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Articles by Keith Walker
Here Are The Top PHP Frameworks The Pros Use for Web Development
The process through which web developers create websites and applications is highly influenced by the PHP frameworks. The selection of the right framework is significant for better performance, maintainability, and scalability of web projects be it a startup project or large-scale web applications. In this blog, I will be explaining 10 top PHP frameworks with examples of how they can be utilized in different tasks of web development projects.
Thaksin’s ‘royal insult’: A warning to Thai ex-PM?
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is facing legal troubles once again, this time over an alleged insult to the kingdom’s royal family during a 2015 interview. Thaksin is expected to be indicted under Thailand’s strict lese majeste law, which can lead to lengthy prison sentences for those who criticize the monarchy. Additionally, he is also facing charges for violating the country’s computer crime law.
Failure of verification methods for hydrofluoric acid alkylation plug valves
Flowserve provides equipment for use in severe services in the petrochemical industry, including to several organizations involved in oil refineries. During the refinery process, hydrofluoric (HF) acid alkylation (alky) is used to convert isobutane and alkenes into alkylate, which is used to make gasoline. HF acid is a highly hazardous substance, and even limited human contact with it can result in severe osteonecrosis or death if not treated immediately.
Bad Nights at ‘The Libertine’
Kwabena Nketia tells us, in his book African Music, that ‘music’ is defined in Africa through the social uses to which it is put. Some native African languages don’t have a word for music as a thing in itself (which, of course, it isn’t, looked at socially), but instead have different words for cradle-rocking-to-sounds, pounding-maize-to-sounds, music-for-hunting-to and so forth.
Sudan's PM Hamdok - 'Anyone Who Committed Atrocities Must Be Tried'
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok sat down with DW's Aya Ibrahim to discuss the country's transitional period, issues of inner peace and justice and how countries like Germany can help Sudan during this phase. Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok termed the Sudan uprising as a "very rare moment of change" in the history of the northeastern African nation.
Africa: EU Lawmakers Slam Abortion 'Misinformation' Network
Several European politicians and MEPs have called for action against abortion "misinformation" clinics. Many of the Christian conservative facilities have been accused of spreading fear among vulnerable women. Several pro-choice advocates on Tuesday called for action against Heartbeat International following the release of a report by leftist organization openDemocracy about the anti-abortion network Heartbeat International.
What does the European Parliament actually do? | DW | 06.05.2019
Fewer people are voting at the EU level and more populists are in parliament than ever before. With elections approaching at the end of May, DW looks at what the bloc's most important legislative body actually does. The vast majority of the 751 members of the European Parliament are proud to point out that they are part of a unique body.
European Parliament: Facts and figures | DW | 06.05.2019
Fewer people are voting at the EU level and more populists are in parliament than ever before. With elections approaching at the end of May, DW looks at what the bloc's most important legislative body actually does. The vast majority of the 751 members of the European Parliament are proud to point out that they are part of a unique body.
Keith Walker reviews ‘A Dictionary of the English Language’ by Samuel Johnson and ‘Dictionary Johnson’ by James Clifford · LRB 7 August 1980
‘DULL. adj. 8. Not exhilaterating; not delightful; as, to make dictionaries is dull work.’ But they are fun to read, and it’s good to welcome this reprint of Johnson’s first edition (1755). No dictionary before Webster’s Third International has caused so much comment and controversy, none has been the cause of so many anecdotes and myths, as Johnson’s. Few dictionaries have been so misunderstood and misrepresented. In The American Language H. L.
Mid-Atlantic APWA Chapter Newsletter--March 2019
Chapter Works An electronic publication of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Public Works Association Upcoming Chapter Events: REGISTER TODAY! Click the links below for more information *** *** *** *** SPECIAL THANKS To Our Newsletter Sponsor! 2018-2019 OFFICERS/DIRECTORS President Steven J. Yob, P.E. County Eng/Director PW Henrico County, Virginia President-Elect Don Cole Vice President Brown and Caldwell Virginia Beach, Virginia Immediate Past-President Kenneth M.
Russia holds fourth annual military olympics: International Army Games | DW | 10.08.2018
Since the end of July, military athletes have parachuted out of MI-8 helicopters, tanks have maneuvered through a 15-kilometer obstacle course and fighter pilots have competed in visual aerial reconnaissance and advanced flying at low altitude in competition staged across five countries. The International Army Games, which wraps up over the weekend, have been thrilling spectators across Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan and China.
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration
Thursday (November 2) marks 100 years since the Balfour Declaration, a letter written by the then UK foreign secretary Arthur James Balfour to prominent British Jew, Lord Walter Rothschild, which led to the birth of the State of Israel. The letter stated the UK government’s desire to establish in Palestine a national home for the Jewish people.
Madrid braces for Catalonia's next move
An air of anticipation hung over the Catalan parliament on Monday (October 9), a day before a planned session that could see the region declare independence from Spain. The national government in Madrid has made it clear it would respond immediately to such a declaration. Catalonia is deeply divided over the issue of secession. There are mixed feelings in the Catalan capital Barcelona. “We are not going back,” said one woman.
Spain’s Caixabank and Gas Natural quit Catalonia
Spain’s third-biggest lender Caixabank has decided to move its registered office to Valencia. Caixabank said in a statement it had taken the decision “in light of the current political and social situation in Catalonia.” Also on Friday (October 6) Catalonia-based utility Gas Natural said it has decided to transfer its headquarters to Madrid. Gas Natural’s said the move will be for as long as the legal uncertainty in the region continued.
CONFIRMED: Spanish lender Banco Sabadell to move from Catalonia to Alicante
Spanish lender Banco Sabadell has decided to transfer its legal base from Catalonia to Alicante, according to a bank spokeswoman. Sabadell had said earlier that its board was holding an extraordinary meeting on Thursday (October 5) to consider the possibility of relocation. The political crisis — triggered by the region’s referendum for independence — has also prompted Spain’s third-biggest lender Caixabank to think about shifting its Catalan base into another Spanish region.
Baghdad imposes flight ban on Kurdistan region of Iraq
Baghdad has imposed a ban on direct international flights to and from the Kurdistan region of Iraq in retaliation for Monday’s (September 25) controversial referendum in which Iraqi Kurds overwhelmingly backed independence from Baghdad. The ban, which came into effect on Friday evening (September 29), “will affect 400 Kurdish companies and cause some 7,000 job losses,” according to a statement by the Kurdish travel industry.
Apple's new iPhone expected today amid accusations of planned obsolescence
A decade after the first iPhone, Apple was set to introduce a new device on Tuesday (September 12). The redesigned high-tech iPhone, which was expected to come at a high price — up to about 1,000 euros, according to some analysts — will be launched alongside two other new phones: an upgraded iPhone Watch and a higher definition Apple TV.
Morocco: civil unrest in northern Rif region
People took to the streets in Morocco’s northern Rif region as part of the kingdom’s biggest wave of civil unrest since Arab Spring-inspired rallies six years ago. Police fired tear gas and, according to a Reuters witness charged a groups of protesters, including men, women and children. Tensions have been simmering in Al-Hoceima since October when fishmonger Mouhcine Fikri died after being crushed by a refuse truck. Police had confiscated his fish after accusing him of buying it illegally.
No breakthrough for France's National Front, says new poll
France’s far-right National Front may not get enough votes to win two key regions in this weekend’s local election second-round run-offs, according to a new poll. The country’s mainstream parties have been scrambling to stop the rise of Marine Le Pen and her niece, Marion Marechal-Le Pen after they made massive gains in last weekend’s first round of voting.
Louisiana Teen Stood Up By 18 Friends At Restaurant Before Prom
Why do people feel the need to be bullies and ruin another persons life. This needs to stop!!!
Bolivia's severe water shortage triggers national emergency
Bolivia’s government has declared a national emergency because of a water shortage as it suffers the worst drought in 25 years. The country’s capital city gets water for just three hours a day, as reservoirs run dry. Last week, residents in Bolivia’s second largest city El Alto briefly held hostage authorities from a local water company to demand an explanation for the shortage. #Bolivia water crisis is worsening. Today, thousands marched in La Paz demanding a few liters of clean water.
Iranians protest against Saudi rulers as Hajj gets underway
Thousands of Iranians have protested in Tehran against Saudi Arabia’s ruling family, shouting “death to Al Saud the traitors” as the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Saudi city of Mecca gets underway. It comes after Saudi Arabia’s top religious authority said that Iran’s leaders were not Muslims, sparking a harsh exchange with Iran. Iranians won’t be able to attend this year’s pilgrimage after talks between the regions Sunni and Shiite powers about arrangements broke down in May.
'Terror suspect' killed by Canadian police
A man has reportedly been shot dead by police after they said they had received “credible information of a potential terrorist attack” and had identified a suspect. Canadian national television said the suspect was killed during a police raid in a small town in the province of Ontario. Reuters news agency identifies the suspect as Aaron Driver who was arrested last year for openly supporting so-called Islamic State on social media.
Venezuela opposition signature drive 'probably' set for October
Venezuela’s National Election Council (CNE) says the country’s opposition will “probably” be able to continue its progress towards a mid-term recall referendum in late October. To advance the process of holding a vote to recall the mandate of President Nicloas Maduro and oust him from power, signatures need to be collected from 20 percent of the electorate — about four million people — during a three-day window.
France seeks extradition of student cleared over Charlie Hebdo attacks
France has requested the extradition of a French citizen from Bulgaria to face charges of activities related to terrorism. Twenty-year-old Mourad Hamyd, a relative of one of the militants who attacked the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, was first detained in Turkey where he was refused entry after travelling from Serbia through Bulgaria, according to a spokeswoman for Bulgaria’s chief prosecutor.
Russian paralympic suspension 'grave human rights abuse'
The head of the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) said a decision to suspend Russian athletes from next month’s Paralympics was “a grave human rights abuse.” The blanket ban on Russian athletes has been imposed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Its decision comes in the wake of a report of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) led by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren which alleged that Russia had operated a state-controlled doping programme.
London attack: Russell Square suspect is a Norwegian of Somali origin
A 19-year-old Norwegian man of Somali ancestry remains in police custody in London on suspicion of murdering an American woman in her 60s after a deadly assault in Russell Square last night. The Metropolitan Police’s Assistant Commissioner told reporters that a police investigation had made significant progress, and its focus was narrowing. Mark Rowley said a search of the suspect’s property revealed no signs of radicalisation.
Venezuela appoints drug-tainted general as interior minister
Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro has appointed a top general as the country’s interior minister as part of a cabinet reshuffle, despite General Nestor Reverol being accused in the US of abetting cocaine smuggling. Reverol is a former head of both the anti-narcotics agency and the National Guard. Venezuela’s government said the allegations are part of an international smear campaign. Reverol has previously denied US allegations.
Venezuela steps closer to voting on ousting Maduro from power
Venezuela’s National Election Council (CNE) says the opposition has collected enough signatures to pave the way for referendum against President Nicolas Maduro. It allows the opposition to begin collecting further signatures in support of ousting Maduro from power. The first step in a 12-step process towards a referendum required support from one percent of the electorate. To advance the process, signatures need to be collected from twenty percent of the electorate: about four million signatures.
Head of Australian inquiry into abuse of aboriginal boys quits
The head of an Australian inquiry into the abuse of children in detention has resigned. Brian Martin was appointed four days ago to investigate prison video showing aboriginal boys being tortured. Aboriginal leaders said they would not cooperate with the inquiry unless they were represented on the commission conducting the probe.
eSkills - Investing in European Youth to boost digital skills
This episode of Planet Business comes form Sofia, Bulgaria. Serge Rombi: “Vessela Kalacheva, CEO of BAIT (Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies), is with us. You’re from the European campaign eSkills for jobs. We need to develop digital talent to boost the competitiveness of SMEs in Europe? Vessela: “That’s right, because 32 percent of the EU workforce has weak or no digital skills.
French interior minister says jailing suspects counterproductive
Locals in the Normandy village of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray are struggling to come to terms with Tuesday’s (July 26) tragedy when two knifemen interrupted a church service and brutally murdered the elderly priest. One of the attackers was a known would-be jihadist awaiting trial under supposedly tight surveillance. “It’s hard to admit, but we are scared,” said local resident Mulas Arbanu. “This kind of thing is happening everywhere. There is no security anywhere. I hope it is going to calm down.
French flood damage could cost insurers up to 2 billion euros
The cost of France’s worst flooding in decades could reach an estimated two billion euros. French insurance companies are expecting to have to pay out at least hundreds of millions of euros. Industry representatives were meeting with government ministers earlier on Monday (June 6) to discuss the damage. French prime minister Manuel Valls has announced an emergency fund for victims. He was preparing to attend an crisis meeting with members of his cabinet on Monday.
Creating conditions for Middle East peace talks is ‘duty’ of world powers
"...the duty of the international community, and of the European Union first and foremost is to recreate conditions for a peace process to happen and to restart." The French foreign minister says major world powers intend present a set of incentives and guarantees to encourage Israelis and Palestinians to revive stalled peace talks. Representatives from Russia, the EU, UN and Arab League were among the 25 delegations in Paris for a Middle East peace conference.
Russia concerned about safety of workers delivering UN aid to Syria
The United Nations is finalising plans to airlift humanitarian aid to 19 besieged towns in Syria but Russia has expressed concern about the safety of aid workers, according to a senior UN official. Deputy special envoy for Syria Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy said the Damascus government needed to approve the operation.
Japan PM slams North Korea ballistic missile engine test
"We need to firmly make them understand that these taunts come with a 'severe payback' and unless they resolve the [...] nuclear issue and missile issues, they will not be able to see a bright future." The Japanese prime minister has strongly condemned North Korea’s reported testing of an engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile. Shinzo Abe was speaking at an event to support the families of Japanese abducted in the seventies and eighties by Pyongyang.
India temple fire kills more than 100 worshipers at Hindu New Year event
"The fire at the temple in Kollam is heart-rending and shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured." A huge fire has killed more than 100 people and injured over 200 others gathered for a fireworks display in India.
G7 foreign ministers meet in Hiroshima, Japan
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven industrialised nations (G-7)are meeting in the Japanese city of Hiroshima on Sunday and Monday. Japan is hosting the talks in the city once all but annihilated by a US nuclear bomb to send a message of non-proliferation and peace. It’s also the hometown of Japan’s foreign minister.
Azerbaijan announces an end to fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh
Azerbaijan said on Sunday (April 3) it would end fighting with Armenian-backed troops over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region after two days of clashes which have killed dozens. “Having taken into account …appeals from international organisations, Azerbaijan has decided to unilaterally cease retaliatory military actions and will consolidate yesterday’s territory gains,” RIA news agency quoted the Azeri Defence Ministry as saying.
‘Selfish’ air traffic controllers disrupt travel plans for thousands
About a third of flights have been cancelled at French airports as air traffic controllers strike over caps on recruitment and lack of investment in new technology. Low-cost airline Ryanair has slammed the aviation unions as “selfish.” “I am flying to Malaga,” said one frustrated traveller, “so I am stuck in Paris for two days. I’ve flown from Munich.
Release of Turkish journalists ‘a clear defeat’ for Erdogan
"We have a president who is not accustomed to defeat. Rather than accepting the ruling, he is seeking to turn it into a state crisis." The release of two Turkish journalists has been described by one of them as a “clear defeat” for the country’s president. Can Dundar from opposition newspaper Cumhuriet was speaking to reporters with his freed colleague Erdem Gul. Both were released after a ruling by Turkey’s top court that their rights had been violated.
Greek farmers camp outside parliament to protest tax reforms
Thousands of Greek farmers protested against controversial pension reform plans on Saturday (February 13). Many spent Friday night camped out in front of the parliament building in Athens. Bailout lenders are demanding farmers pay higher social security contributions and more tax. Farmers claim the reforms would mean paying up to 70 percent tax leaving them with little incentive to work. “We didn’t come here to ask for something or to beg,” said a Greek farmer.
Syria ceasefire more likely to fail than succeed, says Russian FM
"My point is, you should not demonise Assad, you shouldn't demonise anyone except terrorists in Syria, and the humanitarian issues must be resolved through co-operation." Russia’s foreign minister said a Syrian ceasefire set to start next week is more likely to fail than succeed.
Historic meeting of Pope Francis and Partiarch Kirill in Cuba
The leaders of the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches meet in Havana on Friday. Pope Francis and Partiarch Kirill are guests of Cuba’s Communist government. The pope was due to spend three-and-a-half hours in Cuba on his way to a long-planned visit to Mexico. The two religious heads were expected to address a millennium-long rift between the Western and Eastern branches of Christianity. Partiarch Kirill was welcomed by Cuban President Raul Castro, dressed unusually in a business suit.
Ukraine beefs up sanctions against Russian products
Ukraine has imposed new sanctions against Russia as a tit-for-tat trade war escalates. On Wednesday, vegetables, fish and confectionery were added to a list of Russian products already banned from Ukraine, such as beef, tobacco and chocolate. The move comes in response to Moscow’s embargo of Ukrainian food imports and suspension of a free trade zone between the two countries.
Iran’s supreme leader warns against US ‘deceit and treachery’
"I reiterate the need to be vigilant about the deceit and treachery of arrogant countries, especially the United States, in this [nuclear]issue and other issues." Iran’s supreme leader has welcomed the lifting of sanctions against Tehran. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that his country remain wary of its old enemy the United States.
UN report reveals Iraqis suffered ‘horror’ before fleeing to Europe
A disturbing report by the United Nations details the horror that Iraqi refugees were attempting to escape when they fled to Europe and other regions. Kidnappings, enslavement, and sexual violence were detailed in the joint report by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). It also gave specifics about executions by shooting, beheading, bulldozing, burning alive and throwing people off the top of buildings.
Angry German politician buses dozens of refugees to Merkel
An angry German politician has bused dozens of refugees to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office in Berlin. District administrator Peter Dreier arranged the seven-hour journey from Bavaria to show that the region could no longer cope with the refugee influx. Dreier had warned last year that his district of Landshut had no more space for asylum seekers. “I am always in favour of giving these people somewhere dignified to live,” he said.
Turkey kills 200 ISIL fighters, says PM Davutoglu
Turkey’s prime minister said Turkish tanks and artillery have killed almost 200 fighters from the so-called Islamic State, or ISIL. Ahmet Davutoglu said the strikes in Syria and Iraq were in retaliation for this week’s suicide bomb attack in Istanbul. He said they targeted ISIL positions around Bashiqa in northern Iraq. Cross-border strikes into Syria targeted an area around the rebel-held town of Marea.
Kosovo anti-government rally turns violent
Crowds gathered in Kosovo to rally against an EU-brokered deal to give the country’s Serb minority greater local government powers. Opposition leaders say the government should resign over the agreement which they say is unconstitutional. After the rally opposition supporters pelted police with stones and petrol bombed part of a government building.
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