About the Irish Navy The Navy maintains a constant presence 24 hours a day, 365 days a year throughout Irelands enormous and rich maritime jurisdiction, upholding Irelands sovereign rights. The Naval Service is tasked with a variety of roles including defending territorial seas, deterring intrusive or aggressive acts, conducting maritime surveillance, maintaining an armed naval presence, ensuring right of passage, protecting marine assets, countering port blockades; people or arms smuggling, illegal drugs interdiction, and providing the primary diving team in the State.

The Service supports Army operations in the littoral and by sea lift, has undertaken supply and reconnaissance missions to overseas peace support operations and participates in foreign visits all over the world in support of Irish Trade and Diplomacy. The eight ships of the Naval Service are flexible and adaptable State assets. Although relatively small when compared to their international counterparts and the environment within which they operate, their patrol outputs have outperformed international norms.

The Naval Service is the Irish State's principal seagoing agency with "a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements". It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.

The Naval Service is based in Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour, with headquarters in the Defence Forces headquarters in Dublin.

The Naval Service provides the maritime component of the Irish State's defence capabilities and is the State's principal seagoing agency. It "protects Ireland's interests at and from the sea, including lines of communication, fisheries and offshore resources" within the Irish exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Naval Service operates jointly with the Army and Air Corps as part of the Irish defence forces.

The Naval Service was established in 1946, replacing the Marine and Coastwatching Service set up in 1939. It had replaced the Coastal and Marine Service, the State's first marine service after independence, which was disbanded after a year. Its only ship was the Muirch, formerly the British armed steam yacht Helga, which had been used by the Royal Navy to shell Dublin during the 1916 Rising. In 1938, Britain handed over the three "treaty" ports of Cork harbour, Bere haven and Lough Swilly.

The Naval Service has nine ships - one Helicopter Patrol Vessel (HPV), three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), two Large Patrol Vessel (LPV) and two Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV). Each vessel is equipped with State of the art machinery, weapons, communications and navigation systems.

The ships' names are prefaced with the title of Irish ship or "long ireannach" (LE). The older ships bear Irish female names - L Eithne, L Orla, L Ciara, L Roisn, and L Niamh. The newer ships, named after male Irish literary figures, are L Samuel Beckett, L James Joyce, L William Butler Yeats and L George Bernard Shaw.

Yes. The 76mm Oto Melara medium calibre naval armament is the most powerful weapon in the Naval Services arsenal. The 76mm is "capable of engaging naval targets at a range of up to 17km with a high level of precision, ensuring that the Naval Service can maintain a range advantage over all close-range naval armaments and man-portable weapon systems", according to the Defence Forces.

The Fleet Operational Readiness Standards and Training (FORST) unit is responsible for the coordination of the fleet needs. Ships are maintained at the Mechanical Engineering and Naval Dockyard Unit at Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour.

The helicopters are designated as airborne from initial notification in 15 minutes during daylight hours, and 45 minutes at night. The aircraft respond to emergencies at sea, on inland waterways, offshore islands and mountains and cover the 32 counties. They can also assist in flooding, major inland emergencies, intra-hospital transfers, pollution, and can transport offshore firefighters and ambulance teams. The Irish Coast Guard volunteers units are expected to achieve a 90 per cent response time of departing from the station house in ten minutes from notification during daylight and 20 minutes at night. They are also expected to achieve a 90 per cent response time to the scene of the incident in less than 60 minutes from notification by day and 75 minutes at night, subject to geographical limitations.

The Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service (FOCNS) is Commodore Michael Malone. The head of the Defence Forces is a former Naval Service flag officer, now Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett appointed in 2015 and the first Naval Service flag officer to hold this senior position. The Flag Officer oversees Naval Operations Command, which is tasked with the conduct of all operations afloat and ashore by the Naval Service including the operations of Naval Service ships. The Naval Operations Command is split into different sections, including Operations HQ and Intelligence and Fishery Section.

The Intelligence and Fishery Section is responsible for Naval Intelligence, the Specialist Navigation centre, the Fishery Protection supervisory and information centre, and the Naval Computer Centre. The Naval Intelligence Cell is responsible for the collection, collation and dissemination of naval intelligence. The Navigation Cell is the naval centre for navigational expertise.

The Fishery Monitoring Centre provides for fishery data collection, collation, analysis and dissemination to the Naval Service and client agencies, including the State's Sea Fisheries Protection Agency. The centre also supervises fishery efforts in the Irish EEZ and provides data for the enhanced effectiveness of fishery protection operations, as part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The Naval Computer Centre provides information technology (IT) support service to the Naval Service ashore and afloat.

This headquarters includes specific responsibility for the Executive/Operations Branch duties. The Naval Service Operations Room is a coordination centre for all NS current Operations. The Naval Service Reserve Staff Officer is responsible for the supervision, regulation and training of the reserve. The Diving section is responsible for all aspects of Naval diving and the provision of a diving service to the Naval Service and client agencies. The Ops Security Section is responsible for the coordination of base security and the coordination of all shore-based security parties operating away from the Naval base. The Naval Base Comcen is responsible for the running of a communications service. Boat transport is under the control of Harbour Master Naval Base, who is responsible for the supervision of berthage at the Naval Base and the provision of a boat service, including the civilian manned ferry service from Haulbowline.

Naval Service ships have undertaken trade and supply missions abroad, and personnel have served as peacekeepers with the United Nations. In 2015, Naval Service ships were sent on rotation to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean as part of a bi-lateral arrangement with Italy, known as Operation Pontus. Naval Service and Army medical staff rescued some 18,000 migrants, either pulling people from the sea or taking them off small boats, which were often close to capsizing having been towed into open water and abandoned by smugglers. Irish ships then became deployed as part of EU operations in the Mediterranean, but this ended in March 2019 amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the EU.

Essentially, you have to be Irish, young (less than 32), in good physical and mental health and with normal vision. You must be above 5'2, and your weight should be in keeping with your age.

Yes, women have been recruited since 1995. One of the first two female cadets, Roberta O'Brien from the Glen of Aherlow in Co Tipperary, became its first female commander in September 2020. Sub Lieutenant Tahlia Britton from Donegal also became the first female diver in the navy's history in the summer of 2020.

A naval cadet enlists for a cadetship to become an officer in the Defence Forces. After successfully completing training at the Naval Service College, a cadet is commissioned into the officer ranks of the Naval Service as a Ensign or Sub Lieutenant.

A cadet trains for approximately two years duration divided into different stages. The first year is spent in military training at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork. The second-year follows a course set by the National Maritime College of Ireland course. At the end of the second year and on completion of exams, and a sea term, the cadets will be qualified for the award of a commission in the Permanent Defence Force as Ensign.

The Defence Forces say it is looking for people who have "the ability to plan, prioritise and organise", to "carefully analyse problems, in order to generate appropriate solutions, who have "clear, concise and effective communication skills", and the ability to "motivate others and work with a team". More information is on the 2020 Qualifications Information Leaflet.

When you are 18 years of age or over and under 26 years of age on the date mentioned in the notice for the current competition, the officer cadet competition is held annually and is the only way for potential candidates to join the Defence Forces to become a Naval Service officer. Candidates undergo psychometric and fitness testing, an interview and a medical exam.

The NMCI was built beside the Naval Service base at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, and was the first third-level college in Ireland to be built under the Government's Public-Private Partnership scheme. The public partners are the Naval Service and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the private partner is Focus Education.

Afloat 2020

The Naval Service is the State's principal seagoing agency. The Naval Service operates jointly with the Army and Air Corps.

The fleet comprises one Helicopter Patrol Vessel (HPV), three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), two Large Patrol Vessel (LPV) and two Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV). Each vessel is equipped with state of the art machinery, weapons, communications and navigation systems.

LE Eithne was built in Verlome Dockyard in Cork and was commissioned into service in 1984. She patrols the Irish EEZ and over the years she has completed numerous foreign deployments.

Type Helicopter Patrol Vessel Length 80.0m Beam 12m Draught 4.3m Main Engines 2 X Ruston 12RKC Diesels6, 800 HP2 Shafts Speed 18 knots Range 7000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots Crew 55 (6 Officers) Commissioned 7 December 1984

L.. Orla was formerly the HMS SWIFT a British Royal Navy patrol vessel stationed in the waters of Hong Kong. She was purchased by the Irish State in 1988.She scored a notable operational success in 1993 when she conducted the biggest drug seizure in the history of the state at the time, with her interception and boarding at sea of the 65ft ketch, Brime.

Type Coastal Patrol Vessel Length 62.6m Beam 10m Draught 2.7m Main Engines 2 X Crossley SEMT- Pielstick Diesels 14,400 HP 2 Shafts Speed 25 + Knots Range 2500 Nautical Miles @ 17 knots Crew 39 (5 Officers)

L.. Ciara was formerly the HMS SWALLOW a British Royal Navy patrol vessel stationed in the waters of Hong Kong. She was purchased by the Irish State in 1988.She scored a notable operational success in Nov 1999 when she conducted the second biggest drug seizure in the history of the state at that time, with her interception and boarding at sea of MV POSIDONIA of the south-west coast of Ireland.

Type Coastal Patrol Vessel Length 62.6m Beam 10m Draught 2.7m Main Engines 2 X Crossley SEMT- Pielstick Diesels 14,400 HP 2 Shafts Speed 25 + Knots Range 2500 Nautical Miles @ 17 knots Crew 39 (5 Officers)

L.. Roisin (the first of the Roisn class of vessel) was built in Appledore Shipyards in the UK for the Naval Service in 2001. She was built to a design that optimises her patrol performance in Irish waters (which are some of the roughest in the world), all year round. For that reason a greater length overall (78.8m) was chosen, giving her a long sleek appearance and allowing the opportunity to improve the conditions on board for her crew.

Type Long Offshore Patrol Vessel Length 78.84m Beam 14m Draught 3.8m Main Engines 2 X Twin 16 cly V26 Wartsila 26 medium speed Diesels 5000 KW at 1,000 RPM 2 Shafts Speed 23 knots Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots Crew 44 (6 Officers) Commissioned 18 September 2001

L.. Niamh (the second of the Risn class) was built in Appledore Shipyard in the UK for the Naval Service in 2001. She is an improved version of her sister ship, L..Roisin

Type Long Offshore Patrol Vessel Length 78.84m Beam 14m Draught 3.8m Main Engines 2 X Twin 16 cly V26 Wartsila 26 medium speed Diesels 5000 KW at 1,000 RPM 2 Shafts Speed 23 knots Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots Crew 44 (6 Officers) Commissioned 18 September 2001

L Samuel Beckett is an Offshore Patrol Vessel built and fitted out to the highest international standards in terms of safety, equipment fit, technological innovation and crew comfort. She is also designed to cope with the rigours of the North-East Atlantic.

Type Offshore Patrol Vessel Length 90.0m Beam 14m Draught 3.8m Main Engines 2 x Wrtsil diesel engines and Power Take In, 2 x shafts, 10000kw Speed 23 knots Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots Crew 44 (6 Officers)

L James Joyce is an Offshore Patrol Vessel and represents an updated and lengthened version of the original RISN Class OPVs which were also designed and built to the Irish Navy specifications by Babcock Marine Appledore and she is truly a state of the art ship. She was commissioned into the naval fleet in September 2015. Since then she has been constantly engaged in Maritime Security and Defence patrolling of the Irish coast. She has also deployed to the Defence Forces mission in the Mediterranean from July to end of September 2016, rescuing 2491 persons and recovering the bodies of 21 deceased

Type Offshore Patrol Vessel Length 90.0m Beam 14m Draught 3.8m Main Engines 2 x Wrtsil diesel engines and Power Take In, 2 x shafts, 10000kw Speed 23 knots Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots Crew 44 (6 Officers)

L.. William Butler Yeats was commissioned into the naval fleet in October 2016. Since then she has been constantly engaged in Maritime Security and Defence patrolling of the Irish coast. She has also deployed to the Defence Forces mission in the Mediterranean from July to October 2017, rescuing 704 persons and recovering the bodies of three deceased.

Type Offshore Patrol Vessel Length 90.0m Beam 14m Draught 3.8m Main Engines 2 x Wrtsil diesel engines and Power Take In, 2 x shafts, 10000kw Speed 23 knots Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots Crew 44 (6 Officers)

L George Bernard Shaw (pennant number P64) is the fourth and final ship of the P60 class vessels built for the Naval Service in Babcock Marine Appledore, Devon.The ship was accepted into State service in October 2018, and, following a military fit-out, commenced Maritime Defence and Security Operations at sea.

Type Offshore Patrol Vessel Length 90.0m Beam 14m Draught 3.8m Main Engines 2 x Wrtsil diesel engines and Power Take In, 2 x shafts, 10000kw Speed 23 knots Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots Crew 44 (6 Officers)

Ship information courtesy of the Defence Forces

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Navy to Carry Out Investigation Over Fire On Board LE Niamh - Afloat

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The Line Of Duty cast appears to be having a hoot behind-the-scenes of filming the long-awaited sixth series thats if Vicky McClures latest video is anything to go by.

The actress recorded herself dancing with her co-stars Adrian Dunbar and Martin Compston as they took a break in-between shooting scenes, and its exactly what we needed today.

Good day at work with my besties! Vicky captioned the footage on Twitter.

Taking to Instagram as well, she added: Breaking these two gently into TikTok! When Im down Im gonna watch this on loop!!!

Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips was impressed by the trios moves and commented: 10 for effort and actually making this happen.

Meanwhile, Line Of Duty fans couldnt get over Adrians skills and flooded social media with compliments.

Adrian has loose hips, observed one, while another wrote: Mr Dunbar has the moves.

Echoing a similar sentiment, another penned: Ive had a crush on Adrian Dunbar (Hastings) for the best part of 30 odd years! And the way he moves those hips, confirms I always knew he was a hottie!

The Line Of Duty team has resumed production on the hotly-anticipated sixth series and have been sharing all the goings-on from behind-the-scenes on social media.

Earlier this week, Vicky was seen pointing a gun at Martin, while showrunner Jed Mercurio teased explosive scenes are coming our way as he shared images of stunts.

Line of Duty fans spot huge Steve Arnott spoiler in series six photos

Line Of Duty season 6: Vicky McClure points gun at Martin Compston in new BTS pics

Line Of Duty fans fear for DS Steve Arnott's safety as showrunner shares stunt pics

The upcoming season will also see newcomers Shalom Brune-Franklin, Perry Fitzpatrick, Andi Osho and Prasanna Puwanarajah join the cast.

We knowLine of Dutyfans are desperate for series 6 and we hope we can get it on air as soon as possible, Jed wrote.

Thanks so much for your patience in these difficult times.

Line Of Duty is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

Got a story?

If youve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with theMetro.co.ukentertainment team by emailing uscelebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page wed love to hear from you.

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Line Of Duty: Adrian Dunbar dances with Vicky McClure and Martin Compston - Metro.co.uk

Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) has announced the recipients of the 2020/2021 round of the AIG Scholarships, the organisations fully funded scholarship programme for young, outstanding West Africans with a passion for public service.

Every year, since 2017, AIG has made available at least five scholarships to talented West Africans from all academic backgrounds, who are passionate about the public sector, to pursue the Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. Upon graduation, AIG Scholars are expected to return to their home country and apply their learning experience as change agents in their countrys public sector. For the fourth round, six AIG Scholarships were awarded.

The 2020/2021 AIG Scholars are Adejoke Are, Murjanatu Mohammed Audu, Uchechukwu Nwokediuko, Chioma Oparadike, Folasade Osho and Victoria Udom.

AIG has a vision of a public sector in Africa that is effective, values-driven, service-oriented and results-focused, said Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Founder and Chairman of AIG.

To support the attainment of this vision, we are proud to invest in the development of a critical mass of transformation champions who can lead this transformation process.

In June 2016, AIG signed a partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, based on a shared vision of improving the world through good governance and public leadership.

AIG also awards the AIG Fellowships at the School, to outstanding senior public service officials from West Africa. To date, twenty-five men and women have benefited from AIG Scholarships and Fellowships.

The AIG Scholarships selection process is particularly rigorous and, each year progressively attracts exceptional talent with potential for great achievement, said Chienye Ogwo, Chief Executive Officer of AIG.

We are pleased to announce this new cohort of five women and one man, and honoured to support their commitment to public service.

I am beyond grateful for the opportunity that AIG has given me, said Murjanatu Mohammed Audu, a first-class graduate of Law from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, and one of the 2020 AIG Scholars. I have a passion for public service and believe in my ability to lead transformations in the public sector. The AIG Scholarship provides me with a platform to build my capacity and contribute to the emergence of an effective and efficient public service in Nigeria.

I believe the public sector is a platform through which I can make an impact at scale, said Uchechukwu Nwokediuko, another 2020 AIG Scholar and first-class Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate of Covenant University, Nigeria.

One of the things I hope to gain at the Blavatnik School of Government is a refreshed way of thinking on how to deliver positive change through governance, especially in uncertain and difficult times.

AIG also today, announced the opening of the application window for the 2021/2022 AIG Scholarships. The application window will close on Thursday, October 15, 2020.

For media enquiries, contact: Modupe Phillipsor send a mail to[emailprotected]

ABOUT AFRICA INITIATIVE FOR GOVERNANCE (AIG)

Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) is a not-for-profit founded to inspire the transformation of Africas public sector. AIG works with governments, academic institutions and other partners to improve governance and transform public sector performance.

AIGs pioneering initiative brings proven private sector innovation, leadership and funding to the public sector, in a private-public partnership that seeks to attract, inspire and support future leaders of Africas public sector. With AIGs continuing support, these high-calibre individuals will be able to drive best practice standards of governance in Africa, ensuring sustainable economic growth and social justice.

For more information, visit http://www.aigafrica.org.

ABOUT THE BLAVATNIK SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT

Founded at the University of Oxford in 2010, the Blavatnik School of Government exists to inspire and support the government better and public policy around the world. The Blavatnik School teaches current and future public leaders through innovative programmes conduct deep research into pressing issues facing policymakers around the world and convenes leaders and experts to foster better public policy.

With a strong global outlook, the school combines insights from a range of academic disciplines and derives lessons from the public, private and third sectors. http://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk

-Sponsored Content.

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Applications are On for the 2021/2022 AIG Scholarships for Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxfor - BellaNaija

On an average day, about a dozen new games are released on Steam. And while we think that's a good thing, it can be understandably hard to keep up with. Potentially exciting gems are sure to be lost in the deluge of new things to play unless you sort through every single game that is released on Steam. So thats exactly what weve done.If nothing catches your fancy this week, we've gathered thebest PC gamesyou can play right now and a running list of the2020 gamesthat are launching this year.

Steam page Release: October 3 Developer: Magnetic Scrolls Price: $4.68 | 3.47 | AU$6.66

Stretching the definition of "new" here, I know, The Legacy was originally released in 1993. Ziggurat Interactive have been rereleasing old games on Steam, and among the latest batch is this Lovecraftian horror RPG, which plays like Legend of Grimrock, to pick a modern example. You create a character to explore Winthrop House, cast spells at zombies, and die quite early on if my memories of the 1990s are anything to go by.

Steam page Release: October1 Developer: DeepGreen Games Price: $0.69 | 0.55 | AU$1.05

The BOT.vinnik Chess games, of which this is the second, teach the basics of chess with the aid of a cranky, moustachioed Russian artificial intelligence. Learn how to set up checkmates, and when you get it wrong get scolded by a Soviet AI until you start to treasure praise like "Not bad, comrade!" as if it's come from your own parents. Currently 30% off with a launch discount.

Steam page Release: September 30 Developer: HiFight Price: $3.99 | 2.89 | AU$5.95

Footsies is a fighting-game trainer that's been around for a couple of years, but has only now come to Steam with online play and rollback- rather than delay-based netcode. Footsies is a minimalist ground-based fighting game that has just one attack and two directional buttons, designed to help develop fundamentals of the genre like whiff-punishing, spacing, hit-confirming, and footsies.

Steam page Release: October 1 Developer: Aldo Jeffrey Price: Free

Describing Transcender is a challenge. If you've played Everything, the game where you inhabit various objects and creatures while listening to philosopher Alan Watts talk about the interconnectedness of all things, you might be on firm ground. Transcender is a terraforming management game, and a walking simulator, and a headfuck in videogame form. It's about 30 minutes long and currently free, and if you want your day to get weirder playing this will do that.

Steam page Release: October 2 Developer: Berzah Games Price: $24.99 | 19.49 | AU$35.95

This action-platformer is inspired by Turkish mythology and based on a story from the Book of Dede Korkut. It looks gorgeous, especially the fiery magical effects and the layered nature of its backdrops, and the music's great too.

These games were released between September 28 and October 5 2020. Some online stores give us a small cut if you buy something through one of our links. Read ouraffiliate policyfor more info.

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Five new Steam games you probably missed (October 5, 2020) - PC Gamer

Every week the Stereogum staff chooses the five best new songs of the week (the eligibility period begins and ends Thursdays right before midnight). This weeks countdown is below, and you can listen to a playlist of all our 5 Best Songs on Spotify.

Exactly 20 years after Radiohead released Kid A, Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19. Coincidence?!? OK yeah its probably a coincidence. This weeks best songs are below.

To coincide with International Safe Abortion Day, Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell have turned the extremely heavy experience of contemplating an abortion into an extremely heavy country-rock ballad. Throughout The Problem, the real-life spouses powerfully articulate the questions that come flooding in upon news of an unplanned pregnancy, building emotional tension until the levee breaks and a guitar solo bursts forth like sunlight after the storm. I support a womans right to choose, and I know these choices are never easy, Shires wrote in a statement accompanying The Problem. Neither is writing a song this effective, not that youd know it based on this couples track record. Chris

What is Scandinavian pain and where can I get some? Salt Licorice, the chaotically good new team-up between Jnsi and Robyn, makes sadness feel ecstatic. It sounds like ice castles melting, blistering noise and pulsating beats thumping through the frustrations of two people never fully connecting. Why cant you just be OK? Youre such an ice breaker on me, they sing at each other. Why cant you just be led astray? Cause youre a heartbreaker only.

Throughout, the music masters from the North sing about their Scandinavian pain, treating this malaise as something inextricable. They make you want to feel that pain right alongside them, twitch out your problems on a dance floor or even just alone in your own room, as the two of them do in the ridiculously fun Salt Licorice music video, which finds them shaving their heads and smearing themselves with goo just as a way to feel something new. James

We all have a soft spot for the music of our misspent youth, the songs and the artists that blew our tiny minds when we were first delving into the hidden world of music fandom. For Kisses Jesse Kivel, who came of age in the 90s, those bands were Oasis, the Smashing Pumpkins, Primal Scream, and Polaris. His new song Northside is a love letter to that time in his life, but beyond the extremely 90s, My Bloody Valentine-inspired drum programming, it doesnt exactly sound like any of the aforementioned groups. Its not pastiche, an exercise in pure nostalgia. Instead, it just nails that same wistful, yearning melodic warmth that his idols so often trafficked in. And maybe, just maybe, some kid getting into music now will have the same experience with Northside that Kivel did with 1979 or Soon. Peter

Along with their (extremely good) debut album World House, the Toronto hardcore band Mil-Spec have published a huge and generally entertaining zine, one with essays and comics and movie reviews and one extended intra-band conversation. There are also annotated lyrics for every song on World House, dense and specific pointers to all those lyrics allusions to Don DeLillo and Joan Didion and Alan Watts and Leatherface. The members of Mil-Spec would like you to know that all references to quarantine and contagion on their towering, rampaging song Colony are unfortunate and coincidental, written before the pandemic hit. But intentional or not, current circumstances lend a jolt of urgency to a song that wouldve already been plenty urgent.

If youve ever been a fan of hardcore, theres something almost reassuring about Mil-Specs sound the chunky riffage, the rhythmic switch-ups between sprint and stomp, the strangulated and passionate vocals. But Mil-Spec put a lot of thought into everything they do, and they arent just at play in the fields of genre. Theyre using their gifts for speed and melody and intensity to make something raw and self-assured and moving. You might not know the Audre Lorde quotation on Colony my silence has not protected me but youll feel it in your bones. Tom

Im not sure what I was expecting from Romy Madley Crofts first single, but it certainly wasnt this. The xx singer has, of course, been at the center of a dance song thanks to Jamie xx with Loud Places, but even that was sultry and restrained in the way youve come to expect from the xx. In contrast, Lifetime, her first track as a solo artist, is an undeniable jam. Written and recorded during lockdown, its a pure explosion of energy, born of a moment when even the most introverted among us are struggling with being constantly isolated.

Lifetime is joyous; it hopes for a future when we can all reconvene together on the dance floor. Once in a lifetime/ Youll be right beside me, Ill be right beside you, she sings over and over, an affirmation that we shouldnt take any moment for granted because weve seen how quickly all those moments can slip away. When Im at my first party after all this has passed whether thats months or years away Im stealing the aux and blasting this as loud as I fucking can. For right now, while were still all apart, its a necessary reminder of how elating being together can feel. James

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Best New Songs Of The Week: Robyn, Jonsi, Romy, & More - Stereogum

Intentional learning is the way to create your future.

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), more than a billion jobs will be transformed by technology in the next 10 years. The World Economic Forum reports that 42% of core skills required for most jobs are going to change by 2022. These future predictions sit against a backdrop of global layoffs for airlines, technology companies, energy and other sectors. If youre fortunate enough to be gainfully employed right now, theres one key leadership skill youve got to cultivate. In fact, according to data from McKinsey, your future depends on it.

What Is Intentional Learning?

Being an intentional learner means investing in the skills and leadership training that will create your future. Called reskilling or upskilling, the expertise needed for the future is a major challenge for companies today.

Technological advances brought on by COVID-19 have accelerated massive shifts in workforce behavior. Digital disruption is here to stay, but the World Economic Forum says that tech training isnt the only game in town: Theres a common misconception that well all need to develop highly technological or scientific skills to succeed. Were seeing a growing need for people to develop specialized skills for how they interact with each other. These include creativity, collaboration and interpersonal dynamics, as well as skills related to specialized sales, human resources, care and education roles.

Its counter-intuitive, but intentional learning focuses not just on technology but on the human beings who use it. Accessing a deeper understanding of connection (even during times of social isolation) begins with a shift in perspective. As a result, intentional learners are deliberate and focused on developing these two areas:

Developing a growth mindset and embracing curiosity requires one thing: head space. In other words, you have to have room to think. At least, thats the premise behind Time to Think: Listening to Ignite the Human Mind. Author Nancy Kline shares that the human mind was designed to get intelligence back when it slips away. Turns out, innovation is built into the system. We just need some space in order to access it - the kind of mental clarity that comes from stepping back from todays to-dos so you can consider creating your tomorrow. Smart companies are building time into the workday, breaking up nonstop meetings to give employees a vital (but often overlooked) asset: time to think.

If you feel like youre unsure as to what kind of learning would help you to develop your future, theres more good news ahead. Discovering whats next doesnt involve a six-step process or detailed resilience training. Because new ideas are never more than one thought away, for intentional learners. Its counter-intuitive, but sometimes less effort can actually yield more results - especially when it comes to innovation and inspiration. The trick is: not getting buried by day-to-day obligations, so that you can see new possibilities. My coaching work helps clients to access that space, so that new ideas show up as easily as the next thought.

If youre like most people, the ability to find some head space (especially when working from home) is tricky. How do you find some clarity, when youre on zoom meetings all day, living in a small apartment, and trying to juggle family, relationships and a boss who doesnt really understand who you are? There is a maxim that we need to remember: it doesnt have to be like this. Options always exist - especially the option to respond to your circumstances.

Intentional learning means considering new skills and ideas that ignite your curiosity. What would you like to learn, discover or explore on the journey to who you are meant to be? What new skills would make a change in your relationships, your lifestyle, your future? Take a walk, get on your bike, or rock out on your roller skates: motion and movement can make room for new ideas.

Being an intentional learner means taking time to consider the kind of future youd like to create. In this strange and unprecedented world of the coronavirus pandemic, there are still opportunities for reinvention. Remember, theres no statute of limitations on innovation. You can recreate yourself and your future anytime you choose.

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Why Intentional Learning Is The Number One Leadership Skill You Need, Right Now - Forbes

by Taylor Hoffman, Staff Reporter October 7, 2020

Among the first-year students Simpson welcomed to campus this fall, 28 were a part of Gear Up Iowa, a federally funded program that promotes academic and personal success among students through year-long programming and additional peer-mentoring outside of SC-101.

Gear Up Iowa is a seven-year program that began when the students were in seventh grade. This program is meant to support them through their first year of college. The purpose of the program is to create a college-going culture among middle and high school students and to help them succeed in and graduate from college.

Simpson received a grant to provide programming for their group of Gear Up Iowa students. The Gear Up Simpson programming includes three main components: an online summer college prep course, access to an additional SC leader and writing fellow specific to the Gear Up Iowa students, and a winter retreat later in the year.

The students will also have access to campus resources and programming throughout the semester.

Were in development for a couple of programs right now. One is specifically focused on networking and relationship building among the Gear Up Iowa students. The other is focused on managing your finances as a college student, said Anna Pena, the director of first-year experience at Simpson. Were also developing a specific Moodle course that Gear Up Iowa students will have access to with resources, information, contacts, scheduling, and more.

Two resources the Gear Up Iowa students have access to throughout the academic year are their SC leader and writing fellow. Sophomore Alyssa Whitham is the SC leader for the program. Donni Kinghorn, also a sophomore is the programs writing fellow.

We provide extra support for the Gear Up Iowa students, Kinghorn said. They will still have their traditional writing fellow and SC leader through their SC class, but were an additional resource for them throughout their first year.

In the first semester, were not needed as much. The second semester is when we really come in. Well act as the writing fellow and SC leader when they no longer have one, Whitham said.

Due to COVID-19, Kinghorn and Whitham have shifted their focus for the fall semester.

With COVID-19, our goals are more so focused on making sure our students get out and start participating in the resources that Simpson is already providing, Whitham said. We want to give the students opportunities to get to know one another.

Robbie Wagner is one of the first-years in the Gear Up Iowa program. Through the program, Wagner has access to resources in academic, professional, and personal development.

Most of the need I have is in professional development, rather than academic development. I appreciate the programs on topics like time management, budgeting, and financial skill, Wagner said.

In particular, Wagner emphasized the importance of the program in helping first-year students adjust to college.

Adjusting to college is quite a leap from high school, and having help through that transition makes it a lot easier. I love that Gear Up can help people make a smooth transition to college so they can be successful at the start instead of having to struggle for a while before finding their footing, Wagner said.

Pena also acknowledged the benefits of programs like Gear Up Iowa in helping first-year students transition to college.

What wed like to do is learn from this program and evaluate strategies to be able to implement for future first-year programs, Pena said. If we find an effective strategy for success for these students, we may look at continuation for some of the programming.

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Gear Up Iowa Guides Students to Success - The Simpsonian

Anew interactive study by Unify Cosmos has revealed the 50 most relaxing destinations in the world, and Central Park comes in at number 11.

Unify Cosmos is a personal development and spiritual growth website, and theyve compiled sounds from these relaxing places into a soundtrack on their website.

Central Parks portion of the soundtrack plays the sound of rain tapping on benches, the crunching of leaves, bagpipes and other sounds of the city in the background. You can hear the sounds used in the video below (which also includes some nice relaxing visuals).

Just beating Central Park, here are the top 10 relaxing destinations in the world, according to the study, which used search volume data to compile the list:

Some psychologists argue that taking the time to stop and listen to the natural sounds of your surroundings can boost well-being, increase generosity, and enhance life satisfaction therefore a moment that deserves to be savored.

David Foley, Owner at Unify Cosmos says Take a second to close your eyes, pause, breathe in these sounds of nature, and dream a little, regardless of where you are because listening to crashing waves, or birds in the trees can bring many other things to your life.

Learn more and listen to the entire soundtrack here.

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Study Ranks Central Park Among Top Relaxing Destinations in World - I Love the Upper West Side

MORE young people across Scotland will get the opportunity to gain work-based learning qualifications at school through the expansion of a pilot programme of Foundation Apprenticeships at SCQF Levels 4 and 5.

Skills Development Scotland and the SQA are working with selected learning providers across the country who will be offering S3 to S6 pupils in partner schools the chance to gain both personal development and accredited skills in a work-based context.

Skills Development Scotland currently delivers Foundation Apprenticeships in schools across all 32 local authorities at SCQF Level 6.

One of the ways identified by the Scottish Government to improve Scotlands productivity and meet future skills challenges is by extending work-based learning to all levels (SCQF levels 4-11) through apprenticeships.

In its work to address this, SDS looked at a vocational offer in schools that created closer links with employers.

The pilot programme of SCQF Level 4 and 5 Foundation Apprenticeships enables young people to achieve a work-based learning qualification at an earlier stage in their learning.

The pilot is part of the development to extend the reach of the Foundation Apprenticeship offer of the future.

Foundation Apprenticeships at SCQF Levels 4 and 5 aim to enable individuals to identify and develop meta-skills such as communication, creativity and self-management that can contribute to work readiness and create high performing employees.

The programme is also enabling employers to make a structured contribution to school learning by providing real life work-based situations that add value to learning and provides a pathway that articulates to other work-based qualifications available in the Senior Phase and beyond, such as Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships.

A pilot model, which commenced from this academic year, will be resourced in partnership with schools, employers and learning providers to provide expertise, knowledge and work-based learning.

Learning providers will deliver opportunities across Automotive Skills, Hospitality and Construction in either an existing Skills for Work or a National Progression Award.

An innovative aspect of this pilot model is the inclusion of a Work-based Challenge Unit, with pupils working in teams with a local employer to design, develop and deliver a project whereby learners identify and deploy their meta-skills alongside the technical skills required by the project.

Fife College is one of the sixteen learning providers that has begun the delivery of the SCQF Level 4 and 5 Foundation Apprenticeships pilot to S3 to S6 school pupils across the Fife region.

With over 60 places being offered across construction, hospitality and automotive, pupils will be working in teams with a local employer to design, develop and deliver a project.

The hope is that these new qualifications can help extend the work-readiness of those taking part and help meet the future skills challenges facing Scotland.

Iain Hawker, Assistant Principal: Quality and Academic Partnerships at Fife College, said: Were really pleased to be working with Skills Development Scotland and Fife Council to deliver these two new levels of Foundation Apprenticeships.

Weve already helped hundreds of school pupils through our existing Level 6 Foundation Apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Fife Council, and these new qualifications will enable us to offer a similar opportunity at an earlier level of learning to those interested.

As part of a DYW Fife portfolio of qualifications, schools pupils throughout Fife now have more brilliant opportunities available to them to gain real work-based learning experience and help them develop skills that will lead to a future career in these areas.

According to the college, demand from Fife pupils to participate in the pilot has been high. Iain Hawker said: What these allow young people to do, particularly in S3 and S4, is enable them to engage with employers at an early stage so they can build these meta skills and wider skills as part of their school studies timetable.

By the time they go on to study in S4, S5 and S6 and potentially go on to their Level 6 apprenticeships, the number of work opportunities will hopefully have increased by that time.

As pupils move into the workforce to look for a job, what the qualifications do is add experience and engagement with employers.

Its testing the water for them working with those employers and making that transition from education, whether its on to further study at college or university or directly into the workplace.

It makes that transition easier for them and theyve had all that involvement with employers while they are still at school.

Given the current economic climate its important we do all we can to meet the future skill needs of Scotland, and these qualifications are an important step in helping us to achieve this.

SDS Director of Critical Skills and Occupations, Diane Greenlees said: Foundation Apprenticeships are creating more confident young people with the critical skills and relevant qualifications for the workplace.

SDS is committed to working with SQA and partners to widen opportunities for more young people to benefit from Work-based Learning and bring education and employers closer together.

The pilot programme offering Work-based Learning in schools at SCQF Levels 4 and 5 focuses on developing meta-skills that are both personal and practical and contribute to work readiness and our ambition is to create a final model that will be embedded into the Scottish school curriculum.

SQA Director of Qualifications Development, Dr Gill Stewart said SQA welcomes the opportunity to undertake this partnership work with SDS to pilot meta-skills in Foundation Apprenticeships.

This type of collaboration is at the core of our future qualifications development which will involve a greater emphasis on meta-skills and opportunities for work-based learning.

This will enable us to support young people prepare for their career and provide career development opportunities for those already in employment.

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Apprenticeships shore up skills across Scotland

MORE people than ever before are choosing work-based learning to get a job and get qualified up to degree level with Graduate Apprenticeships.

Latest figures show the number of businesses employing Graduate Apprentices has more than trebled in the past three years, while four times as many individuals have started a Graduate Apprenticeship.

Scotlands 2019 Apprentice of the Year, Jordan Fairlamb is a Graduate Apprentice withDawnfresh Seafoods

The last financial year saw 1,160 apprentices working with 506 employers and 15 higher education institutions across 13 Graduate Apprenticeship frameworks.

Developed by Skills Development Scotland in partnership with industry and the further and higher education sectors, Graduate Apprenticeships provide work-based learning opportunities up to Masters degree level.

They provide businesses with access to high-level skills and offer a new route for people to gain degree-level, industry recognised qualifications backed by leading universities across Scotland.

Graduate Apprentices typically spend the majority of their time with their employer and the rest learning via their university. Subject areas range from accountancy to cyber-security and from civil engineering to data science.

Graduate Apprenticeships are also making higher education more accessible for individuals, with an increased number of BAME participants and people who have a disability.

The figures are part of the latest progress report on Graduate Apprenticeships published by Skills Development Scotland. Responding to the report, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills Jamie Hepburn said: Graduate Apprenticeships offer a unique learning opportunity, providing a blend of academic and work-based learning for employees, enabling them to up-skill or re-skill while in paid employment.

Apprenticeships are training and up-skilling workers in key occupational growth areas. They are providing a critical pipeline of talent that will support our recovery and growth of Scotlands economy as we work to rebuild from coronavirus (COVID-19).

Chair of Skills Development Scotland (SDS), Frank Mitchell, said: Scottish Apprenticeships and work-based learning have never been more vital than during this period of recovery and renewal.

More than 2,000 people have now accessed industry-relevant degrees through Graduate Apprenticeships, bringing fresh talent and critical skills to hundreds of employers across every local authority area in Scotland. SDS will continue to work with the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board and our industry partners to drive the development of Graduate Apprenticeships and ensure they remain available in the critical occupational growth areas of the Scottish economy.

More employers than ever are now using Graduate Apprenticeships to realise business benefits such as addressing critical skills gaps, driving innovation and increasing productivity and retention.

HR Director at Dawnfresh Seafoods and member of the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board, Helen Muir, said: Graduate Apprenticeships are a strategic way to develop our future leaders and gain skills that are vital to the success of our business.

By gaining commercial awareness alongside academic qualifications, our Graduate Apprentices have made a valuable, quantifiable difference to the organisation.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the food and drink industry has proven that its people are resilient, innovative and committed to delivering great products. We in turn are committed to providing sustainable development opportunities for our employees including through continued support for Graduate Apprenticeships and the tremendous value they bring.

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Skillsets are on hand for the next generation - HeraldScotland

half full was founded in 2005, and our current office is in a former elementary school at 400 Smith St. in Providence. Three of us started the business, and I acquired it after five years. We help teams and individuals overcome obstacles what they perceive to be impossible. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we did in-person events workshops, retreats, and team-building sessions. But its not a cookie-cutter ropes-course approach. We are very customized and design our programs around the vision, mission, and values of the organization we are working with.

Q: How does your personal story shape the companys work?

The backbone behind our work is my story of overcoming the adversity of living with Symbrachydactyly Syndrome having only two fingers on my left hand and the stories of others on the team. That started me off with a lot of insecurity not feeling like I fit in and not feeling confident when I was growing up. But I started understanding that, as part of the healing process, I needed to embrace what made me unique and turn that into a strength.

Sharing my story sets a tone of trust with the groups we work with. It gets you out of the usual expectations and demands of retreats and opens up communication so that people can have an open mind and overcome obstacles as a team. To be a good leader, we have to embrace what makes us unique and come to grips with insecurities.

Q: What does half full do in addition to working with corporate clients?

The half portion of half full is about being a for-profit business, and the full part is about giving back. That is our values-driven model of corporate social responsibility. Pre-COVID, we offered our retreats at no cost to teenagers. We called them Forwards rather than retreats. We would offer as many as we could in the summertime.

Adewole Wole Akinbi is a facilitator at half full who oversees the youth development side of the business planning and recruiting teenagers for the Forwards. He helps to ensure that we listen to community residents and that they have the resources they need. Right now, because of COVID, we cant facilitate our retreats in person, but we are hosting virtual sessions on Wednesdays, with many kids who are Zooming in. Its called Wednesdays with Wo.

We facilitate our sessions with youth the same way we would with adults the same type of workshops where you take a deeper dive personally. With companies, we take a deeper dive into what the company wants to be and where it wants to go. With teenagers, we focus on what is going on in high school, their goals, and their opportunities after high school. We focus on the challenges they are facing. We help them build their confidence and embrace their own uniqueness.

Q: What contributed to half full receiving the 2020 Microenterprise of the Year Award for Rhode Island and New England from the U.S. Small Business Administration?

I graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, and we are so grateful that they nominated us. The award recognizes our revenue and employment growth. Five years ago, it was just me. But I decided Wole would be my first hire, and every year since then weve been hiring one employee per year.

We now have five full-time employees and five interns. We are very much a teaching business and love working with interns to help with their own personal and professional development. Our most recent addition to the team is a phenomenal woman who had lost her job because her previous employer went out of business due to COVID.

Q: How have you carried out this kind of work during the coronavirus pandemic? What changes have been necessary?

We pivoted right away and started working remotely and set up systems to bring all of our in-person systems online. Now we are helping companies pivot and adapt to the pandemic. We are all going through it together. There is so much going on. A lot of clients are using us from a consulting standpoint to develop strategies, and we work with leaders who could use guidance and someone who will just listen. It can be a very lonely position.

Q: What are some examples of the advice you give to organizations facing obstacles created by the pandemic?

One thing Ive been encouraging folks to think about is this: Control what you can control. The pandemics impact is so vast, and we just cant control all of it. We can do what we can do. Look to the future and have an open mind. Be creative. And if you are not creative, surround yourself with people who are. Also, its important to develop partnerships and collaborate. People can work together to strengthen their current brand and get through it together. Expand your network.

Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @FitzProv.

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Rhode Island firm helps corporations and youths achieve their goals - The Boston Globe