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White Sox should take a chance on 2017 All-Star that was recently designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays this past weekend.
In a somewhat stunning move this past Saturday, the Tampa Rays designated 2017 All-Star Corey Dickerson for assignment. With the White Sox still in need of another left-handed batter in its lineup for this season, it would make sense for them to take a chance on Dickerson for 2018.
Last season, Dickerson hit .282/.325/.490 in 150 games for the Rays and was selected to his first All-Star Game. He hit a career-high 27 home runs to go along with 62 RBIs. His overall 2.7 WAR was good for fifth on the Rays in 2017. Despite this, the Rays still designated him for assignment shortly after acquiring C.J. Cron from the Los Angeles Angels in a trade this past Saturday.
More from White Sox News
- The Chicago White Sox might have had a season ending loss
- The Chicago White Sox are expecting Tim Anderson back soon
- Miguel Cairo’s words spark life into the Chicago White Sox
- Dylan Cease should be the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award
- Ozzie Guillen speaks the whole truth about Tony La Russa
There were many people around baseball that were surprised by the Rays decision to DFA Dickerson. Including former Rays superstar Evan Longoria. The best player in the team’s history wasn’t thrilled about the Rays decision with Dickerson. He stated he didn’t understand why the Rays would make this move as Dickerson had a better year than him in 2017 with Tampa Bay according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.
At 28, Dickerson is still young enough to be a part of the Sox rebuilding plans going forward. The Sox are still in need of another left-handed bat although they have Nicky Delmonico for this upcoming season. Dickerson wouldn’t cost the Sox much to acquire him. Currently, the Rays have to trade or release Dickerson by this Saturday. If he’s released, the Sox could very well sign him to a one-year deal. This was also presented as a possibility by Jim Finch of FanRag Sports.
"“Leury Garcia is slated to start the year in left field with Nicky Delmonico at DH. Delmonico is a third baseman by trade so Yolmer Sanchez can play a part in this scenario. I can see Dickerson being an upgrade over all three of these players. Not that any of them are bad, but they are all young and lack experience. At least one of them will struggle. Another good reason to sign Dickerson is that besides Jose Abreu, the average age of the combined infield and outfield is approximately 25. Dickerson isn’t much older, but his experience and veteran leadership could be assets to the younger players. A multi-year deal makes sense here, but a one-year deal would work as well.” Jeff Finch"
Dickerson would be a solid upgrade to the Sox lineup. The 2009 29th round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies is a career .280 hitter with 90 home runs over five seasons with Colorado and Tampa Bay. Dickerson could fill in as an outfielder with the Sox or as the team’s primary designated hitter if acquired via trade or signing.
The Sox won’t have to give up much to sign Dickerson if he isn’t traded by this weekend. As Finch mentioned previously, a multi-year deal would make sense but a one-year contract also works. If the Sox are able to take a chance with Dickerson, expect the team to have a better opportunity at surprising people this upcoming season.

domain: news


According to Future Market Insight, the global automotive cabin air quality sensors market is likely to reach US$ 1,492.3 million by 2033, registering a CAGR of 12.3%. This is a considerable increase from its projected value of US$ 467.8 million in 2023.
The growing trend of urbanization and improving economic conditions in emerging regions has resulted in an increased number of vehicles on the road. Unfortunately, this has also led to a rise in vehicular emissions, including harmful substances like hydrogen and carbon monoxide. These volatile organic compounds have contributed significantly to climate change. This has prompted regulatory agencies to implement stricter measures.
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Automotive manufacturers are placing heightened focus on elevating passenger comfort and wellness. They aim to provide an unparalleled driving experience. Cabin air quality sensors enable the detection of various pollutants, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide. These sensors facilitate the implementation of effective air filtration and purification systems. This concerted emphasis on passenger well-being significantly propels the demand for cabin air quality sensors.
Ongoing advancements in sensor technology have contributed to the accessibility of cabin air quality sensors for automotive applications. These advancements are characterized by miniaturization, improved sensitivity, and reduced costs. As a result, cabin air quality sensors have become more readily available and practical for use in vehicles. These technological strides have facilitated the seamless integration of sensors into HVAC systems, air purifiers, and various other components. As a result, cabin air quality sensors have experienced widespread adoption in the automotive industry.
Consumers are becoming increasingly conscientious about the air quality they breathe, especially in enclosed spaces like vehicles. This heightened awareness has translated into growing consumer demand for vehicles equipped with cabin air quality sensors. Individuals prioritize their health and well-being during their daily commutes, and cabin air quality sensors help meet these concerns.
The regulatory landscape is playing a significant role in driving the adoption of cabin air quality sensors. Governments across various regions have imposed stringent emission standards to mitigate the detrimental effects of polluted air. These regulations mandate the use of cabin air filters and the inclusion of cabin air quality sensors in new vehicles. As a result, automotive manufacturers are prioritizing the installation of cabin air quality sensors across different markets.
Key Takeaways from this Market:
- The automotive cabin air quality sensors industry in the United Kingdom is anticipated to rise, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.4% through 2033.
- The United States held a 21.6% share of the global automotive cabin air quality sensors industry in 2022.
- With a CAGR of 13.5% over the forecast period, India is predicted to develop rapidly in the automotive cabin air quality sensors industry.
- In 2022, Japan had an 8.5% share of the automotive cabin air quality sensors industry.
- China’s automotive cabin air quality sensors industry is expected to flourish speedily, registering a CAGR of 14.0% over the forecast period.
- Germany accounted for 7.9% of the global automotive cabin air quality sensors industry in 2022.
In the ever-evolving landscape of automotive cabin air quality sensors, leading players are ardently dedicated to pushing the boundaries of sensor technology. The goal is to enhance air quality inside vehicles. These players strive to improve sensor accuracy, durability, and sensitivity. Research and development efforts are underway to integrate real-time monitoring and air purification systems. Smart connectivity options are also being explored. Collaboration with automotive manufacturers is vital to ensure seamless sensor integration. Ultimately, the well-being and comfort of passengers remain paramount in these endeavors.
Major Players are:
- Amphenol Corporation
- Sensirion AG Switzerland
- Paragon AG
- Sensata Technologies, Inc.
- Honeywell International Inc.
- ams AG
- OMRON Corporation
- Figaro Engineering Inc.
- Prodrive Technologies
- UST Umweltsensortechnik GmbH
- Chemisense Inc
In a significant breakthrough, Sensirion unveiled its latest development in June 2023. It has successfully integrated its cutting-edge air quality sensors with the prestigious RESET Air Standard. This remarkable integration serves a vital purpose by streamlining the accreditation procedure for indoor air quality monitors.
Figaro Engineering Inc. introduced the FECS series in May 2021. This groundbreaking series showcases three-electrode electrochemical gas sensors. Not only do these sensors exhibit extraordinary resilience to interference gases, but they also boast an innovative leak-proof design.
Direct Purchase of this Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/6034
Key Segmentation of the Market:
By Vehicle Type:
- Passenger Cars
- Commercial Vehicles
By Sales Channel Type:
- North America
- Latin America
- Western Europe
- Eastern Europe
- East Asia and Pacific
- Middle East and Africa
Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has over a decade of experience in market research and business consulting. He has successfully delivered 1500+ client assignments, predominantly in Automotive, Chemicals, Industrial Equipment, Oil & Gas, and Service industries.
His core competency circles around developing research methodology, creating a unique analysis framework, statistical data models for pricing analysis, competition mapping, and market feasibility analysis. His expertise also extends wide and beyond analysis, advising clients on identifying growth potential in established and niche market segments, investment/divestment decisions, and market entry decision-making.
Nikhil holds an MBA degree in Marketing and IT and a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering. Nikhil has authored several publications and quoted in journals like EMS Now, EPR Magazine, and EE Times.
Explore Wide-ranging Coverage of Future Market Insights Automotive Landscape:
Hydrostatic Transmission Market Size revenue could surpass US$ 5.61 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.1%.
EV Transmission System Market Demand Is currently valued at US$ 8799.9 million in 2023. By 2033, demand for EV transmission systems is expected to reach a high of US$ 45282.3 million.
Automotive Cylinder Liner Market Growth will expand at a CAGR of 5.46% between 2023 and 2033, totaling around US$ 8,322.1 million by 2033.
About Future Market Insights (FMI)
Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 5000 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries.
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With years of experience in the entertainment industry, PianoFactor always deliver a professional, fun and dazzling performance.
We had such great feedback that they were awesome and had lots of people laughing, clapping and dancing.
Every question was answered, nothing was too much trouble and their performance was out of this world!
My guests are still talking about the band that just kept on going! I would Definitely recommend them to get your party going with a swing.
We loved every moment, it was exactly how we wanted our evening to be - fun with lots of laughing and dancing! The atmosphere was contagious
Boom! First dances done then the crowd went wild and didn't stop until Piano Factor did! Guys the vibe you gave at the event was awesome, everyone came prepared but you got them going and didn't let go.
The guests were dancing all night and I have never heard so many people singing along with the music at an event before. Everyone was raving about them for weeks afterwards.
We would love to provide you with entertainment for your event.


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INDIANAPOLIS (Indiana News Service): New research uncovers the instability faced by Indiana youth in foster care, and the resulting negative outcomes experienced during their transition to adulthood.
Fostering Youth Transitions, a data brief released Tuesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, showed that moving in and out of foster care placements, unstable placement settings, and leaving foster care without finding a permanent family can create barriers to well-being for young people. Brent Kent, president and CEO with the foster youth advocacy organization Indiana Connected By 25, said that includes difficulties securing education, employment, and housing.
“Among foster youth aging out in the Midwest, 1-in-5 will be homeless within two years of leaving the state’s custody,” Kent said; “only about 50 percent are employed at age 24, and only about 58 percent have earned a high school diploma or GED by age 19.”
The report noted these challenges are exacerbated by race, as young people of color enter the foster care system at higher rates than their white peers and are more likely to experience three or more placements. About 18 percent of Indiana children in foster care are between the ages of 14 and 18, and 1-in-3 will age out of care.
Leslie Gross is director of the foundation’s Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, which works specifically to improve outcomes for foster youth ages 14 and over. She said better data, policies and practices can give foster youth their best shot at life.
“All young people regardless of race, ethnicity or zip code deserve the relationships, resources, and opportunities to ensure their well-being and success,” Gross said. “And so we know that we must work with communities and other stakeholders to change what is happening for youth of color.”
In Indiana, Kent said, efforts continue to extend the age of foster care to 21, and aftercare services to 23, which would give youth more time to complete high school and enroll in college before they are on their own.
“Today Indiana, like most states, don’t even know what the graduation rate of the foster youth are,” Kent said. “Now, these are children in the state’s own custody. The state needs to be a prudent parent and take charge of their educational outcomes.”
He contends the state should also identify foster youth as a “vulnerable student group,” so schools would have to develop specific strategies to help meet the educational needs of children in foster care.

domain: sociology


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Colors: red, gold, blue
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domain: hobby


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Cristina Smugala, MA, LPC Owner, Licensed Professional Counselor and Empowerment Guide
Cristina is a Licensed Professional Counselor, member of the American Counseling Association, and member of the International Association of Trauma Professionals. Cristina earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Human Growth and Development Counseling from St. Louis University. In addition to providing services at Restoring Clarity Counseling, Cristina has worked as a clinical therapist at McCallum Place Eating Disorder Treatment Center. As an experienced clinical mental health clinician at various intensive inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment centers in St. Louis, Cristina offers years of experience providing counseling services to couples and clients that struggle with anxiety, PTSD, depression, trauma, and eating disorders.
Whatever your unique challenge is Cristina has the advanced knowledge and excellent clinical skills necessary and is motivated to assist you in reaching your goals. Cristina's approach promotes compassion, inspiration, motivation, empowerment and growth. Cristina's sense of compassion and warmth are strengths that are recognized and valued by those in her life and in her care. Cristina has a passion for helping people unlock their full potential, she understands that empathy is necessary to move past shame and rebuild trust. Cristina's main focus will be to help you believe in yourself, claim your power and let go of fear. Through couple's therapy Cristina focuses on assisting partners to develop a deeper understanding of each other's internal world and to rebuild their connection.
Cristina possesses training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Experiencing (SE), the Internal Family Systems Model (IFS), the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment model, Trauma Informed Care, Experiential Therapies, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Cristina has experience collaborating with interdisciplinary teams of various mental health providers, community and government social service agencies, and clinical team members to provide clients with comprehensive clinical treatment. Along with managing individualized treatment Cristina facilitates psycho-educational classes, provides couple’s and family therapy, and group therapeutic sessions. Cristina also works as a family educator at McCallum Place Eating Disorder Treatment Center.
Cristina obtained exceptional experience in her graduate studies at Saint Louis University’s Center for Counseling and Family therapy. At the center Cristina gained experience counseling individuals, couples, families, adolescents, and children. Cristina obtained advanced supervision in Internal Family Systems therapy, Relationship Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Cristina also completed her internship at Queen of Peace Addiction Recovery Center where she specialized in the treatment of trauma and addictions.
Cristina cultivated her professional clinical experience providing services at the following exceptional treatment facilities in the St. Louis Area:

domain: psychology


Festive season offers on Yamaha scooters announced
Yamaha Motor India has recently announced the launch of new cashback offers on its scooter range in lieu of the ongoing festivities. The newly announced cashback offers will remain valid until the end of the ongoing month. Yamaha customers will be eligible for the ongoing offers till 31st October’21.
The company has announced a cashback of up to ₹4,000 which is applicable on its 125cc scooter range in the Indian market. The 125 cc scooter range from Yamaha Motor India includes the Fascino 125 Fi (Hybrid + Non-Hybrid), Ray ZR 125 Fi and Ray ZR Street Rally 125 Fi (Hybrid + Non-Hybrid).
Prices of the new Yamaha Fascino Hybrid and the Ray ZR 125 Hybrid were rolled out in the Indian market a few months back. While the Ray ZR 125 Hybrid Standard rear drum starts at ₹76,830 (ex-showroom), the Standard disc costs ₹79,830, and the top-spec Street Rally costs ₹83,830 (ex-showroom).
Also check these Bikes
The Disc Brake version of the Yamaha Fascino 125 FI Hybrid scooter carries a price tag of ₹76,530, while the Drum Brake version has been made available at ₹70,000 (all prices are ex-showroom). The new Fascino 125 FI Hybrid scooter comes with a Smart Motor Generator (SMG) System.
The scooter comes with a new BS 6-compliant, air-cooled, fuel-injected (Fi), 125 cc powertrain with Yamaha's Blue Core engine technology. It delivers 8.2 PS of maximum power which is backed up by 10.3 Nm of peak torque at 5,000rpm.


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Armed with this knowledge, the researchers of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) hope to manipulate Tregs in order to either inhibit or activate the immune system.
The immune system is a complex network of different types of cells and chemical messengers. The regulatory cells and other immune cells exist together in a delicate balance. Any disturbance of this balance could have serious consequences: If there are too many Tregs, the immune system might be "thwarted" and little would stand in the way of infections or tumors spreading throughout the body. By contrast, if there are too few Tregs, other immune cells could get out of control and attack the body's own tissues: autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or the chronic inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis may be a consequence. Tregs also play an important role following an organ transplant as they decide whether the body will accept or reject the donor organ.
But what it is exactly that makes immature immune cells choose the "police officer career" had eluded scientists. Professor Ingo Schmitz and his team were now able to demonstrate that the transcription factor IκBNS contributes considerably to Treg development. The molecule promotes formation of the protein Foxp3, the Tregs' central feature. IκBNS influences the large NFκB family of transcription factors. These signaling molecules trigger a number of different inflammatory responses elicited by the immune system. "It was therefore all the more surprising for us when we identified IκBNS’ central role in Treg maturation. Essentially, these are cells capable of constraining inflammation – even though IκBNS in no way influences the function of regulatory T cells," explains Doctor Marc Schuster. The researchers tested their hypothesis regarding IκBNS’ central role in Treg development in mice that are missing this factor. Since cells that lack IκBNS do not "become cops," the immune system's effector cells are undamped and could trigger chronic inflammation of the intestine.
The results have confirmed that further research on IκBNS is of interest from a medical perspective as well. On the one hand, it allows predicting diseases: If IκBNS is fraught with errors, this could trigger autoimmune disorders. On the other hand, one potential therapeutic goal might be "to manipulate IκBNS in such a way that we can control the number of Tregs," explains Schmitz. "IκBNS stabilization could benefit autoimmune disease therapy. As far as infections or tumors are concerned, we would need to inhibit IκBNS to decrease the number of regulatory T cells. Of course, all that is still in the very distant future." But because IκBNS also plays an important role in effector cell activation, an intervention might have unforeseen consequences. "This is a challenge you face with many different therapeutic targets," adds Schmitz.
MEDICA.de; Quelle: Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)

domain: medical


Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4
|Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4|
|Type||Fighter / Bomber|
|Armament||2 x 20 mm MG-FF Cannon,|
4 x 7.92 mm MG-17 Machine Guns,
1 x 7.92 mm MG-15 Machine Gun (tail gunner)
|Crew||2 (Pilot, Tail Gunner)|
The Bf 110 was fast and heavily armed; its true design when proposed was intended to be a heavy escort fighter. While a sound idea at the time, the 110 was, when finally in combat against other modern fighters like Spitfires and Hurricanes… sadly outclassed by 1940 and was in need of fighter escort itself in many cases. Even lighter fighters like the H-75 sold to the French could, through absolute superiority in maneuvering… totally outclass the Bf 110 unless the Zerstorer brought its heavy gun package onto target first and then with very deadly effect remove the threat to itself.
The tightly arranged and heavy gun package was second to none in any fighter of the day however. With a good wing loading for its size and bulk the Bf110 enjoyed a tight turning radius for its class, and could come around hard when racked into a turn provided the pilot did not try to hold that level of turn rate for very long. Ultimately under-powered in a dogfight it was unable to hold its own as the fight grew more intense and desperate.
You have to be smart in the Bf 110, and not wade in without a care in the world. A little caution before you commit to the fight will pay you back again and again. It is a great fighter plane to learn wingman tactics with a friend in… and flying with buddies will turn you and your buddies into a very deadly bunch if you stick together and don't fly stupid.
You don't have a great climb rate and your speed is not up to single seat fighter averages, but you have good visibility and an unbeatable guns package mounted in the nose with lots of ammunition and no convergence issues to worry about. Your evil firepower is one of the scariest things your opponents will experience throughout a campaign and they will go after you without mercy as a result.
The Bf 110C-4 can manage hit and run attacks very well, and players who learn the art of "Boom and Zoom" tactics as well as flying in pairs with a wingman will rule the sky early in any campaign with the Bf 110C-4. When the Bf 110 hits something, that thing dies. If you can bring the guns onto target they will knock down anything.
Stay fast and use teamwork and surprise to be effective in the “piggy.” If you find yourself switching to the tail gunner to defend yourself you are all but cooked, and it has been said that a 110 jockey in the tail-gunners position is a 110 jockey with a donkey for a horse.
With a pretty tight turning circle for its size and a very good Instantaneous Turn Rate (ITR) an aggressive pilot can bring the nose around into attack and almost use sheer shock as effectively as his heavy guns package. No Allied pilot ever wants to see the nose of the 110 pointing at them, and if you can make them believe that this view is immediately imminent, some will even panic right there. All you need is an enemy in your sights for one or two seconds and it's all over but for the burning and the screaming.
Messerschmitt Bf 110F-B
After the apparent failure of the Zerstorer concept to dominate the skies over France/England such as the first experiences in Spain indicated they might, other roles were to be found for this workhorse of the Luftwaffe. So much faith had been placed in this airframe and the entire Zerstorer concept by the Luftwaffe leadership that little would change this position before it was too late to not use the Bf110 in any manner that it could be found useful.
Eventually disregarded as an effective fighter but still vital for the Luftwaffe, the Bf 110C-4 was fitted with a bomb rack and 100hp more power, it became the first true fighter/bomber in history as the experimental Bf 110C-4/b "Jabo" Zerstorer ("Jabo" is an abbreviation for "JAeger-BOmber", "Hunter-Bomber" in German). While doing slightly better at this task than previously as a “heavy” fighter for bomber escort, it proved it was up to new mission profiles away from escort duties.
With its new fighter bomber role showing to be a promising development, plus needing to make use of existing units in the face of no good alternative in this role, the Bf 110 series enjoyed further improvements in engine power and in just one varient, the much more powerful MG151/20 20mm cannons. This gave the Zerstorer even sharper teeth and created a new model, the Bf 110F-B ... the fastest of all the Bf 110's and the one that the combat pilots liked the best.
A lot of Battleground Europe players that fly this plane are already flying low for ground attack purposes and employing the effective bombs they have at their disposal. After dropping the bombs using the gun package in the nose for strafing attacks can be quite devastating.
Use the F-B as a support bomber against mechanized infantry, enemy gun positions and light tanks. The 250kg bombs can hurt just about any Allied tank as well as make a real dent in enemy defended positions where infantry, AT and AA guns may be holding up the advance of your own ground forces.
The fire power of two of the best cannons in game in a tight centerline package with four 7.92mm MG's make it arguably the best heavy hitting Luftwaffe fighter in the game, and while in terms of air combat it is not greatly different to the earlier Bf 110C-4, it does have the advantage of it's higher top speed, which is a healthy 42km/h increase over the earlier version. The added engine power is partly negated with extra weight of added armor (including wind screen armor), so you have only a small gain in climb rate where extra weight is always going to hurt. If you’re fighting enemy interceptors sent to down you, or even enemy fighter bombers you meet along the front, you’ll have to employ much the same if not identical an approach as you learned early in the campaign while flying the previous non-bomber version of the Bf 110, the "Zerstorer". It is highly recommended to have some wingmen nearby. this of course is good advice at any time in combat.
Take a friend along as your tail gunner when you are in a support role to help keep your tail clear and add some insult to injury as you pull off a bomb or strafing run. Unlike the previous non ground attack version, which has no genuine compelling reason to be flying around 50 feet off the deck like this bomber version does, having a tail gunner along might just save your bacon, but tail-gunning is about as hard a deflection shooting exercise as you could find anywhere.
|Air Units in Battleground Europe|
|Fighters and fighter bombers|
|Bf 109E-1 | Bf 109E-4| Bf 109E-4B |Bf 109F-2 | Bf 109F-4 | Bf 109G-2/R1| Bf 109G-6/U4 | Bf 110C-4 | Bf 110C-4/B | Blenheim IF | Dewoitine D.520 | Fw 190A-3B | Fw 190A-4 | Hawk 75 | Hawk 81 | Hawk 87 | P-40F Kittyhawk Fighter Bomber | | Hurricane Mk I | Hurricane Mk IIb | Hurricane Mk IIc | Hurricane Mk IID | Junkers 87G2 'Stuka' | P-38 'Lightning' | Bell Model 14a / P-400 Airacobra | Model 26 / P-39N Airacobra | Spitfire Mk Ia | Spitfire Mk IIb | Spitfire Mk Vb | Spitfire Mk IXc|
|Blenheim IV | Douglas DB-7 | Havoc Mk.I | A20C Havoc | Heinkel 111 | Junkers 87 'Stuka' ||
|C47 'Skytrain' | Junkers 52|


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Naked Skyde Ent. released this 7 minute long video demostration of the upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title RoboBlitz, which is powered by the Unreal 3 engine. That doesn't mean it will look as good as Gears of War of course, which you'll see by yourself in this video. The game is supposed to have 19 maps, which is impressive with the very small file size.
that's a pretty big deal, as its probably the biggest stumbling block for the tech. (2 Hours ago)
Stuff like inside out tracking and eye tracking, as well as motion sickness solutions should be in place. We've already got a product in development that claims to have eradicated that already (2 Hours ago)
The potential of it is massive. More so than what traditional gaming now is. Second gen is going to be very interesting. (2 Hours ago)
We're sort of being spoon fed bit sized "experiences" that either work or don't. I suppose that's part of the freshness of it, though. I just wish some big devs would get more involved. (2 Hours ago)
@KORNdog: Ironically, though, the VR scene is also playing it safe. Too safe. There's not enough big risk titles like RE7. (2 Hours ago)
I can't really wrap my head around being dismissive of indie games. That's a pretty broad label. (5 Hours ago)
put and end to corridor/cinematic/c utscene/qte/playforyousoyouwon'tmissathi ousoyouwon'tmissathing ng experiences, and start to see more games like Prey/BotW and the sort. Nuts&Bolts is an awesome game, as well. We need N&B2 (7 Hours ago)

domain: entertainment


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Members of Congress implored two Bush administration officials during a Nov. 16 hearing to request additional money now to get a troubled weather satellite program back on track and avoid a possible gap in critical coverage of severe weather conditions like the hurricanes that recently devastated portions of the U.S. coastline.
But Conrad Lautenbacher, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Ron Sega, undersecretary of the U.S. Air Force, both said that more money in 2006 and 2007 would not help them mitigate the schedule delays on the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (NPOESS).
The NPOESS satellites, which are being jointly funded by the Air Force and NOAA as the replacement for the two separate fleets of U.S. civil and military polar-orbiting weather satellites, are now expected to begin launching in 2012, two years later than last scheduled, Lautenbacher and Sega told the House Science Committee.
From their opening statements through the end of the long session, members of the committee made no attempt to hide their extreme displeasure with the government’s execution of the program.
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.), chairman of the committee, indicated in his opening remarks that he was aware the government planned to receive the details of an independent assessment of the NPOESS program Nov. 22, but warned Lautenbacher and Sega not to use that as an excuse for not answering questions or providing only vague answers.
Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), the top minority party member on the committee, told Lautenbacher and Sega that he was frustrated with their lack of communication with Congress following discovery of the most recent problems with the program.
“Six weeks ago, you received your independent program assessment team’s report showing that projected cost overruns would range from $2 billion to $3 billion,” Gordon said. “That event should have triggered a call to our staff or even directly to members. Maybe you don’t consider a growth in cost overrun projections from $700 million to $3 billion to be a big deal, but I do.PRIVATE colorchange:
Gordon also told Lautenbacher that he was disappointed that NOAA was not pushing to add more funding in the near term to deal with the NPOESS problems, and questioned his motives.
“It looks to me as if you are willing to play out the clock so that you can get through your term at NOAA without having to do the hard work of asking the [Office of Management and Budget] and Congress to free up some more money now to save us money later,” Gordon said.
Gordon also reminded the witnesses prior to their testimony that the penalties of lying before Congress can include jail time, ratcheting up the pressure at an already tense hearing. Lautenbacher and Sega maintained their composure despite being continuously hammered — and often cut off before they finished answering questions — by committee members angry with the soaring cost of the NPOESS problems and their potential to cause a gap in weather coverage.
In contrast, Alexis Livanos, vice president for Northrop Grumman Space Technology of Redondo Beach, Calif., the prime contractor on the effort, was thanked on multiple occasions for the company’s efforts to keep the committee informed about the difficulty with the program.
In addition to delaying the launches of the NPOESS satellites, technical difficulty on key sensors in the program also likely will affect the launch schedules of several other satellites, Lautenbacher said.
The NPOESS Preparatory Project, a precursor mission intended to test several key NPOESS sensors, will likely be delayed at least two years from its previous launch date of October 2006, Lautenbacher said.
To help cover a potential gap in coverage, the NPOESS Preparatory Project likely will be put into an orbit that better suits operational needs, Lautenbacher said. NOAA may choose to launch the last of its current generation of polar-weather satellites, known as N-Prime, later to help cover a potential gap, he said.
Sega said that he will be less concerned about a gap in the Air Force’s coverage if NPOESS can meet its first launch date in 2012, but he also noted that the military relies on some weather products that are unique to the NOAA fleet.
Fixing the sensor problems will likely add $2 billion to $3 billion to the current cost estimate of $7.4 billion for the life of the NPOESS program, Sega and Lautenbacher said.
Boehlert termed those figures “sobering.”
In 2002 when the government awarded the prime contract to Northrop Grumman, the estimated cost of NPOESS was $6.5 billion.
In the wake of the current problems, John Cunningham, the government’s NPOESS program manager, resigned, and his position has yet to be filled.
Northrop Grumman Space Technology shook up its own staff, replacing Fred Ricker, the company’s NPOESS program manager, with David Ryan, who had only been hired a few months earlier as vice president of payloads and sensors. Ricker is now vice president and deputy for programs at Northrop Grumman Space Technology, according to a Sept. 27 company news release.
While the price tag of the program is expected to rise substantially, adding funding in the next two years will not help, due to a restructuring of work on the problematic Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite, a sensor that has been a key culprit in cost growth, Lautenbacher said.
Raytheon Co., the subcontractor for that sensor, had two different teams working on the effort — one developing an engineering prototype while the other built the flight unit, Lautenbacher said. That work has been restructured to complete the prototype first, requiring a significantly smaller work force in the next few years, he said.
Lautenbacher, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, noted that he had not been shy about asking Congress for additional funding during his 40-year government career, and said that he would continue to do so when necessary. He also rejected the speculation from Gordon and Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) that his motive for not asking for more near-term dollars was an attempt to leave the challenging work of fixing the program until after his tenure at NOAA ends.
“I assure you that this is not an attempt to run out the clock,” Lautenbacher said. “As most of you know, I eat, breathe and sleep NOAA. I wake up in the middle of the night worrying about these issues. I am leaning forward just as much as anyone on this committee to try to get the right answers and save the taxpayer money.”
NOAA is incorporating lessons learned from the problems with NPOESS as it develops a new generation of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites , Lautenbacher said.
However, he noted that while the committee pressed him to request more money for NPOESS, Congress had reduced NOAA’s 2006 budget request for the geostationary weather satellites, which will cause problems for that work. One administration official present at the hearing said afterwards that the $18 million reduction to the $240 million request for the new geostationary satellites would cause at least a six-month delay in launching those satellites, which is currently expected to begin in 2012.


Hi there, I’m Joe Tooman – a tech enthusiast who grew up in the 80s playing with TRS-80 and Commodore computers. These days, I’m employed by Dell as an administrator of a customer experience management platform, but I also enjoy volunteering my spare time at the museum. Recently, I’ve been documenting my work for Bill Degnan, who runs the museum. My latest project involves restoring a vintage Macintosh Performa 6300CD, which unfortunately has a faulty power supply. In addition to the computer itself, I’ll also be restoring the accompanying keyboard, mouse, and monitor. And because I can’t resist the urge to optimize, I’ll be maxing out the system to its full potential.
The Apple Macintosh 6300CD Restoration
The Macintosh 6300CD, graciously donated by Kent A. Sallee of Kennett Square, PA, was released in January 1996 with a 100Mhz PowerPC 603e processor. It came with 16MB of RAM (max of 64MB), a 1.2GB hard drive, a 1.44MB floppy drive and ran Mac System 7.5.1 OS. Unfortunately, the power supply failed in a dramatic way leaving a scorch mark on the inside of the case. This left me with the option of replacing or repairing the power supply. Since working on high voltage equipment is not my forte, I opted to replace the power supply with a working one.
The Apple Macintosh 6360 – Parts donor
Shopping around for replacement power supplies, I found it more economical to just buy a replacement Performa from eBay — sometimes individual parts cost more than a complete system. The model I purchased was a Macintosh Performa 6360. As pictured below, the case was in rough shape but it had a working power supply. Another bonus of the 6360 was that it was the first Performa model to include a new system architecture including a PCI slot and faster DIMM-based memory. Released in October of 1996, it has a PowerPC 603e 160Mhz processor and supported up to 136MB of RAM. 8MB of RAM was included with the system. It also had a Comm Slot II that opened up the possibility of adding an ethernet card to the machine.
So my plan evolved to use the soon-to-be pristine case from the Performa 6300CD and the more powerful internal components of the Performa 6360.
Below you can visually see the difference between the two motherboards. The first is the 6300CD and the second the 6360. The 6360 wasn’t stored in a temperature controlled environment so it does have some surface rust on the metal parts. This is not surprising considering the shape the case was in. You can also see the the two 64MB 168-pin DIMMs of the 6360 compared to the two 32MB 72-pin SIMMs of the 6300CD. It is important to note that the DIMM’s need to have a 2K refresh rate. Here are the specifications: 64MB Buffered 168-pin FPM DIMM 60ns 5v Parity 2K Refresh Rate. There is also a riser for the PCI slot that will soon be populated with a PCI card with two USB 1.1 ports.
It is my desire to have any computer I restore to be able to connect to the network. It took a lot of hunting, but I was able to find an affordable Apple Ethernet CS II Twisted-Pair Card. It uses Comm Slot II which is a glorified PCI slot.
Once the ethernet card is in place, the next step was to plug a WiFi extender into the port so that the Mac didn’t have to be hard wired into the network. I have had good luck with the Pix-Link Wi-Fi Range Extender. It can be found on Amazon and is meant for smart TVs that only have an ethernet port that you want to Wifi enable. I plan to use one of the USB ports I am adding to power it.
One of my goals was to add USB support to the Performa 6360 motherboard via the PCI slot. Many of the posts I read on doing this recommended the Belkin F5U005 PCI USB Card. I found one on eBay for $6.99. When you install the card, remove the PCI riser first, insert the card, and then replace the riser in the PCI slot. The drivers supporting the card are already built into OS 9.1. However, Mac USB drivers aren’t automatically installed if you add the card after the OS installation. To add them after-the-fact, refer to this thread on how to do it. It involves extracting six files from the OS 9.1 CD using a utility called TomeViewer. The files are:
- HID Library
- Serial ShimLib
- USB Device Extension
- USB Mass Storage Support
- USB Software Locator
- USB Support
The extracted files need to be copied to your System Folder/Extensions folder and then the computer needs to be rebooted. If you were successful, the USB card will show up in your system profiler as shown below. To test things out, I inserted a 4GB thumb drive in the USB port and it showed up as a drive on the desktop! Having USB ports also gives me a place to power the USB WiFi extender mentioned above. The extended only uses the USB port for power and nothing else.
Operating System Image Downloads
One of the challenges you will encounter is how to get software on the Mac Performa. Luckily, I have a G4 iMac 800mhz that runs both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. In Mac OS X, I download the software I need to use and burn it to a CD-R. This is before I had the USB PCI card installed (see above). With that in place, I could have used a thumb drive instead of burning CDs.
Almost all the software that I have needed I have downloaded from MacRepository.org. To download disk images, you will need to pay a $10 membership fee. The process is to first install 7.5.3, then upgrade to 8.6 and finally upgrade to 9.1. 9.1 was the last compatible version of Mac OS for the 6360.
To mount toast, iso, dsk images, use Virtual CD/DVD-ROM Utility (MacRepository.org)
In System 7.5.3, to uncompress sit and bin files, use Stuffit Deluxe 5.0 (MacRepository.org)
In System 8.6 and 9.1, to uncompress sit and bin files, use Stuffit Deluxe Standard Edition 7.03 (MacRepository.org)
Cloned Backup Drive
Considering the 20+ year old Quantum Fireball 2GB IDE drive will fail eventually, I prepared a 4GB SSD drive clone that will mount in the same spot as the internal hard drive.
- StarTech.com 40/44 IDE to Compact Flash SSD Adapter. Model#: IDE2CF (Amazon)
- Verbatim 4GB CompactFlash Memory Card, Model#: 95188 Black (Amazon)
- Kentek 6 Inch 6″ 4 Pin Molex 5.25 Male to 4 Pin 3.5 Floppy Drive FDD Female M/F IDE DC Internal Computer PC Power Cable Adapter Cord (Amazon)
- SABRENT 2.5 Inch to 3.5 Inch Internal Hard Disk Drive Mounting Bracket Kit (BK-HDDH) (Amazon)
- ZRM&E 30cm IDE Female to Male Hard Disk Cable 40 Pins IDE Extension Flexible Flat Cable for 3.5 Inch IDE Interface Hard Drive, 5.25 Inch IDE CD and DVD Compatible (Amazon)
- Drive Rail — I had an extra one but you can remove the existing one from the internal drive.
- A couple motherboard standoffs to mount the Flash SSD Adapter to the Mounting Bracket. I used standoffs with female ends so I could secure them between the mounting bracket and SSD adapter with screws on both sides.
To clone the drive, I used an USB to IDE adapter that I already owned. I just plugged the USB cable into a USB port on the PCI card I installed in the documentation above. When the Macintosh detects the drive, it will prompt you to initialize it. It may be the case that the Macintosh thinks the un-initialized drive is unsupported and won’t initialize it connected to USB. In that case, you will need to plug it into the IDE ribbon cable and initialize it using the OS 9.1 boot CD. After that, just drag the contents of the internal drive to the USB drive to start the copy process. It is important to initialize the drive using the same version of OS as your internal drive so that the correct drivers are added to the drive. Otherwise, it won’t be bootable.
Swapping the drives:
Please refer to the “Taking Apart” section of the Performa 6200/6300 Series Service Manual for detailed instructions on how to remove the front cover, drive security bracket and the drive itself. Below are some pictures of the process.
The Keyboard and Mouse
Apple M9102LLD Monitor
The Restoration is Complete!
After over a month of work, the restoration is now complete! The Performa will now take its place in the Kennett Classic Computer Museum and hopefully others will enjoy it as much as I did. Here are some pictures of the completed restoration.
Macintosh Repository – An amazing archive of vintage Macintosh software
Questions or Comments?
Contact me at dagent23 at yahoo.com.


Follow LIVE updates on the planned arrest of Sen. Leila de Lima in connection with drug charges filed by the government.
Sen. Leila de Lima has evaded arrest on Thursday as she was already inside Senate premises when agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group showed up at her home.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. defended yesterday the move to reinstate the death penalty, saying nobody from outside should interfere in the domestic decision if it would be approved by Congress.
Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima yesterday pleaded not guilty to charges of graft and usurpation of official functions in connection with his alleged involvement in the Mamasapano incident.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) expects the P1.9-billion pedestrian bridge called RunWay Manila, which will connect the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 (T3) to Newport City, to open by April this year.
Prepaid phone subscribers will no longer have to worry about their unused loads expiring once a bill filed at the House of Representatives prohibiting such prepaid phone card expiry becomes law.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has stopped public elementary and high schools from sending their students on field trips following the bus accident last Monday in Tanay, Rizal that killed 15 people and injured 40 students of BestLink College of the Philippines.
A witness in the kidnapping and murder of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo said Supt. Rafael Dumlao, team leader of the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s defunct Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG), masterminded the crime committed in the guise of a drug sting.
A former senator and an incumbent Liberal Party congressman from Laguna offered P100 million to high-profile prisoners to make them recant their testimonies against Sen. Leila de Lima on her alleged involvement in the drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II claimed yesterday.
A shaken but unbowed Sen. Leila de Lima waited at the Senate yesterday to be served the warrant for her arrest, but it never came.
CAPE CANAVERAL— For the first time, astronomers have discovered seven Earth-size planets orbiting a single nearby star — and these new worlds could hold life.
A day before the courts were to hear her motions contesting the drug charges against her, Sen. Leila de Lima was ordered arrested by a judge who cited “sufficient probable cause” to justify the issuance of a warrant for her arrest.
Reforms in the justice system will now highlight the campaign against impunity in human rights violations.


"Never again." It is as simplistic as it is absurd. It is as vague as it is damaging. No two words have provided so little meaning or context; no catchphrase has so warped policy discussions that it has permanently confused the public's understanding of homeland security. It convinced us that invulnerability was a possibility.
The notion that policies should focus almost exclusively on preventing the next attack has also masked an ideological battle within homeland-security policy circles between "never again" and its antithesis, commonly referred to as "shit happens" but in polite company known as "resiliency." The debate isn't often discussed this way, and not simply because of the bad language. Time has not only eased the pain of that day, but there have also been no significant attacks. "Never again" has so infiltrated public discourse that to even acknowledge a trend away from prevention is considered risky, un-American. Americans don't do "Keep Calm and Carry On." But if they really want security, the kind of security that is sustainable and realistic, then they are going to have to.
-- Juliette Kayyem
The Sept. 11 memorial’s designers hoped the plaza would be “a living part”
of the city—integrated into its fabric and usable “on a daily basis.” I
thought that sounded nice, so I asked [Bruce] Schneier one last question. Let’s say we dismantled all the security and let the Sept. 11 memorial be a memorial like any other: a place where citizens and travelers could visit spontaneously, on their own contemplative terms, day or night, subject only to capacity limits until the site is complete. What single measure would most guarantee their safety? I was thinking about cameras and a high-tech control center, “flower pot”-style vehicle barriers, maybe even snipers poised on nearby roofs. Schneier’s answer? Seat belts. On the drive to New York, or in your taxi downtown, buckle up, he warned. It’s dangerous out there.
-- Mark Vanhoenacker
The combination of expansive content rights with automated content analysis systems -- unable to really deal appropriately with public domain materials and fair use -- has created a tightening noose that could ultimately squeeze much of the life out of ordinary user-created video content. Even if we stipulate that the current apparent skewing of these systems toward the powerful content giants is the result of practical and technical considerations, rather than any particular policy imperatives, such a viewpoint doesn't help us escape from this rapidly coagulating, stultifying dilemma.
-- Lauren Weinstein
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text:
Cybersecurity is of vital importance to US-China relations, particularly in relation to national information security and the business market. While it is a new realm for trust and cooperation between China and the US, it has already led to a high level of tension.
- The US should encourage tech companies to continue scrutinizing cyber intrusions, but also the US government should keep engaging with China on cyber-espionage.
- The US should work to restore the trust of Chinese government and Chinese market in the aftermath of Snowden’s revelations.
- In light of the new Chinese cybersecurity law, the US should maintain its rhetoric of Internet freedom and continue to protest any Chinese move that signals possible protectionism against foreign tech firms.
- The US should consider implementing various measures to press the Chinese government to not discriminate foreign tech companies and uphold a free-trade environment.
In recent years, cyber-espionage has become a pivotal issue in US-China cybersecurity relations. Cyber-espionage related tension is not necessarily due to political and military espionage, which the US has considered legitimate and normal activity between governments. Instead, the tension is due to government-backed economic espionage meant to aid Chinese state-owned firms.
In September 2015, President Obama stated his concern over economic espionage explicitly in a business roundtable talk saying that, “We understand traditional intelligence-gathering functions that all states, including us, engage in… [t]hat it fundamentally different from your government or its proxies engaging directly in industrial espionage and stealing trade secrets, stealing propriety information from companies.” He also indicated that economic espionage is considered “an act of aggression.” Further, in March National Security Advisor Tom Donilon singled out China in his remarks to the President stating “such activities from any country” cannot be tolerated by the international community.
Since the first report of Chinese hackers breaching US federal government systems in the early 2000s — the so-called “Titan Rain” attack — there have been an increasing number of reported cases of Chinese intrusion into government agencies and private industry. According to a study by Jon R. Lindsay and Tai Ming Cheung, there were 37 reported Chinese hacking incidents before 2014, of which only nine targeted government agencies — the rest of the targets were either commercial entities or were mixed in their targets. Another study by P.W. Singer and Allan Friedman also found that 96% of recorded, state-affiliated cyber-espionage attacks on private businesses and intellectual property in 2012 can be traced back to China. Some of the notable targets include Dupont, Lockheed Martin, Superconductor, Chesapeake Energy, British Gas, Google, and Coca Cola.
Despite the Chinese government’s constant denial of involvement in the attacks, a 2013 report by American cybersecurity firm Mandiant revealed that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Unit 61398 was behind most of the industrial espionage activities that strain US-China bilateral relations. The tension between the US and China on cyber-espionage was further heightened in 2014, when the Justice Department alleged that five Chinese military officers hacked US companies. The victims included Westinghouse, SolarWorld, U.S. Steel, ATI Technologies, and Alcoa — all of which are major US industrial and energy firms. However, this accusation drew an angry response from the Chinese Foreign Ministry and its spokesman stated that the allegations were “based on fabricated facts.” He stated that in response to the accusations China would suspend its participation in a US-China working group on cybersecurity, which was set up in 2013 to smooth the relationship and build trust.
China’s cyber-espionage remained a contentious issue for much of 2015, as the US accused China of attacking the Office of Personal Management’s databases and stealing information about more than 20 million people. Although the case seemed to fall into the domain of political espionage, the vast scope and ambition caused the Obama administration to consider economic sanctions as a punitive measure.
Nonetheless, in 2015 there was also great breakthrough in US-China relations in cyberspace. During Chinese President Xi’s visit to the U.S in September 2015, the US and China still managed to reach an agreement that “neither government will conduct or knowingly support cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property.” Meanwhile, both sides also agreed to initiate “a high-level joint dialogue mechanism on fighting cybercrime and related issues.” The first US-China High-Level Joint Dialogue on Cybercrime and Related Issues took place in December with significant outcomes, such as the establishment of hotline mechanism to avoid escalation of issues and a plan for a tabletop exercise in spring 2016.
Since the 2015 cyber agreement, US-China cybersecurity relations seem to have taken a promising turn. According to a report released by FireEye in June 2016, the active network compromises by suspected Chinese groups has dropped significantly from nearly 40 cases per month to less than ten after the US-China agreement. The New York Times reported again on Unit 61398, which it had originally argued was responsible for most of China’s economic espionage cases in cyberspace, stating that the unit “appears to be largely out of business, its hackers dispersed to other military, private and intelligence units.” While there were still attacks seen from China’s side on the semiconductor and aerospace industries, the reduced number does point out that the rapprochement is a good first step.
Chinese New Cyber Law and US Companies
While the cyber agreement between China and the US eased tensions and seemed to turn their bilateral relationship towards cooperation, the new Chinese Cyber Law could complicate this positive arc. The new Chinese Cyber Law was approved in November 2016 and has significant implications for US technology companies in China.
The stated purpose of the law is said to stop cyberattacks and prevent cyber-terrorism; however, foreign observers find several parts of the law problematic. For instance, the law’s Article 24 asks all companies to verify users’ real identity when providing “information dissemination and instant messaging services.” This article may further erode the country’s Internet freedom. The most controversial rules in the law are Article 28, 37 and 38, which require Internet operators to provide technical support for the government’s security and crime investigation, asks those in “critical information infrastructure” to store all personal information and “important data” collected in-country in China, and requires companies to undergo security reviews by government agencies annually.
Although the law will not be in effect until June 2017 and how the government will implement the law is still unclear, it has received criticism from foreign business groups. James Zimmerman, chairman of the US Chamber of Commerce, has called the law “a step backwards for innovation” without much security benefit. Foreign firms’ major concerns are that under requirement for “technical support,” they may be forced to hand over source code and other proprietary information. In the law, “critical” areas required to give up information are defined by the government to include telecommunication, energy, transportation, information services, e-government, and finance. Furthermore, the rules are suspected to be motivated by protectionist sentiment worsening the investment environment in China.
The anxiety of foreign companies, especially the US firms that have significant market share in China, is not ungrounded. The discussion of the law has been on-going since the first draft came out in July 2015 and some of the regulations were mentioned in other cybersecurity-related laws and implemented against foreign companies even earlier.
Since Edward Snowden’s revelation in 2013 about National Security Agency’s surveillance on US tech products for espionage purposes, China has tightened its control over the tech market to ensure the technology products supplied to government agencies and vital infrastructure sectors are from more reliable sources – meaning Chinese domestic companies. By the end of 2013, IBM, HP, Microsoft and Cisco had all experienced a decline in sales in China and executives indicated that despite the slowing Chinese economy, Chinese actors had begun to favor indigenous products. Cisco executives were explicit that Chinese customers may be cutting purchasing of US products in response to Snowden’s revelations. Qualcomm CEO pointed out that it was a pressure shared by all US tech companies.
In response to the revealed NSA surveillance, the November 2014 initial draft of the Chinese Counterterrorism Law for the first time mentioned the requirement that all telecommunication operators and Internet service providers to report cryptography, to provide technical support for terrorism cases, and to store all relevant equipment and locally collected user data in China. Also, the new regulations adopted in January 2015 required the financial institutions to use “secure and controlled” equipment — and will eventually require all tech companies that sell to Chinese banks to disclose source code to Chinese government.
Both regulations caused the US government and foreign companies to protest, and as a result, when the law was formally passed in December 2015, the draft language on cryptography and data localization was removed, and the new policy on banking-sector was also suspended in April 2015. However, the new cybersecurity law still articulates the requirement for data localization, and the new draft on insurance IT regulations issued in October 2015 is similar to that on banking.
At the same time, the repercussions of the Snowden case continue to occur for US tech companies. China Daily, a news agency owned by Chinese State Council Information Office, described Google and Apple as “cyber security threats to Chinese users.” The same article also noted Yahoo, Cisco, Microsoft and Facebook’s transfer of users’ information to NSA. In May 2014, the government procurement center announced a ban on Microsoft Windows 8 for government computers and, in July 2014, the Apple iPhone was called “a national security concern” by Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television.
Chinese government’s suspicion of US companies did not remain verbal, but led to a series inspections. By the end of 2014, Microsoft and Qualcom had faced antitrust investigations and Google had seen all of its products blocked. In January 2015, Apple revealed the fact that the Chinese government had requested it undergo China’s cybersecurity review. Apple agreed and became the first US company to participate in the review.
Later in February 2015, Qualcom was fined with $975 million by Chinese antitrust regulators as the result of investigation. The most recent case of China’s security interrogations on foreign firms is Apple’s involvement in Chinese cybersecurity review in May 2016 following Apple’s compliance with Chinese government demand for its source code. Consequently, in face of China’s increasingly stiff cybersecurity regulations, US companies feel coerced to conduct businesses through Chinese business partners in order to maintain access to China.
While China’s economic espionage behavior has declined significantly since the US-China cybersecurity agreement, China’s cyber intrusions into US firms have continued. FireEye’s 2016 report points out the decrease in numbers of cyber compromises conducted by suspected Chinese groups, but it also suggests the hackers installed “back doors” to enable future spying.
However, the picture of current Chinese intrusions is unclear. As Laure Galante, the director of threat intelligence at FireEye, pointed out, security firms do not necessarily track attacks in real time for a variety of reasons. As FireEye CEO Kevin Mandia indicated, how well the companies keep logs may have impact on the investigation of malicious activities. Therefore, the data is not necessarily representative of what is actually happening. The uncertainty leads to the possibility that the report which came out in June may not accurately present the number of Chinese cyber breaches on US firms in 2016.
Meanwhile, Chinese hackers have increased their skill, allowing more specific, concentrated, and higher-grade of hacking on strategic targets. According to an intelligence report disseminated in September 2016, China’s biggest cyber spying operation has been carried out since at least since October 2015 and involves the theft of 1.65 terabytes of proprietary data from a major US software company. In light of these activities, good agreements are necessary.
The Russia-China cybersecurity agreement illustrates that such pacts are only the beginning of good relations. Although China signed a non-aggression cyber agreement with Russia in 2015, Kaspersky Lab, a cybersecurity company based in Russia noted in August 2016 that Chinese actors were hacking into Russian industries including defense, nuclear, and aviation. These hacks increased from 194 in the first two quarters of 2016 compared to 72 in the whole of 2015. Therefore, the cybersecurity agreement between China and the US is merely a starting point, and issue of economic espionage should be constantly brought up to Chinese high level officials in the bilateral cyber dialogues for pressure.
The US should encourage tech companies to continue scrutinizing cyber intrusions and pay close attention to those originated from China. At the same time, the US government should keep engaging with China on cyber-espionage, and continue to hold bilateral talks at the senior level.
Snowden’s revelations of NSA surveillance has damaged the vulnerable trust between China and the United States. Since then, the Chinese government has adopted stricter cyber regulations and continuously placed foreign businesses under security review. As US-China relations have many possible domains of conflicts, the business ties between the Chinese market and US firms should be a stabilizing element. Therefore, it is necessary to restore the Chinese-US relationship both on the government level and on the market level. On the government level, it is necessary to pursue the rapprochement strategies mentioned in the agreement, such as having more frequent high level talks.
At the same time, US tech companies have criticized the US government for demanding access to encrypted communication. In 2015, Apple, Google, Facebook and other major tech firms were reported to have signed a letter to the Obama administration to oppose lowering encryption standards and creating “back door” for government agencies. In 2016, Apple also took stand against the FBI on the matter of technological back door, which was echoed by Google, Microsoft and Facebook’s joint statement that objected to the idea of putting “back doors” into products for law enforcement agencies.
While the government needs to take measures to ensure national and civilian security, such open letters send a signal to foreign governments, including China, about the innocence of US companies in surveillance and their genuine intent of doing business abroad. Thus, on the business level, the public denunciation of US government by these major tech firms may decrease the suspicions and reestablish trust, and should be encouraged.
The US should restore the trust of the Chinese government and the Chinese market in the aftermath of Snowden’s revelations in 2013. More frequent high level talks on cyber-policy should be held to build mutual trust and prevent unexpected events from causing hostility. Meanwhile, the US government should welcome and encourage denunciations from tech firms as a sign of the firms’ separation from US government policy.
The 2011 International Strategy for Cyber Space released by President Obama declares that the US has national interest in constructing a “interoperable, secure and reliable cyberspace,” and acknowledges the US commitment to freedom of expression, privacy and free flow of information. The report also recognizes these policy priorities to be the basis of sustaining of a free-trade environment and protection of intellectual property. Internet censorship in China has long drawn criticisms for its abuses of freedom of speech and freedom of access to information.
However, China’s recent discriminatory moves against foreign firms and request for data localization creates new problems as the requests jeopardize the free-trade environment. Therefore, the US needs to reaffirm its stance and continue to protest China’s violation of the concept of Internet freedom. This work should be done together with US business groups and with other governments that hold same values as the US.
Meanwhile, the US needs to make clear to the Chinese government that undermining free-trade and free flow of information will cause more harm to China than any theoretical security gains under the new law. US businesses have already written a letter asking the Chinese government to reconsider elements of the cybersecurity law that would create discriminatory cybersecurity policy, isolate Chinese companies, and worsen cybersecurity issues.
The U.S. should maintain its rhetoric of internet freedom, which is undermined by the new Chinese cyber law, and continue to protest any Chinese move that signals possible protectionism against foreign tech firms. It is necessary to emphasize the importance of a free market environment and the flow of information.
Apart from rhetorical protests, the US should prepare for imposing economic sanctions upon China and bringing the issue to the WTO. These measures have been effective in dealing with China in some of cases. For example, prior to President Xi’s visit to the US for cybersecurity talks in September 2015, the Obama administration was developing a package of unprecedented economic sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals that had benefitted from the government backed economic espionage. The sanctions attempt underlines the US government’s severe frustration over Chinese espionage activities.
Although there is no direct evidence that the intent to impose sanctions led to the agreement, the timing of the two events makes it is reasonable to believe that the threat of sanctions provided positive results and facilitated the agreement. In another case, China suspended its banking regulations in the IT sector in April 2015. Since the approval of regulations in January, US business groups and the US government had expressed their oppositions by directly writing letters to Chinese cybersecurity officials. The US’s vocalization of the criticism that the banking rules violated China’s trade obligations and communications send to the WTO questioning the Chinese bank rules succeeded in finally pressuring China to halt the regulations. Therefore, given the declining of Chinese economy, the Chinese government will be more cautious at making cybersecurity decisions when facing potential economic consequences.
The U.S. should consider implementing various measures to press the Chinese government to not discriminate foreign tech companies and uphold a free-trade environment. Such measures include bringing the case to a multilateral organization for judgement and imposing economic sanctions. Despite the interdependency of US and Chinese economies, showing gestures of imposing the sanctions on targeted Chinese individuals and companies has proven effective in the past. However, economic sanctions could lead to retaliation and should only be a last resort.
 Jon R. Lindsay and Tai Ming Cheung, From Exploitation to Innovation: Acquisition, Absorption and Application” table 3.1.
 P.W. Singer and Allan Friedman, Cybersecurity and Cyberwar: What Everyone Needs to Know (New York: Oxford University Press, 2014): 95.

domain: law


Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept is most extreme Grand Cherokee ever
– featuring 35-inch tires and EcoDiesel V-6 power
March 20, 2013 – Jeep® and Mopar will be showcasing a range of extremes at this year’s annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Now in its 47th year and taking place March 23-31, the Easter Jeep Safari will be attended by thousands of die-hard off-road enthusiasts looking to enjoy a week of wheeling on some of the country’s most famous and challenging trails.
“Off-road enthusiasts will be pleasantly surprised by the range of Jeep models we’re bringing to this year’s Easter Jeep Safari,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We go to this extremely popular event in Moab each year to showcase the latest production vehicles from Jeep, as well as a host of new customization and personalization ideas. In doing so, we connect with and receive a tremendous amount of feedback from our most loyal customers.”
Jeep and Mopar sprinkled production and prototype Jeep Performance Parts on this year’s collection of concept vehicles. Jeep Performance Parts are specifically designed, built and quality-tested to meet strict Jeep specifications, 4×4 capability, craftsmanship and versatility to help transform stock rides into even more capable trail performers.
“We created our new Jeep Performance Parts portfolio for extreme off-road Jeep fanatics,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Jeep owners who are passionate about customization, performance and personalization will have a long menu of Jeep Performance Parts from which to choose.” Since 2002, Jeep and Mopar have teamed to create nearly 40 unique concept vehicles for enthusiasts who attend the popular Easter Jeep Safari.
The recently introduced new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel V-6 has instantly delighted off-road enthusiasts across North America. With the introduction of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept, Jeep designers have taken the most awarded SUV ever and created the most extreme Grand Cherokee yet. Powered by the new clean EcoDiesel engine, this Grand Cherokee has mountains of low-end torque to power over any obstacle. From its blood-orange paint, to its massive 35-inch off-road tires, there’s no mistaking this Grand Cherokee and its off-road prowess.
The 2014 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept – the third Grand Cherokee created for Easter Jeep since 2011 – features 35-inch Mickey Thompson off-road tires on Wrangler Rubicon 17-inch aluminum wheels, enlarged wheel openings with custom fender flares, custom front and rear skid plates, dual rear tow hooks and modified Mopar rock rails.
Custom design cues include a Grand Cherokee SRT hood, SRT front and rear fascias that have been modified for extra ground clearance, a black front grille, a matte black roof and one-off custom roof rails. The body is finished in a vibrant, non-metallic blood-orange hue that also manages to draw attention to the larger wheel openings and off-road tires.
Mopar slush mats and rear cargo liner enhance Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept’s interior.
2014 Jeep Trailhawk II concept
2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk will be returning for the 2017 model year, as its own independent model. Engine choice will include the 3.0L CRD, 3.6L V6 and the 5.7L V8 Hemi. More details will be posted on this website as they become available.


text: we were supposed to go to a birthday party tonight for one of the boy's friends, but the friend's dad is sick, so it got cancelled. Instead of having to come up with something last minute, we're going out. So far it's between a Cajun restaurant we haven't gone to in quite awhile or our favorite Chinese restaurant. Either way, I'm excited!! Tomorrow we're going to a Super Bowl party at a friend's house, so I'm off the hook then, too. I'll be back on Monday--using the bounty of goodness I bought at Sprouts yesterday!

domain: food


text:
Red Bull Capsreturned 11 results
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domain: design


text:
This is a selection of the latest CIMMYT news stories.
Good weed management, conservation agriculture, and use of manure and compost are recommended to help control fall armyworm in Africa.
CIMMYT and Clinton Foundation launch partnership to improve access to climate-resilient maize seed in eastern and southern Africa
New partnership will help farmers in Malawi, Rwanda and Tanzania have better access to seeds that help maize crops better withstand growing challenges of drought, pests, diseases, and climate change.
To manage El Nino-related crop distress in eastern and southern Africa, invest in drought-tolerant seeds and better soil and water care
Government support vital for deploying climate-resilient seeds and practices, say agriculture experts
From smart mechanization to nutritious and drought tolerant seeds, partners discover CIMMYT’s latest research and innovations.
Feeding the world’s population is only part of the challenge — we must also strive for higher-quality, more nutritious crops.
Women have the potential to be drivers of agricultural transformation.
This year the group harvested more than 3,300 kg from seven acres of land.
They show how wheat blast spreads, its potential effect on wheat production in South Asia and ways farmers can manage it.


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1:32 single row beet harvester
This was a one off run of 20 clean models, 2 weathered models, and one prototype model,
All models came with a plaque stating what number it was,
we took measurements from a 1997 machine.
The models were made using acid etching, CNC, laser cutting and 3D printing.
This is one of the most detailed models we have made to date.
Each model came with its own custom made box.
All models are now sold and will never be repeated please do not ask about them as their will not be any more made.


text: Compression force transducers are designed for determining compression forces and are suitable for static and dynamic measurements in the direct force flow. WIKA force transducers are manufactured from stainless steel and other high-quality materials, are robust and are notable for their reliability and high quality even in complex applications. Our compression force transducers are available in different nominal loads. They cover a wide range of application areas: For instance, these force sensors are employed in machine building or in the automation of plants to determine the pressing and joining forces, as well as for detecting weight in many industrial applications. You can select the pertinent technical and regional approvals as options.


Boston: Governor Deval Patrick signed three disability bills into law on August 5th and 6th, which:
- increased access to services for individuals with autism and related disabilities
- expanded choices and options in obtaining services and,
- furthered the safety of those receiving services.
A public signing ceremony is expected by the first week of September. Together, the bills reflect a major milestone in the evolution of service delivery in Massachusetts. You can find the bills by clicking here. See our previous headline for a full report.


BERKELEY, Calif., Jan. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. physicists have installed the world's most powerful transmission electron microscope, which produces images of less than half a 10-billionth of a meter.
The researchers installed the instrument at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Center for Electron Microscopy, located at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Center Director Uli Dahmen said the microscope embodies technical advances that have only recently become possible, including ultra-stable electronics, improved aberration correctors and an extremely bright electron source, researchers said.
It's not just high resolution that makes the instrument the world's best microscope, Dahmen said, noting that when all the electrons in the beam focus at the same plane, image contrast and signal-to-noise ratio improve tremendously.
"It's because the signal-to-noise ratio is so good that you can adjust focus atom by atom, with enough sensitivity to obtain information about the three-dimensional atomic structure of a single nanoparticle." Dahmen added, "This brings us within reach of meeting the great challenge posed by the famous physicist Richard Feynman in 1959: the ability to analyze any chemical substance simply by looking to see where the atoms are."
The Berkeley National Laboratory conducts unclassified scientific research and is managed by the University of California.


Welcome to our site! EDAboard.com is an international Electronics Discussion Forum focused on EDA software, circuits, schematics, books, theory, papers, asic, pld, 8051, DSP, Network, RF, Analog Design, PCB, Service Manuals... and a whole lot more! To participate you need to register. Registration is free. Click here to register now.
Step 1) Search this site for the information.
Step 2) Google "ads power amplifier tutorial" or "ads power amplifier design"
Step 3) Try to do it yourself.
Step 4) When you get stuck on some thing repeat Steps 1 - 3, then post a specific question.


As our politicians celebrate a return to GDP growth, this May edition of New Start puts forward some ideas for how economic growth can more fully serve people and places.
Features Archive - Page 270 of 373 - NewStart
We can build a civil economy, but we can only do it in collaboration. We must replace sectoral ‘us and them’ relationships with a new generosity, glued by a shared love of place.
Green growth is a myth. Because it ignores the social, political and personal dimensions of sustainability, it can never cut deep enough into the structures of self and society to secure solutions to the crises that we face, says Andre Reichel.
He collected hunger stories during Lent, is co-ordinating a social inclusion network across the UK, and is calling for everyone – from businesses to individuals - to take responsibility for growing levels of poverty. New Start speaks to the Bishop of Birmingham, David Urquart.
While the language of growth and competitiveness fills the pages of our local plans, enterprise partnerships and corporate strategies, there is much less clarity about what we actually mean by growth and how we hope to use it to improve our localities.
Britain is growing again but will the shoots of growth lead to a reduction in poverty? Not likely, says Clare Cummings, unless poverty moves up the economic agenda.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Leeds Council and Leeds City Region have joined forces and embarked on a programme to ensure that growth and poverty reduction in the region are linked. Josh Stott reports.
At a time of austerity, rising poverty, increasing inequality, cuts to vital public services and, in many places, significant demographic change, social capital is more important than ever.
The former Motor City has come to epitomise urban decline in recent years. But it is now discovering a different kind of growth, led by its citizens and their love of place, as Dan Gilmartin and Sarah Craft report
Does voter turnout at local elections matter? Voters may be content to leave it to those with the energy and enthusiasm to pursue potholes, dog fouling and mini roundabouts with vim and vigour. But robust voter turnout is viewed as fundamental to a healthy democracy.


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• Editor’s Note: This month, the Herald is featuring a series of stories on the Holiday Wish Lists of Mid-Columbia nonprofits and how you can help. Does your nonprofit have a specific need for items that the community can help provide? Let us know by emailing email@example.com with attention to Holiday Wish List. Please include the name and mission of the nonprofit, contact information and a few specific needs. See more Wish List stories at www.tricityherald.com/wishlist.
A single nickle is powerful for Fields of Grace.
That’s what it costs the Richland-based nonprofit to deliver one serving of gleaned produce to area food banks.
Now that gleaning has ended with this year’s harvest, the nonprofit is raising money to support next season’s efforts.
Volunteers from the nonprofit harvest fruit and vegetables donated by commercial farms and homeowners between May and November. Vendors at area farmers markets also donate food at the end of each market day.
Fields of Grace volunteers have made gift cards for $25, $50, and $100 donations that can be used as Christmas presents, said John Neill, Field of Grace’s executive director. Each card comes with a handmade ornament.
A $25 card supports 500 servings, a $50 card supports 1,000 servings and a $100 card supports 2,000 servings.
“It’s a big deal,” he said. “It’s just a nice way to give something that is really meaningful.”
The donations help pay for insurance and gas and repairs for the nonprofit’s truck. The nonprofit has a fairly low overhead, with a single employee, he said. Volunteers with trucks donate their own gas to help haul food, most of which is delivered directly to Second Harvest Tri-Cities.
This year, Neill expects the nonprofit will handle 500,000 pounds of food. That’s well over 1 million servings of food.
“It was just a bountiful crop and we just had lots of gleaning opportunities,” Neill said.
The nonprofit received quite a few apples this year, thanks to the record crop Mid-Columbia farmers picked, he said. But the nonprofit also was able to glean and distribute a lot of different fruits and vegetables this year.
The word also has been getting out about Fields of Grace, helping the nonprofit find new donors for commercial and residential gleans, Neill said. The nonprofit, started in 2006, reached a landmark of providing more than 1 million pounds of fresh produce to hungry families this summer.
“It offers the opportunity to provide healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables to food banks,” he said.
The food gleaned by the nonprofit’s volunteers helps take pressure off of the canned food donations food banks receive, Neill said.
Some of the donated food, such as sun-discolored apples, is perfectly good to eat but isn’t a product farmers can market, Neill said. Other farmers set aside part of their crop that they could otherwise sell for the gleaning group. And some farmers choose to directly donate already harvested produce.
To donate and receive a handmade gift card, go to www.fields-of-grace.com.
The nonprofit also is in need of more volunteers to help with gleaning next year. Training for the gleaning events are all done on site. Sign up for the mailing list by emailing firstname.lastname@example.org.


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The formation of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is intended to strengthen and promote the economic growth of a country as the private sector has always been the engine of development for every country.
In view of the importance of the private sector in economic growth, the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) at a meeting with a business delegation from the Private Sector Federation (PSF) from Rwanda, has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) seeking to explore possibilities of establishing mutual cooperation and partnership that will deepen trade and economic ties between Ghana and Rwanda.
Speaking in an interview with Peacefmonline.com, Hon. Dr. Seth Adjei Baah, President of the GCCI said they are hopeful the meeting with the PSF of Rwanda will be an opportunity to see significant improvement in trade and investment as there is virtually little to talk of in terms of trade between the two countries.
“…..they will learn from us so that together we will know the point where to start thinking about partnership, developing things, working together and making sure that as Africans, we produce what we need in Africa. I think we have to start thinking of producing exactly what we use here rather than importing everything; we call ourselves a country which is into Agriculture but we import 50 per cent of our foods….with this partnership we can do something for our countries,” he stated.
He hinted that Ghana is ahead of many countries in terms of industrialization as the private sector is more organized, making it possible for others to learn from the country’s manufacturing abilities.
Speaking for the Rwandan Private Sector Federation, the Honorary Consul of Ghana in Rwanda, Mr. Denis Karera expressed excitement at the signing of the MoU between the PSF and GCCI. He added that the PSF, as an apex business body in Rwanda, is grateful for the collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, calling for the spirit of togetherness, information sharing and networking between the two countries as a sure way of strengthening the already existing economic ties between Ghana and Rwanda.
He revealed that Rwanda is one of the safest and convenient countries in Africa to do business as it takes only six hours to register a company to start. He assured that Rwanda, as part of its effort to expand the economy, is ready to invest and trade in any available businesses.

domain: economics


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The Government says it will address the issue by providing 5,000 new housing units next year.
There are fewer families on the waiting list than there were in 2011, but that comes as a result of a new way of compiling the figures.
The numbers waiting are still much higher than in 2007.
Most are in the private rented sector, but there a small number have mortgages which are not sustainable.
Others are living with friends or family or in emergency accommodation.
It is expected that 5,000 new social housing units will be provided this year and the Department of the Environment aims to provide the same number next year.
Many will come from the not-for-profit sector, but local authorities will for the first time in years build new homes and will be able to apply for funds to refurbish some which have been empty for a long time.
NAMA will have provided 584 homes by the end of this year and it is hoped it will provide another 400 next year.
Director of Advocacy at Focus Ireland Mike Allen has said we cannot continue to accept Ireland's housing crisis as inevitable due to the country's economic circumstances.
Mr Allen said there is a huge problem about finding homes for those on low incomes.
He said the housing list currently stands at 90 thousand and while he welcomes the fact that a number of new homes are to be built over the next two years it doesn't go far enough.
He said: "If you look at them building sort of a few thousand homes it's quite clearly a totally inadequate response to the scale of the problem we've got.
“The inevitable consequence of not doing anything about this is more and more people becoming homeless or living in totally unsuitable accommodation.
"Aside from the human cost to them and their families, it's also extremely expensive."
Mr Allen said at the most extreme end people are being pushed in homelessness and Focus Ireland has seen almost a doubling of the number families in Dublin becoming homeless over the last year.
He added that there is both a human cost to the problem as well as a real cost to the state.
Mr Allen said the Department of Social Protection needs to address the issue of rent supplement because landlords are becoming more and more unwilling to accept the allowance due to the bureaucracy involved with the department.
He said: "Landlords are becoming more and more unwilling to accept rent allowance.
"Not because they're prejudiced against people on rent supplement or people who are homeless because they are so sick and tired of the bureaucracy of the department of social protection.
“And that's something that the department of social protection really now needs to address very seriously unless they want to be fingered as the department that drove people into homelessness during the crisis."


text:
Kezune Walker Poems
- The Fight Of Twilight The sky was mid-night black, They ...
- Snowlakes Drift From The Sky The sky is grey and shattered ...
- Mid-Night Chorus To be a wolf on the night when the moon ...
- Loneliness (Its not really a poem, but I had to get my ...
- I Look Into The Dark Night Sky...
Hello people! Been absent from this account for awhile now but finally back! I'm re-vamping this account and hopefully adding some new stuff, so keep an eye out! Man I forgot how much I love to write D8 more »
Click here to add this poet to your My Favorite Poets.
The Fight Of Twilight
The sky was mid-night black,
They were ready to attack,
Their eyes blazed like the roaring sun,
Ready to fire like a loaded gun,
Their thirst for revenge made them strong,
The fight will last all night long,
The Rain was tumbling like their tears,
But nothing could save them from their fears,
The thoughts of defeat was their flaw,
To fight to the death was the law,
The fight will be severe,
The Enemy draws near,
The King stood tall and proud,
The enemy brought sorrow like a rain cloud,
He drew his sword,
Ready for the ...

domain: artistic