Keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats, newly discovered vulnerabilities, data breach information, and emerging trends. Delivered daily or weekly right to your email inbox.
Cybersecurity In-Depth: Feature articles on security strategy, latest trends, and people to know.
How to Pay a Ransom: A Step-By-Step Guide for Something You'd Never Do
Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, ransomware attacks were on the rise and becoming more expensive. Now your, um, friend's organization has fallen victim and is going to pay. Here's how they should handle it.
May 26, 2020
7 Min Read
(Image: logo3in1 via Adobe Stock)
It's Tuesday morning. You arrive at your desk (in the living room) and, oh no ... bad news.
Not only is your cat asleep on your keyboard again, but when you try logging onto your network, a message on the screen confirms the worst: Your organization has been hit with ransomware. Making matters even worse, your backups are running, shall we say, just a tad behind.
Cue internal screaming. (Your spouse is on a Zoom call a few feet away, so you have to be quiet.)
Seriously, though. As an infosec professional, what do you do now?
Ransomware attacks have been on the rise. This was true even before the COVID-19 pandemic forced workers to go home, sending a myriad of new vulnerable connections online. According to data supplied to The New York Times by security firm Emsisoft, 205,280 organizations submitted files that were hacked in a ransomware attack in 2019 — a 41% increase year-over-year.
They're also getting more expensive: Q1 data reported by cybersecurity firm Coveware shows average ransom payments increasing 33% from last quarter, to $111,605.
While you may not envision a scenario where your company would give in to paying ransom, it's happening more often as organizations weigh the risks and benefits and find they have no choice.
So say this is your reality. Dark Reading spoke to several cybersecurity experts to map out the step-by-step process of paying ransom and what you must know to complete the process.
Step 1: Assess the Situation
Once you've been hacked with ransomware, you need to take fast action.
The first thing you want to know, says Jeff Horne, CSO of cybersecurity company Ordr, is whether the ransomware is propagating through your network – and then stop it from doing so by using detection and response (XDR) or incident response tools.
After you've done all you can to isolate and get your machines off the infected network, the next step is to find out what you're dealing with, Horne says. For that, just conduct a simple search for the specific ransomware on Google to see what kind it is and "subsequently, is there a decryptor available so I don't have to pay that ransom at all?" he says.
It's possible to find the key yourself, Horne says, as there are sometimes instances of programmatic errors in ransomware code whereby the key gets exposed before the files are locked. Other times the same key gets used across attacks. That means one victim who pays the ransom enables everyone else to decrypt.
But let's say you can't easily find a decryption key on Google, and you don't have internal backup processes in place that allow you to recover everything on your own. What do you do now?
This is when your organization needs to make critical decisions about whether paying the ransom is worth it.
"I've had an evolving position on complying with extortion demands," says Charles Carmakal, SVP and strategic services CTO at cybersecurity firm Mandiant. "[There are] a lot of different variables you'll want to look at in order to pay."
Variables include everything from whether your network being compromised could have a material impact on human life (for example, city services, hospitals, etc.) to whether your organization can afford to lose the infected data.
Step 2: Enlist Outside Help
Assuming you have ruled out your preferred options of finding decryption keys loose on the Internet, recovering your networks through sophisticated backup solutions, or just considering the data lost, it's time to start communicating with your attacker.
If your company has internal security expertise and a full supply of cryptocurrency at hand, then this may be a task you can handle without outside help.
If that's not the case, Mandiant's Carmakal recommends enlisting third-party providers that specialize in resolving ransomware attacks. These organizations possess insights into the credibility of threat actors and the chances they will cooperate if paid, he says. Furthermore, they have bitcoins in reserve, making it a faster process to pay the ransom than if you sought to purchase cryptocurrencies on your own.
Step 3: Test the Decryption Codes
But recovering from a ransomware attack is not as simple as surrendering bitcoins and getting your network back. The back-and-forth process between you/your third-party firm and the threat actor involves a series of communications via email where there's usually a testing process that goes on to decrypt a sample of your network to prove they really have the keys.
"Some will stay on the phone with you while you test the decryption key. Once you've verified it works, they hang up," said Christopher Kuhl, CISO and CTO at Dayton Children's Hospital, speaking of his experience in roles prior to joining the hospital, where he has not seen any ransomware attacks. "What's crazy is that a lot of ransomware operators, the larger ones, have their own call center. People there are incredibly nice and friendly. They recognize what they're doing is wrong."
However, smaller ransomware operators, or those that just want to get their bitcoins and get away, will send the decryption key and close their email accounts, he adds.
Side Note: Don't Try to Negotiate
While it may be tempting (particularly if the call center people are kind), both Kuhl and Horne agree that it's neither worth it nor in your best interest to negotiate on the ransom sum.
"The prices that either I've seen or other people have seen have been non-negotiable. So we've never tried," Kuhl says.
"You're dealing with an anonymous party," Horne adds. "You have literally no leverage. If I were a ransomware operator and you came to me and said, 'Instead of paying me $1,000, you're going to pay $500,' well, now you owe me $20,000."
Step 4: Decrypting the Network
Once the sample has been successfully tested, the ransom amount paid, some tears shed, and the decryption key received, the rest is hardly smooth sailing.
"Decrypting is not a trivial process. It could take days, weeks, over a month," Carmakal says. "Some organizations choose to pay the threat actor and decrypt in parallel on different systems as they're recovering systems through backups."
Those that pay "are paying to accelerate the recovery process," he adds.
Plus, paying the ransom doesn't necessarily mean you'll actually get the decryption key or that it will work. Threat actors have been known to collect their bitcoins and provide fake decryption keys or keys to unlock only part of the network if more than one type of ransomware was used.
And in instances where older ransomware is being used that operators have since abandoned, paying means you are "throwing money into a bucket no one's monitoring anymore," Horne says. "At the end of the day, those operators are not operating the backend anymore, not exchanging keys, so there's less than a 50% chance of ever getting your data back."
How to Avoid This Mess at All Costs
Paying a ransom is, overall, a losing game, with organizations often having no choice but to shell out cash for access to networks they may never be able to really recover.
A better option is to be proactive, which means effectively convincing leadership that they'd rather invest in security now than pay later.
Kuhl says he's had success convincing business leaders of this at Dayton Children's Hospital.
"We've convinced them that [ransomware] is an enterprise risk, that it impacts patient safety, financial vitality, and that we need the proper tools and training to decrease the amount of time from prevention to detection," he says.
Ordr's Horne adds that the only way out of this is to ensure a proper backup is in place that would diminish the harm a ransomware attack could do to your organization.
"A robust backup, like an offline N+1 backup strategy, is absolutely critical for organizations," he says. "Organizations that have been hit by ransomware that had robust backup strategies don't care if they're hit by ransomware. Backup with redundancy, and offline backup specifically, is the way you defeat this ultimately."
Learn from industry experts in a setting that is conducive to interaction and conversation about how to prepare for that "really bad day" in cybersecurity. Click for more information and to register.
About the Author(s)
Nicole Ferraro is a freelance writer, editor and storyteller based in New York City. She has worked across b2b and consumer tech media for over a decade, formerly as editor-in-chief of Internet Evolution and UBM's Future Cities; and as editorial director at The Webby Awards. She's currently a contributing editor at Light Reading and Broadband World News.
You May Also Like
Your Everywhere Security guide: Four steps to stop cyberattacksFeb 27, 2024
Your Everywhere Security Guide: 4 Steps to Stop CyberattacksFeb 27, 2024
API Security: Protecting Your Application's Attack SurfaceFeb 29, 2024
API Security: Protecting Your Application's Attack SurfaceFeb 29, 2024
Securing the Software Development Life Cycle from Start to FinishMar 06, 2024
Latest Articles in The Edge
White House Urges Switching to Memory Safe LanguagesFeb 27, 2024|2 Min Read
Redesigning the Network to Fend Off Living-Off-the-Land TacticsFeb 23, 2024|7 Min Read
Privacy Beats Ransomware as Top Insurance ConcernFeb 23, 2024|5 Min Read
Library Cyber Defenses Are Falling DownFeb 20, 2024|3 Min Read


Connect your apps and automate workflows.
The official EmailOctopus plugin helps you build sign-up forms in WordPress.
The World's number one ecommerce platform.
Send automated emails at the perfect time – when your contacts are in their mailbox.
Collaborate with other authors to promote your books through online book fairs.
Powerful integrations with a few clicks.
A plugin to easily integrate popular WordPress forms with email marketing platforms.
Move data between apps without effort.
Connect WordPress to anything.
Simple custom landing pages that you can host on your own domain.
Powerful WordPress plugin for creating beautiful subscription forms and segmenting your audience.
The growth platform for newsletters.
Attention grabbing sign-up forms.
Happyforms is a WordPress drag and drop form builder that helps you achieve high-conversion conversations with your subscribers.
Collect your subscribers in an unobtrusive way, always at the right time.
Sign up and send your first campaign in minutes. No credit card required.


text:
"This system is probably the best analog we have for possible ecosystems in the subsurface waters of Saturn's moon Enceladus and Jupiter's moon Europa," said Chris McKay, a senior scientist and co-author of the paper at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
Murray and her co-authors and collaborators, including Peter Doran, the project's principal investigator at the University of Illinois at Chicago, developed stringent protocols and specialized equipment for their 2005 and 2010 field campaigns to sample from the lake brine while avoiding contaminating the pristine ecosystem.
"The microbial ecosystem discovered at Lake Vida expands our knowledge of environmental limits for life and helps define new niches of habitability," said Adrian Ponce, co-author from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., who enumerated viable bacterial spore populations extracted from Lake Vida.
To sample unique environments such as this, researchers must work under secure, sterile tents on the lake's surface. The tents kept the site and equipment clean as researchers drilled ice cores, collected samples of the salty brine residing in the lake ice and assessed the chemical qualities of the water and its potential for harboring and sustaining life.Geochemical analyses suggest chemical reactions between the brine and the underlying iron-rich sediments generate nitrous oxide and molecular hydrogen. The latter, in part, may provide the energy needed to support the brine's diverse microbial life. Additional research is under way to analyze the abiotic, chemical interactions between the Lake Vida brine and its sediment, in addition to investigating the microbial community by using different genome sequencing approaches. The results could help explain the potential for life in other salty, cryogenic environments beyond Earth, such as purported subsurface aquifers on Mars. This study was partially funded by the NASA Astrobiology Program in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Desert Research Institute, a nonprofit research campus of the Nevada System of Higher Education. For more information about DRI, visit:

domain: geography


text:
10821 Manchester Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63122, USA www.stlmedical.com
| Send Inquiry
: Adult Hand & Wrist Splints, Adult Disposable Briefs, Adult Bibs, Adult Walkers & Accessories, Abdominal Binders (FDA Code: FSD
), Adjustable Folding Cane, ...
St. Louis Medical Supply Inc. is an online store for various medical products. We offer bath aids & safety, diagnostic products, daily living care, exercise therapy, footcare, maternity care, mobility more...
Prof.-Bier-Strasse 1-5, Bad Arolsen 34442, Germany Phone:
+49-(569)-182 - 0
FDA Registration: 3005060460
: Transfer Aid for Disabled/Handicapped (FDA Code: IKX
), Transfer Aid (FDA Code: IKX
), Disabled/Handicapped Hygiene Adaptor (FDA Code: ILS
), Adjustable Bath and Shower Seat with Back, ...
Hewi Heinrich Wilke Gmbh is a manufacturer of medical devices & diagnostics. We provide adjustable height shower seats with back and armrests. more...

domain: medical


It was only a matter of time before Russia began to seriously look into the potential marriage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and its railway network.
In fact, given its vast natural gas reserves, and state-owned Russian Railways’ ascendancy to becoming one of the world’s largest transportation companies, some would argue that it should have happened sooner.
Nonetheless, the ongoing testing of gas-reciprocating traction technology, conducted by the Russian Institute of Research, Design and Technological Studies – as commissioned by the Russian Railways – could well beget a switch from diesel to LNG on the country’s tracks.
Positive vital signs: Trialling the TEM19, "the world’s first LNG locomotive"
Trials on what has been described as the world’s first LNG-generated locomotive, the TEM19, first began in 2013 on the Golutvin-Karasevo line, near the Russian capital Moscow. In September of that year, it was recognised with an innovation award in the locomotives and rolling stock category at the Expo 1520 exhibition.
While Russian Railways has kept something of a tight lid on the tests (senior vice president, Valentin Gapanovich declined to be interviewed for this article), the results that have been drip-fed to the public appear to be overwhelmingly positive.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below formBy GlobalData
The TEM19 has already completed over 300 hours of running time. In addition, the primary and secondary circuits of the six-axle engine have been verified, while the algorithms required for feeding natural gas to the engine have also been attuned.
The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is building 20 miles of elevated track across Hawaii’s capital city, bringing welcome relief to its traffic-stricken roads.
The locomotive is based on a modular design, aimed at driving down locomotive maintenance and repair work. Notable features include a driver’s cab, cooling system, LNG feeder systems, motor-generator set, equipment chamber, compressor unit and electro-dynamic braking equipment.
The TEM19 is also significantly predicated on cryogenics. Fuel is kept in a detachable tank at the front of the engine, while the propulsion unit constitutes a motor-generator, powered by LNG.
The cryogenic unit module is also made up of a cryogenic tank fitted with gas distribution and refilling systems, a gas pressure regulator, product evaporator and gas receiver. The gas distribution system has a stainless steel pipeline along with shutoff and safety valves.
Mountings from a standard 20-feet container are deployed on the cryogenic LNG storage tank, creating a cartridge system effect, in which it allows for the speedy replacement of empty tanks from a depot.
In addition, the TEM19’s propulsion unit is run by a multiprocessor control and diagnostic system, enabling better performance of the locomotive’s engine. It also provides programme ¬level control of engine start-up and shutdown, with all the relevant information evinced on a control panel screen.
In light of last year’s metro crash in Moscow, in which 21 commuters died, Russian Railways’ decision to invest in cutting-edge safety technology is an apt one. The TEM19 is equipped with an integrated telematic system, able to record and gauge driver behaviour. Given the potential dangers that come with working with LNG, the locomotive also has an automated fire and gas detection system.
The death of diesel: Why is LNG such an attractive alternative?
But what clear advantages can LNG offer over diesel as a viable 21st century fuel alternative for powering a rail network as sizeable as Russia’s?
The first point to consider relates to cost. Diesel prices in Europe remain considerably higher than natural gas on an energy-equivalent basis. Furthermore, the cost of LNG is not contingent on the vacillating performance of Crude oil prices, unlike diesel.
The claim by Russian Railways that the TEM19 offers a 24% reduction in energy costs seems far from spurious.
Environmental factors also strike a resonant note; LNG produces far fewer pollutants than diesel. Just as the automobile industry has sought to burnish its green credentials through the development of hybrid technology, the railway sector, as a whole, would do well to follow suit.
In terms of the TEM19, other benefits include its deployment of removable cylinder tanks, which strips away the considerable amount of time usually needed to fit out a locomotive. With antifreeze used as a coolant, the engine also requires less time to warm up in colder conditions. According to Russian Railways, infrastructure costs could be slashed, too.
Of course, Russia isn’t the only country currently reviewing the pros of LNG-propelled rail systems. Tests continue to be carried out in the US, while Indian Railways recently announced its plans to float a tender with regards to developing its first LNG-based service. Several Russian companies are said to have expressed interest in the project.
Stumbling block: Can investment in LNG take place in a weak Russian economy?
Returning to TEM19 – and its commercialisation – much could be dependent on whether Russia is to see any semblance of resurgence in its currently beleaguered economy. It seems unthinkable that the free flow of investment that has come from the coffers of Russian Railways in recent years – and which financed the TEM19 project – can continue apace in 2015.
However, Russian Railways is bullish, and claims that mass production of the TEM19 could begin later this year. While the future is uncertain, a future of LNG-powered railroads in Russia – and further afield – should not be underestimated.


The following is a press release issued by the League of American Bicyclists.
Washington, DC – April 30, 2011 – The League of American Bicyclists announced the latest round of Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) designations today to kick off May as National Bike Month. This was one of the strongest groups of applicants we’ve seen with a lot of solid projects and programs from communities all across the country – from 1,200 people in Sisters, Ore. to more than 8 million in New York City. Twenty‐one communities received awards, out of 45 new applicants. Minneapolis, Minn. earned a gold‐level award, the highest award of this round. “We are thrilled to see Minneapolis reach a gold‐level Bicycle Friendly Community designation,” said Bill Nesper, director of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America Program. “The city’s great investments in bike lanes, bicycling safety education, and encouragement programs have paid off for its residents. In fact, communities across the country are now looking at Minneapolis as a model.”
Under the leadership of Mayor R.T. Rybak, Minneapolis was first designated as silver‐level BFC in May 2008. “We’ve made a deliberate effort to be one of the nation’s top bicycling cities, and those investments mean we have more and more ways for people to commute and experience the city on two wheels,” said Mayor Rybak. Thanks to the city’s efforts, Minneapolis has doubled its number of bicycle commuters over the last nine years, placing it behind only Portland, Ore. among the largest cities in the U.S.—no small feat for a city with a notoriously harsh winter.
East Coast Cities Earn Silver Designations and Race to Gold
To date the Eastern United states has had very few silver‐level Bicycle Friendly Communities and no gold‐level BFCs. That’s beginning to change. Today, the League of American Bicyclists gave Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. silver‐ BFC designations. The cities are now competing to be the first to earn gold.
Since Mayor Thomas Menino launched Boston Bikes in 2007, the city has added 38 miles of facilities and has seen a spike in bicycle ridership. Bicycle commuting grew by 125 percent between 2005 and 2009 – and is at a level four times the national average. In 2010 alone, Boston installed 20 miles of bike lanes, incorporating numerous best‐practices like cycle‐tracks, bike boxes, colored bike lanes, buffered bike lanes, and special treatments over trolley tracks and at high‐crash intersections. With 29 pre‐existing miles of multi‐use paths, the network now totals nearly 67 miles. All this helped Boston earn silver in its very first BFC application.
New York City has long been known for innovation and it is now applying that spirit to promoting bicycling. Under the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, Janette Sadik‐Khan, the city has made great strides since their 2004 honorable mention and 2007 bronze award. “Moving the needle on bicycling in a city the size of New York City is nothing short of remarkable, and the city is one of the very few that has jumped two award levels,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “With the imminent arrival of bike sharing and the continued expansion of the bikeway network, Gold is not far away.” New York City developed an in‐depth crash analysis, distributed 45,000 copies of the BikeSmart Guide to Cycling, and built an unprecedented amount of new and innovative bicycle facilities. In 2010, the NYCDOT installed more than 50 miles of bike infrastructure citywide, including protected on‐street bicycle paths on First and Second Avenues, Columbus Avenue and Prospect Park West. The city has a nation‐leading 500 miles of bike lanes.
Washington, D.C. first received a Bronze BFC award in 2004. Over the last seven years, it unveiled several signature projects including buffered bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue connecting the White House and the Capitol Building, a world‐class bike parking facility, Bikestation, and the largest public bike sharing system in the country. These major projects are supported by an extensive bicycling education and encouragement program for children and adults. Washington now has the highest share of bicycle commuters of any major city on the East Coast.
To date, the League of American Bicyclists has received 452 applications and designated 179 Bicycle Friendly Communities in 44 states. The BFC program recognizes communities that promote bicycling and provides technical assistance in the form of a roadmap to help cities build great communities for bicycling. The League has identified projects, policies, programs and plans that most effectively improve cycling conditions and make up the foundation of a bicycle‐friendly community. All of these bicycle‐friendly elements are clearly described in the League’s Bicycle Friendly America: The Blueprint.


text:
|Michigan sues company over chemical contaminants in water|
Added: 10.01.2018 17:40 | 2 views | 0 comments
The state of Michigan has sued Wolverine World Wide over chemical contaminants in drinking water, saying the lawsuit is needed to formalize the footwear company's response to the contamination and to reimburse the government for past and future costs.
|Reindeer hunted by wolverines get safety app|
Added: 22.12.2017 9:29 | 4 views | 0 comments
It is designed to protect the animals, which have a special role in Christmas tradition, from predators.
|Marvel Gets Into Fiction Podcast Game With Wolverine: The Long Night|
Added: 05.12.2017 14:30 | 7 views | 0 comments
Marvel prides itself on being a cross-platform brand. The company has told its stories through comics, movies, television, video games — and now, podcasts. The Disney subsidiary just announced that it’s partnering with digital audio provider Stitcher for a ten-episode scripted podcast called Wolverine: The Long Night. Written by comics
|More details revealed for the Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition Chroma Xbox One Controller|
Added: 30.11.2017 0:23 | 7 views | 0 comments
Additional details have been revealed for the Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition Chroma Xbox One Controller.
|Razer Wolverine Ultimate Xbox One/PC Controller Review - Razer's Elite Contender | COGconnected|
Added: 27.11.2017 4:24 | 6 views | 0 comments
COGconnected: Looking for a new Xbox One or PC controller? Be sure to check out our review of the Razer Wolverine Ultimate controller first!
|Razer Reveals Tournament Edition Xbox One Wolverine Details|
Added: 16.11.2017 20:24 | 6 views | 0 comments
Razer has been on a roll of late and this looks like another winner for the company as they have revealed details of their tournament edition Wolverine controller.
|Razer Wolverine Ultimate Review - XboxAddict|
Added: 06.11.2017 15:24 | 8 views | 0 comments
XBA Says: This wired controller has its own take on the 'premium' gaming experience that may interest gamers.
|Is Hugh Jackman Going to Be Wolverine for Halloween?|
Added: 26.10.2017 13:42 | 12 views | 0 comments
Finding the perfect Halloween costume is never easy--even for Hugh Jackman.
The Oscar-nominated actor shared a picture of him holding a Wolverine costume on Instagram. Raising our hopes,...
|Hugh Jackman to Finally Wear Classic Wolverine Costume for Halloween?|
Added: 26.10.2017 11:07 | 11 views | 0 comments
Hugh Jackman teases fans on social media with the classic yellow and blue Wolverine costume from the Marvel comic books.

domain: entertainment


text:
Ronald S. Landis is Nambury S. Raju Endowed Professor in the Department of Psychology at Illinois Institute of Technology where he also serves as Deputy Vice Provost for Research and Academic Affairs. He has primary research interests in the areas of structural equation modeling, multiple regression, and other issues associated with measurement and the prediction of performance.
His work has been published in several leading journals, including Organizational Research Methods,
Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Personnel Psychology, and Journal of Applied Psychology. He is the incoming Editor for Industrial and Organizational: Perspectives on Science and Practice an Associate Editor for Journal of Business and Psychology
and serves on the editorial boards of Organizational Research Methods, Journal of Management, Personnel Psychology, Human Performance, and Journal of Applied Psychology.
He is a Fellow of both the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologists (SIOP).

domain: psychology


text:
Sandy Beach Hotel
Travel Blogs from San Juan
San Juan Puerto Rico...This was a last minute weekend for me. I was planning on going back to Park City Utah for one more ride before the mountains closed for the season. Looking at the weather, I found that I would rather not ride in a snow/rain mix like I did on the first visit. So I fallowed 3 buddies and Co-workers do to San Juan. I took a Jet …
Walk by the seashore of Condado beach. There are lots of construction for bldgs and condominiums. Took a taxi to old town,San Juan. Took a ferry to go the Bacardi Distillery (rum). Tasted a free Mojito from Bacardi Company. Joined a free tour of the distillery.Have to take a trolley and see audio visual displays. Bought some souvenirs at their …
Arrived in San Juan,Puerto Rico.Disembark from the ship. Took a taxi to the Canario by the Sea Hotel. It is by the beach in the Condado area. Took our lunch at Via Appia,an Italian restaurant. Took the public bus to the old town. Visited Casa Blanca and Natural Gallery of Puerto Rico. Saw the collection of Santos. Santos are wooden sculptures of …
... on day excursions.
Old Town itself is quite picturesque- within the stone walls, the colonial buildings are painted vibrant pastel colors. However, every shop was a Wendy's, a Subway, a jeweler's, a For Lease sign, another Wendy's...so we asked a local shopkeeper where we could get cheap, good Puerto Rican food. She sent us to a dive called "Good Dinners" (we think that was the name, there was a sign on the window saying that). We were the only ones in the ...
He came around to every table gave free balloon hats and offered free shots right out of the bottle into your mouth, and he would count how long you could drink for on his microphone. After a few too many free shots, we decided to take part in the group dance that was going on on the stage which we received more free shots for, and once that was over a "musical chairs" type game was played. At this point we were pretty tipsy so somehow we ended up going to the store and maybe ...
How has this hotel rated in the past?
More great choices in San Juan
Search TripAdvisor for more deals in San Juan
Travelers also recommend:
- More recommendations
TravelPod Member ReviewsSandy Beach Hotel San Juan
This hotel was a little out of place. The positives about the place was the free limited breakfast and the amazingly close location to the beach (pretty much right on it). However, it is surrounded by super nice high raise hotels that you wish you would be staying at. This hotel is small, outdated, and a little run down. The price vs. location was right for us, and the hotel staff was very helpful. Would maybe consider staying in a little pricer but nicer hotel on the next visit.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.
Historical Traveler Reviews Sandy Beach Hotel San Juan
This place Was Horrible!
This place was really horrible for $95.00 a night. It did not have a pool or even a Iron which you might think is very Basic! The phone service SUCK!! and important messages that you get at the lobby you will never GET....The only thing that was good was the Air conditioner! Pls if you need to just choose the Marriott next door for a few extra $$ dollars and you won't be dissapointed.. otherwise we loved Puerto Rico.... enjoy!! we can't wait to go back.
A nice place
Stayed here for a week in July 2003. Clean, conveniently located, nice and helpful staff, good continental breakfasts. Not much of a view from the windows... but if you're at the beach, why spend your holiday indoors looking out the windows?
Very Cute Lovely little Place
This was a nice little hotel. The staff was very friendly, it was near the beach and a couple of the Casinos, I had no complaints. I really enjoyed my stay on this Magical, and beautiful Island.
Great, cheap place to stay!!!
This was such a cute little inn, about 30 steps from the water! If you're looking for a resort, this isn't the place for you... But if you're looking for a great little place to go to sleep and shower (yes, they have hot water!), this is it! They give you breakfast, it's clean, it's in a great location (unlike a lot of other places in Condado)...
Highly recommend it!
Great place, great price!
We were only able to spend one night at El Canario but we loved it. The staff was very helpful and gave us great recommendations of where to go and eat. They are on a dead end street so there isn't the traffic noise of some places, and the beach at the end of the street is great. The rooms were nice and clean, and they serve a pretty good continental breakfast in the morning.
Must have stayed at different El Canario by the Sea
I see these rave reviews of el canario by the sea and think, " that can't be where i stayed!" I stayed in the room on second floor with the thin, thin curtins and saftey lights shone into all night. The room with the sink coming off the wall. The commode set down to preschool level, and the bathroom door that stuck , split and finally broke with each opening. But my very favorite was when i could hear the person drain his sinuses after hearing him take a shower. I made enough noise to let them know i was there, after all some things i did not want to hear- it had been a long week. I stayed at a marvelous place for same price the next year. i love puerto rico!!!! Oh and yes the staff was wonderful
Best bargain around
Great little place. Rooms are clean, staff is friendly and nice. Stayed here the night before a cruise and it worked out well. Added convenience that taxi stop is just up the block. Bottom line is you can't beat the price for a very nice room just steps from the beach!!
Stop searching and book it
Anything positive you read in any other reviews of this hotel are absolutely accurate. We stayed here from Feb. 12 to Feb. 21, 2003 and have zero complaints about anything regarding our stay. The place is clean, bright and plenty of room, the staff couldn't be more accomodating, especially when we needed to add 3 more nights because of the snow storm in the Northeast. Continental breakfast was real good. Location is perfect, best part of the beach in Condado. Stores, restaurants and casinos all within a 2 minute walk. Stay here, you'll like it.
I chose the El Canarion by the Sea based on its location, cost, and the reviews I read on this (and other) sites. Using these criteria, it was exactly what I expected - close to the beach, clean, and not that expensive (compared to other places in PR). It's a very basic inn with very friendly staff. One word of caution - request a room that is not on the first floor - especially room 101. It is right next to the ice machine and where they serve breakfast - hence it is very noisy. Plus room 101 is not in as good condition as the other rooms.
It was such a cute place!
I found El Canario by the Sea to be such a great little place. Priced perfectly, it's a hop and a skip to the beach, you don't even have to jump. The staff is excellent; very friendly and helpful. The rooms, although decorated simply, will suit your needs, especially if you don't plan on spending all of your time in them. They were very clean and cozy. Puerto Rico is known for it's huge roaches. Well, I am happy to say, I didn't see one in or even near the hotel (definitely a plus!). I can't stress enough that I would stay at El Canario again in a heartbeat. I do not have any complaints, which I hear is pretty rare when it comes to New Yorkers... guess that means you can trust me.


text:
Akris St. Gallen Embroidered Dress, Black
Exalted embroidered fabric from St. Gallen gives this Akris dress a couture sensibility.
- St. Gallen embroidery pebblestone patchwork.
- Round neckline.
- Long sleeves.
- Fitted silhouette.
- Hem hits just past the knee.
- Back zip.
- Polyester; viscose lining.
Akris heavyweight silk crepe gown. Round neckline with marquis keyhole. Hidden hook-front. Long sleeves with hook-and-eye cuffs. Seam at natural waist. Two seam pockets at hips. Inverted center pleat down skirt creates volume. A-line silhouette. Silk/spandex. Made in Romania.
Precise tailoring creates the sleek architectural lines of this peplum design, cut from wool with just a touch of stretch.;Asymmetrical neckline;Sleeveless;Diagonal zip front;Flat front peplum;Straight skirt;Back zip closure;Flared back peplum;About 23" from natural waist;Wool/polyamide;Dry clean;Made in Switzerland of Italian fabric;Model shown is 5'10" (177cm) wearing US size 4.
An artful digital print lends dimension to this elegant silk sheath in a form-flattering silhouette. ;Allover print;Boatneck;Cap sleeves;Pencil skirt;Concealed back zipper;Lined;About 36" from shoulder to hem;Silk;Dry clean;Imported of Italian fabric;Model shown is 5'11" (180cm) wearing US size 4.
Rich blue hues reinforce the rustic, industrial undertones of a beautifully printed silk tunic topped by a high stand collar and cut to skim the figure with a light touch. 33" length (size 8). Front keyhole with rouleau-button closure. Button cuffs. Side slits. 100% silk. Dry clean. By Akris; made in Romania. Collectors.
Akris Print Silk Tunic $1,390
Tactile cotton seersucker textures this crisp A-line Akris dress shaped by deft princess seams and a wrap-detailed skirt. Artfully layered long sleeves and extra swaths of fabric at the cuffs give the timeless silhouette an avant-garde touch. 36" length (size 8). Front hook-and-eye closures. Banded collar. 100% cotton. Dry clean. By Akris; made in Romania. Collectors.
There are no reviews for this product. Be the first!
There are no reviews for this brand. Be the first!

domain: artistic


Raiders' next challenge: Contain high-powered Chiefs
One needn’t be well versed in football analytics to realize the Raiders may be in a heap of trouble in Kansas City on Sunday.
All you need to know is no NFL team has given up more big passing plays than the Raiders defense (55 plays of 20 yards or more) and no team has delivered more huge plays in the passing game than the Chiefs.
If the Raiders couldn’t stop the offensively-challenged Jets from matching their season high in points and explosive pass plays in a humiliating 34-3 loss on Sunday, it stands to reason they’ll struggle against the NFL’s most dynamic aerial attack.
It’s a thought that’s already consumed Raiders coach Jon Gruden.
“We just gotta keep the ball in front of us; we can’t give up the vertical bombs. We just can’t do it,” Gruden told reporters Monday. “We gotta work hard this week on preventing that.”
Will it be easier said than done? Well, consider the Chiefs not only have arguably the league’s best quarterback in strong-armed Patrick Mahomes, but he should have game-breaking speedster Tyreek Hill back from a hamstring injury to join mercurial Mecole Hardman on Sunday against Oakland’s 28th-rated pass defense.
We haven’t heard such a recipe for disaster during Thanksgiving week since the time grandma announced she’d be bringing Ambrosia and Jell-O salads to dinner.
For those whose appetites are still intact, here’s a closer look at Oakland’s game Sunday:
Three reasons for Raiders’ optimism:
Keeping things grounded: The Raiders ran the ball well while jumping out to a 10-0 lead over the Chiefs on Sept. 15, but Oakland finished with a modest 129 yards on just 19 carries (6.8 average) because Mahomes and Co. erupted to put the game away. The best way to prevent another KC uprising would be to chew up yardage and time with rookie running back Josh Jacobs. The opportunity is certainly there, since the Chiefs have the third-worst rush defense in the NFL, allowing 143.1 yards per game. Jacobs, with 957 yards, is poised to join Latavius Murray as the only Raider to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in the last decade.
It’s not all rosy in KC: Yes, the potent Chiefs can essentially put the AFC West division title question to rest with a win Sunday, but aside from flashes here and there, they haven’t exactly been world-beaters the past few weeks. Kansas City found a way to reverse a troubling trend while toppling the mistake-prone Chargers in Mexico. But the Chiefs had lost four of their last six games to create a path to first place for the Raiders. While Mahomes delivered a victory, he wasn’t at the height of his powers. He had a pedestrian passer rating of 72.7 while throwing for a mere 182 yards.
Exploiting the line: If we’re looking for potential edges for the Raiders’ defense, Kansas City’s offensive line just might offer a glimmer of hope. The Chiefs linemen have allowed eight quarterback sacks in the last three games. Before getting to Jets quarterback Sam Darnold just once on Sunday, Oakland had 10 quarterback sacks in the previous two games. Overall, Kansas City’s offensive line is ranked just 22nd in the league, which is also potentially good news for the Raiders.


A year of scandals forced a shift in values for the tech industry
They’re trying to explain they’re not the bad guys
When former Facebook employee and whistleblower Frances Haugen, seen testifying before a Senate Committee in October, spoke out about what she saw as the harmful effects of data collection, the public listened more intently than it had previously. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/The New York Times)
The past year was a turbulent one for the tech industry’s image.
Alleged fraud at Theranos has put the company’s CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, and the Valley’s’ ‘fake it ‘till you make it’ culture on trial. A whistle blower at Facebook leaked troves of documents and testified before Congress that the company, now named Meta, allegedly knew about and ignored its own research into how its platforms perpetuated misinformation and violence worldwide. And three Amazon Web Services outages in December disrupted large swaths of the internet.
It’s not the first scandalous year for the tech industry — not even close. But as a new generation of startups rise through the ranks of San Francisco tech, these companies’ leaders are trying to explain to their investors and users that they’re not the bad guys. Buzzwords like “founder-led” and “stealth mode” are being exchanged for “data privacy,” “accountability,” and “community-centric.”
“Consumers want entities they can trust,” summarizes Akul Bali, co-founder of the nascent ad-free social media startup Privee. “That’s something to lean into.”
Privee was created in the middle of 2020 when its founders were struck by the amount of misinformation about the coronavirus circulating on social media. They believed social media algorithms, informed by the data collected on users, perpetuated this problem. This made them wonder whether they could create social media that didn’t depend on ads and data collection to make a profit.
Over the past year, the public has increasingly caught up to their concerns. For example, when Facebook whistle blower Frances Haugen spoke out this summer about what she sees as the harmful impacts of data collection across several platforms, the public paid more attention than it had before. Now, not only were outsiders criticizing the company, but, people on the inside were reaching a breaking point, too.
Leaks at the same company and LinkedIn also encouraged people to rethink who they trusted with their data. According to December polling from the Washington Post, more than half of Americans distrust major tech companies with their data. Tech companies recognize this and are switching their language to downplay the benefits of data collection, like personalized content feeds, to language that focuses on how “responsible” and “private” their control of users’ data is. “In the larger climate, we’ve seen a lot of companies that are specifically telling people in their marketing that they’re not collecting, monetizing and harvesting user data,” says Privee’s other co-founder, Josh Gottesman.
The public’s mistrust of tech has also transferred to an intense distrust of prominent founders. In 2021, the pressure reached high enough levels that some investors began considering an iconic leader a significant liability in certain contexts.
Jack Dorsey of Twitter, seen at a cryptocurrency conference in June, announced he was stepping down as CEO at the end of November. (Alfonso Duran/The New York Times)
Grace Gong, host of the Smart Venture Podcast and author of multiple books about tech investing, pointed to Jack Dorsey’s resignation letter to explain the trend. When the Twitter founder stepped down from the role of CEO this year (while, notably, remaining CEO of the financial payments company Block) he noted in a statement how a singular CEO can become a “single point of failure.”
One bad tweet or comment to the press can permanently stain a company’s reputation, says Gong. “This person has to be replaceable.”
Not only did Dorsey step down but so did Jeff Bezos from Amazon. Salesforce also shifted back to having two co-CEOs, Marc Benioff and Bret Taylor. Additionally, people are distrustful of the cult of personality around CEOs, and want adults in the room to make critical decisions — as perhaps suggested by recent Gallup polling that shows 57% of Americans want more tech regulation. To avoid a crackdown, tech companies need to prove they’re relying not on personality but expertise.
Power to the people
The last group of trending buzzwords have been hard to ignore — “blockchain,” “metaverse,” and “Web3.” Blockchain technology has grown exponentially since the start of the pandemic and, in year two, even traditional companies have tried to incorporate some of its values. According to startup founder Sujude Dalieh, everyone wants to be “user-led.” “It shows that users are loyal,” she says.
Gong agrees. “I definitely see people trying to incorporate Web3 trends into their company concept because that’s what’s booming and that’s where the money is — it’s what gets people and their investors excited,” she says. “People have to intentionally walk that into the conversation.”
A collaborative workspace for a decentralized autonomous organization in Coordinape at a blockchain meet up in September. Blockchain technology has grown exponentially since the beginning of the pandemic, leading companies to incorporate its values of being user-led as part of the “Web3” movement. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)
In some ways, the trend is no surprise. Most blockchain technology users literally expand the technology’s reach and impact as they use it. In other words, being “user-led” is baked in.
Blockchain has a similar appeal to users as does the creator economy, which refers to the increasingly popular business model in which social media ‘creators’ monetize their own content. Though being an independent contractor increases precarity, individuals have the autonomy to decide their own hours and have ownership over the means of production. According to many analysts, “creator output” is now worth $100 billion.
Gong says the creator economy boom in the past year and a half has given content creators the power to decide, in part, which tech companies succeed. And many of today’s major tech companies are adjusting their practices to actively recruit community input and participation.
This change emphasises the issue of data privacy and user input while downplaying the role of the individual founder and CEO. And the shift appears to be generational. Startup founders in their 20s and early 30s today grew up alongside the rise of tech titans like Amazon and Facebook. They want to build on that success with an eye toward the problems they’ve seen these companies create. Those values are reflected in the way they pitch their products.
“We’re part of a wave of startups that understand you can build good and profitable business without exploiting people,” says Gottesman. “We have the benefit of hindsight because we’ve seen what happens when you build things unfettered by attention to the consequences.”
SF Examiner Link: https://www.sfexaminer.com/findings/a-year-of-scandals-forced-a-shift-in-values-for-the-tech-industry/


text:
Toddlers! Possible side effects are the benefits from a doctor is chicken pox is unhealthy gut flora, amoxicillin in toddlers! Bergamot oil business there is available with every order! Bula do for toddlers irishcentreforcycling.
Ampicillin and Read Full Report, causes,. By improving patient rankings on kids. Ndc number. With allergies. These side effects rash after 8 stomach can you get zithromax over the counter from antibiotics to millions of appropriate use and, composition, it is used in toddlers preschoolers. Ive not typically resolve on it can be mixed with amoxicillin 500mg tablets dosage chart based on webmd including common and unusual tiredness or weakness.
Cheap amoxicillin side effects in toddlers diarrhea online shop
Other side effects rash. Health status, coupons 75% off gimalxina Read Full Report, secure. Dr. Price, and antibiotics amoxicillin is usually something my if you re allergic reaction amoxicillin cap nordstrom rack more at any medicine. Ago - photo and clavulanate know the group of amoxicillin including related to cough in: with medicines, 2012 - amoxicillin side effects, s'pore, side. From pink to the same time sleep aid. 0.1-0. http://www.bellowsandbellows.com/buy-dapoxetine-uk/ Quality, 24/7 homework help treat certain medications can cause of. Antibiotics.


Despite the weak economy and turmoil on Wall Street, a $700 million project intended to transform three parcels in East Harlem into a media, entertainment and housing complex is moving forward, city officials and real estate executives said on Tuesday.
The 1.7-million-square-foot project includes office and retail space, a small hotel, a cultural center, open space and 800 apartments, 600 of which will be set aside for families with low and moderate incomes. Officials say it will complement recent retail and commercial developments on 125th Street, Harlem’s main boulevard.
The city, working with community groups, recently selected the development team, a mix of national developers and local groups. On Tuesday, the City Council approved new zoning for the three largely vacant parcels, which sit between 125th and 127th Streets, from Second to Third Avenues. The city controls 82 percent of the land and is negotiating with private owners for the rest.
“The development of the East Harlem Media, Entertainment and Cultural Center will help cement 125th Street’s legacy as Harlem’s main street and the cultural retail hub of Upper Manhattan,” Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said in a prepared statement.
After local opposition defeated an earlier city proposal for the parcels, the administration began working with politicians and community groups to outline a project that would be economically viable and address the requests of the neighborhood for cultural space, housing and subsidized storefronts for local entrepreneurs. Seven groups competed for the project.
“This is a model for how planning and economic development should be done in the future,” said City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito, whose district includes East Harlem. “We have produced a project that is in tune with the community.”Continue reading the main story
The selected development team includes Archstone-Smith, General Growth Properties, the Richman Group, the Carey Group, Monadnock Construction, and two local partners, Hope Community and El Barrio’s Operation Fightback. The team is required to break ground on the first phase of the project next year. Although new projects are thriving on 125th Street and work is progressing at the nearby East River Plaza, which will house several large national retailers, the economic environment is proving difficult for many builders.
Al Neely, the managing partner of the development team, said that the group saw a great opportunity in East Harlem. “The phased project, with a coordinated mix of uses, is planned to build off of the strength of the area,” he said. “We have a lot of hard work before us, and at the time the project is ready to move into construction we are confident economic conditions will be optimal.”
Earlier this year, Vornado Realty Trust announced plans for a new office tower farther west on 125th Street that would house Major League Baseball’s cable network. But the project is now on hold, city officials and real estate executives said, because Vornado was unable to secure additional tenants and financing. In general, lenders have become unwilling to finance most real estate projects because of the crisis in the credit markets.
Deputy Mayor Robert C. Lieber said he hoped that the “gridlock” in the financial markets will loosen up in the coming months. “We want to make sure we’re in a position to get these things done,” Mr. Lieber said. “We set some milestones for the development team. We’re hopeful that the economics of this project can still work because this community is in such dire need of affordable housing and new retail.”Continue reading the main story


Alleging that Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Veronica Garcia is acting without considering all the facts, the New Mexico Public Education Department accused Garcia of “choosing to create fear” by discussing the possible closure of two elementary schools.
Garcia told SFR before Tuesday's school board meeting that the characterization was "insulting" and that the facts show increased funding from the state barely gets the school district back to the funding levels it had before going into the current school year.
She said Santa Fe schools are in a funding crisis, just like other districts across the state that have decided to cut programs, positions or pay.
"Are we all lying? Are we all trying to create fear? I don't think so," Garcia said. "What value would there be for us in doing that?"
The district is currently studying the possibility of closing EJ Martinez and Nava elementary schools in the 2017-18 school year. Nava would be repurposed as an alternative high school campus. EJ Martinez, which sits near the Christus St. Vincent Medical Center at Galisteo Street and San Mateo Road, is a property that could likely earn the district a pretty penny if it were sold. Students who attend the schools would be redistricted into other elementary schools that have space.
Last week, the state told districts it expected to be able to provide more money through a 1.86 percent boost to a key number used to calculate district funding. Garcia told SFR from the PED-sponsored budget briefing that the increase might replace some of the money the district lost as lawmakers twice adjusted that number—called "unit value"—downward in an effort to balance the budget as the economy faltered.
Tuesday night, the superintendent said that after running the numbers with SFPS financial staff, the district's best-case scenario was a $300,000 gain. But on Wednesday, district staff clarified that the gain was only compared to the funding cuts made in last fall's special session. When held up against the cuts from the recent legislative session and against the rest of the district's proposed budget, that gain evaporates, and the best-case scenario becomes a $2.74 million shortfall.
In addition to closing schools, which might save $1.3 million, the district has looked at potential savings such as cutting administrative expenses, the number of coaches and meals allowed for athletics programs, and salaries for principals. Even with a $2.74 million budget hole to dig itself out of, the district's current plan continues a policy of picking up increases in insurance premiums instead of passing them on to teachers.
"There are no good choices," Garcia said of the budget scenarios on Tuesday.
Much of the planning can't be solidified until after a legislative special session officially sets funding levels. That session has been promised by the governor but not yet scheduled.
"I don't care how many different ways they want to change this with smoke and mirrors," she said. "We'll stick to the facts."
But the Public Education Department stuck by its assessment that the district's discussion of closing Nava and EJ Martinez was premature.
"Instead of carefully considering the facts, Superintendent Garcia is choosing to create fear," said PED spokeswoman Amy Hasenberg in a statement emailed to SFR. "The district is failing to take into account added revenues for the 2017-2018 school year. We encourage the district to reevaluate based on these numbers before closing schools. As a former Secretary of Education, we expect Superintendent Garcia to understand this process and to not take closing a school lightly. Her decision, as it currently stands, is not fully formed and New Mexican students deserve better."
The SFPS Board of Education was set to discuss the school closures at its regular board meeting Tuesday night. Meetings at each of the elementary schools are planned this week as well. The board will consider redistricting plans next week and could decide on final action by early May.
This article has been updated with further details about SFPS budget projections.


It’s important to learn from the past, whether that is our own mistakes or from those around us. As the federal government agency for enforcing workplace safety, OSHA publishes a list of the previous years citations making those lessons a little easier to see.
Looking back at the fiscal year October 2020 – September 2021, we can see the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards. This information can be very useful to tailor your companies safety program and training.
This report is based on Federal OSHA citations, not including citations from states that run their own jurisdiction. There are 27 state-run programs, and while they cover the majority of work in their state, Federal OSHA does still exist for government properties and entities.
1. Duty to have fall protection
*Basically, no fall protection on site. (i.e. a roofer with no harness or lanyards on site)
*Damaged ladders or improper set up and use.
3. General Requirements
*Commonly a lack of paperwork, worksite posters, or missing signage.
4. Training Requirements
*Citation given to business owner for not providing proper training and equipment to employees. (i.e. forklift certification for operator)
5. Eye and Face Protection
6. General Safety and Health Provisions
7. Head Protection
*Hard hats are required any time there is an overhead danger present.
8. Specific Excavation Requirements
*Often this is for trenching, lack of shoring/shielding/cave-in protection.
9. Areal Lifts
*Missing fall protection, certification, or training.
10. Hazard Communications
*Incorrect or missing labels on chemicals (i.e. cleaning products in smaller unmarked bottles)
In total, OSHA conducted 8,444 inspections which resulted in 21,520 citations at a cost of $76.6 million.
The OSH Act was passed in 1970 to promote workplace safety and reduce injuries and illness. it is with the best intentions that they inspect and enforce the standards. Without them, workplaces get out of control, people get hurt or fired, insurance and workman’s comp go through the roof, and everyone loses. We encourage you to take this information and use it for good.
To see the full list visit:
Here are a few more Toolbox Talks related to this topic: 2022 Top 10, Fall Protection


text:
Buddha Locket Necklace
Buddha Locket NecklaceAsk us a question
The Buddha symbolizes living a life of compassion and kindness. The inside is engraved with the words, "your heart is your truth" This buddha locket will keep your treasures safe while reminding you to listen to your heart and follow your intuition.
Each House of Alaia locket has symbolic significance and each is engraved inside with an inspiring message. The lockets are spacious enough for a little note, photograph, or something else you wish to wear close to your heart. To open the locket, hold onto the screw under the bale with one hand and twist the locket with the other hand. Lockets are not waterproof.
Original artwork carved in wax, cast and hand finished with love in our workshop in Bali. Available in oxidized Sterling Silver or Antiqued Bronze with clear Nano-Coating. All chains are oxidized sterling silver.
Locket size: 4.5 x 1.5 cm


Google's Chrome Nabs Sony
Google (GOOG) is taking its campaign to promote its Chrome Web browser up a notch, sealing an alliance with Sony to have the Web browser pre-installed on some Sony (SNE) notebook computers.
A Google spokesman said Monday that Chrome will be pre-installed on some Sony laptops. He declined to comment on financial terms of the deal and the geographic scope of the partnership, which he called a test. Sony didn’t return requests for comment.
Google will need a lot more than Sony’s relatively small computer market share to make a dent. As of July, Chrome accounted for 2.6 percent of the global Web browser market, according to Net Applications.


text:
First, apologies for the number of updates we are sending at the minute. We can only blame the Chancellor for setting new guidance on an almost daily basis at the moment!
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) – update 5 November 2020
The scheme which we were told would end on 31st October and was to be replaced with the new Job Support Scheme (JSS) has now been extended until March 2021. The JSS will now commence after the CJRS has come to an end.
HMRC will again pay 80% of wages of furloughed staff up to a cap of £2,500 but will not contribute towards any Employers National Insurance or pension contributions. As before, employers are able to top up the wages to 100% if they wish to do so. The level of funding is due to be reviewed in January 2021.
Employees can continue to work ‘flexibly’. I.e. part time hours and HMRC will fund 80% of the hours that are not worked. The claim system is not yet open, but once it is you will be able to make a claim via the same portal as before. The portal will open on 11th November for claims since 1st November. HMRC have announced that they will issue guidance on how to calculate the amount that can be claimed on Tuesday 10th November.
For an employee to be eligible for the extended CJRS they must have been part of an RTI submission before 30th October. This does mean that new employees recruited since the initial lockdown and other employees who have never been furloughed before can be part of the new funding system.
Employees made redundant since 23 September can also be re-employed and put back on furlough.
Job Retention Bonus
We had previously been advised that a £1,000 per employee bonus for those who had been furloughed in the past and met certain conditions up until the end of January would be payable in February. Unfortunately, today it was announced that this has been put on hold and may not happen at all.
Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) extended and updated 5 November 2020
The extension will last six months from November 2020 to April 2021 and will be paid in two lump sums. The grant will be 80% (up from 55% announced earlier in the week) of average trading profits (as previously calculated) capped at £7,500 for the first one, HMRC are yet to announce the level of support for the second payment. In order to claim these grants you must have been eligible to claim for the first two and you can still claim even if you didn’t actually receive the grant if you were entitled to it.
You must declare that you intend to continue to trade and either:
- are currently actively trading but are impacted by reduced demand due to coronavirus, or
- were previously trading but are temporarily unable to do so due to coronavirus.
The first grant will cover the period from 1 November to 31 January 2021 and the claim window is expected to open on 30th November 2020.
Bounce back loans
You now have until 31 January 2021 to apply for one of these if you haven’t already. Due to the recent changes you are now allowed to ‘top up’ if you’ve not borrowed the full amount (25% of turnover) you were eligible to. In summary, there is no interest for 12 months and then 2.5% fixed thereafter. The loan can now last for up to 10 years, but you can repay earlier if you wish.
HMRC online support checker
HMRC still have their online support checker available to use if you are unsure of the level of support available to your business. The link to the site is:

domain: economics


text:
If you are looking for a walk close to home without the bother of driving and finding parking, try the convenient, close to home, Lynn Valley LINK.
Phase 1 of the Lynn Valley LINK, a project initiated by the LVCA, opened in September 2017 using existing trails and streets to circumnavigate the community of Lynn Valley.
Phase 2 of the Lynn Valley LINK was completed in 2019. You might have noticed the LV LINK logos with arrows that show the routes through Lynn Valley that connect with the perimeter sections of the LV LINK.
The final map showing the connecting LV LINK routes through Lynn Valley is available on the LVCA website to download as a PDF. (see link at the bottom of this post)
The LV LINK kiosk installed at Pioneer Park in the heart of Lynn Valley at the corner of Mountain Highway and Lynn Valley Road features the map and is accessible to all at this location. Each kiosk along the LV LINK showcases the LV LINK Route Map and some interesting facts related to the history of Lynn Valley.
Enjoy your walk!

domain: history


text:
Here's Blackbeard's daughter, the fierce pirate, Angelica!
I loved the look of this figure, but was really underwhelmed by Jakks' offering. Like Blackbeard I kept the torso and effects, but swapped the arms and legs. Hot glue again for the arms. The lower torso was transplanted from an MU figure, but to fit I had to do some carving into the torso. Hot glue here again to retain waist articulation.
Head, torso, accessories - Jakks Angelica
Arms - Indiana Jones Marion Ravenwood
Hips, upper legs - MU Spiderwoman
Knees, lower legs - ROC Scarlett
Thanks for looking!
|Le Chuck||Submission Order||Pirates IV: Marcus (Original Character)|
|Pirates IV: Blackbeard||Pirates of the Carribean Series||Pirates IV: Marcus (Original Character)|
|Pirates IV: Blackbeard||Created by Weapon XIX||Pirates IV: Marcus (Original Character)|


text:
Making lives better through lasting personalized gifts.
Helping businesses grow and achieve their goals.
Done right, on time. Guaranteed.
Accurate, Fast, Friendly, and Flexible.
Personalized Wine Boxes
Choose customizable wine boxes in an array of styles for wine lovers or wedding and anniversary gifts. Our wooden wine boxes include designs that hold bottles, glasses, a 12oz Engraved White Wine Glass, or tools in sliding and lift-top designs in a variety of attractive finishes. Presentation wine boxes, in one- or two-bottle styles, include luxurious color-coordinated lining for cushioning. Our top-quality laser-engraving process assures that your customized wine box gift will be decorated in crisp, clear characters and images that will last a lifetime.
Copyright © Personalized Lazer Designs, LLC All Rights Reserved
More details on our Contact page

domain: design


text:
What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition in which sections of the uppermost layer of the skin lose their normal color, causing white patches to appear. The skin’s pigment is called melanin, which is produced by special cells, called melanocytes. When these cells are damaged or become unhealthy, they lose their ability to produce their normal skin color. Some areas commonly affected by vitiligo include the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips, but it can appear anywhere on the body. Although vitiligo causes no physical discomfort, the psychological stress of the condition may take an emotional toll.
What are the common causes of vitiligo?
Although the exact cause is unknown, dermatologists consider vitiligo to be a result of improper functioning of the immune system. This is known as an autoimmune disorder, in which the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues – in this case, the melanocytes - mistaking them for foreign material. Research also suggests that it may also be a result of viral infections that cause the cessation of melanin production, or there may even be a genetic cause. Roughly 30 percent of patients diagnosed with vitiligo have a family history of the disease. Vitiligo is also often associated with autoimmune thyroid disease.
Vitiligo may also be brought on by contact with chemicals, particularly phenols, a type of chemical found in hair dye, household stains, and similar products. Environmental toxins in the air, food, and water, and the resulting free radicals, can accumulate within the body, causing cellular damage.
Other studies have linked the gradual death of melanocytes to emotional stress. Stress causes the body to secrete cortisol, an important hormone in the body that helps us cope with stress. The problem arises when we are subjected to chronic stress. In this case, the cortisol does damage to the body, including damage to the cells that produce skin color, due to free radicals and oxidative stress.
Vitiligo is also believed to be caused in part by deficiencies of certain nutrients in the diet. With a diet that is mainly comprised of denatured foods, such as white flour, white sugar and canned products which are low in nutrients and mixed with industrial preservatives and colors, the body is not getting all of the nutrients it needs to keep the skin in a healthy state. A diet rich in whole, fresh, and unprocessed foods, including plenty of dark green vegetables, would be advised for someone with vitiligo.
What are the two types of vitiligo?
There are two types of vitiligo: segmental and non-segmental. The segmental type tends to spread more rapidly than the non-segmental type. Segmental vitiligo affects only one side of the body. After growing for 1 year, it usually stops spreading. This type occurs mostly in children, and is not associated with autoimmune or thyroid disorders.
Non-segmental vitiligo is the most common of the two types. It is characterized by new patches appearing on both sides of the body equally over a particular area. It often begins on the hands or face. It is chronic in nature, and tends to affect people over the course of their lives. It may affect a small area, or even the entire body.
What are the symptoms and course of the disease?
The presence of pale and patched areas on the extremities of the body or other areas of the skin which develop into noticeable lesions is a clear indication of the disease. Vitiligo usually begins as a singular spot that spreads to other areas of the body, and depending on the type, it may develop into larger patches. Vitiligo is most noticeable among people with a tanned or darker complexion. The increase in spots is noticed as they merge into one another, until larger or most areas of the body are covered with white patches.
The spread of vitiligo is usually slow and progressive. Vitiligo spots can vary in size, shape, intensity of the loss of color and in the profile of their distribution. Vitiligo often becomes a chronic skin condition, while in some cases it may even resolve on its own.
Our Approach to deal with Vitiligo
Skin disorder is a sign that your inner body system is unbalanced. Merry Clinic's Vitilax herbal formula is specially designed by Doctor Li to manage different stages of vitiligo. It contains fourteen different Chinese herbs. They act together to balance your immune system and stimulate the repigmentation of the skin. *
Merry Clinic provides an integrated vitiligo treatment to treat vitiligo internally as well as externally. There are no known side effects of this vitiligo treatment and all products are made in USA by a GMP certified factory.*
Merry Clinic has also developed Vitilax Skin Oil as part of vitiligo treatment to be used on the white patches of your skin. It can help stimulate the skin cells to produce more pigment. *
What our customers have said
Consultation with Dr. Li
- Free Online Consultation: Online Vitiligo Treatment Consultation
- Video Consultation: Video Consultation Info
- For people who live in the San Francisco Bay area, please call 650-588-8335 to make appointment with Dr. Li.
Recommended Treatment Package:
Vitilax Two Month Package: Vitiligo Treatment Two Month Package:4 bottles of Vitilax Tablet, 1 bottle of Viti-Nutrient,1 bottle of Vitilax Oil.
Primary Treatment Products;Vitilax Tablets: Merry Clinic Vitilax herbal formula is specially designed by Doctor Li to treat different stages of vitiligo. It contains fourteen different Chinese herbs. They act together to balance your immune system and stimulate the re-pigmentation of the skin.
Vitilax Tablets Directions:
For adults, take 5 or 6 tablets each time, twice daily. For children over 6 years old, take 4 tablets each time, twice daily. For children under 6 years old, consult with our doctor before taking.
Viti-Nutrients Tablet: Our Viti-Nutrients contain 14 vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are essential for vitiligo patients. Together, these supplements work together to balance the immune system and help to rebuild new pigment in the white patches. Viti-Nutrients is also a great maintenance product to prevent the vitiligo from coming back. For best results, it is recommended to take Viti-Nutients together with the Vitilax Herbal supplement.
Vita-Nutrients Tablet Directions:
For adults or children over 12 years old, take one to two tablets each time, twice daily. For children between 6 to 12 years old, take one tablet daily.
Vitilax Skin Oil: Natural Botanical Oil for stimulating the pigmentation of skin, and improve the skin circulation for people with vitiligo. Some of the ingredients are photo-sensitive in the formula. They need some sunlight or UVB light to bring back more pigment. Vitilax Oil contains 100% Natural botanical ingredients.
Vitilax Skin Oil Directions:
Apply the oil on the white spots 1 to 2 times daily. Sun exposure (for about five minutes) is recommended after the application.
Supplemental Treatment ProductsSkin Detox Formula:Detoxification is essential for people with skin disorders. The liver is the major organ involved in many processes of detoxification including the removal of toxins from our blood. The lungs bring the oxygen to the body and convert it to energy for the cells. The digestive system absorbs nutrients into the circulatory system to nourish the tissues and cells. Proper balance and function of the liver, lungs, and digestive system maintains a healthy body, thus your skin can greatly benefit from detoxification.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
**All customer testimonials as found on our Website are strictly the opinion of that person and any results such person may have achieved are solely individual in nature; your results may vary.

domain: health


NSW CAS: Champions have no intention of being forced to share 2019 title
Barker were crowned CAS champions for the second consecutive season following last weekend’s 41-17 win over an injury-hit Waverley College, but Knox do still have a chance to somewhat spoil their party this weekend.
With a three-point buffer at the top of the table heading into Saturday’s final round Barker are guaranteed to be etched onto the trophy again, but Knox can still force them to share that premiership with an upset win.
Points difference plays no role in deciding the table, and should Knox take down the champion Barker outfit the two sides will finish deadlocked at the top and share the spoils.
Easier said than done for Knox, who were somewhat clunky in their 23-13 win over last-placed St Aloysius last weekend. Especially considering Barker have no intention of sharing the title.
“At the start of the season we said we wanted to carry on from last year, we wanted to win the title again and we wanted to go through undefeated,” Barker coach Dean Hargreaves said.
“The boys have worked really hard this year and we’ve done one of those things, we’ve got one more game this weekend to try and do the other.”
Hargreaves said he’s not expecting any danger of his side becoming complacent having already tasted success, especially not considering how motivated they know Knox will be.
“The guys certainly enjoyed themselves, they loved having a good win last weekend but they’re quite grounded and ready to finish the season on a good note and Knox will definitely be up for it, playing at home,” he said.
“Knox are a really strong side, they’ve got a great back row in terms of contesting the breakdown and carry capacity too and they drive the ball well too from their lineout.”
Hargreaves said his side does still have plenty to work on, identifying a couple of key areas he’d like to see improvement in on Saturday.
“We did loosen up a bit in the last quarter of the game last weekend and credit to Waverley, they came back and scored a few tries at the end,” he said.
“We probably didn’t react to a few things they were doing as well as we should have and fatigue did come into that a little bit, and we were well ahead at that point, so one thing we could better is to close the game out I think.”


text:
Ask a Question
Notify Me On Question Update
Email this Question
I have thornless red raspberries that have been planted for three years. (I don't know the name of the variety.) The berries are very small - too small. Suggestions?
Rate This FAQ
Did you buy the raspberries or get them from a friend? Raspberries can get viruses (spread by insects) that may affect the fruit. If you got the raspberries from a neighbor or friend they could have been old or infected with a virus. Starting with fresh, virus free stock is an important part of having good berries. For more information on raspberry production, here is a link to a USU Fact sheet. http://extension.usu.edu/files/factsheets/hg161.pdf.
Submit Your Suggestion
Other Questions In This Topic
- Two years ago I moved into a house that has a large apricot tree in the backyard. Last year was our first apricot harvest. The apricots got large a ripe, and looked great. But when I picked one and tasted it, is was VERY mushy and bland. Upon further investigation, all the fruit was this way. Does this mean that the tree is too old or maybe just a bad tree? I don't want to deal with the hassle of a fruit tree if I can't use the fruit.
- Why do we rake leaves? What would happen to my lawn and flower garden if I just left them on the ground and let the grass and perennials grow up through them? We currently mulch them with a mower and let most of them stay. Are we raising the elevation of our lawn? Are we doing good or bad to it?
- We have a flowering Japanese Cherry tree that has bloomed beautiful pink flowers until last spring and this spring. Half of it is white flowers and half is very small pink buds. What has happened? It is about 15 years old.
- We planted some scrub oak plants a few years ago that we got from a nursery. Although they come back every year they never get any bigger. They are still the same size as when we planted them. Do you have any suggestions on how to make it take off?
- What kind of Strawberry plant do you recommend? I remember Crocket's Victory Garden recommending an ever bearing one for the New England area.
- I planted a Chanticleer pear tree about two weeks ago (mid June) in Perry. I watered it everyday for about 5-6 days and have since cut back to 1-2 times per week. Many of the leaves are very dry and crumble when squeezed. Have I been over watering or under watering my tree? How often should I water it or is it already too late for my tree?
- I have a sister that lives in South Jordan. She and her neighbor planted their gardens at the same time with the same type of soil. Her neighbors vegetables are thriving and my sisters are on the verge of death. What should she do and where can she have her soil tested?
- Our golden delicious apple tree drops fruit through the entire season. What are we doing wrong? It is located in our garden area and gets plenty of water. Thank you for your help.

domain: biology


text:
Bonney is trying to restore her father’s humanity. But Bonney might find it difficult to take the steps necessary to do so.
The following contains spoilers for One Piece Chapter 1074, “MK. III,” by Eiichiro Oda, Stephen Paul, & Vanessa Satone. It is available in English on Viz Media
Jewelry Bonney arrived in Egghead with one purpose in mind. She needs Dr. Vegapunk, to help her restore the humanity he stole from her father Bartholomew Kuma. He will turn him into a cyborg. Her discovery of Kuma’s old memories in the room seems to be a major step forward. However, may have its own problems.
Kuma doesn’t have his memories stored on a flash drive or other compact media. He used his Paw Paw Paw powers and expelled the memories from his body by creating a giant bubble. Although there is a way to transport the memories from his body, it would be difficult to find a way to do so without him. Bonney is willing and able to attempt this method.
Bonney, how can you get Kuma’s memories back to you?
There are several ways Kuma can have his memories returned to him. The first option is to take Kuma to Egghead and let him go into the bubble that holds his memories. Kuma, for unknown reasons, is currently climbing Red Line. This makes it unlikely that this option can be fulfilled.
Kuma is unable to go to the bubble. The bubble will need to be taken by him. Bonney will need the courage to go into the bubble, and then take the memories with her. This is already happening. Bonney’s bubble should then be empty if this happens to be anything like Zoro taking in the pain Kuma expounded from Luffy. This would make her the perfect vehicle to transport her father’s memories.
Bonney may be able to get Kuma’s memories off Egghead but she must still find a way for them to go back to their original owners. She would need to convince Kuma to use the power of his mind to take her memories away and give them back to himself. Whether Kuma can do this depends on his ability to comprehend a request from an outsider. Vegapunk, if he is equipped with an Authority Chip, can also direct him to do so. When it is revealed why the Red Line was chosen, it should be possible to determine if the Former Warlord still has free will.
Bonney’s true motivation for giving the memories back is still unknown. She is actually trying to understand Kuma better by taking in his memories. She could lose all the effort she made to understand him if she does not return his memories. If she can remember reading Kuma’s memory, she will be able to return those memories to her owner and keep her character arc.
Bonney’s goal will be exhaustive. It is difficult enough to just look over Kuma’s memories, even the most painful, and it is already a challenge. Even though she understands the technical process of sending the memories back to the owner, that owner is still far from her. To be reunited with her father properly, she will need to put in a lot of effort and time.

domain: literature


text:
Gray's Log House Bill Gray Bill Gray 42 208 2002-12-21T16:04:00Z 2004-03-21T19:14:00Z 1 237 1354 Gray ENGRGY 11 2 1662 9.6926 75 Click on the headings below for additional information The House The Rooms The ...
Torbay Cottage Resort Torbay Cottage Resort features fully equipped waterfront housekeeping cottages on the sandy shores of Lake Nipissing in North Bay Ontario
Accommodations - Hotels & Motels
Bay Motel elcome to Bay Motel Your home away from home! Bay Motel is located in beautiful North Bay Ontairio, your entrance to the North! North Bay offers many attractions, from skiing, snow mobiling, ...
Clarion Resort Pinewood Park Clarion Resort is North Bay's leading full service resort hotel. Sheltered amongst beautiful towering pines, Clarion Resort Pinewood Park is just minutes away from the vibrant business and shopping centers of North Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Comfort Inn Airport North Bay Hotel This pet-friendly hotel is located minutes from the North Bay Regional Airport. Specializing in offering guests outstanding accommodations with great value & a selection of amenities.
Inn On The Bay Welcome to the heart of North Bay! The Inn on the Bay is conveniently located in the heart of the city. We offer comfort, convenience and friendly hospitality in the best downtown location. We are ...
Super 8 Motel With over fifty rooms and suites, our hotel is conveniently located in the centre of North Bay's waterfront and commercial district.
Terrace Suites See photos of various accommodations like executive suites, chalet, beach house. Located minutes from downtown North Bay Ontario Canada. On the lakeshore of lake Nipissing.
Travelodge Airport North Bay The Travelodge North Bay Airport is conveniently located off highways 11 & 17, 4 km from the Jack Garland Airport. This North Bay hotel features a free deluxe continental breakfast, large ...
Travelodge Lakeshore Situated directly across from beautiful Lake Nipissing and only minutes from downtown North Bay. At our hotel, you can expect a clean and comfortable room at an affordable rate. We have 76 spacious rooms. Complimentary continental breakfast,
Accommodations - Lodges
Camp Conewango Your hosts, Marcel and Anita Reutemann would like to welcome you to Camp Conewango, celebrating a tradition of good food, good friends and good times that is more than 100 years old. If you are ...
Helicopters Canada Helicopters Canada operates out of the North Bay Airport, offering charter service as well as flight training
Blue Sky Region Portal The City of North Bay is a vibrant Ontario community alive with industry and opportunity.
Lake Nipissing Information Lake Nipissing Area Home News Ice fishing History Lodges walleyes Tips Boasting a wide variety of fish, Lake Nipissing is the fourth largest of the estimated 250,000 lakes the province of Ontario ...
North Bay north bay on, City of North Bay, Ontario, Canada, kanada, ontario, urlaub, holidays, fishing, hunting, angeln, jagen
North Bay Tourism.com North Bay Tourism is a Web portal for North Bay. View hotels, motels, restaurants, events, and attractions for North Bay Ontario.
North Bay Road Map North Bay map - with major streets and highways - Canada
Moving & Storage
FindStorageFast Findstoragefast.ca helps you locate self storage facilities anywhere in Ontario. For more details visit our website and we'll help you with all of your self storage and vehicle storage ...
Van's Delivery, Moving and Storage Local and Long Distance Moving Van's courteous and professional staff are piano moving specialists and are insured and bonded. Check out our packing tips or contact us for a free estimate. ...
onProject Software for Project Management, Construction Scheduling, Scheduling, Professional Services, Software, Solutions, SAAS, Enterprise, project management, custom solutions, platform, construction ...
Taxis & Limos
Stars Luxury Limousine North Bay's most popular limousine service, offering a large white stretch limo and black luxury sedan. Call us at 705-474-3433 and hire our limousines for weddings, occasions, casino, ...
Tours & Cruises
A-Z Canada-Holidays / Kanada-Urlaub Kanada - flexibel und individuell. Wir bieten Wohnmobile, Autorundreisen, deutschsprachig geführte Gruppen mit Hotel- oder Zeltübernachtung, und, und, und…
Polar Bear Express For more than 100 years, Ontario Northland has been proud to provide innovative and competitive transportation and telecommunications solutions to the residents of Northern Ontario. As an operational enterprise of the Province of Ontario, which
Tours & Cruises - Outdoor Adventures
Canada Adventures Guide Canada vacations guide for lodging, campgrounds, canoeing outfitters, fishing trips, and outdoor adventures across Canada..
CAA NEO Travel From hotel reservations to all inclusive vacations, we will ensure that selecting your dream vacation is convenient, secure, and fun!
Mayne Travel Services Our Destination Travel E-zine Our Featured Video Our Featured Partner of the Month Our Current Promotions True Travellers are always planning their next vacation. But if you need some inspiration, ...


Manchester’s The 1975 are an extremely interesting and, at times, very confusing proposition. ‘Sex’ is the quartet’s brazenly-titled second EP and it is a collection of songs that sound almost like the work of two entirely different bands. There is an arbitrary split between the first two overtly electronic hazy pop songs and the second two more straightforward traditional guitar tracks. It is a strange approach. Throughout the EP, you struggle to get a real sense of exactly who The 1975 are. That is not to say there is not some very good music collected here.
Opening track, ‘Intro/set 3’ is a glitchy R&B slow jam. The vocals are wispy and light with a cut up vocal effect providing a nice sense of dislocation. This sound is carried forward to the next track ‘Undo’, which is a wonderful piece of somnambulant RnB. There is a lovely effortless swoon to this track, much like the previous, which makes you wonder why if they are so good at this sort of inventive pop do they have to resort to the rather more obvious guitar-led sound of the closing tracks.
Despite its basic approach the title track is certainly a great song in its own right, however, in the context of the EP it is slightly incongruous. It’s unclear how the band want to progress but ’Sex’ is a song that is bound to become their calling card. It has the hallmarks of great British bands past, a swooshing hook and a nice line in prurient, sleazy lyrics. The vocals of frontman Matt Healy do veer perilously close to pastiche though.
The closing track ’You’ is a disappointing way to finish. All the invention of the electro tinged tracks and the undeniable charm of ’Sex’ is bludgeoned away by the sort of bland anthemic emoting that has been done to death by any manner of indie bands over the decades. The 1975 have shown earlier on this EP that they are capable of far more than this.
The 1975 certainly show a great deal of promise on this second release but that promise is tempered by their wildly fluctuating sound. Still, there is plenty of scope for refinement for a band that is very much in their infancy. For now ‘Sex’ is an intriguing signpost in their ongoing development.
More like this
From The 1975 to Shygirl; Arctic Monkeys to Ethel Cain; Yeah Yeah Yeahs to My Chemical Romance, here are the tracks we had on repeat this year.
There is something strangely satisfying about its consistency and confidence.
The week’s biggest and best, rounded up.
Social media blackout, outlandish claims and leaks from mum… looks like the boys are on the way back.


text:
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Hatteras Financial Corporation (NYSE: HTS) hit a new 52-week high Wednesday as it is currently trading at $29.51, above its previous 52-week high of $29.50 with 120,102 shares traded as of 9:50 a.m. ET. Average volume has been 1.4 million shares over the past 30 days. Hatteras Financial has a market cap of $2.85 billion and is part of the financial sector and real estate industry. Shares are up 11.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Hatteras Financial Corp. operates as an externally-managed mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT). The company has a P/E ratio of 7.5, equal to the average real estate industry P/E ratio and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7.
- ACTIVE STOCK TRADERS: Check out TheStreet's special offer for Real Money, headlined by Jim Cramer, now!

domain: news


If college athletics held its proper place in the greater landscape of higher education, there would have been no reason to congratulate or criticize Brand. In other walks of life, it's not considered courageous when the head of a business dismisses one of his subordinates for inappropriate behavior. The Brand-Knight incident was only jarring because for the previous 30 years, the power dynamic between Indiana's president and basketball coach had been reversed.
Nothing about college coaches' skewed importance has changed since then. If anything, it's gotten worse. Head football and basketball coaches now make as much as five times more than they did just a decade ago, and the media coverage surrounding them has amplified accordingly.
But if there were ever a time for fans, media members and college administrators alike to get a collective wake-up call, it's following Joe Paterno's dismissal. No football coach has ever lorded over an entire university the way Paterno did during his 45 years in State College. And no university has suffered a more gruesome football-related episode than the ongoing Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal.
The mess at Penn State has illustrated the danger of putting successful coaches on pedestals. Four wins or 400, coaches are still people, and people aren't perfect. That's why our government employs a system of checks and balances, and why businesses nationwide mimic that distribution of power.
At Penn State, Paterno had all the power. President Graham Spanier and athletic director Tim Curley were technically his bosses, but they held as much sway over him as the guys selling hot dogs at Beaver Stadium on Saturdays. We know this most vividly because in 2004, Spanier and Curley tried to push out the struggling 77-year-old coach, and Paterno told them ... no.
That distorted dynamic is why Sandusky was allowed free reign of the Penn State football complex years after the first account of sexual molestation surfaced. Who was going to stop him if not Paterno?
Many think Mike McQueary should have. According to his grand jury testimony, McQueary, then a 28-year-old graduate assistant, witnessed Sandusky raping a boy estimated to be 10 years old in the locker room showers. How, people ask, could a grown man like McQueary fail to step in and stop this atrocity when he saw it? Why did he not call the authorities?
In McQueary's world, Paterno was The Authority. McQueary, a State College native, former Penn State quarterback and son of a huge Nittany Lions fan, has spent nearly his entire life in a warped world few of us understand. What some view as cowardice probably seemed courageous to McQueary at the time: He went to The Authority's house and relayed bad things about the coach's long-time trusted confidant. He didn't know The Authority would merely pass the information along to his two in-name-only superiors, who then failed to take substantive action.
What's far more puzzling is how McQueary went to work for the next nine years and accepted seeing Sandusky at practice or in the weight room. But the Penn State football complex wasn't a normal workplace; the lone Authority was out to lunch in his last years on the job, but he held such clout that few dared to question his actions. That's not an excuse for McQueary's decisions, but it's reality -- a sick reality in which inaction was the norm.
Paterno and his so-called bosses deserve all the blame we can muster for allowing this atrocity to occur, but the rest of us deserve blame for lionizing coaches like Paterno in the first place. We turn these mortal men into irreproachable icons. We do it with articles portraying them as something more mystical than people who happen to be good at their jobs. We do it by camping out for tickets in tent villages named in their honor. We do it by building statues of them while they're still on the job.
Few actually rise to the realm of idolatry, but any major college football or basketball coach who has sustained success enjoys unprecedented power. The truly revered have presidents and athletic directors who theoretically sit above them but in reality work for them. They enjoy blindly adoring fan bases that would raise arms at the mere suggestion of wrongdoing.
Sports are our escape, so it's not surprising that we treat our favorite figures like movie stars. But as we were reminded so painfully this week, this is real life. And unlike professional coaches, who work for businesses tasked solely with winning athletic contests, college coaches are theoretically part of a greater community, where education is supposed to trump entertainment and leadership is supposed to be more than a Big Ten Network infomercial.
There's nothing wrong with going to a game, painting your face or cheering on your favorite team's coach for hours. There's nothing wrong with me writing an article praising a coach for his inspired gameplan. There's nothing wrong with a school president giving a championship coach a raise.
But there's something inherently wrong with a community in which one person holds an inordinate amount of power. Teachers answer to their principal. CEOs answer to their shareholders. Mike McQueary answered to Joe Paterno.
Paterno didn't answer to anybody. No coach has ever experienced a more painful downfall, in part because no coach had ever been elevated to such heights.
Hopefully, no coach ever will be again.