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Sterling remained relatively stable during overnight trading after the British MPs voted to take control of Brexit from Theresa May.
March 26, ADS Securities – The Dollar was lower almost across the board at the start of the week which saw a slow and uneventful first day of trading. The US currency dipped lower against its peers with the exception of the Pound as US Treasury yields dropped below 2.4% for the first time since December 2017.
Sterling is holding around 1.32 as British MPs have seized control of the Brexit process for a day in an attempt to put forward different divorce options, potentially including a second referendum. The Euro was able to capture some gains on the back of Dollar’s slide, while the commodity dollars led the charge. Equities were marginally in the red, while Gold and Oil advanced.
US Dollar remains vulnerable
The inversion of the 3m/10y yield curves along with the 10-year UST yield dropping to new lows for the year are driving the greenback lower. Following the Fed’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged for the remainder of the year, these new catalysts are now weighing down on the US currency that sees little support on the horizon.
There are a couple of important US-related reports during the remainder of the week, like the US GDP figures on Thursday and the PCE report the next day, but expectations are set for another round of mild data.
Parliament takes control of Brexit process
On Sterling though, there’s been much action over the past 24 hours. Initially, there were reports that May will push for a third attempt to get her Brexit deal through the Commons but the British PM later conceded she didn’t have the necessary support to get the deal over the line. Nevertheless, Sterling remained little changed, trading on either side of the 1.32 mark but today it’s the British MPs’ turn to take matters into their own hands. Parliament has seized control of the Brexit process for the day in an attempt to introduce alternative options for a vote, potentially a second referendum or a revoke of Article 50 altogether.
Depending on the way the various votes result today, the Pound will see further price action. Clearly, the most bullish scenarios include a vote in favor of canceling Brexit completely or at least a second referendum taking place. However improbable these scenarios are, the Pound may gain considerably should they come true, with the 1.3350 and 1.35 areas the immediate targets in such a case. Albeit, given the divided state of the British Parliament, it seems more likely that the voting process will result into nothing and the stalemate will continue, which should push the currency lower towards the 1.31 area, as nervousness will persist.
Gold now at $1320
Gold is seeing a correction this morning after having hit the $1,325 level overnight. The yellow metal has been on an extended run since Thursday, moving $20 higher before retreating. Currently, the support is found around the $1,320 mark and as long as prices hold above this, more upside is possible over the near term.
Oil consolidated around the $59 level yesterday and today is making an attempt to move higher again; if prices manage to overcome the $59.50 level again then a further extension into the $60 area appears likely.
Equities started the week slightly in the red with the European and US markets closing marginally below water. However, today seems to be one of those “turnaround Tuesdays” as futures on both sides of the pond are pointing sharply higher. We discussed yesterday how the steady Fed policy and a potential new round of QE from the ECB create opportunities for stock investors and it seems that market participants agree with us. As such, we should be in for a positive opening bell today.
ADS Securities Risk Disclaimer
This article was provided by ADS Securities analysts.
Trading foreign exchange, foreign exchange options, foreign exchange forwards, contracts for difference, bullion and other over-the-counter products carries a high level of risk. Hence, it may not be suitable for all investors.
All opinions, news, analysis, prices or other information contained in this communication are provided as general market commentary. It does not constitute investment advice. Nor a solicitation or recommendation for you to buy or sell any over-the-counter product or another financial instrument.


Quality Inspector Aerospace
Dimensional and visual quality inspection of machined and fabricated aerospace components
Successful candidates will be familiar in goods receipt inspection of parts and materials from suppliers, raising & actioning supplied product non-conformances and use of multiple company IT systems.
In addition, you will be work closely with Goods Receiving, Supply Chain Quality, Procurement & Engineering Services for Manufacturing to ensure product is progressed through Receipt Inspection process in a timely manner.
• Must have previous experience, dimensional checking within a precision engineering, aerospace or machine shop environment- ideally goods receipt or final inspection
• Be competent at dimensional checking using hand held measuring tools such as Vernier's, Micrometres etc. - Tested at interview
• Must be able to interpret detailed engineering drawings - tested at interview
• Able to work with minimal supervision once fully authorised but also as part of a team.
• Visually inspect items for handling damage, machining errors & surface treatment condition and defects.
• Compliance with all pertinent work procedures & work instructions within the quality manual
• Physical dimensional inspection on all machined/fabricated components using basic inspection tools, including height gauge, Vernier, micrometer, pins, thread gauges, etc.
• Independent review/measurement and verification of product and associated documentation against the work card, relevant inspection plan, purchase order, drawing & specification requirements.
• Produce FAIs (First Article Inspection)
• Receive items into Goods Receipt inspection area, locate items physically and on the company ERP system.
• Verify delivery conformance against supplier end item.
• Raise non-conformance reports on company system when items do not meet requirements.
• Where required the involvement with the investigation into root casue of non-conforming product and the implementation of corrective and preventive action
• Where authorised the signing of release documentation to state the conformity of product
The Metropolitan Borough of Walsall is a metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. It is named after its largest settlement, Walsall, but covers a larger area which also includes Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston, Pelsall and Willenhall. It also serves as the post town for nearby Cannock Chase District and Lichfield District respectively.
The borough had an estimated population of 254,500 in 2007.
The current boundaries were set as part of the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, with a change to the north of the borough in 1994. It is bounded on the west by the City of Wolverhampton, the south by the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, to the south east by the City of Birmingham, and by the Staffordshire districts of Lichfield, Cannock Chase and South Staffordshire to the east, north and northwest respectively. Most of the borough is highly industrialised and densely populated, but areas around the north and east of the borough are open space.
In 1986 the borough became an effective unitary authority when the West Midlands County Council was abolished. However it remains part of the West Midlands for ceremonial purposes, and for functions such as policing, fire and public transport.


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An old dresser made into a cat litter box storage area....the front of the dresser is hinged so that the box can be cleaned, but otherwise it looks like a dresser with drawers on the outside. A catdoor in the side allows kitty access.
Pet feeding cabinet. Food is easily access and scooped from hinged top. Middle drawer for leashes, treats, etc. bottom drawer is food and water bowl... Probably remove water bowl if drawer was closed as not to limit access to water.

domain: design


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Simulation of contact with chemical agents and contaminants that can be encountered during operation.
Test required by automotive specifications, performed on painted or mass-pigmented plastics to evaluate their resistance to the application of chemical agents or fluids generally used for car cleaning (e.g. alcohol), operating fluids (e.g. petrol ) or other factors that could affect the aesthetics of the component (car air fresheners or sunscreen).
Simulation also of external contaminants such as tree resin or guano for car exterior painted components.

domain: chemistry


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Whats on in the Half Term in the South of England.
Staying in Eastbourne for the Big Wheel, and more we can offer you great place to stay for you and your family. To enjoy the fun and discover great new places in East Sussex. Hastings has a great deal to offer too.
We are based in Pevensey Bay with easy access to the A259 which gives you access to Brighton and Hastings and beyond.
Eastbourne South Harbour has loads of interesting restaurants and a walk around the marina is a must to see the lovely entrance to the harbour and watch the boats coming in. Coffee shops dotted around along with the Shopping Mall within easy walking distance from the carpark.
Eastbourne Pier is always a pleasure to walk along to muse over the waves and enjoy the prom.
For us the Eastbourne we enjoy is going into the shopping centre and enjoying a meal at the various restaurants and the cinema complex just some great ways to spend your half term break. There is always something to see and do. Walking down to the Hollywell Cafe – pet friendly and walking along the cliffs.

domain: geography


Straight line winds from a severe thunderstorm have caused power outages and downed power lines throughout North Carrollton – closing schools, damaging some homes, and making it hard for the people and Carroll County Emergency Management Center director to get to work.
Carroll County Emergency Operations Center Director Gail Beard said several homes sustained some damage during the storm Wednesday night. Beard said in North Carrollton, a tree fell on part of a house and car on North Montgomery Lane, and trees have fallen on Williamson Street. Hoboken Street, and Mill Drive. A house on First Street received some minor damage. She also said the recreational park also received damage.
This morning, Entergy’s power outage map showed there were around 500 people in North Carrollton without power. Beard said 4K, Shell-Go, and a beauty salon were all without power this morning.
“Most of it was in North Carrollton. There was a tree that fell on 17 Highway, three-quarters of a mile south. A truck driver and another lady ran into it before it was cleared. Their vehicles were messed up pretty bad, but thankfully no one was hurt and I haven’t heard of any injuries throughout this, so that’s a good thing.”
She said the awning at J.Z. George High School that stretches from the gym to school was toppled from wind. Beard said Carroll County Schools were closed today because there were trees down throughout the county.
“The county crew has gotten most of those, but with trees being a danger on the county roads, [Superintendent Billy Jo Ferguson] didn’t run the buses.”
Beard, who lives on Highway 82, said she was unable to get out of her driveway because of trees that were blocking it.
“A tree fell on my husband’s truck, and I’ve been stuck in the driveway, I can’t get out,” she said.
She said she hasn’t received any reports of rotation during the storm.
“It was just a severe thunderstorm,” she said.


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This inspirational session will give you insights in:
- Concept briefings
- R&D mindset
- The diverse technologies for prototype production, with attention for the latest innovations
- Distinguish the stakeholders for manufacturing and prototyping: Who are they? How to manage business & interpersonal relations with these people?
- Understand the process flow(s) in order to assure business continuity
Bram Van den Broeck has more than 19 years of experience in product development and mechanical design experience & more than 15 years of project management experience. He’s a product development & innovation consultant with a laser focus on product design & user experience. Bram is owner of Ikonblast. Ikonoblast is a product development & innovation consultancy that develops physical & digital products. Based in Antwerp, Belgium, Ikonoblast operates in a globalized context and serves an international clientele of various sizes, in different industries. Ikonoblast’s 360° service covers the full product development & innovation trajectory, ranging from ideation, via component design, up to manufacturing.


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Phillip has been with The Exercise Coach Houston development since 2014. With a background in science and a love for fitness The Exercise Coach was the perfect fit. His passion for helping people achieve their fitness goals is his motivation. He believes with proper nutrition and “right intensity training” those goals can be attained. Customers can attest to his passion by the results they achieve and the focus he places on their workouts. “Muscle quality over movement quantity” is definitely his motto and he would love to demonstrate that paradigm to you.
Helen hails from the UK and has a lifelong passion for fitness, health and nutrition. She is a qualified yoga teacher, has more than 20 years ’experience in coaching, personal development, has nutrition qualifications and is a certified fitness professional. Helen’s coaching style is high energy, super motivational and she pays detailed attention to each client’s personal goals and desired outcomes. She guarantees you will have the workout of your life every time you come to the Studio!
Kris comes from a small town in Texas and is currently majoring in Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Houston. Through hard work, sacrifice and dedication he has overcome many obstacles. Some of Kris’ biggest accomplishments have been becoming a successful natural bodybuilder, collegiate cheerleader, published fitness model and strength & conditioning coach. With over four years of experience in creating lifestyle changes for athletes, as well as those who are just looking to become healthier, he’s the right Coach for you!
Austin is a Houston native who is working on an undergraduate degree in business from Sam Houston State University. Fitness has always been a part of his life playing football in high school and being a part of the weightlifting team. He is right at home at the Exercise Coach partnering with clients to reach their goals, and helping them push toward achieving a healthy lifestyle.
"One of my greatest passions in life is people, and at The Exercise Coach I get to meet influential, unique, and inspiring people everyday. I look forward to going to work everyday and helping people reach their goals, because I as a coach am inspired by them to reach my goals."
Certifications: Certified Exercise Coach
Interests: Friends, sports, hunting, fishing, weightlifting
Justin is a native of Texas City, Tx. He is the Studio Manager of The Exercise Coach of River Oaks. With over 5 years experience in the Health and Fitness Industry, Justin has seen a variety of different training styles and techniques. Here at The Exercise Coach he can say that he has become a part of the most innovative and impactful methods of training yet. As he likes to say, The Exercise Coach truly puts the 'Personal' in Personal Training!
Sports were always a passion growing up, but he has recently shifted his focus towards competitive Bodybuilding. He is an aspiring physique competitor so he understands the importance of celebrating the small victories every step along the way, as well as the hard work it takes to accomplish your goals. He will insure to keep you motivated and inspired while progressing towards your goals of becoming stronger and healthier to achieve what may have once felt unattainable. "I'll believe in you, for you, on the days when you might not fully believe in yourself."
Interests: All sports, Cooking, Guitar, Competitive Bodybuilding
Certifications: ACT - CPT ; Certified Exercise Coach
Neema was born and raised in Fort Worth, TX and moved to Houston 4 years ago to attend the University of Houston. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology- Exercise Sciences and minor in Nutrition- Health Sciences. Fitness and health has consistently played a major influence in her life and she strives to apply her knowledge and experience to help train clients to their peak potential.
Neema's training technique is full of high energy, constant attention to details and exercises which are tailored to individually meet each client's needs. Her resources at The Exercise Coach allow her to incorporate creative routines with a smarter way of exercising that go beyond the traditional aspects of working out. Neema will keep you motivated to target and transcend your personal fitness goals.
Certifications: Certified Exercise Coach
Interests: Dancing, Sports, and Good Company
Born in San Antonio, and raised in the Texas Hill Country, Daya currently resides in Houston, Texas. When she was 18, she discovered her love for health and wellness and decided to pursue her passion. She concentrates on personal training with a one-on-one focus to optimize individual clients energy, fitness and health.
Daya's objective everyday to listen to, educate, support and empower everyone she works with. At the Exercise Coach, she is professionally certified and is truly committed to helping clients achieve a healthy and balanced life.
Certifications: Exercise Coach Certified
Interests: Yoga, Pilates, Train for a Triathlon, and Full time mom

domain: health


Sunday, August 2, 2015
Prior to 9/11 a person could fly with a pocket knife. In most airport arenas this constituted a blade of 4 inches or less, and it was generally recognized that airport security went with their respective State's blade length law.
At that time I, like hundreds of thousands, if not millions of travelers carried a knife when they flew. In the early to mid 90s I carried a then standard Spyderco Endura as an everyday carry. That is until the day I went to depart from Atlanta airport. A private uniformed security guard informed me that I would not be able to fly with the knife and that he would have to confiscate it. When I inquired as to why, as the blade length was not prohibited he stated that it was deemed to have an "aggressive edge" (read: it was serrated). A knife is a knife there is no such thing as an "aggressive edge" no matter what century you live in but, the confiscation was going to happen regardless. He apologized for the rules but suddenly seemed irritated when I opened the blade, stuck it under the heel of my boot and snapped the blade off.
Upon returning home I decided to circumnavigate the "rules and regulations" of flying with a knife and purchased a Spyderco Native with a plain edge (along with another Endura). From 1996 to 2001 the Native became my "flying" knife.
Then of course we all know what happened in September of 2001 and the course of domestic airline security made sweeping changes, but only in the bureaucratic sense.
Going on fourteen years later and countless number of flights we are not safer. Our pre-flight security is not handled by professional armed counter-terrorist profilers greeting you on the walk through to your plane. Instead we have gross inefficiency that rivals what we had before 9/11 only under the federal banner.
To be frank. I should be allowed to fly with my knife. So should my 60-something Vietnam veteran Father-in-law who recently had his dull as butter, tip broken, small Trapper taken from him because he left it in his pants pocket. And so should anyone else.
But if we wanted to have a set of rules for flying with a knife then we would have to look no farther than the wallet. Because if a person can produce a conceal carry permit or a Federal Firearms License then why shouldn't they be allowed to carry a knife. Because gun owners, unlike every other American, has been routinely subjected to background checks and fingerprinting that goes through state and federal records that deem them "okay."
I shouldn't need to go through a TSA background check so I can get permission to keep my boots and belt on. I've already done my background work. As a matter of fact I've done it several times in a couple of states. In essence my ccw says "trustworthy".
Instead we are regulated to being continually treated like cattle, children, and criminal suspects all lumped into one line for the stupidity of political correctness. Instead of well paid, and well healed effectiveness.
Because while you can not, under any circumstance, legally fly with a pocket knife you can however hand them your credit card and proceed to get drunk, potentially belligerent, or mood alternated to the point you go for the emergency exit door handle at thirty-five thousand feet.
But granddad's Case trapper knife is a problem.
I want my knife back, my pants belted, my boots on and everyone's dignity in place when they travel. Why we have allowed ourselves to be victimized by this idiocracy continues to astound me.
Posted by Matthew at 4:42 PM
Thursday, May 14, 2015
I like practical rifles and for years the scout concept has appealed to me. A decade or more ago I toyed with the idea of a custom build (those old Brockman sights just looked great for starters), and honestly that was really the way you obtained one if you didn't pony up for the Steyr Scout. Eventually the idea just lost traction for a number of reasons, cost being one, the other being that I owned two .30-06s what did I need with a .308 (talk about dumb reasons to not buy a new rifle).
Yet in the last few years since Savage started running a line on Scouts then Ruger picked up the ball, maybe especially since Ruger, I've yearned to fulfill the void.
The Scout Rifle, the Patrol Rifle and all of their kin in between as been a sound concept in my opinion, because despite the AR's popularity and overall general usability, the Scout rifle can travel anywhere you can take a rifle be it into the less free states here in the U.S. or hunting abroad. In my line of work, where I do travel with a work rifle on a semi-regular basis being able to stay within the legal parameters is paramount. And in the possible scenario of having to deploy a rifle for defensive work I'd be massively surprised if a complete reload would be required of any repeating rifle. Note I didn't say not to have reloads readily available, I said required.
I see you apocalypse-man with your finger in the air and your mouth opened.
All things aside noted gun-writer Richard Mann is conducting what is probably the first in depth investigation and study into the Scout Rifle concept over at his blog empty-cases, since Jeff Cooper went on to Valhalla and preach the gospel of the modern technique. You know, the one all of these neat kids on the internets keep re-inventing all the time.
What has always intrigued me about the Scout-general-purpose-utility-rifle concept is the idea of if you were limited to one rifle, whether for a limited period of time until you expanded your personal collection, or were somewhat bound by finacial constraints to own only one, why this concept works not only as a hunting arm, but a defensive and recreational one as well. Because proficiency comes from owning a gun you enjoy shooting and want others to shoot as well.
Posted by Matthew at 1:03 AM
Monday, April 27, 2015
I get inundated with "security advice" questions all the time in life. Riot breaks out somewhere, the emails and phone calls come in. Spree shooter sets about murdering as many people as he possibly can, the emails and phone calls come in. A bad guy goes an...well you get the picture.
There's always this string of questions. What caliber? What plan? What tactic? What bag should I EDC (every day carry) and what gear should I EDC in my EDC bag?
Questions, questions, questions.
Allow me to answer in brevity that is devoid of any sarcasm and is the most sincerest answer I know to give.
When the wolf comes to kill don't worry about the sheep, don't worry what kind of dog you may be or may not be. Don't worry about getting killed, don't worry about the aftermath, don't worry...about anything.
Make a decision to stop the wolf and then go stop him.
Stop him where he stands by whatever means necessary and don't do it with kindness, don't do it with anger, do it with sincere an solid intent that he will never stand again.
We live in a very modern age but the bad men of the world are very old in their ways and desire. And for old problems new answers are rarely the solution.
You stop a bad man by making a decision. That decision is all that will matter until the future of everything being over arrives. Give no yield, no quarter, no pause. Do nothing less than be victorious. There is no shortage of bad men in the world and there will never be a shortage of such men. But they, the creatures that go bump in the night, the wolves at the door, are thwarted by decision and decisive action.
It's not caliber, capacity, polymer nor steel that overcomes the evil of this world but rather bravery.
Be brave. Be Brave. Be Brave.
Oregon school shooting stopped by teacher Todd Rispler
Posted by Matthew at 10:54 PM
Monday, November 24, 2014
Monday, October 20, 2014
As part of the general M.O. here I generally don't do the hyper-link-go-see-this-website but, I thought this was actually worth it. Your mileage may vary of course depending on your nutritional needs....needs...not wants.
Remember something like this can work for the SHTF as much as it can being without work for a long time and needing to feed your family, or even yourself. I say that because my first year of self-employment (back in 2002), this would have been worth doing.
How to create a food storage supply for five dollars a week
Remember something like this can work for the SHTF as much as it can being without work for a long time and needing to feed your family, or even yourself. I say that because my first year of self-employment (back in 2002), this would have been worth doing.
How to create a food storage supply for five dollars a week
Posted by Matthew at 4:02 PM
Monday, October 13, 2014
I passed on a Ruger No. 1 Tropical in .375 H&H. I don't remember the price but, I remember having enough cash in my pocket to buy it. The problem was, that despite my lust and desire it never met my litmus test for a gun. What was I going to do with a .375 H&H at twenty-five years old in the mid-west.
The Gun, atleast for me, have always had to fall within a certain level of working class, so to speak, to me. They have to be able to serve me or atleast be reasonable pressed into service.
Yet despite this, my small collection of firearms is surprisingly not very "tactical", especially given my line of work one could surmise.
For a while my work rifle was a Ruger Mini 14. I liked it. I didn't love it. My plan was always to ship it down to Clark's Custom guns and get a new barrel on it and do a scout mount. It never happened and I eventually sold it (and it's four 30 round steel mags). There is something of a juxtaposition about that rifle. I don't regret selling it. I regret never paying for the custom work I wanted done to it which would have ended up with me keeping the gun I don't regret selling.
Yet the .223 and, the 5.56 have, much like the 9mm, left me very indifferent towards them. I've owned them. Liked them alright but none of them didn't do anything I essentially didn't have another gun capable or more capable of doing just fine. Mind you, I'm not talking about what does or doesn't work for anyone else but me so don't go getting the vapors.
Interestingly enough, when you live and work with your guns on a daily basis you don't put too much thought into them NOT being effective.
After coming off the rifle range last weekend and forced to contend with boxes of spent brass it was time to get back on the loading bench. After a pot of coffee, and a few hours of silent pondering while de-capping round after round (I run a single stage press) I looked at the green and grey RCBS boxes and the gumball red Lee cylinders and realized that the most "modern" cartridge I load for, the .243 Winchester, was invented in 1955, the next most modern, the .357 coming about in the 1930s. Beyond that everything else is over a hundred years old. From the turn of the last century with the .38 Special and .45 ACP to the Indian wars with the .44 WCF, the .45 Colt and the .45-70.
Yet if you read it in that context one would think that they are simply nostalgic "fun" cartridges that do not serve purpose.
I would concede that the .44-40 is most likely the only round that would readily fall into the ranks of entertainment only if it weren't for the fact that I have in fact pressed both the revolver and rifle chambered for this round into service at different times.
When the Ferguson riots broke out in St. Louis over the summer the self-loading rifle I keep lay in pieces on my bench. There were no qualms here keeping a lever gun in the truck and in the house, along with a Remington 870. Dismiss the round that started it all if you want but, but I keep a couple of boxes of factory jacketed soft points solely for defense work.
Light cowboy loads they are not. Out of the rifle they run over 1200 fps with a 200 grain bullet and there are fifteen of them in the magazine tube.
The revolver chambered for the old .44 cartridge, itself was carried more than a few times during my corporate bodyguard career, albeit at Client barbeques and more "relaxed" scenarios but, to claim I was "unarmed" with six 200 grain .44 caliber bullets in a wheel gun at the ready is stupid. I know because a gentleman in similar employ at the time and also in attendance at one of these casual soirees openly mocked me about it.
He himself was carrying a .32 Seacamp.
Atleast one of us was well armed at the party.
My rifle of rifles remains the .30-06.
I've spent too much time on the range and the field in the almost two decades we've been together and have shot my plentiful share of Missouri Whitetails with it.
Since 1906 there have been a mind numbing number of .thirty caliber rifles to come along. Some of them long forgotten, others having marked their place in the queen of weapons ranks. If I were starting out today looking for a bolt gun to do a lot of work from defense to hunting the .308 could quite easily get the nod. I certainly have a liking for the Ruger Scout Rifle and there have been a couple of long barreled sniper rifles that have sung their sirens song to me. But when shove comes to push what does it do that I can't do already and frankly it does it very well.
When the rifle range beckons, or my head gets too fogged up with the world and I need to make calm it's not the lever gun, nor the pistol that I reach for in my quest for zen. It's the 30-06 in a bolt action.
A few, well several years back after being involved in some social situations where more than feelings got hurt I pondered for a few days that maybe I needed to go "talk to someone". Instead I spent fours hours on a rifle range gingerly working my way through a box of hand-loaded 180 grain Matchkings. There was no talking, no dialogue, no "how does that make you feel". My co-pay was primers, powder and thirty caliber copper. And they solved my issued more than a PhD ever could.
Of all center-fire cartridges I run the .243 Winchester holds more merit than I would have really ever thought. It was the rifle I cut my teeth on and in many ways encouraged me to dig into the world of the rifle and find out what makes a rifle tick and what makes it accurate and inaccurate. After a few years of pie plate patterns I still recall the sweet joy of seeing my first MOA group after I sanded the stock down on the Remington 788 so that it's barrel was free floated. A whole new world emerged.
With it's mild recoil and solid velocities it can do everything a .223 or .5.56 can do only better. Yet in the tactical/war fighter community it is laughable to even think of such a notion. After one of my best friend's son received a .243 single shot a few years ago the rifle round came back on my radar (and from it's tucked away corner in the gun safe).
Clearly it's never going to have place of significance in the tactical community, but if you are of the belief that it can not work because it's not on the list of "approved" tactical calibers then you are naive at best and a fool at worst. People with such notions, in my experience, lack any.
Interestingly enough, during the First and Second Ammo droughts of the twenty-first century when the shelves were bare I could always find .243 Winchester. I have no idea why but during those times I was in several states and there it was on the shelves.
If I lived in a gun restrictive area, or was wanting to put together a budget friendly political correct looking bolt action patrol rifle (or both), I'd give it a hard close look.The unforeseen advantage in the .243 is that you get a little thicker barrel because there is less of a hole in what would otherwise be a standard .308 barrel.
Something to think about.
Only a fool would dismiss the .45-70 as not having a solid purpose in this day and age. It has literally become a phoenix rising from the ashes. If you read gun and shooting articles from the 1960s and 70s it was all but written off as dead with some folks with Springfield Trapdoors and Marlin keeping it alive, eeking out sales for the purest of hearts.
That is until someone whacked the barrel off and called it a guide gun and Jeff Cooper declared it holy to the faithful. It's sales have been strong for the last two decades. If you were to have only a few rifles to your name the .45-70 lever gun would not be a mistake. It's a fight stopper against man or beast. On any continent.
And while most "tactically proficient" men of the twenty-first century fall into fits of rage when someone mentions a gun fight from two centuries earlier, a gun fight, dear reader is still a fight and unless I missed something the human has not changed much in any anatomical sense in the last millennium. In 1887 Commodore Perry Owens, the Sheriff of the 21,000 square mile Apache County, Arizona got crossways (literally) while serving a warrant. Perry, on his own with no backup, killed four armed attackers in short order with a .45-70 from what we call "pistol" distance. Perry had not so much as a scratch.
Unlike a vast majority of American shooters who grew up with guns I did not grow up with the .30-30 Winchester. At that time my dad kept a couple of shotguns, a Sears & Roebuck .22 lever action (hammerless....yep), a .22 High Standard revolver and a Smith Model 19 .357. The only two centerfire rifles were a Parker Hale .30-06 and the aforementioned .243.
But I yearned for a "thirty-thirty" for years. When I finally picked up a model 94 for a whopping $275 I didn't regret it. If you've read me very long here on this blog, you'll know that this is the rifle I rely on for work most often or a Marlin in .three fifty seven magnum.
The old .30 WCF (Winchester Center Fire) maybe one of the finest medium powered cartridges we have, especially in this day and age. For the reloader the potential is there to handle everything from squirrels and rabbits to deer more the efficiently and in some of the heavy factory loads, such as from Buffalo Bore, you can hunt North America.
It's not a wonder kid nor a "tactically" fancy round. And door kickers, both real and wannabe, won't be clinging hard to the rifle nor the round ever but, it was in the man stopping business long before anyone ever heard of the .223 or the 7.62x39. I won't keep house without one and it's almost always the most recommended first rifle for anyone who wants an uncomplicated long gun to serve a variety of roles from game getter to home defender, when I am asked.
There has been so much historical content written on the .45 ACP and the 1911 that I refuse to address it. If you don't know and you can't figure out how to find out, you're SOL as the old Man use to say.
No other cartridge has been so near and dear to me in my life nor seen me safely home. It's been in my hand under the gravest of circumstances, been on most every trip where a gun was permissible, or doable. It has ridden in a shoulder rig in the Atlantic, on my hip on the Continental Divide, and delivered the coup de grace on the side of the highway to a back broken doe, when a stranger in a $40,000 truck with thousands of dollars worth of hunting gear wouldn't "waist" the dollar on a bullet and decided to cut her throat until she nailed him with her hooves and he got fish belly white.
Reloading the old war horse, I don't do fancy. I like standard pressures for the rounds in question. I get better accuracy and less wear and tear on my firearms in the process. You can have the hot rodding and the +P. I like one thing and one thing only in the .45 ACP. 230 grains.
Save the preaching. It works just fine for me.
The .45 Colt, came to me late, as in this year. A dual celebration of seeing my first paid article published (it was nice to get a check from the NRA instead of sending one) and my fortieth year on God's favorite blue marble; I purchased a used Ruger flattop in Uncle Sam's old Indian fighter round.
Again, I don't chase the magic bullet. The old timers who came before worked out much of it and there are plenty of others who can push the limits for me to learn on. I'm always amazed at alarmist and neo-shots who have come to the conclusion that six rounds in a single action leave a man essentially unarmed because of the dreaded reload.
Lots of bullets in bad circumstances are a handy thing to have, no doubt, and the citizenry should have all the access desired to thirty round magazines and self-loading whisper quiet rifles. I firmly believe that. But I also believe in a gun fight, regardless of the century, solid center mass hits from a big bore revolver, stop fights. Your junk science and your worst case scenarios be damned. Hits matter.
Yes I know, I know. The caliber debate is over thanks to new and modern ammunition. Except there is one not-so-slight issue with the "Caliber debate". It's not. It is a cartridge debate. It's always the 9mm vs the .45ACP, or the .40 S&W, or any other auto pistol round. It's never the 9mm vs the .45 Colt, or the .44 Magnum. You know why? Because those are two big sons of bitches and the 9mm is not. And a hit from either is far FAR more significant in stopping a fight, not to mention two or three.
If I can not put a B-i-Q (badguy-in-question) down with three .45 Colt rounds to the chest, I'll be shooting him in the hip thank you very much, because he can rage all over the damn ground.
Broke bone don't work.
I know. You're irate. I've angered the 9mm cult with my brazen big bore speech, damn me.
I'm not anti-9mm. Never have been, never will be. I think it's a fine self-defense round and have carried it and depended on it enough to have some semblance of opinion on it. So don't lose your head.
The problem of late is that the emerging shooters (not necessarily fighters) are ageists toward not only men who came before them but cartridges and guns as well. If a rifle doesn't self load or hold more than thirty rounds at the push of a release mag, it is outdated and it's owner a mentally distant.
Part of the reason I have had an on again off again relationship with the 9mm Luger is owed in large part to the .38 Special and .357 Magnums I own. Make no mistake, my favorite platforms for launching the old European bean are the SiG P226 and the Browning Hi-Power. I've routinely told folks who are looking for their first pistol or who are going to be one gun households to look no further than the Glock 19 or the 9mm in general. It's widely available, and easy to shoot.
If you are looking to buy your first gun, or perhaps your only handgun and deeply desire an auto-pistol so the entire family can learn on it and shoot it confidently. The 9mm would be wise and well received.
Yet, here in lies the rub, most post-9/11 shooters, who came to the gun world around the time the Assault Weapons Ban finally died in it's 2004 sunset on a national level fail to realize that the AWB brought a critical eye to the 9mm, which had thrived through the 80s and early 90s in the wondernine era. Suddenly there was this sincere question put forth of bore diameter and that bigger has it's place for reasons. If you were left with ten .35 caliber bullets or eight .45 caliber ones which would you really rather have?
Again that is not to inflame the cartridge debate, that is simply pointing out what happened.
Which bring us to the last of it.
If you were to count the spent brass in boxes on my bench you would see that the lead goes to the .38 Special, followed by the .357 Magnum in close second. There are reasons for this. They are solid and backed up by decades of man fighting, game getting and trophy winning history, for the both of them.
In my small opinion, there is no gun as versatile as one chambered for the .357 Magnum. A bold statement to be sure, and certainly it has a 1960s gun rag ring to it. The moment the chamber is reamed to accept the old 1/10 of an inch longer, 1935 creation the shooter is in possession of a dual caliber gun, if that shooter happens to be a re-loader, then multiplicity occurs. This is because a lightly handloaded .38 Special will do anything a .22 LR or .22 Magnum can do, only better, and since it can do this the shooter/reloader gets, for his trouble, a superior ".22", a .38 Special and a .357 Magnum.
No handgun cartridge has been more reloaded than the .38 Special and the .357 Magnum remains the king of fight stoppers. I understand. For you the modern shooter I sound as if I am lecturing from a rocking chair. Grandad muttering in the corner to himself. Yet this is large part because of an obsession with guns that weigh ounces and not pounds. I've run the cylinders of .357 Magnums in 12 ounce guns and narrow sights. I'll keep my all stainless steel 2 1/2 inch, Smith model 66, weighing in at a couple of pounds and it's big glorious adjustable sights. The ones that the neo-shot will assure you, rips the clothes from your body as you draw only to snag, getting you killed.
The 158 grain bullet in both rounds works tremendously well for most things from targets, to men, to attacking four legged mammalia. Ah yes. The Grizzly Bear dilemma. You see I don't live in Grizzly country. I won't encounter one this deer season nor while taking out the trash this week.
Being in possession of both revolvers and rifle that will shoot these cartridges covers anything I might need to resolve. Want to teach a new shooter how to hit? How to focus on a front sight? How to have a remarkably easy day on the range. Try the lever action rifle in .357 Magnum loaded with .38s or .357s.
If the politics of this country ever went south to the point we were forced to live with a limited number of guns for me the .357 chambered gun would be at the #1 must have spot.
Don't fall trap to this all being a bit of nostalgia or that these are "the only" cartridges I own. They are not. They simply are the ones that I reload for, but and this is the important part that I want to express.
If.....they were the only ones I had. If circumstances changed tomorrow and I had to dwindle the room in the safe down for one reason or another these eight cartridges and the guns chambered for them would remain above all others.
They will do anything that needs done in a shooting environment from self-defense, to hunting game of all sizes, to target and even competitive shooting, or defending a home and family in a city that has suddenly appeared on the international scene for it's rioting as of late.
Our culture, the gun culture, here in the century, has become somewhat obsessed with fashion that is passed off as must-have-tactical-needs. So much so that it has driven an entire market to panic buy and horde more than a couple of times. I can only wonder how many ARs were bought in November of 2008 and never fired.
So in our quest to survive the apocalypse with "the right gun" I pass along a piece of advice the late Bill Jordan (and not the damn camo maker) gave and Jim Wilson graciously passed on to us.
Mr. Jordan, upon being asked what kind of rifle he would "stash" away in case of the feces-hitting-the-empeller replied that he would keep a Model 19 Smith & Wesson in .357 Magnum and a box of ammunition. The man who asked him became a bit perplexed, since he asked specifically "what rifle". To which Jordan expounded further:
"If serious trouble starts and you can shoot at all, you can get whatever kind of little machine gun you’d want to carry. You could even get a little Jeep to drive and maybe even a nice looking uniform to wear… if you can shoot!” (go read the whole thing here).
As for me. One look at my reloading bench tells me I have everything I need and nothing I don't.
Posted by Matthew at 1:51 AM
Saturday, September 13, 2014
You always hate those situations where you know that if it goes bad, it will go bad in a big way, all the while knowing that you have to appear incapable of being able to deal with anything bad, while being completely capable, in a moment's notice, of dealing decisively with the now bad situation.
A couple of winters back like a bad novel I was carrying my .45 in the pocket of my heavy wool pea-coat, a Hissatsu folder in my waistband, a bitty little light in my jeans pocket and that was pretty much it.
Once inside of where I needed to be my jacket had to come off and I was essentially carrying off body. The coat went wherever I went so it was never helpless situation and, the problem really wouldn't exist if it was going to, until I went outside. At which point the coat would be back on. I dutifully left my gloves in the truck so there would be a reason to have my hands in my pocket once out in the 15 degree night air.
The issue was the big Colt flopped and turned around in the coat pocket and while plenty deep as not to fall out, once back on and hand in the pocket, the pistol had rotated and now rode upside down.
Hammer down in condition two or not, it was not ideal. I fumbled around in my pocket saying something about losing the cigarettes I didn't have and don't smoke, until finally the gun was properly aligned in the pocket and hand. A few words were spoken back and forth as I walked outside and the entire ordeal was over having gone smoothly.
On the drive back, with Colt's Commander riding in my waistband I cussed at myself for not being better well suited for big auto pocket carry.
Oddly enough I couldn't help but thinking of Tommy Lee Jones in the movie "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada". Through most of the movie Jones rides horse back with a 1911 shoved into the back pocket of his Wranglers. Over and over I thought that a real basic pinch fit leather holster that could slip into the back pocket, that didn't have any loops or clips attached to it, and carried the gun juuust tight enough as to not come out freely would be a handy thing to have.
The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. Winter became Spring and, finally Summer then late one July night I finally knew what to do. Or rather who to go to.
Enter Mike Barranti of Barranti holsters.
I emailed him outlining my needs, wants, and desires for such a thing and Mike knew exactly...and I mean exactly what I was talking about. It was an old timers carry, like turn of the last century old timers, and apparently Mike had tooled around with the same thought himself. About eight hours and one sunset and sunrise later he emailed me a photo of the very image in my brain.
Without hesitation I said "I'll take it".
A few days later it arrived by mail.
That was July of 2013. A year and a couple of months later I still love this holster, which is good because it sees daily use.
In our house we have a mental "gun code" as it were. A pistol in a holster is chambered. A pistol not in a holster is not chambered/loaded. It's the rule.
And I never break it.
That is not to imply guns lay around the house. They do not. They are all secured after a fashion one way or another, against un-welcomed visitors and toddlers alike.
At the end of the day when the I take off the old Colt, de-cock it, open the box and it is slipped into it's next place of residence. The Hip Pocket Holster.
Lest you are under the impression that this is all the use the holster sees it is not. Some of my time in the field requires prolonged surveillance. Hours and hours...and hours of sitting. Something the introvert in me never minds. That sitting can also mean, laying, sprawled out and waiting at all sorts of angles and positions beyond the driver's seat of my old 4Runner so it's nice to be able to take it off but still have it in a ready position.
With the absence of things like a re-enforced mouth, or clips, or loops the overall width is very minimal and allows the pistol to be wedged perfectly in someplaces. Yet the wet molded, pinch fit is loose enough to allow a draw where the holster does not come with it, while having very reasonable retention in a gun slip like this one.
"How well?" you might wonder.
Most nights before turning in, the dog and I walk the acre and a half we live on and more often than not my pistol is slipped into the back pocket of my jeans. If drawn it can be re-holstered without looking, quickly and easily.
Coming around full circle, I like this holster for one more reason. Winter time. Remember where we started. A pea coat pocket full of .forty-five?
One significant disadvantage in conceal carry comes in winter time. Not in the way so much of carrying, but rather getting the gun into action quickly with a heavy buttoned up coat.
Say for example, I'm out at dinner. It's below freezing and the old 4Runner is parked a few blocks away. The evening ends, everyone is putting on coats, saying goodbyes and what not. I take that opportunity to go to the restroom and put my coat on. I'll take my Colt's Commander from it's In-the-Waist-Band holster and slip it into the Hip Pocket Shuck ready and waiting in my coat pocket. I can keep my hand on the gun my entire walk if I so choose and never have to worry about undesired finger-trigger slippage. Yet I can also rest assured that with my hands not in my pocket the big gun isn't sliding all over the place.
Lastly, There are times in my life, for one reason or another, that off body carry bears merit. In such cases the holster works well to keep the gun upright in a bag without any bulk added like a thicker conventional rig simply shoved in to a pack might have.
Just like there is no magic "one gun" solution for all things, there is no "one holster" solutions either. This rig, while very simple fills a lot of roles in my life and it does them very very well.
So what does it cost? The last time I asked Mike about this he said "$40 plus shipping".
$40.00 for a holster that comes from one of America's best leather rig makers. Not much thought need go into that one. Eventually I'll order a couple more of these. Probably for my snub-nosed Smith and one for my Ruger Flattop as well.
A good many shootists carry Mike's rigs and love them dearly. I now know why.
Posted by Matthew at 1:57 AM


Conveyor belts are primarily employed for carrying objects, from one point to another. The belts typically comprise two or more pulleys to rotate a belt in continuous circles. The material to be transported in placed on the belt and is carried to the end point on the belt. Commonly, two pulleys are employed for functioning of one conveyor belt one of the pulleys is rotated and it drives the other pulley while it is rotating. The belts are generally used for transportation in close distances, generally within a building.
Global Conveyor Belts Market Future Market Insights Share, Global Trends, Analysis, Research, Report, Opportunities, Segmentation and Forecast, 2014 www.futuremarketinsights.com email@example.com


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Search 400 airlines and 321,000 hotels worldwide.
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Located across from Disney's California Adventure® Park and Disneyland® Resort, this family-friendly hotel has beautifully landscaped courtyards and pool areas; ...
With a 14-story tropical atrium, this Embassy Suites is near Disneyland® Park, Disney's California Adventure® Park, and Downtown Disney District; the Anaheim ...
Located in the heart of Anaheim, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Grove of Anaheim and Angel Stadium. Honda Center and Crystal Cathedral are also within ...
DoubleTree by Hilton Anaheim-Orange County is 10 minutes by car from Disneyland® Park and Anaheim Convention Center. Guests can walk 5 minutes to Outlets at ...
Home to a world-famous amusement park, some of Southern California's premiere concert venues, and historic orange groves, Anaheim is a city packed full of family fun. It's also a great spot for hidden treasures like the Anaheim Packing District and Anaheim Farmer's Market. Blessed with great weather year-round, it doesn't matter when you visit Anaheim, you'll be in for sunny days and clear skies!
Casually referred to as simply "The Grove," this concern and event venue attracts the country's biggest and brightest stars. Pick from touring musicals, the ballet, big-name music acts, and even stand-up comics for an unforgettable performance. Located in the heart of Anaheim's tourism and convention district, hotels near The Grove of Anaheim are steps from the action. Several of the hotels close to The Grove of Anaheim are even walking distance from event centers, giving you a break from long lines and exorbitant parking rates.
Stay and enjoy some of Anaheim's local spots, still close to the cheap hotels near The Grove of Anaheim, but away from the hustle and bustle. Start with the hyper-local Anaheim Packing District, located an easy three miles from The Grove. You'll enter an expansive dining experience like no other. Food vendors line the two-story building, with a large dining area open in the middle. There's outdoor seating and grass for the kids, not to mention a dizzying array of food choices. Also in downtown Anaheim is the Farmers Market, open Thursdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Gather local produce, including some of those famous oranges, at this inclusive neighborhood event.
Enjoy the Southern California sunshine and views from your Anaheim hotel. If you're looking for deals on packages, check out Travelocity's bundles on vacations to Anaheim. Plus, enjoy easier planning with the Travelocity Price Guarantee. Travelocity will match a lower price and refund the difference if you find a better deal elsewhere.

domain: travel


text:
Texas Native Dempsey Scores After 32 Seconds In USA vs Ghana Match
NATAL, Brazil (AP) – Clint Dempsey scored the fastest goal by an American in World Cup history, putting the United States ahead after 32 seconds of its opener against Ghana on Monday night.
DaMarcus Beasley, the first American to play in four World Cups, passed the ball on the left flank to Jermaine Jones, who sent it on to Dempsey.
The U.S. captain cut between Sulley Muntari and John Boye and beat goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey with a left-footed shot from 8 yards, setting off explosive cheers from the red, white and blue-clad American fans at the other end of Arena das Dunas.
U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) June 16, 2014
Nacogdoches native Dempsey became the first American to score in three World Cups following goals against the Black Stars in 2006 and England four years ago.
(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
- Texas Senate Approves Open Carry Of Handguns
- Texas House Passes Biker Safety Bill Days After Shooting
- Too Many Bikers, Not Enough Lawyers
- No Boats Allowed On Lake Worth
- Group That Organized Biker Meeting Gets City Proclamation
- PHOTOS: Your Pet Pictures

domain: sports


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One of the first things I do when I book a wedding client is make sure that we have a chance to discuss their wedding day timeline together. I know that I can help my couples have the best pictures possible simply by using my experience and knowledge of light to help them plan out CONTINUE
Ready to Learn Flash?
I spent an entire week creating a super simple flash photography crash course for you, and it's totally free. Check it out....
If you ever get a chance to photograph a dance recital, make sure you jump, pirouette or even two-step at the chance. That’s because photographing a dance recital is a wonderful opportunity to enhance your photographic skills, and make a whole bunch of kids extremely happy at the same time. The first time I was CONTINUE
If you know who MacGyver is, you are the right audience for this, because it means you remember watching TV in the 80’s. Since then you may have noticed that you and your friends look better in good lighting. This is where the clamshell lighting setup comes in. This is a setup used in studio CONTINUE
Unless your muslin backdrop is kept hanging and is never moved, you’re going to have issues with wrinkles that have to be addressed. If you don’t have days (or more) to hang the backdrop and let gravity pull out the wrinkles, your options include ironing, steaming, blurring the background, or using paper instead. Muslin backdrops CONTINUE
Rembrandt lighting is a well-known lighting setup that is used for portrait photography. To achieve this ‘look’ one half of the models face will be in full illumination whilst the other half, usually the side furthest away from the camera is in partial shadow, with a very distinct illuminated triangle under the eye on the CONTINUE
I’m one of the rare ones; I actually read the instruction manuals. I want to make sure I know my way around the camera, so I know how to get what I need from my camera when I need it. I’ll admit, however, that the first time I read the part about Flash Exposure Compensation CONTINUE

domain: artistic


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At first it was just the tides that were larger and broader. Then came the lingering salt water intrusion closer to the shore where the cedar had grown for almost a decade.
There is a branch here and there hanging on for dear life. But it is just a matter of time.
And we are always amazed that in death it is still so lovely.


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It’s official: Alia Bhatt to star in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi
The film is based on the life of female gangster Gangubai, also known as the Madam of Kamathipura
Alia Bhatt is officially set to star in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film Gangubai Kathiawadi. The film is based on the life of female gangster Gangubai, also known as the Madam of Kamathipura. Gangubai, who was forced into prostitution at a young age, rose to control the brothels of Kamathipura, Mumbai’s red light district. Her life story is featured in crime writer Hussain Zaidi’s book, Mafia Queens Of Mumbai.
Sanjay and Alia were earlier set to collaborate on Inshallah. The project was shelved following creative differences between Sanjay and lead actor Salman Khan.
Gangubai Kathiawadi will be co-produced by Bhansali Productions and Pen India Ltd. The film is scheduled for release on September 11, 2020.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s last directorial venture was Padmaavat. He also produced Mangesh Hadawale’s romantic drama Malaal. Alia Bhatt, on the other hand, was last seen in Kalank. Her upcoming films are Brahmastra and Sadak 2. She is also a part of SA Rajamouli’s period actioner RRR, co-starring Jr NTR, Ram Charan, and Ajay Devgn.

domain: entertainment


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MENAFN | 4 January 2018
FTA with Turkey is Ukraine’s key priority for 2018 : Ambassador
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Turkey Andrii Sybiha considers the conclusion of the agreement on a free trade area (FTA) with Turkey as one of the key priorities of 2018.
He wrote about this on Twitter on January 4.
"Turkey was Ukraine’s third trade partner in 2017 - and this was in the absence of the agreement on a free trade area. The current level of bilateral trade and economic cooperation does not correspond to mutual potential - the FTA agreement is one of the key priorities in 2018," the ambassador wrote.
The diplomat also cited the data compiled by the Economic Development Ministry of the Top 15 largest partner countries for the export of goods from Ukraine. According to this list, in January-October 2017, the share of exports of the Ukrainian goods to the EU was 40.2%, to Russia - 9.3%, Turkey - 5.7%, India - 5.2%, China - 4.6%.

domain: news


Three people are facing charges after police seized a number of guns in northwest London on Thursday.
Police pulled over a vehicle in the area of Wonderland Road and Oxford Street and also entered a home on Wateroak Crescent
The following items were seized:
- 9mm Glock 27 handgun, loaded with five (5) rounds of ammunition
- 40 calibre Glock handgun, loaded with four (4) rounds of ammunition
- Glock magazine
- 22 grams of suspected cocaine, value $2,200
- One (1) gram of suspected Fentanyl, value $200
- 32 ‘Tec’ pills, value $160
- $1655 in cash.
The accused were to appear in court Friday.


A series of available equations allows the yield and the tensile strength of low carbon ferrite-pearlite microstructures to be expressed as a function of the optical grain size, steel composition and interstitials in solution. Over the years, as the complexity of steel microstructures has increased, some additional terms have been added to account for precipitation and forest dislocation contributions. In theory, this opens the door for an extension of these equations to bainitic microstructures. Nevertheless, there is a series of difficulties that needs to be overcome in order to improve prediction accuracy. In the present work, different microstructures (ferrite-pearlite, bainite, quenched, and quenched and tempered) were produced and tension tested in a C-Mn-Nb steel. Optical microscopy and EBSD (Electron Back Scattered Diffraction) were applied and the results were compared as a function of the tolerance angle. Based on this work, an adaptation to Pickering's equation is proposed, including its extension to other microstructures rather than ferrite-pearlite. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


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The Chefs and Instructors
During our cooking vacations we will be coached with the following outstanding chefs and instructors. In every program the list of participating chefs is slightly different. This is a partial list:
Ayelet Nahum was born in Tel Aviv, and started taking interest in food and its origin as a little girl, while watching her father cook in a butchery-turned-soup kitchen at the Carmel market. As food and travel have always been her two biggest passions, Ayelet figured that guiding gastronomic tours would be a perfect way to combine them. She volunteered and worked with the Israeli nature protection society since her teenage years, and continued that in her army service, later taking a study program in Eretz Israel studies and tour guiding. Ayelet has been guiding tourists in Israel and abroad ever since, focusing on her immense curiosity and love for food, and believing that food is a way to bring people together and to get to know one another’s culture, especially in the complex Israeli reality.
Nowadays Ayelet works with the Israeli ministry of tourism, and guides the yummiest of gastronomy tours in her city of Tel Aviv-Yafo and all over Israel, taking her clients anywhere and everywhere from the unbeknownst spots at the market to high class restaurants and meetings with local chefs.
Nora Hosaysy is a Druze cuisine chef who had worked for 5 years in the Carmel Forest Spa Resort kitchen, cooking next to distinguished chefs, such as, Haim Cohen, Israel Aharoni, Amir Halfon, and others. She founded “Nora’s Kitchen” in 2004 after chef Haim Cohen advised her to open home style Druze hosting in her home at Daliyat El-Carmel..
Nora’s kitchen is kosher and offers authentic Druze and Mediterranean dishes. She teaches cooking classes and hosts special events for groups from Israel and abroad.
Alaa Musa was born in Akko (Acre). He is a young chef, the owner of El-Marsa Restaurant in the Old Acre port. He specializes in fish and seafood. As a teenager, Alaa worked in the famous fish restaurant Uri Buri parallel to his studies at Dan Gourmet in Haifa. Alaa worked as sous-chef at Carmela Restaurant when he was only 21 years old. He accumulated more experience when he traveled around the world and worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, such as, Operakallare, F12, and Le Rouge. In 2009 he founded El-Marsa Restaurant together with his partner Marwan Sawaed, where he combines authentic Arab dishes with such that follow his own interpretation. Alaa’s fish cooking workshop includes a culinary tour of the Old Acre market, a presentation of fish cooking techniques, and hands-on classes.
Atalya Ein Mor
Atalya Ein Mor was born and raised in the picturesque village of Ein Kerem. Following her work in renowned restaurants and after years of preparing food originating from the simple need to be creative, , she decided to combine exquisite food, breathtaking views and a unique atmosphere in her beautiful home in Ein Kerem, opposite the Judean Hills. Atalya offers cooking workshops under personal guidance. Every guest has a chance to knead, glaze, and create his/her own tasty and fragrant “work of art”.
Dalia Harfoof is a manager at Tupperware who loves to see her guests enjoy her delectable goodies around the table. Dalia specializes in Kurdish cuisine and story-telling. She offers convivial and delicious Kube (a Middle Eastern dish) preparation workshops in her beautiful house in Ein Karem.
Galia Agayev completed her academic degree in Psychology and Education when she realized that her real passion was culinary arts, in general, and baking, in particular. She learned Confectionery arts at Hadassah College, in Jerusalem, and worked in high-rated hotels and confectioneries. After several years she founded her own business where she sells her pastries, all made from fresh and high-quality ingredients. In addition, she has a column in a food magazine, and teaches bakery classes in her confectionery.
Leah Shomron Finder
Leah Shomron Finder, a culinary consultant specializing in nutritious food and healthy cooking. Leah trained as a Chef and is a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health & Culinary Arts in New York.
Leah is the author of the best-selling cook book "Simply Healthy", she runs healthy cooking workshops, lectures on the subject of nutrition from a practical perspective and writes for several portals. She also appeared in 3 seasons of a popular cooking show, which aired on prime time TV. Middle Eat’s groups will be meeting Leah at the Organic Chef Farm in Hogla.

domain: food


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Monday, July 19, 2010
The HUGE TBR Readathon - Take 2
Posted by Laura at Library of Clean Reads on July 19, 2010 in Readathon | Comments : 1
When: It takes place from today, Monday, July 19 to Sunday, July 25th.
Where: Bookworming in the 21st Century or on your own blog.
What do you need to do? Just read and read to lessen your TBR pile. To join, just go here and sign up with Mr. Linky.
Are you thinking of joining?

domain: literature


University of Toronto data management group
UTM Zone 17
from the datamanagementgroup web page: "The Transportation Tomorrow Survey (TTS) and Metropolitan Toronto and Region Transportation Study (MTARTS) are origin destination travel surveys.
The Survey Data is available through the Internet Data Retrieval System (iDRS).
This page contains the geographic data files for the spatial aggregations used in iDRS.
The finest level of spatial aggregation available through iDRS is that of the Traffic Zone.
The Traffic Zone is a polygon which typically falls along the centre line of roads or the natural geographic boundaries.
The survey area is subdivided into traffic zones based on the planning needs of the participating agencies. "
Metadata and Access Information


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- This event has passed.
Built-Environments, Community, and Higher Ed: Advancing Racial Equity
May 26, 2021 at 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
On Wednesday, May 26th at 11:30 AM ET, Dr. Landsmark joins Dr. S. Atyia Martin, CEO and Founder of All Aces, Inc., on Intentionally Act Live for a discussion on the role of built-environments and communities as factors that influence the advancement of a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world. “Complacency is the enemy of change,” Dr. Landsmark wrote – and the opportunities to create a world where everyone’s full humanity is acknowledged are bountiful and numerous.
About the Speakers:
Faculty Affiliate Ted Landsmark, Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and the Director of the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University, has a long and storied career advancing initiatives at public and private institutions focused on social justice and the intersections of policy, design, and higher-education. His research areas of interest include diversity in design, environmental design, community-based economic development, historic preservation, and more. His efforts to advance a more diverse and equitable world have been impactful in many local, state and national programs and initiatives, including as President of Boston Architectural College as trustee of the Design Futures Council.
Distinguished Senior Fellow Atyia Martin is the CEO and Founder of All Aces, Inc., an alternative to traditional diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firms. Dr. Martin and her team partner with businesses, nonprofits, and government on organizational, professional, and personal development that advances racial equity and builds resilience. Her personal mission is to unleash the invisible power that every person and organization has to intentionally act to disrupt oppression. Dr. Martin has over 20 years of experience applying the principles of racial equity and social justice during her career in resilience, emergency management, public health, and intelligence.
The event will be broadcasted live on YouTube, Wednesday, May 26 at 11:30 AM ET. To watch, click here.


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Based on James O'Barr's comic book, 1994's The Crow was a groundbreaking work of stylistic fantasy action. Simultaneously blending elements of the past while also pioneering a new style of movies for the future, Alex Proyas' film won over critics and audiences alike with its unique blend of dark fantasy, horror, and action, pioneering a new style of revenge film.
However, it's impossible to talk about The Crow without discussing the freak on-set accident that struck down a rising star in his prime. Brandon Lee, son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, was just beginning his ascent to what was certainly going to be a long and acclaimed career when a weapon malfunctioned while filming a scene and claimed his life during what was only his third American film role. Lee's passing definitely hangs heavy over the movie, but The Crow has also been praised for serving as a wonderful tribute to the late actor and will always be a monument to the impact he had already made during his all-too-brief career.
It's hard to dig into the making of The Crow and not get too distracted-- and depressed-- by what happened to Lee to research much else about it, but the story behind the film is a fascinating one even apart from that event. Below, we look at a lot of interesting and bizarre facts about the production of The Crow, from the franchise's birth as a comic book series to its long, difficult road to Hollywood.
Here are 20 Crazy Details Behind The Making Of The Crow.
20 It's Based On A Comic Book With A Tragic History
It's probably not a huge surprise that the creation of The Crow came from a place of real pain and mourning.
James O'Barr conceived of the Crow character and story after losing his fiancee when he was only 18.
O'Barr said that the process of creating the comic book-- which, according to O'Barr, is the best-selling black and white indie comic of all time-- was a way to cope with the passing of his fiancee and help to find a sense of closure.
He explained that he realized all of the other ways he had tried to deal with his grief were ultimately just numbing his pain, and it wasn't until he found a creative outlet that he was finally able to start truly healing.
19 It's Also Based On A Real Crime
According to Jeff Connor's book The Crow: The Movie, which chronicles various facets of the film and its origins, James O'Barr was moved by another tragedy that would inform his new comic book-- a couple being robbed for their engagement ring, with the thief needlessly taking their lives in the process.
O'Barr said that the sad story inspired Eric Draven's mission of revenge after becoming the Crow, and the things that Draven would do in order to set right the injustice that ultimately drove him and his love apart.
"That became the beginning of the focal point... the idea that there could be a love so strong... and this soul would not rest until it could set things right," he explained.
18 The Birds In The Movie Aren't REALLY Crows
Some birds are less trainable than others, and crows aren't typically a species of bird known for their ability to work on command-- not to mention that fact that crows aren't particular fond of people at best, and are physically aggressive towards them at worst.
Animal trainer Larry Madrid was brought aboard on The Crow and decided that ravens would be a suitable substitution for crows given their intelligence, ability to be trained, and better demeanor with humans. Plus, would the average person even known the difference anyway, especially given that much of the film is shrouded in darkness?
Only five real ravens were actually used during the production-- mostly for close-ups and the like-- with wide shots and scenes with larger flocks of birds relying on special effects trickery.
17 Other People Were Considered For The Lead Role
Even though The Crow was a fairly low-budget affair, it still had a cast of established actors and would've definitely benefited from an A-list lead.
Interestingly, because of the original comic's rock music influence and its many references to real musicians, producers initially considered casting a musician in the role of Eric Draven, thinking that a rocker would be a good fit for the obviously rock-and-roll-inspired anti-hero.
O'Barr had different ideas. Obviously, you want to shoot for the moon when dream-casting a movie based on something you wrote.
O'Barr was thinking that Johnny Depp, Christian Slater, and River Phoenix would've all been good fits for the lead.
Ultimately, Brandon Lee was chosen in large part because he had the physicality necessary for the role in addition to the acting chops.
16 There Are Many Misconceptions About The Tragic Accident
When someone leaves this world during the filming of a movie, there is bound to be all manner of myth and exaggeration that surrounding the event-- and Brandon Lee's passing is certainly no exception, with much false information being perpetuated about the incident over the years.
One of the most persistent rumors is that the moment that Lee lost his life as the result of a malfunctioning gun can be seen during the movie.
This is patently false, and in fact, great lengths seem to have been gone through to ensure that footage never be leaked. Additionally, many have claimed that Lee's life was lost instantly, but the reality is that he went through six hours of surgery before he ultimately lost his battle.
15 It was one of many accidents on set
While what happened to Brandon Lee is no doubt the biggest tragedy that occurred during the making of The Crow, the production had already been beset by accidents and injuries even before that unfortunate accident.
Among the incidents that took place on the set of The Crow were a carpenter driving a screwdriver through his hand, a stuntman falling through a roof, a disgruntled fired crewmember driving his car into an on-set workshop, an injury caused by a crane hitting live power lines, and a bad storm destroying large portions of the set.
Whether you believe in curses or not, this seems like a lot of mishaps to occur during the making of a movie.
14 Finishing Without Lee Was Expensive
Brandon Lee was only scheduled to film for three more days when he was taken from us, which doesn't seem like much in terms of getting enough footage to finish the movie but involved a few pivotal shots that just couldn't be done without.
After original distributor Paramount dropped The Crow following Lee's passing, Miramax stepped up to produce the movie.
The studio pitched in $8 million for whatever was necessary in terms of digital trickery to get Lee's uncompleted scenes finished.
It ended up accounting for a third of the movie's entire budget, and involved cutting-edge technology-- the first of its kind to ever be used in a movie-- for a production that had been largely modest and low-fi up to that point.
13 Where the Iconic Make-Up came from
For anyone who read James O'Barr's original comics-- or picked up on the theatrical rock-and-roll vibe of the movie-- it seemed pretty obvious that the Crow's makeup was inspired by '70s rockers KISS and/or Alice Cooper, with the latter's performance make-up coming remarkably close to the Crow's painted look.
According to O'Barr himself, however, neither is true.
O'Barr borrowed the look and style of the Crow's make-up from a marionette mask he had seen on a sign on a London theater.
It turns out the mask just fit the rock vibe of the story, rather than the other way around.
The Crow's make-up and vibe would later do some inspiring of its own, as it heavily informed the re-branding of wrestler Sting in the mid-1990s.
12 Brandon Lee Asked For An Offensive Character To Be Removed
According to director Alex Proyas, Brandon Lee gave a lot of creative input on the script for The Crow, which Proyas says he was always open to as Lee had a lot of really interesting and valuable ideas-- many that involved trying to bring the movie closer to the tone of the original comic.
One of the biggest changes to the script that Lee himself is responsible for was the complete removal of an entire character: a villain who would've had the ability to steal Eric Draven's Crow powers.
Seeing the character as little more than a one-note Asian stereotype, Lee requested the character's removal-- and ended up getting his way. That's some progressive stuff for a movie made nearly 25 years ago.
11 James O'Barr Felt Guilty Profiting From The Movie
James O'Barr ended up feeling a lot of guilt about the movie adaptation of his work leading to the passing of Brandon Lee, not only because it was tragic in general but also because the pair had become friends during the making of the movie.
In fact, O'Barr would later reveal that he donated most of the money he received from the movie to charity, only buying his mother a car and treating himself to a surround sound system for his house before giving the rest away.
O'Barr says he tried to hide that fact from the public for many years, as he feels that giving to charity shouldn't be about announcing that you did so and that "it's not charity if you get credit for it."
10 The planned sequel
While director Alex Proyas didn't return for any of the Crow sequels-- a fact which becomes apparent to anyone who has tried to watch them-- he hadn't ruled out the idea of a Crow 2 while he was shooting the first one.
"It wasn't utmost in my [mind] to create a franchise, but I was aware that it could do that, and you don't want to make that impossible. You can see all the elements there," Proyas explained during his commentary track on The Crow's DVD release.
He seems to suggest that Lee's passing immediately meant he had no interest in doing another without him, saying "I would have been delighted to make The Crow 2... if Brandon had been involved."
Proyas has also been extremely outspoken against the planned Crow reboot, saying it feels disrespectful to Lee's legacy.
9 A Character Was Cut Following Lee's Passing
Brandon Lee's passing during the making of The Crow affected far more than the scenes that had to be completed without him. It also led to another major character being cut from the movie, one who had already had several scenes filmed.
Skull Cowboy, played by veteran character actor Michael Berryman, was to be something of a spirit guide for the Crow.
Alex Proyas said that the character was unnecessary and "cheesy" and he wasn't fond of him anyway. With his most important scenes yet to be shot and requiring heavy interaction with Lee, it was determined that just cutting the character altogether was the best option.
8 It Wasn't A Huge Box Office Hit
By any measure, The Crow was profitable at the box office, earning back more than double its production costs at a time when a movie didn't need to quadruple its budget just to break even.
It was hardly the smash hit that it seems now, given how popular it was and still is and how influential it has been.
Like most cult hits of the time, The Crow would end up finding the bulk of its sizable fandom via home video releases and through television airings, more than making up for only being a modest success in theaters. It would also prove to be the kind of movie that people happily re-purchased once DVDs became popular, hoping to get an even better look at the movie's lush production and further adding to its lifetime tally.
7 It Haunted One Actor For The Rest Of His Life
We tend to forget that someone had the misfortune of being the person who actually pulled the trigger on the gun that he thought was just loaded with safe blanks but ended up taking Brandon Lee's life. That actor was Michael Massee, and despite a career that spanned several more decades and a lot of acclaimed work, that accident always haunted his life and career.
Massee has said that he had nightmares about the incident for years, had to take a break from acting, and had never been able to actually sit down and watch The Crow.
When Massee himself passed away in 2016, many news outlets referred to him primarily as the guy involved in Brandon Lee's demise despite him appearing in over 50 movies and TV shows since then.
6 Miniatures sets were used
The Crow feels like a big, expensive Hollywood production-- for its time, anyway-- and much of the credit for that goes to Alex Proyas' clever directing as well as a creative use of existing locations for sets.
The truth is that the movie initially only had a budget of about $15 million, which isn't very much for a stylistic action fantasy movie.
One of the ways that the producers cut costs is through the use of miniatures which, while more work from a man hour standpoint, costs far less money in the long run.
The opening shots of a Detroit on fire, for instance, were done entirely in miniature.
Even the movie's big car chase was shot with heavy use of miniatures over real cars on real streets.
5 The Make-Up process was more complicated than it seemed
It seems simple enough, white face paint with black accents-- how hard could that have been to apply for each day of filming? As it turns out, much harder than you might realize.
For starters, the black accents had to be identical each time they were applied so as to not cause any continuity issues between scenes. To achieve this, a rubber mask had to be created with slits where the accents would go to serve as a sort of stencil, ensuring that everything looked exactly the same each time.
The whole process took upwards of an hour for reach re-apply, which doesn't sound like much but can really add up when you're needing to touch it up sometimes multiples times a day.
4 The cameo we missed
The Crow comic creator James O'Barr was heavily involved with the making of the movie, both during the pre-production phase and while it was being filmed. He was a regular fixture on the set and can be seen in a lot of behind-the-scenes photos and video of the making of the movie.
Of course, since O'Barr was already there on set so much anyway, he got to make the token original creator cameo in the film.
Rather than just being some far-off background character you have to squint to see, O'Barr has a few moments of prominent screen time as he plays a looter during a riot scene. It's not a huge part, but it's a lot more than many original creators of movie properties get.
3 The Script Took Two Years To Write
While the turnaround time between the original publication of The Crow comic book and the release of the movie adaptation was fairly quick - only five years - it actually could've happened even sooner if the script wasn't so hard to get just right.
Original script writer John Shirely-- known primarily for his work in print-- had spent a fair amount of time crafting the movie but wasn't quite pulling it together. He was eventually joined by David J. Schow (Critters 2 and 3, Leatherface) who brought in some of the darker, more horror-flavored elements.
In total, the script was said to have spent at least two years as a work in progress before a shooting script was settled on between the two co-writers.
2 The Original Creator Almost Gave Up The Rights For Life
If you created something, and were approached by a company offering you money to buy the rights to it, would you know what was or wasn't a fair deal? Most of us wouldn't, which is what James O'Barr was facing when he was first given an offer to sell the rights to The Crow.
Initially, O'Barr says that someone had offered to purchase all of the rights to The Crow in perpetuity for one lump sum-- which would've meant he had no say over it or wouldn't be able to receive any future royalties on it.
Not being in great financial shape at the time, he nearly agreed, but was luckily talked out of it by his friends.
To think that he would've missed out on getting royalties from future sequels starring Edward Furlong and Tara Reid....
1 The unexpected methor actor
Actor David Patrick Kelly is no stranger to appearing in beloved cult hits, first gaining fame as the main antagonist in The Warriors and going on to appear in Twin Peaks and, of course, The Crow. He seems like the kind of actor that goes all-in no matter what project he is in, as evidenced by the lengths he went to to get into the character of T-Bird in The Crow.
The epic poem Paradise Lost influenced the production of The Crow pretty heavily-- Alex Proyas is such a fan that he attempted to adapt it into a movie in the early-2010s.
Kelly turned to the poem to inform his portrayal of T-Bird, going so far as to buy a vintage printing of the poem and then reading his actual copy in a scene of the movie.
Do you have other trivia to share about The Crow? Let us know in the comments!


text: I am Angel Lim. An avid fan of a popular novel called, 'The Angel They Adored'. It was a reverse harem story where countless men fell in love at the heroine. Its a great masterpiece but I always hated her whenever the greates villainess harrases her. Or so what I thought before reading the epilouge of the season 1. It was the dying moment of princess Ledecia and for the first time, she reminisced her life. "Why did I even exist in the first place if all I ever felt is pain?" Thats the last words she utter before dying. And It was very painful. I shouldn't have hated her. *Knock knock* I paused my thoughts when I heard a loud knock coming from the front door of my apartment. "I'm coming" "Delivery from shoppee ma'am" I opened my door slowly as I approached the man standing before me. "Oh sorry? But I didn't---" My words was interrupted by a sudden pain. He stabbed me. ............... Huh? I'm alive? Where am I?


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Big Finish Audio has announced they have their own plans to celebrate the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary this year. While most of the BBC’s plans for the celebration are still a secret, Big Finish has said they will be bringing together the Fourth (Tom Baker), Fifth (Peter Davison), Sixth (Colin Baker), Seventh (Sylvester McCoy) and Eighth (Paul McGann) Doctors together in a new 100-minute story.
The new adventure, which will be called Doctor Who: The Light at the End, will deal with the potentially imminent destruction of the Time Lord in his many incarnations. For more on the special and who else will be included, hit the jump.
“We wanted to do a proper, fully-fledged multi-Doctor story for this very special occasion, and it’s wonderful that all the surviving Doctors threw themselves behind the project so enthusiastically. That’s not to say the first three Doctors don’t appear – we wanted to pay homage to the whole history of the classic series.”
Companions Leela (Louise Jameson), Nyssa (Sarah Sutton), Peri (Nicola Bryant) Ace (Sophie Aldred) and Charley Pollard (India Fisher) will also be joining the cast for the special.
Producer David Richardson adds,
“Because Geoffrey Beevers is back to create mayhem as the Master, and there will be a number of appearances from some much-cherished old friends from the TV series…”
Per Big Finish, The Doctor Who: The Light at the End special will be released both as a limited edition five-disc set that will also include documentaries and a downloadable edition of Doctor Who Magazine, as well as a standard edition that will include just the new story.


ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Alexandria Fire Department is alerting the community to a paint spill that contaminated the waterway around Monticello Park off Old Dominion Boulevard.
The fire department received a phone call Saturday morning regarding an unknown white, cloudy substance that could be seen from the walking trails nearby. The Hazardous Material team went out to the scene and upon further investigation, they were able to determine the source.
Officials say the substance originated from a storm drain at the intersection of Crestwood Drive and Old Dominion Boulevard. The results of extensive water testing revealed that the mysterious substance was caused by a latex paint primer spill.
The Fire Marshal’s Office and the Hazardous Material team explored the neighborhood nearby for anyone who may have witnessed the spill. After further investigation, it was determined that the spill was an accident.
Teams gave the all clear after determining the water supply in the area had not been contaminated. They concluded the investigation saying that due to the type of substance, the best approach is to allow the waterway to flush itself naturally.
The Alexandria Fire Department encourages residents to report any environmental concerns on the city’s website.


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|Type||Main Battle Tank|
|Place of origin|| |
Error creating thumbnail: File missingStarwind
|In service||2009 - Present|
|Used by||Starwindi Republic Army|
|Wars||2007 Starwind Civil War|
|Designer||Dragonforce Armours FAC|
|Designed||2005 - 2008|
|Manufacturer||Dragonforce Armours FAC|
|Produced||2008 - Present|
|Specifications (Main Battle Tank)|
|Length|| Hull length: 8.14m |
Gun forward: 10.62m
|Crew||4 (Commander, driver, gunner, loader)|
|Armor|| M108: Composite armor |
M108A1: Depleted uranium composite
|120mm L/44 smoothbore TC-120A(c) (45 rounds)|
|1x 12.7mm M109T/H, 1x 7.62mm AM104L|
|Engine|| Dinaves MULFUTE-07(m) multi-fuel turbine engine|
|Speed||53 km/h (33 mph)|
The M108 Hurricane is an advanced third-generation main battle tank designed by Dragonforce Armours FAC on request by the Starwindi Republic Army. It was the first tank to be named, after Hurricane uf Prience, one of the people that would come to found modern day Starwind. The M108 is intended to fully replace the BT79 in 2020.
The M108 was developed 2005 - 2008, entered production in 2009, and was finally approved for service with the SRA in 2010.
In 1986, the company Dragonforce Armour shut down after wide dissatisfaction with their tanks, which proved unable to compete with the BT79. The M73A2 Valiant, designed as a direct counter to the BT79, saw service in the Final War. The Valiant is said to have performed very well while the BT79-83 suffered from a lack of protection to the crew as well as a lack of firepower to make up for the weaker armor. However, in 1997, with the introduction of the BT79-97, the Valiant was rendered obsolete, and as Dragonforce Armour had shut down in 1986, the Valiant was retired from active service in 2002.
In 2004, Dragonforce Armour was revived by the government to work on modernizing the Valiant to make it fit for export. However, the company soon recieved a request from the army, who asked for a tank that could offer both protection and firepower to the crew, as well as a reasonable speed on and off roads and the ability to use atleast two types of fuel. The company set out to make this tank in 2005, and the project was dubbed "Project Firebase". The first prototype finished in 2007, shortly before the start of the civil war. With the breakout of the civil war in June, the army ordered that the prototype be used to support the planned landings at Beilyne, despite Dragonforce's claims that the tank was not ready for frontline duty. The prototype never reached the shore, however, as the transport carrying the tank was sunk by a coastal gun while approaching the landing site. The army continued to pile demands for the tank to be finished on the company until 2008, when the tank was officially finished and ready for duty.
The M108 saw much combat during the civil war despite the low numbers produced.
- X107 - Prototype version of the M108. Two were produced, and both were lost during Operation Sandbreaker.
- M108 - Standard production variant. Saw combat throughout most of the civil war despite the low numbers produced.
- M108A1 - Improved version of the M108. Introduced in 2011, it saw short service in the war.
- M108X1 - Intended export version. This version is mostly based on the X107.


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KUALA LUMPUR — The four company directors and a manager of a heavy machinery workshop who were charged in the Selayang Session Court here today in connection with the pollution in Sungai Giong were not allowed bail.
Judge Syafeera Mohd Said refused them bail after considering the submissions by deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad and the lawyer for the five accused, Datuk M Reza Hassan.
The accused are brothers Yip Kok Wai, 53; Yip Kok Mun, 58; Yip Kok Kuin, 70; and Yip Kok Wong, 60, who are the board of directors of Yip Chee Seng & Sons Sdn Bhd, and Ho Voon Leong, 59, who is the manager of the company’s workshop.
The five men, who were in the dock, were seen looking at one another after hearing the decision by Syafeera in not allowing them bail.
The five men were then taken to the Bentong Prison in Pahang.
Muhamad Iskandar did not request for bail on grounds that the case was unbailable.
“This case caused six million residents in Malaysia to be without water supply for five days. This issue also received the attention of the country’s leadership.
“If the court disagreed with my submission, I request the court to impose bail of RM2 million each,” he added.
However, M. Reza appealed for a low bail, saying that his clients had cooperated with the police during the investigation.
“My clients surrendered themselves to the police and they are also prepared to surrender their passports to the court,” he added.
All the five men had pleaded not guilty to the charges made against them.
On the first count, they were all charged under Section 430 of the Penal Code with committing mischief by causing hazardous substances from the workshop to flow into Sungai Gong, hence causing a diminution of water supply for human consumption.
They were charged with committing the act at the workshop at Kg Sungai Dua, Rawang, near here between last Sept 2 and 3.
If found guilty, they face an imprisonment for up to 30 years or with fine, or both.
The five men were also jointly charged with emitting environmentally hazardous substances from the workshop into a waterway, which then flowed into Sungai Gong, without a licence at the same place and time.
The charge was made under Section 25 (1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 which provides a maximum fine of RM100,000, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty.
The pollution in Sungai Gong forced Air Selangor to close the operation of four water treatment plants, at Sungai Selangor Phase 1, 2, 3 and Rantau Panjang, resulting in unscheduled water supply disruption in1,292 areas in the Klang valley.

domain: law