The Tennessee Valley Authority announced earlier this month a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, but the goal falls far short of President Biden’s call to decarbonize the electric grid by 2035. The federal utility has proposed more than 1,500 megawatts of new gas construction which would operate well beyond 2035, raising questions about stranding those assets and their costs on the backs of TVA’s consumers.
The Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) net zero plan lacked details for how the utility planned to achieve its goal, but TVA CEO Jeffrey Lyash said that TVA will need new technologies such as carbon capture and storage to fully decarbonize by 2050, fifteen years beyond President Biden’s goal. TVA’s failure to align with Biden’s carbon reduction goal comes after Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm’s presented to the TVA board about the Administration’s goals and offered the Department of Energy’s assistance.
TVA has come under fire in recent years for a series of actions suppressing clean energy, its lack of transparency, and weak oversight from its board of directors. The utility is also facing pressure from local power companies, some of which are threatening to drop TVA as their power provider largely due to high wholesale power costs from legacy coal and gas plants and contract inflexibility.
TVA plans new gas-fired power plants
TVA has announced plans to build 1,500 megawatts of new gas capacity at shuttered coal plant sites in Kentucky and Alabama and appears to be counting on carbon capture and storage being commercially viable by the mid-2030s. TVA did not include any carbon capture and storage costs into its analysis when determining whether to build its new gas plants. Just to TVA’s south, Alabama Power admitted in an air permit for a new gas-fired power plant that carbon capture and storage costs were “plainly excessive” and could cost the utility, and ultimately customers, as much as $322 million per year. TVA’s gas build-out plans were the second highest of any utility in the nation, according to a recent Sierra Club analysis.
An environmental assessment released by TVA on its proposed gas plants did not consider any potential alternatives to new gas, such as renewable energy, battery storage, or energy efficiency and demand response. Previous analysis in TVA’s 2019 integrated resource plan (IRP) showed that TVA could forego 1,900 MW of gas-fired power plant construction by instead expanding energy efficiency and demand response programs, technologies available and cost-effective today.
Clean energy advocates argued that TVA’s proposed gas plants violated the National Environmental Protection Act when TVA failed to “mention the effects of accelerating the climate crisis” and did not consider “the environmental injustice of building a new fossil-fuel plant at Colbert, near the overburdened, predominately [sic] Black community of Red Rock/Barton, or at Paradise, near overburdened, low-wealth communities.”
TVA may have even larger ambitions for new gas at shuttered coal plants. On top of the already announced 1,500 MW of new gas, the utility’s 2019 IRP included as much as 17 GW of new gas-fired power plants, and TVA has already announced plans to close its remaining four coal plants by 2035. In its preliminary environmental impact statement on the remaining coal closures, two out of the three alternatives TVA will analyze included a substantial build-out of new gas, possibly as much as an additional 1,450 MW.
TVA’s CEO Jeffrey Lyash told E&E News that gas would continue to be a “bridge to allow more renewable energy” for the utility.
Other utilities are foregoing gas entirely as they transition out of coal. The Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) has told Indiana regulators that it will achieve steep emissions reductions by 2030 by retiring its coal plants, foregoing the construction of new gas plants, and investing in renewable energy and battery storage. The company told Indiana regulators that of all the pathways it analyzed, retiring coal and skipping gas in favor of renewable energy was the one with the lowest cost to consumers.
That finding from NIPSCO comports with what experts are increasingly reporting: A study from the University of California, GridLab and Energy Innovation released earlier this year found that the U.S. can achieve 90% clean, carbon-free electricity nationwide by 2035, dependably, at no extra cost to consumers.
The Wall Street Journal also recently reported that gas plants are “already struggling to compete with wind and solar farms.”
TVA’s stifling of distributed energy resources inconsistent with net zero goal
Despite its net zero claim, TVA has routinely acted to eliminate or reduce emission-saving programs. Since 2014, the federal utility slashed more than two-thirds of its energy efficiency budget and eliminated most of its renewable energy programs for distributed generation. In 2020, TVA began allowing its local utilities to tax solar customers. TVA has planned to halve its energy efficiency from just 2% of its energy mix in 2020 to 1% in 2030 while increasing its energy derived from gas from 27% to 32% over the same decade. An updated contract TVA has pushed its local utilities to sign limits locally procured renewable energy to less than 5% of the local utility’s load.
Source: Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
TVA has since started a new solar program called Green Connect, but the program removed all incentives and only offers customers a list of solar contractors and a complementary post-installation inspection. Two of TVA’s largest local utilities, Nashville and Memphis, do not participate in the scaled back program, according to the program’s website.
A recent study led by Dr. Christopher Clack of Vibrant Clean Energy and issued by Vote Solar, the Coalition for Community Solar Access, and SunRun, found that developing 247 GW of local rooftop and community solar and 160 GW of local energy storage nationally would be the most cost-effective way to transition to a clean energy system by 2050, and would unlock additional utility scale solutions.
Energy efficiency is often referred to as the “first fuel” reflecting its low cost and ability to save customers money on their bills, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. TVA has admitted, despite cutting incentives, that energy efficiency is one of the fastest and most cost-effective solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
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U.S. 'spy' sentenced to 15 years in Cuban jail for 'subversive' mission to overthrow Castro's regime
A U.S. aid worker has been found guilty by a Cuban court of being a spy working on a 'subversive' mission to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist regime.
Contractor Alan Gross was sentenced to 15 years in jail for crimes against the state, while the US Government has called for his immediate release calling it 'an injustice'.
The verdict is expected to further damage the poor relations between Washington and Havana, after he had been sent there on a USAID backed democracy-building project.
'Subversive': Alan Gross, pictured with wife Judy, worked as part of the USAID project, he was in Cuba to help the Jewish community connect to the internet
Responding to the verdict, National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said: 'Today's sentencing adds another injustice to Alan Gross's ordeal.
'He has already spent too many days in detention and should not spend one more. We urge the immediate release of Mr Gross so that he can return home to his wife and family.'
Gross, 61 from Maryland, was arrested in December 2009 while working to improve internet access for the island’s Jewish community and should be released, his family said.
Cuban officials accused him of being a mercenary and claim his motives were more sinister.
The programme he was working on – part of a $20million US Government programme – is nothing more than a cover in The White House’s efforts to overthrow the Cuban government.
Overthrow: Gross was arrested in December 2009 and has since lost 90 pounds. His family are hoping to appeal to Castro's Government for an executive pardon
A statement read out on state-controlled Cuban television said the evidence ‘demonstrated the participation of the North American contractor in a subversive project of the U.S. government that aimed to destroy the Revolution through the use of communications systems out of the control of authorities.’
Prosecutors had sought a 20-year sentence.
Release: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the Cubans to release Gross earlier this week, calling his detention 'deplorable'
Gross was sent to the country, despite speaking little Spanish and having no history of working in Cuba, by Maryland-based Development Alternatives Inc which was awarded the multimillion-dollar contract.
He travelled to the Cuba several times over a short period on a tourist visa, apparently raising authorities’ suspicions.
The USAID programmes have been criticised repeatedly in congressional reports as being wasteful and ineffective, and funding was held up briefly in 2010 over concerns following Gross' arrest.
US officials say DAI is no longer part of the program.
Gross’s backers insist they will try to get him released through a court action or executive pardon, possibly on humanitarian grounds.
His wife Judy says Gross has lost more than 90 pounds since his arrest, and that his 26-year-old daughter and 88-year-old mother are both suffering from cancer.
Several Cuba experts have said Havana hoped to use Gross's case to shine a light on the democracy-building programmes.
Before sentencing Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said: 'We deplore the injustice toward Alan Gross. We want him home.
'He needs to be home with his family immediately.'
Her comments follow recent attempts by President Barack Obama to try and create better ties with the communist nation through the USAID programme.
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Owner of Warriors toaster confirms invite to parade from Klay Thompson
The fan who infamously had Klay Thompson sign a Golden State Warriors toaster at an autograph event earlier this season has confirmed a personal invite to the team’s championship parade.
Thompson, after the Warriors closed out the Cavaliers in five games in the NBA Finals earlier this week, said that he would invite the fan to the parade. It turns out Thompson made good on the claim.
Still can’t believe it. @KlayThompson legit invited me to the parade last night. All because of a toaster. #DubNation
— Ronnie GSWToaster (@R_Dollaz) June 13, 2017
The entire “Warriors Toaster” story line became an interesting aside in March when the team went on an extended winning streak after Ronnie Reyes had Thompson autograph a Warriors-themed toaster.
All told, the team ran off 14 consecutive wins after Thompson signed the toaster and won 31 of 33 games on the way to a second NBA title in three years.
Reyes recently detailed the genesis of the now-infamous Warriors toaster craze but even he can’t believe how things have played out over the years since he received it as a Christmas gift in 2013.
And now comes confirmation Reyes will in fact be at the parade celebration Thursday, which starts in downtown Oakland Thursday morning, thanks to a personal invite from Thompson. Not a bad gig if you can get it.


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Mountain bikes are not meant for a specific kind of terrain, rather they are extraordinarily multipurpose bikes which can be ridden on in all kinds of terrains.
They come with suspension and higher capacity tires in comparison to your common bikes.
These features permit them to offer comfort and increase traction even if you are on bumpy cross-country paths.
There are several variations of mountain bikes, depending upon the wheel size, frame geometry, as well as the degree of frame suspension.
Selecting the proper mountain bike for the sort of riding that you want to do will play a vital role in your performance and comfort.
This is what this buying guide will do for you.
Best Mountain Bike Reviews 2020
Best Mountain Bikes for You
So you are looking for a good mountain bike. And we are here to help you by selecting a perfect mountain bike. Remember, best mountain bike is not confirming you that is a perfect. But perfect one is always a best one.
So let’s go to check our perfect selection.
1. Diamondback Overdrive Sport 29er Mountain Bike – Nashbar Exclusive
This bike is meant for beginners, yet it comes with a plethora of features. Its pricing is quite reasonable and easily affordable. It has been designed in such a way that it can meet a number of biking demands.
You can simply use it in the manner of a mountain bike, or for the purpose of commuting. You can even take this bike for fun riding around your neighborhood.
An aluminum alloy frame, which is handmade, and with light weight and strong tubing, is used in the construction of this bike. Don’t let its feather-light construction fool you into thinking that it won’t be suitable for rough paths. It has an exceptionally strong framework which can readily keep up with the needs of relatively rocky mountain trails.
Its Shimano components, which comprise of an Acera rear derailleur and Altus shifters, guarantee longevity and a smooth swinging.In addition to that, the bike gives you supplementary stopping power and a better control through its Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.
A steep head tube angle and a short bottom bracket elevation offer the experience of an awesome ride on even flowy paths as well as uphill. You will not come across any issues in converting the wheels to tubeless.
There is nothing decorative about the X4 components, but they are quite efficient at their job. Contrarily, the mechanical disc brakes will require you to spend more energy in pushing it down.
But it is also true that they are a lot more powerful than any of the V-brakes or cheap oil. Clean the fork after riding and your bike will work fabulously!
2. Mongoose Impasse Dual Full Suspension Bicycle (29-Inch)
This one is among those few bikes in the industry that bring together performance, comfort, and style to provide you the definitive experience of riding a mountain bike. The one feature that makes it stand out from all other bikes is its 29” wheels.
It is perhaps the biggest size in this market and various attributes make it a particularly lucrative deal. One such attribute is that the big wheels are perfect for producing an enhanced momentum in the bike, especially when you are on loose grounds or uphill. This, in turn, requires a reduced effort on your part for handling such terrains.
The bike’s dual suspension feature also makes it a unique product. It has suspension forks on its front wheels as well as the rear wheels which make for a convenient ride on rugged territories. The forks on the front side pad your upper arms shield them from the shocks that you are bound to receive on bumpy terrains.
Working in harmony with the front forks, the rear forks also protect your lower body by absorbing the shocks directed towards those parts of your body.
Its motorized disc brakes, present on both sides of the bike, offer a great amount of safety in relation to other mountain bikes. They are a lot more efficient as compared to the linear pull brakes. Moreover, these brakes are powerful enough to give you a wholesome stoppage in risky conditions.
This hands over to you a complete mastery over the bike in situations of any emergencies, all while still certifying your security throughout the whole ride.
3. Schwinn High Timber Men’s 18 Mountain Bike
This is one tough, sprightly and resilient bike, offering you a way to explore the hidden wanderer inside you without having to go for a pricey model. It is comprised of alloy brakes, 26” alloy wheels, SRAM grip shifters, 21-speed drivetrain, SR Suntour suspension fork, and a steel frame.
Its high timber warrants you a smooth ride, quick braking, easy shifting, comfort, stability, and a responsive handling.
All of us have crashed our mountain bikes at one point or the other. You could either have been practicing moves that were above your pay grade, you could have been on an incredibly bumpy terrain, or your bike itself was difficult to handle. The latter is the most common cause behind bike crashes. This is precisely the reason that Schwinn has come out with a bike which features SR Suntour Suspension and a steel mountain frame. This helps in smoothing over the bumps, resulting in a better handling of the bike as well as the terrain you are on.
If you are one of those who loves to skim up and down the slopes, and over a taxing terrain, then one thing most important to you are the gearing of the bike. This mountain bike has SRAM grip shifters, an alloy crank, and a 21 speed Shimano rear derailleur – all necessary things for swift and efficient gear changes when you’re out cruising.
The bike might require a few component replacements and adjustments at first, but that doesn’t mean that it is not a fine quality and reliable bike which will stay with you for a long time.
4. 26″ wheel Roadmaster Granite Peak Men’s Mountain Bike
This bike possesses all the 3 elements that are vital in any good quality mountain bike – reliable brakes, efficient shifting, and a good suspension. Its front suspension forks cushions you from the jolts of unexpected drops or bumps in the road.
When you are riding a long distance, this will mitigate the pressure on your lower back, which is the shock absorber for your body. The tires too play a role in dampening the effects of such hazard on the roads.
Just swipe your hand, and you will find that the SRAM drive twist shifters have moved in the blink of your eye. Changing gears is completed efficiently, and you get 18 variations in the speeds, with their wide array of gears, via the 3 part mountain crank.
It comes with linear pull brakes, which are also popular by the term V-brake. They offer a dependable stopping power and can adapt quite easily.
A big advantage with this bike is that it can fit almost all kinds of riders. Its handlebars and seat can be lowered as much as possible. This offers the even someone as short in height as a mere 5 foot 4 inches the possibility of having a comfortable ride. By corollary, a taller rider can be accommodated as well by simply elevating the handlebars and seat as much as you can.
This bike may not be suitable for the purposes of a competitive and serious bike racer. Also keep in mind that the seat can get a little uncomfortable if you are planning a long distance ride. However, this bike still is a very good alternative for average riding.
5. Diamondback Bicycles 2016 Overdrive Hard Tail Complete Mountain Bike
This bike provides you with a safe riding experience without putting a dent in your pocket. Its ingeniously designed rammed aluminum frame is a favorite with a lot of long distance riders due to its sturdiness and strength. It is readily accessible and quite budget friendly. Another reason for its popularity is that it is a very lightweight material, which is why it is the best option in the manufacturing of mountain bikes.
This bike comes with 24-speed changers from Shimano. This is an especially useful feature if you will be using your bike for competitions and sporting. The shifts in gear are a complement for the vast size of the wheels which enhances the performance of the bike as a whole.
Hydraulic disk brakes are being used by more and more manufacturers now, over the linear pull brakes. The latter are unproductive, so they are going out of fashion. They were liable to malfunctioning in wet or muddy circumstances. Disk brakes, on the other hand, are way better as they do not rely on the current weather conditions. This bike is one such model that has benefitted from this change.
The huge wheels of the bike, 29 inches to be exact, are crucial in raising the level of the bike above ground, according to the rider’s comfort. They also result in an increased traction, the force of which is required to cross over the bumpy surfaces.
The steel suspension forks, located on the front side, also improve your comfort specifically over rough terrains, such that your body feels no shocks from the ride. The saddle can be adapted to different heights, so a lot of people can consider buying this bike.
This bike does not have a dual suspension, meaning there are no rear suspension forks. This reduces your comfort while riding by a big margin as your lower body will feel all riding shocks. Another limitation is that its big wheels could be an obstruction for short people. But considering the price and quality of this bike, such small matters can be compromised with.
6. Schwinn Protocol 1.0 Men’s Mountain Bike
This bike can be your companion on any and all of your mountain biking escapades. If you’re up for a challenging ride, you will have enormous power, a smooth ride, and maximum control over your bike. Most of its features are the same as any other mountain bike, and still, this is a bike unlike any other. Read on to know why!
It is equipped with an aluminum dual suspension frame, and the steel rear triangle provides it additional support. It has a solid framework that is resistant to rust and has the capacity to carry heavy riders without bowing down under their weight.
The structure also offers an efficient ride, so that daredevil bikers can handle off-roading easily.
This bike gives you an unbelievable gearing with its Shimano EF-50 trigger shifters. They make swift, precise and efficient gear changes, and function in harmony with the Shimano Altus rear derailleur.
You get a peak control over all kinds of territories as well as a progressive power. Whether you are off to work or venturing on new paths, you will have a range of 24 different speeds to choose from.
It is also popular for its top notch rims and tires that maintain a good level of traction in all circumstances. The knobby tires have an amazing grip whereas its doubly fortified alloy rims are light and strong.
Your new Schwinn bike might need a little bit of fine tuning. The seat is a tiny bit hard and there’s no place to store a water bottle or a hand pump. Even though it’s only an entry-level mountain bike, it can fulfill all of your demands – be it off-roading or riding on paved roads.
7. Alton Mammoth Fat-Tire Bike
Gone are the days when you had to feel awkward about having a fat bike! Today you’re simply missing out if you haven’t got a fat bike. You can choose from a lot of fat bikes out there, but the Alton bike stands out from the rest.
This bike has been designed keeping in mind that passionate cyclist who also wants to experience the versatility found on a mountain bike. It warrants you a consistent fun in whatever terrain you drop it into!
It has an alloy frame of 26 inches, weighing about 36lbs. It may not be the lightest weight frame found in the market today, but it’s not at all hard to maneuver and control the bike.
One advantage this frame has in relation to the lighter ones is that it is much more stable and sturdy. Therefore, it can support both heavy and light riders in an equally good manner.
The gearing of a bike determines your speed at every point of your ride which makes it a very significant aspect in mountain bikes. This bike has Shimano Tourney 7-speed rear derailleur which works in conjunction with the 44T alloy crank arm and the Shimano 7-speed shift lever.
These components give you the required speed while you are cutting through trails and tracks. The suave shifters change rapidly the moment you feel like adjusting your speed.
It comes with Promax disc brakes due to their reliability and efficiency. They function very well even in muddy and wet situations. You never need to worry about your brakes failing! The only drawback is that the seat and bell might need replacing, but that doesn’t cost too much.
8. Diamondback Laurito Hardtail Complete Mountain Bike
Diamondback has certainly made a reputation for itself by giving out such a wide range of perfect bikes to choose from. The quality, cost, efficiency, and durability of its bikes are what make them so awesome a riding experience.
The quality of its tires and 27.5-inch wheels makes sure that you have an easy and convenient ride in various kinds of terrains. The huge wheels provide such an amazing grip to the surface that it can handle any kind of weight.
This bike from Diamondback can deal with cracks, dirt, gravel, and debris in any territory, thus offering you luxurious rides for long durations. The shipping weight of this bike is around 40 pounds, so you can carry it with ease if you ever need to walk in a rough terrain. You can even pack it up easily for transporting it somewhere.
You need to be increased comfort if you are planning to ride long distances. This can be readily accomplished by simply adjusting your seat to whatever size you desire. This also makes it ideal for riders of any height. A saddle wider than is usually found in bikes also increases your comfort during long rides.
In addition, it comes with powerful linear brakes that can be applied pretty confidently whenever the need arises. Their mechanical disc allows them to respond with haste when you want to take a break.
This is an incredible bike for short and long trips alike. You can choose from a number of sizes and colors, depending upon your needs.
Which Is the Right Mountain Bike for You?
I know it can get pretty confusing to decide upon the one mountain bike that fits all your needs from the numerous options available these days. Downhill if you are crazy about riding without a care in the world, free ride if you don’t want to push your way all through downhill, cross country if you want speed, or all mountain if you can’t make up your mind. So here I am to help you choose the right one!
Cross Country Mountain Bikes
The cross country variety is thoroughbreds, being the lightest in weight and the smoothest in pedaling. These are created for routes that are long distance and more walking trail style. Despite the lightness of their weight, they can deal with a considerable amount of bumpy surfaces. They are a great option if you like getting competitive or would simply prefer a racier bike.
But it is not built for big downhills. Although it can make big drops and jumps, it won’t be as comfortable as you might expect. Cross country bikes incline towards a comparatively shorter suspension and are less bouncy as a result. This will lead the shocks right to your butt in a markedly rough manner. And have no doubt, you will feel it once you cross the jump. But then you can be off and ride in no time once again before the big suspension frames cease bouncing.
All Mountain Bikes
These bikes came on to the scene when customized trail centers gained a lot of ground. It is an ideal choice if you want an easy ride uphill, but later want to go hard on the downhills. Their weight is a pay grade above the cross country ones, so you might find it a bit harder in comparison to pushing them up while on an uphill trail. They are still made for pedaling, thus the name All Mountain Bikes. So they are ideal for those trails where the uphill journey is not too taxing for you.
A larger suspension and tougher frame give it extra weight. Your jumps and drops are absorbed to a significant amount by the suspension, thus, enabling you to maintain your speed throughout the trail. You can easily get through the hard bends, and all that added travel just adds fun to your journey. You will realize the difference between ending your ride with chattering teeth plus shivering, painful forearms and coming to a standstill with a smiling face and a blasé air.
Free Ride Mountain Bikes
These are the kind of bikes you want if you feel like having a full-on downwards rig. They have the schematics for countering any downhill path and the power to keep you from getting hit by a deck because of a shattered frame. Just so you can accommodate, these bikes can go uphill as well.
These bikes give you heavy tubes and a big-ass suspension, yet the wheels are lighter than your typical downhill bike. This is possible as one of the major things keeping you from giving your best is the rotational weight of a bike wheel. Hence, it is the best zone to cut down on so as to give you enhanced acceleration and pedaling. So if you want to just attack the trails, a free ride mountain bike is your answer.
Downhill Mountain Bikes
The opposite of a cross country rider is the universe of a downhiller. This is a species that avoids the uphill like greens are avoided by the fat kids. If you aspire to be a downhiller one day, you need to have a slight concern for your own safety and a predilection for XXXL clothes. They are only built for one single thing – remaining in a single piece in the bumpiest of terrains. They can get through extreme drops and make humongous jumps feel like nothing – all because of a great suspension which absorbs all those shocks.
Never even try to get one of these hulking fiends to go uphill unless you want to get a heart attack. But take it downhill, and you will experience a gliding, silky and smooth comfort along with the confidence to strike anything.
Types of Mountain Bike Suspension
Right now, we are going to discuss about types of mountain bike. The most important part of this article. Because, if you can’t define your type, you can’t choose a perfect mountain bike for you.
These bikes do not come with any suspension so they are not that popular a choice. They take lesser maintenance and come very cheap, but it would be preferable to have a bike with a good suspension for a better comfort level. A lot of fat bikes are rigid as bikers feel that the low tire pressure and the wide tires give all the cushion required to soak up all the bumps along the trail.
They derive their name from the fact that they feature a suspension fork on the front side for absorbing the shocks on the front wheel, but none on the rear side of the bike.
They are generally more affordable as compared to bikes that come with full suspension and have a lesser amount of moving parts. This converts into lesser maintenance.
Very often hardtails have the capacity to padlock the front fork if you want a completely rigid bike.
Cross-country bikers are generally more inclined towards these due to the fact that they offer a direr direct power transfer between the rear tire and the pedal stroke. They are super easy to manage on an all mountain trail. Their affordability and simpler maintenance make them the ideal alternative for all kinds of mountain biking, except the serious downhill trails.
These are available in a lot of varieties. The basic idea behind this feature is (for both the sides of the bike) to cushion you from the shocks of a rough terrain. This enhances the traction and provides you a more exciting and forgiving ride.
These bikes absorb much of the trail chatter and bumps along your way, but they can also sometimes “bob” so that you will some bit from the energy transfer if you are climbing uphill. That is why almost all full suspension rigs come with the option of locking out the rear suspension so that there can be a better power transfer and a smoother climbing experience.
Wheel Size of Mountain Bikes
All adult sized bikes came with 26-inch wheels until not so long ago. This size is still available, but when you go to a bike store now and ask about mountain bikes, they are very likely to ask you which size wheel you want.
These bikes give you the best from both the worlds of the usual 26-inch wheels and the 29ers. They roll over surfaces more easily as compared to 26-inch wheels, while being more maneuverable in relation to 29ers. These wheels are often a part of both hardtail and full suspension rigs.
Wheels 29 inches in size do prove to be a bit slower in acceleration, but when they begin moving you will be able to cover significantly more terrain and far more easily than if you are on a 26-inch wheels bike. They are better for long distance rides as they maintain a high level of momentum and their attack angle is higher.
So the wheels pass over trail hurdles smoothly. They are quite in fashion for the cross country bikers. And they are fitted with full suspension, hardtail, and rigid rigs.
Mountain Bike Frame Materials
The frame of a bike has a wide influence – over its price, riding quality, longevity, strength and weight. The most ordinary material used in the manufacturing of mountain bike frames is an aluminum alloy. Expensive models come with a lighter aluminum frame due to the manufacturer expending more effort and money during material selection, manufacturing process, and the tubing design.
Carbon fiber, titanium, and steel can also be used as a frame material. Inexpensive and sturdy, steel provides a smooth riding experience but is quite heavy for a bike. Strong and light, titanium is quite expensive for mountain bikes, unless they are quite a high end. Carbon fiber is used very often for all mountain bikes, high-end trail, fat bikes, and cross-country bikes due its light weight and strength. However, it is relatively pricey due to its requirements of a labor-intensive manufacturing process.
Mountain Bike Gears
If you multiply the number of front chain rings with a number of cogs on the cartridge, you will have the number of gears on a bike. Mountain bikes come with a wide array of gears, ranging from single speed to more than 30 gears. But things get complicated once you account for the various permutations and combinations of teeth numbers, cogs, and chain rings.
But the only things that you need to consider are your fitness degree and the kind of terrain you will be riding on. You need to go for more gears if you will be climbing up a number of steep hills and find it a challenge. On the other hand, if you’re an experienced rider or if you only bike on even surfaces, you can do with only a few gears which keep your bike light in addition. This is because you will not require a lot of low gears to go up on a hill.
These bikes conventionally feature 2 or 3 chain rings in order to offer a variety of simpler gears for climbing. But now mountain bikes with a wide ranged cartridge of 9 to 11 cogs and single chain rings are quite in trend. Single chain ring bikes are simpler and lighter.
Whatever your budget may be, you can always find a reasonably priced mountain bike that meets your riding and lifestyle demands. Apart from the brand and price, another important feature to consider is whether to go for a full suspension or a hardtail bike. Factors like your riding surface, riding style, budget and individual choice can assist you in determining the right kind of mountain bike for yourself. Happy biking.

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Can’t keep ignoring bad press, Nazir Razak says after ‘junk’ status suggested for Malaysia
(Malay Mail Online) – Putrajaya must disprove or sue over negative reports by global media as the unflattering coverage is causing markets to view Malaysia more negatively than it actually is, Datuk Seri Nazir Razak said today.
Commenting on reports that a ratings agency saying that Malaysia’s sovereign credit rating deserves to be accorded “junk” status, the CIMB Group chairman said the view belied the country’s actual situation.
“This is worrying. The market is much more negative about Malaysia than the rating agencies, taking us into “junk” category, way below our fundamentals,” he wrote on photo-sharing site Instagram.
“Suspect it’s due to so much negative coverage in WSJ, FT and NYT — all ‘capital’ people read at least one if not all of them. We have to change the current narrative about Malaysia with answers or legal suits; can’t just ignore them.”
Data from Moody’s Corp today suggested that Malaysia along with six other developing nations deserve to follow South Africa’s downgrade to “junk” status.
According to a Bloomberg report, Malaysia is A3 at the company, though traders see it six levels lower at Ba3. South Africa, which is a Baa2, is viewed as a B1 borrower.
Three Aa3 nations including China are perceived by the markets as deserving the lowest investment grade.
The Wall Street Journal on Monday reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened an investigation into entities linked to 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that the US Justice Department has convened a grand jury to consider possible indictments for corruption over property purchases worth hundreds of millions in the US by individuals associated with the Malaysian prime minister.
The US investigations are the latest announced on 1MDB by a foreign country, and joins ongoing probes in Switzerland, the SAR of Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.
The WSJ has published a series of reports detailing dubious activity allegedly involving 1MDB, beginning with an exposé in July on the US$700 million (RM3.06 billion) deposit in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s accounts.
It followed up last month with another report alleging that US$1.4 billion in payments from 1MDB to a UAE sovereign fund was missing from the Middle Eastern firm’s accounts.
The July report, in particular, appeared to trigger a series of events in Malaysia that eventually led to the amount being declared a donation from the Middle East while local investigations into 1MDB were also either suspended or repurposed.
Najib, who is Nazir’s brother, has denied any impropriety over the US$700 million donation, which was described as a political donation to the Umno party that he heads.


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December 11, 2015
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8/0 Dark Topaz Rainbow Gold Luster Miyuki Seed Beads This color is rich and luxurious. Similar to the Metallic Gold Iris
in its rich jewel tone colors but without the metallic finish, this seed bead will work well with purples and golds.
- Approx. beads per package: 390
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domain: design


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Stunning villa with panoramic views in San Miguel de Salinas for sale with private salt - pool and hot water pump. The beautifully designed villa offers 210 m² of living space and has 5 double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, 2 bathrooms, a spacious living / dining room, a fully equipped open kitchen, several terraces with many beautiful private sitting areas.
The plot has 835 square meters with a separate carport.
On the lower floor there is an exclusive wine cellar with whirlpool and a closed garage with storage room.
This luxurious family home offers exceptional build quality and design from a renowned builder and has several extras such as double glazing, motorised blinds, air conditioning and alarm system, Sat Tv.
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Title: As You Wish
Author: Jackson Pearce
Year Published: 2009
Synopsis: Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes. Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy.
As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.
Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.
Why?: Paul and I have read two of Jackson Pearce's other books, so he got this one for us to read as well. Hooray!
Expectations: I expect this to be a fun story about a high school girl and her boyfriend troubles. Probably a few sad moments, since there are star crossed lovers, but overall a fun story.
Judging a book by its cover: The cover has a girl who looks like she's trying to make a decision. I think most of this book will have to do with choices and their consequences.

domain: artistic


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January 9, 2008
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domain: entertainment


Ian Maxwell clears up government involvement; claims they approved Celtic trip
SFA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell has interestingly claimed that the Scottish Government did indeed formally approve the Celtic Dubai trip.
Last week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon distanced herself from that idea. Speaking about Celtic’s trip to the UAE, she said: “As I understand it, we gave advice to the SFA about the rules around elite training camps back in November last year. It’s not our role to sign off, agree or not agree what football clubs do in terms of training camps. We set out what the rules are.” (Clyde 1).
This led to the Daily Record citing a Hampden source that said government officials were working with Celtic on the trip just days before they left. The Hoops have since come back and had one player test positive for Covid. 15 other players and staff members are self-isolating, including manager Neil Lennon and assistant John Kennedy.
However, Maxwell has done anything but absolve the government from blame. As he discussed what could potentially be investigated regarding the trip, he states those that rule the country had given their seal of approval.
As quoted by the Scotsman, Maxwell said: “The trip was government approved. There’s nothing to see there. What happened abroad, if there are things that need to be looked at then that’s what we will do.
“We have a disciplinary process. We have a compliance officer who looks at all sorts of alleged breaches from all sorts of clubs over all sorts of alleged incidents.
“It would be foolish to say that we have not been made aware of issues potentially with Celtic being abroad. That will go through the process and it’s obviously not appropriate to comment on an ongoing issue.”
Maxwell clears up government involvement; attention now turns to potential Celtic breaches
So that all but confirms where the government stood on the trip. They were happy for Celtic to go, and that was to be expected. The club would never have gone had they not been given official approval. Celtic can’t be that reckless.
But the attention will now turn away from the journey to the actual details of what went on during the trip. It’s undoubted that Celtic haven’t been helped by leaked images.
Snaps of the players having a drink together at a bar did nothing for us. Neither did the one of Lennon and Scott Brown enjoying a pint on a couple of sunloungers. It’s undoubtedly these images that will have the SFA looking into what actually happened in Dubai.
It now remains to be seen whether any punishment or charges will come Celtic’s way. Goodness knows what could happen if the club is found guilty of any breaches. Albeit, as things stand, you would like to think the team kept to their bubble throughout the trip.
But this is a different thing entirely from actually punishing Celtic for going to Dubai. That simply can’t be done anymore. Not with the government officially rubber-stamping the trip and giving it the thumbs-up.
It’s great to get some clarity on that aspect in particular. The trip itself was morally wrong, but it clearly wasn’t legally troubling.


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domain: psychology


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Surgical Approach to Stabilize Spine & Relieve Compressed Nerve
Which surgical approach is best for stabilizing your spine and relieving your compressed nerve?
Spine surgery is intended to either stabilize the segments of the spine and / or take pressure off of a compressed nerve. Depending on the type and location of the problem, a posterior (back side), anterior (front side), or lateral (flank side) approach may be recommended to you. Regardless of the approach, the purpose of the surgery is to stabilize and decompress with the least amount of muscle and ligament injury as possible.
Questions to ask?
- Can the surgery be completed through one incision, either anterior, posterior, or lateral?
- If two incisions are being recommended, why can this not be done through another approach with a single incision? (It may be necessary to do two incisions in some cases)
The posterior approach is very similar in the neck (cervical), mid back (thoracic), or low back (lumbar) spine with the patient face down on a well-padded support. The spine is approached by through an incision and then a division of the muscle to allow visualization of the spine. Minimally invasive approaches differ here, where some take the supporting muscle (multifidus) off the spine and others leave the muscle attached and work between the fibers.
In the thoracic and lumbar spine stabilization and decompression to relieve the compressed nerve can usually be completed through this approach. In the cervical spine, the posterior approach allows decompression of the nerve in some cases, but no access to the disc that lies in front of the spinal cord.
The anterior approach to the cervical spine is often needed as the spinal cord cannot be moved and this approach allows a near full view of the disc and nerve roots, so that either an artificial disc or fusion combined with nerve decompression can be performed. This approach is usually much less painful after surgery when compared to the posterior cervical approach.
The anterior approach to the lumbar spine allows a complete view of the disc and is necessary for artificial disc replacement surgery and can be the best choice for a fusion surgery. From this anterior approach it is not possible to completely take pressure off of the compressed nerve in the posterior (back) portion of the lumbar spine.
The far lateral approach is possible in the lumbar spine, sometimes in the thoracic spine, and is not used in the cervical spine. With the patient on their side, the spine is approached behind the abdominal contents, with a minimally invasive incision and allows for removal of the disc and fusion of the spine. The technique can help with decompressing the nerves by stretching the vertebral bodies apart, and making more room. Oftentimes, after the lateral approach fusion is complete a second posterior surgery is needed to complete stabilizing the spine.
Dr. Keenen at Pacific Spine Specialists can help you determine the best surgical approach for your spine care, request an appointment today.

domain: medical


Chapter 7. Water Model Experiment of the Refractory-Lined Lance to Inject Oxygen into a Molten Iron Bath
- William Smothers
Published Online: 28 MAR 2008
Copyright © 1986 The American Ceramic Society, Inc.
Applications of Refractories: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, Volume 7, Issue 1/2
How to Cite
Kurata, K. (1986) Water Model Experiment of the Refractory-Lined Lance to Inject Oxygen into a Molten Iron Bath, in Applications of Refractories: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, Volume 7, Issue 1/2 (ed W. Smothers), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA. doi: 10.1002/9780470320310.ch7
- Published Online: 28 MAR 2008
- Published Print: 1 JAN 1986
Print ISBN: 9780470374443
Online ISBN: 9780470320310
- thermal spalling;
- full-dip method
Recently the pretreatment. such as desiliconization or dephosphorization, of hot metal from blast furnaces has become more popular. As oxidizing agent, iron oxide or oxygen gas is commonly used, but oxygen is sometimes preferred to avoid the temperature decrease of hot metal and/or for metallurgical reasons. In such cases, lances are used under extremely severe conditions, and refractory materials to meet such operating conditions need to be developed. The authors first investigated how used lances were worn to estimate their wear mechanism and then made some water model experiments to check the mechanism and to do some improvements. The major causes of the wear were erosion around gas outlet nozzles and falling off of castable lining due to cracking. The former is found to be caused by pulsating back attack of injected gas bubbles and to be reduced dramatically by injecting even a small amount of solid powder together with oxygen. The latter is found to be caused by lance vibration due to the said pulsation and thermal spalling.


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Watch Sailor Moon S
- 302 Seasons
Sailor Moon S is the third season of the animated television show Sailor Moon. An English adaption of the original Japanese series, the show continues to follow Sailor Moon and her group of friends, called the Sailor Scouts, as they fight against evil. In this show, the Sailor Scouts are confronted by a new set of villains called the Death Busters. The Death Busters plan to take over the world by using the energy from the pure heart crystals to summon the Messiah of Silence, Pharaoh 90, and kill everything on Earth. In order to fight Pharaoh 90 and save the world, Sailor Moon finds a way to transform into Super Sailor Moon through the use of a Holy Grail. Sailor Moon S features new faces along with the main cast of characters, including the Outer Solar System Scouts such as Sailor Pluto, Sailor Uranus, and Sailor Neptune. These new Scouts also hold unique powers and items, such as the Deep Aqua Mirror and Space Sword. Sailor Saturn also makes her first appearance in this season.


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WCDA finalizes PNC building purchase
The Warren County Development Association has officially paid back a loan from the Warren County Commissioners that allowed the WCDA to purchase the PNC Bank building in downtown Warren.
The parties involved – the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, the WCDA and several governmental entities – gathered for a brief check-presentation at the fifth floor NPRC headquarters at the corner of Liberty St. and Second Ave. on Monday morning.
The loan, totaling $450,000 with an additional $100,000 in grant funding, was awarded by the county in February 2018 in a split decision. The funds came from the North Warren land deal that paved the way for Walmart to locate in North Warren.
While the county had used the funds at times to avoid taking out a tax anticipation note, the funds had not really been utilized in any meaningful way until this interest-free loan was awarded last year.
“(We’re) thrilled to be here in Warren,” NPRC President Dr. Joseph Nairn said, noting that being central to their service area is a “real challenge” with a service area approximately the size of the state of Connecticut.
“This location is very important,” he added, calling the headquarters a “great space” that was “build to our specifications.
“The facilities themselves enable us to serve the mission.”
Commissioner Ben Kafferlin called being part of this project his “greatest accomplishment and greatest joy in office.”
“(This) property continues to be a hallmark for the city,” he added, thanking Jim Decker, president and CEO of the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry, for his leadership on the project as well as the NPRC for electing to locate in Warren.
He noted that he’s been informed the project has spurred business increase downtown and said this project was a “great use” the land deal monies.
Duane Vicini, the NPRC’s chief of staff said that Monday’s event is “because of the building” and the “perseverance Mr. Decker showed” in the site selection process.
Decker said he was “given the humble opportunity to drive the ship” and credit the WCDA board of directors that were “willing to take a significant plunge. (I’m) humbled by the way it’s turned out.”
He said the project wouldn’t have been completed by the NPRC’s move-in date without the financing from the county and added that the project is the result of “lots of good people working hard” in the same direction.
Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said he “couldn’t be any happier” and said that the project is a “testament to the people that have been involved.”
He told Decker that “I think that this is the project… that you’ll be remembered for.”
“The building in the next 10 years would have been condemned, frankly,” he added. “Jim (Decker) brought this building back to life. I think this is huge.”
City of Warren Mayor Maurice Cashman said this is a “prime example” of government stepping in to provide “bridge financing.”
“Government has a role. (If) it doesn’t play that role, business will go elsewhere.”

domain: economics


Project Number: 2040-43000-018-004-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2015
End Date: Aug 31, 2021
Develop integrated cropping systems that will improve the economic viability of small farms in a tropical environment.
The project will work with farmers in two disparate regions of the Hawaii Island to quantitatively determine the yields of different cropping systems in relation to soil quality and climatic factors. These cropping systems are based on the utilization of “by-products” from one agricultural activity as an input to another crop cycle. Determine the impact of a cover crop, cattle grazing, papaya cropping system on soil fertility, plant nutrient status, pest control, yields and fruit quality in the lava rock soils of the Puna district. Evaluate current and historical cropping systems on former sugar cane lands in the aged, volcanic soils of the North Kohala district, including sampling and analysis of the soil quality, yields and crop quality, and byproducts. Evaluate the suitability of agricultural by-products from diverse cropping systems as feed for livestock and/or aquaculture. Provide outreach and recommendations on cropping systems suitable for varying combinations of farmer interests, soil and climate types.


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In 2009, Arctic explorer Bob Bartlett was commemorated on a postage stamp issued by Canada Post. The stamp was priced at 54 cents. In a media release from the time, Bartlett was lauded as the greatest ice captain of the 20th century. (Author Jennifer Niven paid a similar tribute when she titled her 2000 book The Ice Master.)
2009 was the 100 year anniversary of Admiral Peary’s claim of the North Pole. Bartlett was Peary’s navigator on that trip and went most of the way to the pole, at one point reaching 87°48′ N latitude—farther north than anyone had reached before him.
The image of Bartlett used on the stamp is also featured on the cover of my upcoming biography of Bartlett and shows Bartlett using a sextant. According to the 2009 media release, Canada Post chose the photo “because it represents the navigational expertise for which [Bartlett] was renowned.”
Images of Inuit appear on the stamp but they are small and no Inuit were named in Canada Post’s media release, not even the indispensible Claude Kataktovick, who accompanied Bartlett on his remarkable trek from Wrangel Island to Siberia.
This was not the first honor Bartlett received. He was given an honorary degree by Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine in his lifetime. He was also awarded the Hubbard Medal, in such company as Roald Amundsen, who was the first explorer to traverse the Northwest Passage and the first to reach the South Pole. In 1969, 23 years after his death, Bartlett was designated a person of national historic importance by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
I’d like to see Claude Kataktovick get similar recognition. Maybe someday!

domain: geography


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A former NFC scout offers up a lukewarm view of the tandem the Dallas Cowboys figure to use as starter at safety in 2020.
“Ha-Ha (Clinton-Dix) bounces around (from team to team) because he can’t tackle but he can cover and that’s more important in today’s game,” the scout said. “You have to almost bake in some of that. (Xavier) Woods is just a solid guy but he’s not wowing you.”
SI.com’s EagleMaven has launched a position-group-by-position-group series examining the entire NFC East ... with the help of NFL scouts. The NFC East Examination continues here as John McMullen writes:
How the scouts view Dallas' safety prospects? Not nearly as favorably as they view Washington's. From the piece:
Cowboys DeMarcus Lawrence: New Coach Quinn 'Bringing Back Swagger'
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence almost fully recovered from injury; camp Q&A
Hall-Of-Fame GAME DAY: Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Preview
The Cowboys and the Steelers will both be without major players, including quarterback Dak Prescott and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Former Cowboys D-Lineman & 6-Time Pro Bowler Signs With Raiders: NFL Tracker
Updated by the minute, our Dallas Cowboys 2021 NFL Free Agency Tracker: News and views on the roster-building effort
"Veteran box safety Landon Collins figures to be the leader of the secondary in Washington and he’s the type of player you try to manipulate as an offensive coordinator by putting him in space against an athlete. Conversely, Collins can blow things up in his comfort zone.
“Collins is the most accomplished safety in the division,” a former league scout said. “He’s an interesting player because he’s so good at what he does, but you also game plan for the deficiencies, at least the smart teams do.''
In fact, the scouts put the Washington safeties at No. 1 in the division.
We've got our latest CowboysSI.com look at the Dallas secondary here, featuring rookie Trevon Diggs. ... but with lots of talk about the issues and the maybe-solutions at safety, too. (And yes, we cover the Jamal Adams trade concept. ... in exhaustive depth.)


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Spanish Grand Prix 2022 just delivered one of the exciting races this season. Twists and Surprises tuned all along the way. The defending champion Max Verstappen once again reigned this season. He has won all the races he finished so far. On other news, It was quite devastating to see Leclerc who was on great form retiring while he was leading. Let,s take a peek into how each team raced this Grand Prix
After a not so enchanting season opening, it finally looks good for Mercedes. the upgrades they made in the car has worked very fine for them. George Russell maintains a clear consistency throughout the season. It is commendable that he has finished in top five in all races. On Sunday, he emerged as the leader of the race for quite some time after Leclerc retired. Russell however finished P3. This was his second podium of the season
Lewis Hamilton was on fire on Sunday. He started on the third row on the race and then had a puncture on the first lap itself. From there, what we saw was a Driver Of The Day Performance from the Knight. He raced through the order overlapping every other racer to finish at fifth position. Him coming to the form might be a sign of the bad times being over.
Mercedes Racing: 120pts (3rd)
George Russell: 74 pts (4th), Lewis Hamilton: 46 pts (6th)
Valtteri Bottas once again shined in his new outfit as he finished P6. He raced in a masterful fashion and was consistent in steering the team. He added points to the team and inched them closer to the fourth.
However, his teammate Zhou Guanyu was a disappointment. Zhou failed to finish in a consecutive race. The Chinese retired in the middle of the race joining Leclerc at the paddock. Zhou should be making a little more effort as Alfa Romeo shows spark.
Alfa Romeo: 39 pts (5th)
Valtteri Bottas: 38 pts (8th) , Zhou Guanyu 1 pt (18th)
Alpine had a wonderful day at Barcelona. Both of their drivers got placed at the finish line. French driver Esteban Ocon drove in a pretty good manner and finished P7. he Homeboy Fernando Alonso at one point seemed like he wont even make it to the P15. He started way off the grid. Eventually he fell into the last position. With his sheer determination, might I add, he climbed up high. The Spaniard had an amazing Spanish Grand Prix 2022 to remember. He finished at P9
Alpine Renault: 34 pts (6th)
Fernando Alonso: 4 pt (15th), Esteban Ocon: 30 pts (9th)
Alpha Tauri was disappointing by their performance at the Spanish Grand Prix 2022. Frenchman Pierre Gasly is not nearing his last season performance. Clearly, he is falling behind in Alpha Tauri. He started behind the points and ended up there only. The okay factor for Tauri was Yuki Tsunoda somehow made it to the tenth position. The Japanese thus salvaged a point for the team.
Alpha Tauri: 16 pts (7th)
Pierre Gasly: 6 pts (13th) , Yuki Tsunoda 11 points (11th)
Mick Schumacher and Kevin Magnussen both made into the top ten in the starting grids. It was a long time since Haas made a double Q3 appearance. This was celebrated in the paddock very vividly. The car having no upgrades was a key factor but that played out bad for the team on Sunday.
Kevin dropped back to 17th position and he could not recover form the pits of fiery racing. Schumacher on the other hand was on point to win his first points in the game. Somewhere on the lane, he lost his position and dropped to P14. A little up gradation on the car could have seen him getting through though
Haas Racing: 15pts (8th)
Kevin Magnussen: 15pts (10th) , Mick Schumacher: 0pt (19th)
Aston Martin had an eventful Sunday. Neither Stroll nor Vettel came into teh top ten of teh grid. When former champions Hamilton and Alonso made into the top ten, Sebastian Vettel couldn’t. Not going to lie, It hurts to seem his like that. Lance Stroll fend off Magnussen, Latifi and Albon as he finished at the fifteenth position. The upgraded Red Bull copied version might I say was nothing like RB13 on the track. The new Aston martin car was a failure.
Also Read: Aston Martin’s F1 Car: The Green Redbull
Aston Martin: 6pt (9th)
Sebastian Vettel: 4pts (14th), Lance Stroll: 2pt (17th)
Williams Racing is trying to fill in the void of George Russell with Alex Albon who is clearly coming up to the same level as Russel. Albon however was a legitimate failure on the tracks on Sunday. He finished just above the DNF racers. Seems like his red hair luck ended!
Nicholas Latifi finished above Albon, if you count that a victory. Latifi is in very bad form this season and might be replaced in the middle or the next season.
Williams Racing: 3pt (10th)
Alex Albon: 3 pt (16th), Nicholas Latifi: 0 pt (21st)
Ferrari seemed to have the best race weekend this season until the actual race began at Barcelona. They succumbed and lost their top position in the Constructors’ Title. Charles Leclerc was in brilliant form throughout the weekend. The Monacan driver topped all of his practice sessions and also had the pole position. He was on his way to win the race when his engine power ran out leaving him high and dry in the sidelines.
The homeboy Carlos Sainz however was a white knight for the team. He was not in his best game. The Spaniard however kept his consistent form at home. He finished at P4 just short of Russell after overtaking Hamilton in the final lap. With that he updated his best finish at Barcelona
Scuderia Ferrari: 169 pts (2nd)
Charles Le Clerc: 104 pts (2nd), Carlos Sainz: 65 pts (5th)
The British constructor McLaren had an okayish Spanish Grand Prix 2022 at Barcelona if we put it like that. Lando Norris who started out of the championship points came into the top ten and earned the team a point. The young Brit was suffering from tonsillitis while he was racing. Nevertheless his sheer determination was commendable.
On an another note, The Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo yet again failed to deliver. Ricciardo who on Sunday became the Australian with the most number of starts edging Mark Weber. He finished out of the points and was disappointing. Clearly, He needs to really up his game at Monaco so as to level the field for McLaren.
McLaren Mercedes: 50 pts (4th)
Lando Norris: 39 pts (7th), Daniel Ricciardo: 11pts (12th)
Red Bull Racing
Red Bull is looking on track to win the Constructors Title this year. The Dutch and The Mexican clearly are going to end the eight year streak of Mercedes. Max Verstappen won his fourth race of the season. He was winning at their track for the second time. The first being his first ever Formula One victory at the age of 18 in 2016. The duel between Russell and Max was so entertaining to watch. DRS was quite an issue for Max but he cleaned up nice.
RBR notched up a 1-2 thanks to Sergio Perez. His consistency is really praiseworthy. The Mexican was however meted to an unfair decision. We also think that it was not right for the team to ask him to let Max pass. If not for that decision, it was without a doubt, Perez’s best day.
Red Bull Racing: 195 pts (1st)
Max Verstappen: 110 points (2nd), Sergio Perez: 85 pts (3rd)

domain: sports


Specialist Aluminium Capabilities
The Aluminium Technical Center coordinates specialist capabilities toWorley’ aluminium smelting customers and supports thevarious operating alliances and projects globally.
By providing operations and maintenance services, plant upgradeprojects, and new asset design to customers over many years,Worley has built specialist capabilities and experience withinthe aluminium smelter industry which won’t be found with otherengineering services providers. Our strong working knowledge ofoperating assets, plant layout, and detail design capability allows usto offer customers tailored solutions that meet their required businessoutcomes. A key factor in providing these outcomes is our ability towork effectively with our customers in integrated project teamsallowing ongoing communication throughout the project.Worley SelectSelect
recognizes that making the right decisions during the initial stages ofa project is essential to maximize the ultimate business outcome and isan integral part of the Worley global project deliverycapability. Select
provides pre-FEED (Phase 1 and 2) advice utilizing Worley‘real world’ experience in total project delivery, assetoperation and industry best practice. This dependable advice enablescustomers to be confident that the critical decisions made in theconceptual stages of a project will satisfy their ultimate businessobjectives. Specific areas of expertise include:New facility development
-providing high-level strategic planning and option selection for majorand incremental opportunities through innovative option selection.High value consulting services
- Select provides advice to asset owners, banks and governments based on a thorough understanding of the business value chain.Financial and Economic Analysis
- by accessing our global database of major capital projects customerscan support their decisions with accurate and reliable data.Innovative Design Solutions
In many brownfield situations, cost effective solutions to productionproblems are not available off the shelf. Worley has a proventrack record in developing customized solutions through its in housemachine design capability. Worley specialist design capabilitybuilds on in depth knowledge of smelter operations and couples it withour machine design skills available through the Geelong office of theAluminium Center of Excellence.
Our objective is to always provide the most effective solution byworking in an integrated manner with the customer to ensure capture ofpast operations and maintenance experience. Integration of the newplant into existing operations is a core competency. In many cases thechoice of solution is driven largely by the ability to implement thesolution in an operating plant without risk to process or personnel. Asmany of our staff have an operating plant background we understand whatis important to successfully integrate a new facility into an operatingplant.
Consultancy Based Smelting Know How
|Capacity Creep Projects |
|Capacity creep projects invariably involve incrementalchanges across the plant. Worley has a rigorous approach foridentifying all necessary changes required and the order in which theymust be deployed to achieve increased production targets.Worleyhas been involved in several plants where additional production throughincreased line amperage is being |
pursued. Such changes affect all aspects of the plant. We have reviewedthe throughput and reliability of the systems and proposed costeffective changes that limit the risk associated with these projects.Importantly we prioritize the changes to deliver incremental benefitsand avoid long shut downs.
|Worley’ customers rely on our Aluminium smeltingexpertise to correctly identify the best opportunities for meetingtheir business goals. Our people have a deep understanding of thesmelting process, the technology options, industry suppliers andproject delivery. This understanding has been gained from executing abroad range of projects, familiarity with many sites |
and operational experience. This allows us to identify and address rootcauses, optimize project outcomes from a whole-of-plant perspective andavoid pitfalls. Clear identification of the scope of work, withbrownfields cost estimating, leads to stronger business cases.Worley support our customers in understanding and communicatingthe rationale underpinning proposed
changes to the plant.
|Integration of Brownfields Solutions |
|Execution of projects in a brownfields operating plantinvolves management of additional risks and challenges and constraintsthat are often not evident for a greenfield project.Worley’ aluminium group has a heritage of deliveringprojects into this challenging environment. In particular projectestimating, scheduling, shutdown planning, upgrade engineering, control& automation are skills well honed through our brownfields project heritage. || |
|New Technology Development |
|Customers have selected Worley to assist in theirinhouse technology development programs. Among others, this has lead tothe design of 6 aluminium reduction cells and Comalco’s Hot ButtCleaning process. Worley contributes its broad experience ofgetting things to work and seeks practical implementations of newideas. We performed this work on rates based contracts so that the customer owned the resulting technology. || |


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Introduction (word count: 85) Love knows no boundaries, and for some cast members of the popular travel reality TV show “Travel Guides,” their journey extended beyond exploring destinations. Over the seasons, several cast members have found love with each other, creating heartwarming and lasting relationships. In this article, we will take a closer look at the love stories that blossomed on “Travel Guides” and the cast members who walked down the aisle, proving that travel not only broadens horizons but also brings people together in extraordinary ways.
Kev and Teng (word count: 200) One of the most beloved couples from “Travel Guides” is Kev and Teng, who captured the hearts of viewers with their genuine chemistry. Kev, the affable Aussie larrikin, and Teng, the vivacious and witty Singaporean, formed a strong bond during their adventures on the show. Their love story blossomed off-screen, and they tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family and friends. Their journey serves as a testament to the power of travel in forging connections that transcend cultural boundaries.
Matt and Brett (word count: 200) Matt and Brett, two fun-loving friends from Melbourne, embarked on countless adventures together on “Travel Guides.” Their infectious energy and close friendship were evident throughout the show. However, it was their romantic relationship that surprised viewers. Matt and Brett publicly announced their engagement, showcasing their unwavering love for each other. Their decision to take their relationship to the next level highlighted the importance of acceptance and love, proving that travel guides not only bring people closer to destinations but also to each other.
Jack and Kelly (word count: 200) Jack and Kelly, the thrill-seeking father and daughter duo from Adelaide, shared a unique bond on “Travel Guides.” Their adventurous spirit and shared love for exploration brought them closer as they discovered new places together. Beyond the show, Jack met his soulmate, Kelly’s mother, and the couple tied the knot, solidifying their love. Jack and Kelly’s story demonstrates that travel guides not only provide incredible experiences but also pave the way for personal connections that last a lifetime.
Dorian and Kassandra (word count: 200) Dorian and Kassandra, the vibrant and energetic couple from Perth, stole the hearts of viewers with their playful banter and infectious laughter. Their chemistry and compatibility were evident as they traveled the world on “Travel Guides.” The love between Dorian and Kassandra blossomed off-screen, and they embarked on their own journey of marital bliss. Their wedding became a celebration of their unique personalities and the shared experiences that brought them together.
Luke and Ryan (word count: 200) Luke and Ryan, the enthusiastic father and son duo from Melbourne, embarked on numerous adventures together on “Travel Guides.” Their tight-knit bond and mutual love for exploration were endearing to viewers. While they may not have found love with each other, their journey on the show served as a reminder of the special relationships that can be nurtured through travel. Luke and Ryan’s experiences on “Travel Guides” undoubtedly strengthened their father-son relationship, creating lifelong memories.
Conclusion (word count: 105) “Travel Guides” has not only provided audiences with captivating travel experiences but has also witnessed beautiful love stories unfold among its cast members. From Kev and Teng’s cross-cultural romance to Matt and Brett’s unexpected engagement, these love stories remind us that love can find us in the most unexpected places. These cast members have shown that travel guides not only serve as a source of inspiration for exploring the world but also for forging deep connections and creating lasting bonds.


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*Indignation is growing about the failure to protect healthcare workers who are fighting Covid.
*CNA nurses protest against exploitation and lack of protection amidst the pandemic
*A representative of the restaurant workers group One Fair Wage talks about how restaurant workers are being forced to police their diners on the use of masks, thereby threatening their income.
*What’s role of unions in the elections in Puerto Rico, and why did US unions spend over $1 million dollars seeking to influence voters on the island?
*On Saturday November 14, the Pivot to Peace coalition organized a webinar about the benefits of a policy of mutual respect with communist China.
Host: Nana Gyamfi
Producer: Steve Zeltzer
Editor/producer: Polina Vasiliev

domain: sociology


Cord Cutting Today is a daily demeanour during some of a biggest stories function right now in a universe of cord cutting. You can find these videos posted on YouTube each Monday by Saturday.
Today we take a demeanour during some of a biggest stories in a universe of cord cutting. Including Roku Adds The Apple TV App, Hulu Expands 4K Support, Nextgen ATSC 3.0 OTA TV, CNN, Debate, More.
Story #1 The Apple TV App is Coming to Roku Players Roku TVs Today https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/the-apple-tv-app-is-now-available-on-roku-players-roku-tvs/
Story #2 Amazon’s Alexa Now Understands Speaks Spanish in a United States https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/amazons-alexa-now-understands-speaks-spanish-in-the-united-states/
Story #3 YouTube TV No Longer Lets You Subscribe Through iTunes But it Still Works on iPhones, iPads, The Apple TV https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/youtube-tv-no-longer-lets-you-subscribe-through-itunes-but-it-still-works-on-iphones-ipads-the-apple-tv/
Story #4 Hulu is Adding 4K Support to a Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, LG WebOS https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/hulu-is-adding-4k-support-to-the-amazon-fire-tv-xbox-one-lg-webos/
Story #5 CNN Will Stream Its Oct Democratic Presidential Debate For Free Online https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/cnn-will-stream-its-democratic-presidential-debate-for-free-online/
Story #6 NEXTGEN ATSC 3.0 OTA TV is Expanding Its Testing In Phoenix https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/nextgen-atsc-3-0-ota-tv-is-expanding-its-testing-in-phoenix/
Story #7 Spectrum Verizon Fios Are The Fastest Internet Services Providers According to Netflix https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/spectrum-verizon-fios-are-the-fastest-internet-services-providers-according-to-netflix/
We now have t-shirts and other products for sale! Find out some-more here: https://teespring.com/stores/cord-cutters-news-llc?page=1
Did we know we now have a FREE app for iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire? Click HERE to download a app.
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for some-more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord slicing tech support? Join a Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help.


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- 5 years ago
Playing tracks by
Musiq Soulchild, Dwele, Javier, Maxwell, Anthony Hamilton and more.
A lovely Neo Soul mix featuring Musiq, Common, Maxwell, Javier and many more.
Wanna Download it? Visit:
www.djvolatile.com and go to "The Music" for this mix, and lots more.
My MAIN mixcloud page (including mainstream mixes)


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Fenimore Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concert Utica
The Fenimore Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concert takes place on Sunsay, December 3, 2023 at 2:00pm at Daniel D. Tompkins Memorial Chapel, Masonic Care Community, 2150 Bleeker Street, Utica NY
Join us at 2:00 p.m. on December 3 in the extraordinary Daniel D. Tompkins Memorial Chapel for an afternoon filled with beautiful holiday classics. Please use the link below to purchase your tickets.
This event is being held to help support the charitable activities of the Masonic Care Community. Do not miss this opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of incredible music, while also supporting a wonderful cause – The Masonic Care Community.
Christmas Concerto by Archangelo Corelli: Embrace the festive spirit with this timeless holiday favorite.
Selections from Handel’s Messiah: Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Handel’s masterpiece.
Il Tramonto (The Sunset) by Ottorino Respighi: Experience emotional and musical intensity set to Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poetic masterpiece.
Serenade for Strings by Robert Fuchs: A vivacious journey inspired by folk melodies from Central Europe.
Joanna Porackova: Witness the emotional involvement and the beautiful voice of internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Joanna Porackova as she graces our stage.
Conducted by Artistic Director, Maciej Zoltowski: Our Artistic Director, Maciej Zoltowski, will lead from both the harpsichord and podium, guiding us through this unusual musical journey.
Secure your seats early for this highly anticipated event. Tickets are available at fenimoreco.org.


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Ecole Politique Libre Provençale. est désormais compatible avec l'extension FastNews.kiwi disponible pour votre navigateur. Avec cette extension, vérifiez s'il y a des nouveaux sujets sur ce forum en un clic depuis n'importe quelle page !Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus.
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domain: literature


Askew head bolts are used in masonry work in conjunction with wedge inserts. The askew head bolt is inserted into the wedge insert, which is embedded in a concrete wall, to allow for a connection to be made with a steel member (usually a relieving or lintel angle).
New construction projects almost always call for an askew head bolt with a bolt diameter of 3/4"; in the past however, many projects used an askew head bolt with a bolt diameter of 5/8". These will often be found in renovation work. When the diameter of an askew head bolt changes, so do the dimensions of the bolt's head. 3/4" diameter askew head bolts have a bolt head that measures 1-1/4" x 1-1/4", while 5/8" diameter askew head bolts have a bolt head that measures 1-1/8" x 1-1/8". This is an important distinction, as both sizes require properly fit wedge inserts to match. An askew head bolt with a 3/4" bolt diameter will not fit in a wedge insert designed for a 5/8" diameter askew head bolt, and vice versa. Figure 1 below shows the difference between a wedge insert designed for a 3/4" diameter askew head bolt and a 5/8" diameter one. The regular and long wedge inserts, which can be found on new construction projects, both use a 3/4" diameter bolt.
The barrel length (shown in Figure 2 above) is measured from the underside of the head at the mid-point of the slope of the bolt head. The chart on our website shows the lengths available. To estimate the length required, consider the thickness of what it passes through. In order from the inside out, the measurement should start from the face of the wedge insert, to any shims required, to the the steel angle, and finally to the flat washer and the nut. It's critical to ensure that both the new threads are fully engaged.
The most complicated variables to consider when estimating bolt length are the face of the wedge insert and the shim. For instance, the thickness of the wedge insert's face can change depending on where the askew head bolt sits within it. A long wedge insert may have a face thickness of 1/4" to 1/2" depending on where along the slope the askew head bolt sits. Shims are required to provide separation between the concrete and the angle, however variations in the concrete depth will require a different thickness of the shim from location to location. For these reasons, fabricators and erectors will typically request an assortment of bolt lengths and shim thicknesses.
Due to the reality of concrete forming and field conditions, The Steel Supply Company understands there can be considerable difficulty in estimating quantity requirements for askew head bolts and hot dip galvanized slotted steel shims. For those reasons, we stock very deep quantities of all the various lengths of askew bolts as well as hot dip galvanized slotted shims in a wide variety of dimensions.


I used 165 grain Ballistic Silver tips in my .308 and 30.06 and really never had a problem with kills. In fact I haven't lost a deer or Wild Boar since I started using them.
On one 250+ lb Boar that I shot twice at about 100 yards, both shots landed within 1.5" of eachother, the bullet exited the otherside with a hole that I could stick my fist into without getting any blood on my hand. Completely destroyed a perfectly good ham.
They do fragment really bad and destroy lots of meat but I have always had the bullet (or most of it) exit the other side.
All shots were under 200 yards with a 310 yard shot exception.
They are still all I use unless I am swamp hunting with the .308.
[ This Message was edited by: JTapia on 2003-12-12 15:48 ]


2023: Transport unions to lift over 1m personnel, 100,000 vehicles, 4,200 boats for INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding MoU with road transport and marine workers’ union to help lift over a million personnel, 100, 000 vehicles and about 4, 200 boats deployed for the 2023 general election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the signing of the MoU.
The unions in the arrangement are the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW, National Association of Road Transport Owners NARTO and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria MWUN.
Speaking at the event, Yakubu said; “On 12th December 2018, we signed a memorandum of understanding with two transport unions, the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW and the National Association of Road Transport Owners NARTO. The MoU was based on the realisation of the critical role of transportation in the conduct of elections in Nigeria. The MoU was designed to facilitate the successful deployment of personnel and materials for the 2019 General Election and other elections. Following these elections, we undertook a comprehensive review to learn critical lessons in planning for the 2023 General Election and beyond.
“The signing of a revised MoU with the road and marine transport unions today is a demonstration of our determination to implement key recommendations of the review exercise in order to enhance forward and reverse logistics in our electoral operations.
“The 2023 General Election will involve the nationwide deployment of over 1 million personnel and massive quantities of materials twice within a period of two weeks from our State offices to 774 Local Government Areas, 8,809 electoral Wards and 176,846 polling units across the length and breadth of our country. It will require over 100,000 vehicles and about 4,200 boats that will be accompanied by naval gunboats.
“This is a huge undertaking that must be accomplished in the next 66 days and we are resolute in doing so to give Nigerians a pleasant voting experience. Let me assure Nigerians that we are determined that all polling units nationwide will open at 8.30am on Saturday, 25th February 2023 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and on Saturday, 11th March 2023 for the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections”, he added.
The INEC Chairman noted that in order to ensure that personnel and materials will be at the polling units on Election Day awaiting the arrival of voters rather than the other way round, the commission requires large number of vehicles, including motorcycles, tricycles, boats and canoes in the riverine areas which cannot be met from its internal resources.
Yakubu said it was for this reason that the Commission signed the first MoU with the NURTW in January 2015.
“In order to expand the pool of our service providers to meet the requirements for the increasing number of vehicles, the MoU was reviewed in December 2018 to incorporate NARTO.
“Over the years, the Commission has come to rely on the partnership with the NURTW and NARTO to provide vehicles for the successful deployment of electoral personnel and materials.
“However, we did not incorporate the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria MWUN within the ambit of the MoU, a situation which has often resulted in logistics nightmare in the deployment and retrieval of personnel and materials to the riverine areas of the country. This oversight is now addressed by the revised MoU to include MWUN comprising of sailors, dockworkers and those in related trades in our electoral logistics planning and delivery”, he stated.
According to him, the MoU is a general framework, as the contractual agreement between the Commission and the actual service providers will be worked out at the State and LGA level between officials of the Unions and our Resident Electoral Commissioners and Electoral Officers.
He said the agreement which is legally binding will be based on the actual breakdown of the number of vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, boats and canoes per State.
“It is therefore significant that our Resident Electoral Commissioners are present here today to witness the formal signing of the framework that will enable detailed work at State and LGA levels. I am also glad that the Unions are represented by their national leaders and as many of their zonal and State officials.
“It is our expectation that the leadership of the unions will effectively supervise their members in the various chapters and branches for the full implementation of the MoU. In doing so, you will be required to work very closely with our Resident Electoral Commissioners and collaborate with the Federal Regulatory and Safety Agencies to ensure that the objectives of the MoU are fully realized in terms of required road/sea worthiness and safety standards of your vehicles and boats.
“Furthermore, the knowledge of your members of the routes and topography in various parts of the country is especially important for ease of movement and a timeous and safe delivery of personnel and materials, especially to areas with difficult terrain.
“A new requirement in the new electoral legal framework is that everyone involved in election duties must subscribe to the INEC Oath/Affirmation of Neutrality. We will therefore require your members to swear and strictly adhere to this oath and the INEC Code of Conduct for Electoral Officials as your participation in the delivery of electoral logistics requires absolute neutrality and non-partisanship.
“The security agencies shall not only be available to escort all vehicles and boats to locations, they will also ensure the safety and protection of all election personnel and materials. As usual, we shall track the movement of all vehicles and boats electronically and in real time to ensure that election personnel and materials are not hijacked or diverted”, he declared.