Certificate of Annuity (COA) - is a financial instrument/security issued by government agencies which guarantee the initial interest rate for funds on deposit for the entire length of the maturity of the security. Typical maturity/tenor for these deposit instruments are 1, 3, 5, 10 or 15 years. The main features of COA are liquidity, preserves principal, and stipulates a fixed rate of return.
Following are the two options available for policy holder at maturity:
(i) withdraw the funds without having to pay a surrender charge (it is important to note that taxes must be paid on the interest earned and there is a 10% penalty on the earnings if the policyholder is less than age 59½);
(ii) roll the funds over into another annuity for a limited number of years or a product of longer duration. In contrast to certificates of deposit (CDs), interest earned through this annuity accumulates on a tax-deferred basis.
Following are the two options available for policy holder at maturity:
(i) withdraw the funds without having to pay a surrender charge (it is important to note that taxes must be paid on the interest earned and there is a 10% penalty on the earnings if the policyholder is less than age 59½);
(ii) roll the funds over into another annuity for a limited number of years or a product of longer duration. In contrast to certificates of deposit (CDs), interest earned through this annuity accumulates on a tax-deferred basis.
Albanian cross stones is a group of monuments created by Caucasian Albania.
Types
Crosses of the Khachin
Crosses are mainly distributed in Kalbajar, Dashkasan, Gazakh and Agstafa districts. These crucifixes are relics of the Principality of the Khachin. A large part of the Kalbajar region was part of the Albanian Khachin principality. All the stelae studied in this region are distinguished by the originality of their architectural images, but they do not go beyond the canons and forms typical of the crosses of Caucasian Albania and other types of stelae. The art of two religions - Christianity and most likely Mithraism - is observed in the stelae, which are located near the ancient temple in the form of a Chahartagh (quadrangular composition) and erected on a high stilobate with an arch. The influence of various local religions is also expected.
A headstone scientists D.A. Akhundova and M.D. Akhundov later erected a typical mitraist stella found at the foot of a mountain in the Kalbajar area. The anthropomorphic god is depicted inside the double rectangular frame on the cross. Instead of a face, he was given a star inside the circle - the sun, cosmic light, the sphere of paradise; Inside the circle in his hand is a round moon - a symbol of fertility. Below his abdomen, in a circle slightly smaller than his head, depicts another star - the underworld or entrance to it. These are a clear three-tier model of the world in the minds of the ancient Albanians. The human figure, on the other hand, reads the world that unites all the worlds shown. Just outside this cross, another pre-Christian stella was discovered. This stella depicts a woman with the technique of drawing inside a rectangular frame, probably the goddess of the moon - Selena, Artemida, Ardivisura, Anahita.These stelae belong to the pre-Christian period of our era (early I century), perhaps even earlier.
Due to the cross silhouette on the left, it is resolved similar to its neighbor on the right. In its lower part there is a large khoncha woven from lattice circles and skillfully embroidered. Above are two small khonchas on the sides, which together with the large khoncha form the divine trinity (father, son, holy spirit). At the top of the triangle between the two khonchas are two small circles inside each other. The triangle and the circle represent the sun,
Artsak cross stones
These types of crosses were discovered and studied mainly in Khojaly, Agdara, Tartar, Gadabay, Shusha and other regions. One of the most interesting examples is the Khachvari Artsak cross made in 1633. This cross was also settled within the canons adopted throughout Caucasian Albania. The crucifix was smuggled from the Azerbaijani SSR to the Armenian SSR during the USSR and is currently being held in the Uchmuadzin city of the Armenian Republic.
Another 14th-century Artsakh khashdash was executed in a completely different style. The entire surface of the stele is decorated with many thematic images. The principle of decor is similar to that of Juga 's Albanian crosses, and the shape of the cross and wicker patterns are similar to the Chahartag crosses of Kalbajar. The winged circle at the top of the stele (the winged circle is a symbol of Ahura Mazda) depicts religious-symbolic images of the god. Next to it are three angels and two companions, and below are two devil faces, one of which is very broken.
The upper third of the stele depicts two horsemen in a wide frame on either side - St. George, who killed the dragon with a spear on the left, and a horseman with a torch in his upward right. There are two flying human figures on either side of the cross, and it was not possible to determine who they were depicting because they were bad.
According to another inscription on a cross depicting a Mongol cavalry holding a spear, it was established in 1274 in honor of the repair of the Ganjasar Monastery. After the conversion to Islam by Qazan khan in 1295, it seems that the Christian clergy broke the first stele and used the second as a throwing stone during the construction of the monastery canteen, which is still in a state of disrepair. stops. The warrior depicted on the cross is believed to be the son of Carmagan Boro Nouo, who married Ruzuka, the daughter of Hasan Jalal.
Types
Crosses of the Khachin
Crosses are mainly distributed in Kalbajar, Dashkasan, Gazakh and Agstafa districts. These crucifixes are relics of the Principality of the Khachin. A large part of the Kalbajar region was part of the Albanian Khachin principality. All the stelae studied in this region are distinguished by the originality of their architectural images, but they do not go beyond the canons and forms typical of the crosses of Caucasian Albania and other types of stelae. The art of two religions - Christianity and most likely Mithraism - is observed in the stelae, which are located near the ancient temple in the form of a Chahartagh (quadrangular composition) and erected on a high stilobate with an arch. The influence of various local religions is also expected.
A headstone scientists D.A. Akhundova and M.D. Akhundov later erected a typical mitraist stella found at the foot of a mountain in the Kalbajar area. The anthropomorphic god is depicted inside the double rectangular frame on the cross. Instead of a face, he was given a star inside the circle - the sun, cosmic light, the sphere of paradise; Inside the circle in his hand is a round moon - a symbol of fertility. Below his abdomen, in a circle slightly smaller than his head, depicts another star - the underworld or entrance to it. These are a clear three-tier model of the world in the minds of the ancient Albanians. The human figure, on the other hand, reads the world that unites all the worlds shown. Just outside this cross, another pre-Christian stella was discovered. This stella depicts a woman with the technique of drawing inside a rectangular frame, probably the goddess of the moon - Selena, Artemida, Ardivisura, Anahita.These stelae belong to the pre-Christian period of our era (early I century), perhaps even earlier.
Due to the cross silhouette on the left, it is resolved similar to its neighbor on the right. In its lower part there is a large khoncha woven from lattice circles and skillfully embroidered. Above are two small khonchas on the sides, which together with the large khoncha form the divine trinity (father, son, holy spirit). At the top of the triangle between the two khonchas are two small circles inside each other. The triangle and the circle represent the sun,
Artsak cross stones
These types of crosses were discovered and studied mainly in Khojaly, Agdara, Tartar, Gadabay, Shusha and other regions. One of the most interesting examples is the Khachvari Artsak cross made in 1633. This cross was also settled within the canons adopted throughout Caucasian Albania. The crucifix was smuggled from the Azerbaijani SSR to the Armenian SSR during the USSR and is currently being held in the Uchmuadzin city of the Armenian Republic.
Another 14th-century Artsakh khashdash was executed in a completely different style. The entire surface of the stele is decorated with many thematic images. The principle of decor is similar to that of Juga 's Albanian crosses, and the shape of the cross and wicker patterns are similar to the Chahartag crosses of Kalbajar. The winged circle at the top of the stele (the winged circle is a symbol of Ahura Mazda) depicts religious-symbolic images of the god. Next to it are three angels and two companions, and below are two devil faces, one of which is very broken.
The upper third of the stele depicts two horsemen in a wide frame on either side - St. George, who killed the dragon with a spear on the left, and a horseman with a torch in his upward right. There are two flying human figures on either side of the cross, and it was not possible to determine who they were depicting because they were bad.
According to another inscription on a cross depicting a Mongol cavalry holding a spear, it was established in 1274 in honor of the repair of the Ganjasar Monastery. After the conversion to Islam by Qazan khan in 1295, it seems that the Christian clergy broke the first stele and used the second as a throwing stone during the construction of the monastery canteen, which is still in a state of disrepair. stops. The warrior depicted on the cross is believed to be the son of Carmagan Boro Nouo, who married Ruzuka, the daughter of Hasan Jalal.
John Dolic (born June 13, 1959) is an Australian practitioner of Chinese medicine, Qigong and Kung Fu instructor and author. He was the first westerner to complete the six-year full-time course and gain a degree from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine thus becoming one of the pioneers of Chinese medicine in the west.
John was the editor and publisher of Australia's only Qigong magazine QI GONG chinesehealth. He wrote a book Qigong Demystified and has several times appeared on Australia's radio, television and newspapers.
Early life
Dolic was born on 13 June 1959 in a small town, some 150 km north of Sarajevo, in what was then known as Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina). He is the only son and the third of four children and grew up in a working-class family. As a teenager Dolic became interested in eastern culture, primarily in their traditional martial arts and philosophy. Hoping to one day realise his dream of living and exploring East Asia, Dolic went on to study Chinese language at Belgrade University and applied to become an exchange student.
Studying and living in China
One year later, in August 1979, Dolic found himself in Beijing where he stayed for the next eight years, studying Mandarin for two years and Chinese medicine for six years. In 1987 he gained a degree in Chinese Medicine, making him the first westerner ever to complete the six-year full-time course with a degree from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. During the same period he continued his Chinese language and literature studies (part-time) and in 1986 he gained a B.A. in Mandarin from the Beijing Language and Culture University.
During his stay in China, Dolic visited many schools and masters of Qigong, Kung Fu and Tai Chi and had been practicing many styles notably Spontaneous Five Animals Play Qigong, Walking Qigong, Fragrant Qigong and Sleeping Qigong, as well as Kung Fu styles Baguazhang, Long Fist, Shaolin and of Tai Chi Chuan.
Return to the country, army service and beginning of career
Upon returning to Yugoslavia, Dolic spent a year in the army which was a compulsory service for all young, healthy, male citizens. After discharge, he and his Chinese wife, also a practitioner of Chinese medicine, opened a private clinic in Zagreb, Croatia. However, after less than three years of building career, due to the unstable political situation which soon erupted into a civil war, the Dolics left the country and moved first to Beijing for one year and then to Sydney, Australia.
Career in Australia
Soon after arriving in Sydney, Dolic opened a private practice and started teaching Chinese medicine at the Acupuncture Colleges of Australia (now University of Technology Sydney) (1992-93) followed by teaching and becoming a member of the executive committee as well as the secretary of the Sydney College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (now Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine) (1993-97). During the same period he became a member of the executive committee as well as the secretary of the Register of Acupuncture and TCM (1993-97) where one of his duties was assessing foreign diplomas and testing their holders’ knowledge of Chinese medicine in order to become members of the Register and be eligible for Australian insurance and health fund rebates (for their patients).
From 1995 Dolic was operating his private business in Mosman, one of the northern suburbs of Sydney, under his own name then, in 2008, he registered it as Qi Gong Chinese Health and under that name it is still being operated to the present day. Since 2010 the business has been operating online as well.
Apart from using Chinese medicine in the treatment and prevention of various illnesses, Dolic has taught Qigong, Kung Fu and Tai Chi and was the editor and publisher of the only Australian magazine for Qigong - QI GONG chinesehealth from 2001 to 2006. The magazine was distributed to magazine shops all across Australia and was also available via subscription internationally.
During the late 1990s Dolic was invited to judge and be a referee at many Kung Fu competitions in Sydney while some of his students competed and won first prizes in some of those tournaments, notably the Battle of the Dragons. Since 1997 he has been a Duty Chairman of the Chinese & Australian Tai-chi Pa-kua Federation.
He has appeared on Nine Network’s popular daytime program ‘Mornings with Kerry Anne’, and there were many articles about him published in Australia's leading papers like the Sunday Telegraph as well as being interviewed in popular radio stations.
In 2011 Dolic published his first book Qigong Demystified that has been since translated into Bosnian and is currently in the process of being translated into Polish and Portuguese.
From 2014 to 2016 he was teaching Chinese Exercise Therapy at Endeavour College of Natural Health in Sydney as a part of the curriculum of the Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture) degree.
Dolic holds regular workshops, seminars and courses worldwide. The subjects vary from Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Qigong and Tai Chi to Kung Fu, Taoism and Buddhism.
John was the editor and publisher of Australia's only Qigong magazine QI GONG chinesehealth. He wrote a book Qigong Demystified and has several times appeared on Australia's radio, television and newspapers.
Early life
Dolic was born on 13 June 1959 in a small town, some 150 km north of Sarajevo, in what was then known as Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina). He is the only son and the third of four children and grew up in a working-class family. As a teenager Dolic became interested in eastern culture, primarily in their traditional martial arts and philosophy. Hoping to one day realise his dream of living and exploring East Asia, Dolic went on to study Chinese language at Belgrade University and applied to become an exchange student.
Studying and living in China
One year later, in August 1979, Dolic found himself in Beijing where he stayed for the next eight years, studying Mandarin for two years and Chinese medicine for six years. In 1987 he gained a degree in Chinese Medicine, making him the first westerner ever to complete the six-year full-time course with a degree from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. During the same period he continued his Chinese language and literature studies (part-time) and in 1986 he gained a B.A. in Mandarin from the Beijing Language and Culture University.
During his stay in China, Dolic visited many schools and masters of Qigong, Kung Fu and Tai Chi and had been practicing many styles notably Spontaneous Five Animals Play Qigong, Walking Qigong, Fragrant Qigong and Sleeping Qigong, as well as Kung Fu styles Baguazhang, Long Fist, Shaolin and of Tai Chi Chuan.
Return to the country, army service and beginning of career
Upon returning to Yugoslavia, Dolic spent a year in the army which was a compulsory service for all young, healthy, male citizens. After discharge, he and his Chinese wife, also a practitioner of Chinese medicine, opened a private clinic in Zagreb, Croatia. However, after less than three years of building career, due to the unstable political situation which soon erupted into a civil war, the Dolics left the country and moved first to Beijing for one year and then to Sydney, Australia.
Career in Australia
Soon after arriving in Sydney, Dolic opened a private practice and started teaching Chinese medicine at the Acupuncture Colleges of Australia (now University of Technology Sydney) (1992-93) followed by teaching and becoming a member of the executive committee as well as the secretary of the Sydney College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (now Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine) (1993-97). During the same period he became a member of the executive committee as well as the secretary of the Register of Acupuncture and TCM (1993-97) where one of his duties was assessing foreign diplomas and testing their holders’ knowledge of Chinese medicine in order to become members of the Register and be eligible for Australian insurance and health fund rebates (for their patients).
From 1995 Dolic was operating his private business in Mosman, one of the northern suburbs of Sydney, under his own name then, in 2008, he registered it as Qi Gong Chinese Health and under that name it is still being operated to the present day. Since 2010 the business has been operating online as well.
Apart from using Chinese medicine in the treatment and prevention of various illnesses, Dolic has taught Qigong, Kung Fu and Tai Chi and was the editor and publisher of the only Australian magazine for Qigong - QI GONG chinesehealth from 2001 to 2006. The magazine was distributed to magazine shops all across Australia and was also available via subscription internationally.
During the late 1990s Dolic was invited to judge and be a referee at many Kung Fu competitions in Sydney while some of his students competed and won first prizes in some of those tournaments, notably the Battle of the Dragons. Since 1997 he has been a Duty Chairman of the Chinese & Australian Tai-chi Pa-kua Federation.
He has appeared on Nine Network’s popular daytime program ‘Mornings with Kerry Anne’, and there were many articles about him published in Australia's leading papers like the Sunday Telegraph as well as being interviewed in popular radio stations.
In 2011 Dolic published his first book Qigong Demystified that has been since translated into Bosnian and is currently in the process of being translated into Polish and Portuguese.
From 2014 to 2016 he was teaching Chinese Exercise Therapy at Endeavour College of Natural Health in Sydney as a part of the curriculum of the Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture) degree.
Dolic holds regular workshops, seminars and courses worldwide. The subjects vary from Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Qigong and Tai Chi to Kung Fu, Taoism and Buddhism.
Eric Floehr is the founder and owner of ForecastWatch, a company that evaluates the accuracy of weather forecasts.
Overview
Floehr created a program by utilizing Python that gathered online weather forecasts released by the AccuWeather, National Weather Service and The Weather Channel.
In 2018 author Michael Lewis cited Floehr's work in his book, The Fifth Risk, as “the closest thing to an authority on the relative accuracy of various weather forecasts.”
Forbes, dubbed Floehr as the “J.D. Power of weather prediction.” in a publication in June 2019.
Awards
Floehr received the Community Service Award (3rd Quarter 2017) for contributions to the Python Community including chairing the PyOhio conference, founding the Central Ohio Python User Group and serving as a resource for Python programmers in Columbus, OH.
Education
Floehr received a B.Sc in Computer and Information Science from Ohio State University in 1993.
Papers and research
* Bickel, J & Floehr, Eric & Kim, Seong Dae. (2011). Comparing NWS PoP Forecasts to Third-Party Providers. Monthly Weather Review. 139. 3304-3321. 10.1175/2011MWR3525.1.
* Anbarci, Nejat & H. Boyd III, John & Lee, Jungmin & Floehr, Eric & Song, Joon Jin. (2011). Population and Income Sensitivity of Private and Public Weather Forecasting. Regional Science and Urban Economics. 41. 124-133. 10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2010.11.001.
* Anbarci, Nejat & Floehr, Eric & Lee, Jungmin & Song, Joon Jin. (2019). Economic Bias of Weather Forecasting: A Spatial Modeling Approach.
Overview
Floehr created a program by utilizing Python that gathered online weather forecasts released by the AccuWeather, National Weather Service and The Weather Channel.
In 2018 author Michael Lewis cited Floehr's work in his book, The Fifth Risk, as “the closest thing to an authority on the relative accuracy of various weather forecasts.”
Forbes, dubbed Floehr as the “J.D. Power of weather prediction.” in a publication in June 2019.
Awards
Floehr received the Community Service Award (3rd Quarter 2017) for contributions to the Python Community including chairing the PyOhio conference, founding the Central Ohio Python User Group and serving as a resource for Python programmers in Columbus, OH.
Education
Floehr received a B.Sc in Computer and Information Science from Ohio State University in 1993.
Papers and research
* Bickel, J & Floehr, Eric & Kim, Seong Dae. (2011). Comparing NWS PoP Forecasts to Third-Party Providers. Monthly Weather Review. 139. 3304-3321. 10.1175/2011MWR3525.1.
* Anbarci, Nejat & H. Boyd III, John & Lee, Jungmin & Floehr, Eric & Song, Joon Jin. (2011). Population and Income Sensitivity of Private and Public Weather Forecasting. Regional Science and Urban Economics. 41. 124-133. 10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2010.11.001.
* Anbarci, Nejat & Floehr, Eric & Lee, Jungmin & Song, Joon Jin. (2019). Economic Bias of Weather Forecasting: A Spatial Modeling Approach.