected those claims . The dispute has not yet been solved because as the United Arab Emirates maintain that it should have ownership over the three islands, Iran asserts that it should have sovereignty over the islands . This paper will discuss the historical background of the conflict as well as the current situation of dispute. Historical background of the dispute In the seventeenth century, Islamic conquests in the Arabian Gulf led to the Islamic caliphate decline in power. This had local powers such as Oman maintain sovereignty and control over the region. A close link of the Abu Musa, Greater Tunbs and Lesser Tunbs to the Southern Coast area remained until the presence of European colonial powers began to change leadership and governance issues in the Gulf. Historical records confirm that the fall of Ya’aruba state in Oman (1524-1741) paved way for the establishment of a new power in the Gulf referred to as Qawasin. Sharjah and Ra’s al -Khaimah were the two factions of Qawasin that had sovereignity over the Gulf islands. The first document to confirm the UAE legal title to the three islands is the official message that the Qawasin ruler sent to the British Resident. As a result, any form of interference with the sovereignty aroused protests. In the 1870s, Abu Musa served as a resort for the Qawasin rulers of Sharjah and also as an agricultural centre. The two Qawasin factions (Lingeh Qawasin and the Qawasin of the southern coast) were constantly involved in disputes about the Gulf islands. The dominant colonial power then (the British government of India) failed to interfere in the conflict because it considered it to be a local issue. However, efforts by a British political agent, Haji Abdurrahman to demonstrate that the Islands belonged to Lungeh Qawasin were disapproved. The Qawasin of the Southern Gulf continued to exercise sovereignty over the three islands until the late nineteenth century when the imperial Iran’s influence began to spread to the northern Gulf . Persian armies in 1887 invasion of Lingeh led to the expulsion of Qawasin governors expelled from the island of Sirri. Since the offensive launched by Persia enabled it to occupy to Island of Sirri, the Qawasin of the Southern Coast developed fears about the territorial ambitions of Persia. Iran confirmed the fears when it set forth claims to other Islands. However, the British government was opposed to Iran’s occupation of Sirri Island and supported Qawasin title to the Islands. As a result, the British government demanded that Iran explain hoisting of its flag on the Sirri Island as well as provide evidence of its claims to the Island. Iran pointed out that the strongest evidence of its ownership to the Island was its â€Å"occupation† and â€Å"possession† of the island. In 1904, Iran’s territorial and political ambitions together with the economic interests of some influential elements in the government strengthened its claim to Abu Musa Island . This marked Iran’s intentions to challenge Sharjah about its sovereignty over Abu Musa. For instance, Iran was interested in the red oxide resource that was found in the island. In efforts to take over control of the island, Iran sent a mission that was led by a Belgian officer to hoist an Iranian flag on Abu Musa. Protests against this move by the ruler of Sharjah were supported by the British Resident, who demanded that Iran submit evidence of ownership to the island. The failure by Iran to provide evidence had it withdraw quietly from the conflict three months later. British presence in the Gulf emphasized on the ownership of Abu Musa and the Tunbs by the states of Sharjah and Ra’s al Khaimah . Good relations between the two led to a signing of an agreement between the ruler of Sharjah and the British government in 1912 which facilitated the establishment of a lighthouse on Greater Tunbs. This allowed Sharjah to grant a five year red oxide exploration concession to a British national known as Strick. Iran protested against this move. Following a verbal understanding between the Iranian government and Britain that the three islands were Arab territories, the British administration on 24 August 1928 issued a memorandum to confirm that the islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs belonged to Ra’s al-Khaimah while Abu Musa belonged to Sharjah . The fact that Qawasin had title to the three Islands during the 1929-1930 negotiations between Iran and Britain confirmed the weakness of Iran’s claims of ownership over the islands. The Anglo-Iranian treaty which was signed affirmed that the three Islands (Abu Musa and the Tunbs) would remain under Arab territories and Iran would maintain the title to Island of Sirri . Iran’s desire to have control over the island motivated it to propose an offer to buy the Greater and Lesser Tunbs. This was strongly rejected by the rulers of Sharjah and R’as al-Khaimah. This was followed by Iran’s proposal to lease the two islands for a period of 50 years. The pressure by British officials on the ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah to accept the offer on conditions that Iran refrain from inspecting Arab boats and ships as well as stop issuing order to them failed. This led the failure of Iran attempts to exercise sovereignty on the islands. Sharjah’s sovereignty over Abu Musa led to the issuing of red oxide concessions to the Golden Valley Ochre Oxide Company in 1935. On the other hand, Ra’s al-Khaimah gave an oil exploration concession to the Union Oil in 1964. The failure by Iran to annex Bahrain due to a United Nation’s endorsement of Bahrain’s independence in 1970 resulted to Iran’s emphatic claims to the three islands once again. Iran threatened to occupy the islands by force. To address the issue, intensive talks between Iran and the emirates of Ra’s al-Khaimah and Sharjah were held in 1970 and 1971. The talks did not prevent Iran from expressing its intentions to occupy the Islands by force. Pressure by Iran and Britain to have the rulers of Sharjah and Ra’s al-Khaimah hand over the islands to Iran peacefully did not succeed. This move aimed at preventing direct military occupation of the islands by Iran in a manner that would deprive the rulers’ sovereignty over the islands. Iran’s deadlines and threats that were issued to increase pressure on the rulers were unsuccessful. On 30 November 1971, Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allowed Iran to land on Northern part of Abu Musa. When Ra’s al-Khaimah rejected Iran’s concession to a title over Tunbs led to the launch of an offensive by Iran to occupy the islands. The offensive had some service men and civilians killed, a primary school and a police station, demolished and the citizens of the Greater Tunbs evicted. Since 1971 when it occupied the Tunbs, Iran has continued to claim ownership over the three islands despite the fact that it has failed to produce legal justification of its occupation under the international law. On the other hand, the United Arab Emirates has continually asserted that it has sovereignty over the islands . Current situation on the UAE-Iran dispute Since 1971, Iran and UAE have continually been engaged in the dispute over three Islands . After Iran’s occupation of the Tunbs, the UAE tried to win the title to the islands by resolving the dispute according to the international customs and laws. The UAE requested for assistance from the United Nations Security council to have the dispute solved peacefully. However, Iran continued to violate the MOU in relation to governance in Abu Musa and international boundaries in relation to the Tunbs. Iran had adopted an imperial arrogance approach during Shah’s’ reign and since 1980s, it continued to violate the MOU. Currently, Iran considers the Tunbs to be part of its territory and considers this issue undebatable . However, Iran agrees that negotiations over Abu Musa can be conducted based on an MOU that will ensure UAE sovereignty over the island does not compromise Iran’s economic, security and strategic interests in the Gulf region. The rights of sovereignty or ownership of the Abu Musa and the two Tunbs was transferred from the emirates of Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah to the Federal state of the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971. The Arab states under the British protectorate were referred to as trucial states . The UAE constitution states clearly that the federation exercises sovereignty over all waters and lands that are encompassed by the international borders of the emirates. . This includes the three islands of Abu Musa and the two Tunbs. Ownership claims by UAE over the three Islands is considered to be based on historical events, legal documents and the actual exercise of territorial sovereignty . Scholars of the international law argue that the border treaties provide for succession where the obligations and rights are passed from the predecessor to the successor state in accordance with the Article 4 of 1969 Vienna convention on the law of treaties . Furthermore, the highest federal authority of the UAE, the supreme council of the UAE has declared that the agreements which were concluded by the individual emirates with the neighboring states are believed to be agreements between the UAE and the neighboring states. The UAE-Iran dispute over the legal status of the islands has continued to affect UAE-Iran diplomatic relations . In addition, the dispute strains the relationship between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council Members (Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia). These nations support UAE claims of ownership. For instance, in 2008, there was tension between Iran and the GCC over this long-standing issue. The UAE supports regional cooperation in the region hence it has managed to win the support of some of its neighbors over the issue. Although the UAE has recommended that the case be taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Iran objects this measure . Britain which played a major role in the Gulf region and efforts to solve the UAE-Iran dispute would be expected to be involved in the case if it was taken to the ICJ. Iran criticizes the involvement of a third party in resolving the dispute hence it rejects the UAE’s request to have the dispute resolved at the international court of justice in the Hague. The UAE demands that the three Islands which were seized by Iran form UAE in 1971 be returned back . In 1992, Iran declared sovereignty over the three islands and had foreigners who run UAE sponsored school and several organizations in Abu Musa expelled from the Island. Iran’s political and economic influence in the region makes it a hegemonic power . Over the years, Iran has been making efforts to increase its military presence on the Island of Abu Musa by building an airport on the island and stationing troops on the Island. This indicates that Iran intends to maintain rightful ownership of the Island. For Iran, the Islands are strategically positioned to allow interdictions and observations of the Strait of Hormuz. This is believed to offer Iran land support to support stations boats, military troops and radars in the region. Iran’s opening a naval base in the Strait Hormuz and reluctance to resolve the territorial dispute confirms it political influence in the region. There is no doubt that the islands have economic and geopolitical significance to Iran . For example, during the 53rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, the UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Zayed Al Nahayan stated that the UAE is still concerned about the continued occupation of Iran on the three islands . The UAE has been making efforts to resolve the dispute in a peacefully, either through bilateral talks of the ICJ . The UAE sovereignty over the three islands of Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs relate to acquiescence and recognition due to the fact that the UAE has maintained possession of the islands for a long time. This has been recognized by Britain which has made a declaration that it recognizes the title of the Qawasin to the islands. As a result, Iran’s occupation of the Tunbs is viewed by the UAE to be a violation of the principles of border issues in the international law and inviolability of the states’ territorial integrity which are vital in international relations. The UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed when speaking during the Federal National Council recently stated that the occupation of the three Islands by Iran is painful to many UAE nationals and compared Iran’s occupation on the three Islands to the occupation of Palestinians territories by Israel. A Memorandum of Understanding that governs the status of Abu Musa does not define the status of the island. Although the bilateral agreement between UAE and Iran promotes understanding between the two, the Iranian government sees the agreement to be a temporary measure that postpones the restoration of Iran’s sovereignty over the Abu Musa . The dispute is considered to have negative impact on the relations between UAE and Iran . Efforts by other countries such as Turkey in resolving the dispute are expected to improve relations between the UAE and Iran . Turkey is expected to play a vital rile in talks between Iran and UAE in future . For instance, when speaking during the Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Conference, Bahaeddine Jabaji supported Turkey’s role in resolving the dispute.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Nature Vs. Nurture in Sherri S. Teppers The Gate to Womens Country :: Psychology Tepper Gate Womens Essays

Nature Vs. Nurture in Sherri S. Tepper's The Gate to Womens Country Personality traits, are they learned or innate? Is it possible that once one is conceived his/her life and ways of communicating with other individuals are already set in stone and parents, environment, and peers have absolutely nothing to do with the ways in which one acts. Or could it be a combination of both genetics and learning? Reading The Gate to Womens Country by Sherri S. Tepper, I believe playing with the idea of learned or innate traits are the backbone for her novel. Knowing very well the nature vs. nurture perspective can be controversial to many, giving the reader an idea to ponder and debate. This novel is set in a time 300 years after a convulsion, a great war that was brought upon by men. It was men who were the diplomats and men who made the speeches about national pride and defenseand we died (pg. 301). The beginning of the novel starts out as a reflection and continues to be a reflection until the end, although the ways in which Tepper words happenings, put the reader in the moment so that he/she forgets they are reflecting and thinks that each happening is going on as you read, giving much more meaning to the piece. The reader is taken on a journey through the experiences of one girl from adolescence to adulthood, and as she comes to understand the way of life in Womens Country so do we the reader. Stavia (the main character) is reflecting everything that has made her who she is up to that point in her life. When Stavia was young the only worry she had to deal with was the coming and going of the male counterpart. Yes, it was a confusing emotional act at a young age, which would only become more confusing and emotional with age and wisdom. Stavia is a very intelligent, trustworthy, honorable, curious, open, loving girl, and to a point she conforms to the ways in which the council believes are appropriate. I believe the reason she is conforming is because either you agree with the council or you leave womens country. The councilwomen have worked to long and hard to have a revolting girl destroy what they have come to create and with high hopes of perfecting. In this novel there is a division of the two genders and they are put in their own communities, known as Womens Country and the Garrison, with the exception of few men who chose to return to Womens Country.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Night World : Huntress Chapter 7

She emerged on the rooftop. There was a sort of roof garden here-anyway, a lot of scraggly plants in large wooden tubs. There was also some dirty patio furniture and other odds and ends. But the main feature was a small structure that sat on the roof the way a house sits on a street. Morgead's home. The penthouse. It was as stark and unlovely as the rest of the building, but it had a great view and it was completely private. There were no other tall buildings nearby to look down on it. Jez moved stealthily toward the door. Her feet made no noise on the pitted asphalt of the roof, and she was in a state of almost painfully heightened awareness. In the old days sneaking up on another gang member had been a game. You got to laugh at them if you could startle them, and they got to be furious and humiliated. Today it wasn't a game. Jez started toward the warped wooden door-then stopped. Doors were trouble. Morgead would have been an idiot not to have rigged it to alert him to intruders. Cat-quiet, she headed instead for a narrow metal ladder that led to the roof of the wooden structure. Now she was on the real top of the building. The only thing higher was a metal flagpole without a She moved noiselessly across the new roof. At the far edge she found herself looking four stories straight down. And directly below her there was a window. An open window. Jez smiled tightly. Then she hooked her toes over the four-inch lip at the edge of the roof and dropped gracefully forward. She grabbed the top of the window in mid-dive and hung suspended, defying gravity like a bat attached upside down. She looked inside. And there he was. Lying on a futon, asleep. He was sprawled on his back, fully clothed in jeans, high boots, and a leather jacket. He looked good. Just like the old days, Jez thought. When the gang would stay out all night riding their bikes and hunting or fighting or partying, and then come home in the morning to scramble into clothes for school. Except Morgead, who would smirk at them and then collapse. He didn't have parents or relatives to keep him from skipping. I'm surprised he's not wearing his helmet, too, she thought, pulling herself back up to the roof. She picked up the fighting stick, maneuvered it into the window, then let herself down again, this time hanging by her hands. She slid in without making a noise. Then she went to stand over him. He hadn't changed. He looked exactly as she remembered, except younger and more vulnerable because he was asleep. His face was pale, making his dark hair seem even darker. His lashes were black crescents on his cheeks. Evil and dangerous, Jez reminded herself. It annoyed her that she had to remind herself of what Morgead was. For some reason her mind was throwing pictures at her, scenes from her childhood while she was living here in San Francisco with her Uncle Bracken. A five-year-old Jez, with shorter red hair that looked as if it had never been combed, walking with a little grimy-faced Morgead, hand in hand. An eight-year-old Jez with two skinned knees, scowling as a businesslike Morgead pulled wood splinters out of her legs with rusty tweezers. A seven-year-old Morgead with his face lit up in astonishment as Jez persuaded him to try the human thing called ice cream†¦. Stop it, Jez told her brain flatly. You might as well give up, because it's no good. We were friends then-well, some of the time-but we're enemies now. He's changed. I've changed. He'd kill me in a second now if it would suit his purpose. And I'm going to do what has to be done. She backed up and poked him lightly with the stick. â€Å"Morgead.† His eyes flew open and he sat up. He was awake instantly, like any vampire, and he focused on her without a trace of confusion. Jez had changed her grip on the stick and was standing ready in case he went straight into an attack. But instead, a strange expression crossed his face. It went from startled recognition into something Jez didn't understand. For a moment he was simply staring at her, eyes big, chest heaving, looking as if he were caught in between pain and happiness. Then he said quietly, â€Å"Jez.† â€Å"Hi, Morgead.† â€Å"You came back.† Jez shifted the stick again. â€Å"Apparently.† He got up in one motion. â€Å"Where the hell have you been?† Now he just looked furious, Jez noted. Which was easier to deal with, because that was how she remembered him. â€Å"I can't tell you,† she said, which was perfectly true, and would also annoy the life out of him. It did. He shook his head to get dark hair out of his eyes-it was always disheveled in the morning, Jez remembered-and glared at her. He was standing easily: not in any attack posture, but with the relaxed readiness that meant he could go flying in any direction at any moment. Jez kept half her mind on watching his leg muscles. â€Å"You can't tell me? You disappear one day without any kind of warning, without even leaving a note†¦ you leave the gang and me and just completely vanish and nobody knows where to find you, not even your uncle .. . and now you reappear again and you can't tell me where you were?† He was working himself into one of his Extremely Excited States, Jez realized. She was surprised; she'd expected him to stay cooler and attack hard. â€Å"What did you think you were doing, just cutting out on everybody? Did it ever occur to you that people would be worried about you? That people would think you were dead?† It didn't occur to me that anyone would care, Jez thought, startled. Especially not you. But she couldn't say that. â€Å"Look, I didn't mean to hurt anybody. And I can't talk about why I went. But I'm back now-â€Å" â€Å"You can't just come back!† Jez was losing her calm. Nothing was going the way she'd expected; the things she'd scripted out to say weren't getting said. â€Å"I know I can't just come back-â€Å" â€Å"Because it doesn't work that way!† Morgead was pacing now, tossing hair out of his eyes again as he turned to glare at her. â€Å"Blood in, blood out. Since you're apparently not dead, you abandoned us. You're not allowed to do that! And you certainly can't expect to just walk back in and become my second again-â€Å" â€Å"I don't!† Jez yelled. She had to shut him up. â€Å"I have no intention of becoming your second-in-command!† she said when he finally paused. â€Å"I came to challenge you as leader.† Morgead's jaw dropped. Jez let her breath out. That wasn't exactly how she'd planned to say it. But now, seeing his shock, she felt more in control. She leaned casually against the wall, smiled at him, and said smoothly, ‘I was leader when I left, remember.† â€Å"You†¦ have got to be †¦ joking.† Morgead stared at her. â€Å"You expect to waltz back in here as leader?† â€Å"If I can beat you. I think I can. I did it once.† He stared for another minute, seeming beyond words. Then he threw back his head and laughed. It was a scary sound. When he looked at her again, his eyes were bright and hard. â€Å"Yeah, you did. I've gotten better since then.† Jez said three words. â€Å"So have I.† And with that, everything changed. Morgead shifted position-only slightly, but he was now in a fighting stance. Jez felt adrenaline flow through her own body. The challenge had been issued and accepted; there was nothing more to say. They were now facing each other ready to fight. And this she could deal with. She was much better at fighting than at playing with words. She knew Morgead in this mood; his pride and his skill had been questioned and he was now absolutely determined to win. This was very familiar. Without taking his eyes from her, he reached out and picked a fighting stick from the rack behind him. Japanese oak, Jez noted. Heavy, well-seasoned, resilient. Good choice. The fire-hardened end was very pointy. He wouldn't try to use that first, though. First, he would go for disarming her. The simplest way to do this was to break the wrist of her dominant hand. After that he'd go for critical points and nerve centers. He didn't play around at this. A minute change in Morgead's posture alerted her, and then they were both moving. He swung his stick up and down in a perfect arc, aiming for her right wrist. Jez blocked easily with her own stick and felt the shock as wood clashed with wood. She instantly changed her grip and tried for a trap, but he whipped his stick out of the way and was facing her again as if he'd never moved in the first place. He smiled at her. He's right. He's gotten better. A small chill went through Jez, and for the first time she worried about her ability to beat him. Because I have to do it without killing him, she thought. She wasn't at all sure he had the same concern about not killing her. â€Å"You're so predictable, Morgead,† she told him. â€Å"I could fight you in my sleep.† She feinted toward his wrist and then tried to sweep his legs out from underneath him. He blocked and tried for a trap. â€Å"Oh, yeah? And you hit like a four-year-old. You couldn't take me down if I stood here and let you.† They circled each other warily. The snakewood stick was warm in Jez's hands. It was funny, some distant part of her mind thought irrelevantly, how the most humble and lowly of human weapons was the most dangerous to vampires. But it was also the most versatile weapon in the world. With a stick, unlike a knife or gun or sword, you could fine-tune the degree of pain and injury you caused. You could disarm and control attackers, and-if the circumstances required it-you could inflict pain without permanently injuring them. Of course if they were vampires, you could also kill them, which you couldn't do with a knife or gun. Only wood could stop the vampire heart permanently, which was why the fighting stick was the weapon of choice for vampires who wanted to hurt each other†¦ and for vampire hunters. Jez grinned at Morgead, knowing it was not a particularly nice smile. Her feet whispered across the worn oak boards of the floor. She and Morgead had practiced here countless times, measuring themselves against each other, training themselves to be the best. And it had worked. They were both masters of this most deadly weapon. But no fight had ever mattered as much as this one. â€Å"Next you're going to try for a head strike,† she informed Morgead coolly. â€Å"Because you always do.† â€Å"You think you know everything. But you don't know me anymore. I've changed,† he told her, just as calmly-and went for a head strike. â€Å"Psyche,† he said as she blocked it and wood clashed with a sharp whack. â€Å"Wrong.† Jez twisted her stick sharply, got leverage on his, and whipped it down, holding it against his upper thighs. â€Å"Trap.† She grinned into his face. And was startled for a moment. She hadn't been this close to him in a long time. His eyes-they were so green, gem-colored, and full of strange light. For just an instant neither of them moved; then-weapons down, their gazes connected. Their faces were so close their breath mingled. Then Morgead slipped out of the trap. â€Å"Don't try that stuff,† he said nastily. â€Å"What stuff?† The moment her stick was free of his, she snapped it up again, reversing her grip and thrusting toward his eyes. â€Å"You know what stuff!† He deflected her thrust with unnecessary force. â€Å"That I'm Jez and I'm so wild and beautiful' stuff. That ‘Why don't you just drop your stick and let me hit you because it'll be fun' stuff.† â€Å"Morgead†¦ what are you†¦ talking about?† In between the words she attacked, a strike to his throat and then one to his temple. He blocked and evaded-which was just what she wanted. Evasion. Retreat. She was crowding him into a corner. â€Å"That's the only way you won before. Trying to play on people's feelings for you. Well, it won't work anymore!† He countered viciously, but it didn't matter. Jez blocked with a whirlwind of strikes of her own, pressing him, and then he had no choice but to retreat until his back was against the corner. She had him. She had no idea what he meant about playing on people's feelings, and she didn't have time to think about it. Morgead was dangerous as a wounded tiger when he was cornered. His eyes were glowing emerald green with sheer fury, and there was a hardness to his features that hadn't been there last year. He does hate me, Jez thought. Hugh was wrong. He's hurt and angry and he absolutely hates me. The textbook answer was to use that emotion against him, to provoke him and get him so mad that he gave her an opening. Some instinct deep inside Jez was worried about that, but she didn't listen. â€Å"Hey, all's fair, right?† she told him softly. â€Å"And what do you mean, it won't work? I've got you, haven't I?† She flashed out a couple of quick attacks, more to keep him occupied than anything else. â€Å"You're caught, and you're going to have to let down your guard sometime.† The green eyes that had been luminous with fury suddenly went cold. The color of glacier ice. â€Å"Unless I do something unexpected,† he said. â€Å"Nothing you do is unexpected,† she said sweetly. But her mind was telling her that provoking him had been a mistake. She had hit some nerve, and he was stronger than he'd been a year ago. He didn't lose his temper under pressure the way he'd used to. He just got more determined. Those green eyes unnerved her. Move in hard, she thought. All out. Go for a pressure point. Numb his arm- But before she could do anything, a wave of Power hit her. It sent her reeling. She'd never felt anything exactly like it. It came from Morgead, a Shockwave of telepathic energy that struck her like a physical thing. It knocked her back two steps and made her struggle for balance. It left the air crackling with electricity and a faint smell of ozone. Jez's mind spun. How had he done that? â€Å"It's not hard,† Morgead said in a calm, cold voice that went with his eyes. He was out of the corner by now, of course. For a moment Jez thought he was reading her thoughts, but then she realized her question must be written all over her face. ‘It's something I discovered after you left,† he went on. â€Å"All it takes is practice.† If you're telepathic, Jez thought. Which I'm not anymore. The Night People are getting stronger, developing more powers, she thought. Well, Hugh had been right on that one. And she was in trouble now. Whack! That was Morgead going for a side sweep. He'd noticed her lack of balance. Jez countered automatically, but her head wasn't clear and her body was ringing with pain. He'd shaken her, distracted her. â€Å"As you said, all's fair,† Morgead said, with a small, cold smile on his lips. â€Å"You have your weapons. I have mine.† And then he threw another of those Shockwaves at her. Jez was better braced for it now, but it still rocked her on her feet, took her attention off her weapon- Just long enough for her to screw up and let him in. He drove upward to catch her stick from below. Then he twisted, sweeping her stick in a circle, forcing her off balance again, trying to topple her backward. As Jez fought to recover, he struck to her elbow. Hard. Wham! It was a different sound from the crisp whack when wood hit wood. This was softer, duller, the sound of wood hitting flesh and bone. Jez heard her own involuntary gasp of pain. Fire shot up her arm, into her shoulder, and for a moment she lost her grip on the stick with her right hand. She forced her fingers to close on it again, but they were numb. She couldn't feel what she was holding. She couldn't block properly with one arm useless. And Morgead was advancing, that deadly cold light in his eyes. Absolutely merciless. His movements were relaxed and easy; he knew exactly what he was doing now. Two more whacks and he got through her guard again. The oak stick slammed into her ribs and she felt another wave of sickening pain. Gray dots danced in front of her eyes. Fractured? Jez wondered briefly. She hoped not. Vampires could break each other's ribs in fun and know that everything would heal in a day or two. But Jez wouldn't recover like that. Morgead might kill her without even meaning to. She couldn't let him keep striking her-but she couldn't retreat, either. If he got her into a corner, she'd be lost. Whack-wham. He got her on the knee. Pain sparked up and down her leg, lighting every nerve. She had no choice but to back up. He was crowding her relentlessly, forcing her to the wall. Morgead flashed a smile at her. Not the cold smile. This one was brilliant, and very familiar to Jez. It made him look devastatingly handsome, and it meant that he was in absolute command of the situation. â€Å"You can give up anytime, now,† he said. â€Å"Because I'm going to win and we both know it.†

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Sensitive Topics How to Write a Mercy Killing Essay

Among all the sensitive topics you may be asked to write on euthanasia is probably one of the most sensitive. The world is divided into the followers of two directly opposing ideas: one believe that murder is murder, no matter what the circumstances are. Even if we speak about the people with incurable illnesses that cause great suffering, doctors should follow the Hippocrates Oath and refuse to harm their patients in any way. The others state that euthanasia gives a person whose life turned into constant and hopeless cycle of pain the only freedom he or she still has – to leave this world with dignity. If there is no other hope, why not help the patient in the only way that is still left? Truly, a perfect topic for an argumentative essay – both sides have very strong arguments in their support, both are perfectly logical – only their hierarchy of values is somewhat different. But students often feel intimidated by the gravity and sensitivity of this topic, and a s a result we have bland, half-hearted attempts at writing that make only one effort – to avoid offending anybody. Don’t Forget to Study a Sample Argumentative Euthanasia Essay If you have no idea how to approach the topic, you may try and find some examples on the Internet. Although it will be a really bad decision to copy/paste any of them and try to pass it for your own writing, reading one may provide you with the much necessary insight and help you get to grips with the issue. If you have a strong opinion on the subject, you should probably look for an example of argumentative essay that promotes another point of view – when you see how wrong the author is and in what respects, it will be easier for you to build up your own argumentation. Your Own Take on Mercy Killing Essay There are a lot of possible approaches you may use when dealing with the topic of euthanasia. But whatever opinion you share, don’t forget that you shouldn’t found your essay on emotions, no matter how much this particular topic asks for it. What you need is real argumentation, supported with facts, statistics, examples from real life and so on. For example, if you support euthanasia, you may mention the number of patients slowly dying of incurable diseases with no hope for recovery who could be otherwise spared the pain and indignity of their position if they were allowed to die. If you are against it, you may mention the examples of people waking up from coma long after the doctors had given up on them and told their loved ones that they may just as well pull the plug on them. Study a sample argumentative essay on the topic and think about the arguments presented by another person – maybe you can disprove them? As you may see, the possibilities are boundless, e specially if you have a strong opinion on the subject in question.