Internationa human rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Internationa human rights - Essay Example dom for one to manifest his or her beliefs or religion is subjected to various limitations clearly defined by the law and is significant in a society that is democratic in the safety of the interests of the public. This paper hence seeks to critically assess the interests that are at stake and how the court has balanced this interest in dealing with the cases concerning the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief (Berns, 1976). The article 9 of the Europe Council of Human Rights has been evaluated and applied in several of court cases within Europe. The law of Europe has hence moved to recognize categories of belief or religion and handled or treated them as almost one category with religion or belief having not merely a vacuous but a wide interpretation. This has seen the court balancing the interests of both the public and the state. In Kokkinaski vs Greece (1994) 17 EHRR 397, paragraph 31, the freedom of conscience, thought and religion makes one of the things considered the foundation of the society that is democratic in the meaning of convention. In balancing such interest of the community, the court stated that it is the dimension of the religion, one of the most significant elements that make up the conception of life and the believers’ identity; nevertheless, it matters to atheists and the skeptics (Morgan, 1972). In another court effort to balance the interest of the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief, the court passed judgment in the case of Manoussakis vs Greece (1996), EHRR 387, paragraph 47 that the freedom of religion that is guaranteed in the Convention does not include any discretion on the side of the state to decide on whether the religion or the manner of expressing such religious belief is legitimate or not. Belief in the light of the court is more than just feelings that are deeply held or opinions. But there must be firmly held philosophical or spiritual convictions with identifiable content that is practically formal.

SEC Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

SEC Accounting and Auditing Enforcement - Essay Example In this regard, The Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against three auditors who violated federal security laws. They failed to comply with the U.S. auditing standards in conducting their audits. Among the three audit failures and in their SEC enforcement efforts, the one on WOWJOINT Audits is the most shocking. Wowjoint is a company with its headquarters and operations in and around Beijing, China. Its ordinary shares, warrants, and units are registered with the commission pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange act. The manner in which its audits are conducted makes it the most shocking given the series of the failures and the magnitude of the same. The facts around these audit starts by stating that there was no adequate planning and supervision of the audits as required by the PCAOB Standards. This means that in the first instance the Auditors did not possess adequate knowledge of the firm they were auditing as required by the standards. The second and most s ensitive part of the failure is the fact that the Audit team failed to Test Wowjoint’s Revenue computations and this is again due to Valleau and Epstein’s lack of proper audit planning, failure to design and perform adequate audit procedures and general lack of knowledge of how firms in China operate (Murphy, 2013). Furthermore, there was a failure in conducting enquiry a scenario that resulted into insufficient information. The failure to conduct sufficient inquiry and procedures contravened the Standard AU Section 561. The other critical failure in this auditing procedure was the failure by the auditors to perform adequate auditing procedures to aid in determining the collectability of Wowjoint’s large and long outstanding Accounts Receivables hence a contravention of PCAOB Standard 326- Evidential matter. The ignorance of accounts receivables normally have great impacts on assets most so current. In addition to the above, there was inadequate retention of doc umentation as well as review of the work papers. Al the reasons stated above support the fact that among the three audit failures, the manner in which audit was conducted in Wowjoint is the most shocking (Murphy, 2013). B. Violations in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and the NYS Rules The act by the Auditors in Wowjoint’s case has generally gone against the general provisions as prohibited by the Rules of the Board of Regents, part 29-Unprofessional Conduct. Under  § 29.10 Special provisions for the profession of public accountancy, unprofessional conduct shall include all the conduct prohibited by this section. The first violation is the failure to adequately plan and supervise the audit as required by AICPA and the NYS rules. According to this, an accountant is therefore obligated to always disclose material fact concerning financial statements as this makes such statements not misleading (Murphy, 2013). The section further prohibits a professional accountant allo wing a any other person to practice other than a partner, furthermore, the accountant must not at any point issue the use of their name in presentation of reports as this is only accepted for a qualified public accountant or with the approval of the same individual (http://www.op.nysed.gov/title8/part29.htm#cpa). Secondly, the flouting AICPA rules by audit when they failed to Test Wowjoint’s Revenue Computations. The accountant is required to submit working papers at all times. Failure to do so will result into scenarios where the applicability of a requirement is within the documentation and is rendered redundant. Definition as used in paragraphs will as well be impaired concerning what work papers mean, the documentation of such working papers and the time

Management within McDonalds

Management within McDonalds This report include a background of McDonalds, explanations of the topics from the weekly lecture slides, which of these option can consider to McDonalds, what option can be consider differently and a summary. McDonalds is one of the leading restaurant chains in the world, touching the lives of people everyday. The long journey of the burger brand started in 1940, when two brothers, Dick and Mac McDonald opened the first McDonalds restaurant in San Bernardino, California. Initially, they owned a hotdog stand, but after establishing the restaurant they served around 25 items, which were mostly barbequed. It became a popular and profitable teen hangout. In 1948 the brothers closed and reopened the restaurant to sell only hamburgers, milkshakes and French fries. As per the information of the McDonalds history, the major revenue came from hamburgers, which were sold at a nominal price of 15 cents. The restaurant gradually became famous and the McDonald brothers begin franchising their restaurant in the year 1953.The first franchise was taken by Neil Fox and under it; the second Mc Donalds restaurant was opened in Fresno, California. It was the first to introduce the Golden Arch design. The third and fourth restaurants were opened in Saginaw, Michigan and Downey, California, respectively. The latter is the oldest Mc Donalds restaurant still in operation. In 1954, an entrepreneur and milkshake-mixer salesman, Ray Kroc, acquired the franchise of McDonalds restaurant for outside California and Arizona. In effect, Kroc opened his first and the overall ninth restaurant in Illinois, Chicago, and gave birth to Mc Donalds Corporation. In 1958 the restaurant chain sold its 100 millionth hamburger. In 1960, Kroc renamed his company as ‘McDonalds Corporation. In 1961, Kroc convinced the McDonald brothers to sell the business rights to him for a sum $2.7milion. Later that year, the Hamburger University was opened, which gave away McDonalds restaurant Bachelor of Hamburgology degrees to students. In 1963, the mascot Ronald McDonald was born as a part of a marketing strategy in US. In 1967, the first restaurant outside US was opened in Richmond, British Columbia. In 1974, the 3000th restaurant opened in Woolwich, United Kingdom, which is the first of the country. Happy Meal was introduced in US in 1979. In 1984, the company became the main sponsor of the Summer Olympics. The year was also marked by the death of Ray Kroc. In 1988, the first restaurant opened in a communist country in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, followed by the first Soviet restaurant in Moscow (1990). In 1992, the largest McDonalds was opened in Beijing, China, having over 700 seats and was later demolished. In 1993, the first sea-going restaurant was established, aboard the Finnish Cruise-ferry Silja Europe, sailing between Helsinki and Stockholm. In 1994, McDonalds bagged the Catalyst Award for its program for ‘fostering leadership development in women. In 1996, the first Indian restaurant was opened. In 2003, the company launched the ‘Im lovin it campaign. In 2005, McDonalds started its McDelivery service in Singapore. In 2006, the chain announced that it will publish nutritional information on its packaging of all its products, for the benefit of the customers. Considering the huge success and brand McDonalds has become, the food chain is spread across the world in almost all the major cities of the globe. Being economic and user friendly, the success rate of the company cannot be doubted. These are some issues and a briefly background of them. Data Delivery is all about effectively delivering business data both structured and unstructured -to people. That doesnt mean just some of it, but all of it. Data Delivery solutions enable companies to do just that with selectivity, integrity and control to executives, associates, customers, suppliers and business partners. Data Delivery recognizes that the universe of data critical to the business extends beyond a data warehouse and BI analytics. It also includes integrated reporting solutions, regulatory compliance and risk management reporting, master data and meta-data management and data quality management and governance. The purpose of RCG ITs solution is to establish the data delivery infrastructure, data management practices and data delivery processes for disseminating essential business information. Why BI project fail: Too many Business Intelligence (BI) projects fail to deliver on their promises because expectations are frequently not met, and the hard measure of success, Return on Investment (ROI), either goes unmeasured or falls woefully short. Its no good pointing the finger of accusation at the soft ware vendors or at consultants, organizations have a responsibility to their employees and stakeholders to make sound investments and maximize ROI, and in this respect many BI projects must be re-evaluated. When BI implementations that fail to deliver the anticipated ROI, there are a number of possible explanations. There is a chance that expectations will have initially been set unreasonably high, in which case the project was really doomed from the start. Management change: You must address the whole business change, not just the individual components. Business change is complex because of the interdependencies between the business environment, the organisation, its people and supporting technologies; any change in one aspect will affect one or more of the others. Cultural change is the most important consideration. For example, about 80% of the effort and resources required for successful IT-related change are or should be deployed on the soft aspects of business change, such as changing behaviours and providing training at the right time; only 20% is required for the IT.Similarly, the cost of a new building is only a small part of the total cost of change required for new ways of working. Risk Management: Risk management includes, proactive and reactive planning, triggers, monitoring and control, risk combination, Monte Carlo distribution, RM is an integral part of the overall process of Project Management Acceptable Policies: An Acceptable Use Policy (for email usage) is an official company statement on how it expects its own employees to conduct messaging on its own businessemail system. The policyshould detail the companys position on how its email users should conduct communication within and out with the company, whether for business or personal use. What are the impacts of the IT security breaches: For many businesses, the internet has replaced traditional paper-based ways of exchanging information. However, the Internet brings its own security issues which businesses must consider. People from both inside and outside business may try to gain unauthorised access to applications and information, compromising data and applications, either unintentionally or maliciously. One of the commonest security breaches is the mishandling of log-in details or passwords by employees. Typical instances of security breaches occur when passwords are written down, shared with other people or not changed frequently Globalization: There are many different definitions of globalisation, but most acknowledge the greater movement of people, goods, capital and ideas due to increased economic integration which in turn is propelled by increased trade and investment. It is like moving towards living in a borderless world. There has always been a sharing of goods, services, knowledge and cultures between people and countries, but in recent years improved technologies and a reduction of barriers means the speed of exchange is much faster. Globalisation provides opportunities and challenges. Bigger markets can mean bigger profits which leads to greater wealth for investing in development and reducing poverty in many countries. Risk: In business today, risk plays a critical role. Almost every business decision requires executives and managers to balance risk and reward. Effectively managing the business risks is essential to an enterprises success. Select System: Select Information Systems is an established IT Consultancy with a large portfolio of private and public clients. Many Clients are using software which designed and developed to satisfy their demanding, business requirements, employing technologies which integrate with their chosen, existing IT architecture. Outsourcing: Outsourcing is contracting with another company or person to do a particular function. Almost every organization outsources in some way. Typically, the function being outsourced is considered non-core to the business. An insurance company, for example, might outsource its janitorial and landscaping operations to firms that specialize in those types of work since they are not related to insurance or strategic to the business. The outside firms that are providing the outsourcing services are third-party providers, or as they are more commonly called, service providers According to globalization, McDonalds training programs are delivered in up to 40 languages, with the primary languages being Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), English (both International/Commonwealth and U.S.), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish for the top markets. The training materials consist of two elements: core content which applies globally for maintaining consistent food quality and services worldwide, and locale-specific content based on local menu items, food safety regulations and labour practices. The company continues to invest and support initiatives to adapt its products and services to different locales to ensure its global. McDonalds outsourcing: Fourteen McDonalds in Oregon and south-eastern Washington have been linked to the call center operated by SEI-CCS Inc. a Fargo, N.D.-based company that works closely with McDonalds. The call taker in Grand Forks enters your order into a computer and relays it back to the home restaurant, where it pops up on a screen in the kitchen. Meanwhile, a digital camera photographs your car as you drive through. The photo pops up on a separate screen next to the order at the drive-through cashiers window to match the order with the car. A total of 50 McDonalds are expected to be on line within a few months, including seven more of Adams restaurants and five in the Portland area, he said. McDonalds Management change: The changes have been implemented for enhancing the promotional and advertising campaign of the company and to make the company more competitive and adjust the organization to the existing changes emerging with its internal and external environment not bring it to its downturn.With the change management process implemented by McDonald, there is certain resistance or conflicts that have been encountered. The following are resistance faced by McDonald and its plausible solutions to be taken: perception or reaction of McDonalds employees and customers, McDonalds organizational culture and absence of support. Therefore, it is concluded that, changes of management is not bad as long as the changes made can really enhance the competitiveness and strength of an organisation.It is effective, if and only if, a thorough investigation and evaluation of the organizations performance has made. And if the study suggests that there is a need for change, then that is the only time, the organisation should imposed required changes to be done. Because, change of management system is very critical or crucial, one wrong move, the company, might faced its biggest downturn instead of strengthen and expand its business portfolio and survive to the stiff competition in the business arena. It is recommended that McDonald must see to it that the changes are well planned and implemented carefully, because these will the basis for the success and/or failure of any organisation. McDonalds project failed: A projects scope is too monolithic and gargantuan. In 2001, McDonalds planned to spend $1 billion over five years to tie all of its operations into a real-time digital network. Eventually, executives in company headquarters would have been able to see how soda dispensers and frying machines in every store were performing, at any moment. But after just two years, the fast-food giant threw in the towel. As a manager at McDonalds, I would have added in all the restaurant global, delivery service, where McDonalds car or motorbikes will deliver food to the customers indoors. This will raise McDonalds profit and make the customers very happy. Also a healthier diet actually these days will make McDonalds world wide the biggest food restaurant and keep the company to the top. For example in Greece much more people would prefer McDonalds if the food was healthier, because Greek people have on their mind that McDonalds food it is not healthier, maybe introducing a kind of a healthier menu in Greece will bring more customers to McDonalds in Greece. Also, management changes are an excellent way of introducing new menu, but I believe these days it is not necessary for McDonalds to be over advertising. It is better to find a way to launch healthier diet and to deliver them than keep advertising. Because McDonalds is already known and profitable. Last but not least, a good marketing research to overlap with other companies or restaurant might increase McDonalds customers. To sum up with, McDonalds is the biggest food restaurant, it is following the best way to launch new products and come up with the best solutions to any kind of problem. There are just a few issues that need to be differently according to my opinion. Last but not least if McDonalds follow these kinds of issues and in a correct way it will continue being the best food restaurant for years.

Tienanmen Square: Where was the Violence? :: essays research papers

Were civilian casualties more extensive inside or outside of Tiananmen Square on June 4th, 1989? A) Plan of Investigation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The bloodshed at Tiananmen Square in Beijing shocked the world. As a result of large-scale Chinese cover-up the public knew little about the deaths that occurred on the morning of June 4th 1989. The aim of this investigation is to find out where the casualties were most extensive. The information needed to answer this question would not be provided for 11 years after which documents began to surface helping explain the unknown tragedy. U.S. government documents surrounding the event were finally declassified. But even more importantly a collection of Chinese documents known as The Tiananmen Papers were leaked out of China. The research for this investigation comes from these two sets of documents. By analyzing both the US and China accounts, similarities and inconstancies will be identified and examined in an effort to find the most plausible answer. B) Summary of Evidence 1. On the Brink On the night of June 3rd, 1989 the communist nation China was on the brink of collapse. For months the capital city was saturated with millions of pro-democracy demonstrators. Students, intellectuals, and civilians had set up their democratic stronghold in the symbolic center of the country, Tiananmen Square. The overwhelming animosity against the communist party had shut down the nation, and embarrassed its leaders. The senior members of the Chinese politburo demanded that this uprising be subdued and disbanded. After months of fruitless efforts to resolve the matter peacefully the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was dispatched to clear Tiananmen Square and to put an end to the ever expanding trouble. The soldiers were instructed to be extremely disciplined, opening fire as the last resort (Liang, 370.) Additionally no bloodshed would be allowed in the Square itself because of its important symbolism. 2. To the Square The United States first received news about the violence in Beijing in a message from the US embassy in Beijing on the night of June 3rd 1989. The document reported that the PLA was using violent force to remove protestors as they moved on Tiananmen Square. Chinese tanks, APCs, trucks, and soldiers had met sizable civilian resistance. Thousands of protestors blockaded the PLA pelting the army with rocks, bottles, and molotov cocktails (Evans, Document 12.) Some proceeded to overturn and destroy military vehicles. Soldiers using automatic weapons fired into the mass of protestors. Demonstrators fell back slowly, continuing to fight for seven hours.

The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Three

The first light of dawn was streaking the night sky with pink and palest green. Stefan watched it from the window of his room in the boarding house. He had rented this room specifically because of the trapdoor in the ceiling, a trapdoor that opened onto the widow's walk on the roof above. Just now that door was open, and a cool damp wind blew down the ladder below it. Stefan was fully dressed, but not because he was up early. He had never been to sleep. He'd just returned from the woods, and a few scraps of wet leaf clung to the side of his boot. He brushed them off fastidiously. The comments of the students yesterday had not escaped him, and he knew they had been staring at his clothes. He had always dressed in the best, not merely out of vanity, but because it was the right thing to do. His tutor had often said it: Anaristocrat should dress as befits his position. If he does not, he is showing contempt for others . Everyone had a place in the world, and his place had once been among the nobility. Once. Why was he dwelling on these things? Of course, he should have realized that playing the role of a student was likely to bring his own student days back. Now the memories came thick and fast, as if he were skimming through the pages of a journal, his eyes catching an entry here and there. One flashed before him vividly now: his father's face when Damon had announced he was quitting the University. He would never forget that. He had never seen his father so angry†¦ â€Å"What do you mean, you are not going back?† Giuseppe was usually a fair man, but he had a temper, and his elder son brought out the violence in him. Just now that son was dabbing at his lips with a saffron-colored silk handkerchief. â€Å"I would have thought even you could understand such a simple sentence, father. Shall I repeat it in Latin for you?† â€Å"Damon-† Stefan began tightly, appalled at this disrespect. But his father interrupted. â€Å"You are telling me that I, Giuseppe, Conte di Salvatore, will have to face my friends knowing that my son is ascioparto ? A ne'er-do-well? An idler who makes no useful contribution to Florence?† Servants were edging away as Giuseppe worked himself into a rage. Damon did not even blink. â€Å"Apparently. If you can call those who fawn on you in the hopes that you will lend them money your friends.† † Sporco parassito!† cried Giuseppe, rising from his chair. â€Å"Is it not bad enough that when youare at school you waste your time and my money? Oh, yes, I know all about the gambling, the jousting, the women. And I know that if it were not for your secretary and your tutors you would be failing every course. But now you mean to disgrace me utterly. And why? Why?† His large hand whipped up to grasp Damon's chin. â€Å"So that you may return to your hunting and hawking?† Stefan had to give his brother credit; Damon did not wince. He stood, almost lounging in his father's grip, every inch the aristocrat, from the elegantly plain cap on his dark head to his ermine-trimmed cloak to his soft leather shoes. His upper lip was curved in a line of pure arrogance. You've gone too far this time, thought Stefan, watching the two men whose eyes were locked together. Even you won't be able to charm your way out this time. But just then there was a light step in the study doorway. Turning, Stefan had been dazzled by eyes the color of lapis lazuli, framed with long golden lashes. It was Katherine. Her father, Baron von Swartzschild, had brought her from the cold lands of the German princes to the Italian countryside, hoping it would help her recover from a prolonged illness. And since the day she had arrived, everything had changed for Stefan. â€Å"I beg your pardon. I did not mean to intrude.† Her voice was soft and clear. She made a slight motion as if to leave. â€Å"No, don't go. Stay,† Stefan said quickly. He wanted to say more, to catch her hand-but he didn't dare. Not with his father here. All he could do was gaze into those jewellike blue eyes that were raised to his. â€Å"Yes, stay,† Giuseppe said, and Stefan saw that his father's thunderous expression had lightened and that he had released Damon. He stepped forward, straightening the heavy folds of his long fur-trimmed gown. â€Å"Your father should be returning from his business in the city today, and he will be delighted to see you. But your cheeks are pale, little Katherine. You are not ill again, I hope?† â€Å"You know I am always pale, sir. I do not use rouge like your bold Italian girls.† â€Å"You don't need it,† said Stefan before he could stop himself, and Katherine smiled at him. She was so beautiful. An ache began in his chest. His father continued, â€Å"And I see all too little of you during the day. You seldom give us the pleasure of your company until twilight.† â€Å"I have my studies and devotions in my own rooms, sir,† said Katherine quietly, her lashes dropping. Stefan knew this was not true, but he said nothing; he would never betray Katherine's secret. She looked up at his father again. â€Å"But I am here now, sir.† â€Å"Yes, yes, that is true. And I must see that tonight we have a very special meal for your father's return. Damon†¦ we will speak later.† As Giuseppe motioned to a servant and strode out, Stefan turned to Katherine in delight. It was seldom they could speak to each other without the presence of his father or of Gudren, her stolid German maid. But what Stefan saw then was like a blow to his stomach. Katherine was smiling-the little secret smile that she had often shared with him. But she was not looking at him. She was looking at Damon. Stefan hated his brother at that moment, hated Damon's dark beauty and grace and the sensuality that drew women to him like moths to a flame. He wanted, in that instant, to strike Damon, to smash that beauty to pieces. Instead he had to stand and watch as Katherine moved slowly toward his brother, step by step, her golden brocade gown whispering on the tiled floor. And even as he watched, Damon held out a hand to Katherine, and smiled the cruel smile of triumph†¦ Stefan turned away from the window sharply. Why was he reopening old wounds? But, even as he thought it, he drew out the slender gold chain he wore under his shirt. His thumb and forefinger caressed the ring that hung from it, then he held it up to the light. The little circlet was exquisitely worked in gold, and five centuries had not dimmed its luster. It was set with one stone, a lapis the size of his little fingernail. Stefan looked at it, then at the heavy silver ring, also set with lapis, on his own hand. In his chest was a familiar tightness. He could not forget the past, and he didn't really wish to. Despite everything that had happened, he cherished Katherine's memory. But there was one memory he must truly not disturb, one page of the journal he must not turn. If he had to relive that horror, that†¦ abomination, he would go mad. As he had been mad that day, that final day, when he had looked upon his own damnation†¦ Stefan leaned against the window, his forehead pressed to its coolness. His tutor had had another saying: Evil will never find peace. It may triumph, but it will never find peace . Why had he even come to Fell's Church? He had hoped to find peace here, but that was impossible. He would never be accepted, he would never rest. Because he was evil. He could not change what he was. Elena was up even earlier than usual that morning. She could hear Aunt Judith pottering about in her room, getting ready for her shower. Margaret was still fast asleep, curled up like a little mouse in her bed. Elena passed her younger sister's half-open door noiselessly and continued down the hallway to let herself out of the house. The air was fresh and clear this morning; the quince tree was inhabited only by the usual jays and sparrows. Elena, who had gone to bed with a throbbing headache, lifted her face to the clean blue sky and breathed deeply. She felt much better than she had yesterday. She'd promised to meet Matt before school, and though she wasn't looking forward to it she was sure it was going to be all right. Matt lived only two streets away from the high school. It was a simple frame house, like all the others on that street, except that maybe the swing on the porch was a little shabbier, the paint a little more peeled. Matt was already standing outside, and for a moment her heart picked up at the sight of him as it used to. He was good-looking. There was no doubt about that. Not in the stunning, almost disturbing way that-that some people were, but in a healthy American way. Matt Honeycutt was all-American. His blond hair was cropped short for the football season, and his skin was sunburnt from working outdoors on his grandparents' farm. His blue eyes were honest and straightforward. And just today, as he held out his arms to hug her gently, they were a little sad. â€Å"You want to come inside?† â€Å"No. Let's just walk,† Elena said. They went side by side without touching. Maples and black walnut trees lined this street, and the air still had a morning hush. Elena watched her feet on the wet sidewalk, feeling suddenly uncertain. She didn't know how to start after all. â€Å"So you still haven't told me about France,† he said. â€Å"Oh, it was great,† said Elena. She glanced sideways at him. He was looking at the sidewalk, too. â€Å"Everything about it was great,† she continued, trying to put some enthusiasm in her voice. â€Å"The people, the food, everything. It was really†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her voice trailed off, and she laughed nervously. â€Å"Yeah, I know. Great,† he finished for her. He stopped and stood looking down at his scuffed tennis shoes. Elena recognized them from last year. Matt's family barely got by; maybe he hadn't been able to afford new shoes. She looked up to find those steady blue eyes on her face. â€Å"You know,you look pretty great right now,† he said. Elena opened her mouth in dismay, but he was speaking again. â€Å"And I guess you have something to tell me.† She stared at him, and he smiled, a crooked, rueful smile. Then he held out his arms again. â€Å"Oh,Matt ,† she said, hugging him hard. She stepped back to look into his face. â€Å"Matt, you are the nicest guy I've ever met. I don't deserve you.† â€Å"Oh, so that's why you're dumping me,† said Matt as they started walking again. â€Å"Because I'm too good for you. I should have realized that before.† She punched him in the arm. â€Å"No, that isn't why, and I am not dumping you. We're going to be friends, right?† â€Å"Oh, sure. Oh, absolutely.† â€Å"Because that's what I've realized we are.† She stopped, looking up at him again. â€Å"Good friends. Be honest, now, Matt, isn't that how you really feel about me?† He looked at her, then rolled his eyes heavenward. â€Å"Can I take the Fifth on that?† he said. As Elena's face fell, he added, â€Å"It doesn't have anything to do with that new guy, does it?† â€Å"No,† Elena said after a hesitation, and then added quickly, â€Å"I haven't even met him yet. I don't know him.† â€Å"But you want to. No, don't say it.† He put an arm around her and gently turned her. â€Å"Come on, let's head toward school. If we have time, I'll even buy you a doughnut.† As they walked, something thrashed in the walnut tree above them. Matt whistled and pointed. â€Å"Look at that! Biggest crow I've ever seen.† Elena looked, but it was already gone. School that day was merely a convenient place for Elena to review her plan. She had woken up this morning knowing what to do. And today she gathered as much information as she could on the subject of Stefan Salvatore. Which wasn't hard, because everyone at Robert E. Lee was talking about him. It was common knowledge that he'd had some sort of run-in with the admissions secretary yesterday. And today he'd been called to the principal's office. Something about his papers. But the principal had sent him back to class (after, it was rumored, a long-distance call to Rome-or was it Washington?), and everything seemed to be settled now. Officially, at least. When Elena arrived for Euro History class that afternoon, she was greeted by a low whistle in the hall. Dick Carter and Tyler Smallwood were loitering there. A couple of prize jerks, she thought, ignoring the whistle and their staring. They thought being tackle and safety on the varsity football team made them hot stuff. She kept an eye on them as she loitered in the corridor herself, refreshing her lipstick and fiddling with her compact. She'd given Bonnie her special instructions, and the plan was ready to be put into effect as soon as Stefan showed up. The compact mirror gave her a wonderful view of the hall behind her. Still, she missed him coming somehow. He was beside her suddenly, and she snapped the compact shut as he passed. She meant to stop him, but something happened before she could. Stefan tensed-or, at least, there was something about him that seemed wary all at once. Just then Dick and Tyler stepped in front of the door to the history classroom. Blocking the way. World-class jerks, thought Elena. Fuming, she glared at them over Stefan's shoulder. They were enjoying the game, slouching in the doorway, pretending they were completely blind to Stefan standing there. â€Å"Excuse me.† It was the same tone he'd used with the history teacher. Quiet, detached. Dick and Tyler looked at each other, then all around, as if hearing spirit voices. â€Å"Scoozi?† Tyler said in a falsetto. â€Å"Scoozi me? Me scoozi? Jacuzzi?† They both laughed. Elena watched muscles tighten under the T-shirt in front of her. This was completely unfair; they were both taller than Stefan, and Tyler was about twice as broad. â€Å"Is there a problem here?† Elena was as startled as the boys were at the new voice behind her. She turned to see Matt. His blue eyes were hard. Elena bit her lips on a smile as Tyler and Dick moved slowly, resentfully out of the way. Good old Matt, she thought. But now good old Matt was walking into class beside Stefan, and she was left following them, staring at the backs oftwo T-shirts. When they sat down, she slid into the desk behind Stefan, where she could watch him without being watched herself. Her plan would have to wait until after class. Matt was rattling change in his pocket, which meant he wanted to say something. â€Å"Uh, hey,† he began at last, uncomfortably. â€Å"Those guys, you know†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Stefan laughed. It was a bitter sound. â€Å"Who am I to judge?† There was more emotion in his voice than Elena had heard before, even when he had spoken to Mr. Tanner. And that emotion was raw unhappiness. â€Å"Anyway, why should I be welcome here?† he finished, almost to himself. â€Å"Why shouldn't you be?† Matt had been staring at Stefan; now his jaw squared with decision. â€Å"Listen,† he said. â€Å"You were talking about football yesterday. Well, our star wide receiver tore a ligament yesterday afternoon, and we need a replacement. Tryouts are this afternoon. What do you think?† â€Å"Me?† Stefan sounded caught off guard. â€Å"Ah†¦ I don't know if I could.† â€Å"Can you run?† â€Å"Can-?† Stefan half turned toward Matt, and Elena could see a faint hint of a smile curve his lips. â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Can you catch?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"That's all a wide receiver has to do. I'm the quarterback. If you can catch what I throw and run with it, you can play.† â€Å"I see.† Stefan was actually almost smiling, and though Matt's mouth was serious his blue eyes were dancing. Astonished at herself, Elena realized she was jealous. There was a warmth between the two boys that shut her out completely. But the next instant Stefan's smile disappeared. He said distantly, â€Å"Thank you†¦ but no. I have other commitments.† At that moment, Bonnie and Caroline arrived and class started. Throughout Tanner's lecture on Europe, Elena repeated to herself, â€Å"Hello. I'm Elena Gilbert. I'm on the Senior Welcoming Committee, and I've been assigned to show you around the school. Now, you wouldn't want to get me in trouble, would you, by not letting me do my job?† That last with wide, wistful eyes-but only if he looked like he might try to get out of it. It was virtually foolproof. He was a sucker for maidens who needed to be rescued. Halfway through class, the girl sitting to her right passed her a note. Elena opened it and recognized Bonnie's round, childish handwriting. It read: â€Å"I kept C. away for as long as I could. What happened? Did it work† Elena looked up to see Bonnie twisted around in her front-row seat. Elena pointed to the note and shook her head, mouthing, â€Å"After class.† It seemed a century until Tanner gave some last-minute instructions about oral reports and dismissed them. Then everybody sprang up at once. Here goes, thought Elena, and, with her heart pounding, she stepped squarely into Stefan's path, blocking the aisle so that he couldn't get around her. Just like Dick and Tyler, she thought, feeling a hysterical urge to giggle. She looked up and found her eyes exactly on a level with his mouth. Her mind went blank. What was it she was supposed to say? She opened her mouth, and somehow the words she'd been practicing came tumbling out. â€Å"Hi, I'm Elena Gilbert, and I'm on the Senior Welcoming Committee and I've been assigned-† â€Å"I'm sorry; I don't have time.† For a minute, she couldn't believe he was speaking, that he wasn't even going to give her a chance to finish. Her mouth went right on with the speech. â€Å"-to show you around the school-† â€Å"I'm sorry; I can't. I have to-to get to football tryouts.† Stefan turned to Matt, who was standing by looking amazed. â€Å"You said they were right after school, didn't you?† â€Å"Yes,† Matt said slowly. â€Å"But-† â€Å"Then I'd better get moving. Maybe you could show me the way.† Matt looked helplessly at Elena, then shrugged. â€Å"Well†¦ sure. Come on.† He glanced back once as they left. Stefan didn't. Elena found herself looking around at a circle of interested observers, including Caroline, who was openly smirking. Elena felt a numbness in her body and a fullness in her throat. She couldn't stand to be here for one more second. She turned and walked as quickly as she could from the room.

Ferdinand Magellan and Portuguese Explorer Ferdinand Essay

Lapu-Lapu (floruit-1521) was a ruler of Mactan, an island in the Visayas, Philippines, who is known as the first native of the archipelago to have resisted the Spanish colonization. He was also responsible for the death of Portuguese Explorer Ferdinand Magellan. [1] He is now regarded, retroactively, as the first Filipino hero. [2][3] He is also known under the names Cilapulapu,[4] Si Lapulapu,[5] Salip Pulaka,[6][note 1] and Kali Pulako (alternatively spelled as Cali Pulaco),[7] though the historicity of the names is disputed. See also: Maginoo Lapu-Lapu became one of two datus of Mactan before the Spanish arrived in the archipelago, the other being a certain Zula. When Portuguese explorer and conquistador Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines in the service of Spain, Zula was one of those who gave tribute to the Spanish king while Lapu-Lapu refused. On the morning of April 27, 1521, Lapu-Lapu led 3,000 warriors in a battle against Portuguese explorer and conquistador Ferdinand Magellan who led a force of forty-nine Spanish soldiers and 6000 native warriors from Cebu. During the battle Magellan and several of his men were killed. [8] The historian William Henry Scott believes that Lapu-Lapu’s hostility may have been the result of a mistaken assumption by Ferdinand Magellan. Magellan assumed that ancient Filipino society was structured in the same way as European society (i. e. with royalty ruling over a region). While this may be true in the Islamic sultanates in Mindanao, the Visayan societies were structured along a loose federation of city-states (more accurately, a chiefdom). The most powerful datu in such a federation has limited power over other member datu, but they had no direct control over the subjects or lands of the other datu. [6] Thus Magellan believed wrongly that since Rajah Humabon was the â€Å"king† of Cebu, he was the king of Mactan as well. But the island of Mactan, the domain of Lapu-Lapu and Zula, was in a location that enabled them to intercept trade ships entering the harbor of Cebu, Humabon’s domain. Thus it was more likely that Lapu-Lapu was actually more powerful than Humabon. Humabon himself was married to Lapu-Lapu’s niece. When Magellan demanded that Lapu-Lapu submit as his â€Å"king† Humabon had done, Lapu-Lapu purportedly replied that â€Å"he was unwilling to come and do reverence to one whom he had been commanding for so long a time†. [6] Controversy[edit] The historical name of Lapu-Lapu is controversial. The earliest record of his name is from the Italian explorer Antonio Pigafetta who accompanied Magellan in the Philippines. He records the names of two chiefs of the island of â€Å"Matan†, the chiefs â€Å"Zula† and â€Å"Cilapulapu† (note C). 4] In an annotation of the 1890 edition of Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las islas Filipinas, Jose Rizal spells this name as â€Å"Si Lapulapu† without explanation. [5] However, the 17th century mestizo de sangley poet Carlos Calao mentions Lapu-Lapu under the name of â€Å"Cali Pulaco† in his poem Que Dios Le Perdone (That God May Forgive Him). [9] The name, spelled â€Å"Kalipulako†, was later adopted as one of the pseudonyms of the Philippine hero, Mariano Ponce, during the Philippine Revolution. The 1898 Philippine Declaration of Independence of Cavite II el Viejo, also mentions Lapu-Lapu under the name â€Å"Rey Kalipulako de Mactan [sic]† (King Kalipulako of Mactan). [11] Legacy[edit] The Philippine government has since erected a statue in his honour on Mactan Island and renamed the town of Opon in Cebu to Lapu-Lapu City. Another statue stands in Rizal Park in the national capital of Manila. Lapu-Lapu also appears on the official seal of the Philippine National Police[12] and as the main design on the defunct 1-centavo coin circulated in the Philippines from 1967 to 1974. During the First Regular Season of the 14th Congress of the Philippines, Senator Richard Gordon introduced a bill proposing to declare April 27 as an official Philippine national holiday to be known as Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu, (Cebuano, â€Å"Day of Lapu-Lapu†). [14] In the United States, a street in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco, California is named after Lapu-Lapu. [15] Lapu-Lapu Lapu-Lapu’s statue on Mactan Island in the PhilippinesNationalityFilipinoOccupationChieftainKnown forcommanding Visayan forces that defeated the Spaniards, and killing Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Lapu-Lapu was the king of Mactan, an island in the Visayas, Philippines, who is known as the first native of the archipelago to have resisted Spanish colonization. He is now regarded as the first Filipino hero. On the morning of April 27, 1521, Lapu-Lapu and the men of Mactan, armed with spears, and kampilan, faced Spanish soldiers led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. In what would later be known as the Battle of Mactan, Magellan, and several of his men were killed. According to Sulu oral tradition, Lapu-Lapu was a Muslim chieftain, and was also known as â€Å"Kaliph Pulaka†. The people of Bangsamoro, the Islamic homeland in the Philippine Islands, consider him to be a Muslim and a member of the Tausug ethnic group. [4] A variant of the name, as written by Carlos Calao, a 17th century Chinese-Spanish poet in his poem â€Å"Que Dios Le Perdone† (Spanish, â€Å"That God May Forgive Him†) is â€Å"Cali Pulacu†. The 1898 Philippine Declaration of Independence refers to Lapu-Lapu as â€Å"King Kalipulako de Maktan†. [6] In the 19th century, the reformist Mariano Ponce used a variant name, â€Å"Kalipulako†, as one of his pseudonyms.