Protection of Minorities within the Context of International Law

Protection of Minorities within the Context of International Law Introduction A critical analysis of international legal instruments reveals that the laws do make reference to ‘minorities’. However, there is lack of a universally acceptable, legally binding definition of the term ‘minority’. The reason for this is that there are numerous minority groups that possibly exist and no proposed definition can accommodate all of them (Forsythe 2012). Moreover, many states provide a restrictive definition to prevent large swathes of their population from falling within the boundaries of the group.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Protection of Minorities within the Context of International Law specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The innumerable and diverse groups claiming to be minorities also make it difficult to formulate a universally acceptable definition. Consequently, there are no firm guidelines informing the definition of the concept ‘minority’ i n international law. However, considerable efforts have been made through different forums by international lawyers to provide guidelines as to factors to consider in defining the concept (Allen Xanathaki 2011). One of the factors to consider in the definition of the minority concept is numerical inferiority. The numerical inferiority factor is determined in reference to the overall size of the states’ population. In addition, ‘non-dominant’ positions of the group are taken into consideration. Politically speaking, a minority situation is brought about by such a group. Another factor to consider is the nationality of the group. To qualify as member of a minority group, one has to be a citizen of the state they live in. As a result, the definition of the concept excludes refugees, foreigners, and immigrant workers (Hatvany 2006). A group may be considered as minority if it is distinguished from the rest of the population in the state they live in with regard to e thnicity, religion, or language. Collective will has also emerged as a factor to consider in the definition of minority. The will comes into play when a group maintains a sense of solidarity and has distinctive characteristics that emerge over a long period of time (Preece 2009). Minorities and International Law: Historical Overview Provisions of international law try to protect the rights and freedoms of persons. The same applies to the case of minorities as a group in the society. The Minority Treaties of the League of Nations Protection of minorities was a major concern during the post World War I period. There were territorial re-alignments brought about by the war. The realignments led to the creation of new countries. The rights and freedoms of minority groups could not be overlooked. It was important to address them in order to have lasting peace in Europe. The minorities’ treaty system of the League of Nations was developed against such a background (Preece 2009).Adve rtising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The system embraced by the League was structured on individual treaties. The stand-alone treaties addressed particular scenarios in Europe. In most cases, the treaties fell within three clusters. Their classification was informed by the parties involved. The first category was made up of those agreements adopted by the states that lost in the war. They included Austria and Turkey. Others were Hungary and Bulgaria (Hatvany 2006). The second group comprised of the new states created. In this group were Greece, Poland, Romania, and Yugoslavia. The last group was made up of special consideration given to minorities in the new establishments. The new entities included Aland and Upper Silesia (Allen Xanathaki 2011). The system of protection of minorities adopted at this juncture varied from one country to the other. The arrangement was not inten ded to develop into a system of international law for the protection of minorities. The intention is supported by the rejection of the idea to enshrine the protection of minorities in the Covenant of the League of Nations. The United States of America made several suggestions to enhance the system. For example, it was suggested that all governments interested in joining the League should respect the rights and freedoms of minority groups. Despite the signing of the covenant, the League Assembly rejected efforts made by some members to improve the system. A case in point is the suggestion by some members to make protection of minorities a universal undertaking (Sigler 2004). As already indicated, many countries were against the expansion of the minority protection system. There are several factors that contributed to this resistance. One of the factors was fear of possible external scrutiny and constraints on the states’ sovereignty. The fear was prompted by the dissatisfactio n expressed by the countries that had already adopted the system. The states maintained that the minority protection system allowed any person to file a petition against them. Such petitions would force the states to appear in public courts as defendants against their own citizens (Preece 2009). Another reason for the rejection of the expansion had to do with the colonial territories under the control of European countries. The expansion would have raised issues with the legitimacy of the control that these countries had over the colonies. The questions would have required the colonialists to grant their subjects the freedoms and rights espoused in the minority protection system.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Protection of Minorities within the Context of International Law specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The right to self-determination was only applicable to the situation in Europe and European powers were not wi lling to extend it to other regions in the world, such as in Africa. Therefore, the system was not developed to tackle minority issues in countries under the control of the colonialists (Thornberry 2003). As made clear in the discourse above, the protection of minority system has faced a number of challenges since its inception. The challenges led to its failure, especially as a result of the ramifications of World War I. The political and economic reality of the time could also have led to the failure of the system. According to Forsythe (2012), World War II led to the disintegration of the League of Nations. The disintegration brought down the protection of minority system. However, protection of the minority system has continued to be of value to the development of international law touching on the welfare of this group (Forsythe 2012). It is a fact beyond doubt that the minority system had several inherent limitations that affected its effectiveness as an instrument of internati onal law. The limitations notwithstanding, the system provided some level of protection to the identified minority groups in the countries. It is a fact that the system offered special protection to minorities, which created two possible scenarios. The two scenarios were ‘equality’ (Sigler 2004) and non-discrimination against this category of citizens. The development provided grounds for the formulation of international laws for the protection of the rights of minorities. The system also led to the formation of the International Judicial Protection of the Minorities. The Permanent Court of Justice (PCIJ) gave decisions and opinions that are still applied during discussions on minority rights in international law (Sigler 2004). Minority Protection under the UN The United Nations was formed after the collapse of the League of Nations. It acted as the new world organisation following the World War II. However, in contrast to the League of Nations, it adopted a totally dif ferent perspective as far as the protection of minority groups in the world was concerned. Initially, the UN did not make any efforts to adopt the minority protection system of the League (Hatvany 2006). Moreover, the organisation did not make attempts to develop a new system for the protection of minorities. European nations dealt with the issue of minorities through bilateral or multilateral treaties without the involvement of the UN. The UN was of the opinion that human rights and the principle of non-discrimination were appropriate means of protecting everyone, minority groups included (Rodley 2005).Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The UN General Assembly made efforts to address this issue a few years after the formation of the agency. The efforts were characterised by the passing of the Declaration for the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries (Julie 2010). The declaration was made in 1960. It was based on, among other things, the provision of equal rights and self-determination of people as declared in the Charter of the UN (Julie 2010). The declaration required a speedy and unconditional termination of all forms and manifestations of colonialism. Under Article 2, the declaration provides for the right to self-determination for each and every nation in the world. Based on this right, sovereign countries have control over their political, economic, and socio-cultural progression (Hilpold 2007a). To achieve its mandate, the UN heavily depended on the provisions of human rights and the freedom of the nations (Preece 2009). Many people were of the opinion that minority groups were protected through non- discrimination, equal rights, and equality before the law. Such an assumption prompted the adoption of several conventions and declarations in the field of non-discrimination by various international organisations and the UN (Julie 2010). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was crucial as far as human rights were concerned. It was one of the first aspects of international law that made provisions for the protection of human rights. The declaration complemented the already existing provisions for non-discrimination. Under Article 2, the declaration provides that everyone is entitled to all the human rights in the declaration without distinction of any kind (Hatvany 2006). However, the declaration failed to address the issue of the protection of minority groups. Furthermore, it did not mention the group anywhere. Various states, such as Denmark, made a proposal for the inclusion of provisions for the protection of minorities in the UDHR. However, such proposals were oppos ed by majority of the member states, leading to their rejection. The rejection was as a result of little or no interest on the part of majority member states of the UN with regard to the concept of minorities (Rodley 1995). The rejection of minority rights and protection by majority of UN member states was brought about by many factors. A classic example of such a factor was non-alignment with the policies of the nations touching on cohesion. The nations were concerned that adopting these rights would lead to divisions within their boundaries (Thornberry 2003). Another factor leading to the rejection of these rights involved concerns over the stability of the nation. The states feared that the adoption of such rights will result in distinctions between citizens. Such distinctions will be created by a sense of unfair treatment on the part of those not classified as minorities in the society (Sigler 2004). The General Assembly felt that the UN could not afford to ignore the plight of minority groups (Rodley 2005). The development prompted the authorisation of two commissions expected to thoroughly address the issue of minorities (Hilpold 2007b). In addition to the UDHR, the UN and its affiliates formulated a number of provisions to address human rights on the international arena. In all these legally binding instruments, the UN almost exclusively focused on individual rights and freedoms. However, the instruments did little to acknowledge the minority as a group (Hilpold 2007a). The situation changed in 1948. In this year, the agency formulated the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Hatvany 2006). The convention addressed the rights of minorities separately from individual human rights. However, there is no clear prohibition of any measures taken to destroy these groups other than physical or biological genocide (Julie 2010). Conclusion Internationally, minority protection is mainly based on human rights and non-discriminati on. Such a basis is evident even in instruments that are designed solely for minority protection. The observation raises the question of whether or not individual rights and non-discrimination offer enough protection to minorities. Moreover, there are concerns over the effectiveness of individual rights and non-discrimination approach in addressing the problems faced by minority groups. References Allen, S Xanathaki, A 2011, Reflections on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Haart Publishing, London. Forsythe, D 2012, Human rights in international relations, Cambridge University Press, London. Hatvany, C 2006, ‘Legitimacy of kin-state politics: a theoretical approach’, Regio-Minorities, Politics, Society, vol. 1, pp. 47-64. Hilpold, P 2007a, ‘Tendencies of minority protection in the law of the European Union’, Miskolc Journal of International Law, vol. 5 no. 1, pp. 34-49. Hilpold, P 2007b, ‘UN standard setting in the field of mino rity rights’, Int. J of Minority and Group Rights, vol. 181 no. 14, pp. 342-369. Julie R 2010, ‘Minority rights in a time of multiculturalism’, The Evolving Scope of the Framework Convention on the Protection of Minorities, vol. 99 no. 10, pp. 243-267. Preece, J 2009, ‘National minority rights vs. state sovereignty in Europe: changing norms in international relations?’, Nations and Nationalism, vol. 3 no. 3, pp. 345-364. Rodley, N 2005, ‘Conceptual problems in the protection of minorities: international legal developments’, Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 17 no. 1, pp. 48-71. Sigler, A 2004, Minority rights: a comparative analysis, Greenwood Press, Connecticut. Thornberry, P 2003, International law and the rights of minorities, Clarendon Press, Connecticut.

Top 8 Tools You Need to Use For Salary Research

Top 8 Tools You Need to Use For Salary Research Here at TheJobNetwork, we talk a lot about the job hunt, and your career path. Revamping your resume, searching for the perfect job opportunity, getting your smile and handshake ready for the interview†¦all crucial career elements. But what about the most practical career consideration of all: your salary? You need a paycheck to pay for life’s basic necessities, and the goal for most of us is to keep building on that so that we’re able to live comfortably while doing something fulfilling. Sure, dreams of Ferraris and designer clothes are great, but in reality most of us are just looking for solid pay for a day’s work. For years, salary was kind of a taboo subject- you didn’t talk about what you earned with anyone but your employer. And even now, there are a lot of unwritten rules: don’t bring up salary during an interview, let them mention money first, etc. So how do you know what you should (and could) be making? Where do you even start? Letâ €™s look at the top tools you can use to research salary, and figure out what you’re worth in the workplace.U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsIf you like stats and charts, this is the place for you. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is the data-heavy arm of the U.S. Department of Labor. It’s a comprehensive resource for information about just about any career you can think of, with an extensive database providing information about employment rates, regional employment information, job outlooks and projections, median salaries, U.S. employment trends, occupation profiles, and demographic information.Pros: It’s not just a salary resource, but also one for general career information. You can find out not only what people are making in your field, but also what the requirements are, and job descriptions.Cons: Occupation information tends to be very high-level, without much variance for different job titles. Also, the salary information is usually median, so it ca n be tough to see the full range of salary info.PayScalePayScale is a massive salary database that is available to employers (to help them figure out what to pay) and employees/job hunters (to help them figure out what they’re worth, based on job title, industry, and region). Users can create a custom profile based on their current job, a job offer they’re considering, or just general job research. The site also offers general information and research on fair compensation, salary negotiation, and salary best practices.Pros: Casual users can get a free â€Å"salary report† based on experience or location.Cons: Much of the research and features of the â€Å"largest salary profile database in the world† are available as premium software for employers. Also, expect to give detailed (though non-personally identifiable) information about your current job title, salary, location, etc. in order to get your salary report.Salary.comLike PayScale, Salary.com is a co mprehensive salary software that draws on a massive database of salary information, parsed out by region, job title, experience, etc. It has an enterprise software component for businesses and employers to research and compare salary data, as well as a free salary profile available to employees and job searchers. Notably, the site also has a Cost-of-Living Wizard, which lets you enter information and determine what your cost of living would be in various locations. This is very helpful if you’re moving and need to find a job, or are considering transferring in your current job.Pros: Straightforward interface, and a huge database of job and salary information. The site also has a number of general job search and career development articles.Cons: Many of its resources are available as paid options.Idealist Career Salary SurveysIf you work for a nonprofit company, or are looking for a job with one, you know that they can be a different kind of beast than their corporate siblings . Compensation may be handled differently, so the standard resources might not be as helpful. If you’re looking for info on nonprofit careers, Idealist has compiled a number of different links and surveys to help you find the information you want on working for nonprofits.Pros: It’s a comprehensive resource for nonprofit career information (job openings, career development, pay and benefits information).Cons: The focus is limited to nonprofits, so it can be difficult to compare nonprofit salaries and jobs to other fields and industries.BufferIdeally, all of our companies would have a salary calculator where we could plug in our job title and level of experience, and see what the salary range is. (I mean, we’re all a little nosy about what other people are making, right?) Practicality often calls for more discretion, and most companies would prefer not to have that knowledge public. The exception to that rule: Buffer, a social media company who has pioneered the whole â€Å"transparent salary† concept over the past few years. Their Transparent Salary Calculator really only tells you what you’d be making if you worked at Buffer, but it’s still a handy tool for reference.Pros: If you have a similar job title and level of experience, this can help give you a baseline to take with you into a new job offer salary negotiation, or a request for a raise. Also, yay transparency!Cons: It’s very specific to a small social media company, so if you have a role outside of the 20 or so job types listed at Buffer, it’s not especially helpful.Educate to Career Job Seekers Salary CalculatorIf you’ve been around the block for a while, career-wise, you probably know roughly what people make in your field, or what you can expect long term. If you’re just starting out, say, as a recent grad, you probably don’t have that sense yet. Educate to Career helps students, recent graduates, or other job seekers figu re out what they can make based on the field, job title, relevant experience, and location.Pros: The database covers all states and regions, and factors in education level as a predictor of salary. It’s a straightforward search, and gives information on median salary, starting salary, top earner salaries, and likely market salaries. The states are broken down into regions, which gives very specific reports.Cons: The site is very student-focused, so the general career information is geared more toward students and soon-to-be grads than the average job hunter.U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionWhether you’re figuring out your market value or hoping to negotiate a higher salary for yourself, it’s important to know what’s legal or illegal when it comes to your pay. The U.S. government’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) publishes information about discrimination, equal pay, and the latest legislation that affects employee compensa tion.Pros: If you’re concerned that you’re being underpaid or discriminated against by your employer, this is an excellent place to start.Cons: It’s not a huge database, or a flashy interface- just straightforward information about employment practices.Salary ExpertIf you want to know more about salary on a global scale, Salary Expert has a database for that. Like other salary search engines, Salary Expert allows you to get reports and make comparisons on salary and cost of living across the globe.Pros: If you’re fantasizing about moving to London but are concerned about your earning potential and the cost of living, this is the tool to use. You can browse salary and cost of living data without signing up for any services.Cons: The most advanced salary data is part of a premium software package purchase.Next Steps After You’ve ResearchedOnce you know what you’re worth, you’ve got the tools you need to move toward your higher salary. W e’ve got you covered on what to do next:Your Comprehensive Guide to Negotiating SalaryHow to Earn a Six-Figure Salary in Your Lifetime11 Tips for Getting the Salary You WantHow to Negotiate Your Salary in An Interview6 Tips for Negotiating the Salary You WantWhen you’re ready to talk money, you should have every possible tool at your disposal. These resources can help you be armed and ready to advocate for yourself, and make sure that you’re exactly where you should be- or could be. Good luck!

Not sure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 8

Not sure - Essay Example Due to the increasing technological and environmental catastrophes there is a need to develop the best practice of a crisis management. One of the situations that call for dire management is associated with the explosion of a bomb in a populous region. The explosion of a bomb and other explosives result in death and other physical injuries, as well as the destruction of various structures. Additionally, the individuals that are related to the victims and properties that are destroyed are normally left with emotional traumas. During this event, the local and national leaders are faced with the task of handling the crisis. This paper is focused on evaluating the best practice that should be employed in a crisis management in the event of an explosion which results to death, physical injuries, destruction of properties and emotional injuries. The paper will attempt to employ the Restorative Rhetoric approach in managing an explosion that results in injuries, death and property destruction; the analysis will be executed in the light of the local and national leaders who are tasked with the responsibility of managing the crisis. The Restoration Rhetoric approach emerged as an effective approach with respect to the management of the Hurricane Katrina and the destruction of the World Trade Center which occurred in September 2001(Griffin-Padgett, 2010). The restoration rhetoric was used by Mayor Ray Nagin and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in the management of the terrorist attack and natural disaster respectively (Griffin-Padgett, 2010). This model indicates that, unlike other approaches of crisis management, the restoration of image is not the chief objective; in this respect, there is a need to manage risk while ensuring the safety of the public is restored. As a result, this approach calls for an intensive examination of the leadership skills and aptitudes in crisis management.

Research design exercise on Domestic burglary Literature review

Research design exercise on Domestic burglary - Literature review Example In handling burglary situations, these facts need to be examined in relation to the facts of the context at hand (Tilley, 1993). When applied to the case at hand, we can identify the increase in assets in the buildings motivates offenders. The increase in student occupancy increases the vulnerable target group drastically. And also, the ease of burglars slipping through the back of the houses makes the student households vulnerable targets. In attempt to deal with these burgaries, Mayhew et al (1976) recommend that there is the need to reduce access and increase risk detection. This therefore forms the framework for the prevention of these student burglaries. In operationalising the research, there is the need to formulate hypotheses. A hypothesis is a tentative statement that is tested for its truthfulness or falsity (Kothari, 2005). So for the ease of doing this research, the objectives will be translated to the following hypotheses: The research will therefore seek to accept or refute these hypotheses. This will form the basis for a choice of either the fixing of gates in the alleyways to impede the escape of burglars and their detection or run a campaign to enable the residents to identify signs of theft and take necessary actions through better security systems like alarms and more secure windows. This will be complemented by data on the total number of residents. This will aid in comparison. Also, the frequency of burglaries must be known. This should show the general picture and also the frequency amongst student households. This data on the numbers of people living in each housing unit can be collected from the housing authorities in the area. Data on burglaries and their frequencies can be attained from the police archives. The next set of data to be collected should be the number of assets each household possesses. This will be complemented

Chocolate eassy Essay Example for Free

Chocolate eassy Essay Chocolate is†¦ Well when you think about chocolate you have a joy feeling, and it’s exciting. Not all chocolate is wonderful though, there are many different kinds of chocolate and depending on the type of person you are not all chocolates are enjoyable. You can tell a differences of chocolate by the appearance, smell, texture, flavor, and especially the percent of coca in a chocolate. The coca plays a very important role in chocolate. Coca is cocoa butter and powder mixed which is cocoa solids and it all comes from the cocoa beans, usually found near the equator. In my experiment of tasting and telling differences between chocolates I found the important role coca plays. The difference coca made with 90%-85% coca in a chocolate. The 90% coca was very dark and dull compared to the 85% that was slightly lighter, less dull than the 90% one. The smells for both the 90% and 85% were similar except the 90% chocolate smelled very dull of chocolate just like black coffee as was the taste also, in the 85% coca it was still hardly any smell of chocolate but very mild and the test was more sugary until the black coffee after taste. The texture of all the chocolates felt the same in my hands but in my mouth it was the hardness or easiness of how the chocolate melted, the 90% chocolate did not really melt it was snappy an di had the chew it to break it down, the 85% chocolate started to melt a little bit but I still had to bite to break it down. Now which chocolate would you prefer? Even though the 90%-85% coca wasn’t much of a difference in the amount of coca, it made a difference in taste, but how much of a difference will 70% coca to the 85%-90% make? Now with less coca the chocolate is starting to look like the average Hershey’s bar we get from any store worldwide. Now there’s less coca I get more of a milk chocolate smell but it’s only a little stronger than the 85% coca. This type of chocolate melts or at least it starts to melt in my mouth and is a lot smoother than both the other chocolates. The flavor of this chocolate with only 70% coca is almost like black coffee with sugar but no milk or cream. Out of all the chocolates that were tried so far the 70% would be my pick of a chocolate. Milk chocolate. One of the most common eaten chocolates in the world, but did you know there are different qualities of milk chocolate and they differ from taste, smell, texture, and appearance? Threes the simple generic brand milk chocolate always 35% coca, wow a drop from every other chocolate, right. The generic chocolate is the lightest of all the milk chocolates and the cheapest as well as quality. All the milk chocolates have around the same smell except the generic brand smells duller of milk chocolate but bold of chocolate more than the dark chocolates. The generic chocolate tastes like the cheap Easter candies, or like drown out not really flavored coffee, old and cold coffee. Again 35% coca but a higher quality chocolate, the one and only Hershey’s brand that’s seen on almost every shelf at stores. The appearance in Hershey’s gives you the signature look of chocolate, it’s the darkest of the 3 kinds of quality milk chocolates. This one has the strongest chocolate smell it gives you the memory of that enjoyable taste of CHOCOLATE. Instead of the coffee flavors that every other chocolate has had Hershey taste like how it smells, wonderful. The highest quality of chocolate is less seen and is also more expensive than Hershey. The look is just a little darker than Hershey but has a very distant flavor. There’s more flavorings in the more expensive brands like vanilla milk sugar and any other additives. All the milk chocolates of 35% coca melt in your hand, even though the qualities are different there all 35% and have the same melting temp and have very distinct flavors. The last chocolate that was tried isn’t actually a chocolate but it’s in its name, none other but white chocolate. The looks are completely different it’s white/yellow because there’s eggs and not coca and also only has coco butter in it. It smells like Hershey’s milk chocolate but taste completely different like cream. The white chocolate melts in my mouth still and there are also different qualities of white chocolate. Two other chocolates that were tried are chili chocolate and sea salt chocolate. Both just have additives in it as different flavors and are 47% coca. The two flavors tasted different than any other chocolate because you weren’t just getting the chocolate taste. Although both of the chocolates smelled, had the same appearance and texture as all the other dark chocolates, it tasted very different. My thoughts on this experiment, changed my thinking of chocolate all together I didn’t know that coca could make such a big difference in the taste smell appearance or texture of a chocolate.

King James I :: Papers

King James I born June 19, 1566, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland died March 27, 1625, Theobalds, Hertfordshire, England King of Scotland (as James VI) from 1567 to 1625 and first Stuart king of England from 1603 to 1625, who styled himself â€Å"king of Great Britain.† James was a strong advocate of royal absolutism, and his conflicts with an increasingly self-assertive Parliament set the stage for the rebellion against his successor, Charles I. James was the only son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her second husband, Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. Eight months after James's birth his father died when his house was destroyed by an explosion. After her third marriage, to James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, Mary was defeated by rebel Scottish lords and abdicated the throne. James, one year old, became king of Scotland on July 24, 1567; Mary left the kingdom on May 16, 1568, and never saw her son again. During his minority James was surrounded by a small band of the great Scottish lords, from whom emerged the four successive regents, the earls of Moray, Lennox, Mar, and Morton. There did not exist in Scotland the great gulf between rulers and ruled that separated the Tudors and their subjects in England. For nine generations the Stuarts had in fact been merely the ruling family among many equals, and James all his life retained a feeling for those of the great Scottish lords who gained his confidence. The young king was kept fairly isolated but was given a good education until the age of 14. He studied Greek, French, and Latin and made good use of a library of classical and religious writings that his tutors, George Buchanan and Peter Young, assembled for him. James's education aroused in him literary ambitions rarely found in princes but which also tended to make him a pedant. Before James was 12 he had taken the government nominally into his own hands when the Earl of Morton was driven from the regency in 1578. For several years more, however, James remained the puppet of contending intriguers and faction leaders. After falling under the influence of the Duke of Lennox, a Roman Catholic who schemed to win back Scotland for the imprisoned Queen Mary, James was kidnapped by William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie, in 1582 and was forced to denounce Lennox. The following year James escaped from his Protestant captors and began to pursue his own policies as king.

African American English Essay

When it comes to arguing whether African-American English/Ebonics, enriches or contaminates Standard English, most of the negative tone that African-American English gets comes from an educational stand point. One argument teachers, who do not believe in using Ebonics, use is that there is no place for Ebonics in the class room. Stacey Thomas, in her article â€Å"Ebonics and the African-American Student: Why Ebonics Has a Place in the Classroom† writes that teachers can use Ebonics as a way to facilitate the learning of Standard English to African American students. In order to use Ebonics as a vehicle to teaching Standard English, teachers must be bilingual; meaning they most know both Ebonics and Standard English. Thomas states, â€Å"†¦once students see and comprehend the differences between Standard English and Ebonics in terms of structure and syntax, they display a great[er] understanding in Standard English, and as a result, decrease their use of Ebonics† Ebonics and the African-American Student (6). In other words, by working on activities where students have to compare both Ebonics and Standard English, students’ knowledge of Standard English is increasing and their use of Ebonics is decreasing. Another arguments teachers use against Ebonics is that it obstructs the academic potential of African-Americans. Thomas goes further on by stating the Oakland school board Ebonics issue. In 1996, the Oakland, California school board started using Ebonics as a way to teach to African American students whose grades were lower than other ethnicities. As a result of using Ebonics as a vehicle to teaching, Thomas states, â€Å"the Oakland School District’s use of Ebonics in the classroom, [and] the students’ performance in reading and wring has improved†¦ the students have tested above district averages there was a in reading and writing skills† Ebonics and the African-American Student (6). So not only is the teaching of Ebonics facilitating school work for students, but it is also increasing their grades. Ebonics, a language that is stereotyped as ignorant and uneducated, is now becoming a great tool for educating students.

The Lost Symbol Chapter 62-66

CHAPTER 62 I'm under Second Street. Langdon's eyes remained tightly shut as the conveyor rumbled through the darkness toward the Adams Building. He did his best not to picture the tons of earth overhead and the narrow tube through which he was now traveling. He could hear Katherine breathing several yards ahead of him, but so far, she had not uttered a word. She's in shock. Langdon was not looking forward to telling her about her brother's severed hand. You have to, Robert. She needs to know. â€Å"Katherine?† Langdon finally said, without opening his eyes. â€Å"Are you okay?† A tremulous, disembodied voice replied somewhere up ahead. â€Å"Robert, the pyramid you're carrying. It's Peter's, isn't it?† â€Å"Yes,† Langdon replied. A long silence followed. â€Å"I think . . . that pyramid is why my mother was murdered.† Langdon was well aware that Isabel Solomon had been murdered ten years ago, but he didn't know the details, and Peter had never mentioned anything about a pyramid. â€Å"What are you talking about?† Katherine's voice filled with emotion as she recounted the harrowing events of that night, how the tattooed man had broken into their estate. â€Å"It was a long time ago, but I'll never forget that he demanded a pyramid. He said he heard about the pyramid in prison, from my nephew, Zachary . . . right before he killed him.† Langdon listened in amazement. The tragedy within the Solomon family was almost beyond belief. Katherine continued, telling Langdon that she had always believed the intruder was killed that night . . . that is, until this same man had resurfaced today, posing as Peter's psychiatrist and luring Katherine to his home. â€Å"He knew private things about my brother, my mother's death, and even my work,† she said anxiously, â€Å"things he could only have learned from my brother. And so I trusted him . . . and that's how he got inside the Smithsonian Museum Support Center.† Katherine took a deep breath and told Langdon she was nearly certain the man had destroyed her lab tonight. Langdon listened in utter shock. For several moments, the two of them lay together in silence on the moving conveyor. Langdon knew he had an obligation to share with Katherine the rest of tonight's terrible news. He began slowly, and as gently as he possibly could he told her how her brother had entrusted him with a small package years earlier, how Langdon had been tricked into bringing this package to Washington tonight, and finally, about her brother's hand having been found in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building. Katherine's reaction was deafening silence. Langdon could tell she was reeling, and he wished he could reach out and comfort her, but lying end to end in the narrow blackness made it impossible. â€Å"Peter's okay,† he whispered. â€Å"He's alive, and we'll get him back.† Langdon tried to give her hope. â€Å"Katherine, his captor promised me your brother would be returned alive . . . as long as I decipher the pyramid for him.† Still Katherine said nothing. Langdon kept talking. He told her about the stone pyramid, its Masonic cipher, the sealed capstone, and, of course, about Bellamy's claims that this pyramid was in fact the Masonic Pyramid of legend . . . a map that revealed the hiding place of a long spiral staircase that led deep into the earth . . . down hundreds of feet to a mystical ancient treasure that had been buried in Washington long ago. Katherine finally spoke, but her voice was flat and emotionless. â€Å"Robert, open your eyes.† Open my eyes? Langdon had no desire to have even the slightest glimpse of how cramped this space really was. â€Å"Robert!† Katherine demanded, urgently now. â€Å"Open your eyes! We're here!† Langdon's eyes flew open as his body emerged through an opening similar to the one it had entered at the other end. Katherine was already climbing off the conveyor belt. She lifted his daybag off the belt as Langdon swung his legs over the edge and jumped down onto the tile floor just in time, before the conveyor turned the corner and headed back the way it came. The space around them was a circulation room much like the one they had come from in the other building. A small sign read ADAMS BUILDING: CIRCULATION ROOM 3. Langdon felt like he had just emerged from some kind of subterranean birth canal. Born again. He turned immediately to Katherine. â€Å"Are you okay?† Her eyes were red, and she had obviously been crying, but she nodded with a resolute stoicism. She picked up Langdon's daybag and carried it across the room without a word, setting it on a cluttered desk. She lit the desk's halogen clamp lamp, unzipped the bag, folded down the sides, and peered inside. The granite pyramid looked almost austere in the clean halogen light. Katherine ran her fingers over the engraved Masonic cipher, and Langdon sensed deep emotion churning within her. Slowly, she reached into the daybag and pulled out the cube-shaped package. She held it under the light, examining it closely. â€Å"As you can see,† Langdon quietly said, â€Å"the wax seal is embossed with Peter's Masonic ring. He said this ring was used to seal the package more than a century ago.† Katherine said nothing. â€Å"When your brother entrusted the package to me,† Langdon told her, â€Å"he said it would give me the power to create order out of chaos. I'm not entirely sure what that means, but I've got to assume the capstone reveals something important, because Peter was insistent that it not fall into the wrong hands. Mr. Bellamy just told me the same thing, urging me to hide the pyramid and not let anyone open the package.† Katherine turned now, looking angry. â€Å"Bellamy told you not to open the package?† â€Å"Yes. He was adamant.† Katherine looked incredulous. â€Å"But you said this capstone is the only way we can decipher the pyramid, right?† â€Å"Probably, yes.† Katherine's voice was rising now. â€Å"And you said deciphering the pyramid is what you were told to do. It's the only way we can get Peter back, right?† Langdon nodded. â€Å"Then, Robert, why wouldn't we open the package and decipher this thing right now?!† Langdon didn't know how to respond. â€Å"Katherine, I had the same exact reaction, and yet Bellamy told me that keeping this pyramid's secret intact was more important than anything . . . including your brother's life.† Katherine's pretty features hardened, and she tucked a wisp of hair behind her ears. When she spoke, her voice was resolved. â€Å"This stone pyramid, whatever it is, has cost me my entire family. First my nephew, Zachary, then my mother, and now my brother.And let's face it, Robert, if you hadn't called tonight to warn me . . .† Langdon could feel himself trapped between Katherine's logic and Bellamy's steadfast urging. â€Å"I may be a scientist,† she said, â€Å"but I also come from a family of well-known Masons. Believe me, I've heard all the stories about the Masonic Pyramid and its promise of some great treasure that will enlighten mankind. Honestly, I find it hard to imagine such a thing exists. However, if it does exist . . . perhaps it's time to unveil it.† Katherine slid a finger beneath the old twine on the package. Langdon jumped. â€Å"Katherine, no! Wait!† She paused, but her finger remained beneath the string. â€Å"Robert, I'm not going to let my brother die for this. Whatever this capstone says . . . whatever lost treasures this engraving might reveal . . . those secrets end tonight.† With that, Katherine yanked defiantly on the twine, and the brittle wax seal exploded. CHAPTER 63 In a quiet neighborhood just west of Embassy Row in Washington, there exists a medieval-style walled garden whose roses, it is said, spring from twelfth-century plants. The garden's Carderock gazebo–known as Shadow House–sits elegantly amid meandering pathways of stones dug from George Washington's private quarry. Tonight the silence of the gardens was broken by a young man who rushed through the wooden gate, shouting as he came. â€Å"Hello?† he called out, straining to see in the moonlight. â€Å"Are you in here?† The voice that replied was frail, barely audible. â€Å"In the gazebo . . . just taking some air.† The young man found his withered superior seated on the stone bench beneath a blanket. The hunched old man was tiny, with elfin features. The years had bent him in two and stolen his eyesight, but his soul remained a force to be reckoned with. Catching his breath, the young man told him, â€Å"I just . . . took a call . . . from your friend . . . Warren Bellamy.† â€Å"Oh?† The old man perked up. â€Å"About what?† â€Å"He didn't say, but he sounded like he was in a big hurry. He told me he left you a message on your voice mail, which you need to listen to right away.† â€Å"That's all he said?† â€Å"Not quite.† The young man paused. â€Å"He told me to ask you a question.† A very strange question. â€Å"He said he needed your response right away.† The old man leaned closer. â€Å"What question?† As the young man spoke Mr. Bellamy's question, the pall that crossed the old man's face was visible even in the moonlight. Immediately, he threw off his blanket and began struggling to his feet. â€Å"Please help me inside. Right away.† CHAPTER 64 No more secrets, thought Katherine Solomon. On the table in front of her, the wax seal that had been intact for generations now lay in pieces. She finished removing the faded brown paper from her brother's precious package. Beside her, Langdon looked decidedly uneasy. From within the paper, Katherine extracted a small box made of gray stone. Resembling a polished granite cube, the box had no hinges, no latch, and no apparent way inside. It reminded Katherine of a Chinese puzzle box. â€Å"It looks like a solid block,† she said, running her fingers over the edges. â€Å"Are you sure the X- ray showed it was hollow? With a capstone inside?† â€Å"It did,† Langdon said, moving next to Katherine and scrutinizing the mysterious box. He and Katherine peered at the box from different angles, attempting to find a way in. â€Å"Got it,† Katherine said as her fingernail located the hidden slit along one of the box's top edges. She set the box down on the desk and then carefully pried open the lid, which rose smoothly, like the top of a fine jewelry box. When the lid fell back, Langdon and Katherine both drew audible breaths. The interior of the box seemed to be glowing. The inside was shining with an almost supernatural effulgence. Katherine had never seen a piece of gold this large, and it took her an instant to realize that the precious metal was simply reflecting the radiance of the desk lamp. â€Å"It's spectacular,† she whispered. Despite being sealed in a dark stone cube for over a century, the capstone had not faded or tarnished in any way. Gold resists the entropic laws of decay; that's one of the reasons the ancients considered it magical. Katherine felt her pulse quicken as she leaned forward, peering down over the small golden point. â€Å"There's an inscription.† Langdon moved closer, their shoulders now touching. His blue eyes flashed with curiosity. He had told Katherine about the ancient Greek practice of creating a symbolon–a code broken into parts–and how this capstone, long separated from the pyramid itself, would hold the key to deciphering the pyramid. Allegedly, this inscription, whatever it said, would bring order from this chaos. Katherine held the little box up to the light and peered straight down over the capstone. Though small, the inscription was perfectly visible–a small bit of elegantly engraved text on the face of one side. Katherine read the six simple words. Then she read them again. â€Å"No!† she declared. â€Å"That can't be what it says!† Across the street, Director Sato hurried up the long walkway outside the Capitol Building toward her rendezvous point on First Street. The update from her field team had been unacceptable. No Langdon. No pyramid. No capstone. Bellamy was in custody, but he was not telling them the truth. At least not yet. I'll make him talk. She glanced back over her shoulder at one of Washington's newest vistas–the Capitol Dome framed above the new visitor center. The illuminated dome only accentuated the significance of what was truly at stake tonight. Dangerous times. Sato was relieved to hear her cell phone ring and see her analyst's ID on the screen. â€Å"Nola,† Sato answered. â€Å"What have you got?† Nola Kaye gave her the bad news. The X-ray of the capstone's inscription was too faint to read, and the image-enhancing filters had not helped. Shit. Sato chewed at her lip. â€Å"How about the sixteen-letter grid?† â€Å"I'm still trying,† Nola said, â€Å"but so far I've found no secondary encryption scheme that's applicable. I've got a computer reshuffling the letters in the grid and looking for anything identifiable, but there are over twenty trillion possibilities.† â€Å"Stay on it. Let me know.† Sato hung up, scowling. Her hopes of deciphering the pyramid using only a photograph and X-ray were fading fast. I need that pyramid and capstone . . . and I'm running out of time. Sato arrived at First Street just as a black Escalade SUV with dark windows roared across the double yellow and skidded to a stop in front of her at their rendezvous point. A lone agent got out. â€Å"Any word yet on Langdon?† Sato demanded. â€Å"Confidence is high,† the man said, emotionless. â€Å"Backup just arrived. All library exits are surrounded. We even have air support coming in. We'll flush him with tear gas, and he'll have nowhere to run.† â€Å"And Bellamy?† â€Å"Tied up in the backseat.† Good. Her shoulder was still smarting. The agent handed Sato a plastic Ziploc bag containing cell phone, keys, and wallet. â€Å"Bellamy's effects.† â€Å"Nothing else?† â€Å"No, ma'am. The pyramid and package must still be with Langdon.† â€Å"Okay,† Sato said. â€Å"Bellamy knows plenty he's not telling. I'd like to question him personally.† â€Å"Yes, ma'am. To Langley, then?† Sato took a deep breath and paced a moment beside the SUV. Strict protocols governed the interrogation of U.S. civilians, and questioning Bellamy was highly illegal unless it was done at Langley on video with witnesses, attorneys, blah, blah, blah . . . â€Å"Not Langley,† she said, trying to think of somewhere closer. And more private. The agent said nothing, standing at attention beside the idling SUV, waiting for orders. Sato lit a cigarette, took a long drag, and gazed down at the Ziploc bag of Bellamy's items. His key ring, she had noticed, included an electronic fob adorned with four letters–USBG. Sato knew, of course, which government building this fob accessed. The building was very close and, at this hour, very private. She smiled and pocketed the fob. Perfect. When she told the agent where she wanted to take Bellamy, she expected the man to look surprised, but he simply nodded and opened the passenger door for her, his cold stare revealing nothing. Sato loved professionals. Langdon stood in the basement of the Adams Building and stared in disbelief at the elegantly inscribed words on the face of the golden capstone. That's all it says? Beside him, Katherine held the capstone under the light and shook her head. â€Å"There's got to be more,† she insisted, sounding cheated. â€Å"This is what my brother has been protecting all these years?† Langdon had to admit he was mystified. According to Peter and Bellamy, this capstone was supposed to help them decipher the stone pyramid. In light of those claims, Langdon had expected something illuminating and helpful. More like obvious and useless. Once again, he read the six words delicately inscribed on the face of the capstone. The secret hides within The Order The secret hides within The Order? At first glance, the inscription appeared to be stating the obvious–that the letters on the pyramid were out of â€Å"order† and that their secret lay in finding their proper sequence. This reading, however, in addition to being self-evident, seemed unlikely for another reason. â€Å"The words the and order are capitalized,† Langdon said. Katherine nodded blankly. â€Å"I saw that.† The secret hides within The Order. Langdon could think of only one logical implication. † `The Order' must be referencing the Masonic Order.† â€Å"I agree,† Katherine said, â€Å"but it's still no help. It tells us nothing.† Langdon had to concur. After all, the entire story of the Masonic Pyramid revolved around a secret hidden within the Masonic Order. â€Å"Robert, didn't my brother tell you this capstone would give you power to see order where others saw only chaos?† He nodded in frustration. For the second time tonight, Robert Langdon was feeling unworthy. CHAPTER 65 Once Mal'akh had finished dealing with his unexpected visitor–a female security guard from Preferred Security–he fixed the paint on the window through which she had glimpsed his sacred work space. Now, ascending out of the soft blue haze of the basement, he emerged through a hidden doorway into his living room. Inside, he paused, admiring his spectacular painting of the Three Graces and savoring the familiar smells and sounds of his home. Soon I will be leaving forever. Mal'akh knew that after tonight he would be unable to return to this place. After tonight, he thought, smiling, I will have no need for this place. He wondered if Robert Langdon yet understood the true power of the pyramid . . . or the importance of the role for which fate had chosen him. Langdon has yet to call me, Mal'akh thought, after double-checking for messages on his disposable phone. It was now 10:02 P.M. He has less than two hours. Mal'akh went upstairs to his Italian-marble bathroom and turned on the steam shower to let it heat up. Methodically, he stripped off his clothes, eager to begin his cleansing ritual. He drank two glasses of water to calm his starving stomach. Then he walked to the full-length mirror and studied his naked body. His two days of fasting had accentuated his musculature, and he could not help but admire that which he had become. By dawn, I will be so much more. CHAPTER 66 â€Å"We should get out of here,† Langdon said to Katherine. â€Å"It's only a matter of time before they figure out where we are.† He hoped Bellamy had managed to escape. Katherine still seemed fixated on the gold capstone, looking incredulous that the inscription was so unhelpful. She had taken the capstone out of the box, examined every side, and was now carefully putting it back in the box. The secret hides within The Order, Langdon thought. Big help. Langdon found himself wondering now if perhaps Peter had been misinformed about the contents of the box. This pyramid and capstone had been created long before Peter was born, and Peter was simply doing as his forefathers had told him, keeping a secret that was probably as much a mystery to him as it was to Langdon and Katherine. What did I expect? Langdon wondered. The more he learned tonight about the Legend of the Masonic Pyramid, the less plausible it all seemed. I'm searching for a hidden spiral staircase covered by a huge stone? Something told Langdon he was chasing shadows. Nonetheless, deciphering this pyramid seemed his best chance at saving Peter. â€Å"Robert, does the year 1514 mean anything to you?† Fifteen-fourteen? The question seemed apropos of nothing. Langdon shrugged. â€Å"No. Why?† Katherine handed him the stone box. â€Å"Look. The box is dated. Have a look under the light.† Langdon took a seat at the desk and studied the cube-shaped box beneath the light. Katherine put a soft hand on his shoulder, leaning in to point out the tiny text she had found carved on the exterior of the box, near the bottom corner of one side. â€Å"Fifteen-fourteen A.D.,† she said, pointing into the box. Sure enough, the carving depicted the number 1514, followed by an unusual stylization of the letters A and D. â€Å"This date,† Katherine was saying, sounding suddenly hopeful, â€Å"maybe it's the link we're missing? This dated cube looks a lot like a Masonic cornerstone, so maybe it's pointing to a real cornerstone? Maybe to a building built in 1514 A.D.?† Langdon barely heard her. Fifteen-fourteen A.D. is not a date. The symbol , as any scholar of medieval art would recognize, was a well-known symbature–a symbol used in place of a signature. Many of the early philosophers, artists, and authors signed their work with their own unique symbol or monogram rather than their name. This practice added a mysterious allure to their work and also protected them from persecution should their writings or artwork be deemed counterestablishment. In the case of this symbature, the letters A.D. did not stand for Anno Domini . . . they were German for something else entirely. Langdon instantly saw all the pieces fall into place. Within seconds, he was certain he knew exactly how to decipher the pyramid. â€Å"Katherine, you did it,† he said, packing up. â€Å"That's all we needed. Let's go. I'll explain on the way.† Katherine looked amazed. â€Å"The date 1514 A.D. actually means something to you?† Langdon winked at her and headed for the door. â€Å"A.D. isn't a date, Katherine. It's a person.†

5 MORE safety tips when searching for jobs online

5 MORE safety tips when searching for jobs online Work opportunities available to skilled and hardworking professionals have evolved substantially in recent years. Current job opportunities are commonly found through search engines, social networking platforms, and job sites. However, while there are many legitimate opportunities available online, there are also plenty of scams that can result in considerable stress and financial loss for unsuspecting individuals. There are multiple steps that you can take if you are preparing to look for a job online. For example, you can and should stay current about the latest scams so that you know what to watch for. You also should ensure that any websites that you use to look for jobs are trusted. We’ve covered some of the basics before. Here are 5 more safety tips you should use for your job search.Update your device protectionYour electronic devices understandably may already have anti-virus software protection, but this technology is updated regularly to combat the latest malware, sp yware and more. Spend a few minutes ensuring that the most updated version of this type of program is installed onto your  device before you begin your search. Specifically, it should include protection against phishing, malware, viruses, and spyware.You should be aware of other ways that criminals attempt to enter a vulnerable space. For example, some of the social media and hiring apps that legitimate recruiters use could actually contain a virus or other dangers. So before downloading that app, do your research; check reviews, or ask a friend. It only takes a few minutes to ensure your privacy is safe.You also be  wary of how you connect to the Internet. A public Wi-Fi connection makes it much easier for others to monitor your activities, and they can even intercept documents and vital information that you are sharing with a recruiter.Avoid passing along private information onlineYou may be aware that legitimate websites, such as your preferred bank, ask you for sensitive inf ormation. This includes your mother’s maiden name, your Social Security number, your credit card or bank account numbers and more. Be aware that a legitimate employer will not require you to submit this sensitive information digitally. These are vital pieces of information that criminals can use to hack into all of your other accounts.You should always be observant about the information that you share and who you share it with. Some information, such as your Social Security number, may legitimately be required after you are hired, but it should not be requested before this point.If it sounds too good to be true†¦it probably isOnline scams are becoming increasingly difficult to spot, but many job descriptions may set off an internal alarm. The reality is that better-paying jobs require you to bring skills or experience to the table. If you are being offered a high-paying job with no skills or experience required, this is likely a scam. Understand what some of the more not able scams are, such as being offered a very large sum of money to complete a menial task like stuffing envelopes.Other scams require you to purchase items out-of-pocket. This could even be something seemingly acceptable, such as a software program that the employer says is needed for the job. No employer will ask you to pay for software in order to apply for the job. Some scammers go so far as to require you to deposit large checks on their behalf. These are signs of a scam, and you should walk away from these perceived opportunities.Watch out for unsolicited offers of employmentYou may be filled with a momentary sense of pride and accomplishment when you receive an email with a job offer out of the blue. However, there is a solid chance that you were not the only one who received this offer. Many scammers send out huge email campaigns with an amazing job offer that appears to be specifically designed for you. These emails may come from popular domains, such as Yahoo, Gmail or Hotm ail.In many cases, the email instructs you to click a link for more information. Understand that this is a huge red flag. Any time you feel uncomfortable or suspicious, follow your intuition by deleting the email and forgetting about the â€Å"offer†. You’ll get plenty of legitimate opportunities!Ask yourself if it makes senseAt first glance, you may be excited about an amazing job offer that you have stumbled upon or that has been directed specifically to your email address. If you do decide to proceed with looking into the offer more closely, proceed cautiously. Rather than clicking a link, you can research the company independently and see what pops up. It’s not enough that they have a website, since registering a domain is relatively easy, make sure the content of the site has some substance. You’ll find that scam websites are often devoid of anything meaningful.If you’re still unsure call the company directly, if the contact information is not listed on the website then you have your answer. Just avoid providing any personal information or clicking links.Finding jobs online is the new normal, so taking the extra steps for safety should become second nature. When you follow these tips, you can guarantee your information will be safe and you’ll have greater access to finding an opportunity fit for you.About the Author:Joe Peters is a Baltimore-based freelance writer and an ultimate tech enthusiast. When he is not working his magic as a marketing consultant, this incurable tech junkie enjoys reading about latest apps and gadgets and binge-watching his favorite TV shows. You can reach him @bmorepeters

The 1st Punic War

The 1st Punic War One of the problems with writing ancient history is that much of the data  just isnt available any longer. The evidence for early Roman history is notoriously problematic. Roman historians developed extensive narratives, preserved most fully for us in two histories written in the late ï ¬ rst century bc, by Livy and by Dionysius of Halicarnassus (the latter in Greek, and fully extant only for the period down to 443 bc). However, Roman historical writing only began in the late third century bc, and it is clear that the early accounts were greatly elaborated by later writers. For the period of the kings, most of what we are told is legend or imaginative reconstruction.Warfare and the Army in Early Rome,- A Companion to the Roman Army Eyewitnesses are in particularly short supply. Even second-hand accounts can be hard to come by, so its significant that in their A History of Rome, historians M. Cary and H.H. Scullard say that unlike earlier periods of Rome, the history of the period of the First Punic War comes from annalists who had contact with actual eye-witnesses. Rome and Carthage fought the Punic Wars during the span of years from 264 to 146 B.C. With both sides well-matched, the first two wars dragged on and on; eventual victory went, not to the winner of a decisive battle, but to the side with the greatest stamina. The Third Punic War was something else entirely. Carthage and Rome In 509 B.C. Carthage and Rome signed a friendship treaty. In 306, by which time the Romans had conquered almost the entire Italian peninsula, the two powers reciprocally recognized a Roman sphere of influence over Italy and a Carthaginian one over Sicily. But Italy was determined to secure dominance over all of Magna Graecia (the areas settled by Greeks in and around Italy), even if it meant interfering with the dominance of Carthage in Sicily. The First Punic Wars Begin Turmoil in Messana, Sicily, provided the opportunity the Romans were looking for. Mamertine mercenaries controlled Messana, so when Hiero, tyrant of Syracuse, attacked the Mamertines, the Mamertines asked the Phoenicians for help. They obliged and sent in a Carthaginian garrison. Then, having second thoughts about the Carthaginian military presence, the Mamertines turned to the Romans for help. The Romans sent in an expeditionary force, small, but sufficient to send the Phoenician garrison back to Carthage. Carthage responded by sending in a larger force, to which the Romans responded with a full consular army. In 262 B.C. Rome won many small victories, giving it control over almost the entire island. But the Romans needed control of the sea for final victory and Carthage was a naval power. The First Punic War  Concludes With both sides balanced, the war between Rome and Carthage continued for 20 more years until the war-weary Phoenicians just gave up in 241. According to J.F. Lazenby, author of The First Punic War, To Rome, wars ended when the Republic dictated its terms to a defeated enemy; to Carthage, wars ended with a negotiated settlement. At the end of the First Punic War, Rome won a new province, Sicily, and began to look further. (This made the Romans empire builders.) Carthage, on the other hand, had to compensate Rome for its heavy losses. Although the tribute was steep, it didnt keep Carthage from continuing as a world-class trading power. Source Frank Smitha The Rise of Rome

Financial instruments and markets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Financial instruments and markets - Essay Example This paper computed the above ratios with a view to assessing the capital of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG). According to1, these ratios are used to measure the entitys capital structure, and they show the extent to which the business has borrowed to finance its assets and other resource acquisitions for it to efficiently carry out its normal operations. From Table 1 above, the debt to total equity ratio of Fortescue Metals Group improved in 2014 as $1 of equity had $1.99 of debt from $2.90 in 2013. This was largely attributable to the fall in the amount of the total debt from $15,578M in 2013 to $15,111M in 2014, as well as an increase in the equity from $5,289M in 2013 to $7,583M in 2014. This implies that the capital structure of Fortescue Metals Group improved as it increased the proportion of the equity fund in financing its assets and operations and reduced the debt amount. This improvement was also evidenced in its debt ratio, which indicated that for every $1 of asset financing , the debt amount was $0.67 in 2013 from $0.75 in 2013. Further results showed that Fortescue Metals Group’s debt servicing capacity improved in 2014, compared to 2013. The firms times interest cover increased to 6.25 times from 5.15 times, indicating that the company had no difficulties in generating enough cash flows to pay its interest expenses and even increased in 2014. This paper went further ahead to establish the liquidity position of Fortescue Metals Group using liquidity ratios, which measure an entitys ability to meet its short-term maturing obligations as and when they fall due.